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Aug 25, 1530
Ivan Chetvyorty Vasilyevich's Birth
Came into the world in Kolomenskoye, Russia -
Dec 4, 1533
Ivan's Dad Died
After Ivan's father (Vasili III) died, he was immediately crowned the grand prince of Moscow. His mother (Elena Glinskaya) helped Ivan grow up and ruled the kingdom. -
1538
Ivan's Mom Died
After his mom's (Elena Glinskaya's) death at the age of 8, Boyars and others of high nobility fought for his throne. -
Period: 1538 to 1547
Boyars Fought for the Throne
They all tried to claim the throne of the "grand prince of Moscow". They kicked Ivan off the throne to take it themselves. -
1547
Ivan married Anastasia Romanovna
The same year he took back the throne, he married Anastasia. -
Period: 1547 to 1549
Church was Summoned
The church was summoned to systematize the churches affairs. This affirmed its Orthodoxy and canonized a lot of Russian saints. -
Jan 16, 1547
Ivan Reclaims his Throne
Ivan finally had enough and decided he would take the throne back. At the age of 16, he reclaimed the throne and crowned himself czar or "Caesar". -
1549
Ivan Assembles a Council
To make sure his reformations benefited everyone, Ivan assembled a council of advisers. They would be responsible for some of the better things in Ivan's reign such as rural region self governing, church reformation, reformed tax collection, and the institution of the statutory law. -
1550
New Legal Code was Introduced
Ivan made a new legal code to replace the outdated old legal codes that were made in 1497 -
Period: 1552 to 1556
Ivan goes to War with Tartar and Astrakhan
To increase their control, trade, and buffer against the Mongols, Ivan decided to invade Tartar and Astrakhan. -
1556
A Trade Route was Cleared to the Caspian Sea
After a short war, the mouth of Volga was conquered and became a Russian river. This gave them access to the Caspian Sea to trade. -
1556
Ivan Creates Regulations Against the Boyars
Ivan regulated the power of the boyars. He made sure that they would service the tsar of Russia instead of overthrow them. -
Period: 1558 to Jan 15, 1582
Ivan goes to War in Livonia
Ivan turned his attention Westward, thinking that trade with Europe was the way to advance his Empire. Unfortunately, he lost and gave up all gains in Livonia. -
1560
Ivan's First Wife Died
After his wife's death, he became mentally unstable and suspicious of everyone. His later wives also died mysteriously. -
Period: 1565 to 1572
The Oprichnina was Operational
The Oprichnina were an army of people used to influence the political and economic power to destroy powerful boyars and princes and to suppress resistance. -
1570
Oprichniki Troops attack Novgorod
Ivan sent his personal army called the Oprichniki to attack Novgorod to execute people of nobility. They destroyed the city and killed more than 7,000 people in the process. -
1581
Ivan Kills his Only Viable Heir to the Throne
Ivan killed his son, who was also named Ivan, in a fit of rage. This created a political crisis known as the "Time of Troubles". -
Ivan Kurbsky's Death
Died in Moscow, Russia
