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Ivan is 3 years old when his father, Basil III dies unexpectedly and Ivan Assumes the throne as the grand prince.
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During this period in his life, Ivan was a smart, strong leader; won many great battles; got lots of land for Russia; and improved its laws.
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Ivan was believed to have some sort of mental disorder, as he was prone to many violent emotional outbursts. There is nothing from his youth or earlier life that suggests a cause for this.
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Ivan Marries the Beautiful Anastasia Romanovna marking the beginning of his "good period".
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This period in his life began when his wife Anastasia died. He suspected the Boyars of poisoning his wife, and he ended up becoming very suspicious. He had his own secret police to kill anyone he thought opposed him, an dhe forced loyalty from nobles after stealing his land.
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Near the end of his reign, Ivan, during a violent disagreement with his son, killed him. This left Russia to be ruled by his much weaker second son, throwing Russia into turmoil for years after, as his second son was not mentally or physically fit to be in charge of an entire nation.