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Period: Dec 4, 1533 to Apr 19, 1538
Both of Ivan's Parents Die
Right after the death of his father, Ivan became the grand prince of Moscow at the age of three. Ivan's mother ruled in his name until she passed away in 1538. The death of Ivan's parents brought back the struggles of a variety of groups of nobles for their control over the prince. -
Period: 1538 to 1547
Ivan the Terrible's "Bad Period"
The years 1538-1547 were a rough period in Ivan's life, as there was a profound conflict between himself and a group known as "boyars". The boyars completely turned against Ivan's policies and were not loyal to him, making a strong impression on Ivan as well as a lifelong rivalry with the boyars. -
Period: 1542 to 1549
The Change in Ivan's Government
Ivan had the desire to build a Christian state, which was encouraged by Makari, the metropolitan of Moscow. This caused Ivan's government to go on a series of reforms and of the reorganization of the government. In 1547 and 1549, church councils strengthened and systematized the church's occurrences. Russia's central management was rearranged into departments. Circumstances of military service were upgraded, the armed forces were rearranged, and lastly, the system of command was changed. -
1547
Ivan the Terrible's Happiest Marriage
In the February of 1547, Ivan married Anastasia Romanovna Zakharina, who was part of a boyar family. -
1550
A New Legal Code in Ivan's Government
In 1550, a new legal code was implemented. It was in greater detail than the older legal code, which dated all the way back to 1497. -
Period: 1558 to 1582
The Livonian War
In 1558 Ivan went to war to try to ultimately have Russia rule over Livonia, which is now Latvia and Estonia. Although Russia was successful in the beginning in conquering Livonian knights, Lithuania, Russia's ally at the time, became an essential part of Poland. Sweden supported Poland. Eventually, the nuncio of Pope Gregory XIII concluded and armistice with Poland in 1582. Under this, Russia lost all of its rights to Livonia and they ultimately gained nothing from this 24-year-long war. -
1560
Ivan's Secret Police
After Ivan's accusation of the boyars of poisoning Anastasia, Ivan formulated his own police force, whose job was to find and kill anyone that Ivan considered to be a traitor to him. Using this police force, Ivan killed many boyars. -
Jul 8, 1560
Anastasia Dies
In 1560, Anastasia Romanovna died, which added to the conflict between Ivan the Terrible and the boyars, as he accused them of poisoning Anastasia. -
Period: 1565 to 1572
The Oprichnina
Andrey Kurbsky, prince of Poland at the time, announced in 1564 that he intended to retire because of the betrayal of the boyars. The Muscovites begged him to stay, and in 1565 he agreed, if he could handle traitors how he wanted and that he should form an oprichnina, territories that would be managed away from the remains of the state, and immediately put under his power as crown land. Ivan the Terrible was living in this land, and he eventually got rid of any communication with them. -
Period: 1570 to 1579
Ivan the Terrible's Many Wives
In the 1570s, in only nine years, Ivan married five women, one after the other. -
May 12, 1581
Ivan the Terrible Murders His Son
In 1581, Ivan killed his oldest son in a fit of anger. The only other surviving heir was Fyodor, however, he was not mentally able to fill the spot. Power was given to the people at Ivan's deathbed, and Boris Godunov became the leading candidate. He was forceful and smart with politics, which helped him become tsar after Fyodor passed away in 1598. He ruled for 20 years, and these 20 years were for once, free from disturbance.
