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Why Was He Terrible?
Why Was He Terrible?
The first Czar of Early Modern Russia was Ivan Grozny (r.1533 – 1584), popularly known as Ivan the Terrible in the West. Ivan was intelligent, devout, and passionate. However, after a near fatal illness and the death of his wife, Anastasia, his behavior became increasingly erratic. Fearing the nobility (called Boyars in Russia) were plotting against him he instigated a rule of terror through a newly created secret police force which enforced his dictatorial will over the Russian population.
The first Czar of Early Modern Russia was Ivan Grozny (r.1533 – 1584), popularly known as Ivan the Terrible in the West. Ivan was intelligent, devout, and passionate. However, after a near fatal illness and the death of his wife, Anastasia, his behavior became increasingly erratic. Fearing the nobility (called Boyars in Russia) were plotting against him he instigated a rule of terror through a newly created secret police force which enforced his dictatorial will over the Russian population.
In 1570 one of the largest commercial hubs within the Russian Empire, Novgorod, was sacked and it’s inhabitants put to the sword after Ivan believed that the entire population of the town was plotting to overthrow him. Ivan led the attack himself, slaughtering thousands. Ivan the Terrible, in a fit of rage, even murdered his own son Ivan Ivanovich, the sole heir to the throne.
In 1570 one of the largest commercial hubs within the Russian Empire, Novgorod, was sacked and it’s inhabitants put to the sword after Ivan believed that the entire population of the town was plotting to overthrow him. Ivan led the attack himself, slaughtering thousands. Ivan the Terrible, in a fit of rage, even murdered his own son Ivan Ivanovich, the sole heir to the throne.
The Conquest of Siberia
The Conquest of Siberia
Russian Sable, Siberia
Ivan the Terrible’s long reign centered on the conquest of Siberia. The frozen tundras and dense forests of Siberia were filled with fur bearing animals. Fur was very fashionable and desired by the elites of Europe. As a result it was a lucrative commodity throughout Europe.
Ivan the Terrible’s long reign centered on the conquest of Siberia. The frozen tundras and dense forests of Siberia were filled with fur bearing animals. Fur was very fashionable and desired by the elites of Europe. As a result it was a lucrative commodity throughout Europe.
Siberia was home to about twenty-six major nomadic ethnic groups that lived by hunting, trapping, fishing, or herding reindeer. These indigenous peoples varied widely in language and religion. Like most European conquerors of new worlds, Russians viewed these territories as “empty,” loosely filled with sub-human pagans (non-Christians) who have no rights; therefore colonization was deemed “holy,” not to mention profitable.
Siberia was home to about twenty-six major nomadic ethnic groups that lived by hunting, trapping, fishing, or herding reindeer. These indigenous peoples varied widely in language and religion. Like most European conquerors of new worlds, Russians viewed these territories as “empty,” loosely filled with sub-human pagans (non-Christians) who have no rights; therefore colonization was deemed “holy,” not to mention profitable.
Russian Fur Post, Irbit
Russian colonizers did not govern over these tribes, instead they built trading posts and military forts and demanded tribute from them by coercing them to supply pelts on a regular basis. The various Siberian tribes responded in different ways to Russian demands. Some groups readily accepted the demands. These Siberian nomads readily exchanged the skins of fur-bearing animals such as otter, lynx, marten, arctic fox, and especially the sleek sable, for Russian commodities such as iron tools, woven cloth, flour, tea, and liquor.
Russian colonizers did not govern over these tribes, instead they built trading posts and military forts and demanded tribute from them by coercing them to supply pelts on a regular basis. The various Siberian tribes responded in different ways to Russian demands. Some groups readily accepted the demands. These Siberian nomads readily exchanged the skins of fur-bearing animals such as otter, lynx, marten, arctic fox, and especially the sleek sable, for Russian commodities such as iron tools, woven cloth, flour, tea, and liquor.
St.Basil's Cathedral
St.Basil's Cathedral
Despite Ivan's terrible reputation, he was a devout and very pious Christian. Called the "New Jerusalem" by Ivan the Terrible, St. Basil's Cathedral is probably the most recognizable structure in the Russian Empire. With eight symmetrical churches built around a tall core tower, the church is meant to look like a bonfire. The unique color scheme is taken directly from the biblical description of the heavenly City in Revelation:
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats, I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Importance
Importance
Ivan the Terrible was the first Czar of all Russia. During his reign, he acquired vast amounts of land creating a centrally controlled government, and introduced western firearms to the military. The quick rise of Russia under Ivan the Terrible forced Western Europe to take notice of a new power at its eastern border.
Ivan the Terrible was the first Czar of all Russia. During his reign, he acquired vast amounts of land creating a centrally controlled government, and introduced western firearms to the military. The quick rise of Russia under Ivan the Terrible forced Western Europe to take notice of a new power at its eastern border.
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