| United Kingdom (from 1547 to 1721). The period of the United Kingdom from 1547 to 1721 covers the formation of the Russian Empire, its expansion and transformation into the Russian Empire. Here are the main events of this time: |
In 1547, Ivan IV, the grandson of Ivan III, became the first Russian ruler to assume the title of tsar. This symbolized the strengthening of centralized power and claimed equality with European monarchs. The era of reforms and transformations aimed at strengthening the state has begun.
Ivan IV, together with the Elected Rada, carried out a number of reforms: the creation of the Zemsky Sobor, the first representative body, military reform (the establishment of the Streletsky army), tax reform and judicial reform. These changes have strengthened the governance and military power of the State.
Ivan IV created the oprichnina, dividing the country into oprichnina and zemstvo lands. The oprichniks obeyed the tsar personally and brutally dealt with alleged traitors. This caused massive repression and economic decline, and undermined the social and economic stability of Russia.
Ermak Timofeevich and a detachment of Cossacks began the conquest of the Siberian Khanate, marked the beginning of the development of Siberia and the advance of the Russian state to the east. These lands gradually became part of the Russian state, which opened up access to new natural resources.
After the death of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, the Rurik dynasty was interrupted. The period of Troubles began (1598-1613), when Russia plunged into a political crisis, famine and civil wars. The False Dmitry, the Polish-Lithuanian intervention and the Boyars' struggle for power intensified the chaos in the country.
The Zemsky Sobor elected Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov tsar, putting an end to the Time of Troubles and beginning a new Romanov dynasty. This was the beginning of the restoration of order and stabilization of the country, and the Romanov dynasty ruled until 1917.
Under Alexei Mikhailovich, the Conciliar Code of 1649 was adopted, strengthening autocratic power and consolidating serfdom. This time was also marked by the church schism of the 1650s, when Patriarch Nikon carried out reforms that caused a split in the Russian Orthodox Church and the appearance of Old Believers.
After the Pereyaslav Rada of 1654, Left-bank Ukraine became part of the Russian state. This event led to a war with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which ended with the Andrusovo Truce of 1667, according to which Russia gained control over Left-bank Ukraine and Smolensk.
Peter the Great carried out large-scale reforms aimed at Europeanization and modernization of Russia. He reformed the army, navy, government, and education system. In 1703, Peter founded St. Petersburg, which became the new capital and the "window to Europe."
Russia was at war with Sweden over access to the Baltic Sea. After the victory in the Battle of Poltava in 1709 and the conclusion of the Peace of Nishtadt in 1721, Russia gained access to the Baltic and annexed significant territories. This made it a major European power.
Peter I assumed the title of emperor, and Russia was proclaimed the Russian Empire. This ended the period of the United Kingdom and began a new era in the history of the state, when Russia became an influential empire in Europe and Asia.