Ivan the Terrible was an extraordinary ruler of Russia. Few rule out the view of him as a tyrant king. Such traits of his character were laid back in childhood: Ivan lost his father and mother early and was under the supervision of the boyars who fought for power. The reforms of Ivan 4 became an integral part of the country's history and laid the foundation for a new period in history.
When the tsar was young, the state was ruled by his mother, the wife of Vasily 3 - Elena Glinskaya. After her death, the young king remained under the auspices of the boyars, who sought to win over Ivan and seize power. At age 17, Ivan 4 becomes an adult: marries Anastasia Romanova. Then, Ivan takes the royal title in the Assumption Cathedral, located in the Moscow Kremlin.
The reforms of Ivan 4 can be divided into two periods, namely:
1. The reforms of the Chosen are pleased.
2. Oprichnina.
In the late 1540s, a circle of his close friends and mentors formed around the young king, which began to be called the Chosen Rada. Its structure included: A. Adashev, A. Kurbsky, Sylvester and Macarius. In the first period of the reform of Ivan 4, briefly about them will be written below, consistent and aimed at strengthening the central government and military power of the country. The following members were elected:
- public administration reform (creation of orders - new central government bodies);
- the introduction of the new Judicial Code Ivan 4 (1550);
- church reform (convocation of church councils);
- military reform of Ivan 4 (the creation of new standing troops under the name "Streltsy", the introduction of the Code of Service);
- tax reform (a single taxation system is introduced for the whole country - land);
- reform of local self-government (the creation of advisory bodies to solve any pressing problems of both domestic and foreign policy - Zemsky Sobor, the abolition of an important component of Russian governance - feeding).
Such a magnificent beginning of the reign ended in 1553, when disagreements began between the king and his chosen circle. As a result, the collapse of the Chosen One is welcome. After 10 years, the best friend of Ivan the Terrible, Andrei Kurbsky, will flee to the side of the Poles. This act will finally undermine all the hopes of the king, and he will announce the beginning of the Oprichnina. Oprichnina is the terror of the times of Ivan the Terrible, which he proclaimed on a special royal inheritance (land).
Oprichnina affected Suzdal, Mozhaisk and Vyazma, as well as other nearby cities. The reforms of Ivan 4 ceased to exist, no more reformist attempts were accepted.
Oprichnina continued to intimidate residents for 7 years, after which it was canceled. Ivan 4 ordered the execution of all who participated in his terror.
It is worth noting that at this time a bloody campaign against Novgorod was committed.
The reforms of Ivan 4 in the first period of his reign contributed to the strengthening of the central authority and the power of the king, they strengthened the military power of the whole country, they “presented” Russia with a common code of laws and a representative body of authority - Zemsky Sobor.
Thus, all the changes of Ivan 4 contributed to the creation of estate-representative monarchy.