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Ivan the Terrible: A Complex and Controversial Figure in Russian Historical Memory

John Steinbeck

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A Portrait Of Ivan The Terrible, The First Tsar Of Russia, Wearing A Fur Hat And Elaborate Robes. Ivan The Terrible In Russian Historical Memory Since 1991

Ivan IV Vasilyevich, known as Ivan the Terrible, was the first Tsar of Russia and reigned from 1547 to 1584. During his reign, he expanded the Russian Empire, reformed the government, and established the Russian Orthodox Church as the official religion of the state. He is also known for his cruelty and paranoia, which led to the execution of thousands of people.

Ivan the Terrible is a complex and controversial figure in Russian history. He is both admired and reviled, and his legacy is still debated today. This article will explore Ivan the Terrible's life and reign, and how he has been remembered in Russian historical memory since 1991.

Ivan the Terrible in Russian Historical Memory since 1991

by Charles J. Halperin

4.7 out of 5

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Ivan the Terrible's Life and Reign

Ivan the Terrible was born in 1530. He was the son of Vasily III, the Grand Prince of Moscow, and Elena Glinskaya, a Lithuanian noblewoman. Ivan's father died when he was three years old, and his mother ruled as regent until her death in 1538. Ivan was then crowned Tsar at the age of eight.

Ivan's early reign was marked by a series of reforms. He established the first Russian legal code, the Sudebnik, and reorganized the army and government. He also expanded the Russian Empire by conquering the Kazan and Astrakhan Khanates.

In 1560, Ivan divided Russia into two parts: the oprichnina and the zemshchina. The oprichnina was Ivan's personal domain, and it was ruled with a reign of terror. The zemshchina was the rest of Russia, and it was ruled by the boyars, or nobles.

The oprichnina was a period of great violence and bloodshed. Ivan's oprichniki, or secret police, were responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. The oprichnina also led to the destruction of many Russian cities and villages.

In 1584, Ivan the Terrible died at the age of 53. He was succeeded by his son, Feodor I.

Ivan the Terrible in Russian Historical Memory

Ivan the Terrible has been a controversial figure in Russian history for centuries. He is both admired and reviled, and his legacy is still debated today.

In the 19th century, Ivan the Terrible was seen as a national hero. He was celebrated for his conquests and his reforms. However, in the 20th century, Ivan's reputation began to change. He was increasingly seen as a tyrant and a murderer.

Since 1991, there has been a renewed interest in Ivan the Terrible. Some historians have argued that Ivan was not as cruel as he has been portrayed. They point to the fact that he was a product of his time, and that his actions were no more violent than those of other European rulers.

Other historians have argued that Ivan was a brutal tyrant who deserves to be condemned. They point to the fact that he killed thousands of people, including his own son.

The debate over Ivan the Terrible is likely to continue for many years to come. He is a complex and controversial figure, and his legacy is still contested.

Ivan the Terrible was a complex and controversial figure in Russian history. He is both admired and reviled, and his legacy is still debated today. Since 1991, there has been a renewed interest in Ivan the Terrible, and some historians have argued that he was not as cruel as he has been portrayed. However, other historians have argued that Ivan was a brutal tyrant who deserves to be condemned. The debate over Ivan the Terrible is likely to continue for many years to come.

Ivan the Terrible in Russian Historical Memory since 1991

by Charles J. Halperin

4.7 out of 5