1598-1613 - a period in the history of Russia, called the Time of Troubles.
At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, Russia was going through a political and socio-economic crisis. Livonian war and Tatar invasion, as well as the oprichnina of Ivan the Terrible, contributed to the intensification of the crisis and the growth of discontent. This was the reason for the beginning of the Time of Troubles in Russia.
The first period of turmoil characterized by the struggle for the throne of various applicants. After the death of Ivan the Terrible, his son Fedor came to power, but he was unable to rule and was actually ruled by the brother of the king's wife - Boris Godunov. Ultimately, his policies caused discontent populace.
The turmoil began with the appearance in Poland of False Dmitry (in reality, Grigory Otrepyev), who allegedly miraculously survived the son of Ivan the Terrible. He lured a significant part of the Russian population to his side. In 1605, False Dmitry was supported by the governors, and then by Moscow. And already in June he became the legitimate king. But he acted too independently, which caused discontent of the boyars, he also supported serfdom, which caused a protest of the peasants. On May 17, 1606, False Dmitry I was killed and V.I. Shuisky, with the condition of limiting power. Thus, the first stage of the turmoil was marked by the board False Dmitry I(1605 - 1606)
The second period of turmoil. In 1606, an uprising broke out, led by I.I. Bolotnikov. The ranks of the rebels included people from different strata of society: peasants, serfs, small and medium-sized feudal lords, servicemen, Cossacks and townspeople. In the battle of Moscow they were defeated. As a result, Bolotnikov was executed.
But dissatisfaction with the authorities continued. And soon appears False Dmitry II. In January 1608, his army headed for Moscow. By June, False Dmitry II entered the village of Tushino near Moscow, where he settled. In Russia, 2 capitals were formed: boyars, merchants, officials worked on 2 fronts, sometimes even received salaries from both kings. Shuisky concluded an agreement with Sweden and the Commonwealth began aggressive hostilities. False Dmitry II fled to Kaluga.
Shuisky was tonsured a monk and taken to the Chudov Monastery. In Russia, an interregnum began - the Seven Boyars (a council of 7 boyars). The Boyar Duma made a deal with the Polish interventionists and on August 17, 1610, Moscow swore allegiance to the Polish king Vladislav. At the end of 1610, False Dmitry II was killed, but the struggle for the throne did not end there.
So, the second stage was marked by the uprising of I.I. Bolotnikov (1606 - 1607), the reign of Vasily Shuisky (1606 - 1610), the appearance of False Dmitry II, as well as the Seven Boyars (1610).
Third Period of Troubles characterized by the fight against foreign invaders. After the death of False Dmitry II, the Russians united against the Poles. War has acquired national character. In August 1612, the militia of K. Minin and D. Pozharsky reached Moscow. And on October 26, the Polish garrison surrendered. Moscow was liberated. The troubled times are over.
The results of the turmoil were depressing: the country was in a terrible situation, the treasury was ruined, trade and crafts were in decline. The consequences of the Troubles for Russia were expressed in its backwardness in comparison with European countries. It took decades to restore the economy.
13. Russia's entry into the era of modern times. First Romanovs.
1598-1613 gg. - period in the history of Russia, called the Time of Troubles .
At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries Russia was going through a political and socio-economic crisis . The Livonian War and the Tatar invasion, as well as the oprichnina of Ivan the Terrible contributed to the aggravation of the crisis and the growth of discontent. This was the reason for the beginning of the Time of Troubles in Russia.
The first period of turmoil characterized by the struggle for the throne of various applicants. After the death of Ivan the Terrible, his son Fyodor came to power, but he was unable to rule and actually ruled brother of the tsar's wife - Boris Godunov. Ultimately, his policies caused popular discontent.
Troubles began with the appearance in Poland False Dmitry (actually Grigory Otrepiev), allegedly the miraculously surviving son of Ivan the Terrible. He lured a significant part of the Russian population to his side. AT 1605 The city of False Dmitry was supported by the governors, and then by Moscow. And already in June he became the rightful king . But he acted too independently than angered the boyars, also he supported serfdom, what caused peasant protest. 17 May 1606 was killed False Dmitry I and ascended the throne IN AND. Shuisky, subject to limited power. Thus, the first stage of the Troubles was marked by the reign of False Dmitry I (1605 - 1606)
The second period of turmoil. In 1606, an uprising arose, the leader of which was I.I. Bolotnikov. The ranks of the rebels included people from different strata of society: peasants, serfs, small and medium-sized feudal lords, servicemen, Cossacks and townspeople. In the battle of Moscow they were defeated. Eventually Bolotnikov was executed.
But dissatisfaction with the authorities continued. And soon appears False Dmitry II.
In January 1608. his army went to Moscow. By June, False Dmitry II entered the village of Tushino near Moscow, where he settled. formed in Russia 2 capitals: boyars, merchants, officials worked on 2 fronts, sometimes even received salaries from both kings. Shuisky concluded an agreement with Sweden , and Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth started hostilities. False Dmitry II fled to Kaluga.
Shuisky was tonsured a monk and taken to the Chudov Monastery. In Russia, an interregnum began - the Seven Boyars (a council of 7 boyars). The Boyar Duma made a deal with the Polish interventionists and August 17, 1610 Moscow swore allegiance to the Polish king Vladislav. At the end 1610 G. False Dmitry II was killed, but the struggle for the throne did not end there.
So, the second stage was marked by the uprising of I.I. Bolotnikov (1606 - 1607), the reign of Vasily Shuisky (1606 - 1610), the appearance of False Dmitry II, as well as the Seven Boyars (1610).
Third Period of Troubles characterized fight against foreign invaders. After the death of False Dmitry II, the Russians united against the Poles. The war took on a national character. In August 1612 G. the militia of K. Minin and D. Pozharsky reached Moscow . And on October 26, the Polish garrison surrendered. Moscow was liberated. Troubled time is over.
Results the troubles were depressing: the country was in a terrible situation, the treasury was ruined, trade and crafts were in decline. The consequences of the Troubles for Russia were expressed in its backwardness in comparison with European countries. It took decades to restore the economy.
The turmoil of the early 17th century is considered one of the most tragic historical eras in Russia. This period had a huge impact on further development states.
Trouble. Causes. Brief development events
According to a number of authors, the events of that time can be characterized both as natural and as random. However, before this period in the history of the country, it is difficult to find an era that would contain so many adverse factors.
The Time of Troubles began after the death of Ivan Vasilyevich. As you know, Boris Godunov, who had connections with the oprichnina, came to power. Along with this comes crop failure. In a weakened country, food riots begin. Godunov is trying his best to save the situation. But all his attempts are useless. Moreover, he is suspected of the murder of Dmitry (the son of Grozny), and society does not accept any evidence and investigations. The authority of the new king in the conditions of poverty of the people falls completely. All these circumstances lead to the appearance of impostors. Desperate people are ready to stand up for those who promise improvements.
Sweden and Poland, claiming Russian territory, use the Time of Troubles and the emerging impostors to their advantage. So, for example, False Dmitry 1, supported by the Polish tsar, turned into the tsar of Russia in a year. However, his excessive attention to the Kingdom of Poland caused discontent among the population. This was taken advantage of by Shuisky, who raised the dissatisfied against the impostor. As a result, the power changed again.
The accession of Shuisky in 1606 did not improve the situation. During the reign of the new king, a thieves' movement unfolds. As a result, it breaks out. According to some authors, this uprising was the first civil war in the Russian state.
At the same time, Bolotnikov appears and unites with him. The war is moving on new stage. The attack on Russia begins. The Poles capture Smolensk.
Shuisky, being in a hopeless situation, turns to Sweden for help. As a result, the allied Russian-Swedish army first breaks Polish troops, and then is defeated in the battle of Klushino.
Failures in battles finally undermined the authority of Shuisky. A new stage of the Time of Troubles was marked by a conspiracy in Moscow. As a result, Shuisky is removed. Power passes to the boyars, who later swore allegiance to Vladislav (the Polish prince). In the autumn of 1610, the Poles entered Moscow.
From 1610 to 1613 the period of the Seven Boyars begins. A major anti-Polish movement begins in the country. Uprisings cover many cities, formed This movement is defeated. However, by the next year, a second militia was formed, led by Minin and Pozharsky. Moscow was taken, and the Poles were forced to capitulate.
At the year convened in 1613, a new king was elected. The era of the Romanov dynasty began. The first king of this dynasty was Michael, who at that time was sixteen years old.
The consequences of the Troubles became the most difficult for the entire state. The events of that period led to impoverishment, undermining the economy, and economic ruin.
The consequences of the Time of Troubles were also expressed in the territorial losses of Russia. Smolensk, Ukraine departed from the state.
The consequences of the Time of Troubles also manifested themselves in the cultural sphere. Some isolation of the country has intensified. The state was weakened. Despite the victory, Russia was in a very difficult conditions.
The internal situation in the country was reflected, of course, in its external position. Russia began to take a different place in the structure of economic and political ties. Relations with some countries temporarily ceased, the country's military potential was in decline.
The consequences of the Time of Troubles had to be overcome by several generations of rulers.
The Time of Troubles (Trouble) is a deep spiritual, economic, social, and foreign policy crisis that befell Russia in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The turmoil coincided with the dynastic crisis and the struggle of boyar groups for power.
Causes of Trouble:
1. Severe systemic crisis of the Moscow state, largely associated with the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Contradictory domestic and foreign policies have led to the destruction of many economic structures. Weakened key institutions and led to loss of life.
2. Important western lands were lost (Yam, Ivan-gorod, Korela)
3. Sharply escalated social conflicts within the Muscovite state, which engulfed all societies.
4. Intervention of foreign states (Poland, Sweden, England, etc. regarding land issues, territory, etc.)
Dynastic Crisis:
1584 After the death of Ivan the Terrible, his son Fyodor took the throne. The brother of his wife Irina boyar Boris Fedorovich Godunov became the actual ruler of the state. In 1591, under mysterious circumstances, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, Dmitry, died in Uglich. In 1598 Fedor dies, the dynasty of Ivan Kalita is stopped.
Course of events:
1. 1598-1605 The key figure of this period is Boris Godunov. He was an energetic, ambitious, capable statesman. In difficult conditions - economic ruin, difficult international situation - he continued the policy of Ivan the Terrible, but with less cruel measures. Godunov led a successful foreign policy. Under him, there was a further advance to Siberia, the southern regions of the country were mastered. Strengthened Russian positions in the Caucasus. After a long war with Sweden in 1595, the Treaty of Tyavzinsky was concluded (near Ivan-gorod).
Russia regained the lost lands on the Baltic coast - Ivan-gorod, Yam, Koporye, Korela. An attack was prevented Crimean Tatars to Moscow. In 1598, Godunov, with a 40,000-strong noble militia, personally led a campaign against Khan Kazy Giray, who did not dare to enter Russian lands. Fortifications were being built in Moscow ( White City, Earthen City), in the border towns in the south and west of the country. With his active participation in 1598, a patriarchate was established in Moscow. The Russian Church became equal in relation to other Orthodox churches.
To overcome economic ruin, B. Godunov provided some benefits to the nobility and townspeople, at the same time, taking further steps to strengthen the feudal exploitation of the broad masses of the peasantry. To do this, in the late 1580s - early 1590s. the government of B. Godunov conducted a census peasant households. After the census, the peasants finally lost the right to move from one landowner to another. The scribe books, in which all the peasants were recorded, became the legal basis for their serfdom from the feudal lords. The bonded serf was obliged to serve his master throughout his life.
In 1597, a decree was issued on the search for fugitive peasants. This law introduced "lesson years" - a five-year period for detecting and returning fugitive peasants, along with their wives and children, to their masters, for whom they were listed according to scribe books.
In February 1597, a decree was issued on bonded serfs, according to which one who had served for free hire for more than six months turned into a bonded serf and could be released only after the death of the master. These measures could not but aggravate class contradictions in the country. The masses of the people were dissatisfied with the policy of the Godunov government.
In 1601-1603. there was a crop failure in the country, famine and food riots begin. Hundreds of people died every day in Russia in the city and in the countryside. As a result of two lean years, the price of bread rose 100 times. According to contemporaries, almost a third of the population perished in Russia during these years.
Boris Godunov, in search of a way out of this situation, allowed the distribution of bread from the state bins, allowed the serfs to leave their masters and look for opportunities to feed themselves. But all these measures were not successful. Rumors spread among the population that people were being punished for violating the order of succession to the throne, for the sins of Godunov, who had seized power. Mass uprisings began. The peasants, together with the urban poor, united in armed detachments and attacked the boyar and landowner households.
In 1603, an uprising of serfs and peasants broke out in the center of the country, led by Khlopko Kosolap. He managed to gather significant forces and moved with them to Moscow. The uprising was brutally suppressed, and Khlopko was executed in Moscow. Thus began the first peasant war. In the peasant war of the beginning of the XVII century. three can be distinguished large period: first (1603 - 1605), major event of which there was Cotton's rebellion; second (1606 - 1607) - peasant uprising under the leadership of I. Bolotnikov; third (1608-1615) - the decline of the peasant war, accompanied by a number of powerful performances by peasants, townspeople, Cossacks
During this period, False Dmitry I appeared in Poland, who received the support of the Polish gentry and entered the territory of the Russian state in 1604. He was supported by many Russian boyars, as well as the masses, who hoped to ease their situation after the “legitimate tsar” came to power. After the unexpected death of B. Godunov (April 13, 1605), False Dmitry, at the head of the army that had gone over to his side, on June 20, 1605 solemnly entered Moscow and was proclaimed tsar.
Once in Moscow, False Dmitry was in no hurry to fulfill the obligations given to the Polish magnates, since this could hasten his overthrow. Having ascended the throne, he confirmed the adopted before him legislative acts who enslaved the peasants. Having made a concession to the nobles, he aroused the discontent of the boyar nobility. Lost faith in the "good king" and the masses. Discontent intensified in May 1606, when two thousand Poles arrived in Moscow for the wedding of the impostor with the daughter of the Polish governor Marina Mniszek. In the Russian capital, they behaved like in a conquered city: they drank, rioted, raped, and looted.
On May 17, 1606, the boyars, led by Prince Vasily Shuisky, plotted, raising the population of the capital to revolt. False Dmitry I was killed.
2. 1606-1610 This stage is associated with the reign of Vasily Shuisky, the first "boyar tsar". He ascended the throne immediately after the death of False Dmitry I by decision of the Red Square, giving a cross-kissing record of a good attitude towards the boyars. On the throne, Vasily Shuisky faced many problems (the uprising of Bolotnikov, False Dmitry I, Polish troops, famine).
Meanwhile, seeing that the idea with the impostors had failed, and using as a pretext the conclusion of an alliance between Russia and Sweden, Poland, which was at war with Sweden, declared war on Russia. In September 1609, King Sigismund III laid siege to Smolensk, then, having defeated the Russian troops, he moved to Moscow. Swedish troops seized the Novgorod lands instead of help. So in the north-west of Russia began the Swedish intervention.
Under these conditions, a revolution took place in Moscow. Power passed into the hands of the government of the seven boyars ("Seven Boyars"). When in August 1610 the Polish troops of Hetman Zolkiewski approached Moscow, the boyars-rulers, who were afraid popular uprising in the capital itself, in an effort to maintain their power and privileges, they committed treason to their homeland. They invited 15-year-old Vladislav, the son of the Polish king, to the Russian throne. A month later, the boyars secretly let Polish troops into Moscow at night. It was a direct betrayal of national interests. The threat of foreign enslavement hung over Russia.
3. 1611-1613 Patriarch Hermogenes in 1611 initiated the creation zemstvo militia near Ryazan. In March it laid siege to Moscow, but failed because of internal disagreements. The second militia was created in autumn, in Novgorod. It was headed by K. Minin and D. Pozharsky. Letters were sent around the cities with an appeal to support the militia, whose task was to liberate Moscow from the interventionists and create a new government. The militias called themselves free people, at the head was the Zemstvo Council and temporary orders. On October 26, 1612, the militia managed to take the Moscow Kremlin. By decision of the boyar duma, it was dissolved.
Outcomes of Troubles:
1. Total number The death toll is equal to one third of the country's population.
2. Economic catastrophe, the financial system was destroyed, transport communications were destroyed, vast territories were taken out of agricultural circulation.
3. Territorial losses (Chernigov land, Smolensk land, Novgorod-Severskaya land, Baltic territories).
4. Weakening of the positions of domestic merchants and entrepreneurs and strengthening of foreign merchants.
5. The emergence of a new royal dynasty On February 7, 1613, the Zemsky Sobor elected 16-year-old Mikhail Romanov. He had to solve three main problems - the restoration of the unity of the territories, the restoration of the state mechanism and the economy.
As a result of peace negotiations in Stolbov in 1617, Sweden returned to Russia Novgorod land, but left behind the Izhora land with the banks of the Neva and the Gulf of Finland. Russia has lost its only outlet to the Baltic Sea.
In 1617 - 1618. another attempt by Poland to seize Moscow and elevate Prince Vladislav to the Russian throne failed. In 1618, in the village of Deulino, a truce was signed with the Commonwealth for 14.5 years. Vladislav did not renounce his claims to the Russian throne, referring to the treaty of 1610. Smolensk and Seversk lands remained behind the Commonwealth. Despite the difficult terms of the peace with Sweden and the truce with Poland, a long-awaited respite came for Russia. The Russian people defended the independence of their Motherland.
A difficult period in the history of our country began after the death of the last reigning Rurikovich - Tsar Fedor Ioannovich. The people could not imagine existence without a legitimate king, and the boyars rushed to power, trampling on the interests of the state. The reasons for the Time of Troubles (as it is customary to call it) lie in a deep political crisis caused by the struggle between the contenders for the royal throne. The situation was aggravated by a terrible crop failure and famine. Against the backdrop of a deep internal crisis, Russia became the object of foreign intervention.
Causes of the Time of Troubles and its three stages
The Time of Troubles can be divided into three stages, each of which is due to the causes that gave rise to it.
- The first is dynastic. It is a struggle between contenders for the throne.
- The second is called social. This is a confrontation between various social classes of an economically weakened country. It led to the invasion of foreigners.
- And the third stage is national. It implies the struggle of the people against the invaders.
The end of the Time of Troubles is considered to be the accession to the throne of the young Tsar Mikhail Romanov. Let's dwell on each stage in more detail.
Beginning of the dynastic period
The reasons for the beginning of the Time of Troubles appeared when Boris Godunov, elected by the Zemsky Sobor, ascended the Russian throne. A smart, far-sighted and energetic ruler, he did a lot to strengthen the country and raise the standard of living of Russians. But the terrible crop failure of 1601-1603 was a disaster that brought down the country's economy. Hundreds of thousands died of hunger. Political opponents blamed Godunov for everything. Not having the authority of a hereditary tsar, and being only elected, the ruler lost the respect and support of both the masses and the boyars.
The appearance of False Dmitry
The situation was aggravated by claims to the throne by the impostor False Dmitry. The real heir to the throne, Tsarevich Dmitry, died under unclear circumstances in Uglich. Godunov was unsubstantiatedly accused of his death, thereby finally undermining the foundations of his rule. Taking advantage of the circumstances, False Dmitry with detachments of Poles invaded the territory of Russia, and was even proclaimed king. But he reigned only a year, and in 1606 he was killed. The boyar Vasily Shuisky ascended the throne. This did not bring any tangible normalization of the situation in the country.
social period
The reasons for the Time of Troubles in Russia also included an economic component. It was she who was the reason for the involvement in the struggle of the broadest public masses, including the nobility, clerks and Cossacks. A particularly sharp character of the events was given by mass popular uprisings, which were called peasant wars. The most large-scale among them was the uprising, which was led by Bolotnikov. Having stirred up the entire central part of the country, it choked and was suppressed.
However, this did not stabilize the situation in the country. The rigid serf policy of Shuisky aroused the discontent of the peasants. The upper strata of society accused him of being unable to govern the state. To top it off, another impostor suddenly appeared, claiming the role of tsar, False Dmitry II. The country finally plunged into chaos, called the Time of Troubles. Causes, stages, consequences and driving forces of this historical process became the subject of many scientific research which showed that the aggressive policy of Poland played an important role in the current situation.
Invasion of the interventionists
Under the pretext of protecting the legitimate heir to the throne, which meant False Dmitry II, his troops invaded the territory of Russia. Having made another mistake, Shuisky turned to the Swedish king for help in the fight against the impostor. As a result, in addition to the Polish interventionists, Swedish ones also appeared on Russian soil.
Soon False Dmitry II, betrayed by the Poles, ended his days on the gallows, but political reasons The Time of Troubles never found its resolution. Shuisky was forcibly tonsured a monk by the boyars, and they themselves swore allegiance to the Polish prince Vladislav. It was a shameful act. The Swedes came close to Novgorod and prepared for the assault. Having betrayed its people, the Duma formed a body to govern the country, which was called the "seven boyars" by the number of its members. In essence, it was a government of traitors.
National period
But not only negative sides Russian life revealed the Time of Troubles. The causes, stages, consequences, as well as the further course of the country's historical development were largely determined by the depth of people's self-consciousness. The people wanted only a legitimate ruler, this largely determined the features of the dynastic struggle of the first period of unrest.
The confrontation with economic and political chaos resulted in peasant wars. And, finally, a wave of patriotism raised the people to fight against the interventionists. Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky became the leaders of the national liberation movement. In October 1612, the thousands of militia led by them forced the Polish garrison in Moscow to capitulate.
In January of the following year, Mikhail Romanov was elected tsar. This marked the beginning of a three-hundred-year dynasty. For a long time the country suffered severe consequences dashing years, but nevertheless this event is considered to be the end of the historical period, referred to as the Time of Troubles, the causes, consequences and significance of which still require in-depth scientific analysis.