stnylan said:
Well, if you replace "defensive" with "offensive", then yes, I will.
(I've played this through 1637, by the way.)
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Well, if you replace "defensive" with "offensive", then yes, I will.
(I've played this through 1637, by the way.)
I'm happy with those terms.
One of the things I like about playing as Russia is that you get what I call 'frontier wars' in a way I don't seem to get with most other countries.
One of the things I like about playing as Russia is that you get what I call 'frontier wars' in a way I don't seem to get with most other countries.
Some nice updates. I've been reading them when I get the chance, but it is difficult to keep up with all the projects and AARs these days. What next for the Novogradians.. Novogradites.. Nov.. Russians.
[Mac: Novgorodians. Although as you said, Russians is probably better.]
The Question of Religion
1521 was spent recovering from the Karelian War. Although the war had been confined to the north-east, there had still been a notable loss of men and money; and those men who had survived now returned to farms which may have not been tended for two years. It was perhaps lucky that the war ended in January, as the farmers had time to begin growing crops again.
The first event of note after the war took place in April of 1522. A group of peasants in Karelia began to attempt to spread the new Lutheran faith throughout the region. The Duma quietly funded an effort to convince the populace there that the Orthodox faith was the true one, and succeeded in preventing the spread of Protestantism.
Later that year Sweden's war with Denmark ended, Sweden being forced to give up the region of Flanders to Austria, who had the rightful claim to it from the inheritance of Burgundy.
In July of 1525, Russian agriculture, now fully recovered from the Karelian War, flourished. That year's harvest was the best since 1494. The increase in population and thus available manpower from those two harvests likely is what led to the well-known "Russian Hordes" of later periods.
On 1 April 1526, Frederik, King of Denmark, officially announced that he had considered the situation involving Martin Luther, and that he thought that Luther was correct. The Pope was enraged. He asked King Gustav of Sweden and Joachim, Margrave of Brandenburg, the two most powerful rulers in the area, to force Frederik to recant. They immediately refused and themselves sided with Luther. The Pope next called upon Emperor Karl, whom he knew to be a good Catholic. The Emperor at first refused, being too busy arguing with John Zapolya over the fate of Hungary. But the Pope finally convinced him.
The first of the Wars of Religion began on 11 March 1527. Denmark skillfully defended itself from Karl's attacks, and soon forced a favorable peace. Karl turned back to Hungary and invaded when Zapolya was crowned in Pest.
It was soon after this that the Duma realized that the Protestants could be good allies against any Catholic enemies Russia might have. Vasily sent a message to King Gustav, saying that "any previous difficulty in relations between our two lands should be ignored. Protestant and Orthodox should unite against the tyranny of the Pope." Gustav was at first suspicious, but when King Frederik, in a supreme act of thanklessness, declared war on Sweden, the Duma sent him some aid in the war, and he was quickly convinced of Vasily's honesty.
Some of the Orthodox clergy weren't as happy with this idea, however. In May of 1530 some spoke in front of the Duma, asking that they "end this pact with these men who do not recognize the authority of the True Faith." The Duma just ignored them, and Vasily kindly asked them to leave.
Many other German states converted to Protestantism after Frederik's proclamation. Among these were Mecklenberg, Hannover, and Württemberg. It should be noted, however, that King Håkon of Norway steadfastly refused to convert, despite the fact that much of his country did.
Czar Vasily died on 4 December 1533, having secured Russia's border with Sweden first by arms and then by the olive branch. His words became the motto the latter Czars lived by: "A country is preserved by a delicate balance of the fires of war, and the water of diplomacy to douse that fire. Too much fire turns the country to ashes, and too much water turns into a flood." It is sad, perhaps, that his greatness is ignored due to the even better reigns of his father Ivan III Veliky, and of his son, who became Czar Ivan IV.
The Question of Religion
1521 was spent recovering from the Karelian War. Although the war had been confined to the north-east, there had still been a notable loss of men and money; and those men who had survived now returned to farms which may have not been tended for two years. It was perhaps lucky that the war ended in January, as the farmers had time to begin growing crops again.
The first event of note after the war took place in April of 1522. A group of peasants in Karelia began to attempt to spread the new Lutheran faith throughout the region. The Duma quietly funded an effort to convince the populace there that the Orthodox faith was the true one, and succeeded in preventing the spread of Protestantism.
Later that year Sweden's war with Denmark ended, Sweden being forced to give up the region of Flanders to Austria, who had the rightful claim to it from the inheritance of Burgundy.
In July of 1525, Russian agriculture, now fully recovered from the Karelian War, flourished. That year's harvest was the best since 1494. The increase in population and thus available manpower from those two harvests likely is what led to the well-known "Russian Hordes" of later periods.
On 1 April 1526, Frederik, King of Denmark, officially announced that he had considered the situation involving Martin Luther, and that he thought that Luther was correct. The Pope was enraged. He asked King Gustav of Sweden and Joachim, Margrave of Brandenburg, the two most powerful rulers in the area, to force Frederik to recant. They immediately refused and themselves sided with Luther. The Pope next called upon Emperor Karl, whom he knew to be a good Catholic. The Emperor at first refused, being too busy arguing with John Zapolya over the fate of Hungary. But the Pope finally convinced him.
The first of the Wars of Religion began on 11 March 1527. Denmark skillfully defended itself from Karl's attacks, and soon forced a favorable peace. Karl turned back to Hungary and invaded when Zapolya was crowned in Pest.
It was soon after this that the Duma realized that the Protestants could be good allies against any Catholic enemies Russia might have. Vasily sent a message to King Gustav, saying that "any previous difficulty in relations between our two lands should be ignored. Protestant and Orthodox should unite against the tyranny of the Pope." Gustav was at first suspicious, but when King Frederik, in a supreme act of thanklessness, declared war on Sweden, the Duma sent him some aid in the war, and he was quickly convinced of Vasily's honesty.
Some of the Orthodox clergy weren't as happy with this idea, however. In May of 1530 some spoke in front of the Duma, asking that they "end this pact with these men who do not recognize the authority of the True Faith." The Duma just ignored them, and Vasily kindly asked them to leave.
Many other German states converted to Protestantism after Frederik's proclamation. Among these were Mecklenberg, Hannover, and Württemberg. It should be noted, however, that King Håkon of Norway steadfastly refused to convert, despite the fact that much of his country did.
Czar Vasily died on 4 December 1533, having secured Russia's border with Sweden first by arms and then by the olive branch. His words became the motto the latter Czars lived by: "A country is preserved by a delicate balance of the fires of war, and the water of diplomacy to douse that fire. Too much fire turns the country to ashes, and too much water turns into a flood." It is sad, perhaps, that his greatness is ignored due to the even better reigns of his father Ivan III Veliky, and of his son, who became Czar Ivan IV.
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Hm, allying with the Protestants....interesting strategy. I hope that it pans out for you in the way that you hope....
[Amric: Actually, I'm up to 1650 and that's still an open question...]
Music: Sergei Prokofiev: "Lieutenant Kije: 2. Song"
"It all belongs to Mother Russia."
Within two months of young Ivan becoming Czar, he recieved news of another kingdom throwing off the yoke of the Papacy. This time, Henry Tudor, King of England, declared the English Church seperate from the Roman. Immediately, Ivan sent through Denmark a sizable gift, along with a note thanking him for making the correct decision.
Within another five years the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order sent news that they as well had become Protestant. Czar Ivan, overjoyed, sent the messenger home with another large gift.
On 21 August 1540, Ivan, with the approval of the Duma, announced that "All lands held by the Tatars, which contain Orthodox Russian people, it all belongs to Mother Russia." This announcement was followed by a declaration of war upon the city-state of Kazan, the nearest Tatar nation to Russian lands.
The war was somewhat difficult. Kazan had a large army, and despite Ivan's best efforts, the Russians were beaten back again and again. Finally, after several attacks against the Kazan army and then on the city itself, Kazan was conquered on 18 November 1541. Ivan, still very young, rode into the city in triumph, cheering crowds of now-free Russians throwing flowers into his path.
The Golden Horde was Ivan's next target. After waiting for winter to subside, Ivan attacked on 4 March 1542. Ivan's generals defeated a Tatar force near Tambov and conquered the city on 4 June. Afterwards, he struck to Ufa, reaching the city in early July. In a long, several-day battle, the Russians fought the main Tatar army under Sâhîb Giray[*]. In older days the Tatar cavalry had been nearly unbeatable. But the Russians met them with guns, and utterly destroyed the army, Sâhîb barely escaping with his life.
While the Russians tore through the Tatar armies, Ivan was back at home fighting the Boyars. They, noticing the Czar's age, hoped to gain power over the young king. But Ivan convened a Chosen Council, among which were his great advisors, Alexi Adashev and the priest Sylvester (later Metropolitan). Ivan used the council to keep the Boyars in line, and the Duma approved of Ivan's efforts. But, although the Boyars were defeated, their power and influence was not destroyed. One in particular, named Peter Vasilyevich Nalivayko, would go on to become a constant problem to the Czar.
Ivan was soon given news that king Håkon of Norway had, after pressure by his noblemen, decided to reverse his earlier decision to remain Catholic and converted to Protestantism. The Duma, despite the war, approved a large gift to the Norwegians, as was now the custom.
In 1545, King Henry of England sent a group of merchants to Russia, setting up the Novgorod Trading Company, creating a near-permanent trading presence in Novgorod that in the end benifited both countries.
The war against the Golden Horde finally ended in November of 1545. Russia was given all the Russian lands inside the Horde. Ivan had completed what he had promised five years ago in front of the Duma.
On 13 June, 1546, delegates from Russia, Sweden, and Norway met in Kola. There, they signed the Alliance of Kola, better known as the Grand Northern Alliance for its longevity and power.
-------
[*OOC: Crimea was not independent at this time]
Music: Sergei Prokofiev: "Lieutenant Kije: 2. Song"
"It all belongs to Mother Russia."
Within two months of young Ivan becoming Czar, he recieved news of another kingdom throwing off the yoke of the Papacy. This time, Henry Tudor, King of England, declared the English Church seperate from the Roman. Immediately, Ivan sent through Denmark a sizable gift, along with a note thanking him for making the correct decision.
Within another five years the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order sent news that they as well had become Protestant. Czar Ivan, overjoyed, sent the messenger home with another large gift.
On 21 August 1540, Ivan, with the approval of the Duma, announced that "All lands held by the Tatars, which contain Orthodox Russian people, it all belongs to Mother Russia." This announcement was followed by a declaration of war upon the city-state of Kazan, the nearest Tatar nation to Russian lands.
The war was somewhat difficult. Kazan had a large army, and despite Ivan's best efforts, the Russians were beaten back again and again. Finally, after several attacks against the Kazan army and then on the city itself, Kazan was conquered on 18 November 1541. Ivan, still very young, rode into the city in triumph, cheering crowds of now-free Russians throwing flowers into his path.
The Golden Horde was Ivan's next target. After waiting for winter to subside, Ivan attacked on 4 March 1542. Ivan's generals defeated a Tatar force near Tambov and conquered the city on 4 June. Afterwards, he struck to Ufa, reaching the city in early July. In a long, several-day battle, the Russians fought the main Tatar army under Sâhîb Giray[*]. In older days the Tatar cavalry had been nearly unbeatable. But the Russians met them with guns, and utterly destroyed the army, Sâhîb barely escaping with his life.
While the Russians tore through the Tatar armies, Ivan was back at home fighting the Boyars. They, noticing the Czar's age, hoped to gain power over the young king. But Ivan convened a Chosen Council, among which were his great advisors, Alexi Adashev and the priest Sylvester (later Metropolitan). Ivan used the council to keep the Boyars in line, and the Duma approved of Ivan's efforts. But, although the Boyars were defeated, their power and influence was not destroyed. One in particular, named Peter Vasilyevich Nalivayko, would go on to become a constant problem to the Czar.
Ivan was soon given news that king Håkon of Norway had, after pressure by his noblemen, decided to reverse his earlier decision to remain Catholic and converted to Protestantism. The Duma, despite the war, approved a large gift to the Norwegians, as was now the custom.
In 1545, King Henry of England sent a group of merchants to Russia, setting up the Novgorod Trading Company, creating a near-permanent trading presence in Novgorod that in the end benifited both countries.
The war against the Golden Horde finally ended in November of 1545. Russia was given all the Russian lands inside the Horde. Ivan had completed what he had promised five years ago in front of the Duma.
On 13 June, 1546, delegates from Russia, Sweden, and Norway met in Kola. There, they signed the Alliance of Kola, better known as the Grand Northern Alliance for its longevity and power.
-------
[*OOC: Crimea was not independent at this time]
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Well having all that land now under your yoke is good. Having the Swedes and norwegians in an alliance with you is GREAT! You've secured your northwestern border quite nicely!
Yes, it does turn out to be rather useful. Especially against Poland.
And I've changed a bit of the earlier post, the end of the paragraph about the Chosen Council. Those of you who are familiar with recent AARs should understand the reference.
And I've changed a bit of the earlier post, the end of the paragraph about the Chosen Council. Those of you who are familiar with recent AARs should understand the reference.
Ivan Comes of Age
The young Czar had grown up at first under the influence of Adashev and Sylvester, at least at first. But in 1546 Ivan finally came of age, being sixteen. He immediately asked the Duma to dissolve the Chosen Council, which it happily did.
Despite Russia's conquest of the southern frontier, there were some that did not wish Russian rule. In Tambov, in fact, there was a Muslim majority! Ivan sent his two most trusted generals, Sheremetev and Vorotinski, to keep them in line.
Along with this, Ivan had to deal with the legacy of his minority. Government bureaucracy had reached a dangerous high. Problems would not be dealt with in any sort of promptness, when they were dealt with at all. The country had grown decentralized as the local nobles still managed to take the powers of the Czar, despite the protestations and work of the Council. Despite Ivan's attempts to bring the country back to working order again, the Russian government nearly collapsed in 1550. Members of the Duma walked out of meetings in disgust.
Ivan immediately took action. On 6 November he dissolved the Duma and ordered new elections. He also forced the Boyars to give back the powers they had taken from the Czar due to his minority. There was a short standoff; at one point, even, a group supporting Ivan and a group supporting the Boyars (led by Nalivayko) met in the streets of Novgorod. After staring at each other, one of Ivan's men drew a sword and began walking towards the Boyars' line.
As he did, however, another Czarist grabbed his collar and pulled him back. In front of an astonished crowd, the man removed the cloak he was wearing, and revealed himself as the Czar! He then strode out into the middle, looked at both sides, and said, "All those who love Russia, return home and forget your quarrels." As he expected, both sides slowly streamed away from the square.
Ivan wasn't all forgiveness, however. He stopped Nalivayko (who he didn't know yet) and said, "I never shall forget your face. Pray to God that your face will change, for if I ever see you working against me or Russia again in any small way you shall suffer the worst of fates."
Over the next few years, Ivan restored the populace's trust in the government, and also restored the central power in Novgorod. The Russian people began rallying around Ivan as stability was restored. Prosperity ensued. Ivan now had practically complete rule over the country. It almost seemed as if Ivan would be able to go through the rest of his reign with a free hand to do as he pleased.
But in 1557, things began to unravel. A supporter of Nalivayko and junior Romanov died of food poisoning on 5 July. However, a group of angry nobles charged the Czar with ordering his murder. Ivan flatly denied it, and dismissed them from his court. Over the next year they constantly protested that Ivan was covering up the truth. When Ivan invaded a group of free Ukranian lands near Donetsk, they said it was to take attention away from them.
Ivan, already annoyed from constant revolts in Tambov and now Donetsk, ordered the nobles to be ambassadors to the Teutonic Knights. This kept them quiet for a while, and Ivan breathed easily. But in 1560, the Order dissolved, sending the nobles back to Russia. Before they left, however, they did manage to get the Russians and Swedes a favorable treaty, with Russia gaining Estonia and Sweden gaining Latvia.
Still, the nobles appeared in Novgorod, now calling for Ivan's abdication. In late February, the old Alexi Adashev, hoping for a new Chosen Council, stepped forward in their support. When he was found dead on 4 March, officially from cardiac arrest, the nobles immediately blamed Ivan for his death as well. Ivan attempted to pull out any public support from the nobles by reforming the treasury and abolishing the Kormlenije system, by which province administrators (i.e. the nobles) were paid directly from the peasants.
But no matter what he did, Ivan could not silence the nobles. With all the troubles in Russia falling on his shoulders, Ivan finally announced on 15 November 1560 that he was abdicating the throne, and asked the Duma to give the Czar's powers to a council of nobles, which Nalivayko, now back out of the shadows, headed. Ivan retired to his estates just oustide of Moskva.
It was a calculated political risk that paid off wonderfully. Within days the Council had removed Ivan's reforms. The Russian economy began to weaken. Ivan began to feel he had made a mistake, that he had gambled away Russia's well-being. When he was approached by the Duma, who asked for him to return to his former position, he gladly accepted and dissloved the Council. His next step, however, was even more drastic. On 13 December he organized a second court in Moskva. Called the Oprichnina, its specific role was to hunt out traitors to Ivan's rule, and deal with them--violently, if need be.
The old, young, friendly Ivan was still in retirement in Moskva. Ivan the Terrible now held the throne.
The young Czar had grown up at first under the influence of Adashev and Sylvester, at least at first. But in 1546 Ivan finally came of age, being sixteen. He immediately asked the Duma to dissolve the Chosen Council, which it happily did.
Despite Russia's conquest of the southern frontier, there were some that did not wish Russian rule. In Tambov, in fact, there was a Muslim majority! Ivan sent his two most trusted generals, Sheremetev and Vorotinski, to keep them in line.
Along with this, Ivan had to deal with the legacy of his minority. Government bureaucracy had reached a dangerous high. Problems would not be dealt with in any sort of promptness, when they were dealt with at all. The country had grown decentralized as the local nobles still managed to take the powers of the Czar, despite the protestations and work of the Council. Despite Ivan's attempts to bring the country back to working order again, the Russian government nearly collapsed in 1550. Members of the Duma walked out of meetings in disgust.
Ivan immediately took action. On 6 November he dissolved the Duma and ordered new elections. He also forced the Boyars to give back the powers they had taken from the Czar due to his minority. There was a short standoff; at one point, even, a group supporting Ivan and a group supporting the Boyars (led by Nalivayko) met in the streets of Novgorod. After staring at each other, one of Ivan's men drew a sword and began walking towards the Boyars' line.
As he did, however, another Czarist grabbed his collar and pulled him back. In front of an astonished crowd, the man removed the cloak he was wearing, and revealed himself as the Czar! He then strode out into the middle, looked at both sides, and said, "All those who love Russia, return home and forget your quarrels." As he expected, both sides slowly streamed away from the square.
Ivan wasn't all forgiveness, however. He stopped Nalivayko (who he didn't know yet) and said, "I never shall forget your face. Pray to God that your face will change, for if I ever see you working against me or Russia again in any small way you shall suffer the worst of fates."
Over the next few years, Ivan restored the populace's trust in the government, and also restored the central power in Novgorod. The Russian people began rallying around Ivan as stability was restored. Prosperity ensued. Ivan now had practically complete rule over the country. It almost seemed as if Ivan would be able to go through the rest of his reign with a free hand to do as he pleased.
But in 1557, things began to unravel. A supporter of Nalivayko and junior Romanov died of food poisoning on 5 July. However, a group of angry nobles charged the Czar with ordering his murder. Ivan flatly denied it, and dismissed them from his court. Over the next year they constantly protested that Ivan was covering up the truth. When Ivan invaded a group of free Ukranian lands near Donetsk, they said it was to take attention away from them.
Ivan, already annoyed from constant revolts in Tambov and now Donetsk, ordered the nobles to be ambassadors to the Teutonic Knights. This kept them quiet for a while, and Ivan breathed easily. But in 1560, the Order dissolved, sending the nobles back to Russia. Before they left, however, they did manage to get the Russians and Swedes a favorable treaty, with Russia gaining Estonia and Sweden gaining Latvia.
Still, the nobles appeared in Novgorod, now calling for Ivan's abdication. In late February, the old Alexi Adashev, hoping for a new Chosen Council, stepped forward in their support. When he was found dead on 4 March, officially from cardiac arrest, the nobles immediately blamed Ivan for his death as well. Ivan attempted to pull out any public support from the nobles by reforming the treasury and abolishing the Kormlenije system, by which province administrators (i.e. the nobles) were paid directly from the peasants.
But no matter what he did, Ivan could not silence the nobles. With all the troubles in Russia falling on his shoulders, Ivan finally announced on 15 November 1560 that he was abdicating the throne, and asked the Duma to give the Czar's powers to a council of nobles, which Nalivayko, now back out of the shadows, headed. Ivan retired to his estates just oustide of Moskva.
It was a calculated political risk that paid off wonderfully. Within days the Council had removed Ivan's reforms. The Russian economy began to weaken. Ivan began to feel he had made a mistake, that he had gambled away Russia's well-being. When he was approached by the Duma, who asked for him to return to his former position, he gladly accepted and dissloved the Council. His next step, however, was even more drastic. On 13 December he organized a second court in Moskva. Called the Oprichnina, its specific role was to hunt out traitors to Ivan's rule, and deal with them--violently, if need be.
The old, young, friendly Ivan was still in retirement in Moskva. Ivan the Terrible now held the throne.
[stnylan: For a second there I thought you meant Dumas as in the plural of Duma. What reminds you of Dumas?]
Music: Frederick II of Prussia: Flute Sonata: Allegro
Ivan the Terrible
Ivan's first target was Nalivayko. The oprichniki caught him in Pskov, trying to keep low. It didn't work. When Nalivayko was brought in front of the Czar, Ivan immediately recognized him from the standoff back in 1550. The Oprichnina's secret records stated (with some exaggeration, certainly) that Nalivayko's screams could be heard in Ryazan. As it was, after much painful torture in order to get the names of other conspirators, Peter Vasilyevich Nalivayko died on 15 January 1561.
Over the next few months, another 77 nobles were killed at the hands of the Oprichnina. This was an unprecendented reign of terror. The Duma suddenly realized the monster they had created, but it was too late. Ivan had become a despot, who only used the Duma to keep the peasants happy. But since the peasants didn't care what happened to the nobles, they were happy that they went along their lives without difficulty.
Over the next four years Ivan practically destroyed the Russian nobility. Those who were not killed by the Oprichnina were those who had submitted fully to Ivan's authority.
By 1565, Ivan had full control over Russia. Now, he wanted to expand. The most obvious target was the Golden Horde, and thus on 6 January 1565 Ivan ordered the Imperial army to attack. The Tatars gave little resistance, and by August Ivan had conquered the entire country. Only the southern provinces of Kalmuk and Kouban were allowed to remain independent, as the Khanate of Crimea under Dawlat Giray.
With the Tatars conquered, Ivan now gave the Oprichnina a new mission: cause terror among the Muslims and force them to accept the Christian faith or else. Many chose "else", and soon found themselves dead either through battle or the terrible ways of death the oprichniki used.
In February of 1469, Ivan joined with Sweden, Norway, and Courland in war against Denmark. However, Russia did nothing in the war and officially signed a peace with Denmark the next year.
As Ivan looked over his kingdom, he soon realized that the Oprichnina had gotten too much power. Ivan needed an excuse to get rid of them, and he soon had one. On 13 March 1571, there was a terrible fire in Moskva. Ivan immediately blamed the Tatars and dissolved the Oprichnina, saying that they had failed to do their job.
Also, in September of 1572 Ivan recieved a petition from the Duma, saying that he should end his excesses and allow the Duma to rule freely again. Ivan accepted. This is seen as the end of Ivan's reign of terror, as he now submitted to the Duma and stopped his despotic control over the country.
What reminds you of Dumas?]Music: Frederick II of Prussia: Flute Sonata: Allegro
Ivan the Terrible
Ivan's first target was Nalivayko. The oprichniki caught him in Pskov, trying to keep low. It didn't work. When Nalivayko was brought in front of the Czar, Ivan immediately recognized him from the standoff back in 1550. The Oprichnina's secret records stated (with some exaggeration, certainly) that Nalivayko's screams could be heard in Ryazan. As it was, after much painful torture in order to get the names of other conspirators, Peter Vasilyevich Nalivayko died on 15 January 1561.
Over the next few months, another 77 nobles were killed at the hands of the Oprichnina. This was an unprecendented reign of terror. The Duma suddenly realized the monster they had created, but it was too late. Ivan had become a despot, who only used the Duma to keep the peasants happy. But since the peasants didn't care what happened to the nobles, they were happy that they went along their lives without difficulty.
Over the next four years Ivan practically destroyed the Russian nobility. Those who were not killed by the Oprichnina were those who had submitted fully to Ivan's authority.
By 1565, Ivan had full control over Russia. Now, he wanted to expand. The most obvious target was the Golden Horde, and thus on 6 January 1565 Ivan ordered the Imperial army to attack. The Tatars gave little resistance, and by August Ivan had conquered the entire country. Only the southern provinces of Kalmuk and Kouban were allowed to remain independent, as the Khanate of Crimea under Dawlat Giray.
With the Tatars conquered, Ivan now gave the Oprichnina a new mission: cause terror among the Muslims and force them to accept the Christian faith or else. Many chose "else", and soon found themselves dead either through battle or the terrible ways of death the oprichniki used.
In February of 1469, Ivan joined with Sweden, Norway, and Courland in war against Denmark. However, Russia did nothing in the war and officially signed a peace with Denmark the next year.
As Ivan looked over his kingdom, he soon realized that the Oprichnina had gotten too much power. Ivan needed an excuse to get rid of them, and he soon had one. On 13 March 1571, there was a terrible fire in Moskva. Ivan immediately blamed the Tatars and dissolved the Oprichnina, saying that they had failed to do their job.
Also, in September of 1572 Ivan recieved a petition from the Duma, saying that he should end his excesses and allow the Duma to rule freely again. Ivan accepted. This is seen as the end of Ivan's reign of terror, as he now submitted to the Duma and stopped his despotic control over the country.
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[Paradox really messed up the rivers of Siberia on the map. Oh, well, it's not the worst of their geographical offenses.
There's a "Part II" of this post coming later tonight, hopefully.]
Music: Modest Mussorgsky: A Night on Bald Mountain
The Cossacks and the Conquest of Siberia
It seemed as if Ivan had merely been insane for a short time, then recovered. For the next decade, Russia lay quiet. But in 1580, things heated up again. First came glory--and then tragedy.
The glory was the destruction of the Khanate of Sibir. The great Cossack general, Yermak Timofeyevich, led the Russian cavalry through the Siberian armies. By August much of the southern portion of the Khanate was being overrun by Yermak's armies. It was then that the tragedy occured.
Ivan was at his estates near Moskva. Also there was his son, Ivan Ivanovich, and his son's wife. Ivan went to his son's room, carrying recent news from Yermak. It is not quite known what happened next. It is believed that Ivan, who was once again suffering from his slight insanity, insulted his son's wife, and his son rose up in defense. Whatever happened, it is known that Ivan struck his son in the head, killing him. Within seconds, Ivan realized what he had done, got onto his knees, and wept over his son's corpse.
As Ivan mourned his son's death, Yermak continued to tear through Sibir. After another two years, he finally forced the Khan of Sibir to give up all but a small area around his capital. Yermak barely rested afterwards. Leaving an occupying army behind to keep the Muslims in line, he immediately struck out further east, with his lieutenant, Yuri Amrikov (a decendant of Alaric Amricovich) exploring to the north along the Tobol.
Yuri got almost as far as modern Tobolsk when a group of native Altai ambushed him in the West Siberian Lowlands, utterly wiping out his expedition. It was here that Ivan Mansurov began his great expeditions; but we will deal with that later.
Yermak crossed the Irtysh on 7 December 1583, the Ob on 2 June 1584. But as he was crossing the Yenisey, he became sick, and died on 9 February 1585.
There's a "Part II" of this post coming later tonight, hopefully.]
Music: Modest Mussorgsky: A Night on Bald Mountain
The Cossacks and the Conquest of Siberia
It seemed as if Ivan had merely been insane for a short time, then recovered. For the next decade, Russia lay quiet. But in 1580, things heated up again. First came glory--and then tragedy.
The glory was the destruction of the Khanate of Sibir. The great Cossack general, Yermak Timofeyevich, led the Russian cavalry through the Siberian armies. By August much of the southern portion of the Khanate was being overrun by Yermak's armies. It was then that the tragedy occured.
Ivan was at his estates near Moskva. Also there was his son, Ivan Ivanovich, and his son's wife. Ivan went to his son's room, carrying recent news from Yermak. It is not quite known what happened next. It is believed that Ivan, who was once again suffering from his slight insanity, insulted his son's wife, and his son rose up in defense. Whatever happened, it is known that Ivan struck his son in the head, killing him. Within seconds, Ivan realized what he had done, got onto his knees, and wept over his son's corpse.
As Ivan mourned his son's death, Yermak continued to tear through Sibir. After another two years, he finally forced the Khan of Sibir to give up all but a small area around his capital. Yermak barely rested afterwards. Leaving an occupying army behind to keep the Muslims in line, he immediately struck out further east, with his lieutenant, Yuri Amrikov (a decendant of Alaric Amricovich) exploring to the north along the Tobol.
Yuri got almost as far as modern Tobolsk when a group of native Altai ambushed him in the West Siberian Lowlands, utterly wiping out his expedition. It was here that Ivan Mansurov began his great expeditions; but we will deal with that later.
Yermak crossed the Irtysh on 7 December 1583, the Ob on 2 June 1584. But as he was crossing the Yenisey, he became sick, and died on 9 February 1585.
Did Ivan really do that in real life? Great update, Judas! I imagine those Altai are going to pay dearly at some point in the future...
[Amric: Yes, he did. And the Altai will be the least of my problems there, but that's a surprise I'll get to in fifty years.]
Continue last post's music.
The Grand Expedition of Ivan Mansurov
Mansurov was a Cossack who had exemplified himself throughout the conquest of Sibir. He had become a trusted friend of Yermak and a sort of "lieutenant's lieutenant" under Yuri Amrikov. In early 1584[*], after Amrikov was killed, he took over what was left of Amrikov's expedition. During the rest of 1584 he travelled north, and on 27 January 1585 reached the mouth of the Ob. It was on his return to Magnitogorsk in late April that he learned of Yermak's death.
[*]Trans. note: The chronicle fails to mention Czar Ivan's death on 18 March 1584, and the succession of his second son Feodor.
Ivan met Yermak's men at Petropaylovsk, giving him about 1500 infantry. Ivan travelled farther north than Yermak, believing that the better route. He crossed the Irtysh on 30 November 1585, just before winter set in. The winters during Ivan's expedition were bitterly cold. Little food was to be had by hunting, and the natives were very unlikely to give to the Russians they saw as invaders. Frostbite and hunger claimed a third of the expedition's men by the time Ivan crossed the Ob on 18 April, and the winter subsided.
On 17 August Ivan reached the Yenisey, the river at which Yermak had died. Ivan was the first across. The current was strong that day, and his boat was swept towards some sharp rocks. But Ivan prayed, and the current subsided enough for them to reach the far shore. Over the next couple days the expedition crossed. Ivan had made his way safely into Far Siberia.
While Ivan was crossing the Yenisey, the Cossacks still in Russia looked on in admiration for the brave explorer. Yuri Amrikov's younger brother, Feodor, organized 500 Cossack cavalrymen to follow Ivan's expedition. On 4 November, they set out from Omsk, and rode hard through the steppe and forest, crossing the Yenisey about a year after Ivan. At the same time Feodor was crossing the Yenisey, Ivan was crossing the Selenga. A few miles to the north and he would have discovered Lake Selenga. As it was, Feodor came across the large lake on 14 October, five days before he met Ivan's men near modern Khiloko.
Ivan had Feodor travel to the north while he took a more southerly route. Despite a winter nearly as bad as 1585-1586, Ivan still had about 900 men when he came to the Amur on 14 February 1588 and founded the town of Nerchinsk (which for a time was a settlement in name only). At first, Feodor had no such place to do so, but on 9 July he noticed a strange sign: the air had a salty smell. That evening, he became the first man to look upon the Sea of Okhotsk, and the first Russian to the Pacific. Far Siberia had been conquered at last.
Ivan, meanwhile, trudged through the mountains to the north of the Amur. He wondered what had happened to Feodor, as they had been out of contact for some time. But they met on 20 November, and the two exchanged tales of the expedition all that night.[*]
[*]Trans. note: Anyone further interested in this subject should read Ivan Chumikanski's The Fireside at Komsomolsk, which while it has some fiction gives an interesting and detailed account of the expedition.
On 18 January 1589, Ivan came across a Chinese settlement on the north bank of the Amur. He met with the leaders of the village, who told him they were Chinese. Ivan flattered them and their Emperor, although he actually was quite glad when he left the village and rode back north. Soon after he met with Feodor (who had made further explorations to the east) and together they went along the coast, seeing where it led. But 1589-1590 was a bad winter as well, and they were forced to ride back south. On 7 March 1590, they founded Fort Tchumikan, the first permament Russian settlement on the Pacific coast. They were soon followed by many more brave Cossacks, who settled all of Near and Far Siberia. In the span of Ivan's five-year expedition, Russia had become the largest empire in the world.
Figure 3.1: The Cossack Expeditions
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[In case you hadn't figured it out, Ivan Chumikanski and his book are fictional.]
Continue last post's music.
The Grand Expedition of Ivan Mansurov
Mansurov was a Cossack who had exemplified himself throughout the conquest of Sibir. He had become a trusted friend of Yermak and a sort of "lieutenant's lieutenant" under Yuri Amrikov. In early 1584[*], after Amrikov was killed, he took over what was left of Amrikov's expedition. During the rest of 1584 he travelled north, and on 27 January 1585 reached the mouth of the Ob. It was on his return to Magnitogorsk in late April that he learned of Yermak's death.
[*]Trans. note: The chronicle fails to mention Czar Ivan's death on 18 March 1584, and the succession of his second son Feodor.
Ivan met Yermak's men at Petropaylovsk, giving him about 1500 infantry. Ivan travelled farther north than Yermak, believing that the better route. He crossed the Irtysh on 30 November 1585, just before winter set in. The winters during Ivan's expedition were bitterly cold. Little food was to be had by hunting, and the natives were very unlikely to give to the Russians they saw as invaders. Frostbite and hunger claimed a third of the expedition's men by the time Ivan crossed the Ob on 18 April, and the winter subsided.
On 17 August Ivan reached the Yenisey, the river at which Yermak had died. Ivan was the first across. The current was strong that day, and his boat was swept towards some sharp rocks. But Ivan prayed, and the current subsided enough for them to reach the far shore. Over the next couple days the expedition crossed. Ivan had made his way safely into Far Siberia.
While Ivan was crossing the Yenisey, the Cossacks still in Russia looked on in admiration for the brave explorer. Yuri Amrikov's younger brother, Feodor, organized 500 Cossack cavalrymen to follow Ivan's expedition. On 4 November, they set out from Omsk, and rode hard through the steppe and forest, crossing the Yenisey about a year after Ivan. At the same time Feodor was crossing the Yenisey, Ivan was crossing the Selenga. A few miles to the north and he would have discovered Lake Selenga. As it was, Feodor came across the large lake on 14 October, five days before he met Ivan's men near modern Khiloko.
Ivan had Feodor travel to the north while he took a more southerly route. Despite a winter nearly as bad as 1585-1586, Ivan still had about 900 men when he came to the Amur on 14 February 1588 and founded the town of Nerchinsk (which for a time was a settlement in name only). At first, Feodor had no such place to do so, but on 9 July he noticed a strange sign: the air had a salty smell. That evening, he became the first man to look upon the Sea of Okhotsk, and the first Russian to the Pacific. Far Siberia had been conquered at last.
Ivan, meanwhile, trudged through the mountains to the north of the Amur. He wondered what had happened to Feodor, as they had been out of contact for some time. But they met on 20 November, and the two exchanged tales of the expedition all that night.[*]
[*]Trans. note: Anyone further interested in this subject should read Ivan Chumikanski's The Fireside at Komsomolsk, which while it has some fiction gives an interesting and detailed account of the expedition.
On 18 January 1589, Ivan came across a Chinese settlement on the north bank of the Amur. He met with the leaders of the village, who told him they were Chinese. Ivan flattered them and their Emperor, although he actually was quite glad when he left the village and rode back north. Soon after he met with Feodor (who had made further explorations to the east) and together they went along the coast, seeing where it led. But 1589-1590 was a bad winter as well, and they were forced to ride back south. On 7 March 1590, they founded Fort Tchumikan, the first permament Russian settlement on the Pacific coast. They were soon followed by many more brave Cossacks, who settled all of Near and Far Siberia. In the span of Ivan's five-year expedition, Russia had become the largest empire in the world.
Figure 3.1: The Cossack Expeditions
--------
[In case you hadn't figured it out, Ivan Chumikanski and his book are fictional.]
Amric said:
Might I remind you that this AAR is supposed to be a propaganda history ordered by Czar Alexander I, who has reason to encourage religiousness in his "subjects;" thus, the stories might be less than true. As for the Amrikovs, they will be showing up again later.
And stnylan, unfortunately I'm out of places to explore already.
The New Church and the Time of Troubles
On Christ's Mass, 1588, with the backing of the Duma, the Metropolitan of Moskva declared the Russian Orthodox Church seperate from the Greek, and himself Patriarch. This marked the final stage in a long process, which had begun at the fall of Constantinople.
The first action of the new Patriarchate was to lead a renewed attempt to convert the Steppes and Sibir to the Orthodox faith. The former Golden Horde lands were first, and by 1590 the Orthodox were the majority in all the provinces. But the Siberians were stubborn. Waves of missionaries failed to make any progress. It would be a long and difficult journey.
The 1590s was a decade of peace and (mostly) stability. The only problem came in 1596. The boyars, thinking they saw an opportunity in the untested Feodor, attempted to cower him into giving up the rights Ivan had taken. Feodor stood his ground, even when the boyars began some minor rebellions. Eventually, the boyars gave up and awaited another chance.
They seemed to have it. After the (some say very convenient) death of Feodor's younger brother and heir Dimitry in 1591, then Feodor himself in 1598, the Duma elected the popular Boris Feodorovich Godunov (Feodor's brother-in-law) as the new Czar. Boris was himself a noble, and the boyars expected him to favor them. But Boris waved them aside and completely destroyed the power of the nobles, transferring what few powers were left to the Czar. While this ensured his position (and popularity among the lower classes), it made him many enemies. Added to this was Boris' intense nervousness, which made the situation worse. After seven years of erratic rule, Boris was murdered on 23 April 1605.
This heralded something more sinister than mere plots. The next decade was a scary time, as some claimants attempted to force the Duma to elect them. The first was Gregory Otrepiev, who the Duma under duress chose upon Boris' death. But he soon began claiming to be the dead Dimitry Ivanovich, and as soon as the pressure on the Duma was relieved they declared him insane and forced his resignation (he was murdered soon afterwards).
In his place they elected the more trusted Vasily Shuisky. He managed to stay on the throne until a group of Poles forced the Duma to remove him in 1610. Their claimant, Vladislav Vasa, became the new Czar. The Poles remained for three years, but in 1612 the people, led by a merchant named Kuzma Minin, became fed up with the constant problems. They organized their own council and chose Mikhail Romanov the Czar. By August of 1613 they had force the Poles out and temporarily dissolved the Duma. Once order was fully restored in January 1614, the Duma was reinstated, all those favoring the other candidates having been forced out of the country or killed outright.
The period was known as the Smutnoye Vremya or Time of Troubles. While Russia had managed to avoid complete disintegration due to a well-organized and established democratic system that allowed the people to choose the best Czar over the Duma when necessary, it showed there was much progress to be done. But whether the new Russia would progress was another thing entirely. That was the responsibility of the Romanovs.
On Christ's Mass, 1588, with the backing of the Duma, the Metropolitan of Moskva declared the Russian Orthodox Church seperate from the Greek, and himself Patriarch. This marked the final stage in a long process, which had begun at the fall of Constantinople.
The first action of the new Patriarchate was to lead a renewed attempt to convert the Steppes and Sibir to the Orthodox faith. The former Golden Horde lands were first, and by 1590 the Orthodox were the majority in all the provinces. But the Siberians were stubborn. Waves of missionaries failed to make any progress. It would be a long and difficult journey.
The 1590s was a decade of peace and (mostly) stability. The only problem came in 1596. The boyars, thinking they saw an opportunity in the untested Feodor, attempted to cower him into giving up the rights Ivan had taken. Feodor stood his ground, even when the boyars began some minor rebellions. Eventually, the boyars gave up and awaited another chance.
They seemed to have it. After the (some say very convenient) death of Feodor's younger brother and heir Dimitry in 1591, then Feodor himself in 1598, the Duma elected the popular Boris Feodorovich Godunov (Feodor's brother-in-law) as the new Czar. Boris was himself a noble, and the boyars expected him to favor them. But Boris waved them aside and completely destroyed the power of the nobles, transferring what few powers were left to the Czar. While this ensured his position (and popularity among the lower classes), it made him many enemies. Added to this was Boris' intense nervousness, which made the situation worse. After seven years of erratic rule, Boris was murdered on 23 April 1605.
This heralded something more sinister than mere plots. The next decade was a scary time, as some claimants attempted to force the Duma to elect them. The first was Gregory Otrepiev, who the Duma under duress chose upon Boris' death. But he soon began claiming to be the dead Dimitry Ivanovich, and as soon as the pressure on the Duma was relieved they declared him insane and forced his resignation (he was murdered soon afterwards).
In his place they elected the more trusted Vasily Shuisky. He managed to stay on the throne until a group of Poles forced the Duma to remove him in 1610. Their claimant, Vladislav Vasa, became the new Czar. The Poles remained for three years, but in 1612 the people, led by a merchant named Kuzma Minin, became fed up with the constant problems. They organized their own council and chose Mikhail Romanov the Czar. By August of 1613 they had force the Poles out and temporarily dissolved the Duma. Once order was fully restored in January 1614, the Duma was reinstated, all those favoring the other candidates having been forced out of the country or killed outright.
The period was known as the Smutnoye Vremya or Time of Troubles. While Russia had managed to avoid complete disintegration due to a well-organized and established democratic system that allowed the people to choose the best Czar over the Duma when necessary, it showed there was much progress to be done. But whether the new Russia would progress was another thing entirely. That was the responsibility of the Romanovs.