Reforms of the Elected Rada in the middle of the 16th century. Reforms of the elected council
Around 1549, a new government was formed from people close to the young John, later called the Chosen Rada by Prince A. Kurbsky. It included: Alexei Adashev, a representative of the humble but large landowners, who headed the Chosen Rada, Prince Andrei Kurbsky, Priest Sylvester, Metropolitan Macarius, and clerk Ivan Viskovaty.
Rada was not official government agency, but in fact for 13 years it was the government and ruled the state on behalf of the king.
Reforms of the Chosen Rada. The new level of political organization of the country, which had developed by the middle of the 16th century, had to correspond to new state institutions- class and representative institutions that defended the interests large areas. The Zemsky Sobor became such a body.
The Council of 1549 was the first Zemsky Sobor, that is, a meeting of class representatives with legislative functions. Its convocation reflected the establishment of a class-representative monarchy in Russia. However, the first Council did not yet have an elective character, and representatives of the urban trade and craft population and peasants were not present there. However, both of these categories of the population did not play a big role at the cathedrals in the future either.
From 1550 to 1653, 16 councils were convened, and after the closing of the last of them, neither living memory nor regret remained.
Adoption of a new judge. Undoubtedly, the largest undertaking of the government of Ivan the Terrible was the drafting of a new legislative code in June 1550, which replaced the obsolete code of law of 1497. Of the 99 articles of the code of law, 37 were completely new, while the rest were subjected to radical processing. The social legislation included in the Code of Laws of 1550 concerns two critical issues- land ownership and dependent population (peasants and serfs). For the first time in the code book there was a chapter about the king, which stipulated the king's rights, title, form of government. A clause on high treason was also introduced.
The new Sudebnik fully met the needs of the time. It was the first time that punishment for bribery was introduced, there are rules of law that still exist.
Local government reforms. The zemstvo reform was destined to take on special significance - the introduction of zemstvo institutions and the transition to the abolition of feeding. Lands not assigned to the princely palace were included in the circle of local government. This administration was carried out by governors and volosts. The position of manager was called feeding, since he was fed at the expense of the governed. Viceroys were given not for government work, but for court service.
The reform was supposed to lead to the final elimination of the power of the governors by replacing it with local governments selected from the prosperous black-haired peasantry and townspeople. Zemstvo reform, conceived as a nationwide reform, was fully implemented only in the black-moss territories of the Russian North. As a result of the elimination of the feeding system and the creation of class-representative institutions on the ground, the Russian government was able to achieve the solution of the most important tasks in strengthening the centralized apparatus of power. As a result of the reform, the bulk of the nobles was freed from "fed" functions, which increased the combat effectiveness and increased the personnel of the Russian army; the nobility strengthened its position - for the proper bearing military service it received regular remuneration.
Army reforms. The reform of the army, which began in 1556, was also connected with the Kazan war. As a result of several unsuccessful campaigns, it became clear that the old way of organizing the army was no longer suitable for such a state, that is, the army needed to be reformed.
The army was already completed not only from Russian soldiers. In the second half of the 16th century, the Cossacks who lived on the Don joined the army. Cossacks were used to carry out border service.
Having created such a recruiting system, Ivan receives a solid base for further changes in the structure of the army. The equestrian noble militia becomes the core of the army.
A permanent type of troops appears - archers. They were formed as permanent contingents of infantry (partly cavalry) armed with firearms. They were provided collectively with land, city yards (tax-free), a small monetary award, while retaining the right to small trade and craft.
Modernization and good living conditions for archers in the second half of the 16th century made the permanent archery army the most powerful fighting force of the Russian state.
Thanks to the changes carried out in the army, its weapons have acquired some uniformity. Each warrior had an iron helmet, armor or chain mail, a sword, a bow and arrows.
The appearance of artillery is added to the changes in the army. The artillery park serving guns and squeakers is being enlarged.
The military reform also included the prohibition of local disputes between governors, now they were all subordinate to one commander in chief. Appointment to the highest voivodship posts on the basis of “breed” and nobility led to disastrous consequences on the battlefield. New laws made it possible to appoint less noble, but more brave and experienced commanders, as comrades to the commander-in-chief.
As a result of the reforms, a powerful combat-ready army was created, capable of withstanding a strong and large enemy.
Church reforms. Religious reform began with the Cathedral of the Russian Church in 1551, which is known in history as the Stoglavy Cathedral. At the Stoglavy Council, the government raised the question of the future fate of the monastic land ownership, which met with strong opposition from the militant churchmen - the Josephites. In May 1551, a decree was issued on the confiscation of all lands and lands transferred by the Boyar Duma to bishops and monasteries after the death of Vasily III. The implementation of the new land legislation allowed the government to replenish the fund of manorial lands.
Carrying out the church reform was also aimed at educating "competent" ministers of the church, changing the service itself, its unification, because. within the church organization itself there were differences in the composition of the "saints" and there was no strict order in the performance of church rites, there was no strict system of internal regulations.
Change in the tax system. The reform period of the 1950s coincides with the Kazan War. As you know, war and reforms required huge funds and therefore various financial transformations are being carried out. In addition, Russia inherited the tax system from the time of the fragmentation of the state into principalities, which is morally outdated and did not meet the requirements of the time.
Tax reform took several directions. The first reform hit the monasteries the hardest. In 1548-1549, it began, and in 1550-1551, the abolition of financial withdrawals for the payment of basic taxes and various travel and trade duties - the main source of income for the monasteries - was carried out.
A single measure for determining profitability was established - "plow" - land unit. Not only are new taxes being introduced (“food money”, “polony”), but the old ones are also being increased. For example, there is an increase in the rates of one of the main land taxes (“pit money”).
According to tax changes, we can conclude that they were aimed at increasing state revenues. There is a sharp and noticeable increase in the monetary tax pressure. These transformations were complete and constructive. As a result of the reforms, the authorities achieved uniformity in the tax sphere.
The results of the reform. These were the reforms of Ivan the Terrible, worked out together with the members of the Chosen Rada. The main feature of the reforms during the reign of the Chosen Rada was the disorder of their implementation and at the same time their complexity. The reforms cannot be called unsuccessful, since the main institutions and institutions, the main regulatory norms, survived both the oprichnina and Ivan IV himself, which means they achieved their goal. As a result of the reforms, Russia received a new set of laws - the Sudebnik of 1550, new system local and central administration. The military service system acquired its final form and became the foundation of the Russian monarchy. The reforms were reinforced by the development of trade and diplomatic relations with the West. Science and art are developing, the state is flourishing, and if the reforms had not run into opposition from the aristocracy, whose rights were infringed, they would have led to even greater results. But the hostility of the boyars leads to the oprichnina.
Elected Rada
The tsar ruled the country, relying on advisory bodies - the Boyar Duma and the Zemsky Sobor. In addition, Ivan IV gathered around him a circle of close people with advanced views that helped him to implement internal politics aimed at improving the situation in the country. This group of people, who did not have an official status, was called the Chosen Rada.
"And? The Chosen One? YES" - a circle of people close to Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible, who actually performed from horseback. 40s to the end. 50s 16th century government functions.
The “Chosen Rada” was led by A.F. Adashev, the priest of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin Sylvester, Metropolitan Macarius, Prince A.M. Kurbsky and others. For the first time, the term “Chosen Rada” was used by Prince A.M. Moscow".
The Chosen Rada concentrated in its hands all the threads of governing the country. Its activities were aimed at strengthening the state and strengthening the authority of the central government. The most significant event of the "Chosen Rada" is the compilation of a new Sudebnik of 1550 - a legislative code that replaced the Sudebnik of 1497.
Another event of the "Chosen Rada" was the regulation of localism. In the course of the military reform, a streltsy army was created. In the Moscow and neighboring districts, it was decided to place a selected thousand noblemen, "the best servants", who became the economic, political and military support of the government. Military reform of the 1550s. completed the Code of Service, which determined the scope and nature of the duties of landowners in strict dependence on their estates and estates.
During the years of activity of the Chosen Rada, the Local, Discharge, Ambassadorial and other orders were formed, which laid the foundation for the formation of the order system government controlled, in force until the beginning. 18th century
In 1555-1556 in cities and counties with a black-haired (depending directly on the state, and not on private owners) population and in palace volosts, zemstvo reform, which finally eliminated the feeding system. It was replaced by zemstvo self-government, whose representatives on the ground were zemstvo elders (“favorite heads”), kissers and zemstvo judges elected from among the taxable population of cities and black-eared peasants. They were in charge of the collection of taxes, the analysis of small court cases, the maintenance of order in the territory of the volost or city.
Fearing the limitation of his power, Ivan IV in 1560 refused to rely on the Chosen Rada. Adashev and Sylvester were removed from government, A. M. Kurbsky fled the country, and in 1563 Metropolitan Macarius died. In 1561-1564 disgrace and executions fell on the heads of other figures of the Chosen One, as well as their relatives and friends. V.V.
ADA?SHEV Alexey Fedorovich (? - 1561) - statesman, okolnichiy since November 1553. Brother of D.F. Adashev.
He comes from a wealthy but not well-born family of Kostroma nobles who made their fortune in the salt trade. At the court of Tsar Ivan IV, he made a quick career - from the usual "children of the boyars" he became first a room lawyer and a sleeping bag for the sovereign, then a duma nobleman, and then a devious and even royal bedkeeper. Thanks to his intelligence and organizational skills, Adashev enjoyed the exclusive confidence of the sovereign, who, according to Prince A. M. Kurbsky, could not “arrange or think” anything without Adashev’s advice. From con. 1540s Adashev was the custodian of the press, archives and personal office of the sovereign, was in charge of compiling discharge books and the official annals, led the foreign policy of Russia, accompanied the tsar in all his campaigns, headed the Petition Order, which controlled the activities of all others under him. public institutions. Adashev actually headed the activities of the "Chosen Rada" - a group of noble persons, especially close to the tsar, who made up the actual government of Russia. Adashev became the initiator of the research conducted in Russia in the 1550s. transformations that have received in the historical literature the name of the reforms of the Chosen One.
After Ivan IV's break with the Chosen Rada, which, as the tsar believed, sought to limit his autocratic power, Adashev was sent to war in Livonia (the third governor of a large regiment). Having distinguished himself in battles with the enemy, he did not win the gratitude of the king and did not return his favor. In addition, Adashev's enemies slandered him before the tsar: they accused him of poisoning Tsarina Anastasia, the first wife of Ivan IV. Aleksey Adashev died in the province in Yuryev from a “fiery disease”, on the eve of the massacre being prepared against him. Later, all the relatives of Adashev, by order of the king, were subjected to painful executions. V.V.
SILVE?STR (in monasticism - Spiridon) (? - c. 1566) - priest of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, writer, politician.
He comes from a wealthy Novgorod family. In the 40s. In the 16th century, perhaps at the invitation of Metropolitan Macarius, he arrived in Moscow. Sources testify that with bold denunciations he “seduced” the young Tsar Ivan IV, who began to consult with him on all issues. In the beginning. 50s 16th century Sylvester played a prominent role in the activities of the Chosen One.
Sylvester's influence on Ivan IV was short-lived. In 1553, after his illness, the tsar began to gradually alienate Sylvester from himself and remove him from business. This change in the mood of the king, apparently, was facilitated, in particular, by the rapprochement of Sylvester with Prince Vladimir Andreevich Staritsky. Those close to Ivan IV persistently insisted that Sylvester was a sorcerer, that he had entangled the king with the power of magic and thus kept him in captivity. In 1560, Sylvester finally retired from the court. Historians disagree on whether his departure was forced or voluntary. It is only known that Sylvester took monastic vows in the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery under the name of Spiridon.
The scope of Sylvester's interests was very diverse. Together with his son Anfim, he set up workshops in Moscow for making handwritten books, icons, silverware. Some researchers suggest that the first printed books in Moscow, published before the Apostle Ivan Fedorov, could have been printed under the direction of Sylvester. The organization of the painting of the royal chambers in the Kremlin is also associated with his name.
Most of all, Sylvester is known as a talented writer, the author of a number of epistles. He compiled the “Eulogy” to Princess Olga, which was included in the Power Book. The most important work of Sylvester was Domostroy, in which he outlined the ideals of a “righteous life” and gave instructions regulating various aspects of spiritual, state, church and private life.
However, some researchers believe that Sylvester owns only part of this unique work or his new edition. G. A.
KU?RBSKY Andrey Mikhailovich (1528–1583) - prince, voivode, boyar from 1556
Already in his youth, Kurbsky became famous as a commander, took part in the capture of Kazan in 1552. Being close to Tsar Ivan IV and his closest advisers A. Adashev and Sylvester, Kurbsky became a member of the Chosen Rada, and at the age of 28 he was granted the boyar rank. When, during the Livonian War, the tsar began to persecute his recent friends, Kurbsky commanded the Russian army in the Baltic. Despite the victories he won, he was soon removed from command and appointed governor in the city of Yuriev (Derpt) recaptured from the Livonians. Fearing royal wrath, on the night of April 30, 1564, Kurbsky fled to Lithuania.
The Polish king granted the noble fugitive the rich Kovel volost, other land holdings in Lithuania and Poland. The former Russian governor with weapons in his hands, already on the enemy side, continued to participate in the Livonian War, led detachments in the Polish-Lithuanian armies in campaigns against Velikiye Luki and Polotsk. Only a serious illness prevented him from joining Stefan Batory, who laid siege to Pskov in 1581.
Kurbsky gained fame as an original thinker and writer. He called Maxim the Greek his teacher. Kurbsky is the author of many works, including three letters to Ivan the Terrible, in which he accused Ivan the Terrible of numerous crimes. In 1573, Kurbsky wrote "The History of the Grand Duke of Moscow" with denunciations of the tsar and a story about the activities of the "Chosen One". He also wrote various works directed against Catholicism and Protestantism. V.V.
PERESVE?TOV Ivan Semenovich (16th century) - thinker, publicist.
The life of Ivan Semenovich Peresvetov can only be judged by the meager facts that he himself cited in his works: a native of Western (Lithuanian) Russia, a professional "warrior", in the 20-30s. 16th century was in the service of the Hungarian and Czech kings, the Moldavian ruler. In con. 30s Peresvetov arrived in Moscow, unsuccessfully tried to organize a weapons workshop for the production of "hussar shields". In con. 40s wrote and handed over to Tsar Ivan IV several essays in which he formulated his proposals for improving state structure Russia. Further fate Peresvetova is unknown.
Peresvetov's works are preserved in the lists of the 17th century.
Peresvetov believed that after the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453, Russia remained the only guardian of the true Christian faith. He is close to the idea that Moscow is the successor of Constantinople. He focused special attention on the role and significance of the Orthodox tsar, who is able to arrange a true Orthodox kingdom. According to Peresvetov, the Lord will grant His grace to that earthly king who can establish “truth” in his kingdom: “In which kingdom the truth is, there God dwells, and God’s wrath will not rise against this kingdom.” "Truth," Peresvetov believed, is higher than faith: "God does not love faith, the truth." However, only Christianity is capable of expressing the “truth” most fully, which is why God loves the “Christian faith” “more than others.”
Russia, according to Peresvetov, is the arena of the struggle between God and the devil for the "truth". The main trouble of the Muscovite kingdom lies in the omnipotence of the "nobles" who limit the power of the tsar. Peresvetov proposed a whole system of measures that could establish the "truth" on the Russian land - reliance on the service army, the introduction of "righteous" courts, the improvement of tax rules, the partial abolition of governorship and slavery. All these measures can only be carried out by an autocratic tsar, and the reforms themselves should maximize his role. He advised Ivan IV to act not only wisely, but also “terribly”: “From the great thunderstorm of your wisdom, the tsar’s crafty judges will wake up as if from a dream ... The king in the kingdom is formidable and wise, his kingdom is expanding, and his name is glorious in all lands.”
The researchers drew attention to the coincidence of Peresvetov's views with the ideas of Ivan IV the Terrible himself. It has been suggested that Peresvetov influenced the tsar's writings to some extent. However, neither in the writings of Ivan the Terrible, nor in other literary monuments of that time, there are any references to the works of Peresvetov. S. P.
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In 1546, the future Ivan IV reached the age of fifteen (at this age came the age of majority), and power from his mother completely and completely passed to him. In 1547 he assumed the title of king. The wedding to the kingdom took place in the Assumption Cathedral. In the same year, a series of fires and a popular uprising took place, which proved that there was a confrontation between the boyars and the people in society. Ivan IV began an intensified struggle against the boyar authorities, bringing people from other classes closer to him. The circle of close associates was called the "Chosen Rada", which included such persons as Andrei Kurbsky, Metropolitan Macarius and Archpriest Sylvester. They carried out the following reforms that glorified the reign of Ivan:
1. In 1550, the so-called Code of Laws was published - a code of laws that strengthened royal power.
2. The Streltsy army appeared in the army.
3. The system of finance was reformed.
4. Feeding was canceled in the local and central government and a system of orders was introduced.
5. The church was reformed.
The changes have led to a short time the authority of the authorities has noticeably increased in the state. The elected Rada and its system of government proved to be the most effective. All decisions made in the 50s of that century were aimed at centralizing the power of the king. Despite the fact that the Chosen Rada and its reforms had a positive effect on the state and strengthened the royal power, in 1560 it was dissolved. There were several reasons for this. The tsar ceased to trust his close people, especially when he suspected treason after Andrei Kurbsky's escape to Poland. There were also growing differences of opinion in foreign and domestic policy.
In 1565, Ivan IV established a new sovereign inheritance - the oprichnina, which included economically developed territories.
Here the tsar formed his government bodies - a duma, a court, orders, as well as an oprichnina army, which later turned into an instrument. The Chosen Rada and the oprichnina were endowed with punitive functions, but if the first punished only the boyars, then the oprichnina had power over all estates. As a result of the domination of the oprichnina, the despotic regime of Ivan IV was established in the state. During these harsh years, the king received the nickname "Terrible."
However, the reign of terror proved less effective than the Elected Rada and its policies. As a result, the king in 1572. After that, the political and 70s-80s took place in the country. In addition, the ruin of peasant farms, which were the basis of the country's economy, took place - the Chosen Rada emphasized them. Oprichnina largely determined general crisis power and the coming Time of Troubles.
The main goals of the reforms of the elected council
The elected council was a circle of people who were close to Tsar Ivan the Fourth, actively participating in the government activities of the state during his reign. At the same time, during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, this body did not have own name and this term appeared only later in the works of Kurbsky.
The actual composition of this organ has caused and continues to cause a lot of controversy among researchers. However, it is believed that the activist Adashev, as well as the royal confessor Sylvester, were its constant participants.
The very reign of the Chosen Rada falls mainly on the middle of the sixteenth century. During this period (1549-1560), a long-term policy was formed, which consisted in carrying out innovative reforms of the Chosen Council in every area public life Russia. At the same time, the activities of the board of this body could affect legal activities, the church system, military affairs, the organization of local government, the financial system of the state, etc. As main goal carrying out these reforms, the Chosen One was pleased to strengthen the central government.
The ruler Ivan the Terrible himself was able to convince himself of the need for reforms only after the events that were associated with a huge fire in Moscow. Then the society, convinced that the Glinskys were involved in the arson, rebelled and the masses rushed to the court. The Glinsky yard was completely plundered, and the tsar's uncle was killed. Monarch with with great difficulty managed to convince the people to calm down and disperse.
So, as the most important reforms introduced by the Chosen Rada, historians single out:
· Adoption of a new Sudebnik at the First Zemsky Sobor in 1550;
· In 1550, a military reform was carried out, which formed non-disbanded troops, as well as a special part of the army called the "Chosen Thousand";
· Administrative reform, which marked the beginning of the formation of orders, which are central government bodies in charge of issues of service people, issues of diplomacy, etc .;
· Stoglavy Cathedral from 1551, also called “Stoglav” by historians, where the norms and canons of the church were adopted. This title refers to the actual number of issues or chapters that have been resolved;
· Military reform of the Chosen One from 1556. According to it, the Code of Service is adopted, and exact service standards for landowners are established, etc.
To those who do not carry out reforms, the Reformation will knock.
Jerzy Lec
The Chosen Council is an unofficial body, which consisted of persons close to Ivan the Terrible. The activity of the Rada was carried out in the period from 1549 to 1560. In fact, it was a body that carried out direct control of the country, and also implemented most of the reforms in order to create a single centralized state. In today's article, we will consider the reforms of the Elected Rada, their impact on the fate of Russia, as well as the consequences of the transformations that have been carried out over the years of work of this secret body.
Education Background
Ivan the Terrible lost his father and mother very early, and the actual control of the country was taken over by the boyars who surrounded him. This led to the fact that in Russia there were constant wars between groups of boyars for power. These confrontations led to terrible consequences, during which people died, cities were lost, wars were lost. Before his minority, the young king could do nothing about it. However, in 1547 Ivan the Terrible assumed the throne and decided to distance himself from the boyars and surround himself with people he could trust. the main task, which stood at that time before the king, was to create united state, and the gathering of all Russian lands around Moscow. To do this, the Elected Rada carried out various reforms that cover all spheres of life.
Composition of the Elected Rada
The task of the elected council was to discuss the tasks and processes that are taking place in the country and abroad, and to find ways to solve these problems that have accumulated. The following people were members of this body:
- A. Kurbsky
- Priest Sylvester
- Metropolitan Macarius
- A. Adashev
- I. Viskovaty
Some historians attribute to this circle the Vorotynskys, Sheremetevs and others. The problem is that most historians attribute a large number of people to the Chosen Rada, but they can rarely document (or otherwise) their involvement in this body.
Reforms of the Chosen Rada under Ivan the Terrible
Start of reforms
In fact, from the first months of the existence of the Rada, its participants began to develop a plan for the unification of Russian lands into a single political center. The beginning of these transformations happened in 1549. Then the first Zemsky Sobor in the history of Russia was held. This cathedral was nothing more than a meeting of all the rulers of all Russian lands. Ivan the Terrible addressed those present with a statement that he condemned the crimes committed by the boyars while the tsar was a minor, and promised to remain faithful to the country and save the lives of his subjects. In the future, it was Zemsky Sobors that were held in order to carry out reforms and understand in which direction these reforms should be carried out. It is noteworthy that it was under Ivan the Terrible that not only representatives of boyar families, but also representatives of less noble classes began to enter this body of power.
The reforms of the Elected Rada include the following initiatives:
Stoglavy Cathedral - church reform
In 1551, a Church Council was held. This cathedral was led by Metropolitan Macarius, one of the most active participants in the Chosen Rada. In addition, the king personally took part in the work of this cathedral. The result of the activities of this cathedral is the creation of a single collection of documents for the church. This document consisted of 100 chapters, so the cathedral itself was called Stoglavy. As part of this reform, the following activities were carried out:
- The ordering of ceremonies. The council made uniform all the rites that are held within the framework of religion throughout the country.
- Definition of the One Saints. New saints were canonized, who were recognized throughout the country within the framework of a single religion.
- Creation of uniform rules of conduct for priests. Actually we are talking about tougher discipline.
- Was designated essential role churches - education of the population.
As a result of the church reform, there was the creation of uniform religious norms, as well as bringing religion to uniform standards for the whole country.
Local government reform
Over the years, while the country was actually ruled by the boyars, the efficiency of the work of local authorities became extremely low. That is why the reforms of the Chosen Rada under Tsar Ivan 4 at the initial stage were aimed at the formation of local government. This reform was held in 1556.
These reforms of the Chosen Rada abolished the system of so-called feeding throughout the country, and also abolished the governorship. Instead, the post of Lip headmen was created. This headman was elected by the landowners of a particular region of the country. As for city managers, here they elected Zemstvo elders. And directly for the management of the city was elected Gorodovoy. In fact, elected bodies of power were formed, which were endowed with enormous powers. In particular, it was these people who oversaw the enforcement of the rule of law, and also ruled the court. It is important to note that judicial functions were also assigned to the church, which had the full right to independently conduct courts.
In addition, the reform of the local government of the Chosen Rada also touched on the creation of new orders. Orders such as:
- Petition order - dealt with the distribution of those petitions that came to the king.
- Ambassadorial order- dealt with relations with other states. In fact, an analogue of the modern Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Local order - dealt with issues of estates and estates.
- Zemsky order - was responsible for ensuring law and order in Moscow and some other cities.
- Robbery order - was responsible for countering the robberies that were massively carried out in the country.
Also created great amount other orders: discharge, yamskaya, large parish, new quarter, large treasury, servile, secret affairs, Kazan Palace, Siberian, Streltsy, Pushkar, Cossack. Orders in public life Russia played a fundamental role, since it was they who were responsible for various aspects the life of the state. In fact, they were local governments that acted as an intermediate link between the population and the king.
As a result of these transformations, the principles of governing the country were completely changed.
Military reform of the Chosen Rada
Military reform began in 1550. The main initial idea of the reform was to form an army not on the basis of the nobility of the family, but on the basis of military talents. For this, a special provision was created, according to which the high command of the army was to be formed not by the nobility of the family, but by people who showed their military talent. One of the first such units was the Chosen Thousand.
The Chosen Thousand is a special military detachment, created on the basis of the militia, which was formed according to a new principle and was personally subordinate to the king.
In addition, during this period of time, the first archery regiments began to form. These were special shelves, which represented a transitional link between the temporary and permanent army. Therefore, when we talk about the creation of a regular army in Russia, the calculation of time should begin not with the era of Peter the Great, but with Ivan the Terrible reform of the Chosen Rada.
Speaking of military uniform It should be noted that it was carried out in three stages:
- Creation of the archery army - 1550. We talked about this period in the paragraph above.
- Introduction to the Code of Service - 1556. The code created a single law that obliged landowners to provide the state with a regular army of wars. In particular, the owner of 100 quarters of land had to send one cavalry warrior to the regular army.
- Attempts to reform the Chosen Thousand. These attempts were carried out throughout the life of Tsar Ivan 4, but did not lead to significant results.
As a result, we can say that the reforms of Ivan the Terrible were unique for their era and aimed at creating a single centralized state. This was necessary to unite the Russian lands, as well as to create a strong and competitive state that could stand up for itself. It is very easy to prove that the reforms of the Elected Rada primarily strengthened the central government. After all, all the changes that took place in the country were aimed at creating a vertical of power, where all decisions were made by the king.
Reasons for the fall of the Rada
In 1560, the activities of the Chosen Rada were completed, and this body itself was dissolved. Historians do not name unequivocal reasons for such events, but there are 2 generally accepted versions. According to the first version, Ivan 4 had significant disagreements with members of the Rada on issues of internal and foreign policy countries. According to the second version, the tsar suspected the representatives of the glad that they were guilty of poisoning the queen Anastasia. In any case, the body was dissolved and its activities ceased. Although they managed to do a lot.