The History of Russia from 1450 to 1750


Ivan's win on the Ugra River


Ivan's forces deter Akhmat Khan of the Great Horde from Invading Muscovy. This in turn essentially ended the Mongols dominance in present day Russia at the time.

End of the Golden Horde


With the end of the Golden Horde, the Mongols rule over Russia had come to an end.

Grand Prince Ivan IV becomes the first Tsar

1547 - 1584

When Grand Prince Ivan IV (the Terrible) became the first Tsar in 1547, he wanted to impose military discipline and a centralized administration, and he brought terror upon hereditary nobility.

Time of Troubles

1598 - 1613

This was a period of political crisis that followed the fall of the Rurik dynasty in 1598 and ended with the establishment of the Romanov dynasty in 1613.

National Council elects Mikhail Romanov as Tsar


Mikhail Romanov's election as Tsar had ended a long period of instability (the Time of Troubles) and foreign intervention.

Important reforms by Peter the Great during his rule

1689 - 1725

During Peter the Great's time as ruler, he ntroduced a standardized army and navy, took power away from the Orthodox Church, and reorganized government structures.

Great Northern War

1701 - 1721

During the Great Northern War, Russia acquired territory of modern Estonia and Latvia after decades of war with Sweden, establishing a naval presence in the Baltic Sea and 'window on Europe'.

Battle of Poltova


At the Battle of Poltava, Sweden was defeated by Russia in a decisive military victory which marked a turning point in the Great Northern War, the end of Cossack independence, and the dawn of the Russian empire.

Treaty of Niš


The Treaty of Niš ended the Russo-Turkish War. The Russians gave up its claims on Crimea and Moldavia and its navy was barred from the Black Sea.

Treaty of Åbo


When the Treaty of Åbo was signed ending the Russo-Swedish War, the Russians relinquished most of the conquered territory, keeping only the lands east of the Kymi River.