THE TIME OF TROUBLES

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

The Problems Begin

Ivan IV dies in 1584

Son Feodor succeeds him

Weak & ineffective ruler

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

The Fight for Control

Several factions competing

Shuiskiis

Romanovs

Boris Godunov

• Effectively rules from 1588

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

Growing Crises

Social & economic problems stemming from Ivan IV’s rule

Hostile neighbors: Crimean Tatars, Poles, & Swedes

Country exhausted from wars

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

Succession Problems

Feodor had no heirs, only half-brother Dmitrii of Uglich

Boris not of Rurikid bloodline

Death of Dmitri of Uglich

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

Succession Problems

Feodor dies in Jan. 1598

No clear heir to throne

Frantic political manuvering

Boris Godunov rallies support – crowned Tsar Sept. 3, 1598

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

Muscovy under Tsar Boris I

An able ruler

But faced overwhelming problems

Economic: famine 1602

Social: rising discontent & rebellion

Legitimacy issue

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

Pretenders & Rebels

1604: “False Dmitrii” leads revolt

Actually Grigorii Otrepev

But gains many followers

1605: Boris dies, makes son Feodor Tsar

False Dmitrii overthrows Godunovs & becomes Tsar

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

Pretenders & Rebels

Vasilii Shuiskii & followers start riot in Moscow, 1606

Overthrow False Dmitrii

Shuiskii made Tsar

Also faces legitimacy problem

Disorder & unrest continue

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

Pretenders & Rebels

Ivan Bolotnikov starts new rebellion, 1606

New pretender emerges, Peter, son of Feodor I

Shuiskii defeats rebels

But cannot contain disorder

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

Pretenders & Rebels

New “False Dmitrii”

Sets up rival govt. in Tushino, 1608

Shuiskii & followers drive out rebels

Shuiskii’s forces fall apart, 1610

Poles march on Moscow

Shuiskii overthrown

THE TIME OF TROUBLES

Pretenders & Rebels

1611: New pretender “Baby Brigand”

2 leaders emerge: Kuzma Minin & Dmitrii Pozharskii

Defeat Poles & expel them, 1612