For almost 400 years of the existence of this title, it was worn completely different people- from adventurers and liberals to tyrants and conservatives.
Rurikovich
Over the years, Russia (from Rurik to Putin) has changed many times political system. At first, rulers bore the title of prince. When after the period political fragmentation something new has developed around Moscow Russian state, the owners of the Kremlin began to think about accepting the royal title.
This was accomplished under Ivan the Terrible (1547-1584). This one decided to marry into the kingdom. And this decision was not accidental. So the Moscow monarch emphasized that he was the legal successor. It was they who bestowed Orthodoxy on Russia. In the 16th century, Byzantium no longer existed (it fell under the onslaught of the Ottomans), so Ivan the Terrible rightly believed that his act would have serious symbolic significance.
Historical figures such as this king had a great influence on the development of the entire country. In addition to changing his title, Ivan the Terrible also captured Kazan and Astrakhan Khanate, starting Russian expansion to the East.
Ivan's son Fedor (1584-1598) was distinguished weak character and health. Nevertheless, under him the state continued to develop. The patriarchate was established. Rulers have always paid a lot of attention to the issue of succession to the throne. This time he became especially acute. Fedor had no children. When he died, the Rurik dynasty on the Moscow throne came to an end.
Time of Troubles
After Fyodor's death, Boris Godunov (1598-1605), his brother-in-law, came to power. He did not belong to the reigning family, and many considered him a usurper. With him because of natural disasters a colossal famine began. The tsars and presidents of Russia have always tried to maintain calm in the provinces. Due to the tense situation, Godunov was unable to do this. Several peasant uprisings took place in the country.
In addition, the adventurer Grishka Otrepyev called himself one of the sons of Ivan the Terrible and began a military campaign against Moscow. He actually managed to capture the capital and become king. Boris Godunov did not live to see this moment - he died from health complications. His son Feodor II was captured by the comrades of False Dmitry and killed.
The impostor ruled for only a year, after which he was overthrown during the Moscow uprising, inspired by disgruntled Russian boyars who did not like the fact that False Dmitry surrounded himself with Catholic Poles. decided to transfer the crown to Vasily Shuisky (1606-1610). IN Troubled times The rulers of Russia changed frequently.
The princes, tsars and presidents of Russia had to carefully guard their power. Shuisky could not restrain her and was overthrown by the Polish interventionists.
The first Romanovs
When Moscow was liberated from foreign invaders in 1613, the question arose of who should be made sovereign. This text presents all the kings of Russia in order (with portraits). Now the time has come to talk about the rise to the throne of the Romanov dynasty.
The first sovereign from this family, Mikhail (1613-1645), was just a youth when he was put in charge of a huge country. His main goal began the struggle with Poland for the lands it captured during the Time of Troubles.
These were the biographies of the rulers and the dates of reign before mid-17th century century. After Mikhail, his son Alexei (1645-1676) ruled. He annexed to Russia left bank Ukraine and Kyiv. So, after several centuries of fragmentation and Lithuanian rule fraternal peoples finally began to live in the same country.
Alexei had many sons. The eldest of them Feodor III(1676-1682), died at a young age. After him came the simultaneous reign of two children - Ivan and Peter.
Peter the Great
Ivan Alekseevich was unable to rule the country. Therefore, in 1689, the sole reign of Peter the Great began. He completely rebuilt the country in a European manner. Russia - from Rurik to Putin (in chronological order consider all rulers) - knows few examples so full of change era.
Appeared new army and the fleet. For this, Peter started a war against Sweden. lasted 21 years North War. During it swedish army was defeated, and the kingdom agreed to cede its southern Baltic lands. St. Petersburg was founded in this region in 1703 - new capital Russia. Peter's successes made him think about changing his title. In 1721 he became emperor. However, this change did not cancel royal title- in everyday speech, monarchs continued to be called kings.
The era of palace coups
Peter's death was followed by a long period instability of power. Monarchs replaced each other with enviable regularity, which was facilitated by the Guard or certain courtiers, as a rule, at the head of these changes. This era was ruled by Catherine I (1725-1727), Peter II (1727-1730), Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740), Ivan VI (1740-1741), Elizaveta Petrovna (1741-1761) and Peter III (1761-1762) ).
The last of them was German by birth. Under Peter's predecessor III Elizabeth Russia led victorious war against Prussia. The new monarch renounced all his conquests, returned Berlin to the king and concluded a peace treaty. With this act he signed his own death warrant. The Guard organized another palace coup, after which Peter’s wife Catherine II took the throne.
Catherine II and Paul I
Catherine II (1762-1796) had a deep state mind. On the throne, she began to pursue a policy of enlightened absolutism. The Empress organized the work of the famous laid down commission, the purpose of which was to prepare a comprehensive project of reforms in Russia. She also wrote the Order. This document contained many considerations about the transformations necessary for the country. The reforms were curtailed when the Volga region broke out in the 1770s. peasant revolt under the leadership of Pugachev.
All the tsars and presidents of Russia (we have listed all the royal persons in chronological order) made sure that the country looked decent in the external arena. She was no exception. She conducted several successful military campaigns against Turkey. As a result, Russia was Crimea annexed and other important Black Sea regions. At the end of Catherine's reign, three divisions of Poland occurred. Thus, the Russian Empire received important acquisitions in the west.
After death great empress Her son Paul I (1796-1801) came to power. This quarrelsome man was not liked by many in the St. Petersburg elite.
First half of the 19th century
In 1801, the next and last palace coup took place. A group of conspirators dealt with Pavel. His son Alexander I (1801-1825) was on the throne. His reign was Patriotic War and Napoleon's invasion. Rulers Russian state For two centuries they have not faced such a serious enemy intervention. Despite the capture of Moscow, Bonaparte was defeated. Alexander became the most popular and famous monarch of the Old World. He was also called the "liberator of Europe."
Within his country, Alexander in his youth tried to implement liberal reforms. Historical figures often change their policies as they age. So Alexander soon abandoned his ideas. He died in Taganrog in 1825 under mysterious circumstances.
At the beginning of the reign of his brother Nicholas I (1825-1855), the Decembrist uprising occurred. Because of this, conservative orders triumphed in the country for thirty years.
Second half of the 19th century
All the kings of Russia are presented here in order, with portraits. Further we'll talk about the main reformer of Russian statehood - Alexander II (1855-1881). He initiated the manifesto for the liberation of the peasants. The destruction of serfdom allowed the development Russian market and capitalism. The country has begun the economic growth. The reforms also affected judiciary, local government, administrative and conscription systems. The monarch tried to get the country back on its feet and learn the lessons that the lost beginnings under Nicholas I taught him.
But Alexander's reforms were not enough for the radicals. Terrorists made several attempts on his life. In 1881 they achieved success. Alexander II died from a bomb explosion. The news came as a shock to the whole world.
Because of what happened, the son of the deceased monarch Alexander III(1881-1894) forever became a tough reactionary and conservative. But most of all he is known as a peacemaker. During his reign, Russia did not wage a single war.
The last king
In 1894, Alexander III died. Power passed into the hands of Nicholas II (1894-1917) - his son and the last Russian monarch. By that time the old world order with absolute power kings and czars have already outlived their usefulness. Russia - from Rurik to Putin - has known a lot of upheavals, but it was under Nicholas that more than ever happened.
In 1904-1905 The country experienced a humiliating war with Japan. It was followed by the first revolution. Although the unrest was suppressed, the king had to make concessions public opinion. He agreed to establish constitutional monarchy and parliament.
Tsars and presidents of Russia at all times faced a certain opposition within the state. Now people could elect deputies who expressed these sentiments.
In 1914 the First World War. No one then suspected that it would end with the fall of several empires at once, including the Russian one. In 1917 it broke out February Revolution, and the last king had to abdicate the throne. Nicholas II and his family were shot by the Bolsheviks in the basement of the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg.
In March 1917, Emperor Nicholas II, under pressure from circumstances, abdicated the throne in favor of his younger brother Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich and notified him about this by telegram, where he already addressed him as His To the Imperial Majesty Michael the Second.
But the Grand Duke postponed succession to the throne. Legally, the acts of Nicholas II and the Grand Duke are controversial, but most historians come to the conclusion that the process of transfer of power was within the legal framework of the legislation in force at that time.
After the act of the Grand Duke, Nicholas II rewrote the abdication in favor of the legal heir to the throne, fourteen-year-old Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich. And although the will of the emperor was not even conveyed to the people, de jure Alexei can be considered the last autocrat of Russia.
The last autocrat, but not the king
Among the titles of Nicholas II there was no title of Tsar of Russia. In addition to the title Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia and a number of others, he was Tsar of Kazan, Tsar of Astrakhan, Tsar of Poland, Tsar of Siberia, Tsar of Tauride Chersonesus, Tsar of Georgia.
The term “king” comes from the name of the Roman ruler Caesar (), which in turn goes back to Caius Julius Caesar.
The naming of Nicholas II Tsar was of a semi-official, informal nature. So between Nicholas II, the Grand Duke and the Tsarevich, only status can be considered last emperor Russia.
Who was the last king?
The first autocrat to receive the title of Tsar was the son of the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily III and Elena Glinskaya, who went down in history under the name of Ivan the Terrible. He was crowned king in 1547 under the title " Great Sovereign, by God's grace Tsar and Grand Duke of All Rus', etc.” The Russian state of that period was officially called the Russian Kingdom and existed under this name until 1721.
In 1721, Peter I took the title of emperor, and the Russian kingdom became Russian Empire. But Peter was not the last king. Peter was one of last kings, since he was crowned king together with his half-brother Ivan Alekseevich Romanov.
In 1682, both brothers were crowned kings in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, and Ivan was crowned as the senior tsar under the name of John V Alekseevich with the original Monomakh's Cap and in full royal vestments. As a politician, economist, statesman John V did not show himself in any way, and did not make the slightest effort to do so. Some historiographers are generally inclined to recognize him as mentally retarded.
Nevertheless, during 12 years of marriage with Praskovya Fedorovna Saltykova, he managed to give birth to five children, one of the daughters later became the empress, known as Anna Ioannovna.
The Russian people are traditionally distinguished by their faith in the Tsar. But there were such monarchs in Rus' who almost led Russia to historical destruction.
Boris Godunov
Godunov’s accession to the throne already raised many doubts (he was a ruler from the “crowd.” The list of victims attributed to the “great poisoner” is impressive: two sovereigns Ivan the Terrible and Fyodor Ivanovich, Duke Hans of Denmark (failed husband of Boris’s daughter Ksenia), daughter of Duke Magnus of Denmark (whom the Poles could have elevated to the Russian throne) and even Tsarina Irina, Boris Godunov’s sister, who herself presented him with the crown.
It was Boris Godunov, and not Peter I, who became the first sovereign oriented towards European orders. He maintained friendly relations with England and was in flattering correspondence with Queen of England. Under Godunov, the British received unprecedented privileges, including the right to duty-free trade.
In 1601, the Great Famine came to Russia, which lasted until 1603. This became the real fate of Godunov and his entire dynasty. Despite all the king's attempts to help his people - prohibitions on increasing the price of bread, building barns for the hungry - people remembered the Antichrist. Rumors about Boris's crimes spread throughout Moscow. The development of rumors about the coming of the Antichrist into something massive and militant was prevented by the sudden death of Boris Godunov and the coming to Rus' of the “miraculously saved” Tsarevich Dmitry. As a result of Godunov's rule, Russia found itself on the threshold of the Time of Troubles, which almost stopped the history of the Russian state.
Vasily Shuisky
Vasily Shuisky ruled in the period 1606-1610. IN early XVII Art. Russia experienced massive crop failures, as a result of which famine spread throughout the territory. Vasily Shuisky came to the throne during these times, creating a conspiracy and organizing the murder of False Dmitry. Shuisky was proclaimed ruler by his supporters - a small group of people in Moscow.
“More cunning than smart, utterly deceitful and intrigued,” is how the historian Vasily Klyuchevsky described the tsar.
Shuisky inherited an inheritance that called into question the very concept of the “Russian state.” Famine, internal and external strife, and finally, the epidemic of imposture that swept Rus' at the dawn of the 17th century - in such conditions, few could maintain their common sense and political will.
Shuisky did everything he could. He tried to codify the law and consolidate the position of slaves and peasants. But his concessions difficult situation were akin to weakness. In the end, Shuisky was captured by Polish troops, by prior agreement of the boyars. His rule was replaced by the Polish prince Vladislav, and the country was actually under foreign occupation.
Peter II
Peter II reigned in the period 1727-1730. Became king at the age of 11, died at 14 from smallpox. This is one of the youngest rulers of Russia. Became king, according to the will drawn up by Catherine I. He showed no interest in state affairs And political activity. His government was no different bright events Moreover, Peter II did not actually rule Russia on his own. Power was in the hands of the Supreme privy council(Menshikov, and soon - Osterman and Dolgoruky). IN this period tried to stick political views Peter the Great, but these attempts were unsuccessful. During the reign of Peter II, the boyar aristocracy strengthened, the army fell into decay (especially changes affected the fleet), and corruption began to actively flourish. Also during this period, the capital of Russia changed its location (it was moved from St. Petersburg to Moscow).
Peter III
Peter III is an emperor who was proclaimed after the death of Elizabeth. During the 186-day period, the monarch did enough to be called one of the worst rulers of Russia. Historians explain this by the hatred of the “German” Peter III towards Russia. The result of the emperor's reign was:
strengthening of serfdom;
the nobility receiving the right not to serve and other privileges (“Manifesto on the Freedom of the Nobility”);
the return to power of persons from the previous reign who were in exile;
cessation of hostilities with Prussia, conclusion of an agreement with Prussian king on unfavorable terms (return East Prussia, which at that time was part of Russia for 4 years). Given that the 7-year war with Prussia was practically won, such a step caused bewilderment in army circles and was equated with high treason.
The reign of Peter III ended thanks to the conspiracy of the guard.
Nicholas II
Nicholas II - the last Russian Tsar, in whose success they did not even believe him own parents. For example, Nikolai’s mother considered Nikolai weak not only in spirit, but also in mind, and called him a “rag doll.” At the very beginning of his reign, the tsar tied the ruble exchange rate to gold and introduced the gold ruble. The consequence of this step was the restriction of money within the country and an increase in the number of loans abroad, which were used for the development of the country. As a result, Russia became one of the leaders in terms of external debt, which was growing rapidly.
Further shameful defeat Russia in Russian-Japanese war(in 1904-1905) During the reign of the tsar, one should remember “ Bloody Sunday" - Shooting by police civilians in St. Petersburg, which was the impetus for the start of the first revolution (1905-1907) As a result last event Nikolai received the nickname "Bloody".
In 1914 (the beginning of the war) there was an economic recession and inflation. The number of strikes increased sharply. As a result, Nicholas II abdicated the throne, and in Russia the most scary time in her history.
The Rurikovichs are a princely family in Rus', which comes from Rurik. The Rurik family was large and many of its representatives were rulers of the state and principalities formed after the Russian lands were divided.
Biography of Rurik
The beginning of the reign of the Ruriks is considered to be 862. These are the Grand Dukes of Novgorod, Kyiv, Vladimir, Moscow. All Russian tsars before the 16th century are considered descendants of Rurik. The last of this dynasty was called Fyodor Ioannovich. Rurik became prince in 862. During his reign, feudal relations were established.
Some historians say that Rurik was a Scandinavian. The basis for this is the etymology of the name, which is translated from Latin as King. It is also known that the name Rurik is very common in countries such as Sweden, Finland and others. But other historians suggest that Rurik still comes from the Slavs.
If you believe the chronicles, then we can say that not only Rurik, but also his brothers received the princely lands. But many of the researchers unanimously claim that he did not have any brothers.
The chronicles describe very little about his aspirations to strengthen the borders of the state and build cities. On a positive note during the period of his reign there was the ability to suppress the rebellion. Thus, he reinforced his royal authority. Another positive thing that can be said is that power was centralized in Rus'.
In 879, Rurik died, and Oleg, the guardian of Igor, Rurik’s son, became prince.
List of princes, rulers of Rus'
- Igor
- Olga "Saint"
- Svyatoslav Igorevich
- Yaropolk I, Svyatoslavovich
- Vladimir Svyatoslavovich "Saint"
- Svyatopolk I Vladimirovich “The Accursed”
- Yaroslav I Vladimirovich “The Wise”
- Izyaslav I Yaroslavovich
- Vseslav Bryachislavovich Polotsky
- Izyaslav I Yaroslavovich
- Svyatoslav Yaroslavovich
- Izyaslav I Yaroslavovich
- Vsevolod I Yaroslavovich
- Svyatopolk II Izyaslavovich
- Vladimir Vsevolodovich “Monomakh”
- Mstislav Vladimirovich “The Great”
- Yaropolk II Vladimirovich
- Vsevolod II Olgovich Novgorod–Seversky
- Igor Olgovich
- Izyaslav II Mstislavovich Vladimir–Volynsky
- Yuri Vladimirovich “Dolgoruky”
- Izyaslav III Davidovich Chernigovsky
- Rostislav Mstislavovich Smolensky
- Mstislav Izyaslavovich Vladimir–Volynsky
Who was the first Russian Tsar in Rus'?
Ivan IV Vasilyevich, nicknamed “The Terrible”, the first Tsar of the State
We all studied history at school. But not all of us remember who the first Tsar in Rus' is. This high-profile title in 1547 began to belong to Ivan IV Vasilyevich. For the difficulty of his character, for his toughness and cruelty, he was given the nickname “Terrible”. Before him, everyone who ruled Russia was called princes. And Ivan the Terrible is the first Tsar of the State.
The first king was crowned king in 1547.
Biography
The year Ivan was born was 1530. His father was the Prince of Moscow Vasily III, and her mother is Elena Glinskaya. Very early, Ivan became an orphan. He is the only heir to the throne; he had a brother, Yuri, but since he is mentally retarded, he could not lead the principality. Ivan the Terrible began to rule the lands in Rus'. It was 1533. In fact, his mother was considered the ruler, since the son was still small. But five years later she was gone too. Having become an orphan at the age of eight, Ivan lived with guardians, who were the boyars Belsky and Shuisky. They were only interested in power. He grew up seeing hypocrisy and meanness every day. I became distrustful, expecting trickery and betrayal everywhere and in everything.
Positive board results
The year 1547 was the time when Grozny announced his intention to marry as king. He received the title of king on January 16. The place where the wedding took place was the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin. During the reign of Ivan Vasilyevich, a significant increase in influence was noted Orthodox Church. There was also an improvement in the life of the clergy.
Nine years after the beginning of the reign in Rus', Ivan, together with Elected Rada The “Code of Service” was developed. Thanks to this document, the size of the Russian army increased. This document stated that each feudal lord had the obligation to deploy a certain number of soldiers from his land, who had horses and weapons with them. If the landowner supplied more soldiers than necessary, then his incentive was a monetary reward. But if the feudal lord, for whatever reason, did not provide the number of soldiers required according to the document, then he had to pay a fine. Thanks to this document, the combat effectiveness of the army improved. 
This is important, since Ivan the Terrible pursued an active foreign policy.
Negative aspects of government
A terrible despot on the throne!
This is what the tsar was called for his cruelty, torture, and reprisals against people undesirable to his rule and will.
List of rulers of Rus' after the reign of Ivan the Terrible
- Simeon Bekbulatovich nominally Grand Duke of all Rus' Fedor I Ivanovich
- Irina Fedorovna Godunova
- Boris Fedorovich Godunov
- Fedor II Borisovich Godunov
- False Dmitry I (presumably Grigory Otrepiev)
- Vasily IV Ivanovich Shuisky
- Mstislavsky Fedor Ivanovich
- Dmitry Timofeevich Trubetskoy
- Ivan Martynovich Zarutsky
- Prokopiy Petrovich Lyapunov
- Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky
- Kuzma Minin
The first Russian tsar from the clan (family) of the Romanov dynasty
The Rurik dynasty was followed by the Romanov dynasty. As in the first, so in this dynasty there were many prominent representatives government. One of them was the first representative Mikhail Romanov.
Biography of Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov
In 1613 he was elected Russian Tsar. His mother was Ksenia Shestova, and his father was Fedor Romanov. After Moscow was liberated by Minin and Pozharsky. future king and his mother began to live in the Ipatiev Monastery.
The Poles, when they learned that a tsar had been elected, wanted to interfere in every possible way. So, this case was behind a small detachment that moved towards the monastery with the aim of eliminating Mikhail. But Ivan Susanin showed courage and the detachment of Poles died without finding on the right path. And they chopped up Ivan.
Positive board results
The economy of the Russian lands, which were in decline after the failures that occurred in the 7th century, was gradually restored. 1617 was the year of the conclusion of a peace treaty with Sweden.
This is followed by the return of the Novgorod region, which was captured years earlier. After the treaty was signed in 1618 with Poland, Polish troops I had to leave Russian lands completely. However, the territories of Smolensk, Chernigov and Smolensk regions became lost.
Korolevich Vladislav did not recognize the legality of Mikhail Romanov’s rights. He said with conviction that he was the Russian Tsar.
This period is known friendly relations with the Persians. Due to the fact that Siberia was conquered, there was an expansion of Russian territories.
Posad people began to be subject to heavy taxes. One can also note an attempt to form regular army. Foreigners took the lead. Last years The reign of Mikhail Romanov was marked by the formation of dragoon regiments as one of the army's rapid deployment units.
List of Tsars of Russia after the first Tsar of the Romanov dynasty
In which cathedral did the coronation of Russian tsars take place?
The Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin is considered one of the oldest churches. It is located on the Kremlin's Cathedral Square.
Since the times of Rus', the Assumption Cathedral has been the place where the most important state ceremonies were held. One of such ceremonies held there is the coronation of the Tsars of Russia.
The last Russian Tsar in Russian history
Biography
The last emperor was Nicholas II, his father was Alexander III. Nikolai had an excellent education, studied various foreign languages, studied law, military affairs, economics, history and literature. Since his father died early, he had to at a young age take the reins of power.
The coronation of Nicholas took place in the Assumption Cathedral on May 26, 1896. This date is also marked by bad events. This terrible event was “Khodynki”. As a result, a huge number of people died.
Positive board results
The period of Nicholas's reign is distinguished by many positive events. There was an economic recovery. There was a significant strengthening of the agricultural sector. During this period, Russia was an exporter of agricultural products to Europe.
The introduction of a gold stable currency was also noted. The development of the industry was very intensive. Enterprise construction, growth big cities, construction railways- this is all positive influence reign of Nicholas II.
The introduction of a normalized day for workers, the provision of insurance, and the implementation of excellent reforms regarding the army and navy had a positive impact good influence on the development of the state as a whole. Emperor Nicholas fully supported the development of science and culture. But, despite the fact that there was so much positive that the people’s life was improving, the unrest among the people did not stop.
And in January 1905, Russia experienced a revolution. This event was inspired by the event known to everyone as “Bloody Sunday”. 09/17/1905 we're talking about on the adoption of a manifesto in which civil freedom was defended. There was the formation of a parliament that included the State Duma and the State Council.
Negative results of the reign and the end of the Romanov dynasty
After the June coup, which changed the rules for election to the State Duma. Every failure that happened in the war undermined Nicholas's prestige. With the outbreak of the uprising in March of the same year in Petrograd, popular uprising has acquired enormous proportions. Not wanting the bloodshed to reach further large scale, Nicholas abdicates the throne.
On March 9, the provisional government observed the arrest of the entire Romanov family. Then they go to the royal village. In Yekaterinburg, on July 17, the Romanovs were sentenced to death in the basement, and an execution took place. This ends the reign of the Romanov dynasty.
