Changes

At the age of sixteen, he was crowned, and he took the title Tsar of all Russia. His claim to Tsar of all Russia was absurd because both Ivan's and Moscow's political power were non-existent. Ivan, despite his youth, proved to be a capable administrator. He rebuilt Moscow after a fire. He introduced the first parliament, founded a standing army, known as the Streltzi, reformed the Church and stamped out many clerical abuses.<ref> Madariaga, p. 23</ref>

Reforms and peace marked the first years of Ivan's reign. However, this was to change, and many have even claimed that this was a result of some undiagnosed mental health issues. More likely the drastic change in Ivan’s policies was due to external and internal threats. In the 1560s, Russia was involved in several wars, and drought caused widespread famine. There were rumors of revolt and conspiracies. Ivan decided that he needed to strengthen his position, especially against the Boyars. He found the Oprichnina a military and a police force that was soon given free reign against Ivan’s many real and imagined enemies. There were several waves of persecution launched by the Oprichnina. This involved mass arrests and executions mainly of Boyars and their supporters. The Oprichnina significantly extend the hold of Ivan over the hereditary nobility, but its members increasingly enriched themselves and became a ‘state within a state.’