Oprichnina facts for kids
Oprichnina (pronounced op-REECH-nee-nah) was a special way of ruling used by the Russian leader, Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It happened in Russia between 1565 and 1572. The word "Oprichnina" comes from an old Russian word, опричь, which means 'apart' or 'special'.
This policy involved a secret police force, which was a group of people who worked for the Tsar in secret. They were known for being very strict. Oprichnina also included taking land and property from people, especially from a group called the boyars. The boyars were powerful noble families in Russia. Ivan the Terrible started Oprichnina because he no longer trusted these boyars.
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What Was the Oprichnina?
The Oprichnina was like a special part of Russia that Tsar Ivan the Terrible controlled directly. He divided his country into two parts. One part was the regular kingdom, and the other was his own special territory, the Oprichnina.
In this special territory, Ivan had his own army and government. This group was called the Oprichniki. They wore dark clothes and rode black horses. Their job was to make sure everyone followed the Tsar's rules.
Why Did Ivan the Terrible Create It?
Tsar Ivan the Terrible believed that the boyars were trying to take away his power. He thought they were disloyal and planning against him. To stop this, he decided to create the Oprichnina.
He wanted to weaken the boyars and make sure he had complete control over Russia. He used the Oprichnina to remove anyone he suspected of being against him. This made him a very feared ruler.
How Did the Oprichnina Work?
The Oprichniki were given special powers by the Tsar. They could take land and property from anyone they suspected of disloyalty. This often meant taking land from the boyars.
When they took land, the boyars and their families were often forced to move. Sometimes, they were even harmed or killed. This was a very harsh time for many people in Russia.
What Happened to the Boyars?
Many boyar families lost their homes and wealth. Their lands were given to people who were loyal to the Tsar. This helped Ivan the Terrible to gain more control over the country.
The Oprichnina caused a lot of fear. People were scared to speak out against the Tsar. This period is remembered as a time when Ivan the Terrible had absolute power.
The End of the Oprichnina
The Oprichnina lasted for seven years. It ended in 1572. Even though it helped Ivan the Terrible gain more power, it also caused a lot of problems for Russia.
The country became weaker because of the conflicts and the loss of many important people. Ivan the Terrible eventually stopped the Oprichnina. He even punished some of the Oprichniki themselves.
Lasting Impact on Russia
The Oprichnina changed Russia forever. It showed how powerful a Tsar could be. It also led to a time of trouble and instability in the country.
Many historians still study this period to understand how much power a ruler can have. It is an important part of Russian history.
See also
In Spanish: Opríchnina para niños
