Ivan the Terrible - the first Tsar of Russia

Ivan the Terrible was the non-european Ruler and the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and the Tsar of Russia from 1547 to 1584. Ivan the Terrible was the main reason for Russia’s expansion throughout Eurasia. He is also known for the construction of the Saint Basil Cathedral in Moscow. To his left is Genghis Khan, the ruthless Mongolian ruler who conquered a majority of the land from China to Western Europe. I sat these two next to each other because they were both conquestors who greatly increased their empire’s land mass.

When the Mongols invade Kievan Rus, destroying cities including Kiev and Moscow. The Khan of the Golden Horde rules Russia until 1480. Ivan III— known as Ivan the Great— rules delivered and rule the Russian from the Mongols during 1480 to 1505. After which his grandson Ivan IV— or Ivan the Terrible ruled and expanded the Muscovite territory into Serbia.

Ivan the Terrible followed the “Mestnichestvo” a book of lineage that bound Tsars hands and created much destress in Russia. Ivan the Terrible became fearful that someone would try to overthrow him and called himself the Tsar and put himself above God. Once again back to religion, Ivan calls for an assembly of a Church Council in 1551 and limits the purchasing power of the Church Peter decided to barrow much of Europe's ideas of warfare. 

What did Stalin say about Ivan the Terrible? Stalin once remarked that Ivan the Terrible let remorse stand in his way “confessing his “sins” instead of pursuing even more draconian measures.” Compared to Ivan the Terrible Stalin would make no such mistake and pursued the consolidation of his power by “draconian measures” with apparent fervour. He made a concerted effort to stamp out religion in Russia so that the influence that faith and the religious clergy had over the proletariat would not rival his. 

And about one of the most famous cathedrals in Russia. The St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow is one you have probably seen before even if you’ve never heard the name. St. Basil's Cathedral is an insanely large Cathedral and is a beautiful building. This is also one of the older Cathedral's on the list, as it was built all the way back in the 1500’s. With its age also comes a lot of history! St. Basil’s was commissioned by none other than Ivan the Terrible after a successful capture of enemy territory. It was completed in only 6 years. Something which none of the other Churches on this list were able to do. 

Actually, Early Russia, aka Grand Principality of Muscovy, had little to no defense. This was due to no mountains, deserts, or any obstacles for enemies, which made it easy to invade Russia. The first Tsar of Russia was Ivan The Terrible, he helped Russia become more defensive and aggressive, as well as ruthless. Over the next century or so, Russia had become a strategic and defensive nation. And we can see it even nowadays.