ABSTRACT
Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible; in full, Ivan Vasilyevich) created the Russian Empire and pursued major reforms of its administrative and legal system. Ivan IV's reign severely weakened the Russian Empire. The violent character of boyars rule was resented by the young Ivan IV, who was frequently insulted and beaten in his Kremlin palace. Ivan IV was then able to launch a series of successful military campaigns that included the conquest of the Muslim state of Kazan in 1552. Ivan IV did much to strengthen the system of autocracy he inherited from his Muscovite predecessors. The devastating experience of Ivan IV's reign led to civil upheavals and military reversals that threatened the empire with collapse. The Oprichnina, which never ruled more than half of the land, was directed more by Ivan's paranoia than for the good of the state.
