Democratization of Eastern Europe
Czarism/ Western Impressions of Russia from

“The Land of the Firebird”  (adapted from Suzanne Massie’s Land of the Firebird)

 
pp. 61-76 on impressions of 16th Century Russia on Western visitors

(and Russian impressions of Westerners as well – e.g. meeting between Baron Sigismund von Heberstein sent to Moscow in 1517 as rep of the HRE-Grand Prince Vasily washed his hands immediately after greeting the “unclean W.Catholic)

Heberstein’s impressions?
 shock and horror at bizarre customs
 “barbarians”; amazingly cold
 women who love to be beaten by their husbands
people who loved to be slaves, no talent for freedom

Richard Chancellor, English sea capt. – British trying to find a NE passage to the New World

First clue about the power of the ruler – the Tsar – when people heard the Tsar had commanded his presence, they fought to give their fresh horses to the party

Finally reach Moscow, city of 200,000 (as big as London then)  huge castle (Kremlin); uproarious

Awestruck at the splendor at the Tsar’s court
hundreds of courtiers dressed in gold;
Tsar – a 24-yr old Ivan the Thunderous (Grozny - Terrible) bedecked in gold, jewels;

 
Ivan the Terrible – longest reigning Tsar – 51 yrs. – b. Aug. 23, 1530 (to clashes of thunder)

both parents die young (mother probably poisoned in Kremlin intrigue/vying for power/jealousy); abused by boyars/regents

at 16 invents the title of Tsar (Caesar) for himself (previously just Grand Princes of Muscovy)
patronizes many literary/history writing ventures, has St Basil’s built (heavily added onto after his death)
victory over the Tatars at Kazan

his wife Anastasia Romanova (desc of E Prussian Romanovs)

she dies 13 yrs after their marriage; he goes mad

banquets – pp.71 – 5-6 hrs; opulence

autocracy

military service