Boris Godunov fell to rule the country at one of the most difficult stages in the history of Russia. The interruption of the Rurik dynasty greatly affected the authority of the monarch, and Godunov himself had to regularly fight impostors and uprisings. Despite the complexity of the internal political situation, Godunov carried out several important reforms that had an impact on the further history of the country. In addition, the new ruler tried to eliminate the dire consequences of the unreasonable rule of his predecessor, but all these measures were drowned in a whirlpool of popular discontent.
In 1598, with the death of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, the royal dynasty of Rurikovich was interrupted, the hoop, which pulled together all the warring groups of the nobility, all the dissatisfied strata of the population, disappeared. Immediately, deep contradictions of society were exposed - within the nobility itself, between the enslaved people and the authorities, between the former guardsmen and their victims, between the elite of society, princes and boyars, and the middle and small nobility.
It was during this difficult transitional time that the boyar Boris Godunov was elected to the Russian throne, who tried already at the turn of the 16th - 17th centuries. found a new dynasty in Russia.
The young boyar began the struggle for power immediately after the death of Grozny. At first, he was on the sidelines - he only watched how two clans - the Romanovs and the Miloslavskys - grappled with each other. At the decisive moment, feeling the strength of the Romanov boyars, Godunov entered into an alliance with them and struck a blow first at the princes Miloslavsky, having obtained disgrace from the tsar for Ivan Fedorovich Miloslavsky, who was forcibly tonsured into a monk and exiled to a distant northern monastery, then to the Shuisky boyars.
Godunov did not resort to mass executions, but mercilessly removed rivals, and then secretly organized their murders. A train of terrible rumors began to follow him. Links, secret reprisals - all this was associated with the name of the hated Godunov. With his name was identified the increase in taxes, which increased in the 1580s. 1.5 times.
In 1588, the decade of Boris's de facto rule began. Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich granted him the title of ruler, unprecedented until that time in Russia. Boris received the right to independent relations with foreign states, which he used to gain popularity in Europe. Under his patronage, English and other foreign merchants acquired great benefits in Russia.
In 1589 Godunov helped his protege, Metropolitan Job, to acquire the title of Patriarch. The strengthened Russian Orthodox Church became its strong support.
But it was as if an evil fate was pursuing the almighty boyar. And the decree on the curriculum, which fettered the freedom of the peasants, and the laws of 1597, aggravating the fate of the slaves, the people, like the previous troubles, increasingly associated with the name of the all-powerful favorite. In addition, popular rumor accused Boris Godunov of the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry, the only survivor, except for the fading Fyodor, the son of Ivan the Terrible.
People noticed how Boris removed his enemies - at first he expelled them from Moscow, and then destroyed them with the help of assistants.
With the death of Fyodor Ivanovich in January 1598, the contradictions between the top of the boyars and Godunov intensified.
Boris strove at first to hand over the throne to his sister, Tsarina Irina. This failed, and then Boris Godunov began an open struggle for the royal throne. Who were his opponents? The eldest of the Romanov brothers, Fyodor Nikitich, and a distant relative of Ivan III, Fyodor Ivanovich Mstislavsky, could apply for the royal crown, but they did not nominate themselves.
A situation arose when the suppression of the Rurik dynasty opened up the opportunity to move from autocratic rule of the country to collective government. The boyars decided that the power in the country should be transferred to the Boyar Duma. For this, the Romanovs, Mstislavsky, Golitsyns and other glorious Russian boyar and princely families sacrificed their claims to the throne.
The meeting of the boyars in the Kremlin demanded that the people swear allegiance to the Boyar Duma. Boris Godunov stood for the old order. He dreamed of a royal crown, that his son Fyodor would succeed him and continue the Godunov dynasty.
Therefore, simultaneously with the meeting of the Boyar Duma, Patriarch Job called another meeting in his chambers - the Council, which proposed Godunov as tsar. This proposal was enthusiastically accepted.
In fact, two authorities were formed in the country - the Boyar Duma and the Cathedral. This led to a split in the country.
Political passions ran high.
Then the Patriarch organized a popular procession with icons to the Novodevichy Convent, where Godunov retired, who tearfully asked Godunov to take the throne. But Boris pretended to refuse.
A second march followed, and Boris agreed. Here, in the cathedral of the Novodevichy Convent, the Patriarch named Godunov the Russian Tsar. In the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, the Patriarch declared Godunov tsar for the second time. But the boyars refused to swear allegiance to him. Only two months later the general oath of allegiance to Godunov began, which lasted all summer. Godunov was solemnly proclaimed tsar for the third time.
Boris Godunov's politics
In the very first days of his reign, Boris Godunov vowed that he would rule fairly and mercifully: “God is my witness, no one will be poor or poor in my kingdom. More than once in conversations with people, he touched the collar of his shirt and declared: And this last I will share with everyone.
In an effort to win over the nobles to his side, Boris Godunov arranged the distribution of salaries to them, detained before. Many were promoted. To ease the lot of ordinary people, the new tsar canceled all tax arrears and eased the tax burden. Godunov encouraged trade in every possible way, endowed the merchants with privileges, tax privileges - the Church.
Godunov strove to support the economy of the middle service class of nobles, elevated ignoble but capable people, opposing them to the noble boyars.
This was the first Russian tsar who, having attacked bribery, raised his hand against dishonest officials and corrupt judges. The clerk caught in bribes was taken all over the city and flogged with a whip, and a sack with a bribe was hung on his chest, be it money, furs, or some kind of goods. In the person of the clerk's clerk, Godunov also found his worst opponents.
Boris Godunov was a passionate champion of enlightenment and highly valued Western culture. Under him, the German settlement in Moscow flourished - Kokuy, where a Protestant church was built.
He contributed to the development of book printing in the country, the construction of printing houses, dreamed of creating schools and even opening a university. The first of the Russian tsars Boris Godunov began to send noble children abroad for training.
Construction was a special passion of the new tsar. On his order, the first stone trade shops and a stone bridge over the Neglinka River were erected in Moscow. His name is associated with the construction of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, on which an inscription with the name of its creator, Boris Godunov, is still adorned. The tsar took care of the improvement of the capital. Under him, new pavements were laid. For the first time, a water supply system was installed in the Kremlin.
The country gradually began to revive, the mood of the people, especially its middle strata, changed in favor of the new tsar. This was facilitated by his manner of dealing with people. He was always even, affable, friendly. But behind this gentleness was a tremendous will, ambition and an unquenchable thirst for power. Good beginnings and thoughts constantly fought in his soul with dark passions. Feeling the enmity between the boyars and the clergy, Godunov became extremely suspicious. Soon the boyars of the Romanovs became the victims of this suspicion.
Boris strove to get these very rich and popular boyars out of his way. Fyodor Nikitich was tonsured a monk under the name of Filaret, his little children, Mikhail and Tatiana, were thrown into prison.
Table: pros and cons of Boris Godunov
| pros | Minuses | |
|---|---|---|
Personal qualities | A prominent statesman, a talented politician, caution and perseverance. He knew several foreign languages, had an excellent library. He was averse to inertia and prejudice. Hoped to establish peace and prosperity. He strove to eliminate the cultural lag of Russia from the West, he was sensitive to many new trends of the era. He strove to be an "ideal king" who cared about the stability of society as a whole, about the interests of the state. | He advanced as a favorite of Ivan IV, a clever courtier. His political views bore a clear imprint of the oprichnina and after oprichnina times. He encouraged denunciations, plotted intrigues, and often resorted to reprisals. Exile and forced monastic vows are favorite techniques. The main argument is a reference to tradition (medieval society is not very receptive to innovations). It turned out to be unclaimed. Persistent rumors about involvement in the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry |
He was ruined by the exhausting struggle to preserve and strengthen his own power: |
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The loss of his high position by the favorite meant in those days, most likely, not only the death of himself, but also severe trials, dishonor for all his numerous relatives. | "Artistic" Godunov showed an extraordinary art of intrigue, striving to rule alone in spite of everything. The extermination of the Shuisky and Belsky clans. |
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Domestic policy |
Rejection of the policy of mass terror; The desire to consolidate the entire class of landowners; Measures during hunger: He supported the townspeople, eased the situation of those who were engaged in handicrafts and trade. He did his best to revive the disastrously fallen crafts and trade. Extensive construction of cities in the Volga region Supported the liberation of the Orthodox Church from formal dependence on Constantinople; 1589 - the establishment of the patriarchate. | The use of repression for political purposes; Further enslavement of the peasantry. The dependence of slaves was increased. Bonded slaves lost the right to receive freedom by paying the debt, and remained dependent until the death of their master. A free person who went to work for hire, after six months of service, turned into a real slave; 1601-1603 - hunger. In Moscow alone, 127 thousand people died. In total, about 1/3 of the population died out; Did not achieve mass support, constantly felt the precariousness of the situation; He overestimated the capabilities of the apparatus and underestimated the strength of the passive resistance of the aristocracy to any innovations dubious or harmful from its point of view. |
Foreign policy | He strengthened and expanded the borders of the country. Improved the defenses of Moscow and Smolensk. The Solovetsky Monastery became an impregnable fortress. The international authority of Russia has grown. He avoided wars with neighbors (15-year truce with Poland). Russia received Ivangorod, Yam, Koporye, access to the Baltic Sea. Expansion of international relations. | Repression: A painful and shameful public punishment (a beard was pulled out by a hair). Then he was exiled. Exile 5 Romanov brothers (only Filaret survived). |
A shrewd and prudent policy aimed at reviving the economy and increasing Russia's international prestige made it possible to postpone the conflict, but did not prevent it. He got the most difficult task - overcoming the terrible consequences of the oprichnina (economic crisis, disunity of the population). An unprecedented step is the sending abroad of 18 noble children to study. Opened the doors wide to foreign specialists (the first attempt at modernization). | The desire to rule alone in spite of everything did not allow B. Godunov to avoid the crisis in time. He did not live up to the hopes placed on him. Disappointment quickly turned into hatred. |
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Tsar Boris Godunov is a bright and controversial personality of the Time of Troubles. His relatively long reign marked the beginning of one of the most dramatic periods in Russian history. The strong and cunning ruler failed to completely eliminate the consequences of the dynastic crisis. Having achieved important successes in domestic and foreign policy, he nevertheless could not overcome the creation of the authority necessary for the autocrat of Russia. Distrust of the "low-born" tsar did not allow the Godunovs to gain a foothold on the Russian throne for a long time and became one of the reasons for further civil confrontation in the Muscovite kingdom.
"Boris Godunov" A.S. Pushkin is a magnificent example of Russian realistic tragedy, which describes a difficult turning point in the history of the Russian state - the era of Troubles.
The author achieved extraordinary historical accuracy, he managed to recreate "the past century in all its truth." Initially, Pushkin designated the genre of "Boris Godunov" as a historical and political tragedy, addressing the burning issues at that time - the historical role of the masses and interaction with the despotic government.
History of creation
The release of the X and XI volumes of N.M. Karamzin's large-scale work "History of the Russian State", containing a detailed narration about the era of the Time of Troubles, inspires Pushkin to create a true masterpiece of Russian historical realistic drama. He begins work on the work with a thorough study of the features of the historical era and the characters of that time, right up to taking notes of fragments of Karamzin's great historical work. The beginning of work dates back to the end of 1824, the exact date of completion of work on the work is also known - November 7, 1825, but after that, for some time, the author continues to make his own edits.
Analysis of the work
The action begins in 1598. Princes Shuisky and Vorotynsky are discussing the murder of Tsarevich Dimitri, Vasily Shuisky accuses the brother-in-law of the Tsar, Boris Godunov, of this terrible crime. Shocked by the death of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich, the Russian people implore Boris, who had retired in a monastery, to take control of the state into their own hands. After some thought, he gives his consent.
1603 year. Cell of the Chudov Monastery. Having learned from Elder Pimen the circumstances of the martyrdom of Tsarevich Dimitri, his cell attendant Grishka Otrepiev plans to use this knowledge for personal gain and escapes from the monastery. Monk Gregory is plotting blasphemy - he is going to pass himself off as the late prince in order to subsequently ascend the royal throne. Barely hiding from the guards looking for him, Grishka escapes to Poland. There he charms the daughter of the governor Mnishek Marina, and confesses to her his imposture.
Meanwhile, in the house of Shuisky, a letter appears about the supposedly miraculous salvation of the prince, after which the prince goes with this message to the king. Boris is overcome by terrible pangs of conscience, he is trying to learn from Shuisky the truth about the death of the adolescent.
In 1604, Polish troops, inspired by the impostor False Dmitry, crossed the Russian border. Meanwhile, in Uglich, the relics of the innocent prince were acquired, which finally proved Otrepiev's imposture.
In December of the same year, near Novgorod-Seversky, a battle between the troops of Boris and the Poles takes place. Godunov is losing the battle. On Cathedral Square, a scene of Boris with the holy fool takes place, where the latter accuses the tsar of infanticide, comparing him to Herod.
Arriving in Moscow, Tsar Boris dies suddenly. In his death throes, he blesses his son, the young boy Fyodor, for the kingdom. The disgraced nobleman Gavrila Pushkin pushes one of the governors to treason and at the Execution Ground proclaims False Dmitry as tsar. Then a terrible tragedy unfolds - the boyars rush to the imprisoned children and Godunov's wife and kill them. Boyarin Mosalsky lies to the people that the whole family of Boris took poison and died, and proclaims the power of False Dmitry. The people are silent.
main characters
The author reveals his image in many ways - as an imperious and wise ruler, a loving husband and father, Boris is endowed with many virtues. An experienced politician, gifted with a powerful will, a brilliant mind and sincere concern for his people, the tsar, nevertheless, could not win the people's love. The people could not forgive him for the murder of the prince, in addition, the policy of total enslavement of the peasants was also not to the liking of ordinary people. All the tsarist generosity and good deeds were perceived by the people as hypocritical means to appease and keep the masses from revolt. According to Pushkin, it was precisely the lack of popular support, love and respect that was the main reason for the tragedy of Tsar Boris.
The meek and humble old man, the monk-chronicler of the Chudov Monastery, is one of the central characters of the Pushkin's tragedy, he is the only witness to the tragic murder. Pimen inadvertently provokes his cell attendant Gregory to imposture with just an imprudent mention of the equal age of Otrepiev and the murdered prince. At the same time, he declares the king's authority as given from God, and subsequently calls on the people to repent for the sins of the infanticide king.
The image of one of the main characters begins to unfold in the cell of the elder Pimen. The young monk's passionate nature prevails over his desire for solitude within the monastery walls. Then Grishka reveals himself both as an ardent lover and as a young man obsessed with a thirst for power. In the image of the Pretender, he enlists the support of both the boyars and the Polish gentry, but he will not be able to win the love of the people. Instead of cheers, the newly appointed tsar is expected by the silence of the people.
The ambitious daughter of the Polish governor, the wife of False Dmitry, she was ready to achieve tsarist power in any way, being equally indifferent to both the Pretender's passionate love and the political interests of her people.
A prominent representative of the boyar opposition, a participant in almost all political conspiracies. His role is of great weight and significance in the plot of the tragedy. He is the first to investigate the murder of the prince and far-sightedly assesses the consequences of the news about the Pretender. Resourcefulness, sober and cold calculation are characteristic features of the behavior of this character, both in relation to the king and in relation to his entourage.
Foolish. The significance of this character's role lies in the fact that he allowed himself on the square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral to publicly accuse the tsar of murdering the little prince. The second appearance in the scene of the Battle of Kromy will be marked by the crying of the Holy Fool about the fate of the Russian people in the coming Time of Troubles.
Quotes
« They have enough of their princes, let
They will choose anyone as their kings» - Boris
“I myself will say that our army is rubbish,
That the Cossacks rob the villages as soon as possible,
That the Poles only boast and drink,
And the Russians ... but what to say ...
Before you I will not dissemble;
But do you know how strong we are, Basmanov?
Don't use an army, no, don't help with a Polish army,
And opinion; Yes! people's opinion ... " - Gavrila Pushkin
"Man and people - human destiny, people's destiny" - quote from the author A.S. Pushkin.
The structure of the work
The plot-compositional structure of the poem has its own innovative features - due to a break with the rules of classicism, instead of the usual five actions, we observe 23 scenes that constantly change the scene of the action, which is also an innovative feature of the author's intention. The new interpretation and violation of the three unities typical of the tragedy of classicism (time of action, scene of action and unity of action), violation of the purity of the genre (mixing of tragic, comic and everyday scenes) allow us to call Pushkin's tragedy a successful attempt at a revolution in Russian and world drama.
The main innovative component is to show the image of the people as the main character. The tragedy perfectly demonstrates the dynamism of its development. The passive and unconscious masses of the people acquire unprecedented power, and as a result, the power to influence the course of historical events. The people are invisibly present in all episodes of the play, including the monologues and dialogues of its characters, and come to the fore in key scenes like a chorus in the tragedies of the ancient era.
Final conclusion
"Boris Godunov" is a realistic tragedy, which for Pushkin was the result of deep reflections and a brilliant innovative embodiment of a large-scale literary and artistic understanding of the history of the Russian state.
The moral result of the work can be designated the irreconcilability of a weak and defenseless people with the injustice of a lawless government.
Boris Fedorovich Godunov (1552 - 1605) - Russian tsar who ruled the state from 1587 to 1598.
Childhood
It is believed that the Godunovs trace their family back to the time of Ivan Kalita. Such information is found by scientists in the chronicles of the 17th-18th centuries and indicates that the distant ancestors of Boris Godunov were Moscow boyars and were considered loyal advisers to several generations of rulers at once. Boris's parents are the middle-class landowner Fyodor Ivanovich Godunov and his wife, an ordinary peasant woman.
Boris Fedorovich was born in 1552. It was not possible to establish for certain who his parents were and what they did. The only mention of the ruler's father is contained in one of the chronicles, which speaks of Fyodor "Krivoy". It was from here that scientists hypothesized that his father, a landowner, was a small figure, therefore he was not awarded any mention in government papers.
However, they speak of his elder brother Dmitry Ivanovich Godunov. Unlike his relative, he was a larger landowner and even traded with foreign merchants, supplying the court with some exotic goods of various origins.
Very little is known about the early childhood of Boris Godunov, as well as about his parents. The chronicles only indicate that the baby was born strong and was brought up by his parents, since the financial condition of the family did not allow hiring a separate teacher for the child.
Youth
In 1569, Boris's father dies of severe pneumonia. Guardianship of the shocked teenager is taken by his uncle - Dmitry Ivanovich the Terrible, who moves into the house of the widow and begins to help her with the housework. In the same period, the formation of the oprichnina is observed, therefore the Godunovs' estate on Vyazma becomes part of the oprichnina possessions, and Dmitry receives the title at court. Thus, the financial condition of the family is leveled out and is in absolute dependence on Uncle Dmitry.
The period of growing up of Boris Godunov coincides with the reign of Ivan the Terrible. At the beginning of 1570, he first met the king personally and even talked to him, after which he decided to make him a friend at his own wedding. According to bibliographers, from that very moment an inextricable connection was established between Ivan the Terrible and Boris Godunov.
Shortly after his own wedding, Boris progresses even further. They give him the title of boyar and make him almost the right hand and advisor of the current ruler. For a long time he has been involved in governing the state, remaining in the shadows. Nevertheless, it is becoming clear to an increasing number of boyars and princes who, in fact, are giving orders, and it is by no means Ivan the Terrible.
And then comes what no one could have expected - Tsar Ivan the Terrible dies. In the last minutes of his life, Godunov and his faithful friend Belsky were in the room next to him. The cause of the sudden death of the king is asphyxiation (suffocation), therefore it has not yet been established whether the young people were involved in the murder or the doctors simply made a mistake with the diagnosis. Nevertheless, it is Godunov and Belsky who leave the room of the deceased and become the first to convey the terrible news to the people.
Governance of Principalities
After the death of Ivan the Terrible, Fyodor Ioannovich took the throne. However, from the very first days of his reign, it becomes obvious that he not only fails to cope with the country, but is also incapable of giving clear instructions. In order to help the young tsar to settle down, a regency council was created, which, according to rumors, was supposed to include Boris Godunov. Nevertheless, Fyodor Ioannovich personally bestows upon him the title of equestrian, and also appoints him the ruler of the Kazan and Astrakhan principalities.
The period of Godunov's reign is characterized as one of the most successful moments in the history of the Kazan and Astrakhan principalities. The fact is that Boris has always loved religious architecture, therefore, having come to power, he tried to introduce religion as much as possible into the life of the people. In his domain, he erected many churches and cathedrals (some of them still exist intact). It was on the initiative of Boris Godunov that cities such as Samara, Saratov, Tomsk, Belgorod, Tsarev-Borisov, Yelets and Tsaritsyno were erected.
The years 1596-1602 were especially fruitful in the reign of Boris Godunov. Thanks to him, the first water supply system appeared in Moscow, which was pumps installed near the Moskva River, raising water to a huge height and delivering it to the stable yard of Godunov's palace. In addition, along with other fortifications of the city, the Smolensk fortress wall was erected - a structure that had no equal in beauty, grandeur and, of course, protection. That is why the locals nicknamed it "The Stone Necklace of the Russian Land."
By the way, the fortifications built by Godunov served a noble mission: in 1591 Khan Kazy-Girey approached Moscow, deciding to conquer the state and enslave the local residents. However, at gunpoint of numerous cannons, seeing the army of many thousands of Boris Godunov, Kazy-Girey in a hurry abandons his own army, baggage carts with provisions and retreats, suffering huge losses from Russian soldiers along the way.
Ascent to the throne
On January 7, 1598, Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich dies. Since he was not married, the Rurik dynasty on him, it would seem, had to end. But here Fedor's ties with Boris Godunov played a role (thanks to the skillful management of the latter, the tsar practically did not issue decrees on his own, entrusting everything to Godunov). As a result, in September of the same year, Boris Godunov was crowned king and took control of the entire huge and actively developing state.
As with the Kazan and Astrakhan principalities, the governance of Rus comes out more than positive. Unlike Ivan the Terrible, during whose reign the state did not have diplomatic ties with anyone, Godunov, on the contrary, opens borders and receives foreigners. Merchants, industrialists, and healers begin to come to Russia. People of all professions want to live and work under the guidance of a skilled leader and good tactician Boris Godunov. And he, for his part, tries to cooperate as much as possible with representatives of different states: he sends messengers, appoints foreigners to public service, gives valuable gifts.
However, Godunov's ascent to the throne, which, at first glance, went smoothly and without wrangling, was by no means such. The ruler understood that the Rurik dynasty was interrupted, and he would never have been able to claim the throne, if not for friendly relations with the late Fedor Ivanovich. So, since 1600, Boris Godunov has become even more cautious and suspicious. He often interrogates his best boyars and forbids them to marry, and because of a denunciation of one of the slaves, he summons his former best friend Bogdan Belsky. After lengthy interrogations and fiery speeches, Godunov accuses Belsky of treason and exiles him to the most distant city, depriving him of all privileges and rights.
A year later, the situation in the state only worsened. The once developing country first lost diplomatic ties, and then the great famine began. The price of bread went up several times a day, and people died before even reaching 20 years of age. Boris Godunov sincerely tried to help everyone in need. He persecuted merchants who raised food prices, opened the royal barn to feed the hungry. But, despite all attempts, the situation only worsened, which led to several popular riots. It was rumored that soon the "worker" (as the opponents called Godunov) would come to an end. However, on April 13, 1605, Boris Godunov died of natural causes.
Boris Godunov was born in 1552. His father, Fyodor Godunov, was a landowner, died in 1569, his son remained in the custody of his uncle Dmitry Godunov. Later Boris Godunov served in the oprichnina army, married the daughter of Malyuta Skuratov, who had special respect from Ivan the Terrible.
In September 1580, Godunov becomes a boyar. Subsequently, his family, and Boris himself, were gaining political weight, occupying a high niche among the Moscow nobility. He possessed all the qualities of a successful politician, was smart and very careful, trying to stay in the background until the right moment.
In the last years of Ivan the Terrible's life, he had a very great influence on the royal court, and went to the royal "favorites". The activities of Ivan the Terrible, at a certain point, began to affect the interests of the Godunov family. They say that Godunov directly had a hand in the death of the tsar.
After the death of Ivan the Terrible, Fyodor Ivanovich ascended the throne. The new tsar needed an intelligent advisor, therefore, under him a board of trustees was drawn up, which also included Boris Godunov. As a result of intrigues, the council collapsed, many of its members were repressed, and de facto, Boris Godunov became the ruler of the Russian state.
In Uglich, the legitimate heir to the throne, the son of Ivan the Terrible from his 7th wife, Tsarevich Dmitry, who died under unexplained circumstances, was growing up. However, the chronicle blames Dmitry and Godunov for the death. Tsarevich Dmitry was the heir to the royal throne and prevented Godunov from sitting on the throne.
Domestic policy of Boris Godunov
The internal policy of Godunov was reduced to strengthening the statehood. In 1589 the patriarchate was introduced. Metropolitan Job was elected the first patriarch. Domestic policy was very thoughtful and productive. Under him, the first water supply system was built in Moscow. The aqueduct pumped water from the Moskva River to the stable yard. City construction is carried out on a grand scale, churches and temples are being built, new fortresses appear on the outskirts of Russia.
The city of Yelets was restored, Belgorod was built, and Tomsk was also laid. The Tsar is restoring Yuryev's Day for a while. In 1601 - 1603, a crop failure is issued, famine begins, which causes popular discontent. Boris is taking measures to prevent popular discontent. But all his efforts were in vain. In 1603, in the outskirts of Moscow, the Khlopok uprising broke out.
Foreign policy of Boris Godunov
In foreign policy, Godunov proved to be a skillful diplomat. He concluded a very successful peace with Sweden, returning to Russia the primordially Russian lands, which were recently ruled by Sweden.
Godunov died in 1605. He is survived by two children: son Fedor and daughter Ksenia. As a result of the rebellion provoked by False Dmitry I, Fyodor was killed, and Xenia became his concubine.
Boris Godunov message on history will tell you a lot of useful information about the great tyrant and murderer of tsarist Russia. Also, a report about Boris Godunov will help you prepare for the lesson and deepen your knowledge of history.
The message about Boris Godunov
Where was Boris Godunov born?
Boris Godunov was born in 1552 near the city of Vyazma in the family of a landowner. He received an education worthy of a provincial nobleman. The only thing he did not study was the Holy Scriptures. At that time, ignorance of church books was considered a fundamental component of the study. Therefore, Godunov's contemporaries considered him a bad youth and poorly educated. Then calligraphic handwriting and literacy were not taken into account.
When his parents died, his uncle took custody of him. But he was constantly on the road, and could not take care of the children. Therefore, he gave them to the Kremlin, having agreed with the autocrat Ivan the Terrible. Boris Godunov grew up with the tsar's heirs on full allowance. The king loved to have conversations with him and allowed him to write down his thoughts. When Godunov was 18 years old, he took up the post of the state in bed. He was in charge of the Kremlin security and economy.
The coming to power of Boris Godunov
In 1581, tragedy struck: Ivan the Terrible had a row with his son Ivan and killed him in the heat. The king himself dies after 3 years. The throne was occupied by the only heir, Fyodor Ioannovich. He created a regency council consisting of Yuryev, Belsky, Mstislavsky, Shuisky and Godunov. The newly made king suffered from dementia. The boyars took advantage of this, who began a fierce struggle for power in the country.
Boris Godunov began to act with cunning and intrigue, accusing rivals of crimes and eliminating enemies instantly. He coped with this instantly. The only obstacle remained in the person of the contender for the throne - Tsarevich Dmitry. But he died in 1591, having stumbled on a knife during epilepsy. But they say that it was a rigged murder on the orders of Godunov. However, the special commission did not find direct evidence of guilt.
Since Fyodor Ioannovich could not rule the country because of his dementia, the skilful intriguer Boris Godunov coped with the role of ruler just fine, covering all his actions with the name of Fyodor. Thanks to his actions, the first water supply system was built in Moscow, and in 1596 the Smolensk fortress wall was erected to protect it from the Poles.
In 1595, Godunov signed a treaty with the Swedes that ended the Russian-Swedish war, which lasted 3 years. The Patriarchate was also established, which allowed the Orthodox Church to secede from the Byzantine Patriarchate.
Boris Godunov set deadlines for the search for fugitive peasants. The slaves were searched for him for 5 years, after which they were declared free. The intriguer freed the landowners from land taxes. In January 1598, the last Rurikovich died - Fedor. The widow of Ivan the Terrible, Irina, was appointed temporary ruler. The road to the throne became open for Godunov. At the Zemsky Sobor, he was unanimously elected ruler. Not the least role was played by the fact that he skillfully ruled the state against the background of the nominal figure of Fyodor Ioannovich.
The first 3 years of Godunov's reign were marked by the flourishing of Russia. Then the Time of Troubles began. In 1599, he made an attempt to get closer to the West, and a year later the ruler came up with the idea of opening a higher educational institution in Moscow, in which foreign teachers would teach. To this end, he sent young gifted people to Austria, France, England to gain experience.
In 1601, a mass famine began in Russia. The king issued a decree on tax cuts in order to help his subjects. He distributed grain and money from the treasury. At the same time, the prices for bread have risen 100 times. The barns and the treasury were emptied very quickly. A lot of people died of hunger. There were rumors among the people that it was God who sent punishment to Russia for the fact that an illegitimate heir had taken the throne. The peasants staged riots. They began to say that Tsarevich Dmitry was alive and False Dmitry appeared in the arena.
Godunov, having enlisted the support of the Poles, drove False Dmitry to Putivl. But the joy of victory overshadowed the weight of the understanding that he was betrayed by Russian troops and courtiers.
Was Boris Godunov married?
The wife of the king was Maria Skuratova. Little is known about her. Women were his faithful companion. For 10 years, the couple could not have children. Godunov discharged a doctor from England, and after 2 years Maria gave birth to a daughter, Xenia, and a son, Fyodor. Boris Godunov prepared his son for the throne, so he was taught by the best teachers in Moscow and Russia.
How did Boris Godunov die?
After the famine, Boris Godunov stopped believing the boyars and retinue. He saw enemies everywhere except his family. During the reception of ambassadors from England on April 13, 1605, the king suffered an apoplectic stroke: blood gushed from his ears and nose. Doctors could not help him in any way, which led to his death.
Interesting facts about Boris Godunov
- For a long time he suffered from severe migraines and urolithiasis.
- Has earned a reputation as an insidious poisoner.
- Descended from the Tatar family.
- He was the first "Nerurik" ruler in the last 700 years.
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