The well-known expression "St. George's Day" in Russia is associated with the name of Boris Godunov. This man lived for only 53 years. Although he went down in history, he could not keep his family in high positions.
Instructions
Step 1
Boris was born in about 1552 in the family of the boyar Fyodor Godunov. Successful marriage to Maria, daughter of Malyuta Skuratov, elevated him in society. Then Boris was 18 years old.
Step 2
Four years later, Irina, Boris's sister, married Tsarevich Fyodor, and this also contributed to the rise of Boris. Life was going well, and at the age of 28 he became a boyar, and then entered the government as one of its main members.
Step 3
Boris Godunov did not avoid the palace struggle, and at the age of 35 he reached the level of a state ruler. Tsarevich Dmitry of Uglichsky was killed on his orders.
Step 4
When the childless Tsar Fyodor died, Godunov was 46 years old. At the Zemsky Sobor in 1598 he was elected tsar. Contemporaries argued that Boris had exceptional talent for government affairs. The tsar was friends with the ruling class, observed the interests of the nobility in the service. Tsar Godunov resolutely fought against economic disruption, thanks to which he went down in history as a tough ruler. He strengthened serfdom: he conducted a census, banned the exit of the peasants, and established a 5-year search term for the fugitives. At the same time, he supported the feudal lords and gave them indulgences. In the cities, he increased taxes and extended serfdom.
Step 5
The tsar solved with a firm hand not only current state problems, but also looked into the future. He actively colonized the southern regions and Siberia. Thanks to Boris Godunov, the lands seized by Sweden returned to Russia. This speaks of successful actions in foreign policy. Trade with foreigners developed through Arkhangelsk. Russian positions beyond the Volga, in the Transcaucasus and in the North Caucasus have strengthened.
Step 6
Mass famine in the early 17th century exacerbated class contradictions. The result was a peasant war. The king could not cope with the active populace and the opposing nobility from the southern regions. Government power was weakening, despite the support of large feudal lords and nobility. Concessions to the working population did not help either.
Step 7
Boris Godunov died during the struggle against False Dmitry I. The Tsar's young son Fyodor came to the throne, but in 1605 the inhabitants of Moscow revolted and overthrew the government of the Godunovs. Boris's son was killed without a taste of power. So the reign of a talented tough ruler ended. His life was turbulent, and his demise was corresponding.
