To know by hearsay what oprichnina is

Everyone knows about what oprichnina is. This is the state policy in Russia in 1565-1572: the policy of autocratic terror, which was then repeated almost at every turn of history (and not only in Russia).

Therefore, the word became a common name. Oprichnina is a state in the state, living by its (most often - wolf) laws, and directly by the oprichnik can be called any agent of the secret police involved in the repression. The root of the word oprichnina in Old Russian - "oprich -" is special, except. For example, the oprichnaya (special) part of the inheritance that the widow received.

Oprichnina and its consequences

In the years of the emergence of Russia (as an empire), during the bloody era of the reign of the first Russian Tsar John IV (Grozny), the endless Livonian wars exhausted the country , and among the enemies of the state there were such "monsters" as Sweden, Poland, Lithuania and the Crimean Khanate. And there was no peace inside the country: coups were constantly revitalized in the palace, betrayals and murders were committed, and the people were exhausted from drought, famine and plague. Russia was tormented from all sides: the north and the west moaned from the raids of the Poles and Lithuanians, the Swedes ravaged the outskirts of Novgorod, from the east and south burned Russian cities the family of khan Girey - Kazan, Astrakhan and Crimean. The king's authority was absent more than completely: the boyar clique (the Duma and at that time was the main administrative body), and in military affairs, and in political relations took into account only its own benefits and did not consult the tsar. As you know, John the Terrible power still took. And also - more than completely. Being one of the brightest minds of our time, brilliantly educated in many fields of knowledge, he, first of all, strengthened statehood and autocracy with a whole series of reforms. Over 50 years of his reign, Russia has increased its territory by 100%! Virtually all wars won. Established trade and diplomatic relations even with England. Only in the Baltic has not managed to consolidate (the time has not come). However, European states were seriously concerned about the persistence of these attempts. That's what oprichnina is. Many historians are sure that it was she who determined the success of most of the enterprises of Ivan the Terrible.

But, as a consequence, Russia has become a police state. The country was filled with impudent people with a dead dog muzzle and a broom attached to the saddle, who robbed, tortured and killed with impunity. Villains everywhere, forgetting the good goals of oprichnina (first of all, it is the reunification of all Russian lands, the eradication of feudal disunity, the stabilization of the independence of the boyars with their indescribable excesses). The boyars were controlled, yes. But at what cost! The oprichniki led by John literally ruined and tortured the country. The peasants fled from the estate of the tortured with the children and the household of the lords, the land was empty, as after a great war. Many years of famine continued. As a result, the law of "Zapovednye let" was introduced, from which serfdom gradually grew . Over time, the oprichniks lost fear and the last conscience, lazy and forgotten the principles so much that they simply did not appear for the next war with Khan Girey . In this act it is especially clear what oprichnina is. But, since only one purpose of the oprichnina was carried out thoroughly (strengthening of the autocracy), John, who received full authority, executed his oprichniks so that even those who were repressed under the root of Tver, Torzhok, Novgorod and other cities and scales were probably horrified.

Oprichnina as a tool

Oprichnina, of course, would have to become the mainstay of progressive central power against the reactionary boyars, with its thirst for profit, the mean infighting and treachery of the whole saint.

But! This is a double-edged sword. The second side is also not against profit and autocracy. And the means of achieving goals are the same to this day. And not so important is the person observed at the head of the oprichnina phenomenon - the king is John, the dictator Pinochet, the Eurasian Youth Union or the Main World Currency. Innovative is oprichnina or destructive, nuclear or informational, - and people are still dying (under no less sophisticated torture), cities are crumbling, the health-stricken countries are disappearing into oblivion. Oprichnina, unfortunately, established itself on the earth more firmly than the throne of the sovereigns of Russia. And even more sorry for the many corners of our planet, who learned firsthand what oprichnina is.