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Outbreak of the Livonian War
In January 1558 Tsar Ivan IV invaded Livonia seeking Baltic access and trade, attacking the Livonian Order and local cities and beginning a war of ab…
Timeline
- 1557Moscow · RussiaIvan IV demanded that Livonian cities pay 'tribute of many years' and acknowledge his suzerainty; negotiations broke down. Moscow's decision-makers concluded that seizing the Baltic passage by force was imperative.
- 1558Narva · NarvaRussian forces crossed the border into Livonia and quickly captured Narva and other important ports. The Order's military was weak and the cities fought separately; the eastern Baltic defense system neared collapse, making multi-state intervention inevitable.
Sources
- Livonian War https://www.britannica.com/event/Livonian-War
- The Livonian War (1558–1583) — Eric N. Johnson (2007)