Dissolution of the Russian Oprichnina (1572)

Timeline

1. 1565–1570Grand Duchy of Moscow · RussiaIn 1565 Ivan IV established the oprichnina, dividing the realm into an oprichnina under the tsar's direct control and a non-oprichnina administered by the nobility, and created the oprichniki to carry out large-scale purges of political enemies and the nobility. In 1570 the oprichniki's expedition to Novgorod caused heavy loss of life and destruction of property.
2. 1571–1572Moscow · RussiaIn 1571 Crimean khan Devlet I Giray raided Moscow, the city was burned, and many residents were captured. The disaster exposed the fragility of defense and administration under the oprichnina system, and nobles and churchmen increasingly demanded an end to the terror and a return to normal state functioning.
3. 1572Moscow · RussiaIn 1572 Ivan IV ordered the oprichnina abolished, the oprichnina division rescinded, and the oprichniki disbanded or reorganized, with some oprichniki commanders executed. State administration was reunified, the nobility partially restored, and Russia could devote more resources to the Livonian War and building the southern frontier.