Social order
 As the form of a feudal state the class-representative monarchy corresponded to the epoch of mature feudalism. It was developed in the result of the struggle between monarches (grand dukes and tsars) for the further strengthening of the centralized state. The power of the monarch of this period was still insufficiently strong to become absolute. Monarches and their supporters struggled against the top feudal aristocracy (former appanage princes and upper boyars), who counteracted to the centralizing policy of Moscow sovereigns. In this struggle Monarches leaned on noblemen and the top layer of the townspeople. |
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Political system
 The transition to the class-representative monarchy was marked by essential changes in the machinery of the state. The major change was the introduction of the representative bodies. The status of the monarch also changed. Ivan IV proclaimed himself the Tsar. And that was not a mere formality but the reflection of increased power of the monarch. Oprichnina played an important role in the strengthening of monarchical authority - it was a complex phenomenon, a special, terroristic by character, internal policy of the government of Ivan the Terrible in the years of 1565-1572. |
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