Livonian war causes, course, results, consequences. Livonian War: briefly about the causes, main events and consequences for the state
After the conquest of Kazan, Russia turned its eyes to the Baltic and put forward plans for the capture of Livonia. There were two main reasons Livonian War: the right to freely trade in the Baltic, and for opponents the issue of preventing Russia from being included in the number of European states. The Order and the German merchants hindered the growth of Russian trade. Therefore, for Russia main goal The Livonian War was the conquest of the exit to Baltic Sea. The struggle for supremacy at sea was between Lithuania and Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia.
The reason for the start of the war was the non-payment of tribute by the Livonian Order, which the Yuryev (or Derpt) bishopric undertook to pay under the peace treaty of 1554.
In 1558, Russian troops invaded Livonia.
At the first stage of the war (1558-1561), several cities and castles were taken, including such significant ones as Narva, Derpt, Yuryev.
Instead of continuing the successfully launched offensive, the Moscow government granted the Order a truce and at the same time equipped an expedition against the Crimea. Taking advantage of the respite, the Livonian knights gathered military forces and, a month before the end of the truce, defeated the Russian troops.
Russia did not achieve results in the war against the Crimean Khanate and missed favorable opportunities for victory in Livonia. In 1561, Master Ketler signed an agreement under which the Order came under the protectorate of Lithuania and Poland.
Moscow made peace with the Crimea and concentrated all its forces in Livonia. But now, instead of one weak order, he had to deal with several strong claimants to his inheritance. If at first it was possible to reject the war with Sweden and Denmark, then the struggle with the main heir to the Livonian Order, i.e. with the Polish-Lithuanian king, was inevitable.
The second stage of the war (1562-1578) for Russia passed with varying success.
Russia's highest achievement in the Livonian War was the capture of Polotsk in February 1563, followed by military setbacks and fruitless negotiations. The Crimean Khan refused an alliance with Moscow.
In 1566, Lithuanian ambassadors arrived in Moscow with a proposal for a truce and so that Polotsk and part of Livonia remained behind Moscow. Ivan the Terrible demanded all of Livonia. Such demands were rejected, and the Lithuanian king Sigismund August resumed the war with Russia.
In 1568, Sweden terminated the previously concluded alliance with Russia. England refused to sign the alliance treaty developed by Russian diplomats. In 1569, Poland and Lithuania united into a single state - the Commonwealth. Russia had to continue the Livonian War without allies in the most unfavorable conditions.
However, both the Commonwealth and Russia equally needed peace, so both countries concluded a three-year truce in 1570.
At this time, Russia was conducting hostilities with the Swedes, resorting to the help of Denmark. Ivan the Terrible decided to create a vassal Livonian kingdom from the conquered lands, on the throne of which it was promised to put the Danish prince Magnus, married to the royal niece. He tried to expel the Swedes from Reval (Estonia) at the beginning of 1577, but the siege was unsuccessful. Sweden then made peace with Denmark.
After the death of Sigismund August in 1572, a period of kinglessness began in the Commonwealth. In the struggle of pretenders for the throne, the Transylvanian prince Stefan Batory won in 1576. He created an anti-Russian alliance and raised a significant army.
The third stage of the Livonian War (1679-1583) began with the invasion of Russia by the Polish king Stefan Batory. At the same time, Russia had to fight with Sweden. For the first time in the Livonian War, Russia's opponents actually joined their military efforts.
In August 1579, Batory's army conquered Polotsk, and a year later Velikiye Luki and other cities. In an attempt to take Pskov, Batory suffered the biggest setback in the war with Russia. Meanwhile, hostilities continued in Livonia and Estonia, where the Swedes took the cities of Padis, Wezenberg, and Kexholm in Karelia from the Russians, and on September 9, 1581, Sweden captured Narva, then Ivangorod, Yam, Koporye fell.
With the loss of Narva, the continuation of the struggle for Livonia lost its meaning for Grozny.
Realizing the impossibility of waging war with two opponents at once, the tsar began negotiations with Bathory on a truce in order to concentrate all forces on the recapture of Narva. But the plans for an attack on Narva remained unfulfilled.
The result of the Livonian War was the conclusion of two treaties that were unfavorable for Russia.
On January 15, 1582, Yam Zapolsky signed an agreement on a 10-year truce. Russia ceded all its possessions in Livonia to Poland, and Batory returned to Russia the fortresses and cities he had conquered, but retained Polotsk.
In August 1583, Russia and Sweden signed the Plyussky truce for three years. The Swedes retained all the captured Russian cities. Russia retained a section of the coast of the Gulf of Finland with the mouth of the Neva.
The end of the Livonian War did not give Russia access to the Baltic Sea. It was very important for Russia, but still the main strategic objective The Livonian War for Ivan IV was something else. The annexation of Livonia was necessary to stop the centuries-old "onslaught to the east" from the Vatican to enslave Russia.
The reasons for the defeat in the difficult 25-year Livonian War were the economic weakness of Russia, its internal difficulties, the backwardness of Russians in military art compared to Western Europeans. Political short-sightedness, Ivan the Terrible's ignorance of his rivals, his desire for quick results at any cost could not but lead to a major international conflict.
The consequence of the Livonian War was an exceptionally difficult situation for Russia, the country was ruined.
In 1558 he declared war on the Livonian Order. The reason for the start of the war was that the Livonians detained on their territory 123 Western specialists who were heading to Russia. The non-payment of tribute by the Livonians for their capture of Yuryev (Derpt) in 1224 also played an important role. The campaign that began in 1558 and continued until 1583 was called the Livonian War. The Livonian War can be divided into three periods, each of which went with varying success for the Russian army.
First period of the war
In 1558 - 1563, the Russian troops finally completed the defeat of the Livonian Order (1561), took a number of Livonian cities: Narva, Derpt, approached Tallinn and Riga. The last major success of the Russian troops at this time was the capture of Polotsk in 1563. Since 1563, it becomes clear that the Livonian War is becoming protracted for Russia.
Second period of the Livonian War
The second period of the Livonian War begins in 1563 and ends in 1578. The war with Livonia turned for Russia into a war against Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Lithuania. The situation was complicated by the fact that the Russian economy was weakened due to devastation. A prominent Russian military leader, a former member betrays and goes over to the side of opponents. In 1569, Poland and Lithuania united into a single state - the Commonwealth.
Third period of the war
The third period of the war takes place in 1579-1583. During these years, Russian troops were fighting defensive battles, where the Russians lost several of their cities, such as: Polotsk (1579), Velikiye Luki (1581). The third period of the Livonian War was marked by the heroic defense of Pskov. Headed the defense of Pskov Governor Shuisky. The city held out for five months, and beat off about 30 assaults. This event allowed Russia to sign a truce.
Results of the Livonian War
The results of the Livonian War were disappointing for the Russian state. As a result of the Livonian War, Russia lost the Baltic lands, which were captured by Poland and Sweden. The Livonian War greatly depleted Russia. And the main task of this war - obtaining access to the Baltic Sea, was never completed.
The article tells briefly about the Livonian War (1558-1583), which was waged by Ivan the Terrible for the right to enter the Baltic Sea. The war for Russia at first wore successful character, but after the entry of Sweden, Denmark and the Commonwealth into it, it took on a protracted character and ended in territorial losses.
- Causes of the Livonian War
- The course of the Livonian War
- Results of the Livonian War
Causes of the Livonian War
- Livonia was a state founded by a German order of chivalry in the 13th century. and included part of the territory of the modern Baltic. By the 16th century it was very weak public education, power in which was divided among themselves by knights and bishops. Livonia was an easy prey for an aggressive state. Ivan the Terrible set himself the task of capturing Livonia in order to ensure access to the Baltic Sea and in order to prevent its conquest by someone else. In addition, Livonia, being between Europe and Russia, in every possible way prevented the establishment of contacts between them, in particular, the entry of European masters into Russia was practically prohibited. This caused discontent in Moscow.
- The territory of Livonia before the capture by the German knights belonged to the Russian princes. This pushed Ivan the Terrible to the war for the return of ancestral lands.
- According to the existing treaty, Livonia was obliged to pay Russia an annual tribute for the possession of the ancient Russian city of Yuryev (renamed Derpt) and neighboring territories. However, this condition was not observed, which was the main reason for the war.
The course of the Livonian War
- In response to the refusal to pay tribute, Ivan the Terrible in 1558 starts a war with Livonia. A weak state, torn by contradictions, cannot resist the huge army of Ivan the Terrible. The Russian army victoriously passes through the entire territory of Livonia, leaving only large fortresses and cities in the hands of the enemy. As a result, by 1560 Livonia, as a state, ceases to exist. However, its lands were divided between Sweden, Denmark and Poland, which declared that Russia should renounce all territorial acquisitions.
- The emergence of new opponents did not immediately affect the nature of the war. Sweden was at war with Denmark. Ivan the Terrible concentrated all efforts against Poland. lucky fighting lead in 1563 to the capture of Polotsk. Poland begins to ask for a truce, and Ivan the Terrible convenes the Zemsky Sobor and addresses him with such a proposal. However, the cathedral responds with a sharp refusal, stating that the capture of Livonia is necessary in economic terms. The war continues, it becomes clear that it will be protracted.
- The situation changes for the worse after the introduction of the oprichnina by Ivan the Terrible. The state, already weakened in the course of a tense war, receives a "royal gift." The punitive and repressive measures of the king lead to a decline in the economy, the execution of many prominent military leaders significantly weakens the army. At the same time, the Crimean Khanate activates its actions, starting to threaten Russia. In 1571, Khan Devlet Giray burned down Moscow.
- In 1569, Poland and Lithuania are united into a new strong state - the Commonwealth. In 1575, Stefan Batory became its king, who later showed the qualities of a talented commander. It has become turning point in the Livonian War. The Russian army held the territory of Livonia for some time, laid siege to Riga and Revel, but soon the Commonwealth and Sweden began active hostilities against the Russian army. Batory inflicts a series of defeats on Ivan the Terrible, recaptures Polotsk. In 1581, he besieges Pskov, the courageous defense of which lasts five months. The removal of the siege by Batory becomes the last victory of the Russian army. Sweden at this time captures the coast of the Gulf of Finland, which belongs to Russia.
- In 1582, Ivan the Terrible concludes a truce with Stefan Batory, according to which he renounces all his territorial acquisitions. In 1583, an agreement was signed with Sweden, as a result of which the captured lands on the coast of the Gulf of Finland were assigned to it.
Results of the Livonian War
- The war started by Ivan the Terrible promised to be successful. At first, Russia made significant progress. However, due to a number of internal and external reasons, a turning point occurs in the war. Russia is losing its occupied territories and, in the end, access to the Baltic Sea, remaining cut off from European markets.
By the end of the 15th century, the foreign policy actions of Grand Duke Ivan III were aimed at fighting the Tatar Khan, who besieged the southern and eastern lands, the Lithuanian principality for the occupied territories, and Livonia for access to the Baltic Sea. At the same time, the results achieved in the confrontation with the Tatars led to the fact that in the middle of the 16th century the Russian kingdom restored military and political influence in the occupied territories, forced the Nogai and Siberian Khans to bow.
The question of the capture of the Crimea remained topical. At the same time, the opinions of the boyars were divided. And, although many advocated the conquest of the south, despite the vast southern expanses, in which the steppes felt organically, and there were no Moscow strongholds, some of the boyars, led by the tsar, paid attention to access to the Baltic Sea. Because joint fighting against Ottoman Empire together with Poland and Lithuania were associated with the loss of Ukrainian and Belarusian lands, as the main direction foreign policy Ivan the Terrible chose to fight Livonia.
Causes of the conflict
By the middle of the 15th century, Livonia was a weakened confederation of the Livonian Order and bishoprics. The latter remained only a formal authority, since the lands of the order accounted for 67% of the entire land of Livonia. Big cities had some autonomy and their own power. In this way, government agency Livonia was extremely disunited. Due to the military, political and economic weakness, the confederation had to conclude a truce with the Russian kingdom. The peace treaty, concluded for six years and prolonged in the 09, 14, 21, 31 and 34th years of the sixteenth century, assumed the payment of the “Yuriev tribute”, the terms and amounts of which are not mentioned in the sources. However, there is an opinion that the tribute was never paid. Yuryev, later renamed Darpt, was founded by Yaroslav the Wise. Tribute was supposed to be paid for it and the territory adjacent to the city. In addition, the alliance with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, formalized in 1954, included clauses directed against the power of the Russian Tsar. However, historians consider the debt on the "Yuryev tribute" rather the reason, but not the final cause of the war.
Experts believe that the real reason for the military campaign against Livonia is the impossibility of developing trade relations with Western Europe due to the fact that the main ports of the Baltic Sea were under the control of Livonia.
The trade routes by which goods were delivered at that time were the White Sea (the port of Arkhangelsk) and the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. However, these sea routes, where in warm time years were actively moving merchant ships, with the onset of cold weather, they froze for a long time. At the same time, it was impossible to conduct foreign trade activities.
When doing business on the non-freezing Baltic Sea, Russian merchants had to resort to the services of intermediaries in the person of the Germans from Narva and Derpt, and this led to serious losses, since the import of the most valuable goods - gunpowder, iron, various metals - was led by the Livonians, who could stop deliveries. Without so necessary materials it was impossible to develop handicrafts in Russia.
In addition to the economic justification, the beginning of the Livonian War is associated with an attempt to restore political ties with the West. Since, as a result of a long struggle with Tatar-Mongol yoke and the redistribution of the territory, the country acquired an eastern orientation, it was important to uphold the title of a Western state, conclude profitable marriage alliances, etc.
Another reason is called social aspect. The redistribution of the Baltic lands would lead to an increase in the power of the nobility and the merchant class. The boyars were more inclined to seize the southern lands, due to their remoteness from the state and political center. There, at least for the first time, it was possible to exercise absolute power before the advent of the organized.
The beginning of hostilities 58-61 years
The end of the 57th year turned out to be the most favorable for the start of hostilities against Livonia. The difficult situation in the alignment of European forces played into the hands of the Russian Tsar. The serious losses of Sweden in the Russo-Swedish war led to the weakening of the most powerful enemy. The aggravation of relations with Sweden distracted the Danish government. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was not ready for serious international conflicts due to internal divisions and social problems.
Historians conditionally divide the course of the twenty-five-year war into three main stages:
The first was advanced from the 58th to the 61st year and was originally planned as a punitive operation by Ivan the Terrible in order to demonstrate military force;
The second ended in the 77th, was of a protracted nature and brought to naught all the diplomatic agreements reached before the 57th year;
In the third stage of hostilities Russian troops were predominantly defensive in nature and led to the conclusion of a peace agreement on conditions that were absolutely unfavorable for Moscow.
Ivan the Terrible did not start active military clashes until the 58th year. During this time, attempts were made to reach peace agreements regarding the surrender of Narva under Moscow influence. To which the Order issued an unequivocal refusal. After that, in January 1558, an army of forty thousand entered the Livonian land, destroying and ruining cities and territories, and reached the coast of the Baltic. During the campaign, the Russian leaders several times sent peace proposals to the Livonian authorities, which was accepted. However, in March 1958, supporters of the Livonian military forces attempted to terminate the peace agreements by starting shelling of Ivangorod. Thus, a new military offensive of Russian troops into Livonia was provoked. During the offensive, more than twenty settlements and fortresses. By the end of the summer of 1958, the forces of the Muscovite tsar had ravaged the environs of Riga and Revel.
By March 1959, the Russians had taken stable positions, which led to the conclusion of peace, which ended in November 1959. Over the past six months, the Livonian forces have received support and reinforcements from Sweden and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. However, attempts to storm Yuriev and Lais ended in failure for the Livonians. By August 1960, the strongest fortresses of Fellin and Marienburg were occupied by Russian troops.
Second phase of the war
Successes in the conduct of hostilities put Ivan the Terrible in a difficult position. The reason for this was the formation of a coalition represented by the Roman Empire, Sweden and Denmark against Russia and the statement of claims by Poland and Lithuania regarding the cession of the Baltic lands. The variable victories and defeats of the Russian army during the year 62 led to the fact that the war began to take on a protracted character.
Failures in attempts to conclude diplomatic agreements, illiterate actions of military leaders and a change in policy within the state led to an aggravation of the social and economic situation.
Third stage
In the 75th year, Stefan Batory becomes the king of the Commonwealth, who begins active hostilities against Russia. In addition, the turbulent situation in northern lands caused by the Swedish attack. The troops of Bathory were not advanced towards the plundered Livonia, but to the Northern and Smolensk lands. After the capture of Polotsk, its siege lasted only three weeks, and the devastation of the Northern lands Batory put forward demands to leave Livonia and cede Courland to the Commonwealth. At the end of August 1980, the garden of Velikiye Luki began, ending complete defeat September 5 already. After that, the fortresses of Narva, Ozerische and Zavolochye were taken.
An attempt to capture Pskov at the end of June 1981 for the troops of Batory was unsuccessful, since the Russian military responded in a timely manner to the reinforcement and preparation of the enemy. As a result of a long siege and many attempts to storm the fortress, the Polish-Lithuanian troops were forced to retreat.
The result of the twenty-five-year war was a severe defeat for Russia. Attempts to seize the Baltic states and conduct free trade in the Baltic Sea were unsuccessful, in addition, power was lost over the previously assigned territories.
Introduction 3
1. Causes of the Livonian War 4
2. Stages of war 6
3.Results and consequences of the war 14
Conclusion 15
References 16
Introduction.
The relevance of research. The Livonian War is a significant stage in Russian history. Long and exhausting, it brought many losses to Russia. It is very important and relevant to consider this event, because any military action changed geopolitical map our country, had a significant impact on its further socio-economic development. This directly applies to the Livonian War. It will also be interesting to reveal the diversity of points of view on the causes of this collision, the opinions of historians on this matter. After all, pluralism of opinions indicates that there are many contradictions in views. Therefore, the topic has not been sufficiently studied and is relevant for further consideration.
aim of this work is to reveal the essence of the Livonian War. To achieve the goal, it is necessary to consistently solve a number of tasks :
Reveal the causes of the Livonian War
Analyze its stages
Consider the results and consequences of the war
1. Causes of the Livonian War
After the annexation of the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates to the Russian state, the threat of invasion from the east and southeast was eliminated. Ivan the Terrible faces new tasks - to return the Russian lands, once captured by the Livonian Order, Lithuania and Sweden.
In general, it is possible to clearly identify the causes of the Livonian War. However, Russian historians interpret them differently.
So, for example, N.M. Karamzin connects the beginning of the war with the hostility of the Livonian Order. Karamzin fully approves Ivan the Terrible's aspirations to reach the Baltic Sea, calling them "intentions that are beneficial for Russia."
N.I. Kostomarov believes that on the eve of the war, Ivan the Terrible had an alternative - either to deal with the Crimea, or to take possession of Livonia. The historian explains the contradictory common sense the decision of Ivan IV to fight on two fronts "strife" between his advisers.
S.M. Soloviev explains the Livonian War by the need of Russia to “assimilate the fruits of European civilization”, the carriers of which were not allowed into Russia by the Livonians, who owned the main Baltic ports.
IN. Klyuchevsky practically does not consider the Livonian War at all, since he analyzes the external position of the state only from the point of view of its influence on the development of socio-economic relations within the country.
S.F. Platonov believes that Russia was simply drawn into the Livonian War. The historian believes that Russia could not evade what was happening on its western borders, could not put up with unfavorable terms of trade.
MN Pokrovsky believes that Ivan the Terrible started the war on the recommendations of some "advisers" from a number of troops.
According to R.Yu. Vipper, "The Livonian War was prepared and planned by the leaders of the Chosen Rada for quite a long time."
R.G. Skrynnikov connects the beginning of the war with the first success of Russia - the victory in the war with the Swedes (1554-1557), under the influence of which plans were put forward to conquer Livonia and establish themselves in the Baltic states. The historian also notes that "the Livonian War turned the Eastern Baltic into an arena of struggle between states seeking dominance in the Baltic Sea."
V.B. Kobrin pays attention to the personality of Adashev and notes his key role in unleashing the Livonian War.
In general, formal pretexts were found for the start of the war. The real reasons were the geopolitical need for Russia to gain access to the Baltic Sea, as the most convenient for direct links with the centers European civilizations, as well as the desire to accept Active participation in the division of the territory of the Livonian Order, the progressive disintegration of which was becoming obvious, but which, not wanting to strengthen Russia, prevented its external contacts. For example, the authorities of Livonia did not allow more than a hundred specialists from Europe, invited by Ivan IV, to pass through their lands. Some of them were imprisoned and executed.
The formal reason for the start of the Livonian War was the question of the "Yuryev tribute" (Yuryev, later called Derpt (Tartu), was founded by Yaroslav the Wise). According to the agreement of 1503, an annual tribute was to be paid for it and the adjacent territory, which, however, was not done. In addition, in 1557 the Order entered into a military alliance with the Lithuanian-Polish king.
2.Stages of the war.
The Livonian war can be conditionally divided into 4 stages. The first one (1558-1561) is directly related to the Russian-Livonian war. The second (1562-1569) included primarily the Russo-Lithuanian war. The third (1570-1576) was distinguished by the resumption of the Russian struggle for Livonia, where they, together with the Danish prince Magnus, fought against the Swedes. The fourth (1577-1583) is associated primarily with the Russian-Polish war. During this period, the Russo-Swedish war continued.
Let's consider each of the stages in more detail.
First stage. In January 1558, Ivan the Terrible moved his troops to Livonia. The beginning of the war brought him victories: Narva and Yuryev were taken. In the summer and autumn of 1558 and at the beginning of 1559, Russian troops passed through all of Livonia (to Revel and Riga) and advanced in Courland to the borders East Prussia and Lithuania. However, in 1559, under the influence of politicians, grouped around A.F. Adashev, who prevented the expansion of the scope of the military conflict, Ivan the Terrible was forced to conclude a truce. In March 1559, it was concluded for a period of six months.
The feudal lords took advantage of the truce to conclude an agreement with the Polish king Sigismund II Augustus in 1559, according to which the order, lands and possessions of the Archbishop of Riga passed under the protectorate of the Polish crown. In an atmosphere of sharp political disagreements in the leadership of the Livonian Order, its master V. Furstenberg was dismissed and G. Ketler, who adhered to a pro-Polish orientation, became the new master. In the same year, Denmark took possession of the island of Esel (Saaremaa).
The hostilities that began in 1560 brought new defeats to the Order: the large fortresses of Marienburg and Fellin were taken, the order army blocking the path to Viljandi was defeated near Ermes, and the Master of the Order Furstenberg himself was taken prisoner. The success of the Russian army was facilitated by the peasant uprisings that broke out in the country against the German feudal lords. The result of the company in 1560 was the actual defeat of the Livonian Order as a state. The German feudal lords of Northern Estonia became subjects of Sweden. According to the Vilna Treaty of 1561, the possessions of the Livonian Order came under the rule of Poland, Denmark and Sweden, and his last master, Ketler, received only Courland, and even then it was dependent on Poland. Thus, instead of a weak Livonia, Russia now had three strong opponents.
Second phase. While Sweden and Denmark were at war with each other, Ivan IV led successful operations against Sigismund II Augustus. In 1563, the Russian army took Plock, a fortress that opened the way to the capital of Lithuania, Vilna, and to Riga. But already at the beginning of 1564, the Russians suffered a series of defeats on the Ulla River and near Orsha; in the same year, a boyar and a major military leader, Prince A.M., fled to Lithuania. Kurbsky.
Tsar Ivan the Terrible responded to military failures and escapes to Lithuania with repressions against the boyars. In 1565, the oprichnina was introduced. Ivan IV tried to restore Livonian Order, but under the protectorate of Russia, and negotiated with Poland. In 1566, a Lithuanian embassy arrived in Moscow, proposing to divide Livonia on the basis of the situation that existed at that time. Convoked at this time Zemsky Cathedral supported the intention of the government of Ivan the Terrible to fight in the Baltic states up to the capture of Riga: "Our sovereign of those Livonian cities that the king took for protection, it is unsuitable to retreat, and it is fitting for the sovereign to stand for those cities." The council's decision also emphasized that giving up Livonia would hurt trade interests.
Third stage. From 1569 the war becomes protracted. This year, at the Seimas in Lublin, Lithuania and Poland were united into a single state - the Commonwealth, with which in 1570 Russia managed to conclude a truce for three years.
Since Lithuania and Poland in 1570 could not quickly concentrate their forces against the Muscovite state, because. were exhausted by the war, then Ivan IV began in May 1570 to negotiate a truce with Poland and Lithuania. At the same time, he creates, by neutralizing Poland, an anti-Swedish coalition, realizing his long-standing idea of forming a vassal state from Russia in the Baltic states.
The Danish Duke Magnus accepted the offer of Ivan the Terrible to become his vassal (“goldovnik”) and in the same May 1570, upon arrival in Moscow, was proclaimed “King of Livonia”. The Russian government undertook to provide the new state, which settled on the island of Ezel, with its military aid and material means so that it could expand its territory at the expense of Swedish and Lithuanian-Polish possessions in Livonia. The parties intended to seal the allied relations between Russia and the "kingdom" of Magnus by marrying Magnus to the tsar's niece, the daughter of Prince Vladimir Andreevich Staritsky - Maria.
The proclamation of the Livonian kingdom was, according to Ivan IV, to provide Russia with the support of the Livonian feudal lords, i.e. of all German chivalry and nobility in Estonia, Livonia and Courland, and consequently, not only an alliance with Denmark (through Magnus), but, most importantly, an alliance and support for the Habsburg empire. With this new combination in Russian foreign policy, the tsar intended to create a vise on two fronts for an overly aggressive and restless Poland, which had grown to include Lithuania. Like Vasily IV, Ivan the Terrible also expressed the idea of the possibility and necessity of dividing Poland between the German and Russian states. More intimately, the Tsar was preoccupied with the possibility of creating a Polish-Swedish coalition on his western borders, which he tried with all his might to prevent. All this speaks of a correct, strategically deep understanding of the alignment of forces in Europe by the tsar and of his precise vision of the problems of Russian foreign policy in the short and long term. That is why his military tactics were correct: he sought to defeat Sweden alone as soon as possible, before it came to a joint Polish-Swedish aggression against Russia.