The Romanov dynasty ruled Russia for 304 years. It included various rulers, but it was during their reign that Muscovy transformed into a vast Russian Empire, recognized worldwide. The history of the dynasty is full of contradictions and mysteries, starting with its founder Mikhail.

Russian monarchs held absolute power. According to the Orthodox tradition of "anointing to the throne," the sovereign was considered God's anointed, and his power was perceived as granted by the Almighty. However, this often came at a price: rulers such as Peter III, John VI, Paul I, Alexander II, and Nicholas II fell victim to conspiracies.

Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov, who was only 16 years old, did not aspire to the throne. He was elected at the All-Russian Council without his consent. The future tsar and his mother had to be persuaded for a long time to accept the crown, as the country was on the brink of losing its independence.

The Time of Troubles

The period from 1598 to 1613 is known in history as the Time of Troubles. The Rurik dynasty ended with the death of Fyodor Ivanovich, the son of Ivan the Terrible, who left no heirs. His younger brother Dmitry died under mysterious circumstances in Uglich, leading to rumors of his survival. Three False Dmitrys claimed the throne.

Boris Godunov, a relative of the tsar by marriage, ascended to the throne. He became the hero of many works but suffered from paranoia, which led to the downfall of many noble families, including the Romanovs. The father of the future tsar, Fyodor Nikitich, and his brothers were exiled beyond the Urals and faced severe trials.

Godunov's reign was undermined by crop failures and famine from 1601 to 1603. Bread prices skyrocketed by 100 times, and peasants became either destitute or bandits. Godunov could not cope with the situation, and he was hated by all social classes. After his mysterious death, chaos ensued in the country.

Rulers changed one after another, and False Dmitry II and III claimed the throne. Civil war and foreign invaders, such as the Poles and Swedes, exacerbated the situation. The central regions of Muscovy were devastated.

The country was saved by the Second People's Militia, organized by Kuzma Minin and led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. The people united to expel the invaders and place their tsar on the throne.

Election of Mikhail Romanov

Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov was elected tsar on February 21 (March 3) 1613 at the All-Russian Zemsky Sobor. This was the largest Sobor in the history of the Moscow kingdom. The state needed a unified authority, and the people, as a real force, had to be taken into account. The Sobor represented all Russian estates.

Foreigners and noble Russian nobles, including Dmitry Pozharsky, claimed the throne. However, the main forces converged on the 16-year-old Mikhail Romanov. The boyars hoped to control the inexperienced youth, while the Cossacks counted on his leniency.

Mikhail Fyodorovich was born in 1596 into a family with less claim to the throne than Boris Godunov. His father, the future patriarch Filaret, was the first to call himself Romanov. Enemies long referred to the Romanovs as "lowborn upstarts."

Historians note the mysticism in the history of the dynasty: it began in the Ipatiev Monastery in Kostroma, where Mikhail hid, and ended in the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg, where the last representative of the dynasty was shot.

Mikhail was persuaded to accept the throne, being convinced that he could save the country. He was in no hurry to go to Moscow, arriving there only six months later, gathering supporters.

Mikhail was crowned in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin on July 11, 1613. He showed wisdom by transferring symbols of power to his close associates, emphasizing that he would consider their opinions.

Beginning of the Reign

The 16-year-old Mikhail could not independently govern the devastated state. At the beginning of his reign, power belonged to his maternal relatives, and after 1619, when his father returned from captivity, they became co-rulers. Filaret, who became patriarch, often made decisions instead of his son.

However, the tsar showed will, especially in choosing a wife. His first fiancée, Maria Khlopova, was sent to Tobolsk due to false accusations. After several unsuccessful attempts to find a bride among foreign dynasties, Mikhail married Evdokiya Streshneva, despite his mother's objections.

The royal family did not seek luxury, but their lifestyle became increasingly Byzantine. Mikhail Fyodorovich, according to contemporaries, had a gentle character and was fond of gardening, but he was not weak.

Foreign and Domestic Policy

The tsar did not like to fight, but he had to address three tasks: fend off the Swedes and Poles, restore the economy, and strengthen power. He began by creating a regular army and signed a peace treaty with Sweden, losing access to the Baltic Sea.

A temporary truce was achieved with Poland after an unsuccessful attack on Moscow. Russia lost Smolensk but regained several cities. In 1634, the Polyanov Peace Treaty was signed, and Poland renounced its claims to the Russian throne.

Within the country, Mikhail had to restore order. He showed wisdom by not punishing supporters of enemies and recruited Cossacks into service. To replenish the treasury, the tsar turned to merchants for loans and supported budding entrepreneurs.

The tsar invited foreign specialists to restore the economy and built industrial enterprises. Under Mikhail Fyodorovich, Russia's borders significantly advanced eastward.

The tsar cared about developing foreign trade and establishing contacts with other states. He tried to strengthen his position through dynastic marriages, but unsuccessfully.

Under Mikhail Fyodorovich, the institution of secret police emerged, dealing with uncovering conspiracies. The tsar's suspicion had good reasons. The largest case was the "Witch Trial" concerning the poisoning of his children and wife.

Mikhail Fyodorovich was not known for robust health and died at the age of 49. The end of his reign passed without upheaval. He managed to bring peace to the country and establish the Romanovs on the throne. In the future, marrying into the dynasty became an honor for European monarchs.