questions: 1. The Moscow Tsardom is a new stage in the development of Russian statehood. 2. Through the harsh trials of the Time of Troubles. 3. Strengthening the autocratic power of the tsar. The work of Ivan III Vasilyevich, the "sovereign of All Russia," in collecting the Russian lands was completed by his son, Vasily III Ivanovich. He continued the strict policy of centralizing state power. During his reign, Pskov, Smolensk, and Ryazan were annexed to the Moscow state. After the death of his younger brothers, their individual territories were abolished. The service princes and boyars became vassals of Vasily III, who had the power to deprive them of their lands and even their lives. The Boyar Duma continued to exist as an advisory body to the Moscow sovereign. The number of its members, including okolnichy, did not exceed 24. In the 16th century, princes were also granted the title of duma boyar. Until the middle of the century, there were only two central government institutions: the Palace, which managed the lands of the Grand Prince, and the Treasury (Kazny Dvor), which was not only a financial center but also a state office. In the middle of the century, the Treasury was divided into orders, which were the central government bodies: The Posadsky, who was in charge of land distribution to the nobility; the Razryadny, who provided them with salaries and kept records of all the servicemen, thus structuring the ruling class; the Razboyny, the Posolsky, and the Chelobitny. The Muscovite state was divided into counties (their borders were close to the former principalities), and these were divided into volosts. The county was headed by a governor, and the volost was headed by a volostel. These positions were usually given in exchange for previous military service. The lack of stable local government made the personal power of the ruler of the Muscovite state stronger than that of the local authorities. The convening of the first Zemsky Sobor in February 154 ... Read more