Oprichnina

The Oprichnina was a policy and territory established by Tsar Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) in 1565 Russia. It involved creating a separate, secret police force tasked with rooting out enemies and traitors, often using brutal methods. The Oprichnina also included land annexation, where Ivan confiscated large estates from nobles suspected of disloyalty, rewarding loyal followers. This period was marked by widespread repression, violence, and terror aimed at consolidating Ivan's power. It ultimately led to political instability and set a precedent for harsh autocratic rule in Russia.