Michael of Russia

Michael I was the first tsar of the Romanov dynasty, elected in 1613 after Russia’s Time of Troubles. His reign began the dynasty’s rule, which lasted until 1917.

Time of Troubles: A period of political crisis, famine, foreign intervention, and civil war in Russia from 1598 to 1613. The crisis created the conditions for Michael’s election as tsar.
Xenia Shestova: The mother of Michael I, later known as the nun Martha and influential during his early reign. She helped guide her young son’s rule before Filaret returned to Russia.
Treaty of Stolbovo: A 1617 peace treaty that ended the war between Russia and Sweden and ceded territory to Sweden. It ended one foreign conflict during Michael’s effort to stabilize Russia.
Alexis of Russia: Tsar of Russia from 1645 to 1676 and Michael I’s son and successor. His reign continued the Romanov line and extended changes begun under his father.
Zemsky Sobor: An assembly of representatives from Russian social estates convened by the tsar or government. The assembly elected Michael to the throne in 1613.
Fyodor Romanov: The name used by Filaret before he became a monk and later patriarch of Moscow. Michael’s father entered monastic life as Fyodor Romanov before rising to political power.
Truce of Deulino: A 1618 truce that ended hostilities between Russia and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth for fourteen years. It secured a pause in war, though Russia lost Smolensk and other western territories.
Peter the Great: Tsar and emperor of Russia who ruled from 1682 to 1725 and pursued extensive state reforms. His later transformation of Russia unfolded within the dynasty Michael established.
Romanov dynasty: The dynasty that ruled Russia from Michael I’s accession in 1613 until the monarchy’s fall in 1917. Michael’s election founded the dynasty that bore his family name.
Vladislav IV of Poland: King of Poland from 1632 to 1648 who was briefly elected tsar of Russia in 1610. His earlier claim to the Russian throne competed with the settlement that elected Michael.

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