Final answer:
Ivan the Terrible embraced feudalism while other parts of Western Europe were transitioning to a system with monarchs under the control of parliament. This allowed him to consolidate his power and expand the Russian Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ivan the Terrible, also known as Ivan IV, was a significant figure in Russian history. He embraced feudalism while other parts of Western Europe were transitioning to a system where monarchs were held under the control of parliament. During his reign, Ivan IV expanded the Russian Empire and consolidated his power as the Tsar by annexing territories and recruiting Cossacks to colonize Siberia.
While feudalism in Western Europe was on the decline due to factors like depopulation, shifting military practices, and centralization of monarchical power, Ivan embraced feudalism as a means of maintaining control over his vast empire. Feudalism in Russia was characterized by unequal relationships between lords and vassals, where the lords granted lands to fighters as their fiefs in exchange for military service and other obligations. This system allowed Ivan to establish a centralized monarchical bureaucracy and maintain his authority over the nobles and wealthy landowners.
The impact of Ivan the Terrible's embrace of feudalism in Russia was twofold. On one hand, it contributed to the consolidation of his power and the expansion of the Russian Empire. However, it also perpetuated social disparities and limited opportunities for social mobility for the commoners and serfs.