Michael of Russia

Mikhail I Fyodorovich Romanov (In Russian: Михаи́л Фёдорович Рома́нов) (July 12, 1596 – July 13, 1645) was tsar of Russia and founder of the house of Romanov, being the son of Feodor Nikitich Romanov.

Reign

Michael Romanov assumed power over a devastated country, just after the Time of Troubles. Many important towns and the capital itself were burnt down. The country had no treasury. The war against Poland and Sweden wasn’t over and many territories were seized. Social rebellion and disorder were still spread all around Russia.

Michael was elected Tsar of Russia by a national assembly on 1613. He knew that Russia was facing a lot of problems and he was too much young when he ascended to the throne. So he needed and used the help of the boyars to govern.

First, he has dealt with the internal disorder. His government gave concessions and amnesties to some rebel groups, so he could incorporate Cossacks and bandits into the Russian army to fight against foreign enemies.

By some treaties and concessions, he acquired peace in the country’s borders. With Sweden, he concluded the peace of Stolbovo in 1617. He took back Novgorod and other areas in the north, but had to pay twenty thousand rubles. With Poland, he signed the truce of Deulino in 1618, which lasted for fourteen years. By this agreement, Russia lost some territories in the west but its prisoners were allowed to return home, including Michael's father.

After the agreement with the poles and the liberation of the prisoners, his father Feodor Romanov (also known as Metropolitan Philaret) returned to Russia and became an important figure in the state. Since then, Philaret took over the government till his death in 1633, whereas Michael, less skilled and inexperienced to govern, occupied quite a subordinate position.

Financial matters were more challenging to resolve. The Time of Troubles has resulted on a complete lack of resources. Despite the creation of new taxes and loans by the Tsar’s government, it wasn’t enough to heal the economy. At the end of Michael’s reign, the lack of money remained dreadful. The successors of the throne would inherit this problem.

Michael Romanov died in 1645 and was succeeded by Alexis Romanov.

References

• Riasanovsky, Nicholas V.; Steinberg, Mark D.. A History of Russia. 7th ed. OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS (2005). pp. 161-164.