The Defeat of the Tatars
Before Ivan's"terrible" phase he was a great leader. In 1552 Ivan went out to conquer the Mongols (the Tatars) and he defeated them and conquered the city of Kazan in 1552. He also took over their city, Aztrakhan in 1556. His gain of this land added about 1,000,000 square kilometers to the land he reigned and extended it to th Caspian Sea.
In celebration of conquering Kazan he ordered the construction of the St. Basils Cathedral in 1555-1561. Some historians say that after the cathedral was done being constructed, Ivan blinded the architect so that he wouldn't be able to construct another building as beautiful.
In celebration of conquering Kazan he ordered the construction of the St. Basils Cathedral in 1555-1561. Some historians say that after the cathedral was done being constructed, Ivan blinded the architect so that he wouldn't be able to construct another building as beautiful.