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Ivan was one of the most successful and decorated leaders of his time, but as he grew older became more of a crazed lunatic. This insanity then impaired his ability to lead, and eventually drove him crazy enough to kill his own son and heir to the throne. However, there is good tied to his all of the actions he took. He built Saint Basil’s Cathedral, was a fantastic theologian, a very gifted public speaker, and one of if not the most well-educated individuals of his time. Ivan’s legacy may be about his insanity, but there is a man under the monster.
Ivan was unable to continue the legacy of his family's leadership in Russia, as he never had a proper heir. Ivan did have some children with his many wives, but he did not like the idea of giving his throne to them. Ivan's legacy lives on in Saint Basil's Cathedral and in the many stories of his atrocities and accomplishments throughout his years as a military and country leader. He is also known for many wars that expanded Russia's land greatly. One inpaticular was the Novogrod war in which, although he killed 60,000 citizens, he expanded the land of Russia greatly. He is also known for his failures as a leader, most notably his loss to the Swedes. There may have been many ups and downs to his life as Czar, but all historians agree, Ivan the Terrible was and forever will be one of the greatest militaristic leaders to ever live.
Ivan was unable to continue the legacy of his family's leadership in Russia, as he never had a proper heir. Ivan did have some children with his many wives, but he did not like the idea of giving his throne to them. Ivan's legacy lives on in Saint Basil's Cathedral and in the many stories of his atrocities and accomplishments throughout his years as a military and country leader. He is also known for many wars that expanded Russia's land greatly. One inpaticular was the Novogrod war in which, although he killed 60,000 citizens, he expanded the land of Russia greatly. He is also known for his failures as a leader, most notably his loss to the Swedes. There may have been many ups and downs to his life as Czar, but all historians agree, Ivan the Terrible was and forever will be one of the greatest militaristic leaders to ever live.