Ivan the Great

Ivan III Vasilevich, better known as Ivan the Great ruled from 1462-1505. In many ways, he became great by continuing with the work that his predecessors had started. However, he worked on a larger scale. Ivan the Great united many of the previously autonomous provinces and succeeded in freeing Russia from the Mongols (Tatars). The Grand Dukes of Moscow had been attempting to overthrow the Mongols for many years, and even won some battles against them. However the Mongols always retaliated regaining control. Ivan the Great first subjugated the surrounding cities and then in 1480 refused to pay the tribute demanded by the Mongols. This set the stage for a battle that never happened. The troops for both sides faced off against each other but no battle was ever fought. Instead, both sides retreated. This was in effect victory for Ivan the Great because he hadn't paid the tribute and tribute was never again demanded. The Russians were free from Mongol overlordship. Ivan the Great became the first national sovereign, but not the first tsar. This distinction belongs to Ivan IV, his grandson.