CHAPTER IV.
THIRD PERIOD, FROM THE TIME OF IVAN THE TERRIBLE, 1530, TO THE MIDDLE OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
Political events had tended to concentrate absolute power in the hands of the Grand Princes of Moscow, beginning with Ivan III.

But no counterbalancing power had arisen in Russian society; there was no independent life, no respect for the individual, no public opinion to counteract the abuse of power.

In the beginning of the sixteenth century, Russian society had reached the extreme limits of development possible to it under its unfavorable conditions.

The time for the Russian Renaissance had arrived.

It is well to remember that at this time in other parts of Europe also the spirit of despotism and intolerance was holding individual liberty in check.