The Tsardom of Russia was a period in Russian history that lasted from 1547 to 1721. It began when Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, was crowned as the first Tsar. This era was marked by the centralization of power, expansion of territory, and the establishment of a strong autocratic rule. During the Tsardom, Russia experienced significant social and economic changes, including the rise of the nobility and the development of trade. The period ended when Peter the Great proclaimed the Russian Empire in 1721, transforming Russia into a major European power.