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 faced various challenges, including internal strife and external threats. The Time of Troubles (1598-1613) was a significant crisis that led to the eventual rise of the Romanov dynasty. The Tsardom ended when Peter the Great proclaimed the Russian Empire in 1721, transforming the nation into a major European power.