Oprichnina

The Oprichnina was a parallel state-within-a-state set up by Ivan IV Grozny in 1565 that lasted until he was forced to disband it in 1573.  The word oprichnina is derived from the obsolete Russian word oprich, meaning except of. 

There are many reasons given for the formation of the Oprichnina, with the simplest being that Ivan wanted complete freedom to rule as an autocrat without the interference of the [boyars].

Others would argue, however, that Ivan's Oprichnina was simply an attempt (albeit a feeble one) to keep Russia out of civil war.

After Ivan threatened to abdicate the throne in 1564, he was begged to return to his power.  Though the nobles were none too fond of him, they knew a struggle for power would ensue if he were to abdicate, and civil war inevitable.  Ivan agreed to return on two conditions: 

1. He could create an Oprichnina, and
2. He would have the power to deal with traitors as he wished.

Reluctantly, the Council of Boyars agreed.

The Oprichnina covered a vast and varied territory, though all of the territory had one thing in common:  it was the best land Russia had to offer.  While the Oprichnina contained about 20 whole towns (including Moscow), it also contained individual streets and buildings. 

The rest of the Russian territory came to be known as the zemschina, territories ruled by boyars. 

The Oprichniks, or Oprichniki, ruled the Oprichnina.  This was a group of men--gleaned mostly from the lower levels of the military and society--directly answerable to Ivan himself, and who used extreme violence against any opposition. 

During this time, the Oprichniki killed thousands and devasted the land.  Those that were not killed fled in terror to other parts of Russia. 

Because the numbers of Oprichniki were dwindling (due to several implications of treason) and because the Oprichnina obviously failed to defend the country during the attacks of the Crimean Tatars, Ivan formally disbanded the Oprichnina in 1572 or 1573 (which then lasted until 1575), but the effects were still felt long after.

Aside from killing thousands, the Oprichniki also used up some of Russia's best land.  Tax revenues fell, not increased as Ivan had hoped, because of the Oprichnina; and Russia was not prepared when the Crimean Tatars attacked in 1571. 

To say the Oprichnina was a better alternative to civil war is debatable, but to say that Ivan's Oprichnina, while brutal, solidified his power should not even be in question.  And though Ivan weakened Russia's infrastructure by lessening the power of the boyars, he created a more centralized form of power for himself and future Tsars.