Czar (also spelled as tsar) literally means an emperor or a male monarch. It was the imperial title of Russian rulers, who ruled Russia from 16th century until the Bolshevik revolution in 1917. The title Czar is derived from the Latin word Caesar, the title of Roman emperors. Czar also means a person having great power. The Russian Czars were the rulers of Russia, whose reign began with Ivan, the Terrible and ended with Nicholas II. They ruled for nearly 350 years. Here is a brief history and timeline of the Russian tsars or Czars. History of Russian Czars In earlier times, the rulers of Russian were known as Grand Princes of Moscow, Grand Princes of Vladimir, Grand Princes of Kiev, etc. The House of Romanov is the most popular dynasty in Russia. But, the use of the title, 'Czar' dates back to nearly 50 years before the Romanov emperors ascended the throne. . He belonged to the House of Rurik and reigned from 1547-1584. He was an authoritarian and a ruthless ruler. Ivan IV is infamous for killing his own son in a fit of rage. Ivan IV died in 1584, leaving his worthless second son Feodor, as heir to the throne. The time of troubles began in Russia, after Ivan IVth's death. The country was torn by civil war, unrest and famines. Several Czars like Feodor I (1584-1598), Boris I (1598-1605), Feodor II (1605), False Dmitry I (1605-1606), False Dmitry II (1607-1610), False Dmitry III (1611-1612), Vasiliy IV (1606-1610), Vladislaus (1610-1612). Finally, in 1613, the chaos ended. Representatives of 50 cities and some peasants unanimously elected Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov as the new Czar. From here began the Romanov dynasty that ruled Russia till 1917. Czar Peter (pictured alongside), popularly known as Peter the Great, was the founder of modern Russia. He transformed Russia into a great European empire. During the reign of Catherine the Great, the Russian empire expanded and improved in administration. Czar Alexander II abolished serfdom in 1861. But, he was assassinated. His son Czar Alexander III, in order to avenge his father's murder, imposed strict and ruthless laws. The last Czar Nicholas II's failure to take action, even in extreme conditions, eventually led to his downfall and eradication of monarchy in Russia. Timeline of Russian Czars

Reign	Name of the Monarch (Czar)
1613-1645	Czar Mikhail Feodorovich, founder of the Romanov dynasty
1645-1676	Czar Alexei Mikhailovich
1676-1682	Czar Feodor Alexeevich
1682-1696	Czar Ivan V (joint ruler with Peter I, the Great)
1696-1725	Czar Peter I, the Great, Emperor of All Russia (From 1721 onwards, the Russian Czar was proclaimed Emperor of All Russia. Czar Peter I became the first Emperor of All Russia)
1725-1727	Catherine I, Empress of All Russia
1727-1730	Peter II, Emperor of All Russia
1730-1740	Anna Ivanovna, Empress of All Russia
1740-1741	Ivan VI, Emperor of All Russia
1741-1761	Elizabeth, Empress of All Russia
1761-1762	Peter III, Emperor of All Russia
1762-1796	Catherine II, the Great, Empress of All Russia
1796-1801	Paul I, Emperor of All Russia
1801-1825	Alexander I, Emperor of All Russia
1825-1855	Nicholas I, Emperor of All Russia
1855-1881	Alexander II, Emperor of All Russia
1881-1894	Alexander III, Emperor of All Russia
1894-1917	Nicholas II, Emperor of All Russia

The Last Russian Czar Nicholas II was the last Czar of Russia. He was not an able ruler due to inconsistency in his decisions and actions. He was under great influence of his wife Czarina Alexandra, and his corrupt ministers. A monk named Rasputin influenced the Czarina and manipulated most of the Czar's decisions. Russia faced military as well as economic losses during the First World War. There was rising discontent due to the Czar's reluctance to undertake immediate action. The people were fed up of the autocratic and dictatorial rule. The event known as Bloody Sunday, shattered people's belief in the Russian Czars. The consequence of which was the Russian Revolution (Bolshevik Revolution), which took place in 1917. Czar Nicholas II abdicated. He and his immediate family were imprisoned, and later killed by the Bolsheviks. Czarism and monarchy came to an end in Russia with the death of Nicholas II. Serfdom was prevalent in Russia during the reign of the Russian Czars. Almost 80% of the Russian people were either peasants or serfs. The Czars did not wish to end the feudal system. As they were afraid of losing power, capitalism was verboten. Most of the Czars were autocratic rulers. Although, the Russian Czars were oppressive, the world was gifted with works of great Russian authors, painters and artists during their reign.