The elected rada has carried out many reforms. She expanded the administrative orders, changed the order of administration of cities and municipalities. Previously, Boyar governors tried people and collected taxes, but did not receive any money for it. The elected rada abolished this system and appointed voivodes who were paid by the state. Tax collection and court cases were handed over to the elders of the nobility. A new judicial code, a collection of laws, was also created.
Ivan IV wanted to reach the Baltic Sea in order to develop trade and culture with Western Europe. To do this, it was necessary to break through the blockade created by hostile Poland, Lithuania and the Livonian Order. The Baltic lands once belonged to Novgorod and Pskov, but then they were captured by the knights. In 1501, they tried to capture Pskov, but were defeated by Russian troops. In 1503, they concluded a truce for 50 years and pledged to pay tribute to Moscow. But over time, the order stopped fulfilling the contract and began to harm Russia.
In 1547, the order did not allow European specialists to enter Russia. Ivan IV was busy with business in the East and did not punish the master of the order. But in 1554, Livonian ambassadors came to Moscow to ask for an extension of the truce. Ivan IV demanded that they pay the tribute stipulated in the 1503 treaty. The ambassadors agreed, but they were not going to fulfill their promise. The new master of the order has formed an alliance against Russia. Ivan IV had every reason to declare war on the Livonian Order.
In January 1558, Russian soldiers crossed the border of Livonia near the city of Pskov. Tsar Ivan IV declared war and called on everyone to help the country. Bells were ringing in Moscow, and people were fasting.
The Livonian Order was weak due to quarrels between Germans, Latvians and Estonians. But Russia had to fight not only with Livonia, but also with the allies of Poland and Lithuania. At first, the Russians won: they took Narva, Dorpat, and reached the Baltic Sea and the borders of Lithuania. They were helped by local residents who were tired of the oppression of the feudal lords. The Livonian Order was rapidly falling apart. The tsar rejoiced at his successes and held celebrations. But many boyars did not want to fight and defend Livonia. They believed that it was necessary to defend themselves from the Tatars and did not want to give up the land.