# The great famine (1601)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/1601-the-great-famine
Categories: main-event

Cold summers from 1601, linked to the eruption of Huaynaputina in Peru, destroyed harvests. Perhaps a third of the population of Russia died in the famine of 1601-1603. Godunov's grain distribution in Moscow drew refugees and spread disease. The famine undermined Godunov's legitimacy and fuelled rebellion.

## Why it matters
The famine undermined Godunov's legitimacy and fuelled rebellion.

Ruler at the time: [Boris Godunov](https://history-russia.com/rulers/boris-godunov)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Russian famine of 1601–1603](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_famine_of_1601–1603)
- [Wikipedia — Time of Troubles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_of_Troubles)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — The great famine](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=The+great+famine)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)