Part 2/10:
Vodka, a simple alcoholic beverage made primarily from wheat or rye, emerged as a pivotal drink for the peasantry in Eastern Europe around the 8th century. Its inherent simplicity allowed for mass production and consumption, making it readily accessible to the common folk. As the Russian lands consolidated under Ivan III in the late 15th century, the newfound Tsar recognized the potential of vodka as both a source of revenue and a tool for social control.