Which of the following best summarizes Russia’s expansion as an empire under Ivan IV in the sixteenth century?(1 point) Responses Ivan IV used gunpowder weapons in new ways to take over areas he wanted. Ivan IV used gunpowder weapons in new ways to take over areas he wanted. Ivan IV successfully acquired access to the Baltic Sea through military conquest. Ivan IV successfully acquired access to the Baltic Sea through military conquest. Ivan IV was the first to attempt to expand the Russian territory in every direction. Ivan IV was the first to attempt to expand the Russian territory in every direction. Ivan IV acquired Siberia even though the Cossacks refused to help him.

Ivan IV successfully acquired access to the Baltic Sea through military conquest.

The best summary of Russia's expansion as an empire under Ivan IV in the sixteenth century is that Ivan IV successfully acquired access to the Baltic Sea through military conquest.

The correct response is: Ivan IV successfully acquired access to the Baltic Sea through military conquest.

To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the historical context of Russia's expansion under Ivan IV in the sixteenth century. Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, was the first tsar of Russia. During his reign, he aimed to expand the Russian Empire and increase its power and influence.

One significant achievement of Ivan IV's expansion was gaining access to the Baltic Sea through military conquest. By capturing key territories such as Livonia, Estonia, and parts of Finland, Ivan IV secured a direct outlet to the Baltic Sea. This expansion allowed Russia to increase its control over important trade routes, establish naval power, and strengthen its presence in Europe.

The other options presented in the question are not accurate summaries of Russia's expansion under Ivan IV. The first two options are duplicates of each other, suggesting that Ivan IV used gunpowder weapons, which is not specific enough to explain his overall expansion. The third option suggests that Ivan IV was the first to attempt to expand the Russian territory in every direction, which is not accurate as previous rulers had also expanded Russian territories. The final option about acquiring Siberia is not relevant to the expansion under Ivan IV.