(Ch. 7) Section II: The Rise of Russia
(Pages 158-163)
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This section is about:
The formation of
Russia, including the
influences of Byzantium
and the conquering
Mongols.
The early founding of
the cities of Kiev and
Moscow.
The Ural Mts.
The Eastern Hemisphere
Russia’s a huge place today (Europe and Asia).
What separates Europe from Asia?
Russia is divided into 3 large areas
The tundra (frozen area without trees)
Forests
Steppes (great plains with few trees)
Russia also has
many good rivers
which are useful for
trade and travel such as:
•The Moscow
•The Volga
•The Dnieper
Varangians and Russians
(2 peoples moved into Russia at this time)
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Slavs – from eastern Europe.
Vikings (Varangians) sailors,
merchants, and traders who
used the rivers to trade with
Arabs and Byzantines.
One of the trading centers
was at Kiev – where the
Slavs and Vikings cultures
merged.
They became the first
Russians.
Kiev became the first capital
city (879-1169). They were
very influenced by the
Byzantines.
The Byzantine influence in Russia:
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Byzantines sent
missionaries to Kiev and
it became an Eastern
Orthodox Christian city.
Princess Olga and later
her grandson Prince
Vladimir fell in love with
the style of the church
and ordered everyone to
convert (in 990 all Kiev
citizens were baptized in
the Dnieper River).
At that point, the church
and the government were
closely connected…….
The Byzantines had a
huge impact on
the culture of Russia.
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Russian rulers even began
to think they were the
heirs to the Byzantine
Empire.
They used the Cyrillic
alphabet.
The adopted Byzantine art,
architecture, and music.
Their churches were even
built in a Byzantine style
“onion dome.”
St. Basil’s Cathedral
(in Moscow’s Red Square)
Vladimir died and his son Yaroslav
continued changing Kiev.
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He put down written laws.
He supported the arts.
He translated Greek works
into Russian.
He arranged marriages
with other royal families in
Europe.
Increased Kiev’s control
from the Baltic Sea to the
Black Sea (that’s a lot).
After Yaroslav died, his sons fought for power
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In 1203, Kiev was
destroyed.
In 1204, Constantinople
was destroyed.
Trade was affected.
Kiev’s northern territory
was attacked by German
knights.
And, then, the Mongol
invaders came from
central Asia.
(It’s not sounding too
good for Kiev).
The Mongols
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Lived north of china.
Live in small group
(herders).
They were an average
group until…
Genghis
Khan.(“universal ruler”)
took control.
Even after he died, his
son’s carried on his
conquests of new lands.
The Mongols showed up
in Russia about 1223.
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Their first couple of attacks
were unsuccessful.
In 1237, they attacked at a
time the Russians were not
prepared.
The Mongols burned 14
cities in 1 month.
In 1240, they destroyed
Kiev and slaughtered their
people.
They kept going – even
into Europe (Poland.
Hungary, the Balkans).
They controlled/ruled
Russia for about 200 years.
The Mongols were : fierce warriors- but fair rulers
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The Mongols selected the Russian
princes (who did have to pay them
tribute).
The Mongols pretty much left them
alone – and let the Russians keep
their own laws/customs/religion.
Let the Russian Orthodox Church
grow (they separated from the
Eastern Orthodox Church and even
elected their own bishop.
Donations to the church made it
one of the biggest landowners in
Russia.
Built roads.
Improved communication.
But (some bad Mongol things)
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But – they did keep Russia
isolated from Europe and their
advances in arts and sciences
of the time.
The gap between rich and poor
grew.
The boyars (ruling class)
gained a lot more wealth and
power.
Peasants paid heavy taxes and
fell deeply into debt.
They ended up working the
land they lost to the boyars.
Isolated women (a Mongol
custom). By 1200, men were
completely in charge of women
in every way.
And, then…
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In 1100, it was just a small
town, but it was near a river
and trade routes.
It became a religious center
and then also the political
center of Russia.
The Mongols pretty much
left Moscow alone (the
Mongols trusted them
because they paid their
taxes).
The Russian Orthodox
Church also often was on
the side of the princes of
Moscow.
Moscow
In 1300, Moscow replaced Kiev
as the “center” of Russia
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Mongol leaders were becoming
weaker.
The princes of Moscow were
becoming stronger.
And, Grand Prince Ivan III
was going to lead Moscow to
greatness (we call him
“Ivan the Great”).
He ruled Russia from 14621505 and united Russia into the
largest state at the time.
He’s know as the first Czar of
Russia (king).
The name comes from Caesar –
also sometimes tsar.
Ivan the Great used the
Byzantine Empire to his advantage
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He married the niece of the last
Byzantine emperor (Sophia).
He used a symbol of the Byzantine
Empire (a two headed eagle).
He adopted Byzantine court rituals.
He issued a code of laws.
Some of his people “suggested” that
Moscow was “the third Rome”
(Rome, Constantinople, and
Moscow).
So: they felt Moscow must have
been the one true seat of the
Eastern Orthodox faith – and the
Roman Empire.
Ivan the Great’s Grandson (Ivan IV)…
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Crowned himself czar
when he was 17.
He started out doing some
decent things.
But when his wife died, he
became “unstable.”
That’s why he’s called
“Ivan the Terrible.”
(His father died when he was 3 and his mom was
murdered by boyars, who ruled the country until
Ivan was 17 – when he took over)
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had times of great rage.
distrusted everyone.
crushed all opposition
(real or imaginary).
created a group of
enforcers – dressed in
black robes / rode black
horses.
killed many boyars.
destroyed entire towns he
felt he couldn’t trust.
got so mad once, he even
killed his oldest son.
After Ivan the Terrible
died – Russia moved into
a period known as the
“Time of Troubles.”
The nobles / upper class
The Russian Tsars