A HISTORY OF EARLY RUSSIA

Roots of Russia

• Early Russia was centered on Kiev

• Modern day Ukraine

• The “Kievan Rus”

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• Conquered by the Mongols in the 1200’s

Moscow

• Russian princes forced to pay tribute to the Khan

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• Duchy of Moscow favored above all others

• Led by Ivan III

Ivan III

• Overthrew Mongol control

• Named himself Tsar (from Caesar)

• “King of all the Rus”

• Tripled the size of his kingdom

• Moved center of Russian Orthodox Church to Moscow

Grand Duchy of Moscow under Ivan III

Ivan IV

• “Ivan the Terrible”

• Tied all peasant farmers to their land

• Serfdom

• Forbid traders and artisans to leave their towns

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• Taxed the people heavily, using the Cossacks as thugs

Peasant Life in Russia 18th Century drawing

Peter The Great (1682–1725)

• Moved to Modernize Russia

• Took 250 officials and Boyars on tours of Europe

• Admires the Dutch and British

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• Attacks Sweden to gain access to the Baltic Sea

Great Northern War (1700-1721)

• Russia loses early

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• Peter reforms army, drafts 200,000 peasants

• Under control of the Boyars

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• Wins, gains control of Latvia and Estonia