The Rise of Russia

Section 2 The Rise of Russia• Describe how the geography of Russia helped the

growth of Kiev.

• Explain how the Mongol’s conquest affected Russia.

• Describe how Moscow emerged as the chief power in Russia.

Geography of Russia• Large plains• Three broad zones

– Northern forests– Fertile south land– Southern steppe

• Steppe – open, treeless grassland• Network of rivers provided easy transportation

Growth of Kiev• During Roman Times, the Slavs expanded into

Southern Russia.• They organized into clans with a simple

political system.• Vikings began trading with Slavs in Russia.

City of Kiev.• In time, Kiev would become the center of the

first Russian Government.

The Vikings came to be the most feared

raiders of their time

Byzantine Influences

• Byzantine Christianity, art, music, and architecture spread throughout Russia

• Byzantine Christians sent missionaries to convert Russian slavs.

• Vladimir was Russian prince of Kiev that converted Russians to Eastern Orthodox Church. (Christians)

Kiev Church – Compare to Hagia Sophia

Yaroslav the wise and the decline of Kiev

• Yaroslav ruled Russia during its golden age from 1019-1054.

• Created Kiev’s first law code and library• Kiev declined in 1100 as rival families battled

for the throne.• As Russian princes fought among themselves,

Mongol armies from central Asia struck the final blow.

Yaroslav

The Mongols• The Mongols defeated most of Russia by 1300.• They killed thousands and sought to tax the people

they conquered, rather than impose their culture.• Slavs could still practice Christianity, but had to

serve the Mongol ruler and in the Mongol army.

• The main reason the Mongols conquered so much territory is because of one man….Genghis Kahn.

Genghis Khan #29• In the early 1200s, a young leader united the

nomadic Mongols of Central Asia.• As his mounted bowmen overran lands from

China to Eastern Europe, he took the title Genghis Khan or “World Emperor”

• Between 1236 and 1241, Batu, the grandson of Genghis, led Mongol armies into Russia known as the Golden Horde.

The Golden Horde• Mongol Armies were called the Golden Horde

for the color of their tents.• Genghis Kahn founded the Mongol Empire

across much of Asia and Europe• Created the largest land empire.• They looted and burned Kiev and other

Russian towns.• Although Mongols were fierce fighters they

were tolerant rulers as long as taxes were paid

Growth of

Russia, 1330-1584

Genghis Kahn

Mongol Influences• Even though the Mongols were Islam they

tolerated the Orthodox Church which grew strong during this period.

• Mongols looked down upon women.• Husbands could sell their wives.• The absolute power of Mongols served as a

model for later Russian rulers.• Mongol rule cut Russia off from W. Europe,

which made many advances in arts and sciences.

Moscow

Moscow becomes Capital• After the fall of Kiev, the city life began to decline

in the south.• Moscow became the capital of Russia after the fall

of Kiev.• Became the political and spiritual center of Russia• Eventually Princes of Moscow rallied other leaders

to defeat the Golden Horde at the battle of Kulikovo (1380) – Slavs steadily began to drive out Mongols.

• Finally during the reign of Ivan III the Mongol rule had come to an end.

Ivan the Great

Ivan the Great (III)• Much of the success of Moscow is b/c of Ivan III.• He brought many Slavic provinces under his

control.• Absolute rule - limited power of boyars –

landowning nobles• Ivan the Great took the title czar – Russian word

for Caesar.• He married princess Sophia, (Byzantine princess)• Ivan the Great helped to blend Byzantine and

Russian Culture

Ivan the Great Square - Moscow

Ivan the Terrible

Ivan the Terrible (IV) #5 Evil Book• Grandson of Ivan the Great.• Known for cruelty toward animals and

humans.• 1560 became unstable – fits of violence.• Created oprichniki – agents who enforced

czar’s will. – dressed in black they killed nobles and sacked towns where people were disloyal to Ivan IV

• After his death in 1584, Russia was full of rebellion and chaos