Early Russian Empires

Russia’s Birth Vikings intermarried with the Slavs and adopted many aspects of Slavic culture. Gradually, the line between the Slavs and Vikings vanished. – Slavs were a group of people from the forest region north of the Black Sea Slavs interacted with Byzantines- blended into Russian culture (trade) Between the Black and Baltic Seas- near the Ural Mountains, and three rivers- Dnieper, Don and Volga North of the Black Sea exist vast plains, thick forests, and large rivers Soil in the area is rich and dark but climate makes farming very difficult – Little rainfall – Cold temperatures make the growing season short

Hierarchy Each local principality surrounding Kiev had a local prince – Each would pay tribute to the Grand Prince of Kiev in exchange for goods brought in from Byzantine Empire and protection

Kiev Becomes Orthodox Vladimir brings Byzantine Christianity and cultural ideas/customs to Kiev. His mother, Princess Olga, greatly influenced his decision because she converted to Christianity before him. A Church in Kiev

Kiev’s Rise and Fall Vladimir’s son Yaroslav the Wise – Builds churches, libraries, updated the capital city (Golden Age of Kievan Russia) – Creates a legal code similar to Justinian’s Code – Allied Russia with the rest of Europe by marrying off his kids to other rulers When Yaroslav dies in 1054, his sons divide up the empire. The Crusades weaken the empire by disrupting trade. Kiev

Mongol Rule in Russia the Mongols destroyed Kiev. Mongols ruled southern Russia for 200 years. Trade safely along the Silk Road, blending East and West with cultural diffusion Mongols demanded extreme loyalty and tributes be paid.

Moscow Emerges Being under the Mongols unified Russia because Mongols saw them as united/different. – Still seen differently than Europe. Prince Ivan I convinces Russian officials to move to Moscow. The city gained prestige and eventually grew.

Ivan the I Used his position as head tax collector to give loans to places neighboring Russia. –These cities gradually fell deeper and deeper into debt, a condition that would allow Ivan's successors to take them over. Convinces the Mongols to allow his heirs to take over as Grand Prince of Russia, always establishing them as the ruling house of Moscow.

Ivan III and the Russian Empire Married Sophia, the niece of the last Byzantine emperor Ivan saw himself as the inheritor of “Rome” Referred to Moscow as “the third Rome” (after Rome itself and Byzantine/Constantinople) Began calling himself “Czar” (Russian for Caesar) 1480 – stops paying the tribute to the Mongols Russia gains its independence and he begins empire-building!