Aim: How did the Byzantine Empire influence Russia? Do Now: What leads to the rise of civilizations?

Geography of Russia Russia's scattered climates shaped the early Russian way of life. Fertile land in the south was native to Russia's first civilization. The steppe in Russia was a roadway from migrating nomads traveling from Asia to Europe. Rivers were a form of transportation in Russia for people and for transporting goods. The major rivers ran from north to south and linked Russia to the Byzantine Empire Kiev was vital to the trading network. It linked Vikings, Slavs, and Constantinople. Kiev later became the center of the first Russian state.

Growth of Russia

Effects of The Mongol Conquest Mongol armies, led by Genghis Khan, invaded Russia in 1222 and ruled for about 250 years. Many Russian cities, such as Kiev, were destroyed, and many citizens were killed. The Russian Orthodox Church grew more powerful. Trade routes between China and Eastern Europe were opened.

The Slavs -Slavs were people who lived among the forest located north of the Black sea in Western Europe. -Slavs were farmers, but also hunted and fished. -Slavs were polytheistic; their most important gods were bears, the master of of the forest and wolves, the master of hunting. What influence did the Slavs have on Russia? The Slavs will be the basis of the culture that becomes Russia.

How Westernization Impacted Russia Westernization is the attempt to include the culture and most importantly the technology of Western Europe. (Chart on next page)

Old Russian methods Westernized methods Political Social Economic A bureaucracy was developed. Secret police were used to maintain control and the military expansion was used to gain loyalty. As well as to the reinforce church state unity Centralized government rose as aristocratic power declined. Literacy, science and schools developed. Some western literature was censored and the military was upgraded. Social The orthodox religion was the most common. There were strong family bonds and women were seen as inferior. Onion shaped domes and religious art paintings were popular. Buildings and palaces were mainly designed by Italian architects. The royal court spoke French and the schools were mainly for the elites. Economic Agriculture was based on locals merchants. There were no important technological advances. The economy was based on serfdom which enforced a feudal system. A trade network was developed and they began to use natural resources. Furs, timber, and wheats were traded. A port to the city of St.Petersburg was created which was known as the “Window to the west”

Ivan III (1440-1505) He was known as Ivan the Great and was the grand duke of Moscow from 1462 to 1505. He was also known as the oldest son of Basil II. He completed the unification of Russian lands, and his reign marks the beginning of Muscovite Russia. The accomplishment for which Ivan is best known is the consolidation of Muscovite rule. His predecessors had increased Moscow's territory from less than 600 square miles under Ivan II to more than 15,000 square miles at the end of Basil II's reign.

Ivan IV (1530-1584) Born by Moscow on August 25, 1530, Ivan was the long-awaited son of Vasily III. His father died when he was three years old and Ivan was proclaimed the Grand Prince of Moscow. His mother, Yelena Glinskaya died when Ivan was eight years old. He had a rough childhood, which made him who he was. As he grew up, he tortured animals and killed people. How terrible was Ivan The Terrible? He introduced laws that limits peasants. Fought the unsuccessful Livonian War against the Swedes, Lithuanians, Poles, and Livonian Teutonic Knights. Ordered a raid on the city of Novgorod because he was suspicious that the noblemen of the city were planning to defect and place the city under the control of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He beat his pregnant daughter-in-law for wearing immodest clothing, possibly leading to a miscarriage. He got into an argument with his son leading to Ivan hit him in the head with the staff, killing him.