Early Russia Ch 11.2

Geographic Features Steppe – large grassy, nearly treeless grassy plain, rich farmland Ural Mountains – considered divider between Asia & Europe

Geographic features Several large rivers, Vistula, Neman, & Dvina, flow to the Baltic (north) Dniester & Dnieper flow into Black Sea

Slavs and Vikings Slavs overrun by many other peoples – open plain no natural barriers Vikings invade from Scandinavia in A.D. 800’s – originally as traders

Slavs and Vikings Trading centers (cities) spring up along trade routes Major cities were Novgorod (in the north), Kiev (in the south)

Kievan Russia Rus, lead by Rurik capture Novgorod & Kiev Kiev became prosperous because of location on trade routes

Government Each city ruled by a Prince & council of Boyars First Russian law code – Russkaya Pravda

Religion Vladimir I – Converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity Patriarch of Constantinople chooses Metropolitan

Economy Agriculture & trade most important Great forests north of Steppe called the Taiga

Social Classes 1. Royalty 2. Artisans & Merchants (Boyars) 3. Clergy 4. Peasants (largest)

Yaroslav, the Wise Takes throne in 1019 Skillfully marries off daughters and sisters to Western powers to form alliances Creates legal code tailored to commercial culture Builds first library in Kiev

Kievan Russia in Decline Kiev declines in power after 1054 Towns & their Princes fight each other Polovtsians raid from the south – trade diminishes Civil War ensues – 1169 & 1203 Princes sack Kiev

Kievan Russia Under the Mongols Mongols invade from the Asian steppe By 1240 Mongols had ravaged Kievan Russia Mongols did not impose their culture

Local rule allowed as long as taxes paid Alexander Nevsky – military hero who controlled Moscow and defeated the Swedes at the Neva River Mongols improved infrastructure (built roads, improved methods of taxation & communication

The Rise of Moscow Prince Ivan I cooperates with Mongols, made him Grand Prince Chief Metropolitan of Russian Orthodox Church moves to Moscow

Ivan III, the Great Ivan III considers himself “Autocrat by the grace of God” Ordered the creation of the Church of Assumption Ivan III, also called Ivan the Great, boots out Mongols (1480) Unites the smaller principalities into the country called Russia…Battle of Ugra

Ivan IV, The Terrible Became ruler at 3yrs old (Boyars fought each other for power) Takes power at age 17, declares himself heir to Rome & Byzantium Calls himself Tsar (Russian for Caesar) Slaughters Boyars that he suspected of disloyalty Extended the borders of Russia & centralized power

1. Santa sophia (Kiev) 2. Santa Sophia (Novgorod)

The Rise of the Mongols Increased property holdings The Growth of the Church Increased property holdings Metropolitan of Russian Orthodox Church chosen by Russian Bishops Complete break w/Orthodox church in Constantinople Metropolitan becomes Patriarch Russians claim to be “Third Rome” Invent story that Christianity brought to Russia by Andrew (12 Apostles) Russia develops new confidence The Rise of the Mongols Chapter 8, Sect 3