Early Traditions in Russia Prince Vladimir of Kiev

Early History of Russia Prince Vladimir wanted to find a new religion for his people Sent delegates to other countries to find different religions – Islam – Judaism – Roman Christianity – Byzantine Christianity Visited Constantinople (capital of the Byzantine Empire) Made the decision 1000 years ago and dramatically changed Russian history Made them adopt Byzantine culture and thus develop differently than Western Europe

Kievan Rus’ First early Russian state called Kievan Rus’ – Formed in the year 800 A.D (800 C.E) Made up of several city-states that had their own rulers – Ruler of each state worked with nobles and a council Located on the Dnieper River and important as a trade center – Traded: Furs Honey Farm products (harvests from fields) – Sending many of these goods to Constantinople

Cultural Diffusion from Byzantine Empire Byzantine Empire was the most advanced civilization in Europe at the time Adopted Two (2) main cultural elements: – System of Writing Alphabet based on Greek and Hebrew letters about 860 Called Cyrillic Created by monk called Cyril (who was spreading Christianity) – Byzantine Christianity Prince Vladimir converts in 988 Missionaries helped to spread the religion Monks Cyril and Methodius helped to spread this idea

Christianity Splits in Two Soon after Vladimir converted a serious disagreement divided Roman and Byzantine Christians 1054 Christians split into the: – Roman Catholic Churches – Eastern Orthodox Churches Bitter rivalries and different interpretations divided the two groups Cut Russia off from the Western world – Eventually transformed into Russian Orthodox Church

Mongol Rule of Russia Attacked and destroyed Kiev in the 1200’s – Called the Tatars by the Russians, they were actually Mongols Allowed the Russian princes to rule but the Mongols had all the power Exacted (demanded) tribute from the conquered people – No tribute meant that you would be horribly punished – Law of Thirds Killed 1/3 of the people Enslaved 1/3 of the people Took 1/3 of all the money and goods as tribute Furthered the separation between Russia and the other western countries

The Rise of Moscow Gained power as the Mongols slowly left Russia Stole taxes that the Mongols demanded and kept them for the rich nobles Ideally located by several major rivers Head of the Russian Orthodox Church moved there from Kiev Ivan the Great (Ivan III)- called himself a czar- means emperor – Autocrat- ruler that had unlimited power Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV) - grandson of Ivan the Great – Created a secret police force that killed all who opposed him

Ivan the Third a.k.a Ivan the Great Ivan the Fourth a.k.a Ivan the Terrible

Peter I – “Peter the Great” Russia was too far behind the west in technology and territory by the 1600’s Czar Peter the Great – Hired western engineers, shipbuilders and other experts to modernize Russia – Built schools that were more modern and made government more modern – Built the new capital called St. Petersburg On the Baltic Sea Forced men to shave their beards and everyone had to dress in western style clothing Catherine the Great- benefited from the advances and tried as well to modernize Russia