1. Russia
Chapter 11:2

2. Russia is a blending of Slavic & Byzantine cultures
Chapter Overview
Russia is a blending of Slavic & Byzantine cultures
Very different culture than the West
Focus on 3 areas
Early Russia: How did it form?
Mongol Invasion
Breakaway from Mongols

3. Early Russia
Byzantines traded with Slavic people from the north - Balkan region
Also, sent missionaries to convert them to Orthodox Christianity
Invited Vikings (Rus – thus “Russia”) to rule at Novgorod
Moved Capital to Kiev for trade (880 AD)
Vikings create an empire from Kiev – from Baltic to Black Seas
Could sail to Constantinople via Dnieper River
Cultures blended
Vladimir converted to Byzantine Christianity
Everyone converted, got baptized
Orthodox Christianity flourishes in Kiev
Emperor is supreme ruler of church and state

5. Kievan russia
Russia’s 1st important, unified territory

6. The Mongol Invasions
Middle 1200’s the Mongols invade and conquer Russians
1240 – demolished Kiev – brutal killings
Empire called Khanate of the Golden Horde
Mongols left Russia alone except for 2 areas:
The Russians must not rebel – absolute obedience
The Russians must pay heavy taxes
The Mongols ruled for 200 years, further isolating Russia from Europe!
No new ideas or inventions

7. Breakaway from Mongols
Over time, Moscow became the most powerful city
Controlled trade across 3 major rivers
Very wealthy
“Grand Prince” was main tax collector in Russia
Ivan I “Ivan Moneybags” (tax collector) used his wealth to buy friends and get more control

8. Real break happens with Prince Ivan III Openly challenged Mongols
Married the daughter of the last Byzantine Patriarch
Took the title Czar (or Tzar) meaning Caesar
Called Russia the “Third Rome”
Mongols too weak to stop Russia from breaking away
Troops met at Ugra River to fight
Turned around and went home

9. Chapter 11 Section 2
The Russian Empire