1. Intro to Russia, Vikings, Kievan State

2. Objectives
Explain how geography helped shape early Russia and the growth of Kiev.
People
Cyril and Methodius
Olga of Kiev
Yaroslav the Wise
Great Prince Vladimir
Varangians
Rurik

3. Geography of Russia Vast plains in the eastern most part of Europe
Northern part of Russia immense forest used for lumber, fuel, hunting

4. South of forests---steppes---prairie grasslands used as pasture land

5. Geography People settled mostly in the northern forests
Climate was warm in the summer , cold in the winter, fertile soil and enough rain
Rivers helped trade
*** Lack of mountains also helped trade and transportation.
Draw back easily invaded

6. Slavic Russia Lived in tribal groups No written language Polytheistic
Lived by farming, hunting ,and fishing
Not affected by outside contact

7. **Vikings—called Varangians**
Sailed on many rivers
Came for trade /collected tributes from Slavs
Traded with Slavs---slaves and other goods
South to Black Sea—Byzantine silk and Persian spices

8. Raided Slavic settlements, demanded payment of goods as tribute
Forts grew into cities ruled by princes
Most important cities***Novogrod and Kiev***---center of the first state in Russia(Be able to locate on a map)

9. Kievan State ***Rurik—First Great Prince of Kiev***
957 Olga –princess converted to Christianity
Great Prince Vladimir

10. Effects of conversion:
brought peace between China and Eastern Europe
Benefited from new trade
Isolated upper class women/subject to male authority
Absolute power of centralized government
****Cut off contact with Western Europe****

11. Byzantine Influence Christian missionaries converted Slavs
Greek monks translated the Bible
***Cyril and Methodius start a new alphabet called the Cyrillic alphabet.
Took on Christianity as well as art, music and architecture

12. Domes became onion domes

13. Russian rulers controlled the church
**Yaroslav the Wise—Ruled during the Golden Age for Kiev**
Internal struggles---Mongols invade

14. Objectives
Explain how geography helped shape early Russia and the growth of Kiev.
Settled along rivers near the Baltic Sea. Good for trade

15. People
Cyril and Methodius –
new alphabet
Olga of Kiev---
center of first state of Russia
Yaroslav the Wise—
ruled Kiev during its Golden Age
Great Prince Vladimir—
established Christianity in Russia
Varangians----
Vikings
Rurik---
1st Great Prince of Kiev