11.2 The Russian 11.2 The Russian EmpireEmpire

Russia grows out of a blending of Russia grows out of a blending of Slavic and Byzantine cultures and Slavic and Byzantine cultures and adopts Eastern Orthodox adopts Eastern Orthodox traditions.traditions.

Russia’s BirthRussia’s Birth

Emergence of Russian CultureEmergence of Russian Culture• Byzantium trades with Byzantium trades with SlavsSlavs—groups —groups

living north of the Black Sea.living north of the Black Sea.• Eventually Slavic and Greek traditions Eventually Slavic and Greek traditions

produce produce RussianRussian culture. culture. Geography of RussiaGeography of Russia

• Russian territory: west of Ural Russian territory: west of Ural Mountains, and Black Sea to Baltic SeaMountains, and Black Sea to Baltic Sea

• Forests in north, hilly grasslands in Forests in north, hilly grasslands in south, three great riverssouth, three great rivers

Guests from Overseas, Nicholas Roerich (1899).Guests from Overseas, Nicholas Roerich (1899).

Russia’s BirthRussia’s Birth

Slavs and VikingsSlavs and Vikings• In the 800s, Vikings In the 800s, Vikings (Rus) (Rus) settle among settle among

Slavs, and move to KievSlavs, and move to Kiev• Rus and Slavs mix cultures and become Rus and Slavs mix cultures and become

one.one.

The Invitation of the Varangians by Viktor Vasnetsov:

The people of Kievan Rus were linked to the Byzantines by way of the Dnieper River and across the Black Sea

Cyril and MethodiusCyril and Methodius

863 – 863 – Monks Monks were sent from were sent from Constantinople to Moravia to convert Constantinople to Moravia to convert Slavs to Christianity.Slavs to Christianity.• Helped more people understandHelped more people understand

They used native They used native SlavonicSlavonic language language during mass.during mass.

Developed Developed Cyrillic alphabet Cyrillic alphabet (based (based on Greek) for Slavonic language.on Greek) for Slavonic language.

Russia’s BirthRussia’s Birth

KievKiev Becomes Orthodox Becomes Orthodox• Princess Olga of Kiev visits Princess Olga of Kiev visits

Constantinople and converts Constantinople and converts to Christianityto Christianity

• Her grandson, Her grandson, VladimirVladimir, , becomes leader of Kiev becomes leader of Kiev around 980around 980

• In 989, Vladimir has all Kiev In 989, Vladimir has all Kiev citizens baptized in the citizens baptized in the Dnieper RiverDnieper River

• Beliefs and traditions of Beliefs and traditions of Orthodox Christianity flourish Orthodox Christianity flourish in Kievin Kiev

Why Orthodox Christianity?Why Orthodox Christianity?

““The earliest Russian chronicle reports The earliest Russian chronicle reports that Vladimir and his advisers decided that Vladimir and his advisers decided against Islam as the official religion against Islam as the official religion because of its ban on because of its ban on alcoholalcohol…..”…..”

““Why Vladimir chose Orthodox Christianity Why Vladimir chose Orthodox Christianity over the Latin version is not precisely over the Latin version is not precisely known. The magnificence of known. The magnificence of Constantinople seems to have been a Constantinople seems to have been a consideration.”consideration.”

Earth and Its Peoples, third ed.Earth and Its Peoples, third ed., page 233-234, page 233-234

Why Orthodox?Why Orthodox?

Possibly the work done by Cyril and Possibly the work done by Cyril and Methodius as wellMethodius as well

Use of Cyrillic alphabet and Slavonic Use of Cyrillic alphabet and Slavonic mass may have influenced the mass may have influenced the decisiondecision

New church after 1054 eventually New church after 1054 eventually became Russian Orthodox Church became Russian Orthodox Church and Vladimir was made a and Vladimir was made a saintsaint

Baptism of Saint Prince VladimirBaptism of Saint Prince Vladimir,,by Viktor Vasnetsovby Viktor Vasnetsov

Icon of Vladimir

Kiev’s Power and DeclineKiev’s Power and Decline

Kievan RussiaKievan Russia• Vladimir expands Vladimir expands

Russia into Poland, Russia into Poland, and north to the and north to the Baltic Sea.Baltic Sea.

• Vladimir’s son, Vladimir’s son, Yaroslav the Yaroslav the WiseWise, , rules Kiev in 1019.rules Kiev in 1019.

• Forges alliances, Forges alliances, creates legal code, creates legal code, and builds churches.and builds churches.

The only contemporary image of Yaroslav the Wise. It is from his seal.

Monument to Yaroslav in KievMonument to Yaroslav in Kiev

Kiev’s Power and DeclineKiev’s Power and Decline

Kiev’s DeclineKiev’s Decline• Yaroslav divides realm between his Yaroslav divides realm between his

sons, which causes a civil war between sons, which causes a civil war between princes.princes.

• Kiev’s commerce was further weakened Kiev’s commerce was further weakened by the by the CrusadesCrusades (War tends to slow (War tends to slow foreign trade, especially since they were foreign trade, especially since they were trading with Constantinople). trading with Constantinople).

The Crusades are a clash between Christians The Crusades are a clash between Christians and and MuslimsMuslims over the Holy Land. over the Holy Land.

The Mongol InvasionsThe Mongol Invasions

The MongolsThe Mongols• Mongols, nomads Mongols, nomads

from central Asia, from central Asia, begin conquests begin conquests against Rus in the against Rus in the early 1223.early 1223.

• Kiev falls in 1240 to Kiev falls in 1240 to Genghis Khan’s Genghis Khan’s grandson, grandson, Batu Batu KhanKhan..

• Mongols rule much Mongols rule much of Russia for the of Russia for the next 200 years.next 200 years.

Russia Under Mongol Rule:Russia Under Mongol Rule:“The Golden Horde”“The Golden Horde”

Flag of the Golden HordeFlag of the Golden Horde

The Mongol InvasionsThe Mongol Invasions

Mongol Rule in RussiaMongol Rule in Russia• Mongols give Russians many Mongols give Russians many

freedoms, but demand freedoms, but demand obedience and tribute.obedience and tribute.

• Russian nobles such as Russian nobles such as Alexander Nevsky Alexander Nevsky support the support the Mongols.Mongols.

• Mongol rule isolates Russia from Mongol rule isolates Russia from the rest of Europe.the rest of Europe.

• Nevsky defended Russia from Nevsky defended Russia from invasion from Sweden and invasion from Sweden and Germany (Teutonic Knights) Germany (Teutonic Knights) while collaborating with the while collaborating with the powerful Golden Horde.powerful Golden Horde.

Icon of Alexander Nevsky. He is venerated as a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church

Massacre on the IceMassacre on the Ice

April, 1242 – April, 1242 – Alexander met Alexander met Teutonic invaders Teutonic invaders at narrow straight at narrow straight between two between two frozen lakesfrozen lakes

Alexander’s army Alexander’s army led invaders onto led invaders onto thinning ice that thinning ice that collapsedcollapsed

TatarsTatars

A central Asian people who spoke a A central Asian people who spoke a Turkish languageTurkish language

Emerged as Russia’s rulers after the Emerged as Russia’s rulers after the MongolsMongols

Russia Breaks FreeRussia Breaks Free

The Rise of MoscowThe Rise of Moscow• Moscow is founded in Moscow is founded in

the 1100s, located near the 1100s, located near Russia’s three main Russia’s three main rivers.rivers.

Moscow’s Powerful Moscow’s Powerful PrincesPrinces• Moscow's princes grow Moscow's princes grow

strong under Mongol strong under Mongol rule throughout the rule throughout the 1300s.1300s.

Both the flag and coat of arms of Moscow uses the emblem of Saint George and the Dragon. This legend seems to be symbolical of Moscow throwing off its Mongol rulers.

Russia Breaks FreeRussia Breaks Free An Empire EmergesAn Empire Emerges

• Late in the 1400s, Late in the 1400s, Ivan Ivan IIIIII becomes prince of becomes prince of Moscow and challenges Moscow and challenges Mongol rule.Mongol rule.

• He takes the name He takes the name “czar,” Russian for “czar,” Russian for “Caesar,” and vows to “Caesar,” and vows to restore Russia.restore Russia.

• Russian and Mongol Russian and Mongol armies face off at Ugra armies face off at Ugra River in 1480.River in 1480.

• Both armies retreat and Both armies retreat and Russia gains freedom Russia gains freedom from Mongol rule.from Mongol rule.