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 Slavs—groups Byzantium trades with Slavs—groups

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

produce Russian culture.produce Russian 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 settle among Slavs, In the 800s, Vikings settle among Slavs,

and move to Kievand move to Kiev• Vikings and Slavs mix cultures and Vikings and Slavs mix cultures and

become one.become one.

The Invitation of the Varangians by Viktor Vasnetsov:

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

Russia’s BirthRussia’s Birth

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

Constantinople and converts Constantinople and converts to Christianityto Christianity

• Her grandson, Vladimir, Her grandson, Vladimir, 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 alcohol…..”because of its ban on alcohol…..”

““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

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 Wise, Yaroslav the Wise, 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.sons, which causes a civil war.• Kiev’s commerce is further weakened by Kiev’s commerce is further weakened by

the Crusades (War tends to slow foreign the Crusades (War tends to slow foreign trade, especially since they were trading trade, especially since they were trading with Constantinople). with Constantinople).

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

The Mongol InvasionsThe Mongol Invasions

The MongolsThe Mongols• Mongols, nomads Mongols, nomads

from central Asia, from central Asia, begin conquests in begin conquests in the early 1200s.the early 1200s.

• 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 while collaborating Germany while collaborating with the powerful Golden Horde.with the powerful Golden Horde.

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

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.