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History 374 – Russian History September 9, 2013 Eastern Slavs and Kievan Rus, The Mongol Conquests. Dr. Serhy (Sher-‐hee) Yeklchyk What is Russian History? From a North American Perspective – Significant Expansion Similar to Canada’s development except that the Canadians went from the east coast to the west coast and the Russians went from the West borders to the east coast. When did it all come together? The completion of the trans-‐Russian Rail. Other similarities between Canada and Russian in early development. Both Nations rich in Natural Resources and minerals. Extreme Northern Location – between 50th and 60th Parallel. Short growing season This could be a rationale for the roots of communism (a theory). Development of the nations were Furs, Farmers, and Minerals. Continious History of Russian State. It was build on a base of Monarchy. Russian Tsars were absolute Rulers. Look at Russian Current map for borders.
Ukraine holds all the most historical elements of Russian History. The Mother of all Russian cities is Kiev. Russia is a multinational Empire Very similar to the British Empire. Look at the 5 Ruble Note. There is a monument to 1000 years of Russian Monarchy. Why use a Tsarist image with the Royal Orb?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_of_Russia The state as an Organizing Principle? The orb is symbolic of the Globe.
Slavic Nations today 5th or 6th Century CE the Slavic Nations lived closer to each other. Later they were separated other language groups (Hungary, Austria, and Romania) So you end up with Eastern and Southern Slavic Languages However there still is a bond between the language groups. This has political ramifications such as the bond between Russia and Serbia and the beginnings of WW1. Khazar Empire or Kaganate 7th to 10th Century CE Almost all the same languages but they sound different.
Russian Ukrainian Belarussian
Eastern Slavics
Dnieper River – Very important to the development of the nations of Russia and more so the Ukraine.
the Slavs were an Agriculturist people who settled on the Dniepper River in the 5th Century. Khazar Empire were very much like the bad guys in a video game. Very war-‐like. Accepted Modern religion of Judaism. *Theory – Modern Jews came from Khazar and not Palestine. Khazar was a nomadic Empire – Controlled the Territory by collecting Tribute. Slaves were the most valuable commodities to collect. After the slaves they would expect: Fur, Honey, Grain or whatever was left over. The Varagians (Vikings, Normans): 862CE Kyivan Rus (Kiev): 882AD The cronical said the Vikings (Varagians) were invited to control the region. This would be like the Native Americans invited white people to bring culture and modernism to America. Tribute – and important word. Riurik – First leader of the First Russian dynasty – The Ruirikids. Vikings interest in extracting profit and Dnipper River was an important trade route.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_route_from_the_Varangians_to_the_Greeks
Vikings were interested in extracting profit and the Dnipper was an important trade route. Kievan Rus were how the Varagians called them Rus. So Combine Kiev and Rus. Rus are people from the North. Vikings.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_the_Great Prince Vladimir (St. Vladimir) Ruled 980-‐1015 CE, Adoption of Christianity 988CE He is Putin’s patron saint. Instead of coming for tribute once a year, it made sense to create local outposts to maintain order year round. Adoption of Christianity was a violent act – Swords and Fire. So why did Prince Vladimir accept Christianity? It was a way to centralize the Pagan gods. Vladimire orderd all the idols to be brought to a center high hill. However, Vlad had 500 concubines and many wives. He unlikely got rid of them. He looked for a religion to help centralize the state that would bring order.
Vlad checked out other religions including Islam but rejected it because Islam did not allow drinking. He was attracted to the Byzantine Empire because they had a closer geographical connection and they were very strong. Much stronger than Western Europe. They were trading partners and provided luxury goods such as: Red Wine Clothing Stone Masons Being Christians brought them closer to the Byzantine Empire. Vladimir’s son, Iaroslav the Wise (11th C) is known for the building of St. Sofia and creating a law code (Russkaya Pravda). He was Literate – a first. He created the Library at St. Sofia. The library has disappeared – Likely burned. The Cathedral of St. Sofia was modeled after Hagia Sofia
The onion domes were added later For St. Sofia because they are for a Northern climate. Church was used as a palace because it was the most important building in the city. Law Code (Russkava Pravda) developed and lasted for nearly 400 years. Kievian Rus was a Federation of Principalities. They were ruled by separation separate countries connected by a family connection. It was a Patrimonial State – Property of a Royal Family.
The Rus have large families, very large families. Male children are appointed to smaller places. But how do you decide the Grand Prince. Not father to son, like they do in Western Europe, but from Brother to Brother, then if no bothers then to nephews. It was a mess. But in real terms, Legitimate is one with the largest army. Brothers would rotate through the principalities as power shifted. In 1097 they realized this didn’t work. Bordering to the East was the Nomads. Bad news for disunited princes. From struggle for Kiev to establishing local seats of Power – Moscow (est 1147CE). Local Seats of Power established. Moscow is a little fort much like Fort Victoria was to the British Empire. Moscow is a Finnish Name and means muddy waters. Prince Ivri (the Long Armed), the founder of Moscow.