10-3 Monguls

Objectives

Section 3: Russia and the Mongols

In this section you will learn about the invasion of the Mongols.

1. You will find out how Mongol rule affected Kievan Russia.

2. You will also learn about the rise of Moscow.

3. You will discover how Moscow’s growing power and independence affected the

Orthodox Church.

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Vocabulary - Section 3

Polovtsy: Turkish people who controlled the area south of Kiev in Russia

Vladimir Monomakh: Kievan ruler in the early A.D. 1100s who fought to protect Kiev and was merciless against his enemies

Ivan III : Absolute monarch and first ruler of the independent state called Russia

Czar: Title taken by Ivan the Terrible; Russian for “caesar”

Ivan the Terrible: Ivan IV, first czar of Russia who created a new Russian state but whose actions were puzzling and cruel

“third Rome”: Moscow; Russian Orthodox interpretation of the city’s leading role in bringing spiritual light to the world

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Focus Questions

1. How did society in Kievan Russia change under Mongol rule?

2. In what ways did the Russian Orthodox Church gain from Moscow’s growing power?

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Section 3 Summary

After Yaroslav the Wise, Kiev declined in power due to internal fighting. Meanwhile the Polovtsy, a Turkish people, took control of the area south of Kiev and interfered with trade. Vladimir Monomakh, a Kievan ruler in the early A.D. 1100s, fought to protect Kiev. Vladimir was merciless against his enemies and was often at war. Meanwhile Kievan trade suffered from competition with Italian city-states. After Vladimir, groups of princes sacked Kiev. In this weak state, Kiev was conquered by the Mongols, invaders from the Asian steppe east of the Ural Mountains.

The Mongols continued west and defeated the Hungarian and Polish armies. However, the Mongol leader called off the attack and returned to Russia. Mongols controlled Kievan Russia until the late A.D. 1400s. The Mongols taxed the people (tribute=taxes) heavily but allowed them to keep their government and customs.

Although the Mongols formed a small ruling class, they greatly influenced Slavic society. They built roads and improved communication. Mongol words, customs, traditions, and patterns of behavior entered the culture.

In the A.D. 1300s Lithuania and Poland seized territory from Kievan Russia. Their kingdom was hostile to the Slavs. There were also religious conflicts. The Poles had converted to western Christianity, while the Slavs were Eastern Orthodox. Tension between these groups still exists today. Moscow became a major Russian city. Its leader, Prince Ivan I, cooperated with the Mongols, who gave him the title Great Prince. The leader of the Orthodox Church moved to Moscow, increasing its power. In the late A.D. 1400s Ivan III, or Ivan the Great, became Great Prince. Ivan asserted Moscow’s independence from the Mongols. He united many cities and became the first ruler of the independent state called Russia. He expanded Russia’s territory through conquest and established an absolute monarchy.

In the A.D. 1500s Ivan IV became ruler of Russia. He took the title of czar, meaning “Caesar.” Ivan was an able administrator. He developed a modern legal code. He renewed trade with western Europe and opened Siberia to Russian settlement. Ivan formed a personal group of civil servants who arrested boyars and gave their land to Ivan’s supporters. Sometimes his actions were puzzling and cruel, and he earned the nickname Ivan the Terrible. However, he created a powerful Russian state that stretched from Siberia to the Caspian Sea.

Facts about Ivan the Terrible

The Orthodox Church in Russia became powerful. Many of its faithful donated land, making the church a major landowner. It also grew more independent from Constantinople. Russian bishops began choosing their own leader, or patriarch, for the Russian Orthodox Church. When Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks, Russians proclaimed Moscow the “third Rome.” They said that the first Rome had fallen because of heresy. The second Rome, Constantinople, had fallen to non-Christians. Moscow, the third Rome, would bring the light of the Christian orthodox faith to the world. The art and architecture of the period reflects this sense of power and confidence. Handsome domed churches were filled with beautiful artwork and sparkling chandeliers, inspiring awe and religious wonder.

Crash Course Synopsis

Answers to the focus questions

1. How did society in Kievan Russia change under Mongol rule?

· Mongol rule changed Kievan Russian by improving transportation and communication. Also,

some Mongol customs, traditions, words, and patterns of behavior entered Russian culture.

2. In what ways did the Russian Orthodox Church gain from Moscow’s growing power?

· The Russian Orthodox Church gained from Moscow's power because it prospered financially and acquired much land through donations from the wealthy. Its wealth allowed it to become politically independent of Constantinople. Moscow's wealth also allowed the building of the magnificent churches f the period.