The Rise of Russia

The Rise of Russia

Russia developed differently than western civilizations because of its unique geography. Early Russian life was shaped by three main zones: Northern forests - provided lumber for fuel and buildings; people hunted fur-bearing animals; poor soil and cold climate prevented farming Fertile land - farmers settled in southern fertile land; home to Russia's first civilization; includes present-day Ukraine Steppe - provided pasture for horses and herds of nomadic people; highway along which streams of nomads migrated into Europe Russia's network of rivers was also very important because not only did it transport people and goods, but it also linked early Russia to the advanced Byzantine Empire.

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Kiev was the center of the first Russian state, with a cultural mixing of two different peoples - the Slavs and the Vikings. The Slavs spread east into Russia during the 500s and 600s. They were organized into clans and lived in small farming/trading villages. In the 700s and 800s, the Vikings sailed south down rivers and traded with and forced payment from the Slavs. Trade flourished with Constantinople, and the heart of the trade network was Kiev. The beginning of Russia as a country is generally traced back to 862, when a Rus prince named Rurik began his rule of Novgorod.

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Batu led Mongol armies into Russia between 1236 and 1241. Known as the Golden Horde, the Mongols looted and burned Russian cities like Kiev. The Golden Horde went on to rule Russia for over 150 years. However, despite their fierce reputations, the Mongols were generally tolerable leaders as long as princes paid tribute to them. Mongol rule cut off Russia from western civilization at a time when Europeans were making advances in sciences and arts.

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In 1380, the Russians defeated the Golden Horde. One of the driving forces behind Moscow's triumph was Ivan the Great. He brought much of northern Russia under his rule and reclaimed territory in Lithuania. He also built the framework for absolute rule and adopted Byzantine court rituals. His grandson, Ivan the Terrible, became the first official ruler crowned tsar. He further centralized royal power by limiting the privileges of noble families and introducing Russian serfdom. Towards the end of his reign he grew increasingly paranoid and founded the oprichniki, agents of terror who did his will.

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