
The Russian Empire Chapter 11 Section 2
Key Terms • Slavs • Vladimir • Yaroslav the Wise • Alexander Newsky • Ivan III • Czar
Russia’s Birth • Russia runs from the Black Sea to Baltic Sea • Has three rivers • Dense forests • Inhabited by the Slavs • Spoke similar language, no political unity • Rus comes from Viking groups
Slavs and Vikings • Slavs invited Viking chief to be king • Novgorod first important city • Kiev- able to trade by river and sea • Kiev was a principality • Small state rule by a prince
Kiev Becomes Orthodox • 957 Olga converts • 980 Vladimir • Studied all religions • Decided on Byzantine Christianity • 989 all citizens baptized • Vladimir imported teachers • Close relationship with the church
Kiev’s Power Declines • Kiev was the capitol • Russia’s first unified territory • 1019 Yaroslav the Wise • Married his daughters and sisters for alliances • Built first library • Rule for crimes • 400 churches
Kiev Declines • Divided his realm among his sons • Instead of to the eldest • Sons fought with each other • Crusades disrupted trade in Kiev
The Mongol Invasion • 1200 Mongols • Genghis Khan-one of the most feared warriors of all time • Savage killing and burning ruthless reputation
The Mongol Invasions • 1240 attacked, demolished Kiev • Batu Khan “no eye remained to weep” • Mongols ruled for 200 years
Mongol Rule in Russia • Follow own customs • Tolerated all religions • Demanded obedience • Demanded massive payments • Mongol Rule isolated Russia from Europe
Russia Breaks Free • Moscow founded 1100’s • Located near three rivers • Moscow’s powerful princes • 1320 Prince Ivan • Appointed tax collector • Title Grand Prince
Russia Breaks Free • Ivan convinces Patriarch of Kiev to move to Moscow • Moscow prince ally with the Church
An Empire Emerges • Ivan III- challenged Mongol Rule • Czar- Russian version of Caesar • 1480 final break with Mongols • Ugra River both armies face each other but did not fight