1. 11.2 The Russian Empire
Russia grows out of a blending of Slavic and Byzantine cultures and adopts Eastern Orthodox traditions.

2. Russia’s Birth Emergence of Russian Culture Geography of Russia
Byzantium trades with Slavs—groups living north of the Black Sea.
Eventually Slavic and Greek traditions produce Russian culture.
Geography of Russia
Russian territory: west of Ural Mountains, and Black Sea to Baltic Sea
Forests in north, hilly grasslands in south, three great rivers

5. Guests from Overseas, Nicholas Roerich (1899).

6. Russia’s Birth Slavs and Vikings
In the 800s, Vikings settle among Slavs, and move to Kiev
Vikings and Slavs mix cultures and become one.

7. The Invitation of the Varangians by Viktor Vasnetsov:

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

9. Russia’s Birth Kiev Becomes Orthodox
Princess Olga of Kiev visits Constantinople and converts to Christianity
Her grandson, Vladimir, becomes leader of Kiev around 980
In 989, Vladimir has all Kiev citizens baptized in the Dnieper River
Beliefs and traditions of Orthodox Christianity flourish in Kiev

10. Why Orthodox Christianity?
“The earliest Russian chronicle reports that Vladimir and his advisers decided against Islam as the official religion because of its ban on alcohol…..”
“Why Vladimir chose Orthodox Christianity over the Latin version is not precisely known. The magnificence of Constantinople seems to have been a consideration.”
Earth and Its Peoples, third ed., page

11. Baptism of Saint Prince Vladimir, by Viktor Vasnetsov
Icon of Vladimir

12. Kiev’s Power and Decline
Kievan Russia
Vladimir expands Russia into Poland, and north to the Baltic Sea.
Vladimir’s son, Yaroslav the Wise, rules Kiev in 1019.
Forges alliances, creates legal code, and builds churches.
The only contemporary image of Yaroslav the Wise. It is from his seal.

13. Monument to Yaroslav in Kiev

14. Kiev’s Power and Decline
Kiev’s Decline
Yaroslav divides realm between his sons, which causes a civil war. (3)
Kiev’s commerce in further weakened by the Crusades (War tends to slow foreign trade, especially since they were trading with Constantinople).
The Crusades are a clash between Christians and Muslims over the Holy Land.

15. The Mongol Invasions The Mongols
Mongols, nomads from central Asia, begin conquests in the early 1200s.
Kiev falls in 1240 to Genghis Khan’s grandson, Batu Khan.
Mongols rule much of Russia for the next 200 years.

16. Which group fared the worst under Mongol Rule ?
Nobles
Church
Co-operated with Mongols and often put down revolts against the Mongols
Did well Mongols left them alone, they became the mediators between Russians and Mongols
People
Moscow Princes
Over all were left alone but the Russians were isolated from western Europe and did not have access to new ideas or inventions
Lost direct control but often co-operated with Mongols
Which group fared the worst under Mongol Rule ?

17. Russia Under Mongol Rule: “The Golden Horde”

18. Flag of the Golden Horde

19. The Mongol Invasions Mongol Rule in Russia
Mongols give Russians many freedoms, but demand obedience and tribute. (4)
Russian nobles such as Alexander Nevsky support the Mongols.
Mongol rule isolates Russia from the rest of Europe.
Nevsky defended Russia from invasion from Sweden and Germany while collaborating with the powerful Golden Horde.
Icon of Alexander Nevsky. He is venerated as a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church

20. Russia Breaks Free The Rise of Moscow Moscow’s Powerful Princes
Moscow is founded in the 1100s, located near Russia’s three main rivers.
Moscow’s Powerful Princes
Moscow's princes grow strong under Mongol rule throughout the 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.

21. Russia Breaks Free An Empire Emerges
Late in the 1400s, Ivan III becomes prince of Moscow and challenges Mongol rule.
He takes the name “czar,” Russian for “Caesar,” and vows to restore Russia.
Russian and Mongol armies face off at Ugra River in (5)
Both armies retreat and Russia gains freedom from Mongol rule.

22. TERMS & NAMES 1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance. • Slavs • Vladimir • Yaroslav the Wise • Alexander Nevsky • Ivan III • czar USING YOUR NOTES 2. Which group fared the worst under Mongol rule? MAIN IDEAS 3. How did Yaroslav’s decision to divide his realm among his sons help cause Kiev’s decline? 4. What main demands did the Mongols make on their Russian subjects? 5. How did Ivan III ( Ivan the Great) lead the Russians to their independence from the Mongols?