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

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

Guests from Overseas, Nicholas Roerich (1899).

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

The Invitation of the Varangians by Viktor Vasnetsov:Varangians Viktor Vasnetsov

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

Cyril and Methodius 863 – Monks were sent from Constantinople to Moravia to convert Slavs to Christianity. 863 – Monks were sent from Constantinople to Moravia to convert Slavs to Christianity. Helped more people understandHelped more people understand They used native Slavonic language during mass. They used native Slavonic language during mass. Developed Cyrillic alphabet (based on Greek) for Slavonic language. Developed Cyrillic alphabet (based on Greek) for Slavonic language.

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

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…..” “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.” “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 Earth and Its Peoples, third ed., page

Why Orthodox? Possibly the work done by Cyril and Methodius as well Possibly the work done by Cyril and Methodius as well Use of Cyrillic alphabet and Slavonic mass may have influenced the decision Use of Cyrillic alphabet and Slavonic mass may have influenced the decision New church after 1054 eventually became Russian Orthodox Church and Vladimir was made a saint New church after 1054 eventually became Russian Orthodox Church and Vladimir was made a saint

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

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

Monument to Yaroslav in Kiev

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

The Mongol Invasions The Mongols The Mongols Mongols, nomads from central Asia, begin conquests against Rus in the early 1223.Mongols, nomads from central Asia, begin conquests against Rus in the early Kiev falls in 1240 to Genghis Khan’s grandson, Batu Khan.Kiev falls in 1240 to Genghis Khan’s grandson, Batu Khan. Mongols rule much of Russia for the next 200 years.Mongols rule much of Russia for the next 200 years.

Russia Under Mongol Rule: “The Golden Horde”

Flag of the Golden Horde

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

Massacre on the Ice April, 1242 – Alexander met Teutonic invaders at narrow straight between two frozen lakes April, 1242 – Alexander met Teutonic invaders at narrow straight between two frozen lakes Alexander’s army led invaders onto thinning ice that collapsed Alexander’s army led invaders onto thinning ice that collapsed

Tatars A central Asian people who spoke a Turkish language A central Asian people who spoke a Turkish language Emerged as Russia’s rulers after the Mongols Emerged as Russia’s rulers after the Mongols

Russia Breaks Free The Rise of Moscow The Rise of Moscow Moscow is founded in the 1100s, located near Russia’s three main rivers.Moscow is founded in the 1100s, located near Russia’s three main rivers. Moscow’s Powerful Princes Moscow’s Powerful Princes Moscow's princes grow strong under Mongol rule throughout the 1300s.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.

Russia Breaks Free An Empire Emerges An Empire Emerges Late in the 1400s, Ivan III becomes prince of Moscow and challenges Mongol rule.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.He takes the name “czar,” Russian for “Caesar,” and vows to restore Russia. Russian and Mongol armies face off at Ugra River in 1480.Russian and Mongol armies face off at Ugra River in Both armies retreat and Russia gains freedom from Mongol rule.Both armies retreat and Russia gains freedom from Mongol rule.