1. Ch. 10 Sec. 2
The Rise of Russia

2. The Setting and People
A large plain stretches across eastern Europe & central Asia which extends from Carpathian Mtns. to the Ural Mtns.
In the south this plain is grassy & mostly treeless & is called the steppe – has black, fertile soil that is ideal for agriculture

3. Many rivers cross the plain, providing transportation networks (some flow to the Black Sea)
Beginning in the 1500s B.C., the groups from the southern part of the region repeatedly invaded S.W. Asia
After the 400s, Slavs settled in much of E. Europe

4. The Avars, Huns, & Magyars also invaded the region & made the Slavs their subjects
During the 800s, Vikings from Scandinavia invaded, seeking to extend their trade routes

5. Kievan Russia
Along the Viking trade routes lay the cities of Novgorod & Kiev
Rurik, the leader of a people called the Rus, took control of Novgorad in the 800s
Rurik & his successors established rule over Kiev & over nearby Slavic tribes

6. Kiev was on the trade route between Constantinople & the Baltic Sea
Kiev became the capital
Many areas in Kievan Russia were led by princes who governed w/ the advice of councils of boyars, or nobles
The princes also held town meetings to discuss wars or other emergencies

7. Yaroslav I, known as Yaroslav the Wise, ruled Russia in the 1000s
He built many churches & introduced Russia’s 1st law code, the Pravda Russkia
Yaroslav’s code combined Slavic tribal customs w/ older laws & traditions

8. Religion
Christianity had little effect until the mid 900s when ruler Vladimir I sent observers to visit Christian churches elsewhere
His officials were impressed w/ the Eastern church in Constantinople so he converted to Christianity & ordered all Kievans to become Christians

9. Many Kievans still worshipped their ancestors or nature gods but the Byzantine church became an important force
Monasteries became centers of religious thought, social service, & the arts
Religious themes dominated Kievan writing & art

10. Icons, mosaics, & frescoes on religious themes became distinctive Kievan art forms

11. Economy
Kievan Russia included two major agricultural regions
The steppe has a mild climate & a long growing season
North of the steppe lies the taiga, which has great forests, much rainfall, long winters & a short growing season

12. Kievan Russia traded food, wood, iron, salt, furs, & honey w/ the Byzantines
They imported jewelry, silver, & textiles
Trade built Kievan Russia into a strong, wealthy power

13. At the top of the social structure were local princes, followed by the boyars, then artisans & merchants
The largest class were the peasants, who lived in villages & produced the crops
The clergy were also important having much influence over daily life, but not directly involved in gov’t