HY 106 Lecture 20: The Development of Russia - ch 17
The Development of Russia
1. Introduction
1. Both the conversion of the eastern Slavs to Christianity and the loose,
real political unification of the eastern Slavic territories under a single
ruling family were medieval (The typical feudal division of the land-based
society into a boyard nobility and a commoner peasantry was also
medieval)
2. From the mid-thirteenth century to the late seventeenth century, the
lands of the eastern Slavs followed a unique path of European
development and when absolutism triumphed under Peter the Great, it
was a different type of monarchy from anywhere
2. The Mongol Yoke and the Rise of Moscow
1. The eastern Slavs emerged from the Middle Ages intact because of
Mongol conquest
1. Mongols unified under Genghis Khan subdued all of China and
turned westward but pulled back in 1242 because of uncertainties
after the Great Khan died
2. The Mongol armyāthe Golden Hordeādevastated and conquered
the eastern Slavs for more than two hundred years (built capital of
Saray on lower Volga)
3. Mongols forced all Slavic princes to submit to their rule and to give
them tribute
2. Although the Mongols conquered, they were willing to use local princes
as obedient servants and tax collectors and beginning with Alexander
Nevsky in 1252, the īgreat princeī loyally put down popular uprisings and
collected the khanās harsh taxes
3. Ivan I (1328-1341) was known as Ivan the Moneybag and built up a large
personal fortune enabling him to buy more property (most serious rival
was prince of Tver)
1. In 1327, the population of Tver revolted against Mongol oppression
and the prince of Tver joined his people but Ivan when to the Mongol
capital of Saray where he was appointed commander of a large
Russian-Mongol army
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
