Russia
I. Russia’s Birth
A.
B.
Byzantium trades with Slavs—
groups living north of the Black
Sea.
Eventually Slavic and Greek
traditions produce Russian culture.
Guests from Overseas, Nicholas
Roerich (1899).
C. Slavs and Vikings
1. In the 800s, Vikings settle among Slavs, and
move to Kiev
2. Vikings and Slavs mix cultures and become one.
The Invitation of the Varangians by
Viktor Vasnetsov:
3. The people of Kievan Rus and linked to the
Byzantines by way of the Dnieper River and
across the Black Sea.
II. Kiev
A. Kiev Becomes Orthodox
1. Princess Olga of Kiev visits
Constantinople and converts to
Christianity
2. Her grandson, Vladimir, becomes
leader of Kiev around 980
3. In 989, Vladimir has all Kiev
citizens baptized in the Dnieper
River
4. Beliefs and traditions of Orthodox
Christianity flourish in Kiev
Why Orthodox Christianity?

“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 233-234
Baptism of Saint Prince Vladimir,
by Viktor Vasnetsov
Icon of
Vladimir
III. Kiev’s Power and Decline
A. Kievan Russia
A. Vladimir expands Russia
into Poland, and north to
the Baltic Sea.
B. Vladimir’s son, Yaroslav
the Wise, rules Kiev in
1019.
C. 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
B. Kiev’s Decline
1. Yaroslav divides realm between his sons, which
causes a civil war.
2. Kiev’s commerce is further weakened by the
Crusades (War tends to slow foreign trade,
especially since they were trading with
Constantinople).
a.
The Crusades are a clash between Christians and
Muslims over the Holy Land.
Stop Here
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This is the final slide covered on
Thursday 2/9/17.
We will restart the slideshow on
Friday beginning with the next slide.
IV. The Mongol Invasions
A. The Mongols
1. Mongols, nomads from
central Asia, begin
conquests in the early
1200s.
2. Kiev falls in 1240 to
Genghis Khan’s
grandson, Batu Khan.
3. Mongols rule much of
Russia for the next 200
years.
Russia Under Mongol Rule:
“The Golden Horde”
Flag of the Golden Horde
B. Mongol Rule in Russia
1. Mongols give Russians
many freedoms, but demand
obedience and tribute.
2. Mongol rule isolates Russia
from the rest of Europe.
Icon of Alexander Nevsky. He
defended Russia from an
invasion by Sweden and
Germany. He is venerated as a
saint of the Russian Orthodox
Church
C. Russia Breaks Free
1. The Rise of Moscow
a. Moscow is founded in the
1100s, located near Russia’s
three main rivers.
2. Moscow’s Powerful Princes
a. 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.
3. An Empire Emerges
a. Late in the 1400s, Ivan III
becomes prince of Moscow
and challenges Mongol
rule.
b. He takes the name “czar,”
Russian for “Caesar,” and
vows to restore Russia.
c. Russian and Mongol
armies face off at Ugra
River in 1480.
d. Both armies retreat and
Russia gains freedom from
Mongol rule.
Please add the following notes
to your Russia notes

Genghis Khan
• Named Temujin, he was member of one
of the Mongol tribes. Temujin’s father
was the leader of his tribe.
• Temujin organized the Mongol tribes
and becomes leader of all the Mongol
tribes
• Genghis Khan = universal leader or
universal ruler
• Genghis Khan led the Mongols to the
riches of the west for conquest
• Batu Khan (Genghis Khan’s grandson)
conquers Russia.