THE KIEVAN RUSSIAN STATE

THE KIEVAN RUSSIAN STATE

BEGINNING OF DECLINE

Death of Iaroslav the Wise, 1054

State divided up among 5 sons

Civil war ensues until 1113

External enemies like Polovtsy attack

THE KIEVAN RUSSIAN STATE

RESURGENCE

Vladimir Monomakh (r. 1113-1125)

Temporarily stems decline

Patron of learning & church

Able ruler & administrator

But preoccupied with war: with Polovtsy, Finns, Poles, Byzantines

THE KIEVAN RUSSIAN STATE

CONTINUED DETERIORATION

MSTISLAV (r. 1125-1132)

IAROPOLK (r. 1132-1139)

Further civil war

Andrei Bogoliubskii, Prince of Rostov & Suzdal, sacks Kiev, 1169

Moves seat of Grand Prince to Vladimir

Kiev sacked again, 1203

THE KIEVAN RUSSIAN STATE

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Population @ 7-8 million

Ethnically diverse

Social hierarchy:

Princes/royal families

Boyars (nobles)

Clergy

Liudi (Freeman)

Smerdy (Semi-free)

Slaves

THE KIEVAN RUSSIAN STATE

POLITICAL STRUCTURE

Lose federation of city-states

3 basic forms of government

Monarchic

• rule by Grand Princes

Aristocratic

• rule by Boyar DUMA (council)

• Boyars members of Prince’s DRUZHINA (guard)

Democratic/oligarchic

• rule by VECHE (city assembly)

THE KIEVAN RUSSIAN STATE

ECONOMIC STRUCTURE

Trade & Commerce

Extensive foreign & domestic, exports & imports

Princes & Boyars also merchants

THE KIEVAN RUSSIAN STATE

ECONOMIC STRUCTURE

Agriculture

Cultivated land in both steppe & forest zones

Adoption of 3-field system led to increased productivity

Princes, boyars, church = large land holders

Labor organized around OBSHCHINA (commune)

THE KIEVAN RUSSIAN STATE

ECONOMIC STRUCTURE

Promysly (industries & crafts)

Engaged in wide variety of productive activities

Used to supplement income

Overall, economically prosperous period