The Rise of Russia and The Rise of Russia and Eastern Europe Eastern Europe

The Geography of Russia The Geography of Russia

Lies on the Eurasian plain that reaches Lies on the Eurasian plain that reaches from Europe to the borders of Chinafrom Europe to the borders of China

Steppe region offered a great highway for Steppe region offered a great highway for nomads to migrate from Asia to Europe nomads to migrate from Asia to Europe

The Growth of Kiev The Growth of Kiev

City of Kiev was located at the heart of a City of Kiev was located at the heart of a vast trading network vast trading network

Due to trade, Kiev was largely influenced Due to trade, Kiev was largely influenced by the Byzantine Empireby the Byzantine Empire Acquired a written languageAcquired a written language Religious artReligious art Music Music Architecture Architecture

Yaroslav the Wise Yaroslav the Wise

Ruler during the Golden Age of Kiev Ruler during the Golden Age of Kiev Translated Greek works into his languageTranslated Greek works into his language Extended power through arranging Extended power through arranging

marriages between his children and royal marriages between his children and royal families of Western Europe families of Western Europe

Mongol Conquest Mongol Conquest

Areas of Russia were looted and burned by the Areas of Russia were looted and burned by the MongolsMongols

Thousands of people were killed Thousands of people were killed Mongols were tolerant rulers, as long as tribute Mongols were tolerant rulers, as long as tribute

was paid was paid Left Mongol influences: Left Mongol influences:

Trade routes opened between China and Eastern Trade routes opened between China and Eastern EuropeEurope

Russia was cut off from Western Europe at an Russia was cut off from Western Europe at an important time important time

Ivan the Great Ivan the Great

Russia’s first Russia’s first czarczar- absolute ruler- absolute ruler Brought much of northern Russia Brought much of northern Russia

under his ruleunder his rule Built the framework for absolute ruleBuilt the framework for absolute rule

Limited the power of the Limited the power of the boyarsboyars- landowning - landowning nobles nobles

Adopted Byzantine court rituals to emphasize Adopted Byzantine court rituals to emphasize Russia’s role as the heir to Byzantine power Russia’s role as the heir to Byzantine power

Ivan the Terrible Ivan the Terrible

Centralized royal power Centralized royal power Unstable ruler, subject to violentUnstable ruler, subject to violent

fits of ragefits of rage Killed his own son Killed his own son

His agents would slaughter rebels and His agents would slaughter rebels and sack towns sack towns

Left the legend/tradition of extreme Left the legend/tradition of extreme absolute power absolute power

Geography of Eastern Europe Geography of Eastern Europe

Much of Eastern Europe borders the Much of Eastern Europe borders the steppes of Russiasteppes of Russia

Trade and travel routes linked the Balkans Trade and travel routes linked the Balkans with the Byzantine Empirewith the Byzantine Empire

Northern regions forged close ties with Northern regions forged close ties with Western Europe Western Europe

Diverse Mix of PeopleDiverse Mix of People

Geography of Eastern Europe made it a Geography of Eastern Europe made it a cultural crossroadscultural crossroads

The Balkans The Balkans Slavs spread from central heartland in Russia Slavs spread from central heartland in Russia

Jewish Settlements Jewish Settlements Eastern Europe was a refuge for Jewish Eastern Europe was a refuge for Jewish

settlers settlers Western European Christians attacked Jews Western European Christians attacked Jews Poland: Policy of toleration toward Jews Poland: Policy of toleration toward Jews

Early Kingdoms Early Kingdoms

PolandPoland Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Had to battle Germany, Russia and Mongols to Had to battle Germany, Russia and Mongols to

survive survive Gradually increased the power of its nobles Gradually increased the power of its nobles Without a strong central government, declined Without a strong central government, declined

Hungary Hungary Also Roman CatholicAlso Roman Catholic Hungarian king abused his power, forced to sign Hungarian king abused his power, forced to sign

document similar to Magna Cartadocument similar to Magna Carta Mongols overran Hungary- killing about ½ population Mongols overran Hungary- killing about ½ population