The document discusses the emergence of Russian culture from the blending of Slavic and Byzantine traditions and the adoption of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It then covers the rise of Kievan Rus as a powerful state centered around Kiev before its decline due to internal divisions and external invasions including by the Mongols, who ruled much of Russia for 200 years. Finally, it summarizes how Moscow grew in power under Mongol rule and how Ivan III challenged Mongol domination, leading to Russia gaining independence from the Mongol-led Golden Horde.

1. 11.2 The Russian
Empire
Russia grows out of a blending of
Slavic and Byzantine cultures and
adopts Eastern Orthodox
traditions.

2. Russia’s Birth
 Emergence of Russian Culture
• Byzantium trades with Slavs—groups
living north of the Black Sea.
• Eventually Slavic and Greek traditions
produce Russian culture.
 Geography of Russia
• Russian territory: west of Ural
Mountains, and Black Sea to Baltic Sea
• Forests in north, hilly grasslands in
south, three great rivers

3. Guests from Overseas, Nicholas
Guests from Overseas, Nicholas
Roerich (1899).
Roerich (1899).

4. Russia’s Birth
 Slavs and Vikings
• In the 800s, Vikings settle among Slavs,
and move to Kiev
• Vikings and Slavs mix cultures and
become one.

5. The Invitation of the Varangians by
Viktor Vasnetsov:

6. The people of Kievan Rus and linked to the
Byzantines by way of the Dnieper River and across
the Black Sea

7. Russia’s Birth
 Kiev Becomes Orthodox
• Princess Olga of Kiev visits
Constantinople and converts
to Christianity
• Her grandson, Vladimir,
becomes leader of Kiev
around 980
• In 989, Vladimir has all Kiev
citizens baptized in the
Dnieper River
• Beliefs and traditions of
Orthodox Christianity flourish
in Kiev

8. Why Orthodox Christianity?
 “The earliest Russian chronicle reports that
Vladimir and his advisers decided against
Islam as the official religion because of its
ban on alcohol…..”
 “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

9. Baptism of Saint Prince Vladimir,
by Viktor Vasnetsov
Icon of
Vladimir

10. Kiev’s Power and Decline
 Kievan Russia
• Vladimir expands
Russia into Poland,
and north to the
Baltic Sea.
• Vladimir’s son,
Yaroslav the Wise,
rules Kiev in 1019. The only contemporary
image of Yaroslav the
• Forges alliances, Wise. It is from his
creates legal code, seal.
and builds churches.

11. Monument to Yaroslav in Kiev

12. Kiev’s Power and Decline
 Kiev’s Decline
• Yaroslav divides realm between his
sons, which causes a civil war.
• Kiev’s commerce in further weakened by
the Crusades (War tends to slow foreign
trade, especially since they were trading
with Constantinople).
 The Crusades are a clash between Christians
and Muslims over the Holy Land.

13. The Mongol Invasions
 The Mongols
• Mongols, nomads
from central Asia,
begin conquests in
the early 1200s.
• Kiev falls in 1240 to
Genghis Khan’s
grandson, Batu
Khan.
• Mongols rule much
of Russia for the
next 200 years.

14. Russia Under Mongol Rule:
“The Golden Horde”

15. Flag of the Golden Horde

16. The Mongol Invasions
 Mongol Rule in Russia
• Mongols give Russians many
freedoms, but demand
obedience and tribute.
• Russian nobles such as
Alexander Nevsky support the
Mongols.
• Mongol rule isolates Russia from
the rest of Europe.
• Nevsky defended Russia from
invasion from Sweden and Icon of Alexander
Germany while collaborating Nevsky. He is
with the powerful Golden Horde. venerated as a
saint of the
Russian Orthodox
Church

17. Russia Breaks Free
 The Rise of Moscow
• Moscow is founded in
the 1100s, located near
Russia’s three main
rivers.
 Moscow’s Powerful
Princes Both the flag and
• Moscow's princes grow coat of arms of
strong under Mongol Moscow uses the
rule throughout the emblem of Saint
1300s. George and the
Dragon. This legend
seems to be
symbolical of Moscow
throwing off its
Mongol rulers.

18. Russia Breaks Free
 An Empire Emerges
• Late in the 1400s, Ivan
III becomes prince of
Moscow and challenges
Mongol rule.
• He takes the name
“czar,” Russian for
“Caesar,” and vows to
restore Russia.
• Russian and Mongol
armies face off at Ugra
River in 1480.
• Both armies retreat and
Russia gains freedom
from Mongol rule.