Ms. Susan M. PojerMs. Susan M. PojerHorace Greeley HS Chappaqua, Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua,

NYNY

Themes Themes in Russian Historyin Russian History

Expansion by conquest.Expansion by conquest.

Need for warm-water Need for warm-water ports.ports.

The necessity of a The necessity of a strong, central strong, central government.government.

Early RussiaEarly Russia

Early Byzantine Early Byzantine Influences:Influences:

Orthodox ChristianityOrthodox Christianity

Expansion of Byzantine northward was trough conversion of Kiev to Orthodox Christianity

Early Byzantine Early Byzantine Influences:Influences:

Orthodox ChristianityOrthodox ChristianityReligious artifacts included churches, icons, and liturgical music as expressed in Byzantine culture

Influenced by Byzantine Politics

• Russia adopted the concept of divinely inspired monarchy with close relations to state-controlled church

• Were unable to adopt the Byzantine trained bureaucracy however

Early Byzantine Early Byzantine Influences:Influences:

Cyrillic AlphabetCyrillic AlphabetByzantine missionaries, Cyril and Methodius sent to convert eastern Europe and the Balkans created the script

Russian Russian BoyarsBoyarsLand holding aristocrats who possessed less political power than their western European counterparts

Russian ExpansionRussian Expansion

Alexander Nevsky: 1220-Alexander Nevsky: 1220-12631263

Battle on the IceBattle on the Ice(Neva River) (Neva River) Against the Against the

SwedesSwedes

TeutonicTeutonicKnightKnight

The Mongols Invade The Mongols Invade RussiaRussiaTartars conquered Russian cities during

the 13th century and left Russian church and aristocracy intact, as long as tribute was paid

“Third Rome”

• Russians reemerged after Mongol control ended in the 15th century and claimed to be the successors of the Roman and Byzantine states

• Moscow was considered to be the “Third Rome”