Russia
Overview
Statewide Dual Credit Modern World History: Unit 4, Lesson 1
Discussion of the Russian Empire, beginning from its rise from the medieval state Kievan Rus, expansion of its territory and centralization of its power under Ivan III and Ivan IV, and then, after a period of chaos, continued its expansion under the Romanov dynasty, solidifying its power through laws and religious conformity.
The Russian Empire’s origins lay in the medieval Slavic state of Kievan Rus. Kievan Rus occupied most of present-day Belarus, Ukraine and northwest Russia. In the 13th century, the state, including the princes of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, remained under the command of Mongolian control. With the decline of the Mongol Empire, the princes of the Grand Duchy of Moscow successfully out-maneuvered other Kievan Rus princes, increasing their power and prestige.
Ivan III (r. 1462-1505) expanded his control and, by 1480, was strong enough to declare the autonomy of Moscow from the Golden Horde. Known by his followers as Ivan the Great, he and his successors incorporated political, military and technological ideas from Asia and Europe. The Muscovites relied on the Boyars (high-ranking nobles) and the church for support. After the fall of Byzantium, Russians increasingly viewed themselves as the protectors of Orthodox Christians both within and outside their borders.
Centralization accelerated under the erratic and iron-fisted rule of Ivan IV (r. 1533-1584), known to history as Ivan the Terrible. The term ‘terrible’ is better translated today to mean formidable. Unsatisfied with his status, in 1547 Ivan had himself crowned Czar of Russia. Ivan dedicated much of his reign to increasing both his power and that of the Russian state.
Ivan had a tumultuous personal life. He had at least six wives (and as many as eight), and he likely killed his son and heir in 1581 in a fit of anger. Ivan believed in his right to rule without challenge or consent and expected his people, including serfs (peasants tied to the land), to obey his every wish. He successfully allied with the Cossacks (semi-nomadic and militarized peoples who occupied the borderlands in western Russia) and expanded Russia into Kazan, Astrakhan and the Ural Mountains. Under Ivan, Russia also made its first forays into Siberia. To reduce the power of the Boyars, Ivan established a new service-styled nobility, one which derived its position and power from supporting rather than challenging the crown. By his death in 1584, Ivan further strengthened Russia and the power of the Tsar.
Ivan’s death in 1584 ushered in a period of chaos known as the Time of Trouble as his relatives struggled over the imperial throne. Centralized power waned until Ivan’s nephew, the new Czar Michael (r. 1613-1645), re- established centralized control, establishing the Romanov dynasty that would rule Russia until 1917.
Resuming its expansionary push, Russia conquered parts of Ukraine in 1667 and seized control of Siberia by the end of the century. The borders of the Russian Empire now extended to the Pacific. The conquest of Siberia would be consequential for Russian development as its natural resources, especially its furs, brought increased wealth to the Russian state. In 1649, a new code of laws stipulated that anyone who did not own land would be considered a serf, which made it clear that landowners had the right to rule, direct and control the Russian state and people. The new laws also ended the period of religious tolerance and ordered all non-Russians to adopt the Eastern Orthodox faith.