The Rise of RussiaThe Rise of RussiaAgendaAgenda

►Russian Government, Russian Government, Religion and EconomyReligion and Economy

GeographyGeography

• A Plain from Carpathian A Plain from Carpathian Mountains in the West to the Mountains in the West to the Ural Mountains in the East.Ural Mountains in the East.•To the South, the plain is To the South, the plain is grassy/treeless - steppegrassy/treeless - steppe• Fertile land good for Fertile land good for agriculture.agriculture.• Many rivers that encourage Many rivers that encourage development of trade development of trade (Dniester, Dnieper, Don).(Dniester, Dnieper, Don).•Transportation on the Vistula, Transportation on the Vistula, Neman and Dvina Rivers.Neman and Dvina Rivers.

PeoplePeople

•The Geography made the area The Geography made the area open to invasion (Avars, Huns, open to invasion (Avars, Huns, Magyars, Vikings)Magyars, Vikings)• Invaders made subjects of the Invaders made subjects of the original settlers (Slavs) – origin original settlers (Slavs) – origin of the word “slave”.of the word “slave”.•Vikings were the last invaders Vikings were the last invaders – interested in the area for – interested in the area for trade purposes.trade purposes.

Kiev RussiaKiev Russia► Kiev and Novgorod – major cities.Kiev and Novgorod – major cities.►North of the Black Sea there was a Slavic North of the Black Sea there was a Slavic

culture known as “Rus” with capital at Kiev.culture known as “Rus” with capital at Kiev.► The Leader of the The Leader of the Rus Rus was Rurik.was Rurik.► The whole region became known as the Rus – The whole region became known as the Rus –

named after the people who lived there.named after the people who lived there.► Rich in grain and natural resources (iron, furs, Rich in grain and natural resources (iron, furs,

timber) were important trade partner for timber) were important trade partner for Byzantines.Byzantines.

► Kiev is the capital of the region for 300 years.Kiev is the capital of the region for 300 years.

GovernmentGovernment

• Small communities were ruled by princes Small communities were ruled by princes along with councils of nobles called along with councils of nobles called boyars.boyars.

• At the request of a prince, heads of At the request of a prince, heads of households would meet in town meetings households would meet in town meetings (veche) to discuss important matters.(veche) to discuss important matters.

• Yaroslav the Wise (1019 to 1054 CE) Yaroslav the Wise (1019 to 1054 CE) developed the Pravda Russkia (Russian developed the Pravda Russkia (Russian Justice – a code of law.Justice – a code of law.

BRAIN BREAK!BRAIN BREAK!► Stand up.Stand up.► Write the name of an animal in the air Write the name of an animal in the air

with your right elbow.with your right elbow.► Write your best friend’s name in the Write your best friend’s name in the

air with your left elbow.air with your left elbow.► Write what you had for breakfast with Write what you had for breakfast with

your right hip.your right hip.► Write your favorite dessert with your Write your favorite dessert with your

left hip.left hip.

ReligionReligion• Missionaries Cyril and Methodius come Missionaries Cyril and Methodius come from Greece to convert to Christianity in from Greece to convert to Christianity in 800s. (created “Cyrillic” alphabet while 800s. (created “Cyrillic” alphabet while there)there)

• Vladimir I – ordered all Kievans to convert Vladimir I – ordered all Kievans to convert to Christianity to Christianity • Liked what he saw in the rituals of the Liked what he saw in the rituals of the Orthodox ChurchOrthodox Church• Wanted to marry the sister of the Wanted to marry the sister of the Byzantine Emperor (Anna)Byzantine Emperor (Anna)

• Religion is very important in the life of the Religion is very important in the life of the Russian people – literature, music, art Russian people – literature, music, art (Icons, mosaics, frescoes) focus on (Icons, mosaics, frescoes) focus on religious themes.religious themes.

EconomyEconomy

► Trade included agricultural goods, Trade included agricultural goods, wood, iron, salt, furs, honey and slaves.wood, iron, salt, furs, honey and slaves.

►Received wine, silk, spices fruit, Received wine, silk, spices fruit, jewelry, silver and textiles.jewelry, silver and textiles.

► Social classes emerged:Social classes emerged: Princes and boyarsPrinces and boyars Merchants and artisansMerchants and artisans PeasantsPeasants ClergyClergy

Why is this important?Why is this important?

►Preserve and continue the cultures of Preserve and continue the cultures of Greece and Rome. That way, when Greece and Rome. That way, when Europe is ready, they can rediscover Europe is ready, they can rediscover their lost heritage.their lost heritage.

►Provide a bridge between Europe and Provide a bridge between Europe and Asia- open to and interested in many Asia- open to and interested in many things- pass them on to others.things- pass them on to others.