Bell WorkTuesday 10/22

Look in your book beginning on page 307

to find the answers• 1.) How did Yaroslav's decision to divide his empire

among his sons lead to Kiev’s decline?

• 2.) What main demand did the Mongols place upon their Russian subjects?

• 3.) How did Ivan III lead the Russian’s to independence from the Mongols?

Section 2-The Russian Empire

Russia’s Birth

• Vikings-Bands of adventures sometime in the 800’s that traveled by water to trade or conquer new lands – The name “Russia”

comes from this group the Rus

Russia’s Birth

• Early Russian Cities – Novgorod-Russia’s first

important city founded in 862

– Kiev-Located on the Dnieper river and founded in 880. Traveling Vikings could trade for products from distant lands.

Russia’s Birth

• 957-Princess Olga converts to Christianity and brought it’s message to Kiev.

• 989-Vladimir Converts to Christianity – After exploring the three

major religions – Kiev’s citizens baptized in

the Dnieper River

Kiev’s Power and Decline

• 1019-Yaroslav the Wise takes power– Used political marriages to

strengthen his relationship with Western European kings

– Built Kiev’s 1st library – Set up a legal code– Built 400 Christian churches

Kiev’s Power and Decline

• 1054-Yaroslav dies – Kingdom is

divided between his four sons

• Less land = less power

The Mongol Invasion

• Mongols-Group of ferocious horsemen from Asia who tore through Russia during the 1200’s

• Genghis Khan-Leader of the Mongols

• 1240-Mongols demolished Kiev – Began the Mongols 200 year

control of Southern Russia

The Mongol Invasion

• Mongol Rule-– People could keep their

customs as long as they didn’t rebel

– The church acted as mediators between the Russian’s and the Mongols

Russia Breaks Free

• Ivan III-– Ruled Russia for 43 years – Challenged Mongol

control over Russia – Took the name “czar”

(Russian term for Caesar) • Wanted to make Russia the

3rd Rome