Russia: The Foundation of an Absolutist State

Early History

1. Princes of Kiev
   1. In the mid-ninth Century, for almost 500 years Kiev dominated Russia.
   2. Built a wealthy commerical society with connections with the Vikings and the Greeks of Constantinople.
2. Mongols Conquered Kiev
• In the late 1230, Mongols defeat Kiev and extract tribute from then for 250years.
3. Princes of Moscow
   • Ivan the III stops paying tribute to the Mongols.

Ivan the Great (Ivan the III) lived from 1462-1505

1. Declared Russia's Independence.
2. Expanded Empire - Policy = "The Gathering of the Russia People"
   • Absorbed the important and wealthy city of Novgord.
3. Expaned empire with the help of Cossacks
   • Cossacks are peasants who were given thier freedom in return for settling in newly conquered lands.
4. Created a Strong Central State
   1. Took the title Tzar
   2. Built the Kremlin
   3. Head of not only the state but the Russian Orthodox Church
      • Modeled After the Byzantine Emperor.
   4. Moscow as the "Third Rome"