1283-1547
The Moscow Princes were the smartest in dealing with Mongol conquerors. Their Duchy of Moscow gradually annexed all neighboring principalities and became the heart of Russia.
“In Moscow Kremlin” by Apollinary Vasnetsov (1856-1933)
Background
By the 1200s the biggest cities of Rus were Vladimir, Tver, Ryazan and Rostov. Moscow was of no significance until the 14th century. It had been established by Yuri Dolgorukiy in 1147 in the middle of thick woods.
Rise of Moscow
Moscow princes had learned to please the Mongol khans and had earned special privileges at the expense of other principalities.
Ivan Kalita was good at collecting all the tax money from fellow princes and giving it to the Mongols. They recognized him as the Grand Prince of Moscow – superior to all other princes.
Moscow’s importance grew even more when the Russian Metropolite (head of the church) moved his residence there. The Grand Duchy of Moscow gradually absorbed all the neighboring lands and became the central power.
Victory over the Mongols
In 1380 Prince Dmitry Donskoy felt he was strong enough to oppose the Mongols on a battlefield. He beat the Mongol army in the 1380 Battle of Kulikovo.
The ending of Mongol rule was a long process. It took another 100 years for Russia to get rid of the Mongol yoke for good.
Grand Duchy of Moscow
1283-1547
The Moscow Princes were the smartest in dealing with Mongol conquerors. Their Duchy of Moscow gradually annexed all neighboring principalities and became the heart of Russia.
“In Moscow Kremlin” by Apollinary Vasnetsov (1856-1933)
Background
By the 1200s the biggest cities of Rus were Vladimir, Tver, Ryazan and Rostov. Moscow was of no significance until the 14th century. It had been established by Yuri Dolgorukiy in 1147 in the middle of thick woods.
Rise of Moscow
Moscow princes had learned to please the Mongol khans and had earned special privileges at the expense of other principalities.
Ivan Kalita was good at collecting all the tax money from fellow princes and giving it to the Mongols. They recognized him as the Grand Prince of Moscow – superior to all other princes.
Moscow’s importance grew even more when the Russian Metropolite (head of the church) moved his residence there. The Grand Duchy of Moscow gradually absorbed all the neighboring lands and became the central power.
Victory over the Mongols
In 1380 Prince Dmitry Donskoy felt he was strong enough to oppose the Mongols on a battlefield. He beat the Mongol army in the 1380 Battle of Kulikovo.
The ending of Mongol rule was a long process. It took another 100 years for Russia to get rid of the Mongol yoke for good.
Ivan Kalita