The Mongol conquest of Russia occurred around 1240 while Russia was experiencing political instability due to an unorganized and weak political system. Up to the 11th century, Russia's power base was centralized in the city of Kiev; however, a shift in migration and feuding Russian princes weakened the government and left an unstable Russia suspectable of a political takeover. By 1237, the Mongol military organization invaded Russia, and major cities in the southern regions, including Kiev, were burned to the ground. The Mongol's primary objective was to establish monetary tributes to the Golden Horde, the western portion of the Mongol Empire.
Led by Batu Khan, the Mongols seized control of Russia after five years of military attacks. They began setting up a stronghold in the northeastern area, which included the city of Moscow. Not only did the invading forces devastate Russian cities, but they also murdered or enslaved civilians to demonstrate their power.
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Because they sought wealth more than political or social reform, the Mongols allowed the current Russian princes to continue to rule their respective territories, but only after swearing allegiance to the Mongol Empire. The Orthodox Church, the dominant religious organization, was offered ultimate protection after its leaders swore allegiance to its invaders and promised to preach the importance of their alliance to their congregations.
Socially, the Mongols did not seek to repress the Rus, a term used to refer to the peoples and culture of the territory at the time. Those who survived the invasive attacks were allowed to live normally, assuming they paid their taxes and tributaries. Because of the inherent lack of cultural and religious suppression, art and architecture flourished during Mongol rule, as did the Orthodox Church.
Despite the Mongol's non-stifling approach to their Russian rule, opposing Russian factions operated in the background. Small battles for freedom were frequent, slowly weakening the Mongolian stronghold over nearly two hundred and fifty years. By 1480, a final war forced the Mongols to retreat from Russia.
Mongols' Political Impact on Russia
Though the Mongols were not seeking to reform the Rus cultural institutions, the Empire did need to establish a strong central power to ensure their control. By decimating Russia's southern cities, particularly Kiev, the Mongols effectively fractured the already weakened political system. The heavy taxes imposed caused many peasants to flee to remote areas to avoid collection or to seek physical and financial protection from the local princes in exchange for their labor. The heavy financial burden imposed by the Golden Horde arguably set the stage for serfdom in Russia.
Prior to the Mongol invasion, Russia's political system functioned locally, with each major city or area having a prince that shared power with the region's veche, a semi-democratic group of city officials that maintained some political power. The veche's level of power varied greatly from city to city. Generally, the responsibility of the veche was to prevent ultimate political or military control of a prince; in some cases, a veche assembly could even dismiss a prince from power.
This governing system was in place from the 10th to the 15th century, though the Mongol invasion significantly weakened it. The Mongols viewed the veche as a potential threat and sought to eliminate the already weak system. Many local Russian princes supported this effort since they also wanted more control. By the middle of the 14th century, the veche was nearly obsolete, having been stifled by the invaders. It met its ultimate end in 1478 when it was abolished altogether by Ivan III, and Russian power was centralized in Moscow.
Mongol Impact on Russian Religion
The Mongols aimed to weaken the political structure of the Rus people even further. Interestingly, they did not target the power of the Orthodox Church. Not only did the Mongol forces allow religion to continue to organize, but they also actively protected the Orthodox Church, allowing it to thrive. The Church and its clergy members were exempt from taxation, either Russian or Mongol imposed, and Church property, including land, was protected.
Now free from reliance on royal funding, the Church acquired more land and gained more power and cultural significance than ever before. The financial stability of the Church allowed for the development of several new monasteries in Russia's newly growing northeastern regions, and with that came many new followers.
At the time of the Mongol invasion, the Orthodox Church was centered in Kiev; after the city's destruction, the papacy was forced to relocate. It first relocated to Vladimir in 1299 before ultimately moving to Moscow in 1322, a move that significantly contributed to the influence and importance of the city.
How Did the Mongols Influence Russian Art and Language?
Previous to the Mongol rule, much of Russian art was influenced by Byzantium. However, under the Mongol's Russia, Russians found themselves without a state, and with that came a lack of identity. Artists began seeking inspiration to express themselves in related ways.
The Orthodox Church became a major influence in art. The growing wealth of the Church allowed them plenty of money to commission beautifully designed and decorative cathedrals. Artists at the time used Christianity instead of nationalistic identity to define their paintings, an identity that was relatable to others in their community.
The language of the Mongols, which finds its roots in Arabic and Persian, influenced Russia. Many Mongol words and phrases found their way into local Russian dialects and remained a part of the language long after the Mongols were gone, some of which survive today. Though linguistically, the Mongols affected local dialects more directly than the formula language as a whole, the Mongol yam system, which was a system of safe travel and communication established between regions, broadened exposure to the language and had a lasting influence on Russian communication systems.
Economic Changes Brought by the Mongols in Russia
The yam system had an impact on the economy as well. It improved the speed of communication by acting as a postal system, and it provided safer travel on trade routes within the Russian territory. Mongols had developed this system before their rule of Russia to establish tight control across its vast empire. The creation of the system throughout the 13th and 14th centuries further connected these areas in modern-day Asia and Eastern Europe.
After the Mongol expulsion of Russia and the dissolution of its empire, the yam system continued to function until the early 18th century. It not only served as a way for the new Russian governments to centralize their power while still maintaining control over a vast area but also fueled trade routes between Russia and Europe.
Additionally, the Mongols had a lasting impact on Russia's tax system. During their reign, they established an organized census system. This census allowed them to account for all taxes owed and served for conscription. Russian leaders continued to use this system for tax collection, which had a direct impact as post-Mongol Russian leaders attempted to secure a centralized and powerful political system.
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