History of Russia of the 14th century

The 14th century is the time of significant transformations in the life of Russian principalities. In this historical period, the power of the Golden Horde over the northeastern territories of the Russian lands is finally established. Gradually among small individual principalities the struggle for primacy and creation around its own patrimony of a new centralized state flares up. Only by joint efforts the Russian lands could throw off the yoke of nomads and take their place among European powers. Among the old cities, destroyed by the Tatar raids, there were no authorities, no political elites, no influence, so neither Kiev nor Vladimir and Suzdal could claim the place of the future center of reign. Russia in the 14th century introduced new favorites in this race. This is the Novgorod Republic, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Moscow Principality.

The Novgorod land. a brief description of

In the olden days the Mongol cavalry never reached Novgorod. This city blossomed and retained its influence due to its favorable location between the Baltic States, the eastern Russian lands and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The sharp cooling of the 13-14 centuries (the Small Ice Age) significantly reduced the yields in the Novgorod lands, but Novgorod stood up and became even richer by increasing the demand for rye and wheat in the Baltic markets.

The political structure of Novgorod

The political structure of the city is close to the Slavic traditions of the veche. This form of management of internal affairs existed in other Russian lands, but after the enslavement of Rus quickly came to naught. Officially, power in the principality was administered by the veche - the standard form of Old Russian self-government. But in fact the history of Russia in the 14th century in Novgorod was carried out by the hands of wealthy townspeople. The resale of cereals and active trade in all directions created a wide stratum of wealthy people in Novgorod - the "golden belts", which in fact made politics in the principality.

Up until the final accession to the Moscow Principality, the Novgorod lands were the most extensive among all that united Russia in the 14th century.

Why Novgorod did not become a center

The Novgorod territories were not densely populated, even during the heyday of the principality the population of Novgorod did not exceed 30 thousand people - such a number could neither conquer neighboring lands nor retain their power in them. Although the history of the 14th century calls Novgorod one of the largest Christian centers, the church in the principality did not have much power. Another serious problem was the low fertility of the Novgorod lands and strong dependence on more southern territories. Gradually, Novgorod became increasingly dependent on Moscow and eventually became one of the cities of the Moscow principality.

Second applicant. Grand Duchy of Lithuania

The history of Russia in the 14th century would not have been complete without a description of the influence that the Lithuanian Principality (GKL) had on the western lands . Formed on the shards of the possessions of the great Kiev, it gathered under its flags the Lithuanians, the Balts and the Slavs. Against the backdrop of the constant attacks of the Horde, Western Rusichs saw in Lithuania their natural defender against the warriors of the Golden Horde.

Power and religion in the ON

The supreme power in the state belonged to the prince - he was also called the gentleman. He obeyed the smaller vassals - the Pani. Soon, an independent legislative body will appear in the GDL - Rada, which is a council of influential pans and strengthens their positions in many areas of domestic politics. The big problem was the lack of a clear ladder of succession to the throne - the death of the previous prince provoked a quarrel between potential heirs, and often the throne went to not the most legitimate, but the most unprincipled of them.

Religion in Lithuania

As for religion, the 14th century did not define a certain vector of religious views and sympathies in the Lithuanian princedom. For a long time Lithuanians successfully maneuvered between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, remaining in their souls as pagans. The prince could be baptized in the Catholic faith, and the bishop at the same time profess Orthodoxy. The broad masses of the peasantry and the townspeople mostly adhered to Orthodox principles, the 14th century dictated the choice of faith as a list of likely allies and opponents. Behind Catholicism stood a powerful Europe, Orthodoxy remained behind the eastern lands, which they regularly paid to give the Gentiles.

Why not Lithuania

Western Russia in the 14-15 centuries skillfully maneuvered between the Golden Horde and the European invaders. This situation suited by and large all the participants in the politics of those years. But after the death of Olgerd, power in the principality passed into the hands of Jagiello. According to the terms of the Creva Unia, he married the heiress of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and in fact became the ruler of both vast lands. Gradually, Catholicism penetrated into all spheres of the country's life. The strong influence of the hostile religion made it impossible to unite the northeastern lands around Lithuania, so Vilnius never became Moscow.

Muscovy

One of the many small fortresses, built Dolgoruky around the native Vladimir principality, was characterized by a favorable location at the crossroads of trade routes. Little Moscow accepted merchants from the east and west, had exits to the Volga and the northern shores. The 14th century brought to Moscow many battles and destruction, but after each invasion the city was rebuilt. Gradually, Moscow acquired its own ruler - the prince - and successfully pursued a policy of encouraging settlers who, for various indulgences, were firmly established in new limits. The constant expansion of the territory contributed to strengthening the forces and positions of the principality. In the state of rule absolute monarchy, and the order of succession to the throne was observed. The power of the eldest son was not contested, and in his jurisdiction were the great and best lands of the principality. The authority of Moscow increased markedly after the victory of the principality over Mamai in 1380 - one of the most significant victories that Russia gained in the 14th century. History helped Moscow to rise above its eternal rival, Tver. After another Mongolian invasion, the city was never able to recover from the devastation and became a vassal of Moscow.

Strengthening statehood

The history of Russia in the 14th century gradually puts Moscow at the head of a single state. Still oppressive to the Horde, still strong claims to the north-eastern lands of northern and western neighbors. But the first stone Orthodox churches in Moscow were already on the rise, the role of the church, which was strongly interested in creating a unified state, strengthened. In addition, the 14th century was a milestone for two great victories. The battle on the Kulikovo field showed that the Golden Horde can be driven out of the Russian lands. A prolonged war with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ended in the defeat of the Lithuanians, and Vilnius forever abandoned attempts to colonize the northwest. So Moscow took the first steps towards the formation of its statehood.