Kievan Rus and the Horde: Problems of Interaction and Relationships

Almost 250 years of life under the Mongol-Tatar yoke had a huge influence on the development of Russia. In the thirteenth century, the state consisted of only two principalities: Novgorod and Kiev. How did it happen that the Golden Horde and Russia were so heavily dependent on each other for so long?

Foreign Policy of Ancient Russia

Before the invasion of the Mongol Rus lived its own life and developed according to the Western pattern. It can not be said that it did not pursue any foreign policy: all sorts of ties were established with the countries that were from the north, west and south of the principalities. Settled cultural, trade, military relations with neighboring peoples. This policy was carried out from the ninth to the twelfth century. The Khazar Kaganate, which was located at the eastern borders of the lands, the Russian princes did not recognize. They defeated the capital of the Kaganate city of Itil in 965 and did not enter into any diplomatic relations with him, which was their biggest mistake. Kievan Rus and the Golden Horde stood on the threshold of events that would be called the "Tatar-Mongolian yoke."

All eyes of Kievan Rus were turned to the West, whose ancient civilization, culture, Christian ideology influenced many developing countries. The Balkans, the Roman Empire, Germany, France are the countries with which relations were strengthened. When did Russia and the Horde collide? The problems of mutual influence of these countries subsequently lasted for such a long time.

The situation in the Middle East

At the time when Russia was engaged in building relations with Europe and its own development, the Asian peoples conquered the Arab countries and the Middle East. They tried to spread their Islamic faith among these peoples. In the 20 th and 30 th years of the thirteenth century, the influence of the peoples of Asia began to spread to the countries of Southern Europe and even to Hungary. But the most affected East-European part and especially the territory of Russia.

The Tatar-Mongols conquered its disparate states and thereby hampered their development. Russia and the Golden Horde, the history of their relations, which lasted more than two centuries, had an impact on the geopolitical situation. The interests of the princes moved from the West to the East: to the Asian countries. The status of Russia has changed: the country has ceased to be independent. Now it was a vassal state with the psychology of Asians.

Russian-Horde Relations

This mutual dependence lasted almost 250 years. For such a historical period of time, much that has happened to both Rus and the Ordin state can change. This is a natural process of mutual influence between two closely interconnected states. The Golden Horde and Russia for the entire historical period of involuntary connection underwent evolutionary changes that reflected on the political and moral state of the two countries. The Mongol-Tatar yoke, which lasted from 1243 to 1480, began as far back as 1237. Then, when he made his raids Batu. Russia and the Horde, the problems of mutual influence that are felt until now, during this period only began their long historical relations and development.

During the campaigns of Batu, the north-eastern part of Russia suffered devastation, ruin and loss of population. Some of them were killed, some were taken prisoner. Shattered military forces were required to be restored, but this took a long time. Thanks to the efforts of Alexander Nevsky, the fortieth years of the thirteenth century were calm with respect to raids: diplomacy played a role, and the moment of the formation of the Horde itself played a role. The Khans were busy building up its internal structure.

Baskachestvo and requisitions in Russia

The task of the Mongol khans was to seize new lands and tax their tribute. They did not change anything in these territories and did not try to attach them to themselves. But the tribute that they imposed on the peoples was predatory. The relationship between Russia and the Horde became strained: internecine problems in the principalities affected. In the mid-fifties there were military conflicts with the Mongols. The yoke of the Golden Horde grew stronger every year, and the population was not able to pay tribute, and therefore opposed the extortion.

The people were rewritten for two years - from 1257 to 1259, and imposed a double tribute to the khans: the Ordyn and Mongolian. And gradually was introduced and baskachestvo. The sent governors who followed the collection of tribute were called Baskaks. With the help of their population kept in obedience. In addition, the duties of the people included military service, which should be followed. Baskaks were provided with detachments of soldiers and administrative powers, through which they monitored the order in the territories entrusted to them.

Princes in the service of the Horde

The tax collectors collected tribute from the population and played the role of usurers: the system of redemption had difficult conditions for payments. So people fell into lifelong bondage. Severe demands led to discontent among the population, the attitude of Russia became more acute, and the representatives of the Horde felt it. The wave of uprisings that swept through many principalities became an indicator. The central place where the people rose against the tax-farmers was Rostov. After him rose Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Suzdal. In many cities there were revolts in 1289. In Tver - in 1293 and 1327 years. After Cholkhan, a relative of Uzbek Khan, was killed and the tax-farmers were repeatedly beaten, the authorities of the Golden Horde decided to transfer the collection of tribute to Russian princes. They had to engage in the bailings themselves, and the Horde to pay out.

"Exits" and "requests"

There was one more kind of extortion - this is a "request". Additional funds that were collected from the population when the khans were preparing new military campaigns. Russia and the Horde, the problems of mutual influence on each other, made the life of the people unbearable. The rulers of the Horde benefited from the fact that in Russia there was a disintegration between the feudal principalities. They deliberately confronted the princes with each other, sowing strife between them.

There was also a system of shortcuts in this period: they were certificates that were given to those who could possess the Grand Duke's throne. Supporting one prince, the khans of the Golden Horde set up another against him. Those who were dissatisfied with the rule of the Horde, were summoned to the khan and there they already punished him. Such a fate befell Mikhail Yaroslavich Tverskoi and his son Feodor. Many princes and boyars fell into hostages to the Mongols.

Ordin officials were always at princes and closely watched their moods: they held their hand on the pulse. In such an environment, the relations between Russia and the Horde developed.

The Golden Horde from the inside

When Genghis Khan pursued his policy on the conquered lands, he recommended being very tolerant of religion. This principle governor bequeathed to his followers. Because khans tried to maintain friendly relations with the church: they released them from tribute, they gave labels - letters. By their influence on the church the Horde khans hoped to subdue the resisting Russian people. Such a relationship between Russia and the Golden Horde lasted for many years. But not everything was in order and within the Mongolian state: it was also torn by feudal contradictions, and it weakened.

And in Russia at this time, in the XIV century, popular movements tried to undermine the Mongol-Tatar yoke. In order not to lose influence over the people, the church and the ruling circles changed their position. Now they are fighting for the liberation of Rus from the Mongol.

Beginning of the End

The first to support the idea of liberation was Sergius of Radonezh and Metropolitan Alexei. Kulikovo battle, which occurred in 1380, brought defeat to the troops of Mamai and greatly weakened the Horde. In 1408 - Yedigei, in 1439 - Khan Ulu-Muhammad made unsuccessful trips to Russia: their attacks were repulsed. But 15 years later a tribute was paid to the Mongol-Tatar government. Against this background, Russia and the Horde (the problems of their relationship reached their peak) changed roles: Russia united and strengthened, and the Horde weakened.

The Mongol rulers also had problems with the Crimean Khanate: the situation for them was difficult. It was this moment in history that Ivan III used: in 1476 he refused to pay tribute to the Horde. But the final liberation of Rus was only in 1480, when Khan Ahmed undertook another military campaign. This company was a failure and brought another defeat to the Mongols. So, the relationship between Rus and the Golden Horde gradually changed: there was liberation from the yoke.

Problems of Interaction

It is difficult to underestimate the changes that are taking place with the people and society during such long historical events. Sadly, it took almost three hundred years for the princes and the ruling elite to understand that there is strength in unity. After experiencing the Mongol-Tatar yoke, the peoples of Rus united in a centralized state. This was a plus in that period. But it can not be denied that the consequences were difficult for the development of both countries, which were Rus and the Horde. The problems of mutual influence became the reason for the further lagging behind the Russian state from the general European development: the country had to recover from the heavy consequences of the yoke for a long time. Destroyed cities, ruined principalities demanded a long recovery. But Orthodoxy remained, which became a link in the life of the people and the state.