What are the reasons for strengthening the Moscow Principality? The history and process of elevation of the Moscow Principality

Until 1263 on the map of feudal and fragmented Russia, there was no Moscow principality. This small destiny left, dying, in the inheritance of his two-year-old son Daniil, the great Alexander Nevsky. The reasons for the strengthening of the Moscow Principality, which was initially small, insignificant, we will highlight in the article.

Start

In this remote Middle Ages, when the earth suffered under the horde of the Horde, the center of political life is Vladimir-Suzdal and Novgorod Russia. In the middle, in a convenient place lies the Moscow principality, which began to manage the 14-year-old prince. The young man looks with caution at the strife of neighbors and does not interfere with them. He pays tribute and lives peacefully and peacefully. Therefore, the Moscow principality gradually pulled out settlers from more dangerous places. People and peace are the first reasons for strengthening the Moscow principality. Economic life began to develop quite intensively in it. The prince decided only at the end of his life to join two new cities to his lands. Kolomna was required, because it stood in an important place, where the Moscow River ran into the Oka. A Pereyaslavl-Zalessky opened the way to the so many degrees of Vladimir.

XIV century

It was a time of struggle for the formation and strengthening of the Moscow lands. Prince Yuri Danilovich, having subordinated Mozhaisk, gained control over the entire course of the Moskva River. This was a very important event for the residents: a new trade route opened. But at the same time, a struggle begins with the Tver princes for the great reign of Vladimir. At this time, the Vladimir lands joined. Their area was great, and the entire population paid taxes. Therefore, the struggle for reign in Vladimir was very serious: Prince Yuri was killed by Tver prince Dmitry.

The transformation of the principality into the center of political life

The case of his brother was continued by Prince Ivan Danilovich, who is better known as Ivan Kalita. He was a visionary and wise ruler who joined Great Novgorod, Kostroma, Rostov, and Torzhok to his lands. Prince Ivan transferred the department of the Metropolitan, head of the Russian church, from Vladimir to Moscow, having built magnificent Archangel and Assumption cathedrals in the Kremlin. Power secular and spiritual concentrated in one place - this is the reason for strengthening the Moscow principality in the middle of the XIV century.

Diplomacy of Russian princes

The actions of the prince were continued by his sons. Skillfully leading diplomatic relations with the Horde, they provided a peaceful life for the entire population, which was not raided. What reasons for strengthening the Moscow Principality led him to expansion and wealth? The wise policy of his princes: it concentrated the political, cultural and religious life of the Northeast.

Controversy of historians

Historians commonly call 4 reasons for strengthening the Moscow Principality. They can be summarized in this way:

1. The Principality stood in the heart of the Russian lands. This successful geographical position allowed less exposure to the attacks of neighbors: belligerent Germans, Lithuanians, Swedes and Tatars. Thus, his very position provided security for the residents and attracted more and more refugees, who increased military and economic power.
2. The Principality has become a crossroads of trade routes. It was a road from the south-west, from Kiev and Chernigov, to Rostov and Yaroslavl. The waterway along the Moscow River allowed to get to the Oka, and along it to the Volga and get to Nizhny Novgorod. Merchants who traveled these ways paid taxes, enriching the Moscow Principality.
3. Diplomatic moves led to the unification of church and secular power. Thanks to this, the authority and social weight of the principality increased.
4. And the last. Peaceful, cautious and persevering princes. They did not lead quarrels among themselves, and also avoided direct encounters with Lithuania and the Horde, ensuring a peaceful life and achieving step by step the set goals.

It is in this way that the reasons for strengthening the Moscow principality are seen in our time.