Activities:

1) Unification of Russian lands under the rule of Moscow

During the reign of Ivan III, there was a significant territorial growth of the state, which received its modern name - Russia. In 1463, the territory of the Yaroslavl principality was annexed, in 1474 - Rostov, in 1472 - Dmitrov, in 1478 - Veliky Novgorod, in 1481 - Vologda, in 1485 - Tver, in 1491 - Uglich.

2) Codification of laws

In 1497, all the laws of the state were brought together, a single set of laws was created - the Sudebnik. The document for the first time sounded the provision on St. George's Day (November 26), which suggested the restriction of peasant freedom and the possibility of transferring one land owner to another a week before and a week after St. George's Day with the payment of an elderly (transition fee).

3) Strengthening the state, creating new authorities

The Palace was created (headed by the butler, initially in charge of the lands of the Grand Duke - the palace) and the Treasury (headed by the treasurer, controlled the collection of taxes and the collection of customs duties; the state seal and the state archive were kept in the Treasury; the Treasury also dealt with foreign policy issues).

4) The liberation of Russia from the Horde dependence

In 1472 (1473) Ivan III stopped paying tribute to the Great Horde. Khan Akhmat, in response to these actions, decided to punish the recalcitrant prince, to repeat the “batu invasion” of Russia. On October 8, 1480, the enemy troops met on the banks of the Ugra River (a tributary of the Oka River). The “standing on the Ugra” began, it lasted until November 11, 1480. The troops of Khan Akhmat turned back. Thus, this symbolized the rejection of military confrontation with Russia and the acquisition of the last complete independence.

5) Development of architecture

Already in 1462, construction began in the Kremlin: repairs were begun on the walls that needed to be repaired. In the future, large-scale construction in the Grand Duke's residence continued: in 1472, at the direction of Ivan III, on the site of a dilapidated cathedral built in 1326-1327 under Ivan Kalita , it was decided to build a new Assumption Cathedral . The construction was entrusted to Moscow craftsmen; however, when there was very little left before the completion of the work, the cathedral collapsed. In 1475 he was invited to Russia Aristotle Fioravanti who immediately got down to business. The remains of the walls were demolished, and a temple was built in their place, which invariably aroused the admiration of contemporaries. On August 12, 1479, the new cathedral was consecrated. From 1485, intensive construction began in the Kremlin, which did not stop throughout the life of the Grand Duke. Instead of the old wooden and white stone fortifications, brick ones were built; by 1515 Italian architectsPietro Antonio Solari, Marco Ruffo , as well as a number of others, turned the Kremlin into one of the strongest fortresses of that time. Construction continued inside the walls: in 1489, Pskov craftsmen built Annunciation Cathedral, in 1491 Faceted Chamber . In total, according to chronicles, about 25 churches were built in the capital in 1479-1505. Large-scale construction (primarily of a defensive orientation) was also carried out in other parts of the country: for example, in the years 1490-1500 it was rebuilt novgorod kremlin . Fortifications were also renovated. Pskov, Staraya Ladoga, Pit, Orekhovo, Nizhny Novgorod (since 1500); in 1485 and 1492, large-scale work was carried out to strengthen Vladimir.

Ivan III can rightfully be called one of the most far-sighted rulers in the history of the Rurik dynasty. In addition to foreign policy successes in the fight against the Mongol-Tatar yoke, the king was able to carry out many important internal reforms that improved the position of the state.

Despite his reputation as a brilliant ruler, almost a king who completely changed the face of a disparate country, Ivan III had many ill-wishers. However, with a firm hand, carrying out one reform after another, the tsar managed to unite the states around Moscow.

For 40 years in power, Ivan III carried out many reforms, and this article is devoted to understanding the results of his reign.

Foreign policy results of the reign of Ivan III

Having come to power, Ivan III realized that the hegemony of the Horde put great pressure on the state, preventing Russia from developing normally according to its own scenario. Even a hundred years before, the combined troops of the Russian princes tried to weaken the position of the Mongol-Tatar yoke, and after an impressive victory on the Kulikovo field, it seemed that the centuries of tribute had come to an end.

However, the actions of Tokhtamysh in 1382 again brought Russia to its knees for exactly a hundred years. For two decades, Ivan III carried out competent foreign policy maneuvers, which subsequently helped him to completely weaken the Mongol yoke.

After standing on the Ugra, the forces of the Mongols were defeated, and the centuries of hegemony came to an end.

However, Ancient Russia at that time was not perceived as a powerful player in the foreign policy arena. That is why, as soon as the Mongol forces began to weaken, the Lithuanian principality and the Livonian Order began to put pressure on the country. Having defeated the Livonian Order in 1501, Ivan III finally proved that the country had risen from its knees and was ready for further development. Perhaps, if the Rurik dynasty had not been interrupted, the country would not have been again among the lagging behind.

Summing up, the following key points of the foreign policy of Ivan III can be noted:

• The gradual defeat of the Mongol yoke led to complete liberation from the hegemony of the invaders, 200 years after the start of tribute payments.
• In 1501, Ivan III defeated the Livonian Order, forcing local rulers to pay tribute to Moscow.
• Successful wars with the Principality of Lithuania helped Ancient Russia gain a foothold in the international arena not as losers, but as a state with great military potential.

The results of the domestic policy of Ivan III

The foresight of Ivan III helped the tsar to understand that success in foreign policy directly depends on the final internal state actions.

Undoubtedly, the main achievement of the king in this field is the unification of disparate principalities into a single state. All former irreconcilable enemies gathered under the auspices of the Moscow principality, including the Pskov, Ryazan and Tver principalities.

Being part of one state, and possessing huge troops, all these principalities were invincible. One by one, the Mongol yoke could easily suppress the uprising in any principality by appointing a new governor.

The gradual unification around Moscow, led by a strong tsar, led to the fact that the country strengthened its positions and was able to give a long-awaited rebuff to the foreign invader.

However, Ivan III did not plan to stop his reform actions after the victory over the Mongol yoke. Already in 1497, the ruler prepared a new legislative act - Sudebnik. Compiled with a focus on the example of more developed countries, Sudevnik laid the foundations for the order and local system.

The new legislative act regulated relations between all the principalities, preventing new conflicts between irreconcilable enemies.

The reign of Ivan III also became a time of cultural upsurge. It was during this period that the construction of many cultural buildings began (including the famous Assumption Cathedral), and the charter spread. The king himself was interested in books and tried to equal the level of cultural development to more developed and successful neighbors.

Summing up the results of the internal political reforms of Ivan III, we can draw the following conclusions about the main transformative actions of the tsar:

• He was able to unite all the disparate principalities into a single state.
• Reforms in the field of legislation helped introduce their own rules for managing the new, united state.
• Activities in the field of culture and urban planning influenced the strengthening of the positive image of Ancient Russia.

Of course, the policy of Ivan III, both in internal and external state transformations, was not ideal. By the middle of the 15th century, the Mongol yoke had already sufficiently weakened due to internal strife, and sooner or later the overthrow of the aggressors still had to happen.

In addition, the tsar behaved rather aggressively regarding domestic politics, preventing all uprisings and divisions between the principalities with a firm hand in the bud. However, in the history of Russia, Ivan III still remained as a far-sighted, wise ruler who managed to do what his predecessors could not do. Ivan III managed to unite the once unified state, prevent disputes and strife, and resolve long-term conflicts for the sake of the common good.

Ivan III Vasilyevich was born on 01/22/1440, was the son of. From an early age, he did his best to help his blind father in state affairs, went on campaigns with him.

In March 1462, Vasily II fell seriously ill and died. Shortly before his death, he made a will. The will stated that the eldest son Ivan received the grand throne, and most of the state, its main cities. The rest of the state was divided among themselves by the rest of the children of Vasily II.

Ivan III led a very productive, wise policy. In domestic politics, he, like his father, continues to collect Russian lands under Moscow rule. He annexed Rostov, and Tver, Ryazan, Belozersk and Dmitrov principalities to Moscow.

Domestic policy of Ivan III

The connection of Russian lands to Moscow was very successful and productive. It is worth saying that these lands were annexed peacefully. Novgorodians wanted independence, but the forces of the Moscow principality clearly outnumbered those of Novgorod.

Then, the Novgorod boyars decided to flirt with the Lithuanian prince Casimir. This course of affairs did not suit Ivan III, who sought to unite all Russian lands under Moscow rule.

On June 6, 1471, the Muscovite army goes on a campaign against Novgorod. The troops of Ivan III do not disdain robbery and violence, trying to bring more fear to the Novgorod boyars.

The Novgorod boyars also did not sit idly by, hastily assembled a militia from the townspeople, the number of which amounted to about 40 thousand people. However, the army, hastily assembled, was completely untrained in military affairs. Novgorodians moved in the direction of Pskov in order to prevent the connection of the Moscow and Pskov troops.

But on the Shelon River, the Novgorod army, by chance, collided with the detachments of one of the Moscow governors, where they were utterly defeated by their enemy. Novgorod was under siege. During negotiations with Ivan III, Novgorod retained its independence, paid an indemnity, and no longer had the right to flirt with Lithuania.

In the spring of 1477, complainers from Novgorod arrived in Moscow. Outlining their case, the complainants called Ivan III the sovereign, instead of the traditional gentleman. "Sir" - assumed the equality of "Mr. Grand Duke" and "Mr. Great Novgorod." Muscovites immediately clung to this pretext, and sent an ultimatum to Novgorod, according to which Novgorod was to join Moscow.

As a result of a new war, Novgorod was annexed to Moscow, the post of Novgorod mayor was abolished, and the veche bell was taken to Moscow. This was in 1478. After the capture of Novgorod, the tsar continued to collect Russian lands. This was the essence of his domestic policy. He extended his power in the Vyazemsky land, seized the land of the Komi and Great Perm, and also established his own rules in the land of the Khanty and Mansi.

With the growth of the power of the country, the power of the grand duke also grew stronger. Under Ivan III, a land service system arose in Russia. This progressive innovation became the basis for the formation of a layer of the nobility, a new support for the grand ducal, and later royal power. A centralized state could not exist without a common law.

In 1497, an all-Russian publication was published. Sudebnik established the legal norms for the life of Russian society.

Foreign policy of Ivan III

In the foreign policy of the ruler, too, there were major successes. Russia finally ceased to depend on the Golden Horde, to pay tribute to it. This event took place in 1480, marked by "". Khan Akhmat moved large troops to Russia, prepared for a decisive battle for a long time, but eventually turned back. Thus ended the Horde Yoke.

Ivan III died on October 27, 1505. His name has entered the history of Russia forever.

Results

During his reign, he achieved great success in domestic and foreign policy, completed the process of collecting the Russian land, once and for all put an end to the Horde Yoke. No wonder Ivan III Vasilyevich, in science and journalism, was nicknamed the Great.

Years of life: 1440-1505. Reign: 1462-1505

Ivan III is the eldest son of the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily II the Dark and Grand Duchess Maria Yaroslavna, daughter of the Serpukhov prince.

In the twelfth year of his life, Ivan was married to Maria Borisovna, princess of Tver, in the eighteenth year he already had a son, Ivan, nicknamed Young. In 1456, when Ivan was 16 years old, Vasily II the Dark appointed him as his co-ruler, and at the age of 22 he became the Grand Duke of Moscow.

Even as a youth, Ivan participated in campaigns against the Tatars (1448, 1454, 1459), had seen a lot, and by the time he ascended the throne in 1462, Ivan III had an already established character, was ready to make important state decisions. He had a cold, judicious mind, a strong temper, an iron will, and was distinguished by a special lust for power. By nature, Ivan III was secretive, cautious, and did not rush to the intended goal quickly, but waited for an opportunity, chose the time, moving towards it with measured steps.

Outwardly, Ivan was handsome, thin, tall and slightly round-shouldered, for which he received the nickname "Humpback".

Ivan III marked the beginning of his reign by issuing gold coins, on which the names of Grand Duke Ivan III and his son Ivan the Young, heir to the throne, were minted.

The first wife of Ivan III died early, and the Grand Duke entered into a second marriage with the niece of the last Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI, Zoya (Sophia) Paleolog. Their wedding took place in Moscow on November 12, 1472. She immediately became involved in political activities, actively helping her husband. Under Sophia, he became more severe and cruel, demanding and power-hungry, demanded complete obedience and punished disobedience, for which Ivan III was the first of the Tsars to be called the Terrible.

In 1490, the son of Ivan III from his first marriage, Ivan Molodoy, unexpectedly died. From him there was a son Dmitry. The question arose before the Grand Duke, who should inherit the throne: son Vasily from Sophia or grandson Dmitry.

Soon a conspiracy against Dmitry was uncovered, the organizers of which were executed, and Vasily was taken into custody. February 4, 1498 Ivan III crowned his grandson to the kingdom. This was the first coronation in Russia.

In January 1499, a conspiracy against Sophia and Vasily was uncovered. Ivan III lost interest in his grandson and reconciled with his wife and son. In 1502, the tsar placed Dmitry in disgrace, and Vasily was declared the Grand Duke of All Russia.

The great sovereign decided to marry Vasily to a Danish princess, but the Danish king declined the offer. Fearing not to have time to find a foreign bride before his death, Ivan III chose Solomonia, the daughter of an insignificant Russian dignitary. The marriage took place on September 4, 1505, and on October 27 of the same year, Ivan III the Great died.

Domestic policy of Ivan III

The cherished goal of Ivan III's activity was to collect lands around Moscow, to put an end to the remnants of specific disunity for the sake of creating a single state. The wife of Ivan III, Sophia Paleolog, strongly supported her husband's desire to expand the Muscovite state and strengthen autocratic power.

For a century and a half, Moscow extorted tribute from Novgorod, took away land and almost brought the Novgorodians to their knees, for which they hated Moscow. Realizing that Ivan III Vasilievich finally wants to subjugate the Novgorodians, they freed themselves from the oath to the Grand Duke and formed a society for the salvation of Novgorod, headed by Martha Boretskaya, the widow of the mayor.

Novgorod concluded an agreement with Casimir, the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania, according to which Novgorod passes under his supreme authority, but at the same time retains some independence and the right to the Orthodox faith, and Casimir undertakes to protect Novgorod from the encroachments of the Moscow prince.

Twice Ivan III Vasilyevich sent ambassadors to Novgorod with good wishes to come to their senses and enter the Moscow lands, the Metropolitan of Moscow tried to convince the Novgorodians to "correct", but all in vain. Ivan III had to make a trip to Novgorod (1471), as a result of which the Novgorodians were defeated first on the Ilmen River, and then Shelon, Casimir did not come to the rescue.

In 1477, Ivan III Vasilyevich demanded from Novgorod the full recognition of him as his master, which caused a new rebellion, which was suppressed. On January 13, 1478, Veliky Novgorod completely submitted to the authority of the Moscow sovereign. In order to finally pacify Novgorod, Ivan III replaced the Archbishop of Novgorod Theophilus in 1479, moved the unreliable Novgorodians to Moscow lands, and settled Muscovites and other residents on their lands.

With the help of diplomacy and force, Ivan III Vasilyevich subjugated other specific principalities: Yaroslavl (1463), Rostov (1474), Tver (1485), Vyatka lands (1489). Ivan married his sister Anna to a Ryazan prince, thus securing the right to interfere in the affairs of Ryazan, and later inherited the city from his nephews.

Ivan acted inhumanly with his brothers, taking away their inheritances and depriving them of the right to any participation in state affairs. So, Andrei Bolshoy and his sons were arrested and imprisoned.

Foreign policy of Ivan III.

During the reign of Ivan III in 1502, the Golden Horde ceased to exist.

Moscow and Lithuania often fought over the Russian lands under Lithuania and Poland. As the power of the great sovereign of Moscow increased, more and more Russian princes with their lands passed from Lithuania to Moscow.

After Casimir's death, Lithuania and Poland were again divided between his sons, Alexander and Albrecht, respectively. The Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander married the daughter of Ivan III Elena. Relations between son-in-law and father-in-law worsened, and in 1500 Ivan III declared war on Lithuania, which was successful for Russia: parts of the Smolensk, Novgorod-Seversky and Chernigov principalities were conquered. In 1503, a truce agreement was signed for 6 years. Ivan III Vasilyevich rejected the offer of eternal peace until Smolensk and Kyiv were returned.

As a result of the war of 1501-1503. the great sovereign of Moscow forced the Livonian Order to pay tribute (for the city of Yuryev).

Ivan III Vasilyevich during his reign made several attempts to subdue the Kazan kingdom. In 1470, Moscow and Kazan made peace, and in 1487 Ivan III took Kazan and enthroned Khan Mahmet-Amin, who had been a faithful novice of the Moscow prince for 17 years.

Reforms of Ivan III

Under Ivan III, the design of the title of "Grand Duke of All Russia" began, and in some documents he calls himself the king.

For the internal order in the country, Ivan III in 1497 developed a Code of Civil Laws (Sudebnik). The chief judge was the Grand Duke, the highest institution was the Boyar Duma. Mandatory and local government systems appeared.

The adoption of the Code of Laws by Ivan III became a prerequisite for the establishment of serfdom in Russia. The law limited the exit of peasants and gave them the right to transfer from one owner to another once a year (St. George's day).

The results of the reign of Ivan III

Under Ivan III, the territory of Russia expanded significantly, Moscow became the center of the Russian centralized state.

The era of Ivan III was marked by the final liberation of Russia from the Tatar-Mongol yoke.

During the reign of Ivan III, the Assumption and Annunciation Cathedrals, the Palace of Facets, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe were built.

Davydov Mikhail Grade 7

Essay on the VII regional scientific - research conference of students in grades 3-8 "Young Explorer" 2014 Topic: "The activities of Ivan III to strengthen Russian statehood"

The topic of the essay was not chosen by chance. We believe that it is relevant in our time. A strong powerful state is a guarantee of peace and prosperity of the people...

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VII regional research conference of students in grades 3 - 8

"Young Explorer"

SECTION "HISTORY"

Ivan III's activities to strengthen

Russian statehood

city ​​of Otradny

2014

I. Introduction…………………………………………………………………...........3

II. Main part

1. The unification of Russian lands under Ivan III………………………………….4

2. The overthrow of the yoke of the Horde khans……………………………………………...6

3. Further foreign policy activities of Ivan III………………….7

4. Centralized control system. Start of legal registration

Serfdom…………………………………………………………………9

5. The historical significance of the activities of Ivan III…………………………….10

III Conclusion……………………………………………………………………… 12

Notes………………………………………………………………………… 13

List of used literature …………………………………………..14

Introduction

Every nation has the right to be proud of its history. But the history of the Russian people is unique, special, original. Our ancestors created it for thousands of years, they formed statehood, bit by bit collected lands, honed the Russian language, multiplied culture, forged the Russian character. One of the interesting and controversial personalities in history was Ivan III.

Formulation of the problem.He never led troops on the battlefield, but carried out general strategic leadership, which gave positive results. Sometimes he seemed unnecessarily slow, but, if necessary, he showed determination and will. Many were dissatisfied with his policy towards monasteries and some boyars, but his activities to complete the unification of Russian lands around Moscow, the final

the liberation of Russia from the Tatar yoke, the creation of a new management system had a huge

meaning. So who is he, Ivan III? Strategist? Tyrant? Or a reformer?

The topic of the essay was not chosen by chance. We believe that she relevant and in our time. A strong powerful state is a guarantee of peace and prosperity for the people, while fragmented small states are doomed to death, to a miserable existence. Now we are watching how they grow stronger

separatist sentiments everywhere. Why is this happening? Because a lot in the world depends on large, powerful "empires" of power that dictate favorable conditions for them.

Whatever happens in our country, we must study all the best in our history, which tells about the strengthening of Russian statehood.

For this reason, I have set myself the following tasks:

1. Describe the personality of Ivan III, who organically completed the process of unification of Russian lands around Moscow.

2. Get acquainted with the main directions of the foreign policy of Ivan III.

3. Show the process of formation of a unified Russian state with a center in Moscow.

4. Assess the merit of Ivan III in the fall of the Horde yoke.

Having worked with such literature as "Rus - Russia - Russian Empire" B.G. Pashkova, "History of the Russian State" N.M. Karamzin and others, I can say with confidence that the merits of Ivan III are enormous. And they are appreciated not only in Russia, but also in other countries. Under him, Russia, as it were, emerged from darkness, turned from a fragmented country torn apart by civil strife into a powerful state with a single center, a single domestic and foreign policy. It is believed that the reign of Ivan III appeared first outside of Russia, and then in the country itself, the name of our state is Russia.

1. Unification of Russian lands under Ivan III

John III Vasilyevich (1462 - 1505).

From this period begins a new era in the life of the Russian state. It is reviving very quickly and unexpectedly for many countries in Europe and Asia. The kings of Europe and the rulers of Asia welcomed the glorious victories of the great Russian prince. Italy shares experience in the arts. Moscow is adorned with magnificent buildings. The development of natural resources begins in the country. All this is the brilliant content of the reign of John III, who became sovereign in the 22nd year. Appointed by fate to restore autocracy in Russia, he, as N.M. Karamzin, "did not suddenly accept this great deed and did not consider all means permitted" 1 .

Political activity of the Moscow sovereign in 1467. turned to the East, the Kazan kingdom greatly disturbed Russia: raids were made on Russian lands from its borders, Russian captives were taken away. These raids were carried out by the Tatars and the Cheremis subject to the Tatars. The Russians returned empty-handed from their first campaign. A few months later, another attempt was made to invade the Kazan lands. B.G. Pashkov writes: “The warriors reached almost Kazan itself, instilled fear in the local population and returned with booty. In 1468 and in 1469. John made attempts to strike at Kazan ... Sailing on ships to the Tatar capital, the Russian soldiers swiftly hit the settlement and, to the sound of trumpets, burst into the city in the morning and burned it. But the Tatars quickly came to their senses - and gave battle. There was no winner. John III ordered the troops to return to Moscow. In the autumn of the same year, the 5th campaign against Kazan was again undertaken ... The ruler of Kazan, Ibrahim, was forced in 1469. make peace. He returned freedom to Russian captives taken for 40 years. 2 . V.V. Mavrodin believed that "... Moscow's influence is strengthening in Kazan" 3 .

Then circumstances turned the activities of Ivan Vasilyevich to the north. The Novgorodians tried to test the character of the Grand Duke by capturing some Moscow lands and expelling the governors. The Grand Duke gave a stern warning to the disobedient townspeople, but this did not calm them down. In Novgorod, a circle was formed, united in the name of a common cause, thinking, at all costs, to save their fatherland from Muscovite autocracy. The thought of this circle was a woman, the widow of the posadnik Martha Boretskaya. Since it clearly seemed to them that Veliky Novgorod was unable to defend itself from Moscow, they decided to surrender themselves under the patronage of the Lithuanian Grand Duke and King of Poland Casimir IV.

“Ivan Vasilyevich found out about everything that was being done and planned in Novgorod, did not express anger to Novgorod, on the contrary, briefly sent to say: “People of Novgorod, correct yourself, remember that Novgorod is the fatherland of the Grand Duke. Do not do dashing, live in the old days!

The Novgorodians at the veche insulted the ambassadors of the Grand Duke, gave the following answer to the exhortation of Ivan Vasilyevich: “Novgorod is not the fatherland of the Grand Duke. Novgorod is its own master! »

And after that, the Grand Duke did not show anger " 4 and many more times he sent messengers, but the grand ducal ambassadors were sent with dishonor. Only then did Ivan Vasilievich decide to use weapons.

“On May 31, he sent his army under the command of the governor Obraztsa to the Dvina to take this important volost from Novgorod. On June 6, another army, 12 thousand, led by Prince Daniil Dmitrievich Kholmsky to Ilmen, and on June 13 he sent the 3rd detachment under the command of Prince Vasily Obolensky Striga to the coast of the Msta River. The Grand Duke gave the order to burn down all Novgorod suburbs and villages, and to kill indiscriminately both old and small. His goal was to weaken the Novgorod land to the extreme. On July 13, on the banks of the Shelon River, the Novgorodians were utterly defeated.

The defeat of the Novgorod army made a revolution in the minds. The people in Novgorod were sure that Casimir would come or send an army to help Novgorod, but there was no help from Lithuania. The Lithuanian Germans did not allow the Novgorod ambassador to visit the Lithuanian sovereign. Novgorod screamed and sent his archbishop to ask the Grand Duke for mercy...

Singed an agreement. Novgorod renounced communication with the Lithuanian sovereign, ceded part of the Dvina land (Zavolochye) to the Grand Duke ... Novgorod, in addition, undertook to pay a “spear” (indemnity). The amount of "spear" was meant at fifteen and a half thousand, but the Grand Duke threw off one thousand. The immediate consequence of this unfortunate war was that the land of Novgorod was so devastated and depopulated as had never happened before during past wars with the great princes. With this ruin, the Moscow sovereign ensured Novgorod and for the future he prepared for himself the easy destruction of any originality.

Ivan Vasilyevich retained Vologda, Zavolochye, and in the next 1472. took Perm from Veliky Novgorod 5 . The veche system was finally destroyed in 1478. According to V.V. Mavrodin: “Veche to the XV century. turned into an arena for the activities of the elite, so the lower classes of Novgorod supported Ivan III. The anti-national and anti-people policy of the boyars aroused the desire of the Novgorodians to merge with Moscow. Novgorod land lost its features and merged with Moscow into a single Russian state" 6 .

The annexation of the Novgorod lands predetermined the fate of the Tver principality. In 1485 The Tver principality was annexed. In 1489 Vyatka land was annexed.

Under Ivan III, the annexation of specific lands to Moscow continued actively. Those of the petty princes of Yaroslavl and Rostov, who, before Ivan III, still retained their independence, under Ivan all transferred their lands to Moscow and beat the Grand Duke with their foreheads so that he would accept them into his service. Becoming Moscow servants and turning into the boyars of the Moscow prince, these princes retained their ancestral lands, but not as destinies, but as simple estates. So the final unification of northern Russia took place.

“Moreover, the unifying national policy of Moscow attracted to the Moscow sovereign such service princes who did not belong to northern Russia, but to the Lithuanian-Russian principality. The princes Vyazemsky, Odoevsky, Novosilsky, Vorotynsky and many others, who were sitting on the eastern outskirts of the Lithuanian state, abandoned their Grand Duke and transferred to the service of Moscow, subordinating their lands to the Moscow prince. It was this transition of the old Russian princes from the Catholic sovereign of Lithuania to the Orthodox prince of northern Russia that gave the Moscow princes a reason to consider themselves sovereigns of the entire Russian land. 7 ... The power of Russia has increased. A strong Russian state grew out of a feudally fragmented country. It could no longer endure the Mongol-Tatar yoke.

2. Overthrow of the yoke of the Horde khans

Golden Horde in the XV century. weakened even more and disintegrated into separate parts. Several khanates separated from it and became independent: Kazan, Great Horde, Astrakhan, Crimean, Siberian, but “despite the collapse, the Golden Horde nevertheless left its claims to Moscow and tried to prepare a new invasion. Ivan III stopped paying tribute from 1472; limited to irregularly sent gifts to the Horde, and the content of ambassadors, who were treated worse and worse. Ivan made an alliance with the strong Crimean Khanate. Constant communication was established between Crimea and Moscow. 8 . Ivan III gradually achieved that he subordinated Kazan to his influence and made the Kazan Khan his henchman. Khan Akhmat tried to act against Moscow in alliance with Lithuania. Unfortunately, at that moment there was a quarrel between John and his brothers, Boris and Andrei took offense at him for some kind of injustice and decided to leave their homeland with their families, leaving for Lithuania.

“Akhmat went to Moscow, constantly waiting for news from the Grand Duke of Lithuania. As soon as the Golden Horde moved against the Muscovites, John immediately informed Mengli-Giray about this. Suddenly, the Crimean Tatars attacked Lithuania. John instructed the Crimean prince Nordoulat and the Zvenigorod voivode, Prince Vasily Nozdrevaty, with a small detachment, to board ships and sail along the Volga in order to defeat the defenseless capital of the Horde ... The Grand Duke himself took command of the troops. All Russia followed the events with hope and fear. Exactly 100 years ago, in 1380, Dmitry Donskoy was in a similar position. Akhmat, having learned that the banks of the Oka were occupied by the Russians, from the Don passed by Odoev, Lyubitsk and headed for the Ugra River. At this time, John made peace with the brothers, and they returned to their homeland.

On October 8, the entire khan's force approached the Ugra. A sluggish battle went on for several days. Since the forces of the Tatars were great, many close to John persuaded him to seek peace, while the clergy, on the contrary, called for battle. John sent the boyars to the Khan with a proposal for a truce, but Akhmat demanded that the Grand Duke himself come to him with repentance. John, of course, did not want to do this. After Archbishop Vassian turned to the Grand Duke with a patriotic message, he no longer thought about peace with the Tatars, but began to prepare for battle.

Two weeks passed in inactivity. Akhmat was waiting for help from the Lithuanians, but she still did not come. Severe frosts have come. Russian troops withdrew to Kremenets to fight the khan on the Borovsk fields, convenient for battle. The Tatars decided that the Russians were setting up nets for them, and decided to leave. On November 7, an amazing sight presented itself: two troops, not persecuted by anyone, fled from each other. Finally, the Russian troops stopped, looked around and sorted out the situation. Akhmat, on the other hand, went home, ruining 12 cities in Lithuania for having deceived without providing assistance. Thus ended the last invasion of the Golden Horde into Russia.

The Crimean prince Nordoulat conscientiously carried out the instructions of John, he took Sarai, the capital of the Golden Horde, captured many inhabitants and brought back a lot of booty. Apparently for this reason, the Tatars fled from the battlefield, and John simply dragged out the time for the start of the battle, waiting for news from Nordoulat. But some chroniclers do not support this proposal. John returned to Moscow. He did not crown himself with the laurels of victory over the Tatars, but by his actions he affirmed the independence of the state. The people had fun, the metropolitan established the annual feast of the Mother of God and the procession on June 23 in memory of the liberation of Russia from the Tatar-Mongol yoke. Finally, for the Russian people, the end of slavery has come, which lasted over 300 years! » 9 .

The overthrow of the yoke of the Mongol-Tatar khans was of great historical significance. The Russian state won independence. The development of the economy and culture of the country went much faster.

3. Further foreign policy activities of Ivan III

The foreign policy of Russia was strengthened further. John established diplomatic relations with Italy, Austria, and other countries. For the first time, the ambassadors of Rome called the great Russian prince the tsar, the Germans - the emperor, others - the autocrat.

"In 1493. the ambassadors of Denmark, the Timurid powers (Bukhara, Khorasan), and the Iberian kingdom (Georgia) arrived in Moscow. Since ancient times, Russia has maintained ties with Georgia of the same faith... But sometimes relations with Georgia were interrupted, then restored again.

John also oversaw the Ottoman Empire. As the son-in-law of Palaiologos and an adherent of the Greek Church, oppressed by the Turks, he was supposed to be an enemy of Turkey, but did not want to deceive himself: he saw that the time had not yet come for Muscovite Russia to fight a strong enemy. In 1492 began to establish diplomatic relations between John and the Turkish Sultan Bayazet II ...

The year 1492 became a turning point in the relations between the Moscow principality and Lithuania. Casimir IV was old and no longer wanted to fight, and John III, on the contrary, was in power and strengthened the state. Many residents began to leave the subordination of the Lithuanian princes and began to come under the patronage of Moscow.

June 25, 1492 the Grand Duke of Lithuania and at the same time the King of Poland (since 1447) Casimir IV died. His youngest son Alexander ascended the Lithuanian throne, and the eldest, Albert, headed the Kingdom of Poland.

John asked Khan Mengli Giray and the Moldavian ruler Stephen to start a war against Lithuania. Russian troops immediately set out on a campaign - Mtsensk and Lubutsk were devastated. Alexander most of all wanted peace with Moscow. An embassy from him solemnly arrived in Moscow, which offered peace and at the same time asked for the hand of John's daughter, Elena. Despite negotiations, hostilities continued. The Russians occupied the cities of Serpeisk, Meshchovsk, Opakov, Vyazma, Mosalsk.

In 1493 a conspiracy against John was uncovered. They wanted to kill him ... A little later, a whole network of conspiracies was discovered. Many enemies were killed, the rest were exiled to distant places.

Mengli Giray nevertheless opened hostilities against Lithuania. He approached Kyiv, burned the Chernihiv lands. John also has a new ally. It was the sovereign prince Konrad of Mazovia, one of the influential nobles, close to the king. John, obviously, could annex to Russia the ancient lands occupied by Lithuania. However, he was a moderate politician and acted more by conviction than by force, although he had a considerable army. John ruled for more than 30 years, he was in his sixties, he wanted peace. In the event of the seizure of Lithuanian lands, this would excite not only Poland, but also Hungary, Bohemia and other states against Russia, and this is exactly what John did not want ...

In the west of Russia, the Germans constantly disturbed the population. Therefore, to the great concern of the Lithuanian Germans, John III in 1492. laid the city of Ivangorod against Narva. In response to the atrocities of the Germans, 49 merchants were captured in Novgorod, who were imprisoned ... A year later, the Hanseatic merchants (who remained alive) were released. After this tragic incident, trade between the union of North German cities - Hansa and Novgorod - ceased. The shopping center has moved to Riga. The shops of Novgorod were empty. So with one ill-conceived action, the prince destroyed the business that had been developing for centuries.

During 1495 and 1496. there were military clashes between Moscow and Stockholm. For three months, Russian troops besieged Vyborg, but the Swedes could not be defeated. The governors were satisfied with the devastation of the Swedish villages at a distance of 30-40 miles from the borders. John with his son Yuri and grandson, having arrived in Novgorod, tried to influence the course of the war with Sweden. A trip to Gamskaya (Finland) took place. Russian troops defeated seven thousand Swedes. The main forces of the Swedes - 40 thousand soldiers - were waiting for the enemy in the field, but the Russians did not give battles, but, having made a maneuver, they safely returned to Moscow with booty and captives. As a result of this campaign, lands along the Lemenga River were transferred to the Moscow principality. In retaliation, the Swedes with a 2,000-strong army took Ivangorod, devastated it and left. The war ended when the Danish king, a friend of John, in 1496. became the Swedish king. Active negotiations began, which lasted until 1501, the boundaries were specified; as a result, Sweden made some territorial concessions. » 10 .

John Vasilyevich was most worried about Lithuanian affairs. In 1500 there was a final break in relations between Russia and Lithuania. And John, violating the agreement with Lithuania on a truce, declared war on Alexander. During the Russian-Lithuanian war of 1500 - 1503. Moscow troops liberated many cities along the Desna and Dnieper: Bryansk, Mtsensk, Gomel, Rylsk and others. In the Smolensk direction, Prince Daniil Shchenya, an outstanding commander of that time, utterly defeated the Lithuanian hetman Prince Konstantin Ostrozhsky on the Vedrosha River (July 14, 1500)

On the side of Alexander Kazimirovich, the son-in-law of Ivan III, the Livonian Order spoke out. But the same Shchenya also won a brilliant victory here - he defeated the Livonians at Helmet, near the Dnieper (1501).

According to the agreement of 1503. Russia passed the lands along the Desna and Sozh, in the upper reaches of the Dnieper and the Western Dvina with Chernigov, Novgorod, Seversky, Starodub, Gomel, Bryansk, etc.

“While at war with his Western neighbors, Ivan was looking for friendship and alliances in Europe. Under him, Moscow entered into diplomatic relations with Denmark, Hungary, Venice, and Turkey. The strengthened Russian state gradually entered the circle of European international relations and began its communication with the cultural countries of the West. » 11 .

4. Centralized control system. The beginning of the legal registration of serfdom

The Russian state became multinational, it began to be called Russia or the Russian state. This term "Russia" came into use gradually, as the formation and formation of a single state. Therefore, it is more correct to talk about Russia or the Russian state from the end of the 15th century, replacing this with the name " Russian state" 12 .

The process of formation of a centralized state was accompanied by the creation of a new state apparatus and the beginning of the legalization of serfdom.

“Moscow followed the path of centralization in all matters. Ivan III and his son were forced to pay taxes to the treasury of privately owned peasants, on a par with black-mossed (state) and palace peasants, they limited the privileges of boyars, hierarchs, monasteries in judicial and tax matters " 13 .

Of great importance for the centralization of state administration was the compilation of the Sudebnik of 1497, which introduced uniform judicial and administrative procedures throughout the Russian state.

Sudebnik for the first time on a national scale introduced a rule restricting the output of peasants; their transfer from one owner to another was now allowed only once a year, during the week before and a week after St. George's Day, after the completion of field work. In addition, natives were obliged to pay the owner of the elderly - money for the "yard" - outbuildings.

In the united state, new governing bodies were formed. The highest institution was the Boyar Duma - the council under the Grand Duke; its members managed individual branches of the state economy, acted as governors in regiments, governors in cities. Volostels, from “free people”, exercised power in rural areas - volosts. The first orders appear - central government bodies, they were headed by boyars and clerks, whom the Grand Duke "ordered" to be in charge of certain matters.

Sudebnik placed under the control of the center the local government in the person of feeders. Instead of squads, a single military organization is being created - the Moscow army, the basis of which was the nobles - landowners.

They were appointed to all positions in the state depending on the generosity of their origin and on the position occupied by their ancestors. Whoever has an older family is more noble. And in the Boyar Duma, he sat closer to the Grand Duke. This order was called localism. He did a lot of damage. The boyars with great jealousy followed its observance. This testified to the fact that the remnants of the former, specific system had not yet been completely eliminated.

The peasants, although they could leave the master on St. George's Day, often had to. It was not easy to pay off these debts. Sudebnik 1497. laid the foundation for the formalization of serfdom throughout the Russian state.

The feudal lords used the creation of a centralized state to strengthen their power over the peasants. The peasants gradually became serfs, that is, they were legally (by law) attached to the land.

“Ivan III introduced a change in the monetary business. Now coinage was concentrated in Moscow" 14 .

5. The historical significance of the activities of Ivan III

Russian historians call Ivan III the Great.

“Gifted with a great mind and strong will, he brilliantly conducted his business and, one might say, completed the collection of Great Russian lands under the rule of Moscow, forming the Great Russian state from his possessions. Ivan Vasilyevich subjugated all these lands either by force or by peace agreements ... Previously surrounded by the same rulers as himself, Ivan was one of the many specific princes, albeit the most powerful, now, having destroyed these princes, he has become a single sovereign an entire nation... In short, at first his policy was specific, and then became national.

Having acquired such significance, Ivan III could not, of course, share his power with other princes of the Moscow house. Destroying other people's destinies (in Tver, Yaroslavl, Rostov), ​​he could not leave specific orders in his own family. At the first opportunity, he took the inheritance from his brothers and limited their old rights. He demanded from them obedience to himself as a sovereign from subjects. Drawing up his will, he deprived his younger sons in favor of their elder brother and deprived them of all sovereign rights, subordinating them to the Grand Duke as simple service princes. In a word, everywhere in everything Ivan looked at the Grand Duke as an autocratic and autocratic monarch, to whom both his service princes and simple servants were equally subordinate ...

Finally, having become a national sovereign, Ivan III adopted a new direction in the external relations of Russia. He threw off the last remnants of dependence on the Golden Horde Khan. He began progressive actions against Lithuania, from which Moscow had so far only defended itself. He skillfully and decisively used the forces and means that his ancestors had accumulated and which he himself created in his state.

This is the important historical significance of the reign of Ivan III. The unification of northern Russia around Moscow began a long time ago: under Dmitry Donskoy, its first signs were discovered; it happened under Ivan III. Therefore, Ivan III can rightly be called the creator of the Muscovite state" 15 .

The formation of a unified Russian state was of great historical significance, since the devastating feudal strife ceased. The composition of the Russian state, in addition to the Russians, included other peoples of our country: the Udmurts, Mordovians, Karelians, Komi, etc. The Russian centralized state became multinational in terms of population, and freed from the yoke of the Mongol-Tatar khans, the development of economy and culture went much faster countries. The international importance of the state has increased. Strengthened his defenses.

Conclusion

Russian people could be proud of what was done in those glorious decades of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Here is how the chronicler reflected these feelings of his contemporaries: “Our great Russian land freed itself from the yoke ... and began to renew itself, as if it had passed from winter to a quiet spring. She again achieved her ancient majesty, piety and tranquility, as under the first prince Vladimir.

The process of unification of lands, the formation of a single state contributed to the consolidation of the Russian people, the formation of the Great Russian people.

The Russia of Oleg, Vladimir, Yaroslav perished in the Mongol invasion, the resurrected Russia, transformed into Russia, is largely the merit of John. John Vasilyevich was always proud of the ancient Russian title of Grand Duke, although he was repeatedly offered to call himself a king in the state, but he rejected these flattering proposals.

Born and raised as a tributary of the steppe Horde, John became one of the strongest sovereigns in Europe and Asia, recognized in Rome and Istanbul, Vienna and Krakow, Vilna and Stockholm.

John was not able to receive sufficient education in childhood and youth. His strength is in the natural mind. Where with weapons, where with cunning, the Grand Duke, restoring the freedom and integrity of the country, destroyed the Golden Horde, crowded Lithuania, tamed Novgorod's liberty, annexing appanages to Moscow, expanding the possessions of the state in the west and east, in the north and south.

John subtly and skillfully combined the tactics of war and peace. The Grand Duke was not born a warrior, but a monarch; but in addition to worldly affairs, he was also engaged in spiritual ones. He was the first among the people who was given the name Terrible, but in a commendable sense of the word: formidable for enemies and obstinate disobedient. John was cruel by nature, but he knew how to soften the harshness with the power of reason.

John, as a person, did not have those attractive features that Vladimir Monomakh and Dmitry Donskoy had, but as a sovereign, he stood at the highest level of greatness.

Notes

1. Karamzin N.M. "History of the Russian State" - 5th ed. T-1 - XII. SPb., 1842, M., 1993.
2. Pashkov B.G. “Rus – Russia – Russian Empire. Chronicle of directions and events 862 - 1917. - 2nd ed. M.: TsentrKom, 1997, p. 155.
3. Kostomarov N.I. "Russian Empire in the biographies of its main figures" M .: "Thought", 1991, p. 141.
4. Ibid., pp. 142-143.
5. Mavrodin V.V. "The Formation of the Russian National State".
6. Platonov S.F. "Textbook of Russian history" M., 1992, p. 116.
7. Mavrodin V.V. "The Formation of the Russian National State".
8. Pashkov B.G. “Rus – Russia – Russian Empire. Chronicle of directions and events 862 - 1917. - 2nd ed. M.: TsentrKom, 1997, pp. 161 - 163.
9. Ibid., pp. 166–170.
10. Platonov S.F. "Textbook of Russian history" M., 1992, p. 121.
11. Muraviev A.V., Sakharov A.M. "Essays on the history of Russian culture of the 9th - 17th centuries." M., 1995, p. 166
12. Sakharov A.N., Buganov V.I. History of Russia from ancient times to the end of the XVII century. M., 1995, p. 185.
13. Mavrodin V.V. "The Formation of the Russian National State".
14. Platonov S.F. "Textbook of Russian history" M., 1992, pp. 112 - 113.

Bibliography

1. Karamzin N.M. "History of the Russian State" - 5th ed. T-1 - XII., M., 1993
2. Kostomarov N.I. "The Russian Empire in the biographies of its main figures" M .: "Thought", 1991.
3. Mavrodin V.V. "The Formation of the Russian National State".
4. Muraviev A.V., Sakharov A.M. "Essays on the history of Russian culture of the 9th - 17th centuries." M., 1995
5. Pashkov B.G. “Rus – Russia – Russian Empire. Chronicle of directions and events 862 - 1917. - 2nd ed. M.: TsentrKom, 1997.
6. Platonov S.F. "Textbook of Russian history" M., 1992.
7. Sakharov A.N., Buganov V.I. History of Russia from ancient times to the end of the XVII century. M., 1995