Who ruled Russia in the 14th century. Russian princes of the late XIII - early XIV centuries

Who ruled the lands of Russia in the Middle Ages? March 10th, 2018

If before the invasion of the Tatars, Russia consisted of large principalities (Rostov-Suzdal, Novgorod, Kyiv, Ryazan, Smolensk, Chernigov and others), then with the beginning of vassal dependence, the specific princes got the opportunity to formalize their cities as independent hereditary feudal possessions.

And they immediately took advantage of it.


The collapse of the Old Russian state and Lithuania


This is how full-fledged independent states appeared, the number of which soon began to be measured in dozens. And although Vladimir was formally considered the eldest among the princes, everyone understood that the real supreme power was in the Horde. And independent princes can do whatever they want in their domains, regardless of tradition and seniority.

Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas - the founder of the dynasty

In the XIV century, the rapid rise of Lithuania began. Despite its name, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was created on the ancient Russian lands and had the same relation to the indigenous ethnic Lithuania - Samogitia and Aukshaitia - as the Russian principalities to the Finno-Ugric peoples, who once inhabited the expanses of North-Eastern Russia.

If the Rurikovichs remained in power in the ancient Russian principalities, then in Lithuania their own dynasty of Gediminids appeared.


The ruling family, apparently, came from the tribal princes of the Yotvingians, who at that time had the glory of real savages and robbers.

In general, in the Middle Ages, when everyone enthusiastically cut each other, only peoples with a special temperament could get a reputation as robbers. The Yatvingians could just boast of this.

The militancy of the Lithuanian Gediminids became an important factor in their policy.


Three parts of Russian lands after the invasion of the Tatars

A hundred years after the invasion of the Tatars, Russian lands looked completely different. In the northeast there was a conglomerate of many specific principalities under the formal rule of Moscow. However, its rulers were called the Grand Dukes of Vladimir: the Moscow lands were still not prestigious enough to give the right to power over other Russian principalities.

In all the destinies of this region, the Rurikovichi, the old Russian dynasty, ruled. Formally, Moscow Rus remained a vassal of the Horde. In fact, vassal obligations have been ignored since the middle of the 14th century, and dependence was limited to the payment of tribute.

In the west lay the possessions of the Gediminids. Their first big acquisitions were the principalities of Polotsk and Turov, which had previously been ruled by the princes of the house of Rurik. Together with Vilna, these territories made up the indigenous lands of Lithuania.

In the XIV century, the power of the Lithuanian princes began to gradually spread to the neighboring Russian principalities: Kiev, Smolensk, Pereyaslav, Novgorod-Seversk. However, having captured these areas, Lithuania fell into vassal dependence on the Horde. Accordingly, from 1362, the Gediminoviches received khan's labels for the right to own part of Russia and paid the due tribute.


Daniel of Galicia from the Rurik dynasty, a descendant of the Kyiv prince Vladimir Monomakh, in 1252 received the title of "King of Russia" from the Pope of Rome.


With the help of the prestigious royal crown, he hoped to consolidate his power.

However, his heirs forgot about the title, and the next "King of Russia" was only the grandson of Daniel - Yuri.

Why exactly him? Under Yuri, the Galician and Volhynian principalities united. However, at the same time, stronger Poland and Lithuania were nearby, and Galician Rus - as the most remote, peripheral part of the Russian lands - was doomed to be torn to pieces by its neighbors.

Galicia, of course, was also a vassal of the Golden Horde, paid tribute to the khans and even sent troops to participate in joint campaigns against Poland with the Tatars.


Confrontation between Moscow and Lithuania

In the second half of the 14th century, the political situation in the Russian lands changed dramatically. In the east, the rise of Moscow led to the first attempt to free itself from the Tatar yoke: the Russian army of Moscow Prince Dmitry won the Battle of Kulikovo Field.

In the west, the expansion of Lithuania led to conflict with Moscow. Their confrontation became the main content of Russian domestic politics for the next hundred years.

The conflict was connected with the solution of the question of the unification of Russia. Both the old Rurikovichs and the new Gediminoviches claimed the role of the head of the new unified state.


Initially, the position of the Lithuanian princes was stronger due to the number of troops and the wealth of possessions, however, in terms of legitimacy, the Muscovite princes were in a more advantageous position. It was they who could claim the restoration of power by the right of dynastic succession.

Later, a religious conflict between Orthodoxy and Catholicism was added to the confrontation. But in the XIV-XV centuries, the descendants of the specific princes - who were all without exception Rurikovich - had a simple choice: to serve the Grand Duke from "their" dynasty or from someone else's. Many consciously chose "their".


Adventures of the title of "King of Russia"

But Galician Rus ceased to exist at the end of the XIV century. Since 1349, a fierce struggle between Poland and Lithuania has been going on for the lands of Galicia.

The war ends in 1392 with the division of the failed kingdom. Galicia began to belong to Poland, and Volyn went to Lithuania. At the same time, the Lithuanian princes began to be called the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and Russia. The Polish kings Louis and Casimir III also used the title "King of Russia" for some time.

The next Polish rulers, already from the Gediminovich dynasty, forgot about the Galician title. But the Hungarian kings immediately remembered him.


Using the title, they symbolically marked the claims to the lands of Galicia, originating from its first conqueror - King Louis. The monarch concurrently was the ruler of not only Poland, but also Hungary.


"Reitan - the decline of Poland." Artist Jan Matejko

The title of the kings of Galicia and Lodomeria (Lodomeria is the name of the Vladimir-Volyn lands distorted by the Hungarians and Germans) has already become the real title of the Austrian crown possession.

And how did it all end?

In the 15th century, great changes took place in the Russian lands. Moscow was able to subjugate most of the Russian principalities that were once part of the Old Russian state. This gave its rulers the opportunity to legally take the title of sovereign of all Russia, declaring the succession of their power from the Kievan Rurikovich, and at the same time the rights to all the lands that were previously part of the Kievan state.

Lithuania, which became dependent on Catholic Poland, gradually lost its possessions. The specific princes of Lithuania, using the feudal right to emigrate, left for the service of the Moscow Rurikovich together with their principalities.

Already at the end of the century, the Moscow principality was completely freed from the power of the Horde, while Lithuania continued to pay tribute and receive labels already from the Crimean Khanate.

Thus ended the history of the Middle Ages in the lands of Russia.

History of Russia in the 15th century. known since the reign of Vasily the 1st (1389-1425), who continued the policy of his ancestors to unite the Russian lands.

Prince Vasily 1st was married to the daughter of the Lithuanian prince Vitovt, but despite this, relations with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were tense, the marriage only softened the situation.

The Lithuanian rulers tried to secure the former lands of Kievan Rus, they contributed to the division of the Orthodox population: in the 15th century. A second Metropolitan of All Russia appeared in Kyiv, independent of Moscow.

Chronology of the main events of the 15th century. in the history of Russia

In 1408 - a raid of the Horde under the leadership of the commander Edigei. Moscow paid off, but some Russian territories were devastated, the city of Vladimir was plundered.

But the forces of the Horde were fading, and the long military conflict between the isolated Crimean Khanate and the Horde contributed to this.

In 1425, after the death of Vasily 1st, the princely throne passed to his son, Vasily 2nd (1425-1462).

With his reign, princely strife ensued. Relatives of Basil the 2nd refused to recognize him as their ruler. For almost a quarter of a century, a fierce struggle was waged. Vasily was nicknamed the Dark One because he was blinded. As a result, Vasily the Dark retained the throne, but did not become a significant political figure.

1462 - Ivan the 3rd (1462-1505) becomes the Grand Duke of Moscow. Unlike his predecessor, he was considered an outstanding ruler of Russia. Ivan the 3rd actively continued the unification of the Russian lands.

Under him, Novgorod the Great with its vast territories was annexed to the Russian borders. In early July 1471, a battle took place between the Novgorod militias and the Moscow army. The militia suffered a severe defeat, despite their large numbers, since the preparation and organization of the rati of the Moscow prince Kholmsky was better. An agreement was drawn up, according to which Novgorod assured Ivan the 3rd of his obedience and refusal to go under the rule of Lithuania.

And in 1478, Ivan the 3rd sent his army on a campaign against Novgorod, the city surrendered to the mercy of the winner. According to the agreement, Novgorod the Great with its vast possessions was completely united with the Moscow principality.

Soon the Vyatka land, Great Perm, and the Komi region were annexed. Certain peoples of Siberia recognized themselves as subjects of the Grand Duke.

End of 15th c. in Russia was significant for the fall of the Horde yoke.

In the autumn of 1480, on the banks of the river. The Ugrians met the troops of Khan Akhmat and Ivan the 3rd.

The victory of Russia was won with little bloodshed. November 12, 1480 - the first day of the liberation of the state from the yoke.

Due to the expansion of the borders of Russia in the 15th century. due to the accession of new territories, interest in geographical sciences increased.

The liberation from the yoke of the Golden Horde had a positive effect on other branches of Russian culture of the 15th century. The education of the inhabitants is developing.

Parables, epistles and other works of spiritual literature appear. The number of different laws is increasing.

Blacksmithing, weapons manufacturing, coinage, and the creation of lime soil for wall painting developed. Achievements in these areas have arisen due to the influx of knowledge in the applied arts. The field of technology also developed. It is known that Russian craftsmen used a system of gears.

Architecture of Ancient Russia of the 14th-15th centuries. was on the rise. The construction of fortresses, new temples and palaces was actively carried out. Masons and architects from other cities, Italian architects and engineers were invited.

Access to Moscow was protected by the stone Kremlin, Red Square, monasteries-fortresses. Assumption and Archangel Cathedrals were erected.

Culture and development of Russia in the 11th century

Territories and the state of Rus in the 11th century

The formation of a unified Russian state, begun in the 10th century, received a new round of development in the 11th century. The Kyiv princes, who actively made campaigns on the surrounding lands, subjugated to themselves all the large territories with the local population living here. The center of the unification of the Slavic tribes was Kyiv, from where the administration was carried out, the most important decisions were made. The population of Russia during this period was quite diverse - the state included not only Slavic tribes, but also part of the Finnish tribes, the Baltic and some others.

Russian territory in the 11th century stretched from Lake Ladoga to the mouths of the Ros River, the right bank of the Dnieper, and also from the mouth of the Klyazma River (the city of Vladimir Zalessky) to the upper reaches of the Western But (the city of Vladimir Volynsky). Russia retained Tmutarakan, also Galicia (the place of residence of the Croats) constantly passed from Russia to Poland, submitting to the power of one prince, then another. However, the most important thing was that the scattered tribes and peoples finally began to form a more modern and powerful state.

The multi-tribal population that used to live on these lands now became part of Kievan Rus or the Russian state, but in the full sense it was impossible to call this state the territory of the Russian people, since the Russian people themselves had not yet fully formed - scattered tribes lived on the territory of Russia, who still largely adhered to their own ancient traditions and very slowly merged into a single people under the influence of Christianity, but Christianity itself had not yet become the main religion for everyone (in the 12th century, pagans still lived in some lands).

The main mechanism that connected all these tribes was state power and state administration. The Grand Duke of Kyiv, a descendant of the Varangian Rurik, who was called to Russia to reign, was considered the head of state. Gradually, other state bodies were formed, attempts were made to reform the tax system and the management system - the state developed.

Religion and society in Russia in the 11th century

In 988, Christianity was adopted, and it had a huge impact on the development of Russia in the 11th century. Along with Christianity, new political and social trends, new types of relations began to appear. The prince became the vicar of God, and had to take care not only of the political viability of Russia, but also of the social and spiritual life of his subordinates.

A princely squad appears, which gradually turns from protection into a kind of authority, having more and more powers and freedoms. Representatives of the princely squad were considered people of the highest class, it consisted of the highest (boyars) and the lowest (youths and children). Despite the fact that in the 11th century the squad was still more of a military nature, its economic and political functions had already begun to take shape - the aristocracy began to emerge, society began to divide, the formation of a class state, which would only strengthen over the next two centuries.

In the culture and architecture of Russia in the 11th century, as in all other areas of life, a new round began, associated with the adoption of Christianity. Religious motifs began to appear in painting, the active construction of churches began - the St. Sophia Cathedral was built in Kyiv, which is considered one of the most important architectural monuments of that period. Enlightenment, literacy and writing are actively beginning to spread in Russia, schools are beginning to be built.

The main events of the 11th century in Russia

  • 1017-1037 - Construction of fortifications and St. Sophia Cathedral near Kyiv;
  • 1019-1054 - Yaroslav the Wise becomes the Grand Duke of Kyiv;
  • 1036 - Yaroslav's victory over the Pechenegs;
  • 1043 - the last armed conflict between Russia and Byzantium;
  • 1095 - the foundation of Pereyaslavl-Ryazan;
  • 1096 - the first mention of Ryazan;
  • 1097 - Lubech Congress of Princes;

In general, the 11th century turned out to be a rather favorable period for the formation and development of Russia. Despite the constant civil strife among the princes, as well as feudal fragmentation, the state continues to form, uniting all new lands under its command, a single religion appears, the class structure of society is formed, and literacy is spreading. Russia is gradually becoming a strong state, capable of developing and dictating its conditions in foreign policy, as well as resisting the raids of nomadic tribes.

New cities are being actively built, the population is moving from villages to larger settlements, trade and crafts are beginning to develop. The economy and culture are growing, new types of art are emerging (this is primarily due to the adoption of Christianity), tribal differences are gradually fading away, and a single Russian ethnic group is being formed.

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All rulers of Russia from Rurik to Putin in chronological order

The history of Russia goes back more than a thousand years, although even before the advent of the state, a variety of tribes lived on its territory. The last ten-century period can be divided into several stages. All the rulers of Russia, from Rurik to Putin, are people who were true sons and daughters of their eras.

The main historical stages of the development of Russia

Historians consider the following classification to be the most convenient:

- the reign of the Novgorod princes (862-882);

- the reign of the Great Kyiv princes (882-1263);

- the reign of princes in Vladimir (1157-1425);

- Grand Duchy of Moscow (1283-1547);

- the period of kings and emperors (from 1547 to 1917);

- the period of the USSR (1917 - 1991);

- board of presidents (1991-until now).

This classification will tell a lot even to a reader who is not strong in the history of the country. The characteristics of the rulers of Russia of a particular period largely depend on their contemporary era. The main centers of the political life of Russia changed their location several times. Until 1547, princes ruled in Russia, then the period of monarchization of the state began, which ended tragically in 1917. Almost the entire 20th century was marked by the hegemony of the Communist Party, as well as the emergence of new independent states on the territory of the former USSR.

Chronology of the rulers of Russia from 862 to the beginning of the period of fragmentation (Novgorod and the Great Kiev Principality)

The results of studies of historical materials of this period allow us to trace the order in which the princes were in power. It was also possible to establish the dates of the reign of all the rulers of Russia in the specified period. So:

- Rurik ruled from 862 to 879;

- Prophetic Oleg was in power from 879 to 912;

- Igor was in the princely field for the next 33 years, he was killed in 945;

- Olga, Grand Duchess (945-964);

- Warrior Prince Svyatoslav (son of Igor and Olga) ruled for 8 years until his death on the battlefield;

- Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich (972-980);

- Yaroslav the Wise (1016-1054);

- from 1054 to 1068, Izyaslav Yaroslavovich was in power;

- from 1068 to 1078, the list of rulers of Russia was replenished with several names at once (Vseslav Bryachislavovich, Izyaslav Yaroslavovich, Svyatoslav and Vsevolod Yaroslavovichi, in 1078 Izyaslav Yaroslavovich ruled again)

- 1078 was marked by some stabilization in the political arena, until 1093 Vsevolod Yaroslavovich ruled;

- Svyatopolk Izyaslavovich was on the throne from 1093 to 1113;

- Vladimir, nicknamed Monomakh (1113-1125) - one of the best princes of Kievan Rus;

- from 1132 to 1139, Yaropolk Vladimirovich had power.

All the rulers of Russia from Rurik to Putin, who lived and ruled during this period and up to the present, saw their main task in the prosperity of the country and strengthening the role of the country in the European arena. Another thing is that each of them went to the goal in his own way, sometimes in a completely different direction than his predecessors.

The period of fragmentation of Kievan Rus

During the feudal fragmentation of Russia, changes on the main princely throne were frequent. None of the princes left a serious mark on the history of Russia. By the middle of the XIII century, Kyiv fell into absolute decline. It is worth mentioning only a few princes who ruled in the XII century. So, from 1139 to 1146, Vsevolod Olgovich was the prince of Kyiv. In 1146, Igor II was at the helm for two weeks, after which Izyaslav Mstislavovich ruled for three years. Until 1169, such people as Vyacheslav Rurikovich, Rostislav Smolensky, Izyaslav Chernigov, Yuri Dolgoruky, Izyaslav the Third managed to visit the princely throne.

Capital moves to Vladimir

The period of formation of late feudalism in Russia was characterized by several manifestations:

- the weakening of the Kyiv princely power;

- the emergence of several centers of influence that competed with each other;

- Strengthening the influence of the feudal lords.

On the territory of Russia, 2 largest centers of influence arose: Vladimir and Galich. Galich was the most important political center of that time (located on the territory of modern Western Ukraine). It seems interesting to study the list of rulers of Russia who reigned in Vladimir. The importance of this period of history has yet to be assessed by researchers. Of course, the Vladimir period in the development of Russia was not as long as the Kyiv period, but it was after it that the formation of monarchical Russia began. Consider the dates of the reign of all the rulers of Russia of this time. In the first years of this stage in the development of Russia, the rulers changed quite often, there was no stability that would appear later. For more than 5 years, the following princes have been in power in Vladimir:

- Andrew (1169-1174);

- Vsevolod, son of Andrei (1176-1212);

- Georgy Vsevolodovich (1218-1238);

- Yaroslav, son of Vsevolod (1238-1246);

- Alexander (Nevsky), the great commander (1252-1263);

- Yaroslav III (1263-1272);

- Dmitry I (1276-1283);

- Dmitry II (1284-1293);

- Andrei Gorodetsky (1293-1304);

- Michael "Saint" of Tver (1305-1317).

All the rulers of Russia after the transfer of the capital to Moscow until the appearance of the first tsars

The transfer of the capital from Vladimir to Moscow roughly coincides chronologically with the end of the period of feudal fragmentation of Russia and the strengthening of the main center of political influence. Most of the princes were on the throne longer than the rulers of the Vladimir period. So:

- Prince Ivan (1328-1340);

- Semyon Ivanovich (1340-1353);

- Ivan the Red (1353-1359);

- Alexei Byakont (1359-1368);

- Dmitry (Donskoy), a famous commander (1368-1389);

- Vasily Dmitrievich (1389-1425);

- Sophia of Lithuania (1425-1432);

- Vasily the Dark (1432-1462);

- Ivan III (1462-1505);

- Vasily Ivanovich (1505-1533);

- Elena Glinskaya (1533-1538);

The decade before 1548 was a difficult period in the history of Russia, when the situation developed in such a way that the princely dynasty actually ended. There was a period of stagnation when boyar families were in power.

The reign of tsars in Russia: the beginning of the monarchy

Historians distinguish three chronological periods in the development of the Russian monarchy:
before the accession to the throne of Peter the Great, the reign of Peter the Great and after it. The dates of the reign of all the rulers of Russia from 1548 to the end of the 17th century are as follows:

- Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible (1548-1574);

- Semyon Kasimovsky (1574-1576);

- again Ivan the Terrible (1576-1584);

- Fedor (1584-1598).

Tsar Fedor had no heirs, so the Rurik dynasty was interrupted. 1598-1612 is one of the most difficult periods in the history of our country. Rulers changed almost every year. Since 1613, the country has been ruled by the Romanov dynasty:

- Mikhail, the first representative of the Romanov dynasty (1613-1645);

- Alexei Mikhailovich, son of the first emperor (1645-1676);

- Fedor Alekseevich ascended the throne in 1676 and ruled for 6 years;

- Sophia, his sister, ruled from 1682 to 1689.

In the 17th century, stability finally came to Russia. The central government has strengthened, reforms are gradually beginning, which have led to the fact that Russia has grown territorially and strengthened, the leading world powers began to reckon with it. The main merit in changing the face of the state belongs to the great Russian Tsar Peter I (1689-1725), who simultaneously became the first emperor.

The reign of Peter the Great is the heyday of the Russian state, when the empire acquired its own strong fleet and strengthened the army. All the rulers of Russia, from Rurik to Putin, understood the importance of the armed forces, but few were given the opportunity to realize the country's huge potential. An important feature of that time was the aggressive foreign policy of Russia, which manifested itself in the forcible annexation of new regions (Russian-Turkish wars, the Azov campaign).

The chronology of the rulers of Russia from 1725 to 1917 is as follows:

- Ekaterina Skavronskaya (1725-1727);

- Queen Anna (1730-1740);

- Ivan Antonovich (1740-1741);

- Ekaterina Petrovna (1741-1761);

- Pyotr Fedorovich (1761-1762);

- Catherine the Great (1762-1796);

- Pavel Petrovich (1796-1801);

- Alexander I (1081-1825);

- Nicholas I (1825-1855);

- Alexander II (1855 - 1881);

- Alexander III (1881-1894);

- Nicholas II - the last of the Romanovs, ruled until 1917.

This ends a huge period of development of the state, when the kings were in power. After the October Revolution, a new political structure appeared - the republic.

Russia during the Soviet era and after its collapse

The first few years after the revolution were difficult. Among the rulers of this period, Alexander Fedorovich Kerensky can be distinguished. After the legal registration of the USSR as a state and until 1924, Vladimir Lenin led the country. Further, the chronology of the rulers of Russia looks like this:

- Dzhugashvili Joseph Vissarionovich (1924-1953);

- Nikita Khrushchev was the First Secretary of the CPSU after Stalin's death until 1964;

- Leonid Brezhnev (1964-1982);

- Yuri Andropov (1982-1984);

- Konstantin Chernenko, General Secretary of the CPSU (1984-1985);

- Mikhail Gorbachev, the first president of the USSR (1985-1991);

— Boris Yeltsin, leader of independent Russia (1991-1999);

- the current head of state Putin - President of Russia since 2000 (with a break for 4 years, when Dmitry Medvedev was in charge of the state)

All the rulers of Russia from Rurik to Putin, who have been in power over the entire more than a thousand-year history of the state, are patriots who wished the flourishing of all the lands of a vast country. Most of the rulers were not random people in this difficult field and each made his own contribution to the development and formation of Russia. All the rulers of Russia, of course, wanted goodness and prosperity for their subjects: the main forces were always directed to strengthening borders, expanding trade, and strengthening defense capabilities.

From the Carpathians to the Urals: who ruled the lands of Russia in the Middle Ages?

The fragmentation of Russia into many specific principalities is the merit, rather, of the Golden Horde than of previous Russian rulers.

If before the invasion of the Tatars, Russia consisted of large principalities (Rostov-Suzdal, Novgorod, Kyiv, Ryazan, Smolensk, Chernigov and others), then with the beginning of vassal dependence, the specific princes got the opportunity to formalize their cities as independent hereditary feudal possessions. And they immediately took advantage of it.

The collapse of the Old Russian state and Lithuania

This is how full-fledged independent states appeared, the number of which soon began to be measured in dozens. And although Vladimir was formally considered the eldest among the princes, everyone understood that the real supreme power was in the Horde. And independent princes can do whatever they want in their domains, regardless of tradition and seniority.

Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas - the founder of the dynasty

In the XIV century, the rapid rise of Lithuania began. Despite its name, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was created on the ancient Russian lands and had the same relation to the indigenous ethnic Lithuania - Samogitia and Aukshaitia - as the Russian principalities to the Finno-Ugric peoples, who once inhabited the expanses of North-Eastern Russia.

If the Rurikovichs remained in power in the ancient Russian principalities, then in Lithuania their own dynasty of Gediminids appeared.

The ruling family, apparently, came from the tribal princes of the Yotvingians, who at that time had the glory of real savages and robbers.

In general, in the Middle Ages, when everyone enthusiastically cut each other, only peoples with a special temperament could get a reputation as robbers. The Yatvingians could just boast of this.

The militancy of the Lithuanian Gediminids became an important factor in their policy.

Three parts of Russian lands after the invasion of the Tatars

A hundred years after the invasion of the Tatars, Russian lands looked completely different. In the northeast there was a conglomerate of many specific principalities under the formal rule of Moscow. However, its rulers were called the Grand Dukes of Vladimir: the Moscow lands were still not prestigious enough to give the right to power over other Russian principalities.

Moscow in the 14th century

In all the destinies of this region, the Rurikovichi, the old Russian dynasty, ruled. Formally, Moscow Rus remained a vassal of the Horde. In fact, vassal obligations have been ignored since the middle of the XIV century, and dependence was limited to the payment of tribute.

In the west lay the possessions of the Gediminids. Their first big acquisitions were the principalities of Polotsk and Turov, which had previously been ruled by the princes of the house of Rurik. Together with Vilna, these territories made up the indigenous lands of Lithuania.

In the XIV century, the power of the Lithuanian princes began to gradually spread to the neighboring Russian principalities: Kiev, Smolensk, Pereyaslav, Novgorod-Seversk. However, having captured these areas, Lithuania fell into vassal dependence on the Horde. Accordingly, from 1362, the Gediminoviches received khan's labels for the right to own part of Russia and paid the due tribute.

Daniil Galitsky from the Rurik dynasty, a descendant of the Kyiv prince Vladimir Monomakh, in 1252 received the title of "King of Russia" from the Pope of Rome.

With the help of the prestigious royal crown, he hoped to consolidate his power.

"King of Russia" Daniil Galitsky

However, his heirs forgot about the title, and the next "King of Russia" was only the grandson of Daniel - Yuri.

Why exactly him? Under Yuri, the Galician and Volhynian principalities united. However, at the same time, stronger Poland and Lithuania were nearby, and Galician Rus - as the most remote, peripheral part of the Russian lands - was doomed to be torn to pieces by its neighbors.

Galicia, of course, was also a vassal of the Golden Horde, paid tribute to the khans and even sent troops to participate in joint campaigns against Poland with the Tatars.

In the second half of the 14th century, the political situation in the Russian lands changed dramatically. In the east, the rise of Moscow led to the first attempt to free itself from the Tatar yoke: the Russian army of Moscow Prince Dmitry won the Battle of Kulikovo Field.

Kulikovo battle. Artist S. Prisekin

In the west, the expansion of Lithuania led to conflict with Moscow. Their confrontation became the main content of Russian domestic politics for the next hundred years.

The conflict was connected with the solution of the question of the unification of Russia. Both the old Rurikovichs and the new Gediminoviches claimed the role of the head of the new unified state.

Initially, the position of the Lithuanian princes was stronger due to the number of troops and the wealth of possessions, however, in terms of legitimacy, the Muscovite princes were in a more advantageous position. It was they who could claim the restoration of power by the right of dynastic succession.

Later, a religious conflict between Orthodoxy and Catholicism was added to the confrontation. But in the XIV-XV centuries, the descendants of the specific princes - who were all without exception Rurikovich - had a simple choice: to serve the Grand Duke from "their" dynasty or from someone else's. Many consciously chose "theirs".

Adventures of the title of "King of Russia"

But Galician Rus ceased to exist at the end of the XIV century. Since 1349, a fierce struggle between Poland and Lithuania has been going on for the lands of Galicia.

"King of Russia" Casimir III with his subjects

The war ends in 1392 with the division of the failed kingdom. Galicia began to belong to Poland, and Volyn went to Lithuania. At the same time, the Lithuanian princes began to be called the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and Russia. The Polish kings Louis and Casimir III also used the title "King of Russia" for some time.

The next Polish rulers, already from the Gediminovich dynasty, forgot about the Galician title. But the Hungarian kings immediately remembered him.

Using the title, they symbolically marked the claims to the lands of Galicia, originating from its first conqueror - King Louis. The monarch concurrently was the ruler of not only Poland, but also Hungary.

"Reitan - the decline of Poland". Artist Jan Matejko

The title of the kings of Galicia and Lodomeria (Lodomeria is the name of the Vladimir-Volyn lands distorted by the Hungarians and Germans) has already become the real title of the Austrian crown possession.

In the 15th century, great changes took place in the Russian lands. Moscow was able to subjugate most of the Russian principalities that were once part of the Old Russian state. This gave its rulers the opportunity to legally take the title of sovereign of all Russia, declaring the succession of their power from the Kievan Rurikovich, and at the same time the rights to all the lands that were previously part of the Kievan state.

The first sovereign of all Russia Ivan III

Lithuania, which became dependent on Catholic Poland, gradually lost its possessions. The specific princes of Lithuania, using the feudal right to emigrate, left for the service of the Moscow Rurikovich together with their principalities.

Already at the end of the century, the Moscow principality was completely freed from the power of the Horde, while Lithuania continued to pay tribute and receive labels already from the Crimean Khanate.

Thus ended the history of the Middle Ages in the lands of Russia.

Kievan Rus in the 13th century (briefly)

13th c. in the history of Russia began without any external shocks, but in the midst of endless internal strife. The princes divided the lands, fought for power. And soon the danger from the outside joined the internal troubles of Russia. The cruel conquerors from the depths of Asia, led by Temujin (Genghis Khan, which means "great khan") began their actions.

The troops of the nomadic Mongols ruthlessly destroyed people and conquered the lands. Soon the Polov khans asked for help from the Russian princes, and they agreed to oppose the approaching enemy.

In 1223, the battle took place on the river. Kalka. Due to the fragmentation of the actions of the princes and the lack of a unified command, the Russian warriors suffered heavy losses and left the battlefield. The troops of the Mongols pursued them to the most outlying lands of Russia. Having plundered and devastated them, they did not move further.

In 1237, the troops of Temuchin's grandson, Batu, entered the Ryazan principality. Ryazan fell. The conquests continued.

In 1238 on the river. City army of Yuri Vsevolodovich entered into a fight with the army of the invader, but lost to the Tatar-Mongols. At the same time, the South Russian princes and Novgorod remained on the sidelines, did not come to the rescue.

In 1239-1240, having replenished the army, Batu undertook a new campaign against the Russian lands. At this time, the unaffected northwestern regions of Russia (Novgorod and Pskov lands) were endangered by the crusader knights who settled in the Baltic states, who wanted to spread the Catholic faith in the territory of Russia by force. The Swedes and the German knights were going to unite in the name of a common idea, but the Swedes were the first to act.

In 1240 (July 15), the Battle of the Neva took place: the Swedish fleet entered the mouth of the river. Not you. Novgorodians turned to the great Vladimir prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich for help. His son, the young Prince Alexander, set off with the army, counting on the suddenness and speed of the onslaught. Although his army was outnumbered by his rival (even with Novgorodians and commoners joining in), Alexander's strategy worked. In this battle, Russia won, and Alexander received the nickname Nevsky.

Meanwhile, the German knights gained strength and began military operations against Pskov and Novgorod. Once again, Alexander came to the rescue.

On April 5, 1242, the Battle of the Ice took place: troops converged on the ice of Lake Peipus. Alexander won again - thanks to a change in the order of the system and coordinated actions. And the uniforms of the knights played against them: when they retreated, the ice began to break under their weight.

In 1243 the Golden Horde was formed. Formally, the Russian lands were not part of this state, but were subject to it: they were obliged to replenish the treasury of the Horde, and the princes were to receive labels for reigning at the khan's rates.

During the second half of the 13th c. The Horde more than once made devastating campaigns against Russia. Cities and villages were destroyed.

1251-1263 - reign of Alexander Nevsky.

Due to the invasions of the conquerors, during which the settlements were destroyed, many cultural monuments of Ancient Russia of the 10-13th centuries disappeared. Churches, cathedrals, icons, as well as works of literature, religious objects and jewelry remained intact.

Old Russian culture is based on the heritage of the East Slavic tribes. It was influenced by nomadic peoples, the Varangians. In addition, the peculiarities of the development of culture are associated with the adoption of Christianity, as well as the influence of Byzantium and the countries of Western Europe.

With the adoption of Christianity, literacy began to spread, writing developed, enlightenment began, and Byzantine customs began to take root.

These changes also affected the clothing of the 13th century. in Russia. Her cut was simple and uniform, things differed mainly in fabric. The suit has become longer and freer, not emphasizing the figure, but giving it a static look.

The nobility wore expensive foreign fabrics (velvet, brocade, taffeta, silk) and furs (sable, otter, marten). Ordinary people used canvas fabric, hare and squirrel fur, as well as sheepskin in their clothes.

1. Prerequisites for unification. Rivalry between Moscow and Tver

2. Dmitry Donskoy and the Battle of Kulikovo. Politics of Dmitry's heirs. Historical conditions and features of the formation of the Russian state

3. Rulers Ivan III and Vasily III. The fall of the Mongol-Tatar yoke

The fragmentation of the principalities of the former Kievan Rus reached its climax in the 13th century. The Vladimir-Suzdal principality alone broke up into 14 destinies. At the same time, the first prerequisites for unification arise:

a) emasculated e lands (those that were left without heirs),

b) boyars' interest in new lands,

c) approximate synchrony in economic development, similarity of customs, common faith, language, etc.,

d) but most importantly - external factor - the need to overthrow the yoke, as well as the threat from the West.

The process took about 250 years. That is why political unification proceeded faster than economic disunity was overcome. Rivalry between Moscow and Tver unfolded. Both principalities were at the crossroads of trade routes, they occupied territories not on the outskirts of Russian lands. The principality of Tver gained independence when the younger brother of Alexander Nevsky, Yaroslav Yaroslavich, began to reign there. Moscow principality during the reign of the son of Alexander Nevsky in the II half. 14th century also expands its possessions - almost 2 times. Due to the constant influx of population, it has a stronger economic potential. A war begins between them, not the last role in which the Mongol Khan will play

When the yarlyk was in Tver, Moscow Prince Yuri first took the throne of Novgorod, and then married the sister of Khan Uzbek. Yuri promises to pay more tribute, and then the khan hands over the label to Moscow. Tver in 1315 starts a war. The wife of the Moscow Khan was captured, and soon she died in captivity. Prince Mikhail of Tver was summoned to the Horde and executed, and the label was transferred to Moscow. In 1325, the prince of Tver, the son of the executed, kills Yuri. The Khan executes him too, but… the label is handed over to Tver.

Moscow prince Ivan Kalita(1325-1340) returned the yarlyk in 1327 after helping the khan put down an uprising in Tver. Then the metropolitan from Kyiv moves to Moscow. In 1325 the first stone church was built. Historians consider the interruption in the Horde invasions to be the main achievement of Kalita, thanks to which Moscow was gaining strength. At the same time Kalita ruined the neighbors: Rostov, Pskov, Novgorod. His sons - Semyon Proud(1340-1353, died during the plague) and Ivan Red(1353-1359) continued to expand the state.

2. While Dmitry was small, the boyars returned the label to Moscow. Meanwhile, a period of instability began in the Horde: they shared the Khan's throne

1373 - the Mongol-Tatars attacked Ryazan, Dmitry and his army went to the banks of the Oka, he would not dare to openly oppose the Horde, but the Mongols did not dare to move further


1375 Tver, dissatisfied with injustice, sends messengers to the Horde to ask permission to reign, the label is transferred to Tver, and then Moscow starts a war. After the victory of Moscow, the princes sign an agreement "do not fight against each other, but fight against us against them"

1378 Dmitry defeated Khan Begich on the river. Rein. It was the first victory in a major battle.

Restore the situation and punish Russia is taken by Mamai

1380 8 September with the blessing of Sergius of Radonezh at the mouth of the Nepryadva (a tributary of the Don), Dmitry won and received the nickname Donskoy. The defeated Mamai fled. The Khan's throne was occupied by Tokhtamysh. In 1382, he reached Moscow and burned it, after which the payment of tribute was resumed, but its size became smaller.

1389 - Dmitry dies, for the first time in many years, without asking the Khan, appointing a successor - the son of Vasily ("basileus" - "king")

Basil I(1389-1425) annexed Novgorod, Murom and others. Vasily I opposed the Horde together with the Lithuanian prince. AT 1410 G. they defeated the Teutonic Knights in Grunwald battle.

After the death of Basil I (1425) a feudal war broke out between his sons and his younger brother's family. The fact is that in Russia there was no exact procedure for the transfer of power. His filial heir - Vasily II sits on the throne, causing the indignation of Yuri - the younger brother of Vasily I. Yuri starts a war and dies. The struggle is continued by his sons Vasily (Kosoy) and Dmitry Shemyaka. Vasily - the son of Yuri - lost his eyes in captivity and received the nickname Oblique. Vasily II was also blinded in captivity, hence the nickname Vasily the Dark. Dmitry Shemyaka fled. Vasily II the Dark rules from 1425 to 1462. When Vasily II was captured by the Tatars in 1445, Shemyaka took the throne. Soon Vasily II was released, and Dmitry Shemyaka fled, leaving the throne

The unification of disparate lands is a completely natural process. The creation of the Russian state coincided in time with a similar process in Western Europe, but had its own characteristics.

I. The initial stage of the unification ended relatively painlessly: North-Eastern Russia was united under the rule of Moscow. However, the final stage was difficult: Novgorod would resist for a long time, in addition, the south would remain under the rule of other states for a long time.

II. The united state will be feudal for a long time, while in Europe, at the end of the appanage period, the emergence of capitalism will begin,

III. The process would have dragged on even longer if it were not for the need to overthrow the yoke

3. Ruled from 1462 to 1505 Ivan III. The blind father of Ivan, Vasily the Dark, made his son a co-ruler during his lifetime. During this time, the young prince learned to be careful and prudent. By nature, he was a cunning cunning. Having come to power at the age of 22, he began to subjugate the remaining territories. In 1468, the Principality of Yaroslavl was under his rule, in 1474 - Rostov, in 1485 - Tver, in 1489 - Vyatka. A number of noble families passed from the subordination of Lithuania to the subordination of Ivan III

A separate story is the subjugation of Novgorod. Novgorodians decided to fight desperately and entered into an alliance with the Polish-Lithuanian prince Casimir. The inspirer of the union was the posadnitsa Marfa Boretskaya. Novgorodians recognized the power of Lithuania and accepted the governor. For this, Moscow accused the Novgorodians of "falling away from Orthodoxy to Latinism" and moved on to decisive action. AT 1471 Novgorodians lost the battle on the river. Sheloni (by the way, Casimir did not enter the battle and did not fulfill the contract). AT 1478 - liquidated veche. The most active fighters for independence had their lands confiscated. The Novgorod nobility retained some privileges for independent relations with Sweden, and was also exempted from serving on the troubled southern borders.

State transformations times of Ivan III:

New territories began to be governed by governors and feeders,* Appointed by the Moscow prince. The right to hold office was regulated by a special procedure - localism- an order that preserves ranks and titles in accordance with the merits and ranks of ancestors

The Boyar Duma was established in the amount of 5-12 people. - Legislative body. It included both Moscow and local boyars

After the annexation of Tver, Ivan III titles himself the sovereign of all Russia, and after marrying Sophia Paleolog, the last of the family of the Byzantine emperor, he calls himself king (it is noteworthy that the marriage was arranged by the Pope himself)

Starting from 1480, it is appropriate to use the name Russia to designate Russia

After the overthrow of the yoke, the country acquires a coat of arms in the form of a double-headed eagle

AT 1497 d. a code of laws is issued Sudebnik of Ivan III:

State administration is described

Orders are established, their competence is described,

Punishments for various types of crimes

The transition of peasants to new owners is prohibited, except for a week before and a week after St. George's Day (November 26)

Church politics. The Russian Church splits into 2 independent metropolises: Moscow and Kyiv (unification will take place after Ukraine joins Russia). There are many heresies. Some demanded the abolition of priests, others the refusal of monasteries from land holdings. The movement took on a special nonpossessors who objected to the accumulation of wealth by the church. Non-possessors were opposed josephites, supporting the rights of the church, including the ownership of land with the peasants. Ivan III supported the Josephites

In 1480, news came to Moscow about a campaign against Russia by Khan Ahmed, who was going to punish the Grand Duke for disobedience: since 1476, Ivan III did not pay tribute to the Horde. Popular rumor says that the king trampled on the message of the khan and ordered to kill the ambassadors. He told the survivor to tell Ahmed that the same thing would happen to him. Actually it was. After the death of his brother Yuri, the tsar did not divide his property among the other brothers, but attached it to the grand ducal lands, paying compensation. For the second time, Ivan III encroached on the property of the brothers, taking away part of the possessions from Boris, then the brothers decided to rebel. This conflict was the reason for a new campaign.

Khan Ahmed made an alliance with the Lithuanian prince Casimir. Russian and Mongolian troops gathered at the tributary of the Oka Ugra on September 30, 1480. Ivan III, returning to Moscow, was indecisive, even sent Sophia away, in case the capital was lost. The townspeople, led by the Archbishop of Moscow, demanded decisive action. Meanwhile, the khan made 2 unsuccessful attempts to cross the river. In vain waiting for an ally of Casimir, who fought with the Crimean Khan, Ahmed stood on the Ugra River for 4 days. Early winter buried the Khan's plans completely. And not daring to start a battle, the Mongols left. So "standing on the Ugra" led to the overthrow of the yoke. In 1502 the Golden Horde fell under the onslaught of the Crimean Tatars.

1505-1533 - years of government Basil III. He was born later than grandson Dmitry (the son of the deceased Ivan III, nicknamed Ivan the Young, who never ascended the throne). For a long time he was in disgrace with his Greek mother, until his father changed his mind and sent his grandson to prison with the words “Chi is not free, the great prince”, in his children and in his reign? To whom I want, I give reign.” He showed himself as a cruel ruler. Under him, Pskov loses its independence (he evicted the local boyars, settled the Moscow ones), the Seversk land was annexed, Smolensk was recaptured. The icon of the Smolensk Mother of God, the defender of the western frontiers, was transferred to the newly built Novodevichy Convent. Specific princes lose the right to mint coins and have relations with foreign powers, dispose of estates without the knowledge of the Grand Duke

The era when the Moscow prince was only the first among equals is ending. Basil III achieved an unprecedented centralization of power. Decisions were made personally, those who objected to such an order were executed. The German ambassador wrote that not a single adviser contradicts Vasily, and at court they say: “What the sovereign does not do, everything is by the will of God”

He supported the non-possessors, made one of their leaders a metropolitan. He profited well at the expense of the monastery lands. However, he rejected the idea of ​​taking away all the property from the churches, fearing that he would lose the support of the clergy.

Since Vasily III's wife turned out to be childless, he forbade his brothers to marry. And after a while I decided to divorce my wife. Having been married for 20 years, Vasily sent his wife to a monastery. In order to get a divorce, he replaced the metropolitan, having made an agreement with the Josephites. The second time to marry the Lithuanian princess Elena Glinskaya. They didn't have children for 4 years. At the hour of the birth of their first child, the future Ivan the Terrible, a storm broke out. Only after the birth of the heir, Vasily allowed the brothers to marry

The story of the raid of the Crimean Tatars in 1519 is interesting. They approached Moscow, received a promise to pay tribute, then the Russians gathered their strength, caught up and defeated the Tatars, and took away the written obligations

In the second half of the 14th century, a new upsurge in Russian culture begins. Weakened after many years of the Mongol-Tatar yoke and feudal fragmentation, the princes finally begin to unite, which leads to the strengthening of the state and becomes an impetus for a new development of culture.

The consequences of the Mongol-Tatar yoke for culture

  • Wooden architecture was almost completely lost, the development of stone architecture stopped;
  • Many crafts have disappeared;
  • Many technologies were lost in various spheres of culture and life;
  • Chronicles, painting, applied arts and literature fell into decline.

However, despite the invasion, Russian culture did not adopt the traditions of the Mongol-Tatars and retained its originality.

cultural centers

Fragmentation and invasions of the Mongols led to the withering of small cultural centers, but an increasing number of artisans and other craftsmen found refuge in large principalities. So, the Novgorod and Pskov lands became the centers of cultural revival, which managed to preserve the old heritage of Kievan Rus.

Large principalities possessed great strength, which made it possible to offer ever greater resistance to the Mongol invaders. As a result, with the intensification of the struggle, cultural monuments began to appear, which became a reflection of this struggle. In addition, the unification of lands is planned, which also contributes to the development of crafts and arts.

The idea of ​​the unity of Russia and the fight against the invaders becomes the main one in the culture of this period.

From the 2nd half of the 14th century, an active struggle against the invaders began, and Moscow became an important center in this struggle. The unification of princes around Moscow also leads to the fact that the city becomes a cultural center.

Architecture

Stone architecture, which stopped its development at the time of the invasion, begins to revive. Temple construction begins. The first city that decided to restore after the Mongol-Tatar yoke was Tver, where the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior was built. Following Tver, other cities began to revive.

Writing

The desire for unity and victory over the invaders led to the fact that literature and writing began to actively develop. In many principalities, various documents, records and testimonies began to be compiled, telling about the stages of the struggle against the Mongols-Tatars. Numerous books about campaigns, travels, battles, as well as annals of events began to appear.

The genre of "walking" - the description of travels - received special development. The most striking examples of this genre can be called the book of the merchant Afanasy Nikitin - "Journey Beyond Three Seas" about a trip to India.

Painting

Following the beginning of the construction of temples, painting begins to develop actively. Appears its own school of icon painting, frescoes are actively used. Among the famous masters of that time are Feofan the Greek and Andrei Rublev. Numerous frescoes, icons and paintings of the most famous cathedrals of Russia belong to their brushes.

By the end of the 15th century, the culture of Russia was on an unprecedented rise, all spheres of art were actively developing, great cultural monuments were being created. The culture of Russia finally recovered from the Mongol-Tatar invasion and embarked on the path of development and self-determination.

The Mongol conquest led to a long economic, political and cultural decline of the Russian lands. The unification process was suspended for many years, and the khan's tribute fell on the people as a heavy burden. Nevertheless, in agriculture there is a transition to a two- and three-field crop rotation system, the plow with an iron coulter becomes the main arable tool, the land is fertilized with manure. As a result, the efficiency of agricultural production and the development of trade in new shopping centers - Moscow, Tver, Nizhny Novgorod - are improving. Due to the accumulation of the treasury and the aggressive political game against the backdrop of internal strife in the Horde, the strengthening (elevation) of the Moscow principality is taking place. Moscow becomes the new political center of Russia.

In the struggle for the grand prince's throne, the cunning ruler Vasily II actively used the Horde as allies. In addition, Basil II was supported by the Russian Orthodox Church, which gained independence from Byzantium after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. All this allowed Ivan III to truly begin the unification of Muscovite Russia, and achieve the final overthrow of the Golden Horde yoke.

The strengthening of the grand ducal power, the growing authority of the nobility due to the distribution of land, the emergence of institutions for managing a centralized state necessitated the adoption of a new set of laws of the Russian state - the so-called Sudebnik of Ivan III.

1301 - Daniil Alexandrovich annexed Kolomna to the Moscow principality.

1303, March 4 - the first Moscow prince Daniil Alexandrovich, the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky, died.

1303-1325 - reigning in Moscow Yuri Danilovich.

1312 - adoption of Islam by the Golden Horde as the state religion.

1313-1342 - the reign of Khan Uzbek in the Golden Horde.

1318 - campaign of Yuri Danilovich and the Mongol troops against Tver.

1325-1340 - reign of Ivan Kalita in Moscow.

1327 - uprising in Tver against the Baskak Cholkhan. The defeat of the uprising by Ivan Kalita.

1328 - transfer of the metropolitan table from Vladimir to Moscow.

1337 - the foundation of the Monastery by Sergius of Radonezh on the banks of the Konchura River. From 1345 Trinity-Sergius Monastery. Since 1742 the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

1340-1353 - reign of Simeon the Proud in Moscow.

1353-1359 - reign of Ivan II the Red in Moscow.

1359-1389 - Dmitry Ivanovich reigned in Moscow.

1367 - construction of the white-stone Kremlin in Moscow.

1375 - campaign of Moscow troops against Tver. Conclusion of the Moscow-Tver Treaty. Recognition by Tver of the "eldership" of Moscow.

1377 - the defeat of Russian troops on the Pyan River from the Mongol troops.

1378 - Battle of the Vozha River. Moscow's victory over the Horde troops under the command of Begich.

1380 - the first mention in the charter of the Lithuanian prince Olgerd of the city of Kaluga (now the administrative center of the Kaluga region).

1382 - the ruin of Moscow by Tokhtamysh. The resumption by the Russian principalities of paying tribute to the Horde.

1393 - the annexation of Nizhny Novgorod to Moscow.

1395 - the ruin of the Golden Horde by Timur.

1389-1425 - reign of Vasily I Dmitrievich.

1410, July 15 - Battle of Grunwald. Polish-Lithuanian troops defeated the Teutonic Order.

1417-1428 - plague epidemics in the territory of Russia.

1425-1462 - reign of Vasily II the Dark.

1433-1453 - feudal war of the second quarter of the 15th century.

1439 - Union of Florence.

1462-1505 - reign of Ivan III.

1466-1472 - Afanasy Nikitin's journey through Persia, India and Turkey.

1469 - the first mention in the Russian chronicles of the city of Cheboksary (now the capital of the Chuvash Republic).

1470-1480s - construction of new fortifications and cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin.

1471 - Ivan III's campaign against Novgorod. Battle on the Shelon River.

1472 - Ivan III marries the niece of the emperor of Byzantium, Sophia (Zoya) Paleolog, makes the Byzantine double-headed eagle the coat of arms of Russia, acting as the successor of Byzantium.

1476 - Ivan III stops paying tribute to the Horde.

1478 - annexation of Novgorod to Moscow.

1480 - Khan Akhtat's campaign against Moscow. "Standing on the river Ugra". The fall of the Mongol-Tatar yoke.

1485 - the annexation of Tver to Moscow. Ivan III became known as the "Grand Duke of All Russia".

1485 - Sudebnik of Ivan III. Limitation of the transition of peasants a week before and a week after St. George's Day in the autumn (November 26) and payment of the elderly.