Who did more to advance Russian rule during the rise of Russia? the Byzantine, the mongols, Ivan the great, or Ivan the terrible.
In order to determine who did more to advance Russian rule during the rise of Russia, we need to consider the influence and impact of each of these entities: the Byzantine Empire, the Mongols, Ivan the Great, and Ivan the Terrible.
1. Byzantine Empire: The Byzantine Empire had a significant influence on the emerging Russian state. They played a crucial role in shaping Russian culture, religion, and politics. They introduced Orthodox Christianity to the Rus' people, which became the dominant religion in Russia. Byzantine influence also affected the architecture, art, and administrative systems of Russia. However, it is important to note that while Byzantine influence was significant, it is not the sole factor in the rise of Russian rule.
2. Mongols: The Mongol Empire, under the leadership of Genghis Khan and later his successors, conquered a vast territory, including parts of modern-day Russia. The Mongols established the Golden Horde, a powerful state within Russia, which lasted for about two centuries. The Mongols firmly controlled Russia and influenced its governance structure, economy, and social organization. Their rule forced Russian princes to pay tribute and adopt certain administrative practices, which led to the centralization of power and the emergence of Moscow as a significant political center. While the Mongols had a substantial impact, their dominance eventually declined, leading to the rise of independent Russian states.
3. Ivan the Great: Ivan III, also known as Ivan the Great, ruled as the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1462 to 1505. During his reign, Ivan consolidated the various Russian principalities and successfully resisted Mongol domination. This helped lay the foundation for a centralized Russian state. Ivan expanded Russian territories, liberated Moscow from Mongol influence, and established stronger control over the Russian Orthodox Church. His reign marked an important turning point in Russian history, as he set the stage for future territorial expansion and the emergence of Russia as a major European power.
4. Ivan the Terrible: Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, ruled as the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and as the first Tsar of Russia from 1547 to 1584. Ivan expanded the Russian territories significantly, especially through military conquests against neighboring regions like Kazan, Astrakhan, and Siberia. His reign, however, was marked by internal conflicts, political repression, and the tightening of autocratic rule. Ivan's policies and actions were instrumental in the consolidation of power and the establishment of the centralized Russian state.
While it is challenging to attribute a definitive ranking to the influence of each entity, Ivan the Great (Ivan III) played a crucial role in advancing Russian rule during the rise of Russia. His consolidation of the Russian principalities, resistance against Mongol domination, and expansion of Russian territories were significant factors in shaping the future of Russian statehood. However, it is important to recognize the contributions of the Byzantine Empire in terms of cultural, religious, and administrative influences, as well as the historical impact of the Mongols and the actions of Ivan the Terrible.