Map
Which three regions studied in this course form the main geographical focus of our analysis?
What are Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus?
According to the chronicles studied in class, this Viking ruler established the dynasty that would govern Rus' for approximately 700 years.
Who was Rurik?
This Mongol leader returned in 1237 and expanded Mongol control across the Rus' principalities.
Who was Batu Khan?
This son of Alexander Nevsky founded the Principality of Moscow in 1283.
Who was Daniel of Moscow?
After the Time of Troubles, this institution elected Michael Romanov as Tsar in 1613.
What was the Zemsky Sobor?
Which three independent states make up the South Caucasus?
What are Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia?
In 882, this descendant of Rurik captured Kiev and made it the new political center of Rus'.
Who was Oleg?
This city escaped Mongol destruction and was ruled by Alexander Nevsky.
What is Novgorod?
Moscow increased its power partly because of its strategic role in managing this obligation owed by Russian principalities to the Mongols.
What was the collection/management of tribute?
This legal code introduced under Tsar Alexei reinforced the system of serfdom that would shape Russian rural life for approximately two centuries.
What was the Sobornoye Ulozheniye?
Name the five former Soviet republics that constitute Central Asia.
What are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan?
This ruler's conversion in 988 connected Kievan Rus' culturally and religiously to the Byzantine Christian world.
Who was Vladimir the Great?
Mongol rule generally allowed local political, religious, and social structures to survive as long as rulers fulfilled these two basic obligations.
What were paying tribute and recognizing the Khan as the supreme authority?
This 1380 battle became an important symbol of Moscow's resistance against Tatar domination.
What was the Battle of Kulikovo?
Peter I traveled outside Russia during this diplomatic mission intended partly to find European allies against the Ottoman Empire.
What was the Great Embassy?
This Russian federal subject is nominally autonomous, has its own constitution, language, and legislature, and is generally associated with a particular ethnic minority.
What is a Republic?
Under this ruler, Kievan Rus' experienced its Golden Age and developed the Russkaya Pravda.
Who was Yaroslav the Wise?
In the Mongol military organization studied in class, 10,000 soldiers formed this unit, while five of these units constituted a Horde.
What is a Tumen?
After the fall of Constantinople and the weakening of the Golden Horde, Moscow increasingly presented itself as the principal center of this religious tradition.
What is Orthodox Christianity?
Peter I's reforms transformed Russia's military, institutions, education, industry, and social customs. What broader objective connected these reforms?
What was the Europeanization/modernization of Russia?
Russia currently uses two different names for federal subjects that are legally equivalent, although one historically referred to a frontier or territory. Name both.
What are an Oblast and a Krai?
Identify two developments discussed in class that contributed to the fragmentation of Kievan Rus' before the Mongol conquest.
What were dynastic struggles among Yaroslav's descendants and the emergence/migration toward competing principalities such as Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal?
Paradoxically, Mongol domination was destructive but also contributed to economic development across Eurasia through this major policy or consequence. Explain it.
What was the protection of trade routes, which increased the movement of goods, people, and ideas across Eurasia?
Give three factors discussed in class that explain Moscow's transformation from a relatively small principality into the dominant Russian political center.
Possible elements: control/management of Mongol tribute; weakening of the Golden Horde; expansion toward Novgorod; defeat/resistance against Tatar forces; Moscow's growing Orthodox religious importance after the fall of Constantinople; territorial expansion under Ivan III and Vasili III.
Born Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, this future ruler converted to Russian Orthodoxy, married Peter III, and ultimately took power following a palace coup against her husband.
Who was Catherine II (Catherine the Great)?