Feudal fragmentation Rus' is a natural result of the development of early feudal Russian society.
The reasons for feudal fragmentation in Rus' can be called economic and political.
Economic ones consisted in the spread of subsistence farming at that time, and therefore in the opportunity to separate from the state, because production was carried out not for sale, but “for oneself.” The emergence and development of crafts led to the enrichment of the estate. The prince’s warriors turned into landowners and “settled” on their lands. The number of dependent slaves who needed to be kept in line was growing, and this required the presence of a police apparatus, but without government intervention. The development of production led to economic and political isolation. Local boyars did not intend to share their income with the Grand Duke of Kyiv and actively supported their rulers in the struggle for independence and strengthening of their own principality.
The political ones were that all the princes and patrimonial lords were relatives and considered themselves equal to each other. Outwardly, the collapse was a division of territories between representatives of the princely family, which had grown during this time.
Stages of decay.
The first attempts to secede were made after his death in 1052. But the prince united the Russian lands by force and cunning. In 1097, there was an attempt to unite the Russian lands under a treaty. The Russian princes Svyatopolk, Vladimir, Davyd Svyatoslavich, Davyd Igorevich, Oleg and Vasilko gathered in Lyubech for a congress, where two issues were resolved:
1) who should rule where;
2) on what conditions to maintain a unified state.
Kyiv was recognized as the capital, where tribute is paid no matter how much. Depending on the amount of tribute, help comes from Kyiv.
But already on the way from Kyiv to their lands, two princes kill Prince Vasilko in order to divide his lands. Only the king who reigned from 1113 to 1125 was able to restore order. in Kyiv, but after his death it became impossible to stop the collapse.
In the second quarter of the 12th century, the Polovtsians were completely defeated, the number of nomadic raids on Russian lands sharply decreased, unification became unnecessary and, starting from the 12th century, Principality of Kiev gradually fades away.
The consequences of feudal fragmentation in Rus' were that out of 12 principalities, 250 were formed, as a result of which the Russian land became very vulnerable, but at the same time feudal fragmentation contributed to the development of feudal relations. land, - principality and Galicia-Volyn Principality were the three most large lands after the breakup. The two names for the land - Vladimir-Suzdal - were explained by the fact that it had two rulers: in Vladimir - a prince, in Suzdal - a boyar council. In these lands, the general traditions and principles of management and culture that developed during the existence of single state. But at the same time different lands had their own peculiarities of development, so the process of formation of local art schools in architecture, painting, literature, there were differences in management.
Novgorod feudal republic
The main governing body in Novgorod Republic there was a meeting-meeting of adult men, later - representatives of clans, regardless of social origin. The leading role at the veche was played by “200 golden belts” (200 boyars); they constituted the boyar council. The veche was collected only according to important occasions, the rest of the time the boyar council ruled, headed by the archbishop. The functions of the archbishop were to keep state seal, control of the issue of coins and control of the treasury (he had the keys to the treasury), measures of weight, length and volume (this was important for trade). In addition, he was the supreme judge.
The veche elected a mayor and a thousand, who helped the archbishop.
Posadnik is a person who leads foreign policy, monitors the implementation court decisions, is the head of the militia. The mayor was chosen from among the trade people, because foreign policy- This is primarily trade.
Tysyatsky was an executor of punishments, a deputy mayor, he oversaw the collection of taxes.
The prince was invited from the Vladimir-Suzdal land in case of war or rebellion. He was entrusted with defense, and then he was expelled.
The symbol of freedom of Novgorod was veche bell, which rang until the end of the 16th century. After the conquest of Novgorod by the Moscow princes, the bell “took out its tongue, beat it with whips and exiled it to Siberia.” From that moment on it ceased to exist Novgorod land.
Vladimir-Suzdal Principality.
The Vladimir-Suzdal principality occupied the area between the Oka and Volga rivers. The prince was the sovereign ruler of the principality. The Vladimir princes built the principality as eastern state, on the principles of despotism, i.e. the prince led the entire life of society.
It was in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality that the Moscow dynasty was formed. The first of the famous Vladimir princes was, one of younger sons Vladimir Monomakh, he ruled in Vladimir at the beginning of the 12th century, united a number of lands into a single Vladimir-Suzdal principality, went to Kyiv and burned it.
The son of Yuri (1157-1174) first began the fight against the boyars for sole power and at the same time relied on the nobles. The difference between the boyars and the nobles was that the boyars had an estate, and the nobles did not have land; they were the prince’s warriors, to whom the prince gave land for their service.
During his reign, Andrei managed to separate the power of the prince from the boyar council, for which the boyars poisoned him.
After his death, Vsevolod ascended the throne Big Nest(1176-1212). He was so nicknamed because he had 17 children, all boys (according to some historical estimates). After his death, hostility and strife began.
Galicia-Volyn Principality
The Galician-Volyn principality is the westernmost principality, bordering Poland and Hungary. The Volyn princes did not have the same rights and privileges as the Vladimir princes.
The system of government in this principality was close to the European one (vassalage). The prince's feudal lords were independent of him. The prince shared power with Boyar Duma, and the boyars had the right to remove the prince. The economy depended on trade relations with Europe, the main commodity was bread.
In addition, the slave trade was developed in the principality, because it was close to Mediterranean Sea, and the slave market was developed in the Mediterranean.
The collapse of the Galician-Volyn principality began in the 14th century, when Volyn was captured by Lithuania, and the Galician land by Poland.
All lands had three paths of development: republic, despotism or monarchy. Due to the Mongol-Tatar invasion, despotism began to dominate.
Feudal fragmentation in Rus' existed until the end of the 15th century, when most of The territory of the former Kyiv principality became part of the Moscow one.
Culture 12-15 centuries
During this period, it became widespread iconography. Such great icon painters as Theophanes the Greek, Andrei Rublev, and Dionysius appeared.
15th century, Novgorod and Moscow – Theophanes the Greek from Byzantium
14-15 centuries – Andrey Rublev
Literature 12-15 centuries
Peculiarities:
-1951 - found in Novgorod birch bark letters. More than 700.
- paper has been used since the 14th century
-home schooling and teaching in churches
-Charter -> semi-charter -> cursive (from the 15th century)
-first comma (XV century)
-development of oral folk art(at a high rate after 1380)
Church 12-15 centuries
End XV-early XVI V. marked by serious religious disputes. In the 1480s. In Novgorod, and then in Moscow, a heretical movement directed against the official church manifests itself. Heretics denied the basic church dogmas and demanded the destruction of the church hierarchy, monasticism and the confiscation of church lands. There are 2 movements within the church: non-covetousness (asceticism, renunciation of property) and Josephiteness (for a materially strong church)
Architecture 12-15 centuries
During the period of feudal fragmentation, the role of Kyiv as a political center began to weaken, and significant architectural schools appeared in feudal centers. IN XII-XIII centuries the dominant role was played by Vladimir-Suzdal, Novgorod and other principalities. Continuing the Byzantine and Kyiv traditions, the architectural style is modified and acquires its own, individual features.
Feudal fragmentation in Rus'
Fragmentation was natural a consequence of the feudalization of society, which took place against the backdrop of weakening central government . This process was based on the following objective phenomena like the rise of feudal land ownership, enrichment of the provincial nobility, growth and development of cities. While maintaining a subsistence economy and weak market ties, all this led to the economic independence of the principalities. Both the nobility and the townspeople lost interest in the grand ducal power and began to be burdened by it, because... Kyiv constantly demanded cash payments and participation in military enterprises. The boyars and the city elite became the support of local princes in their desire to assert their sovereignty and secure their land holdings. In addition, the development of feudalism was accompanied by the strengthening social struggle. To hold dependent population in obedience, the feudal lords needed an apparatus of coercion and suppression on the ground, and not in distant Kyiv. In the 2nd half of the 12th century the process of formation of the system separate principalities ends. For its time, feudal fragmentation was a progressive phenomenon: it opened the way for the strengthening of feudal relations, contributed to the development of cities, the growth of productive forces, and the general rise of the economy and culture not only in the center, but in all lands. At the same time, it did not stop the princely strife and significantly weakened the defense capability of Rus', which, given the peculiarities of its geopolitical situation, was especially dangerous.
Characteristic feature feudal fragmentation in Rus' was the preservation of elements of national-state unity:
- the moral authority of the authorities was preserved Prince of Kyiv, as the eldest among the Russian princes;
- All-Russian church unity was preserved. Bishops were appointed to the principalities by the Kyiv Metropolitan together with the Kyiv Grand Duke;
- the tradition of holding all-Russian princely congresses was preserved, although the princes might not respect their decisions;
- the unity of language and cultural tradition was preserved.
All this does not deny that every Russian land was sovereign state, completely independent in its domestic and foreign policy. The Russian principalities took basically the form feudal monarchies. Characteristic feature Their internal political life was a struggle for real power between the princes and the boyars. It was especially fierce in the Principality of Galicia-Volyn, whose boyars, in the fight against the princes, more than once entered into an agreement with foreign forces (Hungary or Poland).
The period of feudal fragmentation of Kievan Rus, which began in the 30s of the 12th century, lasted until the very end of the 15th century. However, many of its signs became quite clearly visible already in the second half of the 11th century. Among the reasons for feudal fragmentation in Rus', historians note such phenomena as:
- the development of the strengthening of Russian cities, which occurred on a par with the development of Kyiv;
- the estates of the princes were completely independent thanks to subsistence farming;
- the large number of children of most Russian princes;
- traditions of succession to the throne.
During the period of feudal fragmentation, Rus' consisted of many separate principalities. And, if initially the Kiev principality was actually the strongest, then over time its leadership became formal due to economic weakening.
Despite the will left by Yaroslav the Wise, his sons Izyaslav, Vyacheslav, Igor, Vsevolod and Svyatoslav, who for a long time carried out joint campaigns and successfully defended their lands, began a long and bloody fight for power. In 1073 Svyatoslav expelled the eldest of the brothers, Izyaslav, from Kyiv. And after his death in 1076, the struggle for power flared up with renewed vigor.
Did not contribute to the creation peaceful situation and the system of inheritance adopted during that period. After the death of the prince, the rights to the throne passed to the eldest in the family. And the prince’s brother became the eldest, which, of course, did not suit the sons. Vladimir Monomakh tried to correct the situation. At the Lyubech Congress in 1097 it was adopted new system succession to the throne. Now power over the principality became the privilege of local princes. But this is precisely what led to the isolation of individual lands and the strengthening political fragmentation Rus' in subsequent centuries. The situation gradually escalated, the strife became more and more brutal. Many appanage princes, seeking help in the struggle for power, they brought nomads to their lands. And, if initially Kievan Rus split into 14 principalities: Kiev, Rostov-Suzdal, Murom, Chernigov, Galicia, Smolensk, Pereyaslav, Tmutarakan, Turovo-Pinsk, Vladimir-Volyn, Polotsk, Ryazan, the lands of Pskov and Novgorod, then already in the 13th century there were about 50 principalities!
The consequences of fragmentation in Rus' and the ongoing princely strife soon made themselves felt. Small principalities did not pose a serious threat to the nomads who appeared on the borders. Russian princes, preoccupied with the problems of seizing and retaining power, were unable to come to an agreement and fight back Tatar-Mongol hordes. But in other way, modern historians consider the period of fragmentation to be a natural part of the history of each state.
Feudal fragmentation (12-15 centuries).
12-13th century – crushing. 14-15th century - unification.
Feudal fragmentation is a natural stage in development feudal state. Similar processes occurred in Europe somewhat earlier. Centrifugal tendencies appeared already in the era of the Yaroslavichs. The period of feudal fragmentation begins with the death of Prince Mstislav in 1132. In the mid-12th century, Kievan Rus split into 15 principalities. Most of the principalities will become part of the Grand Lithuanian-Russian Principality. At the beginning of the 13th century, there were already 50 principalities. Subsequently, the crushing process continued. Therefore, this period can be called Specific Russia. An inheritance is a princely hereditary possession, that is, each of the Rurik family wanted to receive an inheritance.
Reasons for the collapse of the Old Russian state:
Increase princely families and the struggle between them. Formation of local princely dynasties. Development of the boyars - the boyars became economically strong and fought for power with the princes. The economy was natural economy, and this is the desire for separatism. New trade routes bypassed Kyiv - this led to economic decline. New cities appear and grow. External reason- the raids of nomads weakened Kyiv, the people left for other principalities.
Consequences of the collapse of the Old Russian state:
Economic and cultural development principalities, cities, estates (patrimony is hereditary land ownership). + The emergence of new trade routes- with the Baltic states, with German cities. - Strife. – Weakening in front of an external enemy.
Fact - Rus' did not completely collapse even during this period. Language, religion, external danger forced the princes to maintain relations with each other.
Political centers:
Northwestern Rus' (Pskov and Novgorod feudal republics) - the lands are not very fertile, crafts and trade developed, and the tribal nobility seized power. Formally, power in Novgorod belonged to the veche (assembly of the free). The veche accepted everything major decisions- made peace, started a war, invited the prince, etc. The prince was only. Also at the meeting they elected officials (in particular, mayors, etc.). In fact, power belonged to the boyar and merchant elite. Therefore, the republic was called a boyar (feudal) republic. 1136-1478 - Novgorod. 1348-1510 - Pskov. (Later they were annexed to Moscow). North-Eastern Rus'(Vladimir-Suzdal Principality) - 1154. - became isolated from Kyiv under Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. The first mention of Moscow is 1147. North-Eastern Rus' also successfully developed under his heir, Andrei Bogolyubsky (Both princes in Vladimir). He made trips to Kyiv. Ultimately, Kyiv lost its role as a political center, since real political power passed to the Vladimir-Suzdal prince. Vsevolod the Big Nest - established the title of Grand Duke of Vladimir, which gradually established itself throughout all Russian lands. Thus, an authoritarian regime has developed in North-Eastern Rus'. South Russian Lands (Galicia and Volyn) – fertile lands, crafts and trade are developed => strong boyar estates and cities. In the 40s of the 13th century, Kyiv became part of the Galicia-Volyn principality. In the same year, Kyiv was captured by the Mongol-Tatars, and the process of fragmentation was underway. By the mid-14th century, Galicia became part of Poland.
These three political center differed in climatic conditions, economic development and political structure.
Fighting external invasions in the 13th century.
East – Mongol-Tatars, West – Crusades.
At the beginning of the 12th century, the Mongol tribes entered the phase of state formation. In 1206, the kurultai declared Temujin the head of the united Tatar-Mongol state - Genghis Khan. The aggressive nature of the Mongols - in economic system(nomadic pastoralism, constantly requiring new pastures) and a powerful army.
The Mongols captured Siberia Northwestern China, Central Asia, Transcaucasia and paid attention to Russian lands.
1223 - defeat of the Russians and Polovtsians on the Kalka River.
1236 - defeat of Volga Bulgaria.
1237-38 - the ruin of North-Eastern Rus'.
1238 – Kolomna, Moscow, Vladimir were destroyed, killed Prince of Vladimir Yuri Vsevolodovich. In the region, North-Eastern Rus' found itself dependent on the Mongol khans.
1239-1240 - second trip to the South Russian Lands. The Galician-Volyn principality was devastated, Kyiv was captured. After the devastation of the South Russian Lands, the Mongols went to Europe, and in 1242 they suffered a serious defeat from the Czech Republic and Hungary. Batu returned from Europe to the Volga and in the region of modern Astrakhan founded the capital - Sarai-Batul and the state - the Golden Horde.
At the beginning of the 13th century, several knightly orders(In the end Livonian Order). The unification was for the sake of campaigns against Rus' with the aim of spreading Catholicism. Summer 1240 The Swedes landed their troops on the banks of the Neva. cut off the Swedes from the ships and won a brilliant victory.
1242 - Battle on the Ice.
These 2 major victories the crusades stopped.
#A bunch of discussions about the role of the yoke and the West and their influence on Rus'.
It is necessary to distinguish between the concepts of invasion (campaigns that existed) and yoke (the system of Rus' and the Golden Horde). Golden Horde – multinational state, where Mongols are a minority.
In fact, fiefs are a state within a state. Nevertheless, supreme power is saved.
1. Economic reasons for feudal fragmentation:
a) economic independence of princes and boyars from Kyiv as a result of the development of feudal estates (boyar villages), cities, and individual lands;
b) weak economic ties under the dominance of subsistence farming.
2. Internal political reason: the relative political independence of local feudal lords (i.e. the ability to support their squad) as a result of economic independence. Thus, other lands also experienced processes similar to the formation of the state.
3. Foreign policy reason: the disappearance of the external danger from the Polovtsians freed the princes from the obligation of uniting for a joint struggle under the leadership of the Kyiv prince.
The fragmentation of Rus' into principalities did not mean the collapse of the Russian land. Saved:
Kinship, contractual, allied and subject relations;
Unified law based on Russian truth;
United Church, headed by the Kyiv Metropolitan;
Close system of money account and weights and measures;
The commonality of culture and the feeling of belonging of all lands to the Russian land.
However, centrifugal forces were stronger at that time. The main content of the political history of the lands was the struggle for power - the struggle of princes among themselves and the struggle of princes with boyars. In 2/2 XII century. there were 15 principalities in the 30s. XIII century ≈ 50, in the 14th century. – 250 principalities.
The most developed regions of Rus' during the period of fragmentation were:
1. North-Eastern Rus' (Rostov-Suzdal land). This is the outskirts of the Old Russian state with dense forests, sparse settlements, and infertile soils (the exception was the Suzdal, Vladimir and Rostov fields, which produced a stable harvest). Colonization of these lands began in the 11th-12th centuries. Thousands of farmers came there from Southern Rus' due to the invasion of the Polovtsians, extensive agriculture and overpopulation of the Kiev region. The cities of Yaroslavl, Suzdal, and Vladimir arose in North-Eastern Rus'. The power of the youngest son of Vladimir Monomakh, Yuri Dolgoruky (1125-1157), was established here.
A feature of North-Eastern Rus' was a strong princely power that opposed the boyars. Reasons for this:
a) the absence of opposition to the prince in the person of the boyars as large land owners due to the recent development of the territory and the presence of a large amount of land directly from the prince;
b) the reliance of princely power on the townspeople and princely servants (the transfer of the capital: by Yuri Dolgoruky - from Rostov to Suzdal, by Andrem Bogolyubsky - from Suzdal to Vladimir).
The political and economic rise of this land is associated with the sons of Yuri Dolgoruky Andrei Bogolyubsky (1157-1174) and Vsevolod the Big Nest (1176-1212). After the death of Vsevolod the Big Nest, seven principalities emerged on the territory of North-Eastern Rus', and under his sons strife began. In 1216, the Battle of Lipitsa took place between them - the largest battle of the period of feudal fragmentation. By the end of the XIII - beginning of the XIV centuries. The place of the Grand Duke of Kyiv became the Grand Duke of Vladimir.
2. Southwestern Rus' (Galician-Volyn land). The principality was located on fertile soil in the Carpathian region and on the banks of the river. Bug. A feature of the Galicia-Volyn principality was the equal power of boyars and princes. This was explained:
a) the long stay of Galich under the rule of Kyiv and, consequently, the strong influence of the noble boyars;
b) economic independence of the local nobility (boyars) due to trade (crossing trade routes), fertile soils;
c) the proximity of Poland and Hungary, where rivals often turned for help.
The principality reached its highest power under Roman of Galicia (1170-1205), who united the Galician and Volyn principalities. In his fight against the boyars, the prince relied on the service feudal lords and townspeople and managed to limit the rights of large secular and spiritual feudal lords and exterminated part of the boyars.
The most dramatic was the reign of Daniil Romanovich of Galicia (1221-1264), who managed to strengthen the princely power, weaken the influence of the boyars and annex the Kyiv lands to the Galicia-Volyn principality. The Principality of Roman Galitsky was one of largest states Europe.
3. Northwestern Rus' (Novgorod and Pskov lands). Novgorod owned lands from the Gulf of Finland to the Urals, from the Arctic Ocean to the upper reaches of the Volga. The city arose as a federation of tribes of Slavs, Finno-Ugric and Balts. The climate of Novgorod was more severe than in North-Eastern Rus', the harvests were unstable, which is why the main occupation of the Novgorodians was trades, crafts and trade (including with Western Europe - Sweden, Denmark, the German union of merchants - the Hansa). The socio-political system of Novgorod was different from other Russian lands. The main role in Novgorod was played by the veche. Since 1136, the prince was forbidden to interfere in the internal affairs of Novgorod and to own lands. Thus, Novgorod was a boyar aristocratic republic.
The period of feudal fragmentation cannot be assessed unambiguously, because, on the one hand, at this time there was the growth of cities and the flourishing of culture, and, on the other, a decrease in the country’s defense capability, which was taken advantage of by enemies from the east (Mongol-Tatars) and from the west (“crusaders”). .
