The 14th century is a time of significant transformations in the life of the Russian principalities. During this historical period, the power of the Golden Horde was finally established over the northeastern territories of the Russian lands. Gradually, among the small specific principalities, a struggle for primacy and the creation of a new centralized state around their patrimony flared up. Only by common efforts could the Russian lands throw off the yoke of the nomads and take their place among the European powers. Among the old cities, completely destroyed by the Tatar raids, there was no power, no political elites, no influence, so neither Kyiv, nor Vladimir and Suzdal could claim the place of the future center of reign. Russia in the 14th century introduced new favorites in this race. These are the Novgorod Republic, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Principality of Moscow.
Novgorod land. Brief description
In the old days, the Mongol cavalry never reached Novgorod. This city flourished and retained its influence due to its favorable location between the B altic states, the eastern Russian lands and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The sharp cooling of the 13th-14th centuries (the Little Ice Age) significantly reduced crops in Novgorod lands, but Novgorod survived and became even richer due to increased demand for rye and wheat in the B altic markets.
Political structure of Novgorod
The political structure of the city is close to the Slavic traditions of the veche. This form of internal affairs management also existed in other Russian lands, but after the enslavement of Russia, it quickly disappeared. Officially, power in the principality was ruled by a veche, a standard form of ancient Russian self-government. But in fact, the history of Russia in the 14th century in Novgorod was made by the hands of we althy citizens. The resale of grain and active trade in all directions created in Novgorod a wide stratum of we althy people - "golden belts" who actually made policy in the principality.
Until the final annexation to the Moscow Principality, the Novgorod lands were the most extensive among all that united Russia in the 14th century.
Why Novgorod didn't become a center
Novgorod territories were not densely populated, even during the heyday of the principality, the population of Novgorod did not exceed 30 thousand people - such a number could neither conquer neighboring lands, nor maintain their power in them. Although the history of the 14th century calls Novgorod one of the largest Christian centers, the church in the principality did not have much power. Another serious problem was the low fertility of Novgorod lands and heavy dependence on more southern territories. Gradually Novgorod became more and more dependent onMoscow and eventually became one of the cities of the Moscow Principality.
Second contender. Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The history of Russia in the 14th century would not be complete without a description of the influence that the Principality of Lithuania (ON) had on the western lands. Formed on the fragments of the possessions of the great Kyiv, it gathered Lithuanians, B alts and Slavs under its flags. Against the backdrop of the constant raids of the Horde, Western Russians saw Lithuania as their natural protector from the Golden Horde warriors.
Power and religion in ON
The supreme power in the state belonged to the prince - he was also called the gospodar. He was subject to smaller vassals - pans. Soon an independent legislative body appeared in the GDL - the Rada, which is a council of influential pans and strengthens their positions in many areas of domestic politics. The big problem was the lack of a clear ladder of succession to the throne - the death of the previous prince provoked strife between potential heirs, and often the throne went not to the most legitimate, but to the most unscrupulous of them.
Religion in Lithuania
As for religion, the 14th century did not designate a certain vector of religious views and sympathies in the Principality of Lithuania. Lithuanians successfully maneuvered between Catholicism and Orthodoxy for a long time, remaining pagans in their souls. The prince could be baptized in the Catholic faith, and the bishop at the same time profess Orthodoxy. The broad masses of the peasantry and townspeople mainly adhered to Orthodox principles, the 14th century dictated the choice of faith aslist of potential allies and opponents. Powerful Europe stood behind Catholicism, Orthodoxy remained behind the eastern lands, which regularly paid to give to the Gentiles.
Why not Lithuania
Western Russia in the 14th-15th centuries skillfully maneuvered between the Golden Horde and the European invaders. By and large, this situation suited all participants in the politics of those years. But after the death of Olgerd, power in the principality passed into the hands of Jagiello. Under the terms of the Union of Krevo, he married the heiress of the Commonwe alth and in fact became the ruler of both vast lands. Gradually, Catholicism penetrated into all spheres of life in the country. The strong influence of a hostile religion made it impossible to unite the northeastern lands around Lithuania, so Vilnius never became Moscow.
Moscow Principality
One of the numerous small fortresses built by Dolgoruky around his native Vladimir Principality was distinguished by its advantageous location at the crossroads of trade routes. Little Moscow received merchants from the east and west, had access to the Volga and the northern banks. The 14th century brought a lot of battles and destruction to Moscow, but after each invasion the city was rebuilt.
Gradually, Moscow acquired its own ruler - the prince - and successfully pursued a policy of encouraging immigrants, who, for various indulgences, firmly settled down within the new boundaries. The constant expansion of the territory contributed to the strengthening of the forces and positions of the principality. In the state of the rulesabsolute monarchy, and the order of succession to the throne was observed. The power of the eldest son was not disputed, and he was in charge of the large and best lands of the principality. The authority of Moscow increased markedly after the victory of the principality over Mamai in 1380 - one of the most significant victories that Russia won in the 14th century. History has helped Moscow to rise above its eternal rival - Tver. After another Mongol invasion, the city could not recover from the devastation and became a vassal of Moscow.
Strengthening of sovereignty
The history of Russia in the 14th century gradually puts Moscow at the head of a single state. The oppression of the Horde is still strong, the claims to the northeastern lands of the northern and western neighbors are still strong. But the first stone Orthodox churches in Moscow had already shot up, the role of the church, which was strongly interested in creating a unified state, increased. In addition, the 14th century was the milestone for two great victories.
The battle on the Kulikovo field showed that the Golden Horde can be expelled from Russian lands. The long war with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ended with the defeat of the Lithuanians, and Vilnius forever abandoned attempts to colonize the northwest. So Moscow took the first steps towards the formation of its statehood.
