The Tver uprising happened many centuries ago. However, his memory has survived to this day. Many historians are still arguing about the results, goals and consequences of the uprising. The rebellion was widely described in various chronicles and stories. The suppression of the rebellion became the basis for the creation of a new hierarchy in Russia. From now on, Moscow became the new political center. It was also possible to observe the leveling of cultural differences in isolated lands in the south of Russia.
Background
The Tver uprising of 1327 was the result of the dissatisfaction of the population of Russia with the oppression of the Mongol yoke. In a little less than 100 years, the first hordes of invaders set foot on Russian soil. Prior to this, the Mongols conquered many peoples and finally decided to invade Europe. The Mongols themselves were a relatively small people and led a nomadic lifestyle. Therefore, the basis of their troops were soldiers from other peoples and tribes. With the conquest of modern Siberia, a huge role in the hierarchy of the empire began to playTatar khans.
In the 1230s, preparations began for a campaign against Russia. The Mongols chose an extremely good time for themselves. By the beginning of the 13th century, the disintegration of the ancient Russian state had taken shape. The state was greatly divided. Feudal destinies - principalities - pursued an independent policy, often at enmity with each other. Therefore, the Mongol hordes decided to launch a systematic invasion. First, several detachments were sent, the main purpose of which was to obtain information about life in Europe, terrain features, troops, and the political situation. In 1235, the Mongols gathered at the gathering of Genghisides and decided to attack. A year later, countless hordes stood at the borders of Russia in the steppes, waiting for an order. The invasion began in autumn.
Fall of Russia
Russian princes have not been able to consolidate to repulse the enemy. Moreover, many wanted to take advantage of the neighbor's disaster in order to strengthen their power in the region. As a result, the principalities were left face to face with an enemy many times superior. In the early years, southern Russia was almost completely ruined. And over the next five, all major cities fell. The militia and trained squads gave a fierce battle in each fortress, but in the end they were all defeated. Russia became dependent on the Golden Horde.
From now on, every prince was obliged to receive a label to reign from the Horde. At the same time, the Mongols participated in almost all civil strife and important political events. Russian cities were obliged to pay tribute. At the same time, the principalities retained some independence. And even under these conditions, continuedtough rivalry. The main cultural and political centers were Moscow and Tver. The Tver uprising played a decisive role in the relationship between these principalities.
New Prince
The Tver uprising is often associated with Prince Alexander Mikhailovich. In 1236, he receives a label to reign from the Mongols. Alexander lived in Tver, in his palace. However, the very next autumn, Chol Khan arrived in the city, who decided to settle here.
He drove the Grand Duke out of the palace and settled in it himself. The Tatars, who were far from civilization, immediately caused a wave of indignation among the locals. Tatar officers enjoyed privileges and behaved haughtily. They appropriated other people's property without asking and committed other outrages. At the same time, a conflict arose on religious grounds. Chronicles have brought stories of Christian oppression and atrocities to this day.
The local population loved Prince Alexander Mikhailovich and often turned to him for help. People offered to revolt against the Tatars and expel them from the principality. However, the prince himself understood the futility of such a decision. A huge army would inevitably come to the aid of the Horde, and the Tver uprising would be brutally suppressed.
Popular discontent
In the summer, rumors began to spread about Chol Khan's plans to usurp power in the principality, and convert all Russians to Islam. Moreover, people said that all this should happen on the great feast of the Assumption, which added to the drama. These rumors may have beenand untruthful, but were a natural reaction to the oppression of Christians. It was they who catalyzed hatred among the people, thanks to which the Tver uprising of 1327 took place. The prince initially persuaded the people to wait. Historians still argue about his role in these events. Some believe that it was he who started the organized rebellion, while others believe that he joined it only later. The prudence of the prince speaks in favor of the latter, who understood that resistance without the support of other principalities would lead to even greater troubles.
The beginning of the uprising
By the end of summer, rebellious moods were brewing more and more among the people. From day to day there could be a rebellion. The boiling point was August 15.
Tatars from Chol-Khan's bodyguard decided to appropriate the horse of the local priest. The people stood up for him, and a skirmish began. Deacon Dudko, apparently, also enjoyed the personal respect of the townspeople. And insulting a church person angered the Russian people even more. As a result, the retinue was killed. The whole city learned about the riots. Popular anger spilled onto the streets. Tverichi rushed to smash the Tatars and other Horde. Prince Alexander could theoretically suppress the rebellion on his own, but he did not do this and joined the people.
People's wrath
Tatars were beaten everywhere. Destroyed including merchants. This confirms precisely the national character of the uprising, and not just the religious or anti-government one. The Tatars began to flee en masse to the princely palace, where Chol Khan himself hid. By evening, the people laid siege to the palace andset him on fire. The Khan himself and his entire retinue were burned alive. By morning, not a single living Horde remained in Tver. This is how the Tver uprising (1327) took place. The prince understood that it was not enough just to destroy the Tatars. Therefore, he began preparations for the withdrawal from Tver.
Moscow
After a short time, all of Russia learned that the Tver uprising (1327) had taken place. The Moscow prince Kalita saw this as a benefit. He has long been in competition with Tver for supremacy.
So I decided to strike and change the distribution of influence in my favor. In a short time he gathered an army. Khan Uzbek allocated fifty thousand people and his subjects to help him. The march to the south began. After a short time, the combined Moscow and Tatar troops invaded the principality. The punitive detachment acted very cruelly. Villages and cities were burning, peasants were being killed. Many were taken prisoner. Almost all settlements were devastated.
Alexander Mikhailovich understood that under no circumstances could he stand against such an army. Therefore, in an effort to somehow alleviate the fate of the Tverites, he fled with his retinue from the city. After some time he reached Novgorod. However, the Horde with the Muscovites overtook him there too. The prince of Novgorod gave a large ransom and gifts so that his possessions would not suffer the same fate. And Alexander fled to Pskov. Ivan Kalita requested the extradition of the rebel. Metropolitan Feognost, acting on the instructions of Moscow, announced that he was excommunicating the Pskovites from the church. The inhabitants themselves were very fond of the prince. Ambassadors arrived in the city and offered Alexander to surrender. He waswilling to sacrifice himself for the peace of others. However, the people of Pskov said they were ready to fight and die with Alexander if necessary.
Flight to Lithuania
Understanding the danger of the situation and knowing what fate will befall Pskov in the event of an invasion, Alexander Mikhailovich still does not linger here either. He goes to Lithuania. After long wanderings, he nevertheless concludes a truce with Khan Uzbek and returns to Tver. But Ivan Kalita does not like this. The Moscow prince had already extended his influence to many lands and saw a new threat in Tver. Alexander was very fond of the people. He often reproached other princes and boyars for inaction, offering to raise a general revolt against the khan for the Christian land. Although he did not have a huge army, the word of Alexander Mikhailovich was very authoritative.
However, after a series of conspiracies and intrigues, the Tatars grab him again. A month later, Prince Alexander Mikhailovich is sentenced to death. He met his fate with enviable dignity and, as the chronicles say, "with his head held high, he went to meet his killers."
Many years after his death, the church canonizes the prince and declares him a holy martyr for the faith.
Tver uprising of 1327: meaning
The uprising in Tver was one of the first rebellions against the Horde. It exposed the obvious problems of Russia and gave an understanding of the political situation. Competing among themselves, the Orthodox princes were not able to unite in the face of a commonenemy. The popular character of the uprising is also very important. In these difficult years, Russian identity and Christian brotherhood were forged. The example of the Tverites will inspire people for many subsequent uprisings. And only after dozens of years, Russia will finally throw off the yoke of the Horde and free itself from oppression.
The Tver uprising is extremely important in terms of distributing the influence of individual principalities. It was at this moment that Moscow, thanks to the efforts of Kalita, became the most powerful city and spread its influence far beyond the borders of its land. These were the first prerequisites for the creation of the Muscovy, which can be considered the first example of Russian statehood in the form in which it exists now.
Tver uprising (1327): results
Despite all the disasters, the participation of Muscovites in the suppression of the uprising made it possible to bring considerable calm to Russian soil. Also, the Horde were henceforth more prudent and no longer allowed themselves the previous atrocities.
The Tver uprising of 1327 was reflected in many folk songs and legends. There are also records about him in various annals. The bloody events were described by the famous writer Dmitry Balashov in his novel "The Great Table".
