From the 13th century, the fragmented Old Russian state fell under the rule of the Mongols. Vassal dependence on the Golden Horde (the so-called eastern part of the vast Mongol empire) was observed until the 15th century. It was then, in 1480, that an event takes place, which in history is called the Standing on the Ugra River. Vassal dependence gave rise to many myths and legends about the relationship between Russia and the Mongols. Let's try to figure it out.
What is the Mongol yoke?
Yoke - the relationship between the conquerors and the vanquished. It manifested itself in the following moments:
- The political dependence of the Russian princes. Without Mongol approval, a label, it was impossible to reign.
- Economic dependence. Russia had to pay tribute.
- Military dependence. Russia was supposed to send soldiers for the Mongol troops.
From the first lines it seems that there are only minuses in dependence. But is it?
Attitude towards Russia: myths and reality
Today there are many myths that vassal dependence on the Horde is a real tragedy for Russian history. The Mongols stopped our development, did not let us go alongcivilizational path, the country was in ruins, people were starving, etc.
However, historical sources make us understand the following:
- The Mongols preserved local dynasties, did not interfere in their lives.
- They watched the population. Censuses were constantly carried out, since the “output”, that is, the tax, depended on this. This speaks of progressive, per capita, fair taxation already in the 13th century. Only Peter the Great, through complex reforms, managed to repeat this in the 18th century. Naturally, at the same time they did not allow a decrease in the population. The Mongols themselves did not touch anyone and did not allow local dynasties to do this.
- Relationships were transparent and stable. The so-called "yoke", i.e., the vassalage of Russia, was not accompanied by mass terror, murder, and robbery.
- The Mongols did not change the beliefs of the conquered peoples. Despite the fact that they themselves adopted Islam as the state religion, there is not a single mention of the imposition of this religion by the "masters". On the contrary, the Mongols freed the church from all taxes, including tithes. The monasteries grew rich during this period. After the Mongols, the "true Orthodox" princes plundered them several times, pursuing a policy of secularization.
Hence the conclusion: the Mongol yoke was a negative phenomenon for the princely elite. It suited ordinary people quite well, because it protected them from attacks, devastation, civil strife.
Was there an outrage?
Indeed, the "exit" to the Horde consisted of 14 items of tribute. However, there wasbuilt in such a way that the common man understood everything. There was no difference who paid - the Mongols or the princes. But some of the latter could not put up with it. The greed of local rulers sometimes knew no bounds, they arbitrarily increased tribute, hiding behind the “arbitrariness of the Mongols.”
But it wasn't like that everywhere. A striking example of this is the Moscow principality. It was here that the local princes from the Nevsky dynasty did everything for their land in order to rise above the rest. They had the same "exit" as the rest of the regions, but they did not rob their people with additional requisitions. This made it possible to lure almost all the boyars of Ryazan. Thus, vassalage made it possible to redistribute political influence within the Old Russian state.
First release attempts
By the end of the 14th century, Moscow grew stronger. This allowed her to speak in the internal Horde struggle for power.
Against the true Khan Tokhtamysh, one of the Temniks rebelled - Murza Mamai. Everyone believed that the conquered peoples should pay tribute to him. In 1380, Moscow supported the true khan. Having gathered all his forces, including warriors from Lithuania and Genoa, Prince Dmitry set out on a campaign against Mamai. The Battle of Kulikovo ended in favor of the Russians. After that, Moscow believed that now Tokhtamysh was indebted to her. You may not pay tribute. However, the latter reminded Dmitry what the vassal dependence of Russia on the Horde is. He requested tax for all unpaid years. After the refusal in 1382Khan walked through Russia with fire and sword. It is not customary to talk much about these events after the Kulikovo field.
The collapse of the Golden Horde: vassalage goes down in history
By the end of the 15th century, the following events occur:
- The Golden Horde breaks up into small principalities: Kazan, Astrakhan, Crimean, Siberian Khanate, Nogai Horde. Each considers itself the successor of the Golden Horde and demands tribute from Russia.
- The Moscow principality, on the contrary, is consolidating all forces around itself, including Novgorod. Ivan III himself also considers himself the successor of the Horde, since the Muscovite dynasty has long intermarried with the Mongol khans.
There was no yoke?
In historical science there is an alternative point of view on this issue of two well-known academicians in the field of mathematics - Z. Fomenko and V. Nosovsky. They argue in their theory that Russia was not a vassal of the Mongols, they give many arguments. There were allied relations between her and the Horde. Russia paid tribute, and in return received protection. By analogy with enterprises that pay private security agencies for peace of mind. Thus, there is no need to mistakenly substitute the concepts of "invasion" and "yoke".
In the first case, indeed, Batu ruined many cities. In the second - the relationship was quite peaceful. Even anti-Horde speeches were suppressed by the Russian princes, and not by the khans. One of them is the suppression of Tver by Alexander Nevsky.
