One of the most important problems in the study of Russian medieval history is the topic "The main political centers of Russia". Briefly, this issue should be considered through an analysis of the features of the development of the main areas that were formed as a result of the collapse of the once unified state territory.
The path of establishing a principality in the Northeast
The main political center of Russia at the time in question is the Rostov-Suzdal land. It was here that the main focus of agriculture and agriculture was formed, which subsequently gave impetus to the formation of the core of the future unified state on this territory. The main flow of the population went to these lands in search of new lands, pastures, and lands. A characteristic feature of this region is the active participation of the princely authorities in the construction of cities, fortresses, clearing pastures, wastelands, deforestation.
The last circumstance led to the fact that from the very beginning there was a strong princely power that suppressed the boyaropposition and subjugated the local population to its will. It is not surprising that the North-Eastern lands became the basis for the formation of a unified Russian state. It was around this area that the unification of specific lands began, which later became the core of a centralized national state.
Edge Benefits
The main political center of Russia was formed thanks to the construction of new cities, which became the capitals of new specific principalities. As mentioned above, the initiators of their creation were the princes. One of them was Yuri Dolgoruky, whose name is associated with the first annalistic mention of the city of Moscow. The active urban planning activities of the northern princes, their energetic measures to attract the population here have done their job.
After Kyiv lost its importance and ceased to actually be the capital of Russian lands, a stream of people poured into the northern regions, who were looking for protection in these forests from nomadic raids, princely civil strife, and the ruin of cities and villages. The future main political center of Russia had an advantageous geographical position, since it was protected from the raids of nomads and Mongol-Tatars by impenetrable forests. In addition, this area possessed fertile lands, which were very good for the development of agriculture. The peasants burned the forests and fertilized the soil with ash, which contributed to the development of arable farming, as well as a variety of crafts.
Some facts from history
Chief politic althe center of Russia in the 12th-13th centuries was formed during the reign of Yuri Dolgoruky. This prince waged active foreign policy wars, as a result of which he even managed to capture the former capital of the Russian lands and plant a ruler dependent on him there. His son and successor Andrey Bogolyubsky finally subordinated the boyars to the princely power. This predetermined the monarchical form of government in the area. Despite the temporary weakening of the power of the prince, his successor still managed to continue the policy of his father and grandfather and achieve unconditional dominance. Thus, this area became the core of the unification of Russian lands in the following centuries.
Fighting cities
The study of medieval Russian history comes close to the analysis of the topic "The main political centers of Russia." The Vladimir-Suzdal principality occupies a leading place in this series, since it was on its basis that a single national state was formed. But this was preceded by a long confrontation between the old and new cities: Rostov and Vladimir. The first one for a long time retained its leading position, since it was the owner of the status of a senior. However, very soon the new city of Vladimir appeared on the historical stage, the ruler of which, in contrast to the old concepts, declared himself the supreme ruler of the northeastern lands. Thus, this main political center of Russia took the initiative to unite all the lands.
Other lands
In addition to the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, there were other areas that alsocould claim to be the unifier of the lands. In general, there were many destinies that essentially led an independent existence, but only three of them managed to rise to the point of leaving a noticeable mark in the people's memory. It is their development that is the main topic for understanding what the history of Russia was at the time under consideration. The main political centers of Russia, in addition to the above-mentioned region, included the Novgorod land and the Galicia-Volyn principality.
Novgorod
A feature of the development of the first was that boyar administration was established in it, and the power of the prince was considered nominal. The latter performed military and some administrative functions. He was not a political head and did not take part in the legislative life of the city. On the contrary, the boyar elite made it a rule to even expel the objectionable prince from Novgorod. Thus, a republican type of government was essentially established here - a phenomenon essentially unique to the Middle Ages.
City economy
Another characteristic feature of the development of this region was that it was economically developed and had trade relations with the countries of Western Europe. Novgorod merchants had their offices in the northern states, and foreign merchants also conducted their business in the city itself. However, agriculture was poorly developed in the Novgorod land, which depended on the supply of grain from the so-called grassroots regions. However,The Novgorod Boyar Republic had a high urban culture.
Galicia-Volyn Principality
This region was located in the north-west of Russia. In political terms, it was a cross between the two above-mentioned centers: in it, powers were evenly distributed between the prince and the boyars. From time to time each of these political forces prevailed, however, as a rule, a relative balance was maintained between them. However, the struggle for dominance led to violent clashes between the rulers and the tribal aristocracy, which periodically sought to win lost positions.
Another characteristic feature of the development of this region is the constant interference of Western European neighbors in the internal affairs of the state. On the other hand, the Galicia-Volyn principality was far from the headquarters of the khan and therefore did not suffer so much from the raids of the Mongol-Tatars. Being on the periphery of Russian lands, this territory retained some independence, but at the same time, it eventually fell under the influence of the West.
| Features | Vladimir-Suzdal land | Galicia-Volyn Principality | Novgorod |
| Politics | Strong power of the prince, suppression of the boyar opposition | Relative balance between the princely power and the boyars, the struggle between them | Boyar Republic, the prince performs only military functions |
| Economy | Development of agriculture,crafts | Development of s alt production, trade, agriculture | Trading |
The history table "The main political centers of Russia" clearly shows the above features.
