Almost 250 years of life under the Mongol-Tatar yoke had a huge impact on the development of Russia. In the thirteenth century, the state consisted of only two principalities: Novgorod and Kyiv. How did it happen that the Golden Horde and Russia were so heavily dependent on each other for such a long time?
Foreign policy of Ancient Russia
Before the Mongol invasion, Russia lived its own life and developed according to the Western model. It cannot be said that she did not pursue any foreign policy: various kinds of ties were established with countries that were located from the north, west and south of the borders of the principalities. Cultural, trade, military relations with neighboring peoples were established. This policy was carried out from the ninth to the twelfth century. The Khazar Khaganate, which was located at the eastern borders of the lands, was not recognized by the Russian princes. They defeated the capital of the Khaganate, the city of Itil, in 965 and no longer entered into any diplomatic relations with it, which was their big mistake. Kievan Rus and the Golden Horde stood on the threshold of events that would be called "Tatar-Mongol yoke".
All eyes of Kievan Rus were turned to the West, whose ancient civilization, culture, Christian ideology influenced many developing countries. The Balkans, the Roman Empire, Germany, France are the countries with which relations were strengthened. When did Russia and the Horde clash? The problems of mutual influence of these countries subsequently continued for such a long time.
Situation in the Middle East
During the period when Russia was engaged in building relations with Europe and its own development, the Asian peoples conquered the Arab countries and the Middle East. They tried to spread their Islamic faith among these peoples. In the 20s and 30s of the thirteenth century, the influence of the peoples of Asia began to spread to the countries of Southern Europe and even to Hungary. But the Eastern European part and especially the territory of Russia suffered the most.
The Tatar-Mongols conquered its scattered states and thus slowed down their development. Russia and the Golden Horde, the history of their relationship, which lasted more than two centuries, influenced the geopolitical situation. The interests of the princes moved from the West to the East: to Asian countries. The status of Russia has changed: the country has ceased to be independent. Now it was a vassal state with Asian psychology.
Russian-Horde relations
This mutual dependence lasted almost 250 years. In such a historical period of time, a lot can change thathappened with Russia, and with the Horde state. This is a natural process of mutual influence of two closely related states. During the entire historical period of involuntary connection, the Golden Horde and Russia underwent evolutionary changes that were reflected in the political and moral state of the two countries. The Mongol-Tatar yoke, which lasted from 1243 to 1480, began as early as 1237. Then, when Batu made his raids. Russia and the Horde, the problems of mutual influence that are still felt, during this period were just beginning their long historical relations and development.
During the campaigns of Batu, the north-eastern part of Russia suffered devastation, ruin and loss of population. Some of them were killed, some were taken prisoner. Undermined military forces needed to be restored, and this took a long time. Thanks to the efforts of Alexander Nevsky, the forties of the thirteenth century were calm in relation to raids: both diplomacy and the moment of the formation of the Horde itself played a role. The Khans were busy building her inner structure.
Basque and requisitions in Russia
The task of the Mongol khans was to seize new lands and impose tribute on them. They did not change anything in these territories and did not try to annex them. But the tribute they imposed on the nations was extortionate. The relationship between Russia and the Horde became tense: internecine problems in the principalities affected. In the mid-fifties there were military conflicts with the Mongols. OppressionThe Golden Horde grew stronger every year, and the population was not able to pay tribute, and therefore opposed the exactions.
The people were rewritten within two years - from 1257 to 1259, and imposed a double tribute for the khans: Horde and Mongolian. And gradually the Basque style was introduced. The governors sent to oversee the collection of tribute were called Baskaks. With their help, the population was kept in obedience. In addition, the duties of the inhabitants included military service, which had to be performed. The Baskaks were provided with detachments of soldiers and administrative powers, with the help of which they kept order in the territories entrusted to them.
Princes in the service of the Horde
Farmers collected tribute from the population and played the role of usurers: the farming system had difficult conditions for payments. So people fell into lifelong bondage. Cruel demands led to the discontent of the population, the attitude of Russia became aggravated, and the representatives of the Horde felt this. The wave of uprisings that swept through many principalities became an indicator. Rostov was the central place where people rose up against tax-farmers. Behind him rose Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Suzdal. In many cities there were uprisings in 1289. In Tver - in 1293 and 1327. After Cholkhan, a relative of Uzbek Khan, was killed, and the tax-farmers were repeatedly beaten, the authorities of the Golden Horde decided to transfer the collection of tribute to the Russian princes. They had to deal with the exactions themselves, and pay the Hordeexit.
"Outputs" and "requests"
There was another type of extortion - a "request". Additional funds that were collected from the population when the khans were preparing new military campaigns. Russia and the Horde, the problems of their mutual influence on each other, made the life of the people unbearable. The rulers of the Horde benefited from the fact that in Russia there was fragmentation between the feudal principalities. They deliberately pushed the princes against each other, sowed discord between them.
There was also a system of labels during this period: these are letters that were awarded to those who could have the grand-ducal throne. Supporting one prince, the khans of the Golden Horde turned another against him. Those who were dissatisfied with the rule of the Horde were summoned to the khan and there they already committed reprisals against him. Such a fate befell Mikhail Yaroslavich of Tverskoy and his son Fyodor. Many princes and boyars were taken hostage by the Mongols.
Horde officials were always with the princes and carefully watched their moods: they kept their finger on the pulse. In such an environment, relations between Russia and the Horde developed.
Golden Horde from within
When Genghis Khan pursued his policy in the conquered lands, he recommended to be very tolerant towards religion. The ruler bequeathed this principle to his followers. Therefore, the khans tried to maintain friendly relations with the church: they exempted them from tribute, gave labels - letters. By their influence on the church, the Horde khans hoped to subdue the resisting Russian people. Such relations between Russia and the Golden Horde continued for many years. But not everything was all rightinside the Mongolian state: it was also torn apart by feudal contradictions, and it weakened.
And in Russia at that time, in the XIV century, popular movements tried to undermine the Mongol-Tatar yoke. In order not to lose influence on the people, the church and the ruling circles changed their position. Now they are fighting for the liberation of Russia from the Mongols.
Beginning of the end
The first to voice support for the idea of liberation were Sergius of Radonezh and Metropolitan Alexei. The Battle of Kulikovo, which took place in 1380, brought defeat to the troops of Mamai and significantly weakened the Horde. In 1408 - Edigey, in 1439 - Khan Ulu-Muhammed undertook unsuccessful campaigns against Russia: their attacks were repulsed. But for another 15 years, tribute was paid to the Mongol-Tatar government. Against this background, Russia and the Horde (their relationship problems reached their peak) changed roles: Russia united and strengthened, while the Horde weakened.
The Mongol rulers also had problems with the Crimean Khanate: the situation was difficult for them. It was this moment in history that Ivan III used: in 1476 he refused to pay tribute to the Horde. But the final liberation of Russia took place only in 1480, when Khan Ahmed undertook another military campaign. This company was a failure and brought another defeat to the Mongols. So, the relationship between Russia and the Golden Horde gradually changed: there was a liberation from the yoke.
Problems of interference
It is difficult to underestimate the changes that are happening to the peopleand society during such long historical events. It is sad that it took almost three hundred years for the princes and the entire ruling elite to understand that there is strength in unity. Having survived the Mongol-Tatar yoke, the peoples of Russia united into a centralized state. It was a plus at the time. But it cannot be denied that the consequences turned out to be difficult for the development of both countries, which were Russia and the Horde. The problems of mutual influence became the reason for the further lag of the Russian state from the general European development: the country had to recover from the severe consequences of the yoke for a long time. Destroyed cities, devastated principalities required a long restoration. But Orthodoxy remained, which became a link in the life of the people and the state.
