How did Russia begin? | 1450 - Present | AP US History | Khan Academy
TLDRThis video explores the origins of the Russian people, focusing on the Eastern Slavs, who are considered the ancestors of modern Russians, Ukrainians, and Belorussians. It sets the historical context of the ninth century, highlighting significant global powers such as Charlemagne's reign, the Tang Dynasty, and the Abbasid Caliphate. The narrative then shifts to the Viking age and the Varangians, who were not only raiders but also traders, with evidence of their extensive trade routes from the Baltic Sea to Constantinople and Baghdad. The Eastern Slavs, divided into Western, Southern, and Eastern groups, are introduced, with the Eastern Slavs being the focus. The Russian Primary Chronicle, written in the 12th century, provides early accounts of the relationship between the Varangians and the Eastern Slavs. The video recounts how the Eastern Slavs, seeking order, invited the Varangian Rurik to rule over them, leading to the establishment of the land of Rus', which expanded under Oleg and became known as the Kievan State. The Kievan Rus' adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity under Vladimir the Great, influencing its cultural development. The state's independence ended with the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, but it later regained independence under Ivan the Great.
Takeaways
- 🌐 The origins of the Russian people are discussed, focusing on the Eastern Slavs as ancestors of modern Russians, Ukrainians, and Belorussians.
- 🏺 The ninth century was a time of significant power centers like Charlemagne's reign, Otto the Great, Tang China, and the Abbasid Caliphate.
- ⚓ The Viking age was characterized by the Varangians, who were known as great seafarers and traders, not just raiders.
- 🌊 Major trade routes in the ninth century included the Dnieper and Volga Rivers, connecting the Baltic Sea to Constantinople and the Caspian Sea.
- 💎 There is archaeological evidence of Viking presence along these trade routes, including Viking jewelry and artifacts.
- 🏡 The Slavs were divided into Western, Southern, and Eastern Slavs, with the Eastern Slavs being the focus of the script.
- 📜 The Russian Primary Chronicle, written in the 12th century, provides an account of the early history of the Eastern Slavs and their interactions with the Varangians.
- 👑 The Eastern Slavic tribes invited the Varangian Rurik to rule over them, leading to the establishment of the land of Rus'.
- 🏰 Rurik's successor, Oleg, moved the capital to Kiev, expanding the land of Rus' and founding what is known as the Kievan State.
- ✝️ Vladimir the Great, a descendant of Rurik, converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which influenced the religious identity of the Kievan state.
- 📉 The Kievan state declined in the 13th century following the Mongol invasion in 1240, leading to many principalities becoming tributaries to the Mongols.
Q & A
What is the significance of the ninth century in the context of the video?
-The ninth century is significant because it sets the stage for understanding the origins of the Russian people, featuring the reign of Charlemagne, Otto the Great, Tang China, the Abbasid Caliphate, and the Viking age, all of which influenced the development of the Eastern Slavs.
Who are the Varangians and how are they connected to the Vikings?
-The Varangians are a group known to be the ancestors of the Vikings. They originated from what is modern-day Sweden and were renowned seafarers and traders, not just raiders as often depicted by Western European historians.
What were the two major centers of power and trade in the ninth century?
-The two major centers of power and trade in the ninth century were Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.
How did the trade routes in Eastern Europe during the ninth century influence the region?
-The trade routes, particularly the Dnieper and Volga Rivers, facilitated significant trade between the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Constantinople, the Caspian Sea, and Baghdad. This trade led to the exchange of Viking jewelry and artifacts from far-off lands in Viking territory, indicating a rich cultural and economic exchange.
What are the three broad groups of Slavs mentioned in the script?
-The three broad groups of Slavs are the Western Slavs, who are ancestors of modern Poles, Czechs, and Slovaks; the Southern Slavs, who inhabit what would become the Balkans; and the Eastern Slavs, who are associated with Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
What is the Russian Primary Chronicle and why is it important?
-The Russian Primary Chronicle is a historical account, written in the early 12th century, which provides one of the earliest narratives of the relationship between the Varangians and the Eastern Slavs. It is important because it offers insights into the early history of the region, despite being written much later.
Why did the Eastern Slavic tribes invite the Varangians to rule over them?
-The Eastern Slavic tribes invited the Varangians to rule over them because they were in a state of disarray, with tribes warring against each other. They sought a prince to bring order and rule according to law.
Who were the three brothers selected by the Eastern Slavic tribes to rule over them?
-The three brothers selected by the Eastern Slavic tribes were Rurik, who established himself in Novgorod, and his two brothers whose names are not mentioned in the script.
What is the origin of the term 'Rus' and how is it connected to the formation of Russia?
-The term 'Rus' is believed by most historians to be the source of the name 'Russia'. It is connected to the formation of Russia through the establishment of the land of Rus' by Rurik and his successors, which laid the groundwork for the Russian state.
What significant event marked the end of the Kievan state as an independent entity?
-The Kievan state ceased to be an independent entity following the Mongol invasion in 1240, after which many of the principalities within the Land of Rus' became tributaries to the Mongolians.
How did the conversion to Eastern Orthodox Christianity impact the Kievan state?
-The conversion to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, particularly under Vladimir the Great, led to the Kievan state and its successor entities becoming a center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which had a profound cultural and religious impact on the region.
What is the significance of the year 1240 in the history of the Kievan state?
-The year 1240 is significant because it marks the Mongol invasion, which resulted in the subjugation of the Kievan state and its transformation into a vassal state under the Mongol Empire.
Outlines
🌍 Origins of the Russian People and the Eastern Slavs
This paragraph delves into the origins of the Russian people, focusing on the Eastern Slavs who are considered the ancestors of modern Russians, Ukrainians, and Belorussians. It sets the historical context in the ninth century, mentioning significant rulers and empires of the time, such as Charlemagne, Otto the Great, Tang China, and the Abbasid Caliphate. The Viking age is highlighted, with a focus on the Varangians, who are later known as Vikings, and their roles as both raiders and traders. The paragraph outlines the major trade centers and routes of the ninth century, including Constantinople and Baghdad, and the significance of the Dnieper and Volga Rivers in Eastern Europe. It also introduces the different groups of Slavs, namely the Western, Southern, and Eastern Slavs, and how they were not unified but consisted of many tribes. The Russian Primary Chronicle, written in the 12th century and attributed to the monk Nestor, provides early historical accounts of the interactions between the Varangians and the Eastern Slavs. The paragraph concludes with the Eastern Slavic tribes seeking a prince to bring order, leading them to invite the Varangian Russes to rule over them, and the selection of three brothers to lead.
🏰 Establishment of the Rus' and Kievan State
The second paragraph narrates the establishment of the Rus' and the Kievan State. It begins with Rurik, the oldest of the three Varangian brothers, who settles in Novgorod, which is suggested to mean 'new town'. The district of Novgorod becomes known as the land of Rus', which is believed to be the origin of the name 'Russia'. The paragraph explores the intriguing historical scenario where the Eastern Slavs, after initially resisting the Varangians, invite them to rule over their lands. It questions the authenticity of this account, considering it was written under the rule of Rurik's descendants. The narrative continues with Rurik's successor, Oleg, who moves the center of power to Kiev, expanding the land of Rus'. The term 'Rus' is discussed in terms of its etymology, with theories suggesting it may stem from the name of Sweden, or from the act of rowing, indicating the Viking's seafaring nature. The paragraph outlines the expansion of the Kievan State from 870 to 1240, detailing the reign of Vladimir the Great and the state's conversion to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which later positions Russia as a center of this faith. The Kievan state's independence lasts until the 13th century when the Mongol invasion leads to the subjugation of many Rus' principalities. The paragraph concludes with a teaser about Ivan the Great's future role in regaining independence from the Mongols.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Russian people
💡Eastern Slavs
💡Varangians
💡Rurik
💡Kievan Rus'
💡Slavs
💡Russian Primary Chronicle
💡Viking Age
💡Oleg
💡Vladimir the Great
💡Mongol invasion
Highlights
The video discusses the origins of the Russian people, focusing on the Eastern Slavs who are considered ancestors by modern Russians, Ukrainians and Belorussians.
The ninth century context includes the reign of Charlemagne, Otto the Great, Tang China, the Abbasid Caliphate, and the Viking age.
The Varangians, also known as Vikings, were from modern day Sweden and were skilled seafarers and traders, not just raiders as often portrayed by Western Europeans.
Major centers of power and trade in the ninth century were Constantinople and Baghdad, connected by significant trade routes including the Dnieper and Volga Rivers.
Archeological evidence shows Viking artifacts along these trade routes, indicating their extensive reach.
The Slavs were divided into Western, Southern and Eastern Slavs, with the Eastern Slavs corresponding to what is now Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
The Russian Primary Chronicle, written in the 12th century, provides an account of early Eastern Slavic history, though it is subject to bias as it was written by a descendant of Rurik.
The Chronicle recounts how the Eastern Slavic tribes, lacking order, invited the Varangian Rus to rule over them, a unique situation in history.
The Varangian Rurik established himself in Novgorod, with the region becoming known as the land of Rus'.
The term 'Rus' is believed to be the origin of 'Russia' and may also be linked to the name of Sweden at the time or derived from 'those who row'.
Rurik's successor Oleg moved the capital to Kiev, expanding the land of Rus' and establishing the Kievan State.
The Kievan Rus' expanded to control a significant portion of Eastern Europe by the 12th century.
The Kievan state converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity under Vladimir the Great, which would have lasting implications for Russia's religious and cultural identity.
The Kievan state remained independent until the 13th century when it fell to the Mongol invasion led by Genghis Khan's descendants.
Many of the Rus' principalities became tributaries to the Mongols for around 200 years until Ivan the Great asserted independence.
The video raises the question of whether the Varangians were truly invited by the Slavs to rule, or if they later created this narrative to justify their rule.
The Primary Chronicle's account of the Varangian-Slavic relationship and the establishment of the Rus' is important for understanding the origins of the Russian, Ukrainian and Belorussian peoples.
The video provides a comprehensive overview of the historical events and developments that shaped the early history of the Kievan Rus' state.
Transcripts
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