Rurikid Russia and the Rise of the Tsars

Rurikids

Noble descendants of Rurik, first Novgorod prince.

Alexander Nevsky

Prince of Novgorod, defeated Swedes in 1240.

Battle of Neva River

Victory for Eastern Orthodox against Roman Catholic forces.

Mongol Invasion

Mongols conquered Russia in 1240, causing devastation.

Grand Prince of Vladimir-Suzdal

Title held by Alexander, granting absolute power.

Mongol Yoke

Period of Mongol control over Russian principalities.

Golden Horde Khanate

Mongol state ruling Russia, led by Batu.

Sarai

Capital of the Golden Horde Khanate.

Kowtow

Submission ritual by princes to Mongols at Sarai.

Tax Collection

Princes collected taxes for Mongols to maintain rule.

Military Contributions

Princes provided soldiers and specialists to Mongols.

Ivan I Kalita

Increased Moscow's power, became Grand Prince.

Moscow's Growth

Insulated location with fertile soil and trade opportunities.

Daniel of Moscow

First prince of Moscow, inherited land from Alexander.

Ivan III the Great

Expanded Moscow, freed Russia from Mongol rule.

Third Rome

Moscow's title during Ivan III's reign, center of Christianity.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Religious identity strengthened during Rurikid rule.

Mongol Impact

Stunted liberal developments, established absolute monarchy.

No Primogeniture

Peaceful transition of power among Moscow rulers.

Ivan IV

Last Rurikid Tsar, known as Ivan the Terrible.

Mongol Campaigns

Military actions that established Mongol dominance in Russia.

Furs

Key export commodity for Moscow's trade economy.

Military Glory

Achievements against western Christians under Ivan I.

Metropolitan Peter

Leader of Russian Orthodox church, allied with Ivan I.

Batu Khan

Mongol leader who established control over Russia.

Moscow's Insignificance

Initially small city with potential for growth.

Mongol Rule

Period characterized by lack of freedom and democracy.

Rurik Dynasty

Royal lineage producing all significant Russian princes.

Ivan III

Grand Prince of Moscow from 1462 to 1505.

Moscow Expansion

Conquered Novgorod, expanded to Urals.

Holy War

Military campaigns to spread influence and trade.

Novgorod

Last republic conquered by Ivan III.

Mongol Yoke

Period of Mongol dominance over Russia.

Battle of Ugra River

1480 battle ending Mongol rule in Russia.

Tsar

Title for emperor; sovereign of all Russians.

Byzantine Empire Connection

Ivan III linked Moscow to Rome and Byzantium.

The Third Rome

Moscow's title as last Christian capital.

Oprichnina

Secret police enforcing Tsar's will under Ivan IV.

Serfdom

Peasants tied to land, unable to leave.

Ivan IV

Tsar known for intelligence and atrocities.

Boyar

Highest rank in feudal Russia.

Feudalism

Pyramid of power based on nobility ranks.

Wars of the Roses

Civil war between York and Lancaster houses.

House of Lancaster

Established by Henry IV, participants in Wars.

House of York

Established by Edward IV, rival in Wars.

The Anarchy

Civil war weakening feudalism in England.

Magna Carta

Document limiting king's power, signed by King John.

Richard III

Duke of York, led rebellion against Henry VI.

King's Duties

Maintain peace, defend kingdom, expand territory.

Noble Oaths

Nobles swear loyalty to the king.

Peasant Protection

Higher classes protect lower classes in feudalism.

Ivan IV's Expansion

Conquered khanates, expanded Russia to Siberia.

Ivan IV's Atrocities

Known for committing severe acts of violence.

Economic Motivation

Fur trade drove Ivan IV's eastern expansion.

Lancaster

Royal house opposing York during Wars.

York

Royal house led by Edward IV.

Richard Duke of York

Initiated rebellion against Lancaster rule.

Edward IV

York king who established House of York.

Battle of Sandal

1460 battle where Richard Duke of York died.

Battle of Towton

Decisive 1461 victory for Edward IV.

Henry VI

Lancaster king, ineffective ruler during wars.

Queen Margaret

Henry VI's wife, influential in Lancaster rule.

Richard Earl of Warwick

Powerful noble, key figure in Wars.

Elizabeth Woodville

Edward IV's commoner wife, united houses.

Protector of the Realm

Title held by Richard during Edward V's reign.

Duke Charles of Burgundy

Provided support to Edward IV against Lancasters.

Battle of Barnet

1471 battle where Warwick was killed.

Battle of Tewkesbury

Final battle of Part II, York victory.

Henry VII

Lancaster who unified houses through marriage.

Battle of Bosworth

Final battle leading to Henry VII's kingship.

Edward V

Son of Edward IV, king at 12.

Richard III

Claimed throne after deposing Edward V.

War of the Roses Part I

Initial conflict between Lancaster and York.

War of the Roses Part II

Conflict marked by Warwick's betrayal.

War of the Roses Part III

Final phase ending with Henry VII's rise.

Hostage in Tower of London

Henry VI captured by Edward IV.

Marriage of Henry and Elizabeth

Unified Lancaster and York houses.

Edward IV's coronation

Established House of York in London.

Richard's claim of illegitimacy

Justified Edward V's removal from power.

Execution of Henry VI

Marked end of Lancaster opposition.

Exile of remaining Lancasters

Eliminated future threats to York rule.

Richard's rise to power

Deposed Elizabeth's family to gain control.

Richard III

Claimed Edward V illegitimate to ascend the throne.

War of the Roses

Series of civil wars for English throne.

Battle of Bosworth

Final battle of the War of the Roses.

Henry VII

First Tudor king after defeating Richard III.

Protector of the Realm

Title held by Richard III before kingship.

Edward V

Son of Edward IV, declared illegitimate by Richard.

War of the Roses

Dynastic conflict between Lancaster and York families.

Henry VII

First Tudor king, unified England after 1485.

House of Tudor

Dynasty ruling England from 1485 to 1603.

Star Chamber

Court addressing nobility's corruption and power abuse.

Henry the Navigator

Portuguese prince promoting maritime exploration and trade.

Sagres

Maritime studies hub established by Henry the Navigator.

Caravels

Strong ships developed for Portuguese exploration.

Bartolomeu Dias

First to navigate around Africa's southern tip.

Vasco da Gama

First to reach India by sea (1497-1499).

Estado da India

Portugal's maritime empire controlling Indian Ocean trade.

Ferdinand and Isabella

Spanish monarchs who unified Spain through marriage.

Columbus' Voyages

Explorations leading to European discovery of Americas.