HI108R TEE VOCAB

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire whose culture, laws, and Orthodox Christianity profoundly influenced Russian religious, social, and political development.

Boyars

Land-owning noble class central to early Russian political structures, influencing authority and legitimacy through their interactions with rulers.

Vladimir

Kievan prince whose adoption of Orthodox Christianity in 988 integrated Russia into Byzantine cultural and political traditions.

Obshchina

Russian communal village system that shaped social relations, gender norms, and responses to authority and modernization throughout Russian history.

Slavs

Ethnic group foundational to Russian civilization, influencing cultural norms and early political institutions from Kievan Rus onwards.

Golden Horde

Mongol khanate ruling Russia (13th–15th century), influencing Russian political legitimacy, economic systems, and social structures.

Tartar

Turkic-speaking peoples associated with Mongol control; their interactions deeply shaped Russian social norms and political institutions.

Pomolvka

Russian marriage agreement symbolizing gender roles, economic structures, and social expectations about family and women’s rights.

Women’s portion

Traditional dowry system illustrating gender norms, legal traditions, and women's status in Russian social development.

Gender

Socially constructed roles influencing Russian cultural norms, legal traditions, and political ideologies from Kievan Rus through Soviet society.

Sex/Sexuality

Social and cultural attitudes shaping Russian laws, family customs, and societal norms throughout imperial and Soviet history.

Civilization

Complex societies (like Kievan Rus, Imperial Russia, and the USSR), characterized by unique institutions, ideologies, and responses to modernization.

Eurasia

The geographical context influencing Russian cultural interactions, trade, military conflicts, and expansionist policies.

Rus’

Medieval Slavic state establishing the foundations of Russian civilization, influencing institutions, Christianity, and political legitimacy.

Feudalism

Social system structuring Russian economic and political life, underpinning serfdom and shaping Russian responses to modernity.

Rurik

Legendary founder of Rus’, symbolizing origins of Russian state legitimacy and institutions of authority.

Orthodox Christian Church

Religious institution shaping Russian political legitimacy, social structures, gender roles, and national identity.

Primary Chronicle

Early medieval text foundational to understanding Russian history, national identity, and cultural narratives.

Duma

Representative assembly reflecting evolving institutions of authority and legitimacy from medieval to imperial Russian governance.

Veche

Assembly demonstrating early Russian democratic practices influencing political legitimacy and social structures, especially in Novgorod.

Iaroslav the Wise

Kievan ruler (1019–1054) known for legal reforms that strengthened political legitimacy and institutional stability.

Novgorod

Major trade and political center illustrating alternative governance (veche), economic exchange, and resistance to centralized autocracy.

Metropolitan

High-ranking Orthodox clergy whose roles shaped political legitimacy and social practices in Russia.

Mongol

Central Asian conquerors whose domination reshaped Russian authority, legitimacy, and social structures (13th–15th centuries).

Genghis Khan

Founder of Mongol Empire, indirectly shaping Russian state formation, political institutions, and cultural responses to external rule.

Batu Khan

Mongol leader who established the Golden Horde's dominance, shaping Russian political authority and institutional legitimacy.

Yarlyk

Mongol-issued authorization demonstrating power dynamics, legitimacy, and institutional authority over Russian princes.

Secret History

Mongol chronicle providing insights into Mongol governance and its impact on Russian political structures.

Ger

Traditional Mongol dwelling symbolizing nomadic culture influencing Russian steppe interactions.

Bataar/baatuud

Mongol term for hero/warriors, reflecting martial values impacting Russian military traditions.

Appanage system

Division of territory among princes in medieval Russia, affecting political fragmentation and centralization efforts.

Icons

Religious images central to Orthodox worship, reflecting cultural and spiritual values in Russian society.

Ivan I

Grand Prince of Moscow who secured the title of Grand Prince from the Mongols, enhancing Moscow's political status.

Dmitrii Donskoi

Prince of Moscow known for victory at the Battle of Kulikovo

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire whose culture, laws, and Orthodox Christianity profoundly influenced Russian religious, social, and political development.

Boyars

Land-owning noble class central to early Russian political structures, influencing authority and legitimacy through their interactions with rulers.

Vladimir

Kievan prince whose adoption of Orthodox Christianity in 988 integrated Russia into Byzantine cultural and political traditions.

Obshchina

Russian communal village system that shaped social relations, gender norms, and responses to authority and modernization throughout Russian history.

Slavs

Ethnic group foundational to Russian civilization, influencing cultural norms and early political institutions from Kievan Rus onwards.

Golden Horde

Mongol khanate ruling Russia (13th–15th century), influencing Russian political legitimacy, economic systems, and social structures.

Tartar

Turkic-speaking peoples associated with Mongol rule, deeply influencing Russian social norms and political institutions.

Pomolvka

Russian marriage agreement symbolizing gender roles, economic structures, and social expectations about family and women’s rights.

Women’s portion

Traditional dowry illustrating gender norms, legal traditions, and women’s status in Russian social development.

Gender

Socially constructed roles influencing Russian cultural norms, legal traditions, and political ideologies from Kievan Rus through Soviet society.

Sex/Sexuality

Cultural attitudes shaping Russian laws, family customs, and societal norms throughout history.

Civilization

Complex societies (like Kievan Rus, Imperial Russia, and the USSR), characterized by unique institutions, ideologies, and responses to modernization.

Eurasia

The geographical region influencing Russian cultural interactions, trade, military conflicts, and policies.

Rus’

Medieval Slavic state foundational to Russian civilization, influencing institutions and political legitimacy.

Feudalism

Economic and social system underpinning serfdom, shaping responses to modernization.

Rurik

Legendary founder of Rus’, symbolizing origins of Russian political legitimacy.

Orthodox Christian Church

Institution shaping political legitimacy, gender roles, and national identity.

Primary Chronicle

Medieval Russian historical text foundational to understanding Russia's early identity.

Duma

Russian assembly reflecting evolving political authority and legitimacy.

Veche

Early democratic assembly in medieval Russian towns influencing governance practices.

Iaroslav the Wise

Ruler known for legal reforms enhancing political legitimacy.

Novgorod

Major medieval trading city symbolizing decentralized governance and cultural exchange.

Metropolitan

High-ranking Orthodox clergy shaping Russian political legitimacy and religious life.

Mongol

Central Asian conquerors reshaping Russian governance, society, and legitimacy.

Tatar

Turkic peoples influencing Russian military, taxation, and political practices.

Genghis Khan

Founder of Mongol empire indirectly influencing Russian state development.

Batu Khan

Mongol leader establishing the Golden Horde’s rule in Russia.

Yarlyk

Mongol-issued authorization symbolizing political control over Russian princes.

Secret History

Mongol chronicle reflecting external governance affecting Russia.

Ger

Traditional Mongol dwelling, symbolizing nomadic influence on Russian development.

Bataar/baatuud

Mongol warriors influencing Russian military and political traditions.

Appanage system

Medieval land division among princes, influencing Russian political unity and fragmentation.

Icons

Religious imagery central to Orthodox worship, affecting Russian culture.

Ivan I

Moscow prince who consolidated power under Mongol rule.

Dmitrii Donskoi

Russian prince whose victory began to reduce Mongol political influence.

Ivan III

Muscovite ruler who ended Mongol rule and centralized Russian authority.

Tsar

Title denoting absolute rule in Russia, shaping institutional and political legitimacy.

Votchina

Hereditary land ownership influencing economic and political structures in medieval Russia.

Pomestie

Land grants linked to service, central to Russian military and noble structures.

Ivan IV

"Ivan the Terrible," whose reign marked significant political centralization and social restructuring.

Boyar duma

Noble advisory council influencing political legitimacy and decision-making.

Zemskii sobor

Russian representative assembly central to crises and political legitimacy.

Streltsy

Elite military troops influential in Russian political stability.

Gentry

Service nobility central to economic and political power in Russia.

Livonian War

Conflict impacting Russian territorial ambitions, legitimacy, and economy.

Oprichnina

Ivan IV’s policy of repression, reshaping social structures and political authority.

Time of Troubles

Political crisis leading to Romanov dynasty, influencing institutional stability.

Godunovs

Ruling family symbolizing struggles for political legitimacy in early 17th-century Russia.

Patriarch

Leader of Russian Orthodox Church, influential in politics and society.

Cossacks

Frontier warrior communities challenging and shaping Russian authority and territory.

False Dmitrii(s)

Impostors destabilizing Russian political legitimacy in the early 1600s.

Romanovs

Dynasty re-establishing legitimacy and social order after the Time of Troubles.

Stenka Razin

Cossack leader whose rebellion symbolized social tensions and resistance to authority.

Ulozhenie of 1649

Law code institutionalizing serfdom, affecting Russian social structures deeply.

Autocracy

System of centralized rule shaping Russian politics, society, and modernization responses.

The Schism

Religious split affecting social and political unity in 17th-century Russia.

Old Believers

Group opposing religious reforms, reflecting cultural conservatism and resistance.

Ukraine

Region illustrating Russian imperial expansion and ethnic/national complexities.

Peter I (the Great)

Tsar modernizing Russia through westernization, shaping institutions and legitimacy.

Guards Regiment

Military elite influencing political stability and succession in imperial Russia.

Great Northern War

Conflict establishing Russia as a major European empire under Peter I.

Table of Ranks

Peter I’s system restructuring nobility and bureaucracy, affecting legitimacy.

Soul Tax

Poll tax instituted by Peter the Great, reshaping economic and social policy.

Senate

Governing body reorganizing Russian administration under Peter the Great.

Holy Synod

State-controlled religious body replacing patriarch, reshaping church-state relations.

Colleges

Peter’s administrative reforms modernizing governance and institutions.