At different times in the past centuries, foreign invaders repeatedly tried to conquer Russia, as it stands, the unbroken, to this day.Tough times on Russian soil occurred in the history more than once.But this, as in the 13th century, a period of heavy, threatening the very existence of the state, it was not, it seems, neither before nor after.The attacks were carried out, and from the west and south by various invaders.Times are tough in the Russian land.
Rus in the 13th century
With him it represented?In the early 13th century Constantinople as a center of spirituality has lost its influence.Some countries (eg, Bulgaria, Serbia) recognize the power and supremacy of Catholicism.A stronghold of the Orthodox world becomes Russia, then still - Kiev.But the area was not uniform.Before the invasion of Batu Khan and his hordes of Russian world is several principalities vying for influence among themselves.Infighting tore apart families, princes, did not contribute to the organization of a united army, able to provide decent resistance to the invaders.This paved the way for that to happen difficult time on Russian soil.
invasion of Batu
In 1227 dies Genghis Khan, the great oriental warrior.There has been a redistribution of power between the normal relatives.One of the grandchildren, Batu, had a particularly warlike character and organizational talent.He gathered a huge army of the concepts of (somewhere around 140 thousand people), consisting of nomads and mercenaries.In the autumn of 1237 the invasion.Russian army was less numerous (up to 100 thousand people) and scattered.Therefore, it lost in the tragic battle at Kalka.It would seem that the opportunity to join together and confront the enemy.But the princes of the ruling elite continued strife, and in Novgorod, in the north, with new forces broke out riots.As a result - the further destruction of the principalities.First, Ryazan, and then - Vladimir and Suzdal.Kolomna, Moscow ... splurge Vladimir Batu went to Novgorod, but not reaching, turned south and went to the Polovtsian steppe - fill power.In 1240 the hordes of Batu ruin Chernihiv, Kyiv, entered into Europe, the Mongol warriors came right up to the Adriatic.But later we stopped fighting in these areas.And then - fell on hard times in the Russian land.Bicentennial yoke established for two decades after the invasion and implies the payment of tribute by all the conquered lands of the Tatar rulers.As historians say, it ended only in 1480.
threat from the west
Tough times on Russian soil problems were not limited to the east and south in the 13th century.If there invasions were more punitive expeditions in the western part of the regular fighting were constant attacks.Russia fought the forces of all Swedes, Lithuanians, Germans.In 1239 the King of Sweden sent a large army against Novgorod.But in the same year, the Swedes were defeated and pushed back (taken Smolensk).On the Neva Russian soldiers also were victorious.Prince of Novgorod, Alexander led squad destroyed the well-armed and trained the Swedish army.For this victory he was called Nevsky (at that time the hero was only 20 years old!).In 1242 th the Germans expelled from Pskov.And Alexander in the same year deals a devastating blow to the Knight's troops at the Battle of Lake Peipus (Battle of the Ice).Knights killed so many that the Livonian Order for 10 years, did not venture to attack the Russian land.Although the Battle of Novgorod and many have been successful, though it was quite heavy, hard times on Russian soil.
world around us (Grade 4)
Summing up, we can say summarizing that the entire 13th century in the history of Russia was difficult for the ruling prince-tops, and for the common people who died and shed blood as a result of lengthy andnumerous military operations.Mongol yoke, of course, affected the development of the Russian statehood, and material well-being of cities, forced to pay tribute.And the fights with crusaders because of its importance glorified in movies and literature.This material can be used for a lesson on the theme: "Tough times on Russian soil (Class 4)."
