In the history of every nation there are periods of high prosperity and times of decline.In Russia it was the same.Reaching the golden age under Vladimir the Great, Yaroslav the Wise and Vladimir Monomakh, the country is mired in internecine wars for the throne of Kiev.There were too many princes, but the electrons were still little.That the sons and grandsons fought among themselves, with their brothers and uncles, and the state will only lose.Not surprisingly, the Batu trips to Russia, who fell just at this time, we were so successful.There was not only the unity between the principalities, but they desire to help each other.Cities weakened: walls were not in the best condition, lacked money, and professional soldiers-combatants were few.That had to defend their homes ordinary citizens, those who will never bear arms, and knowledge of military strategy and tactics they simply did not have.
Other reasons for the defeat Russia
worth noting that there were other reasons for the defeat of Russia.Movies Batu to Russia were made spontaneously, they were carefully prepared and thought out.Ever since the days of Genghis Khan, the legendary commander of the depths of Asia, the scouts were told that the Russian principalities very rich, and will take them quite easily.As reconnaissance usually considered a campaign that ended Battle of the Kalka River.It is worth noting that the Mongol-Tatar army was very strong, and the iron discipline and obedience to any order of the commander contributed to the success.In addition, taking China Horde have at their disposal advanced military technology and siege equipment, unique at the time was not.
Mongol invasion (briefly)
It is worth noting that there were two periods of the Mongol invasion.The first campaign of Batu to Russia lasted from 1237 by 1238.During his Horde conquered Ryazan and Vladimir-Suzdal principality turned on Veliky Novgorod, but did not reach him, and turned back.Before that, they captured the Volga Bulgaria.The second campaign of Batu to Russia can be summarized as follows: for the period 1239-1240 years he captured Kiev, Vladimir-Volyn principality and went on to Europe.However, the Mongol-Tatars expect more quick victory, but the resistance proved fierce.Lost a lot of power, Khan could not get to the last of the western sea as intended before, so I turned back.
Conquest of Northern Russia.Taking Ryazan
first campaign Batu to Russia was like a bolt from the blue.Of course, the Russian militiamen remembered the battle on the Kalka, knew the Mongols - a dangerous opponent, but they hoped that overpower him if he dares to come to them.Death of Genghis Khan moved the beginning of a great military campaign, but it has made it possible to increase the force.Sons commander conquered North China, Volga Bulgaria, joining the army Polovtsian (Kipchaks).In December 1237 the horde, breaking the Volga, came very close to the border of the Ryazan principality.Batu demanded the conquest and tribute, but received a sharp reply.Ryazan asked for help from the other Russian princes, but have not received it.After five days of cruel siege of the capital fell, and was razed to the ground.The same fate befell the Ryazan land.
Busting Vladimir principality.The Battle of the River Sit
But the campaign of Batu Khan went to Russia.The army moved to Vladimir principality.Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich sent a squad of Kolomna, where she died.After the fall of Kolomna, Moscow, capital city of Vladimir.At the beginning of 1238 gathered Prince shelves were finally defeated on the river Sit.Then a fierce resistance to the Mongols gave Torzhok who stormed two weeks, and Kozelsk, who took after a seven-week siege.Fearing that it will soon begin to melt the snow, Khan ordered to turn back before reaching the walls of Novgorod only a hundred miles away.Although, it should be noted, some historians believe that the rich Novgorod bought off by the Mongols, so was not taken.And there's a version that Batu Khan and Alexander Nevsky - the same person.And since Novgorod was his town, he did not ruin it.
Whatever it was, but in this first campaign of Batu Khan to Russia ended.Horde retreated to lick their wounds Polovtsian land and gather strength for a new attack.
second Mongol invasion
the spring of 1239 began a campaign of Batu south Russia.In March, the Mongols Pereyaslavl was taken in October - the city of Chernihiv.After him, in 1240 Horde laid siege to Kiev, the capital of Russia, its capital.Then Batu moved to the West, where the seized Galicia-Volyn principality, invaded Poland and Hungary came to the shores of the Adriatic Sea.Perhaps the second campaign Batu to Russia that had not ended, but the news came of the death of Kagan.Wishing to participate in the Kurultai, which had to choose a new leader of the Mongols, Genghis Khan's grandson turned back to the steppe.Collect the power back on such a large-scale military campaign has not been able to horde.So Europe has remained intact, Russia took over the cruel blow, and much wore out the enemy.
Taking Kiev
hike Batu to Russia briefly describe it is impossible.Each city resisted as best he could, but the forces were unequal.In the annals describes the heroic rebuff Russian, who fought to the last drop of blood.Here's how to say about taking the gold-domed Kiev ancient sources.
At that time the city belonged to Daniel of Galicia, but the prince was not in it.Warriors commanded by the governor Dmitri.As always, he demanded Batu conquest and tribute, promising to pardon all defenders, but Kiev refused and fought back the invaders.Using powerful rams, the Mongols entered the city, pushing residents.Recent advocates gathered at Detinets, erecting a new wall for the defense.But the line was taken.Kyiv residents gathered in the Tithe church, which also collapsed, becoming a gravestone for the Patriots.The wounded, barely alive governor led to Khan and Batu pardoned him for his heroism.This grace was widely used by the Mongols of Genghis Khan ever since the.Later Dmitry participated in the campaigns of hordes to Europe.
Consequences campaign
Movies Batu to Russia, both the first and second, brought a lot of grief this land.Principality were destroyed, burned, people killed or stolen in captivity.Of the cities, which numbered 74, 49 have been destroyed.Fourteen of them have not been able to check out and come back to life.During the invasion of knowledge we were lost, so stop stone construction, glassware and window glass, enamel.Killed a large number of princes and the ruling elite warriors, the increasing influence of non-privileged sections of society.In Russia's economy started to decline, cultural and political degradation, which lasted for many years.
Mysteries of History
But there is another view of history, another assessment of those events.Of course, trips to Russia Baty did not bring her good.However, many researchers believe that the Mongols were not as severe as they describe the chroniclers.Of course, they are the children of his time, and, therefore, were forced to fight for survival in ways that were available to them.Casts doubt on the number of occupants.If Baty and other princes led multimillion army, the horses just do not have enough food.The mystery is the fact why small towns (Kolomna, Torzhok, Kozelsk) managed to keep a long siege, while the capital of the principality with its massive walls were taken a few days.And why were the nomads from the east need these small settlements that have no strategic importance?Why did the Mongols turned from Novgorod, the richness of which legends?Why not go to Smolensk?Frightened?But they were not the timid!But these questions remain unanswered to this day.
