Russia did not become a member of the European community until the emergence of the Vikings. During the 8th, 9th, and 10th centuries when the Vikings were invading Northern Europe, they also made their way into Russia through their rivers. The early Russians were scattered river dwellers. The three key rivers that saw the majority of the Russian population were the Dnieper, Don, and Volga rivers. The name Russian came from these river dwellers, they referred to the Viking raiders as the Rus. The first account of a Russian confederation was in 860 AD. This date is found because a group of Rus, came out of what was known as Kievian Russia and attacked the city of Constantinople. Constantinople is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Early leaders of the Russians, pushed for expansion from their Kievian location. Rurik (800-879) was born in what is present day Holland. The specific area is a place called Friedsland. Rurik is credited for leading raids into France, England, and Germany. He was able to gain control of an area called Jutland. He let go of this land after pressure from rival chieftans. Rurik had two brothers, Sineus and Truvor. Together they led raids into northwest Russia. This location is Lake Ladoga near the border of Finland. Later, Rurik moved part of his settlements to Novgorod. The strength of Rurik and his family line could be seen until the 16th century. The House of Rurikovitch ruled Russia from his time period until the 16th century.

There were other significant early Russians. The family tree had the following members. Igor (875-945). His most significant contribution came from marrying a woman named Olga (r. 945-964). Olga was the regent of early Russia until her son Svyatoslav was old enough. Even when he became old enough, Olga was very influencial to the ruling family. She was to become the first Russian saint of the Russian Orthodox Church. Under Svyatoslav, Russia was able to expend control from the Volga River to the Danube River.

The man that placed everybody under the same flag was Vladimir I. It was Vladimir that unified the peoples of Kievian Russia. Vladimir believed that there needed to be a constant force found in each of these tribes to bring them together. He believed it was religion. Vladimir had holy men from all the major religions come visit him and explain what the Russian people should take their specific religion as theirs. Vladimir had men from Judaism, Islam, the Roman Catholic Church (followed the pope in Rome), and Eastern Orthodox Church (followed Constantinople) make their case. In the end, Vladimir believed that the Eastern Orthodox Church was the best fit for his people. This is the origins of the the Russian Orthodox Church. Also, during this time period Russia expanded from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. From teh Carpathian Mountains to the mouth of the Oka River.

Kievian Russia eventually came to an end. The Russians suffered from a string of lackluster leaders. The Russians were also hit hard economically, merchants from Italy now had trade connections into Asia, but the trade routes were not protected between the Black Sea to the Russian Steppe. The Russians also faced a foreign invader that not only controled the Far East, Central Asia, but also western Asia. The Mongols were now in charge.

THE MONGOLS

During the 1200's Genghis Khan from Mongolia organized the nomads of the Steppe and controlled Asia from the Pacific Ocean (China), central Asia (Russia), parts of northern India, and all the way to Eastern Europe (Russia too). Between the years of 1236-1241 the Golden Horde (color of the Mongol tents) invaded Russia, burned Kiev, looted and destroyed many Russian towns. They ruled Russia for 150 years. The occupation of the Mongols were both postitive and negative for the Russians. In terms of positive aspects, the Russian Orthodox Religion was tolerated. The stability of central Asia kept the trade routes open and the Russians were able to trade in the east. Major Russian cities like Moscow was able to enhance its status and move past just being a river trade center. Princes and nobles were able to pay tribute to the Mongols and entrench themselves into positions of high power.

These postitions of power were individually positive, but this also became a problem during later years because these families were a major source of inserection for Russian Czars in future years. These families were behind many political assasinations and unjust actions. Another negative aspect of Mongol occupation was the Russia was just off from Western Europe. The Russians were not able to benefit from the advancements of Western Europe, like the Renaissance, Reformation, and most importantly the Scientific Revolution. Russia would stay backwards deep in the 19th and 20th centuries.

CZARS OF RUSSIA

Ivan III, Ivan the Great (r. 1462-1505)

Ivan was the first man to call himself a Czar. Czar is Russian for Caesar. He also created the framework of Absolute rule in Russia. From the Mongol occupation, the Boyars became very powerful. They were wealthy because of the benefits of siding with the Mongols. They were also able to accumulate land to have the Russian peasants live on. Ivan III wished to limit the power of these Boyars. Ivan III married the niece of the last Byzantine Emperor.

Ivan III pushed for a separation of church and state power. "By nature, the czar (also spelled, Tsar) is like any other man, but in power and office he is like the highest God."

Ivan was also able to bring more land into Russian hands, the modern day area of Lithuania is brought into Russian control

Ivan IV, Ivan the Terrible (r. 1537-1584)

Ivan IV is the grandson of Ivan III. From his birth it was proclaimed that he was going to be a bad man for Russia. His childhood was filled with assasinations of family members in front of his eyes. When he became old enough, he started to regain control of his crown. Many Boyars were tortured and killed in this power play. Once in total control of Russia, he solidified absolute power in Russia for the Czar. He also strengthened Feudalism in Russia. Russia was in a feudal state until the 20th century. At the time of Ivan IV, Western Europe is moving away from feudalism. At his death, Russia was on the verge of rebellion.

Peter the Great (r. 1682-1725)

Peter made many contributions to Russia, like Ivan IV, his childhood was filled with the death many family members and injustice. Peter did have a cruel streak, but he was not like Ivan IV. Peter wished to bring Russia up to date with Western Europe. He wished to expand the borders of Russia and also strengthen the power of the military. Peter fought Sweden for the land on the Baltic Sea. Peter also created the Russian Navy. Because of some of his political compromises with the Boyars, Peter also placed Russia deeper into feudalism. Peter also creates the city of St. Petersburg and makes it the capital of Russia.

Catherine the Great (r. 1762-1796)

Catherine is not a Russian, she is a German princess who married Peter III. Russian officers killed Peter to place

Catherine on the throne. It is rumored that Catherine was willing to have her husband murdered so she could become the ruler of Russia. Like Peter the Great, Catherine reorganized the government, codified the laws of Russia, and also created state sponsored education. Also like Peter the Great, she was highly influenced by Western Thinking. Catherine was very interested in the Enlightenment thinkers.

Catherine was able to expand land into the Black Sea for the ability to have a warm weather port. She also expanded into the lands of Poland and Ukraine.