"History of Russia in 100 Minutes" is a crash course for beginners. Here you will find the complete history summarized and retold in simple language with accurate dates, the most relevant names and essential concepts. After finishing the course, you will know: - The basic characteristics of Russian history in different epochs - The 54 most important rulers and 106 historical persons in Russian history - 126 key dates and events in Russian history - The basic terms and concepts of Russian history The text is accompanied by numerous online resources: - 20,000 pictures - 700 videos - 3,500 songs - 100 podcast episodes All that is available via the smarthistories.com website. http://smarthistories.com/ Narrated by: Sammi Bold Written by: Tanel Vahisalu Edited by: Madis Maasing and Kerry Kubilius Proofread by: Tony Burnett Graphic Art by: Mehak Zaib Suddle Video: "Alexander Nevsky" by Sergey Eisenstein (1938) Music: "Tchaikovsky (Part II)" and "Crocodile Ghena's Song" (1995) by J.M.K.E. https://www.discogs.com/JMKE-Sputniks... - - - - - - - - - - MONGOL INVASION Mongols were the biggest threat to the Christian world in the 13th century. They established the largest continental empire of all time. Most of Western Russia was under Mongol rule for 250 years. MONGOLS In the 13th century, a new and powerful enemy attacked from the east. The Mongols were a Central Asian nomadic people who had already subdued many powerful states in Asia. Their ruler was Genghis Khan. Russians first faced them at the 1223 Battle of Kalka. They helped the Polovtsy fight the Mongols but lost miserably. INVASION In 1237 the invasion began under Batu Khan. Whole cities were destroyed and entire populations decapitated. In just three years the Mongols crushed the resistance of the princes of the Rus, one by one. Only Novgorod and Galicia were spared. The Mongols sacked and destroyed Kiev in 1240, and then moved ahead to the west. The Mongols established the biggest continental empire the world has ever seen, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to Eastern Europe. Under the command of Batu Khan, they were on their way to conquer the rest of Europe. Instead, they suddenly decided to return home, because of the death of the Great Khan in 1241. In later years, the Mongols divided their vast empire into smaller states. Most of them were called Hordes. THE GOLDEN HORDE The Golden Horde ruled the principalities of the Rus, and also the steppe that is to the south of them. The Mongols did not wish to settle in the principalities. Instead, they imposed heavy taxes, and let the princes of the Rus rule. The princes had to get their certificate of power (yarlyk) from Sarai, the capital of the Khan. This rule kept the princes in a state of constant rivalry over power. ALEXANDER NEVSKY The most successful prince in the power struggle was Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod, who later became the Grand Prince. He attained power by collaborating with the Mongols. Alexander Nevsky holds a special place for many Russian historians as the mythical savior of Russia from Westerners: Swedes and German Teutonic knights. He beat them in two decisive battles. The Swedes were pushed back at the Battle of Neva in 1240, and the German knights were defeated at the Battle on the Ice in 1242.

• published: 21 Jul 2017
• views: 22645