Completing the unification of Russian lands around Moscow. The reign of Ivan III and Vasily III

The End of XV and beginning of XVI century-the distinction between middle Ages and New time, called the Renaissance, was a period of final formation of most European States. At this stage, and the completion of the process of unification of Russian lands around Muscovy. In people's memory alive the names of its initiators and executors. It was a great Prince Ivan III, who ruled from 1462 to 1505 and his son Vasily III, who was in power from 1505 to 1533 year.

Features of the centralization of Western Europe and Russia

It Should immediately be noted that in Russia and in the leading European countries integration of previously fragmented land occurred in different historical realities. In the West, the creation of centralized States was stimulated by the growth of material production, which, in turn, increased through the improvement of commodity-money relations and the release of the economy from the narrow framework of subsistence farming.

In Russia everything was different. Two centuries of the Tartar yoke slowed the development of its economy and culture, and as a result, the unification of Russia occurred against the backdrop of the feudal organization of agriculture, which undoubtedly served as an obstacle to this process. In addition, the establishment of a centralized state was possible only in the North-West and North-East of the country, as most of the southern lands that were the part of Kievan Rus, was annexed to Hungary, Poland and Lithuania.

Fragmentation – cause of capture of the Russian lands

Undoubtedly, the main reason for the Specific conquest of Rus by the Golden Horde was its fragmentation, which may serve as an example of the Vladimir Principality, separated after the death of its ruler Prince Vsevolod among the heirs, and which after that became easy prey for invaders. And similar phenomena in the history of Russia of that period can be traced everywhere. A Grand Duchy, after their separation into small portions, have lost their former power and lost the ability to resist the enemy. History is full of such examples.

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However, according to the researchers, the presence of constant threats from the Golden Horde, and later of separate khanates, which she broke, and the aggressive policy of its Western neighbours have significantly accelerated the completion of the unification of Russian lands around Moscow, making it vital. Much of the credit for its realization belongs voshedshaya on the throne in 1462, Ivan III.

The Creator of a United state

To become a truly key figure in Russian history, this ruler received at his hands higher, at the time, the government, when he was only twenty-two years. Proved successful and far-sighted politician, he was the first in the country's history became known as the ‘Grand Prince of all Rus». It was during his reign our emblem became the double-headed eagle and Moscow was built that exists to this day a stone Kremlin.

Ivan III married the niece of the Byzantine Emperor, introduced in court everyday life the lavish ceremony, similar to what was adopted in the European courts. It was under his rule, the old word Rus was ousted current – Russia. He carried out a radical administrative reform and became one of the authors of the famous law – set of civil and criminal laws.

Code of laws of Ivan III

According to this, very progressive for its time, the document, when the Grand Duke was established by the boyar Duma. Its representatives have been given the authority to manage the individual areas of public life and became Governor in shelves and princely governors in the cities.

Appeared and the innovation as the orders – the organs of centralized management handled by a specially appointed nobles or clerks clerks. In rural areas, or otherwise – the townships, guidance was provided by the so-called volotile – governing bodies, consisting of free people.

The law established strict control of the center over the leadership of the local boyars were the possible penalties in case of violation of the Prince's orders. A number of his articles concerning the organization of the troops. Instead of separate retinues of the feudal princes was created a single army. The local landed nobility were obliged, if necessary, be at the disposal of the Grand Duke, and at his own expense to equip a certain number with a given foot and mounted slaves. Their number depended on the size belonging to the owner of the estate.

Join the Moscow previously independent principalities

Wise, and sometimes very crafty politician, Ivan managed to avoid open conflict, to accomplish the accession to Moscow, the North-East of Russia. This began in 1468, when the specific Yaroslavl princes, recognizing the Supreme power of Ivan, went to his obedience.

Four years Later, part of his Principality included the Great Perm. Rostov Principality by the time remained independent only half – the second part before I bought (that's right!) father of Ivan III, Prince of Moscow Vasily the Dark. In 1474 the deal was continued and as a result, all the remaining territory was ceded to Russia.

Some difficulties arose with the annexation of Tver, even before surrounded by a ring of land in Moscow. Her nobles to the last tried to argue with Ivan, defending its independence, but the sight of numerous squads, rushed to the city walls, was so convincing argument that they hastened to take the oath of allegiance.

The Subsequent process included the annexation in 1489 the Vyatka lands, which have been an important fishing area. They replenish the coffers the most important currency appreciated on the international market – furs.

As a result of centralization policy of Russia, which has consistently pursued Ivan III, in addition to the steady growth of its economy and military might has increased and the prestige of the state. This contributed to the fact that in the first years that followed the XVI century a significant number of Russian princes, came from the Western regions of the country, but due to various reasons, have fallen in the service of the Lithuanian rulers, returned home.

The Tragedy of Novgorod

However, not all of their stages of completing the unification of Russian lands around Moscow was so smooth. An example of this can be dramatic events that unfolded around Novgorod, had hitherto remained independent boyar Republic. As a result of management reform, carried out in 1410, was reinforced the power of the oligarchic nobility, and by the decree of Vasily the Dark from 1456, attached to the local Prince, the highest judicial authority.

Fears (and rightly so) to lose a significant part of the benefits after the submission of Novgorod to Moscow, has forced the boyars, headed by Posadskaya widow Martha Boretskaya the to seek assistance from the Lithuanian Grand Duke Casimir, agreeing to vassalage in the case of his support in the fight against Ivan III. In response, the Moscow Prince was taken drastic measures which in 1471, the rebellious city marched a combined army made up of squads all subservient to Moscow principalities.

The Essential argument that allowed Ivan III in the short term to assemble such an impressive army, it was the desire of the people of Novgorod to come under the authority of the Catholic ruler, thereby giving a reason to blame them for the desire to exchange the Orthodox faith in “Latin”. In contrast to the Moscow teams, the rebels had collected a very numerous, but untrained and poorly armed militia. During the decisive battle held on the river Shelon, they were broken and put to flight.

However, despite the defeat, Novgorod was able to negotiate with the Prince, and paying a hefty indemnity, for some time to save the remnants of its former independence. Finally, Novgorod was annexed to Moscow in 1478. Symbolic deprivation of the right to self-determination was the removal from them of Novgorod Veche bell from time immemorial convenors them to solve important pressing issues.

After the submission of Novgorod to the Moscow Prince was conquering Tver Principality that preserved the independence. Here a certain way repeated the same story as in Novgorod. Tver Prince, believing that you will not be able to resist the superior forces of Moscow, appealed to the same ruler of Lithuania, and Novgorod, and as a result suffered their same fate.

In all forty-three years of his reign Ivan III pursued a common goal-the unification of disparate Russian lands. For this, he entered the national history as “a Collector of Russian lands". He subjugated many of the first independent Grand Duchy.

End of the Tartar yoke

But, above all, his reign marked such an important event as the end of the period of the Tartar yoke, which marked the victory of the troops of the Prince of Moscow over the Horde Ahmed Khan on the Ugra river in 1480. It was achieved not so much military superiority, how much skillful diplomacy, which Ivan III managed to make his ally the Crimean Khan, who was the worst enemy of his current opponent and at the same time to neutralize the action of an ally Ahmed Khan, Lithuanian king. As a result, realizing the hopelessness of the battle, the Tatars left their positions and retreated.

Follower of the father

In 1505 at the Moscow Grand-Ducal throne the son of Ivan III Vasily III, with the first days of the reign showed himself a follower of the father. As a true autocrat, he led a strict policy, the purpose of which was to destroy the old system of inheritance and join Moscow still remained at the time an independent Duchy of Russia.

It is Fair to say that the young Prince was not inferior to his father, nor in the determination of their actions, nor the ability for them to choose the most opportune moment. In this respect, it is characterized by the accession to the Moscow Principality of Pskov, which was until then under control of Lithuania. For that Basil took advantage of her weakening caused by the invasion of the Crimean Tatars.

He was Not deprived of the deceit inherent in his father. For example, in 1509 Basil 3 ordered to arrive for a meeting with him to Novgorod representatives of the Pskov Posad, as well as everyone who was unhappy with his desire to bring the Pskov under Moscow's jurisdiction. All arrived on his orders, he was accused of distrust of him and most of them were executed.

The BoardBasil 3 put an end to the former independence of the city. After the execution of the townspeople representatives in Pskov took place in the history of the Council, which adopted the decision on unconditional fulfillment of all requirements of the Prince. The Pskov Veche bell in Novgorod as once his brother, was shot and permanently removed from the city.

In Order to protect yourself from possible opposition, annexing the city to his possessions, the young Prince was evicted from its three hundred richest families and in their place put an equal number of obviously loyal residents from other areas. However, this idea belongs not to him but to his father Ivan III similarly received in his time with the rich inhabitants of conquered Novgorod. Abolishing the former Pskov Veche system, Basil 3 requested control of their governors.

Further land consolidation process

Four years later, continuing its unification of Russia, Vasily III annexed to his Duchy of Smolensk, they conquered in 1514 Lithuanians. The memory of this event was perpetuated by the establishment in Moscow Novodevichy convent. It was solemnly transferred the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God, recognized the miraculous, and venerated as ancestral protector of the borders of Russia.

The Final completion of the unification of Russian lands around Moscow was reached after in 1521 in the state entered the Ryazan Principality. It was formerly located in certain dependence on Moscow princes, but retained some autonomy. However, it was the turn of residents of Ryazan to be the subjects of Moscow.

Main bodies of governance

This was completed the gathering of the Russian lands into a single state, which became the largest in Europe, and called since then Russia. But this process affected only the territories situated in the North-East and North-West Russia. The cast, under the scepter of the Moscow Principality, located in the South-Western lands, and continued to remain under the jurisdiction of Hungary, Poland and Lithuania, was future.

Completing the unification of Russian lands around Moscow required the creation of a device that could provide centralized control of the newly created state. They became the boyar Duma. It before included representatives of two higher at the time of the estates of the boyars and courtiers, but from the mid-fifteenth century, its composition was supplemented by the princes of Moscow attached to the land, loyal to the Supreme ruler. Boyar Duma was deprived of the legislature and had the character of only Advisory body.

During the reign of Basil 3 was established by two government departments laid the Foundation formed subsequently to the writ system. This was the so-called Palace and the Treasury. The first managed the lands belonging to the Grand Duke, and in the second jurisdiction were Finance, library and public seal.

According to most researchers, completing the unification of Russian lands around Moscow was largely achieved thanks to the role in this process was played by the Russian Orthodox Church. To increase its value in solving the pressing state of issues was facilitated by the construction in 1448 on the Metropolitan throne, Metropolitan Jonah of Ryazan. Since that time, the Church in Russia received the status of Autocephalous, that is separate and independent from other local churches, and could actively influence internal and external policy of the state.

Diplomacy to a new level

The Muscovy of the 16th century, formed by combining the first scattered lands, has acquired a completely different status in matters of international politics. If it consisted only of relations with the Golden Horde khans and the limited range of the feudal princes, after the country began to represent the unification of the great nation and its ruler to be called Tsar, it took its rightful place in Europe.

Russian diplomacy came to a completely different level. After completed the integration of land northeast of Russia, in Moscow began arriving foreign embassies in former times, not risking to go into the Russian open spaces on Novgorod. Of course, this has created some difficulty, as previously had to deal only with the feudal princes professing the same faith and speaking the same language. Now during the negotiations had to take into account the features of other religions and to use the services of translators and, subsequently, to learn languages.

The merits of two of the Moscow princes Ivan III and his son and successor Vasily III cases is undeniable. Because of their work, letters sent abroad, have since signed the title “Prince of Moscow and all Russia». This meant that all Russia were closed in a monolith is able to continue to resist any test.