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Natural conditions of the Suzdal principality. Natural conditions of the Principality

Natural conditions of the Suzdal principality. Natural conditions of the Principality

Geography of the Suzdal Principality

Initially, the principality was called the Rostov-Suzdal land, covering the ancient lands of the Krivichi, partly Vyatichi, the lands of the Merya, All, Murom tribes.

Vladimir princes in the XII-XIII centuries achieved dominance over others, and the Vladimir-Suzdal land began to dominate in Russia. The territory of the principality was vast and was located between the Oka and Volga rivers and the area of Beloozero.

Rich fertile lands separated forest areas from each other. The colder climate compared to the Dnieper region did not interfere with getting good harvests. The population was engaged in fishing, cattle breeding, forestry.

The territory of the principality gradually expanded to the northeast and north, to where the Northern Dvina, Ustyug, where the White Sea was located, carried its waters.

The borders passed with Novgorod land, Smolensk principality, Chernigov land, Ryazan and Murom principalities. From a geographical point of view, the position of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was quite favorable.

This is explained, first of all, by the fact that on all sides the territory was protected by natural barriers - impenetrable forests, marshy swamps, major rivers. On the way of the nomads, in addition to a natural barrier, there were the southern Russian principalities, which were the first to take on enemy raids.

An important fact was that there was a constant influx of people into these lands - some tribes fled here from the Polovtsian raids, others from the heaviest requisitions of the princely Gridniks.

Trade routes passed through the lands of North-Eastern Russia, connecting the principality with the East. One of these routes was the Volga. Thanks to all these factors, a strong boyars formed in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, pushing the local princes to fight for secession from Kyiv.

A single large center, as it were, the capital of the principality, was absent at that time, which was its peculiarity. For a long time there were two centers here - Rostov and Suzdal, and in the XII century Vladimir was added to them.

These three cities were the most important cities of the principality. The cities were famous for their artisans, each city had its own Kremlin.

Remark 1

Thus, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality is an example of the Russian principality of the period of feudal fragmentation. Its territory stretched from the Northern Dvina to the Oka and from the sources of the Volga to the confluence with the Oka. Over time, Vladimir-Suzdal Rus united the Russian lands around itself, becoming their center. The Russian centralized state was formed here, and the future capital of Russia, Moscow, was founded on the territory.

Natural conditions of the Principality

Of all the lands where the Eastern Slavs settled, North-Eastern Russia for many centuries remained the most remote place.

A number of cities in the Middle Dnieper and north-west, taking advantage of their geographical position, in the X-XI century rapidly developed economically and politically. These were cultural centers who managed to enter the international arena and became the basis for the creation of a single state.

Among them are Kyiv, Novgorod the Great, Chernihiv. And very close to them, in the interfluve of the Oka, Volga, Klyazma, primitive customs still reigned. Here, in the interfluve, there was an old trade road from the Novgorod lands to the Volga. The road was used not only by merchants, but also by the settlers following, and in the interfluve there was a lot of land suitable for plowing, which later made agriculture the basis of economic development.

Suzdal Russia was especially distinguished by these lands, where beautiful water meadows stretched for hundreds of kilometers. In a temperate climate, it was possible to develop both agriculture and cattle breeding. Dense, almost untouched forests abounded in furs, berries, mushrooms. Wide rivers, calmly flowing through the flat terrain, deep and full-flowing lakes provided fish.

Unpretentious nature itself made sure that a person was able to feed himself here, put on shoes, clothe, build his own housing. The population was mainly engaged in fishing, hunting, beekeeping.

The geographical position of North-Eastern Russia saved her from foreign invasions, which she almost did not know. They did not know here the furious invasions of the steppes, the sword of the Baltic conquerors - the Varangians did not reach these places, the Polovtsian cavalry could not penetrate here, on the way of which impenetrable thickets of the forest stood.

Vladimir-Suzdal Rus lived calmly and thoroughly. Of course, she also took part in internecine battles, but later, and she herself led her squads to the south, even to Vladimir-Galician Rus.

This slow rhythm, however, contributed to the development and development of new lands, trading posts appeared, cities were built. By the middle of the 12th century, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality already occupied a vast territory of East Slavic, Finno-Ugric, Baltic lands and expanded its borders from the taiga forests of the north, the lower reaches of the Northern Dvina and the coast White Sea to the Polovtsian steppes in the south, from the upper Volga in the east to the Smolensk and Novgorod lands in the west and northwest.

The economy of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality

Slavic colonization continued in the 12th century, with settlers populating the river valleys and elevated watersheds of the rivers. Forest tracts were cleared for arable land. In the pastoral and commercial economy of the aborigines, under the influence of the Slavs, the role of agriculture increases, and the settlers from local pastoralists learn their experience.

The main arable implements were at first the plow, then the plow appeared, and the ax also belonged to the agricultural implements. Cutting down the forest, clearing the roots, and loosening the dried clay could not do without an ax.

The population was engaged in the cultivation of:

wheat,
barley,
millet,
flax
cannabis,
lentils.

Harvest, as a rule, was harvested with sickles. Farming is a very complex and hard work, which does not always reward the farmer.

Unfavorable weather conditions led to frequent crop failures. Cattle breeding also played a significant role in the economy. The main domestic animals were sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and cattle.

Remark 2

Gardening has been practiced since the 12th century. New tools of labor appear - a wooden shovel, and a little later an iron hoe. At the same time, gardening began, which was the business of urban residents.

Woodworking crafts are developing in the cities, as evidenced by carpentry tools - saws, adzes, chisels, drills, chisels, etc. Pottery and stone-cutting craft are developing, and in the 40s of the XII century, an artel of stonemasons appears in Suzdal.

Blacksmithing is gaining strength and spreading widely, and among them a special category stands out - gunsmiths, for example, the helmet of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, is the work of their hands. Worked in the principality and masters in the manufacture of shields. Already at that time, Russian blacksmiths knew 16 different specialties and could make up to 150 types of products from iron and steel.

Weaving and spinning were widespread throughout the principality, and Russian embroiderers mastered 50 sewing techniques. They made beautiful things from leather, fur, linen and silk fabrics.

Leather production developed in a number of cities - yuft and morocco were cultivated for the production of boots. Rougher leather was used for belts, wallets, bast shoes, etc.

It was known to the population that bone carving and jewelry craftsmanship was made by craftsmen. A special group consisted of goldsmiths.

Trade relations of the principality were established with the German lands, as well as with Lorraine and Limoges in France.

Compare the natural and geographical conditions of the Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal lands. Which of them contributed to the transformation of the Novgorod land into one of the richest in Russia?

Answers:

The center of the Novgorod land - Lord Veliky Novgorod - arose in the 9th century. as an association of three tribal settlements: Slavic, Meryansky and Chudsky. It was located on the way "from the Varangians to the Greeks." From here there were trade roads to the Baltic states, to the German lands, to Scandinavia. On the Dnieper route it was possible to get to the Black Sea region, to Byzantium. Through Lake Ilmen and the Meta River, the path to the Volga ran, and from there to the Volga Bulgaria, the countries of the East. The "suburbs" of Novgorod were Pskov, Izborsk, Velikiye Luki, Torzhok, Ladoga. All these cities served as important trade and military strongholds. Gradually, the vast territory from the Gulf of Finland to the Urals, from the Arctic Ocean to the upper reaches of the Volga came under the rule of Novgorod. The inhabitants of these distant lands - the Karelians and other peoples - paid tribute to Novgorod.

Novgorod land was infertile, in contrast to the Vladimir-Suzdal opolye, so Novgorod had to buy most of the food. This led to the concentration of efforts on the development of handicrafts, hunting, beekeeping. In addition, Novgorod lay on the path "from the Varangians to the Greeks" and Novgorod had a rich trading tradition of interaction with German, Danish and Scandinavian merchants. Taking into account the fact that the Novgorod lands were rich in precious furs, and the artisans were very skilled, Novgorod merchants had something to carry to other lands. A wealthy and influential merchant class developed in Novgorod, which had the opportunity to influence the political and economic life of the entire region.

A. The first mention of Moscow
B. The capture of Kyiv by Andrey Bogolyubsky
B. The beginning of the reign of Yuri Dolgoruky
D. The beginning of the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest
E. The death of Andrei Bogolyubsky

2. Explain the meaning of the nicknames of the rulers of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality: Yuri Dolgoruky, Andrei Bogolyubsky, Vsevolod the Big Nest.

Yury Dolgoruky ruled the Rostov-Suzdal principality. From 1132 he defended his interests and those of his brothers in the south, fighting for Pereyaslavl, and then for Kyiv (for which he probably received the nickname Dolgoruky).

Andrei Bogolyubsky. According to the late "Life of Andrei Bogolyubsky" (1701), Andrei Yurievich received the nickname "Bogolyubsky" after the name of the city of Bogolyubov near Vladimir, his main residence. The researcher S. V. Zagraevsky, on the basis of earlier sources, substantiated a different situation: the city of Bogolyubov got its name by the nickname Andrei, and the nickname was due to the ancient Russian tradition of naming princes “God-loving” and the personal qualities of Prince Andrei.

Vsevolod the Big Nest. He had a large offspring - 12 children (including 8 sons), so he received the nickname "Big Nest".

3. Provide evidence that the Vladimir-Suzdal principality became in the XII century. the most powerful in Russia.

In the XII century, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality became the most powerful in Russia. The rulers of this principality began to be called the Grand Dukes. Previously, only the prince, sitting on the table of Kyiv, had this title. The author of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" even wrote about Vsevolod the Big Nest: "After all, you can spray the Volga with oars, scoop out the Don with helmets." This testifies to the enormous military strength of the principality. During this period, there was also a flourishing of culture, architecture, painting and literature in the principality.

Reasons for the rise of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality:

opolye - a territory with fertile soil (a lot of fertile land);
an increased influx of migrants fleeing Polovtsian raids, strife and other hardships;
forests rich in animals, mushrooms and berries;
a network of rivers rich in fish;
professional experience of settlers - artisans and farmers;
no danger of steppe raids;
location at the intersection of trade routes (along the rivers Oka and Volga).

4. Imagine that you are a foreign merchant. Write a letter to your homeland about visiting the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. In the letter, indicate the goods imported into the Vladimir-Suzdal land and exported from it.

I visited the Russian Zalessie. This is in the North-East of Russia. Strange, I did not think that something would surprise me in such a backwater. I knew that the region is rich in furs, leather is dressed here, honey is collected, flax and hemp are made. But I did not expect to see big cities, which are not inferior to Kyiv in their beauty. Surprisingly, among the dense forests there is a large opole. The land here is very fertile and plowmen harvest a large crop. Where so many people came from, I don't know. Perhaps these are immigrants from the Dnieper. They say that it is not calm there now, and the Vladimir-Suzdal princes free the settlers for a while from tribute and help them settle down. Then it is clear why there are so many artisans here. I even met a group of masons. It would seem that there is a lot of forest around - so build houses made of wood, but no, there are white-stone mansions, temples and monasteries around. Of course, there are also many wooden houses. Vladimir architects are very skillful.

And yet, I will say, there is a lively trade in the squares. Merchants bring here grain, silk weapons, cotton, carpets, spices, and incense. I sold out my product in two days. Rich people live here - they love luxury. Although they have many craftsmen of their own. They say that gunsmiths and jewelers are glorious here. They create real masterpieces. And Russian embroiderers know up to 50 sewing techniques. Moreover, I had seen these techniques before both in the south of Russia and in the west. How do they know such technologies? I am truly surprised and amazed at the wealth of the Vladimir-Suzdal land, the grandeur of architecture, and the skills of artisans.

Test control

Vladimir-Suzdal principality was located in:
1. Southeast Russia
2. Northwestern Russia
3. Northeast Russia
4. Southwestern Russia
Rivers that flowed through the Vladimir-Suzdal principality:
1. Oka, Volga
2. Lena, Yenisei
3. Dnipro, Ob
4. Volkhov, Amur
The cities of Dmitrov and Zvenigorod built:
1. Vladimir Monomakh
2. Andrey Bogolyubsky
3. Yury Dolgoruky
4. Vsevolod Big Nest
After the death of Yuri Dolgoruky, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality ruled (o):
1. Vsevolod Big Nest
2. Andrey Bogolyubsky
3. Vladimir Monomakh
The Vladimir-Suzdal principality was fragmented into destinies after death:
1. Vladimir Monomakh
2. Andrey Bogolyubsky
3. Vsevolod the Big Nest
4. Yuri Dolgoruky
Under Andrei Bogolyubsky, construction began in Vladimir:
1. Assumption Cathedral
2. Dmitrovsky Cathedral
3. Sophia Cathedral
4. St. George's Cathedral

Questions in the text of the paragraph

1. Why did the Novgorod land, unlike other Russian lands, have a republican system of government?

Veche administration was spread to one degree or another in all the cities of Russia. But in most cities, the power of the prince was dominant. And Novgorod, because of its geographical position, has always been a craft and trading city. It was here that a strong trading class developed, which eventually began to influence the political and economic life of the city. With such a class structure, the power of one over all was unprofitable. Therefore, power in Novgorod essentially belonged to the oligarchic elite. This made it possible to negotiate and manage the lands together. Naturally, democracy is very conditional here. Everything is as always - from whom more money, the one has more power.

2. List the peoples who lived on the territory of the Novgorod land.

On the territory of the Novgorod land lived Slavs, Merya, Chud, Karelians.

3. What were the associations of merchants in medieval cities in Western Europe called?

In the Middle Ages, trade developed successfully, it was no longer single merchants who ensured trade relations between countries and cities, but entire merchant workshops, which were called the “guild”. Two things contributed to the union of merchants into a guild - growing competition and the security of trade. By jointly developing policies and prices, the guild could control the market and make a big profit. She could hire good mercenaries to guard caravans. It was also easier for the guild to build relationships with feudal lords and city authorities, merchants in the guild received various benefits and benefits. In some places, guilds, associations of merchants were called workshops or unions.

4. Which state was the first in the world to be called a republic? In what year did it originate?

The Roman Republic (lat. Res publica Populi Romani - “The common cause of the people of Rome”) is the historical era of Ancient Rome (509-27 BC).

5. What republics existed in Western Europe in the Middle Ages?

After the death of the ancient republics in cultural Europe, a strictly monarchical regime was established, but in the Middle Ages quite numerous republics arose again, such as Swiss communities, free cities in Germany (Hamburg, Bremen, Lubeck), Novgorod, Zaporizhzhya Sich in the Dnieper region; these include the Italian states, even those (Venice and Genoa), in which, in the person of the Doge, there was a chief executive elected for life. Only some Swiss communities or cantons (Zurich and others) were democratic republics. Of all these republics, only the Swiss cantons, united in the Swiss Confederation, and one small country, San Marino (since 301), have retained their republican structure to date. The city-state of the Republic of Dubrovnik, founded in the 14th century, retained sovereignty until 1808.

Questions and tasks for working with the text of the paragraph

1. How did geographical and climatic conditions affect the occupations of the Novgorod population?

Most of the Novgorod lands were of little use for agriculture, so Novgorod had to buy bread outside its own lands. In order to pay for the import of the missing products, Novgorodians developed handicraft skills and trading art. Products of Novgorod carpenters, blacksmiths, weavers, potters, tanners, gunsmiths were famous throughout Russia. And the mined furs brought a large trading income. Novgorodians were active in trade with German and Danish merchants, with Byzantium and the countries of the East.

2. What are the main features of the republican system? How did they appear in Novgorod?

Veche held the supreme power in Novgorod. The symbol of democracy was the veche bell, the strikes of which announced the convening of the veche. The People's Assembly decided questions of war and peace, elected senior officials, invited and expelled princes. The posadnik was the highest official. He was in charge of all the Novgorod lands, headed the court, appointed officials, observed the activities of the prince, and directed foreign policy. The assistant posadnik was a thousand. He controlled the tax system, was in charge of the merchant court and led the city militia. Head of the Russian Orthodox Church- Vladyka - also elected at the veche. The prince was the invited person. He was to lead the armed forces in case of war.

3. Why do you think it was in Novgorod that a republican form of government developed?

The first attempts of Novgorod to gain independence from the Old Russian state appeared in the 11th century. The Novgorod boyars, with the support of the urban population, wanted to get rid of the burden of taxing Kyiv and create their own army. In 1136, due to the flight of Prince Vsevolod Mstislavich from the battlefield at Zhdana Gora and his expulsion from Novgorod, republican rule was established in the Novgorod land. I believe that the republican form of government in Novgorod was formed thanks to a strong trading estate, which had the opportunity to influence the political and economic life of the land. Judging by the data of the German ambassadors, it was precisely 300-400 most influential boyars and merchants of the city who had real power in the Novgorod veche. This is confirmed by archaeological finds.

4. What was expressed in the restriction of the rights of the princes in Novgorod?

Veche concluded an agreement with the prince. The prince had no right to interfere in the affairs of city government. He and his boyars were not allowed to have possessions and trade. If the prince violated the contract, the veche drove him away.

5. What reasons determined the special role of the clergy in Novgorod?

Vladyka (bishop) was elected at a veche. It was the election of the head of the Church that determined the special role of the clergy. Vladyka was instructed to keep the treasury of Novgorod and manage state lands. Also, the church bishop participated in the leadership of foreign policy, oversaw trade measures and headed the church court.

6. What were the features of Novgorod culture? What are the causes of these features?

The defining features of Novgorod culture were simplicity and accessibility. Since the customers of the temples were boyars, merchants, communities of parishioners, stone architecture lost its monumentality. There was no reason for customers to spend more money than necessary in order to demonstrate wealth and significance. The churches were small and practical.

Working with a document

1. How does the chronicler relate to Prince Vsevolod Mstislavich? Prove your opinion with quotes from the document.

The chronicler does not seek to accuse Prince Vsevolod and indicates all the claims in the annals not on his own behalf, but on behalf of those who made accusations - "But what they accused him of ...". Relations between Novgorodians and princes have always been complicated. Since the veche was the supreme authority, it was the veche that invited or expelled the prince from the throne, guided by their own motives. I suppose the author of the Ipatiev Chronicle believes that the opinion of the people is too fickle - "they decided to expel Prince Vsevolod ... but they accepted his son Vladimir."

2. What did the Novgorodians accuse Prince Vsevolod of?

Novgorodians accused Prince Vsevolod that he did not protect the smerds, that he fled from the battlefield ahead of everyone, and because of this, many were killed.

3. Based on the document, draw conclusions about the relationship between the princes and Novgorodians, between different groups among the Novgorodians themselves.

In Novgorod, the activities of the prince were in full view and under the control of the veche. The elected could refuse the prince to reign for one reason or another. At the same time, there were several groups in the veche itself defending their interests. Therefore, as it is said in the annals, even among the noble people of Novgorod there were those who supported the prince, and who were against it.

Working with the map

Consider the map in the atlas on page 18.

Show on the map the borders of the Novgorod land, the main trade routes going through Novgorod.

Novgorod land is colored green on the map.

Several important trade routes passed through Novgorod (marked with blue lines on the map):

From Novgorod to Pskov, and then to Derot and Revel.
From Novgorod to the city of Velikie Luki, then to Gernix, Kukenais and Riga.
From Novgorod to Ladoga, and then along Lake Ladoga and the Neva River to the Baltic Sea.
From Novgorod through Lake Ilmen along the Lovat River, then through the portage and the Dnieper River to the Black Sea.

Prove, using a map, that Novgorod really was located on the route "from the Varangians to the Greeks."

Indeed, the famous route "from the Varangians to the Greeks" passed through the city of Novgorod and was one of the key ones on this route. So, the path began in the Baltic Sea, then went along the Neva River, Lake Ladoga, through the city of Ladoga, along the Volkhov River to Novgorod. Then it continued further from Novgorod: along Lake Ilmen, along the Lovat River, then through the portage and the Dnieper River, then across the Black Sea and ended in the Byzantine city of Constantinople.

Thinking, comparing, reflecting

1. Compare the natural and geographical conditions of the Novgorod and Vladimir-Suzdal lands. Which of them contributed to the transformation of the Novgorod land into one of the richest in Russia?

2. What did Novgorod and the city-republics that existed in Europe in the Middle Ages have in common, and what distinguished them?

In medieval Europe, republican political systems were in many ways similar, but had their own electoral and administrative traditions. All European city-republics, like the Novgorod Republic, had the right to choose their own governing bodies, collect taxes, make decisions about city management, declaring war, etc. Also, in all city-republics, the form of government did not provide for a monarchy. That is, if there were any rulers, they were chosen, and power was not inherited.

As already mentioned, they differed in their management traditions. In some city-republics, management was carried out according to the aristocratic principle - the so-called general meeting consisted of aristocrats. In others, only, for example, owners of taxable property could take part in management. Thirdly, democratic government was multi-stage - the highest assembly of the aristocracy and the assembly of the so-called middle class. Usually the people's assembly was convened in the most important cases, for example, to elect a council or consuls, who then made decisions on behalf of the people. The elected higher officials- in England and France, the head of the city council was called the mayor, in Germany - the burgomaster, in Italy - the podest.

The Novgorod veche organ was also multistage, since in addition to the city veche there were also collections of ends and streets. Unlike the European city-republics, in the Novgorod Republic, the veche not only elected the head of the administration - the posadnik, the head of the executive authority, but also elected the spiritual head - the lord. Also, unlike other republics in Novgorod, various princes were invited to reign and concluded an agreement with them.

3. Why, despite the fact that the prince was the head of Novgorod, we are talking about the Novgorod Republic?

In the Novgorod Republic, the main political role was played by the veche, which had the right to conclude an agreement with the prince, i.e. invite him when necessary and expel him if the prince violates the terms of the contract.

4. Write in a notebook a letter on behalf of a German merchant about his trip to Novgorod.

Today my ships with goods arrived in Novgorod. This is my second visit to Novgorod this year. We usually come twice a year - in autumn and spring. Now I, it turns out, is a “summer guest”. I unloaded my ships at the Merchant side of the city and immediately transported the goods to the German Court. We created this trading yard in 1191. Here we have built the church of St. Peter, we call it Peterhof. We store goods in the church, which we then take out for sale. In fact, the German court is our trade embassy, where our rules apply. We ourselves choose the alderman - the foreman and his assistants - the ratmans. We even have a German priest here, whom we sometimes involve in our commercial affairs, as a clerk. Tomorrow I will start trading. Novgorod is a rich city. I am confident that I will sell my product quickly and at a profit. Back I will take furs, honey, wax and fish.

Amazing this city of Novgorod. These Russians don't have a monarch. Or rather, he seems to be there, but he is invited when he is needed and expelled for any wrongdoing. Everything is run by elected officials. The supreme power is in their hands. Previously, we thought that here it is - an example of democracy. However, the actual power is in the hands of three hundred "golden belts", as we call the richest boyars and merchants. This is familiar to us from the European city-republics - a kind of aristocratic democracy. In general, they are all strange here. However, for us, merchants, all conditions are created here. And the rules of the game are clear and familiar to us - money decides, if not everything, then a lot.

5. Using the Internet, prepare an excursion for classmates on the Torgovaya or Sofia side of Veliky Novgorod.

Historically, the Sofia side was the aristocratic district of the city. The Sofia side got its name from the St. Sophia Cathedral - the oldest stone church in Russia. This is one of the most outstanding monuments of ancient Russian architecture.

The Sofia side is characterized by a radial-semicircular layout. Its peculiarity is that some streets converge with radii towards the Kremlin, while others, as it were, encircle it in a semicircle, repeating the contour of the Kremlin wall. As archaeological excavations show, this layout has not changed for many centuries. The Kremlin is the compositional center of the city. This is an outstanding architectural ensemble that has retained its uniqueness, striking in its power and solidity.

The Kremlin was the administrative, social and religious center of Novgorod. It was here that the assembly, the election of the posadnik was held, from here the squads of Alexander Nevsky went to battle with the Swedes, its walls defended the main St. Sophia Cathedral and the residence of the Novgorod Bishop. It was in the Kremlin that chronicles were kept, books were collected and copied.

Of course, the attention of everyone is attracted by the St. Sophia Cathedral and the belfry. The cathedral appeared in Novgorod in the middle of the 11th century. To be more precise, the time of its construction is 1045-1050s. It was one of the first Russian stone churches, older than it - perhaps the unpreserved Church of the Tithes in Kyiv, the Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernigov and the Cathedral of St. Sophia of Kyiv. Now Sophia of Novgorod is the oldest temple located on the territory of Russia.

The Sofia belfry is an architectural monument of the 15th-18th centuries in the Novgorod citadel. It is a multi-span wall-shaped bell-shaped structure. For the first time in the annals it is mentioned in 1437, when it contains information that during the flood the belfry fell into the Volkhov along with the fortress wall.

Possible questions in the lesson

Territory of Novgorod land

The authors of the textbook propose to start acquaintance with the Novgorod land by studying the territories and natural conditions of the region, because by studying these issues we determine the demographic composition and main occupations of the inhabitants of the Novgorod land.

2. What territory did the Novgorod Republic occupy?

The Novgorod Republic occupied a vast territory from the Gulf of Finland to the Urals, from the Arctic Ocean to the upper reaches of the Volga.

Occupations of Novgorodians

1. What crops were grown by farmers in the Novgorod region? Compare with their crops grown in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality.

Vegetable crops were mainly grown in the Novgorod region. Cherry trees and apple trees grew well from fruits. From grain crops - mainly winter and oats. Flax was also grown. In the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, approximately the same thing was grown, but rye also grew well.

2. What were the main occupations of the Novgorodians? Why?

Since most of the Novgorod lands were of little use for agriculture, Novgorodians were mainly engaged in crafts, hunting, beekeeping and trade.

3. What products of Novgorod artisans were famous throughout Russia?

Products of Novgorod carpenters, blacksmiths, weavers, potters, tanners, gunsmiths were famous throughout Russia.

4. What countries did the inhabitants of Novgorod trade with?

Trade was mainly conducted with German and Danish merchants, as well as with Byzantium, Scandinavia and the countries of the East.

5. What goods were imported into the Novgorod land?

Merchants imported wheat, cloth, metals, weapons, wine, luxury items to Novgorod.

Political features of the Novgorod land

1. How does the republican form of government differ from government in the northeastern lands. Present the political system of the Novgorod land graphically.

Memorizing new words

Artel- bringing people together to work together.

Monumental- majestic, impressing with size, power.

Republic- a form of government in which the supreme power belongs to elected persons.

The Novgorod principality is one of the three largest principalities, along with Galicia-Volyn and Vladimir-Suzdal, that existed in the times of Ancient Russia. His mention in the annals is almost minimal, but his participation in history is incommensurable.

The capital of the principality is Veliky Novgorod, famous for its artisans and merchants. Being one of the main centers of education and the largest trading center in Europe, for many centuries it retained the status of a stronghold of the northern and southern borders.

The main cities of the Novgorod Principality: Vologda, Torzhok, Staraya Ladoga, Polotsk, Beloozero, Rostov, Izborsk.

Geographical position

The natural and geographical conditions of the Novgorod Principality were determined by its territorial location. Stretching for many kilometers, it occupied vast expanses of the northern part of European Russia. The main part of the land was located between Ilmenskoye and Chudskoye lakes.

Most of it was covered by dense taiga forests, but along with them - endless tundra. The territory where the principality was located was full of an abundance of forests, lakes and swamps, which, coupled with harsh climatic conditions, made the soil poor and infertile. However, this was offset by large reserves of timber and building stone, and the marsh soil was a real storehouse of iron ores and salts.

The Novgorod principality had access to many major river routes and seas, and lay nearby. All this provided excellent ground for the development of trade.

The political structure of the principality

The principality of Novgorod differed from and in its unique political system. The republican form of government originated in the principality at the very beginning of the 12th century and persisted for several centuries, which made it one of the most developed principalities. The absence of a ruling princely dynasty made it possible to maintain unity and avoid fragmentation. This historical period is called Republican.

But democracy in the Novgorod principality was elitist. Power was concentrated in the hands of several influential boyar families.

An important role in the public role of Veliky Novgorod was played by the people's assembly - the veche, which was formed after the expulsion of Prince Vsevolod. It had very broad powers: it declared war, concluded peace, and resolved completely different issues.