Positive influence of Mongol Yoke to Russia In the middle of 12th century, the Mongol hordes advanced on the Russian land. In Russian chronicles we can find such kind of words about that invasion: “For our sins unknown nations arrived. No one knew their origin or whence they came, or what religion they practiced. That is known only to God, and perhaps to wise men learned in books” (Answers.
com). There are many opinions about influence of Mongol Yoke to Russia. Mostly historians and ordinary people focus their minds only on negative sides of Mongol reign.At that time were destroyed many cities, killed many people states like Chernigov, Kiev disappeared.
Big territories of productive lands were under rule of nomads. From 74 cities of Russia 49 cities were destroyed, and 14 of them disappeared (answers. com). Nevertheless, we must remember, that there were positive side of Mongol invasion. During more than 200 years of occupation Mongols made big influence on political, cultural, economic, and social life of Russia.
So, what was the influence of Mongol Yoke to Russia? Was it “dark time” of Russian history?Answers for these questions I want to find in my paper. Before the Mongol invasion to Russia many Russian independent states were not connected into one big country. They did not recognize power of the capital city. Actually, it was the reason, why Mongolian troops could occupy such a big country as Russia. Only under Mongolian reign these states were connected into one, at first Moscow state, then as a result to Russian Empire. Thus, Mongols gave start to creation of big, strong Russian Empire.
This fact is recognized not only by Russians, but also by foreign historians and scholars.According to Professor Gerhard Rempel, “Mongol ideas and administrative usages paved the way for the establishment of the semi-oriental absolutism of the Muscovite tsars” (Rempel). Mongols had strict rules about administrative side of political life. That is why Russian political system does not have any similarities with European systems. It is more likely to Asian: Chinese, Persian. Nevertheless, it was made not for giving power to Moscow state, but to make easier to control such a big country as Russia.
That is why they were agree with establishment of powerful Moscow state. Because of the big territory of Russia, Mongols needed good connection with outlying places. That is why postal service was established. Then Mongols made census of population, to make sure amount of charges. Also they established Russian money – Ruble, which was equal for everyone.
As the result of Mongol Yoke to the political life of Russia was increased power of Moscow state and connection of Russia into one country.Most scholars have accepted the notions that the Mongol invasion destroyed Kievan culture, the Tatar period was isolation from the West, and Russian culture was deeply influenced by Golden Horde culture, in particular by conceptions of despotism. To understand positive influence of Mongol Yoke we need to avoid popular opinion, that Mongols were barbarians, whose power were despotism and terror of reduced countries. With the beginning of Mongol reign eastern culture and customs rapidly covered all territory of Russia. Changes touched everything: clothing, food, architecture and other sides of Russian culture.
Even walls of Beijing and Moscow have similar origination. Many scholars think that with beginning of Mongol Yoke cultural life of Russia were stopped. “It delayed for at least two centuries any contact between Russia and Europe, which was at that time the only fountain of progress and enlightenment” (Rempel). Nevertheless, it is fact that Mongols were much more educated, technically developed than other world.
Also many Khans and vicars were well educated and highly cultured people. We even cab say that Mongolian reign in Russia started rising of culture in Europe.Muslim sciences and inventions of Chinese people became part of Europe and Siberia. Only after Mongol invasion to Russia Christian missioners started to go to Asia.
Also, plantation on wheat started with invasion of Batu Khan (Khara – Davan, 188). Mongols were extremely tolerant toward other religions. In the period of Mongol reign Russian Orthodox Church felt itself very comfortable. All monks were escaped from charges. Even Khan of Golden Horde allowed Russians to found a Christian Church in his capital (Answers.
com). “Kouiouk had a Christian chapel near his palace; Khoubilai regularly took part in the feast of Easter.In 1261, the Khan of Sarai authorized the erection of a church and orthodox bishopric in his capital. The Mongols had no sectarian hatred against bishops and priests” (Rambaud). Even some modern historians have opinion that it was not invasion at all.
According to them, Russian princes concluded alliance with Mongols, to protect their lands from Catholic Church. Influence of Mongolian culture we also can wee in folklore. Songs, ceremonies, like wedding ceremony, very similar to Asian. Style of Russian tales is similar to tales of Turk people (Khara – Davan, 186).In conclusion we can say that Mongol invasion extended positive influence on the culture or Russians, and even now it is part of Russian culture. The result of the Mongolian reign also affected economy.
Most scholars have opinion it was destructive. “The links between town and country that had begun to arise were severed. The trade of great cities with the outlying districts was interruped. The Rus was cut off from world-trade routes at a time when to West European countries there enriched with the stream of gold, jewels, and spices from newly discovered overseas lands.The Rus towns were weakened because of the systematical robbery, the heavy tribute required by the Horde” (Gorbunov).
However, there are some aspects on which they do not focus their minds. Mongols used big territories of fertile lands for agricultural needs. After Mongols all these territories became properties of Russian peasants. Actually, even now these lands are the most productive, and fertile lands in the territory of Russian federation. So, despite of the big devastation made by Mongols, it was start of agricultural rising in many regions, which used these lands after Mongols.They also helped all newly acquired territories with new roads, a courier system and a crude census The social effect of the Mongol rule is more pronounces.
Now it is hard to find a Russian, in whose blood there is no part of Asian blood. From a beginning of Mongol reign there were many intermarriages among Mongolian and Russian upper class. “Many of these people became important Russian landowners. Many Mongols also entered the Russian administrative and military services. At the end of the 17th century about 17% of the Russian upper class were of Eastern, chiefly Mongol, origin” (Rempel).
