Reasons for the rise of Moscow in the 14th century briefly

This is now Moscow - a great city, the capital of the Russian Federation. And once, more than seven hundred years ago, in the place of Belokamennaya there was only an unremarkable village. How did it happen that everything changed?

The background of the Russian state

It is known that states appear each in their own way. The history of Russia has its roots. Let us consider in more detail how it happened that Moscow was the capital of a great state, and not some other city. Indeed, several large settlements in those days claimed this status at once.

Already in the 13th century, prerequisites began to arise for the need for the emergence of an entire state. The population grew, cities grew, each of them was controlled by anyone and any way. In history books, there is even a comparison that Russia looked like a patchwork quilt. In addition, unscrupulous requisitions from the side of the Tatars and the Mongols bleed Russian lands.

Thoughts about the unification of principalities, the creation of one governing body began to soar in the air. But who claimed leadership? It was Pereyaslavl, Moscow, Tver.

But only the important reasons for the rise of Moscow in the 14th century gave the right to a dominant place to this particular city.

Why Moscow?

The reasons for the rise of Moscow in the 13-14th century are quite simple and obvious. The geographical position of the city was very convenient:

• the settlement was located on the river, which would provide excellent opportunities for communication between various kinds of villages along the river, besides, fishing was also advantageous in trade;
• duties increased the treasury of the city, which was welcomed by the princes (goods were transported from Ryazan to Novgorod);
• a great opportunity to purchase all kinds of goods (honey and bread products were transported along the river);
• Moscow was at the crossroads of trade routes, which increased the well-being of citizens;
• the rapid influx and population growth made it possible to further enrich the princes of the city.

All these and some other other reasons for the rise of Moscow in the 14th century eventually led to the fact that now it was easy to participate in the country's politics, to impose one’s will on solving important issues of government.

The human factor in the rise of Moscow

The geographical location of the city, of course, is important in the priorities of politics and economics of any state. But the human factor cannot be discounted. It is always important to see who is at the helm: a business executive, a strategist or a slop. Who will be able to establish a mechanism for beautification and prosperity in the principality: a skilled politician, forecaster, an economist able to take risks or a performer of someone else's will, not seeing anything beyond the tip of his nose.

So who stood at the origins and influenced the reasons for the rise of Moscow in the 13-14th century? These were the princes Dolgoruky: Daniil Alexandrovich and Yuri Daniilovich (father and son). Very sophisticatedly and lightning fast they attacked nearby settlements, quickly expanding the territory of Moscow and the population. The princes very soon began to manage territories on the Moscow River in a single person, dictating their will and rules.

The struggle for the rise of Moscow continues

The next step in the development of Moscow lands was to break down the city of Vladimir. Yuri has already appealed to the Golden Horde, so that the khan would allow this event to happen, but the prince was refused. Moreover, Yuri Daniilovich died (two princes fought for the opportunity to rule Vladimir: Prince of Moscow and Prince of Tver; Tatars tortured the princes to death). “Holy place” was taken by Yuri’s brother, Ivan (nicknamed Kalita, which means “purse”, “bag”). Kalita turned out to be more perspicacious, nimble, and was able to get a label from the khan on the reign of Vladimir. Ivan returned from the Golden Horde with a confession, ordered to remove and transport to Moscow the bell (the great shrine) from the Tver Spassky Cathedral. Without a reason and autocratic rule, he ruled in the neighboring principalities, many Hated and feared Kalita.

Yes, on the one hand, this prince was a tyrant and a possessed politician, but on the other, he did not allow the Tatar horde to repair debauchery, death on Russian soil. So the power and well-being of Moscow became very high. The influence of the city allowed him to become the capital of the Russian state.

The power of Ivan Kalita

The raids by the Tatars stopped for almost four decades under the reign of Ivan. Russia found some peace, because the tribute was no longer so voluminous and rigid - the princes took it on their own on time without interruption, which earned the trust of the Tatar khans. This was also one of the reasons for the rise of Moscow in the 14th century.

The policy of Ivan Kalita gave the following results:

1. Note that this prince was famous for his foresight and intelligence. When he received a label for reigning in Vladimir, he decided that the church should be in alliance with the government. Metropolitan Peter left Vladimir, moving to Moscow. With the support of the church and making Moscow the center of faith, Ivan Kalita continues the policy of Alexander Nevsky.
2. Relations with the Golden Horde, the prince established friendly.
3. He himself collected tribute for the Horde, partially improving the Moscow treasury.
4. Received permission from the khan to annex the lands of Uglich, Galich, Belozersk.
5. Some princes independently decided to join the great White Stone.

These are the reasons for the rise of Moscow in the 14th century gave the policy of Ivan Kalita.

The next stages of the rise of Moscow

This stage can be considered the board of Dmitry Donskoy. The prince gathered the army and opposed the Golden Horde on the Kulikovo field, where the Russian soldiers won. In retaliation, the Tatars embark on a campaign in Moscow and burn the city. And Donskoy without the permission of the Horde passes the label to the city to his son.

The reason for the rise of Moscow in the 14-15 centuries was the war. The Moscow prince Vasily the Dark fought with the specific princes who rebelled against Moscow and its will. The victory was won by the prince of Muscovy. To be “the first in the Russian state” is always a welcome thing.

The last stage in the formation and reasons for the rise of Moscow in the 14-16 centuries is the unification of Russian lands around the current capital. The first sovereign of all Russia Ivan 3. appears . And land accession continues:

• Novgorod.
• Pskov
• Ryazan.
• Smolensk.

So a great power arose. Since the middle of the 16th century, the state began to be called Russia (Russian State, Russian Empire).

To summarize

Recall the reasons for the rise of Moscow in the 14th century (briefly):

• large population growth due to trade routes;
• very favorable geographical location of the city;
• for the Tatar-Mongol troops - an extremely inconvenient location;
• caution and subtle politics of the princes in relation to neighbors and the Tatar khan;
• purchase, association, predatory actions in relation to nearby principalities and lands;
• the church fully supported the princes and their policies.

All this could not but improve the status of Moscow. This gave her the opportunity to advance to the role of the capital city.