The Mongols overtook Russia from seemingly nowhere. Their arrival (and subsequent 150+ years of rule) left a major imprint on the Russian psyche. However, culturally; the Mongols did little to affect the system put into place by the rulers Kievan Rus in the preceding centuries. The story of the Mongol Horde in Russia is a story of invasion, domination, and eventually expulsion by the Princes of Muscovy. Meanwhile, the Russians jockeyed for power and saw different cities enjoy periods of domination (Novgorod, Vladimir, and Muscovy). In the end, the Mongols were expelled, giving rise to the dominance of Muscovy.
The above map shows the expansion of the Mongolian Khanates into the Russian realm.
POLOVTSY (CUMANS/KIPCHAKS)
GOLDEN HORDE
APPANAGE
LORD NOVGOROD THE GREAT
RUBLE
Subutai and Jebe’s Expedition into Russia and the Battle of Kalka. This is the story of the first confrontation between the Mongols and the Russians.
Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince of Novgorod, was chosen as the most influential personality in Russian history, by the Russians themselves.
THE ENTIRE CLASSIC: ALEXANDER NEVSKY
Click here for our page devoted to our podcast on the Mongol Invasions of Russia.
THE MONGOLS INVADED RUSSIA ON THEIR WAY TO ASIAN DOMINATION.
THE MONGOLS RULED OVER THE RUSSIANS, BUT DID LITTLE TO CHANGE THE WAY THE RUSSIANS OPERATED.
THE GRAND PRINCES WERE CHOSEN BY THE MONGOLS.
THERE WERE OTHER INVASIONS FROM THE WEST (HEADED OFF BY ALEXANDER NEVSKY ET AL).
THE MONGOLS WERE EVENTUALLY CHALLENGED AND DEFEATED BY THE RULERS OF MUSCOVY AS MUSCOVY EMERGED AS THE DOMINANT FORCE IN RUSSIA.