The Mongol’s rule over Rus’ from around 1250 to 1480 seems to have brought many cultural consequences to the Rus’ land. \u00a0Russian architecture received a major blow as previous techniques were simplified and many incidents of structure malfunctions were reported. \u00a0The Mongols brutal sacking of cities such as Kiev destroyed much of the Rus’ culture. \u00a0Ancient pieces of valuable literature were destroyed by this\u00a0destruction of the Mongols and were lost in time. Most ancient books were preserved in the un-harmed Novgorod. (137) \u00a0The practice of writing chronicles disappeared and the grand architecture of the 11th and 12th century was replaced with more simplified techniques. \u00a0In reference to Rus’ culture, it’s said that, “The Mongol-Tatars enriched it with nothing whatever… (Kaiser and Marker 138)”. \u00a0The Mongols blocked Rus’ from the Enlightenment occurring in the west and put it on track to develop separately from the west.<\/p>\n
However, some historians see the Mongol Yoke as a positive effect to Rus’ culture. \u00a0The Khan left the Rus’ political infrastructure intact as well as giving the Orthodox church freedom from Mongol intervention. \u00a0This allowed the church to grow and finally convert most of the population into Orthodoxy. \u00a0It’s also seen that, “The Russians showed praiseworthy perspicacity in imitating the institutions in warfare and government… (105)”. \u00a0Princes were also given “booty” for participating in military campaigns with the Mongols. (106) \u00a0The vast Mongolian empire also benefitted Rus’ with their huge trade connections. \u00a0Rus’ furs became popular a commodity in this trade.<\/p>\n
If the Mongols did not control Rus’ would the idea of a “Russian identity” become as prominent?<\/p>\n
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The Mongol’s rule over Rus’ from around 1250 to 1480 seems to have brought many cultural consequences to the Rus’ land. \u00a0Russian architecture received a major blow as previous techniques were simplified and many incidents of structure malfunctions were reported. … Continue reading