History of Moscow | Serhii Plokhy and Lex Fridman

Summary

This transcript delves into the complex history of the Russian Empire, tracing its origins from the medieval Kievan Rus' to the rise of Moscow as its center under Mongol rule. It highlights how the concept of 'Russian lands' evolved, culminating in the Soviet Union's expansion in 1945. The narrator also explores the linguistic and cultural diversity among Slavic peoples, questioning whether they can be considered a single nation or a collection of distinct groups with shared yet divergent histories and traditions.

Takeaways

• 😄 Moscow rose to prominence as the center of the Russian Empire in the late 15th century, replacing the city of Vladimir, after overthrowing Mongol control with the help of the Lithuanian state.
• 🤔 The term 'Russian Empire' was a creation of the 18th century, while the people earlier referred to themselves as 'Rus', encompassing multiple groups in the region.
• 🌍 The 'Gathering of the Russian Lands' was a 19th-century idea that aimed to unite the former lands of Kievan Rus' and the Mongol Empire under Moscow's control, culminating in 1945.
• 🗣️ The Slavic peoples share a common linguistic history but have distinct languages like Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, and Czech, indicating their separate identities.
• 🏛️ While sharing some political traditions, the Slavic nations have also developed different loyalties to their respective political institutions over time.
• 🌍 The Russian Empire eventually expanded its control to the Pacific Ocean before reaching the lands of Kievan Rus'.
• 🕰️ The city of Vladimir, with its architectural monuments like the 'Golden Gates', was the capital before Moscow's rise to prominence.
• ⚔️ Moscow's ascendancy was facilitated by its struggle for favor from the Mongol Tatar Horde during their control over the region.
• 🇺🇦 The inclusion of Transcarpathian Ukraine into the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1945 marked the fulfillment of the 'Gathering of the Russian Lands' concept.
• 🌐 Despite linguistic unity, the Slavic peoples are considered distinct nations and peoples, much like Americans and Australians with their variations of English.

Q & A

What is the significance of the term 'Kievan Rus' in the context of the Russian Empire?

The term 'Kievan Rus' refers to the medieval East Slavic state centered around the city of Kiev. It is important to note that the Kievan Rus is not the same as the modern Russian Empire, which emerged much later in the 18th century. The Kievan Rus was a collection of Slavic principalities, and its people referred to themselves as 'Rus,' which is distinct from the modern term 'Russia.'

When did Moscow first come into prominence as a significant city?

According to the transcript, the first reference to Moscow dates back to the 12th century when it was founded by one of the princes of the Kievan Rus. However, Moscow did not become the capital and rise to prominence until much later, in the context of the Mongol rule over the former Rus territories.

How did Moscow become the center of the Russian Empire?

Moscow's rise to prominence is closely tied to the Mongol rule over the former Rus territories. After the Mongol control was overthrown in the late 15th century, Moscow emerged as the new capital, replacing the city of Vladimir. This was a result of Moscow's struggle for favor with the Mongols and its eventual control over the territories of the former Mongol Empire.

What is the significance of the term 'Gathering of the Russian Lands' in relation to the Russian Empire?

The term 'Gathering of the Russian Lands' refers to the project undertaken by Moscow after the Mongol rule was removed. It involved an effort to bring back the lands of the former Kievan Rus and the territories of the former Mongol Empire under Moscow's control. This process, as conceived by 19th-century Russian historians, aimed to unite the 'Russian lands' under a single rule, and it was completed in 1945 with the incorporation of Transcarpathian Ukraine into the Soviet Union.

How does the linguistic diversity among Slavic peoples reflect their ethnic and cultural differences?

The linguistic diversity among Slavic peoples, such as the separate languages spoken by Poles, Ukrainians, Russians, and Czechs, is a clear indication that they are distinct peoples with different ethnic and cultural identities. While they share some common linguistic roots, the differences in their languages suggest that they have evolved as separate nations with distinct political traditions and loyalties to different political institutions.

How is the concept of a unified 'Slavic people' addressed in the transcript?

The transcript acknowledges that while the Slavic peoples share some common linguistic history and political traditions, there are also significant differences that distinguish them as separate nations and peoples. The idea of a unified 'Slavic people' is not fully supported, as the linguistic diversity, political loyalties, and cultural traditions indicate a collection of distinct peoples rather than a single, homogeneous group.

What is the significance of Vladimir as a city in the context of the Russian Empire?

Vladimir was the capital of the Rus territories before Moscow rose to prominence. It is notable for its architectural monuments, including the Golden Gates of Vladimir, which are among the oldest and most significant architectural landmarks in Russia. The transcript highlights Vladimir's central role and importance as the capital prior to Moscow's ascendance.

How did the Mongol rule influence the development of the Russian Empire?

The Mongol rule had a significant impact on the development of the Russian Empire. After the overthrow of Mongol control in the late 15th century, Moscow emerged as the new capital, replacing Vladimir. The struggle for favor with the Mongols and the eventual control over the territories of the former Mongol Empire laid the foundation for Moscow's rise as the center of the Russian Empire.

What is the significance of the year 1945 in the context of the 'Gathering of the Russian Lands' project?

The year 1945 marks the completion of the 'Gathering of the Russian Lands' project, as conceived by 19th-century Russian historians. In that year, the Soviet Union compelled the Czechoslovak government to cede Transcarpathian Ukraine to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, thereby bringing the last remaining territories under Moscow's control and fulfilling the vision of uniting the 'Russian lands.'

How does the transcript compare the concept of a unified nation with the diversity among Slavic peoples?

The transcript draws a parallel between the diversity among Slavic peoples and the diversity observed in other linguistic and cultural groups, such as the different variants of English spoken by Americans and Australians. While acknowledging a common linguistic history and some shared political traditions among Slavic peoples, the transcript emphasizes that linguistic differences, political loyalties, and cultural traditions suggest distinct nations and peoples, rather than a single, unified Slavic identity.