Mongol Yoke in Russia

Essay by svetik6050University, Bachelor'sA+, February 2006

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At the same time as the rest of Europe was advancing culturally as a direct result of the Renaissance period, Russia did not collect the same benefits of cultural development and growth. Presence of Mongol Yoke in Russia was directly responsible for the disproportionate growth. Due to ongoing Tatar suppression, Russian people were not able to prosper culturally and enjoy economic freedom to the extent other European countries experienced.

Even today, we can still measure the negative political, economic, and cultural effects of the Mongol invasion. First, Mongol rule brought with it initial destruction, the imposition of heavy financial burdens and the loss of political independence. Economic development was strongly damaged by constant demand of money in order to pay tribute to Tatars. For instance, brickwork construction ended for almost fifty years for lack of the material means and of skillful builders. Many devices of building methods were lost, and unfinished work was completely destroyed.

As a result, Russian cities were greatly slowed by comparison to other countries of Western Europe.

While Khans were draining Russian economy from its roots, they also simultaneously aided feudal lords against the peasants. As a result, the life of common peasants was extremely harsh. They were the one who bore boyar's wimps, experienced great humiliation and were forced to cultivate the land for no wage. My grandmother once told me that her ancestor's spirit was broken under Tatars cruelty. Physical and psychological affects were great and as a result people developed submissive and tolerant character. They assumed that it was a will of God that they had to endure boyars and Tatars tyranny.

Secondly, the Mongol subjugation of Russia was brutal, humiliating, and contributed greatly to that sense of tragedy that so deeply portrayed in Russian culture and art. Due to intermarriage with Tatars...