The Siege of Kazan 1552
The conquest of Kazan and Astrakhan by Muscovy can be seen as the birth of a Russian Empire. It had profound consequences for the steppe region and beyond, allowing Russian expansion eastwards, eventually as far as the Pacific.
Category Archives: Russia
Siege of Kazan 1552, Part 2
Early reign of Ivan the Terrible
Under his rule, Moscow resumes its bid for control of neighbouring Kazan, which is already weakened by decades of instability
Siege of Kazan 1552, Part 1
Muscovy and her Asiatic neighbours 1400s-early 1500s
The story of the complex relationship between the Russians and their southern and eastern neighbours in 1400s-early 1500’s. Those neighbours were the successor states of the once mighty Mongol-Tatar empire known as the Golden Horde; the khanates of Kazan, Crimea, Siberia, the Great Horde and Nogay Horde. These relationships were at least as important to Muscovy as those with her western neighbours. Pictured: QolSharif Mosque in the city of Kazan, Russia
Russo-Lithuanian Wars 1500-1503
Ivan III the Great (pictured) continues the expansion of Muscovy with the capture of Lithuanian territories
Conquest of Novgorod 1477
The Conquest of Novgorod by Ivan III the Great, Grand Prince of Moscow. A Prelude to the Russo-Lithuanian Wars 1500-1503
Battle of Kulikovo 1380 Part 2
In September 1380 Grand Prince Dmitri of Moscow led an army which confronted an invasion force of Mongols on the banks of the River Don. After his victory he became known to history as Dmitri Donskoi, and a great Russian hero. But to what extent is it justified to portray Dmitri as a symbol of Russian resistance against Tatar repression?
Battle of Kulikovo 1380 Part 1
Build up to the Battle of Kulikovo, fought between Russian and Mongol armies in 1380. Covers Russia under the ‘Tatar Yoke’ and the rise of Muscovy
Battle of Lake Peipus 1242, Part 4
Alexander Nevksy appointed Prince of Novgorod, a Russian city with its own unique culture and proud history. Lead up to Battle of Lake Peipus 1242.
Available to patron of A History of Europe Key Battles Podcast at:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/28-44-novgorod-6529001
Battle of the Kalka River Part 3, Mongols vs Kievan Rus
The princes of Kievan Rus gather an army to confront a Mongol force which has invaded the Pontic Steppe. The two sides meet at the Battle of The Kalka River 1223
Battle of the Kalka River Part 2, The Mongols Invade
After conquering northern China the Mongols of Genghis Khan launch a campaign westwards through Persia and the Caucasus Mountains and into Europe