Republic of Novgorod

The feudal République of Novgorod (Новгородскаяфеодальнаяреспублика) was a powerful state of the medieval Russia which extended from the the Baltic with the the Ural, between 1136 and 1478.

Formation and history of the Republic

Inclinations of Novgorod to separate from Kiev appeared at the beginning of the 11th century. The Boyard S of Novgorod were principal holding of this separation, with the support of the urban population which was to pay a tribute in Kiev and to provide troops for the military campaigns.

At the beginning of the 12th century, Novgorod starts to invite different Knyaz S (dukes) to direct the city without requiring the opinion of large princes de Kiev. In 1136, the boyards and the principal merchants obtain political independence. Cities like Staraya Russa, Ladoga, Torzhok or Oreshek are placed like vassal of Novgorod.

In the middle of the 13th century, the town of Pskov starts to assert its independence. Novgorod will have to recognize it with the Traité of Bolotovo, in 1348. Pskov becomes then also a republic.

That does not prevent the Republic of Novgorod from extending to the east and the North-East between the 12th century and the 15th century. It explores the zones located around the Lac Onega, along the Dvina and the coasts of the White Mer. At the beginning of XIVe century, it explores even the Arctic Ocean, the Mer of Barents, the Mer of Kara and the Ob. The tribes ougriennes, which live the north of the Ural, must then pay a tribute with Novgorod.

The territories located at the north of the city, which are rich their furs, marine animals and saltworks, are of great economic importance for Novgorod.

The internal organization

The popular assembly ( vietche ) is more the high ranking authority of the Republic. She includes/understands not only the members of the urban population, but also the free rural population. This body has the capacity to elect, among the boyards, the Prime Minister ( Posadnik ), the commanders military ( tys' atskys ) and even the archbishop since 1156.

The archbishop is with the head of the executive and the landowner richest of Novgorod, having the main part of the grounds and the richnesses transferred by the princes from Kiev. He is in load of the treasure and the foreign relations. The tradesmen and the craftsmen also take part in the political matters of the city and have their guilds called konchans , ulichans or sotnyas .

Economy

The economy of the Republic was mainly based on agriculture and the breeding. Hunting, the bee-keeping and fishing were also widespread. In the majority of the cases, these activities were combined with agriculture. Iron mines were worked along the gulf of Finland, whereas Staraya Russa and other cities were known for their saltworks. The culture of the flax and hop also had a significant importance.

All these products were sold on the markets and were exported towards other Russian cities or even further. The merchants of Novgorod traded indeed with the Swedish, German and Danish cities. The Hanseatic League did not authorize however the merchants of Novgorod to be gone in the European ports on their own boats.

More half of the grounds held by private individuals in the Republic were concentrated in the hands from 30 to 40 families of boyards during XIVe and XVe century. These richnesses made it possible to ensure the political supremacy of the boyards.

The principal rival of the boyards in term of land property was the House of Holy Sophie with Novgorod. It was about the greatest ecclesiastical establishment of the Republic. Its dependences were placed in the most developed areas.

Foreign relations

The Republic of Novgorod must fight against the aggressions of the Sweden and the German knights. During the novgorodo-Swedish wars, the Swedes invaded the Finland where part of the population paid tribes with the Republic before. The Germans them tried to conquer the area of the Baltic since the end of the 12th century. The Republic of Novgorod thus carried out 26 wars against Sweden and 11 against the Chevaliers Carry-Sword.

Taking favors Mongolian invasions, the German knights, combined for the occasion with the Danes and the Swedes, increased their military activities in 1240, transferring their operations on the territory from the Republic. They however lost with the battle of Neva, in 1240, and with the battle on the ice two years later.

August 12th, 1323, Sweden and the Republic sign a treaty settling the question of their borders. It is the first time that a precise border is established between what was going to come Russia and the kingdom from Sweden.

If the Republic succeeded in escaping the Mongolian invasions and proclaiming its independence with respect to the Horde of Gold, it had paid them a tribute all the same. At the 14th century, the stiff ones of the pirates of Novgorod on the other hand will contribute to the economic stagnation, then with the fall, of the Gold Horde.

The fall of the Republic

Tver, the Moscovie and the Lithuania tried to seize the Republic since the 14th century. At once appointed Large Prince de Vladimir, Mikhail Yaroslavich of Tver sent its governors to Novgorod without preliminary consultation. This incident pushes the Republic to develop bonds closer with Moscow during the reign to Large Prince George.

Whereas Moscovie starts to increase, several of its monarchs, in particular Ivan Kalita and Simeon Gordiy, try to limit the independence of the Republic. A conflict bursts in 1397 when Moscovie annexes the grounds located along the Dvina. They are returned to the Republic the following year.

In order to resist Muscovite oppression, the government of Novgorod seeks alliance with Lithuania then and becomes an obstacle in the countryside of Moscovie for the elimination of feudal divisions in Russia. The majority of the boyards of Novgorod, wishing to keep their Republic, thus carry out it towards an alliance with the Grand-Duchy of Lithuania. This group of boyards is called the Lithuanian party and is directed by Marfa Boretskaya.

On the initiative of this party, Boretskaya Marie with the Lithuanian prince Mikhail Olelkovich and offers the government of the Republic to him. An alliance is also concluded with the Large duke Casimir itself. Most of the population is not however agreement with this alliance and of the disorders burst.

The Muscovite authorities draw then favors of this internal conflict and, denouncing the Traité of Yazhelbirsy, declare the war with the Republic. In 1471, the Muscovites gain a victory with the Bataille of Shelon. Seven years later, Ivan III of Russia sends its army to invade Novgorod and appendix finally the whole of the Republic. It thus ceases existing in 1478.

See too

Sources

Internal bonds

History of Russia

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