Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation
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The Artios Home Companion Series Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Teacher Overview IN THIS unit we will look toward Eastern Europe, to Russia and Switzerland. Russia had been dominated by Asiatic invaders for more than two hundred years. A leader named Ivan the Terrible began to grow into power and was the first tsar to consolidate all Russian territory into one empire. In addition to Russia growing and becoming one nation, we also see the rise of the Swiss Confederation as it slowly tried to secure its independence from the empire. It is the story of William Tell. Russian expansion in Eurasia between 1533–1896 (By Marxist Internet Archive - http://www.marxists.org/glossary/media/places/r/russia/1533-1896.gif, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7314596) Reading and Assignments In this unit, students will: Complete two lessons in which they will learn about progress in Russia and the rise of Switzerland, journaling and answering discussion questions as they read. Define vocabulary words. Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 279 Students will visit the following website to gather information to determine their opinion on the validity of William Tell: http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/william-tell.htm Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. Leading Ideas Vocabulary God orders all things for the ultimate good of His Lesson 1: people. consolidated And we know that for those who love God all things anarchy work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Lesson 2: — Romans 8:28 severance vacillating The diligence to “keeping faith” is a revelation of an canton individual’s character. Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace. Key People, — Zechariah 8:16 Places, and Events Believers are called to set a good example for others. Ivan IV, the Terrible Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the Michael Romanov believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in William Tell faith, in purity. Maximillian I — I Timothy 4:12 Ivan the Terrible Shows His Treasures to the English Ambassador Horsey, by Alexander Litovchenko Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 280 L e s s o n O n e History Overview and Assignments The Progress of Russia IT WASN’T until the fourteenth century that Russia began to grow into the nation that it is today. The first rulers to break free from the Tatars were those of Moscow, and from there, Russia slowly expanded into a single nation. In this lesson we will begin to learn how Russia began to grow, and about one of its most influential rulers, Ivan the Terrible. Vocabulary consolidated anarchy Key People, Places, and Events Ivan IV, the Terrible Michael Romanov Discussion Questions 1. Why did Ivan the Terrible request the title of tsar? 2. Describe Ivan’s early life. 3. What was the great problem with regard to the location of Russia? 4. How did Ivan attempt to fix that problem? 5. How was Russia hindered in its struggle toward civilization? Ivan the Terrible, by Claudius Lebedev Reading and Assignments Review the discussion questions and vocabulary, then read the article: The Progress of Russia. Narrate about today’s reading using the appropriate notebook page. Be sure to answer the discussion questions and include key people, events, and dates within the narration. Define each vocabulary word in the context of the reading and put the word and its definition in the vocabulary section of your history notebook. Be sure to visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 281 Adapted for Middle School from the book: The Story of Europe by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall The Progress of Russia In all the new activity and expansion hand, and indeed deserved the name of which was taking place in Europe toward “Terrible” almost as much as his grandson. the end of the Middle Ages, three powers Basil III followed in his father’s took no part. These were Russia, Italy, and footsteps, although he was neither so Germany — Italy and Germany by reason of brilliant nor so ruthless. He consolidated their wars and discord, and Russia because his dominions and added to them. it had not yet risen above the horizon. Everything he did he did as an autocrat, After the foundation of Russia by the throwing into prison and cutting off the Norsemen, it had, in the thirteenth century, heads of any who dared to question his will been conquered by the fierce Tatar hordes or authority. And when he died, leaving a who swept into Europe from Asia. For more child of three to succeed him, the land was than two hundred years these Tatars held once more given over to anarchy and Russia in subjection, and the proud princes, confusion. who traced their descent from Rurick the Norseman freebooter, were forced to pay Ivan IV, the Terrible tribute to their Asiatic conquerors. But at While the great nobles fought for power, length the Tatar rule began to weaken, a the future terrible tsar wandered about spirit of resistance awoke among the neglected and forsaken. He was clothed like Russians, and after a fierce and long a beggar, and often knew what it was to be struggle, they threw off the yoke of Asia. hungry as well as cold and lonely. But The princes of Moscow were the first to utterly neglected though he was, he learned break the domination of the Tatars. to read, and his favorite books were the Moscow, in consequence, became the Bible and books of history. capital, and the whole of Russia took the In all the books he read, the Jewish name of Muskovy. Then, having broken the kings, the rulers of Babylon and Egypt, the power of the Tatars, the princes of Moscow emperors of Rome and Greece, were called set themselves to unite Russia under one caesars (tsars in his language), and little scepter. This was done by Ivan III the Great, Ivan determined that he also should be his son Basil (or Vasily) III, and his called tsar. So he read, and thought, and grandson Ivan IV, known as “the Terrible,” bided his time. Then when he was their three reigns stretching over a period of seventeen, he ordered preparation for his 122 years (1462-1584). coronation to be made, and insisted on So much of this work of union was done being crowned not as Grand Duke but as by Ivan the Great that he received the name “Czar of All the Russias.” of “Binder of the Russian Lands.” But in It was already a large territory over order to bind the land together, he crushed which this first of all the tsars now began to out lesser rulers with an utterly ruthless rule. But it had one great defect. It was Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 282 almost entirely an inland country. Save for Struggles For a Seaboard the Arctic Ocean, it had no seaport harbor at But Ivan IV desired to enter into the all. All the shores of the Baltic were in the family of Europe. In that way alone he saw hands of Swedes, Poles, and of the “Brothers that he could make his country great, and he of the Sword” (a German military order determined to “open a window into founded to convert the heathen of the Baltic, Europe.” To do that he knew he must have a but which, at the same time, carried on seaport. So he fought the Mongols on his constant wars of aggression against Russia, southern borders and conquered Astrakan. and played a great part in the expansion of Thus, by way of the Volga River and the Germany eastward). To the south, Russia Caspian Sea, he opened up a trade route to was shut out from the Black and Caspian Persia and the East. But for a Baltic port he seas by the Mongols. fought in vain. The Brothers of the Sword, indeed, were dispersed, but Poland and Sweden remained masters of the Baltic shores. Not until a hundred and fifty years later, under a greater tsar than Ivan, was Russia to obtain the coveted seaboard on the Baltic. But although, through Teutonic jealousy, the Baltic was closed to their traders, the Russians had a seaboard to the north. The entrance to it lay indeed within the Arctic Circle, and for many months of the year it was closed by ice. But English sailors were busy seeking new passages to the East “by the high way of the seas,” and while in search for a northeast passage to China, they found Russia. Very soon, by way of this icy northern route a brisk trade grew up between A Teutonic Knight on the left and a England and Russia. Dutch, Spanish, Swordbrother on the right Italian, and French merchants followed Here we see the reason why Russia took them, but the English, who had been first in no part in the great seafaring adventures the field, kept up the bulk of the trade. which were stirring Western Europe. Thus, in spite of the jealousy of Hemmed in from the sea on every side or by Germans, Poles, and Swedes, “a window jealous neighbors, and at the same time was opened into Europe.” Had it not been struggling toward unity, the nation had no for this jealousy, Russia would have energy for exploration.