The Artios Home Companion Series Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss

Teacher Overview

IN THIS unit we will look toward Eastern Europe, to Russia and . 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 .

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

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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 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. Russia was shut out developed much faster than it did. But all from the family of Europe. It was indeed these nations feared lest Russia should hardly in any sense a European country at become powerful, and did their best to shut all. her out from the commerce, the learning,

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 283 the industries, and the weapons of warfare himself “bloudye” and “merciles” and of Western Europe. It is even said that the earned his surname of “the Terrible.” Then King of Sweden threatened with death the he crushed the great nobles with a pitiless English sailors and adventurers who tried to hand, massacring them and their families, trade with Russia. So in her struggle toward and laying waste the land with brutal fury. civilization, Russia was hindered and After the death of Ivan the Terrible, thwarted, and remained for long years to Russia again fell on troublesome times. His come what the Tatar domination had made dynasty soon died out, and in 1613, after a it, an Asiatic empire. great uprising of the people, Michael Romanov who, through a female side of his family traced his descent from Rurick, was chosen tsar. He had no great talent or ability, but he was the first of the house which was to rule over Russia until the abdication of his descendant Nicholas II in 1918.

Ivan the Terrible Near the Body of His Son Whom He Murdered, by Vyacheslav Schwarz

Yet, in spite of every hindrance, Ivan the Terrible left his empire stronger and more advanced than he had found it. This first tsar was a strange mixture of savagery and greatness. As a statesman he was far ahead of his times, and he understood the needs of his kingdom better than any man. But he was cruel and vicious and had an ungovernable temper. An Englishman who lived in those days described him as “a goodlie man of person . . . full of readie wisdom, cruell, bloudye, merciles.” For the first fourteen years of his reign Ivan showed his “readie wisdom” well and wisely. It was Michael I of Russia, the first tsar of the Romanov toward the end of his life that he proved Dynasty, by Johann Henrich Wedekind

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History Overview and Assignments The Rise of the Swiss Confederation

“It was during the fight for the empire between Louis IV and Frederick the Fair that the Swiss struggle for freedom began. From the eleventh century the land now known as Switzerland had been part of the empire. As a nation it did not then exist, but was divided into cantons. One of these cantons was called , and in time it gave its name to the whole country.” – Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall

The from 1291 (dark green) to the sixteenth century (light green) and its associates (blue). In the other colors are shown the subject territories. (CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1498408)

Reading and Assignments

 Review the discussion questions and vocabulary, then read the article: The Rise of Switzerland.  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. Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 285  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.  Do additional research on William Tell in order to form an opinion on whether or not he was a real person or simply a legend. Write a brief paragraph describing what you find, and insert into your notebook. Visit: http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/william-tell.htm  Be sure to visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources.

Vocabulary Discussion Questions severance 1. Describe the people of the canton known as Schwyz, after vacillating whom Switzerland was named. canton 2. What three cantons joined together to form an allegiance for national protection? Key People, 3. What started the civil war with the confederacy of Swiss Places, and cantons? Events 4. What was the result of that civil war? William Tell Maximillian I

Adapted for Middle School from the book: The Story of Europe by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall The Rise of Switzerland

It was during the fight for the empire cantons, Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwarden, between Louis IV and Frederick the Fair formed themselves into a league for that the Swiss struggle for freedom began. national protection and defense.

From the eleventh century the land now known as Switzerland had been part of the empire. As a nation it did not then exist, but was divided into cantons. One of these cantons was called Schwyz, and in time it gave its name to the whole country. The mountaineers who lived in these cantons were a brave and freedom-loving people, but they paid a loyal, if somewhat shadowy, allegiance to the Emperor. Now the Hapsburgs, who were dukes of Austria, tried to convert these cantons into a mere family possession. This the Swiss resisted Fresco depicting William Tell and his son after William shot the apple of the boy’s head, by Ernst Stückelberg with all their strength, and three forest

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 286 William Tell Battle of . In this battle, as at the Of the beginning of this resistance, in the Battle of Morgarten, they were again led by early part of the fourteenth century, William a Leopold of Austria, a nephew of the former Tell is the hero. Legend says that this expert duke. crossbow shooter killed a Hapsburg nobleman after the nobleman forced Tell to shoot an apple from his son’s head. Nobody It was at Sempach that the patriot today knows whether this story is true, but Arnold von Winkelried is said to have laid it shows how furious the Swiss were. They down his life for his country. The Austrian did not like living as servants and wanted to nobles stood a firm and glittering mass, and throw off the Austrian overlords. in spite of all their bravery the Swiss were The first great battle for Swiss freedom unable to break through their lines. Seeing was fought at Morgarten between the this, Winkelried determined to force a way League and the Austrians in 1315. The through. Austrians were led by Leopold, Duke of “Comrades,” he said, “I will make a way Austria, fighting in the interests of his for you.” Then spreading his arms wide and brother Frederick. His army was filled with crying aloud, “Make way for Liberty,” he ran the flower of Austrian knighthood, but it upon the bristling spears, and gathering as went down before the untrained many as he could to his own breast, sank mountaineers fighting for freedom. This dying to the ground. The wall of steel was first great victory had two results. It checked broken, and through the breach thus made the rule of Austria over the three forest the Swiss marched to victory.

states, and it bound them closer together. Louis was not ill-pleased to see the House of Austria thus defeated, and he rather favored the League, which during his reign grew considerably stronger. What the Swiss fought for was not severance from the empire, but freedom from the oppressions of the House of Austria. The dukes of Austria, however, were by no means minded to lose their power over these mountaineers and cowkeepers. So, except when they were Arnold von Winkelried’s deed in the Battle of Sempach too deeply engaged with schemes in other parts of the empire, they carried on a fairly Two years after Sempach, the Swiss won constant warfare against the Swiss. another victory at Nafels. By these two These wars gained Austria little, while battles, the power of Austria over the the Swiss Confederation grew constantly Confederacy was shattered. The Hapsburgs stronger. At length, seventy-one years after resigned their claims and signed a peace for Morgarten, during the reign of Wenceslaus, seven years. This peace was renewed from the besotted son of Charles IV, the time to time, and for many a long day the Austrians were again utterly defeated at the brave mountaineers were left to themselves,

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 287 and gradually grew stronger as more towns following year Charles was killed in a battle and cantons joined the League. near Nancy. In 1439 Albert, Duke of Austria, was These victories welded the Confederates elected emperor. From that date until 1806, still more closely together, and from now when Francis II resigned his empty title, in onward they began to be looked upon as a spite of a show of election, the title nation, and received the name of Swiss. remained with hardly a break in hereditary This new nation was still in name part of in the Hapsburg family, Charles V and the empire, but it was, in fact, quite Francis I being the only emperors not of the independent. The Swiss had not fought House of Austria. against the empire but against the House of Austria. The emperors were now, however, Zurich and Austria continuously drawn from the Hapsburgs, During the reign of Albert’s son, and showed an inherited desire to subdue Frederick III, the Swiss were involved in Switzerland. This the Swiss resisted. civil war. Zurich, one of the cantons, They were now so strong that they had concluded a separate alliance with Austria. no need of protection from the empire, This caused such anger in the Confederacy which, indeed, was in no condition to give that they made war against Zurich. The protection, and had itself become a feeble Emperor then made an alliance with shadow. They were able, by their own France, and in spite of the fact that France authority, to keep the peace within their was still in the throes of the Hundred Years’ own borders, and they had no need to have War, obtained from him an army of thirty the king’s peace thrust upon them. thousand soldiers under the Dauphin Louis. Yet the emperors still obstinately This army was little more than a rabble of regarded the country as part of the empire, hungry adventurers, but it was twice as and in 1499 the Emperor Maximilian I again large as the Swiss army, and at St. Jacob’s, tried to force the Swiss to acknowledge his the Swiss were defeated. sway and began a campaign against them. Yet, although the Swiss lost the battle, But in this war he got little aid from the they had made such a brave fight that it empire as a whole, for most of the states counted as one more step toward freedom. regarded it as a purely Austrian quarrel. The The war continued, and five years later Swiss, on the other hand, fought with the Zurich gave up its alliance with Austria and glorious courage which comes to a small was again received into the Confederacy. nation fighting for its very existence against Twenty-six years after the Battle of St. the overweening pride of militarism. And Jacob’s, the Swiss made an alliance with they won. After eight months of bitter Louis XI, who, as dauphin, had defeated struggle Maximilian was defeated and them. Secretly encouraged by the wily forced to conclude the Peace of . Louis, they became embroiled in war with After this Switzerland was practically his great enemy Charles of Burgundy. In independent, but this independence was two great battles, one at Granson and one at not openly acknowledged until the Peace of Morat, they utterly defeated him. The Westphalia in 1648.

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 288 The many victories which the Swiss had While Frederick arrogantly proclaimed won over their powerful foes had gained for the subjection of all the realms of earth to them a great reputation as fighters, and Austria, dauntless adventurers were sailing from the time of their wars with Charles the unknown seas, revealing new and Bold onward all the rulers in Europe, but undreamed of lands. But Germany without especially the French, became eager to have unity or nationality had no part in these Swiss soldiers in their armies. In discoveries, and neither then nor later did consequence, Switzerland became sort of a she share the heritage of Europe in the New “market of men,” and in almost every great World. campaign Swiss mercenaries were to be found fighting on one side or another. It was Maximilian I not until the nineteenth century that many In 1493 Maximilian, the son of of the cantons forbade foreign enlistment. Frederick III, succeeded his father as Yet, strange to say, in spite of fighting emperor. He was the first who took the title thus on any side for which they were paid to of emperor without waiting to go to Rome to fight, the Swiss kept their own nationality, be crowned by the Pope. Up to this time the and amid the broils of Europe the little German overlord had only been styled King remained safe and intact. During of the Romans until crowned by the Pope. the reign of Frederick, under whom the But Italy was at this time full of war, and the Swiss practically secured their freedom, the journey to Rome was one of difficulty and empire sank to its lowest. It was shorn of its danger. So in 1508 Maximilian announced dependencies; war raged everywhere that he intended to take the title of emperor. throughout the land, the great princes each The Pope, Julius II, was anxious to have struggling to increase their power and Maximilian on his side in his , wealth while the empire was reduced to the so he gave his consent. After this all the last stage of beggary. Yet the lower the emperors took the title on their election, empire sank, the greater grew the arrogance and only one (Charles V) went to Rome to of the Emperor, and Frederick took for his be crowned. motto the letters A.E.I.O.U., which stood for In his own time Maximilian was one of the Austria Est Imperare Orbi the best loved of German emperors. Yet, he Universo (“All the World is Subject to never did anything for the empire. He was Austria”). constantly at war, and nearly always But while the wearer of this proud motto defeated. sat upon the throne, Constantinople fell He has been called the last of the before the Turks. They overran Europe, knights; yet, he did more than any other reaching even to the borders of Austria, and Continental ruler to kill knighthood, for he the Emperor raised no finger to stay their was one of the first to follow the example of course. It was left to the Poles and the England and organize foot soldiers for his Hungarians to sweep back the Muslim tide army to take the place of the splendid but which threatened to overwhelm the now useless mounted knights. Western even as it had overwhelmed the He was vainglorious and vacillating, and Eastern Empire. succeeded in little. Yet, through him great

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 22: Russia, and the Rise of the Swiss Confederation Page 289 European complications were to arise. In government of the Netherlands to his son 1477, long before he became emperor, he Philip. This son married Joanna, the married Mary of Burgundy, the daughter of daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of , who fought the Swiss. Spain, and thus Spain and the Netherlands Through her he became possessed of became united. All this had important Burgundy and the Netherlands. When results for Europe. Maximilian became emperor, he gave the

List of Emperors Rudolf I of Hapsburg ...... 1273-1291 Albert I of Hapsburg ...... 1298-1308 Henry VII of Luxemburg ...... 1308-1313 Louis IV of Bavaria ...... 1314-1347 Frederick the Fair of Hapsburg ...... 1314-1330 Charles IV of Luxemburg ...... 1347-1378 Wenzel of Luxemburg ...... 1378-1400 Rupert of the Palatinate ...... 1400-1410 Sigismund of Luxemburg ...... 1410-1438 Albert II of Hapsburg ...... 1438-1439 Frederick III of Hapsburg ...... 1440-1493 Maximilian I of Hapsburg ...... 1493-1519

Map of Switzerland showing the growth of the Swiss Confederation

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