Feudal fragmentation in Russia

Feudal disunity in Russia, the causes of which are hidden in the economic and political development of the early feudal society, existed until the end of the 15th century. The formation of large landownership against the background of the prevalence of subsistence farming in the Old Russian state inevitably facilitated the transfer of estates into independent production complexes. At the same time, their economic ties were limited to the surrounding district. The handicraft and trade needs that existed at that time could easily be met in the rapidly developing political and economic centers-cities. At the same time, the number of cities grew and the population was added due to the rise of the productive forces. Developed and those settlements that previously had no significant economic significance.

Feudal fragmentation in Russia was formed in the face of inevitable social contradictions between the lower ranks and the tops of the early feudal society. The resulting class of land owners sought to establish in various forms of dependence (both legal and economic) of the agricultural population. However, the class antagonisms (disputes) that took place in the 11th-13th centuries had a character, mostly local, and as a rule, local authorities had enough interference to resolve conflicts, without involving state forces.

Feudal fragmentation in Russia took place in the conditions of necessity in the social and economic independence of the boyars-patrimony (large landowners) from the central government. At the same time, the boyars were against the need to share their incomes with the Grand Prince. In addition, they supported rulers in individual principalities in their struggle for political and economic independence.

Feudal fragmentation in Russia was a fact unavoidable. In the framework of this process, further development of the culture and economy of the state as a whole took place. At the same time, it is necessary to talk about a more stable establishment of the system of relations between feudal lords.

Undoubtedly, the disintegration of the former unified state had certain negative consequences. The main one is historians call the weakening of protection of the country's lands from an external attack, especially if a fairly strong invader is likely to emerge.

Feudal fragmentation in Russia outwardly represented the actual division of the country's territory between members of a greatly enlarged princely family.

It should be noted that some signs of disintegration began to appear even after his death in 1054 by Yaroslav the Wise. The system of segregated principalities arose as a result of the struggle between its descendants, who enjoyed the support of local boyars.

For a short period, during the reign of Vladimir Monomakh, the rise of Kiev happened. It again became an all-Russian center. During this period, the separatist sentiments of local rulers were suppressed, the external enemy - the Polovtsians - was defeated.

The country again fell into decay with the death of Monomakh. At the same time, feudal fragmentation begins in Russia. The causes and consequences of this period are of historical significance for the whole country.

After the death of the son of Monomakh, Mstislav the Great, about fifteen independent regions were formed on the site of one state. Among them are Polotsk, Chernigov, Galicia, Novgorod, Rostov-Suzdal, Smolensk and others. At the same time, within each of them, the process of political fragmentation and economic isolation continued. Thus, each of the parts of a large state was, in turn, transformed into a system of small semi-independent principalities.