The first chronicle information about Polotsk dates back to 862. Under this date in the “Tale of Bygone Years” there is information that the Scandinavian prince Rurik, the Novgorod prince, began to distribute cities “to his husbands”, along with other cities, Polotsk is also mentioned. The name of this prince was not preserved in the Tale, but it can be assumed that he was, like Rurik, a Varangian.

The fact that Polotsk fell under the influence of Rurik, who sought to subjugate the northern part of the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks,” could not but cause opposition from Kyiv. The Kyiv princes Askold and Dir in 865 (according to some sources in 867) carried out a campaign against the Krivichi. The Ipatiev Chronicle does not provide information about the consequences of the campaign, but notes that the Kyiv princes “fought the Polotsk people, and caused them a lot of trouble.”

At the end of the 9th century. Polotsk was conquered by Prince Oleg and annexed to Kievan Rus. This is evidenced by the mention in the chronicles of the campaign of Prince Oleg of Kyiv to Smolensk, after which tribute was established for the Krivichi. The significant influence of Kyiv on the development of the Principality of Polotsk at that time is confirmed by chronicle information about Oleg’s campaign in 907 against Constantinople, in which Polotsk residents also took part. This is evidenced by the list of cities that received a reward. Polotsk, in addition to the allotted 12 hryvnia, each participant in the campaign also received an additional reward due to the fact that Oleg’s vassal was the prince there.

The annals have not preserved any mention of the exit of the Principality of Polotsk from the rule of Kiev as a military-political event, but the fact that this happened in one way or another from 907 to 947 is confirmed by the following: in 947, Princess Olga began to occupy the lands dependent on Kiev, establish a regulated amount of tribute. Among the lands for which new tribute values ​​were established, there is no Polotsk, therefore, it did not pay tribute to Kyiv.

By 980, one can definitely talk about the independence of Polotsk from both Kyiv and Novgorod. At this time, Prince Rogvolod reigned, about whom in Tatishchev’s “Russian History” it is said: “Rogvolod was from the princes who came from the Varangians.” In historical literature there is no single approach to Rogvolod’s ethnicity: whether he was a Slav or a Varangian, but the main thing is that it was under him that Polotsk turned into a strong independent state. The definition that the chroniclers gave to the first Polotsk prince Rogvolod: “He held, owned and reigned over the Polotsk land” - indicates the completion of the first stage of the formation of the state. Borders were defined, the political system and internal economic relations were established. The process of creating statehood during the time of Rogvolod coincided with similar processes among other European peoples: Czechs, Moravians, Croats, Slovenes, Poles, as well as with the creation of the first centralized states in Scandinavia - Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

In 862 the city of Polotsk was first mentioned. Polotsk immediately falls into the sphere of influence of the state of Rurik. After the unification of southern and northern Rus' by Oleg, Polotsk is already firmly part of Ancient Rus'. Krivichi in all chronicle mentions are firm allies of Kyiv. The first famous prince of Polotsk was Rogvolod.

After the death of the Grand Duke in Rus', the struggle for the Grand Duke's table began. So, after the death of the Kyiv prince Svyatoslav, strife began between his sons. Polotsk also took part in this strife. In 980, the campaign of the Novgorod prince Vladimir against his brother, the Kyiv prince Yaropolk, was celebrated. Before this, Yaropolk defeated his second brother Oleg Drevlyansky. On the way to Kyiv, Vladimir approached Polotsk and wooed Princess Rogneda (he needed an ally). Ragneda refused and Polotsk was taken. Rogvolod and his sons were killed, and Ragneda was forcibly taken as his wife. Later, Vladimir defeated Yaropolk and became the prince of Kyiv.

Later, Vladimir sent Ragneda and his son Izyaslav to Polotsk to reign, and made his second son Yaroslav prince of Novgorod. With this step, he contrasted the two brothers, because Polotsk and Novgorod had the same economic interests.

Since the 80s In the 10th century a new stage in the development of Polotsk began. He was one of the first to oppose himself to the ancient Russian state. Polotsk land was one of the largest in territory, small in population, but quite developed. The reason for the development should be sought in trade relations. Thus, Polotsk controlled the Western Dvina trade route and was also close to the Dnieper and Volga. Therefore, the Polotsk land could exist as an intermediary and could live well without Rus'.

After the death of the Kyiv prince Vladimir in 1015, the situation in Rus' changed. Prince of Polotsk Bryacheslav Izyaslavovich (reigned 1003-1044) helps Novgorod Prince Yaroslav become Grand Duke of Kyiv. After the death of Bryacheslav, his son Vseslav Bryacheslavovich, nicknamed the Magician, became the Prince of Polotsk (1044-1101 reign). Vseslav begins the struggle for leadership in Rus', which was ruled by the Yaroslavich triumvirate (sons of Yaroslav the Wise).

In 1065 he made a campaign against Pskov. In 1066, Novgorod was ravaged. In response, the Yaroslavichs go to war against Vseslav. In 1067, a battle took place on the Nemiga River, during which Vseslav the Magician was captured and imprisoned in Kyiv. In 1068, an uprising of the townspeople took place in Kyiv, during which the Kiev prince Izyaslav was expelled. And Vseslav was released and placed on the Kiev table and for 7 months he was the prince of Kyiv. In 1069, Izyaslav captured Kyiv, Vseslav fled to Polotsk, which was also captured by Izyaslav. In 1071 Vseslav regained Polotsk. After the death of Vseslav the Magician, the Polotsk land is divided into a number of principalities: Polotsk, Minsk, Izyaslav, Vitebsk, Drutsk, Logoiskoe.

Political structure of the Polotsk land. There was a princely veche system. The Polotsk land developed as a confederation of internal autonomies. This is due to the fact that many cities developed their own dynasties. But Polotsk did not yet have enough strength to hold such a territory in its fist. This caused the Polotsk land to begin to fragment earlier than other principalities.

Principality of Turov. 980 – the first mention of Turov (the first prince was the legendary Tur). The history of the Turov land is very closely connected with the history of Kyiv. The eldest sons of the Kyiv prince are very often on the Turov table (so that they are under supervision).

So, Vladimir sent his eldest son Svyatopolk to the Principality of Turov, where he was prince until 1015.

1019-1054 - Izyaslav Prince of Turov (c1054 - he is the Prince of Kiev).

1078-1088 – Yaropolk Izyaslavich

1088-1113 – Svyatopolk Izyaslavich Izyaslavich

1113-1125 – Yaroslav Izyaslavich

Temporary interruption of the Izyaslavich dynasty.

1125-1142 – Vyacheslav Vladimirovich (son of Vladimir Monomakh).

1158-1162 – Yuri Yaroslavich – restoration of the Izyaslavich dynasty. This is a big figure. In 1158, he repelled the assault of the Kyiv princes, and under him the border with Polotsk and Galician lands was stabilized. With the death of Yuri, the Turov land is fragmented into a number of principalities: Turov, Pinsk, Kletskoye, Slutsk, Dubrovitskoye.

It is interesting that, unlike the Polotsk land, where there was only a prince, in Turov, along with the prince, there was also a mayor.

Principality of Polotsk in the 9th-13th centuries.

In the 9th-13th centuries, conditions for the emergence of statehood arose on our territory: -internal(division of labor, the emergence of cities, property stratification, the existence of classes, the need to maintain order within the country) - external(necessary protection of the territory from an external enemy). The first state formation is the Principality of Polotsk. The land of Polotsk was located in the northern part of Belarus in the lands of the Krivichi, and included the modern Vit region, the north of Minsk. In the north-west, the possessions of the Polotsk princes reached the Gulf of Riga. The convenient location on the waterways contributed to the cult. and economical development of the principality. The capital of the principality, the city of Polotsk, was first mentioned in 862 in the “Tale of Bygone Years.” At this time, Kyiv and Novgorod competed with each other for the unification of the Eastern Glory lands. Polotsk played an important role in this rivalry. At the end of the 10th century, Prince Ragvalod ruled in Polotsk. The son of Ragneda and Vladimir, Izyaslav, inherited the throne. His son Bryacheslav Izyaslavovich continued the expansion of the territories of the principality. The next prince is Vseslav the Magician. During his reign, the principality reached its peak of development. After the death of the Sorcerer, the Polotsk principality was divided between his 6 sons (fragmentation). In the 12th century, the Min, Vit, Drutsk principalities and others appeared. In 1119, Monomakh captured Minsk, captured Prince Gleb, where he died. In 1129, the Kiev prince Mstislav captured 3 princes Vseslavich for disobedience and took them to Byzantium, where they served in the Byzantine army. In 1132 they returned. The exile contributed to the establishment of ties with Byzantium. In 12c - weakening of the prince, strengthening of the veche. Feudal fragmentation weakened the principality. On the border of the 13th-14th centuries, the Principality of Polotsk became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. That. For several centuries, Polotsk was the capital of a large principality.

Question 3 Socio-economic and religious and cultural development of the 9th - 13th centuries. Economic life was determined by agriculture. The main work tools were a plow and a wooden harrow. The most common grain crops were millet, rye, wheat, barley, oats, and peas. Cucumbers, beets, onions, carrots, and cabbage were widespread. Agriculture was the main occupation of the population, but fishing, hunting, and beekeeping remained. The development of household crafts and the emphasis on crafts contributed to the emergence of urban-type settlements. The earliest of them were Polotsk, Turov, Berestye, Vitebsk. The cities gradually turned into centers of handicraft production and trade. Trade was carried out both internally and externally. Merchants maintained connections not only with neighboring, but also with distant countries (Byzantium, Arab caliphates). The land gradually became the private property of individual families. The tribal nobility seized the best lands and turned impoverished community members into dependent peasants. Statehood was being created on the Belarusian lands. Free community members had to pay tribute to the prince, who collected it together with his squad. Feudal land ownership gradually expanded. Communal peasants became dependent on the feudal lord in various ways: as a result of frequent wars, as a result of ruin from paying heavy tribute, etc. Their household became an object of robbery, and they themselves lost their personal freedom. Dependent peasants who carried out various duties were called servants. Those who have completely lost personal freedom are slaves. Following princely land ownership, boyar and church ownership arose. The complexity and improvement of social relations in Belarus led to the formation of statehood. The first full-fledged state that was formed on the Belarusian lands was the Principality of Polotsk. In 988, Prince Vladimir of Kiev converted to Christianity in the river. The Dnieper baptized the residents of Kyiv. A clergy appeared in Rus', headed by the metropolitan, and bishops were subordinate to him. In 992 the Polotsk diocese was created, in 1005 - the Turov diocese. The influence of Christianity on the spread of writing and education was beneficial. The following monasteries became important cultural and educational centers: Turovsky, Mozyr, Polotsk. Chronicle writing became the main genre of written culture. One of the first monuments of chronicle writing is The Tale of Bygone Years. evidenced by the inscriptions on the lead seal of the Polotsk prince Izyaslav, the famous cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, a boxwood comb with a carved alphabet (letters from “A” to “L”) was discovered in Brest, birch bark letters were found in Vitebsk and Mstislavl. , inscriptions on stones-boulders The construction of temples, their architecture, painting, and decoration corresponded to world achievements. they housed archives, the state treasury, libraries, and schools. In the 11th century On the initiative of Prince Vseslav, St. Sophia Cathedral was built in Polotsk. In Belchitsy (near Polotsk) the St. Boris and Gleb Church was built, and in 1161 in Selts the Transfiguration Cathedral, also known as the Spassky or Spaso-Efrosinevsky Cathedral. For this cathedral, by order of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, master jeweler Lazar Bogsha created a cross in 1161. The Kolozhskaya church in Grodno has survived to this day. A vezha (White Vezha), a monument of military architecture in Belarus, was erected in Kamenets. Kirill of Turov appears in spiritual and cultural life (possibly 1130 - no later than 1182). He was a highly educated man, a brilliant writer, and an outstanding religious figure. The person who left a noticeable mark was Euphrosyne (Predslava) of Polotsk (possibly 1104 - 1167), who first copied books, then became a nun, created chronicles and her own writings, and built a monastery.

The first of the appanage principalities that separated from the ancient Russian state, later gaining independence. In the period from the 14th to the 18th centuries it was part of.

The Principality of Polotsk has its history of existence even before. It is known that back in the early 870s, the prince obliged Polotsk residents to pay tribute, and later the Kiev prince did the same. In the period from 972 to 980. The Norman Rogvolod reigned on the Polotsk land; the principality was considered dependent on the prince then ruling in Kyiv. The Polotsk land was included in the Old Russian state already in 980 after the prince killed Rogvolod, captured Polotsk and married the daughter of the murdered man, Rogneda. In 988 - 989 Vladimir appointed his son Izyaslav to the throne, who later became the founder of the princely dynasty. In 992 the Polotsk diocese was formed.

Despite the fact that the lands of the principality were almost infertile, it was located at the intersection of significant trade routes along the Dvina, Neman and Berezina; Difficult forests protected them from enemy attacks. This contributed to the resettlement of foreign peoples here. Cities developed rapidly, becoming trade and craft centers (Polotsk, Izyaslav, Minsk, etc.). Such prosperity in the economy gave the Izyaslavichs some resources, relying on which they fought against the Kyiv authorities for independence.

From 1001 to 1044 Bryachislav, the heir of Izyaslav, pursued an independent policy, trying to expand his possessions, taking advantage of the weakening of Rus' due to. In 1021 he managed to capture Veliky Novgorod, but then the prince repulsed him on the river. Sudome. Yaroslav, out of courtesy to Bryachislav, allocated him the Usvyatsky and Vitebsk volosts.

The pinnacle of the power of the Principality of Polotsk is considered to be the reign of Vseslav (1044 - 1101), the son of Bryachislav. He began expanding the lands to the north and north-west, imposing tribute on the neighboring tribes of the Livs and Latgalians. In 1067, after unsuccessful campaigns against Russia, the prince struck back at Vseslav, capturing Minsk, defeating his squad, and taking him and his two sons prisoner. The Principality of Polotsk passed into the possession of Izyaslav. On September 14, 1068, the Kyiv residents who rebelled against Izyaslav overthrew him and Vseslav regained Polotsk. In 1069 - 1072 despite the brutal war with Izyaslav, Mstislav, Svyatopolk and Yaropolk (sons of Izyaslav), Vseslav retained the Principality of Polotsk.

In 1078 he captured the Smolensk principality and part in the north. However, in 1078 - 1079. the prince attacked the Principality of Polotsk and destroyed some of the cities. In 1084 he captured Minsk and destroyed the Polotsk land. Vseslav exhausted all his resources and stopped expanding his possessions. After the death of Vseslav in 1101, the Principality of Polotsk broke up into fiefs. In 1119, the aggression of the Izyaslavichs against their neighbors ceased after unsuccessful attempts to gain Novgorod and the Smolensk principality. The Principality is weakening, Kyiv takes advantage of the moment: in 1119, Vladimir Monomakh seizes the estate of Gleb Vseslavich, and throws him into prison; in 1127 he ravaged the Polotsk land in the southwest region; in 1129, thanks to the refusal of the Izyaslavichs to march with the Russians against the Polovtsians, Mstislav seized the principality and at the Kiev Congress asked for the imprisonment and deportation of the Polotsk princes to Byzantium; Then he gives the Polotsk land to his son Izyaslav, and installs governors in the cities.

In 1132, one of the Izyaslavichs, Vasilko Svyatoslavich, managed to return the Principality of Polotsk, but not its former power and strength. In the 12th century, a fierce struggle for the princely throne flared up between Rogvolod Borisovich and Rostislav Glebovich. In 1150 - 1160 Rogvolod fails in his attempt to reunite the principality due to disagreements with other Izyaslavichs and outside interference (prince and others). By the 13th century, German knights conquered the tributaries of Polotsk; by 1252, Polotsk and other cities were taken by the Lithuanian princes; at the end of the 13th century, in the struggle between the Teutonic Order, Lithuania and the Smolensk princes for the Polotsk lands, Lithuania gained the upper hand.

In 1307, the Lithuanian prince Viten conquered Polotsk from the Swordsmen, and Gedemin, who ruled after, took possession of the Minsk and Vitebsk principalities. By 1385, the Principality of Polotsk became part of the Lithuanian state.

1. Location: The Principality of Polotsk is the first state that was formed on the Belarusian lands. It covered modern Vitebsk and part of the Minsk region. In the north-west, the possessions of the Polotsk princes extended to the Gulf of Riga. An important trade route “From the Varangians to the Greeks” (from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea) passed through the Principality of Polotsk. Polotsk was first mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years in 862.

2. Polotsk princes: Rogvolod - 1st prince of the Principality of Polotsk (had Varangian origin), Izyaslav (son of Rogneda), Bryachislav, Vseslav the Magician

The Principality of Polotsk reached its greatest power under Vseslav the Magician; As a result, the area of ​​the principality increased several times and the St. Sophia Cathedral was built. Under him, there was a struggle for influence between Kiev and in 1067 there was a battle near Mensk with the sons of the Kyiv prince Yaroslav the Wise. After his death, the Principality of Polotsk broke up into the Mensk, Drut, Vitebsk and Logoisk principalities. After the collapse of the Principality of Polotsk, the Belarusian lands became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

3. The main occupations of the city residents are crafts (blacksmithing, pottery, spinning and weaving, leather processing) and trade. The main categories of the population are artisans, merchants, peasants, black people (slaves).

4. The emergence of feudal relations: at the beginning of the 9th century, feudal relations began to develop on the Belarusian lands. Reasons: wealth inequality.

5. Administration in the Principality of Polotsk:

Ticket, question 2: Belarus during the First World War.

The First World War began on August 1, 1914. In October 1915, Germany occupied 2/3 of the lands. The German occupation regime was established in these territories. An occupation- this is the seizure of one state by another and the establishment of its power there. Soviet power was destroyed in this territory, private property was returned, and the people and resources of Belarus were exported to Germany. A curfew and requisition (forced taking of property) were introduced. In the occupied territory, with the help of the Bolsheviks, a partisan movement arose: a Rudobel Republic(territory near Bobruisk, where partisans held power). During the war, unoccupied territories also suffered. They were transformed into a front-line zone, where requisitions also took place. Many people became refugees who were used as cheap labor.

Results: a sharp decline in the living standards of the population, rising prices for essential goods, the decline of industry in Belarus, large losses among the population of Belarus.

Ticket, 1 question: Development of culture on Belarusian lands in the 10th-13th centuries.

Historical conditions for the development of culture Until 992 (before the adoption of Christianity), pagan culture (fairy tales, epics, applied art) was active on the Bulorussian lands.

The basis of pagan culture is the belief in gods.

The adoption of Christianity contributed to the development of writing and the appearance of handwritten books. In the 11th century, the Cyrillic alphabet (it had 34 letters) spread to the Polotsk land and the first schools at monasteries spread.

In the first half of the 11th century, chronicle writing (records of events in chronological order) began to develop. “The Tale of Bygone Years” is a chronicle written by Nester and in which information about Rogvolod, Rogned, Izyaslav, Vseslav the Magician was mentioned. The first handwritten books made of parchment appeared

Illuminators of Christianity: Euphrosyne of Polotsk, Kirila Turovsky, Klement Smolyavich.

Architecture: the first wooden churches began to appear. By the middle of the 11th century, the stone St. Sophia Cathedral (7 domes, decorated with frescoes) was built.

Applied art: consisted of church utensils, the cross of Lazar Bogsha was made (by order of Euphrosyne of Polotsk) from a cypress board, its front and back sides were lined with gold, and the sides with silver plates with embossed inscriptions. It is considered a shrine of Belarusians.

Ticket, question 2: Events of the February and October revolutions of 1917 in Belarus. Establishment of the power of the councils.

February revolution.

Causes: Resolution of agrarian and national issues, Russian participation in the 1st World War.

The revolution began with mass protests of workers in Petrograd. On March 2, 1917, Tsar Nicholas 2 abdicated the throne. The autocracy was overthrown. The bourgeois power of the provisional government and the liberal-democratic power of the Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies were established in Belarus. BSG also made efforts to resolve the national issue. She sought autonomy for Belarus. The executive body is the Belarusian National Committee, which was not recognized by the interim government.

Results: The overthrow of the autocracy, power passed to the provisional government. But landownership and the unresolved national question remained.

October Revolution.

Causes: Dissatisfaction with the management of the Provisional Government, the desire of the Bolsheviks to get to power.

It began in Belarus with the receipt of information via radio about the armed uprising in Petrograd on October 25, 1917. Power passed into the hands of the Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies. At the 2nd Congress of Soviets, Soviet power was proclaimed and a Soviet government was created headed by Lenin. After the uprising, the Minsk City Council declared itself the authority in Minsk. The transition to Soviet power was managed by the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC). All bourgeois parties opposed the Soviet regime (the advantage was on their side), but the Bolsheviks called an armored train with soldiers from the front. In a short time, Soviet power quickly spread throughout the territory of Belarus.

In November 1917, the Regional Executive Committee of the Western Region and the Front was created ( obliskomzap) as the highest body of Soviet power.

Active members: Frunze, Myasnikov, Lander, Lyubimov.

Main events: Nationalization of industry and land (transfer from private to state ownership).

Results: a fundamental change in the life of society, a transition to a different political system.

Ticket, 1 question: Education ON. Strengthening the grand ducal power in the first half of the 14th century.

Reasons for education: external political (geographical position of the Belarusian lands, the need to overcome external danger from the German crusaders from the west and the Tatar-Mongols from the southeast), to unite efforts on the part of the Baltic and East Slavic peoples living on the border, internal political (small appanage principalities sought to overcome feudal fragmentation in the face of external danger), economic, related to the division of labor (separation of crafts from agriculture and overcoming subsistence farming), the formation of the East Slavic community.

Fight against the crusaders: With the help of the Catholic Church, the crusaders created military-religious organizations in the Baltic lands - the Livonian and Teutonic Order. In 1237 they united and created Prussia (capital - Balbork). The Crusaders pursued an active aggressive policy in the East Slavic territories. 5 times they tried to capture Polotsk. The fight against German knights and Swedish feudal lords became the common cause of the Russian lands. Thus, in the battle with the Swedes on the Niva River in 1240, Novgorodians and Polotsk residents fought together. The alliance of Polotsk and Novgorod contributed to the defeat of the crusaders in 1242 at the Battle of Lake Peipus, called the Battle of the Ice. The winner of these 2 battles was Prince Alexander Nevsky (he was married to the daughter of the Polotsk prince).

ON formation process: began with the activation of political life in Novogrudok. In the middle of the 13th century, the Novgorod principality quickly strengthened.

Reasons: remoteness from the areas of struggle, a high level of development of the economy, crafts and trade, the desire of the wealthy strata of the population to increase the principality.

Unification processes unfolded in the upper and middle reaches of the Neman River (modern Grodno region and eastern Lithuania). The East took part in the formation of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. the Slavic Christian population of the Belarusian lands and the pagan population of the Lithuanian lands. There was a strong army in the Lithuanian lands, and in the Belarusian lands there were large cities as centers of trade and craft. The Baltic prince Mindovg, having suffered defeat in the internecine struggle, went with the remnants of his squad to Novogorod. Here the Pagan prince adopted Christianity for political reasons and made the city his residence. With the help of the Novogorod boyars, Mindovg reconquered his lands. In 1253, the coronation of Mindaugas took place in Novogrudok.

Under Grand Duke Gediminas in 1316-1341, most of the modern Belarusian lands became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the territory of which increased 3 times. Under him, the autocracy of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was strengthened. In 1323 he founded the permanent capital of the state, Vilna. He respected the land holdings of the feudal lords and advocated the preservation of the historical traditions of the population of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Under him, the role of the Grand Duke (title - King of Lithuania and Rus') increased. After the annexation of Samogitia (Western part of modern Lithuania), the state began to be called the “Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Russia and Samogitia.”