Ivan the Terrible and Siberian Expansion
In Ivan the Terrible and Siberian Expansion, host Andrew Marr describes the Russia of the past as a poor country until a dip in global temperatures drove up the prices and the demand for fur pelts. Russian mercenaries ventured into Siberia where their superior European weapons helped them defeat local forces. This video is excerpted from BBC’s A History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
Lesson Express
Q: What happened in 1550? How did this impact Russia?
A: Global temperatures dropped; it was the “Little Ice Age,” and lasted for 300 years. Due to the cold, Russian merchants sold many furs across Europe and became richer.
Q: Who did the Russians encounter when they entered Siberia?
A: The Russians encountered the forces of Kuchum, the Khan of Sibir, a direct descendant of Genghis Khan, who ruled over the Siberian territories.
Q: What technology gave the Russian force the advantage in battle?
A: The Russians had advanced firearms, including guns, which gave them an advantage over the members of Khan of Sibir’s forces, who were unfamiliar with such weapons.