What were the events that led to the rise of Moscow as the political center of Russia?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. Taken by the Mongols in the early thirteenth century, Russia adhered to Eastern orthodoxy rather than Catholicism, and thus remained isolated from the Western world until significantly later. Although there was a connection with the kingdoms of Poland-Lithuania, and there were efforts by the Teutonic Knights to bring Russia into the Western church, these efforts were resisted. Though the Mongols lurked quietly around Moscow's borders in the late fourteenth century, Russia soon faced another enemy with the rise of the Tatars, another group from Asia who soon waged war. Basil I fought against both invaders until his death in 1425 left his young son Basil II on the throne. Because of his age, Basil II spent much of his reign fighting off members of his family who challenged his succession, so political instability remained the mainstay of Russian politics until the ascension of Basil II's son, Ivan III, known as the gatherer of the Russian lands. His political consolidation would give rise to another political era of Russia.