Faeelin
Banned
Okay, I've been reading about the Mongol invasion of Russia, and something interesting shows up.
By 1212, all the Russian princes acknowledged that the Prince of Suzdalia, Vsevolod, was supreme; but when he died in 1213, his eldest son Konstantin allied with the princes of Smolensk (who also ruled Kiev) to overthrow Vsevolod's appointed successor, Yuri. This set Suzdalia up for a civil war that would last for 5 years, and weaken the state horribly. Although Yuri did take over when Konstantin died, the oppurtunity to unite Russia was lost.
Suppose Vsevolod lived for a few more years, and dealt with his eldest son Konstantin? In the aftermath of Kalka, Yuri could have wiped out the weakened princes of Smolensk, and his leadership over the Rus would have been unquestioned.
Does this have any effect when the Mongols arrive? if the south hasn't just been fighting a civil war for several years, can they do better against the Hosts of Hell?
By 1212, all the Russian princes acknowledged that the Prince of Suzdalia, Vsevolod, was supreme; but when he died in 1213, his eldest son Konstantin allied with the princes of Smolensk (who also ruled Kiev) to overthrow Vsevolod's appointed successor, Yuri. This set Suzdalia up for a civil war that would last for 5 years, and weaken the state horribly. Although Yuri did take over when Konstantin died, the oppurtunity to unite Russia was lost.
Suppose Vsevolod lived for a few more years, and dealt with his eldest son Konstantin? In the aftermath of Kalka, Yuri could have wiped out the weakened princes of Smolensk, and his leadership over the Rus would have been unquestioned.
Does this have any effect when the Mongols arrive? if the south hasn't just been fighting a civil war for several years, can they do better against the Hosts of Hell?
