That syndrome would be a lot worse if a Muslim Russia felt besieged by Christian neighbors who could also use the spreading of Christianity as a excuse to invade it.
Vladimír I. decides to convert the Kievan Rus to... Islam...
- Thread starter Petike
- Start date
That syndrome would be a lot worse if a Muslim Russia felt besieged by Christian neighbors who could also use the spreading of Christianity as a excuse to invade it.
Actually there is no guarantee whatsoever that Muslim Russia would expand more rapid. Nothing would be really visible to be made sure to be happening if Russia becomes Muslim.
Caliphate spread was fast but this depended more on weakness of neighbours not on Islam.
Don't forget a long time Russia was the only independent orthodox country what played key role in forming such syndrome. In the case of Islam they would have more neighbours (and maybe enemies) of the same faith.
Hmmmm didn't think about that way that makes sense, It would be interesting to see the effect the Mongol invasions would have on a Muslim Russia.
And what about in the 20th century? Could we see a cold war with Russian led Islamic bloc? I think that it would become inevitable barring some catastrophe, that a Islamic Russia would come to lead the Muslim world.
CanadianGoose
Banned
Several ideas to toss into the barrel:
- Russia adopted religion of it's largest trade partner. ITTL it would most likely be Shia Islam, adopted from Iran. Aren't you guys scared?
- Foreign pressure on Islamic Russia would not be significantly different from one experienced IOTL. After all, orthodoxy was dangerous herecy for Roman Catholics. Russia was on the receiving end of several smaller crusades IOTL.
- It isn't given that Shia Russia will lead (predominantly Sunni) Islamic world. After all, if there's anything Sunni Arab leadership hates more than West, it's Shia Iran.
- Where's nothing to prevent endless wars between Shia Russia and Sunni Turkey. Iran and Turkey happily battled each other for centuries IOTL.
- 2/3 of Russian territory is not suitable for agrarian Islamic settlement. There's a reason why Islam didn't spread south of Upper Volga.
see mulim parts of Russia to imagine what a all-muslim Russia would be like
basically it would look a lot like Chechenia and Kazahstan olnly bigger, peacefull and prosperous
other than the huge butterflie effect on mideval european politics and strategy, id say the realy big changes would start with the 17to19th century, as this muslim Russia would at the same time be part of european culture, but also completely integrated in muslim culture with arab alfabet and language
this would change a huge deal in terms of formation of cultural and political blocks, especialy seeing the influence of Russia in OTL azia
also Islam would no doubt sperad to practically all of Azia
olnly thing is theres no way this can happen as the cronicles clearly state the Rus considered Islam, but decided they just cant give up pork and votka
basically it would look a lot like Chechenia and Kazahstan olnly bigger, peacefull and prosperous
other than the huge butterflie effect on mideval european politics and strategy, id say the realy big changes would start with the 17to19th century, as this muslim Russia would at the same time be part of european culture, but also completely integrated in muslim culture with arab alfabet and language
this would change a huge deal in terms of formation of cultural and political blocks, especialy seeing the influence of Russia in OTL azia
also Islam would no doubt sperad to practically all of Azia
olnly thing is theres no way this can happen as the cronicles clearly state the Rus considered Islam, but decided they just cant give up pork and votka
1) Errr... Iran only turned Shia after the Safavids came in 16th century....
2) I would say that muslim Russia would might have the chance to turn the relationship between Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians better. I can't say to what extent though....
3 & 4) Dude.... Got mixed up between present-day issues in middle east and Russian issues during 900s ?
5) Actually Russia didn't become muslim country mainly because alliance with the Byzantines and (maybe) their religion provided more political benefits for the country. There's that, yes, but it's usually political motivations that are behind religious conversion of a country.
They gave up polygamy to become Christian. As I recall, that was something of a dilemma as well.
Well, you can always have mistress
Look at the Tsars, they might have one wife but they got mistresses & second families
CanadianGoose
Banned
- This was a bit of fear-mongering, but Azeri-Kurdish regions (Caspian shore) were always leaning toward Shia. And those will be Russian trade partners (through Volga). So, it (Shia Russia) is still possible.
- Without Russia Orthodoxy will become minor oppressed sect after fall of Constantinople and will be most likely eaten alive by Papism (Greek Catholic ring a bell).
- If my memory serves me well, Turkey and Iran were fighting since Constantinople still was Byzantinum capital and until sometime 19th century. So I don't see why Shia Russia (or even Sunni Russia) could not fight Turkey. Turks would be "new converts", "half-pagans" for Russians and, unlike Mediterranean Arabs, Russian would not need Turks to buttress them against Western Christians. So, no reason to be chummy.
- Russia did not become Muslim due to many reasons, but climate did play a role. There's region in Central Russia where Northbound spread of Islam quietly fizzled entirely due to climate.
Keenir
Banned
Well, you can always have mistress
Look at the Tsars, they might have one wife but they got mistresses & second families
and they can be non-observant and sneak in pork and beer - or simply adopt an Islamic denomination which permits pork.
Could you explain this? I'm not saying you're wrong, it just sounds strange to me. As long as there's people living there, couldn't they theoretically become Muslims?