Why Was the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Called 'Russian'?

It is a common misconception that the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was ever called 'Russian'. This is far from the truth. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania, as a powerful state in the Eastern Europe, has a rich history and a distinct identity. This article aims to clarify this misconception by exploring the origins and evolution of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the historical context that led to the confusion.

Origins of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Formed in the 13th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania incorporated numerous territories, including those that are now part of modern-day Belarus and Ukraine. These territories were primarily part of the Kievan Rus principalities. Kievan Rus, however, was a loose confederation of principalities, meaning that while they were under the rule of the Grand Prince of Kiev, they enjoyed considerable autonomy. This decentralized structure was characteristic of the time and facilitated the eventual rise of independent principalities after the fall of Kievan Rus in the early 13th century.

Expansion and Incorporation

By the 1320s, several of these principalities had either vassalized or been annexed by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This allowed the Duke of Lithuania, Gediminas, to establish the Grand Duchy as a formidable power in the region. This period saw the consolidation of Lithuanian territories and the creation of a strong, centralized state.

The Emergence of the Grand Duchy of Moscow

Simultaneously, the Grand Duchy of Moscow, which originated from the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, also became a significant power. Initially a vassal of the Golden Horde, Moscow rose to prominence through military and political strategies. Under Ivan III, Moscow absorbed the territories of the Novgorod Republic and the Battle of Shelon River in 1471 marked a key turning point. The victory over the Novgorod Republic allowed Ivan III to claim the legacy of Kievan Rus through the use of the term 'Rus', leading to the gradual emergence of the term 'Russia' as a name for the state.

The Confusion and the Terms 'Russia' and 'Muscovia'

After Ivan IV's assumption of the title of "Tsar and Grand Duke of all Rus" in 1547, the state was referred to as 'Russia' by European sources. However, 'Muscovia' remained in use in some European sources. The coexistence of these terms—'Russia' and 'Muscovia'—as interchangeable identifiers persisted well into the 16th and 17th centuries, further complicating the historical narrative. This period saw the gradual appropriation of the term 'Russia' by the Grand Duchy of Moscow, increasingly referring to themselves and their territories as the heirs of Kievan Rus.

The Term 'Ruthenian'

Around this time, some historians began to use the term 'Ruthenian' to distinguish the peoples of the territories formerly under Kievan Rus, better known as Belarus and Ukraine. The term 'Ruthenian' is derived from 'Rus' and was used to prevent confusion and to highlight the continued cultural and historical legacy of Kievan Rus, separate from the rising power of Russia.

Conclusion

In summary, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was never called 'Russian', 'Polish', or any other term that would imply it was part of the growing Russian territory. The term 'Russian' was predominantly associated with the rising Grand Duchy of Moscow. The confusion arose from the gradual transition and the appropriation of historical terms like 'Rus' and 'Russia' by different regional powers, leading to modern-day misunderstandings about the identity and legacy of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Understanding these historical contexts helps to clarify the identity and legacy of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the gradual evolution of place names and political identities in Eastern Europe. The term 'Ruthenian' serves as a crucial tool in this clarification, highlighting the ongoing cultural and historical narrative of the territories once part of Kievan Rus.