👑The Rus' principalities were the Khan's total vassals, providing tax, tribute, and soldiers as required.
🌍Mongol rule reorganized the society in the steppes, dividing all peoples into uluses and enforcing strict control over resources.
🌾The climatic decline and environmental changes in the steppe weakened the economy and led to famines and population decline.
💥The Great Standoff on the Ugra River in 1480 between Ivan III of Moscow and Ahmad Khan of the Golden Horde marked a turning point in Russian independence.
🔒The fall of Kazan and Astrakhan in the 16th century solidified Moscow's control over the former Golden Horde territories.