Why Ivan III decided to fight the Golden Horde

Today it seems incredible to us that Ivan III was very indecisive before standing on the Ugra River, after which the Horde dominion in Russia ended. However, in the distant 15th century it was a daring step for the emperor. Indeed, Khan Akhmat came to power in the Horde, who set himself the goal of restoring the power of the Tatar-Mongols. And for the young Russian state to confront the still powerful rival was dangerous.

There are 3 versions why Ivan III decided to fight back the Golden Horde.

Ivan III himself took the initiative

John III

Failure to pay tribute in the mid-70s. The 15th century was the initiative of the Russian sovereign, which led to the dissatisfaction of the Tatar-Mongols and standing on the Ugra River. However, researchers cannot say for sure in which year Ivan III stopped paying tribute and what motives he was guided by. Therefore, to explain the reasons for the overthrow of the Golden Horde yoke, as a rule, two other versions are used.

Public opinion and the emerging ideology of the new state

Ivan III refuses to pay tribute

Influence of Sophia Paleolog, wife of Ivan III

Sophia Paleolog arrives in Russia

Ivan III was very ambitious, and Sofia Paleolog decided to take advantage of this. Sophia, the Byzantine princess, niece of the last ruler of Constantinople, did not agree with the role of the sovereign's wife, who obeys the Horde. Already being in Russia, she was surprised that the Russian sovereign had to listen to the Khan's envoys while standing, while they were sitting at that time. Shocked, she announced to Ivan III that she did not want to be the wife of a slave of the Tatars, and since then she has not ceased to "pester" the sovereign with a demand to get rid of the shameful yoke. It all ended with the fact that Ivan III broke the Khan’s diploma, which inevitably led to war.

Be that as it may, but the year 1480 was marked by standing on the Ugra River. But why Khan Akhmat decided to not give a fight is not clear. Researchers are inclined to believe that his ally, the Lithuanian prince Casimir, did not help Akhmat, so the khan did not take risks and retreated.