I LOVE YOUR CONTENT SO MUCH! 🤭💛
I had one question. what do u think abt the Russia x Mongolia ship? I’ve seen many japanese artists drawing this particular pairing and it interested me so much
I've made a post about Mongolia and Russia's relationship before so this post might be a little similar, I think you should read that post too to see how I feel about the Russia x Mongolia ship <3
I've seen the Russia x Mongolia ship going around, and while I'm still undecided on it myself, the impact they've had on each other's history makes the ship quite interesting to think about:
Let's go back in time for a minute to when the golden horde occupied Russia.
The Golden Horde was initially a Mongol state that ruled over parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia from the 13th to the 15th century.
The Golden Horde had control over much of what is now Russia, imposing a system of tribute and taxation on the local population. This period of time was marked by frequent raids, battles, and military campaigns, which caused widespread destruction and suffering throughout the region.
However, over time, the Golden horde increasingly got Turkified and broke away from the greater Mongol Empire, and this is for a number of reasons.
1) Political and cultural influence from the Ottoman empire
2) Increasing presence of Turkic tribes in the golden horde
You may be asking. If I'm talking about Russia and Mongolia, why am I mentioning the golden horde? Well, as I said before, the Golden horde was officially a Mongol ruled state, and it was the golden horde, under the leader Batu Khan, who invaded Russia. Though, during this time, the Golden horde still answered to the greater Mongol Empire.
To understand Russia's view of Mongolia during this time, who eventually became the representative of the Yuan, we need to understand his relationship with the golden horde. Russia was most likely in closer contact with the golden horde than Mongolia himself during this era. Though I do believe, during the early reign of the golden horde over Russia, Mongolia and Russia did meet at points in time. Of course so Mongolia could keep a watchful eye over his territories.
How do I think golden horde treaded Russia? Well of course, he bullied Russia, and the conquest of Russia was brutal, however, like Batu Khan himself, he could be quite fair and level headed, and was a logical ruler. In addition, he was culturally and religiously tolerant, like most Mongol rulers, which Ivan was probably quite thankful for. As long as the Russians paid tribute, he didn't really care and would leave the Russians alone to do their own thing for the most part. Golden horde was quite aloof in nature, and this only added to the mystery that was about him (in Russias eyes). How could he know so little about the man who conquered him? Was this brutal conquest all for nothing? They burn my cities and kill my people and now they're just like "oh yeah just pay tribute and we'll leave you alone"?? If Ivan wasn't relieved that this was the outcome, he'd almost feel insulted.
Same goes for Mongolia, who he had less frequent contact with. The few times Mongolia would visit, or that he would visit Mongolia, Mongolia seemed to be this super serious nation with ever-furrowed eyebrows (that was partly a show that he'd put on in front of his conquered territories tbh). He was afraid, yet curious of these two persofications, but knew better than to speak out and ask.
I don't think Mongolia himself personally bullied Russia that much, though he probably treated him with a bit of disdain and turned his nose up at him ("lol look at this weak ass kid..."). Though, it wasn't always bad. I headcanon an interaction with them where Russia is crying because he's afraid/some soldier laughed at him and Mongolia is like "how are you going to survive in this world if you're crying over a little insult?" and while that sentence does come off as condescending and it probably was supposed to be, I feel like there was some actual sense of concern behind it like "gee when I was your age I was fighting for my life everyday and all you need to do is pay taxes and you'll be fine damn kids these days are getting weak huh that sucks..."
The cultural impact the golden horde/the Mongols had on Russia though were quite significant, and while the Mongol invasions did traumatise little Ivan, to an extent he attributes what happened to what made him who he is today. Here's why:
The Mongols brought with them new technologies and ideas, including the use of gunpowder and the concept of centralized rule. They also helped to unify and consolidate many of the smaller principalities and regions within Russia, laying the groundwork for the emergence of a more centralized state in the centuries that followed.
The Mongol period in Russian history helped to shape many aspects of Russian culture and identity. For example, the experience of living under Mongol rule helped to foster a sense of shared identity and national consciousness among the Russian people, as they were forced to band together and resist the foreign invaders. This period also gave rise to many stories and legends, including the epic tale of the heroic warrior-prince, Alexander Nevsky, who defeated the Teutonic Knights in battle and became a symbol of Russian resistance against foreign invaders
The Mongols/golden horde left quite an impact on Russia, and to this, despite how traumatising it was, he does feel this weird sort of respect for Mongolia and the now dead golden horde. As seen from the above, it could be argued that the Mongol invasions helped shape the future of Russia and in turn, helped shape who Russia is, both as a nation and a person.
However, after the golden horde lost its grip on Russia, Russia was in denial for a while about the impact the golden horde/Mongolia had on his history, and so he himself probably looked down at Mongolia and the now dead golden horde with contempt. Nowadays he is better about this, and isn't ashamed to admit the impact that Mongol rule had over his history and culture.
Since then, there has been positive and negative things with their relationship.
Russia's colonization and domination of Mongolia during the 17th and 18th centuries led to a loss of political and cultural autonomy for the Mongolian people. This period was marked by political instability and conflict, and many Mongolian people were displaced or oppressed under Russian rule.
The history of Russian influence in Mongolia has at times been marked by economic exploitation and inequality. Russian merchants and traders would dominate the economic landscape in Mongolia, leading to the concentration of wealth and resources in the hands of a few.
Russia's support of the socialist government in Mongolia during the 20th century led to a one-party political system and limited political freedom for the Mongolian people.
Russia's influence in Mongolia has at times provided a degree of political stability to the region. The establishment of a socialist government in Mongolia in the 20th century helped to bring stability to the country and paved the way for economic and social development.
The aid that Mongolia gave to Russia during World War 2 was significant and is often ignored or underrated. Mongolia's support came in the form of military personnel and supplies. For such a poor country at the time, the supplies they gave Russia rivalled that of the supplies that the USA gave Russia.
In 1921, Mongolia declared independence from China, but its status as an independent nation was not recognized by other countries, including Russia. However, in 1924, the Soviet Union established a socialist government in Mongolia and recognized it as an independent state. This recognition helped to secure Mongolia's status as an independent nation.
How do I feel like Russia and Mongolia's relationship played out through all of this? Well, of course, Russia was still sore about the golden horde for a while, and Mongolia absolutely did not appreciate the Russian conquest of Siberia and central Asia, though, like most nations, that was hardly Ivans personal choice. I can see this being a point of contention in their relationship, even today (Turkic and Mongolic/ethnic minorities aren't treated so well in Russia. I don't want to dive into this topic too much as it is touchy and it's an ongoing issue, and I'm not pinning the blame of their mistreatment on the nation personification of Russia personally, however it would undeniably affect their relationship).
Though their relationship has been contentious and fraught with bloodshed, I have also listed a few positives of their relationship. For example, Russia is no longer in denial about the impact that the Mongol invasions had on his history and culture, and he feels a level of respect for Mongolia because of it. Russia also is truly grateful for Mongolia's help during World War 2. I also believe that Russia wholeheartedly did want to help Mongolia with his independence and it wasn't just a decision from his superiors.
As I've said, I've made a post about Russia and Mongolia's relationship before, and I talked about how Ivan can't exactly explain why he wants Mongolia to stick around, he just does and that's enough justification for him. I also think Russia is genuinely curious and impressed by aspects of Mongolian culture, and probably pesters Mongolia to take him horse riding or to throat sing for him or to give him a discount on his cashmere (answers: maybe, maybe, no).
Mongolia himself would be perplexed by Russia's behaviour towards him, but he's not exactly stopping Ivans constant pestering. He's also not afraid of Ivan personally like other nations seem to be, so this helps with their relationship I suppose. I feel like Mongolia would find some behaviours of Ivans endearing, like the genuine wander he feels about the world and about his culture (despite the pestering being annoying sometimes). While Russian influence over Mongolia didn't come without it's consequences, Mongolia does admit that Russia did play a significant role in achieving independence for his nation. I also feel like Mongolia feels a level of respect for Russia, for being able to come this far as a country from when he was simply just a vassal state for the golden horde, he is both impressed and shocked.
I feel like they both appreciate each others cultures and histories. I've already mentioned how Russia is genuinely interested in Mongolia's culture but it's the same for Mongolia, I can see him enjoying Russian novels and composers (and talking about them with Russia), and when he goes to visit Russia, Russia probably takes him to watch ballet or something.
I think a lot of the fandom accepts now that they both help fuel their alcoholic tendencies for each other and go out drinking lol I like that idea.
So yeah, in conclusion, I think Russia x Mongolia is a pretty fascinating ship considering the history these two have with each other! From the golden horde/Mongol invasions to the Russian conquest of Siberia and central Asia, to helping Mongolia with independence and World War 2 and the communist era, there's a lot to talk about and the way their relationship would have developed during this time is interesting to think about.
I don't feel like, if they were in a relationship, that it would not be overly toxic or explosive, and they'd both actually be kind of chill together, (due to the positives and negatives of their history, with each oppressing each other at some point) though there would undoubtedly be points of contention and tricky parts to their relationship.
Not that that means that I'm against it as a ship, I mean I'm literally into Monchu lol.
But yeah sorry I kind of went off on this post 😭🙏
