Final answer:
In Kievan Russia, power derived primarily from landholding by the nobles or boyars who owned vast amounts of land.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Kievan Russia, power derived primarily from landholding. The nobles or boyars owned vast amounts of land, which gave them wealth and influence. They controlled the labor of the peasants who worked on their land, which further solidified their power.
Land ownership and control were fundamental sources of power and wealth in Kievan Rus. The ruling elite, including the prince and boyars (nobles), gained their power through the ownership and management of land.
The prince, as the central authority, controlled large territories and distributed land to his supporters, rewarding them for their loyalty and service. This landholding system played a crucial role in the social and political structure of Kievan Rus, with access to agricultural resources being a significant determinant of power and influence. While other factors, such as religion and trade, also had importance in Kievan Russia, landholding was central to the power structure.
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