Final answer:
Kievan Rus formed ties with Byzantium through Prince Vladimir's conversion and alliance and contributed to its power through cultural and legal developments. Kyiv's decline was due to internal strife, Mongol invasions, and the rise of Moscow. The Mongol treatment of the Russian people included conquest and imposition of tribute but led to long-term effects like military and governmental changes, setting the stage for the emergence of the Russian Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
1. The ties that linked Kyiv to Byzantium included political alliances and religious conversions. In 987, Prince Vladimir I of Kyiv allied with Byzantine Emperor Basil II and converted to Christianity, which was followed by mass baptisms. These events significantly influenced Kievan Rus' culture, appropriating Byzantine art and architecture.
2. Prince Vladimir and his son Yaroslav the Wise played pivotal roles in enhancing Kyiv's power. Vladimir established Christianity as the state religion, while Yaroslav promoted legal and cultural development, thus strengthening the state's structure and prestige.
3. Factors behind Kyiv's decline included internal fragmentation, foreign invasions, and competition from emerging Russian principalities. The Mongol invasion notably contributed to Kyiv's downfall, shifting influence to cities like Moscow.
4. The Mongols initially enforced harsh measures on Russian city-states that resisted submission. Those that refused to submit to Mongol rule were attacked and defeated, leading to Mongol domination over the Rus' territories with cities like Moscow gaining prominence due to collaboration.
5. Mongol rule over Russia led to territorial expansion and imposition of tribute, yet also influenced military, political, and economic aspects of Russian society. This legacy persisted until Russian principalities ultimately overcame Mongol control.
6. The Russian Empire's beginnings can be attributed to resistance to Mongol rule and the fall of Constantinople. Ivan III asserted Moscow's independence from the Golden Horde and laid the foundations for the Russian Empire. Ivan IV further expanded this empire and established the tsarist system, marking a new era of Russian dominance.