How did Kiev and Moscow each dominate Russia at different points in history?

Answer 1

Kiev dominated early Russian history as the center of the Kievan Rus' in the 9th to 12th centuries, serving as a political and cultural hub that united various Slavic tribes under a common identity. Following the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, Moscow emerged as a powerful city-state, gradually expanding its influence and territory. By the late 15th century, Moscow had become the dominant power, claiming the legacy of Kievan Rus' and establishing itself as the center of Russian political and religious life. This shift marked the transition from a fragmented collection of principalities centered around Kiev to a centralized Russian state centered in Moscow.