1.one way in which russia's geography affected its early history was that a. the lack of natural barriers on the steppe encouraged migration. b. the lack of fertile land promoted the development of trade. c. the river network encouraged contact with western europe. d. the mountains protected russia from invasion. 2.why was mongol rule over russia significant? a. it caused russia to look to china for cultural and political influences. b. it cut off russia from western europe at a time of great scientific progress. c. it prompted russia to close itself off from the rest of asia. d. it brought russia under the influence of islam both religiously and politically. 3.which of the following items is one reason why eastern europe became a refuge for jews? a. eastern europe was at the end of a migration route from spain. b. poland's government established a policy of toleration toward jews. c. hungary needed people to settle under-populated areas. d. the mongols drove jewish people from russia.