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Chapter 18 The Rise of Russia Russia's great land empire was formed between 1450 and 1750. Unlike Western colonial empires, Russia's expansion involved only limited commercial exchange. Nevertheless, it fundamentally altered power balances from Europe to Asia. Russian leaders, casting off Tatar (Mongol) domination between 1450 and 1480, proceeded on a fairly steady course of expansion. Much of the new territory was Asian, but Russia also gained the leading role in eastern Europe by the 17th century. Regional kingdoms remained in eastern Europe, and many of them differed from Russia in important ways. Poland and Lithuania continued to rival Russia into the 17th century. But Russia was increasingly the focal point as it became a significant force in world history.
