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Russia, whether as Kievan Rus or Muscovy, has always been a power in Eastern Europe. Soon after the fall of Byzantium, the Princes of Muscovy claimed to be the true successors to the eastern part of the Roman Empire and adopted the Byzantine double-headed eagle as their dynastic 'beast'. (That's why the Romanovs also used it). Muscovy claimed to be the protector of Orthodox Christianity and also claimed the right to intervene at will in the Balkans. Until about 1780 most of this was just talk. From about 1650 onwards Muscovy/Russia began to push westwards into Poland. War with Sweden in 1700-21 brought further westward expansion. Tsar Peter the Great (reigned as sole Tsar 1696-1725) and later, also Catherine the Great (reigned 1762-96), made huge efforts to 'westernize' Russia in the 1700s. Russia became involved in many of the major European wars from the Seven Years' War (1756-63) onwards. So Russia was a major European power long before the approach to WW1.
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∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoPeter the Great
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What was the US's biggest asset before world war 1?
Russia
What countries did japan have conflicts with before World War 1?
Japan had conflicts with China and Russia before World War one.
How were the changes that took place in Russia as a result of World War 1 different from those that took place in Western Europe?
Russia adopted a communist government, but Western European countries did not.
What country turned communist after WWI?
Russia was the only country to become communist during World War 1.
How many wars were in World War 2?
There was the Pacific Campaign against Japan, by the United States. Then there was the European Campaign against Hitler and his European ally by the United States, Soviet Russia, Great Britain and their allies.
Why was Russia lagging behind so many other European nations in the years both before and after World War 1?
there was the revolution that made the tsar abdicate and allowed russia to become communist
What were the three dominant European powers before World War 1?
The European great powers were: * Britain * France * Germany * Russia * Austria-Hungary
Was Hitler a world problem or a European problem?
He was a world problem. If he had won WW2, he would have become a global problem, if he wasn't before.
In World War 2 did the Nazis get into Russia?
the Germans took the entire European side of Russia
What European country is among the worlds largest nations?
Russia is, geographically, the largest country in Europe, as well as the largest country in the world. Even if you only count the part of Russia that's in the European continent Russia is still, by far, the largest European country.
Who were the five most powerful European nations before World War 1?
Britain, Germany, France, Austria-Hungary, and Russia
Was Russia already at war before World War 2?
No, Before the German attack on Russia it was not in WW2.
Is Russia the largest country in the world?
UkraineFrance is the second largest European country, after Russia.Germany is the second most populated European country, after Russia.
Who were the European powers in world war 2?
Russia, Britain, Germany, and I think the Netherlands
Did England refused to become allied with France and Russia before World War 1?
Yes. England saw no reason to have an alliance with Continental Europe.
How does the land size of Europe differ from the land size of Russia?
Russia has almost twice the land size of Europe.
Which European nations explore the new world?
The United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal and Russia
