1) Eastward Expansion:
- Annexed the Khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Sibir, extending Russia's control deep into Central Asia and Siberia.
- Conquests secured fertile lands, valuable fur trade routes, and mineral resources.
- Facilitated Russian settlement and interaction with diverse ethnic groups.
2) Westward Expansion:
- Aimed at gaining access to the Baltic Sea, vital for trade and economic development.
- Captured the lands of Novgorod and Pskov, previously under Lithuanian influence.
- Contested Livonia (present-day Estonia and Latvia) with Sweden and Poland, leading to prolonged conflicts and territorial disputes.
3) Southern Expansion:
- Focused on territorial control over the fertile steppes of southern Russia and Ukraine, which were part of the Crimean Khanate.
- Conquests aimed at securing the southern borders from Tatar raids and expanding agricultural lands.
- The conquest of the Kazan and Astrakhan Khanates contributed to the decline of the Golden Horde's influence.
Overall, Ivan III and Ivan IV's expansionist policies laid the foundation for Russia's transformation into a vast, multi-ethnic empire. These conquests allowed for the acquisition of new lands, resources, and access to trade routes, which ultimately strengthened Russia's power and influence in Eastern Europe and Asia.