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Now, in OTL, Russia has been considered part of the East. In many ways it is. Pretty backwards (most of the time), poor, authoritarian. Large. Asiatic.
So, how would history be different if Russia was considered part of the West? I believe it's not a stretch. The Russians hail from Scandinvaians mixing with Slavs, so since early on they may be considered part of the West.
I believe, also, that Russia became part of the East after the Mongols subjugated them. There, they were isolated from Europe. Isolated during a time when Europe was gaining steam. While Russia was still mdieval Europe was breaking out into the Renaissance, etc. From the Mongols the Russians were poorer, cut off, less developed, less populated, more backwards. From the Mongols the Russians also got the disease of total authoritarianism.
So, WI the Mongols never took Russia? And Russia stayed in touch with the Europeans, getting advances from them, and such. What if Russia was then considered part of the West?
What then? And how could this happen?
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