What if Russia had invaded Europe in the 18th to 19th century?

If the tsardom had focused its attention towards the west rather than further to the east, what would have happened? Would European culture as we know it be destroyed? Would Orthodoxy become a dominant religion in Europe? Would Russian be the European Magna Carta? Would the European colonies have rebelled against Russian rule?

If it were impossible - why?

Thanks mates
 
If Russia went west in the 18th or 19th century? Like invaded the Germanies, or Austria-Hungary with the intent of keeping it? If it ever managed to get that far they'd likely have their asses handed to them as the rest of Europe goes "oh hell no" and pushes them back.

If it looks like Russia is going to seriously tip the balance of power in Europe everyone is going to pile on the anti-Tzar bandwagon. It's going to be the Crimean War on the scale of the Napoleonic wars.
 
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They had no real reason to, even the invasions of Eastern Europe were against there recent adversaries Poland-Lithuania,Sweden and the Ottomans. They went east because they had a reason to because there was no hassle and no one would care. Besides even if they wanted to it would be impossible even with modern logistics.
 
Look at how Russia's armies did when they tried more limited campaigns. Sweden proved a handful in the early 18th century, Prussia held out for quite a while in the 1760s, and Napoleon repeatedly inflicted serious reverses on Russian generals. Even after the full implementation of the Petrine reforms and the new system's shakedown phase, around 1750-1830, the imbalance between Russia and the rest of Europe was never as great as pure numbers of soldiers and population may suggest. Conquering Siberia, the Caucasus and Turkestan was much easier by comparison. Unless they had managed to keep the European powers disunited some diplomatic masterstroke even as they gobbled up the closest, the Czars would be in for a quick and stinging defeat IMO. Realistically, Poland, Sweden, maybe Prussia, but no further than that.
 
I would venture that up to the mid 18TH century it can be done, let’s say for example if Nader shah, or a not as crazy equivalent is born Russian or something like that... At any time later than that, the advantages of western Europeans are overwhelming.
But recent wars have showed that Russia can defeat the Ottomans that in turn are not overwhelmed by the Hapsburgs who are still competitive in Europe. Recent conflicts have also shown that quick well planned reforms and proper command can turn a backwater army like that of the Savafids, into the standards of the best contemporary armies. Russia is in a far better position, demografics, internal cohesion, as well as better doctrine and industry make it easier for a Russian would be conqueror to achive equivalent results against Ottomans, and Germans, posibly even French armies. The distance between Delhi and Isfahan is similar to that between Moscow and Paris, with the advantage of the latter being easier terrain.
 
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