The Grand Duchy of Moscow was a significant state in Eastern Europe that emerged in the late 13th century. It played a crucial role in the unification of the Russian lands and the eventual rise of the Russian Empire. The duchy expanded its territory through conquest and diplomacy, becoming a powerful political and cultural center. By the late 15th century, under the leadership of rulers like Ivan III (Ivan the Great), the Grand Duchy of Moscow successfully overthrew the Mongol yoke, establishing itself as a dominant force in the region. This period laid the foundation for the future Tsardom of Russia and the eventual establishment of a centralized Russian state.