Ivan's III role and achievement lay in his appreciation of the need for Russian unity and in the vision and ability he displayed in the pursuit of this great objective. His rule of forty four years was devoted to patient planning, strong diplomacy, and major wars. Ivan's main goal was to unite all Russia under the independent leadership and to create a centralized state in order to replace the old-fashioned and extremely inefficient alliance of princes who never before were able to achieve unity. Indeed, his firmness added certain magnificence, and made him the most outstanding among princ…
