In the 14th and 15th centuries Poland and Lithuania underwent a series of wars and alliances. The Union of Lublin in 1569 established the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, a closely unified state, this replaced the previous personal union of the two countries. In beginning of the Commonwealth, Poland-Lithuania had achieved civilizational advancements and great prosperity. Poland–Lithuania had become an influential nation in Europe and a significant cultural entity, spreading Western culture further eastward. The Commonwealth often fought wars with Russia, Sweden and the Ottoman Empire. At the Commonwealth's height, some of its powerful neighbors experienced difficulties and the Polish-Lithuanian state sought domination in Eastern Europe, in particular
