Answer:
better relations with neighboring countries.
The Eastern European kingdoms differed significantly from the Western European ones.
The influence in Eastern Europe, both political and religious, was more complicated, intermingled, and open for new ideologies. Since Eastern Europe was much more exposed to Asia influence, and the territory itself is much more open, there were multiple influences. There were kingdoms that were influenced by Orthodox Christianity, like the Russ, there were some that were influenced by Islam, like the Crimean Tatars, and some that were influenced by paganism, like the Cumans. The political view was a mixture of different influences, but in general it was based on the political structure of the Eurasian steppes, and the influence of the long gone Scythian's was easily noticeable because most of the nations that lived here were actually descendants in one way or another from them. The religious influence played a big role too, and it was easily noticeable that some kingdoms were adding elements of the Byzantine political system, while some of the Caliphates.
C. Stars tend to be added in pairs to maintain a status quo on major issues, in this case slavery. Slavery also explains the Oklahoma panhandle. It was ceded from Texas to keep Texas below the slavery line.
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