Abstract
The colonization of Kazakh lands by the Russian Empire in the XVIII-XIX centuries had a determining influence on the formation of modern Kazakhstan. A deep understanding of the colonial past is important for comprehending modern problems of Kazakhstan. The aim is to give a holistic picture of the process of colonization of Kazakh lands, with a focus on the view and role of the Kazakh people. The strategic, geopolitical and economic motives of the expansion are revealed, and the periodization of the colonization of Kazakh lands is given. The methods of establishing control, colonization, and management strategies are analysed.