(heh... whoops wrong nicholas eh?=)
Book I-
Spanning from The Second Great Embassy to the Georgian War (1836-1840).
Of the many things that concerned Nicholas over his life none were as important to him as learning. His learning, the learning of the common people, new inventions, whatever struck his interest. In 1836 Tsar Nicholas went along with much of his most favoured advisors to the great cities of London, Paris and Amsterdam. Here he hoped to unlock many mysterious western secerets. Ivan Mikhailoviich Gorsky was left in charge of Russia during this period. He was not a very capable ruler but followed Nicholas's orders to the letter. His portrait reveals an aging man, bald, and slightly plump staring somewhat absentmindedly at the panter. His only major decree was to triple Russia's education spending, from 64.8 Million Pounds to 248 Million pounds. A fledling public education system and Unviersity grants made up a ground breaking 60% of all Russian expenditures of this period.
This as can be expected sent Russia spiraling into debt, and the Puchkin Tax was raised. This tax struck heavily at the upper and lower class, but encouraged the growth of the middle by low taxes. Russia also raised her tariffs to record highs. Russia had a daily income of 468 pounds and and daily expenditures at 455 pounds.
Great leaps were made in literacy under this system. By 1840 over one in five Russian's could read (22.4%), and technological inventions were rolling in like never before.
In 1837 Nicholas after finally finishing his visit in Paris returned to Russia. He was fascinated with the French railroad system at that time the best in Europe and founded the "St. Petersburg Rail Company". Over five hundred miles of rail were built mainly in the baltic provinces, though some with some cutting into moscow. Russia's factories were left largely alone at this point.
To provide materials for the railroads the Iron mines in the Urals were greatly expanded. Near the end of 1837 during the height of the Russian Economic Boom a steel mill was to be constructed in Ekaterinsburg.
June 5 1837, Nicholas cut the size of the army down further decreasing it's spending to minimal in order to fund his planned "Russian Economic Flowering". This project would build several factories across Russia. Two in St. Petersburg, a luxury clothing factory and a artillery factory. Also in the Baltic Fabric factories and a glassware factory were built. A small arms factory was built in moscow and a steel mill was begun in the Urals.
Meanwhile Russia began heavily colonsing the independant Asian steppes.
In 1838 the Size of the army was cut down for the final time and the chief minister of the army Vladimir Ikytov was publiclly knouted and then executed due to his inept handling of the military.
The rail system continued to expand.
To pay back the skyrocketing dept Nicholas ordered the education budget cut and the social spending budget cut even more. He also made plans for the downfall of the Slavphile party.
Late in the year a small rebellion occured among the overtaxed Russian aristocrats. Nicholas personally commanded the army which crushed them. Over a hundred russian nobles were executed and several thousnad commoners. All seeds of rebellion were viciously stamped out.
In 1839 a Russian governor in Astrachan uncovered a Georgian smuggling ring. Ten tons of silk, Fifty tons of opium, and five tons of luxury clothes were seized. When it was uncovered that this movement was directly backed by the Georgian Goverment, Russia summarily declared war. Though her army was in a pitiful state it still numbered many thousands of men and easily crushed Georgia. Georgia was annexed Feburary 2nd 1838.
Meanwhile the Prussian- Dutch alliance triumphed over Blegium and the Netherlands gained Antwerp from the peace. The US and Texas declared war against Mexico and won big. Several south western territories joined the US, and Texas was recognized as independant. The Franco-Austrian alliance was deeply embroiled in a war against Great Britain, The Ottoman Empire, and a few North German minours. Great Britain also claimed much Chinese land from the hapless Chinese gov't in 1839.
--Screenies coming soon as soon as i can figure out how to do them---