The Double-Headed Eagle Soars to the Sky - A Russian Empire AAR

[Suvorov]

OK, this is gonna sound a bit silly, but here it goes:

I won't have the game any time soon. Probably (hopefully...) January next year. However, since Vicky's timeframe was one of the most interesting episodes in Russia's history, I really couldn't help myself to start doing some research on a Russian AAR already. Now, I even started writing!

Characters are being thought out, some scenes who could fit in any war (of which there are bound to be some) are already finished etc. Does this make me a Vic-tim?

I should wait for the game to arrive, but I just can't. I'm weak. So, without further ado, I give you the intro to my Russian Empire AAR. An update can be expected some time after Santa Claus went back to the North Pole! (Edit: Forget about that! It has already started!!! )

Prologue

(Taken from prof. G.J. Winter’s Russia under the Double-Headed Eagle. A History of Romanov Absolutism (London, New York, Toronto) 2003. Prologue to chapter VIII: “The Russian Empire in the Age of Industrialization”):

“By 1835 Nicholas I had been ruling the vast lands of Russia for exactly ten years. His harsh way of governing Russia had earned him the nickname Nicholas ‘the Stick’, but he cared little. “Subjects,” he once told his Minister of Internal Affairs, “don’t need to be happy. They need to be docile.” And docile they were. ‘The Stick’ made sure of that. Guided by the outdated principles of Orthodoxy, Autocracy and Nationality, Nicholas I had his nation under tight control and secret agents from the ‘Third Section’ were constantly busy rooting out any form of real or imagined opposition that still existed.

The power of Nicholas I wasn’t only felt within Russia’s borders, though. Ever since her armies had swept through Europe and chased Napoleon back to Paris, Russia had been the most powerful nation on the continent. Her population dwarfed the ones of all her potential enemies and her location allowed her to play the police man of Eastern and Southern Europe. In short, Russia was a force to be reckoned with and everyone in Europe took note of what was happening in St. Petersburg.

However, as the days of the Patriotic War against the Grande Armée were moving further and further away into the past, no one could deny the fact that Russia was starting to loose ground on the other Great Powers. The Napoleontic Wars, the Empire’s finest hour, had been the last conflict of an era gone by. Industrialization would not only irreversibly change the outlook of warfare, it would also create a whole new set of social and economic challenges for the countries effected by it. Russia hadn’t been ready for this new development and found herself seriously hindered adjusting to it by the institute of serfdom and the virtual absence of an urban middle class.

Changes, so many high ranked officials in St. Petersburg believed, were inevitable if Russia wished to survive as a Great Power. Even Nicholas I, an ardent xenophobe, agreed that Russia was in the process of being overtaken by “lesser” powers and felt the need to copy some of the new ideas found in the West. Like Peter the Great, however, he chose to focus mainly on ideas that would be of direct practical use, like military and industrial techniques. Even carefully hinting at political reforms was a sin no sane Minister would dare to commit in Nicholas’ presence, since the Czar firmly believed that he had been appointed by God and no mere mortal could limit his prerogatives.

And thus, although not wholeheartedly, Russia took her first steps on the path to modernization. Many more steps were to follow, some accompanied by failure, some by success, some, also, soaked in blood, but regardless of the difficulties she kept walking and never turned around…”

Settings

Patch: ? (probably 1.02)
AI settings: probably Very Hard/Normal
Fog of War: ON

Goals

 No Ottomans in Europe (is it possible in Vicky to get Constantinople without taking over the whole of the Ottoman Empire?)
 Grant independence to any Balkan nation liberated by the glorious armies of the Czar
 Establish a border with Afghanistan
 Reach the Persian Gulf
 Reclaim the Holy Land for Orthodoxy
 Do everything in my power to weaken Austria

In all, I’d say my goals should make for a fun game, setting me up for major wars with the Ottomans, British and Austrians. My “natural” allies would be France, Prussia and a host of minor nations, whose armies could be used as cannon fodder if the need arises.

[Wämö]

Intriguing goals indeed.. I.m gonna follow this one.

[stnylan]

Subscribed

[Minodrin]

Hmm, another Russian AAR. Just as I was getting mine finished.

Want to RP as the Tsar, giving someone else (who has the game) orders, then see how it ends out?

[Fuhrerdammerung]

That sounds like a cool idea.

I, like Suvorov, am one of those sad souls who has to wait to get Vic, until maybe Christmas.........or later

[Suvorov]

Sh*t, I mistyped the title. It should have been "The Double-Headed Eagle NEVER takes to Flight"... Taking to flight means fleeing, right? Doesn't sound too heroic...

What do you guys think: should I already start the AAR? Beginning some time before Vicky starts?

[Minodrin]

If you write an AAR before the action starts, it wouldn't be an AAR, but a BAR (before action report)

Feel free to write. I can reply with unimportant comments and jack up my post count...

[Alain-Masque]

The Russian AAR market is getting quite crowded=).

Sounds neat i'll be readin'

[Lord Durham]

Originally posted by Minodrin
If you write an AAR before the action starts, it wouldn't be an AAR, but a BAR (before action report)

Feel free to write. I can reply with unimportant comments and jack up my post count...

I don't think so.

Though I'll give you credit for the BAR moniker.


Suvorov, title changed. Good luck when you get it going.

[ptan54]

I have heard there is a Tsar of all Slavs event for Russia which gives you ALL of Turkish Europe.

Triggers if you occupy key cities in the Balkans and Constantinople. Ask someone with the game to paste the event.

[Valdemar]

To further elaborate Master Durham's comment, clicking subscribe and then typing the word in every AAR does not make for a thoughtfull, insightfull or in any other way needed comment.

V

[Suvorov]

OK, still haven't got the game, but what the heck, it doesn't hurt to begin painting a picture, right? Thames had already written a lot (and I mean a lot! ) of chapters in his HoI AAR “The Commissar”, before the game finally started in 1936...

I'll try to make rather small updates, so people won't get too tired reading...

Hold on to your seats, ladies and gentlemen, because here comes Suvorov's first ever AAR! Criticism, praise and donations would be greatly appreciated.

Chapter I

A conversation about the future of the Empire – part 1

May 15, 1835, St. Petersburg

As a beautiful northern afternoon was slowly making place for the night, two men were walking across Palace Square¹, embroiled in a heated discussion. Except for their dress, which immediately exposed them as aristocrats, they seemingly had little in common.

The first one was the eldest of the two. He was almost completely bald, had a grey, military style moustache and a large, round face. Although he wasn’t tall, he radiated a natural kind of calm and authority. His name was Count Pyotr Aleksandrovich Naryshkin, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Empire.

Externally, Michail Petrovich Uvarov, the man walking next to Naryshkin, was almost totally the opposite: a lot younger, tall, quite skinny and without a moustache. His youthful enthusiasm was well noticeable, even if one didn’t understand a word of what was said.

The matter the two men were discussing this afternoon was the nature and scope of the reforms Nicholas I wanted to put in place. Some decade ago Michail, as Naryshkin’s protégé, had been given a job at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where the intelligent young man had quickly made a career for himself. Now, he and Naryshkin were closely cooperating on the question of economic and military reforms for which Nicholas I that very same day had created the Commission of Economic and Military Development, chaired by Pyotr Naryshkin. Although Michail Uvarov wasn’t a member of this Commission, he would be preparing a lot of the documents and information needed by Naryshkin and also had a multitude of ideas of his own on what recommendations the Commission should present to the Czar. His input was welcomed by Naryshkin, but often Michail’s enthusiasm had to be tempered by the sense of reality that comes with the years. And tempering Michail, again, was just what Naryshkin was doing…

“Michail, I really don’t think we should go that far. Both the Czar and the country aren’t ready for such giant steps. We should take only one step at a time. Too fast a change will only bring chaos where once reigned order,” said Naryshkin.

“No! No, you’re not listening! The Czar himself, when he instituted the Commission, stated that the goal should be to modernize Russia so as to guarantee her rightful place amongst the Great Powers. My proposals, if implemented, would achieve just that!”

Convinced of the wisdom of his ideas, Michail looked at Naryshkin in anticipation. As they passed through the arc of the General Staff building, the Minister of Internal Affairs sighed and said:

“The Czar won’t have it. The Monarchy and the prerogatives of the Czar are not to be touched. A legislative council? The proposal alone would get you a one way ticket to Siberia. And one other thing: that freeing the serfs idea of yours. There is a huge number of serfs. What do you think will happen if they were to receive their freedom all of a sudden? We’d have mass uprisings on our hands all over the country! I’m sorry Michail; your ideas might work in Western Europe, but they are not applicable here in Russia. Not yet, anyway.”

After these words, the two men walked silently in the direction of the Nevskij Prospekt, both preoccupied with their own thoughts.

-----

Notes:

¹ Palace Square: The square in front of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. On the other side of the Square, the General Staff building is located.

[Suvorov]

Next update...

Chapter I

A conversation about the future of the Empire – part 2

Reaching St. Petersburg’s central boulevard, Naryshkin and Michail turned east, maintaining the silence that existed between them. Seeing them walk this way together, one couldn’t help but notice that there was a strong bond between them. Were it not for the clear physical differences between Naryshkin and Michail, a casual observer might even conclude they were father and son. Though incorrect, such an observation would have had some truth in it. Michail’s father, Pyotr Uvarov, had died in the Patriotic War of 1812, when Michail had been a mere 13 years old. Since the boy had already lost his mother a few days after being born, it was decided that Naryshkin, a close friend of the Uvarovs for as long as anyone could remember, would take care of Michail and his elder sister, Irina. Pyotr Naryshkin had been Michail’s “father” ever since.

After walking along Nevskij Prospekt for a while, the two men reached a kafe they visited quite regularly and that had been their goal for today as well. The kafe, frequented by many well-known liberals and artists (as well as Nicholas’ secret agents), served as a debating club for St. Petersburg’s liberal elite and was by far Michail’s favorite establishment. Naryshkin, although by no means a conservative, had mixed feelings about the clientele. Too many utopian ideas, too little feasible solutions. It was no surprise Michail liked it so much.

The owner of the kafe, Igor’ Karavaev, greeted his regular customers with a big smile and showed them a table in the back, where it was less noisy and his guests would have more privacy. He knew that Naryshkin valued both of these things highly. As Naryshkin and Michail took a seat, they ordered some tea. After Igor’ had left their table, Michail broke the silence:

“So, we are to focus solely on economic reforms, especially those reforms that serve our military? How short sighted.”

Naryshkin smiled. Michail had always been impatient. With everything.

“I don’t think it’s short sighted at all. I’d say it’s realistic. The vast amount of Russians consists of illiterate peasants. If we would give them civil rights, we’d be committing suicide. First, we need to drastically improve our education system. Educated people not only will be invaluable in the process of industrializing, they can also serve as a counterweight against the uneducated rural masses. Only after we have succeeded in establishing a solid base for a civic society, we can start thinking about turning part of our subjects into citizens.”

Naryshkin was probably the most influential of the so called ‘enlightened bureaucrats’ in Nicholas’ bureaucracy. Having received his education under Catherine II, he had been brought up with the principles of the Enlightenment. His career as a civil servant had started in the final years of Catherine’s reign, after which he had served three Czars. Although his liberal ideas had gone in and out of fashion numerous times amongst the various Russian rulers, Naryshkin had skillfully managed to keep his career going. He was a liberal, but he wouldn’t tolerate changes from below. No system that safeguarded order and stability could be worse than the chaos of mass uprising and revolution. Steps on the way to reform were to be well thought out, thoroughly prepared and undertaken only if the country was ready for them. They should not be forced onto the government by the mobs in the street. And if these mobs ever were to start barricading the streets, Naryshkin wouldn’t hesitate for a second to send in the army. Order over chaos. Evolution over revolution.

“Improve education? And you call me an utopian dreamer?” Michail laughed. “How are we ever going to pay for this? Our rubles are being spend at a faster rate then they are being earned as it is. We’d be heading straight for bankruptcy!”

“Ah, and all of a sudden you are concerned with practical problems?” Both laughed. “But of course you’re right. Our financial situation is far from cheerful. That’s why we’re going to have to make some tough choices, like severely downsizing our army.”

Michail was stunned. Except for God, nothing was more holy to Nicholas I than his army. In fact, the whole country was one huge military camp. How could Naryshkin sit there and talk about taking away the Czar’s favorite toy? Was he out of his mind?

“I know what you’re thinking,” said a visibly amused Naryshkin, “but I think I know how to soften the blow.”

[cassa61]

arrg!!! why have you stopped?
this is the first aar (or is that bar?) i have seriously read since the master plan of fu machu, so why haven't you posted we non vicky owners need all the entertainment we can get while we wait for the game.
so...

MORE!!!

[Suvorov]

Last one today...

Chapter I

A conversation about the future of the Empire – part 3

Just as Michail was about to question Naryshkin about the details of his plan, Igor’ appeared with a small samovar, a teapot and two cups. To Michail’s dismay, Igor’ didn’t immediately leave, but started a meaningless conversation with Naryshkin. Just chit-chat, small talk. He was playing the polite host. Michail couldn’t care less about this exchange of hollow phrases and, as his annoyance grew, he was doing his best to keep his mouth shut. Naryshkin had been talking about real high level politics here. Something had been brewing in that cunning old fox’ mind. Michail was dying to find out what it was.

Finally, Igor’ left. Michail immediately jumped on Naryshkin, who had just started pouring hot water from the samovar into his cup.

“What was that you were talking about? Softening the blow? What do you mean?”

Naryshkin looked up as he let the tea from the teapot mix with the hot water.

“Well, in order to get something you have to give something in return. That’s the way it works. You just have to find out what the other party desires.”

Naryshkin stopped and took a sip from his tea.

“Mmm, this is delicious tea. You should try it.”

“Yes, yes, in a minute. Now tell me: what is this other party you are talking about? What could we possibly have that they want?”

“The other party? Well, that’s easy. The other party is Nicholas I and the entire military establishment. In short, the most powerful force in Russia. We are going to take away money from the most powerful force in Russia.”

“I can’t wait…”

“Just let me finish. So, I have identified the party we are dealing with for you. Now, about your other question: what could we possibly have that they want? The answer to that one is also quite simple: nothing really.”

Michail looked puzzled. What was this man talking about? Get to the point already!

“I see I’ve lost you,” Naryshkin smiled. “The interesting thing is, that I’m going to propose a trade so to speak with a good that isn’t even mine. Tell me, what do military men seek above anything?”

“Uh… well, glory I suppose…”

“Correct, they seek glory. Now, what if I would show them a path to glory, a mission in life, a possibility to launch a crusade of civilization against barbarism?”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I am going to plead for the conquest of Central Asia. This area has several characteristics that make it extremely suitable for our purposes. First of all, the territory in question is enormous, the landscape quite hostile. This will ensure conquering it all will take some time. As long as we are conquering foreign lands and glory is bestowed on the armies of the Czar, we should be safe from attacks by the hawks. Secondly, this region is inhabited by uncivilized people whose states are weak and poorly developed. Technologically, they are no match for us. This means there will be few Russian casualties and a lot of easy victories. Easy victories always go down well. Moreover, since we won’t be fighting first, second or even third rate powers, we can safely let this task be handled by a relatively small force, thus freeing funds for other purposes.”

“That’s it?” Michail was a bit disappointed. “Do you really think that’s enough? Do you really believe all those generals are gonna fall for this?”

“Uhm, no actually. I’m quite sure not all generals will fall for this. Probably not even a majority of them. Maybe none of them. The thing is, the generals should be faced with a fait accompli. They should be told about this by the Czar, not by me. If they would hear it from me, they’d all be sending letters to St. Petersburg complaining about ‘those outrageous measures’. After the Czar would have been bombarded with all these complaints, there’d be no point any more in trying to convince him. The only chance I have is to discuss this with him in a private conversation and make sure he agrees to it before others hear about it. He is a very stubborn man and if he were to decide to follow my suggestion, I’m sure he wouldn’t come back on his decision, no matter how many generals were crying that it’s an outrage. The thing, therefore, is to get him to accept my proposals…”

“But, what about the Commission of Economic and Military Development? Surely, you can’t keep this from them? And if they know, soon everyone will know.”

“And that’s exactly why I won’t tell them.”

Michail wasn’t about to give up, though:

“But how can the Commission prepare well-balanced proposals to the Czar about reforms when such a crucial part of the equation is being kept from them? The Commission has been created today. Doesn’t this mean you are planning to undermine its work from the very start?”

“In essence, yes. But one shouldn’t overreact. Most of the recommendations will still have merit. It’s just that a new dimension will be added to them.”

“So there’ll be no official recommendation by the Commission to expand access to education since there’s no money to be found for this, but there will be an unofficial recommendation regarding this, coming from you personally?”

“That sums it up nicely, I believe…”

“Pyotr Aleksandrovich, now I see how you have managed to work yourself up the ladder in the past decades. You’re perfectly at home in that snakepit called state bureaucracy. I’d even say you’re the biggest snake in the pit!”

A boyish grin, stretching from ear to ear, appeared on Michail’s face.

“Ah well, what can I say? All for the good of the Russian Empire and her people…”

Naryshkin also grinned as he took another sip from his delicious tea…

[Suvorov]

@ptan54: A Tsar of all Slavs event? That would be . Could someone with the game shed some light on this, please?

@cassa61: Thanks for your encouragement! I've given you the update you... er... requested.

[cassa61]

it actually worked?!?!?! demanding things worked (this once anyway) i'll have to do it more often
oh and great post suvorov you have whetted my appetite and now i am addicted to this. hopefully this will be long and interesting, it already has the interesting bit so let's hope it goes for a while

[stnylan]

Well, if your AAR continues in the same vein then it is great shame that you have waited so long before putting pen to paper, so to speak.

[Suvorov]

@cassa61: Don't flatter yourself. Demanding didn't help; the update was ready when it was ready. That's it.

@stnylan: Wow! From someone like you that's a great compliment. Thank you! I'll try to keep it in the same vein, then...

Last part of Chapter I:

Chapter I

A conversation about the future of the Empire – part 4

At last, Michail also poured himself some tea. As he tried it, he had to acknowledge that Naryshkin had been right; it truly was delicious tea. After a while, he asked Naryshkin:

“And what about industrialization, the most important part of the assignment the Commission received? What are your thoughts on that? Surely, we can’t wait until the effects of your education reforms, were they to be executed, start to kick in. I also don’t think we have much to expect from the nobility. They would never voluntarily leave their estates, where they can sit on their lazy ass all day, to open up a factory in the city. And apart from the nobility almost no one has the financial means to do so. Where does that leave us?”

“That leaves us in a less than desirable situation. The Russian industrialization effort will in no way be comparable to the English one for example. I share your assessment of our nobility; not much should be expected from them as a group. There, of course, will be exceptions, but nothing spectacular. In essence, this only leaves the state as a possible engine for Russian industrialization. However, this would cost a lot of money, all the more reason to reduce our army. Still, maybe it’s even a good thing that the state takes control of this whole process, since it will allow us to choose the direction in which our industrial development will take place.”

“I agree. And when industrialization will be well underway, private initiative is bound to take over.”

“Most probably, yes. At one point or the other, the nobles are going to loose their serfs. It won’t happen over night, but eventually it will happen. This would force them to come to the city and interact with the modern world, since they wouldn’t be able to eternally live of their family fortunes. Maybe the government could speed up this process by taxing landed nobility more heavily than the entrepreneurs among them. It might give more of them an incentive to become an industrialist. But that’s something that’ll require some closer looking into…”

“Yes, you’ve also got to leave some work for the Commission to do,” Michail joked.

A faint smile appeared on Naryshkin’s lips. He sighed.

“That Commission will be an utter nightmare. Of its five members, three are conservatives, one of them very rigid. It will be hell to try and navigate us to a set of recommendations somewhat resembling an attempt at reform. Luckily, I have a very good relationship with the Czar. No matter what recommendations the Commission agrees on (and I believe they will be far from what the nation needs at this point), in the end I can always take my case directly to the Czar. I am convinced I can make him see things my way on many of the issues this country faces…”

“I hope you are right. We’ll just have to see how everything turns out. We should try our very best, though, to make something of this half chance the Czar has given us.”

“Of course we should. And don’t worry: progress can’t be stopped by anyone. It’s just our task to regulate it, so it doesn’t become uncontrollable.”

After this, the topic of the conversation changed from the politics of state to domestic pains and joys. The two men stayed in the kafe for about an hour more, after which they both returned to their homes. A lot had been discussed, a whole lot more would have to be done.

[stnylan]

Actually, it is a very interesting discussion Michail and Naryshkin have had, discussing the practicalities of state reform and improvement against the force of traditional interests.

I will be most interested in seeing if/how this gets implemented in the eventual game.

Edit - thank you for the compliment, but I am not sure it is deserved.