Except their own (glorious!) culture!robou said:
Excellent update and excellent events sir.
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Excellent update and excellent events sir.
Heh - a nice reverse assimilation there. Well, assimilation is a two-way street at all times anyway.
Looking back at it, I have realised that my sleeping at math lessons in school does show. Indeed, in my desire not to artificially increase the Russian population, I forgot to artificially decrease it to simulate people actually leaving. o
Off to the savegame file with me!
This is true. I am quite happy with the Russian Imperial Army
Thank you. I thought the Bulgarian reverse assimilation would bring a rather unexpected and slightly humorous twist
o Off to the savegame file with me!
robou said:
This is true. I am quite happy with the Russian Imperial Army
germanpeon said:Except their own (glorious!) culture!
Excellent update and excellent events sir.
stnylan said:
Thank you. I thought the Bulgarian reverse assimilation would bring a rather unexpected and slightly humorous twist
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I can see Russian settlers assimilating with the Bulgarians. Lovely country, good people, excellent food, lots of common cultural touching points.
It's not all bad though. The more inter-assimilation, the less ethnic tension in the long run.
Some bold and risky decisions there with the churches, though. And poor Turks.
It's not all bad though. The more inter-assimilation, the less ethnic tension in the long run.
Some bold and risky decisions there with the churches, though. And poor Turks.
The Revenge of the Bear
Intermezzo 4 : Russian Allies and Friends
Despite what some could think, Russia was far from being isolated in the world. And whilst her enmity towards the Ottomans, French, British, Italians, Germans and Austrians was apparent and even an official government line, she also had a number of friends in the world and allies.
United States of America
North American borders were at times a tad chaotic
One of the most important of Russia’s friends was the United States of America. At first sight, more things separated the two countries than what brought them together. But despite the odds, the Russian-American friendship grew stronger with each passing year. The two countries were united in their goal of containing British expansionism, even if for different reasons. Russia saw Britain as a rival and threat, the United States were driven by the Monroe Doctrine. Actually, this doctrine was also problematic in Russo-American relations as, after all, Russia owned the north-western shores of North America as a colonial power.
An important moment in Russo-American relations was when the Russian Empire sided with the Union in its stand off with the Confederacy. The move was not driven out of full altruism, however, as the Confederacy was backed by London and Russia saw it as the perfect opportunity for a proxy war, a proxy war that it won as the Union crushed the Confederacy and even steamrolled the independent republic of Texas, which sided with the Confederacy during the American Civil War. However, the way the United States dismembered Texas into two isolated enclaves did have many in Petersburg raising their eyebrows and even slapping their foreheads.
The United States was one of the eight Great Powers
Economically, the United States was an important trading partner of the Empire, especially concerning trade between the states on the American West Coast and the Russian colony of Alaska. Militarily, whilst no official pact was signed in between the Russian Empire and the United States of America, the two countries cooperated extensively. Thus, Russian ships had the right to dock at US ports along the west coast to get coal and food supplies. Same rights were foreseen for US ships wishing to dock along the Pacific Ocean ports of the Russian Empire. It was also understood in between the two states that in case of British aggression against either the Russian Empire or the United States of America, the two countries would move together to occupy British Northern America.
The Empire of Brazil
The Empire of Brazil was the strongest and largest nation in South America. Moreover, it was the only independent monarchy in all of the Americas, which only improved its stance and value in the eyes of the Russian Empire.
Economically and militarily, Brazil had yet a long way to go
However, despite its good credentials of being the strongest nation in Latin America, Brazil had to face a number of important economic and military challenges. It’s population of ten million was concentrated mostly along the Atlantic coast, with vast Amazon jungles covering most of the country. Industrialization still had a long way to go and infrastructure was poor. In some ways, Brazil was reminiscent of Russia before the drastic and radical reforms enacted by Alexander II: an underdeveloped country with tremendous potential.
No formal alliance tied Russia to Brazil, but relations were cordial.
The Kingdom of Spain
Spain was an extremely important Russian partner in Europe, even if no formal alliance existed. After the defeat in the Crimean War, Russia sought to distance itself from countries in then began to consider as eternal enemies to concentrate on others. Spain was in a perfect situation for that. Sitting on France’s southern flank, an important Catholic nation with an important colonial Empire, Spain offered the perfect partner for any future plotting against the French.
Economically and militarily, Spain was very average
Over the years relations grew extremely warm in between Madrid and Petersburg. So warm, in fact, that Alexander II of Russia refrained from adding the title of King of Jerusalem to his list, as the title was claimed by the royal house of Spain. Furthermore, when the Holy Land passed under Russian authority, Spain was offered the role of being the “authority” over Catholics. The role was, of course, ceremonial as those Catholics were Russian subjects, but Spain could speak in the name of the Catholic subjects if those felt discriminated against and provide help and support to Catholic communities, parishes and monasteries.
All in all, despite the absence of any formal treaty, Russia and Spain enjoyed warm friendly relations.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands
The role of the Netherlands in the rebirth of the Russian navy was extremely important. It were Dutch specialists and craftsmen that laid the hulls of the first Russian steamers at wharfs off Petersburg. It were Dutch instructors and masters that formed future Russian shipwrights.
The Netherlands were an important Russian ally
The Kingdom’s position on Germany’s left flank was also very precious to the Russians and opened various strategic possibilities in case of a second war against Germany that would have to come one day or the other as Germany was far too powerful to be left as she was.
Scandinavian Union
Scandinavia proved that strength lies in union. Separatenly, Denmark and Sweden-Norway did not have even half the weight they attained when they came together, the Union propelling itself to the position of a Great Power.
Scandinavia was the sixth Great Power
Economically, Scandinavia was extremely powerful. Militarily, however, it’s army was average and comparable to the military strength of Spain and Netherlands. However, Scandinavia was a precious and important Russian ally, flanking Germany on the north.
Kingdom of Greece and Kingdom of Serbia
The two Balkan allies of Russia were for now far from having much military value. Serbia’s position on the southern flank of Austro-Hungary, however, opened up many strategic possibilities for an attack against Vienna through Serbian territory. However, the Serbian army was for now too weak to offer any significant assistance to Russia in any such attack.
Serbia entered a period of rapid industrialization, while Greece for some reason stagnated
Economically, Serbia overtook Greece in the years after the Treaty of Tsargrad. A canned food factory in Bosnia began fuelling the economy as infrastructure was improved. Greece, on the other hand, was falling behind even if it’s infrastructure was steadily improving, too.
Persian Empire
Russo-Persian (or Russo-Iranian, if named correctly) relations were complicated, to say the least and often could be likened to that of a couple living together, but not married. They would enter into disputes, trash each other's bedrooms (even if Russia always won), flirt with neighbours then come together to rebuke the big hairy Ottoman thug living nextdoors. In that relationship, Russia always dominated.
The Russo-Persian War of 1861 was an important strategic victory for the Russians, but a humiliating defeat for Iran, whose bedroom was not only trashed thoroughly, but he also saw his favourite cupboard most daringly taken from him. It was, thus, no wonder that the Shah barricaded himself in Tehran and relations between Persia and Russia reached an alltime low, even if Russian soldiers rode back and forth through Iran to reach the Russian treaty port and onwards to Russian Aravia.
Russo-Turkish war was quite beneficial to Iran and old
disputes with Russia were forgotten
The Russo-Turkish war of 1872-1874, however, brought a thaw to Russo-Persian relations as the Tsar's messengers informed the Shah that upon defeat of the Ottomans, Persia would be entitled to vast mesopotamian regions. Persia, thus, entered the war on Russia's side and, whilst its contribution was minimalistic at best, its rewards dwarfed the loss of the Caspian shores. Iran even offered Russia a long term alliance, but by then Mother Russia was already busily flirting with Uncle Sam and so this did not come to much.
Iran was part of the Uncivilized World, the only Russian ally to be such
Economically and militarily, however, Iran was an uncivilized nation, with widespread slavery and low productivity. In some way, this suited Petersburg well: the Russian Imperial Army was able to quickly deploy in many areas of Persia in case of a British offensive, but did not have to worry of a strong Persian army deciding that time came for Persian soldiers to wash their feet in the waters of the Caspian.
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Well not the most powerful of nations, but perhaps Russian will power can make them better. That said, a nice little coalition you have going there!
Scandinavia stronger than USA :wacko: anyway interesting AAR you have got one more reader.
I love your unique style. All the highly detailed information you'd think as a writer that most people would skip (you said yourself, "tl;dr") is actually distinguish this one above even other excellent history book AAR's out there, and there are plenty around these forums.
Plus, I chuckled several times at different points at some undertones of humor and irony.
It seems that the Crimean War disgrace only allowed Alexander to transform Russia and propels it into the modern era. Myself, I never had the patience to play enormous, sprawling, aristocrat-infested Russia, so it's fun to see what you're doing with the big bear.
You really ought to do something about that divided Texas thing though. It wouldn't be cheating really, since the AI was kinda supposed to take all of Texas anyway if it didn't like to make an overly early peace so much *cough* Carlist War *cough*.
Plus, I chuckled several times at different points at some undertones of humor and irony.
It seems that the Crimean War disgrace only allowed Alexander to transform Russia and propels it into the modern era. Myself, I never had the patience to play enormous, sprawling, aristocrat-infested Russia, so it's fun to see what you're doing with the big bear.
You really ought to do something about that divided Texas thing though. It wouldn't be cheating really, since the AI was kinda supposed to take all of Texas anyway if it didn't like to make an overly early peace so much *cough* Carlist War *cough*.
I find Greece always does badly in industrializing while Bulgaria actually does OK. But you're keeping Bulgaria, of course.
All the allies are rather sensible choices. And you might need a few of them, you do have the whole world to face after all.
All the allies are rather sensible choices. And you might need a few of them, you do have the whole world to face after all.
robou said:
Thank you. I do hope they prove as useful in the future as I imagine them to be >.>
Edzako said:
Welcome aboard Bear Airways! Life vest under your seat, the Holy Bible in the pocket of the seat in front of you
Irenicus said:
Thank you for the positive feedback!
And yes, I think I shall make a quick inherit Texas event for the USA. Ironically, Texas had much better railroads than the US
Just as a sidenote.RGB said:
Oh, Bulgaria is doing marvelously under the Empire! It’s producing lumber and steamer convoys.
As far as Greece is concerned, I decided to cheat a bit and fiddled with the savegame, grouping some Greek states to create two bigger ones in Macedonia and Negropont (not that much of a cheat) and giving Greece a capitalist POP in each of them plus Epirus (cheatalarm!). I hope that helps the AI to handle the industrialization. Here's a shot of the two states in question, plus Epirus which has a nice population and quite a few large Greek POPs and which I also see as a potential industrial hub.
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Intresting set of allies and friends there. Somehow I think the friendship between America and Russia is more based on 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' rather than anything lasting. But some of those others - particularly Scandinavia - look very promising.
I noticed I forgot Persia o I'll update the above post with some info on Russia's only muslim friend.
o I'll update the above post with some info on Russia's only muslim friend.
Like they have a choice...Mishgan said:I noticed I forgot Persia
Ahura Mazda said:Like they have a choice...
Hehe. Well, I hope the edited entry on Iran reflects the complex relationship well
The Revenge of the Bear
Intermezzo 5 : Russia’s Austrian Headache
Austro-Hungary, or by its official name the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of St. Stephen, was an extremely interesting and complicated part of Europe, a country of endless mixture of all imaginable and unimaginable ethnic kins and religions. Austria-Hungary was also a particularly complex knot of political arrangements, a knot that one should take care while undoing in order not to have his fingers caught in the strings.
The ethnic mosaic of the Austria-Hungarian Empire
Of particular interest to the Russian Empire was the region of Galicia, officially called the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria with the Grand Duchy of Krakow and the Duchies of Auschwitz and Zator, part of the Cisleithanian lands of the Habsburg monarchy and, thus, governed from Vienna in dualist Austria-Hungary. Galicia was inhabited mainly by Poles and Malorossians, both titular nations of the Russian Empire and, thus, an integral part of the latter in the minds of an ever growing community of Russian irredentists.
But not everything was as simple as just sending the mighty Russian Imperial Army into Galicia and annex it into the Russian Empire. As expressed earlier, Austria-Hungary was a jigsaw of ethnic kins, many of which were Slavic. As the defender of all Slavs, Russia would be ill pressed to enter a war with Vienna just to take Galicia and then leave the other Slavic peoples to ill fate.
On the other hand, nobody ever said that each and every Slav in the world admired Russia and would follow her through fire, ice and pointy nails. The Czechs and Slovaks, for example, were eager to separate themselves from the Habsburgs, but neither did they want to be ordered from Petersburg. The two catholic Slavic kins presented a potential troublespot: they were liable to resist Russian attempts to “liberate them” and turn them into a sort of a Kingdom of Bohemia-Slovakia within the Russian Empire. They loved Russia, but did not want to be ruled by Russia. Actually, and according to some, the Czechs and the Slovaks would actually refuse any King or Emperor and form a Republic of all things, right on the Russian border!
Then came the southern Slavs. Slovenians, under Cisleithanian rule, and Croathians, split in between Cisleithania for Dalmatia and Transleithania for Croatia-Dalmatia, were Catholics, far removed from Russia and, all things said, of little interest to Russia in the past several centuries. It was not guaranteed that they would welcome Russian soldiers with open arms and bread instead of pitchforks and blazing torches. Maybe there could be a possibility to, in case of a major collapse of Austria-Hungary, to merge Croatian and Slovenian lands with Serbia to form a Kingdom of Southern Slavs.
“Yugo-Slavia,” Alexander mused to himself during evening walks, “has a ring to it…”
Shaded in green Galicia-Lodomeria, Silesia and Bukovina that were liable to be annexed into the Russian Empire.
Shaded in blue are other Slavic territories that could prove potential hotspots.
As appealing as a full and complete collapse of Austria-Hungary was, it also contained many dangers. What about lands inhabited by Romanians within the Habsburg kingdom of Hungary? Relations between Romania and Russia were strained, the former still not voiding its alliance with the Ottomans and the latter refusing outright to consider any Romanian pretensions over Northern Dobrudja (thus effectively leaving Romania as a landlocked nation with arms reach of the sea). In case of a major Austrian collapse, Romania could profit and expand and the last thing Russia needed was a powerful Romania capable of cutting Bulgaria and Constantinople from the bulk of the Empire.
Then came Hungary. The Emperor doubted not that in case of an Austrian collapse, the Magyars would seek to gain as much territory as possible. A war between Croatians, Hungarians and Romanians was possible. Not to mention Serbia that would surely move in to “protect” fellow Serbs living in eastern Slavonia and Dalmatia.
Italy would surely move in to grab Venetia, maybe Tyrol. And Russia did not like Italy, for Italy was just a Piedmontese creation. Those same Piedmontese that besieged Sevastopol during the Crimean War…
And what about german Austria? What would its fate be? Right now Austria-Hungary and Germany were on bad terms with each other, with Austrians even fortifying their border with Germany as heavily as they fortified their border with Russia. In case of an Austrian collapse, Germany would surely move into German inhabited lands to “protect” fellow Germans. As far as Austria proper was concerned, it was possible. But what about the border regions of Bohemia and Moravia, populated by Germans? Would the Czechs let them go without a fight? Would a war erupt in which Russia would have to protect fellow Slavs against Germans in a war Russia was not entirely ready for?
A Germany incorporating also German-populated Austria would be a much greater threat, a much stronger threat, a threat Russia did not wish to face.
But this was not all! Indeed, even if Russia won the war and gained Silesia and Galicia, how would she govern them? The Poles would surely demand Silesia and western Galicia to be annexed into the Kingdom of Poland. And all things said frankly, Alexander did not trust his Polish subjects to be loyal enough to allow for a strong Poland within the Russian Empire. And yet creating an autonomous Kingdom of Galicia-Lodomeria within Russia was out of the question, for creating a chain of autonomous regions along the western border was a folly. This was the reason why Bessarabia was governed as a simple Governorate, without any autonomy. Give Galicia its autonomy, the Bessarabian Romanians will yell for their own autonomy. And what of Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians? They were calm for now, but this calm could always be shattered.
In many ways, Russia was like Austria: infinitely complex, intricately woven. Austria looked frail: pull a thread and the entire fabric will come undone. Or maybe the Austrian tapestry will bite back hard and badly? Who would risk his hand to find out? Problem was that Alexander, deep within his heart, was not sure that the gigantic tapestry called "Mother Russia" would not come undone if somebody pulled a single protruding thread.
Austria was Russia’s worst headache. She had to die. She was meant to die for Russia's greatness and for Russia's glory. And yet for Russia’s own sake Austria had to live. And in quiet whispers with his most trusted advisors, Alexander came to the conclusion that Austria-Hungary would live to die another day.
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The ethnic composition map was found on Wikipedia and then mercilessly edited to represent the realities of my game. Venetia was added, Bosnia removed from A-H. So, don't mind the different fonts, weird borders and everything else
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