Russia: Difference between revisions

==== The Russian Succession Crisis & Modernization period ====

After the death of the Russian tsar Alexander III in 1867 this heir and eldest male dynast Ivan was set to inherit the Russian throne. Ivan at the time of his father's death had been bedridden for over a year, was extremely sickly and known as an incompetent leader with Russian newspapers mocking appearance and perceived inability to rule. Previous to the death of the Czar, Alexander III, as a way to gain influence in the Kingdom of the Netherlands appointed a Dutch prince of House Oranje, Henry-Williams as his chief naval reformer (additionally the husband of the Czar's niece). Over the 1860's Henry-Williams (the cousin of the current Dutch King) became wildly popular in Russia because of his success in modernizing the navy as well as his adaptation and promotion of Russian culture. He was a frequent subject of interest in the press, had strong ties to the Russian elites and became a great patron of Russian literature. He studied the language and could speak in fluent Russian (as well as Ukrainian and Polish) and even converted to orthodox Christianity and was baptized with a Slavic name.

After being urged by his wife and other members of the Russian court, Henry-Williams claimed the throne which kicked off the Russian-Succession Crisis and a the Russian War of Succession. After only 8 months of fighting (with the Dutch supporting Henry-Williams clamancy) the war was over and Henry-Williams was declared Emperor and Czar of Russia. This was possible due to the Henry-Williams naval and military contacts in Russia, his support amongst the people and of course support in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As a way to gain additionally legitimacy and in order to appease conservative members of the royal family Henry-Williams and his wife (the niece of the late czar) both ruled as co-emperors and in 1868 the new czar and czarina start their reign.

Henry-Williams the new tsar, being a past naval reformer, shifted his focus to the expansion of Russia's influence in the pacific and the growing wealth and geostrategic position that could be found in a pacific empire. One of the early steps to a Russian pacific empire he believed, was to create a Trans-Siberian railway to connect the Muscovite region to the Russian Pacific ports.

==== Russo-Ottoman War (1884 - 1885) ====

During the late 19th century Russia slowly strengthened it's economic and military power due to the reforms in 1870's. In addition to this the Russian realized the weakness of Ottoman control in the Balkans and Crimea. After a series of revolts in the Balkans were put down harshly by Ottoman forces Russia pledged support for independence movements in Serbia and Romania. This led to Russia retaking Crimea, Wallachia, Moldavia, Serbia gaining independence. Austria, who joined the war late, also annexed the upper left tip of the ottoman territory (but were promised more but didn't receive it from Russia which started straining Russo-Austrian relations).

Beginning in the 1840's Russia and Britain started to compete for influence in Central Asia with the British believing that without countering Russian ambitions in the region the Raj could eventually be at risk for invasion. This led to a military build up as well as increasing conflict over alliances with Afghanistan, Persia and the Chinese nations. By 1893 tensions have simmered down and the great game was ended with the creation of Serindia as a Buffer state between Russian and the British Raj and the demilitarization of the border with the Kingdom of Afghanistan.