Russian Empire
The Russian Empire is a large nation in Europe, spanning into Asia, bordering many nations.
Structure
The Tsars of Russia had long held autocratic rule. However, political reforms saw the power be shared with the Imperial Duma.
History
The Russian Empire has been an influential Great Power in Europe for centuries. It played a part in the downfall of Napoleon after his failed invasion in 1812. Following the downfall of Napoleon, Russia attempted to keep cordial relations between the conservative powers in Europe.
During the French Civil War in 1850, Russia was appalled by the liberal uprising, but was blocked by other European powers to militarily intervene. They did, however, recognize the conservativve Occitania and grew closer to Spain as a Great Power over France.
Russian warships, upon the persecution of missionaries, were dispatched to Japan in 1855. Japan was subsequently forced to open for trade and establish an agreement with Russia. Japan then enlisted the help of Russian, British, and Prussian officers to rapidly modernize.
In 1861, the declining mental health of Tsar Nicholas I following the Polish Uprising, Tsesaravich Alexander attempted to quell the tensions between the crown and the populace. Nicholas accused Alexander of treason. During the argument behind closed doors, Nicholas was killed by a gunshot to the head. Though it was by apparent suicide the Nicholas aligned ministers forced Alexander to renounce his and his descendants' claims to the throne on the pretense of regicide and patricide. Alexander and his family were exiled to Kiev while his brother, Constantine became Tsar. However, Constantine was relegated to the role of a figurehead while the ministers ran Russia as a military dictatorship.
The Russian government sided with Austria during the Austro-Prussian War, declaring war on Prussia. The mostly serf based Russian army performed poorly against the Prussian and Swedish forces, with Prussia almost laying siege to St. Petersburg before Russia capitulated. Russia lost the territories of the Baltic states and FInland. Constantine then wrested executive power from the council, appointing new ministers and enacting sweeping reforms. These included legislative power to the Duma and abolition of serfdom.
At the mysterious death of Grand Duke Alexander in 1881, his son, Alexander Alexandrovich, declared the reign of Constantine as illegitimate and his reforms russophobic. He managed to obtain support from Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, and attempted to mount a rebellion. The war ended in a stalemate, and ALexander instead became Tsar of an independent Ukraine.
Russia attended the Berlin Conference in 1884. Though they did not secure any African holdings, they managed to obtain military relations with the newly formed German Empire, as well as the Kingdom of Holland over their mutual rivalry with Great Britain.
Russia joined the Seven Nation Alliance in 1899 during the Boxer Rebellion of China. Though they were obligated to depart the region following the war, Russia kept a presence in Manchuria and Liaodong in order to finalize the Trans-Siberian Railway and maintain a warm water port. Japan protested the presence, and demanded Russia leave the area. A compromise was found as Tsar Constantine II negotiated recognition of Russian influence over Liaodong in exchange for recognition of Japanese influence over Korea.
In 1911, Mongolia declared itself independent from China and sought Russian recognition. However, Russia recognized Mongolia only as an autonomous region of China, and not as a sovereign nation. As a result, when Mongolia was reencorporated back into China, Russia did not intervene.
At the assassination attempt of Archduke Leopold in 1914, Russia was against the ultimatum Austria sent to Serbia, and expressed support for Serbia. With the support, Serbia agreed to all points except for allowing Austrian agents to control the investigation. During international deliberation, wherein Russia attempted to lead the investigation, it was agreed that Ukraine would do so instead.
When Bulgaria attempted to gain territory from Serbia, Austria and Ukraine offered support to Bulgaria. Russia declared war on Bulgaria in support of Serbia in 1915, causing Austria and Ukraine to declare war on Russia. The situation spiraled out of control, eventually leading to the Great War. During the war, Russia found itself fighting in Europe against Ukraine, in the Middle East and Persia against Great Britain, and China against Japan. In order to alleviate their resources, Russia enlisted the help of Afghanistan in exchange for the Pashtun regions in India, as well as pushing Britain out of Persia's southern regions to the rejoice of the locals.
Tsar Nicholas I of Ukraine abdicated in 1919, leading to the ascension of his brother, Michael, who had no interests in ruling. He subsequently surrendered control of Ukraine to his cousin, Ivan VII of Russia. Ukraine was reincorporated into the Russian Empire, though to major protests.
Following the Great War, Russia assisted Austria against the Hungarian Revolution, wishing to not destabilize the region. However, at the fall of the Hapsburg Confederation and the carving of the old Austrian lands, Russia was offered the territory of East Galicia. With their high population of Ukrainians, nationalism among East Galicia was high and protested the annexation, often violently. East Gallicia sought independence similarly to West Gallicia in Poland. During international deliberation, the Kingdom of Galicia was established, and Ukrainian nationalist Wilhelm Franz, son of King Charles I of Poland, was controversially elected as king in 1931.
Ivan attempted to suppress Ukrainian nationalism using military force, but received much backlash. Ukrainian nationalists and irredentists won the seats to the Russian Duma. Advocation to a new independent Ukraine and possible unification with Galicia began to rise in the 1930's. Many in the Russian Duma suspected Chancellor Erich Ludendorff of Germany had been secretly funding the Ukrainian uprisings, and called for investigations and possibly war. The newly organized Anglo-Irish Empire wished to find a peaceful resolution, as they wished to have Germany as an ally to counter the Soviet Union.
Foreign Relations
The foreign relations of Russia has been complex throughout its history. Though initially having an alliance with Japan, situations such as the Liaodong Crisis caused Japan to find an alliance with Great Britain instead.
Alternative Names
Russia
Demonym
Russian
Ruling Organization
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Legislative Body
Following the Austro-Prussian war in 1861, Tsar Constantine I established the Duma as the core legislative body of the Russian Empire, transforming it to a constitutional monarchy.
Neighboring Nations
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