Russian Empire 1900
"The Russian Empire must change with the world it occupies"
-Speech of Sergei Witte in the State Council
At the dawn of the new century, the Russian Empire encompassed two continents and had their hands dipped in European and Asian intrigue. It was the beacon of absolutism against the Republican cause. However, Emperor Nicholas II has given authority to Sergei Witte, as Finance Minister (and soon to be Chief Minister) to dictate Russia's policies as equals to the Emperor. Witte's centrist stance does not spark much celebration in the State Council, he has proven himself to be a competent Minister, substantially improving Russian economy. Some predict he would be the Russian Bismarck, but that future is far, and the present has more pressing concerns.
The Russian Empire, having decided its territories too huge to manage on its own, gives limited autonomy to each region. Each region is led by a Governor appointed by the Emperor and approved by the Duma, with the Regional Council democratically elected. So far, the region that has been given the most autonomy is Poland, the Poles having their own nation in personal union with the Russian Empire. The Kingdom of Poland or Congress Poland of the earlier days is formed.
Sergei Witte proposes the formation of a State Duma, much to the chagrin of landed nobility and gentry. However, Witte argues that the Duma, being a lower house in the Russian Empire, would function as a means to gain political experience for sons of nobles as well as political representation. Through much effort, the State Duma is formed, with the Ministers from the State Duma and the State Council forming a Committee of Ministers.
The Ministry of National Education is formed, with Count Lev Tolstoy reluctantly appointed Minister. Dmitry Tolstoy's system of gymnasiums is heavily reformed, giving way to the system created by Milyutin in the cadet schools, dramatically changing the curriculum to focus more on Russian literature, modern language (electives of English, French, and German are only available as of now), civil education, the natural sciences, and mathematics. Extracurricular activity is encouraged in these schools, with fresh debate clubs and sport clubs propping up in these schools. As a result, homework is decreased to fit extracurricular activity.
The Ministry of National Education forms a Teacher's Gymnasium, a school for all public teachers to go to. Pedagogical improvements around the world are discussed and teaching experiments done. The teachers are rigorously schooled in the new curriculum, along with five-year tests to ensure competence in teachers.
The number of the "new" gymnasiums increase as more are being built, especially in rural areas. In the areas without gymnasiums, decentralized education is encouraged, with parents and the local community as educators. Elementary education promises many benefits to the Russian peasant, including less time conscripted in the military and possibility of higher pay.
Foreign investment, mainly British, flow to Russia. Industrial growth is expected as the money is used to build factories for government-owned companies or companies which the government has interest in. Russia expects to disperse and diversify its industry by forming a Committee on Rural Industrialization, with the government sponsoring the growth of some small industries with potential.
The military-industrial complex is expanded greatly from the investments. Russia especially plans to replace their old Berdan Rifles with modern Mosin-Nagant M1891 Rifles. Russia also plans to improve on the Maxim Gun design. Russia hopes to cooperate with Hotchkiss (France-
Jean-Luc Picard ) and Vickers (Britain-
Frederick the Great ) in development of the machine gun.
The shipyards of St. Petersburg bustle as the Russian Empire orders construction of a new class of battleship, the
Borodino class. One of the battleships in the class, the
Knyaz Suvorov, is expected to use a revolutionary design, with only four turrets of twin 12-inch guns as armnament. Russia seeks to refit its navy with Barr & Stroud coincidence rangefinders, Krupp Cemented Armor, and Russia experiments with HE shells. Russia plans to research torpedo boat tactics along with Italy (
Desophaeus ).
Commercial shipyards bustle as well as the Russian government subsidizes construction of commercial merchant ships, to increase trade and put Russia on par with other economic powers. Some commercial shipyards are bought by the government in plans to establish a state monopoly.
The Russian government builds the port city of Murmansk in the Arctic, with meticulously planned designs. Port Arthur is substantially developed, both militarily (construction of fortifications) and commercially.
The Russian Army's horrible condition has forced the government to raise army budget to 25%, along with selling army bonds to the public. The Russian Army considers implementing a commission system, to fund each individual unit. Conscripts out of military service are asked to form associations, as to allow easier surveillance and for them to teach their local communities important skills they have learned in the army, such as reading, writing, and mathematics.
High Command has requisitioned Russian state companies to manufacture 600 trucks in this year for the Imperial Army's logistics. Railways in strategic positions, such as Georgia, Poland, and Siberia is developed more. The Army is currently in the process of re-equipment, with the M1891 Rifles requisitioned. Artillery pieces, including field guns and howitzers are made. 400 howitzers are requisitioned with 1,000 field guns as well.
Fortifications are built along borders with other countries, as well as building of extensive trench lines.
The Emperor invites all the World Powers (tagging everyone:
best75 ,@khurramzafar ,
Desophaeus ,
Imperial RomeBall ,
Jean-Luc Picard ,
Frederick the Great ,
dynasty warrior,
Antonio Santa Anna ,
Yi Sun Sin ,
Quintus Fabius ,
Bismarck Jr ) to St. Petersburg to renew the 1868 St. Petersburg Decree, adapting to weapon development in the modern age.
RUSSIAN ARMY ORDER OF BATTLE
A division consists of about 10,000 men.
Total number of divisions: 70 infantry and 18 cavalry (standing army).
MANCHURIAN FRONT: 18 Divisions of Infantry and 6 of Cavalry.
BOXER REBELLION INTERVENTION: 4 infantry divisons; 2 in Port Arthur, 2 in Manchuria.
RUSSO-GERMAN BORDER: 12 infantry Divisions.
RUSSO-AUSTRIAN BORDER: 8 infantry Divisions.
GEORGIA (Russo-Turksih border is DMZ): 8 infantry divisions, 6 Cavalry divisions.
RESERVE: 42 infantry divisions
(to be continued)
