- Pronouns
- he/him
Yes, this was sparked by listening to the latest episode of Revolutions but it's been going around my head for a while.
What if the Tsar and his family die in the rail disaster at Borki in 1888? The Tsar and, I believe, all his children were in the dining carriage. Supposedly the Tsar rescued them by bearing the weight of the collapsing roof upon his shoulders. Even if that's true and not imperial propaganda, let's presume that he's in a slightly different position- he's risen from the table to make a toast perhaps- and is immediately killed in the crash.
That leaves several interesting scenarios, but I'll focus on two:
1. His children die too. The Tsardom probably passes to Grand Duke Vladimir, a hardline conservative. He would probably be a more competent Tsar than Nicholas II, though that's hardly saying much, but his hostility to reform potentially means Sergei Witte never rises to prominence after the crash.
That potentially leads to an interesting scenario where despite the apparent similarity with OTL in that there's a stubborn and reactionary Tsar, because Russian industrialisation is slightly delayed you might see not see radical Marxists enjoy their ascent in this period. A Tsardom that's overthrown by radicals who have more of a cult of the peasantry could be interesting.
Alternatively, a more competent Tsar means that the hardline government lasts longer but potentially crashes more spectacularly.
or
2. The older children die, but Prince Michael survives. Michael was only ten in 1888, which naturally means a regency. That seems to me to be a potentially interesting scenario for Tsarist reform. Assume for the sake of the argument that the Regency isn't dominated by reactionaries, that Witte's ascension more or less proceeds on schedule and that Michael is crowned at all which isn't necessarily certain.
What happens to the autocracy if the great period of economic and industrial growth goes alongside an absent autocrat? It's potentially a golden opportunity for reformers, though they may not realise it. Even when Michael comes to the throne, he'll have been educated and have come of age in a radically different environment than his brother did historically.
Any thoughts? Am I wildly off base? Given that Rasputin won't rise to prominence in this timeline, does anyone have any other suggestions for early twentieth century mystics who could be the subject of a disco anthem?*
*'Alli-Alli-ster Crowley, wrote his wisdom cryptically...'
What if the Tsar and his family die in the rail disaster at Borki in 1888? The Tsar and, I believe, all his children were in the dining carriage. Supposedly the Tsar rescued them by bearing the weight of the collapsing roof upon his shoulders. Even if that's true and not imperial propaganda, let's presume that he's in a slightly different position- he's risen from the table to make a toast perhaps- and is immediately killed in the crash.
That leaves several interesting scenarios, but I'll focus on two:
1. His children die too. The Tsardom probably passes to Grand Duke Vladimir, a hardline conservative. He would probably be a more competent Tsar than Nicholas II, though that's hardly saying much, but his hostility to reform potentially means Sergei Witte never rises to prominence after the crash.
That potentially leads to an interesting scenario where despite the apparent similarity with OTL in that there's a stubborn and reactionary Tsar, because Russian industrialisation is slightly delayed you might see not see radical Marxists enjoy their ascent in this period. A Tsardom that's overthrown by radicals who have more of a cult of the peasantry could be interesting.
Alternatively, a more competent Tsar means that the hardline government lasts longer but potentially crashes more spectacularly.
or
2. The older children die, but Prince Michael survives. Michael was only ten in 1888, which naturally means a regency. That seems to me to be a potentially interesting scenario for Tsarist reform. Assume for the sake of the argument that the Regency isn't dominated by reactionaries, that Witte's ascension more or less proceeds on schedule and that Michael is crowned at all which isn't necessarily certain.
What happens to the autocracy if the great period of economic and industrial growth goes alongside an absent autocrat? It's potentially a golden opportunity for reformers, though they may not realise it. Even when Michael comes to the throne, he'll have been educated and have come of age in a radically different environment than his brother did historically.
Any thoughts? Am I wildly off base? Given that Rasputin won't rise to prominence in this timeline, does anyone have any other suggestions for early twentieth century mystics who could be the subject of a disco anthem?*
*'Alli-Alli-ster Crowley, wrote his wisdom cryptically...'