Our Axis of Darkness (July-September, 1886)

Tsar and Tsesarevich]

July 3, Tsar Alexander III calls Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich to his office, there was no one listening or present other than the 18-year-old heir and the All-Russia Emperor.

"Well then. We are both, by birth, minds of the future in a body of the past. That is settled." Tsar Alexander III starts.

"That explains a lot old man, I finally understand why the Eiffel Tower is in Saint Petersburg." Nicholas calls quickly out of curiosity. "I have, like, a lot of questions!"

"I'm sorry that if they are philosophical questions, I have as many answers as you, none." Tsar Alexander III calmly exclaims.

"... Ok, that's true, I can't fake it, I don't know anything more than you." The Tsesarevich responds, then taking a seat. "But I think there is something you can answer. What have you changed?"

"Sorry?". Tsar Alexander III.

"There are ... things, that do not fit. Even outside Russia, I can understand that Russia has had some ... impact, on the international situation, but there are things that do not seem to fit. We didn't affect them" The Tsesarevich Nicholas exclaims.

"... Currently I have nothing to do with many events, they just happen. The first event that I changed was the Tsushima incident, I carried out a false flag attack and got a port for Russia, from then on I think the timeline has been different, changing, strange. " Tsar Alexander III starts.

"I understand...". The Tsesarevich exclaims.

"Listen ... Nicholas. Is it okay for me to call you that?" Tsar Alexander III asks.

"... Is it okay I suppose. I have to still call you Dad or Alexander?" The Tsesarevich asks back.

"I've been called Alexander for 40 years, yes, that's fine but that's not the point." Tsar Alexander III responds. "We may understand each other a little more, but I don't want things to change too much, we still have to pretend to be father and son in public and so on. Only now we can be more honest with each other, talk about business and so on. We are not going to fight or things like that, we are going to focus on our role, I am the czar, and you are my heir."

Tsar Alexander III extends his hand to Tsesarevich Nicholas, who accepts the handshake."Well, what is our first business?" Nicholas asks with some excitement.

"We have a country to govern, matters that need our atention and more... and change the formula of Coca-Cola so that it is less ... Coke the drug."The Tsar explains.

"Sure." Nicholas accepts.

Tsar Alexander III and Tsesarevich Nicholas agreed on the last loose ends and doubts they had between them.

Publicly on the other hand Tsesarevich Nicholas and his father the Tsar were simply the heir and ruler of Russia. The young Nicholas was now working in the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Industry as an administrator of some projects to gain experience in governance.

This learning process also included being present at certain meetings of Tsar Alexander III with important ministers and advisers, attending business meetings, diplomacy, interacting with local administrators, etc.

*******

[Boulangerism]

"Boulangisme" in French, also translated as Boulangerism, is the name that the movement led by George Ernest Boulanger would receive in his rise as Minister of War and later as leader of the Second French Empire before the martial law imposed before the terrorist attacks in Paris.

Immediately the Ministry of War between 1885 and 1886 would take a series of measures:

1-Reorganization of personnel and search for "dangerous elements" of Marxist terrorist origin.

2-Adoption of the Lebel rifle as an army standard.

3-Institution of new colonial troops of Algerian origin.

4-Reorganization of the national gendarmerie.

5-Reorganization of the military high command.

6-Reorganization of the military engineering squads.

7-Reorganization of border surveillance (especially Alsace-Lorraine and the Franco-Italian border).

8-Reorganization of the counterintelligence service.

9-Improvement of the living conditions of the barracks.

10-Replacement of the bowl of rations with plates.

11-Replacement of common beds with box springs.

12-Abolition of military exemptions for young bourgeois who are studying (and who are possibly radicalized by liberal-republican ideas ...).

13-Elimination of military exemptions for ecclesiastics, but Catholic priests continue to play a role in the army.

The national gendarmerie led by Boulanger (hero of the Franco-Italian skirmishes in Tunisia, veteran of the French civil war) would march on Paris to bring order, before the appointment of Boulanger by Napoleon IV as "Généralissime" with exceptional powers.

Thus executing the constitution and democratic elements of the Second French Empire.

After the Franco-Prussian War and the French Civil War, the Second French Empire was reeling, the radical movements of socialist origin although they had their nationalist touches, they opposed the monarchy and had assassinated various French officials (such as the previous minister of war...). There were still Republicans, former members of the Paris commune, anti-Bonapartists, etc.

The Boulangist movement set out to end social instability in France and restore "Honor lost" (Honneur perdu) in recent military conflicts. For this obviously, General Boulanger needed economic and political support and to eliminate threats based on military power.

Forget the redundancy, English capitalists were more than willing to support the Boulanger dictatorship, and the nationalist peasant mass was a numerically important part of the movement.

So the problem was still to unite the politics of the right (nationalists, bonapartist, some members of the church, liberals, etc.) and the left (members of the left who could cooperate with Boulanger).

The Boulangist movement was based then, on what Boulanger himself would later define as Patrie et Peuple (Homeland and People), to unify the French population:

* Patrie: The promise that France would take revenge on Germany to regain Alsace-Lorraine, and potentially Indochina.

* Peuple: The promise of a social reform that would solve the French economic and social problems (economic problems, terrorism, social security, etc).

The Boulangist movement then created the Sénat D'urgence Nationale (Senate of National Emergency), which created a coalition of:

* Boulangists / loyalists to Boulanger (members of the army, administration officials, some peasants and businessmen, etc). 35% of the Sénat.

* Nationalists and Bonapartists (overlapping a bit).

* A couple of members of the Catholic clergy.

* Liberals and bourgeois (provided they were financial support of the Bonapartist monarchy).

* Blanquistas and other left movements (mainly union) to provide a validation of the advice to the French left.

At first it was seen that the Blanquists could be dangerous, but the Blanquists of the Boulanger government had abandoned the movement of Marie Édouard Vaillant and formed their own Central Committee Socialiste Révolutionnaire Boulangiste (Central Socialist Revolutionary Boulangist Committee).

The blanqusimo, developed by Louis Auguste Blanqui (1805-1881), did not believe in popular movements or in the importance of the working class like Marxism, he believed in the need for a coup by a select and small group that would implement socialism .

Of course when the Blanquists were in government, they never made a coup.

The few socialist members (members of Unions) would also be part of many of Boulanger's future reactionary policies, such as his rampant anti-Semitism and systematic violence against "dangerous elements."

Between 1886 and 1887 the Orleanists and Legitimists, some with whom Boulanger himself had served, would first be purged. By law, French claimants to the House of Bourbon and the Orleans were banned from France.

Anti-Boulangist and Boulangist violence ran through the early years of the regime.

* English perspective.

The Boulanger regime in general was well regarded in the UK, the English thought it would bring order, and more importantly, the French could be England's shield and cannon fodder against Germany.

Various English businessmen and capitalists would continue to support the Boulanger regime, which began with certain economic policies to try to reactivate the French economy with much more force. For example, some industries were privatized and others were nationalized, the state began to influence certain companies, infrastructure projects to create work in an 'artificial' way, etc.

The English were less aware of the danger of the rhetoric and nationalistic spirit of the Boulanger regime during the government of Napoleon IV.

The French hadn't eaten up their pride, totally, they still had their own ambitions, and plans.

*******

* Austro-Hungarian perspective.

Kaiser Rudolf I inspected his hunting rifle, the Emperor of Austria-Hungary was concerned and felt like a deer trapped in a hunting field. Germany was threatening the European balance dangerously, the United Kingdom and Russia were not allies of Austria-Hungary and France had fallen into a military dictatorship, which complicated the Paris-Vienna axis.

In addition, Rudolf's liberal ideals were in constant attack, he hated German militarism and his nationalism, but now he was forced for geopolitical reasons to stay with France, which was precisely on an autocratic route.

Furthermore, while the English diplomatic service was still trying to maintain the Vienna-Paris alliance, Kaiser Rudolf felt very tired ...

The problems of Austria-Hungary did not stop, Kaiser Rudolf still felt the pressure of the ethnic conflicts and the refusals of the Hungarian magnates in the Austro-Hungarian politics. Attempts to surround the moguls for the moment had not worked.

The Austro-Hungarian government of Rudolf I at the moment was extremely moderate, refusing to apply unnecessary military violence while economically pursuing Austrian liberalism (as opposed to Russo-German protectionism, and whatever France was doing). He obviously receiving some English money, although not as much as the French.

Kaiser Rudolf I had thought about committing suicide during those days, but finally did not have the courage to pull the trigger. He simply renewed the Paris-Vienna alliance due to the English pressure and the external and internal pressure on his shoulders.

Failure to do so would have led to Austria-Hungary being surrounded and friendless, Germany, Italy and Romania (and probably other Balkan states) would have torn the Habsburg empire apart.

*******

* Russian perspective.

Tsar Alexander III did not know how to think about the Boulanger regime yet, he certainly did not like the idea at all, the Tsar himself understood that drastic measures might be needed to deal with terrorists but the French did unnecessary violence, such as against Eliezer Ben-Yehuda , other Jews and socialists.

Russia's first experience with the 'New France' (Nouvelle-France) was Deputy Minister Mikhail Skobelev visiting Paris, with the aim of seeing the product of the new suppliers of French military backpacks and see if they would be used for the tsarist army.

*******

"I hope you are enjoying your visit, Mr. Skobelev." The French 'generalissimo' exclaims meeting with General Mikhail Skobelev.

"It is an interesting sight." Skobelev responds with manners.

"I hear you've been talking to some of my generals, I must say that France might be interested in some deals with Russia, the Russian army seems to be in good shape from the last war with the Ottomans." Boulanger mentions.

"If you want to discuss something like that, discuss it with the Tsar first, I have no power over the making of military agreements." Skobelev responds promptly.

"Understood, but I think the opinion of an illustrious general like yourself is important. Although I must say that it would be interesting to meet Tsar Alexander III in person." Boulanger exclaims, he had heard rumors about how Russia worked. But they were just rumors, not something he had seen with his eyes ...

"... I think France, Russia and the UK should stop Germany before it's too late. But again, I have no power in Tsar Alexander III, whatever talk you ... or your emperor, want to have with the Tsar, you must go directly to him or to the minister Nikolai de Girs. " Skobelev insists. .

Mikhail Skobelev was not a believer in democratic or constitutional ideals, in fact he was a nationalist, Slavophile and militant but he believed that the French regime lacked heart.

*******

[French nobles and Russia]

With the Orleanistas and legitimistas de facto and de-jure in exile, these in their majority resided in Spain. Curiously, Juan Carlos María Isidro de Borbón, Count of Montizón, father of King Carlos VII of Spain, was supported by the ultra-conservative factions of the French Legitimists as the next Legitimist candidate after the death of Henry V (August 1883).

But by agreements between the Legitimists and Orleanists during the "reign" of Henry V, the legal successor was Prince Philippe of Orléans, Count of Paris.

In addition, Don Juan Carlos and Carlos VII did not want to make much international uproar, so neither of them claimed (but neither denied) a claim to the French throne, which was occupied by the Bonaparts for the time being.

Due to this, Prince Louis Philippe Robert d'Orléans, son of Prince Philippe, moved from Spain to Russia, since he was not welcome in the United Kingdom after the death of Queen Victoria (product of the alliance Edward VII and Napoleon IV).

The young prince joined the Russian army and moved to the Caucasus, where he developed his passion for geography by making maps about the topography and geography of the Caucasus, as well as taking an interest in natural science.

As if that were not enough, Napoleon IV (and Generalissimo Boulanger) would "allow" Prince Napoleon Louis Josef Jérôme Bonaparte (son of Prince Napoléon Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte and brother of Napoléon Victor Jérôme Frédéric Bonaparte, heir, for the moment, of Napoleon IV ) do the same, moving to Russia to join the Russian army.

Obviously in two completely different places, and Louis Bonaparte was under constant surveillance by the Okhrana (to make sure he wasn't a spy).

The truth is that Boulanger did not want to spy on the Russians, but he wanted to form some goodwill with the Russians and French in Russia before planning a visit to discuss state affairs.

After the French Civil War there was a diaspora that included Legitimists, Orleanists, Republicans, and Bonapartists in Russia. Boulanger wanted to win some points at home by "remembering" the French abroad.

Tsar Alexander III on the other hand decided to accept Prince Napoleon at the insistence of the French embassy, there was little chance of improving Franco-Russian relations after all.

The fact that Philippe of Orleans was in the Russian army did not suppose anything, he did not receive state support of any kind and Russia did not recognize the claims of his family. He was more of a curiosity and a new migrant.

*******

* Perspective Charles "Charlie" (Filippovich) Aigle.

"What are we watching?". Young Charles asks his father in one of the many museums in St. Petersburg.

"This is one of the many pieces of art that Russia recovered after the war in France, it is part of our history Charlie." Philippe Aigle responds by teaching his son Charles, Mona Liza (Мона Лиза) or Dzhokonda (Джоконда).

"Hmm ... it's kind of boring." Young Charles does not hold back, of course he is barely 5 years old. Philippe laughs a bit as he struggles to continue teaching his young son some of his heritage as a French émigré.

A decade had already passed for the French community in Russia, and of course this community continued, France was simply not in the best condition. The Bonapartists could go (but not everyone wanted to, for economic reasons ...) but the Orleanists, Loyalists and others did not feel comfortable with the new France, and many had already formed a life in Russia.

That only among the upper class, the lower-middle-class French in Russia did not plan to move, they had their farms, vineyards and jobs in Russia, there was not much to go back to France for.

And obviously now there was a second generation of French immigrants in Russia, growing up with Russian institutions.

Young Charles Aigle in particular grew up thinking more about the comics in the morning papers, produced by Russian or French. He cared little about politics, but the French community in Russia on the other hand was somewhat moved by the presence of two different members of the French royalty living in Russia.

*******

[The Russian comic]

The creation of the Imperatorskaya Gazeta (Imperial Newspaper) marked a before and after in the Russian comic book, with the establishment of a standard about the structure and shape of the Russian Lubok.

The popular Russian comic was a series of sequential images in color or black and white, using "bubbles" as space for dialogue between characters. Although it had no particular drawing or design style, it can be said that the Russian Lubok was still in a time of early experimentation (but still aimed at children or the general public).

Now without so many spelling errors, but where the symbolism of the drawing was still important (after all, Russian iconography was still closely linked to spiritual aspects).

Of course this would only be the standard among publishers of Russian-Slavic origin, publishers of Francophone migrants in Russia had their own origin and there were still copies of Japanese manga in the Russian Far East.

In a sense they were part of the same body (the Russian comic) but they drank from different influences and cultural styles from different origins.

*******

[International]

On July 3, the German Karl Benz reveals the Benz Patent Motorwagen to the public ... unfortunately sales crash the same month when the Romanov cars start arriving in Germany about 20 days later.

On July 9 as such the Hall-Hérout process is patented, it is a curious story, in the United States Charles M. Hall was patenting his method of refining aluminum when independently at a close date, the French Paul Héroult discovered the same process.

On July 23, the sale of Russian cars begins, Romanov, a product of the Russian Carriage Works, immediately the car becomes quite successful and begins to be sold in other regions of Europe (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Sweden-Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom).

On July 25, Robert Cecil officially becomes the 30th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

September 4, Apache leader Geronimo surrenders to US troops.

On September 9, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is signed in Berne, Switzerland, for the regulation of copyright.

September 13, Nagasaki Incident.

********

[Russian Carriage Works: Romanov]

It is on July 23 when the sale of Romanov cars, product of the Russian Carriage Works (and other associated companies and state interests related to the project) finally begins.

But before talking about the success of the Russian automotive industry, we could talk about everything that was behind it, such as Russian technological innovation regarding mass production aimed at the production of such vehicles that could be accessible to the average individual and exported abroad, etc.

But we can also talk about all the work in public relations, marketing and branding that the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Industry put behind the Romanov cars (Made in Russia), to make them an even greater success.

The market strategy was devised in part by Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich in working with other members of the ministry, members of the ministry of transport and railways (Sergei Witte) and to a lesser extent Tsar Alexander III in terms of approval.

On the one hand it was clear that a Romanov car was simply far superior to local competitors, in design and build, much cheaper and easier to produce but still maintaining quality. Benefits and features mentioned in catalogs and advertising.

To further enhance the image, each purchase of a car produced by the RVZ (Российский вагоностроительный завод, Rossiyskiy Vagonostroitel'nyy Zavod) would come with a survey about consumer opinions and that they came with coupons that offered possibilities of discounts on future purchases or repairs in the services offered by the RVZ.

Word of mouth and the influence of rapid sales in cities, newspapers, etc., caused that soon there would be an interested and curious mass in the purchase of the Made in Russia cars.

In Russia itself, the RVZ expanded its services with the creation of Customer Service Offices (Офисы обслуживания клиентов, Ofisy Obsluzhivaniya Kliyentov) that offered:

* Damage repair.

* Vehicle customization.

* Customer service (help related to problems with RVZ products).

* Use of coupons or other discounts.

Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Saratov, Kiev, Warsaw, Helsinki and other major producing cities received the first Russian Customer Service Offices.

This particular customization potential proved useful, Russia could create particular limited edition series that it sold regionally or as some particular gifts. For example, through the New Silk Road various European monarchs received some regional limited editions that soon more nobles and European upper class wanted for their rarity, style and peculiarities.

King Christian IX of Denmark and Prince Wilhelm of Prussia were some of the most famous to receive limited editions for Denmark and Germany, also Rober Cecil, Prime Minister received a Romanov car as a gift celebrating his official promotion as Prime Minister.

The European middle class masses, tired of horse riding and unable to afford the high prices of other local producers, simply started buying a Romanov for its price, comments from friends and family, among other characteristics.

This would be vital for the Russian auto industry, it was clear that now Made in Russia cars were quality but affordable, that they could be successfully produced and sold inside and outside of Russia.

The success saw the RVZ grow to new heights with customer service offices and factories, while inside Russia also came new innovators who wanted their share of the pie (some natives and some foreigners who wanted a bit of the opportunities of success in Russia).

********

[RVZ: Military]

"One call and we can switch production from civilian vehicles to military-industrial complex vehicles." Tsar Alexander III explains to Tsesarevich.

"Amazing!" Nicholas exclaims. "But you know, at the moment we still have to continue to innovate in the production of civil vehicles, we cannot lose the leadership in the industry."

"We already have Blinov and various IIRs working, in addition to office service studying the reports of satisfied buyers." Tsar Alexander III reports. "I need the Ministry of Finance to start making more lists for future projects."

"I'll work on it." Nicholas promptly exclaims.

While in Pleistocene Park the Bronevik (or Medved) continued to develop, Russia continued to prepare for future industrial wars, this implied a cooperation between various producers and the state to meet the need for the Russian war machine.

The Russian tsar began to have in his power the ability to change the production of civilian vehicles to military, and with a single call to initiate a greater production of armaments.

Sino-Japanese War]

September 13, the Nagasaki Incident occurs, Chinese soldiers create riots in the city of Nagasaki, Japan, while they were off duty. In the incident, not only part of the city is burned, but 57 Japanese citizens and 104 Europeans (Germans, English, Russians and French) die.

This is obviously the last straw, the Japanese are fed up with the Qing dynasty and its refusal to apologize or pay for the damage caused by its soldiers in a Japanese port (after years when the Qing sank a Japanese diplomatic ship).

Given this, on September 19, the Empire of Japan declares war on the Qing dynasty, initiating the Sino-Japanese war, a battle occurs in the straits that results in a victory for the Imperial Japanese Navy over the Qing navy.

Obviously for Russia, the Joseon dynasty is off limits to combat so the Imperial Japanese Army has to wait while the IJN has the right to stop at Russian ports to stop. Something that Qing protests against.

The IJN and the IJA have different objectives, the IJN wants to go to southern China to conquer Taiwan and Hainan, while the IJA prefers to go to the Yalu River to start the fight for Manchuria.

On September 25, the IJN amphibious attack fails but fortunately this week the German imperial army decides that it is time to advance from North Vietnam to southern China (Yunnan). It is not clear whether it is to conquer or simply loot, but Germany and Japan are beginning to court Russia to enter the conflict against Qing.

The death of French citizens also motivates Generalissimo Boulanger to initiate discussions with Russia and Japan for a French participation.

*******

[Sino-Japanese Conflict: Russia]

Tsar Alexander III met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikolai de Girs, State Councilors, the Minister of War Iosif Romeyko-Gurko, deputy minister Mikhail Skobelev and the Tsesarevich Nicholas was present as well.

"We will begin projecting plans for the war against Qing." Tsar Alexander III announces.

"Wait. Why help Japan and Germany?" The Tsesarevich dares to ask.

"Preventively eliminate the threat posed by Qing towards our interest in Korea. Continue to keep the Japanese economy subordinate through joint operations in the war and support our interests in the Imperial Japanese Navy at the same time. Take advantage of the foreign situation of Sino-German relations and take advantage of the fact that Europe is not willing to help Qing. Finally capture Manchuria. I should continue? " Tsar Alexander III answer.

"We will prepare the Trans-Siberian for the transport of troops, we already have defense positions in Central Asia and the border with Mongolia." Minister Iosif Romeyko-Gurko responds promptly.

"Very well, we must have the administration and supplies ready." Tsar Alexander III mentions. "Girs, we are going to discuss with Korea and the Lanfang Republic a declaration of independence of both from Qing."

"Immediately. How should we talk to Germany?" Minister Nikolai de Girs questions.

"For the moment we will talk more with Japan, but let's not burn any bridges with Germany in case the situation gets out of control." The tsar explains.

*******

[Semifinals]

* Saint Petersburg vs Novo Arkhangelsk: The Saint Petersburg team beats the Novo Arkhangelsk team by 1 to 0.

* Saratov vs Vladivostok: Vladivostok's team beats Saratov's team by 3 to 2.