Of goods and bads? (April-June, 1905)

Post-Reformation]

It should be said that obviously the waves around Russia after the political reform were not completely positive, the Russian government insisted (with good sense) on reinforcing the public doctrine of religious tolerance and avoiding inter-religious violence.

The abolition of the Pale of Settlement (officially) raised some discontent among anti-Semitic portions of the population throughout Russia, largely because of the history of anti-Semitism in Russia (a long and bloody history).

Especially between April 17 and 19 is where the most incidents occurred, especially in some regions of the Polish Congress (which concentrated a considerable part of Russia's huge Jewish population) and focal points of Western Russia.

The Buddhist (Japanese Buddhist populations, Korea and the Kalmyks), Muslim (parts of the Caucasus, Central Asia and some other parts of the Russian Empire) and traditional regions (parts of Alyáska, Siberia, etc.) remained less affected, there was no great change in the religious demographics of the Russian Empire.

Orthodox Christianity was the main religion, followed by Islam (Sunni), then Catholic Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and finally other non-Christian religions (shamanism-animism, etc).

If we added all Christianity into a single category, this was the main religion, but if we separated Christianity there were more Sunni Muslims than Catholics in Russia.

The United States reported certain incidents regarding American-Jewish citizens present in Russia suffering some violence due to these inter-religious problems.

But this denunciation did not escalate beyond this, in part due to the United States busy with other affairs and the decline of anti-Jewish pogroms in Russia.

But this religious tolerance weren't Russia's only problems.

Democracy is very good in theory, but as one thinks more about it, cracks appear depending on the situation. A country as huge and multi-ethnic as Russia (with its particular history and sociology) suffered certain problems with the announcement of democratic reforms.

Democracy supposed the formation of possible regionalisms, giving voting power to masses that did not feel Russian could be a serious problem (although the government also fought against separatism).

This is why conservative masses, right-wing populists and Russian nationalists (chauvinists of the great Russians, ultra-nationalists, militant pan-Slavists, etc.) obviously began to 'prepare' against separatist ideas, regional nationalisms and other parties that they would see as problematic. .

A violence of a political nature and to a certain extent ethno-cultural.

There were also such individuals among ethno-cultural minorities, but they did not have the strength and popularity to make large groups as if the Great Russians could and the support they had within the Triune Nation.

The cases of violence were mainly in the Caucasus, a region of quite strong and warrior peoples, around May 23 and 27. However, it did not result in major problems (there were few or no deaths, and the police managed to keep the situation stable).

The relationship between the ethnic groups of the Russian Empire was cordial or positive most of the time, although there were also occasional conflicts. Like for example Armenians and Azeris, Georgians and Armenians, Chechens and Russians, etc.

The problem of multi-ethnic and geographically extensive countries has often been the dilemmas of centralism and federalism, the ethno-cultural autonomy of minorities with respect to the majority or inter-ethnic relations between groups of similar sizes, preservation or acculturation-conversion, etc.

Russia was entering a new, more democratic period than the previous one and had to deal with all these problems again, which could be more easily dealt with (or forgotten) during the autocracy.

* [Lodz, Petrovskaya]

Similar to the problems in April, on June 21, events related to the Jewish and non-Jewish population of Russia occurred, in the city of Lodz of the Petrovskaya governorate, the politician Roman Stanisław Dmowski leader of the 'National Democracy' (Narodowa Demokracja, abbreviated as ND) was campaigning for a popular vote for the ND to come to the Russian government.

Dmowski was a pro-deal candidate (after many of the Polish nationalist-separatists suffered decline and / or fall under the Alexandrian government), that is, he believed that the violent revolution for Poland to separate from Russia would always end badly for Poland, and therefore agreements and diplomacy were needed.

* Independence would be achieved, but not through violence.

And he also had pro-Russian stances (due to Dmowski's opposition to Germany), but obviously Dmowski still had his problems.

During Dmowski's leadership in the ND, from 1905 onwards (1912 being the greatest example), the ND carried out boycotts of Jewish businesses and there were even attacks by Polish extremists on Jews in the Polish Congress.

Anti-Semitism (and other attacks, mainly rhetorical-ideological, against minorities) were one of Dmowski's biggest problems, which the Alexandrian government and political enemies (other Russian parties) capitalized on to further diminish the popularity of Polish separatism.

Important figures and extremists were arrested for various periods of time, intelligent use of propaganda and other measures, obviously the ND never gained extreme popularity among other groups in the Polish Congress (Jews, Russians, Belarusians, Germans and Lithuanians).

This was a problem for Poland, since the ND among all its parties was the parties was one of the strongest and the only one still with separatist ideas (although it was not immediate).

For this reason, many of the delegates or parties voted, and which grew in popularity, were simply autonomists or did not have a position towards Polish separatism.

*******

* Foreign opinions of the reform.

Opinions on political reform abroad were not too many, partly because foreigners were busy or because of geographical distance they did not receive much news from Russia, or did not care about the matter.

It was also too SOON to form an opinion, the reform was written on paper but most of its results were still unknown.

Germany and the United States had no interest in the internal affairs of Russia during this period.

The People's Republic of France viewed the reforms in a positive light as it meant the 'death' of the last autocracy and a more democratic path, although the monarch still had powers. It was a start.

The Second French Empire (monarchical France in exile), saw this as a degeneration, because democracy was bad according to the ideology of the French state in exile.

And Britain didn't really have an opinion, no matter how democratic or liberal Russia was (they weren't very liberal to begin with), Russia was still the enemy.

The reform in the UK was received without encouragement or disgust. A barbarian wearing silk was still a barbarian.

*******

[Russo-Japanese war]

After months of discussion, on May 27/28 (time differences), the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan sign the Treaty of Tsushima, which ends the conflict between the two states.

There were several reasons behind the signing of the treaty, such as the cleaning of the administration (purges made problematic elements such as the Black Dragon Society ... and some conservatives), economic crisis, civil strikes and obviously the war itself, but we must not forget the political-social and economic factors.

According to the treaty:

* Russia obtained the whole of the island of Sakhalin, the Kuril archipelago and some positions in the Japanese Pacific (minor islands under Japanese sovereignty).

* Japan recognized the Russian possession of these islands and also the Russian possession of the Tsushima archipelago.

* Japan had to pay reparations for the damage to Russian positions, caused during the war.

* Japan would still hold Taiwan and the main islands of the Japanese archipelago (from the Ryukyu Islands to Hokkaido).

The most particular would be the Philippine issue, there were moral and geo-political-economic-social issues. Japanese colonialism in the region had resulted in various crimes against humanity (by modern standards), the systematic extermination of native settlements (burning, murdering children, babies and the elderly), forced recruitment, violence against civilians, imprisonment or execution of politicians natives, etc.

But now there were serious problems, Japan as a nation more homogeneous and numerous than the Philippines, had sent many settlers to the islands. Populating places like Manila with a large number of ethnic-cultural Japanese.

Economically, the Philippines was a problem (especially after the economic crisis, the need to pay for repairs, and the other Japanese economic problems).

But for sheer pride and the presence of the Japanese population, it was difficult to deal with the Philippine issue.

Russia wanted Japan to leave the Philippines peacefully before it was too late, and the Japanese government (now heavily influenced by the Imperial Diet) understood that the Philippines was too costly with the loss of positions in the Pacific and the loss of economic assets.

But what was to be done with the Japanese population?

Japan had a presence in the archipelago from 1897, but in a relatively short period of time they managed to exile or murder many natives to place Japanese settlers, especially in urban regions and parts of the south-central Philippines.

Damaging Filipino political and cultural movements in the process.

There were also questions regarding the form the Philippine government would take due to conflicts between revolutionary-guerrilla groups.

Tsar Alexander III proposed the creation of an armistice between Japan and the more moderate groups so that a transfer of ethnic Japanese to the main islands could be carried out.

But this was still expensive and time-consuming, plus not all settlers wanted to leave the Philippines (it was not a question that the Philippines had been under the Japanese wing for a long time, it was problems at home that persuaded settlers not to return).

Every wasted moment would mean more deaths and lost money, but Japan and Russia were simply not in a position to come up with a solution to this problem.

That is why the Tsushima Treaty involved a secret clause for the resolution of the Philippine question, with a negotiation with certain guerrilla groups to reach the dissolution of the colonial government in the archipelago.

But again, this would take time ...

*******

[Greek intervention]

The Bulgarian-Russian forces continued without many problems through the north-center of Greece, heading for the intervention towards Athens. The Tsardom forces of Bulgaria and the Russian Empire were superior in supplies and weaponry, although it did not mean that the war in mountainous Greece was easy.

Fortunately, with the tide of war against Greece, various popular guerrillas allied with the Russian Empire against the Greek nationalist government.

On June 21, after months of the intervention force, Bulgaria and Russia finally entered the city of Athens to bring order to the Hellenic state.

Various Greek Orthodox priests come to the city from Tsargrad, who are in a difficult position (to choose between the Tsargrad patriarchate and Greece), diplomats-representatives of Russia-Bulgaria, non-nationalist Greek politicians and others.

The Greek Orthodox priests decided, after negotiations, to denounce the practices of the nationalists (it was either that or be expelled from the straits, and in part, increasingly become outcasts of the Orthodox world).

King George I reorganized his parliament along more liberal-populist lines, while many nationalist and extremist politicians received the consequences of his actions.

The problem, Greece could not escape unscathed.

After such an event, Ionia and Bulgaria were to receive rewards for helping Russia punish Greece (and Greece was to continue to be punished for such actions).

The battleship Potemkin and others established 'international' occupation on the island of Crete on June 27.

The final treaty was resolved on June 29.

* It ended up removing Aegean islands from Greece in favor of Bulgaria, Russia and Ionia, to continue the weakening of the Greek fleet against the most loyal Russosphere.

* Bulgaria would get the Greek parts of Thrace and East Macedonia.

* The island of Crete would be occupied by forces from Ionia, Bulgaria and Russia for an indefinite period of time while the stabilization of the post-conflict region continued.

*******

* Perspective of the Potemkin, June 27.

The Aegean breeze fluttered the coalition flags of Bulgaria, Russia and Ionia, whose sailors were enjoying a large gathering. Running everything was the Russian ship, the battleship Potemkin (Prince Potemkin Tavrichesky).

"Let's celebrate!". Captain Evgeny Nikolaevich Golikov announcement. What was surprising to a few sailors and locals was the luxury that Russians could afford, especially in quantity-quality food.

"Hey, captain." One of the Ionian Muslims calls out to the Russians in the middle of the celebration.

"What's going on?". Golikov and some of the accompanying officers ask.

"We found some of the Turkish and Greek speaking Muslims still left in Crete, Jews and even Christians, they are willing to help us control the island in exchange for certain ... benefits." The Ionian explains simply.

"... We have caviar and lots of food, plus money. Make the offer." Golikov responds.

Despite the fact that Balkan countries had carried out population exchanges, Greece was one of the least successful. Product of its independence from the Russosphere with respect to others, a large number of Muslims, and the effects of nationalist ideas.

Due to fear of retaliation and conflict, the Russian navy and Aegean Muslims collaborated extensively to maintain local occupation forces, for the 'stability and peace' of the region.

In exchange for the benefits of course, the coalition gained power, weakening Greek ambitions and territory, while the Muslims scaled back (to some extent) and could have money-resources in return.

There were also Greek collaborators of Greek Orthodox Christian origin and Greek Jews.

Anyone who will help the coalition's goal was a relatively welcome, bilateral deal.

*******

[Consequences of wars]

The conflicts in Japan and Greece would be obvious. For the Russian national pride it was a quick and justified conflict, the population was in the worst case, indifferent or supported the regional conflict.

However, socio-economically they were very important to the losers.

In Japan it marked the end of the Black Dragon Society, but it also greatly weakened the Imperial Japanese Army, the Imperial Japanese Navy and the conservative-nationalists of Japan.

The imperial regime and the liberal-leftists became increasingly prominent, and it even seemed obvious that for the next few years, they would overshadow the Prime Minister.

The population was still strongly affected economically and socially, the anti-war demonstrations, strikes and popular movements of the left gained more and more strength.

Leading to the formation of more unions and the growing popularity of liberalism and socialism in traditionally more conservative Japanese society.

*

In Greece this brought a disastrous period in Greek national pride, as long as Ionia had Russian support, it would keep the Greek portions of Anatolia.

Bulgaria had gained Greek territory, and international forces were occupying Crete.

Without a doubt, a disaster of the political right movements in Greece.

This instability would cause the radicalization of parts of Greek society, in urban regions anarchist and socialist movements would emerge, among other leftists, who saw the failures of the Greek nationalist movement, and how dangerous it was.

But there were also moderates and conciliators, who saw the need to abandon extreme nationalism, without going too far towards the radical left.

Moderates, liberals and Orthodox priests who believed in the need to stabilize the situation, cooperation with neighbors, etc.

There was a new government in Athens that regained control, yes. But foreign troops still had the potential to intervene, and Greece remained a nation divided internally, and weak economically and politically.

It's just that foreign pressure managed to avoid more violent civil conflict, and drove dangerous elements out of Greece.

*******

[International]

April 1, the Imperial Preference treaties come to fruition between the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, imposing such economic conditions on the Cape colony of South Africa.

This unites the Home Islands and their white dominions more economically, leading to greater integration.

Why is the Cape Colony the only one to receive this treatment? Because it is the nexus of economic union between Canada, UK, New Zealand and Australia, without Cape Colony there is not a sufficiently effective union between all parties (product of the loss of Suez).

While India is important, no British man of the time wanted to give Indians so much power. India, by sheer force of number, would have much power over the British Empire if they were given representation.

April 2, the Socialist Union of Hispania and the Popular Republic of Frencia officially establish the Socialist Republic of Andorra.

The region was occupied during the civil war in France, installing a socialist regime. Andorra speaks mainly Catalan but was quite isolated from Spain and France due to the geography of that country.

For this reason, although Andorra could be integrated into the Catalan Socialist Republic in Iberia, a Socialist Republic of Andorra was created. Said republic being 'independent'.

Although for security reasons, France and Iberia placed troops in the country, effectively creating a socialist condominium.

April 4, starts a pseudo-revolution in Bengal and Punjab (first in the Kangra valley more specifically), based on revolutionary movements of left-wing dyes.

More than 40,000 people rise up in militias in the aforementioned regions to oppose British colonialism.

Bengal is in the midst of a famine certainly (and the conflict does not help), but most of the control remains in the hands of Lord Curzon's government.

The problem is the guerrilla war carried out by the native rebels of South Asia, but it does not mean that the British government can carry out authoritarian measures to put the rest of the population down.

The Punjab-Bengal revolution continues, but it is not an easy fight.

April 6, the United States Supreme Court rules that the 8-hour workday is invalid in the Lochner v. New York.

Under the argument of violating the fourteenth amendment, calling the 8-hour shift "unreasonable, unnecessary and arbitrary interference with the right and liberty of the individual to contract."

During this time, the Supreme Court simply sought to go against laws regulating labor at the state and federal level, supported by the importance of large corporations and unbridled capitalism in the United States.

But the socialists continued to gain some support among the underprivileged precisely because of this, in industrial states and some agricultural-rural states (because the American socialists were actually more of a coalition of factions).

April 30, physicist Albert Einstein completes his doctoral thesis in Saratov, Russian Empire. We are talking about "A New Determination of Molecular Dimensions" (Новое определение молекулярных измерений, Novoye opredeleniye molekulyarnykh izmereniy).

On May 11, Einstein uses his research on his doctoral thesis as the basis for delineating a stochastic model of Brownian motion (random movement of particles suspended in a liquid or gaseous medium). The text is "On the Motion of Small Particles Suspended in a Stationary Liquid, as Required by the Molecular Kinetic Theory of Heat" (О движении малых частиц, взвешенных в неподвижной жидкости, в соответствии с требованиями молекулярно-кинетической теории тепла , O dvizhenii malykh chastits, vzveshennykh v nepodvizhnoy zhidkosti, v sootvetstvii s trebovaniyami molekulyarno-kineticheskoy teorii tepla).

May 15, the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States is founded.

May 27-28, end of the Russo-Japanese war.

June 7, a paramilitary-civil conflict occurs in southern Sweden, conservatives against the republican government (composed of citizens and veterans who preferred the old monarchy) and anti-monarchical nationalists from Sweden.

The war between the two leads to extreme violence and repression in Sweden through the new Swedish army, where Norway and the United Kingdom send forces (and propaganda) against the monarchists, generally anti-British.

A young Adolf Hitler participated in these conflicts, although he was not notable, if the conflict itself was. He supposes the downfall of many of the monarchical ideas in Sweden.

June 15, Princess Margaret of Connaught marries Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden-Duke of Skåne (future Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden ... in exile of course).

*******

June 24, the United States Army finally occupies Mexico City, capital of the Second Mexican Empire, after a tough battle.

Minister-president Porfirio Diaz abdicates his government, but not to the United States. Diaz had sent the monarchy to Cuba for months and therefore the 'legitimate' government was there. All Porfirio does is retire to a comfortable life on the island of Cuba, moving away from politics.

Maximiliano takes emergency powers due to the state of war in Mexico (for now without appointing a new minister-president), and Germany takes more control of the Tehuantepec Canal.

The occupation of Mexico City angers all Mexicans even more, and the American invaders are confused because this is not the end of the war, it is more only intensifying with Mexican rebels increasing their activities.

In the midst of all this, Felix Diaz (Porfirio Diaz's nephew) declares himself as the legitimate heir to the Porfirio government, raising his own mini-army in central Mexico to fight the Americans near Mexico City.

Porfirio's popularity gave Felix Diaz some following, but he never had the competence necessary to be a successful leader like his uncle.

They also start more anti-American movements in southern Mexico, mainly of farm workers and Native Americans.

*******

June 29, scientist Albert Einstein publishes his text "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies" (Об электродинамике движущихся тел, Ob elektrodinamike dvizhushchikhsya tel), which establishes his theory of special relativity.

Due to this text, in September, Einstein rises considerably on the stage of Saratov, capital of science of the Russian Empire.