Public relations (October-December, 1873)

Internal situation]

The growing Russian economy reactivated through protectionist measures and state interventions (among other economic measures) while in other regions stock markets fell.

This led to an escape of foreign capital and some labor (initially slightly) to Russia, in its growing heavy industry and extraction of mineral resources.

The Long Depression mainly affected North America (United States), Western-Central Europe and other various parts of the world closely attached to the United Kingdom or colonial powers of the time.

For their part, the colonies of the Russian Empire did not have many problems, Alyáska only needed food and Novaya Gvineya had in itself very little economic development but a local sustenance agriculture.

The economic recession was therefore much less in the Russian Empire than in other more developed regions of the capitalist world, but in turn the Russian state was able to re-activate the economy more quickly.

Since the beginning of the Alexander III government, the Russian state had protectionist measures to promote local industry, because Russia, compared to other countries (at the beginning of the reign of Alexander III) was a feudal state with very little industry.

The protectionist response to the crash of the Vienna stock market (and following) can be understood as the evolution of the early economic policies of Alexander III's Russia.

The final months of 1873 were fairly uneventful ... for Russia at least.

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[Music]

December 7 (19 in NS), the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky had returned in August from some trips to Italy and Switzerland (for obvious reasons, the trip to Paris could not be ...), and now Tchaikovsky was about to release the fantasy Symphony, The Tempest (Буря Burya) in the city of Moscow.

It was quite the surprise of Russkiye Vedomosti (Russian Gazette), a left-liberal-tinged newspaper, of which Tchaikovsky was a writer (solely as a music critic to be honest), to see that Emperor Alexander III attended.

Everyone present rose to greet and only sat down after the emperor and companions (security) were seated.

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"I must say, it's my pleasure." Tchaikovsky mentions in a more private meeting with the Tsar and his personal after the show.

"Same here. Tell me Tchaikovsky, are you interested in a job offer?" Emperor Alexander III proposes.

"... Why exactly me?" Tchaikovsky asks certainly surprised.

"Because I think you still have a lot to offer Russia." Emperor Alexander III replied, "As much as education focused on technical aspects, we still need artists."

The Emperor Alexander III gave Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky the Order of Saint Vladimir (fourth degree), and he began to be sponsored by the emperor in music production. In part it was a beneficial relationship, the state getting uses for Tchaikovsky's talent, while Tchaikovsky himself could pay off debts and silence the worst rumors about his preferences (homosexuality) from him.

Tchaikovsky's contribution to Russian national music resonated quite strongly between the 1870s and 1890s, with contributions to ballet, opera, symphony, romance, etc.

There were certain relationships between Russian nationalism and pan-Slavism in some compositions, primitive propaganda so to speak.

There was also a vital economic and tourist component to this, under the vision of Emperor Alexander III and a number of friends, Tchaikovsky was able to present his music many times abroad, where it would gain special recognition in Germany and Italy in the late 1870s and 1880s. , even in America at the end of his life.

There was a resurgence of Russian traditional music at various levels, Tchaikovsky under his patronage of the Tsar, in particular, opposed the more "Europeanized" (or "sugary" songs as he sometimes defined them) and preferred a 'correct' harmony of Russian national elements in music (Orthodox-Byzantine elements for example). And there were important historical and cultural elements for Russia (one of the Tsar's favorites was Overture 1812).

Between the decades of 1850 and 1890 there was a certain Russian musical revival, some with more moderate compositions like Tchaikovsky and other more "radical" tones (to put it in some way, the search for certain new forms).

Other composers of these artistic branches, who were sometimes (but not all the time) sponsored by Emperor Alexander III were the members and associates of "The Mighty Handful": Miliy Alekseevich Balakirev (1837-1910), Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (1839 -1881), Alexander Porfirievich Borodin (1833-1887), Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) and Caesar Antonovich Cui (1835-1918), Vladimir Vasilyevich Stasov (1824-1906), etc.

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[Sports culture: The end]

After many matches, finally the first Russian Soccer League had come to an end, in St. Petersburg there were now two main fans, the fans of the Arkhangelsk team and the fans of the Kharkov team.

All the excitement of the Russian Empire had reached that point.

The main thing, in the opinions of Tsar Alexander III and the Russian state, is that an important base and development of a sports culture had indeed been formed around football-soccer.

There had also been economic success locally from the sale of team souvenirs and merchandise, and from the event itself.

The final match Kharkov against Arkhangelsk was also a surprise in itself, the first team of all Russia (Arkhangelsk) lost to the team from the city of Kharkov.

A 3 to 2 (Kharkov-Arkhangelsk) that shook the spirits from Poland to Vladivostok (unfortunately Alyáska and Novaya Gvineya were very far ...).

Due to the victory the Kharkov team received money and the first cup of the Russian Soccer League. Tsar Alexander III released a statement that the following games would be held in Kharkov 1876 (if there were no invoncennts).

This brought new attention and development to Kharkov as an early sports center of the Russian Empire alongside Saint Petersburg. The State Urban Planning Committee made plans in Kharkov for the construction of stadiums, pedestrian paths, public transport roads, bicycles and vehicles, etc.

The excitement of soccer in Russia from the first league onwards was on the rise, and throughout the following decades new championships were proposed in the Russian Empire (the main argument is that not all teams or regions could participate in such a large event as was the Russian Soccer League, where there were only going to be 16 teams from ALL of Russia, a geographically immense state).

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['Love' triangle: Russia, Korea and Japan?]

With a total of 21 years now, and after the failed isolation policy (which caused a Korean defeat at the hands of France and Russia, with the loss of the island of Quelpart) Queen Min and her allies have managed to get her husband, 21-year-old King Gojong took full royal responsibility for the Joseon dynasty's policy.

This has forced Regent Heungseon Daewongun to withdraw from politics towards his estate in Yangju. One of King Gojong's concubines (who was favored by Heungseon Daewongun) and his son, Prince Wanhwa, were also expelled.

As another direct result, the family and allies of Queen Min began to occupy important positions in the court, mainly being a reformist faction.

This of course had its repercussions on the stakeholders on the Korean peninsula: Russia and Japan. On the one hand the great Eurasian Empire and on the other hand the ambitious Asian empire in industrial growth.

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[Russian perspective]

"Should we re-engage in some kind of conversation with the Joseon dynasty?" Foreign Minister Alexander Gorchakov asks.

"Yes, but only if Joseon wishes it. To be clear, we will not offer Quelpart or the like in any type of negotiation." Emperor Alexander III responds.

"That could make some conversations difficult." Minister Gorchakov analyzes thinking about a possible Korean nationalism.

"Yes, but the Joseons need us." The Emperor of Russia responds.

In Russia, the removal of Heungseon Daewongun represented two positions in Russia's internal diplomatic discussions.

A "pro-Korean" stance and an "anti-Korean" stance, with the Russian possession of the islands of Quelpart and Tsushima in the Straits of Korea, the diplomacy of nearby countries-regions had to be treated with care, but also to take care of the Russian interests.

The pro-Korean stance proposed the rapprochement between Russia and Korea as opposed to China and Japan, this was primarily a faction within the government, more focused on the economic development of the Far East than on short-term expansion. But this had difficulties due to the Russian possession of Quelpart.

The anti-Korean stance proposed staying away from Korea, unless Korea was within the Russian sphere of influence (not as an ally but essentially as a client state). A proposal maintained by the military service and various of the Russian governors of the Far East.

Emperor Alexander III first preferred to observe the Joseon dynasty before rushing into a course of action.

Here the diplomat Nikolai de Girs is transferred from Stockholm to the Asian relations department, for the premeditated observation of the Joseon dynasty and Japan.

This decision causes the rise of Nikolai de Girs to a more prominent career due to the confidence of Gorchakov and Emperor Alexander III in him.

In general, the pseudo-regime change in Korea was also another reason to continue increasing the fortification of the Russian possession in the Pacific with the increase of infrastructure in Quelpart and Tsushima (partly thanks to the fact that the Russian Far East and Alyáska also grew considerably ).

Russian ambitions in Korea had two problems: the Qing dynasty and Japan. The little industrialized Asian giant and the archipelago in the process of industrialization.

Both, however, could pose problems separately.

[Japanese perspective]

The removal of Heungseon Daewongun was seen as a great opportunity for the opening of relations between Japan and Korea, obviously based on the learning of Japan regarding relations between Europe and China (the unequal treaties).

The Empire of Japan had ambitions on the Korean peninsula, which is why throughout the last three months of 1873 and the year of 1874, there were sporadic discussions for Japanese plans towards Korea. Some of whom were already proposing immediate annexation and other extremist actions, Marshal Saigo Takamori went so far as to propose to sacrifice themselves.

Saigo Takamori's plan was to go as an ambassador or on a diplomatic mission to offend the Korean authorities, causing his death and thus giving Japan a pretext to invade Korea.

However, cooler minds remained within the dominant circles of Japanese politics at the time, such as Iwakura Tomomi, Kido Takayoshi and Okubo Toshimichi.

Japan was simply not in the financial condition to carry out a campaign to the Korean peninsula. The Qing dynasty was also a problem, but the main counter-arguments were economic, the Meiji restoration had not yet prepared Japan for war against China.

However, the expansionist factions of the army had some points in their favor, neglecting Korea meant giving space to Russia to expand there, Russia was one of the countries that was visited by Iwakura Tomomi in 1873, the industry was growing in the Russian Empire.

The Russians had taken (through their greater economic, military and political weight) Japanese lands, and had taken advantage of them for their growth. Something that obviously went against the aspirations of Japan as a power equal to the European powers (for that time, imperialism and nationalism were the most exact definition of how to describe the Japanese aspirations to equal Europe and the United States).

[Korean perspective]

With many of the isolationists and nationalists affiliated with Heungseon Daewongun removed from power, Queen Min effectively ruled the court. Queen Min and other members of her family and her modernizing faction were opposed to Japan, which had interests in the region.

Korea could have an interest in learning from the small industrial revolution started in the Meiji Restoration (downplayed due to Japanese economic problems), without having to become slaves or part of Japan.

With a low-industrialized China and an ambitious Japan on the horizon, Korea was in a difficult place. But there were more ideas because Queen Min and some of the court reformers were interested in using Alexander III's Russia as a counterweight to Japan.

There were other supporters of the idea, because Russia could be an ally for modernization, and it was considerably close to Korea. For example the Independence Association or Independence Club in the 1890s.

Russia could also be a useful ally for the modernization of Korea, the problem was that also in later decades some pro-Japanese factions would grow or that opposed Russian influence in Korea (starting with the taking of Quelpart).

A problem for the pro-Russian or pro-Japanese factions however was the Qing dynasty of China.

Any ally had its advantages and shortcomings for the Joseon dynasty.

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[International]

According to some economists and historians, it is in early October that the United States of America should officially consider the start of the Long Depression.

With all the economic problems associated with this panic of 1873 and which also existed in many other regions, caused by a variety of reasons that continue to be studied (the speculation bubbles in Germany, Germany and the United States abandoning the silver standard, the economic situation English, civil wars in France and Spain, etc).

For the first time in the Third Carlist War the Republican side obtains a decent victory against Carlist forces in southern Navarra, endangering Carlist possessions in strategic positions in the north of the Iberian Peninsula.

Unfortunately this has not been enough to bring down the Carlist power in the region or in the Iberian Peninsula.

In Japan on November 10, Emperor Meiji establishes a Ministry of the Interior based on Western models, hoping to solve economic problems by establishing power structures that bring security and progress.

The Japanese police department is created in the image of European services to fight crime and defend the laws, avoid further problems for the state while it pays its debts, etc.

On November 18 the Irish Home Rule movements develop to form the Home Rule League. Just another step in the Irish fight.

On December 21, important events occur for the German Colonial Empire, the Black Flag Army attacks one of the German economic possessions in the region of Southeast Asia.

This has brought obvious annoyances to local German economic interests, prompting men like Eduard and Franz Hernsheim (Hamburg industrialists), Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, Christian Kraft Fürst zu Hohenlohe-Öhringen and Adolph Woermann, among others, to continue the projects of a German navy and the defense of the German Colonial Empire.

It helps that these men are mostly industrialists, but there are also nobles (like Christian Kraft Fürst zu Hohenlohe-Öhringen) and politicians (Adolph Woermann).

In France, on the other hand, the Bonapartist forces begin a new offensive for the re-conquest of Paris from the Legitimist-Orleanist forces, however they have had their difficulties even with Republican support.

In the south, on the other hand, the Legitimist-Orleanist armies are still lucky to take various cities in the south of France, getting dangerously close to the coasts where Austria-Hungary seeks an agreement with Italy to allow more aid to be brought to France (although it seems a difficult diplomacy right now...).

The wars in Western Europe and the collapse of the local economies of France and Spain cause other problems, for example everyone involved calls for a considerable recruitment of young men and adults, in a "compulsory" service.

Unfortunately for these governments, their poor conditions led to a massive flight of capital and labor, much of which looks to the east and their proposals for work and large lands, etc.

In February King Lunalilo of Hawaii dies, being succeeded by a new elected king, King Kalākaua.

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[Russian offer to Hawaii]

"Well, it seems that the Hawaiian monarchs die pretty quickly." Emperor Alexander III mentions.

"It is certainly problematic for diplomatic relations." Foreign Minister Gorchakov exclaims.

"Yes, but I think I have some offers for King Kalākaua." Tsar Alexander III mentions. "We probably can't have Hawai'i but at least I hope to have a neutral Hawaiian kingdom."

Emperor Alexander III of Russia offered a stay for various young Hawaiians in the educational faculties of Russia, education was a particular interest of King Kalākaua.

The Emperor of Russia also offered to invest in the construction of a more open and comprehensive educational institution for Native Hawaiians. However, obviously this did not come for free, it came in exchange for an increase in Russian commercial capacities in the archipelago.

King Kalākaua accepted, the first generation of native Hawaiian students (according to a European style) arrived in Vladivostok shortly after, plans were made so that in the next four years the promised educational institution would be built.

The main commercial port between the Russian Empire and Hawai'i was expanded, allowing better infrastructure and exchange between both nations.

Russia partly used this port to transport coal to Papua New Guinea, and goods from various parts of the Empire to other regions.