Preparations for the 80s (January-March, 1877)

Celebrating our heroes]

* Seyid Mir Mansur's perspective.

After months of preparation, Seyid Mir Mansur placed himself firmly behind on the right flank of Emperor Alexander III, as one of his royal guards. He obtained the position recently, it was curious to see a son of the former Emir of Bukhara protecting the emperor of Russia (state that conquered Bukhara).

Tsar Alexander III was handing out medals to Muslim soldiers who distinguished themselves in the war with the Ottoman Empire, unlike most medals (with Orthodox symbols) Muslims in the army were given medals with more Islamic or neutral symbols.

"Gentlemen, I must say that I am proud of you. There is a very important difference in the Russian language, there are the Rossiyane and the Russkie. Being a compatriot already brings something very important to the Russian state, it symbolizes that our origins do not matter as much as our citizenship. . There is an intricately linked destiny, between all of us "Tsar Alexander III exclaims to start handing out the medals to the Muslim soldiers (mostly of Tatar and Central Asian origin, there was less from the Caucasus this time).

"And tell me, what did you think?" Tsar Alexander III asks Seyid Mir Mansur.

"Eh? What do I think?" Seyid Mir Mansur exclaims in surprise. "Your Highness, I think my opinion is not that important."

"You were there, that's enough to ask for your opinion." Tsar Alexander III calmly sentences.

Seyid Mir Mansur was surprised.

"Tsar Alexander III was undoubtedly a curious person, the closest I had with a head of state before joining the emperor's guard was with my own father. But there was not much to remember after his death.

However in 1877 I began serving under Tsar Alexander III in Gatchina, and I must say it was certainly an experience.

St. Petersburg is mostly Orthodox and Slavic-European, and there I was, a Muslim born in Central Asia. But the tsar was truly interested in everyone, he would distribute bread equally, he would support services and opportunities to a large part of the citizens, he would distribute justice in the same way ... although that include using the Okhrana. "

-Diari of Seyid Mir Mansur as guard of Emperor Alexander III of Russia.

*******

[Russia World Exhibition preparations].

"So how much time do we have?" Emperor Alexander III asks Alexander Yegorovich Timashev, Russia's interior minister.

"Well, as the other powers still did not know the extent of our reforms, I was able to squeeze in a few more years. They expect the fair to be ready in 1880. 1881 at the latest. Is that enough?" Timashev exclaims discussing details with the tsar.

"Yes, it seems appropriate." Emperor Alexander III. "But it means that we must plan our exhibition and discuss with foreign delegations starting now."

"Right away." Timashev readily accepts.

*******

* Eiffel Tower (the Tower of the Sun) and other projects.

A metal tower of 304 architectural meters (or about 1000 feet), a heavy foot of masonry with the first floor joined by arches, divided into three main levels, with a design similar to a lighthouse, among many other details.

The Centennial Tower was devised by American engineers Clark and Reeves for the Philadelphia Exposition (Centennial Exposition) but it was never manifested into something physical.

Now Tsar Alexander III had brought this idea from the United States, presenting it to the French-Russian civil engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel.

"I must say, I am very interested in this project." Eiffel exclaims.

"Glad to hear it, I'm preparing it for a World Show in St. Petersburg." Emperor Alexander III explains accompanied by some members of the State Urban Planning Committee.

"How much time is there then?" The French engineer questions.

"From 3 to 4 years". The emperor responds.

"... Well, better start quickly." Eiffel sentences.

For the World Exposition of Saint Petersburg they initiated a series of projects for the preparation of said city, the Russian Empire had a remarkable possibility of teaching the industrial-technological development of Russia.

The St. Petersburg electric tram began to be seriously produced by Fyodor Apollonovich Pirotsky, the ELC would present the incandescent electric bulbs of Aleksandr Nikolaevich Lodygin and Vasily Fedorovich Didrikhson.

Advances in the chemical industry, etc.

The most massive architectural project would be the 'Eiffel Tower' or also called 'Tower of the Sun'.

A young Russian of Greek origins, Nikolai Nikolaevich Benardos would move to Saint Petersburg early to start on the aforementioned project (the Eiffel tower) and other projects under construction during this time.

*******

[Russian oil industry]

1877 arrives, and at the beginning of the month a group of three Russians with a common interest form an association that will certainly change the Russian economy with respect to oil. Recently graduated student Vladimir Grigorievich Shukhov, recognized by his professors as a prodigy, Aleksandr Veniaminovich Bari and his brother William Veniamovich Bari founded the Kuvskovsy Chemical Plant in Moscow.

Aleksandr and William were the children of a Russian migrant who left for Switzerland and the United States (due to his communication with Karl Marx), but his children were not interested in political life.

The Bari brothers returned to Russia because the elder's wife, Aleksandr, a German of Russian origin, wanted to continue living in the Russian Empire, prompting their migration to her motherland.

As Aleksandr and Vladimir Shukhov met at the Centennial Exhibition, they formed a friendship that led to their business relationship.

This trio went to Baku, where Vladimir Shukhov thought that the modern oil refinery of the epoch was currently quite inefficient.

Consequently, the Kuvskovsky Chemical Plant in joint work with Ludwig, Robert and Alfred Nobel (Swedes with previously established commercial relations with Russia), also called Petroleum Production Company Nobel Brothers or BraNobel has begun the development of the first massive oil pipeline of the Russian Empire.

In the eastern regions of Russian Azerbaijan (Baku), mainly developed (engineering speaking) by Vladimir Shukhov.

Surprisingly, it is expected that the project will be finished only in 1878 and the economic development of Russia will continue, since with the network of railways and transport of Russia, it could travel more quickly to Europe (the Europe west of Russia).

It could also possibly increase further with the government's focus on a Volga-Don Canal after the Trans-Siberian ends.

In later years, Shukhov would also come up with new oil cracking techniques.

*******

[Railways]

With the Transcaucasus railways completed, the Transcaspian Railroad project began, dedicated to the development of the economy of southern Russian Turkestan.

A project monitored and managed not only by the Ministry of Transport and Railways, but also by the military-civil administration of Russian Turkestan (guarding against possible crimes in the region and ensuring the security of the investment).

The young Sergei Witte for his part rose within the Ministry of Transport and Railways, becoming head of the administration of the Southwest Railways (Malorossiya, Novorossiya, parts of White Russia and Bessarabia).

Witte's immediate job is the economic success of these railways, further connecting the newly reclaimed territories (southern Bessarabia) and expanding the lines if necessary.

Russia and the Balkans]

1-Turkish-Muslim Migration Committee.

The Russian Empire already had many Muslim peoples within its territory, in the Caucasus, in Europe, in Central Asia, etc. Muslims were not something new to them, and depending on the type, they were more or less integrated into the Russian state (or in the process of integration).

But the Balkan states were different from the Russian Empire, as newly formed states lacked such experience, and would have problems with their Turkish-Muslim populations if something was not done about it.

So Tsar Alexander III met in Tarnovo (the city of tsars) with his cousin Sergei I from Bulgaria, Carol I from Romania and delegates, Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš from Montenegro and delegates, Milan Obrenović from Serbia and delegates, and Croatian Serb delegates from Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"We all here understand that the Slavs and Christians have not had the best relationship, but I must remind you that we now have a reputation to uphold. If any Batak-like atrocity is committed, we will lose the support of other European states and credibility." Emperor Alexander III sentencing. "And if that happens, there is no guarantee that the Russian Empire will continue to support the rebel actions against the Ottoman Empire. If we can be civilized, there is no reason for trade cooperation and good diplomatic ties to stop."

The Russian Empire of Alexander III deals with an equidistant policy, the commitments of a military nature were few but even so there were diplomatic ties that could be close. Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria were interested in this, partly because of pan-Slavism within their respective regions.

Romania not so much, but it was willing to follow the Constantinople agreements. Russia sent agents of Muslim origin (Tatars and some other peoples of the Caucasus) to help and ensure the humane treatment of the Muslim-Turkish minorities that remained within the Ottoman Empire.

These minorities were offered two options:

1-Accept the citizenship of the new independent state.

2-Do not accept the citizenship of the new independent state, therefore go to Ottoman territory. It would be financially compensated for the loss of land in the event of said move (the majority paid by the Ottomans).

Most agreed to move from their majority Slavic (or Romanian) -Christian (Orthodox) countries to Ottoman territory. Those left behind accepted said citizenship, with the committee ensuring that any damage to the property or safety of said people would be avoided.

*******

2-Slavic migration to Russia.

With Russia's victory over the Ottoman Empire, it is obvious that there is considerable nationalist and pan-Slavonic emotion within Russia with the liberation of Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro.

The pan-Slavic ideal in the Russian Empire is about a single state for all Slavs, obviously dominated by Russia, and where, by sheer number, the great Russians would be the majority. After all, it was thought that Russia had a mission to unify the Slavs.

However Tsar Alexander III was little interested in a military union between the Russian Empire and the newly independent states, it was not part of the 'equidistant politics' of the Russian Empire. Instead, relations would be cordial and commercial between nations.

But, to keep the Russian pan-Slavists happy, Tsar Alexander III issued an edict to continue promoting the migration of Slavic populations to Russia.

War veterans eager for work, people who had little to lose, artisans, farmers and industrialists with destroyed properties, etc., could go to Russia to continue feeding the growing economy of the Eurasian giant.

The advantage is that most of these would speak a Slavic language, be Orthodox Christians, etc. Therefore they would integrate more quickly.

This idea was popular within the populations of the newly independent countries in the Balkans, also motivated by the Romanov Scholarship, the Russian Foreign Legion and the recent Russo-Turkish war.

The pan-Slavists at home were happy, and Russia strengthened ties with Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro without committing to catastrophic future developments.

Some Slavs from Austria-Hungary also moved but to a lesser extent.

These groups would disperse in a disorganized manner throughout the Russian Empire, and rightly so, since the Russian Empire is incredibly large.

Some went to the heart of the Russian Empire, like the Tesla family. Others went to the Kazakh steppe, the Russian Far East, southern Russia, etc.

*******

[Russia and the Armenians]

With the victory of Russia over the Ottoman Empire, obviously new populations of Armenian origin came, although there were still Armenians outside of Russian control (being an ethnic group that extends over a vast territory in Anatolia and other parts of the Ottoman Empire of its time).

Kurdish, Turkish-Ottoman and other populations also arrived (although to be honest, many turks left along with the offer of resettlement to Ottoman lands).

Regions with little infrastructure and integration with the Russian Empire, so obviously some plans had to be made for the development of the new Russian territory.

*******

* Perspective of Alexander III.

"... 'The church of old Rome fell because for it's hersey; the gates of the second Rome, Constantinople, fell to the axes of the infidels the Turks but the Church of Moscow, the new Rome, shines brighter than the sun over the whole universe. Two Romes have fallen, the third stands, a fourth there cannot be. The Christian Kingdom shall have no other ruler '...

Someone wrote to the Grand Prince of Moscow, Vasili III, on one occasion.

The church is still truly important in various parts of the world, but the idea that Russia is the champion of Christians in the Ottoman Empire brings me more concern than pride.

I know that after this war, the Armenian people will suffer, prey to persecution at the hand of Abdul Hamid II. And I probably won't have the power to stop it until it's too late (get a casus beli), as a consequence, if I can't avoid the disasters of a Hamidian massacre, I must at least do what is in my power to reduce it."

-Writings of Tsar Alexander III.

*******

Similar to the project between the Slavic nations of the Balkans and Russia, Emperor Alexander III launched the offer to the Armenians to move to the new Russian territories and other lands in the Caucasus (or beyond if they wanted to).

Armenians in the new Russian territory generally had already cooperated with Russia before, and would do so again, they just needed the continued stability that Russia could offer, so they didn't make great migration moves.

Despite this, the first wave of Armenian migrants to the new territories (or far away) was relatively small, most did not want to abandon their relatively stable businesses in the Ottoman Empire. Others saw the opportunity and seized it, joining the growing Russian middle class.

Merchants, bankers, artisans, farmers and teacher-lawyers (among others) of Armenian origin migrated to Russian territory.

Helping the economic growth of the region.

But Russian investment in the region also played a certain important role, after all, the Russians wanted to further expand their network of railways, built fortresses, barracks and academies for their army in the region, and looked for economic sectors that you develop in the region.

With the economic growth of the southern Caucasus, this became much easier and more successful (which in turn brought some more interested parties to migrate).

But it is only the first months of the new administration, there is still a lot to work on and planning the next offensive against the Ottoman Empire ...

Despite this, there were also other situations to be fixed, the Kurds, a majority Muslim people with their own language, had come. In the close 1847 the Kurds clashed with each other (with the opposition supported by the Ottomans) causing the detriment of the Kurdish principalities, and with this the majority of their autonomy and political power.

Now the Kurds lack a notable official status within the Russian Empire, but Emperor Alexander III is already trying to contact some Kurdish leaders and elites.

For example, the Kurd born in the south of Vilayet de Van (the north is the area conquered by Russia after the Russo-Turkish war) Sheikh Ubeydullah.

*******

[Sports culture: Quarterfinals]

Matches.

Grozny vs. Erivan. Erivan wins 5 to 3 advancing to the next round.

Sevastopol against Moscow. Sevastopol wins against the Moscow city team 3-2.

Vyborg against Saint Petersburg. The St. Petersburg team win against the nearby Vyborg team in a 7-3.

Arkhangelsk against Kharkov. The duel of the final of the first edition of the Russian Soccer League is repeated, where in a considerable confrontation, Kharkov wins by 9 to 7.

Interestingly, many of the new Armenian immigrants to the Russian Empire became interested in sport thanks to the success of Erivan's Armenian team.

*******

[Sports Culture: Ivan IV Tournament]

Perhaps it is ironic because Tsar Ivan IV (first to be crowned Tsar) died while playing chess, but Tsar Alexander III decided to name a chess tournament in honor of said Tsar.

In the first Ivan IV chess tournament four selections are made: A selection from the navy, a selection from the army, a selection from the nobility and a selection from the peasantry (common people).

That is, people of different social rank (nobility-peasantry) or profession (civilian-armed forces) do not mix.

But after there are four winners (one for each selection) a competition is held where the 'four best chess players in all of Russia' face off.

The event is quite remarkable and popular, especially among the nobility, in part because they want to show off.

The feeling of competition also attracts members of the other categories mentioned, helping to popularize chess.

In the first edition of the Ivan IV Tournament, the chess champion of the army selection wins.

*******

[International]

On January 1, Queen Victoria is officially crowned Empress of India.

On January 20, the Russian-led committees for the migration of native Muslim-Turks who want to return to Ottoman control start with the first wave.

As a result, the Ottoman finances are obviously still in jeopardy, as the coalition forces the Ottoman Empire to pay a total of 70% of compensation for property loss.

January 29 in the Empire of Japan starts a new samurai rebellion, the Satsuma rebellion.

Emperor Meiji calls for the creation of a professional army of conscripts, but obviously with Japan's troubles, the war is a bit more difficult than Emperor Meiji could have expected (even after he has already defeated the Republic of Ezo ).

This time the rebellion occurs in Kyushu, southern Japan.

* French perspective.

King Henry V grew tired, his aspirations for a France unified by the Legitimist-Orleanist power failed, mainly in the face of military force, the complexities of logistics and many other factors.

King Henry V was depressed that his dream of a new Kingdom of France hung by a thread every day, before this the king calls for a truce between the Second French Empire and the Legitimist-Orleanist factions to end the civil war in France. After years many of the promises and aspirations of the movement could not be fulfilled.

Emperor Napoleon IV accepts at the beginning of February, discussing well into December the terms of a possible peace between both monarchical factions.

Some generals would try to avoid this, but unfortunately King Henry V continued with the support of the Legitimist-Orleanist general Henri Eugène Philippe Louis d'Orléans, avoiding the possibility of sabotage of the peace talks.

On March 2, the Compromise of 1877 occurs, which ends the US elections. Rutherford B. Hayes is the winner and now president, even though Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote on November 7, 1876.

March 4, the Russian musician Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky produces the Swan Lake.

*******

[Russia in France and the Russian French]

With the situation in France changing in February, Tsar Alexander III sends some support to care for wounded soldiers, perform some religious functions and feed the poor and children, among other humanitarian tasks.

Which suited the wounded French public well after years of civil war and humiliating defeats, although Napoleon III and Alexander II and III did not have the best of relations (Napoleon III supported the Polish uprising of the 1860s, the assassination attempt on Alexander III in Paris, etc), and Napoleon IV and Alexander III are distant from each other.

Not only a good point in public relations, but also Alexander III was able to spend some money on France and the French, with some of his hobbies.

*******

The Russian volunteer and a Russian art expert entered a chamber with a member of French high society, a nobleman. "Here I have kept the pieces in question, a group hired by me has kept them in the best possible condition." The nobleman assures, then unveiling some of the art pieces in question. "I was able to buy it from the museum after the war with the Prussians, due to our ... current situation."

There was a picture of a woman, painted by the Italian Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci.

"Mmmm ... Yes, it looks like the piece the tsar is interested in." The expert assures after a detailed investigation. The nobleman and the volunteer are the ones who ratify the sale a few moments later, loading it towards the port where the Russians are going to withdraw.

Tsar Alexander III took the opportunity to do what many tsars (and tsarinas) before him did, have remarkable collections of objects. Peter I and the Kunstkámera, Catherine II and the Imperial Hermitage, etc.

Alexander III was not a particular exception, and taking advantage of his humanitarian aid stay, he bought various collectibles of all kinds that were based in France, generally from collectors (private owners) and museums.

Among the pieces there were obviously objects of foreign origin, such as "The Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo" or "La Gioconda" (Russian: Dzhokonda or Джоконда).

*******

After humanitarianism, the pieces bought in France were distributed among public museums in the Russian state (with special emphasis on preventing the pieces from ending up in private collections not open to the public).

The rural French who went to Russia cared little about this fact, in general these individuals had other things to do such as tending their farms and families, going to work, etc.

But the French nobility in Russia was undoubtedly fascinated, reverence the art and the 'rescue' (Napoleon III also made attempts to preserve history, but these nobles no longer talk so much about Napoleon III Bonaparte ...) of Tsar Alexander III to some pieces that might otherwise have been looted or destroyed in regional conflicts in France.

And the news did not reach the foreign public too much to be important, at least in the first years after the big purchases.

Money could also come in handy for the people of France.

Russia's actions, in addition to its stability and economic growth, helped another wave of French immigrants to go to Russia joining its ever-growing workforce.