AHC: Have Russia become America's primary partner & cultural influence in the 20th Century

[Scorpio Retindar]

Okay, so, in our timeline, as far as I know, Britain was the United States' primary partner and cultural influence for much of the 20th century, due to their alliance in both world wars, good relations afterwards, and, of course, their similar cultures and shared language.

In many timelines where Germany wins WW1, the US has a similar relationship with Germany, especially if the US was a German ally, despite the lack of a shared language (although it should be noted that, before WW1, a large minority in America spoke German as their primary language, and a sizable percentage of Americans even today have German ancestry).

However, I was wondering, how could a similar relationship be fostered between America and Russia in an alternate timeline, despite the lack of both similar culture and a shared language, and (initially) without a large Russian-speaking minority (keep in mind I did say "initially"; as the timeline continues to diverge we will likely see increasingly large amounts of Russian immigration to America and possibly vice versa)?

You can have a POD no earlier than 1776, and this influence has to be felt by 1950 at the absolute latest. The earlier the better.

Bonus points will be awarded if Russia eventually becomes democratic.

Points will be decreased (but still given) if America becomes a dictatorship/goes AuthDem on us.

If you somehow create a timeline where Russia is democratic and America is a dictatorship (but they're still allies and partners), I shall tear out my hair. Please do not take this as a challenge (well, unless the thread has a lot of more standard replies, then I won't mind as much).

Okay, so that is your challenge, should you choose to accept it...

 

[Alternator]

My standard answer:

Trent Affair turns worse - the details are irrelevant - and the British issue demands that are so completely unacceptable that Lincoln is forced to turn them down flat, but Russian diplomatic intervention forestalls a war and enables mediation. The American public see the British as a menace just looking for an excuse to fight the United States, while Russia is perceived as a true friend.

Fast forward with the American navy (and army, to a much lesser extent) being maintained at a second-tier-power level due to constant minor frictions with the British, and a slow drift from mutual friendship into actual alliance between the United States and Russia, spurred on by the obvious failure of isolationism. The United States is slightly poorer (the British still invest heavily due to easy profits, but somewhat less so than OTL) but the Russian Empire underwent earlier reforms and is somewhat stronger. When the League of Three Emperors analogue collapses, the Kaiser sticks with Russia over Austria-Hungary; paired with the massive German immigrant population, ties between the United States and Germany eventually follow.

Russia is likely to develop into a constitutional monarchy, which should qualify as a democracy for your challenge. One benefit of this alliance system is that NOBODY is going to want to pick a fight with the trinity of Germany-Russia-United States, so there's no alt-World Wars until/unless it collapses, and there's no real reason it needs to falter as long as Germany can pick up enough colonies to keep the expansionists happy. Russian influence should dominate German influence due to the older alliance and, eventually, greater potential.

 

[Aphrodite]

Simply avoid the American annexation ofthe Phillipines and the rabid anti-Semitism of Nicholas and his father

Up until then, Russia was America's diplomatic partner. There are no conflicts between the two and the countries enjoyed very close ties

 

[Scorpio Retindar]

My standard answer:

Trent Affair turns worse - the details are irrelevant - and the British issue demands that are so completely unacceptable that Lincoln is forced to turn them down flat, but Russian diplomatic intervention forestalls a war and enables mediation. The American public see the British as a menace just looking for an excuse to fight the United States, while Russia is perceived as a true friend.

Fast forward with the American navy (and army, to a much lesser extent) being maintained at a second-tier-power level due to constant minor frictions with the British, and a slow drift from mutual friendship into actual alliance between the United States and Russia, spurred on by the obvious failure of isolationism. The United States is slightly poorer (the British still invest heavily due to easy profits, but somewhat less so than OTL) but the Russian Empire underwent earlier reforms and is somewhat stronger. When the League of Three Emperors analogue collapses, the Kaiser sticks with Russia over Austria-Hungary; paired with the massive German immigrant population, ties between the United States and Germany eventually follow.

Russia is likely to develop into a constitutional monarchy, which should qualify as a democracy for your challenge. One benefit of this alliance system is that NOBODY is going to want to pick a fight with the trinity of Germany-Russia-United States, so there's no alt-World Wars until/unless it collapses, and there's no real reason it needs to falter as long as Germany can pick up enough colonies to keep the expansionists happy. Russian influence should dominate German influence due to the older alliance and, eventually, greater potential.

As a Kaiserboo, I have to say, that sounds like a truly blessed timeline...

 

[MrGreyOwl]

When the League of Three Emperors analogue collapses, the Kaiser sticks with Russia over Austria-Hungary; paired with the massive German immigrant population, ties between the United States and Germany eventually follow.

For that, Russia and Germany need to carve up Eastern Europe between themselves like a big cake to satisfy pan-germanism and pan-slavism doctrines. Goodbye Poland...

 

[Alternator]

For that, Russia and Germany need to carve up Eastern Europe between themselves like a big cake to satisfy pan-germanism and pan-slavism doctrines. Goodbye Poland...

This is the 1800s, what is a "Poland"? Such a thing hasn't existed all century!

 

[alexmilman]

Okay, so, in our timeline, as far as I know, Britain was the United States' primary partner and cultural influence for much of the 20th century, due to their alliance in both world wars, good relations afterwards, and, of course, their similar cultures and shared language.

In many timelines where Germany wins WW1, the US has a similar relationship with Germany, especially if the US was a German ally, despite the lack of a shared language (although it should be noted that, before WW1, a large minority in America spoke German as their primary language, and a sizable percentage of Americans even today have German ancestry).

However, I was wondering, how could a similar relationship be fostered between America and Russia in an alternate timeline, despite the lack of both similar culture and a shared language, and (initially) without a large Russian-speaking minority (keep in mind I did say "initially"; as the timeline continues to diverge we will likely see increasingly large amounts of Russian immigration to America and possibly vice versa)?

You can have a POD no earlier than 1776, and this influence has to be felt by 1950 at the absolute latest. The earlier the better.

Bonus points will be awarded if Russia eventually becomes democratic.

Points will be decreased (but still given) if America becomes a dictatorship/goes AuthDem on us.

If you somehow create a timeline where Russia is democratic and America is a dictatorship (but they're still allies and partners), I shall tear out my hair. Please do not take this as a challenge (well, unless the thread has a lot of more standard replies, then I won't mind as much).

Okay, so that is your challenge, should you choose to accept it...

There was a book “Three-headed eagle” which implements what you are asking for. I’m almost sure that it is not available in Englishbut can’t guarantee.