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This timeline centers on the idea that the actually very liberal Russian Emperor Alexander doesn’t go down the path of reactionary conservatism and instead embraces the ideals of the Russian Enlightment and liberalism. The initial POD will be somewhat hand waved into the TL, as its not really clear when Alexander lost his appreciation of liberalism. Be it when Napoleon burns Moscow or when he is “converted” Baronese von Krudener (which doesn’t happen for sure in this TL). Anyways Alexander conservative conversion is hand waved or PODed away and he returns to Russia as the man he was from before the Napoleonic Wars.



Alexander’s Vision.



Chapter One: Reform High and Low



“My Old Russia is dead” The words of an unknown noble upon hearing of Alexander’s signing of the Constitution


Upon Alexander’s return to St. Petersburg he soon made it clear that the reforms started from before the Napoleonic Wars would go forward. The reforms at greatly stagnated, and in some cases even reversed, upon the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars and the schemes of Russian liberal had mostly been left to rot. However Alexander’s discussion in France with noted liberal Jean-Baptiste Say had apparently left an enduring mark on the Tsar and the mysticism which had pervaded Alexander’s personality had seemingly melted away. The Alexander that leaves France and the Congress of Vienna, where he is to have fallen out with Austrian Chancellor von Metternich, is a rejuvenated man. His wife Empress Elizabeth is supposedly have remarked that in their personal life her husband and she had seen a revitalization, something that ultimately resulted in young Prince Peter in late 1818 and Alexander’s cessation of his affair with Maria Naryshkina. It was this new man that revived the Private Committee in May 1818, Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoyski, Viktor Kochubey, Nikolay Nikolayevich Novosiltsev and Mikhail Speransky all once again join this group whose purpose is to draft a constitution for the Russian Empire.

The Privy Committee had already extensively deliberated a massive reformation of the Russian government in the early years of the 1800s. Therefore when once again tasked with the undertaking it didn’t take long for the first rough draft of a Russian constitution to make ti to Alexander’s desk. In August Alexander accepts a slightly modified version of Speransky’s previous plan. Despite some rather serious opposition from Russia’s autocratic elements, notably voiced by the historian and advisor Nikolay Karamzin, Alexander ratifies the constitution on October 23rd. The constitution promised the freedom of speech, freedom of religion and legal protection of serfs, making it a rival to the liberalism of the Polish constitution (which itself had been greatly influenced by the Russian Privy Council of 1801-04). The constitution created what was essentially a constitutional monarchy.

Tsar Alexander I would retain significant powers, he still had the right to appoint ministers to the Committee of Ministers, he had the right to appoint the Chairmen of the Committee of Ministers (Prime Minister) and the Emperor would have the final say in all foreign policy and fiscal matter including declaring war. The Imperial Constitution created the Imperial Russian Parliament with the State Duma as the lower house and the State Council as the upper house. The State Duma would have 423 seats while the State Council would hold its 30 seats as before. Deputies would be chosen every 6 years and the Parliament would hold session every 2 years for a period of 30 days, it had the right to vote on civil, administrative and judicial issues. All men over the age of 24 were allowed to vote in the elections, that is if they had property. Candidates for deputy had to own property and had to have a certain amount of wealth as well. The Russian constitution would dramatically alter the political landscape of Russia itself and perhaps more importantly Europe.

In Russia proper the liberals rejoiced and celebrated in the streets, serfs were also rather enthusiastic of the new Constitution since it gave them legal rights in case of extremely oppressive landlords. The Orthodox Church on the other hand took a more mixed approach to Alexander’s grandiose reforms, on one hand they supported limiting the monarchs power and the constitution gave them the ability to better influence national decisions. While on the other hand the constitution was an obvious import of Western liberalism and this was in many aspects hard to swallow for the church. Meanwhile the aristocrats, who stood to lose the most, looked at the constitution in horror. Karamzin, who was quickly becoming the face of the reactionaries, and his supporters were quite vocal opponents of the entire affair and when it became quite clear the Russian people widely supported the new government they decided to take measures into their own hands. In late December a large and widely supported (by nobles of course) coup was attempted on the Emperor and his new government, now lead by Chairmen Speranksy. Fortunately for Alexander the secret police infrastructure built up over the years came to be of great usefulness and the Emperor was able to capture most of the conspirators. Over 23 conspirators were found guilty of high treason and were summarily executed by firing squad on February 2nd 1819, many more were imprisoned. This failed coup would effectively seal the lid on any chance for the reactionaries in turning getting rid of the Constitution. This attempted coup would also fortify Alexander’s belief in liberalism and democracy and in his famous January Address the Emperor of Russia showed the world that a new era had dawned for Russia.





Okay after hours upon hours of shoddy research (shoddy because you can never do enough research) I would like to present the first part of a TL idea I've had for quite awhile now. As always questions, comments, constructive criticism, their all welcome. Plausibility criticism is doubly welcome:p
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