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1904:

-The leadership of the British Empire is anxious. The world's nations have caught up to their industrial might and are set to pass it up very soon. The home islands are severely lacking in available manpower and natural resources in order to continue to retain a lead in the industrialized world. Thus, Britain's leaders make a controversial proposal: industrialize India. If the proposal were to be passed, incentives would be created to set up factories on the Indian subcontinent. Several government factories (including a shipyard) would also be moved there. Development of industry would also be encouraged in other colonies, including South Africa, Egypt, Canada, and Australia.

-The Russo-Japanese war begins. Russian tensions with Japan over territories in the Far East lead to a large naval and land war focusing on Korea and Manchuria.

-The Trans-Siberian Railway is completed, linking European Russia to Siberia and its ports on the Pacific.

-The Entente Cordiale is signed by France and Great Britain, putting an official stamp on the peace that had existed between the two states since the ouster of Napoleon.


1905:

-The Industrialization & Modernization Act of 1905 is passed in British Parliament. It is a revolutionary act (for the Empire), shifting British views of their colonial holdings from giant strips of exploitable resources to productive lands guided by the leadership of the home islands.

-The Russian Tzar agrees to create an elected assembly, known as the Duma.

-The Japanese defeat the Russians in the Russo-Japanese war, gaining the territory of Korea. The war has caused much unrest and disdain towards the Tzar; notably, the mutiny on the battleship Potemkin.

-HMS Dreadnought is laid down. The revolutionary design, incorporating new ideas in propulsion, armament, and protection, immediately leads to a naval arms race. Great Britain, Germany, and France are the main participants, with Russia, Japan, and the USA also partially joining in.

-An Indian nationalist movement gains major support and expands under the radar. Protests and strikes are organized in secret, but aren't planned to be carried out for a while.


1906:

-Industry begins to expand in India. The workforce is abundant there, so many "dirty" factories move. A few heavy industries, such as locomotive factories, also sprout up. The British Government has a shipyard built and the port expanded in the coastal city of Cochin, intending to make it a major stopping-off point between Singapore and the Suez canal. Construction begins on a naval port as well.

-The nations involved in the dreadnought race begin to rapidly dispose of their pre-dreadnought battleships. Great Britain orders a sister ship for Dreadnought to be constructed; it is to be named Victorious. Several other classes are planned as well. France plans 3 dreadnought-like battleships of the Invincible-class to be constructed. Germany orders 2 ships of the similar Kaiser Wilhelm-class to be built as well. Destroyers also become numerous among these 3 navies. Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia all plan their own readnought classes as well.
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