Long-term Russo-American special relationship

Much has been said about the Russians sending ships to dock in American ports during ACW, and how it was interpreted as support against the British and French, though that's mostly hype. Now, suppose that we don't actually see anything as dramatic as a Trent Affair war with Russian intervention- could there still be a friendship between the U.S. and Russia starting from the Civil War? I mean, both are far enough that the U.S. wouldn't worry about entangling alliances. If there are any conflicts Russia gets involved with, the U.S. just tries to diplomatically mediate, but doesn't actually send troops or anything like that.

How could that change history?
 
Well before the civil war there have been two Presidents and one Vice-President, who had served as ambassador to Russia, them being John Q. Adams, James Buchanan and George M. Dallas.

What if John Q. Adams, who at the age of 14 in 1783, accompaning Francis Dana as a secretary on a mission to Saint Petersburg, Russia, to obtain recognition of the new United States, stayed in Russia and was appointed the United States Minister to Russia, by his father in March 4, 1797, staying as ambassador until September 22, 1817, 20 years, 6 months and 18 days. Adams was well liked by the Russian Court and often would be met on walks by Tsar Alexander I or the tsar's brother, Grand Duke Nicholas Pavlovich.

During Adam's time as U.S. Secretary of State (1817–1825) he is able to gain the support of the Russians during the Treaty of 1818, to gain land connecting the US mainland to the Russian colony of Alyeska.

When Adams is elected president in 1825, he begins builds closer bonds with Russia, improving trade links between the US to Russia. He signs an alliance with Russia, the second nation, the US have allied with, stating military, finacial and political support.

In 1853, the Crimean War began with the Russians at war with the Ottoman Empire, within days Secretary of State, William L. Marcy, who had only recently dealt with the Turks during the Koszta Affair, stated that America, would support their long standing allies, Russia, in their struggle.

This lead to the British not declaring war on Russia, due to fears of fighting a two front war (Canada and Crimea) while the French prefered their alliance to the American's over the Turks, meaning the war was a fairer fight, resulting in the Treaty of St. Petersburg (1856) that saw Russia influence in the region of the Black Sea increase, with more trade ships being build and protected by the Russian navy resulting in a richer Russia.

I would hope these events would help lead to the North having more support from the Russians, with the South maybe (secretly) helped by the British. But in the long run see a strong capitalist-constitutional-monarchy Russia work well with the even stronger America.

In political cartoons these two nations are depicted as Eagles, with the russian two-headed eagle and the US bald eagle, standing watch over the world, both policing it.
th
th
 

iddt3

Donor
In the long term I think Russia needs to democratize at least somewhat, but if it does that, and US relations with Britain sour, they start having very complementary strategic interests, and could complement each other well. You probably need a large war or two and ongoing post war threat to keep it going though.
 

PsihoKekec

Banned
If Alexander II survives yet another attempt and continues with his reforms, this kind of development would be possible towards the end of the 19th century.
 
An Idea... (flawed you might say?)

My idea for a long term Russo-American relationship would be that the Brits establish settlements and colonies in Oregon, Washington and Columbia between 1821 to the Crimean War. This leads to the Russian to be more pressful upon their Ukase of 1821 declaring their control from Alaska to Washington State creating colonies by dumping political prisoners, serfs and attracting immigrants to the area leading to colonial tensions between the the Russians and Brits from 1821.

Russia seeking to gain an important ally against the Brits support the American claims over Oregon so long Russia could keep modern day Washington to Alaska. This leads to more tensions between Russia and Britain; closer movement of America to Russia.

With tensions high, the Russians transport troops to Pazifika, a Russias colony to protect it case of war against the Brits in the 1840s. The Brits grow worrisome of Russia increasing power in America and the Pacific and sends a colonial force into Oregon and builds Forts just east of the Russian Cascades.

Then bam, Crimean War hits, America joins the war with Russia launches a liberation of Oregon for the America. For the Americans its War of 1812 all over again... In the end, everything is the same to otl Crimean War though with Russia giving up modern southern British Columbia and modern Washington State living them with Alaska and Northern British Columbia. The Brits recognize Americas claim over Oregon yet is much more weaker, lose money due to war, population decline etc.

Later America is to weak to fight against the CSA leading to a sucessful French Mexico/backed CSA leading to the French. America is smaller and somewhat weaker leading them to a closer to Russia.

--

This is one my POD idea for a TL i am planing but I know its an Ameriscrew, it is flawed and needs more development but reading this, my tl pod idea came into mind so I typed this spontaneously.
 
Top