November's Eagle - Succesfull November Uprising TL

1. The Uprising (1830-1831)
The Uprising (1830-1831)

Moods in Kingdom of Poland weren't never good for the Tsar. Sentiment and nostalgy of the old Poland were present in everyone's hearts. Not respecting the laws and constitution of Kingdom only worsened unstable situation. All these factors made the idea come to mind of the young officers. To carry a national uprising against Russian opressor. Meanwhile in Belgium in France revolutions have won. Belgium was freed and French absolutism come to its end. Russia reacted to this by readying up Polish armies. That was the best moment to carry the Uprising on. Lt. Piotr Wysocki interrupted Cadet's School lessons in Warsaw saying "Polish people! Its hour of revenge! March and let your chest be Thermopiles for enemies!" And they marched on Belweder Palace, Grand Duke's residence. They captured him and proposed him intriguing offer - Polish throne, which he ultimately accepted. In the day of 18 December 1830 Sejm gathered first time. One of its first resolutions was Declaration of Independence in which Tsar Nicholas was dethronized. Just after that Grand Duke Konstantin was enthronized. This have put Russians in difficult situation. Polish nation massively stood against attacking Russians, no matter if they were soldiers or peasants. Large controffensive was performed. Russian army, which only severals year ago destroyed Napoleon wasn't ready for so shameful defeat from small Polish nation. After bloody war two sides sued for peace. Russia recognised Polish independence and gave 3rd partition lands. Poles gained their own, deserved piece of land.

map
 
2. Grand Duke Regent Michael (1831-1836)
Grand Duke Regent Michael (1831-1836)

"Tsar Nicholas dies!", "Conspirators poisoned the Tsar!", "Alexander II crowned after Nicholas' death!"


Various newspapers around the globe were writing about the death of Tsar Nicholas. On 9th March 1832 Alexander II was proclaimed new Tsar. Regent for young monarch will be Grand Duke Michael, as Konstantin refused the throne. Officialy conspirator was one of the officers who considered Nicholas as the only one responsible for defeat in Poland. However people doubt if it was true. Someone says that Konstatin hired someone to kill his brother. It is very likely as King started to cooperate with his brother. Russia has become an outlet market for polish wheat, which fueled the Polish economy, recovering from bloody war. Poland regained money stored in Petersburg bank, which was stolen during the Uprising. Reign of Konstantin was also the time of deep reforms, needed for the young country. For example peasants gained their rights. Reformed Commonwealth became parliamentary monarchy. In Russia people seeing polish reforms demanded similiar ones. Polish independence became inspiration for revolutions in Europe.
 
So Poland gets indepedence nearly a century ahead of schedule?

I think the new Czar will want to come down on hard on the Poles lest ideas of self determination spread.
 
Remember that new Tsar is 14 yrs old when his father dies. Being educated as heir to the russian throne and then being said that his father was very bad person (of course we know who will tell that to him) will have some effects, maybe making him even more liberal than he was OTL. Regent Michael was younger brother of Konstantin. Russian and Polish international politics will be just a family struggle.
 
3. The Revolutions (1836-1837)
The Revolutions (1836-1837)

Succesfull Polish Uprising and reforms in young country, inspired people across Europe. In year 1836 Tsar Alexander passed eighteen, but Grand Duke Michael refused to give him power. That angered people. Army was divided. A lot of officers supported legitimate Tsar but some of them were loyal to Michael. Angry people, led by Alexander and loyal to him officers marched on Kremlin. Regency supporters opened fire - that started the revolution which later became first link of the chain. In the same year people revolted in all Europe. French didn't like Bourbon rule. Republicans revolted again in Paris. Monarchy was abolished, and Louis Philip was forced to exile. But the consequences were worst for the Austrian Empire. Big, multinational empire didn't survive them. Revolutions in Hungary, Vienna and Venice destroyed country into pieces. Some parts gained independence. One of them - Galicia returned to Poland. However that time wasn't happy for the Kingdom. First and beloved King Konstantin became ill. After few months he passed away. He was buried in Cracow, under Wawel castle in newly built crypt. Sejm elected new King. It was Napoleon, son of French Emperor. He came to Poland in 1831 after succesfull Uprising which he supported.

Fall of Austria (map)
, Poland after Revolutions (map)
 
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4. Emperor and King Napoleon II (1838-1839)
Emperor and King Napoleon II (1838-1839)

Republic of France was democratic country. First elections were held in 1837 after victorious revolution. Winners became Bonapartists - because of Napoleonic sentiment in France. A lot of people believed that they will recover after Bourbon restoration and revolution. Their leader Louis Napoleon became President of French Republic. However after few plebisicites 1836 Consitution was repealed and Second French Empire was proclaimed. Rightful claimant was Napoleon Bonaparte, King of Poland and son of first emperor. He was crowned in Notre-Dame catedral in Paris. That resulted in personal union of Poland and France. Grow of French and Polish power worried european powers. Prussia was against that and Britain wasn't happy against that too. Quickly war broke out between powers. Prussia and it's German allies declared war on Napoleon's Empire. Britain helped Prussia. Austria with it allies stood against Prussia, seeking opportunity to defeat it and become main player in Germany. Russian Empire have seen this as opportunity to destroy polish state. Officers convinced Tsar Alexander II to declare war. Russian rival, Ottoman Empire took advange of this and declared war on Russia. Roughly 20 years after Napoleonic wars, great war emerged between powers in Europe.
 
5. First years of Eight Napoleonic War (1839-1843)
First years of Eighth Napoleonic War (1839-1843)

At the begining of the war Prussians started attacking through Alsace and Lotharingen. They managed to capture city of Metz until they were pushed back. Later war on this front became more defensive. Prussians seeing their loses didn't want to attack and were waiting for French offensive while French were doing the same. In the same time Prussian were more determined when attacking Polish. However this offensive was halted too. Poles in Greater Poland have put the arms and rebelled against Prussians. After few fights Polish Army arrived with help but ultimately Poles were pushed back. On the east Poles had to defend against Russian Army. Many people said that it was great army - Colossus, which later proved to have a clay feet. It was not only by unstable situation in Russian politics but also Polish remembrance of victory in Independence War in 1831 and belief in French and Ottoman allies. These last ones did great work in Caucassus and Black Sea front. Russian started war on this front by offense like 50 years ago, which later proved to be a bad decision. It was quickly repealed by Turkish Army. Defeat of Russian army led to armistrice that was crucial for anti-french forces. Poles not defending eastern flank could fully take care of its western front.
 
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6. German War and Unification of Italy (1843-1851)
German War and Unification of Italy (1843-1851)

Russian surrender was a milestone in this war. After the armistrice polish forces could take care of their western border. That made war for Prussia even harder. Now they were surrounded by enemies, from all sides. British couldn't help their Prussian allies. Napoleon's army was capturing more and more regions. Polish in Prussia welcomed Polish Army in Greater Poland, Silesia and Masuria. Kingdom of Prussia was collapsing. Grande Armée captured Rhineland. Austrian forces entered Saxony. Defeat of Prussia forced Britain to surrender. Peace treaty in Berlin was signed. It's terms made Prussia cede Rhineland to France. It also ceded to Poland lands took in 1772-1795. Poland also gained heavily polish-populated region of Upper Silesia. This region however was, like Rhineland very important for Prussian economy. Loss of industrialy important regions also strucked Prussian Army. Weakened Prussia wasn't power in Europe anymore. That made small German states orbitting towards Austria. As nationalistic and unification ideas were still in the air, Austria seeked that as occasion to unify Germany. Austria, supported by smaller German states declared war on Prussia. Weak Prussia couldn't stand against overwhelming Austrian forces. With fall of Berlin, Prussia surrendered. Few days later, in Vienna Ferdinand I coronated himself Emperor of Germany. At the same time other nation wanted to unite. It was Italy. One ruler was seen as potential figure, unifer of Italian nation - the King of Savoy, Victor Emanuel II. Many little kingdoms and duchies eventually joined Savoy. There was one big player standing on his way - Kingdom of Two Sicilies. Many people hated it's government as it was opposing revolutionary and unification ideas. It was also backward economicaly. So Savoy declared war. War was very hard and bloody but Savoy suceeded. Now the way to Rome was open. After war with Church state, Pope was sent back to Vatican. Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed and Rome became capital of unified state.
 
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