If WW1 never happened, the POD is not really important, how would Russia develop? Would its new rail network in Poland make it as powerful as the Germans believed or would it remain the backwater of Europe?
IMO the Tsarist regime would not collapse without war, WW1 played a critical role in the Tsar's downfall. A military failure akin to the Russo-Japanese War could lead to his fall, but by 1912 the entire world was rigged for detonation, with the Anglo-Japanese alliance and the Great Game, and I have yet to get to German protection over the Ottoman's and the Germans themselves.
And in terms of liberalization, I think not. Tsar Nicholas II would not reform Russia in a way as to compromise his power, and his son would be weak and easy to manipulate by other, more conservative forces like his mother or Rasputin. Unless something major happens, the Tsarist method of rule would continue.
What are your opinions?
IMO the Tsarist regime would not collapse without war, WW1 played a critical role in the Tsar's downfall. A military failure akin to the Russo-Japanese War could lead to his fall, but by 1912 the entire world was rigged for detonation, with the Anglo-Japanese alliance and the Great Game, and I have yet to get to German protection over the Ottoman's and the Germans themselves.
And in terms of liberalization, I think not. Tsar Nicholas II would not reform Russia in a way as to compromise his power, and his son would be weak and easy to manipulate by other, more conservative forces like his mother or Rasputin. Unless something major happens, the Tsarist method of rule would continue.
What are your opinions?