Hnau
Banned
The Russian Revolution, the Hungarian Revolution, the Spartacist Uprising, the Bavarian Soviet. Communism was sweeping the European continent in the wake of the Great War. There was definitely an energy among the populace that had been building for a good deal, and was then suddenly released. I am disappointed that such mass energy for social change resulted in more repression and dictatorship. Why couldn't it all have turned out to become something like Sweden, a benevolent, democratic yet no less revolutionary ideology.
I blame Vladimir Lenin. The Russians were unified until he came along, got his idea of Centralized Democracy rolling, and divided the Russian socialists. The division caused a violent civil war that ultimately weakened the movement, as well as militarized the remaining Bolsheviks. The experience of the RCW forced the Bolsheviks to become paranoid of ideological dissenters and abandon what traces of democracy they held on to. To make things even worse, the Russians wasted the surge on creating a dictatorship that would remain refined to its 'one state' idea.
Thanks, Lenin. Now, without Lenin's ideas, I don't know if the revolution could actually be achieved. The Russian Social-Democratic Labor Party would go on the 'reforming' platform, and the whites would hold enough ground to turn the Russian state into just another republic, maybe even a constitutional monarchy. There needs to be that radicalization, but not to the point where dictators become a necessity.
But the RSDLP weren't the popular ones. The Socialist-Revolutionaries won the 1917 election. Kerensky was already in place to make some changes. They didn't have to trip up on dated Marxist thought, and they included the peasantry as part of the proletariat. Get on the peasantry's side, and you remove many of the White combatants in the Civil War. Maybe collectivization would be avoided and you wouldn't have to lose millions of lives to starvation. Still, I don't like the typical Kerensky idea. He's not as much of a demagogue as he should be, and he had those horrible ideas such as the Kerensky Offensive and putting political officers on the front lines... the guy was truly idiotic. I'm thinking that maybe if Trotsky had had a different upbringing, he might have been able to fill the seat.
Anyway, let's assume I figure out this ideological problem and the Russian Socialists do what they should have done: built up a proper defense on the Eastern Front, held their ground, make no rash moves, and wait for the Americans to save the day. Germans might make a push, but ultimately their forces are split enough that its going to become very hard in the west. Meanwhile, behind the lines, the Russians redistribute the land for the peasantry, and are a little more civil about confiscating the food. Because they are still in the war, there is no allied intervention in Siberia, Arkhangelesk, etc. The Civil War might be called something like the White Rebellion, and it doesn't become the slog it was.
Russia never gave up Poland in a treaty, and so begin talks on giving it independence: on its terms, however. Socialists quickly become strengthened by Russian material. Poles are also encouraged by the Russian promise to push the borders of Germany as far west as possible.
The Hungarian Soviet is able to link up with Russia, and with their soldiers are able to defend from Romania (who also owe the Russians big time for saving their country from the Central Powers). The more democratic socialism replaces the dictatorship present there.
Because Russia never surrendered, Finland is still somewhat theirs, and the Civil War leads to socialists taking over the country. They are given independence in everything except for ideology. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are still part of Russia, and really only Lithuania has an independence movement spurred by German occupation. The Revolutionary Wave also reaches the Balkans, where Pan-Slavism picks up the slack and encourages some appreciation for Russian ideas (revolutionary socialism).
Here comes the tricky part: the German Revolution. Its hard, I know, but the Russians have linked up with them, and they have some power as part of the Paris Peace Conference: they can help Germany out if they join their growing bloc. The Spartacist Uprising receives Russian funds and soldiers. Meanwhile, the Allies are blockading Germany, refusing them food imports as in OTL. The only one dishing it out is the Russians, from the Ukraine (yeah, they had food problems in OTL, but the lack of a real Civil War might mitigate that). This makes the Socialists very popular, and besides, the Social Democrats were leading post-war Germany anyway, and I imagine this 'More Humane Russian Socialism' would appeal more of that party.
So Germany becomes a Ratesrepublik (sp?). Austria soon follows through. The Paris Peace Conferences are stalling, and the world is enveloped in a Red Terror (worse, maybe, despite lack of huge massacres?) So, the combined Socialist Bloc declares a 1920s Red Curtain (not Iron, exactly). I would think that the Allies would be a little more harsh to a Red Germany: the Rhineland is made independent, maybe even the Ruhr. But Austria, the Balkans, Albania (they accept Socialism in return for protection against partition), all have turned Red all the way to Greece.
I'd imagine somehow that it would be within possibility to take Sweden, Norway, Greece, Turkey, Iran, and China too, but its too much of a wank already. What do you think?
I blame Vladimir Lenin. The Russians were unified until he came along, got his idea of Centralized Democracy rolling, and divided the Russian socialists. The division caused a violent civil war that ultimately weakened the movement, as well as militarized the remaining Bolsheviks. The experience of the RCW forced the Bolsheviks to become paranoid of ideological dissenters and abandon what traces of democracy they held on to. To make things even worse, the Russians wasted the surge on creating a dictatorship that would remain refined to its 'one state' idea.
Thanks, Lenin. Now, without Lenin's ideas, I don't know if the revolution could actually be achieved. The Russian Social-Democratic Labor Party would go on the 'reforming' platform, and the whites would hold enough ground to turn the Russian state into just another republic, maybe even a constitutional monarchy. There needs to be that radicalization, but not to the point where dictators become a necessity.
But the RSDLP weren't the popular ones. The Socialist-Revolutionaries won the 1917 election. Kerensky was already in place to make some changes. They didn't have to trip up on dated Marxist thought, and they included the peasantry as part of the proletariat. Get on the peasantry's side, and you remove many of the White combatants in the Civil War. Maybe collectivization would be avoided and you wouldn't have to lose millions of lives to starvation. Still, I don't like the typical Kerensky idea. He's not as much of a demagogue as he should be, and he had those horrible ideas such as the Kerensky Offensive and putting political officers on the front lines... the guy was truly idiotic. I'm thinking that maybe if Trotsky had had a different upbringing, he might have been able to fill the seat.
Anyway, let's assume I figure out this ideological problem and the Russian Socialists do what they should have done: built up a proper defense on the Eastern Front, held their ground, make no rash moves, and wait for the Americans to save the day. Germans might make a push, but ultimately their forces are split enough that its going to become very hard in the west. Meanwhile, behind the lines, the Russians redistribute the land for the peasantry, and are a little more civil about confiscating the food. Because they are still in the war, there is no allied intervention in Siberia, Arkhangelesk, etc. The Civil War might be called something like the White Rebellion, and it doesn't become the slog it was.
Russia never gave up Poland in a treaty, and so begin talks on giving it independence: on its terms, however. Socialists quickly become strengthened by Russian material. Poles are also encouraged by the Russian promise to push the borders of Germany as far west as possible.
The Hungarian Soviet is able to link up with Russia, and with their soldiers are able to defend from Romania (who also owe the Russians big time for saving their country from the Central Powers). The more democratic socialism replaces the dictatorship present there.
Because Russia never surrendered, Finland is still somewhat theirs, and the Civil War leads to socialists taking over the country. They are given independence in everything except for ideology. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are still part of Russia, and really only Lithuania has an independence movement spurred by German occupation. The Revolutionary Wave also reaches the Balkans, where Pan-Slavism picks up the slack and encourages some appreciation for Russian ideas (revolutionary socialism).
Here comes the tricky part: the German Revolution. Its hard, I know, but the Russians have linked up with them, and they have some power as part of the Paris Peace Conference: they can help Germany out if they join their growing bloc. The Spartacist Uprising receives Russian funds and soldiers. Meanwhile, the Allies are blockading Germany, refusing them food imports as in OTL. The only one dishing it out is the Russians, from the Ukraine (yeah, they had food problems in OTL, but the lack of a real Civil War might mitigate that). This makes the Socialists very popular, and besides, the Social Democrats were leading post-war Germany anyway, and I imagine this 'More Humane Russian Socialism' would appeal more of that party.
So Germany becomes a Ratesrepublik (sp?). Austria soon follows through. The Paris Peace Conferences are stalling, and the world is enveloped in a Red Terror (worse, maybe, despite lack of huge massacres?) So, the combined Socialist Bloc declares a 1920s Red Curtain (not Iron, exactly). I would think that the Allies would be a little more harsh to a Red Germany: the Rhineland is made independent, maybe even the Ruhr. But Austria, the Balkans, Albania (they accept Socialism in return for protection against partition), all have turned Red all the way to Greece.
I'd imagine somehow that it would be within possibility to take Sweden, Norway, Greece, Turkey, Iran, and China too, but its too much of a wank already. What do you think?