I've been looking into a possible TL dealing with a more liberal Russian Empire. At first I thought about simply allowing Alexander II to survive his assassination attempt but then I came across his younger brother, Grand Duke Konstantin.
He was the driving force behind many of his brother's reforms, particularly crucial in pushing through the emancipation of the serfs. He was a committed progressive and unlike his brother extremly self-confident to the point of pigheadedness. He served as Viceroy of Poland for some time and treated the Poles with far more respect than the average Romanov. He attempted to have one of his children christened with a Polish name, but the St. Petersburg establishment went apoplectic at the idea of an Imperial prince connected with Poland. He was also dedicated to Naval reform and after his experience during the Crimean War convinced of the need for international diplomacy.
So say we have Alexander die in a horse riding accident during the Crimean War. Soon after old Tsar Nicholas dies, leaving Konstantin in charge of the Empire in the midst of the Crimean War. He was convinced the war was unwinnable so he might call for peace earlier and possibly accept harsher terms.
I'm planning some more in-depth research in the near future I was wondering if anyone learned in 19th C. Russia could tell me how likely and quickly do they think reform in the economy, politics etc. could take place? Would Poland get the Finland treatment? How would pan-Slavism work under a diplomatic Tsar?
He was the driving force behind many of his brother's reforms, particularly crucial in pushing through the emancipation of the serfs. He was a committed progressive and unlike his brother extremly self-confident to the point of pigheadedness. He served as Viceroy of Poland for some time and treated the Poles with far more respect than the average Romanov. He attempted to have one of his children christened with a Polish name, but the St. Petersburg establishment went apoplectic at the idea of an Imperial prince connected with Poland. He was also dedicated to Naval reform and after his experience during the Crimean War convinced of the need for international diplomacy.
So say we have Alexander die in a horse riding accident during the Crimean War. Soon after old Tsar Nicholas dies, leaving Konstantin in charge of the Empire in the midst of the Crimean War. He was convinced the war was unwinnable so he might call for peace earlier and possibly accept harsher terms.
I'm planning some more in-depth research in the near future I was wondering if anyone learned in 19th C. Russia could tell me how likely and quickly do they think reform in the economy, politics etc. could take place? Would Poland get the Finland treatment? How would pan-Slavism work under a diplomatic Tsar?