What if: Russia cuts army 25% spends the money on the Navy

We've had a series of threads about what happens if some power cut their Navy spending and put it into the Army. Let's reverse it

So on his coronation day in 1896, Nicholas announces that he's reducing the term of service by one year. At the time, Russian infantry served four years, cavalry five. After the Japanese War, Russia does reduce the term by expands the number called. Here he keeps the number called the same

1896 i a good year: It would have given Nicholas a year to prepare, Germany joining the Triple Intervention means a relationship is possible, the Kruger Telegram means Germany is estranged from Britain and the Italian defeat at Adwa means war with the Triple Alliance is doubtful Finally, Japan is preparing to expand its fleet

Getting an exact number for Russian Army spending is rather difficult but the change would allow the Russians to more than double their fleet construction. we'll assume they build the same kind of ships just twice as many

So the questions:

1) How does Germany respond. Does it take this as a means to expand their fleet as well or do they see Russia as weakened and try to exploit it

2) What is British and Japan's reaction? Do the British realize that Russia is so much stronger that a Japanese alliance is worthless and offer the Entente on better terms? Does Russia take it?

3) Or does Britain try and pick a fight. Hoping to use someone as their stalking horse?

4) If Russia wins/avoids the Manchurian War will they also win a WWI that breaks out like OTL
 
Do they get a nice admirals glass bottom boat too?! Have to review the ships.

Bigger navy smaller equipped army . Russia. Is a. Land power not navel

If Russia can build up a fleet to threaten England . Well just look at Germany.

And yes Germany will respond to a larger Russian navy.

The Arctic Fleet isn't worth too much, the black sea fleet is great for the area..

A Pacific fleet would be quite useful, they need compitent commanders and a tsar who is likewise compitent.

Nicki didn't want to offend the brits

Russia needed a military make over after crimean war. Never quite got it.

They could have won against the Japanese, but didn't play the cards right in China - North Asia

Russia is just unwieldy large and the time it took to move troops and supplies made it more difficult.
 
1) How does Germany respond. Does it take this as a means to expand their fleet as well or do they see Russia as weakened and try to exploit it

2) What is British and Japan's reaction? Do the British realize that Russia is so much stronger that a Japanese alliance is worthless and offer the Entente on better terms? Does Russia take it?

3) Or does Britain try and pick a fight. Hoping to use someone as their stalking horse?

4) If Russia wins/avoids the Manchurian War will they also win a WWI that breaks out like OTL

1. Busy toasting to the impeding re-emergence of Russophobia in Britain. Germany may have had naval ambitions, but the Russian Navy can't conquer Berlin.
They may get disappointed, if Britain decides to appease Russia, but even then the military change benefits them.

2. A stronger Russia makes Britain more interested in Allies not less. Unless they try appeasing Russia, they'll invest more in Japan not less. In TTL we might even see Britain ecouraging a German naval buildup.

3. Well until the Russian Navy is expanded, they don't have a target to fight against. No one else will invade Russia for Britains sake.

4. By 1914 there will be way too many butterflies for WW1 to happen as in OTL, even if some war starts over Serbia. Especially if there is no Russo-Japanese war or Russia wins it.
 
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