Why the Chinese play cricket (an Imperial Federation timeline)
- Thread starter Miss Construction
- Start date
They barely got to Imperial preference and that wasn't until the 1930s. But the Dominions had been pushing for Imp Pref since 1887, it was just the British weren't willing to accept just Imp Pref and kept pushing for a full customs union. ITTL the British started pushing for the customs union in 1884 with the Dominions only wanting Imp Pref. Then in 1886 the British nearly blew the whole of Imperial integration into tiny little bits entirely by bring up indigenous land right and REALLY pissing the Dominions off because of that. The British learnt their lesson from that and accepted Imp Pref in 1888. This has enabled them to get to the Customs union they wanted about 10 years later.
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I think I have to leave it here. There are a lot of radical changes coming up in the next five years which will make absolutely no sense unless you understand what's already happened. The first few years of the 20th century will see the TL well and truly leave Kansas far far behind. All the gradual trends which have been building for the past thirty years suddenly explode and by the end of 1905 the world will be vastly different from the OTL. Without that understanding it really looks like a swarm of angry ASBs descended on planet Earth and just ran riot haha.
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Aye i can see that and the way the republic is going I can probably guess other groups in Frances maybe looking to get out now as well heck people who were pro-dreyfus will more than likely be targeted now as well, this won’t be pretty and will probably get much worse. This will also probably have the knock on effect as well as making their colonial holdings more restive as well because I could see them getting nervous as well also some may flee there.
Nice, in a lot of ways since Canada has the natural resources to allow for this, though hopefully some one will keep Sam Hughes away from anything military wise.
They were OTL as well though the reform process took time OTL and wasn’t complete by ww1 start.
There will be some major long term consequences. Even if they're able to pull out of this right wing dive in the short term, the impact will last. Really is only a matter of time until someone in France pulls a Mussolini.
The big beneficiary will be BC, Vancouver will end up being the high tech centre on the Pacific coast.
Right now still not sure there'll even be a 1st ww.
Sept-Dec 1899: The dangers of confidence
~Sept-Dec 1899: The dangers of confidence
September 1899: In response to growing tensions in Southern Africa the British deploy a force of some 25,000 men under General Redvers Buller to the region. Believing the Boers pose no serious military threat, Buller begins dispersing his forces in defensive positions around Cape Colony and Natal, without forming a dedicated field force. Despite the commitment made at the Port Elizabeth Imperial Conference, first Dominion troops will not begin arriving in early December.
September 1899: The Spanish-American War has highlighted numerous deficiencies in US warships, particularly regarding protection, seaworthiness and the lack of quick firing guns. In an effort to rectify this situation an extensive program of refit and reconstruction of existing ships is begun, while the results of the war will be extensively studied in order in an effort to incorporate its lessons into new designs. With the loss of two cruisers being attributed to capsizing due itinerant instability in their design, future vessels will pay particular attention to this aspect, along with a general improvement in seakeeping, though limits on the size of vessels imposed by Congress in an effort to reduce costs will continually hamper these efforts.
September 1899: The Representation of the People Bill, granting women the vote has again been passed by the Commons virtually unmodified only to be defeated in the Lords. As it is now a matter of confidence, the Liberal government resigns, confident of victory in the inevitable elections. During the election campaign the Liberals will focus on their achievements in social reform such as the introduction of universal health insurance in 1892, old age pensions in 1896 and increasing workers rights over the period. The Conservatives however will focus on the growing crisis in South Africa and the supposed Liberal neglect of Imperial security.
September 1899: While the Lodge Report into the US Navy has resulted in a major scandal, attempts to implement its recommendations, particularly those regarding professional control of naval operations, have run into strong opposition in Congress, with many unwilling to surrender civilian control. However new Secretary of the Navy, William Moody is able to create a professional Naval Board, though it is to be strictly an advisory body.
September 1899: US President McKinley establishes the Department of Colonial Affairs to administer the newly acquired former Spanish possessions, with William Taft appointed as the first Secretary of Colonial Affairs. While US control over Cuba and the Philippines is still facing armed uprisings, Guam and Puerto Rico are both relatively peaceful and Taft declares military rule ended, establishing a commission of five US and two local representatives to govern the colonies pending the publication of the Schurman Commission's report.
October 1899: The continued humiliation of China by the Western Powers has lead to considerable anger amongst the Chinese. Over the past decade this has led to the formation of numerous secret martial arts societies dedicated to removing foreign influence. During the Guangxu Emperor's attempted reforms these came together as the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, more commonly referred to as Boxers. A group of Boxers using the name Militias United in Righteousness clash with Qing troops near the Temple of Senlou in Shandong Province. The Boxers are easily defeated but this first clash with Qing troops brings the movement to the attention of the Qing court. Many of the conservative faction, most importantly the Dowager Empress herself, see the movement as a means of defeating the Western Powers and thus begin encouraging the Boxers.
October 1899: The revised draft constitution for a federal Australia is narrowly approved in Queensland by a margin off only several hundred votes, allowing for the eventual formation of the federal Commonwealth of Australia. Despite being offered membership, both Fiji and New Zealand opt to remain independent Dominions Thus the new Commonwealth of Australia will consist of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. The interim capital of the new Commonwealth is to be in Melbourne pending the development of a dedicated federal city equidistant from Sydney and Melbourne.
October 1899: Convinced war is now inevitable, the Boer Republics mobilise their militia and issue an ultimatum demanding the British withdraw their forces. The ultimatum is greeted with disdain in Britain and refused. The Boers declare war on the 11th and invade Natal and Cape Colony. The British force are totally unprepared for the style of fighting utilised by the Boers. The Boer Commandos are groups of fast moving mounted infantry armed with with modern high power Mauser rifles, excelling at marksmanship and the use of cover. By contrast the British are still wedded to structured linear operations with little regard for cover or individual initiative. As a result the British suffer a series of stinging defeats and by the end of the month the towns of Kimberley, Ladysmith and Mafeking are all under siege.
November 1899: Previous International tensions over Samoa resulted in the 1889 Berlin Convention which placed the islands under joint British, German and US control This agreement has proved unworkable and new Tripartite Convention is signed in London. Under its terms the British withdraw their claims in return for German concessions elsewhere, particularly the Germans renouncing their claim to Tonga. The Islands themselves are divided into German Samoa consisting of the islands of Upola and Savi'i and American Samoa of Tatuila and the Manu'a Islands.
November 1899: General Buller, having been reinforced by an additional 10,000 troops launches an offensive to relieve the besieged towns. However yet again, the British are unable to cope with the Boers tactics and suffer still more humiliating defeats. The worst comes in the 'Black Week' in early December with three defeats in quick succession and nearly 3,000 casualties. As a result of these defeats Buller is replaced by General Frederick Roberts, while further troops are mobilised for service in South Africa, including an appeal to the Dominions to increase their contribution. The Canadians agree to send an additional brigade of four infantry and one cavalry battalions, while the Pacific Dominions respond with particular enthusiasm, organising a division of seven infantry and three cavalry battalions lavishly supported by artillery and machine guns. By the end of December there are some 180,000 British and Dominion troops in Southern Africa.
November 1899: Though the General Election is a result of the defeat of the attempt to introduce women's suffrage, the election has been dominated by the disasters in South Africa, with the Conservatives focus on the Liberals supposed history of failure to prioritise Imperial affairs over domestic reform finding a great deal of support. Lord Salisbury's Conservatives take 346 seats to give them a clear 22 seat majority. The Liberals representation is slashed from 310 to 269 seats, with the Irish National Party taking 30, the Irish Parliamentary Coalition 18. Cymru Fydd and the Scottish National Party both hold just three seats and the Labour Party is reduced to a single member. The election marks the end of seventeen years of Liberal government. Lord Salisbury takes the position of Foreign Secretary himself, appointing former Progressives Lord Rosebery and George Goschen as Colonial Secretary and First Lord of the Admiralty respectively. For the rest of his cabinet, he appoints Charles Richie as Home Secretary, Michael Beach as Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Hamilton as Secretary of State for India and William Brodrick as Secretary of State for War, retaining the South African Jan Hofmeyr as Dominion Secretary.
December 1899: Dreyfusard elements organise a national strike in an effort to bring down the French government. President Jules Méline orders army unit to break up the strike. However the 4th Dragoon Regiment in Toulon refuses to act, triggering a mutiny which spreads rapidly throughout the army.
December 1899: After months of hard fighting, the US has established physical control over both Cuba and the Philippines. However the rebels have refused to accept defeat and moved over to guerilla warfare. While the US is confident the insurgency will fade quickly, it will drag on for many years.
December 1899: With the successful airship flights of Alberto Santos-Dumont and Ferdinand von Zeppelin, French industrialist Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe, having fled the chaos in France for Britain due to his Jewish heritage, offers a £4,000 {£4,106} prize for the first successful powered heavier than air flight. This prize will see a surge in interest in the possibility of such an aircraft.
December 1899: With the French army in a state of mutiny and the country on the verge of revolution, President Jules Méline steps down in favour of former President Émile Loubet. Loubet dismisses Prime Minister Jules Guérin, instead appointing Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau in his place at the head of a government of national reconciliation. Waldeck-Rousseau requests and receives a motion from the National Assembly dissolving the Third Republic and ordering the election of constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. These drastic measures finally begin to quiet the disorder in France.
September 1899: In response to growing tensions in Southern Africa the British deploy a force of some 25,000 men under General Redvers Buller to the region. Believing the Boers pose no serious military threat, Buller begins dispersing his forces in defensive positions around Cape Colony and Natal, without forming a dedicated field force. Despite the commitment made at the Port Elizabeth Imperial Conference, first Dominion troops will not begin arriving in early December.
September 1899: The Spanish-American War has highlighted numerous deficiencies in US warships, particularly regarding protection, seaworthiness and the lack of quick firing guns. In an effort to rectify this situation an extensive program of refit and reconstruction of existing ships is begun, while the results of the war will be extensively studied in order in an effort to incorporate its lessons into new designs. With the loss of two cruisers being attributed to capsizing due itinerant instability in their design, future vessels will pay particular attention to this aspect, along with a general improvement in seakeeping, though limits on the size of vessels imposed by Congress in an effort to reduce costs will continually hamper these efforts.
September 1899: The Representation of the People Bill, granting women the vote has again been passed by the Commons virtually unmodified only to be defeated in the Lords. As it is now a matter of confidence, the Liberal government resigns, confident of victory in the inevitable elections. During the election campaign the Liberals will focus on their achievements in social reform such as the introduction of universal health insurance in 1892, old age pensions in 1896 and increasing workers rights over the period. The Conservatives however will focus on the growing crisis in South Africa and the supposed Liberal neglect of Imperial security.
September 1899: While the Lodge Report into the US Navy has resulted in a major scandal, attempts to implement its recommendations, particularly those regarding professional control of naval operations, have run into strong opposition in Congress, with many unwilling to surrender civilian control. However new Secretary of the Navy, William Moody is able to create a professional Naval Board, though it is to be strictly an advisory body.
September 1899: US President McKinley establishes the Department of Colonial Affairs to administer the newly acquired former Spanish possessions, with William Taft appointed as the first Secretary of Colonial Affairs. While US control over Cuba and the Philippines is still facing armed uprisings, Guam and Puerto Rico are both relatively peaceful and Taft declares military rule ended, establishing a commission of five US and two local representatives to govern the colonies pending the publication of the Schurman Commission's report.
October 1899: The continued humiliation of China by the Western Powers has lead to considerable anger amongst the Chinese. Over the past decade this has led to the formation of numerous secret martial arts societies dedicated to removing foreign influence. During the Guangxu Emperor's attempted reforms these came together as the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, more commonly referred to as Boxers. A group of Boxers using the name Militias United in Righteousness clash with Qing troops near the Temple of Senlou in Shandong Province. The Boxers are easily defeated but this first clash with Qing troops brings the movement to the attention of the Qing court. Many of the conservative faction, most importantly the Dowager Empress herself, see the movement as a means of defeating the Western Powers and thus begin encouraging the Boxers.
October 1899: The revised draft constitution for a federal Australia is narrowly approved in Queensland by a margin off only several hundred votes, allowing for the eventual formation of the federal Commonwealth of Australia. Despite being offered membership, both Fiji and New Zealand opt to remain independent Dominions Thus the new Commonwealth of Australia will consist of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. The interim capital of the new Commonwealth is to be in Melbourne pending the development of a dedicated federal city equidistant from Sydney and Melbourne.
October 1899: Convinced war is now inevitable, the Boer Republics mobilise their militia and issue an ultimatum demanding the British withdraw their forces. The ultimatum is greeted with disdain in Britain and refused. The Boers declare war on the 11th and invade Natal and Cape Colony. The British force are totally unprepared for the style of fighting utilised by the Boers. The Boer Commandos are groups of fast moving mounted infantry armed with with modern high power Mauser rifles, excelling at marksmanship and the use of cover. By contrast the British are still wedded to structured linear operations with little regard for cover or individual initiative. As a result the British suffer a series of stinging defeats and by the end of the month the towns of Kimberley, Ladysmith and Mafeking are all under siege.
November 1899: Previous International tensions over Samoa resulted in the 1889 Berlin Convention which placed the islands under joint British, German and US control This agreement has proved unworkable and new Tripartite Convention is signed in London. Under its terms the British withdraw their claims in return for German concessions elsewhere, particularly the Germans renouncing their claim to Tonga. The Islands themselves are divided into German Samoa consisting of the islands of Upola and Savi'i and American Samoa of Tatuila and the Manu'a Islands.
November 1899: General Buller, having been reinforced by an additional 10,000 troops launches an offensive to relieve the besieged towns. However yet again, the British are unable to cope with the Boers tactics and suffer still more humiliating defeats. The worst comes in the 'Black Week' in early December with three defeats in quick succession and nearly 3,000 casualties. As a result of these defeats Buller is replaced by General Frederick Roberts, while further troops are mobilised for service in South Africa, including an appeal to the Dominions to increase their contribution. The Canadians agree to send an additional brigade of four infantry and one cavalry battalions, while the Pacific Dominions respond with particular enthusiasm, organising a division of seven infantry and three cavalry battalions lavishly supported by artillery and machine guns. By the end of December there are some 180,000 British and Dominion troops in Southern Africa.
November 1899: Though the General Election is a result of the defeat of the attempt to introduce women's suffrage, the election has been dominated by the disasters in South Africa, with the Conservatives focus on the Liberals supposed history of failure to prioritise Imperial affairs over domestic reform finding a great deal of support. Lord Salisbury's Conservatives take 346 seats to give them a clear 22 seat majority. The Liberals representation is slashed from 310 to 269 seats, with the Irish National Party taking 30, the Irish Parliamentary Coalition 18. Cymru Fydd and the Scottish National Party both hold just three seats and the Labour Party is reduced to a single member. The election marks the end of seventeen years of Liberal government. Lord Salisbury takes the position of Foreign Secretary himself, appointing former Progressives Lord Rosebery and George Goschen as Colonial Secretary and First Lord of the Admiralty respectively. For the rest of his cabinet, he appoints Charles Richie as Home Secretary, Michael Beach as Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Hamilton as Secretary of State for India and William Brodrick as Secretary of State for War, retaining the South African Jan Hofmeyr as Dominion Secretary.
December 1899: Dreyfusard elements organise a national strike in an effort to bring down the French government. President Jules Méline orders army unit to break up the strike. However the 4th Dragoon Regiment in Toulon refuses to act, triggering a mutiny which spreads rapidly throughout the army.
December 1899: After months of hard fighting, the US has established physical control over both Cuba and the Philippines. However the rebels have refused to accept defeat and moved over to guerilla warfare. While the US is confident the insurgency will fade quickly, it will drag on for many years.
December 1899: With the successful airship flights of Alberto Santos-Dumont and Ferdinand von Zeppelin, French industrialist Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe, having fled the chaos in France for Britain due to his Jewish heritage, offers a £4,000 {£4,106} prize for the first successful powered heavier than air flight. This prize will see a surge in interest in the possibility of such an aircraft.
December 1899: With the French army in a state of mutiny and the country on the verge of revolution, President Jules Méline steps down in favour of former President Émile Loubet. Loubet dismisses Prime Minister Jules Guérin, instead appointing Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau in his place at the head of a government of national reconciliation. Waldeck-Rousseau requests and receives a motion from the National Assembly dissolving the Third Republic and ordering the election of constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. These drastic measures finally begin to quiet the disorder in France.
This might be fulfilled within a year, depending on how Percy Pilcher is doing.
Buller was a lot quicker learning tactical lessons than most of his peers, or even later generations. the worst casualties under his command were largely the result of incompetent subordinates.
I think Tom Pakenham's book on the war superb.
Review here.
They will both end up being running sores. You probably shouldn't try to colonise countries with active and effective guerilla movements demanding independence.
The liberals had been in power since 1882, so not a bad run. But if you look at the elections, Britain has only had one majority government since 1880. This is a product of that instability in government.
Mmm, I hadn't heard of pilcher before. I may have to go back and alter a few things in the upcoming years lol.
Despite the initial disasters, the British adapted surprisingly quickly and we'll. Within three months they'd changed methods were dealing with the Boers in regular warfare pretty well. The big advantage of the long service professional army was it was flexible and learnt well.
Imperial Russian Navy 1870 to 1904
Battleships
Petr Veliki class
10,400 tons, 4 x 12" BL turret, 3 (6) x 3.4" BL, 1 (2) x 15” TT uw, 14" Iron belt, 3" Iron deck, 14 knots SE FT Coal, very low freeboard
- Petr Veliki, ordered 1869, laid down 6/1869, commissioned 10/1876
Ekaterina II class
11,000 tons, 4 (6) x 12" BL barbette, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 3 (7) x 15” TT aw 1 bow, 100 mines, 16" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 16 knots CE FT Coal
- Ekaterina II, ordered 1883, laid down 5/1883, commissioned 8/1889
- Tchesma, ordered 1883, laid down 5/1883, commissioned 6/1889
- Sinop, ordered 1883, laid down 6/1883, commissioned 2/1890
- Georgi Pobiedonosets, ordered 1889, laid down 7/1889, commissioned 2/1894
Imperator Alexander II class
9,500 tons, 2 x 12" BL barbette, 2 (4) x 9” BL, 4 (8) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 14" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 15 knots TE FT Coal
- Imperator Alexander II, ordered 1885, laid down 11/1885, commissioned 6/1891
- Imperator Nikolai I, ordered 1885, laid down 12/1885, commissioned 7/1891
Dvienadstat Apostolov class
8,700 tons, 4 x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 14" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 16 knots TE FT Coal
- Dvienadstat Apostolov, ordered 1887, laid down 2/1888, commissioned 2/1892
Gangut class
6,600 tons, 1 x 12" BL, 2 (4) x 9” BL, 2 (4) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 16" Compound belt, 2" Compound deck, 15 knots TE FT Coal
- Gangut, ordered 1888, laid down 12/1888, commissioned 2/1894, wrecked 1897
Navarin class
10,200 tons, 4 x 12" BL turret, 4 (8) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 16" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 15.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Navarin, ordered 1888, laid down 2/1889, commissioned 5/1894
Tri Svititelia class
13,300 tons, 4 x 12" BL turret, 4 (8) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 18" Nickel belt, 3" Nickel deck, 17 knots TE FT Coal
- Tri Svititelia, ordered 1891, laid down 8/1891, commissioned 7/1898
Sissoi Veliki class
10,400 tons, 4 x 12", 3 (6) x 6", 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 16" Nickel belt, 3" Nickel deck, 17 knots TE FT Coal
- Sissoi Veliki, ordered 1891, laid down 5/1892, commissioned 7/1896
Admiral Ushakov class
5,000 tons, 4 x 10", 2 (4) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 10" Nickel belt, 2" Nickel deck, 16 knots TE FT Coal
- Admiral Ushakov, ordered 1891, laid down 6/1892, commissioned 7/1895
- Admiral Seniavin, ordered 1891, laid down 3/1892, commissioned 2/1896
- General Admiral Graf Apraksin, ordered 1891, laid down 11/1894, commissioned 1/1896
Petropavlovsk class
11,500 tons, 4 x 12", 6 (12) x 6", 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 60 mines, 16" Harvey belt, 3" Harvey deck, 16.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Petropavlovsk, ordered 1891, laid down 5/1892, commissioned 3/1899
- Poltava, ordered 1891, laid down 5/1892, commissioned 7/1896
- Sevastopol, ordered 1891, laid down 5/1892, commissioned 2/1899
Rostislav class
8,900 tons, 4 x 10", 4 (8) x 6", 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 14" Harvet belt, 2" Harvey deck, 15.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Rostislav, ordered 1895, laid down 9/1895, commissioned 4/1898
Peresviet class
11,500 tons, 4 x 12", 6 (12) x 6", 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 60 mines, 16" Harvey belt, 3" Harvey deck, 16.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Peresviet, ordered 1895, laid down 11/1895, commissioned 7/1901
- Osliabia, ordered 1895, laid down 11/1895, commissioned 12/1901
- Pobieda, ordered 1895, laid down 8/1895, commissioned 9/1902
Knaiz Potempkin Tavritcheski class
12,600 tons, 4 x 12", 8 (16) x 6", 2 (5) x 18” TT uw 1 stn, 9" belt, 2" deck, 16.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Knaiz Potempkin Tavritcheski, ordered 1897, laid down 2/1898, commissioned 11/1903
Restvisan class
12,900 tons, 4 x 12", 6 (12) x 6", 10 (20) x 3", 2 (6) x 18” TT uw 1fwd 1 stn, 9" belt, 2" deck, 18 knots TE WT Coal
- Restvisan, ordered 1897, laid down 5/1898, commissioned 12/1901
Tserrarevitch class
12,900 tons, 4 x 12", 6 (12) x 6", 10 (20) x 3", 2 (6) x 18” TT uw 1fwd 1 stn, 45 mines, 10" belt, 2.5" deck, 18.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Tserrarevitch, ordered 1895, laid down 11/1895, commissioned 7/1901
Borodino class
13,500 tons, 4 x 12", 8 (16) x 6", 1 (4) x 18” TT uw 1 stn, 9" belt, 2" deck, 18 knots TE WT Coal
- Borodino, ordered 1899, laid down 7/1899, commissioned 8/1904
- Imperator Alexander III, ordered 1899, laid down 11/1903, commissioned 12/1904
- Orel, ordered 1899, laid down 3/1900, commissioned 10/1904
- Kniaz Suvarov, ordered 1900, laid down 7/1901, commissioned 9/1904
- Slava, ordered 1900, laid down 10/1902, commissioned 6/1905
Evstafi class
12,800 tons, 4 x 12", 2 (4) x 8", 6 (12) x 6", 10 (20) x 3", 1 (3) x 18” TT uw 1 stn, 8.5" belt, 3" deck, 16.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Evstafi, ordered 1903, laid down 12/1903, commissioned 8/1910
- Ioann Zlatoust, ordered 1903, laid down 11/1903, commissioned 8/1910
Imperator Pavel class
17,400 tons, 4 x 12", 7 (14) x 8", 6 (12) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 18” TT uw 1 stn, 9" belt, 2.5" deck, 17.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Imperator Pavel, ordered 1903, laid down 5/1904, commissioned 9/1910
- Pervoswammi, ordered 1903, laid down 5/1904, commissioned 7/1910
Armoured Cruisers
General Admiral class
5,000 tons, 3 (6) x 8" BL, 2 x 6" BL, 1 (2) x 15” TT aw, 6" Iron belt, 1" Iron deck, 12.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Imperator Pavel, ordered 1870, laid down 10/1870, commissioned 9/1875
- Gerzog Edinbugski, ordered 1870, laid down 12/1870, commissioned 7/1877
Vladimar Monomakh class
6,000 tons, 2 (4) x 8" BL, 6 (12) x 6" BL, 1 (2) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 1" Compound deck, 12.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Vladimar Monomakh, ordered 1880, laid down 5/1880, commissioned 11/1885, rearmed 1898
Vladimar Monomakh class (reamed)
6,000 tons, 3 (5) x 6”, 4 (8) x 4.7”, 1 (2) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 1" Compound deck, 12.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Vladimar Monomakh, reamed 1898
Dmitri Donskoi class
6,200 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 7 (14) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 3.4”, 2 (5) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 1" Compound deck, 16.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Dmitri Donskoi, ordered 1880, laid down 1/1881, commissioned 2/1885, rearmed 1895
Dmitri Donskoi class (reamed)
6,200 tons, 4 (6) x 6”, 5 (10) x 4.7”, 2 (5) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 1" Compound deck, 16.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Dmitri Donskoi, rearmed 1895
Admiral Nakhimov class
8,500 tons, 5 (8) x 8" BL, 5 (10) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 3.4”, 1 (3) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 10" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 17 knots CE FT Coal
- Admiral Nakhimov, ordered 1883, laid down 6/1883, commissioned 11/1888
Pamiat Azova class
6,700 tons, 1 (2) x 8" BL, 7 (13) x 6" BL, 1 (3) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 17 knots TE FT Coal
- Pamiat Azova, ordered 1886, laid down 9/1886, commissioned 12/1890
Rurik class
11,700 tons, 2 (4) x 8", 8 (16) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7”, 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 10" Steel belt, 2.5" Steel deck, 19 knots TE FT Coal
- Rurik, ordered 1890, laid down 5/1890, commissioned 7/1895
Rossia class
13,700 tons, 2 (4) x 8", 8 (16) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 10" Harvey belt, 2.5" Harvey deck, 20 knots TE WT Coal
- Rossia, ordered 1890, laid down 1/1894, commissioned 3/1897
Gromoboi class
13,200 tons, 2 (4) x 8", 8 (16) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 6" belt, 2" deck, 20 knots TE WT Coal
- Gromoboi, ordered 1897, laid down 9/1897, commissioned 12/1900
Bayan class
7,800 tons, 2 x 8", 4 (8) x 6", 10 (20) x 3”, 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 7" belt, 2.5" deck, 21 knots TE WT Coal
- Bayan, ordered 1897, laid down 2/1899, commissioned 4/1903
- Vyestnik, ordered 1904, laid down 5/1905, commissioned 4/1908
- Kreiser, ordered 1904, laid down 5/1905, commissioned 12/1911
- Yakhont, ordered 1904, laid down 5/1905, commissioned 2/1911
Almaz class
15,200 tons, 4 x 10", 4 (8) x 8", 10 (20) x 4.7”, 1 (2) x 15” TT uw, 6" belt, 3" deck, 21 knots TE WT Coal
- Almaz, ordered 1904, laid down 2/1905, commissioned 3/1908
Protected Cruisers
Vitiaz class
3,500 tons, 5 (10) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 3.4" BL, 1.5" Steel slope, 0.5" Steel deck, 14.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Vitiaz, ordered 1882, laid down 5/1883, commissioned 11/1886, wrecked 1893
- Rynda, ordered 1882, laid down 6/1883, commissioned 2/1887
Admiral Kornilov class
5,700 tons, 7 (14) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 2.5" Compound slope, 1.5" Compound deck, 17.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Admiral Kornilov, ordered 1881, laid down 2/1886, commissioned 9/1888
Svietlana class
3,90 tons, 3 (6) x 6", 1 (2) x 15” TT aw, 20 mines, 2" Compound slope, 1" Compound deck, 21.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Svietlana, ordered 1895, laid down 12/1895, commissioned 12/1897
Pallada class
6,700 tons, 5 (8) x 6", 11 (22) x 3”, 1 (3) x 15” TT uw 1 stn, 3" slope, 2" deck, 19.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Pallada, ordered 1895, laid down 12/1895, commissioned 3/1902
- Diana, ordered 1895, laid down 12/1895, commissioned 7/1902
- Aurora, ordered 1895, laid down 6/1897, commissioned 2/1903
Variag class
6,500 tons, 7 (12) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (6) x 15” TT aw 1 bow 1 stn, 22 mines, 3" slope, 1.5" deck, 23 knots TE WT Coal
- Variag, ordered 1897, laid down 1/1898, commissioned 10/1900
Askold class
6,500 tons, 7 (12) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (6) x 15” TT aw 1 bow 1 stn, 3" slope, 2" deck, 24 knots TE WT Coal
- Askold, ordered 1897, laid down 4/1898, commissioned 3/1901
Bogatyr class
6,600 tons, 7 (12) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (6) x 15” TT aw 1 bow 1 stn, 2" slope, 1" deck, 23 knots TE WT Coal
- Bogatyr, ordered 1898, laid down 1/1898, commissioned 3/1901
- Oleg, ordered 1898, laid down 3/1901, commissioned 7/1904
- Kagul, ordered 1898, laid down 10/1900, commissioned 1/1905
- Pamiat Merkuria, ordered 1898, laid down 6/1900, commissioned 3/1907
Novik class
3,100 tons, 4 (6) x 4.7", 2 (5) x 15” TT uw 1 stn, 2" slope, 1" deck, 25 knots TE WT Coal
- Novik, ordered 1898, laid down 5/1898, commissioned 9/1901
Boyarin class
3,200 tons, 4 (6) x 4.7", 2 (5) x 15” TT uw 1 stn, 2" slope, 1" deck, 22 knots TE WT Coal
- Boyarin, ordered 1898, laid down 1/1899, commissioned 5/1902
Izumrud class
3,100 tons, 4 (6) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 15” TT uw stn, 2" slope, 1" deck, 24 knots TE WT Coal
- Izumrud, ordered 1901, laid down 8/1901, commissioned 7/1904
- Jemtchung, ordered 1901, laid down 10/1901, commissioned 9/1904
Unprotected Cruisers
Pamiat Merkuria class
3,000 tons, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 4.2" BL, 2 (4) x 14” TT aw, 0" belt, 0" deck, 14 knots SE FT Coal
- Pamiat Merkuria, ordered 1877, laid down 5/1878, commissioned 9/1881, disposed 1906
Battleships
Petr Veliki class
10,400 tons, 4 x 12" BL turret, 3 (6) x 3.4" BL, 1 (2) x 15” TT uw, 14" Iron belt, 3" Iron deck, 14 knots SE FT Coal, very low freeboard
- Petr Veliki, ordered 1869, laid down 6/1869, commissioned 10/1876
Ekaterina II class
11,000 tons, 4 (6) x 12" BL barbette, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 3 (7) x 15” TT aw 1 bow, 100 mines, 16" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 16 knots CE FT Coal
- Ekaterina II, ordered 1883, laid down 5/1883, commissioned 8/1889
- Tchesma, ordered 1883, laid down 5/1883, commissioned 6/1889
- Sinop, ordered 1883, laid down 6/1883, commissioned 2/1890
- Georgi Pobiedonosets, ordered 1889, laid down 7/1889, commissioned 2/1894
Imperator Alexander II class
9,500 tons, 2 x 12" BL barbette, 2 (4) x 9” BL, 4 (8) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 14" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 15 knots TE FT Coal
- Imperator Alexander II, ordered 1885, laid down 11/1885, commissioned 6/1891
- Imperator Nikolai I, ordered 1885, laid down 12/1885, commissioned 7/1891
Dvienadstat Apostolov class
8,700 tons, 4 x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 14" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 16 knots TE FT Coal
- Dvienadstat Apostolov, ordered 1887, laid down 2/1888, commissioned 2/1892
Gangut class
6,600 tons, 1 x 12" BL, 2 (4) x 9” BL, 2 (4) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 16" Compound belt, 2" Compound deck, 15 knots TE FT Coal
- Gangut, ordered 1888, laid down 12/1888, commissioned 2/1894, wrecked 1897
Navarin class
10,200 tons, 4 x 12" BL turret, 4 (8) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 16" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 15.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Navarin, ordered 1888, laid down 2/1889, commissioned 5/1894
Tri Svititelia class
13,300 tons, 4 x 12" BL turret, 4 (8) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 18" Nickel belt, 3" Nickel deck, 17 knots TE FT Coal
- Tri Svititelia, ordered 1891, laid down 8/1891, commissioned 7/1898
Sissoi Veliki class
10,400 tons, 4 x 12", 3 (6) x 6", 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 16" Nickel belt, 3" Nickel deck, 17 knots TE FT Coal
- Sissoi Veliki, ordered 1891, laid down 5/1892, commissioned 7/1896
Admiral Ushakov class
5,000 tons, 4 x 10", 2 (4) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 10" Nickel belt, 2" Nickel deck, 16 knots TE FT Coal
- Admiral Ushakov, ordered 1891, laid down 6/1892, commissioned 7/1895
- Admiral Seniavin, ordered 1891, laid down 3/1892, commissioned 2/1896
- General Admiral Graf Apraksin, ordered 1891, laid down 11/1894, commissioned 1/1896
Petropavlovsk class
11,500 tons, 4 x 12", 6 (12) x 6", 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 60 mines, 16" Harvey belt, 3" Harvey deck, 16.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Petropavlovsk, ordered 1891, laid down 5/1892, commissioned 3/1899
- Poltava, ordered 1891, laid down 5/1892, commissioned 7/1896
- Sevastopol, ordered 1891, laid down 5/1892, commissioned 2/1899
Rostislav class
8,900 tons, 4 x 10", 4 (8) x 6", 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 14" Harvet belt, 2" Harvey deck, 15.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Rostislav, ordered 1895, laid down 9/1895, commissioned 4/1898
Peresviet class
11,500 tons, 4 x 12", 6 (12) x 6", 3 (6) x 18” TT aw, 60 mines, 16" Harvey belt, 3" Harvey deck, 16.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Peresviet, ordered 1895, laid down 11/1895, commissioned 7/1901
- Osliabia, ordered 1895, laid down 11/1895, commissioned 12/1901
- Pobieda, ordered 1895, laid down 8/1895, commissioned 9/1902
Knaiz Potempkin Tavritcheski class
12,600 tons, 4 x 12", 8 (16) x 6", 2 (5) x 18” TT uw 1 stn, 9" belt, 2" deck, 16.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Knaiz Potempkin Tavritcheski, ordered 1897, laid down 2/1898, commissioned 11/1903
Restvisan class
12,900 tons, 4 x 12", 6 (12) x 6", 10 (20) x 3", 2 (6) x 18” TT uw 1fwd 1 stn, 9" belt, 2" deck, 18 knots TE WT Coal
- Restvisan, ordered 1897, laid down 5/1898, commissioned 12/1901
Tserrarevitch class
12,900 tons, 4 x 12", 6 (12) x 6", 10 (20) x 3", 2 (6) x 18” TT uw 1fwd 1 stn, 45 mines, 10" belt, 2.5" deck, 18.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Tserrarevitch, ordered 1895, laid down 11/1895, commissioned 7/1901
Borodino class
13,500 tons, 4 x 12", 8 (16) x 6", 1 (4) x 18” TT uw 1 stn, 9" belt, 2" deck, 18 knots TE WT Coal
- Borodino, ordered 1899, laid down 7/1899, commissioned 8/1904
- Imperator Alexander III, ordered 1899, laid down 11/1903, commissioned 12/1904
- Orel, ordered 1899, laid down 3/1900, commissioned 10/1904
- Kniaz Suvarov, ordered 1900, laid down 7/1901, commissioned 9/1904
- Slava, ordered 1900, laid down 10/1902, commissioned 6/1905
Evstafi class
12,800 tons, 4 x 12", 2 (4) x 8", 6 (12) x 6", 10 (20) x 3", 1 (3) x 18” TT uw 1 stn, 8.5" belt, 3" deck, 16.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Evstafi, ordered 1903, laid down 12/1903, commissioned 8/1910
- Ioann Zlatoust, ordered 1903, laid down 11/1903, commissioned 8/1910
Imperator Pavel class
17,400 tons, 4 x 12", 7 (14) x 8", 6 (12) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 18” TT uw 1 stn, 9" belt, 2.5" deck, 17.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Imperator Pavel, ordered 1903, laid down 5/1904, commissioned 9/1910
- Pervoswammi, ordered 1903, laid down 5/1904, commissioned 7/1910
Armoured Cruisers
General Admiral class
5,000 tons, 3 (6) x 8" BL, 2 x 6" BL, 1 (2) x 15” TT aw, 6" Iron belt, 1" Iron deck, 12.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Imperator Pavel, ordered 1870, laid down 10/1870, commissioned 9/1875
- Gerzog Edinbugski, ordered 1870, laid down 12/1870, commissioned 7/1877
Vladimar Monomakh class
6,000 tons, 2 (4) x 8" BL, 6 (12) x 6" BL, 1 (2) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 1" Compound deck, 12.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Vladimar Monomakh, ordered 1880, laid down 5/1880, commissioned 11/1885, rearmed 1898
Vladimar Monomakh class (reamed)
6,000 tons, 3 (5) x 6”, 4 (8) x 4.7”, 1 (2) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 1" Compound deck, 12.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Vladimar Monomakh, reamed 1898
Dmitri Donskoi class
6,200 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 7 (14) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 3.4”, 2 (5) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 1" Compound deck, 16.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Dmitri Donskoi, ordered 1880, laid down 1/1881, commissioned 2/1885, rearmed 1895
Dmitri Donskoi class (reamed)
6,200 tons, 4 (6) x 6”, 5 (10) x 4.7”, 2 (5) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 1" Compound deck, 16.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Dmitri Donskoi, rearmed 1895
Admiral Nakhimov class
8,500 tons, 5 (8) x 8" BL, 5 (10) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 3.4”, 1 (3) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 10" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 17 knots CE FT Coal
- Admiral Nakhimov, ordered 1883, laid down 6/1883, commissioned 11/1888
Pamiat Azova class
6,700 tons, 1 (2) x 8" BL, 7 (13) x 6" BL, 1 (3) x 15” TT uw 1 bow, 6" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 17 knots TE FT Coal
- Pamiat Azova, ordered 1886, laid down 9/1886, commissioned 12/1890
Rurik class
11,700 tons, 2 (4) x 8", 8 (16) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7”, 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 10" Steel belt, 2.5" Steel deck, 19 knots TE FT Coal
- Rurik, ordered 1890, laid down 5/1890, commissioned 7/1895
Rossia class
13,700 tons, 2 (4) x 8", 8 (16) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 10" Harvey belt, 2.5" Harvey deck, 20 knots TE WT Coal
- Rossia, ordered 1890, laid down 1/1894, commissioned 3/1897
Gromoboi class
13,200 tons, 2 (4) x 8", 8 (16) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 6" belt, 2" deck, 20 knots TE WT Coal
- Gromoboi, ordered 1897, laid down 9/1897, commissioned 12/1900
Bayan class
7,800 tons, 2 x 8", 4 (8) x 6", 10 (20) x 3”, 2 (4) x 15” TT aw, 7" belt, 2.5" deck, 21 knots TE WT Coal
- Bayan, ordered 1897, laid down 2/1899, commissioned 4/1903
- Vyestnik, ordered 1904, laid down 5/1905, commissioned 4/1908
- Kreiser, ordered 1904, laid down 5/1905, commissioned 12/1911
- Yakhont, ordered 1904, laid down 5/1905, commissioned 2/1911
Almaz class
15,200 tons, 4 x 10", 4 (8) x 8", 10 (20) x 4.7”, 1 (2) x 15” TT uw, 6" belt, 3" deck, 21 knots TE WT Coal
- Almaz, ordered 1904, laid down 2/1905, commissioned 3/1908
Protected Cruisers
Vitiaz class
3,500 tons, 5 (10) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 3.4" BL, 1.5" Steel slope, 0.5" Steel deck, 14.5 knots CE FT Coal
- Vitiaz, ordered 1882, laid down 5/1883, commissioned 11/1886, wrecked 1893
- Rynda, ordered 1882, laid down 6/1883, commissioned 2/1887
Admiral Kornilov class
5,700 tons, 7 (14) x 6" BL, 3 (6) x 15” TT aw, 2.5" Compound slope, 1.5" Compound deck, 17.5 knots TE FT Coal
- Admiral Kornilov, ordered 1881, laid down 2/1886, commissioned 9/1888
Svietlana class
3,90 tons, 3 (6) x 6", 1 (2) x 15” TT aw, 20 mines, 2" Compound slope, 1" Compound deck, 21.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Svietlana, ordered 1895, laid down 12/1895, commissioned 12/1897
Pallada class
6,700 tons, 5 (8) x 6", 11 (22) x 3”, 1 (3) x 15” TT uw 1 stn, 3" slope, 2" deck, 19.5 knots TE WT Coal
- Pallada, ordered 1895, laid down 12/1895, commissioned 3/1902
- Diana, ordered 1895, laid down 12/1895, commissioned 7/1902
- Aurora, ordered 1895, laid down 6/1897, commissioned 2/1903
Variag class
6,500 tons, 7 (12) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (6) x 15” TT aw 1 bow 1 stn, 22 mines, 3" slope, 1.5" deck, 23 knots TE WT Coal
- Variag, ordered 1897, laid down 1/1898, commissioned 10/1900
Askold class
6,500 tons, 7 (12) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (6) x 15” TT aw 1 bow 1 stn, 3" slope, 2" deck, 24 knots TE WT Coal
- Askold, ordered 1897, laid down 4/1898, commissioned 3/1901
Bogatyr class
6,600 tons, 7 (12) x 6", 6 (12) x 3”, 2 (6) x 15” TT aw 1 bow 1 stn, 2" slope, 1" deck, 23 knots TE WT Coal
- Bogatyr, ordered 1898, laid down 1/1898, commissioned 3/1901
- Oleg, ordered 1898, laid down 3/1901, commissioned 7/1904
- Kagul, ordered 1898, laid down 10/1900, commissioned 1/1905
- Pamiat Merkuria, ordered 1898, laid down 6/1900, commissioned 3/1907
Novik class
3,100 tons, 4 (6) x 4.7", 2 (5) x 15” TT uw 1 stn, 2" slope, 1" deck, 25 knots TE WT Coal
- Novik, ordered 1898, laid down 5/1898, commissioned 9/1901
Boyarin class
3,200 tons, 4 (6) x 4.7", 2 (5) x 15” TT uw 1 stn, 2" slope, 1" deck, 22 knots TE WT Coal
- Boyarin, ordered 1898, laid down 1/1899, commissioned 5/1902
Izumrud class
3,100 tons, 4 (6) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 15” TT uw stn, 2" slope, 1" deck, 24 knots TE WT Coal
- Izumrud, ordered 1901, laid down 8/1901, commissioned 7/1904
- Jemtchung, ordered 1901, laid down 10/1901, commissioned 9/1904
Unprotected Cruisers
Pamiat Merkuria class
3,000 tons, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 4.2" BL, 2 (4) x 14” TT aw, 0" belt, 0" deck, 14 knots SE FT Coal
- Pamiat Merkuria, ordered 1877, laid down 5/1878, commissioned 9/1881, disposed 1906
Last edited:
Jan-March 1900: The Empires strike back
~Jan-March 1900: The Empires strike back
January 1900: Now with the backing of many in the Qing court, the Boxer movement in China is growing in strength rapidly, moving from simply attacking Chinese Christians to murdering foreigners. While the Qing conservatives support the movement, many moderates are concerned about the possible European reaction and press for them to be suppressed. In a clear display of support, Dowager Empress Cixi issues an edict forbidding the movement's suppression.
January 1900: Alberto Santos-Dumont, now working in Britain, shifts his focus from airships to developing a viable heavier than air aircraft. He particularly pays attention to the work of German aviation pioneer Otto Lilienthal and his efforts to develop controllable gliders.
January 1900: US Secretary of State John Hay and British Ambassador Julian Pauncefote hold detailed discussions regarding a joint policy regarding China. Both Britain and the US remain concerned by the efforts of France, Germany and Russia to exclude them. Hay advocates an 'open door policy' which would see all nations having equal access to the Chinese market. Pauncefote suggests Hay make a visit to London to discuss the matter directly with Lord Salisbury.
January 1900: The Dreyfus Affair in France has seen a massive growth of support for the Interfaith Jewish Relief Society, not just in Britain, but also the Empire and US, leading to the formation of similar groups such as the American Jewish Relief Society. These groups have combined to form the International Jewish Relief Society, aiming to encourage the migration of European Jews suffering persecution to Britain, the Dominions and US. Seeking to further the aims of the Zionist movement, Theodor Herzl attempts to convince the IJRS to focus on encouraging Jewish migration to Palestine. However the IJRS rejects these overtures due to Herzl's support for the Ottomans during the Armenian massacres of 1896 to 1898. This rejection will be a major blow to the growth of support for Zionism in the Empire and US.
January 1900: General Redvers Buller takes personal command in the field and launches a fresh attempt to relieve the Siege of Ladysmith. As the opening move, some 20,000 British troops under General Charles Warren attempt to force a crossing of the Tugela River. While they successfully cross the river, they encounter an entrenched force of some 8,000 Boers under General Louis Botha at Spion Kop. Despite some early success, the British attack will collapse due to poor communication between Buller and his subordinates, and the British are ultimately forced to withdraw. Buller will make another attempt shortly after, with similar results. These defeats will result in Buller's replacement by General Roberts, with General Lord Kitchener as his chief of staff.
January 1900: The Qing Grand Council, now firmly under Dowager Empress Cixi's control, votes that the Guangxu Emperor should abdicate. In his place Prince Duan, a prominent supporter of the Boxers, 14 year old son Pujun is selected as heir. Despite the Guangxu Emperor's refusal to agree, Pujun is declared to be the new Xuantong Emperor. This move incites considerable opposition amongst reformers, with a 50,000 signature petition presented to the Grand Council urging the Emperor's reinstatement. The Dowager Empress orders those responsible for the petition arrest, but they flee overseas to continue their opposition to Cixi's regime. Cixi will follow this move up with an edict banning western style education in China, ordering the closure of the many English style schools which have sprung up since the Guangxu Emperor's education in Britain.
February 1900: The new Conservative government of Lord Salisbury replaces Lord Elgin as Viceroy of India with Lord Curzon, the first Conservative to hold the post since Lord Lytton in 1874. However unlike Lytton, Curzon will pursue a paternalistic policy similar to the British 'Tory Democracy' of attempting to improve the lot of the Indian population, particularly by encouraging education. He will also seek to further the integration of the Princely States into the governmental structures of the Raj. He will also keep to the now well established policy of liaising closely with the Indian National Congress in his administration.
February 1900: With their acquisition of Hawai'i and the Philippines, the US has had to face the prospect of fighting a major war in the Pacific. The major issue facing them is that the vast majority of their shipbuilding industry and naval bases are located on the Atlantic coast. At present the only method of transferring ships from the Atlantic to Pacific is via a lengthy voyage around the tip of South America. Thus the issue of constructing a trans-oceanic canal through Central America has become pressing. One of the major impediments to such a canal is the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850 which commits the US to equally sharing control of any canal with the British. In light of their improving relations with the US the new British government is more than willing to negotiate a new treaty, with the new Hay-Pauncefote Treaty based on the Suez Convention allowing the US sole control in return for guaranteeing the accepting any canal's neutrality in peace or war with equal access for all nations, with other nations encouraged to also guarantee the canal's neutrality and agreeing not to fortify the canal.
February 1900: The Schurman Commission established to determine how the newly acquired US colonies of Cuba, Guam, the Philippines and Puerto Rico delivers its final report. It claims the territories are totally unprepared for independence, and if it were granted they would soon lapse into anarchy leading to the intervention of other powers. Therefore it finds the US must retain control to prevent their annexation by other powers. While not stated specifically, it is clear the term 'other powers' is aimed primarily at Germany. In the longer term the report recommends establishing the institutions of democratic government such as bicameral legislature and an independent judiciary, with the aim of responsible local government and eventual independence.
February 1900: With over 200,000 British and Dominion troops now in South Africa, the new British Commander in Chief General Roberts launches an all out offensive to relieve Kimberley, Ladysmith and Mafeking. In addition to their now overwhelming strength, the British have learnt from their earlier defeats and their troops now advance in mutually small groups making maximum use of cover to negate Boer rifle fire. Additionally the Lee-Enfield cavalry carbine with its short 54cm barrel has proven totally inadequate for the ranges required, leading to the cavalry being reamed with standard infantry rifles with their 77cm barrel. Within a month the sieges of Kimberly, Ladysmith and Mafeking will be lifted and the Boers forced onto the defensive.
March 1900: The US Congress passes the Gold Standard Act, finally abandoning bimetalism. The new act defines the US dollar solely in terms of gold, though silver dollars will continue to be legal tender and minted for several years until the US Treasury's stock of silver bullion is exhausted in 1904. The abandonment of bimetalism will go a long way to stabilising the US economy and avoid the previous issue of a periodic boom and bust cycle.
March 1900: Since being deposed in 1893, former Khedive Abbas of Egypt has been attempting to gather support for an attempt to regain his throne. In the wake of the Ottoman victory over Greece in 1897, he has successfully convinced Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, that with British having committed most of their available troops to South Africa, the time is right to strike and retake Egypt. With a force of some 35,000 Ottoman troops and 10,000 Arab loyalists recruited primarily from the Levant he crosses into the Sinai beginning the Anglo-Ottoman War.
March 1900: US President McKinley visits London for a summit meeting with Lord Salisbury over China. Both express continued deep concern over French, German and Russian territorial ambitions and agree maintain their joint approach. They are in accord that the best best long term solution is to encourage reform in China and its transformation into a democratic constitutional monarchy. Lord Salisbury suggests the best possible counter to Russia is to back the Japanese. While McKinley continues to have concerns regarding Japan's own ambitions in China, he accepts it may be the best approach in the short term. McKinley advances given the British influence in Southern China, they perhaps are best positioned to counter the French while the US could focus their efforts on containing Germany. A proposal to which Lord Salisbury agrees. McKinley also takes the opportunity to raise the issue of Britain's continued refusal to recognise the US annexation of Hawai'i, an issue on which Lord Salisbury is more than willing to concede to further improve relations with the US. At the end of the summit the two powers issue a joint communique declaring their commitment to an 'open door' policy in China giving all nations equal access to its markets and Britain's acceptance of the annexation of Hawai'i in return for a US commitment to fully respect native rights in the territory.
January 1900: Now with the backing of many in the Qing court, the Boxer movement in China is growing in strength rapidly, moving from simply attacking Chinese Christians to murdering foreigners. While the Qing conservatives support the movement, many moderates are concerned about the possible European reaction and press for them to be suppressed. In a clear display of support, Dowager Empress Cixi issues an edict forbidding the movement's suppression.
January 1900: Alberto Santos-Dumont, now working in Britain, shifts his focus from airships to developing a viable heavier than air aircraft. He particularly pays attention to the work of German aviation pioneer Otto Lilienthal and his efforts to develop controllable gliders.
January 1900: US Secretary of State John Hay and British Ambassador Julian Pauncefote hold detailed discussions regarding a joint policy regarding China. Both Britain and the US remain concerned by the efforts of France, Germany and Russia to exclude them. Hay advocates an 'open door policy' which would see all nations having equal access to the Chinese market. Pauncefote suggests Hay make a visit to London to discuss the matter directly with Lord Salisbury.
January 1900: The Dreyfus Affair in France has seen a massive growth of support for the Interfaith Jewish Relief Society, not just in Britain, but also the Empire and US, leading to the formation of similar groups such as the American Jewish Relief Society. These groups have combined to form the International Jewish Relief Society, aiming to encourage the migration of European Jews suffering persecution to Britain, the Dominions and US. Seeking to further the aims of the Zionist movement, Theodor Herzl attempts to convince the IJRS to focus on encouraging Jewish migration to Palestine. However the IJRS rejects these overtures due to Herzl's support for the Ottomans during the Armenian massacres of 1896 to 1898. This rejection will be a major blow to the growth of support for Zionism in the Empire and US.
January 1900: General Redvers Buller takes personal command in the field and launches a fresh attempt to relieve the Siege of Ladysmith. As the opening move, some 20,000 British troops under General Charles Warren attempt to force a crossing of the Tugela River. While they successfully cross the river, they encounter an entrenched force of some 8,000 Boers under General Louis Botha at Spion Kop. Despite some early success, the British attack will collapse due to poor communication between Buller and his subordinates, and the British are ultimately forced to withdraw. Buller will make another attempt shortly after, with similar results. These defeats will result in Buller's replacement by General Roberts, with General Lord Kitchener as his chief of staff.
January 1900: The Qing Grand Council, now firmly under Dowager Empress Cixi's control, votes that the Guangxu Emperor should abdicate. In his place Prince Duan, a prominent supporter of the Boxers, 14 year old son Pujun is selected as heir. Despite the Guangxu Emperor's refusal to agree, Pujun is declared to be the new Xuantong Emperor. This move incites considerable opposition amongst reformers, with a 50,000 signature petition presented to the Grand Council urging the Emperor's reinstatement. The Dowager Empress orders those responsible for the petition arrest, but they flee overseas to continue their opposition to Cixi's regime. Cixi will follow this move up with an edict banning western style education in China, ordering the closure of the many English style schools which have sprung up since the Guangxu Emperor's education in Britain.
February 1900: The new Conservative government of Lord Salisbury replaces Lord Elgin as Viceroy of India with Lord Curzon, the first Conservative to hold the post since Lord Lytton in 1874. However unlike Lytton, Curzon will pursue a paternalistic policy similar to the British 'Tory Democracy' of attempting to improve the lot of the Indian population, particularly by encouraging education. He will also seek to further the integration of the Princely States into the governmental structures of the Raj. He will also keep to the now well established policy of liaising closely with the Indian National Congress in his administration.
February 1900: With their acquisition of Hawai'i and the Philippines, the US has had to face the prospect of fighting a major war in the Pacific. The major issue facing them is that the vast majority of their shipbuilding industry and naval bases are located on the Atlantic coast. At present the only method of transferring ships from the Atlantic to Pacific is via a lengthy voyage around the tip of South America. Thus the issue of constructing a trans-oceanic canal through Central America has become pressing. One of the major impediments to such a canal is the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850 which commits the US to equally sharing control of any canal with the British. In light of their improving relations with the US the new British government is more than willing to negotiate a new treaty, with the new Hay-Pauncefote Treaty based on the Suez Convention allowing the US sole control in return for guaranteeing the accepting any canal's neutrality in peace or war with equal access for all nations, with other nations encouraged to also guarantee the canal's neutrality and agreeing not to fortify the canal.
February 1900: The Schurman Commission established to determine how the newly acquired US colonies of Cuba, Guam, the Philippines and Puerto Rico delivers its final report. It claims the territories are totally unprepared for independence, and if it were granted they would soon lapse into anarchy leading to the intervention of other powers. Therefore it finds the US must retain control to prevent their annexation by other powers. While not stated specifically, it is clear the term 'other powers' is aimed primarily at Germany. In the longer term the report recommends establishing the institutions of democratic government such as bicameral legislature and an independent judiciary, with the aim of responsible local government and eventual independence.
February 1900: With over 200,000 British and Dominion troops now in South Africa, the new British Commander in Chief General Roberts launches an all out offensive to relieve Kimberley, Ladysmith and Mafeking. In addition to their now overwhelming strength, the British have learnt from their earlier defeats and their troops now advance in mutually small groups making maximum use of cover to negate Boer rifle fire. Additionally the Lee-Enfield cavalry carbine with its short 54cm barrel has proven totally inadequate for the ranges required, leading to the cavalry being reamed with standard infantry rifles with their 77cm barrel. Within a month the sieges of Kimberly, Ladysmith and Mafeking will be lifted and the Boers forced onto the defensive.
March 1900: The US Congress passes the Gold Standard Act, finally abandoning bimetalism. The new act defines the US dollar solely in terms of gold, though silver dollars will continue to be legal tender and minted for several years until the US Treasury's stock of silver bullion is exhausted in 1904. The abandonment of bimetalism will go a long way to stabilising the US economy and avoid the previous issue of a periodic boom and bust cycle.
March 1900: Since being deposed in 1893, former Khedive Abbas of Egypt has been attempting to gather support for an attempt to regain his throne. In the wake of the Ottoman victory over Greece in 1897, he has successfully convinced Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, that with British having committed most of their available troops to South Africa, the time is right to strike and retake Egypt. With a force of some 35,000 Ottoman troops and 10,000 Arab loyalists recruited primarily from the Levant he crosses into the Sinai beginning the Anglo-Ottoman War.
March 1900: US President McKinley visits London for a summit meeting with Lord Salisbury over China. Both express continued deep concern over French, German and Russian territorial ambitions and agree maintain their joint approach. They are in accord that the best best long term solution is to encourage reform in China and its transformation into a democratic constitutional monarchy. Lord Salisbury suggests the best possible counter to Russia is to back the Japanese. While McKinley continues to have concerns regarding Japan's own ambitions in China, he accepts it may be the best approach in the short term. McKinley advances given the British influence in Southern China, they perhaps are best positioned to counter the French while the US could focus their efforts on containing Germany. A proposal to which Lord Salisbury agrees. McKinley also takes the opportunity to raise the issue of Britain's continued refusal to recognise the US annexation of Hawai'i, an issue on which Lord Salisbury is more than willing to concede to further improve relations with the US. At the end of the summit the two powers issue a joint communique declaring their commitment to an 'open door' policy in China giving all nations equal access to its markets and Britain's acceptance of the annexation of Hawai'i in return for a US commitment to fully respect native rights in the territory.
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My apologies for the slight halt, I got a little busy in my private life lol.
All good, life gets messy for all of us.
And here we see yet again how stupid and arrogant Qing China was in the late Victorian era. Because of course a bunch of unarmed martial artists would stand a chance againsts rifles and machine guns. There is definitely no way this could go wrong.
And here we see yet again how stupid and arrogant Qing China was in the late Victorian era. Because of course a bunch of unarmed martial artists would stand a chance againsts rifles and machine guns. There is definitely no way this could go wrong.
Yes along with lets declare war on all eight of the Great Powers at the same time and we'll throw in declaring war against most of the minor European powers as well for good measure. Everything I've read points at Cixi actually being relatively competent and intelligent politician, this just seems utter insanity.