WI: Cixi is anti-West but pro-Russia-style reform

What would the effects be? And what about the reverse, pro-West and anti-Russia?

In case you didn't know, :rolleyes: China was pro-Russia (but not pro-Russia-reforms). They were among the top only Europeans China respected because of their land empire.

So... Extreme Pro-Russia Cixi?
 
I'm not sure how true that'd be. Russia was increasingly in a good position to take over the Chinese hinterlands, first Mongolia and later even Manchuria. Maybe a earlier weakened Russia becomes much more malleable to Chinese interests?
 
More like recognizing certain similarities, not respect or admiration.

In fact, faintly remember hearing that, due to the fact the Russians came over land and their ranks were swelled by Siberian and Turkic peoples, the Chinese saw them as distant relatives of the Mongols, and thus below the other Europeans.

Much like the Mongols, the Russians were Chinese enemies, and the Chinese recognized them as one of the major antagonist forces in the struggle against the west.
 
I'm not sure how true that'd be. Russia was increasingly in a good position to take over the Chinese hinterlands, first Mongolia and later even Manchuria. Maybe a earlier weakened Russia becomes much more malleable to Chinese interests?

I was thinking more in the terms of Russia helping China out a little. And Cixi was naïve, I could see her blindly trusting the Russians (since she doesn't know much about the outside world).

Wait, but she was a Manchu... Would she be willing to give up her ancestral homeland?

More like recognizing certain similarities, not respect or admiration.

In fact, faintly remember hearing that, due to the fact the Russians came over land and their ranks were swelled by Siberian and Turkic peoples, the Chinese saw them as distant relatives of the Mongols, and thus below the other Europeans.

Much like the Mongols, the Russians were Chinese enemies, and the Chinese recognized them as one of the major antagonist forces in the struggle against the west.

Really? The Qing Manchus always played up on their relation to the Mongols and their descent from Genghis Khan, so I thought that they idolized the Mongols.
 
I was thinking more in the terms of Russia helping China out a little. And Cixi was naïve, I could see her blindly trusting the Russians (since she doesn't know much about the outside world).
She sure as hell survived long for a naive leader.

Wait, but she was a Manchu... Would she be willing to give up her ancestral homeland?
Short answer, as you'd know, is a no.
 
She sure as hell survived long for a naive leader.

Short answer, as you'd know, is a no.

Second one was fairly obvious, and I think the lack of sleep is getting to me lol

And for her naivety... She wasn't naïve in terms of politics, but she was naïve in terms of general knowledge. She didn't go outside often and only heard the rosy reports from her subordinates.
 
More like recognizing certain similarities, not respect or admiration.

In fact, faintly remember hearing that, due to the fact the Russians came over land and their ranks were swelled by Siberian and Turkic peoples, the Chinese saw them as distant relatives of the Mongols, and thus below the other Europeans.

Much like the Mongols, the Russians were Chinese enemies, and the Chinese recognized them as one of the major antagonist forces in the struggle against the west.
Fun Fact: The Chinese declared that Russians were allowed to immigrate to China, but only if they lived in yurts. :p

(Probably not actually related, but a fun coincidence).
 
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