Hello everbody, I have been a memeber of AH.com since last March but I have not done a TL yet. I am interested in doing about Alexander II suriving longer than OTL but before I commit I would like to gauge interest in such a TL and get feedback on this first segment.
Thanks in advance,
Patton
P.S. Please share your thoughts about the title.
April 12, 1881 Saint Petersburg Russia
His majesty Alexander II, Tsar of all the Russias, rode in his glided carriage with two sleighs full of his Cossack guards following close behind, the burdens of the entire empire heavy on his mind. Particularly troubling to Alexander today was the constitution that he was about to officially adopt in only two days time. Were his subjects, most of whom had been little more than slaves only twenty years ago, ready for a voice in government? They had to be, thought the Tsar, the radicals and revolutionaries had grown too bold. Even trying to kill me, their God anointed sovereign, was not beneath those savages. Yes reform was the only way forward, the only lasting effect of the crackdowns of the past had been to swell the revolutionaries ranks. A constitution and a parliament would let enough steam out of the boiling kettle that Russia had become without causing the whole thing to blow sky high. The Tsar had just noticed his carriage had turned onto Catharine Canal Street when his train of thought was interrupted by a deafening boom followed by piercing cries of men and horses that eerily reminded Alexander of his time at the front during the Russo-Turkish War. Alexander suddenly realized what must had happened, someone had thrown a bomb at his carriage. Do these fanatics have no shame! Still in shock, the Tsar stumbled out of his carriage unharmed much to the relief of his remaining guards. Acting quickly they make room for the Tsar on one of the rough wooden sleighs and set off to the safety of the Winter Palace but not before Alexander orders the other sleigh’s Cossacks to tend to the wounded. Much to his dismay as the sleigh he is on turns the corner Alexander hears two more earth shattering booms and he knows that more of his loyal guards have died[1]. As his new driver quickly drove him to the Winter Palace, Alexander thanked God for delivering him. But, Alexander knew that if he had met his end on that cold street, Russia would have been in the good hands of his eldest son and heir. His beloved son Nicholas would be ready to lead but still Alexander desired to accomplish more before his time on the throne was over.[2] As Alexander was thinking this, the sleigh had reached the palace. As Alexander dismounted Nicholas came out to see why his father had arrived on a Cassock sleigh instead of the Imperial carriage. But instead of answering the Tserarevich’s questions he simply embraced him and thanked God that they were both alive.
1 POD in OTL Alexander refused to leave without the wounded and ended being fatally wounded by another bomb.
2 POD in OTL Nicholas died of meningitis he got on a tour of Southern Europe in 1865 in this TL he never went on that trip and survives.
Thanks in advance,
Patton
P.S. Please share your thoughts about the title.
April 12, 1881 Saint Petersburg Russia
His majesty Alexander II, Tsar of all the Russias, rode in his glided carriage with two sleighs full of his Cossack guards following close behind, the burdens of the entire empire heavy on his mind. Particularly troubling to Alexander today was the constitution that he was about to officially adopt in only two days time. Were his subjects, most of whom had been little more than slaves only twenty years ago, ready for a voice in government? They had to be, thought the Tsar, the radicals and revolutionaries had grown too bold. Even trying to kill me, their God anointed sovereign, was not beneath those savages. Yes reform was the only way forward, the only lasting effect of the crackdowns of the past had been to swell the revolutionaries ranks. A constitution and a parliament would let enough steam out of the boiling kettle that Russia had become without causing the whole thing to blow sky high. The Tsar had just noticed his carriage had turned onto Catharine Canal Street when his train of thought was interrupted by a deafening boom followed by piercing cries of men and horses that eerily reminded Alexander of his time at the front during the Russo-Turkish War. Alexander suddenly realized what must had happened, someone had thrown a bomb at his carriage. Do these fanatics have no shame! Still in shock, the Tsar stumbled out of his carriage unharmed much to the relief of his remaining guards. Acting quickly they make room for the Tsar on one of the rough wooden sleighs and set off to the safety of the Winter Palace but not before Alexander orders the other sleigh’s Cossacks to tend to the wounded. Much to his dismay as the sleigh he is on turns the corner Alexander hears two more earth shattering booms and he knows that more of his loyal guards have died[1]. As his new driver quickly drove him to the Winter Palace, Alexander thanked God for delivering him. But, Alexander knew that if he had met his end on that cold street, Russia would have been in the good hands of his eldest son and heir. His beloved son Nicholas would be ready to lead but still Alexander desired to accomplish more before his time on the throne was over.[2] As Alexander was thinking this, the sleigh had reached the palace. As Alexander dismounted Nicholas came out to see why his father had arrived on a Cassock sleigh instead of the Imperial carriage. But instead of answering the Tserarevich’s questions he simply embraced him and thanked God that they were both alive.
1 POD in OTL Alexander refused to leave without the wounded and ended being fatally wounded by another bomb.
2 POD in OTL Nicholas died of meningitis he got on a tour of Southern Europe in 1865 in this TL he never went on that trip and survives.
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