Osman Reborn; The Survival of Ottoman Democracy [An Ottoman TL set in the 1900s]

[Sarthak]

I admit the Anti Semitism laws surprised me, I kind of figured they would be more temporary measures, that sadly become permanent.

A sad predicament indeed

Though a known ''lover of Jews'' reputation is going to hurt the Ottoman reputation a lot in this world sadly, expect a bunch of weird, creepy hate filled stories/fanfiction about Jews selling out their wives and daughters to the Ottomans for...Christian enslaved babies from Greeks/enslaved catholic for their rituals I guess and basic human rights the damned monsters!

indeed, horrific biased stories will be circulating in anti-semite communities

About the whole hatred of Jews, I think this period the whole mess of conspiracism less than two hundred years ago, rather than the idea that conspiracies' exists it's that every conspiracy ever is tied one group pulling the strings, add Napoleon whole messianic image that people used to say he was an anti Christ and the Jews, for you know exploiting them, well the transformation from Jews of being objects of scorn and casual abuse to being something to be destroyed took place during this period.

True

Well that and the same thing disturbingly enough happened repeatedly during the Greek war of 1830s as well.

O yeah on Brightside is the Protocols of the Elders of Zion won't have as much impact here, the reason why it spread so much during the 20th century, in a couple of years of each other almost half the world's population centers of self collapsed. The Qing in 1912 then the Republic of China in 1915, the Ottoman, the Russian empire and German, Austro Hungarian in 1918, people when this happens look for something to blame, some one cause rather than hundreds of causes and the traditional scapegoat. Rather their are still loads of empires and just Italy and Germany got wrecked by their own mistakes.

Extremely true. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion have been weakened a lot ittl

Granted I would expect more of, Jews are behind the socialist's causes everywhere, their unknowingly backing them by trying to make life better for the poor and grant more rights to people, which is something that will benefit Jews and their secretly without them being aware being backed by them and their Rabbis.. trying to spread Judaism I think? I really don't get that train of thought of A to B.

The Jews are supporters of the Social democrats, Socialists and Poale Zion parties in the Ottoman Empire.

 

[Sarthak]

are the russian pogroms still happening against the jews?

a low level one is still happening yes. Far better than pre-1912, but there is still a lot of anti-semitism present in Russia right now

 

[Sarthak]

It is a tragedy for the loss of the Emperor of Danube at the hands of Hitler's gun, let alone this happens after the reformation of Austria-Hungary into Empire of Dunabe. A real tragedy. At least, the emperor did a lot of positive things for his fatherland even though not everybody appreciates his effort.

Indeed

Good thing the Ottomans enforced the law of religious tolerance and All is Equal before the Sultan otherwise things will spiraled out of control. Perhaps, the Ottoman Empire will be truly tolerant society in pre-1820 years unlike what happens in OTL. Though, this doesn't mean the Ottomans are out of the woods yet. It's more likely something ugly will happen as result of promoting religious tolerance by law since not everyone will give up their extremist especially antisemitism that easily.

Very true, the Ottomans will have some sectarian conflicts

Good for Poles under Russian rule at least, though you cannot pleased everyone. At least, better than nothing and intense Russification. The Baltics and Finns really want something similar to Congress of Poland in their own respective homelands. Unsurprisingly, the Baltics and Finland are among the most 'restive' parts of the Russian Empire.

The other ethnic groups will be rumbling with discontent thats for sure

 

[Sarthak]

I wonder... could the Palatinate eventually be returned to Bavaria, since, you know, it is technically theirs after all. The French seem like they would prefer that, given that they originally wanted to split Germany into so many kingdoms. Unless, of course, the Bavarians either decline it for whatever reason, or they, by that point, have already been subsumed back into Germany.

Bavaria won't really take it. It's a financial burden and detached from the state.

 

[Death's Little Helper]

So Austria-Hungary looks like it's on a good path. That tease about Russia seemed a little ominous to me but we will see.

 

[Lions21]

Will we ever hear anything of Hekimoğlu?

 

[Sarthak]

So Austria-Hungary looks like it's on a good path. That tease about Russia seemed a little ominous to me but we will see.

indeed, russia is going to have a peculiar path ahead

 

[Sarthak]

Will we ever hear anything of Hekimoğlu?

isn't that a tv show?

 

[QTXAdsy]

Will we see more goings on in Africa? Would like to see Ethiopia rise as well as maybe when we get to 1922 on which Botswana might vote to join South Africa?

Will be keeping an eye on this...

 

[Sarthak]

Chapter 32: The Royalists Strike Back!

***

“French politics after the Great War was an amalgam of utter disrepair. Despite the victory, among the western allies, it was none other than France who had borne the great weight of casualties in the Western Front. Not Spain, not Greece, not Britain, not Belgium. In absolute terms, the French took the most casualties during the war in the west. As a result, French politics inevitably turned from polarizing to hostile. French politics after 1871 had never been particularly stable, especially considering the 1877 Crisis and the Boulanger Crisis. However nonetheless, the Third Republic had marched on forward. However the experience of a war of such scales completely destroyed the previous psyche of the political mandate.

Unlike Austria-Hungary or Britain, France did not have a proper welfare state solution to the millions of disaffected peoples within its territory. As a result, without proper care from the state, hundreds of thousands of war veterans and their families dropped into the streets protesting against the lack of governmental aid being given to the veterans and their families to take care of themselves. Viviani himself was sympathetic to the plight of the peoples, however he could do nothing, as his party did not hold a majority in the Chamber of Deputies. However as riots broke out in the nation over the issue, he raised the issue of a Veterans Welfare Bill in the Chamber of Deputies. This was voted down, however the issue was so divisive, that enemy parties like that of the Republican-Socialists and Independent Radicals began to openly call for a motion of no confidence against the French Prime Minister.

And unfortunately for Viviani, his moderate approach of going into things was no longer political sustainable for many, and the vote passed, with many of his former allies now voting in favor of no confidence against him. This precipitated the call for a new election in the country. The economy was in splinters and the nation was dangerously becoming politically polarized and Viviani as a result did not wish to have a new elections come forward under such conditions. As a result he asked the other parties, such as the SFIO and Independent Socialists to form a coalition with the ruling PRRRS party that Viviani had defected to in 1915. However the SFIO and Independent Socialists were against one another and the offer was denied and the elections went through.

Charles Maurras​

As a result of the fracture between the dominant left wing political parties in France, the Right was rising among the populace. It was during this fractured time in French politics that Action Francaise, led by one Charles Maurras came to the forefront. Action Francaise had always been a rightist party and had been a militaristic reactionary party. However they had never seriously campaigned during a parliamentary election and had kept to themselves and local level elections. However under the leadership of Maurras, the party was going in different directions. Maurras had a history of being a fervent monarchist as well, which intrigued the people and made him extremely interested in the eyes of the traditional faction of the French populace.

Between 1905 and 1908, he had joined the Camelots du Roi, a monarchist league that was initiated by Orleanist monarchists and Maurras during this time introduced the concept of political activism through extra parliamentary leagues, theorizing the concept of a coup de etat, though he later disavowed this technique during the campaign season for elections. He pledged to lead the party to fight against the republican regime and support the restoration of the monarchy under Prince Philippe, the Duke of Orleans. Action Francaise reached top level during the Great War.

Maurras and Action Francaise supported Viviani and the will to defeat the Germans. France’s victory in the war, and the movement’s anti-German intransigence on peace terms resulted in a peak of success, prestige and influence. The party under Maurras exploited the disquiet aroused on the right by the victory of the left wing parties repeatedly in the past few decades in the Third Republic and their inability to come together to heal the nation as the people wanted. The party managed to depict itself as the true People’s Party, and used populism as a means to get what it wanted first and foremost. Prince Philippe, the Duke of Orleans was himself a mildly popular man, much to the chagrin of many republican politicians in France. He had been denied entry into the French and Belgian Armies during the Great War, however he managed to enlist as an officer in the British Army and fought on the frontlines as a frontline commander himself. The French troops that fought in the frontlines alongside the British eventually came into contact with their royal claimant and got to know him as well, and many found him a down to earth and humble man, which simply increased the party’s popularity, as monarchism enjoyed a small surge during this time.

​

During the 1917 French Parliamentary Elections, Viviani managed to retain the premiership however the amount of seats he held was considerably lower than before and Clemenceau’s faction in the government increased their share of the seats. Also most surprisingly and ominously, the party Action Francaise, using all of the factors stated above, managed to emerge as the second most popular right party in France after the Independent Radicals, forming the fourth largest political party in the Chamber of Deputies. The defection of many disaffected Radicals to the party also aided in Maurras gaining a large electoral base. Viviani managed to form a coalition with SFIO led by Ludovic-Oscar Frossard and led government once again, for one last time.”

Excerpts from French Politics: The Tumult of Peace

***

“While China had managed to get a new empire and dynasty running, the country was still running under the auspices of the several warlords that called China their home. The Beiyang army was famously divided among several powerful generals who controlled several areas in China as governors, and were defacto rulers of the state. The Hongxian Emperor, despite his reformist ability unleashed on China after the death of Yuan Shikhai in 1916 was unable to stand up against all of the warlords on his own.

Yuan Keding the Hongxian Emperor. ​

In late 1917, things came to a head. The warlords did not like the reformist government that the Hongxian government was forming under the new emperor, and the warlords were anxious that a reformist government would see their powers culled and destroyed. To be fair, this was exactly what the Hongxian Emperor wanted to do, with the new Chinese Imperial Army being trained by several foreign supervisors were being trained with the implicit idea of dealing with the warlords of the country.

Nonetheless, the warlords were not going to stand for the idea of being suppressed and their powers stripped. One Zhang Xun was such a warlord, and he was dissatisfied with the new government. Although the Qing Dynasty was overthrown in 1912, many, especially in the north wished for its restoration. Ethnic Manchus and Mongolians in the country felt discriminated by the new Han oriented Chinese dynasty and restorationism as a result became a popular following in these ethnic groups. The Qing also enjoyed some level of popularity among the northern Chinese. And then finally, there were the several reactionaries and ex-Qing officials who were not happy with the new dynasty. Yuan Keding, the Hongxian Emperor was a reformist at heart, and he did not like the old reactionary politicians who had hoped to be restored to seats of power after the monarchical restoration. He instead formed a cabinet based on meritocracy and even appointed several well known republicans to the new cabinet, angering many reactionaries. As a result many of the former Qing officials began to call for a Qing restoration.

Zhang Xun. ​

On October 19, 1917 the Emperor left Beijing for Shanghai to discuss a new financial and budgetary plan to uplift China’s economic situation. However the increased training of the Imperial troops in barracks in the interior of the city left the capital city dangerously weak to stop any attempts to conquer it. Taking advantage of the fact, warlord and pro-Qing warlord, Zhang Xun marched from Inner Mongolia into the capital of China.

He entered Beijing with an army 80,000 strong and declared the restoration of Emperor Puyi as Emperor of China, despite the fact that Puyi was not inclined to be restored to the throne. The boy emperor had even congratulated Yuan Keding and had betrothed his cousin sister to the new Emperor. On October 21, he declared the new Empire of China and the so called new dynasty illegitimate and restored the Qing Dynasty to power. The capital police leaders, who were being charged with corruption charges by the Hongxian Emperor’s new Corruption Control Committee submitted to the restoration as a result. General Xu later published an edict of restoration based on a falsified report of approval from the Beijing City Assembly, who were being held hostage of the general. He was also supported by other warlords such as Jiang Chaozong who marched his own 30,000 strong army to the capital in a move of solidarity. Former Qing and ironically Republican elements of the government such as Wang Zhizhen, Zhu Jiabao and Xie Jieshi supported the restoration as well.

On October 23, the Hongxian Emperor was interrupted during a small speech being given to the public of Shanghai and was told about the restoration attempt in Beijing. The emperor was flabbergasted and surprised that the Qing would even attempt such a thing, as he and the Qing family did have good relations with one another. He was hurriedly informed that the Qing family was being forced to go along. According to rumors, Puyi had even attempted to escape the Forbidden City. The Emperor then rallied the 2nd Imperial Army, the very army that had taken Tsingtao from the Germans in the Great War under the command of Zhang Zuolin, himself a warlord.

On October 28, the 2nd Army arrived on the outskirts of the capital, intent on taking the city away from the Qing restorers. On the same day, Zhang Xun left the capital to meet his enemies, his forces having been further bolstered by Mongolian and Manchu reinforcements. Zhang was faced with overwhelming odds; almost the entirety of the 2nd Imperial Army was 150,000 strong, outnumbering his own 140,000 troops slightly, and had an overwhelming advantage in training and equipment, as well as leadership. As a result of the Qing forces were forced to withdraw after the Chinese troops seized control of the two main railway lines into the capital city. General Duan Qirui ordered an aerial bombardment of the city, and a group of 4 Caudron Type D aircraft was dispatched from Nanyuan Air Base to drop nine bombs over the defensive parameters and lines dug up by the restorationist army.

Imperial forces scaling the city walls. ​

On October 31, the Imperial forces launched a massive attack, and the Qing forces were entrenched on the wall of the Temple of Heaven. Shortly after fighting began, negotiations resumed with the Qing royalists who found their position untenable, and the Qing royalists gave up their positions in return for amnesty. General Zhang dismayed attempted to flee, however was caught by Imperial patrols around the city and brought before the Hongxian Emperor.

Zhang was unceremoniously stripped of his ranks, and was to be sent to Hainan where he would live in exile under house arrest. He was given this respect only on the basis of his former service to the Chinese nation. Meanwhile Beijing was retaken by the Chinese Imperial Forces. During this time, the Qing royalists implicated the Tibetan government in their attempt to retake power as well. Whilst we will never know if the Tibetan government was actually truly involved in an attempt to undermine Chinese stability, however what we do know is that Tibetan warlords were present in Beijing and some of them did support the Qing restoration. The Hongxian Emperor used the rebellion as a perfect opportunity to purge many warlords from the army and had many known warlords executed on grounds of treason with their links in the restoration being used as evidence. The Qing Royal Dynasty was saved from Zhang Xun and restored to their position as nobles of the realm and the Hongxian Emperor turned his eye towards Tibet.

The Hongxian Emperor sent a delegation to Lhasa, and as virtually every state on the planet other than Mongolia recognized Tibet as de-jure a part of China, asked the Tibetan government for their budget and to return to Chinese rule, albeit with significant autonomy. The Tibetan government refused. As the Hongxian Emperor knew would happen. He rallied the nationalist groups in China in a bid of nationalist frenzy to reintegrate Tibet. Many were already angered by the fact that the Tibetans had been implicated in the Qing Insurrection, and the fact that the Tibetans had snubbed the emperor was enough for many to start a new war in Tibet. The 5th and 6th Imperial Armies were dispatched to Kham with the sole intention of invading and conquering Tibet once again. On December 23, 1917, the Chinese armies crossed the Tibetan frontier beginning the Chinese Reconquest of Tibet.”

Excerpts from The Hongxian Emperor: The Meiji of China

***

“As Congress Poland was revived as a state with the highest autonomy possible, the nationalities within the Russian Empire started to look at with envy, with the possible exception of the Finnish, who had their own substantial amounts of autonomy. In particular, the ethnicities of Crimea, and the Caucasus began to look for a foreign donor who would be willing to fund their movement for either freedom or autonomy.

In particular there were three groups that were forming under the auspices of nationalism that were seeking foreign aid. The Russian Georgians, Russian Armenians and Russian Crimean Tatars. For each we will have to study them one by one.

After 1881, the Russian Empire began to inflict heavy russification on its ethnic minorities throughout the empire. The Russian Armenians were the most heavily hit ethnic groups within this category. The last decades of the 19th century also saw a rise in Russian chauvinism with non-Russians described in increasingly racist terms. Armenians in particular were abused especially after 1884, when Count Loris-Melikov, an Armenian cabinet member was dismissed by Alexander III who called the man a frenzied Asiatic. The Russian authorities also began to be suspicious of the Armenian economic dominance in Transcaucasia. Ironically such suspicions of the Armenians, who were at the time the most Russophile of the Tsar’s subjects as an untrustworthy people prone to revolutionary conspiracy and movements led the Russians to introduce policies which led to the very same thing they aimed to prevent. In 1897 Nicholas II appointed the Armenophobic Grigory Sergeyevich Golitsin as the Governor of Transcaucasia, and Armenian schools, cultural associations and newspapers and libraries as a result were shut down by the government. Armenian nationalism as practiced by the Dashnaks, with their penchant for revolutionary violence had no real appeal for the Armenian populace at first, however Russian cultural repression made a lot of the Armenians turned to violence in the Russian Empire for their answer. The Tsar’s Russification program in Armenia reached a peak when in 1903 the Confiscation of properties of the Armenian Church was ordered by the Russian government. The Catholicos of Armenia begged the Tsar to overturn the decree, but the Tsar and the Russian government refused, and the Armenians turned to the violent Dashnaks as their savior. After the revolution of 1905 however, the Armenians and Russians had a small rapprochement happen between the two parties.

Andranik Ozanian ​

However after the Ottoman liberalization and empty promises from the Russian government regarding ethnic and cultural rights, the Russian Armenians finally were having enough of Russian rule. They turned to the Armenian Revolutionary Foundation and the Armenakan Party in the Ottoman Empire, both of whom were thriving under Ottoman regionalism. In October 26, 1917, the Russian Armenian Revolutionary Committee for Annexation and/or Sovereignty, which was shortened to simply RARCAS was formed under the command of Andranik Ozanian. Ozanian laid the foundations for RARCAS and called for either of three options that was published in the October Manifesto. The first option was to see an autonomous Armenia to be created within the Russian Empire which would respect the rights of the Armenian populace and their autonomy. The second option was that Russian Armenia would be annexed into the Ottoman Empire and made a part of the Armenian Vilayet so that Armenians could enjoy cultural freedom as subjects of the Sultan. The third and final option was to create an independent Armenia within Russian Armenia under the protection of the Ottoman Empire, with one of the Armenian noble families, many of whom were still active in the Ottoman Empire as successful businessmen to become monarchs of this hypothetical independent Armenia.

The Ottoman government remained neutral in regards to the Russian Armenians, not wishing to jeopardize its own positions and relations with Russia, however many of the Ottoman Armenian population were in favor of option 2. Several Armenians within the Ottoman Empire crossed the border, and entered Russia through the unpatrolled mountains and began to become active in pro-Ottoman Armenian Revolutionary activities in the Russian Empire despite the Ottomans best efforts to not implicate itself in such activities as the Ottomans tried to find a new favorable trade deal with the Russians after the Great War.

Noe Ramishvili. ​

The History of Georgia under Russian rule was one of that of dissatisfaction after 1881. Similar to the Armenians, the Georgians had suffered massive cultural repression from the Russian government. Similar to their Armenian compatriots, the Georgians under Noe Ramishvili formed the Georgian Independence Committee in Tbilisi. They also sought overt protection from the Ottoman government.”

Excerpts from The Ottoman Relationship with the Caucasus Countries and Nationalities

***

“For many years and centuries even, the north of Portugal has always been the historical setting for revolutions and revolts against the position of the Portuguese government, from the Liberal Revolution of 1820 which went against the absolutist government to the Republican revolt of 1891, which went against the monarchist government. However the northern tracts of Portugal has always been the traditional seat of the Portuguese and Lusitanian nobility as well. When the 1910 Republican Revolution broke out and deposed King Manuel II of Portugal, the Portuguese Monarch which existed since 868 AD, was abolished and supplanted by the Portuguese Republic. King Manuel II and the royal family were banished from Portuguese soil, and they fled to the UK as a result, where their British relatives and allies gave them refuge.

King Manuel II of Portugal. ​

However there was one problem. The Portuguese Republic hadn’t been installed with popular support. Manuel II himself a democratic man, had stressed to many moderate republicans before that he would have given up the throne if the people had voted in favor of it, however rejected the deposition of his family on grounds that the abolition hadn’t been a democratic one. He also stated in exile that he was ready to reassume his throne on the basis of being diplomatically and electorally restored, not militarily. In 1911, as a response to the 1910 Republican revolution, Paiva Couceiro led a monarchist attack on Chaves, with the intention of restoring the monarchy. Though the first attack on Chaves was lackadaisical and poorly led, the second was a more powerful and well organized, as well as well supported attack on the city. Having unofficial support from both Spain and the UK, both of whom feared the radical republican policies of the Portuguese Republic. Spain due to the uneasy stance of their own monarchy and the British due to the fact that the Portuguese Republic had been made partially due to its anti-British stance. On the 8th of July 1912, around 850 Monarchist rebels entered Chaves. Around 100 members of a company in the Portuguese Army marched on Chaves and attacked the city. Though the monarchists were better armed and had superior numbers, they didn’t have the supplies to sustain themselves for a long siege, and they were defeated in the battle. All they needed now was for more discontent in the country and they knew that they could return.

In August 12, the situation in the Portuguese Republic had degraded by a massive amount. The government led by Bernardino Machado had throughout of the Great War flip flopped on its position to enter the war on the side of their allies the British. Many Portuguese Nationalists hoped to seize German Namibia and Tanganyika for themselves after the skirmishes between the Portuguese and Germans broke out, however the Portuguese Political Crisis’s of the time did not allow for such a thing to happen as the government became increasingly polarized and fractured, and the economy continued to go down the drain as the Spanish stopped their trade with Portugal slowly but surely as France and Britain showed more lucrative markets in order to lure the Spaniards into the fold against the Germans. Using this economic depression and political instability, General Sidonio Pais led a coup on the government on August 12 and managed to become the President of the Republic, forcing the exile of Machado. For the one month that he reigned in Portugal, he was extremely dictatorial figure, foregoing the Portuguese legislature and doing as he pleased, doing what he wanted. So much so that many called him the new King in Portugal. However a left wing anarchist and communist named Jose Julio da Costa shot the man on September 16, 1917 leading to another political crisis in Portugal.

Joao do Canto e Castro​

The favorite to succeed Pais had been Joao do Canto e Castro, however Castro, who was seen as too close to the military like Pais was overlooked and Antonio Jose de Almeida was chosen as the new President of the Portuguese Republic. Castro had been popular with the people as well, and the overlooking of Castro angered both the populace and the man himself. During that same time Castro found out that the monarchists were planning to make an attack during this time of instability and restore the monarchy. A monarchist himself though with republican leanings, and embittered by his loss of a chance to come to power, Castro contacted Couceiro and told the man that he would join a monarchist uprising.

Using his influence in the Navy, he could secure several warships that could simply sail to Lisbon and restore the monarchy if it wanted. Several influential figures such Antonio Maria de Sousa Sardinha, and Louis Carlos de Lima e Almeida Braga decided to proceed with the monarchist plan as well. Sardinha and Couceiro entered Porto with a large band of around 2000 monarchist defectors from the Portuguese Army and entered Porto on October 2, 1917. On the next day the blue and white royal flag was hoisted back up and the monarchy was declared to be restored. At the same time, Castro, using his influence in the navy, and the monarchist sympathies in the navy [1] had the entire northern fleet of 2 Cruisers, 2 Destroyers and 1 torpedo boat defect over the monarchist cause. Under the flagship of Dom Carlos I, and their assorted crew and marines, the ships sailed south to Lisbon.

At the same time, Couceiro and Castro began to recruit a proper army and managed to recruit around 6000 men from the northern territories and (re)formed the Royal Portuguese Army. The 8,000 strong force then started to move south. In Lisbon, the ships slipped passed the harbor defenses by hoisting the republican flags and radio messages were sent showing itself as if they escaped from Porto instead of coming down in favor of the monarchists. However the moment the ships docked, Around 200 marines disembarked and pointed their guns at Belem Palace, the presidential palace of the Portuguese President and the navy ships pointed their heavy guns at the Portuguese Assembly building. It was a coup. The President, Almeida surrendered, and handed over power to Castro who had arrived with the navy and Castro took power as the Prime Minister of a Provisional Government as the former government was exiled to the Azores.

All of this happened under a week. Castro declared the Provisional State of Portugal and with the other monarchists of parliament asked Manuel II who was still in London, to come back to be restored to his throne. Manuel II declined, criticizing the military takeover and he reiterated his position that he would only come and retake the throne if a popular vote in favor of the monarchy was held. Castro acquiesced. A referendum was slated to be held on November 27 and 28 with the month between them to have a both yes and no campaign to take place. The Socialists and Republicans denounced the attempt to restore the monarchy, however the people were by and large not willing to listen to them. The socialists and republicans had been the ruling elite in the republic and underneath them the republic’s economy was in tatters, and the economy was lagging behind. My mid-1917 the Ottoman Empire itself had overtaken the Portuguese economy on a per capita basis signaling just how weak and fragile the Portuguese economy was.

Nonetheless, despite this the campaign for the referendum was polarized and fractious. But in the end, around 54.6% of the mandate voted in favor of restoring the monarchy with 45% opposed with an electoral turnout of around 84%. With the mandate that he needed to persuade the former king, Castro asked the former king to return. Manuel II, this time accepted the offer, and on December 20th, 1917 he was reinstated as King of Portugal as the Kingdom of Portugal was restored.

The proclamation of the Restoration of the Monarchy. ​

However the Socialists and Republicans were not going to take this lying down. The Republican Army of Portugal or the RAP was formed on December 24, and they launched several attacks throughout Portugal to try and depose the monarchy. Thus began the Portuguese Republican Troubles.”

Excerpts from Manuel II: The Kind and Blessed.

***

---

[1] – the navy in 1910 was extremely republican, however according to Castro and Pais’s notes otl, the navy had become extremely monarchist by 1916.

 

[Sarthak]

Just catching up on the politics of other countries. Thoughts? Predictions?

 

[SenatorChickpea]

I didn't see the restoration of the Portuguese monarchy coming, that was surprise. Or the Chinese invasion of Tibet.

The Armenians and Georgians are going to be in an interesting position- I'm a little dubious that Russian Armenia has been willing to forget the Hamidian massacres to the extent that there would be any sizable polity that's in favour of Ottoman rule, even Ottoman indirect rule, but I'm willing to see where you go with it.

That being said, I really hope we're not in store for yet another 'Third Republic goes far right' timeline. That is, I have to say, incredibly tired. It's high time that the board actually begin catching up with modern historiography- the Third Republic was one of the longest-lasting regimes in modern France, surviving monarchists, militarists, massive social change, colonial crises, depressions, a war far worse than the one ITTL, Dreyfus- and more. It's really annoying that every time it shows up in a timeline it exists to fall over for either Maurras or the far left to pick up the pieces.

 

[Sarthak]

I didn't see the restoration of the Portuguese monarchy coming, that was surprise. Or the Chinese invasion of Tibet.

thanks!

The Armenians and Georgians are going to be in an interesting position- I'm a little dubious that Russian Armenia has been willing to forget the Hamidian massacres to the extent that there would be any sizable polity that's in favour of Ottoman rule, even Ottoman indirect rule, but I'm willing to see where you go with it.

The Armenians have not forgotten the Hamidian Massacres, but seeing as their biggest backers are the Armenakan and ARF, both of whom are pro-Ottoman they are willing to turn a blind eye towards that part of Armenian history in the Ottoman Empire.

That being said, I really hope we're not in store for yet another 'Third Republic goes far right' timeline. That is, I have to say, incredibly tired. It's high time that the board actually begin catching up with modern historiography- the Third Republic was one of the longest-lasting regimes in modern France, surviving monarchists, militarists, massive social change, colonial crises, depressions, a war far worse than the one ITTL, Dreyfus- and more. It's really annoying that every time it shows up in a timeline it exists to fall over for either Maurras or the far left to pick up the pieces.

Certainly not. The Far left or Far Right France is a trope i intend to leave behind in the dust. That said, i do intend to make a realistic political development in France. Who knows, without Maurras, Action Francaise could transition to make a moderate center-right party if needed. Many members of the party were certainly not as extreme as their leader.

 

[Sarthak]

Pls cover the tatars,Caucasians and Azerbaijanis next time

I will.

 

[boredviewer1234]

I admit I i'm quite interested in seeing how China develops, a resurgent empire is something that radically alters the balance of power in Asia, I guess the Qing faction or at or least tool is dealt with, if the actually royal family no longer held hostage, are probably going to taken along with the emperor to prevent this from happening again.

I imagine the British must be freaking out given their annexation of Tibetan land was not that long ago, well I guess they can always sell more weapons to Japan for more influence and to help hinder any Chinese restoration.

I'm going to be honest I'm not entirely sure about the Caucasus's, sure a Poland satellite state in the Russian empires will lead to many wanting the same rights, the Georgians and Russians wanting to join the Ottomans though? One way I can sort of see that happen is ironically the Russian empire is planning on reforming and changing it's policy's in the region, planning on giving them more say in their land and local power and customs.

The thing is at this time the Russian Caucasus's are over a hundred groups and nations, most of whom have maps and claims on each other and have committed crimes against each other, this means rather than say the Russians favoring the Christian Armenians and Georgians, who were involved in a lot crimes against the others either ethnic cleansing or taking the best spots for themselves, well suddenly a slightly progressive and reformists but ultimately conservative Ottoman empire that accepts the status quo of their people once they join is far better than losing their privileged spots and being forced into losing power to the others like the Azeris or Georgians the Ossetians.

So the plan to ethnically cleanse as much as they can before the Ottomans arrive and kind of backed into a corner of supporting them against Russian Muslim subjects would be something I can see ironically happen.

Though I suspect the Azeri's would rather rejoin Iran at the time given their ties and shared faith and culture, as this is before the Atheism of the USSR and the Armenians are being backed by the Ottomans.

Finally, to my shame I kind of keep forgetting Portugal exists despite it being a colonial power and it being led by a king is a unexpected change.

 

[Aghstadian]

I think with the Ottoman now more democratic it will ironically be more anti-Russia in outlook. The populace simply have a dim view of Russian Empire for various reason, Conservative want to free Muslim under Russia, Turanist want to see Azeris and Turkestan free, Progressives will see Russia as an oppressive state. Jews especially the one that recently migrate due to pogrom also will have dim view of Russia, Various Caucasian group like Circassian and Armenian also have interest to hinder Russia. Any politician wanting for easy vote will utilise Anti Russia as one of their campaign platform and slogan in this political climate.

 

[Historymaster]

Awww, Tibet never get to be left alone in any timeline, poor fellow; Nice work.

 

[Sarthak]

I admit I i'm quite interested in seeing how China develops, a resurgent empire is something that radically alters the balance of power in Asia, I guess the Qing faction or at or least tool is dealt with, if the actually royal family no longer held hostage, are probably going to taken along with the emperor to prevent this from happening again.

China has an interesting future ahead

I imagine the British must be freaking out given their annexation of Tibetan land was not that long ago, well I guess they can always sell more weapons to Japan for more influence and to help hinder any Chinese restoration.

Not really. There's not many the Chinese can do against Britain during this time whilst Britain can bankrupt the Chinese and make their life hell economically

I'm going to be honest I'm not entirely sure about the Caucasus's, sure a Poland satellite state in the Russian empires will lead to many wanting the same rights, the Georgians and Russians wanting to join the Ottomans though? One way I can sort of see that happen is ironically the Russian empire is planning on reforming and changing it's policy's in the region, planning on giving them more say in their land and local power and customs.

It's a very extreme option yes, and not many are really in favor of it. Independence under Ottoman protection on the other hand is more appealing to many

The thing is at this time the Russian Caucasus's are over a hundred groups and nations, most of whom have maps and claims on each other and have committed crimes against each other, this means rather than say the Russians favoring the Christian Armenians and Georgians, who were involved in a lot crimes against the others either ethnic cleansing or taking the best spots for themselves, well suddenly a slightly progressive and reformists but ultimately conservative Ottoman empire that accepts the status quo of their people once they join is far better than losing their privileged spots and being forced into losing power to the others like the Azeris or Georgians the Ossetians.

The Russians did not favor the Christian Georgians and Armenians at all. They were the one of the most worst repressed groups in the Russian Empire.

So the plan to ethnically cleanse as much as they can before the Ottomans arrive and kind of backed into a corner of supporting them against Russian Muslim subjects would be something I can see ironically happen.

No not really. The Ottomans are a democracy ittl, and democracies answer to their people. The Ottomans will have to answer to its christian populace around a third of the population if they go conducting ethnic cleansing against the caucasian christians

Though I suspect the Azeri's would rather rejoin Iran at the time given their ties and shared faith and culture, as this is before the Atheism of the USSR and the Armenians are being backed by the Ottomans.

Partially maybe

Finally, to my shame I kind of keep forgetting Portugal exists despite it being a colonial power and it being led by a king is a unexpected change.

the restored portuguese monarchy will have a hard time in front of itself to stabilize thats for sure.

 

[Sarthak]

I think with the Ottoman now more democratic it will ironically be more anti-Russia in outlook. The populace simply have a dim view of Russian Empire for various reason, Conservative want to free Muslim under Russia, Turanist want to see Azeris and Turkestan free, Progressives will see Russia as an oppressive state. Jews especially the one that recently migrate due to pogrom also will have dim view of Russia, Various Caucasian group like Circassian and Armenian also have interest to hinder Russia. Any politician wanting for easy vote will utilise Anti Russia as one of their campaign platform and slogan in this political climate.

Neutral is more like it. Like it or not the Russians form a large trading block in the OE. The OE being more economical minded ittl, want them money. So they will keep quiet against Russia as long as the Russians don't do anything against them.

 

[Sarthak]

Awww, Tibet never get to be left alone in any timeline, poor fellow; Nice work.

Its kinda sad it is. However every country bar Mongolia during this time recognized Tibet as dejure Chinese. For the international world, the Chinese are simply walking in their own backyard.