Alright. Done.
1886-1902: The Calm
1886: Celebrations go off into the night, as the New Year in Russia is finally come. The nation seems drunk off the success of the previous year. The completion of the Siberian Railroad, the take over of Mongolia from China, and the rapidly industrializing and growing economy, all show that times are changing in Russia.
Within 12 hours of the start of the New Year, protestors come out into the streets. Thousands upon thousands upon tens of thousands all over the nation. They sing the national anthem, wave the Russian flag, and are generally peaceful. However, they want change. They want democracy.
The Czar is put into a horrible predicament. Destroying these marches would simply cause a general uprising, and no Czar wants to go the way of the French king. Also, it would sour relations with the United States, who is sending money, parts, and technology to Russia to help it modernize, and is Russia's only ally.
Alexander doesn't want to make such a decision. He hands it over to his court, hoping they will come up with an acceptable solution. Unbeknownst to him, his court secretly supported the revolution that was taking place, in exchange for government positions later on. Also, some had heard of a writer called Marx, and believed those teaching were deadly. So, they presented the solution: Surrender to the demands.
Alexander, unhappily and quite angrily is forced into signing the new Constitutional government several months later.
This comes as a shock to the rest of Europe, and the world. No one could have expected such a response from the man who restated serfdom in Russia. Also, the two formerly powerful empires of Austria and the Ottoman Empire see this as a threat to their power. The fall of the Russian autocratic state to a democratic one is seen as the greatest opportunity to begin a revolution of their own.
However, the Austrian and Ottoman Empires, when they move in to clamp down on revolutionaries, soon find themselves royally screwed, as once one ethnic group decides it wants freedom, the rest decide the same. Both empires decide on martial law. This is to have the direst consequences, as one dead author takes the hearts of the Balkan nations with his book called "The Communist Manifesto." The ominous shadow of Communism begins to take root in the two oldest European empires.
Nothing else of importance takes place until 1894, when the Western Hemisphere explodes with activity. Spain had been at odds for several years with the USA, and has been to some extent supported by France. However, with France becoming more and more militarist and more focused on French affairs, Spain is left behind. The USA quickly offers an ultimatum to Spain: Leave Cuba and your American colonies, or you will be attacked by American forces. With typical Spanish pride, Spain declares itself above the Yankees, the USA declares war, and so starts the Spanish-American War, on April 17th, 1894. The USA brushes aside the paltry Spanish navy in Havana, and takes the city in the opening move.
Spanish forces counterattack Havana, and for three days and 4 nights the Battle of Havana rages on. It becomes apparent that the Spanish seem willing to fight. This is soon found to be entirely false. The soldiers were volunteer regiments of the British Army. War soon threatens between the USA and Britain. This point becomes moot, as the war ends about a week later, as Japan swiftly moves its navy in and grabs the Philippines right under the Spanish noses. With the fall of its overseas possessions, Spain is forced into peace. Cuba is grabbed and "liberated" by the USA; it becomes a territorial government, as does Puerto Rico.
2 months later, in June, there is a violent uprising in Serbia, shortly followed by revolts all across the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman forces cannot keep it in check. The Old Man of Europe had lost his crutches, and was soon falling apart. Bulgaria, Serbia and Albania declare themselves seperate nations, and then attack the Ottomans. Greece joins in, and so began the Balkan War of Independence. However, this revolt scared the world. Why? Because as soon as Bulgaria, Serbia, and Albania declared themselves independent, they also declared themselves Communist. The people of these nations are willing to back anyone who takes them from Ottoman rule.
Bulgaria and Greece steadily advance towards Istanbul, as it seems the Ottoman line is faltering against the determined foes. However, at the last minute, surprise reinforcements come from Istanbul, and the line is shored up. Both sides begin to entrench, and a stalemate ensues. The Ottomans try to mount offensives all along the line, but they are repulsed, and soon the counterattack drives the Ottomans back. The Turks realize they can't win this war against such determined foes, who are thought to be supported by Italy and Britain. They sign the treaty recognizing the independence of the 3 nations. The western world is aghast, as soon revolutionaries from these 3 countries leak into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Germany quietly sends in several divisions to augment Austrian power.
However, Russia does not like this. They do some saber rattling in the west, while they force the Ottomans to give up territory and threaten war if their demands are not met. The Ottomans are teetering on the brink of collapse, and so decide its best to give up their territory in Iran and the Caucausus.
Russia now has an invasion route to British India.
The French, realizing that they never will be able to beat Germany alone, decide they want a part in the American-Russian Alliance. After negotiations, the decision is made- France is now a member of the Grand Alliance.
Britain is now very afraid. Britain has managed to keep itself ahead of the USA in the battleship game, but not by much. With France on its side, Britain would be doomed in a naval confrontation. However...
Germany's growing naval strength is also a concern, but such an alliance would be beneficial to both sides. Germany does not seem to be a threat at this time, and could be a useful ally.
In 1898, Russia takes Manchuria, and defeats the Japanese in a very short war over who has power over these areas.
There is aggressive competiton between the Great Powers over who has a piece of the Chinese pie. This leads to great anger among the Chinese.
In 1900, the Boxer Rebellion occurs, leading to the complete collapse of Chinese power in Asia. Tension remains high between the Grand Alliance and the Triple Alliance, since Britain has joined in with Germany and Austria. Also, Russia has extended some support to the 3 Communist Balkan nations. This has caused massive anger among the Austro-Hungarians. Also, there is a resurgence of Turkish nationalism, which calls for the reclamation of the lost territory in Asia and the Balkans.
So when 1902 comes around, the world is pretty much set for war.
However, a catalyst is needed. And there are a plethora of them.
In March of 1902, German cavalrymen get into a skirmish with American troops in China. This leads to both nations screaming at each other. Germany blames the USA for letting all the "dirty yellows over the border". The USA responds that the Germans attacked them on purpose. Well, this may have been something everyone forgot about. But when a Bulgarian communist is assassinates a Hungarian official, tensions explode almost immediately. Russia has extended its protection over the Slavs in the region, and when Austria declares war on the Serbia, Albania, and Bulgaria, Russia threatens the empire to back down, or Russia will declare war. The Turks move in yelling about the Russian thieves, and the British move in yelling about the Russian invasion plan of India.
And yet, the Great war begins in Turkey, when an Ottoman army attacks Russian garrisons in Iran and the Caucausus. The Russians declare war, but unbeknownst to them, the British had signed a secret alliance with the Ottomans. Britain declares war, France and the USA declare war on Britain, and Austria-Hungary and Germany delcare war on them.
And so begins the Great War,.