| Name | Russian Empire |
| Type | Authoritarian state |
| Status | Global superpower |
| Origins | |
| Reinvention | Transformed from Tsarist system into a modern, centralized state |
| Historical period | 19th century to present |
| Key characteristics | Vast territorial expanse • Industrialized and militarized • Centralized governance • Enduring geopolitical influence |
| Relationship with the West | Periods of cooperation • Periods of conflict |
The Russian Empire is a transcontinental state stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, with a rich history dating back to the 17th century. Unlike the collapse of the Romanov dynasty in our timeline, the Russian monarchy was able to survive the upheavals of the early 20th century and reinvent the empire as a major industrial and military power that continues to shape global affairs in the present day.
The Russian Empire traces its origins to the Romanov dynasty, which rose to power in 1613 and ruled the Tsardom of Russia for over 300 years. Under the tsarist system, the monarch - known as the Tsar - wielded absolute political authority, supported by a powerful aristocratic class and an expansive Orthodox Church.
While the Romanov monarchs faced periodic challenges, including uprisings and peasant revolts, they were ultimately able to maintain their grip on power through a combination of repression, co-option of regional elites, and gradual reforms. This allowed the Russian Empire to expand its territories steadily over the centuries, incorporating Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and vast swaths of Siberia and Central Asia.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Russian Empire underwent a dramatic transformation from a largely agrarian, feudal society into an industrialized military-industrial powerhouse. Spurred by fears of Western colonial encroachment and the need to project global power, a series of Romanov monarchs - including Tsar Alexander II, Tsar Nicholas I, and Tsar Konstantin II - instituted sweeping economic and social reforms.
These included the emancipation of serfdom, massive investments in infrastructure like the Trans-Siberian Railway, and the rapid development of heavy industries such as metallurgy, mining, and armaments. This process was overseen by a centralized bureaucracy and secret police force that ruthlessly suppressed dissent and labor unrest.
As the 20th century dawned, the Russian Empire emerged as a major player on the world stage, rivaling the colonial powers of Western Europe and the rising United States for global influence. Its expansionist policies and military might led to conflicts with rival powers, most notably the Russo-Japanese War of 1912-1914, which ended in a bloody stalemate.
Rather than collapsing in the face of World War I as in our timeline, the Russian Empire weathered the storm and emerged as one of the two global superpowers, along with the United States, in the ensuing "Second Cold War." This protracted geopolitical standoff between the authoritarian, Orthodox-nationalist Russian state and the democratic-capitalist American order would dominate much of the latter half of the 20th century.
In the present day, the Russian Empire remains a formidable global force, wielding significant economic, military, and political influence. While it has faced its own internal challenges, including nationalist uprisings, economic crises, and power struggles within the Romanov dynasty, the centralized, authoritarian nature of the state has allowed it to weather these storms.
The empire's vast natural resources, advanced military-industrial complex, and sophisticated intelligence services - such as the powerful KGB - have enabled it to project power globally, from the Middle East to East Asia. At the same time, the empire's heavy-handed domestic policies, censorship, and human rights abuses have drawn widespread international condemnation.
As the world enters the 21st century, the Russian Empire continues to be a critical player in shaping global affairs, often in direct opposition to the interests of the United States and other Western powers. The complex and multifaceted legacy of this enduring imperial colossus will undoubtedly continue to reverberate for generations to come.
