Russian Federation

Post-revolutionary flag of the Russian Federation.

> *„Russia need democracy like the human body needs oxygen”* - Lev Davidovich
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**Russian Federation** is one of the world superpowers, possibly the richest, biggest and the strongest nation in the Hastings 1936 universe. In comparison to competitive French Empire, Russia seems to be rising empire, while also having great internal problems it has to deal with. Russian Federation stands firmly as „guardian of freedoms and weaker”, but more and more such policy is being confronted with the cold reality, nationalist rising sentiments of hard isolationism, empowering other faction victors of the Russian Revolution, such as Reds or Purples in their attempts to destabilise the Federation.

## Briefing

The Russian Civil War started due to large scale discontent of Tsar Nicholas' megalomania and autocratic ambitions. Even a portion of the nobility was disappointed by his reign. Autocratic provisions and the perceived warmongering of Nicholas which was argued to be the very cause of the Great War led to revolution, subsequently followed by a brutal but quick civil war. The Purple Army, monarchists led by the tsar himself found conflict with the democratic White Army organised by Lev Davidovich Bronstein and Vladimir Lenin in a Bolshevik-Menshevik coalition, with several minor parties also joining in. White Faction won exiling the Tsar to Alaska, former colony of Russian Empire, establishing Duma parliament and electing Lev as the provisional president of the Russian nation.

The victory of those forces allowed the creation of The Federation – a rising superpower full of contradictions and paradoxes – whilst being theoretically one of the richest nations on the planet, it was one of the most underdeveloped ones – while being the biggest both in population and size, it still uses what many in the West perceive as primitive technology. The famed leader of White forces, Leon Davidovich Bronstein found himself as the first president of this New Motherland, creating the Parliament and foundations of the democratic Russia. Although he managed to win re-elections time and time again, his position since 1935 has begun to collapse due to his unpopular interventionist policies, similar policies to those the tsar was accused of decades ago. Populists like Nikolay Shvernik use their powerful influence to keep Russia isolated from the world, and even Bronstein’s own allies see an opportunity to seize power. Even Lenin with his plans to change the course of the Federation seems to conspire against Davidovich.

## 1936 Situation

In 1936 Russian Federation celebrates its 10th Anniversary of The Creation, which marks the Seventh Duma Cabinet Meeting as the one to shape its future. The meeting shows how much the Russia is divided into factions. During the meeting, political violence escalates to great levels, though thanks to Lenin speeches which satisfy senators Duma avoids bloodshed. The situation is slowly getting out of hand, as governors of Federal Republic seeing there's no more Imperial authority look for independence of their regions. Some even say that Russia will not survive as Federation, becoming a home of warlords who use chaos in Parliament to achieve their regional goals.

It is why Lev Davidovich has to quickly decide whether Federation should change its course, or keep the status quo. As the election is coming, people see better opportunity in populist rival candidate for President Nikolay Shvernik who wants to solve Russian integrity problem through total isolationism policy, greatly supported by Russia people tired of warmongering and lost promises. Some even wish to vote on Kira Kirillovna, former high noble that decided to leave her titles yet before the revolution. What is going to happen in another ten years is unknown, but surely Russia will meet its glory, slumber forever, or collapse under its own weight like many experimental countries did.

## 1936-1947 Predictions

###### *Most of predictions are valid only in historical game setting*

Soon after the Seventh Cabinet meeting republics such as Circassia proclaiming Circassian Federation, Belarus or Ukraine secede. Lev Davidovich greatly loses his popularity due to agreeing to infamous decision to allow citizenships for Russian Jews, and trying to open the country to West. As could have been foreseen Nikolay Shvernik wins elections, turning the Russia into isolationist heaven Russians wanted, cutting the contact with the outside world and so, previous policies of guaranteeing independence of outsiders or policies of status quo. That stabilises the integrity of the country, but it's not the end of the Russian problems.

On the north, Kingdom of Sweden, greatly motivated to war by more radical Duumvirate associates. On American continent Tsardom of Novy Russland doesn't stop aggressive rhetoric towards Russia, but ceases it after Sergey Vikarov arrests the Tsar who meddles with the Russland policy too much. At the end, Prussia wants to take their revenge by invading the Motherland. Although Russia survives and wins it all, it's not the same country after those events, and due to the intensive isolationism Russia loses its superpower status, becoming neutral major power of the new world.

## Politics

#### Belo-Russkaya Federalnaya Partiya

***Ideology: Democracy (Liberalism) | Leader: Lev Davidovich/Nikolay Shvernik/Kira Kirillovna/Alexander Kerensky***

Founded right after the proclamation of the Federation, BRFP big tent party stands for liberalisation of the Russian society, having wide support of intellectuals but disapproval of army and common people. The party's situation is unstable because its authorities are forced to coalition with a more radical party called *Stranitsa Lenina*, which suggests more conservative and nationalistic approach to country affairs. Party is known of its internal argues and weak reactions to people's demands.

#### Stranitsa Lenina

***Ideology: Fascism | Leader: Vladimir Lenin/Lavrentiy Beria/Alexander Kolchak***

Created by Vladimir Lenin, Stranitsa Lenina (which translates to *Lenin's Front*) wants to achieve strength through national identity and no compromises. Although SL somewhat supports BRFP in their reforms, Lev's party has to pay the big price to remain majority in Russian Duma, fulfilling sometimes very radical demands of Beria and Kolchak, who probably count on Lenin's death to take over, announcing BRFP as political rival, creating their own vision of New Russia.

#### Frantzuskiy Sotsyalalyans

***Ideology: Maletism (Positivism) | Leader: Leon Blum***

Rather insignificant Blum's party Frantzuskiy Sotsyalalyans (French Alliance for Socialism) since the revolution and Blum's exile from France to Russia strives for survival in Federation reality. While good amount of red faction sides with him and his ideas, Russians would rather realistically vote on loyalists than puppet party led by foreigner.

#### International Bundist League

***Ideology: Maletism (Bundism) | Leader: David Dragunsky/Leon Trotsky (Lev Davidovich)***

The great majority of Russian Jews offers alternative to the socialist movements, taking different approach of socialism, aiming for the global revolution in Jewish doctrine of internationalism. The party in 1936 was gaining on significance after the Lev's decision to grant citizenship to Russian Jews, but never had enough breakthrough to replace FS, or to form coalition with BRFP.