Chương 99: 300 million voices (January-March, 1920).
Census]
The population census of the Russian Empire in 1910 revealed a population of 269 million inhabitants in the Russian territory proper (that is the Russian Empire, not counting colonies or associated territories as protectorates).
10 years have passed since that census, and the Russian Empire conducts its third census (the Population Census of the Russian Empire of 1920).
This census is carried out taking into account the population of all Russian administrative divisions and also measuring various other issues (gender, religion, ethno-culture, property, work, literacy, etc.).
The 1920 census reveals that the Russian Empire proper has a population of 342 million inhabitants. An increase of 73 million inhabitants in a period of 10 years compared to the previous census.
We can say that there was an increase of 100 million inhabitants in just 1 generation, if we consider 1900 as the year zero.
In 1900, Russia had a population of approximately 205 million inhabitants and by 1920 there were 342 million Russians inhabiting the Empire.
Even despite the losses in the New Great War / Second Great War, which were more than 1 million people, the Russian Empire remained one of the most populated countries in Europe and the World.
The population continued to grow at remarkable rates with the expansion of state services and policies to favor the increase in the population (support for large families, money for mothers, various subsidies, etc.).
The British Raj census of 1921 revealed 318 million inhabitants, possibly there was a little more (inaccuracies of the time) or a little less (British policies in the Raj and their disastrous results, such as the Bengal famine).
Meanwhile, the population of 'China' (adding the Republic of China and the northern states, meaning mainly 'Han' or some old Qing territories) was higher by a few million inhabitants, but it is difficult to measure due to civil wars and problems of the time.
But what was important for the rest of the world was that Russia was indisputably the largest 'civilized' country in the world, with remarkable agricultural and industrial capabilities.
* The 1920 census in the United States, around the same time as the Russian one, revealed a population of 106,021,537 inhabitants.
* Adding up the members of the Imperial Federation in 1921 they had around 60,478,449 inhabitants, not counting colonial territories of course.
Under these conditions, Russia was a terrifying country for any competitor on the geopolitical stage, unlike India or old China, Russia was not a colony or a backward country that could be easily defeated.
Russia, on the other hand, was a vibrant country, with a huge agricultural and industrial worker base, which resulted in significant production and export of resources (such as oil, food and minerals) and manufactures (goods or services).
Of course, although it is better to have partners than enemies, the Anglo-Saxons (the Imperial Federation) simply increased their Russophobia, a result of geopolitical antagonism and fear posed by the Russian threat to interests of the time.
[Annex]: Other census data kept the information from previous censuses the same, or at least quite similar.
Ethno-culturally Russia was mostly a Slavic-Orthodox country, but there were significant populations of Turks and other Asian peoples (Mongols, Koreans, etc.) with huge numbers of Muslims, Jews, Catholics (other Christian denominations), and Buddhists.
Most of the population belonged to the 'lower-middle' class without noble titles, workers in the agricultural or industrial sector (including services) but with a high percentage of these owning land.
Nicholas II's Russia has a clear goal, to become the world's number 1 great power, which was a goal being built in progress.
Closer and closer ...
*******
[Lifting]
Other data associated with the 1920 census revealed or confirmed important information on the huge projects of Tsar Nicholas II, built on the legacy of his father (Tsar Alexander III, who had notable goals of his own).
The Russian Empire by 1920 had effectively eliminated illiteracy in the Russian Empire. 99.7% of the imperial population could read or write in their language-language, and some level of Russian.
This was a remarkable achievement, especially for the newer territories like Mongolia-Tuva or Xinjiang (where advance policies had resulted in at least 1 million literate people per year).
The 0.3% of the population that could not read or write belonged to nomadic tribes or very remote populations, especially from Siberia or mountainous-desert regions.
In the process, the Russian Empire printed books and other reading material in more than 100 languages and there was a significant advance in higher education for the population since the Great Depression.
Indeed the Russian Empire had raised millions of people from ignorance since the educational reform of Tsar Alexander III.
Speaking of poverty and unemployment, the Russian Empire also made notable progress thanks to its policies during the Great Depression (economic policy that allowed job creation through public projects) and post-depression measures (such as the Job Banks).
This was a remarkable effort in lifting people out of a bad economic situation and / or unemployment, to the point that the Russian Empire, similar to Western European socialist countries, effectively aimed to eliminate long-lasting unemployment among its population.
With these measures, 'poverty' remained at an acceptable level or decreased positively, with the expansion of services and other state aid for the population.
And in the opinion of the Tsar and the government of the Russian Empire, there was still much to do and improve!
For Russians of this time, democracy and freedom was less about civil liberties or non-authoritarian / non-fully democratic government.
Democracy for various people (Russia and other countries) was a tool for problem solving and elements of 'good governance'. Different countries of course had different forms and concepts of democracy, little understandable to foreigners.
Russia, similar to several Asian nation-states, understood 'Russian Democracy' as a system for solving problems within the country.
Whether this country was authoritarian-autocratic or not was another question, since in the election process (voting) the Russians were still quite pro-monarchical (favoring the tsars, while electing members of the Duma or the Premier of said Duma).
While other definitions of democracy, they were more 'ornamental' or so the Russians saw it.
For foreigners, Russia was simply not a democratic country (or at best, it was a failed democracy).
*******
[Covenant of Nations]
1280px-Flag_of_the_Eurasian_Youth_Union.svg.png
Flag of the Covenant of Nations (Соглашение Наций/Soglasheniye Natsiy).
January 10, 1920, Tsar Nichola II of the Russian Empire together with his Premier Pyotr Nikolaevich Balashov, meeting with heads of state and heads of government of the entire Russosphere, sign the Treaty of the Covenant of Nations or also known as the Treaty of Moscow (where it was created, signed and ratified by the various entities present).
Under this Covenant Treaty, the Russosphere took its final step to unify into a formal, much more complete and precise political, economic, and military union.
Through this a common market was created, where there was a joint policy with free exchange of goods and movement of citizens along borders. In turn, there is a union of civil administrative or military executive functions for the military part of the alliance.
The Covenant was the result of Tsar Alexander III's legacy in building the Russosphere and Tsar Nicholas II's work in formalizing it, through treaties of various kinds with his allies in Europe and Asia.
The total list of members included: Russian Empire (including Finland), Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Kurdistan, Syria, Ionia, Cilicia, Alawite State, Greater Lebanon, Assyria, Druzia, Baghdad, Mesopotamia, Kuwait, Bali, Aceh, Lanfang, Thailand, Persia, Federative Republic of Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Zhili, Shaanxi, Henan, and Shandong.
* Rio Grande do Sul, Ethiopia and the Faroe Islands, due to complications, received observer status and become 'potential members'.
34 members, recognizing all major languages (and a few others) of these countries as official Covenant languages.
The various headquarters of this body were located in Moscow, practically the capital of the Covenant (because the Covenant, was essentially the Russosphere on steroids).
A total of 8 supra-national institutions were created, which were in charge of the executive, legislative and judicial power, and economic-military affairs of the bloc.
To understand the basis of the Covenant of Nations, one must start from the base: The electoral body (population that can vote, and then be electors or elected for a public office) of all member countries.
According to the laws of each country, this electoral body can (to a certain extent) choose its National Legislations (Legislative Power) and National Governments (Executive Power), led in turn by Heads of State (monarchs, presidents, etc.) or Heads of Government (Prime Ministers, Premiers, and others ).
*[Annex]: Almost all the elected members of the Covenant institutions last for a period of 5 years, except in particular cases such as the Tsar of Russia, the Persian Shah or others.
From these national bodies of the member states arise the supra-national bodies of the Covenant:
* Citizens directly elect the Parliament of the Covenant of Nations, one of the two great intergovernmental bodies of the Legislative Power.
They act together with the Council of Ministers as the highest authorities of the Legislative Power and choose the legislation of the block. Also discussing with this Council of Ministers about the budget.
An important function of this parliament is that it exercises democratic power over the majority of supra-national institutions and elects the members of the Executive Commission of the Covenant of Nations.
* National governments (executive power of member countries) elect the Court of Justice of the Covenant of Nations (part of the bloc's judiciary).
The Court of Justice has the objective of ensuring the uniform application and interpretation of the common law of the Covenant.
Said Court of Justice also has the job of resolving legal disputes between member countries (including institutions, businesses and individuals from said countries).
* National governments (executive branch of member countries) also elect the Council of Ministers of the Covenant of Nations, a legislative body made up of 34 ministers (one per member + a special secretary for the Russian minister due to Finland).
The objective of the Council of Ministers of the Covenant is to act as part of the legislature (legislative power) of the bloc, setting up to discuss matters of legislation, economic-political coordination (internal and external) and discuss budgetary matters.
Members of Parliament elect a President to serve in all legal and diplomatic affairs of the bloc.
** The Council of Ministers elects the Covenant of Nations Court of Auditors, in charge of professional investigation about the legality and management of the block's actions.
* Heads of State and / or Heads of Government make up the Covenant Council.
This organism allows a direct meeting between the national heads for decisions / discussions related to the bloc and the Executive Power of the same.
The Covenant Council also has the objective of furthering the development of the Covenant, setting its general objectives and priorities for the medium to long term.
Members do not legislate, but do elect a Covenant Council President and collectively nominate the Covenant of Nations Executive Commission members (approved or not by Parliament) and the Executive Commission Chair (who has the right to stand on the Covenant Council).
* The Executive Commission of the Covenant of Nations is the largest body of the Executive Branch of the Bloc.
As well indicated, its role is the implementation of the legislation decided by the members of the bloc and the administration of the budgets accepted by them.
It does not legislate directly, but has a voice when proposing legislation and discussing international agreements.
The Executive Commission is the sum of 'General-Commissions' in charge of various sectors such as agriculture, education and culture, etc. The number has varied over the years.
* Central Bank of the Covenant, which determines the monetary policy of the Ruble used by the Covenant (Covenant Ruble and Ruble-zone).
In turn, it has some control over the prices of the bloc's economic zone, by controlling the money supply.
* Military Committee of the Covenant and Civil Defense Council of the Covenan of Nations, are the largest organizations (military and civil respectively) in charge of the defense forces of the Covenant.
Composed of a budget and members given by the member countries, not only a common force and budget is shared, but other joint projects are carried out (war games, joint military research, exchange of military technology, etc.).
With this unit a colossal Eurasian bloc was formed, which went from the Arctic to Southeast Asia, and from the Balkans to North America (Alyáska).
It is not surprising that Russia effectively dominated the bloc, being the most populous country with 342 million inhabitants and the agencies' seats effectively in Moscow.
Of course it wasn't that straightforward, but as mentioned, the Covenant was simply the perfection of the Russosphere or a Russosphere on steroids.
Tsar Nicholas II was elected president of the Covenant Council, and the chairmen of the Executive Commission and Parliament were Russian.
Russia became for many countries a 'big brother', obviously a nickname for the leader of the Russian bloc, especially used in Slavic countries where cultural ties with Russia or pan-Slavism were especially strong.
The Covenant could not be built in Russia alone of course, it was a joint effort of politicians from various nations. Russia would sooner or later need the other members of the bloc.
With this it was clear that Red Europe and the Imperial Federation were also aiming to formalize their blocs in a similar way.
*******
[RSDLP Congress]
The 1920 elections were approaching. As established by Russian law, in August the political parties would propose their candidates for Premier and Deputy Premier of the State Duma, then the September-October political campaigns.
And finally, the November elections.
At the end of March and early April, the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party met for a Congress before the elections to discuss the expectations and other matters related to the elections.
A very important Congress that marks for some, the beginning of the 'First Stalinism' after Iosif V. Stalin had taken control of the party (where Stalin together with Kamanev dethroned Zinoviev from the party triumvirate).
At the congress there were 715 delegates, mostly between the ages of 20 and 40, representing a variety of ethnic groups, trades, and socio-economic classes.
The objectives of the Congress were:
* Report from party agencies and other organization (budget).
* Upcoming projects in economic matters that the RSDLP wanted.
* Issues of the professional-union movement.
* Position of the Party in international matters.
** Talk about the Covenant of Nations and the tasks of the RSDLP within it.
* Matters related to the next elections.
* About the RSDLP's cooperation with other parties or people like Alexander Kerensky's Trudoviks.
* Miscellaneous, including various current affairs.
* First Five-Year Plan of the RSDLP for the Russian Empire.
As expected, Iosif V. Stalin (who opened and closed the congress) again presented his national policy of the 'Eight-Petals Flower' or 'Eight National Points', officially "The society for which the RSLDP and the Russian people strive" that did mean in words of Stalin:
* A developed economy, with modern productive forces and progressive and appropriate production relations.
* A strong country, with a society of wealthy people, popular democracy, justice (rule of law) and civilization.
* Popular organization for the citizens of the country in the labor-economic, social-cultural and political life.
* A deep cultural development, associated with the national identities of Russia.
* Prosperous and positive living conditions for the population in the development of the country.
* Rule of law, run by the elected government of the people.
* Cooperative relations with the rest of the countries around the world.
* Equality and unity for the different ethnic groups within Russia, based on mutual respect and help.
But Stalin further expanded WHAT the RSDLP program should be in a 'modern Russia' (the system that existed within Russia now, with the Covenant of Nations and Russian democracy).
As explained numerous times, Stalin had developed a Marxism / Socialism with Russian characteristics, which was Karl Marx's theoretical framework adapted to the Russian reality.
A strange idea, but functional for several reasons, which was very important.
In analyzing the Russian system, Stalin developed a variety of points about the governance of Russia.
Eight: "Questions about action and substance, what can and can't be done?" (Вопросы о действии и содержании, что можно и что нельзя делать?/Voprosy o deystvii i soderzhanii, chto mozhno i chto nel'zya delat'?) or "Eight national questions" (Восемь национальных вопросов/Vosem' natsional'nykh voprosov):
1-Can the leadership of a country be changed in an orderly manner according to the law?
2-Can the exercise of power be subject to adequate moderation and supervision?
3-Can the ruling party exercise leadership of the country's affairs in accordance with the constitution, laws and regulations?
4-Can the citizens of the country manage the affairs of the nation and its society, its economy and its cultural affairs, in accordance with the law?
5-Can people express their interests and demands without obstacles?
6-Can all sectors of society participate effectively in the political life of the country?
7-Can all the talents of the nation enter the country's leadership and management system through fair competition?
8-Can the country be scientific (rational, efficient and necessary) and democratic when deciding national policies?
For this "You must learn or know" (Вы должны узнать или знать/Vy dolzhny uznat' ili znat') or "Four Basic Knowledges" (Четыре основных знания/Chetyre osnovnykh znaniya):
* If people have the right to vote and broad participation rights.
Whether or not the people are active in the process of governing the country. People should not only participate in elections but in other stages of political life.
* What promises are given to the people at election time, and whether these election promises were kept after the election.
If only they are pampered when it comes time to draw votes but in the end they are left in the cold after the elections.
* What kinds of political procedures, laws and rules have established the governmental system.
Also if these systems and laws are actually carried out.
* If this political power (its procedures and exercises) is really supervised and restricted by the people.
If the electoral body hears flowery speeches during elections but they don't really have a voice in government.
Iosif V. Stalin's Russian Social Democratic Labor Party then proposed not only "The society for which the RSLDP and the Russian people strive", but also a "Russian People's Democracy".
This popular democracy had the objective of, well, representing the people, not only through a systematic process (elections and meetings of the legislative body, or procedures in the executive body) but also through a 'participatory practice'.
The RSDLP aimed to fulfill its promises and a major renovation in various aspects of the Russian Empire (its public, economic and political life).
8 national points, 8 national questions and 4 basic knowledges, all vital matters for the governance of the Russian Empire, in the opinion of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Parties.
Then there was another important point, the First Five Year Plan or 1st Five Year Plan proposed by the RSDLP. A plan for Russia's economic goals, production and export, among other public projects.
An important and the greatest promise of Stalin's RSDLP for the election of 1920.
In opinion of the RSDLP and its support, Russian democracy was simply the tool for the people of Russia to solve their problems and issues, not the simple act of voting or electing the civil bureaucracy.
It was clear that the 1920 elections would bring change, the Russian right could no longer hold its own and the center was not in a position to offer a satisfactory candidate.
It was the moment of the Russian left, led by Stalin.
*[Annex]:
Other decisions of the Congress of 1920 were a pro-Covenant position of the RSDLP in position of military, economic and political co-operation.
*******
[International]
January 2, the birth of Isaak Yudovich Azimov (sometimes translated as Isaac Asimov), a great science fiction writer from the Russian Empire.
January 3, earthquake of magnitude 7.8 in Veracruz, Free Republic of Mexico, which leaves 648 dead.
January 8, end to the general strike of steel workers organized by the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers in the United States in the post-war and post-Great Depression period.
Secretary William Z. Foster leaves the organization and joins the Socialist-Communist Party of the United States of America.
In the future Foster becomes an important government politician alongside Smedley Butler, Benjamin Gitlow and James W. Ford.
January 10, formation of the Covenant of Nations with the ratification of the Moscow Treaty among more than 30 nation-states.
As a result of this the supra-national institutions of the organism are based in Moscow, which has a continuous and remarkable expansion after this.
January 11, the first 20 military divisions of the Covenant of Nations are created.
January 13, 42 political prisoners are executed in the Free Republic of Germany.
January 15, the American territories of Panama and Hispaniola continue to "advance" according to the plans of the Ford administration.
Large private companies such as the Haitian-American Sugar Company, fruit companies and others, amass enormous political-administrative power in the aforementioned territories.
In part, these companies form organizations such as militias against the 'Cacos' (Haitian rebels against the United States and its colonial / illegal occupation of Hispaniola).
January 16, economic boom of the Covenant common market with the exchange of products (raw resources such as agricultural-livestock products), manufactured goods and services.
January 21, the United States under the Ford administration effectively seizes the majority of the rights and actions over resources and / or industries in the United Mexican States.
The American puppet north of the Free Republic of Mexico, a Mexican state that is not socialist and follows the designs of white Americans.
January 27, formation of the Free International Forces, in essence a foreign legion for people who want Italian citizenship or ties with the military of the Federative Socialist Republic of Italy.
The Free International Forces effectively serve for the Italian socialists to train future revolutionaries from other parts of the world without many complications.
The first soldiers of this unit included Arabs (from Libya and Tunisia), and Slavs from the Balkans (Croatian-Slovenes).
January 29, the 'National Assembly' of Peru-Bolivia is established, in essence a governmental body established by the country's military junta to continue to justify its rule.
Through this, a constitution is established that favors the military and their collaborators (in addition to the Imperial Federation), giving them power over the civilian portions of the country (especially over the Bolivian part of the country, seen as more 'disloyal' because they were forcibly integrated into the country).
February 5, a fire destroys the 130-year old University of King's College in Windsor, Nova Scotia (Imperial Federation).
As a result, the national authorities decide to completely rebuild the University of King's College, added with a great expansion of other mega-projects throughout Canada.
February 7, President Henry Ford continues to clash with various parts of the government of the United States of America.
Under these conditions, the National Republican Party of the United States slowly but progressively leans towards more authoritative measures to resolve the 'contradictions of the American system'.
An obvious threat to democracy, viewed in slow motion from a historical perspective (hardly anyone reacts properly at the moment, until it is too late).
February 10, the pro-Covenant of Nations movement begins in Denmark, for the possible union of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Russian bloc, counting that Russia is an important commercial partner of the kingdom.
February 11, extreme privatization of the coal mines of the Imperial Federation, approved by the Imperial Parliament.
February 20, first mass alcohol confiscation on the borders of the United States after the beginning of the prohibition.
Various criminals attempt to smuggle alcohol from the United Mexican States or the Russian Alyáska (or other country-territories with lax laws around alcohol) into the United States.
February 23, major reforms in the Imperial Federation army under State Council supervision, reforms led by King Edward VIII, Prime Minister Louis Alexander Mountbatten and Secretary of War Winston Churchill.
Effectively improving the situation in the armed forces, especially the ground forces and the air force.
As a result there are major victories for the All-British Party within the armed forces, which in the future will support a major event in British and world history.
February 28, President Henry Ford begins to exercise a 'pocket veto' for political purposes in the political arena.
Both the National Republican Party and the Socialist-Communist Party of the United Statea believe in constitutional-legal changes to solve the problems of the United States ...
But they have different goals that would 'resolve this problems'.
March 1, the antitrust laws in the USA suffer another important blow, with this the large corporations that were previously undone are re-created or the current monopolies (United States Steel Corporation) are sustained.
March 2, national chaos among liberals and conservatives in the United States when candidate James A. Duncan wins mayor of Seattle.
Duncan is a Scottish-American who was the main leader of the general strike in the city, supported by the Industrial Workers of the World.
In the opinion of the National Republicans and Democrats, this is a sign of a serious problem, the United States is increasingly close to falling to socialism (not only in the Solid South and poor states, but elsewhere).
March 3, President Henry Ford's last great public outing before the 1920 presidential election.
March 6, 60 million gallons (equivalent to 227 million liters) of whiskey enters the possession of the federal government of the United States post-Prohibition.
Currently, American services are being sold illegally for more than $ 60 million, but that is another matter.
March 10, Adolf Hitler enters the Swedish parliament for the first time as a public official.
March 15, advances in the formation of a unified military command in Sosiclaista Europe with the formation of the Army Agreement of the Rhine of Workers and Peasants of France and Germany (between the People's Republic of France and the Free Republic of Germany).
An armed force of 60,000 men, 30,000 Germans and 30,000 French, is created.
The Red Army of the Rhine gained notoriety in World War III decades later.
March 20, the United States government increases the cap on "donations" and funds for political campaigns that candidates or political parties can use.
Thanks to this the National Republican Party and the Democrats can receive significant funds from political pressure groups (corporations, media and the like, in short, lobbies). With expenses of more than 1000 dollars in campaigns (something that was a lot, for the time at least).
This in turn complicates the S-CPUSA socialists and junior-tertiary candidates.
March 28, Popular movie stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were married at a private ceremony in Los Angeles.
March 29, resignation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark (Carl Zahle, including his entire cabinet).
March 31, after years of troubles between the lower and upper classes, including the purge of Labor-Socialist elements, members of the right-wing movements in the Imperial Federation begin to attack each other.
Broad problems begin between the 'common' Imperial Parliament and the Imperial Parliament of Lords (supported by the State Council).
Which subsequently leads to the British's own imperial crisis.
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