Alternative History
Alternative History
Grand Duchy of Moscow
Великое Герцогство Московское
Velikoye Gertsogstvo Moskovskoye

- Flag of Russia Grand Duchy of Russia -
Flag Chernigov Coat of Arms of Chernigov
Motto
"Великая колыбель нации"
"Velikaya kolybel' natsii"
("Great Cradle of the Nation")
Royal anthem
"Великая сказка и молитва"
"Velikaya skazka i molitva"
("Great Tale and Prayer")
CapitalSmolensk
Ethnic groups  Mostly Russians
Minorities (Tatars, Ukrainians, Poles, Baltic Germans)
Government Local constitutional monarchy
 -  Grand Duke Yaroslav I Pavlovich
 -  Royal Chairman Pavel Mozelsky
 -  Royal Head Minister Ruslan Bessolesky-Belozersky
 -  Upper House Local Senate
Population
 -   census 3.2 million 

The Grand Duchy of Moscow (Russian: Великое Герцогство Московское, Velikoye Gertsogetsvo Moskovskoye) and also known as Greater Moscow the Rurikid Grand Confederation or Rurikid Belt is one of the territorial administrations, of Grand Duchy and Grand Principality-level status of the Russian Empire. The capital city of the Russian Empire, as well as the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow, is located within this Grand Duchy. It borders the Grand Duchy of Novgorod to the north, and the Grand Duchy of South Russia to the south.

It is currently the second-largest territorial unit in the Russian Empire, after the Grand Duchy of Siberia, and contains the bulk of the Russian Empire's European population.

Name after the historical Rus principality of the same name, Greater Moscow is extremely important in Russian history, as the ethnic group that would eventually become the Russians originates from the region, and hosted one of the cradles of the Rus' civilization. The Muscovite Rus' emerged as one of the dominant Russian polities, and engaged in a number of wars against the Poles and the Mongols, eventually become the Tsardom of Russia under the rule of Ivan III.

During the Russian Civil War, Grand Duke Cyril I Vladimirovich, embarked on a mission to restore and re-unite the Ruthenian and Rurikid nobilities of Russia. After the Battle of Lithuania, the new Tsar found vacated properties to give to the displaced Lithuanian nobilities. In addition, he moved the capital city of Russia to Moscow, and it also became the seat of the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.

During the Interwar Period, the national socialist-influenced Tsardom embarked on an aggressive campaign to industrialize and modernize the city.

History[]

The Grand Duchy of Moscow, started in the Late Middle Ages centered on Moscow, and the predecessor state of the Tsardom of Russia in the early modern period. It was ruled by the Rurik dynasty, who had ruled Rus' since the foundation of Novgorod in 862. Ivan III the Great titled himself as Sovereign and Grand Duke of All Rus' (государь и великий князь всея Руси)'

The state originated with the rule of Alexander Nevsky of the Rurik dynasty, when in 1263 his son Daniel I was appointed to rule the newly created Grand Principality of Moscow, which was a vassal state to the Mongol Empire (under the "Tatar Yoke"), and which eclipsed and eventually absorbed its parent duchy of Vladimir-Suzdal by the 1320s. It later absorbed its neighbors including the Novgorod Republic in 1478 and the Principality of Tver in 1485, and remained a vassal state of the Golden Horde until 1480, though there were frequent uprisings and several successful military campaigns against the Mongols, such as an uprising led by Dmitri Donskoy against the ruler of the Golden Horde, Mamai in the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380.

Muscovites, Suzdalians and other inhabitants of the Rus' principality were able to maintain their Slavic, pagan, and Orthodox traditions for the most part under the Tatar Yoke.

Ivan III further consolidated the state during his 43-year reign, campaigning against his major remaining rival power, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and by 1503 he had tripled the territory of his realm, adopting the title of tsar and claiming the title of "Ruler of all Rus'". By his marriage to Sophia Palaiologina, niece of Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last Byzantine emperor, he claimed Muscovy to be the successor state of the Roman Empire, the "Third Rome". The immigration of Byzantine people influenced and strengthened Moscow's identity as the heir of Orthodox traditions. Ivan's successor Vasili III also enjoyed military success, gaining Smolensk from Lithuania in 1512 and pushing Muscovy's borders to the Dnieper. Vasili's son Ivan IV (later known as Ivan the Terrible) was an infant upon his father's death in 1533. He was crowned in 1547, assuming the title of tsar together with the proclamation of the Tsardom of Russia (Russian: Царство Русcкое, Tsarstvo Russkoye).

Interwar Period[]

During the Interwar Period, Cyril the Reformer decided to re-structure and revive the various historical principalities and duchies from the days of Ivan the Great. Moscow was re-transformed as not only the holy capital city of Russia, but also the political capital city, and the Grand Duchy of Moscow was revived. According to Cyril, this was to unify the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state, while respecting the separation of Church and State.

One of Cyril's greatest reforms was forbidding church leaders and politicians to intermingle their roles. The areas now today Greater Moscow, were not united as one Grand Duchy. Moscow, Orenburg, and Neva became Grand Duchies, and Saint Petersburg became incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Neva.

During the 1930s, under the industrialization and modernization attempts of Cyril the Reformer and Prime Minister Pytor Struve (Prince Peter I Berngardovich), Moscow went through a radical transformation as a heavily industrialized center, and one of higher learning and progress. Lomonosov Moscow University received many more international students, and an amount of highly-acclaimed graduated from it, as Moscow became a global city. Under the decree of Cyril, "Moscow will join the likes of London, of Paris, of Rome, all the great cities of Europe."

Not only did Cyril the Reformer put a focus on transforming the city of Moscow itself, he also made efforts to build a modernized railway system between all of the major cities within the territories of the historical Grand Duchy of Moscow, this would include Smolensk, Novgorod, Neva, as well as the old capital city, Saint Petersburg.

At the same time, the White Terror continued against suspected communists, Jews and communist-sympathizers. Relations between Muscovite Jews and their Russian counterparts significantly deteriorated, and reminiscent to the Red Terror against churches, destructions and closures against synagogues remained.

In addition, the Tuberculosis Crisis killed off approximately 4,230 people.

During the Second World War, western and central Russia did not experience the great horrors. Their main role was providing manpower and supplies towards the war efforts.

Cold War[]

During the Cold War, the economy of Greater Moscow reached all-time highs, with the continuation of technological advancements, and brought most of international attention back to Moscow, and what Vladimir the Tumultuous considered one of the "great true homelands of the Russian nation". Moscow was fully transformed into a modernized as city, while at the same time, being the capital city of the Russian Orthodox Church, as envisioned by Cyril the Reformer.

Moscow and Novgorod emerged as major cities of automobile production.

After the Cold War, Greater Moscow experienced the Tumultuous 1990s. The Muscovite New Democratic Front (Московский Новый Демократический Фронт) was formed, and a near civil war-era fashion occurred between Tsarists and democrats. More than 3,200 were injured in clashed with the Internal Troops. Needless to say, western sanctions on Russia took a toll on the economy of Greater Moscow.

The Tsarist state emerged victorious, members of the MNDF were arrested and/or detained. Franko Korkunov was deposed of and executed for national treason.

It isn't until 1997 that the internal situation gradually normalized again, foreign investments and travel into Russia re-opened.

Formation of the United Grand Duchy[]

At the turn of the millennium, the Senate and various Rurikid and Ruthenian royal families agreed to unite western and central Russia back into a Muscovite-oriented entity, honoring the Rurikid and Ruthenian heritage of Russia. On January 16, the anniversary of the formation of the original Grand Duchy of the same name, the United Grand Duchy of Moscow was formed.

Overtime, Greater Moscow's economic performance outside of the city of Moscow itself became dwarfed by that of the Baltics in the north, which nearly came to outpower and outdo the economic performance of Greater Moscow as a whole. The reason for this being that the Tsarist state's tight nooses was loosened in the Baltics, allowing a large number of progressive and pro-democratic forces to operate in the Baltics.

Greater Moscow experience a population decline as well, as a number of Russians migrated to the Baltics, or out of Russia altogether, as the United States and China came to take the new role as the 1st and 2nd superpowers of the world.

After 2008, with the United States collapsed, and the Russian ruble declared as the new world power currency, Greater Moscow experienced a sudden economy boom like never before.

Demographics[]

Currently, ethnic Russians form the majority of the population, and are considered the "natives" of the region, making Greater Moscow stereotyped as the "truly Russian" region of the country. The decision to name the entire Grand Duchy as Moscow stems from the fact that the Russian nation is descended from the Moscow Rus' or the Muscovite Rus'. Most of the population is 87.4% ethnic Russian, with Ukrainians, Chinese, Manchus, Central Asians, Jews, Germans, Finns, Baltic peoples, Tatars, Belarusians, Poles and Anglo-Americans forming the rest. Most of the non-Russian ethnicities form communities in the major cities such as Moscow, the current capital city, and Saint Petersburg, the former capital city, heavily international cities.

There are also descendants from the former United States, known as "Anglo-Americans" (англо-американцы), however they are grouped within the broader English ethnicity (Англичане). However, most have married ethnic Russian women, their descendants have chosen to associate with the Russian ethnicity.

As for religion, the Russian Orthodox Church forms 84.5% of Greater Moscow's population, where it is regarded as the native church of the region, since the seat of the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, is seated in Moscow. There are also an overseas Ukrainian Orthodox, followed by the overseas Ukrainian community. Muslims, Jews and irreligious form the rest. The Chief Rabbinate of Moscow, is based in the city of Moscow itself, which governs the Jewish community living within the Grand Duchy. They are known as "Muscovite Jews" (Московские евреи). The Islamic community forms communities from Russia's predominantly-Islamic regions.

Economy[]

Greater Moscow provides 26% per cent of the Russia's GRP in 2008. The region specializes in machine building, chemical and textile industries. Long-fibered flax, potatoes, and vegetables are the most typical of the region's agriculture. Cattle breeding for milking is also common.

The machine building industry is mostly science-intensive. Instrument-making, radio, electrotechnic, and electronic production prevail. Companies manufacturing metal-working machines and instruments, steam boilers, turbines, current generators, and electric motors are concentrated in this region.

Cities of Bryansk, Moscow, and Serpukhov are the centers of car-building industry. Trains and train cars are manufactured in Kolomna, Lyudinovo, and Murom. Rybinsk is a shipbuilding center of the region. Tractors and other agricultural machinery are produced in Bezhetsk, Lyubertsy, Ryazan, Tula, and Vladimir.

Chemical industry includes the production of synthetic plastics (in Moscow, Novomoskovsk, Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Vladimir), chemical fibers (in Klin, Ryazan, Tver), rubber resin and tires (in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Yefremov), and fertilizers (in Dorgobuzh, Novomoskovsk, Polpino, Shchyokino, Voskresensk).

Textile industry is the traditional industry of the region. Most of the production is concentrated in Ivanovo, Kostroma, and Moscow Oblasts, manufacturing a wide variety of fabrics.

While the region imports most of the raw metals, metallurgy is still somewhat developed. There are metallurgical plants in Elektrostal, Moscow, and in Tula Oblast.

Electric power is generated by fossil fuels and nuclear power plants. Fossil fuel (oil, natural gas, coal) are mostly imported from other regions of Russia (mostly from Komi Republic, Povolzhye, and West Siberia).

Other developed industries include manufacturing of footwear, pottery (including porcelain), glass, cement, construction materials, as well as food and wood processing industries.

Region's temperate zone climate allows for growing of a great variety of crops. As the soils are mostly of podsolic and grey forest types, melioration and fertilizing are often employed to improve the crop yields.

Transportation[]

The Saint Petersburg – Moscow Railway crosses and connects all of the major cities within Greater Moscow. The major train stations are Okulovka, Malaya Vishera, and Chudovo. In Chudovo, one railroad branches off south to Veliky Novgorod, and another one north to Volkhovstroy and eventually to Murmansk. Another railway line, connecting Sonkovo and Mga, runs parallel to the first one north of it. A line between Okulovka and Nebolchi makes a connection between the two. Additionally, Veliky Novgorod is connected by railway to Saint Petersburg and Luga. A railway crosses the south of the oblast as well, connecting Bologoye and Pskov via Parfino and Staraya Russa.

The Kushaverskoye peat narrow gauge railway for hauling peat operates in the Khvoyninsky District, and Tyosovo peat narrow gauge railway for hauling peat operates in the Novgorodsky District.

The road network is well developed within the oblast, though only a small number of roads cross borders with Tver Oblast west of Valday and Leningrad Oblast east of Lyubytino. One highway of federal significance, M10, which connects Moscow and Saint Petersburg, crosses the oblast, running through Valday, Kresttsy, and Veliky Novgorod (there is a bypass of Veliky Novgorod). Highways connect Veliky Novgorod with Pskov and with Velikiye Luki, among other destinations.

Greater Moscow has four major international airports. The Royal Moscow International Airport, Royal Peter the Great International Airport, Royal Novgorod International Airport, and the Royal Smolensk International Airport are the main international airports of the Grand Duchy. In addition, other large-scale domestic airports operate within each city.

Political administrations[]

Duchies[]

  • Moscow
  • Novgorod
  • Neva
  • Smolensk
  • Orenburg

Principalities[]

  • North Chernigov
  • Tver
  • Belgorod
  • Murmansk
  • Pskov
  • Beloye
  • Bessolesk
  • Upper Oka
  • Lower Oka

Politics[]

Greater Moscow is a local constitutional monarchy, with a Grand Duke as its constitutional local head of state. They bear the titles Grand Duke/Duchess of all Moscow, where the "of all" part explains that they are paramount constitutional ruler, where a "Grand Duke/Duchess of Moscow" just denotes that they are domiciled with Greater Moscow. Below the Grand Dukes and Duchesses are the Princes and Princesses. According to most traditions, a Duke or Duchess must have military experience, and have a higher standing that Princes and Princesses.

In addition, the native Slavic title Boyar (боярин) and Boyara (бояра) is used in Moscow, this title is unique to the Slavs and Ruthenian peoples. It is also used in the neighboring Ukraine and Belarus. Although lower than a prince or princess, they are higher than counts and have married into princely and ducal houses.

The Chairman-General controls the local military administration, and the Head Minister controls the civilian administrations.

Military[]

Moscow is currently where the Imperial Russian Forces was controlled from, via the Imperial State Committee, known as Stavka which is HQed in the city of Moscow itself. It forms part of the Western Theater Command of the Imperial Russian forces. It is also home of the Russian Empire's most heavily-guarded regions, and some of the best and most elite forces of the Russian military are stationed in the Grand Duchy.

Military forces stationed in Greater Moscow include 42 battalions, 7 regiments, and the number of military and paramilitary personnel total stationed in Greater Moscow is 520,200. There are also 54 airbases in Greater Moscow, and a total of 2,304 combat-ready aircraft in Greater Moscow.

Education[]

  • Grand Novgorod Ruthenian University (Russian: Великий Новгородский Русинский Университет, Velikiy Novgorodskiy Rusinskiy Universitet) - prestigious research university
  • Novgorod Ruthenian School of Technology and Science (Russian: Новгородская русинская школа технологий и наук, Novgorodskaya rusinskaya shkola tekhnologiy i nauk) - major technology and sciences university
  • Novgorod Grand School of the Arts (Russian: Новгородская Большая школа искусств, Novgorodskaya Bol'shaya shkola iskusstv) - prestigious school of the arts and humanities
  • Grand University of Smolensk (OTE: Smolensk State University; Russian: Большой Смоленский университет, Bol'shoy Smolenskiy universitet) - prestigious research university
  • Royal Medical School of Smolensk (OTE: Smolensk State Medical University; Russian: Королевская медицинская школа Смоленска, Korolevskaya meditsinskaya shkola Smolenska) - prestigious medical school
  • Grand Smolensk School of the Arts (Russian: Большое Смоленское училище искусств, Bol'shoye Smolenskoye uchilishche iskusstv)
  • Grand University of Neva (Russian: Большой Невский университет, Bol'shoy Nevskiy universitet) - research and arts university in the city of Neva
  • Grand Royal University of Moscow (Russian: Большой Королевский Московский Университет, Bol'shoy Korolevskiy Moskovskiy Universitet; OTE: Moscow State University) - one of the greatest flagships universities in the Russian Empire
  • Grand Moscow International Technology University (Russian: Большой Московский Международный Технологический Университет, Bol'shoy Moskovskiy Mezhdunarodnyy Tekhnologicheskiy Universitet; OTE equivalent: Moscow Tech Institute) - international technology and science university, offers English and Russian education, with English normally aimed for international students
  • Grand Moscow Tchaikosvky Conservatory (Russian: Большая Московская Консерватория им. Чайковского, Bol'shaya Moskovskaya Konservatoriya im. Chaykovskogo; OTE: Moscow Conservatory) - one of the world's most prestigious musical conservatories
  • Moscow Grand National Medical University (Russian: Московский Большой Национальный Медицинский Университет, Moskovskiy Bol'shoy Natsional'nyy Meditsinskiy Universitet; OTE: Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University) - one of the most prestigious medical schools across the Russian Empire, and the world, offers both Russian and English-education for foreign students
  • French School of Moscow (French: Lycée Français de Moscou, Russian: Французская школа Москвы, Frantsuzskaya shkola Moskvy) - a post-secondary institution for every French culture related, the education is done in French