I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 507

< Sunset Hour (2) >

How the first button is fastened makes a huge difference.

When the world’s first communist state was established, intellectuals worldwide held high hopes for a communist revolution.

However, contrary to expectations, the South [referring to the communist state] became increasingly peculiar, while capitalist countries often implemented worker-friendly policies.

Some argued that the problem wasn’t with communism itself, but this argument failed to gain traction.

The leader of the South was the very person who had established communism.

Even after Engels was soundly defeated in a debate with the legendary Marx, communism as an ideology was all but declared dead.

To be precise, the author publicly stated that communism was an unattainable goal at that time.

-A communist paradise will come someday, but not now.

After this became the accepted theory, people expected the South to collapse.

However, Engels not only maintained his power but purged all opposition and reigned as the absolute ruler of the South.

He began to advance the seemingly miraculous logic that while communism might be impossible in the current era, he would lay the groundwork for preparing for that era.

With this situation, no one in Europe would attempt a communist revolution.

Russia clearly took this into account and exploited its workers relentlessly, but the people didn’t revolt out of ideological conviction.

People explode when they reach their breaking point, when they can no longer endure.

Ideology is merely a tool to unite such people more effectively.

“We must raise the black flag of revolution!”

“Revolution is good, but shouldn’t we first express our grievances to the government? If the Imperial Family knew how miserable the workers are, they might change their minds.”

“The Imperial Family is the one who ordered us to treat the workers so miserably! What makes you think they’ll change!”

Even with high levels of dissatisfaction, actual action is inevitably limited without unity.

For this reason, Russian revolutionaries went all the way to Canada to recruit the legendary anarchist Mikhail Bakunin, a gamble that triggered a butterfly effect far greater than anticipated.

“I was planning to quietly retire in Canada, but I suppose it’s fate that things have turned out this way. Very well! I will dedicate my last days to the Russian revolution!”

Bakunin’s influence, after secretly entering Russia, proved far greater than expected.

Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin.

As his name suggested, he was Russian by birth and already a legendary figure among Russian revolutionaries.

Many advocated for revolution through words, but few had actually achieved power through revolution.

Moreover, Bakunin not only succeeded in revolution but also maintained his principles, opposing Engels, who had become power-hungry.

Of course, the reality was that Bakunin wanted to oust Engels and seize power in the South, but few knew this truth.

All the Russian labor unions knew was that a legendary revolutionary who had actually succeeded in a revolution had arrived in Russia.

And nothing else mattered to them.

“Teacher! Please show us the path we must take.”

“First, everyone must recognize that the state itself is a tool of oppression used by the ruling class to exploit the working class. In other words, capitalism, intertwined with the state, is inherently a system that creates inequality.”

Everyone’s freedom is essential for my own freedom.

“But some worry that dismantling the state will lead to the collapse of social order.”

It was precisely because of such concerns that anarchism didn’t gain as much public support as communism.

People are initially drawn to radical ideas, but they tend to shy away if they seem too extreme.

If you propose dismantling the entire country, the inevitable response is that it’s going too far.

“No. People inherently possess a nature to cooperate and support each other. Once the coercive structures of the state and the capitalist system are dismantled, a voluntary mutual aid system that suits human nature will emerge.”

“I see.”

“And from now on, we must act independently, without political intermediaries. Strikes, demonstrations, sabotage. We must resist the current coercive structure using all available means.”

For a revolution to succeed, mass mobilization is crucial, and to mobilize the masses, someone must lead from the front.

One more essential element was needed, but Bakunin deliberately omitted it.

What was the most decisive factor in the old South’s collapse?

Black oppression? Worker exploitation?

All were factors, but the biggest was the South’s economic dysfunction.

Given the current economic situation, even if worker discontent reached a boiling point, overthrowing the country would be impossible.

Bakunin bided his time, focusing on uniting Russia’s labor unions.

From heavy industry and mineral mining to female textile workers.

Bakunin, having united them all, carefully watched for the opportune moment to launch a general uprising, and fortunately, he found it.

[Russia Firmly Rejects the Establishment of a World Peace Organization Centered on the British Empire!]

Russia rejected the establishment of an international organization for world peace, which British Prime Minister Wellesley was ambitiously promoting, from the outset.

There were several reasons for this.

First, there was a valid concern that the British Empire’s voice would dominate, given its leadership role.

Second, there was the fear that interference from other European countries, already expressing concerns about Russia’s labor policies, would intensify.

Of course, even the British Empire acknowledged Russia’s autonomy in treating its workers.

However, being tied together in such an organization could lead to trade barriers under various pretexts.

In fact, some Russian officials nonchalantly suggested that the British Empire was trying to create this organization to control Russia.

[Is the British Empire Afraid of Russia’s Growth?]

[Not only the British Empire but all of Europe fears Russia’s development!]

All Russian media and intellectuals echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Russian-style economic growth.

However, would such nationalistic rhetoric appeal to workers already filled with discontent?

“Why is our country doing this again?”

“According to Bakunin, Russia is planning to confront the British Empire again?”

“…That can’t be. Even if the higher-ups are crazy, they wouldn’t fight the British Empire, would they?”

“Europe is trying to create civilized countries where workers can live like human beings, but Russia isn’t cooperating, leading to conflict.”

Contrary to the British Empire’s actual intentions, within Russia, it was portrayed as a worker’s paradise.

Conversely, Russia was seen as a nation that forcibly squeezed its workers to catch up with the British Empire.

What good would it do for Russia to rejoin the ranks of superpowers comparable to the British Empire?

The workers were living even more miserably than in the old serf days.

The accumulated anger continued to grow, leading to a rapid labor movement and strikes.

Finally, over 100,000 workers in St. Petersburg participated in the strike.

“Death if we don’t get a 40-hour work week!”

“Death to the vicious capitalists!”

“We want a holiday!”

The Emperor’s response to this collective movement was non-negotiable, strong suppression.

“Those who go on strike are traitors bought by the British Empire!”

“Find all the subversive elements undermining the country’s competitiveness!”

“Hey, you bastards! At least give us time to go to church… Argh!”

“You can worship at the church in the factory, so what are you talking about the Sabbath! Arrest them all!”

The demonstration to guarantee the right to live became increasingly violent due to the Emperor’s strong suppression, and soon, as Bakunin had planned, a violent movement that denied the state itself gradually emerged.

“I can’t live like this!”

“We will die if we don’t kill those bastards!”

“Death to the state that exploits the people!”

The number of strike participants, initially 100,000, grew to 200,000, then 300,000, soon becoming a massive armed force capable of paralyzing the entire city.

Bakunin’s agitation and manipulation, having already overthrown the South, were beyond the comprehension of the naive Russian Imperial Family.

Russia needed time.

However, Bakunin had no intention of granting it.

* * *

March 1874, when the black revolution was born following the red revolution.

London.

“What are you saying? What’s happening in Russia?”

“Thugs are running rampant throughout Russia, destroying the country’s infrastructure and paralyzing industry.”

At the Russian ambassador’s complaint, I blinked and struggled to understand what he was saying.

A revolution in Russia?

Was he talking about the Russian Revolution I knew?

Considering the accelerated pace of events, the Russian Revolution could break out 20 or 30 years early.

However, with communism and the communist state in ruins, how could proponents of a communist revolution be causing chaos in Russia?

What was happening while I was busy working with Wellesley to create an international organization and mediating tensions between North and South America?

“…Aren’t strikes and violent demonstrations common?”

“It’s more than that. The scale of the rioters has already exceeded 100,000.”

“That’s… a bit much.”

Well, considering how much Russia was exploiting its workers, a large-scale riot seemed inevitable.

However, the story sounded very organized and planned, and I had no idea who was behind it.

“The rioters are now denying the state system itself, waving black flags and destroying everything.”

“Black flag? Not a red flag?”

They certainly weren’t communists, but what did the black flag symbolize… anarchism?

As I pondered that, I remembered a certain revolutionary who had been quietly exiled in Canada and had recently disappeared.

“But why are you telling us this news?”

“I’m seeking your understanding and cooperation in advance.”

“Cooperation?”

“They are clearly anti-national forces, not just protesters. If those who deny the state itself are allowed to run rampant, it will be a problem not only for my country but for yours as well.”

“…”

I remained silent, listening to the ambassador’s words.

Communism was gone, and now it was anarchism.

Perhaps I was being too optimistic, but compared to the communism of the original timeline, anarchism didn’t seem like such a formidable enemy.

Of course, the vested interests of each country might find the current revolution more frightening because it rejected the state and the government.

“I won’t even ask you to issue a statement of support. But promise that you will not intervene, no matter what strong measures we take.”

“When has my country ever interfered in your country’s internal affairs? Well, unless it’s at the level of reviving the slavery system, we won’t interfere with suppressing the protests, so don’t worry.”

The ambassador smiled with relief and rose from his seat.

I saw him off and quickly summoned Wellesley and all the influential politicians from the ruling and opposition parties.

If Tsarist Russia collapses due to the anarchist revolution, what will happen next?

This wasn’t included in my cheat sheet of future history, so I couldn’t accurately predict it.

However, I was confident that whatever happened, it could be used as a good excuse for announcing the establishment of the World Peace Organization in the future.

As always, was it Russia that changed the times?

The pioneering spirit of sacrificing oneself to usher in a new era was so thrilling that I felt like admiring it.

I didn’t support it, but I cheered them on. Please be spectacularly shattered.