Russia makes a move on Constantinople and the Straits in 1895-1896 during the Hamidian massacres

[WolfBear]

I have previously read that while Russia was uninterested in helping the Armenians in eastern Anatolia stop the Hamidian massacres, Russia actually did seriously consider trying to conquer Constantinople and the Straits during this time (specifically in 1895-1896), very likely by means of an amphibious expedition. Anyway, what effects would such a Russian move would had? How exactly would the other Great Powers have reacted to this? And how would it have changed the political landscape of Europe and the Middle East in subsequent years and decades, including in World War I?

 

[ATP]

I have previously read that while Russia was uninterested in helping the Armenians in eastern Anatolia stop the Hamidian massacres, Russia actually did seriously consider trying to conquer Constantinople and the Straits during this time (specifically in 1895-1896), very likely by means of an amphibious expedition. Anyway, what effects would such a Russian move would had? How exactly would the other Great Powers have reacted to this? And how would it have changed the political landscape of Europe and the Middle East in subsequent years and decades, including in World War I?

It would be hard for England defend TUrkey in that kind of situation,so - Russia could take Constantinopole.
What next? WW1 with England supporting germany,i think.

 

[WolfBear]

It would be hard for England defend TUrkey in that kind of situation,so - Russia could take Constantinopole.
What next? WW1 with England supporting germany,i think.

Why would Britain support Germany in World War I in this TL?

 

[ATP]

Why would Britain support Germany in World War I in this TL?

For the same reason,why they fought germans in OTL - Russia would be stronger country then,and England from 18th century ALWAYS made coalitions against such states.

 

[WolfBear]

For the same reason,why they fought germans in OTL - Russia would be stronger country then,and England from 18th century ALWAYS made coalitions against such states.

Controlling Ottoman Armenia and Constantinople does not make Russia that much stronger.

 

[ATP]

Controlling Ottoman Armenia and Constantinople does not make Russia that much stronger.

But having better economy would made them stronger,and Stolypin reforms made it true.If nothing changed,Russia would replace USA as first economy after 1950.
England could not just sit and let be dominated by tsar.In OTL they let be dominated by USA - but for England it was as if their son replaced them,so they could stomach that.
Replaced by tsar? by jove,no!

 

[raharris1973]

Amphibious expedition seems way too risky a way to do it. Looks like a set up for embarassment.

Maybe then they *have* to intervene in northeast Anatolia and *pretend* like they mean to help the Armenians to redeem their military honor and make it look like they have some sort of plan.

 

[WolfBear]

Amphibious expedition seems way too risky a way to do it. Looks like a set up for embarassment.

Maybe then they *have* to intervene in northeast Anatolia and *pretend* like they mean to help the Armenians to redeem their military honor and make it look like they have some sort of plan.

Trying to give the impression that by attacking Constantinople they were aiming to immediately chop the head off of the snake and if that failed then a slow-motion body slicing of the snake would occur instead? Interesting. And Yeah, this does sound very plausible.

Could also be a great way for Russia to deal with Armenian troublemakers. As in, to create an independent Greater Armenian state in eastern Anatolia and deport all Armenian troublemakers from Russian Armenia to this new state so that they are no longer as much of a problem for Russia.