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Chapter 8 - Tsesarevich (1865)

In early January 1865 the first headquarters of the New York Stock Exchange were opened, at 10-12 Broad near Wall Street. Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich made a couple of messages to the East Coast to invest and continue to amass more money in his growing personal fortune.

Knowing which companies or events would be important to the economy undoubtedly had its advantages when taking risks or not in free trade.

Russia is not yet such an industrialized country or companies like the United States or the United Kingdom, so in the economy Russia had to play differently.

The condition of Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich was deteriorating throughout the first months of 1865.

In April the time limit was coming.

The heir's condition continued to deteriorate, only then did doctors give what looked like an accurate diagnosis, in the spring it was ruled that Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich had tuberculous meningitis.

Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich was in his room, on April 6 he had started investing in the German company Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik (BASF) dedicated to the production of chemicals and dyes. Thus continuing the investment and profit in the business of the Grand Duke's chemicals.

Mendeleev was having time and resources for other projects, there was not too much pressure from Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich.

But the money didn't seem to make the Grand Duke too happy.

On April 14, Abraham Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth, he dies on April 15 in the morning.

About seven days later, on April 22 (OS: April 10), Emperor Alexander II traveled to France to see the heir. On April 24 (OS: April 12), in the night after 4 agonizing hours, the heir died.

The Russian Empire and especially the Romanov family were shocked at the loss of the heir, Empress Maria Alexandrovna, the mother of Tsesarevich, was devastated.

In fact, practically the entire royal family was devastated.

Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov, son of Alexander II, became next in line to the throne, Tsesarevich, consequently receiving all the advantages of the new position from him.

The new Tsesarevich felt intimidated, in his 20s he was the heir, and it was obvious that now a group of nobles and politicians were going to jump on him like vultures to influence the next emperor of Russia.

*******

It was already June, Tsesarevich Alexander was called by Tsar Alexander II. All was silent, with the Tsesarevich waiting for his father to speak "You will receive some additional education courses by Konstantin Pobedonostsev."

"Understood. Anything else, father?" The Tsesarevich accepts calmly.

"... We are discussing your future fiancée, Nicholas wanted you to marry Princess Dagmar of Denmark" The Tsar mentions.

Tsesarevich Alexander Alexandrovich calmly accepted the words of his father and went on to leave.

With previous meetings and mutual work for some time, Pobedonostsev's tutoring on legislative matters was quite simple for the new Tsesarevich.

Now Alexander Alexandrovich however took a little turn, addressing the recent Ober-Procurator of the Holy Synod, Dmitry Andreyevich Tolstoy.

It seems the Tsesarevich was asking about orthodoxy, the role of the Tsar, and God's plan.

Due to personal studies the Tsesarevich already knew some theology, but pretending some ignorance and speaking with the various members of the Orthodox Church.

The Tsesarevich was interested in getting contacts between the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church. Many Russian peasants, if not most, believe in orthodoxy and are quite spiritual, it is normal that for political reasons, the Tsesarevich is interested in being on the good side of the Russian Orthodox Church.

*******

At the international level, in the first parts of May the American civil war finally ended, there are still loose ends of course, but in essence the Confederates were defeated. From the southern United States there are Confederate officers, and even at least one Union officer, heading to Mexico to support the Second Mexican Empire led by Maximilian of Habsburg.

In Mexico there are the republicans and the imperials, the United States should soon begin to support the republicans of Juarez due to the French interference in the south.

The Imperials for their part are supported by France, Belgium, the Ottoman Empire and Egypt, the United Principalities of Romania, the aforementioned confederates and curiously by Polish volunteers who escaped from Russia after the last Polish uprising.

In South America for other side, the Triple Alliance is formed between Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina against Paraguay.

Paraguay wanted to help one of the political parties of Uruguay, but doing so, the violated Argentinian soil, and bothered Argentina and Brazil (and the other political party of Uruguay).

Then, the Paraguayan War is sealed.