Age of Steam and Steel: Concert of Europe Part III (Sign up and Rules Thread)

[Spamage]

Age of Steam and Steel: Concert of Europe Part III

The World in 1835

(Source: Self-Made)

It has been almost a half century since the end of the Great Italian War, the Convention of Krakow, and the Second French and Indian War. At the beginning of the 1800’s the strength of the monarchical regimes in Europe seemed unassailable. Yet, in the interim, new challenges have arisen on a magnitude heretofore unseen. Technological innovations over the past few decades have revolutionized the way the economy operates, while new political thought and philosophy has transgressed former taboos. Religious influence in government has begun to decline precipitously as the legacy of late eighteenth century Catholicism is fully absorbed and observance falters. Demographic changes are roiling the world, with local and international migration straining traditional political systems. For the first time in decades governments have begun to challenge the diplomatic status quo, while numerous ideological sects have covertly propagated their views of liberalism, nationalism, socialism, and innumerable other ideologies. King Louis XVIII of France would capture the sentiments held by many in his address to the Chamber of Deputies in 1821, saying, “We are no longer in the age of powder and cavalry, but have entered the age of steam and steel.”

This is a world in motion.

Europe is growing more tense by the month. France, seemingly the military hegemon, faces internal divisions between a strong monarch and an assertive assembly. War threatens to erupt once more in Italy as the aging Grand Duchess Maria Josephine of Piedmont ails in Turin, both France and Austria seeking to assert their influence over the disputed succession. The Kingdom of Spain is struggling to hold onto its ancient colonial empire in the face of demands for independence and external intervention. The Ottoman hold on the Middle East—cemented at the end of the previous century with the completion of the Suez Canal and the overthrow of the Safavid rivals in Persia—has been undermined in the face of an Egyptian rebellion and the collapse of the unstable restored Afsharids. The Polish Question, thought answered by the Convention of Krakow, has begun to bedevil the Scandinavians, Russians, and Austrians as partisans organize in secret. Britain, now securely an Atlantic power, is facing intense divisions over the future of slavery in the empire. All of these problems overshadow longer term issues, such as the future of the reduced Holy Roman Empire, fate of the ethnic minorities in the east and south, as well as the changing economic and political balance on the Continent.

If Europe is tense, the New World is aflame. Four powers vie for control of the Pacific seaboard, while settlers flood into Quebec, Louisiana, Brazil, and the British North American holdings. Native Americans all throughout the region have begun to play the powers off against each other, the largest power being the British-backed Sioux Nation. Spain has been forced to try and crush the hydra of revolution in its ancient empire. While the Viceroyalty of Peru and the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico remain loyal, rebel militias are operating in New Spain, New Granada, and La Plata.

Changes abound in Asia as well. Guerilla fighting, well into its twentieth year in Burma, continues to smolder in opposition to the Catholicizing French, even with the deployment of the new holy orders in the region. The Qing Dynasty has fallen into civil war in the face of imperial attempts to force westernization, various factions seeking to assert control with their own long-term goals. All the while Japan too faces recalcitrant subjects, their attempts at rebellion only held back by the long tenure of Tokugawa Ienari. This is all as Europeans eye the region with undisguised greed.

If leaders are to succeed in such a dynamic and evolving environment, they must stake out an opinion and fight for it. Whether through diplomacy, warfare, or intrigue the actions of the world leaders have the potential to shape the fate of the next century. The era is still young, how is changes the world is yet to be seen…

(Source: Self-Made)

Current Global Conflicts:

Chinese Civil War: Qing Dynasty vs. Xing Dynasty vs. Guang Dynasty vs. Secessionists (1825-)
Persian Civil War: Zinatian Persia vs. Qajar Persia vs. Husaynian Persia vs. Secessionists vs. Durrani Empire, Khanate of Khiva (1833-)
Egyptian Rising: Ottoman Empire, Emirate of Tunis vs. Eyalet of Egypt (1831-)
Mexican War of Independence: Kingdom of Mexico vs. Kingdom of Spain (1828-)
Yucatan War of Independence: Yucatan State vs. Kingdom of Spain (1826-)
Colombian War of Independence: Republic of Colombia vs. Kingdom of Spain (1823-)
La Platan War of Independence: Union of La Plata, Republic of Chile vs. Kingdom of Spain (1827-)
Louisianan Intervention in Mexico: Kingdom of Louisiana (1833-)
Brazilian Intervention in La Plata: Republic of Brazil vs. Kingdom of Spain (1834-)
Haitian Revolution: Republic of Haiti vs. Kingdom of Spain (1831-)

Playable Powers

Great Powers
(Powers with a Global Reach, Able to Project Strength on Multiple Continents)

Generally for Experience Players

Kingdom of France: King Louis XVIII Bourbon (Windjammer)
United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, and the Americas: King Charles III of Hanover (Blair)
Ottoman Empire: Sultan Mustafa IV Osmanoğlu (Kingpoleon)
Kingdom of Scandinavia: King Frederick VI Oldenburg & Queen Catherine of Holstein-Gottorp (Ypestis)
Russian Empire: Czar Peter IV Pavlovich Romanov (HenryWallace)
Kingdom of Prussia: King Frederick III Hohenzollern (jdb)
Habsburg Monarchy: Emperor Francis III Habsburg-Lorraine (Dereich)
Kingdom of Spain: King Philip VI Bourbon

Secondary Powers
(Powers with Regional Strength, Able to Project Power Throughout Home Continent)
Playable After Great Powers, Open to All Players

Kingdom of Quebec: King Louis Ferdinand Hohenzollern (Lumine)
Republic of Brazil: President Bernardo Pereira de Vasconcelos (Elcaspar)
Tokugawa Shogunate: Shogun Tokugawa Ienari
Kingdom of Louisiana: King Louis-Philippe II Bourbon (DKrol)
Kingdom of Naples: King Francis I Bourbon (GoTfan)
Kingdom of the Netherlands: King William II of Orange-Nassau (JacksonHitchcock)
Kingdom of Saxony: King Frederick Augustus II Wettin
Kingdom of Portugal: King José II Braganza
Qing Dynasty: Yansheng Emperor (S019)
Xing Dynasty: Youfú Emperor (thumb21)
Guang Dynasty: Xīn'ài Emperor

Regional Powers
(Powers Able to Project Strength Locally, Often Aligned with Larger Powers)
For less-involved players or those seeking to become familiar with how to play

Confederation of New England: Chairman John Quincy Adams (NyIndy)
Durrani Empire: Shah Shujah Durrani
Republic of Colombia: Executive Commander Antonio José de Sucre
Kingdom of Mexico: Vacant Throne, Council of Regents
Union of La Plata: First Secretary Manuel Belgrano
Eyalet of Egypt: Governor Reşid Mehmed Pasha (PSOL)
Joseon Korea: King Heonjong Joseon (True Federalist)

The Rules:
-This game is a sequel to the Concert of Europe game run in 2017 and the Encore of Europe run in 2018. Information to get you up to speed on what occurred in the past is available several pages back in the Election and History Games thread.

-The game begins in January 1835. Powers can negotiate and repudiate alliances as they see fit within reason.  

-Each turn will cover 1 year in the game timeline. I intend to have them open for one week so as to give people time to respond.

-I will issue responses for every minor power or unplayed nation.

-Updates will be posted in the main thread. These will contain overall summaries, the state of (public) alliances, deaths, and the economic situation for each power. Nations will be given specific events to respond to each turn as well. There will also be a number of events every turn which could involve international crises, events in non-playable nations, cultural discoveries, and inventions for all players to respond to.

-All communication between members (PMs) must also include me, so I am aware of the state of the game.

-You can send in your orders via PM, or post them publicly. I would prefer people post their public orders so everyone can see, while obviously sending me the secret ones.

-In the event of war, the game will continue on pace (as fighting was so common during this time period). I will open a new thread for wars between players and update it along with the general update for the rest of the game. All war orders should be PMed to me.

-In the event of a ruler's death, the player will be able to continue, so long as the heir is of the same royal house. In the event there is no clear royal heir, succession wars may occur.

-Failure to send orders for a turn will be the equivalent of the monarch sitting back and doing nothing for that period, meaning nothing good can come from it. Players who miss turns will find their economies weakened and internal dissent on the rise (or perhaps colonies on the revolt ).

-Battles will be calculated by dice rolls. Higher number wins, margin between rolls determines the level of victory. Certain leaders and armies will have slight bonuses or maluses to simulate their quality during the time period. Sizes of the contending forces determines the amount of dice rolled.

-So far there are 27 possibly playable nations. Great Powers must generally be filled first…

-Please ask any questions about the global situation here.

[Spamage]

The Struggle for Supremacy: Spanish America (1800-1835)

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Following the extended struggle with Portugal in the late 1700s, Spain settled into a brief period of inaction. King Charles IV became more absorbed by happenings in his court than the state of the Spanish Empire. Upon his death in 1819, his son Prince Philip was crowned King Philip VI of Spain at the age of 37. Unlike his father, Philip proved to be an energetic ruler, immediately embarking on substantial reform of the Spanish system. This included, however, a series of reforms aimed at increasing revenue from the American colonies, including greater Spanish oversight over affairs across the Atlantic. Misunderstandings, opportunistic agitators, and foreign intervention all caused the situation to rapidly spiral out of control.
Initial trouble started in New Granada, where a group of colonial elites organized a militia, seized control of Bogota, and (inspired by the example of Brazil) immediately proclaimed the Republic of Colombia on April 17th, 1823. Led by Simon Bolivar initially, the provisional government fell into the hands of Antonio José de Sucre in 1832. Armed by the Brazilians, the Colombian forces were initially able to secure the entirety of the Viceroyalty of New Granada until a series of Spanish expeditions in 1830 succeeded in recapturing Quito and Caracas. Now fighting in Colombia pits two sides of roughly even strength against one another, as some in government have sought to replace Sucre with a European prince in order to gain foreign legitimacy.
Although the conflict started in New Granada, New Spain would break out into civil conflict next. The region was surprisingly passive in the wake of the Colombian declaration of independence in 1823. Only after the institution of a series of unpopular taxes and greater attempts to integrate the Mayans did the Yucatan declare its independence in 1826. When the Spanish army sent to quell the uprising was defeated at the Battle of Mamantel, seemingly demonstrating the weakness of the colonial overlord, did broader dissent in New Spain become clear. A separate revolt, headed by a mixture of priests, veterans, and local elites erupted at San Juan del Rio. Mexico City was briefly captured, the Viceroy being forced to flee to Veracruz in 1828, but a reinforcement army sent from Spain recaptured the capitol. Unlike in Colombia, the rebels in New Spain were staunchly monarchist, declaring the Kingdom of Mexico and offering the throne to the younger son of Philip VI, Prince Francisco (only eighteen at the time of the offer). Rebuffed by Madrid, the rebels in Mexico seized control of the entire north except for California, which was controlled by loyal frontier battalions. Seeking to retake the region and end the rebellion in 1833 the Spanish government launched an expedition up the Rio Grande to restore order in the north. Both New Mexico and Southern Texas were thereby pacified, but the rebellion maintains its strength in much of New Spain.
The third cluster of rebellions to erupt emerged in 1827. Buenos Aires became the center of a revolt by a league of local settlements against Spanish rule. With most garrisons having been redirected north, the Viceroy collapsed rapidly. Distant Chile likewise declared independence, representatives declaring a republic in Santiago. The loyalists in La Plata would fight to maintain the empire however, coalescing at Montevideo and seizing control over Uruguay. Following a separate rising by indigenous subjects in Upper Peru, this region seems to be the most difficult for the Crown of Spain to reassert control.
Foreign powers have all sought to carve out influence in the aftermath of the Latin America Wars. Brazil not only supplied the Colombian rebels, but indirectly entered the conflict in 1833 by moving south along the Atlantic coastline into territories controlled by Spanish loyalists. Yet, with the death of the beloved former President José da Silva Lisboa in late 1834 (who maintained de facto control over the republic), there is the potential for a more aggressive policy. The Kingdom of Louisiana, ruled by Philip VI’s distant Bourbon relative Louis Philippe, took advantage of the chaos in New Spain to seize control of Texas and establish numerous French-speaking settlements in the territory, a clear violation of Spanish sovereignty. Quebec, France, the Netherlands, and Britain have also all been involved to some extent in the fighting, though their actions have been far more minor and more varied.
Despite the collapse of Spanish authority in most regions, some territories have remained staunchly loyal. The Viceroyalty of Peru has seen very little internal opposition of Spanish rule and even partaken in the recapture of Quito. There is some hope that this region could serve as a center of operations in South America. Cuba too has demonstrated little desire to challenge the metropole, providing a naval base in the Caribbean.  While Santo Domingo has collapsed in the face of a massive slave revolt, Puerto Rico too remains loyal.

Five Power Roulette in the Pacific Northwest (1780s-1835)

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Perhaps one of the greatest sources of tension in the world is an unlikely location: The Pacific Northwest. While the region has been claimed by numerous powers for decades, it was only in the early 1800s that true efforts to assert those claims were made. Six powers (Russia, Spain, Britain, Louisiana, Quebec, and the Mexican revolutionaries) now lay claim to the region, each with different levels of control and authority. Spain has claimed the territory for more than a century, but with the rebellion in Mexico has been forced to largely deplete the garrisons at most of its forts along the Pacific Coast. Russia has been actually present the longest, with a series of forts constructed along the coast, but little colonial settlement. Britain too has a light military presence in the form of several outposts, but their activity has been primarily economic, with the Hudson’s Bay Company engaging in the fur trade. True settlement in the region has been spearheaded by the Quebecois, who have illegally settled the Puget Sound and Willamette Valley, forcing their government in Montreal to expand their claim to encompass the entire region. Louisiana has also shown some evidence of a desire for increased settlement here, a small outpost established at the intersection of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, but some are skeptical about the ability to move settlers that far inland.
Regardless, the region is in a state of constant tension. With no centralized authority there are frequent bouts of tension, crime, and punishment between the various groups in the region. Russian soldiers have been killed by Spaniards, British trappers robbed by Quebecois settlers, and so on. There have been growing calls in some quarters for official negotiations to be held over the future of the region, though throughout the 1820s and 1830s none of the governments seemed to seriously engage on the issue. Still, unless this crisis is resolved there is great worry about the potential combustibility of this sparsely inhabited, yet highly valuable territory.  

Chinese Civil War and East Asia in General (1821-1835)

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The Zhiazhuang Emperor’s decision to enact serious reforms and an opening of China seemed to herald a new age for the Qing. What was not factored in the decision-making however, was the intense backlash against the modernization of the country at the hands of a despised foreign dynasty. The subsequent displacement of tradition and the established order throughout the 1810’s and 1820’s had significant blowback. The Zhiazhuang Emperor died in 1821, leaving a power vacuum in the realm that would be filled by peasant militia, rebellious generals, and a weakened central Qing authority in the form of the Emperor’s grandson, the Yansheng Emperor. With the child ruler’s regents still intent on opening China and trade with the west, this faction drew the support of the modernizers in the realm, along with the traditional Manchu nobility. This would not be enough to hold the realm together though, as would soon be demonstrated.
A peasant rebellion broke out in Canton in 1825, locals upset over perceived unfair trading practices on the part of the French, Spanish, Dutch, and Ottomans. This rebellion soon acquired a local flavor, with peasant leaders calling for the toppling of the Manchus and their replacement with a new ruling family. Upset by the reforms enacted over the previous quarter century, thousands rallied to the banners of the rebellion. Li, a peasant from the city of Canton, proclaimed himself the Xīn'ài Emperor of the Guang Dynasty in 1827, calling for an end to Qing rule. Several Qing armies mutinied and joined the rebellion in the south. Vast tracts of land were captured, with refugees pouring north towards the Yangtze River. This unintentionally sowed the seeds of a second rising.
The failure of the harvest in 1832 and the subsequent river floods in 1833 led many along the Yangtze to conclude that, at long last, the Qing Dynasty had lost the mandate of heaven. Yet, rather than join with the forces to the south, from whom many refugees in the area had fled, a local province warlord with declare himself the Yǒufú Emperor of the Xing Dynasty, seeking to restore the rule of Han Chinese over their own affairs.
Thus, by 1834 a three-way civil war has broken out in the former lands of the Qing Dynasty. The Yansheng Emperor came of age that same year, watching with dismay as his patrimony seemed to collapse all around him. While Manchuria has remained loyal to their traditional ruling family, Mongolia declared independence in 1833, the Yi people and Xianjiang in 1834, and the Hui people in January 1835. Traditional Chinese protectorates in Tibet and Nepal have quit sending tribute and expelled any occupying soldiers, seeking to wait out the crisis and use it to gain further autonomy.
There is great concern among all these various factions about foreign intervention in the region. The the north the Russians have established a network of forts along the border with Manchuria. France, Spain, Britain, and the Netherlands all have colonies that could strike at the various weak points of China (of which there are currently many). Japan too could be more assertive in the region, with Korea looking more vulnerable, not to mention the lands of China itself.
This is not to say that the Europeans are totally secure in the region, however. French attempts to convert Burma, while showing some success in coastal regions, caused significant backlash further inland. The Buddhist Shan people in particular have fought back with zeal, launching a significant guerilla insurrection in their home region, slaughtering missionaries and challenging the soldiers of the Sacred Heart (the French holy order sent to quell unrest). France has been bogged down in low-level smoldering fighting in the region for nearly thirty years. British and Dutch colonies in East Asia, meanwhile, lack a reasonably secure supply-line back to the metropole, leading some local officials to be worried they could be isolated if European politics is not played properly.

Middle East Challenges (1833-1835)

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

A similar situation to the one in China would arise in Persia, the Afsharid dynasty collapsing into civil war. Although a half century of peace had dominated the region in the aftermath of the total Durrani-Ottoman victory in 1787, the peace agreement soon came under strain. From the perspective of the Persian people, they had been utterly defeated by their enemy for centuries (the Ottomans) and a weak, upstart power (the Durrani). This was coupled with the influx of foreign traders into the region following the concessions to the Austrians, Prussians, and Scandinavians. Local industries were undermined by the influx of foreign produced goods, while the Shah was seen as an ineffective foreign puppet, more concerned about the opinion of the Ottomans than his own subjects.
Nader II Shah would be assassinated in 1833, igniting a series of fast-paced developments. His younger brother Zinat Shah was widely held to be responsible, as he seized the throne and had Nader II’s children put to death quietly. In an attempt to appeal to the anti-Turkish subjects of Persia he quickly denounced the Ottomans and laid claim to the lands seized during the collapse of the Safavid Dynasty in 1787. This was a mistake as it eliminated the primary source of support for his throne, while was not sufficient to appease the radical anti-Turks. The Ottomans would covertly support Zinat’s nephew Husayn who would launch a rebellion in the southwest, seeking to topple his uncle, continue to embrace westernization, and operate as an Ottoman satellite state, along the lines of Nejd, Tunis, Wallachia, and Moldavia. On the other side of the spectrum, the Qajar family from the northwest of Persia declared their intent to overthrow both factions of the Afsharids, rectify the largest injustices against Persia, and uphold tradition. The Ottomans have not gotten directly involved thus far in the fighting, more focused on the Egyptian Rebellion, but both the Durrani Empire and Khiva have seized territory to the east. How Persia evolves will be one of the enduring questions of the next few years.
Ottoman attention has been directed south by happenings in Egypt, long a source of frustration for the Turkish officials. The region’s local autonomy was removed in the series of reforms enacted by several sultans. With the completion of the Suez Canal by the Ottomans, light oversight of the region became far more heavy-handed. This bred a culture of resentment. The Arabic-speaking Egyptians have come to see the Ottomans as colonial overlords, not members of a shared empire, likely the result of a growing small but educated middle class of Egyptian nationalists educated on European political theory. In 1831 this culminated in a general rebellion, Ottoman forces being expelled from the region or Arab soldiers joining in.
The Empire is not as weak as it once was thought, and drastic action seems to have kept the situation from spiraling out of control. Despite the rising in Egypt, the series of forts along the Suez ensured that the canal has continued to operate safely in Turkish hands. The defeat of rebel armies at El-Alamein and Damietta seems to have ended the worst of the threat, with the Egyptians in clear retreat. Only the worrying prospect of European intervention seems to be their hope, though who could challenge the clear regional authority of the Ottoman Empire has never been made clear.

The Piedmontese Succession

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Sardinia-Piedmont had been the center of some of the most dramatic developments at the end of the 1700s. The rapid rise and bloody collapse of the Holy People’s Republic, the Great Sack of Rome, and the ensuing refugee crisis reshaped a once static order. The hold of the Church over the region has precipitously declined, the newly established duchies in Genoa, Modena, Parma, Urbino, and Romagna all expropriating most of the monastic and clerical lands as recompense for the former crisis. Yet, even if the demographic situation and political attitudes in Italy have evolved, the broad strokes of politics have not. The peninsula is still largely the playground of much larger powers, namely France and the Habsburg Monarchy.  French influence has thrived in the newly established protectorates of Modena and Genoa. Parma turned its back on its Spanish roots following the death of Charles IV and likewise enjoys French protection. The Habsburgs, meanwhile, possess the backing of the Dukes of Urbino, Romagna, and the rump Papal States. This is not to mention the vast tracts held directly by Emperor Francis III, including Tuscany, Lombardy, Venetia, and Lucca. Naples alone is a free, largely independent Italian realm, some in the region seeing that as the best chance at unifying the region.
The question on the mind of all local sovereigns after the end of the Great Italian War was the Piedmontese Succession. Benedetto of Savoy, the last male-line descendant of that eight-century-old house, was named Grand Duke of Piedmont in 1787, at the age of 46. With his wife (also his niece) likely infertile, it seemed quite likely that the Grand Duke would not have any direct heirs. Even so, Benedetto proved to be a capable sovereign, repairing the infrastructure of his patrimony and remaining aloof from foreign affairs. His life was quiet and focused on his work, he being exhausted after the chaos of the 1780s. The longer his rule continued, the less urgent of an issue the ultimate fate of the Piedmontese succession seemed, various diplomats around Italy growing complacent on the matter.
Yet, Benedetto was mortal. In early 1827 at the impressive age of 86 the Grand Duke of Piedmont was found dead, laying at his desk with his papers. Already widowed, it seemed the succession of his niece Marie Joséphine of Savoy, the Duchess of Berry was all but assured. Indeed, this was the case, but the new Grand Duchess was quite advanced in age and widowed after the death of Louis Stanislas Xavier, being 74. Her heir was her only child, Queen Marie Fernandina of France, the wife of King Louis XVIII. Given the couple already has children of their own, the prospect of a union of the French Crown and the Grand Duchy of Piedmont became a very real possibility in the span of a couple of years.
Foreign observers have pointed out this violates one of the clauses of the Treaty of Versailles and demanded that another candidate gain the throne. The younger royal children (Princes Philip, Francis, or Xavier), the elderly Maria Anna (widow of Benedetto), members of the Spanish Bourbon line, and various German princes have all been proposed. Although Marie Josephine clings to life persistently, a cough has developed and its expected she will soon follow her uncle into the grave, leaving the prospect for yet another explosion in Italy.
Polish Question
Just as in Italy, a growing thorn in the side of those who crushed revolution in the 1700s has been the resurgence of nationalism in the lands formerly held by Poland. A new generation has arisen, one which doesn’t remember the defeats of the 1780s or the chaos of the 1740s, demanding the unification of the Polish region and the expulsion of the occupiers. Many credit the death of former President Tadeusz Kościuszko as the start of this new movement. When word spread throughout Poland in 1819 that the former republican leader was dead a series of protests throughout the region erupted. While these were brutally crushed by the Austrians, Prussians, and Russians, the spark of a new movement was created.
This new Polish republicanism is distinct from the former ideology. No longer is their any desire to integrate the Lithuanians, Byelorussians, or Ukrainians, these other nationalities developing their own movements. While the radical elements, such as those calling for an execution of monarchs and a war for liberty, have been purged from the movement, fervor remains. It is suspected that there are widespread nationalist secret societies operating in the region, taking advantage of the various goals of the Prussians, Austrians, and Russians. Some mayors have been murdered, journalists expelled, and new re-assessments of Polish history are pumped out of presses in Britain and the Netherlands by exiles.

[Spamage]

Silent Revolution (1803-1819)

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Following the death of Louis XVI in 1799, and his son Louis XVIII within the year, King Louis XVIII found himself ruler of France at the mere age of 26. Inexperienced, and faced with the representative government established by his grandfather, the King was forced to slowly cede many of his royal prerogatives in the early years of his reign. Unscrupulous ministers, such as Lafayette, Rochambeau, and Talleyrand led the way in enacting a series of broad reforms to the “Constitutional Charter of the French,” including a weakening of the clerical and noble assemblies. The King staved off further limitations to the established order by ceding his right to appoint members to the Chamber of Deputies. While Louis XVIII maintained control over foreign policy and diplomacy, as well as remaining the Head of State, he was now forced to contend with an active and democratically elected legislative body. Thus, the Kingdom of France is left in a unique situation, where domestic policy in France itself is only enacted through compromise between the King and the legislature, while the larger colonial empire (India, Africa, Burma) is controlled almost exclusively by the Crown and its ministers, though the Chamber of Deputies has expressed a desire to exert greater control here as well.
These reforms have been dubbed the “Silent Revolution” by many observers of the political situation. France, once the bastion of absolutist Europe, morphed into a Janus-like democratic, constitutional monarchy with numerous aspects of absolutism remaining. This all with little public outcry or protest. Yet, that is not to say the situation has been completely stabilized. Domestically, the Crown, Church, and nobility retain primarily landownership. While new capitalists have begun to buy up some noble land, there is still some latent resentment among the common people of France to an order that is still seen by some as stacked against them.
Politically, France has developed two main political parties, with one nascent smaller one growing. The Conservative Party is the largest in the country, consisting of a broad alliance of the hereditary nobility, clergy, rural peasantry, and the military. Louis XVIII, although aligned with the Liberals in the early years of his reign, has shown a clear Conservative bent since the 1820s. The party defends the traditional French society, supports colonial ventures, and demands protectionist economics.
The Liberal Party consists primarily of the rising landowning capitalist class, the urban factory workers, secularists, and government bureaucrats. This party, elected in landslides throughout the early 1800’s, was responsible for the Consolidation and Reform Acts. It was only defeated in the mid 1810’s, following the perceived failure of Tariff reform and ensuing economic unease. The Liberals are largely ambivalent on France’s colonial ventures. There are some outright supporters, especially those who view the accumulation of Capital as essential for further economic growth.
The Socialist Party of France was founded in 1827 and aims for a full move towards a Republic. The Socialists, while defending protectionism, abhor colonialism, demand secular reforms, and want land redistribution. While there are early signs, they have siphoned off some urban support from the lower classes, as well as among the rural smallholders, they hold a mere seven seats in the Chamber of Deputies.
France itself, engaging in Splendid Isolationism, has become somewhat isolated in foreign policy, at the same time hawks calling for a push to the Rhineland have become har more vocal. Prussia and the Habsburg Monarchy may disdain each other, but they can agree that the French are too strong. Spain is absorbed by fighting in the Americas, and Britain (while not outright hostile) still sees France as the main challenger on the path to global empire. With the coming issue of the Piedmontese Succession, some are calling on the King to start engaging in foreign relations again.

[Spamage]

A few questions, what is the status of the Azores, Shetland, the Nicobar and Andaman, and the Faroe Islands as they don't seem to be colored on your map, though it may be at ill my poor eyesight? I would also like to apologize for my conduct in the last game Concert of Europe, I did all of my fellow players a disservice in playing so poorly as the Kingdom of the Netherlands as I did and it showed my youth and inexperience in these games, I hope that my performance in Death and Dynasty's, King and Country, and other games has shown my maturation over this time. As always, I would like to thank Spamage for his incredible work on running this game as it shows a care and knowledge for history few others possess.

My first choice would be the Kingdom of Scandinavia which if memory serves was played by Ypestis in the last iteration of this series. The Scandinavian nations in these games have become somewhat of an area of interest of mine and I played the roles of King Christian II, King Frederick III & Christian IV in history games since our last foray into the concert series, I feel I am willing and able to take the role of a great power and the Kingdom of Scandinavia is one of great interest. Of course, if another more experienced player like Ypestis would be of preference that works as well as this is his nation from the previous game.

My second choice would be a reprisal of my role as the Kingdom of the Netherlands from Encore of Europe. Which without caution I can say ended in disaster, I played terribly and was rather inactive. Nevertheless, I think that I can return the Kingdom to greatness and remove the treachery of the dirty republicans. This nation looks to be in a solid position continuing the secure foothold on the east indies and Australia that they had at the end of Concert of Europe.

Again, thank you Spamage for hosting this great game and thanks to everyone who makes these games the great fun that they always are.

Azores are held by Spain after their invasion of Portugal in the previous game. Shetland are British. Neither the Nicobar or Andaman islands are colonized. Faroe Islands should be a part of Scandinavia, but are blank.

I can process your and jdb's requests once I hear from the people who previously had those posts

[Spamage]

Made up my mind, I'd like to reserve Quebec if possible (barring that, then Mexico or Louisiana, whichever is less time consuming to research/write for Spamage).

No worries, I'm fine researching any of these nations, especially Quebec given its in-game history. That problem is more of a factor for the Regional Powers, but should be eliminated by the soft cap of around 12 players at a time.

[Spamage]

I'd like the Kingdom of Naples.

Would it be ok if I took New England?

I will reclaim the great Hapsburg blob, though I would be willing to part with it if someone else really wants it.

Can I claim Great Britain?

Although I won't enjoy being Windjammers punching bag yet again

All granted

[Spamage]

May I get the Eyalet of Egypt?

Sure!

[Spamage]

OK, I'm going to start preparing the first turn tonight. Ideally we'll get a Spain at some point (doesn't anyone want a challenge? ). People can still sign up, ideally this will get started by Monday.

[Spamage]

Unless I’m confused, Mustafa III must be super old by now. Did you mean Mustafa IV or Mahmoud II?

It's Mustafa IV, yes my mistake. Mustafa III would be 118!

[Spamage]

If finding a Spanish player becomes an issue, I am willing to switch to Spain.

No need, like I said in the rules, Spain can be an NPC nation if necessary. Gives me flexibility in South America if that's the case

I’d like to take Louisiana, if possible.

If it's not too late, Joseon Korea, tho considering no one has chosen either of my neighbors, it might not be as interesting as it otherwise would be to play Queen Regent Sunwon.

Welcome

[Spamage]

Can we know which Chinese dynasty is which as I can't honestly say which dynasty is which, my best quest is the neon green is Qing, purple is Guang, and then the black is Xing.

Neon Green: Qing (Manchuria, Beijing, scattered portions of China)
Purple: Xing (Yangtze River, Central China)
Dark Teal in South: Guang (Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian)

[Spamage]

OK, I'm going to start preparing the first turn tonight. Ideally we'll get a Spain at some point (doesn't anyone want a challenge? ). People can still sign up, ideally this will get started by Monday.

Is there any way we could start the first turn July 6th, I have some RL stuff next week and won’t be available much Thursday-Sunday.  If not, I could make it work if it starts when planned, but end of turn is extended to July 9th. 

I'll leave that up to the other players, but I will say I'm hesitant to delay the start by a week because that's how I've seen in the past that these games lose momentum (people forget, lose interest, etc). Normally I wouldn't be in favor of a turn longer than a week, but given the holiday in the US and the three-day weekend next week, I would totally be willing to extend it a few more days, no problem (I too will be less available next weekend).

If you feel like you only are able to give basic orders the first turn, that's no issue and you won't be penalized.

[Spamage]

Okay, Turn 1 is posted and starts today. I'll extend it through next Thursday unless everyone gets their responses in to me early.

I will be adding Japan, the military totals, and navies either tonight or tomorrow.

Now that the turn is posted I can start responding to some PMs. Be warned veterans, I am cleaning out my inbox from the last game so I can better track this one.

Let the scheming begin

[Spamage]

Brilliant work!

Question, am I Louis-Ferdinand or Louis-Henry? Both names appear on the gameplay thread.

Louis Henry, my mistake

[Spamage]

Army totals have been posted.


I'm torn on how I'm going to do navies this game. Speaking from experience over the past two games, the tracking of who was building what ships when proved tedious, especially as fleets were only seldom used in actual military operations. Rather than trying to keep track of thousands of vessels of various sizes, I'm considering ranking navies on two scales: size and technological advancement. Each will provide bonuses (or maluses) based on the rank of course. Players can use their navies as they see fit in their operations. Obviously, and perhaps more realistically, exact engagements other than ambushes couldn't be exactly planned, but fleets could patrol regions searching for one another. Investment in either new technology or more ships could weigh on the economy, but would have the potential to increase one or the other category.

I'd like some player input though. If you would like me to keep the old system, I definitely will, but looking into the ship numbers will probably take some time.

[Spamage]

I will be adding Japan, the military totals, and navies either tonight or tomorrow.

Who is Japan? Should I pick another country?

Please see my PM. If I don't hear from BK in a day, you can take Japan...

[Spamage]

OK, so I think I am going to go forward with the modifications to the Navy Ranking after all. I'm going to add this to the rules at the beginning if there's space, but I wanted to give a great in-depth explanation.

Fleets will be graded based on two factors: naval technology and naval size. Each of these will be along a six-point scale like the Economic Standings and Popularity at the beginning of each turn. You can seek to expand your navy or innovate and move up the scale, but the odds of reaching each higher level decrease, while the potential effect on the economy is an ever-present risk.

Naval defeat can move you back down the Naval Size scale. It's less likely that you'll move backwards on the Naval Technology tree.

Naval Technology
First-Rate: This navy employs all of the latest technologies across its fleet including new tactics, equipment, and training. Truly among one of the best seafaring fleets in the world.
Innovative: New strategic ideas are planned and tested, further modifications have been made to equipment for more efficient operation.
Advanced: Ships are modernized and equipment is top of the line. Overall better organized than modernized fleets.
Modernized: Navy is at standard levels of development for time period.
Reformed: The naval equipment is near-modernized, though experience and training with new supplies is lacking.
Modified: Although still dominated by old ships and methods, efforts have been made to reform the navy, including the purchase of ships from more advanced powers.
Traditional: This navy still employs tactics, methods, and equipment from the 1700s or earlier. Limited sea capabilities and stagnant mindset.

Naval Size
Dominant: This power truly has a global naval reach. Advanced fleets at various points of the world and the ability to supply said vessels with relative ease. More than two hundred vessels in active service
Massive: Extensive naval reach, able to operate in most areas, assuming supply is secured. Around two hundred vessels.
Sizable: Naval reach includes most of surrounding seas. Roughly one hundred and fifty vessels, with the ports able to supply them.
Standard: Naval strength can be projected in the region, with further excursions when necessary. Around one hundred ships.
Limited: Several dozen ships. Extensive and long-distance operations are possible, but only on rare occasions.
Small: A dozen major ships, limited regional navy.
Nonexistent: Primarily applies to landlocked countries. No navy in existence.*

*-Not applicable for anyone right away


Navies of the World
United Kingdom of Britain, Ireland, and the Americas (First-Rate, Dominant)
Kingdom of France (First-Rate, Dominant)
Kingdom of Scandinavia (Innovative, Sizable)
Confederation of New England (Innovative, Small)
Kingdom of Prussia (Advanced, Sizable)
Kingdom of the Netherlands (Advanced, Sizable)
Kingdom of Naples (Advanced, Standard)
Kingdom of Spain (Modernized, Massive)
Kingdom of Quebec (Modernized, Limited)
Republic of Brazil (Modernized, Limited)
Habsburg Monarchy (Modernized, Limited)
Kingdom of Louisiana (Modernized, Small)
Russian Empire (Reformed, Standard)
Ottoman Empire (Modified, Standard)
Tokugawa Japan (Modified, Standard)
Qing Dynasty (Traditional, Sizable)
Xing Dynasty (Traditional, Standard)
Joseon Korea (Traditional, Limited)
Eyalet of Egypt (Traditional, Small)

[Spamage]

Question about the various factions in the Persian Civil War: Am I correct in that the dark pink in the northwest and southeast is the Qajars, the light pink the Kurds, the light green the Husaynians, and the gold the Zinatians? Also, who is the head of the Qajar family?

Yes, that is correct.

For the sake of simplicity, Mohammad Shah Qajar is currently leading the Qajar faction.

[Spamage]

Can I take the Kingdom of Mexico, as I have not played a nation game actively for a while.

You're welcome to join at the start of the next turn. I've already done some NPC deals as Mexico for 1835 and it wouldn't be fair to some players to retract them

I really like this naval system. I do have a question though, for the Economy/Popularity can you change the green back.

In what sense?

[Spamage]

does the turn end on Monday night?

Okay, Turn 1 is posted and starts today. I'll extend it through next Thursday unless everyone gets their responses in to me early.

I'm taking it as July 9 being the absolute deadline, but if everything looks settled, Spamage may end things as early as Monday.  At this point, I'm done with my turn except to respond to any diplomatic missives that might be sent Joseon's way.

That is correct. If I have everyone's orders early I will end the turn on Monday, otherwise it will continue until the 9th.

Expect the first mid-turn update tomorrow.


Also, I never heard back from BaconKing, so in the interest of being fair and keeping things moving Priest of Moloch (Donerail) is now accepted as the Japanese player. Further negotiations will be conducted with him. I'll be doing some research tonight, posting his prompts in the morning PST tomorrow.

[Spamage]

I've always been unsure but how do mid-turn updates work?

I love them but to give away my secrets I tend to send my turn orders as late as possible; both to allow myself to think but also to sort out diplomatic lose ends; are we encouraged to send them earlier?

It sort of varies, but they're mostly to give updates on NPC developments, urgent actions by some players, geopolitical developments (like if war is declared). People would not be operating a whole year without hearing of major developments elsewhere, hence forcing players to respond to sometimes sudden changes. When people get their orders in early that can be material for a mid-turn update, but generally only if they've been explicit about implementing it or are engaged in a shocking action (surprise attack etc.).

I mean, no one is penalized for not responding to them in any way, but it is how it can be made clear when there's a major shift.

Turn orders at the end of the turn is perfectly fine, no pressure at all.

[Spamage]

I have received quite a bit of orders, but am still waiting on several players. 5 PM GMT on Thursday will be the final deadline to submit orders for this turn. As always there seems to be some interesting developments

[Spamage]

I have received quite a bit of orders, but am still waiting on several players. 5 PM GMT on Thursday will be the final deadline to submit orders for this turn. As always there seems to be some interesting developments

Could you please make it 9 PM EST?  I just realized that 5 PM GMT is 1 PM EST.  I was exhausted yesterday and I have to study for the bar exam some more today, but I should be able to send all my orders after I finish and have dinner.

Yes, that is fine.

Expect the end of turn update late Friday or early Saturday, depending on the time I have available. There is a LOT to process. Next turn should begin at some point during the weekend.

[Spamage]

Turn Two starts now and will, for the time being, run until next Sunday evening.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns with anything I may have missed in your orders during the last turn (particularly in regards to military matters/the map). There was a lot to go through and some stuff may have slipped through. I will try to respond to some of the outstanding questions from the inter-turn period now that I'll be able.

Expect a mid-turn update Thursday or so

The scheming may resume.

[Spamage]

Also, as someone who has always been interested in digital cartography as a hobby (r/imaginary maps anyone?) I've been working on a zoomed in map of the game in Europe for the last week or so. Though I had to update this one with the Prague Conference

Hopefully this helps clear up any questions on the distribution of territory in Europe (it was very difficult finding whether Austria or Prussia owns Warsaw). My next goal will probably be Asia or the Americas depending on developments there. I find it somewhat therapeutic.