The Zenith of Power: Gameplay Thread

[Spamage]

Lvov Agreement

The Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Ottoman Empire, hereafter the signatories, agree to the following terms:

I. The signatories agree to a defensive alliance and commit to upholding the territorial integrity of each of the signatories in the face of outside aggression.
II. The signatories guarantee the inviolability of the Polish borders as they stand now and in the face of any effort, diplomatic or otherwise, to alter these borders.
III. The signatories agree to begin the construction of a Riga-Constantinople railway which shall pass through Polish territory and contribute to the economic development of Eastern Europe.

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

X- George, King of Poland

[Kingpoleon]

Lvov Agreement

The Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Ottoman Empire, hereafter the signatories, agree to the following terms:

I. The signatories agree to a defensive alliance and commit to upholding the territorial integrity of each of the signatories in the face of outside aggression.
II. The signatories guarantee the inviolability of the Polish borders as they stand now and in the face of any effort, diplomatic or otherwise, to alter these borders.
III. The signatories agree to begin the construction of a Riga-Constantinople railway which shall pass through Polish territory and contribute to the economic development of Eastern Europe.

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

X- George, King of Poland

X Sultan Murad V

[YPestis25]

General Act of the Stockholm Conference

In the name of God Almighty, His Majesty the King of France; His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc, and Apostolic King of Hungary; His Majesty the King of the the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and the Americas; Her Majesty the Queen of Scandinavia; His Majesty the King of Prussia; Archbishop-President of the Divine Republic of Brazil; and His Majesty the King of Portugal,

WISHING, in a spirit of good and mutual accord, to regulate the conditions most favourable to the development of trade and civilization in certain regions of Africa, and to assure to all nations the advantages of free navigation on the two chief rivers of Africa flowing into the Atlantic Ocean;

BEING DESIROUS, on the other hand, to obviate the misunderstanding and disputes which might in future arise from new acts of occupation (prises de possession) on the coast of Africa; and concerned, at the same time, as to the means of furthering the moral and material wellbeing of the native populations;

HAVE RESOLVED, on the invitation addressed to them by the Government of Scandinavia, in agreement with the Government of the Brazilian Republic, to meet for those purposes in Conference at Stockholm, have successively discussed and adopted the following disposition of claims and spheres of influence on the African continent:



AND HAVE AGREED, in the interests of lasting peace and with a desire to prevent conflict from afflicting the African continent, to undertake no actions, open or covert, diplomatic or military, which would undermine the spheres of influence and claims which are agreed to in this document.  

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

[Spamage]

General Act of the Stockholm Conference

In the name of God Almighty, His Majesty the King of France; His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc, and Apostolic King of Hungary; His Majesty the King of the the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and the Americas; Her Majesty the Queen of Scandinavia; His Majesty the King of Prussia; Archbishop-President of the Divine Republic of Brazil; and His Majesty the King of Portugal,

WISHING, in a spirit of good and mutual accord, to regulate the conditions most favourable to the development of trade and civilization in certain regions of Africa, and to assure to all nations the advantages of free navigation on the two chief rivers of Africa flowing into the Atlantic Ocean;

BEING DESIROUS, on the other hand, to obviate the misunderstanding and disputes which might in future arise from new acts of occupation (prises de possession) on the coast of Africa; and concerned, at the same time, as to the means of furthering the moral and material wellbeing of the native populations;

HAVE RESOLVED, on the invitation addressed to them by the Government of Scandinavia, in agreement with the Government of the Brazilian Republic, to meet for those purposes in Conference at Stockholm, have successively discussed and adopted the following disposition of claims and spheres of influence on the African continent:



AND HAVE AGREED, in the interests of lasting peace and with a desire to prevent conflict from afflicting the African continent, to undertake no actions, open or covert, diplomatic or military, which would undermine the spheres of influence and claims which are agreed to in this document.  

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

X-Henry X, King of Britain, Ireland, and America

X-Frederick IV, King of Prussia

[Kuumo]

On the Status of the Regions of Colombia

I give an official invitation to the federalist and regionalist leaders of Venezuela for a meeting with the government in the hopes of coming to an agreement on the status of the administration of their people. Our country has grown and prospered greatly since throwing off the Spanish yoke. We now have far more people than the founders of our revolution could have imagined. A limited degree of autonomy under our Republic may be within the best interests of both Venezuelans and New Granadans. Great progress has been made in recent times toward the establishment of a righteous state in this world of sin. With this meeting, I believe we will come one step closer to the ideal society envisaged by Archbishop Mosqueda y Arboleda.

-Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez

On the Global Football Summit

Colombia will send representatives to the summit in New Orleans as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation with the footballers of the other nations of the world.

-Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez

[DKrol]

A Statement from the Court in New Orleans

Opposition to the Stockholm Conference

Word has arrived in New Orleans of the Stockholm Conference - a plan by a few crowned heads of Old Europe and their allies to carve and divide the African Continent as they see fit for their devises. As a kingdom united in the bonds of fraternity and liberty, the United Kingdom of Louisiana is deeply opposed to this euro-centric colonialism, in the vein of the classical colonialism that had oppressed the New World prior to our fathers and forefathers standing up for our rights and liberties.

What God has given these crowned heads the authority to divide a continent - an inhabited continent - in their own image? What right do these crowned heads have to force their will on already-established sovereign peoples?  What power do these crowned heads have to decide that they are the only peoples fit to decide the governance of the largest continental land?

The United Kingdom of Louisiana  states it’s strong opposition to the carving of Africa as a European plaything - much as they dictated North America in the not too distant past - and declares its support for the right of all voices to be heard in this declaration of overlordship - including those whom will be governed.

I call for either the abandonment of this conference or, at a minimum, the inclusion of a broad scope of voices, including the Africans and those recently under colonial yokes, at the table in a new round of discussions.

- Henry-Philippe, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

General Act of the Stockholm Conference

In the name of God Almighty, His Majesty the King of France; His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc, and Apostolic King of Hungary; His Majesty the King of the the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and the Americas; Her Majesty the Queen of Scandinavia; His Majesty the King of Prussia; Archbishop-President of the Divine Republic of Brazil; and His Majesty the King of Portugal,

WISHING, in a spirit of good and mutual accord, to regulate the conditions most favourable to the development of trade and civilization in certain regions of Africa, and to assure to all nations the advantages of free navigation on the two chief rivers of Africa flowing into the Atlantic Ocean;

BEING DESIROUS, on the other hand, to obviate the misunderstanding and disputes which might in future arise from new acts of occupation (prises de possession) on the coast of Africa; and concerned, at the same time, as to the means of furthering the moral and material wellbeing of the native populations;

HAVE RESOLVED, on the invitation addressed to them by the Government of Scandinavia, in agreement with the Government of the Brazilian Republic, to meet for those purposes in Conference at Stockholm, have successively discussed and adopted the following disposition of claims and spheres of influence on the African continent:



AND HAVE AGREED, in the interests of lasting peace and with a desire to prevent conflict from afflicting the African continent, to undertake no actions, open or covert, diplomatic or military, which would undermine the spheres of influence and claims which are agreed to in this document.  

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

X-Henry X, King of Britain, Ireland, and America

X-Frederick IV, King of Prussia

X Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira

[GoTfan]

A Statement from the Court in New Orleans

Opposition to the Stockholm Conference

Word has arrived in New Orleans of the Stockholm Conference - a plan by a few crowned heads of Old Europe and their allies to carve and divide the African Continent as they see fit for their devises. As a kingdom united in the bonds of fraternity and liberty, the United Kingdom of Louisiana is deeply opposed to this euro-centric colonialism, in the vein of the classical colonialism that had oppressed the New World prior to our fathers and forefathers standing up for our rights and liberties.

What God has given these crowned heads the authority to divide a continent - an inhabited continent - in their own image? What right do these crowned heads have to force their will on already-established sovereign peoples?  What power do these crowned heads have to decide that they are the only peoples fit to decide the governance of the largest continental land?

The United Kingdom of Louisiana  states it’s strong opposition to the carving of Africa as a European plaything - much as they dictated North America in the not too distant past - and declares its support for the right of all voices to be heard in this declaration of overlordship - including those whom will be governed.

I call for either the abandonment of this conference or, at a minimum, the inclusion of a broad scope of voices, including the Africans and those recently under colonial yokes, at the table in a new round of discussions.

- Henry-Philippe, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

I find myself in agreement. It is not our right to divert the people of Africa from their God-given destiny. The Lord has a plan for all of us, and that plan for the people of Africa must not be interfered  with by the men of this mortal plane.

-King Charles VIII

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Offical Firman from the Imperial Court in Kabul

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I, Emir Abdul Samad Khan, in the current Hijri year of 1288, hereby proclaim upon this new and blessed year, that several changes shall be directed and sought to be fully enacted through this blessed realm.

In regards to affairs with nations foreign and near, I am announcing that a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce shall be signed with our Qajar neighbors. For far too long our two states have needlessly fought each other only to the benefit of our enemies. As such, upon my mutual desire with Nasir al-Din Shah for peace, I am instructing my finest diplomats to correspond with their Iranian counterparts to draft a treaty that will, Inshallah, establish peace and prosperity for the future to come. Likewise, I would like to see a similar treaty be signed with the new President of Russia and the Sublime Porte. In regards to the situation in China, it is quite unfortunate that much bloodshed is being spilled, however, the continued injustice and outrage of the integral province of Kashmir being occupied by the Xing cannot and must not stand. As such, an ultimatum shall be sent to Xian to hand over the province within 3 months lest I order my Royal Guard to march into it and liberate it. Lastly is the Hindustani Question, as of right now our posture to the French in Hindustan is one of armed neutrality. We would preferably like to maintain and establish friendly relations with the French and we absolutely should, however, should our hand be forced, we are more than willing to not only defend ourselves but also liberate and free our Muslim brothers living in Hindustan. I pray that Her Majesty in Paris shall not tarnish our mutual relations.

- Emir Samad Khan

[DKrol]

The Declaration of the Rights of African Self-determination
Jointly Issued by King Henry-Philippe of the United Kingdom of Louisiana and King Charles VIII of Naples

We, the undersigned, jointly and wholly condemn the partition of Africa and the African people, beyond the established and recognized boundaries, without the inclusion and consent of the African people.

We, the undersigned, believe that the Stockholm Conference of 1871 is an inappropriate forum for deciding the governance of the African continent and, further, believe that the appropriate decisions makers were not included at the Conference.

We, the undersigned, are alarmed by the belief of some that crowned heads of states many thousands of miles away - who will never set foot upon the land they claim to have authority over - are the universal arbiters of people’s futures.

We, the undersigned, encourage the people of Africa to be allowed to choose their path for themselves, in the eyes and light of God.

We, the undersigned, recommend the people of Africa ignore the Stockholm Conference and encourage those that took part to recant their claims over native African land.

Signed with my hand and seal this day,
x Henry-Philippe de Bourbon-Orleans, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

[GoTfan]

The Declaration of the Rights of African Self-determination
Jointly Issued by King Henry-Philippe of the United Kingdom of Louisiana and King Charles VIII of Naples

We, the undersigned, jointly and wholly condemn the partition of Africa and the African people, beyond the established and recognized boundaries, without the inclusion and consent of the African people.

We, the undersigned, believe that the Stockholm Conference of 1871 is an inappropriate forum for deciding the governance of the African continent and, further, believe that the appropriate decisions makers were not included at the Conference.

We, the undersigned, are alarmed by the belief of some that crowned heads of states many thousands of miles away - who will never set foot upon the land they claim to have authority over - are the universal arbiters of people’s futures.

We, the undersigned, encourage the people of Africa to be allowed to choose their path for themselves, in the eyes and light of God.

We, the undersigned, recommend the people of Africa ignore the Stockholm Conference and encourage those that took part to recant their claims over native African land.

Signed with my hand and seal this day,
x Henry-Philippe de Bourbon-Orleans, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

In solidarity with the people of Africa and the loyal citizens of Tunis,

x Charles VIII Bourbon, King of Naples.

[OBD]

A Statement from the Court in New Orleans

Opposition to the Stockholm Conference

Word has arrived in New Orleans of the Stockholm Conference - a plan by a few crowned heads of Old Europe and their allies to carve and divide the African Continent as they see fit for their devises. As a kingdom united in the bonds of fraternity and liberty, the United Kingdom of Louisiana is deeply opposed to this euro-centric colonialism, in the vein of the classical colonialism that had oppressed the New World prior to our fathers and forefathers standing up for our rights and liberties.

What God has given these crowned heads the authority to divide a continent - an inhabited continent - in their own image? What right do these crowned heads have to force their will on already-established sovereign peoples?  What power do these crowned heads have to decide that they are the only peoples fit to decide the governance of the largest continental land?

The United Kingdom of Louisiana  states it’s strong opposition to the carving of Africa as a European plaything - much as they dictated North America in the not too distant past - and declares its support for the right of all voices to be heard in this declaration of overlordship - including those whom will be governed.

I call for either the abandonment of this conference or, at a minimum, the inclusion of a broad scope of voices, including the Africans and those recently under colonial yokes, at the table in a new round of discussions.

- Henry-Philippe, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

I find myself in agreement. It is not our right to divert the people of Africa from their God-given destiny. The Lord has a plan for all of us, and that plan for the people of Africa must not be interfered  with by the men of this mortal plane.

-King Charles VIII

New England would like to join the esteemed nations of Louisiana and Naples in expressing displeasure regarding the Stockholm Conference. The time for imperialism and the subjugation of free peoples is over - Africans, like the Americans before them, deserve the right to blaze their own path free of nefarious influences.

The Declaration of the Rights of African Self-determination
Jointly Issued by King Henry-Philippe of the United Kingdom of Louisiana and King Charles VIII of Naples

We, the undersigned, jointly and wholly condemn the partition of Africa and the African people, beyond the established and recognized boundaries, without the inclusion and consent of the African people.

We, the undersigned, believe that the Stockholm Conference of 1871 is an inappropriate forum for deciding the governance of the African continent and, further, believe that the appropriate decisions makers were not included at the Conference.

We, the undersigned, are alarmed by the belief of some that crowned heads of states many thousands of miles away - who will never set foot upon the land they claim to have authority over - are the universal arbiters of people’s futures.

We, the undersigned, encourage the people of Africa to be allowed to choose their path for themselves, in the eyes and light of God.

We, the undersigned, recommend the people of Africa ignore the Stockholm Conference and encourage those that took part to recant their claims over native African land.

Signed with my hand and seal this day,
x Henry-Philippe de Bourbon-Orleans, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

In solidarity with the people of Africa and the loyal citizens of Tunis,

x Charles VIII Bourbon, King of Naples.

x Chairman Henry Wilson, New England Confederation

[Lumine]

The Treaty of Tasmania (1871),
A Treaty between the Kingdom of Quebec and the United Provinces of New Holland,

1.) The signatories hereby confirm their desire for a peaceful, economically productive relationship, and hereby commit to the following:

2.) A ten-year non-aggression pact, to be renewable in 1881.

3.) A preferential trade relationship between both nations, with New Holland lowering tariffs on Quebecois goods.

4.) Quebecois investment and support for infrastructure and development projects across New Holland.

x Henry II, King of Quebec

[Orwell]

The Treaty of Tasmania (1871),
A Treaty between the Kingdom of Quebec and the United Provinces of New Holland,

1.) The signatories hereby confirm their desire for a peaceful, economically productive relationship, and hereby commit to the following:

2.) A ten-year non-aggression pact, to be renewable in 1881.

3.) A preferential trade relationship between both nations, with New Holland lowering tariffs on Quebecois goods.

4.) Quebecois investment and support for infrastructure and development projects across New Holland.

x Henry II, King of Quebec

xStadholder Piter Mijer

[KaiserDave]

On the Stockholm Conference

The Russian Republic is in accord with the conclusions of the Stockholm conference, contingent on the continued support of London, Berlin, Paris, and Vienna.

A.S. Suvorin, President of the Russian Republic
B.N. Chicherin, Prime Minister of the Russian Republic

[windjammer]

General Act of the Stockholm Conference

In the name of God Almighty, His Majesty the King of France; His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc, and Apostolic King of Hungary; His Majesty the King of the the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and the Americas; Her Majesty the Queen of Scandinavia; His Majesty the King of Prussia; Archbishop-President of the Divine Republic of Brazil; and His Majesty the King of Portugal,

WISHING, in a spirit of good and mutual accord, to regulate the conditions most favourable to the development of trade and civilization in certain regions of Africa, and to assure to all nations the advantages of free navigation on the two chief rivers of Africa flowing into the Atlantic Ocean;

BEING DESIROUS, on the other hand, to obviate the misunderstanding and disputes which might in future arise from new acts of occupation (prises de possession) on the coast of Africa; and concerned, at the same time, as to the means of furthering the moral and material wellbeing of the native populations;

HAVE RESOLVED, on the invitation addressed to them by the Government of Scandinavia, in agreement with the Government of the Brazilian Republic, to meet for those purposes in Conference at Stockholm, have successively discussed and adopted the following disposition of claims and spheres of influence on the African continent:



AND HAVE AGREED, in the interests of lasting peace and with a desire to prevent conflict from afflicting the African continent, to undertake no actions, open or covert, diplomatic or military, which would undermine the spheres of influence and claims which are agreed to in this document.  

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

X-Henry X, King of Britain, Ireland, and America

X-Frederick IV, King of Prussia

X Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira

xQueen regent of France and Padania on behalf of his majesty King Louis XX of France and King Luigi II of Padania

[Dereich]

General Act of the Stockholm Conference

In the name of God Almighty, His Majesty the King of France; His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc, and Apostolic King of Hungary; His Majesty the King of the the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and the Americas; Her Majesty the Queen of Scandinavia; His Majesty the King of Prussia; Archbishop-President of the Divine Republic of Brazil; and His Majesty the King of Portugal,

WISHING, in a spirit of good and mutual accord, to regulate the conditions most favourable to the development of trade and civilization in certain regions of Africa, and to assure to all nations the advantages of free navigation on the two chief rivers of Africa flowing into the Atlantic Ocean;

BEING DESIROUS, on the other hand, to obviate the misunderstanding and disputes which might in future arise from new acts of occupation (prises de possession) on the coast of Africa; and concerned, at the same time, as to the means of furthering the moral and material wellbeing of the native populations;

HAVE RESOLVED, on the invitation addressed to them by the Government of Scandinavia, in agreement with the Government of the Brazilian Republic, to meet for those purposes in Conference at Stockholm, have successively discussed and adopted the following disposition of claims and spheres of influence on the African continent:



AND HAVE AGREED, in the interests of lasting peace and with a desire to prevent conflict from afflicting the African continent, to undertake no actions, open or covert, diplomatic or military, which would undermine the spheres of influence and claims which are agreed to in this document. 

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

X-Henry X, King of Britain, Ireland, and America

X-Frederick IV, King of Prussia

X Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira

xQueen regent of France and Padania on behalf of his majesty King Louis XX of France and King Luigi II of Padania

x Charles VIII von Habsburg-Lothringen, with reservation as to issues involving non-signatories.

[DKrol]

The Atlantic Treaty (1871),
A Treaty between the United Kingdom of Louisiana and the New England Confederation

The signatories, in the belief that the North American continent is blessed with strong men, fertile lands, and endless opportunities, urge greater cooperation and everlasting peace in the name of progress. Therefore, they commit to the following:

1.) Full recognition of their present borders and territories, and a recognition of the present boundaries across the North American continent.

2.) A mutual understanding that war is not in the best interest of the Atlantic North American region.

3.) A mutual recognition of the dangers posed by colonialism and the oppression of local populations.

4.) Free and unfettered access to the territorial waters of each nation for the purposes of trade and commerce.

Signed with my hand and seal this day,
x Henry-Philippe de Bourbon-Orleans, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

[OBD]

The Atlantic Treaty (1871),
A Treaty between the United Kingdom of Louisiana and the New England Confederation

The signatories, in the belief that the North American continent is blessed with strong men, fertile lands, and endless opportunities, urge greater cooperation and everlasting peace in the name of progress. Therefore, they commit to the following:

1.) Full recognition of their present borders and territories, and a recognition of the present boundaries across the North American continent.

2.) A mutual understanding that war is not in the best interest of the Atlantic North American region.

3.) A mutual recognition of the dangers posed by colonialism and the oppression of local populations.

4.) Free and unfettered access to the territorial waters of each nation for the purposes of trade and commerce.

Signed with my hand and seal this day,
x Henry-Philippe de Bourbon-Orleans, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana

x Chairman Henry Wilson, New England Confederation

[PSOL]

Scandinavian-Iranian Customs Cooperation Agreement
To Ensure the Free Trade of Goods easily and Protect Cargo and Persons from Criminal Activity

Section I: Simplification and Standardization of Tax Laws

I. In the zones of the Ports in the Hormozgan province, there shall be established a joint tax office compiled from the Leader of Homorzegan and the office of administration for the holdings of Scandinavian territory in the Persian Gulf

Section II: Establishment of a joint Customs and trade security office

I. There shall be a joint Customs and Security Directorate
a. Whose purpose shall be to both inspect cargo to ensure quality and deter crime
b. Jointly led by two Chiefs representing the Kingdom or Scandinavia and Sublime State of Iran
c. Which shall be made up of the existing security forces and customs office in the Homorzegan province and the Scandinavian security and customs for the Persian Gulf Holdings

Section III: time of implementation

I. The Cooperation Agreement shall be established the day of the beginning of the New Year of the Jalali Calendar, Nowruz or the March Equinox

X Nasser Shah Qajar

Treaty of Lisbon

I. A diplomatic embassy will be established in Lisbon and Tehran

II. Duties and tariffs shall be lowered by 50% for trade between both states

X Nasser Shah Qajar

Treaty of London

I. A diplomatic embassy will be established in London and Tehran

II. Duties and tariffs shall be lowered by 15%% for trade between both states

[/quote]
X Nasser Shah Qajar

[YPestis25]

Scandinavian-Iranian Customs Cooperation Agreement
To Ensure the Free Trade of Goods easily and Protect Cargo and Persons from Criminal Activity

Section I: Simplification and Standardization of Tax Laws

I. In the zones of the Ports in the Hormozgan province, there shall be established a joint tax office compiled from the Leader of Homorzegan and the office of administration for the holdings of Scandinavian territory in the Persian Gulf

Section II: Establishment of a joint Customs and trade security office

I. There shall be a joint Customs and Security Directorate
a. Whose purpose shall be to both inspect cargo to ensure quality and deter crime
b. Jointly led by two Chiefs representing the Kingdom or Scandinavia and Sublime State of Iran
c. Which shall be made up of the existing security forces and customs office in the Homorzegan province and the Scandinavian security and customs for the Persian Gulf Holdings

Section III: time of implementation

I. The Cooperation Agreement shall be established the day of the beginning of the New Year of the Jalali Calendar, Nowruz or the March Equinox

X Nasser Shah Qajar

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

[Spamage]

1871 Midturn Update

CIVIL WAR IN SPAIN!
Divided Republic Collapses in on Itself

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The Spanish Revolution of 1869 was orchestrated by a broad cross-section of society, united in their disgust with King Ferdinand VII and frustrated with the stagnation of the realm. Conservatives, constitutional monarchists, liberal republicans, Catholic Republicans, anarchists, socialists, and nationalists had all supported removing the King. Yet, with the hated Ferdinand out of the way, there was little binding them all together. Constitutional monarchists and conservatives were frustrated by the declaration of a republic. Anarchists and socialists were disgusted with the lack of social reform. Nationalists, particularly in Catalonia and the Basque country, were alienated by the centralized form of the new republic. Still, under Juan Prim, the situation remained semi-stable, his government leading from the center. This would change in 1871.

Ramon Nouvilas, the general in charge of the Army of Catalonia was frustrated by his limited role in the new government. He was consigned to commanding armies on the periphery of the realm while true decisions were made in the capital. Succored by local Catholic Republicans, and hearing foreign guarantees of support, he seized the moment. Of Catalan heritage, he declared the secession of his region from the Republic on March 5th, 1871 and demanded the reorganization of Spain as a whole along Catholic Republican lines. Nouvilas proclaimed himself the Catalan President, a bold move. The Army of Catalonia was stunned, and likely would have toppled him themselves had the government of Juan Prim been simultaneously considering a cut to military benefits as a means of paying off the extensive debts the Republic had inherited from Ferdinand VII. Hearing promises of both mortal wages and eternal salvation, most backed their general. Nouvilas’ men rapidly seized Barcelona and the surrounding countryside, a pre-organized coup simultaneously toppling the municipal government in Valencia.

Yet, Barcelona was a diverse city, one neither accustomed nor entirely willing to embrace the radical doctrine of Catholic Republicanism. There were many ideologies common in the city, and they sought to end Nouvilas’ rule before it even began. On March 7th, street clashes began, socialist workers and anarchists erecting barricades in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The Bishop of Barcelona was tortured and executed, despite himself being a critic of Catholic-Republicanism. Fighting raged throughout the city until the 11th, when the Catholic Republican Army crushed the last pockets of rebel resistance. While the victory in the Battle of Barcelona brought the Catholic-Republican cause into control of Catalonia, it cost Nouvilas valuable time.

The original plan for Nouvilas had been to march straight into the capital and topple the Republic, but the delay in Barcelona, which he only left on March 15th, gave Juan Prim the time needed to raise men in the capital. Certainly, Catholic-Republicanism had its appeal in Spain, a realm where the Church was treated with great veneration, but there were also thousands opposed to the movement, having heard the lurid horror stories from Verri’s Sardinia or de Andrade’s Brazil. Veterans and other young men enlisted en masse, even boys as young as 13 being armed in some cities in an effort to avert the collapse of the Republic. Nouvilas found his movements slowed by the destruction of rail lines and bridges by partisans outside of Catalonia. Zaragoza declared itself for the liberal Republic on March 19th and hastily organized a defense of the city. In a preemptive move, any clergy not following the evacuation order of March 21st, demanding their relocation to Calatayud, were executed on sight. When Nouvilas arrived on March 23rd, he faced yet another hostile major city. Unwilling to leave enemies in the rear of his advance, the assault on Zaragoza took weeks, the city devastated by cannon fire and barricade fighting. Its famed cathedral perished in the flames. Even when the last blocks were seized on April 23rd, occasional outbursts of resistance and violence still erupted sporadically.

In the month since Nouvilas had declared the Catholic Republic, the central government organized the raising of as many divisions as possible. What the liberal republicans lacked in training, they made up for in quantity. A 20-division army, raised from Madrid and the surrounding cities as far afield as Toledo and Segovia, took position in Calatayud, cutting off any easy access to the capital. This is how the two armies stand as June approaches, eyeing each other warily.

Spain sits divided on itself, risings popping up in some areas, while others remain staunchly committed to Prim’s government. To the north, in old Castile, and far south, in Andalusian pockets, sporadic Catholic Republican uprisings occurred among those disgusted by the atrocities committed against the clergy in Barcelona and Zaragoza. A small series of protests in Seville in favor of Catholic-Republicanism were met with cannon fire, arrests, and summary executions. The Basque Country erupted into revolt once news of the risings in Barcelona had emerged, Pamplona and Bilbao falling to nationalist Catholic-Republican aligned forces. Madrid, meanwhile, has become the heart of the anti-Catholic Republican movement. Populated by an urban middle class, growing industrial base, the home of universities, government bureaucrats, old nobles, and even lacking a bishop of its own, the city made clear it stood fully behind Prim in a series of rallies at the Palacio Real in mid-March. Toledo, Salamanca, and Valladolid all likewise declared for the government. Spain stands divided, both politically and geographically as the two sides further consolidate their positions.

Internal strife was not to be Spain’s only issue. Pre-coordinated with Nouvilas’ assault was a sudden invasion by Portugal to the west, that country’s forces capturing the stunned garrisons of Badajoz and Alcantara off-guard. King John VII of Portugal, in the radical Catholic tradition of that realm’s monarchy, declared a quest by his realm to purge the Spanish realm of the “secular, satanic republic.” Hurriedly advancing on Madrid from the west, the Portuguese 3 divisions were repelled by the Army of Madrid led by Francisco Serrano on March 28th, 1871 at the Battle of Oropesa. With both Portugal and the Spanish liberals raising more men, it is clear the fighting here will continue. The west had been saved, but the war is not yet over.

With all of this chaos, thousands have taken flight across the Pyrenees into France, where Queen Charlotte’s government had tacitly arranged aid for these refugees. Many of the Spanish nobles that had not joined King Henry V in exile, frustrated by the lack of any viable monarchist movement, have moved to Paris, not wanting to fall victim to death by Catholic-Republican firing squad. Europeans can only look on with horror as Spain experiences its worst domestic turmoil since the War of the Spanish Succession more than two centuries ago.

Murder in French India Sparks Outrage, Protests
Portugal and France Embroiled in Diplomatic Tension

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

French control of India began in large part during the 1750s as the crumbling Mughal Empire faced internal dissent and the British peacefully evacuated their holdings in Bengal, declaring their intent to focus instead on Australia. In the ensuing decades colonial rule went largely unchallenged, the Indian people being given broad autonomy by the government in Paris. Local princes retained rule over vast territories, only generally surrendering their right to control diplomacy. This freedom gradually began to erode in the 1830s. After the crushing of the Shan rebellion in neighboring French Burma, and the extensive efforts made to convert that region (with some success, 35% of Burmese identifying as Catholic in the most recent census), Prince Xavier allowed missionary activity to proceed in India in 1848. Charlotte herself did nothing to oppose this, largely agreeing with the sentiment. This all passed with little notice in India and the wider world, as there had been Catholic attempts to convert India in the past under Portugal, but the events of April 1871 would spark a vocal movement.

In Bijapur, a city near the west coast of India, Francois Thenaillon was a Catholic priest operating in the city, part of the extensive institutional network required to convert the Raj. With such vast numbers of clergy needed, many French officials were not scrupulous with the ones chosen. Moving from Marseilles to India in 1868, he quickly was ordained and sent into the field. Thenaillon was a bit different from the typical clergyman, having only moved to India to escape his overly-controlling father in Marseilles who had ordered him into the Church. He treated the whole journey as an adventure, not some sort of spiritual calling. Not wholly committed to the principles of the priesthood, he quickly became enamored with a local Hindu woman, roughly his age, but married to a man in the city. She consistently spurned his advances. On February 21st, 1871 (Fat Tuesday) in an inebriated state, Thenaillon went to her house and murdered the woman’s husband, then killing the woman himself. Sobering up and realizing what he had done, he fled to the Portuguese outpost of Goa as a local firestorm erupted.

The story shocked all of India. It summarized the carelessness of colonial administration and the growing irritants in the Catholic missionaries. Many could relate to the sense of helplessness felt, especially as Thenaillon sat in foreign lands and was largely unpunished. Yet, it quickly escalated beyond the initial incident to a laundry-list of grievances relating to the French flooding the Indian market with their industrial goods, lack of free expression, limitations to internal movement, and hatred of the French colonial overlords. This is not to say Muslims and Hindus have united though, opposition to each other being given voice in some demonstrations as well.

Widespread riots and looting erupted in Bijapur in late February, led by the slain woman’s family. The Army of the Sacred Heart, an Indian-led Catholic organized by King Louis XVI in the 1780s to oversee Indian affairs, was brutal in its crackdown of protests. The slain woman's brother was one of those killed on March 6th, further compounding the rage and tragedy. There have been demonstrations as far afield as Hyderabad, Pune, and Mysore but, being met with similar responses (live rounds fired into some of the mobs), they largely dispersed by April. Although the initial storm has passed, some European observers have openly questioned whether French rule in India, long thought to be the cornerstone of European colonialism in Asia, is as stable as has long been assumed. The princes, meanwhile, have remained steadfastly loyal to Paris, while the north has likewise stayed quiet for the time being. Many administrators are confident that the worst is now over and do not want to agitate the situation further.

A diplomatic crisis has emerged at the center of this firestorm as well. Thenaillon fled to the safety of Goa, one of 10 Portuguese port cities remaining as pockets of non-French control in India (alongside one British one). French officials have made half-hearted attempts at pursuing his transfer back to French India, but the demonstrations have largely distracted their attention. As an intensely Radical Catholic realm, Portuguese officials are not eager for the optics of extraditing a Catholic Priest, especially one who has taken the sacrament of Reconciliation, for the murder of non-Christians. Thenaillon has claimed that he baptized the woman in private and that it was his rage over her apostasy back towards Hinduism that drove him to act (the murder of apostates is permitted within Portuguese holdings). In Goa and the other Portuguese holdings in India, where the locals have been converted long ago, there is little sympathy for the slain woman and her husband.

To some in France, it has been assumed a broad crackdown will now be needed to bring upstart locals back in line. Many also question why Portuguese and British ports are still allowed on the shores of the crown jewel of the French colonial empire. Both Charlotte and Xavier, meanwhile, have been castigated for their roles in allowing such a development to occur. Public opinion also demands that Thenaillon face punishment, though it is assumed the damage on that front has largely been done. All observers seem to have their eyes on Bijapur though, where it is hoped the movement has been suppressed, especially after several rounds of aggressive arrests and weeks of quiet. The main question, though, seems to be whether the French government will make any concessions to the movement or if it is best subdued by military might and quiet strength.

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Offical Firman from the Imperial Court in Kabul

The 1288 Treaty of Mashhad

Parties: The Sublime State of Iran and The Durrani Empire

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

With the blessing and permission of Allah, we have gathered here in Mashhad to cast aside our past differences and step forwards into the future not as enemies but as brothers. Certainly, this treaty won't resolve every issue that comes across our two states, but Inshallah this certainly won't be the first treaty of this nature to be signed.

Issues to be addressed here include establishing permanent diplomatic correspondence with each other and issues of cross-border commerce.

The signatories present affirm in their belief in mutual and beneficial cooperation between the two states and upon mutual agreement between the two consenting parties and subsequent ratification, the terms laid out below shall come into effect of Nowruz of the following year.

Section 1: Diplomatic Correspondance

I. Permanent embassies shall be established in each other's capitols i.e Teheran and Kabul
    a. Consulates shall be established in each other's major cities
         1. With The Sublime State of Iran
              i. Mashhad
              ii. Isfahan
             iii. Tabriz
             iv. Shiraz
         2. With The Durrani Empire
             i. Herat
            ii. Karachi
           iii. Kandahar
           iv. Mazar-e-Sharif
II. Alerting our governmental counterparts in advance of troop movements alongside our shared borders i.e. military drills, suppressing rebellions, disaster relief, etc.
     a. Likewise, the same applies for naval conduct in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea
III. Dynastic ties between the Qajar and Durrani Imperial families should be arranged to foster and promote greater ties.

Section 2: Interstate Commerce

I. Any and all of our trade traversing between our borders shall not have a toll levied upon them that exceeds more than 15% of the total value of all the goods combined
      a. Likewise maritime goods fall under this jurisdiction as well
II. Both nations agree to promote and protect the free flow of goods by establishing garrisons and fortifications alongside trade routes to prevent raids and attacks by bandits.
      a. Deployment of our navies to combat piracy in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea
III. Routine exchange of scholars and other men of knowledge at our madrassas to the benefit our respective nations in intellectual and technological advancement

X Emir Abdul Samad Khan of The Durrani Empire

[PSOL]

Offical Firman from the Imperial Court in Kabul

The 1288 Treaty of Mashhad

Parties: The Sublime State of Iran and The Durrani Empire

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

With the blessing and permission of Allah, we have gathered here in Mashhad to cast aside our past differences and step forwards into the future not as enemies but as brothers. Certainly, this treaty won't resolve every issue that comes across our two states, but Inshallah this certainly won't be the first treaty of this nature to be signed.

Issues to be addressed here include establishing permanent diplomatic correspondence with each other and issues of cross-border commerce.

The signatories present affirm in their belief in mutual and beneficial cooperation between the two states and upon mutual agreement between the two consenting parties and subsequent ratification, the terms laid out below shall come into effect of Nowruz of the following year.

Section 1: Diplomatic Correspondance

I. Permanent embassies shall be established in each other's capitols i.e Teheran and Kabul
    a. Consulates shall be established in each other's major cities
         1. With The Sublime State of Iran
              i. Mashhad
              ii. Isfahan
             iii. Tabriz
             iv. Shiraz
         2. With The Durrani Empire
             i. Herat
            ii. Karachi
           iii. Kandahar
           iv. Mazar-e-Sharif
II. Alerting our governmental counterparts in advance of troop movements alongside our shared borders i.e. military drills, suppressing rebellions, disaster relief, etc.
     a. Likewise, the same applies for naval conduct in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea
III. Dynastic ties between the Qajar and Durrani Imperial families should be arranged to foster and promote greater ties.

Section 2: Interstate Commerce

I. Any and all of our trade traversing between our borders shall not have a toll levied upon them that exceeds more than 15% of the total value of all the goods combined
      a. Likewise maritime goods fall under this jurisdiction as well
II. Both nations agree to promote and protect the free flow of goods by establishing garrisons and fortifications alongside trade routes to prevent raids and attacks by bandits.
      a. Deployment of our navies to combat piracy in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea
III. Routine exchange of scholars and other men of knowledge at our madrassas to the benefit our respective nations in intellectual and technological advancement

X Emir Abdul Samad Khan of The Durrani Empire

X Naser Shah Qajar

Cabinet reshuffle

Bahram Mirza shall be Minister of Justice

Nosrat-od-Dowleh Firouz Mirza As Minister of War

[Spamage]

Treaty of Lisbon

I. A diplomatic embassy will be established in Lisbon and Tehran

II. Duties and tariffs shall be lowered by 50% for trade between both states

X Nasser Shah Qajar

X- John VII, King of Portugal

Treaty of London

I. A diplomatic embassy will be established in London and Tehran

II. Duties and tariffs shall be lowered by 15%% for trade between both states

X Nasser Shah Qajar

X- King Henry X of Britain, Ireland, and the Americas