The Zenith of Power: Gameplay Thread
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Dereich
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« Reply #375 on: May 04, 2022, 12:52:35 AM »
« edited: May 04, 2022, 01:10:39 AM by Dereich »

On the Reorganization of the Kingdom of Croatia

It is the considered opinion and will of the Emperor acting in his capacities as King of Hungary and King of Croatia that, due to significant changes within and without the Empire, that the governance and structure of the Kingdom of Croatia should be reformed.

It is decreed:

-The Kingdom of Croatia is hereby raised to equal dignity as the other kingdoms of the Hapsburg Monarchy. The kingdom is rechristened as the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia.

-The military frontier, no longer serving a purpose, is fully integrated into the Triune Kingdom to be administered by the laws and decrees of that kingdom.

-The General Diet of the Kingdom of Croatia (the "Sabor") is granted primary lawmaking authority over issues of administration within the Triune Kingdom and to levy taxes to enable said administration. Such issues include the maintenance of health and safety, the commission of justice, and of the creation and operation of local authorities. The Sabor is also granted the authority to disapprove of and to call for the removal of members of the Ban's government. The Emperor reserves the right to enforce universal decrees as well as to halt any legislation that might act to disturb the harmony of his subject peoples or the safety of the Empire.

-The Sabor shall act as a single chamber. Its composition will be of 110 members. 66 members will be chosen by popular election. 44 members will be appointed by the Ban's Government of appropriate subjects of the Triune Kingdom, including those able members of noble birth and certain able subjects of poorly represented minority groups within the Kingdom including Italians, Serbs, Magyars, and Mohammedans. Membership will be denied to those who directly insult the Emperor's sovereign majesty or who fail to support his rightful position as King of the Triune Kingdom.

-The franchise for election of member to the Sabor shall be universal for male subjects of the Triune Kingdom in good standing above the age of 35. Franchise shall also be extended to all male subjects of the Triune Kingdom who have served the Emperor in any capacity as well as to women who independently own property within the Kingdom.
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« Reply #376 on: May 07, 2022, 07:59:33 PM »

1876 News of the World

Turkish Chaos
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

   The Ottoman malaise continued into the second half of 1876. The success of the Cilician rebels underscored the ineffectiveness of the central government all the while conditions on the ground continued to worsen. In such an environment it was only a matter of time before action was taken against the authorities.
   A cabal of generals in the Ottoman Army, consisting primarily of those who had been demobilized by Süleyman Hüsnü, plotted successfully to topple the regime in Sinope. Osman Nuri took the lead in the plot, capitalizing on his prestige in reconquering Egypt in order to garner support. Beyond the disgruntled officers there were many who were sympathetic to the scheme, including reactionaries, nationalists, and those alarmed by Hüsnü’s consolidation of power. News of Iranian intervention in Cilicia was the final straw. On August 5th, 1876 a session of the Executive Council in Sinope was bombed, killing most of the leadership instantly and throwing the city into chaos. Süleyman Hüsnü himself was killed in the blast, eliminating a key figure in the fragile regime.
   Osman Nuri’s loyalist brigades secured the city, the populace looking on with confusion. The Turkish Republic was declared, the new junta wrapping itself in the nationalist cause. Blaming the Sultans for the decline of the Empire and the Executive Regency Council for surrendering, Nuri called for a new style of leadership, proclaiming himself the Supreme Vizier. Civil liberties were suspended. It was made clear that the Constitution of 1876 would not be going into effect. Yet, in a deliberate break with the past and in an effort to establish a new Turkey, Osman Nuri had young Sultan Mehmed murdered in his cell. Any other members of the Ottoman dynasty found in the city were likewise disposed of. While this instantly alienated the monarchists, it eliminated a potential pole of opposition.
   The military coup, aimed at eliminating Süleyman Hüsnü and arresting the shift towards democratic rule, seemed successful for a few weeks. Yet, his government had even less authority and reach than the Executive Regency Council. Due to this, there would be two sources of backlash from both the people and constitutional loyalists.
   In Sinope, Ankara, and other major cities the populace was fed up. Starving while the elites continued to play their power games, it was time to take matters into their own hands. The nascent Turkish socialist movement, led by a vanguard of ideologues, rallied the populace against the militaristic tyranny. It was a sign how much the situation had deteriorated that a formerly conservative region of the Ottoman Empire was now a hotbed of radical thought. The initial rising occurred in Antalya, but sister rebellions erupted in Ankara and Sinope itself, where Nuri and his men were forced to flee the city amidst the chaos. Rexhep Mati declared the People’s Republic of Anatolia on October 9th, calling for the end of the Sultanate, execution of the nobility and officials of the old regime, redistribution of land, a new constitution, and an end to foreign imperialism on Turkish soil.
   Meanwhile, among the military establishment, reaction to Nuri’s actions were mixed. A cabal of loyalists to the Executive Regency Council convened at Bursa, declaring their intent to see the Constitution of 1876 implemented and to defeat the various radical factions. Roughly a third of the military deserted to their cause, much of western Anatolia in their hands. The Turkish liberals attempted to forge middle road between the right-wing nationalists and the left-wing socialists, though they too proclaimed that one day Turkey would break its shackles of subjugation. Şehzade Ahmed Kemaleddin, a younger brother to the slain sultan Murad V and one of the few surviving members of the Ottoman Royal Family, was declared Sultan Ahmed IV. Yet, rather than marching against Nuri, the Ottoman liberals found themselves bogged down against the Greeks, who sought to take advantage of the crisis.
   King Constantine of Greece saw the potential to further expand his holdings with the three-way crisis erupting in Turkey. Declaring that the murder of Mehmed V and the Executive Regency Council voided Greek observance of the Treaty of Limassol, an expeditionary force was sent into Anatolia, capturing Aydin. The Greek government thought the Turks would be too busy fighting themselves to do anything about it, an incorrect calculation. The Turkish liberals were furious, launching counterstrikes into Greek holdings on the coast, enacting harsh punishment against civilians as revenge for the humiliating treatment of the Turks in Istanbul. With the Greek Army still not fully established since its recent independence, this region has begun to turn into a debacle.
   Thus, as the year closes the former Ottoman Empire has collapsed. Two factions proclaim Turkish nationhood, calling for a new era of nationalist sovereignty, though in two very different forms (nationalist or socialist). The liberals, ostensibly carrying the banner of the old regime, have become distracted by foreign intervention and seem focused on exacting revenge rather than pursuing conciliation. Greece and Iran have placed soldiers on Turkish soil, all the while the fragile semblance of order in the region fades into but a memory. It remains to be seen how the established powers in the region, Iran and Russia in particular, will react to the utter chaos engulfing Anatolia as a new wave of bloodshed erupts in the aftermath of the peace.

Liberian War
(Source: Smithsonian)

   With the Treaty of Albany, Frederick Douglass’ flight to New Orleans, and the increasing realization of their perilous position, morale in Liberia began to sink rapidly. Under the command of General Stoneman and General McCook, the Liberians were defeated at the Battle of Freetown, their capitol city falling back into the hands of the hated oppressors. Indeed, whatever legions had been assembled at Freetown represented the best of the Liberian regular army. Its defeat, to many, signaled that conventional warfare had failed and new tactics would be required.
   Even with Freetown occupied though, the most ardent rebels would not give up. Fires were set in the city, an attempted insurrection being brutally massacred in the streets on September 20th. The lower ranked soldiers of the Louisianan Army, generally more racially-prejudiced than the officer corps, were extremely harsh on the locals, including those who were not under arms. While the officers attempted to restrain them, there was a period out outright bloodletting on both sides in the city. In response, many Liberians who would otherwise have remained neutral have become ever more hostile to King Henry-Philippe and the Louisianan regime. Frederick Douglass himself condemned the soldiers and has demanded that the government initiate punishment of them. Still, the numbers of invaders could not be overcome. After seven days of fighting, the last pockets of resistance in Freetown surrendered on September 27th.
   Shields Green and his loyalists, increasingly discredited as political leaders given the collapsing rebellion, fled into the vast desert and have begun to engage in an intense resistance campaign. Still, given Lousiana’s simultaneous success at putting down recent native risings in the region, some suspect it is only a matter of time before he is captured. Regardless, many Liberian leaders have shifted their demands from outright independence to further concessions from Baton Rouge. Pragmatic in the face of a declining military situation, one of Green’s lieutenants has promised intense resistance until further concessions are made to Black Louisianans. It remains to be seen how the Crown will respond to this.
   The victories against Liberia would help to stabilize the situation in the east. With the loss of North Carolina, many in Louisiana felt that the acquisition of Jamaica and land along the Mississippi was insufficient. Indeed, among the Anglo-Louisianans, there was a growing sense that they were disposable to their king. After all, why else had thousands of their brethren been returned to London’s tyrannical grip when they had won their liberty forty years prior in their rebellion against Britain? The situation was fragile, though news from Liberia seemed to help rehabilitate national morale, fueled as it was by racial animus. The tepid return of international trade likewise ended the worst of the economic strains, the British blockade now just a bad memory. It seemed that the Bourbon monarchy would survive, albeit somewhat tarnished from the events of the past few years.

Invasion of Japan
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

   Perhaps the most ambitious actions of the year would come from the Singapore Pact. Frustrated over the refusal of the Japanese Shogunate under Tokugawa Yoshiyori to even consider peace, it was agreed by the various signatories that an invasion of the home islands would ultimately be the correct decision. Indeed, with the island-hopping of the previous years made such a move feasible, albeit risky.
   Three primary landings were ordered. The Koreans seized Hakodate in April, directing valuable military resources against Japan in a bid to cripple their rival even more than themselves. The city, largely undefended, was seized, cutting off Hokkaido from Honshu. Yet, in a prelude to what would be experienced elsewhere, though the local garrison was outmatched, it refused to surrender. It was only after intense Korean bombardment that the surviving soldiers laid down their arms.
   A second, less-successful attempt was made by the Koreans to land on Fukuoka. Yet, they no longer possessed the element of surprise, news of the incursion in the north having placed most ports on high alert. Attempts to land a force were hampered by erratic weather, intense fighting with the samurai and other soldiers in entrenched coastal positions, and incompetent commanders. When it was clear a landing could not succeed, the Koreans instead resorted to shelling the city of Kitakyushu. For hours fire rained down on the settlement. Many of the houses made from wood and paper were no match for the shells, which ignited a firestorm and killed upwards of a thousand civilians. While this hardened resistance in Japan proper, the foreigners seeming just as wretched as had been feared.
   These two assaults were just a prelude for the main operation though. Colombia, Portugal, the Philippines launching the primary blow against Nagasaki. A feint attack towards Edo caused the Shogunate to relocate a good deal of defenses there, while the Army of Niigata moved north to try and push the Koreans out of Hokkaido. Thus, Nagasaki was left exposed. Shelling began on September 8th, the growing industrial center of the city targeted by the invaders.
   When the invaders landed successfully, in typical Catholic Republican fashion, they proclaimed vengeance on behalf of the 26 Martyrs of Japan killed in 1597. The local populace looked on with horror as Colombian brigades went from neighborhood to neighborhood, ripping down Shinto shrines and destroying Buddhist temples. When tensions came to a boil, the people outraged over their treatment, the Catholic Republican forces deployed mustard gas against the populace, killing many. Fighting and shelling gutted the city, thousands fleeing outward as Yoshiyori mustered his men for an attack in early 1867. Still, there are growing questions around the stability of the Shogunate, given the shock the invasion of the home islands has caused Japanese society.

China Rises: A Republic Under Arms
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

   The peace between Russia and Joseon Korea in the early part of 1876 allowed Seoul to turn its attention once more to taming China. Indeed, many Chinese nationalists were upset by what was seen as Russian abandonment. Matters were not helped over the fact that some of the land surrendered by the Koreans had never been legally ceded by either the Xing or the Republicans, Nanjing seeing it as rightful Chinese territory. The two republics, previously cordial, saw a mutual chill descend in public opinion.
   Still, the Russian assault on Korea had provided Li Hongzhang and the Chinese Republic with the breathing room necessary to regroup. Korea launched an aggressive bid to retake the northern half of China in late spring, 70 divisions of men engaging in a brutal breakout against a far larger Chinese force of 185 divisions. Initial results were promising, the Chinese being outmatched by Korean experience and superior firepower.
    The gains stalled though in early summer though, as the Chinese capitalized on overextended Korean supply lines and flagging morale. Civilians flocked to the republican cause, the proposed constitution by Li Hongzhang inspiring a nation. A new democratic day in China seemed so close, something unprecedented in the history of the Middle Kingdom.
   Chinese General Song Qing, denouncing “despots with imperial illusions of grandeur,” initiated a counteroffensive against Korea in mid-July. The results in the north were stunning, the demoralized invaders utterly collapsing in on themselves. A chaotic retreat was initiated, thousands of square kilometers changing hands in mere weeks. Though Beijing, Tianjin, and the Shandong Peninsula would remain obstinately in the hands of the Joseon, the vast majority of northern China was returned to the control of Han authorities. More momentous is the losses sustained by Seoul, tens of thousands falling either into foreign captivity or deserting the forces and seeking to sneak back home.
   Korea would not be totally idle, launching a secondary operation up the Sinkiang River in the south. Japanese Macau was seized, the last outpost of the Shogunate on mainland China. While the Koreans faced little pushback in this theater, many questioned what broader goals would be achieved by operating in the south.
   After 8 years of exhausting warfare and extensive mobilization, Korean society seems on the brink. At home the people were growing destitute, wartime deprivation eroding many of the luxuries to which they had grown accustomed. Every town had seen local boys slain in far-off regions for the glory of Emperor Yi Ho. What was the fighting even for? At least the war against Russia had been defensive in nature, no such argument could be made about the invasion of China. Strikes, shortages, and radical ideas have begun to gain ground on the home front. When, at long last, the Imperial Court issued a tepid willingness to negotiate an equitable settlement with the Chinese government in December, it was seen as long overdue. Many look to Li Hongzhang to see how he and the Chinese Republic will respond to the unprecedented overtures from their longtime rivals. Could victory really be at hand? Peace in China after a decade of fighting?
   
Islam on the March: India, North Africa, and the Near East
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Indian War
   The union of the Legions of Alp Arslan with the Durrani would provide the Afghans with the boost in manpower they needed in 1876. Yet again the forces of the French colonial empire would be on the defensive. With peace in France proper providing hope of eventual relief, officials were still well-aware they would be on their own for the remainder of the year. The situation was dire. As an illustration of their lack of confidence in the war effort, Nepal and Bhutan, both nominal French vassals, declared their independence in June. Meanwhile for the Durrani, though the Emir had promised talk of peace with Paris, little came over the diplomatic channels. It seemed fighting would continue in 1876.
   Still, orders from Queen Charlotte invited colonial officials to get more creative in their use of weaponry. In particular, the Queen Regent encouraged the use of gas and other modern weaponry against the invading Afghans. 55 French divisions in India, the bulk of force in the subcontinent, launched an offensive aimed at expelling the Durrani. Yet, with the absorption of the Turkish forces into the armies of Emir Abdul Khan, the numbers were not as impressive as had been hoped. By June the initial gains of the French had been reversed. A counteroffensive by the Durrani, who were well-supplied with Russian and Iranian weaponry, coincided with a push north by Mysore, taking advantage of lowered French defenses in the south. Agra, Gwalior, Bombay, and a good deal of land have fallen into the hands of the Muslim powers.
   Without peace in France, it is likely many would have seen the situation as hopeless for French India. In October an attempted Islamic rebellion in Bengal was brutally suppressed by local forces, the Army of the Sacred Heart responding by demolishing mosques and brutally executing captured dissidents. Although the frontlines have been pushed further east, India effectively being divided into thirds, the French maintain their position at Calcutta. It is feared that the decisions of Nepal and Bhutan to declare independence could be echoed by those isolated princes in between French Burma and India as a whole, though as of yet they have remained publicly loyal to the established government in Calcutta.
   Still, even with the Peace of Sevres, the transfer of reinforcements to India could prove problematic. The British-Cape Colony fighting makes that route dangerous, while the Suez remains obviously blocked, though Austrian engineers have been working ceaselessly to get it in working order (it is hoped that 1877 or 1878 will see the canal back up and running).  Some have openly whispered in Versailles that it may be time to accept some losses in India in exchange for preserving the colony, though publicly such talk is treated as defeatism.

Arabia
   With most of the Arabs shunning Iranian attempts to negotiate some sort of settlement, Tehran decided to take a more aggressive stance. Raids into the desert were conducted against the Wahhabis, both from Riyadh and the eastern coast of Arabia. While the locals would prove quite elusive, those that were engaged faced the full might of Iranian weaponry, including chemical weapons. Other Iranian operations focused on securing the remainder of Hejaz from the collapsing Ottoman presence and assuming direct control of Ha’il. While they were successful in both of these goals, the enemies of the Rashidi-Iranian alliance remained at large.
   Saudi raiding would actually bypass the Iranian-held corridor between Riyadh and Medina, operations launching in the north. Many Rashidi allies have shown themselves only half committed to the cause of Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Rashid, cautious over his close ties to Iran. The Hashemites, meanwhile, pushed out of Mecca in 1875 now continued to find themselves on the retreat in 1876. With Hejaz mostly in the hands of the Qajars, the titular Sharif of Mecca Muhammad ibn Abd al-Mu'in made common cause with the Palestinian Arabs, heretofore largely unaligned in the Arabic fighting. Both sides recognized their perilous position, surrounded as they were by Scandinavian Egypt and Iranian Syria, and so, at the behest of Palestinian leaders, Muhammad was named the King of Palestine, drawing on recent precedent in Cilicia.
   The remnants of the Hashemite faction following defeat in Hejaz have thus been absorbed into the broader Levantine Arab movement. Still, with an Iranian push south into the former Damascus Vilayet, the Hashemite faction remains quite fragile. While Palestine proper was untouched, a product of Scandinavian preoccupation elsewhere, many see it as a matter of time before one of the various regional powers will eliminate the nascent Kingdom of Palestine. 

Tripoli and Cyrenaica
   The status of Ottoman Libya was left in limbo in 1876. With Turkey descending into chaos, the local Arab-Berber population took advantage of the crisis to assert autonomy. Much of the interior has raised the flag of revolt, seeking to break free from foreign domination after centuries. The isolated Turkish establishment, apparently governing the region on behalf of an unnamed foreign power, have done their best to maintain order, holding on to most of the cities along the coast. Still, with the populace in this region up in arms, many wonder if the disorder could spread into either Scandinavian Egypt or the recently reestablished Neapolitan Tunis.
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« Reply #377 on: May 07, 2022, 07:59:59 PM »

A Fragile Peace: Europe After Sevres and Venice
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

   The Treaty of Sevres brought an ended the War of the Regency and restored peace between Vienna and Paris. Still, even with the treaty, both Austria and France remained under arms, mopping up puddles of resistance as they sought to restore order to the continent. Likewise the Treaty of Venice forced Naples to heel, though it would come with significant blowback within that kingdom. Although many in either faction have been relieved by the return of peace between the major powers, tension remains in the air. Can the peace truly hold, with the Netherlands subjugated, Prussia collapsing, and Padania in flames?

Netherlands
   When Queen Charlotte ordered the Army of Moselle to move north and assault the Dutch socialists in the aftermath of the Peace of Sevres, Niewenhuis and his government new their cause was doomed. Desperate hopes that the socialist elements in the French government would get Paris to sue for peace were misguided, Charlotte buying off her socialist supporters with extensive labor legislation and sweeping domestic reforms. The assertive Dutch soldiers, too focused on political debates and internal dissent, were easily swept aside by the vengeful French. Brussels fell in May, the Netherlands itself being left open to the French advance.
   And advance they did. Though many Dutch civilians, fired up by socialist rhetoric and determined to beat back the imperialists, took up arms, the French were too strong to resist. Yet again these hated enemies of the people were on Dutch soil and, yet again, the cause of Dutch resistance seemed hopeless. The countryside, already decimated from the chaotic situation over the past year, proved utterly insufficient to support any sort of resistance. The populace as a whole was exhausted, thousands of Dutch fleeing into Flanders in the hopes of a better life. What use was their fighting when the Netherlands was on the verge of being overrun yet again? Amsterdam, the Hague, and Breda were all retaken throughout the summer months. Niewenhuis, not wanting to see his people suffer even more, formally surrendered to the French on July 20th, outmatched and exhausted. Despite the brief hopes of the past year, it seemed that a stable socialist Dutch state would not come to pass after all. The Dutch government has been placed into French custody as the rest of Europe looks on to see what exactly Queen Charlotte intends for the region now that it is formally under French control once more. Many wonder how Vienna and Stockholm will respond to the fate of their ostensible ally, while in exile Queen Regent Carolina has demanded that the French restore her grandson to the Dutch throne, a prospect many in Paris balk at.

Illyria
   One of the secret provisions of the Treaty of Limassol granted Charles VIII control over Illyria, that young state being granted no voice in its own future. Outnumbered significantly, and satiated by the creation of the Kingdom of Croatia as a coequal state of the Habsburg Monarchy, Slavic resistance to the Habsburg invasion in midsummer was almost nonexistent. Indeed, most Croats viewed nominal control by Vienna to be preferable to increasingly vocal Serbian and Italian claims over the region. On August 11th, 1876 the government of the Illyrian Republic formally voted to dissolve itself, its last act bequeathing the region to Charles VIII in his role as King of Croatia.
   One group not reconciled to the Austrian invasion were the Italians who populated many of the coastal cities. Yet, their cause was too feeble to ignite any sort of resistance. The Croats were the overwhelming majority in the countryside and any hope for pan-Italian nationalism in the region seemed remote. Antonio Bajamonti, the Italian former President of Illyria, urged his compatriots to accept the new regime. Though many grumbled loudly, the Italian Illyrians largely fell in line with the new order.
   The annexation of Illyria and the declaration of the Kingdom of Croatia reaffirmed the Croats as the most loyal subjects of Emperor Charles VIII. One group less than pleased were the Hungarians. Not consulted about losing a good deal of their realm to the Croatian upstarts, and long jealous of their liberties, the Hungarian nobility have issued a formal condemnation of the move to Vienna. Indeed, it is feared in some quarters that the declaration of Croatia is just the first step in carving up the Kingdom of Hungary into its piecemeal ethnic groups.

Padania
   Though Naples had agreed to the Treaty of Venice, the Italian nationalists in Padania had not. They were faced with an unappealing future: subjugation by the hated Queen Charlotte or nominal autonomy under the increasingly disdained Prince Amadeus. Indeed, whatever loyalty had remained to Xavier’s memory had evaporated rapidly in early 1876 as the gravity of the gassing of Turin set in. How could any “Italian” prince consent to such treatment of his supposed countrymen?
   Under sustained French dominance, the future seemed a dim prospect. Yet, rather than retreat with the Neapolitan forces after the Treaty of Venice, which would mean abandoning their homeland and their families, many Padanian nationalists chose to stay under arms. With the French forces rapidly demobilizing save for the campaign in the Netherlands, there was a window where they were effective.
   Recognizing that a force of 60,000 (at most) men could not hold the entirety of the kingdom, they moved to the mountains. Anti-French insurgents operate out of the Alps, sweeping into the Po Valley to launch coordinated guerilla strikes against French collaborators and sympathizers. While the larger cities in the region sit safely in the hands of French authorities, the countryside is contested. Infrastructure has been targeted and the overland route between France and Turin has become extremely perilous, most travelers taking ships from Marseilles to Genoa when the Alps need to be bypassed. Notably, most of the cadet branches of the House of Bourbon holding titles in the region (Savoy, Modena, Genoa) have opted to remain in Marseilles rather than risk Italian ire. Outside of France, Switzerland has proclaimed neutrality, but many French officials complain they are doing too little to stop the Italian pan-nationalists who take advantage of the quite porous border.

Naples
   King Charles VIII was a broken man after the Treaty of Venice. He had given everything to his people, even losing the use of his leg in desperate attempts on his person. Yet, through the treachery of Charlotte and the obstinance of the Habsburg Monarchy, he found himself shut out from gains in the northern half of the peninsula. It was with great reluctance he signed the Treaty of Venice. But, recognizing how bitter a pill it would be to swallow for the Neapolitan people and despairing of the state of his kingdom, Charles VIII abdicated the throne on October 20th, 1876. His reign had lasted 17 years and seen the annexation of Tuscany, Sardinia, and Corsica. Under Charles Naples had evolved from an autocratic monarchy to a constitutional and liberalizing state. The old king retired to Taranto, where he was found dead on December 15th, many suspecting either suicide or death from a broken heart. With the treaty signed, Naples could only look on in horror as the bloodshed continued in Padania and Austria asserted itself in Illyria. The restoration of Neapolitan Tunis as part of the Treaty of Limassol was scant consolation for the events in Italy proper.
   Charles VIII’s eldest son was immediately named Philip V of Naples, inheriting a nation in the grips of tension. Cries against the Treaty of Venice were loud and many thought that the traditional establishment, including the monarchy, had discredited itself in the debacle. The Catholic Republicans openly called for the creation of a republic, being outvoted by Crispi and the established government in the latter half of the year. The people were of a mixed opinion. Many recognized the Crown really didn’t have a choice, Charlotte instead being castigated for her perfidy. Indeed, the opinion of France within Naples has reached an all-time low, many people calling on the new monarch to align himself with Austria against the “Harlot of Versailles”. Outright revolution seems to have been avoided for the time being though, the people being of full stomachs and a relatively decent standard of life compared to some of the more ravaged regions. All of the political parties look towards the election of 1877 for answers. The people will decide how Naples is to move forward.

Death of the Old Eagle: Prussia's Struggle for Survival
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Prussia and the Baltic
   Total war continued to rage in northern Germany and the Baltic States, Prussia being left on the defensive. Berlin was infuriated by the French and Neapolitan abandonment of their cause. Frederick IV, normally a staunch ally of Queen Charlotte, denounced her as a dynastic blood-traitor. His wife, Princess Catherine of France (aunt of Louis XX) formally condemned the Treaty of Sevres, while the heir to the throne, Prince Frederick Louis, began to initiate private channels to negotiate peace with his grandfather-in-law Emperor Charles VIII.
   Indeed, the situation on the ground would not be kind to Prussia. With news of the Baltic Act being passed in Stockholm, many local nationalists suddenly saw an opportunity it betraying the hated Baltic German nobility. Cooperation with the Prussians largely evaporated as a Scandinavian force disembarked at Tallinn and began to push back the Prussian occupiers. Berlin simply could not provide sufficient manpower to the theater, overwhelmed as it was on other fronts. Prussia was pushed out of Riga on May 17th, effectively signaling an end to their presence north of the Daugava River. A broader Scandinavian offensive in the summer saw the liberation of Lithuania and incursions into East Prussia. The German forces adopted a defensive stance, using the Nieman River and entrenched positions to slow any advance further south in the latter half of the year.
   In Silesia the Habsburg forces went on the offensive, using the freed-up manpower from peace in Italy to retake the region. The Prussians fought a tenacious defense, but were simply overwhelmed. Their position becoming increasingly untenable with Saxon and Polish intervention, the Hohenzollern forces were pushed all the way back beyond the old border of northern Silesia by the end of the year. Morale in the Prussian army has cratered.
   The twin Wettin realms (Poland and Saxony), never ones to miss out on an opportunity, took advantage of Prussia’s deteriorating position in the latter half of the year. Regent of Poland Archduke Louis-Henry of Austria declared his intent to aid his father’s struggle against Prussia in November. Operations against Prussia would provide Poland with the chance to both liberate Poles behind enemy lines and rehabilitate the disgraced but reformed Polish Army. Posen was seized within weeks as a broader push up the Vistula aimed to free Danzig before the Scandinavians. Saxony, meanwhile, joined the Scandinavian push on Berlin, launching surprise strikes from the south via the Spreewald. Frankfurt an der Oder fell to the forces of the Saxon Crown by the end of the year.
   The demographic implications of the war have been significant. The loss in the Baltic States has all but shattered the age-old Baltic German nobility. Fearing the wrath and ire of the Balts, thousands fled their estates in the train of the Prussian Army, most relocating to Konigsberg. A whole society has shattered, the abandoned properties being broken up by the Scandinavians and redistributed to local loyalists. Prussian refugees meanwhile have poured into the Holy Roman Empire, Poland, and Denmark. Good farmland has been damaged by the warfare, tens of thousands of civilians falling victim to famine and other wartime deprivations.

Battle of Berlin
The primary Scandinavia operation was aimed at seizing Berlin and putting an end to Prussianism once and for all. In a deliberate and careful series of operations, more than 100 Scandinavian divisions pushed west into Brandenburg. The Prussian forces were severely outnumbered. News of defeats were racking up on all fronts and all hope seemed lost. It is a testament to the political strength of King Frederick IV that even in his darkest hours, his fanatic subjects in the army and government have remained loyal to his cause, even when the war is clearly lost.
   Needless to say, with the Scandinavians bearing down on Berlin, and gas attacks erupting throughout the surrounding region, Frederick IV refused to evacuate his capitol. He had seen firsthand how his grandmother’s decision to relocate the government in the First Great Eastern War had subsequently led to the collapse of the Prussian cause and he could not bear to repeat history. While his wife and heirs were evacuated, King Frederick IV remained in Charlottenburg Palace as fighting entered the city on October 5th, 1876. It is said that the King himself took up arms and fought on the barricades as the Swedes smashed into the city. Though gas attacks against civilians had been largely discouraged by the Scandinavian General Staff, commanders employed it in Berlin to beat back tenacious resistance. Once more the Prussian capitol was bathed in blood, the fires of war levelling the city.
   Women and children were alleged to be fighting alongside the men, the fanatic resistance of some pockets of Prussian society knowing no bounds. When the last outpost of armed civilians surrendered on October 16th, the city was gutted. Though King Frederick IV is unaccounted for, he has been assumed dead. Crown Prince Frederick Louis has been named King of Prussia in Konigsberg, his first action being a call for peace and a cease fire. Archduchess Maria Louisa of Austria, now Queen of Prussia, has personally appealed to her grandfather to show mercy to the battered Prussian realm.

Rhineland
   With the peace between Vienna and Paris, the Rhenish rebels found themselves in an unenviable position, suddenly surrounded by enemy forces. The Prussian contingents in the army, quite substantial, melted away rapidly, not seeing any point in fighting in the west while their homes were under assault in the east. “King” Charles of the Rhine, meanwhile, was smuggled out of Cologne alongside with his staunch loyalists by the French, being returned to the relative safety of Versailles. With the leadership fleeing and the Prussian aid nonexistent, the rebels largely laid down their arms, accepting the reality of the situation. Yet again, order has been restored to the Rhineland.
   Local officials and Habsburg officers as a whole have been outraged by French protection of King Charles, a rebel that caused so much regional instability. It remains to be seen whether Vienna will press the issue. With peace returning to the region for the time being, some also wonder if Emperor Charles will seek to stem the root causes of much of the discontent, including the absentee smallholders, and a lack of political representation in the Holy Roman Empire as a whole.

South Africa
   Britain, finally able to focus elsewhere given the Treaty of Albany, wasted no time in capitalizing on the declining power of Prussia overseas. The Cape Colony, Prussia’s prized possession for bordering on a century and a half, was assaulted by 15 British divisions. Cape Town, stunned by the attack, surrendered easily, the harbor being opened to British vessels. The Prussian Fleet of South Africa relocated to Algoa Bay rather than resist the British fleet.
   Yet, the Germans in South Africa had experience holding off foreign incursions. Brazil had attempted to seize the colony in the aftermath of the First Great Eastern War until continued bleeding and intense local resistance had forced it to withdraw. With news of the British invasion, the countryside erupted into violence, the settlers refusing to yield the land permanently to the British. Expeditions to take outlying areas by the British forces would often seem successful, only for the settlements to change hands the moment the bulk of the forces returned to the relative security of Cape Town.
   Recognizing no aid would be forthcoming from Berlin, and hoping to achieve a separate peace, the Prussian settlers in the Cape Colony declared their independence as the Cape Republic. Adolf Lüderitz was elected as President by an emergency assembly at New Potsdam. He vowed to uphold the independence and territorial integrity of South Africa, calling on fellow republics across the globe to support his cause. Though word would not reach Prussia of the declaration of independence, the move would demonstrate that the Prussian people as a whole were beginning to tire of the suffocating regime.
   All the while the local native population has not been idle. The Xhosa, Sotho, and Zulu people have all used the breakdown of authority to assert their nominal independence. Raids on the Prussian settlements, as well as each other, have erupted, all the various powers jostling for positions in a newly chaotic situation. Southern Africa burns.

Politics and Empires
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

   For centuries in western Europe there had always been one empire, the Empire. Since the time of Charlemagne, many had nominally accepted the Holy Roman Emperors as the heirs of the Roman Empire and a level above the other potentates. Though some sort of uneasy understanding had to be reached with the Russians, who likewise asserted their Roman heritage, no Catholic or Protestant sovereign broke the seemingly taboo issue by naming themselves emperor, save for a brief attempt by the Spanish Monarchy in the late 1700s, widely mocked at the time. The prestige of the title of Emperor was only reaffirmed once the Russians did away with their monarchy in the 1840s. Yet, 1876 would see two other monarchs proclaim themselves emperors, this time being met with respect, not mockery as the Spanish had faced.

Quebec
   With the Treaty of Albany putting an end to the long war against the British, and in the aftermath of his father’s assassination, King Philip I took the bold step in 1876 of issuing a total reform of the Quebecois system of government. Recognizing the administrative strain placed on the state after so many acquisitions, and seeking to reorder the government he had inherited, the Empire of Quebec was declared. While at home this was met with widespread support, coming on the heels of the popular peace which saw more territories acquired, abroad the response was more muted. Though undoubtedly, given its tremendous size, Quebec probably does have the right to proclaim an Empire, there has been little foreign recognition of Philip’s new title as of yet.

Scandinavia
   Following the example of Quebec, and eager to capitalize on their perceived superior claims in Africa, Stockholm took the bold step of declaring Queen Catherine II of Scandinavia as also being the first Empress of Africa. Crowned in Gothenburg Cathedral, her husband Archduke Frederick at her side, the move boosted wartime morale in Scandinavia and was a deliberate attempt to strengthen the monarchy after a year of growing wartime unrest. Coupled with the success on the field, it seems to have been successful. Still, even more than Quebec, the question of Austrian recognition remains, given the two courts’ close alliance. Many in Vienna have seen the declaration of the Empire of Africa undermining the traditional Habsburg role as emperor, though Charles VIII has said nothing.

Russia
   Though not a monarchy, President Suvorin was treated like a Czar by the jubilant Russian public in 1876 once peace had been declared and the Treaty of Limassol ratified. The reopening of the trade in grain and food to Europe, being pumped west via Konstantingrad, was also a major boon to the Russian economy. So long as France and the Habsburg Monarchy remained mired in instability and their little wars in the aftermath of the Peace of Sevres, Russia felt unchallenged on the global stage.
   Needless to say, with the approach of the Election of 1876, Suvorin had little reason to be concerned. Indeed, rigged or not, it was likely the outcome of the Russian presidential election would have been the same. Suvorin won handily, defeating radical anarchist Mikhail Bakunin with 90.5% of the vote to 8.6%. Still, some have questioned whether this level of popularity will be sustainable for a president that will have to make some increasingly difficult choices, especially in foreign policy.
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« Reply #378 on: May 12, 2022, 01:25:12 AM »
« Edited: May 12, 2022, 11:26:31 PM by Spamage »

The Zenith of Power: Concert of Europe Part IV
Turn 7: 1877

The World in 1875
(Made by Me)

Nations, Leaders, and Players
Kingdom of France: Queen Mother Charlotte von Hohenzollern (X)
Habsburg Monarchy: Emperor Charles VIII von Habsburg-Lothringen (Dereich)
Kingdom of Scandinavia: Queen-Empress Catherine II von Oldenburg (YPestis)
Russian Republic: President Aleksey Suvorin (KaiserDave)
British Union: King Henry X of Hanover (joshva)
Divine Republic of Brazil: Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira (Ishan)
Kingdom of Naples: King Philip V Bourbon (GoTfan)
Kingdom of Louisiana: King Henry-Philippe de Bourbon-Orleans (Dkrol)
Qajar Iran: Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (PSOL)
Kingdom of Quebec: Emperor Philip von Hohenzollern (Lumine)
Kingdom of Mexico: King Luis de Bourbon-Orleans (Hijodeagua)
Chinese Republic: Protector of the Nation Li Hongzhang (HCP & Devout Centrist)
United Provinces of New Holland: Stadtholder Pieter Mijer (Orwell)
Ottoman Morocco: General Abdülkerim Nadir Pasha (Kingpoleon)
Holy Republic of Colombia: Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez (Kuumo)
Confederation of New England: Chairman Henry Wilson (OBD)
Durrani Empire: Emir Abdul Samad Khan (AverageFoodEnthusiast)

Economic Standings
United Province of New Holland: Moderate-Strong
Qajar Iran: Moderate
Holy Republic of Colombia: Moderate
Divine Republic of Brazil: Moderate
Russian Republic: Moderate

Kingdom of Naples: Moderate-Weak
Kingdom of Quebec: Moderate-Weak
Habsburg Monarchy: Moderate-Weak
Tokugawa Shogunate: Moderate-Weak
British Union: Moderate-Weak
Durrani Empire: Moderate-Weak
Kingdom of Mexico: Moderate-Weak
Chinese Republic: Weak
Confederation of New England: Weak
Kingdom of Scandinavia: Weak
Ottoman Morocco: Weak
Kingdom of Prussia: Weak
Kingdom of France: Weak
United Kingdom of Louisiana: Weak

Popularity
President Aleksey Suvorin: Very High
Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez: High
Queen-Empress Catherine II von Oldenburg: High
Protector of the Nation Li Hongzhang: High
King Luis de Bourbon: High
Emperor Charles VIII von Habsburg-Lothringen: Moderate
Emperor Philip von Hohenzollern: Moderate
Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira: Moderate
Stadtholder Peter Mijer: Moderate
General Abdülkerim Nadir Pasha: Moderate
Chairman Henry Wilson: Moderate
King Henry X of Hanover: Moderate
Queen Mother Charlotte von Hohenzollern: Moderate
King Henry-Philippe Bourbon: Moderate
Naser al-Din Shah Qajar: Moderate
King Philip V Bourbon: Moderate
Emir Abdul Samad Khan: Moderate


Current Global Conflicts:
Chinese Civil War: Chinese Republicans vs. Joseon Korea (1867-)
Pacific War: Tokugawa Shogunate vs. Joseon Korea, Holy Republic of Colombia, Dai Viet, Kingdom of Portugal, Philippine Rebels, New Holland (1874-)


Kingdom of France
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-The Blues have laid down their arms. France, at home, finally is at peace. The first major test of the Peace of Sevres came with the marriage of Carolina de Bourbon-Savoie (Xavier’s daughter) to Charles de Bourbon-Conti, a distant cousin and staunch loyalist to Charlotte. Though the groom was a noted homosexual (hence his bachelorship at the age of 50), and many suspect the bride to abhor her husband, both parties went through with the union. Their marriage on August 20th, 1867 was the first time the various branches of the royal family had united in person since the outbreak of fighting. With the dynastic situation seemingly settled for the time being, what will be your domestic moves? Coming on the heels of your concessions to the socialists, which have utterly revolutionized the French economy, what will you do to appease greater nationalist demands? How will you shepherd the coalition through another year, or is it time to consider realigning the political situation? Will you take any actions ahead of the upcoming election next year?

-The Netherlands has been conquered yet again, the Dutch Socialist Republic collapsing in on itself in less than a year. Two issues in the Netherlands must be addressed. What will the region look like now that the fight is over? While Queen Dowager Carolina calls for the restoration of her grandson from exile in Scandinavia, this is an unpopular proposition in France. The Netherlands has been a thorn in France’s side for more than a century, many want a lasting settlement and drastic changes. Beyond the fate of the Netherlands proper, what is to be the fate of the socialist Niewenhuis and his socialist ministers, now that they sit in French custody?

-With the end of the civil war, you have regained a good deal of manpower as well as direct control over your colonial forces. India remains aflame, the situation now looking more dangerous than ever before. There is a growing faction in Versailles that would have you cut your losses, making peace with the invaders in order to preserve a French presence on the subcontinent. They point to the difficulty in providing reinforcements and potential further abandonment by restive princes.  Some think that you should cut a deal with one of the two invading powers in order to turn on the other. The Durrani have shown themselves open to a peace settlement, after all. Of course, many hawks and French nationalists would hear of none of this and want to see the foreign invaders punished, even if it means a weakening of the French position in Europe proper. How will you handle the Indian situation?

Habsburg Monarchy
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Prussia sits on the verge of collapse. Frederick IV is dead and your grandson-in-law by marriage has ascended to the throne as King Frederick Louis of Prussia. Through the efforts of your granddaughter Queen Maria Louisa, feelers for peace have arrived at Vienna. It seems the Prussian Court has little desire to continue the war, though some in the foreign ministry fear the outreach to you is a deliberate bid to sow discord with Stockholm. The Court in Vienna is divided. Your son and heir, Archduke Maximilian wants peace, arguing the death of Frederick makes further fighting pointless. The hawks, prevalent in the military, argue instead that Prussia must be destroyed once and for all, regardless of family ties. Of course, as time goes by, the issue of Russian or French intervention also looms large. What will you do about the fight against Prussia?

-The Hungarian nobility are irate. Not only did your creation of the Kingdom of Croatia occur without their consent, ripping away a region of their realm many Magyars considered integral, but you followed it up with the creating of a fairly democratic government. Hungary, the most conservative and noble-oriented of your constituent realms, is wary of these changes. A formal petition of grievance passed the Hungarian Diet, though it is largely symbolic. To rectify your alleged wrong, the Hungarian Diet has called for direct negotiations and concessions. Of course, many ministers warn that, given the fractured and decentralized nature of your realm, this could be dangerous and give the other regional governments ideas of their own. How will you placate Hungary, which now sees itself at risk of being carved up at the whim of its sovereign?

-Work on the Suez continues apace, some projections anticipating the canal will be up and running in either this year or the next. Still, merely restoring the canal is one thing, some have argued that you ought to use this time to expand the waterway. When the Suez was constructed in the late 1700s, ships were a good deal smaller than the vessels of today. As such, navigation of the canal has been limited by the narrowness for decades. Several engineers have come forward with proposals to widen the waterway to accommodate the vessels of today, or perhaps even tomorrow. This could delay the reopening of trade by several years though, if pursued. Still, if successful and on schedule it would have tremendous economic benefits in the future. What will you do with the Suez, pursue expansions or should it be opened as swiftly as possible, in order to salvage global trade?

Kingdom of Scandinavia
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Queen-Empress, Prussia, those vile fiends, is on the verge of collapse. Berlin is yours, Konigsberg within reach, and Frederick IV slain. Still, the fight is not yet over, men remain at arms under the banner of the Prussian Eagle. Assuming you win, what will your aims be regarding northern Germany? Further afield, assuming peace is restored, how will you handle developments in the Netherlands, you great-aunt Queen Dowager Carolina of the Netherlands constantly badgering you on behalf of her grandson? How will Scandinavia respond to the rapidly evolving global situation overall?

-Domestically, the end of the British blockade in North America and the conquest of Berlin both seem to have gone a long way to stabilizing the situation. Your reforms should not be ignored though, given the boon to morale both the 10-hour workday and guaranteed overtime have achieved. As always, there are new domestic issues to resolve. Property disputes abound in the broken-up estates of the old Baltic German nobility, many of the new grantees quarreling with each other over their portions. Some Baltic German nobles that remained loyal to your government seem to have been caught up in the anti-German hysteria and report being unlawfully evicted from their holdings. Others that have fled claim to have renounced the Prussian cause and seek the right to return to their homes. How will you deal with these issues in your new kingdom of Livonia?

-Though Egypt is now practically a puppet of your government and the Yemeni rebels have accepted your proposal, you have yet to fulfill other parts of the Treaty of Limassol that you were granted. Most notably, Palestine sits in the hands of the Hashemite Arabs who have recently been crowned kings of that region. Some in Stockholm see an opening, proposing that you negotiate with the Arab rebels to create yet another client state in the region rather than attempting to assert direct rule. Others are wary, seeing the Iranian intervention in that theater as a potential threat. Beyond this, there are questions as to what exact shape the new Egyptian government should take, with King Ahmed himself reaching out for some Scandinavian guidance on the issue. What sort of government system, as well as what degree of democratization, will you support? Will you allow the formation of an independent Egyptian army, or should it be left to Stockholm to consider the defense of the region? What economic barriers, if any, will you erect for the valuable region?

British Union
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-The American War has raised questions about the readiness of the British Union for potential conflicts moving forward. Indeed, a wide variety of military reforms have been proposed, drawing on the experiences of the past few years. Britain and Ireland have long been allowed a lower conscription rate than the American colonies, the general understanding being the British man the navy, while the Americans staff the army. Before this meant little, but given the loss of manpower in the war, and the potential untapped reserves in Britain proper, some see the old arrangement as ridiculous and call for a full reform of the military and conscription laws beyond your wartime measures. Others demand reforms to the choice of officers, lambasting the purchasing of commissions. The navy meanwhile demands more funding, seeking tor repair the damage from Quebecois and New English fleets and maintain the capability to blockade the American coast, should the worst come to pass. Which branch will receive your attention this year? Should changes be made to the old system?

-You have regained North Carolina for the British Empire, a victory celebrated with much fanfare in London. Indeed, the fact that your North American dominions have been spared the worst helped soften the blow of the Treaty of Albany. While thousands of square kilometers have changed hands, the general consensus is that London acquitted itself well. Yet, with the annexation of this region, there are several issues that require your attention. North Carolina was one of the slaving colonies that revolted against imposed abolition in the 1830s. As such, the land is held predominantly by white planters. Inequality reigns in this region, a legacy of the old ways, with Blacks facing discrimination. Will you break up the Louisianan plantations and seek to remedy current and past discrimination? How much will a sort of reconstruction of the region be necessary?

-British landings in the Prussian Cape Colony have not been the quick victory that had been hoped. The locals have declared their independence under a republican government, the local Prussian fleet defecting to their cause. Further afield, the indigenous African tribal groups have risen, seeing a rare chance to assert their independence and reverse the tide of colonial encroachment. Given the ongoing fighting against Sokoto in Western Africa (a conflict left on the backburner during the American War), some wonder if you ought not to try and reach a settlement with the Cape Colonists. Or should the colony be seized in its entirety, a lucrative outpost for trade and future commercial operations? With Prussia proper on the verge of collapse in Europe, it would be wise to also ensure that you have a seat at the table in any future negotiations regarding the fate of the Hohenzollern realm, so Scandinavia and Austria ought to be cultivated. What will you do about the war in Southern Africa?

Russian Republic
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-President Suvorin, you have won a resounding victory. Your only opponent, that crazy radical Bakunin, had no chance against your candidacy. Yet, taking office with so much popular support could be problematic, given any decisions made could alienate parts of your coalition. What are your main domestic goals for Russia in the coming year? Should economic modernization or stimulus be pursued? How mobilized will you keep the military, now that Russia is at peace? What other policy goals are in the offing?

-Diplomacy will undoubtedly be important in 1877. Fires burn on all sides. The Ottoman Empire, or Turkey as some factions now wish for it to be known, has gone utterly mad, civil war erupting in the corpse of that once-great state. To the west, Austria, Poland, Saxony, and Scandinavia seem on the verge of eliminating Prussia once and for all, perhaps ruining any balance of regional power and allowing the Habsburgs to achieve their dream of dominance over the old Holy Roman Empire after centuries of striving. Despite close ties with Stockholm, many in Moscow were miffed when Queen Catherine married her heir to Charlotte Romanov, the daughter of the claimant to the defunct Russian throne. The public has viewed the move as a slight, making people less trusting of Swedish designs on Germany and the Baltic States. What position will Russia take in this European maelstrom?

-Georgia has been established, most foreign powers seeing the region as a satellite republic of your realm. Yet, the locals have been determined to assert their independence, electing the Bagrationi heir as president. Hardline republicans within Russia would have you depose the royal scion and place a true believer in the post. As Georgia is but an infant state, there are also questions as to what shape the government should take. While many Georgians would be content to decide these matters themselves, it is tacitly understood you should have a seat at the table in any negotiations. What government do you envision for the region? How will it be structured, should it be democratic? What will you do about potential Georgian armed forces or a navy? Given your influence it is likely you would be able to construct the state as you see fit.

Divine Republic of Brazil
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira, Brazil remains one of the foremost global powers. Despite what may seem to be a less than massive population, recent gains in Africa and Peru seem to bode well for the long-term demographic health of the realm. Ever since the Spanish Royalists collapsed in South America and you acquired Upper Peru, your soldiers have maintained an uneasy peace in the region. The populace here is seen as at best marginally loyal to your new government, though most seem to privately yearn for the restoration of Henry V. The hardline Catholic Republicans in your government would prefer to see brutal crackdowns on royalists, redistribution of property, and forced vows of loyalty to your government. While moderates concur that the new subjects do need to be educated in the ways of Catholic Republicanism and are a risk for revolt, they believe that too much antagonism could make unrest a self-fulfilling prophecy. The matter remains for you to decide. There is also the question of how much autonomy, if any at all, the region should be granted by your government. How will you deal with Upper Peru and your gains from the former Spanish colonial empire?

-Colonially, the last few years have seen significant expansion in the Congo and the Kalahari. Still, pushback from local African leaders has become increasingly evident. The Marota Empire, led by the Pedi people of Transvaal, have utterly ignored demands to submit, murdered Brazilian missionaries, and steadily refused to recognize your authority as stipulated in the Stockholm Conference of 1871. The Ndebele Kingdom to their north have largely concurred and declared their intent to defend Marota should you attack. Your colonial officials call for a relocation of troops and the commencement of military operations in southwest Africa, but some fear sending too many men far from Brazil proper during such dire global times. How will you deal with stubborn native resistance and colonial policy more generally?

-Diplomatically you find yourself in an interesting position. Brazil has long cooperated with Colombia, as a show of solidarity to fellow Catholic Republicans. Yet, with the liberalization of Colombia and that realm’s constant military intervention in theaters deemed unimportant to Brazil, there are some calling for you to reconsider your relationship with Bogota. The new Spanish government and Patagonia lean towards you in the Catholic Republican faction while the Philippines, Haiti, and Portugal are seen as more pro-Colombian, so any discord between you two could shatter that broader Catholic faction. What will you do about your diplomatic situation in 1876?
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« Reply #379 on: May 12, 2022, 01:25:42 AM »

Kingdom of Naples
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-King Philip, you come to the throne at a crucial point in Neapolitan history. With the Treaty of Venice putting a lid on the war effort, perhaps only for the time being, the politics of the Kingdom have become tense. Everyone is looking to blame someone else for the failure to unite the peninsula. With elections to be held this year, the fate of the realm hangs in the balance. Your father’s extensive grand coalition has been criticized as being too broad, though it did manage to finish out its term without collapsing. As the people head to the polls, will you play favorites among the political parties? How will you respond to those who are urging you to use the military to oversee the voting to gently dissuade your subjects from backing Catholic Republican terrorists? Will you allow the election to occur uninterrupted, or is it time for the Crown to reassert some of its domestic authority in the campaign?

-The Treaty of Limassol kindly saw the return of Tunis to Neapolitan control. While this has been celebrated in parts of the realm, a sweet respite from frustrations to the north, there are questions over what is to be done with the territory. Many of the rebels that murdered your garrison ahead of the Ottoman invasion in 1874 remain at large in the region. What will you do about them? Furthermore, how much repression, if any at all, will you enact in the colony? Have recent events caused you to reconsider that area’s status within your kingdom?

-You have yet to marry, King Philip. At 29, you are considered one of the most eligible bachelors in the continent. There are many candidates from a variety of realms. Your cousin Isabella, daughter of your uncle Alfonso and the Grand Duchess of Tuscany is 25 and unmarried. Union with her could cultivate ties with the reactionary nobles in your realm. Princess Elizabeth of England is 23 and could be a suitable match for mending ties with London, should you be so inclined. Princess Isabella of Portugal (21) could be a candidate for calming the Catholic Republican faction at home. There is also a smattering of Prussian princesses available to wed, depending on how provocative you wish to be. From the New World, Princess Bertha of Quebec (31) is also unwed. There is no shortage of options from these, among many others. How will you guarantee the survival of the dynasty?

United Kingdom of Louisiana
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-King Henry-Philippe, Liberia is in a state of collapse. Yet, though Freetown has been taken and the more populated areas subdued, the most passionate militants have fled into the countryside and vowed continued resistance. Some promise to lay down their arms if you compromise, though others seem less willing to reconcile with you. While the natives have been largely quietly subdued, what is to be done about Shields Green and other irreconcilables? Beyond that, how will you make sure that guerilla fighting in the west is put to an end? Will you address the grievances against your soldiers’ harsh actions in the sack of Freetown? What are your designs for the region when it is fully pacified?

-The national election is upon you. With peace in the east, and victory seemingly imminent in the west, your people now have the breathing room to make clear decisions about the future of your nation. Initial indications seem to bode well for the new United Louisiana Party, many dissatisfied with the old establishment after the Treaty of Albany and loss of North Carolina. Yet, people seem inclined to the extremes as well. Militant nationalist parties (separate from the reactionaries) have particularly begun to poll well among Anglo-Louisianans, as have the socialists among the Black community in the east. Will you involve the Crown in the election? How much latitude should be given to those espousing extreme positions?

-The wretched blockade is ended and trade has been reopened with the rest of the world. While this was met with joy among the planters and other groups inclined to export, the rebound has been less decisive then had been hoped. Many firms have requested government financial aid to get operations running again, arguing that capital will be necessary to get supply chains and production back to levels seen prior to the war. Yet, intervention in the economy is a risky prospect and some fear unintended consequences during an election year. What will you do about the economic situation? How will you get the people back to work?

Qajar Iran
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Iranian intervention in Cilicia has stabilized that young realm, but may have inadvertently led to the chaos in Anatolia. With the Ottoman rump state falling into itself, many fear that Russia, Scandinavia, or other nearby powers will get involved in the conflict, potentially installing a government hostile to your interests. Thus, some have proposed you back one of the various factions in the fighting, though such a move could be the very thing that spurs foreign intervention. Regardless, 1877 must undoubtedly see decisions made regarding Cilicia and its Arab king as well. Will you recognize the separatist movement? To what degree will you allow the nascent state to operate independently?

-Arabia remains in a state of flux. While you and your allies control most of the important regions, the Wahhabi have proven a headache to deal with. Generals on the ground call for more men, though others fear relocating too many given threats on other fronts. Some have called for a total withdrawal from the peninsula in a bid to protect your existing gains, though this could be unpopular with the Persian public. Meanwhile the Hashemites operate in Palestine, though you seem poised to snuff out that realm should you be so inclined, even if it means alienating Stockholm. What will you do?

Kingdom of Quebec
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Emperor, as you are now known, 1876 was kind to Quebec. Not only was land gained with the Treaty of Albany, weaking the British position and strengthening your hold over the Great Lakes, but constitutional reforms have codified your domestic system of government. Of course, with so much change, naturally political issues have arisen. While the most irreconcilable British loyalists have fled to the remaining colonies, many English-speaking settlers remain in the territories you recently annexed. To what extent will you seek to integrate them, grant voting rights, or allow them a voice in the government? What is to be done about property disputes and land held by British firms?

-With your governmental reforms, end of the war, and fading away of most of the native risings, some members of government are calling for a round of early elections so the people can weigh in on all of the changes. The sentiment seems fairly widespread overall, but is particularly pronounced among the liberal opposition. With any potential vote, however, comes questions about participation among your new Puerto Rican and British subjects. There’s also fears that the lingering economic fallout could lead to a surprisingly high result for the socialists, though this is mere conjecture. Will you use your prerogative to hold a vote in 1877? If so, what will you do about the above issues?

-With Quebec at peace and the blockade broken, you finally have the ability to weigh in effectively on global affairs. While being ensconced with your North American allies has been nice, the world overall is a dangerous place. Your sister, Charlotte of France, has triumphed in the civil war, but your government has not officially recognized her as regent. Many in foreign policy circles are wary of Colombia’s growing presence in the Pacific, which seems to have eclipsed even your own and propose efforts to counter the Singapore Pact. Britain have pivoted from war in the Americas to war in Africa, some believe that aid to the Cape Colonists would be the proper course. To what extent will you engage in the global empire-building and jockeying of the other powers? Or is Quebec best served by remaining above the fray, a neutral observer in a chaotic order?

United Provinces of New Holland
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-As a member of the Singapore Pact you have been rewarded handsomely. Still, your allies remain at war and some believe there is little to be gained for New Holland by continuing the struggle against the Japanese. Perhaps you could reach some sort of separate settlement with the Shogunate, regardless of what your erstwhile allies may think? Or is it time to recommit to the fight, through greater aid to the Colombian invasion of Japan?

-Your efforts to promote the universities in New Holland have been successful, attracting a wide variety of free-thinkers and innovate personnel. The crises engulfing much of the world have likely helped matters. Yet, as of late, the schools have become hotbeds of controversy. Charles Darwin, who relocated to Willemstad due to the economic chaos in Britain, has been met with protests by many conservative New Hollanders for his controversial theories. Friedrich Nietzsche, a Saxon migrant likewise serving as a professor, has been deemed an atheistic subversive. There has also been some subtle anti-Semitism against Jewish professors recruited several years ago. Among the overall conservative population of New Holland, there is a good deal of resentment over the perceived special status of the universities and the radical views of the professors, which have been deemed out of step with the majority. Yet, the supporters of academic freedom and free speech insist challenges to these thinkers could chill any hard-won gains in the academic field over the past few years. How will you balance the traditionalist values of the majority of your citizens with the perceived radical views emanating from your schools?

Kingdom of Mexico
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-With the acquisition of British Belize, Guadeloupe, and Barbados, there are questions as to what exact status the new regions will take within Mexico. Will the people there be granted full citizenship, including suffrage? Beyond that, all three locations feature a significant percentage of land owned by British nationals and firms. Should these be nationalized by your government now that the war is over, even if it means irritating London? Some have suggested a sort of compensation scheme for those foreign property-holders that have found their land in the hands of a foreign power, but this would probably be less popular in Mexico itself. How will you deal with this issue?

-With peace declared and the blockade ended, there are many financiers who wish to see Mexico become a major economic power in the Americas. Several foreign firms (based France, Scandinavia, and Britain) have requested to expand operations in Mexico, advancing capital to fund factories if the government gives them generous tax breaks and tariff relief. While these deals may yield tremendous economic gains, they could also spark either indignant nationalist or socialist backlash against the presence of foreign capitalists? Will you intervene directly to improve the economic situation, or should the free market be left to decide matters on its own, the corporate investors having to play by the same rules as everyone else?

Ottoman Morocco
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-There are calls among some in your forces to allow the recruitment of the Moroccans into your army, given the potential boost to manpower this could provide. Yet, staunch Turkish nationalists in your ranks reject this and believe it will tarnish your discipline. Given your position, more tolerant individuals argue may not have any other choice. Will you commence with recruiting efforts among the locals?

-The homeland is in disarray. Socialists, nationalists, and monarchists fight over the corpse of the Ottoman state as your men watch from abroad. Indeed, as one of the few victorious Turkish generals remaining, especially after the murder of Husnu, there are some who believe the time is right to return home. Perhaps you could convince some other foreign power that your governance over Anatolia could be a source of stability in the chaotic region? If you wish to stay in North Africa, many note the Arab revolt in Libya and the general weakness of Algiers as providing ample opportunities for growth. How will your army be used in 1877?

Holy Republic of Colombia
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-The unthinkable has been achieved, Colombian, Portuguese, and Korean forces landing on the Japanese islands. While resistance has been fierce, your men have used terror and religious zealotry to maintain morale in the army. With Tokugawa Yoshiyori’s regime suddenly appearing shaken, perhaps even on the verge of collapse, there are questions about what your military goals should be for the coming year. Given that the enemy has now laid down arms, some fear the Japanese intend to fight, regardless of who is in charge. Still, some believe you ought to seek peaceful resolution, perhaps by publicly stating your terms. As your Korean allies look weak, it has been assumed they will be the first target of a Japanese counter-offensive. How will you shepherd Colombia through the Pacific War?

Chinese Republic
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-1876 yielded tremendous gains for the Chinese Republic, the Koreans being dealt perhaps a fatal blow in their bid to subjugate your nation. Still, Seoul maintains many men under arms. While Emperor Yi Ho has formally issued a call for a negotiated settlement, many in China are divided over the prospect. Certainly, an end to the fighting would be welcome and, given Korea’s continued strength, countless lives would be saved. Yet, there are concerns any Korean settlement would be too harsh for your people to bear. This all occurs as the situation in the Korean peninsula seems the most unstable it has been in decades. Will you open negotiations for peace, or should the fighting continue?

-The success of General Song Qing in the Northern Campaign of 1876 has created something that had not heretofore existed in the Chinese Republic, a figure gaining stature similar to yourself. Indeed, it is only natural that elements of a nascent opposition have flocked to his camp in the aftermath of his success. While the general professes himself loyal to the cause and your leadership, his popularity is formidable. While you have had to make difficult decisions regarding the war, prioritizing operations and inadvertently creating domestic opponents because of said decisions, Song Qing is able to wrap himself in victory. Some have called for such a high-profile individual to be reassigned before he becomes dangerous, though this could just draw attention to a perhaps growing rift between the two of you. How will you handle Song Qing and his moment in the spotlight?

Confederation of New England
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-It may have been exhausting, Chairman Wilson, but the war has been won. While the gains received by New England were not as large as your initial goals, they are still substantial relative to your prewar position. Several practical issues must be addressed in your new lands. While your bill to administer the territories has been adopted, narrowly, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire have all expressed concerns over the eventual integration of Poughkeepsie and the Upper Hudson territories into Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively, fearing it will upset the domestic balance of power. They would rather the territories be included in Adirondack. Regardless, there are other concerns relating to the integration of former British subjects into your realm. To what extent will you try to enforce compliance with your government ideologically? What is to be done about cross-border property holdings or areas held by Britons in London?

-Price controls and government intervention in the economy have eased, but there is a good deal of fallout from the fighting. Men, particularly in Boston, return home from the front to find their old livelihood destroyed. What jobs that do remain have become highly competitive, veterans competing with women, youth, and other groups mobilized to maintain the economy during the war. There have been calls by some veteran’s associations to intervene in favor of the soldiers. Beyond this, some would have your already indebted government seek to stimulate the return of jobs and industry by rebuilding the worst-hit areas of Boston, cutting taxes on businesses, or making further trade deals. How will you handle the economic situation?

Durrani Empire
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Fighting continues in India, your men making great gains alongside Mysore as French forces continued to fold. The winning over of the Turks was a major boon. Still, with peace in France proper, it is feared that Queen Charlotte will turn her wrath directly against you. While optimists point out the difficulties she will face in transit, it does not fully mean you can rest easy. Perhaps it is time to reach out to the French regent and come to some sort of understanding? Or should the war be continued, many note that you could be on the cusp of further tremendous gains, given Uttar Pradesh sits vulnerable to your advance? You have options, Emir. It is up to you to make the call on how your campaign will proceed.
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« Reply #380 on: May 12, 2022, 03:13:59 AM »
« Edited: May 12, 2022, 03:31:34 AM by GoTfan »

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Naples to the Kingdom of France is hereby withdrawn with all staff.

In addition, King Philip, in the spirit of his father's great affection for the leaders of North America, recognises Philip von Hohenzollern as Emperor of Quebec.
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« Reply #381 on: May 12, 2022, 07:56:24 PM »

With light of the precarious situation in the realm due to expansion and acquisition, the Sublime State is ordering all regional heads to triple the various civil guard units fighting lawlessness in the realm, including in recently conquered territory where we are ensuring at minimum a 50% increase in wages compared to the pay of previous administrations.
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« Reply #382 on: May 12, 2022, 08:41:00 PM »

Through analysis of the recent events, it can be said that the peacekeeping mission was a success. The  Iranian peacekeepers shall withdraw from Cilicia.
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« Reply #383 on: May 12, 2022, 10:37:55 PM »

Quote
Austrian-Iranian Treaty of 1877
To Ensure the Free Trade of Goods easily and Protect Cargo and Persons from Criminal Activity, close cooperation in regional security, economic prosperity, and other objectives

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 Hapsburg 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 Hapsburg Monarchy and Sublime State of Iran
c. Which shall be made up of the existing security forces and customs office in the Homorzegan province and Hapsburg security and customs for the Persian Gulf Holdings

Section III: Interconnected economic framework

I. There shall be embassies established in
a. Shiraz
b. Vienna

II. Tariffs, taxes on intrastate trade, and fees  shall be lowered on Iran-Hapsburg commercial trading by 10% by both parties

Section IV: Security cooperation

I. Select Iranian cadets will train for a small fee in Hapsburg military colleges and be assigned as Attachés

II. Iran and Hapsburg naval forces shall conduct naval drills in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean

III. Both parties shall cooperate in fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean and the North African coast

Section V: Education and innovation

I. A scholarship program will be implemented to bring bright pupils in Iran and the Hapsburg Monarchy to study in each respective realm
II. Price of Shares of Iranian stock will be lowered by 10% for Hapsburg purchases over what the current price is at the time of purchase.
III. Iranian-Hapsburg partnerships in research will be implemented as feasible.

X Charles von Hapsburg
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« Reply #384 on: May 12, 2022, 10:39:59 PM »

Quote
Austrian-Iranian Treaty of 1877
To Ensure the Free Trade of Goods easily and Protect Cargo and Persons from Criminal Activity, close cooperation in regional security, economic prosperity, and other objectives

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 Hapsburg 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 Hapsburg Monarchy and Sublime State of Iran
c. Which shall be made up of the existing security forces and customs office in the Homorzegan province and Hapsburg security and customs for the Persian Gulf Holdings

Section III: Interconnected economic framework

I. There shall be embassies established in
a. Shiraz
b. Vienna

II. Tariffs, taxes on intrastate trade, and fees  shall be lowered on Iran-Hapsburg commercial trading by 10% by both parties

Section IV: Security cooperation

I. Select Iranian cadets will train for a small fee in Hapsburg military colleges and be assigned as Attachés

II. Iran and Hapsburg naval forces shall conduct naval drills in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean

III. Both parties shall cooperate in fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean and the North African coast

Section V: Education and innovation

I. A scholarship program will be implemented to bring bright pupils in Iran and the Hapsburg Monarchy to study in each respective realm
II. Price of Shares of Iranian stock will be lowered by 10% for Hapsburg purchases over what the current price is at the time of purchase.
III. Iranian-Hapsburg partnerships in research will be implemented as feasible.

X Charles von Hapsburg
X NSQ
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« Reply #385 on: May 13, 2022, 09:26:00 AM »
« Edited: May 13, 2022, 09:38:59 AM by Boobs »


Public domain
The LIBERATION of a CIVILIZATION
文明的解放


Speech on Mount Tai at the Dai Miao
While Li himself spoke to a small crowd at the summit of the recently-liberated holy Mount Tai, couriers rushed throughout the country and recited the speech in every village and town. Copies of the speech were published in newspapers in large cities, and translated copies were sent to foreign newspapers in cities in Europe and the Americas.

Quote
   We had long been held captive by the cycles of history - of war, pestilence, poverty, and oppression. At the heart of it all has been the degradation of the common man to a mere tool for emperors and warlords to use at their disposal. It was Sima Qian, two thousand years ago, who had written of the excesses and drama of the great Emperors, whose own ambition wrought havoc on the lands of China. These same cruel intentions and actions repeated themselves through the generations, the dynasties, the empires and kingdoms, long after his death and to today.

   Whether it had been foreign occupiers - the Mongol Horde, the Manchu Qing, the Korean slaver empire - or own countrymen, it was the empire that strangled our civilization. Rather than letting it flourish in full, the Emperor locked our national spirit into chains and stirrups, directed the collective genius, hope, and industry toward his own agenda, one that rarely aligned with the needs and dreams of a nation. You may say, “But some Emperors were good, were kind, were revered”, and yes, some were, but their goodness was merely a reflection of the goodness inherent in the population. An average man of his time would care far more intimately for his own village and neighbor than any Emperor had ever cared personally for the whole of China.

   Today, we no longer stand in splendor to the rest of the world. Our divine isolation is broken, shattered by the successive failures of generations of empire. We now know the savagery of the imperial domains - the unspeakable evils wrought by the Korean slavers upon our cities and countryside, the Western empires that stretch across oceans, breaking the spirits of nations yearning to be free. Thousands upon thousands of young men die in vain for the greed of glory upon their masters and emperors. Their blood stains the soil red. And the savagery of empire ends not there, but with the horrors of new weapons, weapons that distinguish not between soldier and civilian, between child and parent, between man and woman, between elder and warrior. This suffocation, a most unholy and inhuman weapon devised only by the most depraved of minds and employed by the most depraved of generals, slaughter thousands and erase cities. The future of empire is staring us, square in the face, its barbarism ennobled by crowns, jewels, and robes. This is a grim fate.

   It is a fate we may escape, however, with splendid optimism. When we slay the beast of empire, we liberate civilization. Our freedom to escape the cycle that we have been bound to depends on our - all of ours - from the bureaucrat to the farmer, the elder, the merchant, the wife, the child - decisive action. I stand here on Mount Tai to ask for the blessing of the ancestors in our national quest for liberation, but more importantly I ask the whole of our nation, of every soul within our border, to push once more against the prison walls of empire. We have fought, side by side, nearly a decade, but at this point, the light of a new world breaks through. With one more push together, the Great Republic (Dà Mínguó 大民國) is birthed. A civilization is liberated as a flower blooms. With our constitution, we carve our liberty in jade, preserved, proud, and free. Our ancestors’ dream of bringing heaven to earth is realized. They had long known of our special civilization - the Huáxià, distinct from any crown or banner - and how we had evolved beyond the barbarism that plagues our world. We shall carry their mandate in our hearts, and with it, the spirit of the greatest nation sings.

   It must be said that we cannot trade one master for another. This war of liberation was not the battle of one man, or one house, or one tribe, or one sex. It was the battle of us all. That the spirit of liberty shall live, it must be live wholly, unfettered, unencumbered. It cannot be held by one group alone. It must be in balance, held by everyone. The women of our nation raised those who had fought. The women have kept our communities and villages whole even when its young men were sent to defeat the Korean slavers. They have commanded their own brigades; they have gathered intelligence; they have saved thousands through ingenuity and discreetness. And one cannot expect their service to be repaid in demands of their servility. Their liberation mirrors that of the civilization as whole; indeed, our civilization can only survive when we put it all into balance - lifting the whole, not a shattered fragment.

   One day, our generation will be remembered as a nation of heroes - a generation that threw off the shackles of empire. A generation that restored a civilization to the potential it has been forced to repress. A generation that created a nation worth fighting, and dying for. When we devote ourselves to our cause - to each other - we shall be as unstoppable, and we shall become a great force of the universe, the Heavens, and the Earth.

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« Reply #386 on: May 13, 2022, 09:38:43 AM »

The Kingdom of Naples offers asylum to any Prussians seeking to escape the hands of the Austrians.
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« Reply #387 on: May 13, 2022, 04:21:15 PM »

The Holy Roman Emperor applauds the humanitarian spirit of the young King of Naples. In that same spirit of brotherhood, the Emperor extends an offer of asylum for those Padanians left destitute by armed anti-establishment terrorists.
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« Reply #388 on: May 13, 2022, 05:42:26 PM »

Quote
The War Powers Act Repeal Act of 1877

1. Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 of the War Powers Act of 1875 are herby repealed.
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« Reply #389 on: May 13, 2022, 06:40:04 PM »

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The Voting Rights Act of 1877

1. There is hereby established the Louisiana Electoral Commission, tasked with scheduling, administering, and executing all elections within the United Kingdom of Louisiana. The Director-General of the Louisiana Electoral Commission shall be appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister and shall serve a term of not more than 10 years.
2. All men who have attained the age of 21 years shall be eligible to vote in all elections under the Louisiana Electoral Commission.
3. To intimidate, harass, bully, or threaten a man, either in the act of voting or on his way to a polling location, shall be considered a felony crime, punishable with either a fine not less than $1,000, or not less than six months imprisonment, after an investigation by the Louisiana Electoral Commission and prosecution by a Crown Attorney.
4. All political parties must register their name, principal address, colors, logos, slogans, Chairman, and Directors with the Louisiana Electoral Commission no later than six months before a regularly scheduled election, or one week after an election has been called if it is prior to the expiration of the term.
5. The Louisiana Electoral Commission must disallow any political party that:
A. Is funded by foreign nationals,
B. Is based on a philosophy of violence, or
C. Advocates for the dissolution of the United Kingdom.
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« Reply #390 on: May 13, 2022, 06:54:48 PM »

Quote
His Majesty’s Banking and Currency Office is hereby directed to issue a loan of $1,000,000 to the government of Qajar Iran, to be repaid over a 10 year period with 7% interest, compounded annually. The loan shall be used for infrastructure projects.

Signed with my hand and seal this day,
x Henry-Philippe de Bourbon-Orleans, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana and Columbia, Duke of California and Liberia, Protector of the Realm, and Defender of the Faith.
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« Reply #391 on: May 13, 2022, 06:55:14 PM »

King Philip V Addresses Parliament

Quote
Gentlemen, thank you. I thank Prime Minister Crispi, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the president of the Senate for this opportunity to address this house.

Some years ago, an offer was made to my father. If he were to intervene on behalf of the Kingdom of France against Xavier, that false Italian with delusions of grandeur, Padania would be returned to its rightful home. My father, as any man would, intervened immediately, and won several stunning victories. Even when the Austrians intervened, they were halted by a force many times smaller than them.

After Xavier's death however, the true nature of the Harlot of Versailles was revealed. In coordination with the Viennese Oppressor, the Harlot enacted a betrayal most hideous. What happened at the Treaty of Venice was simple: We were stabbed in the back by those we thought our allies!

It was the most hideous betrayal wreaked on an Italian since Brutus and Cassius left Caesar bleeding to death on the floor of the Senate! Indeed, they would no doubt be proud of both the Viennese Opporessor and the Versailles Harlot, for together, the two of them wreaked a betrayal that my father, like Caesar, was unprepared for.

However, as Augustus avenged Caesar, I shall avenge my father! This world has no place for betrayers and cowards like the Harlot of Versailles and Oppressor of Vienna!

The time for talk with France and Austria is done. The Oppressor of Vienna, in his hubris, even refers to himself as the Holy Roman Emperor! Mark my words, Cassius, you shall never have Rome, for Rome is ruled by Italians, as it should be!

The treacherous French and Austrians will not be allowed to sully Neapolitan soil ever again. As of now, our border with both 'nations' is closed and will be fortified. Our Ambassadors in both countries are hereby withdrawn, and I am ordering the expulsion of their Ambassadors here. Their residences will be turned over to the government, who will find some use for them.

There will be another war with both nations, and when that time comes, the Harlot of Versailles will be wishing that she kept her word.

Avanti Italia!
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« Reply #392 on: May 13, 2022, 09:00:14 PM »

Quote
His Majesty’s Banking and Currency Office is hereby directed to issue a loan of $1,000,000 to the government of Qajar Iran, to be repaid over a 10 year period with 7% interest, compounded annually. The loan shall be used for infrastructure projects.

Signed with my hand and seal this day,
x Henry-Philippe de Bourbon-Orleans, King of the United Kingdom of Louisiana and Columbia, Duke of California and Liberia, Protector of the Realm, and Defender of the Faith.
X NSQ
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« Reply #393 on: May 14, 2022, 12:54:08 AM »

Empire of Québec
Proclamations and Statements from His Imperial Majesty


On Diplomatic matters

His Imperial Majesty formally extends its gratitude to the Kingdom of Naples for swift diplomatic recognition of the new constitutional status of the Québécois Nation, and reiterates as well its previous and unconditional recognition of Queen Regent Charlotte as the legitimate political and diplomatic representative of the Kingdom of France.

On the matter of Immigration

It is the belief of His Imperial Majesty and that of the government that, with an end to the blockade and armed conflict, it is in the best interests of the Empire to take action to ensure the issue of immigration is addressed promptly and efficiently. Our efforts during our first century of independence have yielded enormous territorial expansion with them, as well as the resources to sustain a population far, far higher that what we currently have. It is ultimately clear that, in order to unlock and unleash the full potential hidden within the Empire, its vast natural resources must be utilized to its fullest, and its fields and farms properly tended to.

Thus, it is our pleasure to confirm the recent passage of the Immigration Act of 1876, which, among other provisions, creates a Québec Immigration Office, mandates the creation of clear and well-guarded records of arriving migrants, the construction of a special port of arrival in Québec City for their proper screening, a hierarchy of immigrant groups according to their potential for rapid assimilation within Québécois society (particularly targeting francophone individuals or families), and a scheme for granting farmable land according to previous legislation, as well as the rapid redeployment of arriving immigrants into the provinces so as to prevent urban overcrowding.

The Frontier Plan - An offer of Asylum and Settlement

Although the position of the Empire of Québec regarding past and ongoing military conflicts within the European continent is one of steadfast neutrality, His Imperial Majesty nonetheless shares the humanitarian concern expressed by other monarchs surrounding the present situation of certain nations or ethnic groups. In particular, the fate of millions of Dutch and Prussian refugees currently facing famine or seeking a new home amidst grim economic conditions, even in nations less damaged by warfare.

Therefore, and taking advantage of the Immigration Act 1876, the Empire of Québec is prepared to offer humanitarian asylum to families displaced by warfare or famine within Western and Central Europe, as well as to provide for their settlement, facilitate their integration into Québécois society, and offer them a chance to start anew free from their present state. As this unprecedented effort will be geared towards the population, settlement and development of the Québécois frontier, it shall be known as the Frontier Plan, calling for the following:

-Conditional and large scale-asylum to Dutch and Prussian families who desire a new life or are in need of a new home, and are willing to abandon Europe to start anew in the New World. The same offer is also extended to civilians in areas ravaged by warfare or famine in Western Europe, provided their emigration to the Empire does not in any way trespass on domestic legislation or controls already imposed by any sovereign nation.

-Individuals with a previous criminal record, Catholic Republicans, and known political agitators will be excluded from the effort.

-Asylum offices and committees will be set up with the assistance of Québécois diplomatic personnel, former migrants within Québec who can help coordinate the emigration of their kin, and/or private citizens entirely uninvolved with any military effort within the European continent.

-Private and non-military vessels will be hired or commissioned to facilitate the transport of refugees across the Atlantic and into the entry port to Québec City, provided such transport does not hinder or intervene in the war effort of sovereign nations.

-Following successful screening by the Immigration Office, migrants will provided with plots of land as per the Québec Lands Act, as well as sufficient financial assistance to start their own farms and build their own homes. French-speaking migrants will be provided higher benefits.

-Transport will be provided via railway to the provinces, and the Pacific Gendarmerie shall see to the proper establishment and maintenance of order in new settlements.

-The Imperial government will commit to ensuring the availability of schools and/or other necessary educational efforts for migrants, to promote rapid integration through the teaching of the French language, as well as Québécois history and cultural tradition.
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« Reply #394 on: May 14, 2022, 12:09:36 PM »

Address by His Majesty the King to the National Assembly
Delivered in the Chamber of the National Assembly in New Orleans

Quote
Prime Minister, the Leader of the Loyal Opposition, Ministers, Parliamentarians,

The United Kingdom rises victorious from the horrors of war in our East and the venom of insurrection in the West. The United Kingdom has met the threats on both sides and has emerged stronger, safer, and more United. For this, I am both overjoyed and also thankful. Overjoyed with our strong victories.  Thankful to the men who took up arms and laid down their lives in these conflicts. Thankful to the men, women, and children who made the important sacrifices needed to support the war effort. Thankful to this National Assembly for your continued loyalty and support.

The life of this National Assembly, however, has come to an end. Under the terms of the Government Reform Act, you may not sit through the end of the year. Pursuant to such, following your votes on the Royal Legislative Package, I will dissolve this National Assembly and new elections will be held on the second Monday in April, 1877. It is my sincere desire that these elections be held under the terms of the proposed Voting Rights Act I have submitted.

I do submit to this National Assembly, however, one final piece of legislation: the Justice Act. We have heard tales of significant crimes occurring during the Eastern War and the Western Rebellion. Such crimes cannot go without investigation, prosecution, and justice. If they were to go by without holding such criminals to account, it would be a permanent stain on the beautiful history of our United Kingdom. I call on this National Assembly to hold the final vote of your term on the Justice Act and show the eyes of the people and of God that you stand with law and order.

Quote
The Justice Act of 1877

1. The Special Tribunal on War Crimes is hereby established. The Special Tribunal shall be constituted of five judges, two of whom shall be Anglophones, two of whom shall be Francophones, and one of whom shall be Afro-Louisianan, appointed by the Sovereign.
2. The Special Tribunal in War Crimes shall have the authority to investigate, prosecute, and try any crimes occurring in the United Kingdom between 1872 and 1876 that relate to the Eastern War or Liberian Rebellion, including but not limited to:
A. Sabotage,
B. Treason,
C. Insubordination,
D. Unjust killing,
E. Theft, pillaging, or looting,
F. Rape, or
G. Harassment or threatening.
3. The Special Tribunal on War Crimes shall travel the United Kingdom and hold, at a minimum, one hearing and, if appropriate, trial in the cities of Atlanta, New Orleans, St. Louis, Denver, Freetown, and San Francisco.
4. $500,000 of general tax dollars  is appropriated to the Special Tribunal on War Crimes to cover costs of lodging, travel, food and beverage, investigatory staff, and office space.
5. Decisions of the Special Tribunal on War Crimes shall be appealed only to the Sovereign directly for reasons of serious judicial malpractice or corruption. 
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« Reply #395 on: May 14, 2022, 06:04:01 PM »

Quote
Peace of Prague


Article I
I . The Kingdom of Prussia, and the Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Saxony, Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Habsburg Monarchy declare an end to hostilities.
II .The armed forces of the respective belligerents will withdraw to the boundaries delineated below.

Article II
I . The Kingdom of Hanover shall be reconstituted with Queen-Empress Catherine II serving as its Queen.
II .The Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg shall be reconstituted with Grand Duke Frederick Francis du Mecklenburg-Schwerin serving as its Duke.
III . All other border changes will be carried out in accordance with the map below.

Article III.
I . The Kingdom of Hannover, the Kingdom of Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg shall become associate members of the Holy Roman Empire.

Article IV.
I . The Baltic League shall be formed as a trade and defensive alliance.
II . The Baltic League shall be comprised of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Poland and the Kingdom of Scandinavia.
III . The Kingdom of Scandinavia shall lead the Baltic League.
IV . The Habsburg Monarchy shall be an observer state of the Baltic League.

Article V.
I . Emperor Charles VIII shall recognize Queen-Empress Catherine II as Empress of Africa.
(Made by Spamage/Me)
xQueen-Empress Catherine II
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Dereich
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« Reply #396 on: May 14, 2022, 06:22:07 PM »

Quote
Peace of Prague


Article I
I . The Kingdom of Prussia, and the Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Saxony, Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Habsburg Monarchy declare an end to hostilities.
II .The armed forces of the respective belligerents will withdraw to the boundaries delineated below.

Article II
I . The Kingdom of Hanover shall be reconstituted with Queen-Empress Catherine II serving as its Queen.
II .The Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg shall be reconstituted with Grand Duke Frederick Francis du Mecklenburg-Schwerin serving as its Duke.
III . All other border changes will be carried out in accordance with the map below.

Article III.
I . The Kingdom of Hannover, the Kingdom of Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg shall become associate members of the Holy Roman Empire.

Article IV.
I . The Baltic League shall be formed as a trade and defensive alliance.
II . The Baltic League shall be comprised of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Poland and the Kingdom of Scandinavia.
III . The Kingdom of Scandinavia shall lead the Baltic League.
IV . The Habsburg Monarchy shall be an observer state of the Baltic League.

Article V.
I . Emperor Charles VIII shall recognize Queen-Empress Catherine II as Empress of Africa.
(Made by Spamage/Me)
xQueen-Empress Catherine II


X Charles von Hapsburg
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Spamage
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« Reply #397 on: May 14, 2022, 08:16:32 PM »

Quote
Peace of Prague


Article I
I . The Kingdom of Prussia, and the Kingdom of Poland, Kingdom of Saxony, Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Habsburg Monarchy declare an end to hostilities.
II .The armed forces of the respective belligerents will withdraw to the boundaries delineated below.

Article II
I . The Kingdom of Hanover shall be reconstituted with Queen-Empress Catherine II serving as its Queen.
II .The Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg shall be reconstituted with Grand Duke Frederick Francis du Mecklenburg-Schwerin serving as its Duke.
III . All other border changes will be carried out in accordance with the map below.

Article III.
I . The Kingdom of Hannover, the Kingdom of Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg shall become associate members of the Holy Roman Empire.

Article IV.
I . The Baltic League shall be formed as a trade and defensive alliance.
II . The Baltic League shall be comprised of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Poland and the Kingdom of Scandinavia.
III . The Kingdom of Scandinavia shall lead the Baltic League.
IV . The Habsburg Monarchy shall be an observer state of the Baltic League.

Article V.
I . Emperor Charles VIII shall recognize Queen-Empress Catherine II as Empress of Africa.
(Made by Spamage/Me)
xQueen-Empress Catherine II


X Charles von Hapsburg

X-Archduke Louis-Henry of Austria, Regent of Poland on behalf of his nephew King Sigismund IV

X-Albert, King of Saxony
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« Reply #398 on: May 14, 2022, 08:25:34 PM »

Quote
The Family Pact

The Holy Roman Emperor, the King of Serbia, the King of Prussia, and the Lord Regent of Poland ("The Parties") friends united by bonds of fraternal love and common interest, here proclaim their association in this pact:
1.   The Parties agree to defend each other’s sovereignty and national integrity.
2.   The Parties agree to make all efforts to eliminate barriers to trade and restrictions to travel between other members of the Pact.
3.   The Parties shall support transportation projects between other members of the Pact.
4.   The Parties shall take action to facilitate military cooperation between member of the Pact, including joint military exercises and equipment standardization.

x Charles von Hapsburg
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spamage
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« Reply #399 on: May 14, 2022, 08:27:46 PM »

Quote
The Family Pact

The Holy Roman Emperor, the King of Serbia, the King of Prussia, and the Lord Regent of Poland ("The Parties") friends united by bonds of fraternal love and common interest, here proclaim their association in this pact:
1.   The Parties agree to defend each other’s sovereignty and national integrity.
2.   The Parties agree to make all efforts to eliminate barriers to trade and restrictions to travel between other members of the Pact.
3.   The Parties shall support transportation projects between other members of the Pact.
4.   The Parties shall take action to facilitate military cooperation between member of the Pact, including joint military exercises and equipment standardization.

x Charles von Hapsburg

X-Archduke Louis-Henry of Austria, Regent of Poland on behalf of his nephew King Sigismund IV

X- King Maximilian of Serbia

X- King Frederick Louis von Hohenzollern of Prussia
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