The Zenith of Power: Gameplay Thread

[OBD]

THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

Wilson proposes loosening immigration restrictions

In a bombshell out of Boston, Chairman Henry Wilson introduced an act in Congress, with the support of the Centralist Party, significantly loosening the immigration restrictions of the New England Confederation in a major reversal from past Administrations. In a speech to Congress, Wilson emphasized the need for further economic growth and development across the Confederation, with the ultimate goal of shaping New England into a peaceful, prosperous "shining city on a hill" untouched by the dark clouds of poverty and conflict. Loosening immigration restrictions, he argued, would spur growth in both population and the economy, vastly increasing the potential of New England's industrial sector and by extension, the welfare of her populace. Specifics of the proposal include the abolition of most all immigration restrictions to the Pine Tree Republic and an overhaul of New England's broken naturalization process with the aim of making it more streamlined and accessible, though the government will prioritize the entry of immigrants who are fit to work.

New England Football League arrives - to feature six teams

Football, a fledgling sport rapidly gaining popularity around the globe, has found a friend in the New England populace. With local leagues gradually gaining membership and footing, and with King Henry-Phillippe of Louisiana's call for a Global Summit on football brining the sport to international prominence, Congress unanimously passed a Resolution laying the groundwork for the creation of a New England football league, while Chairman Wilson has appointed a delegation of New England's foremost sportsmen to attend this winter's Summit in New Orleans.

While standardization for this League - which will begin operations in 1872 or 1873 - will likely be based at least in part on rules agreed upon in New Orleans, the fluidity of the situation has not discouraged potential players from up and down the Confederation from aiming to join the league. Currently, six teams - one each from Boston, Providence, New Haven, Worcester, Portland, and Manchester - are expected to join the league, with a draft of New England's finest players determining the personnel for each team.

[Lumine]

The Treaty of Halifax (1871),
A Treaty between the Kingdom of Quebec and the Confederation of New England

1.) The signatories hereby confirm their peaceful intent towards each other, and their desire for a long, prosperous and mutually beneficial relationship. Therefore, they agree to the following:

2.) The Nova Scotia territory shall be purchased by the Kingdom of Quebec, by a sum equivalent to what the Confederation of New England paid for the territory under the 1841 Richmond Settlement.

3.) The Kingdom of Quebec will guarantee the rights of current Anglophone inhabitants of Nova Scotia, including legal protections regarding language and cultural matters, as well as the granting of Quebecois citizenship and the rights that come with it.

4.) A defensive alliance pact, binding each signatory to war against any foreign aggressor upon written request by the power under threat.

5.) A commitment to work towards long-term economic cooperation and participation in joint economic and development ventures.

6.) New England businesses will retain the ability to participate in economic ventures in Nova Scotia, and Quebecois-New Englander trade within the province will not be subject to unilateral tariff increases on either side.

x Henry II, King of Quebec

[OBD]

The Treaty of Halifax (1871),
A Treaty between the Kingdom of Quebec and the Confederation of New England

1.) The signatories hereby confirm their peaceful intent towards each other, and their desire for a long, prosperous and mutually beneficial relationship. Therefore, they agree to the following:

2.) The Nova Scotia territory shall be purchased by the Kingdom of Quebec, by a sum equivalent to what the Confederation of New England paid for the territory under the 1841 Richmond Settlement.

3.) The Kingdom of Quebec will guarantee the rights of current Anglophone inhabitants of Nova Scotia, including legal protections regarding language and cultural matters, as well as the granting of Quebecois citizenship and the rights that come with it.

4.) A defensive alliance pact, binding each signatory to war against any foreign aggressor upon written request by the power under threat.

5.) A commitment to work towards long-term economic cooperation and participation in joint economic and development ventures.

6.) New England businesses will retain the ability to participate in economic ventures in Nova Scotia, and Quebecois-New Englander trade within the province will not be subject to unilateral tariff increases on either side.

x Henry II, King of Quebec

x Chairman Henry Wilson, New England Confederation

[Lumine]

₁

Kingdom of Quebec

His Majesty Henry II addresses Parliament

(Excerpts)Monsieurs,

It is with great pride and satisfaction that we speak to you today, within the halls of this sacred building.

The history of the Kingdom of Quebec, though shorter than those of our European counterparts, has no shortage of triumphant moments, glorious victories, remarkable men, and above, a keen spirit and determination to succeed. (...) From the first French settlements, to Vaudreuil's struggles to secure our independence, to our ancestor Henry's acceptance of the throne, the war against Britain and Spain, and our expansion towards the west, our still young nation has always been an enterprising, courageous and decisive society. (...)

We have worked hard to find prosperity, and in this task, we have succeeded. Although there is much to be done and to be achieved in the coming years and decades, let no man say that this Kingdom is not a beacon of progress within our continent.(...) Through the work of diplomacy, not only have we reached an understanding with so many of our neighbors and potential partners, we have planted the seeds for the expansion of trade and the growth of our national industry. (...) Through diplomacy, we have acquired the Puerto Rico and Hawaii territories from the Spanish crown, providing our nation and its citizens with exciting new opportunities and economic possibilities. (...) Through diplomacy, we have righted one of the wrongs of the Richmond settlement, recovering the only part of our sacred ground ever lost in the past. Without firing a single bullet, we have secured the return of our brethren to Quebecois law and protection, and in this we have also started what we hope will be a productive relationship with our neighbor to the south. (...)

This parliament has reached the natural end of its tenure, and its members can rightfully feel a sense of pride in their accomplishments on behalf of the nation over the past few years. (...) It is now up to the people to pass their judgement, and this they will do freely and in the spirit of open debate and civic-minded virtue we have come to expect this distant, yet prosperous corner of the globe. (...) The Monarchy will work effectively and constructively with whomsoever receives the trust of the people, for there is much that can be done, on so many fronts. (...) To you, Monsieurs, we say Au Revoir, but perhaps not Adieu. The nation, in their wisdom, shall decide whom to retain in their service and whom to send home, if perhaps only for some time. Whatever the outcome, this Kingdom will continue this steady march towards progress,

Vive le Québec!

_____________________________
^{1.) Original Image: Wikimedia Commons}

[YPestis25]

(Source: Alternate History Weekly Update)

A Proclamation from Gothenburg

On the Formation of a Government
   Her Majesty Queen Catherine II, on the advice of Statsminister Ditlev Gothard Monrad, is pleased to announce a coalition government between the Nationalliberalt Parti and the Arbetarpartiet. The Honorable Arvid Posse, leading the Lantmannapartiet, will head the Honorable Opposition. The leading appointees to the cabinet are as follows:

Statsminister: Ditlev Gothard Monrad
Utrikesstatsminister: Carl Lewenhaupt
Finansminister: Krisjanis Valdemars
Justitiestasminister: Johan Sverdrup
Krigsminister: Johan Ehrnrooth 
Marinminister: Thomas Konow

On the Disposition of Ambassadors and Ministers of State:
   The Scandinavian Court has designated the following officials as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and to serve as personal representatives of Her Majesty Queen Catherine II:

Representative to the Kingdom of France
Representative to the Habsburg Monarchy
Representative to the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, and the Americas
Representative to the Russian Republic
Representative to the Ottoman Empire
Representative to the Kingdom of Prussia

   
   Scandinavian representatives to other esteemed nations and allies will hold the rank of Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary.
 
On the Succession:
   Concerning the fears around the succession, Queen Catherine II, with the consent of her ministers, and with the assent of the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and the Americas, has designated Charles Hanover as heir apparent to the Kingdom of Scandinavia. Prince Charles has renounced any and all claims to the throne of the United Kingdom. The Prince will arrive in Scandinavia in the coming months to commence his education in the language and customs of court and government.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

The Treaty of Bogota
A Treaty between the Kingdom of Mexico, The Holy Republic of Colombia, and the Divine Republic of Brazil

The signatories hereby agree to the following:

1.) A non-aggression pact between the signatories;

2.) The signatories shall come to each other's defense against any unprovoked foreign invasion;

3.) 13% of the Panama Canal profits shall be awarded to the Kingdom of Mexico; 12% to the Holy Republic of Colombia; and 75% to the Divine Republic of Brazil;  

4.) All Catholic-Republican prisoners currently held in the Kingdom of Mexico shall be pardoned and released effective immediately;

5.) The signatories shall permit the Kingdom of Mexico to construct a Mexico City-Bogota-Sao Paolo railroad that may be used by citizens of all the signatories;

6.) The signatories agree to normalized trade and diplomatic relations.

x Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira

[Hijodeagua]

x King Luis de Bourbon-Orleans

[Kuumo]

The Treaty of Bogota
A Treaty between the Kingdom of Mexico, The Holy Republic of Colombia, and the Divine Republic of Brazil

The signatories hereby agree to the following:

1.) A non-aggression pact between the signatories;

2.) The signatories shall come to each other's defense against any unprovoked foreign invasion;

3.) 13% of the Panama Canal profits shall be awarded to the Kingdom of Mexico; 12% to the Holy Republic of Colombia; and 75% to the Divine Republic of Brazil;  

4.) All Catholic-Republican prisoners currently held in the Kingdom of Mexico shall be pardoned and released effective immediately;

5.) The signatories shall permit the Kingdom of Mexico to construct a Mexico City-Bogota-Sao Paolo railroad that may be used by citizens of all the signatories;

6.) The signatories agree to normalized trade and diplomatic relations.

x Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira

x King Luis de Bourbon-Orleans

x Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez

[Hijodeagua]

Announcement for the Future of the Kingdom of Mexico

Ladies and Gentlemen of the great Kingdom of Mexico,

As we come to the end of the year and look forward to the future of this country there is much to be proud of. We are the builders connecting the Americas, we are opening our arms to people all around the globe to come and start a new life here, and we have secured peace with our neighbors. The future is just as bright. Over this next year, we will begin our program to make it easier for Mexicans and new immigrants to start a life here. We will build schools and hospitals that will rival any country in the world. And we will welcome the newest members of our Kingdom. This is the beginning of a new era for Mexico, and the future is full of hope, but there is still much work to be done.

Many in our kingdom would like a greater voice in the direction of our country, and my son Prince Ferdinand and I have heard the call. In 1873 Mexico City will host a constitutional convention. We aim to give the people of Mexico a greater say in how we will lead you all into this new era of innovation and prosperity. Over the coming year, Prince Ferdinand will travel the kingdom speaking with all of you on what we have planned, and speak with the members of the national assembly in their respective districts. His Royal Highness will also speak with our newly accepted brethren in Guatemala and the Yucatan, to ensure their voices are also heard during this process. The information gathered during this journey will be critical for this convention and the future of our kingdom. We pray and hope that God continues to watch over Mexico and gives His Royal Highness and I His continued guidance. May God be with us all. And Viva Mexico.

X - King Luis de Bourbon-Orleans

To Be Released in French and Spanish to people of the Kingdom of Mexico.

[Continential]

Kingdom of the Netherlands

The News

New Government formed in the Netherlands

Today, King William of the Netherlands appointed Gerlach Cornelis Joannes van Reenen to be Prime Minister of the Netherlands, who was supported by the conservative and monarchist parties and groups in the Netherlands. In a speech today, Mister van Reenen promised that there would be change and reform to the Netherlands, with a committee of respected MPs and citizens along with the King and Prime Minister being part of the commission to reform the Dutch Constitution.

The Government sends representatives to New Orleans for Global Sporting Summit

The Government of the Netherlands has announced that they are sending representatives to New Orleans to create a convention for the new sport of "football". Furthermore, the Netherlands have formed their own association for football to organize football, and along with that, there has been multiple local "football teams" funded by local businessmen or some even by the local government.

[Spamage]

1871 News of the World

SECOND GREAT EASTERN WAR ERUPTS
Russia Stands Alone Against Lvov Alliance

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

   Thirty years on from the Treaty of Breslau, Russia still remained determined to rise again. Disgusted with territorial constraints placed on his people, President Suvorin lashed out against the Ottoman Empire and Poland. Initial results have left much to be desired, the Russians slowed by a lack of sufficient mobilization in the face of allied resistance. Still, the Lvov Alliance (Scandinavia, Ottomans, and Poland) have been hampered by chaos in Warsaw and the Polish heartland, unable to effectively capitalize on Russian disorganization. In short, the first year of the conflict has been a muddled, confusing affair. As the war enters its second year two things remain clear: the result is uncertain and little has been resolved.

War in the South
   Peace in Eastern Europe would be shattered by a rapid Russian assault on Turkish holdings in Crimea on June 11th, 1871. Long desired by Russia, Marshal Dmitry Milyutin led the Army of Kiev on a surprise assault into Zaporizhia from the Russian frontier. This yielded substantial success, the Ottoman Army of Ukraine electing to siege Kiev instead of pursuing the invaders, as they crossed too far to the east. The Russians made a rapid advance south, besieging Sebastopol by the end of the summer and accomplishing several probing assaults across the Dnieper at Nikopol and Berislavl. Once more Russia holds the Crimea during wartime, but will they be able to keep it?
   The Ottomans, meanwhile, placed Kiev under siege, hoping to cause the Russian columns to reconsider their push south. As a frontier city for the better part of thirty years, the Russians had long ago build fortifications around the region. The local garrisons held out for the better part of 2 months in the face of continued Turkish bombardment, in part aided by the difficulty for the Ottomans of seizing the Dnieper. The arrival of the Polish-Scandinavian Army of Minsk in early September finally broke the resolve of the severely outnumbered defenders, who surrendered on September 3rd.
   Further to the south, the campaign in the Caucuses would be a cautious one, the two forces closely matched. A slow and deliberate Russian advance, paired with stiff Ottoman resistance, ensured that only slight territorial progress was made. As the two forces were evenly matched, neither side was willing to risk the whole theater on a decisive battle. There would be better news for President Suvorin further to the east in Dagestan. Despite an influx of foreign arms from an undetermined foreign source, that region proved unable to withstand the direct assault launched by the Russians early in the year. Derbent was captured on August 15th, the last remnants of the autonomous region fleeing into the mountains where they have launched a brutal, albeit limited, resistance to the return of Russian authority. In the Caucasian theater, with Dagestan being largely subdued and Russia mobilizing, there is a fear that the Ottomans could soon find themselves outmatched in the region, especially given the sympathy of the Georgians for the Russians.

Death of George I and the Twelve Days Rising
   King George of Poland pledged that his realm would honor the Lvov Alliance on June 17th when news reached him of the Russian attack on the Ottomans. He was assassinated just 4 days later. En route to one of the military headquarters in Warsaw to plan mobilization alongside the Prime Minister, his carriage was struck with three bombs. The first landed in front, wounding the coachman and horses, the second exploded beneath the carriage and shattered the glass, while the third landed directly in the lap of the King, who was killed instantly alongside the Prime Minister upon the explosion. A Catholic Republican organization, the extremist “Cross of Plater” (named for the Catholic-Republican heroine), took credit for the murder. The death of the King stunned the realm and paralyzed the Polish government, which had just entered into its first major war. Sovereigns as far afield as Henry V in Peru and the Emperor of Japan would condemn the brutal murder of the king.
   The chaos was exacerbated when Catholic Republican risings were attempted in Krakow, Warsaw, Kielce, Radom and Plock. The cities were filled with chaotic street fighting, the Catholics battling the police and military, erecting barricades in many areas. Most citizens, though, remained opposed to the insurrection and did not want to return to the horrific Catholic Republican past. Despite heavy damage to many cities, the last Catholic Republican holdouts in Krakow surrendered on July 3rd. Many look at Brazil, long a player in Polish politics, with suspicion and disgust for the death of the respected King George.
   The death of King George alongside the Prime Minister left the government wide open. After more than a decade of authoritarian control, none of the current ministers possessed great leadership qualities. With Queen Maria Theresa of Austria having died in 1869, and the royal heir King Sigismund IV only 4 years old, there was no clear regent. The powerbrokers descended into infighting at the time when they ought to have been organizing a military response to the growing conflagration to their east. Generals, nobles, politicians, and businessmen played an uneasy game of coalition-building for two valuable weeks in July. Some believed that Archduke Louis-Henry of Austria ought to assume the regency in the name of his nephew, but many remained wary of furthering foreign control over the government. Instead, the issue was punted. Bogusław Fryderyk Radziwiłł, a nephew to the slain liberal republican General Michał Gedeon Radziwiłł (killed during the First Great Eastern War), has been named temporary “Protector of the Realm” until a regent can officially be voted upon by the Sejm, though some remain wary he will shift the realm in a republican direction.

War in the North
   Events in Poland damaged morale among the Polish forces, delayed mobilization, and meant that many men were redirected to defend the Polish homeland against the threat of domestic upheaval instead of being sent to the frontlines as intended. This proved to be a saving grace for Russia and quite frustrating for Scandinavia, who found its ability to operate effectively somewhat hindered by the lack of Polish resolve. Still, Queen Catherine II’s forces would achieve several key goals in the opening months of the war.
   The primary Scandinavian objective at the start of the conflict was the capture of St. Petersburg. Though no longer the capital of the Russian Republic, it still was the second-largest city and home to many prestigious sites. An envelopment from the south and north was planned through the cooperation of the Army of Warsaw and the Army of Karelia. When the Army of Karelia made an assault on the city on July 17th, the Russians successfully repelled the attack. Repeated attempts by the Army of Karelia to goad the Army of St. Petersburg into further fighting were revealed as a ploy when word reached the Russians that the Polish-Scandinavian Army of Warsaw had crossed the frontier into Russia, aiming to cut off access to Moscow. They were delayed though, by Polish confusion, many soldiers more concerned by events in Warsaw than going on the offensive. Refusing to be encircled, the Army of St. Petersburg fled the city to Borovichi.
   For St. Petersburg proper, though, there would be little respite. Like Kiev, the city had been redesigned following the First Great Eastern War to withstand a siege. With its limited garrison and local guard, the people watched with unease as the Army of Karelia met with the Army of Warsaw and started the siege of St. Petersburg on August 4th. The Scandinavian navy, meanwhile, would take advantage of Russian confusion in the north to assault the Russian Baltic fleet at port, inflicting a crippling blow as the Russian ships had no where to run. The subsequent Scandinavian bombardment in mid-August would go a long way to bringing the city to heel. St. Petersburg surrendered on October 1st, as it became clear that no help would be coming from Moscow.
   A Russian incursion into Poland, launched in an attempt to conquer Minsk in July, found itself slightly outnumbered, 10 divisions to 13 (although it was expected that Poland would contribute 10 to this force, delays to mobilization caused by chaos in Poland meant that only 3 would be available). While the Russians would emerge victorious in the ensuing Battle of Vitebsk (the Polish proving themselves useless and translation errors between Swedish and Polish leading to confusion) the losses on the Russian side to achieve victory were so severe they would be unable to pursue any further actions along the Polish front for the remainder for the year. This meant that territorial gains in the region were minimal. The Scandinavians, meanwhile, regrouped and reestablished themselves in Borisov, just to the east of Minsk as winter set in. The locals, long suspected of resenting their Polish landlords, have remained reluctant to declare for Russia due to a perceived lack of success.
   Much happier news for Scandinavia would be seen in the performance of the Karelian Corps in the sparsely populated north. With little in the way of defenses, much territory was gained, as far as Tikhvin and Lake Bielo.

Spanish Civil War Expands
Growing Tensions Between Regional Powers As Liberals Weaken

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

   Many in Spain viewed the events of late 1871 as a battle for the soul of the nation. The Catholic Republicans were on the march, foreign powers launched direct intervention, and the fighting became ever more ferocious. The Spanish Civil War would not be the quick victory that many on either side had hoped for, instead likely evolving into a drawn-out affair. At the same time, a series of accidents and misunderstandings has ratcheted up the tensions between those involved in the conflict.

Franco-Neapolitan Intervention
   Seeing opportunity in the Spanish Civil War, the European Bourbons at last took action. Naples and France cooperated in a bid to seize outlying territories and ostensibly restore King Henry V to his throne. A joint Franco-Neapolitan landing at Ajaccio yielded the island of Corsica, the local Spanish force surrendering when it noticed how outnumbered it was. Naples, meanwhile also proceeded with a landing in Sardinia. Here the Spanish Army of Sardinia had joined the Catholic Republican cause, succored by offers of increased pay from Ramon Nouvilas. Their brutal methods upon switching sides were decried by the locals, who welcomed the Neapolitan forces with open arms. Cagliari surrendered without a shot, the Spanish forces fleeing into the hilly area in the island’s southeast. As the Sardinians celebrated, a wave of Italian nationalism sweeping the island, the threat of Catholic Republican raiding from the hills remains very real and has tied down the Neapolitan force.
   Naples would also conduct operations further afield. Palma and the Balearic Islands were easily captured in July, the bulk of Spanish forces having been diverted to the mainland. From Palma, an amphibious landing was able to seize Valencia from the local Catholic Republican government left by Nouvilas, though the surrounding territory all remains loyal to the liberal cause.

Battle of Gibraltar
   Simultaneously to the start of operations in Corsica, Queen Charlotte ordered the seizure of Gibraltar on the southern coast, hoping to gain access to the entrance of the Mediterranean. As 5 French divisions approached the coast though, they found themselves shelled by the defenders. An amphibious landing was attempted, but repeated efforts to move beyond the beaches were defeated by heavy artillery fire. The French returned in kind from their ships, hitting the local base. It was unclear to the French commanders who they were fighting, the latest intelligence indicating that the holding was largely undefended. After a final, third attempt at landing leaving several hundred dead or wounded, the French withdrew.
   Only in the following days would the terrible news emerge. In exchange for leasing Gibraltar, the Austrians had offered Prim’s government an expeditionary force, the agreement having been secret. The Austrians had been shelling the French attempts to land, thinking them to be either Brazilian or Catalonian soldiers attempting to seize their new base, just as the French had believed the liberals were the ones defending. In short, the French and Austrians had fought from a distance, not realizing who their true enemy was. News of the Battle of Gibraltar caused a wave of tensions to sweep Europe, hawks in Vienna and Paris calling on the other side to apologize and make right those that had either been killed in the respective Austrian or French bombardments.

Fall of Madrid and the Death of Prim
   After its embarrassing showing at the Battle of Oropesa earlier in the year, King John VII ordered a mass-mobilization and a second attempt made for the Liberal capital. Jose de Almeida (the King’s cousin and brother-in-law), a fanatical Catholic, was given direct command of a 22-division Army of Portugal. He launched a lightning attack on June 12th, aiming for the capital. With General Serrano relocated to Calatayud amid rumors of an assault from Zaragoza, the Army of Madrid was now led by General Manuel Pavía y Rodríguez de Alburquerque. The two sides clashed at the Battle of Talavera on June 18th, the much smaller Army of Madrid collapsing under heavy pressure. General Albuquerque retreated to the capital, arriving on June 20th, and prepared the city for a siege. Despite his best efforts, panic set in as the Portuguese force bore down on the city. Attempts by Juan Prim and the government to rally the people were futile, fears of reprisal at the hands of the Portuguese force leading many to flee. Before any effective defenses could be organized, Almeida ordered a Portuguese assault, the outskirts of the city’s defenses collapsing. On June 23rd the Portuguese stormed into the Palacio Real as the last blocks of opposition were forced into submission. As thousands fled the chaotic city, the Portuguese Army unleashed itself, despite ordered by their commanders for restraint. Madrid witnessed burning, looting, and outright anarchy for the better part of 2 days before Ramon Nouvilas and his men arrived in the city, horrified about what they witnessed. The Catalonians swiftly brought the Portuguese forces to heel, though it greatly increased the mistrust between the two allies. In that time, a meager 3 division force of the surviving liberal force fled across the Sierra de Guadarrama to Segovia. 
   Juan Prim shot himself rather than face torture at the hands of what he termed “a fanatical mob” the day Madrid fell, but most of his ministers were not so lucky. Once the Portuguese had established control over the city, a series of show-trials occurred. The remaining members of the cabinet were swiftly tried for their crimes against the Spanish people and brutally executed in front of the royal palace, one of the few buildings spared the worst of the city’s sack.

The New Liberal Cause
   Contemporaneously with the capture and sack of Madrid, fighting occurred further to the east. With his hold of Catalonia secure, and friendly risings occurring in the Basque Country, Catalan President Ramon Nouvilas consolidated his position outside of Zaragoza and reinforced his army in early summer. An additional 14 divisions were raised from those flocking to the Catholic Republican cause, giving him a 29-division strong force before he marched on Calatayud. General Francisco Serrano, who had led the Army of Madrid to victory against the Portuguese earlier in the year, had been relocated to Calatayud when it became clear a large assault would be coming from that direction. On June 21st-22nd, 1871, the two armies engaged in intense fighting, the city changing hands several times over the course of the 48 hours. While the liberals had better training and seemed to possess higher morale, the Catalonians had the numbers. By the afternoon of the second day of fighting, after heavy losses on both sides, Serrano fled southwest and then, hearing of the fate of Madrid and the arrival of Austrian soldiers, straight south. The remnants of his army relocated to Cuenca, before uniting with the Austrian expeditionary force at Ciudad Real.
   It was here that Serrano, with his reconstituted Austro-Spanish force declared himself the Second Spanish President on August 19th, seeking to rejuvenate the flagging liberal cause. He denounced the Sack of Madrid and called on the people to avenge the memory of Juan Prim. Indeed, the image of Portuguese foreigners seizing the capitol and executing the Spanish government left a bad taste in the mouths of many Spaniards.

The State of the War in January 1872
   By the end of 1871 the Catholic Extremists control the Spanish heartland, the Catalonian and Portuguese forces uniting at Madrid. The situation in the north remains fairly chaotic, regions declaring for both sides as neither faction contested the theater. The south, especially with Austrian aid, is now the new heart of the liberal movement. Cordoba, that historic city, has been named as the interim capitol, until “such a time as Madrid can be retaken” by Francisco Serrano. Spain sits in a highly fluid situation as the year comes to a close.
   Meanwhile, relations have deteriorated between the Portuguese and Catalonians/Brazilians, only to be exacerbated by events in India. Likewise, France and the Habsburg Monarchy have seen tensions enflamed by the events at Gibraltar. Naples and France too have begun to vocally contest the right over Corsica, the Neapolitans claiming for their pan-Italian cause, while the French point to the historical links between that island and Genoa, which sits in Padania.

[Spamage]

The War of the Triple Alliance
Beleaguered Spanish Monarchy Toppled in the Americas

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

   King Henry V had been dealt a poor hand. Fleeing his realm to save some scrap of power for the Royal Family, his exile to Peru had witnessed the forcible seizure of Spanish Central America and Cuba, the sale of Puerto Rico and Hawaii, and impotence in the face of chaos back in Spain that he otherwise could have taken advantage of. Instead, he found himself, and his Court, in distant Lima as the Catholic Republicans circled hungrily.
   The War of the Triple Alliance began on April 10th, 1871, with Brazil, Colombia, and Patagonia all declaring war on the Kingdom of Spain at once. While the King used his funds from his sale of his colonies to the north to enact total mobilization, and Quebecois military advisors were on the ground to provide aid, the onslaught came from both the north and south. 40 Brazilian and 9 Colombian divisions crossed from Ecuador into Peru. They met the entire Royalist force of 30 divisions (which had elected to abandon the south in a bid to hold the north) at the Battle of Moyobamba. King Henry led his men personally in a valiant defense, but they were repulsed from the city. Several Quebecois military advisors were captured by the Brazilians in the confusion, as the royalist remnants hurried back towards Lima.
   Arriving in the city, the Court arranged a hasty evacuation about the Spanish Navy (most of which had remained loyal to the King during the Spanish Revolution and had joined him in exile) but King Henry V insisted that he would fight, and possibly die, alongside his Peruvian subjects. As much as this fired up their spirits, most of his advisors and subjects wished for the King to be spared. In concert with the French, Louisianan, and Quebecois diplomatic corps (acting under prearranged orders) the King was abducted the night before the Court was set to depart and placed on the ships, which fled in short order. Henry V’s brother, Prince Charles of Spain, declared himself regent on July 10th, relocating the capital from the vulnerable Lima to Santiago. He vowed to protect his brother’s lands in a rapidly deteriorating situation. Lima fell to the Colombian-Brazilian force on July 28th, while the siege of La Plata (Sucre) was won by the Patagonians on August 7th, opening the way for their push north into Upper Peru.
   By the end of the year, though significant guerilla royalist resistance has emerged in remote areas and the regency maintains control over Chile, much of urban Peru has been seized. It seems the Spanish Empire, which has dominated the Western Hemisphere for four centuries, is on its last gasps. Barring external aid, it is likely that Prince Charles and the Regency Council will find themselves overwhelmed. Still, the determination of the resistance is not to be underestimated, especially given recent Quebecois tutelage. Many Peruvians are the children and grandchildren of those who had fled Catholic Republicanism in Colombia, Brazil, and Patagonia and their worst fears were realized as authoritarian occupation governments were set up in many cities and small towns after occupation. This guerilla fighting, not one of active engagement but instead passive resistance, could endure for quite some time, given the precedent of the Inca rebellion centuries ago.
   Henry V was enraged by his abduction, but there was little he could do, his wife and children having been in on the plot in a bid to spare his life. The king was faced with several options: fleeing across Cape Horn back towards Spain (ruled out due to the presence of the Brazilian fleet), exile in Louisiana (ruled out due to mistrust over the loss of Cuba), or exile in Quebec (decided on because of the aid provided by King Henry II’s government). Henry V and the remaining Spanish Royalist fleet docked at Roquefort (Seattle) in the Puget Sound, coming ashore in the Quebecois province of Vaudreuil. This would-be king now finds himself further from both home and power than ever, the prospect of a return to Spain seeming even more unlikely.

Thenaillon Affair Continued
Portuguese Outrage As France Seizes Indian Ports

   The French Government was eager to stabilize India in the wake of the Thenaillon Affair, enacting a bevy of reforms in a bid to stabilize that crown jewel of their colonial empire. Queen Charlotte issued the Poissy Decrees in the name of young Louis XX on May 7th. The right of Hindus and Muslims in India to practice their faith was reaffirmed, while Catholic missionaries were forbidden from operating in India itself, instead being forcibly relocated to Ceylon and Burma. The Indian Ministry was established in Paris, assuming direct responsibility over the region from the French East India Company. On a local level, a whole administrative and bureaucratic layer was established, incorporating many Indians into civil service. These reforms were met with slight praise or outright indifference by the local populace, but they did ease any sense of imminent rebellion. There was a rush of Indians looking to get ahead that did seek to join the civil service, so much so that local officials have been inundated with applications.
   The most dramatic development, though, would be a secret corollary to the Poissy Decrees that would not be publicly stated until June 15th: the immediate seizure of the remaining 10 Portuguese ports in India. On that morning, in coordination, French soldiers stormed into the Portuguese holdings. Only Goa, the first trading ports of Portugal on the subcontinent, resisted, being sieged until October 5th, when the Portuguese officials were forced to hand over the base. Just as Spain faded away in the New World after four centuries in 1871, so too has Portuguese influence in India at long last been stamped out.
   Thenaillon was captured when Goa fell, quickly being tried, convicted, and executed by French authorities as angry Indians looked on. One murder had brought about so much reform in so little time. As occupation was set up in the former Portuguese holdings, French officials would also allege that many damning documents pointing to Catholic-Republican plots to destabilize the region have been unearthed, though King John VII has challenged the veracity of these claims.
  Lisbon has viewed the seizure of their holdings as an act of war and economically threatening, calling on the various powers of the world to pressure France to give the ports back. Portuguese trade with India, while not as vital as it once was, remains important to the government and public opinion in Lisbon. As a longtime ally of Brazil, many look to see how da Silveira will respond to this clear assault on the sovereignty of one of his closest allies. Given the existing tensions between the Portuguese and Catalonians, there is the very real sense that Lisbon could pull out of the Spanish Civil War if its allies do not pursue its cause with sufficient zeal.

Scramble for Africa (and Asia?)
Colonial Empire Building Picks Up Pace

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Prussian Invasion of Morocco
   King Frederick IV wasted no time in making good on his claims in Morocco, his prize from the Stockholm Conference. While Sultan Muhammad IV announced that he rejected the terms and would fight, many in Fes believed that it would be years before Prussia would attack. They had not counted on the eagerness of Frederick IV to demonstrate his new military power. On April 30th the Prussian navy docked off the coast of Tangier, demanding the submission of the city and the kingdom. When this was refused, an extensive bombardment was conducted. 7 divisions of soldiers were landed a mile down shore and soon marched on the stunned city, capturing it the following day. The entire northern coast would fall within a month, June seeing Prussia strike out against Ceuta and Melilla, the Spanish holdings on the African coast. Prussian noble Otto von Bismarck was named as governor of the new “Moroccan Protectorate” based in Tangier and given overall command of the subjugation of the region.
   King Muhammad would not be idle, raising 60,000 men in an appeal to both religious fervor and duty. Despite high morale, the Moroccans were utterly crushed at the Battle of Mechra Bel Ksiri. The heir to the throne perished alongside thousands of horsemen in the face of Prussian gatling gun fire, tactics of the old world facing those of the new. While the Sultan has fled to Marrakesh, threatening continued resistance, the way to Fes now sits open for the Prussian soldiers. Even in the face of intense local resistance, the Prussians have managed to hold their gains, their experiences in the Bush Wars of the Kalahari against the Brazilians proving valuable. Thus, Morocco sits vulnerable, some now calling for the Sultan to seek some sort of compromise with Bismarck and Prussian colonial authorities.

Ottoman Algiers
   Refusing the egregious demands of the Stockholm Conference, Oman Dey, the leader of Algiers, decided to reinforce his ancient ties to Istanbul. Although Algiers had long ago been a part of the Ottoman Empire, the region had largely exercised independence since the late 1700s. Now, with the prospect of a French invasion, Omar Dey took up Murad V on his offer of vassalization in return for local autonomy and the provision of troops for the defense of the region. 6 Ottoman divisions arrived in Algiers in September, causing diplomatic scandal and outrage in Paris, but great rejoicing in Algeria, which wanted to avoid the fate of neighboring Morocco. It remains to be seen how this new obstacle will affect Franco-Ottoman relations.

Anglo-Sokoto War
   Britain, like Prussia, would not be distracted by events in Spain or Poland, instead focusing on establishing its holdings granted by the Stockholm Conference. Control over Western Africa would not be possible as long as the Sultan of Sokoto remained independent and powerful. Thus, London resolved to send 9 divisions up the Niger River, in a bid to topple him. Fighting proved to be intense, the locals resisting, raiding British supply lines, and refusing to engage in a direct battle. Though the British Expeditionary Force gained much of the southern banks of the Niger River, Sokoto stands defiant, as the Sultan musters his men far from the British invaders. It seems the Hausa will not yield and could prove to be a significant obstacle in London’s bid for West African mastery.
   As his realm has been invaded though, the Sultan of Sokoto has appealed to Ottoman Sultan Murad V, calling for arms and aid in his defense against the Christian invaders. Though the ability of the Ottomans to help may be limited, given the distance and logistical difficulties, many Muslim Africans in the region have been watching the response from Istanbul carefully, especially in light of events in Algiers.

Brazilian and Scandinavian Congo
  The remaining bulk of European colonialism in Africa would occur on the Congo River, as the Brazilians and Scandinavians seemed to be racing one another for the acquisition of territory along the river. Holding after holding were established throughout the year on opposite banks, as exasperated natives looked on in confusion. Yet, despite the growing rivalry, and fear it could erupt into localized conflict, both sides have cooperated when they have faced local resistance spanning both sides of the river.

Franco-Siamese Invasion of Dai Viet
   European colonialism would not be limited to Africa, though. Feeling secure with India after the Poissy Decrees, Queen Charlotte declared war on Dai Viet in June, having arranged an alliance with Siam beforehand. While this would be met with much nationalist chest-thumping at Versailles, the first few months would prove to be difficult. Emperor Tự Đức called his people to arms. With Koreans supplying the Vietnamese weapons, French landings at Saigon proved underwhelming. They were able to seize the city, but little else. Against the Siamese meanwhile, the Vietnamese won a crushing victory at the Battle of Phom Penh, repelling an invasion of their Cambodian vassal and launching strikes into Thailand. Further to the north, the eastern bank of the Mekong River has been seized, further humiliating the French ally for their surprise attack. Queen Charlotte has poisoned the French reputation in Vietnam, the debacle contrasting quite strongly to Prussian success in Morocco. Many pray that the next year will deal a turnaround in the conflict.

Chinese Civil War Continues

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

China
   The Chinese Civil War continued into its fourth year in 1871, foreign involvement continuing to grow. Li Hongzhang and the Republicans won a significant victory at Nanping, significantly weakening the Xing presence in the south. Yet, rather than seek to reconcile, the republican victory was following by brutal suppression of traditionalism in the recaptured cities and villages, forcing thousands to flee and further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in China. Many commentators have begun to echo Emperor Charles VIII’s call for a conference on the matter of China. The Joseon Emperor has offered Seoul but, recognizing the distance for most signatories, has also suggested a meeting in Scandinavia as a compromise.
   Indeed, many European observers have become alarmed at Li’s aggression at pursuing modernization, even if he is far more open to trade and dialogue with the outside world than the Renci Emperor. This was evident with his use of many Austrian weapons in the Battle of Nanping, many wondering how extensive Austrian aid has been to that faction.
   Fearing the prospect of being cut off from the sea, the Xing Court made regaining a coastal shore its primary objective in 1871. Korean aid, in the form of two columns of expeditionary forces granted in return for extensive trade concessions for the future smashed south, cutting off Japanese Shandong and leaving the Republican pocket in northern China surrounded.
   Thus, even though the situation on the ground remains highly fluid, and there are pockets of support for each faction all throughout the country, the geographical lines are starting to become clearer. It seems Li Hongzhang and the republicans command a greater strength in the south, while the midlands and the Northern China remain broadly sympathetic to the Xing.
   Of note over the course of the year was the growing Habsburg presence in China, repeated humanitarian missions and promises of aid coercing many local officials, on both sides of the civil war, to acquiesce to Habsburg occupation in return for protection, food, and even some gold. These moves have greatly increased the Austrian presence, perhaps to the extent of even causing envy among the Scandinavian and Japanese public. Still, the growth of European influence has not gone unnoticed, several close calls with aggressive republicans or Xing soldiers nearly turning into firefights, both sides resenting the loss of any territory in China, no matter how “temporary”.

Tibet
  The Civil War in Tibet would also not be completed in 1871, though the pro-French faction would make significant gains, the Xing withdrawing some of their aid to the Tibetans in order to pursue their push towards the sea. With France involved in colonial conflicts in Vietnam, intervening in the Spanish Civil War, and wary of revolt in India, Queen Charlotte elected to send weapons rather than men into the remote region. While an expected Durrani attack into Kashimir did not occur, leaving the pro-Xing faction in that region, victories in a series of skirmishes meant the supporters of the French-backed Dalai Lama have a clear path towards Lhasa. The northern, more remote regions, seem to have fallen in line for the most part.

Football Conference Meets in New Orleans
Events Overshadowed by Race Riots in Louisiana?

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

   People around the world looked forward to the Global Summit on Football held in New Orleans held in July. With war erupting in Europe and South America, not to mention continuing fighting in Asia, the cultural event proved to be a nice respite. Participants included representatives from Louisiana, Switzerland, Korea, Britain, Prussia, Quebec, Colombia, New England, the Netherlands, Naples, and Persia. Despite the humid heat, New Orleans put on its finest show, many locals seeing the Football Conference as marking that city’s transition to a world-class capitol. Delegates were dazzled by performances in from of St. Louis Cathedral and beignets served after dinners. They were less dazzled by the apparent racial tensions, despite the authorities clearly making an effort to conceal any shows of disunity.
   In addition to standardizing football rules, sizes of the field, type of ball, and positions on the team, the conference has also encouraged the organization of national leagues, large cities establishing teams to compete in regional competitions and tournaments. The Football Conference also voted to establish itself as the International Council of Football, committing to meeting every 5 years in a different country to provide updates, settle disputes, and work to raise awareness of the sport. In the meantime, the ICF has also invited other nations that did not participate to arrange their own football leagues, in the hope of expanding the sport.
   At the end of the second week of the conference though, the sterling image of Louisiana would be tarnished somewhat, as news arose of a series of race riots in New Marseilles. Despite attempts of the Louisianan government to integrate the city and use it as an example of racial progress, consistent discrimination on the part of Francophone whites against local Blacks and provocative actions led to an outpouring of anger. Over 3 days there was a brutal crackdown on the Black community after they began to strike over unequal wages. Frederick Douglass, who had been attending the Football Conference in passing as an observer, spoke of his fury over the oppressive system of government that Afro-Louisianans were forced to endure in the eastern states and the hypocrisy of King Henry-Philippe’s denunciation of colonialism, leaving the city early out of protests. Douglass’ speech clearly roused many delegates, mentions of the Football Conference’s outcoming almost always being accompanied in the foreign press by coverage of the race riots in New Marseilles.
   As communication and mass media have become more prominent, so too have growing pastimes and games, football seeming to be the most popular. The creation of leagues in New England and Louisiana is expected to herald the start of a growing wave of sports and athletics teams. Cynical observers note, of course, that sports seem to distract the public from what their leaders are truly up to. According to the growing field of “sports observers” the possibilities are rather endless, though many in older generations have expressed bewilderment at their children and grandchildren’s obsession with games. 

[PSOL]

Firman on the backing of the Qiran

The Qiran shall be backed by the National Jewels and treasure of the Sublime State, located in the safes of the Royal Mint/Bank of Tehran. They shall be left to be supervised by my Royal Consort, Amīna Aqdas.
Statement on the disturbances in Louisiana

I personally urge the Kingdom of Louisiana to improve the security situation with the athletes of the Sublime State. It is worrying that they be caught up in a race riot.
Tariff and Tax increases on foreign trade
There will be a 8% increase in tariffs on Silk, Copper, Steel, Coal, Dates, and Tobacco for all those who have yet to sign a treaty with the Sublime State (see below)

Excluding the Durranis, Austrians, Prussians, Scandinavians, Russians, British, Portuguese, and British—all other foreign merchants shall have duties increased by 5% next year. I urge everyone to take the opportunity to get in on our expanding economy.

[GoTfan]

The atrocities of Portuguese and Catholic Republican forces in Spain cannot be ignored by anyone supportive of peace and justice. We have reports of men being lined up and shot, women being raped, and perhaps most egregious, the brutal executions of national leaders.

As of now, the Mediterranean is closed to all Portuguese and Catalonian ships.

-King Charles VIII of Naples

[Spamage]

The Zenith of Power: Concert of Europe Part IV
Turn 2: 1872

The World in 1872
(Made by Me)

Nations, Leaders, and Players

Kingdom of France: Queen Mother Charlotte von Hohenzollern (Windjammer)
Habsburg Monarchy: Emperor Charles VIII von Habsburg-Lothringen (Dereich)
Kingdom of Scandinavia: Queen Catherine II von Oldenburg (YPestis)
Russian Republic: President Aleksey Suvorin (KaiserDave)
Ottoman Empire: Sultan Murad V Osmanoğlu (Kingpoleon)
Divine Republic of Brazil: Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira (X)
Kingdom of Naples: King Charles VIII Bourbon (GoTfan)
Tokugawa Shogunate: Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu (iBizzBee)
United Kingdom of Louisiana: King Henry-Philippe Bourbon (DKrol)
Qajar Iran: Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (PSOL)
Kingdom of Quebec: King Henry II von Hohenzollern (Lumine)
Kingdom of Mexico: King Luis de Bourbon-Orleans (Hijodeagua)
United Provinces of New Holland: Stadtholder Pieter Mijer (Orwell)
Holy Republic of Colombia: Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez (Kuumo)
Confederation of New England: Chairman Henry Wilson (OBD)
Kingdom of the Netherlands: King William IV of Orange (Ishan)
Durrani Empire: Emir Abdul Samad Khan (AverageFoodEnthusiast)

Economic Standings

Kingdom of Scandinavia: Strong
Kingdom of France: Strong
Holy Republic of Colombia: Moderate-Strong
Ottoman Empire: Moderate-Strong
Divine Republic of Brazil: Moderate
Kingdom of Quebec: Moderate
Confederation of New England: Moderate
Kingdom of the Netherlands: Moderate
Qajar Iran: Moderate
United Province of New Holland: Moderate
Tokugawa Shogunate: Moderate
Russian Republic: Moderate-Weak
Kingdom of Naples: Moderate-Weak
Kingdom of Mexico: Moderate-Weak
Habsburg Monarchy: Moderate-Weak
United Kingdom of Louisiana: Moderate-Weak
Durrani Empire: Weak

Popularity

King Charles VIII Bourbon: Very High
King Luis de Bourbon: Very High
King Henry II von Hohenzollern: High
Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez: High
Queen Mother Charlotte von Hohenzollern: Moderate
Emperor Charles VIII von Habsburg-Lothringen: Moderate
Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu: Moderate
President Aleksey Suvorin: Moderate
Sultan Murad V Osmanoğlu: Moderate
Naser al-Din Shah Qajar: Moderate
King Henry-Philippe Bourbon: Moderate
Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira: Moderate
Queen Catherine II von Oldenburg: Moderate
Chairman Henry Wilson: Moderate
King William IV of Orange: Moderate
Emir Abdul Samad Khan: Moderate

Current Global Conflicts:
Second Great Eastern War: Russian Republic vs. Kingdom of Scandinavia, Kingdom of Poland, Ottoman Empire (1871-)
War of the Triple Alliance: Kingdom of Spain vs. Divine Republic of Brazil, Holy Republic of Colombia, Blessed Union of Patagonia (1871-)
Spanish Civil War: Kingdom of Portugal, Catholic-Republican Spain vs. Spanish Republic, Austrian Expeditionary Force vs. Neapolitan and French Expeditionary Forces (1871-)
Chinese Civil War: Xing Dynasty vs. Chinese Republicans vs. Russian, Korean, Japanese, Scandinavian, Habsburg Expeditionary Forces (1867-)
Tibetan Civil War: French-Backed Tibet vs. Xing-Backed Tibet (1870-)

Kingdom of France

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-The reintroduction of some of Prince Xavier’s reforms was met with surprise and delight by liberals. Between that, and your aid to the reactionary and conservative Spanish emigres, the strength of your regency has grown over the past year as a broad, public consensus (liberal, moderate, conservative) backs your leadership. Perhaps rumors of your impending political difficulties were overstated. Having such a broad coalition does mean that it could also prove to be fragile, but for the time being it has held. Yet, with the center-left, middle, and right largely falling in line behind your policies, the growing far-left movement has begun to take hold. Socialism and republicanism in France seemed to have been crushed for a generation following the Parisian Rising in the late 1830s, but a new cohort has come of age, disgusted with the ostentatiousness, decadence, and inequality in France. Your plans to remodel Paris into a more rational, sanitary fashion, have drawn opposition from the existing tenants of many neighborhoods who fear being pushed out. Furthermore, there are growing complaints over working conditions, the closeness of royal officials with businessmen, and the vast wealth disparity that remains in the realm. Local elections have shown a growing base of support for the socialists and with the national elections approaching in 1872, some wonder if the growing movement ought to be antagonized and snuffed out? Or should they be given a fair shake at the ballot box, even if it embarrasses your regency? How will the French government handle growing strains of leftist thoughts emerging throughout Paris?

-In the colonial situation, there are a wide range of issues that need to be addressed. The Ottoman landings in Algiers, claiming that realm that rightfully ought to be yours as a vassal, has shattered the growing goodwill that had existed between you two powers. Xavier, a known proponent of colonialism, has led a growing whisper campaign claiming that you are being outshined by your Prussian allies in neighboring Morocco and humiliated by a decrepit Turkish state. The ‘loyal’ opposition also points to the lack of progress or justification for the war in Vietnam, where you have turned an ambivalent regional power into a foe. French power and prestige must be preserved at any cost. How will you ensure this happens?

-Your intervention in the Spanish conflict has been deemed by many to have been underwhelming thus far. While your men aided in the landings at Corsica, they were joined by the Neapolitans and the island remains a source of diplomatic tension between you and your ostensible ally. The events at Gibraltar were an embarrassing debacle and there are those who would have you spill Habsburg blood in revenge for the death of those brave French soldiers lost there. Beyond these two moves, it was Naples who took the initiative in capturing most of Sardinia, Palma, and Valencia. Now there are many in Paris (including the growing community of Spanish noble emigres) who call on you to expand your role, proposing marching into Spain itself in order to purge it of the stain of Catholic Republicanism. With Henry V no longer distracted by events in Peru, perhaps he could be moved back to Paris from Louisiana and restored to his rightful place in Madrid? If not him, you always have the vast multitude of Bourbon relatives who would undoubtedly love to take a shot at governing Spain. How will you deal with Naples, the Gibraltar Debacle, and the escalating situation in Spain?

Habsburg Monarchy

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Your men have succeeded in establishing a Habsburg outpost in Eritrea, but the Ethiopians are neither blind, deaf, nor stupid. Word has reached them of the Stockholm Conference and the claims that your realm was given on them. Emperor Yohannes IV has demanded that your men leave the meager outpost within the year, threatening a preemptive attack should you no comply. Of course, while most view this as just cause to punish the upstart, others are wary of tying down more men in yet another theater, given your active interventions in Spain and China. Still, allowing such a realm to dictate Austrian foreign policy would be a humiliation. How will you respond to the Ethiopian demands?

-The death of King George of Poland has brought your four-year-old grandson Sigismund onto the Polish Throne. While initial attempts to name your son Archduke Louis-Henry as regent have stalled, there are still many in Vienna who call on you to protect the boy and get involved in Polish politics. Still, others in the diplomatic corps believe that the death of King George is the excuse you need at long last to cut off the Polish dead weight from your alliance, that realm showing its ineptitude at combat over the course of the war. With Radziwill acting as the Protector of the Realm, how will you handle the Polish situation, let alone the outbreak of the Second Great Eastern War? Will Austria maintain its focus inwards, or is it time to join the intriguing yet again, perhaps even on any side?

-It seems the east is not the only place where war has erupted, the Spanish Civil War drawing in numerous European powers. The Court was outraged by the French assault on Gibraltar and the public is furious, calling for a French apology and compensation to the slain soldiers’ families. Still, your men killed some French soldiers as well. What is to be done about this diplomatic spark at a moment when Europe sits on the brink? Further to the point, what will your involvement in the Spanish Civil War look like moving forward, now that Serrano governs out of Cordoba instead of Madrid?

Kingdom of Scandinavia

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Queen Catherine, the rumors were true. Russia has attacked once more, plunging eastern Europe into an uncertain future. With the Lvov Alliance, you do not stand alone however, and there have been significant gains achieved in the first year of fighting. St. Petersburg has fallen once more and the Russians have been held at bay in the rest of the north. Still, Poland totters on the edge of chaos and its soldiers cannot be trusted, given their consistently poor performance. How will you handle the situation moving forward?

-If there’s one area where your realm is outmatched by your foes, it is in manpower. Despite being able to raise up to 14% of your men to arms under the current law, the Russians still could theoretically triple your strength with a significantly smaller recruitable population. In light of this, the conservatives and reactionaries have proposed to raise the conscription age by 5 years, enact recruitment drives in outlying regions (Baltic States, German outposts, and Groningen), and bar the wealthy from buying their way out of service. Some are wary of potential blowback, but the Ministry of War has firmly backed the motion, acting against the public wishes of the Prime Minister. Will you make changes to conscription in light of the Russian War, or should the matter be revisited at the end of fighting?

-With your government’s investment in Scandinavian factories over the past year, some in Stockholm have broached the idea of implementing tariffs as a means of further improving the strength of your nascent industry. The socialists, members of the governing coalition, have put forward a protectionist bill that would significantly raise tariffs on imports. Prime Minister Monrad, a liberal at heart, has proven reluctant to even consider the bill and the debate risks bringing down the coalition. Many look to you for tacit leadership over this issue. While the raising of tariffs could boost employment and give your factories the breathing-room they need to be profitable, there are those that remain wary of potentially damaging relations with Britain and France. What shape will Scandinavian trade policy take over the coming year?

Russian Republic

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-President Suvorin, with the outbreak of the Second Great Eastern War, Russia finds itself surrounded on all sides by foes. Yet, individually they are all weaker than your military might, only together slightly outmatching the Russian Republic in manpower. With the muddled situation last year, many believe a more vigorous campaign is necessary for 1872. How will you prosecute the war? Furthermore, given the lack of allies, will you look further afield for partners to draw into the fight? Persia, France, and the Habsburg Monarchy could all have various reasons to turn on the Ottomans, even if they require a bit of convincing…

-The commission established to determine the feasibility of annexing Upper Manchuria has issued a response in the affirmative, arguing that there would be a great boon to Russia in acquiring so much territory for so little. Furthermore, officials have pointed to the European and Brazilian division of Africa as suitable present for the absorption of a semi-tribal Chinese vassal realm. Even so, both the Xing Dynasty and Chinese Republicans have reissued their statement that Manchuria is Chinese land refuse to recognize any annexation. Still, with a diplomatic conference on the Chinese issue approaching, perhaps it would be better to annex the land and ask for forgiveness rather than wait for permission. What will you do about the recommendations?

-With Russia at war the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and even overland trade routes to the west have been shuttered. While your government has sufficient stockpiles for now, it is believed that you will need to establish clear trading routes with other powers to compensate for the losses and open up the Russian market to the broader world. The obvious candidates are Persia and Korea. This could also be achieved by establishing either coastal control or some sort of overland route connecting you with the neutral countries of central Europe. Or, perhaps you could attempt to create trade out of one of the small Pacific ports, bypassing the opposition of the European powers entirely and putting this new Trans-Siberian railway to good use. How will you ensure Russia remains engaged economically with the broader world?

Ottoman Empire

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Sultan Murad, war is upon you. The Russians have attacked on all of your shared borders, you two swapping lands in Kiev and Crimea. Now the war enters its second year and you must determine the strategy moving forward. There are fears that Persia or Austria could join the conflict, potentially expanding the frontlines and diverting pressure from the Russians. Likewise, many Turks and Arabs eye your Slavic subjects with suspicion, fears of risings in the Balkans ever-present if the Russians should get close. What is to be done to win the war and how will you counter growing paranoia within your borders over the numerous risks to your empire?

-The Stockholm Conference was an insult to the Ummah and ignored your historic role on the African continent. Many nationalists in Istanbul were even more incensed about the carving up of Africa than the long-expected Russian invasion. Even over your government’s vocal objections the British, Brazilians, Habsburgs, Scandinavians, and Prussians have all started to make good on their claims. Some have called for the treacherous colonizers to be punished indirectly, perhaps through higher toll rates at the Suez Canal (or even limiting their ability to use the canal entirely). Furthermore, there are those in your government who would send arms to Morocco and Sokoto, two Muslims powers resisting the Europeans. Sultan Murad, how will you respond to the continued European aggression to your south?

-War is expensive, and the mass mobilization of Ottoman resources is going to cost significant money. While the taxes and shipping fees on the Suez have provided a modest income for your government, it will not be sufficient to maintain your forces for long. This leaves you with several options. Your ministers would overhaul the tax system, rationalizing it and creating a Central Bank in Constantinople responsible for collection, regulation, and enforcement of currency. Still, this could alienate the local officials whose loyalty is more crucial now than ever. Others believe that foreign credit is the way forward. While Vienna and Paris have become premier banking cities, Stockholm too has provided easy credit to the Poles and, given their alliance, could perhaps be talked into low-interest loans. How will you solve the financial issues of the Ottoman state before they get out of hand?

Divine Republic of Brazil

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Archbishop-President Manuel Joaquim da Silveira, the Spanish colonizers are on the verge of defeat, their remnants in Peru and Chile no longer able to muster their old numbers. The King has fled and the region looks to be falling. That leaves a number of pressing issues for 1872. Will you continue to aggressively prosecute the war against the Spanish Royalists or leave it to your allies to finish, allowing you to put diplomatic pressure elsewhere? How should local passive (tax avoidance, disobedience) and active (taking up arms) resistance be dealt with? Furthermore, in the conquered territories, will they be annexed or should local Catholic Republican governments be established? There are numerous questions to be answered.

-The secret police of Brazil have uncovered a vast publishing network of forbidden texts (with critiques of your government and Catholic-Republicanism more generally) operating throughout the country. The network stretched from Sao Paolo to Rio and Bahia and over 60 people have been caught up in the Publisher’s Affair and arrested. Many see this as a signal that control over the hearts and minds of the populace may not be nearly as strong as assumed, as it is clear that this network had a broad range of customers who took advantage of past laxity. What is to be done with these traitors? While in the past they would have been executed in brutal fashion, with the world watching some have urged leniency, perhaps exile. Still, if the malcontents in the realm smell weakness, your fellow bishops fear they could lash out.

-The Portuguese have been enraged by the French seizure of their Indian holdings and have demanded your aid in providing diplomatic pressure against the French to return them. This comes at a moment when their aid could not be more crucial in dealing with the Spanish liberals and Bourbon royalists in Spain proper. Despite the distance, there are many who are wary of alienating France, especially when it is governed by such a warlike Queen Regent. How will you respond to the French annexations in India if at all? Or should Portugal learn to accept its subordinate position in the new world, the Braganzas no longer wielding the power they used to?

[Spamage]

Kingdom of Naples

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-The Constitutional Convention has convened in Naples and looks to your for guidance. Though a limited form of regionalism has been proposed (various regions in your realm being divided into provinces) and the colonial bureaucratic system established, there are broader questions that must be addressed by the Crown. How open should the suffrage be to the lower classes? How often will elections be held? Should a bicameral, unicameral, or tricameral system be established? What will be the purview of royal compared to ministerial responsibilities? What of noble or clerical privilege? There are so many new issues that have bubbled to the surface with this novel and growing public discourse. It is up to you to try and steer the conversation.

-An economic issue has come to the forefront of Neapolitan politics in late 1871: inflation. Prices all throughout the kingdom have spiked substantially in the past few months. While it was assumed this was all the result of wartime profiteering, some of your officials in the Treasury have discovered that a vast influx of forged Neapolitan currency has been supplied by some other power, most suspecting Paris or Vienna. The issue is messy, as most of the forged bills have entered circulation and are held by random individuals in the general public, ranging from both the extremely wealthy to beggars on the street. If it all were to be tracked down and destroyed, you could agitate those who see the money as legitimate and committed no crime. Yet, something must be done, before the currency is too destabilized. How will you handle the situation? Furthermore, given the laxity of currency oversight, should some sort of banking system backed by the government be established?

-Your gains in the Spanish Civil War have impressed many, the conquest of Sardinia and Corsica causing mass celebrations in Rome, people glad to finally see these regions wrested from Spanish control. Still, just weeks later the French would make it clear that they viewed Corsica as theirs, causing tensions to flare between your two governments. Likewise, your gains against the Catholic Republicans at Valencia were praised by the royalist cadre, but there seems to be little support on the Peninsula proper for a royalist cause. If Henry V or some other noble is to be hoisted onto the Spanish throne, it will require a greater commitment in the coming year. What will Neapolitan intervention in the Spanish Civil War look like moving forward?

Tokugawa Shogunate

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Inactivity in China has only further allowed the Koreans, Scandinavians, and Habsburgs to consolidate their gains. With a proposed conference on the horizon, there are some who believe a more forceful intervention in 1872 will help further your position at the negotiating table. Still, with no further involvement, that also means your military has continued to gain relative strength to the Koreans, who are stretched quite far. How will you handle the diplomatic situation in the coming year?

-The Grand Council has convened in Edo and awaits your proposed governmental reforms. Many expect it to mark a new era in Japanese history, some even hoping that the feudal past may be done away with at last. Still, with many interest groups, you must make sure that you do not alienate too many of the powers that be. What are your proposed governmental reforms and how do you want to shape Japanese government moving forward?

United Kingdom of Louisiana

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-1872 is an election year in Louisiana, the National Assembly being entirely up for replacement in the upcoming vote. Prime Minister Alexandre Mouton seems vulnerable. While the Football Conference reflected greatly on the Crown, the race riots in Marseilles tarnished the Prime Minister. Undoubtedly your actions will have a role in determining the outcome, no matter what they look like. The governing conservative coalition does seem currently to trail the liberals, the Anglophone conservatives even threatening to break away from any future coalitions with the Francophone conservatives if Liberia is granted the status of a third kingdom (see below). There are also whispers that the racial fighting in New Marseilles has resulted in tremendous growth of the Socialist movement among those who seek racial harmony, both Black and white. Though it is still early, and any tipping of the scales by the crown could have an effect. Will you get involved?

-Britain has not taken kindly to the growing friendship between yourself, Mexico, and Quebec, viewing their American holdings as the likely target of aggression. Although not stating it explicitly, Parliament approved a massive military funding budget in 1871, including provisions for the update of forts in the Americas, procurement of new weapons, and establishment of new officer training schools in New York and Virginia. London says these are mere acts of defense, pointing out that it is the last remaining transatlantic power and will not leave the American subjects to the same fate as the Peruvians and Chileans. Still, this move has not been well-received in Louisiana. Some have called for an embargo, perhaps even closing the Mississippi River to ships coming from the Ohio River, hampering the ability of farmers in the Midwest to ship their goods to the global market. Others call for a rapprochement with London as well, given the instability in South America and growing racial tensions at home. How will your government officially respond to the British buildup?

-The race riots in New Marseilles were an embarrassment to your government in front of the wider world, only further encouraging separatism and hardening race relations. Frederick Douglass has refused to engage with your officials until Liberia is granted status as a coequal third kingdom in Louisiana (alongside Columbia and Louisiana proper), a move that is strongly opposed by most Anglo-Louisianans. Others believe the admission of an inherently Afro-Louisianan state would be beneficial, perhaps easing the tensions somewhat and giving each major ethnic group in the realm a constituent kingdom to rally behind. Overall, if this Is too radical, many believe your government needs to do at least something to address the situation, fearful of another international boycott of your goods similar to the one that forced you to end slavery. What will you do in the aftermath of these racial tensions?

Qajar Iran

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

- Naser al-Din Shah, war has erupted to the north. Not only have the Dagestani been dealt a severe blow, but your old enemy the Ottomans stand against your old ally, Russia. Many in Tehran have noted the vast buildup of Ottoman soldiers on the border, and there are fears they may make a push to retake Mesopotamia. This leaves you with a dilemma. Antagonize the Ottomans alongside the Russians and you risk it all in the fortunes of war. Yet, should you wait, you could find yourself facing the Turkish menace on your own. With the east seemingly secured following your treaty with the Durrani, your options are relatively open. It will be up to you to determine the shape of Qajar foreign policy in the coming months.

-The end of last year witnessed a surprising upsurge of ethnic strife in Urmia. An Azeri mob, whipped into fury by a failure to grant them any sort of autonomy or concessions, stormed into the town and murdered dozens of Kurds, who in turn responded with raids against Azeri settlements north of Lake Urmia. Your officials were powerless as the violence continued for weeks, only gradually subsiding into low-level violence. Many Azeris complain that they were better treated under the Ottomans, stoking fears of fifth-columnists should military matters come to a head. Yet again, how will you deal with growing ethnic tensions on the periphery of your territories? Should the Azeris be punished, or would this only reopen the wound? The Kurds, meanwhile, themselves technically violated the law by crossing some of their soldiers outside of their territory. What is to be done?

-Your government is not necessarily doing the best financially, recent efforts to promote industrialization aside. Your Court has been criticized as extravagant, while the coffers have also been lightened by internal corruption and a weak, ineffective bureaucracy. Furthermore, the expansion of the government and creation of many ministries means that government expenditures will only be increasing. Still, many believe it is the extravagance of your court that invokes a sense of awe and support from the common people. Should taxes be raised? Or perhaps the number of men under arms could be decreased? There is also the prospect of reaching out to a foreign power to fund Iranian debt, a fairly common practice among other powers, as the recent Scandinavian-Polish deal demonstrated. What will you do to ensure your realm stays financially solvent?

Kingdom of Quebec

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-King Henry, the elections are results are in, signaling a triumph for the Conservative Union. In addition to the annexation of new territories, the right has been strengthened by the growth in British military spending directed against yourself and Louisiana. Indeed, a wave of hawks now occupy the office of Prime Minister and the various ministries. These men are out for blood, be it against the Catholic Republicans to the far south or the British closer to home. Yet, given the Crown has prerogative over foreign policy, their ambition is checked by your restraint. Still, they have approved an increase in military spending and are proposing an increase to the draft. How will you deal with the situation? Will you provide assent to their legislative proposals?

-The acquisition of Hawaii, Nova Scotia, and Puerto Rico has brought a wide variety of Spanish and English colonists into your realm, the new people making up roughly 10% of your overall population. Now there are questions as to whether the regions should be admitted as full provinces of the Kingdom, or relegated to territories until they are more properly integrated. In Puerto Rico, specifically, there is a dearth of spoken French and the locals seem to have greeted your arrival with indifference at best, intransigence at worst. Will you give these new subjects full rights as citizens? How will you ensure that they become loyal, and productive, members of Quebec?

-The arrival of the exiled Royalist Spanish fleet in Roquefort seems to present a tantalizing opportunity. There are many who see these vessels as serving as the core of the new Quebecois Pacific Fleet, though King Henry V (if he can be called that anymore) has steadfastly clung to ownership, arguing that they are his personal property. Seizing them could provide a boost to Quebec and ensure that your new Hawaiian territories are well-defended and it’s not really clear what else would become of the vessels if the deposed King never is restored in Madrid. Will you risk insulting your ostensible ally and guest for a tremendous increase in naval power, or is good relations with the Spanish royalist cause more imperative? Along these lines, what is to be done about Henry V in far-off Vaudreuil?

United Provinces of New Holland

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-The loosening up of some of the racial restrictions regarding voting and property was viewed highly positively by most members of the Javan upper classes. As more of the old Javan nobility and upper class acquire land, influence, and even suffrage, new questions are arising about whether or not to fully integrate public services, the courts, and society in general or if some degree of separation will still be necessary. A compromise has been put forward by some moderates, aiming to allow the wealthy and successful Javans to live alongside the Europeans, while the lower classes are kept separate from both groups. Clergy have begun to push for full integration and an end to any segregated conditions, such as the prohibition of Javan settlement in New Holland proper. On the right, there are those who resent the reforms of the last year and want you to move no further on the issue of race relations in Java. What will you do about the growing Javan middle and upper classes?

-Agents and merchants interacting with Korea have made it clear that the Joseon Dynasty seems to be preoccupied by the events in China and could be vulnerable to a counter strike in the regions they so unjustly stole from you. There is little in the way of manpower in the region, save for the 10-division force at Borneo. Local opinion is mixed. The Dutch were not beloved, but neither are the Koreans, who in an effort to drive up profits have greatly expanded the extraction industries on Borneo. Distance alone means that the outposts and islands could be seized before Seoul even realized what was going on, though alongside another power, France or Japan, you could even be stronger. Will take the risk of attacking the distracted Koreans?

Kingdom of Mexico

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Greetings King Luis. Your announcement of government reform has been met with widespread celebration, boosting your popularity. Planning for the Constitutional Convention next year continues apace. With the Crown Prince touring the nation, he has received a wide variety of opinions on what shape the new government should look like. The nobility, Church, and bourgeoise seem to favor a centralized government, limited franchise, and a bicameral national assembly with a strong upper house. Most of the rural poor, immigrants, and urban craftsmen would prefer more of a federalized system, broader participatory government, and a weaker, unitary national assembly. Given you and Prince Ferdinand will be chairing the convention, many look for you for cues. What shape of government will you support or propose? How will you manage these varying class interests in a way that ensures everyone feels they have a stake in the future of Mexico?

-Diplomatically, 1871 witnessed a severe weaking of the Spanish Royalists, the growth of Catholic Republicanism, and your good relations with the two Francophone powers in North America. Mexico seemingly sits secure, but many remain conscious that war could erupt at any moment, conscious of how quickly chaos descended upon Russia and Spain. Some have called for the construction of fortifications both to your north and south, to ward of any second-thoughts from all of your erstwhile friends, though there are some who fear this could be viewed as aggression. Hawks have also called for an increase in military spending, being joined in their chorus by the Spanish royalist refugees you invited into your realm over the past few months. How will you navigate this uncertain diplomatic and military situation?

-With the opening up of society and the planning of a constitution, there are questions over what degree of free discourse should be permitted in Mexico. Spies have revealed growing strains of Catholic-Republican nationalism in the Yucatan and Central America, while some newspapers in the capital have begun to openly call for a curb to royal powers or criticize your son’s conservatism. Will you censor those that go to far, either with inappropriate political beliefs or insults to the government, or should freedom of speech be encouraged. There are positives to either side. Opening up speech could drive potential dissenters out into the open and lead them to moderate, at the risk of destabilizing the regime. Censorship, meanwhile, encourages unity of opinion and thought, even if it is frowned on in some quarters. What will you do?

Holy Republic of Colombia

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-The various local leaders representing the regionalist and federalist factions have arrived in Bogota and begun debate. Even Ecuador, your puppet regime, has sent officials, perhaps debating absorption into your realm if the terms are agreeable. It seems that most of your bureaucrats, the urban populace, and the military are in favor of centralization, while the lower clergy, mayors, and rural population desire autonomy. The debate has also illuminated some deficiencies in the current government, including the lack of a codified legal code or constitution. What approach will you take to these matters of internal governance now that you have the nation’s ear. Should there be decentralization? Will you promulgate a constitution?

-Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez, the Spanish Royalist dogs are on their last legs as your soldiers have helped march the cause of righteousness forward. The future of the Peruvian territories, both those occupied by yourself and your two allies, must be decided at some point and there are many in Bogota who believe you should have a significant voice in the process. Annexation of the region to Brazil is opposed and, given your recent consideration of autonomy to Venezuela, some would have you instead absorb the region into the Holy Republic. Furthermore, with the royalists no longer threatening all of the Catholic Republican powers in the Americas, some have begun to grow wary of Brazil. What will your approach be in the seemingly late stages of the War of the Triple Alliance and your diplomatic relationship with Brazil and Patagonia more broadly?

[Spamage]

Confederation of New England

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-In light of your agreements with Quebec and Louisiana, the British government has approached you as well, offering favorable trade terms with the American Colonies in return for the lowering of tariffs between your two countries. While this is a tantalizing prospect, Boston being by far the most industrial city in the region, there are worries that it could be a ploy by London to make you dependent on them. Furthermore, with the British military buildup in the west, it is feared accepting the treaty could alienate your news friends in New Orleans and Montreal. What say you to the British?

-The handover of Nova Scotia has proven to be quite the bitter pill for many New Englanders, seeing it as making the sacrifices of those killed in the 1840s to have been in vain. Still, even though it was a heavy cost, some degree of friendship and trust with Quebec has been restored, crucial if you are to maintain your peoples’ independence. Along those lines, with the growing conflict worldwide, some have proposed increasing the conscription numbers in the Confederation, raising the age men would be eligible to serve and establishing a National Guard to ensure that able-bodied men are given military experience. While most established New Englanders are supportive, the recent immigrant population seems less keen, not eager to serve a realm where they only just arrived and have not set down roots. Will you loosen up the conscription requirements so more men are called to arms, should the worst come to pass? Or is it better to leave the armed forces as is and operate under your current resources moving forward?

Kingdom of the Netherlands

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-Your conservative government has convened to discuss constitutional reforms as suggested. What changes will you propose for the governance of the Dutch state? How will the new government be structured and who will be allowed to vote? Furthermore, what is to be done about the neutrality clause that was imposed by the French following your previous defeat in the 1840s?

-The Dutch Navy and Army have fallen into severe decline over the past fifty years following defeat in war and loss of the colonies. The funds were redirected, greatly bolstering industrial growth, but some fear you may have gone too far. With the Spanish Civil War and Second Great Eastern War, Europe seems to be dangerous again. Some are calling for a remilitarization of Dutch society, including raising conscription and increasing military spending. The expansion of the Dutch navy would not be opposed either. While this could be prudent, it may mean cutting off funds for some social programs and decreasing industrial subsidies. Will you work to expand Dutch military capabilities?

Durrani Empire

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

-The Xing have refused your demands to hand over Kashmir, your envoy not even being given an audience at Court in Xian. Needless to say, it was viewed as a significant insult and some worry without action you will be humiliated. Yet war with the Xing, even if they are far off, remains a daunting prospect. Will you make good on your threat?

-Some in Kabul see the instability in India over the past year as giving you a reason to act against the French, who have only reaffirmed their desire to subjugate independent Muslim states given their recent claims in Algiers. The militarist faction at Court would have you strike out before you are turned into yet another colony like Tibet, Algiers, and now Vietnam. Paris was reportedly upset when your proposed operations in Kashmir did not materialize and some question whether your recent treaties are worth the paper they were written on. Indeed, many believe that Queen Charlotte may be overstretched, though French manpower still probably dwarfs your forces. How will you respond to the unrest in India and the growing colonialism in your neighborhood?

Kingdom of France
17 division Army of the North
16 division Army of the South
10 division Army of India
7 division Army of Vietnam
5 division Spanish Expeditionary Force
5 division Army of Ceylon
5 division Army of Sumatra
(65/395 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

Habsburg Monarchy (Excluding HRE)
25 division Army of the Southern Frontier
10 division Army of Austria
15 division Army of Lombardy
10 division Army of Silesia
8 division Spanish Expeditionary Force
5 division Army of Madagascar
7 division Chinese Expeditionary Force
(80/300 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

Kingdom of Scandinavia
25 division Army of Finland
10 division Army of Denmark
10 division Army of St. Petersburg
10 division Army of Kiev
10 division Army of Central Poland
5 division Karelia Corps
5 division Chinese Expeditionary Force
(75/110 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

British Union
20 division Army of Tennessee
20 division Army of New York
10 division Army of Michigan
5 division Army of Virginia
5 division Army of Ireland
5 division Home Guard
(65/145 divisions possible raised, max 4% conscription)

Russian Republic
25 division Army of St. Petersburg
5 division Army of the Caucuses
10 division Army of Vitebsk
10 division Army of Mongolia
25 division Army of Crimea
7 division Army of Turkestan
5 division Army of Dagestan
4 division Army of Manchuria
4 division Army of Inner Mongolia
(95/325 divisions possible raised, max 10% conscription)

Ottoman Empire
45 division Army of Kiev
55 division Army of the Persian Front
3 division Army of Constantinople
5 division Army of the Caucuses
3 division Army of Egypt
(62/210 divisions possible raised, max 12% conscription)

Divine Republic of Brazil
40 division Army of Peru
8 division Army of the Congo
2 division Army of Southern Africa
3 division Army of Bahia
(53/75 divisions possible raised, max 22% conscription)

Kingdom of Naples
10 division Army of Florence
10 division Army of Sicily
5 division Army of Rome
5 division Army of Tunis
(30/105 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

Kingdom of Prussia
30 division Army of Hanover
30 division Army of the East
7 division Army of Morocco
5 division Army of Berlin
5 division Army of South Africa
(77/130 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

Tokugawa Shogunate
10 division Chinese Expeditionary Force
10 division Army of Niigata
10 division Executive Guard
7 division Army of Kyoto
5 division Army of the Philippines
3 division Army of New Guinea
(45/185 divisions possible raised, max 10% conscription)

United Kingdom of Louisiana
4 division Army of Texas
2 division Army of Charleston
2 division Army of California
2 division Army of Cuba
2 division Army of Des Moines
(12/55 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

Joseon Korea
15 division Chinese Expeditionary Force
15 division Army of Busan
10 division Army of Pyongyang
15 division Army of Taiyuan
10 division Army of Heze
10 division Army of Borneo
5 division Army of Malaya
(80/140 divisions possible raised, max 10% conscription)

Kingdom of Poland
15 division Army of St Petersburg
5 division Army of Central Poland
20 division Army of Kiev
(40/60 divisions possible raised, max 16% conscription)

Qajar Iran
15 division Army of Erzurum
7 division Army of Mashad
5 division Army of Gwadar
8 division Army of Homorzegan
10 division Army of Basra
1 division Imperial Guard
(46/92 divisions possible raised, max 12% conscription)

Kingdom of Quebec
3 division Army of Vaudreuil
3 division Army of Montreal
2 division Foreign Legion
4 division Army of New Brunswick
(12/47 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

Kingdom of Mexico
4 division Royal Guard
5 division Army of the Yucatan
5 division Army of Guatemala
(14/58 divisions possible raised, max 15% conscription)

United Provinces of New Holland
2 division Army of Java
2 division Army of New Holland
(4/32 divisions possible raised, max 7% conscription)

Holy Republic of Colombia
6 division Army of Peru
3 division Army of Venezuela
(9/35 divisions possible raised, max 15% conscription)

Confederation of New England
4 division Army of Boston
(4/20 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

Kingdom of Patagonia
3 division Army of Cordoba
3 division Army of Paraguay
(6/22 divisions possible raised, max 15% conscription)

Kingdom of Portugal
19 division Army of Madrid
3 division Army of Porto
(22/25 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

Kingdom of the Netherlands
5 division Army of Amsterdam
(5/24 divisions possible raised, max 14% conscription)

Spanish Catholic Republic
29 division Army of Madrid
3 division Army of Sardinia
(32/32 divisions possible raised, max 8% conscription)

Spanish Liberal Republic
20 division Army of Cordoba
3 division Army of Segovia
(23/23 divisions possible raised, max 8% conscription)

Kingdom of Spain (Peru)
3 division Army of Chile
4 division Army of Upper Peru
(7/30 divisions possible raised, max 20% conscription)

Durrani Empire
2 division Royal Guard
4 division Army of Karachi
2 division Army of Herat
(8/30 divisions possible raised, max 11% conscription)

[PSOL]

Firman on the backing of the Qiran

The Qiran shall be backed by the National Jewels and treasure of the Sublime State, located in the safes of the Royal Mint/Bank of Tehran. They shall be left to be supervised by my Royal Consort, Amīna Aqdas.
Statement on the disturbances in Louisiana

I personally urge the Kingdom of Louisiana to improve the security situation with the athletes of the Sublime State. It is worrying that they be caught up in a race riot.
Tariff and Tax increases on foreign trade
There will be a 8% increase in tariffs on Silk, Copper, Steel, Coal, Dates, and Tobacco for all those who have yet to sign a treaty with the Sublime State (see below)

Excluding the Durranis, Austrians, Prussians, Scandinavians, Russians, British, Portuguese, and British—all other foreign merchants shall have duties increased by 5% next year. I urge everyone to take the opportunity to get in on our expanding economy.

[YPestis25]

Tehran Protocol

I. The Sublime State of Iran disavows any and all intervention in the Second Great Eastern War.
II. The Sublime State of Iran declares a policy of non-alignment in regards to the European Great Powers.
III. The Kingdom of Scandinavia will dispense a £ 300,000 loan to the Sublime State of Iran.
    a). The annual interest rate on the loan will be .005%.
    b). The life of the loan shall be 30 years.
IV. The Kingdom of Scandinavia shall supply a £ 50,000 military stipend to the Sublime State of Iran for seven years.
    a). Such a stipend will be tied to inflationary trends such that the value of each annual payment will have the value of £ 50,000 in 1872.
*Note: The pound values above are based off of the value of real life 1877 pounds.

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

[DKrol]

A Statement from the Court in New Orleans

Opposition to the Seizure of the Panama Canal

Word has arrived in New Orleans of the Treaty of Bogota and it’s provisions for the seizure of the Panama Canal by the radical Catholic-Republican forces of South America - as well as the betrayal of my dear Mexican kin. The Potsdam Treaty of 1837 very clearly and definitively settled the Panama Canal Question; the Panama Canal is jointly governed in perpetuity by the Spanish-Prussian-Louisianan Panama Canal Commission. This is an established international treaty, hailed by many at the time for solving the Mexican Question, and cannot simply be overwritten and replaced through another treaty signed by none of the parties who comprise the Panama Canal Commission.

I call for either the global rejection of the Treaty of Bogota’s seizure of the Panama Canal and the re-establishment of the authority of the Panama Canal Commission, or else this act of aggression will be seen as a direct attack on, and seizure of, the sovereign territory of the United Kingdom.

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

[DKrol]

A Statement from the Court in New Orleans

Opposition to the Seizure of the Panama Canal

Word has arrived in New Orleans of the Treaty of Bogota and it’s provisions for the seizure of the Panama Canal by the radical Catholic-Republican forces of South America - as well as the betrayal of my dear Mexican kin. The Potsdam Treaty of 1837 very clearly and definitively settled the Panama Canal Question; the Panama Canal is jointly governed in perpetuity by the Spanish-Prussian-Louisianan Panama Canal Commission. This is an established international treaty, hailed by many at the time for solving the Mexican Question, and cannot simply be overwritten and replaced through another treaty signed by none of the parties who comprise the Panama Canal Commission.

I call for either the global rejection of the Treaty of Bogota’s seizure of the Panama Canal and the re-establishment of the authority of the Panama Canal Commission, or else this act of aggression will be seen as a direct attack on, and seizure of, the sovereign territory of the United Kingdom.

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

OOC: Please disregard, I have been informed that there were IG actions in the last game that I wasn’t aware of.

[PSOL]

Tehran Protocol

I. The Sublime State of Iran disavows any and all intervention in the Second Great Eastern War.
II. The Sublime State of Iran declares a policy of non-alignment in regards to the European Great Powers.
III. The Kingdom of Scandinavia will dispense a £ 300,000 loan to the Sublime State of Iran.
    a). The annual interest rate on the loan will be .005%.
    b). The life of the loan shall be 30 years.
IV. The Kingdom of Scandinavia shall supply a £ 50,000 military stipend to the Sublime State of Iran for seven years.
    a). Such a stipend will be tied to inflationary trends such that the value of each annual payment will have the value of £ 50,000 in 1872.
*Note: The pound values above are based off of the value of real life 1877 pounds.

xCatherine II, Queen of Scandinavia

X Naser shah Qajar

[Kuumo]

Statement from the Office of Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez

After much discussion with other members of the government, the regionalist representatives of Venezuela, and the delegates from Ecuador, I have concluded that our Holy Republic would benefit from a degree of devolution to recognize the geographic separation and cultural differences of the Venezuelan people with New Granada. I have also made great effort to hear the voices of the working men of Colombia, who wish not to be left behind by their leaders in Bogotá. As we are all equal in the eyes of God, we should strive for social equality in our earthly lives by embodying the Christian principles of respect and charity toward those in need. I thus present the Constitution of the Holy Republic of Colombia to address the concerns expressed to me at the convention.

-Archbishop-President Vicente Arbeláez Gómez

Summary of the key points of the Constitution of the Holy Republic of Colombia

I. The Holy Republic of Colombia is a Catholic state founded on the principles of Catholic Republicanism.

II. The Archbishop of Bogotá is the primary spiritual and political leader of the Holy Republic of Colombia in his role as Archbishop-President.
i. As the head of state and commander-in-chief, the Archbishop-President is responsible for the diplomatic policy and national defense of the country.
ii. The Archbishop-President is responsible for the appointment of the heads of the various departments of the federal bureaucracy. He may remove any department head for unsatisfactory performance.
iii. The Council of the Spiritual Protectors of the State shall be a group of members of the clergy appointed by the Archbishop-President with the role of advising him on matters of the Church.
iv. In the event of the death or resignation of the Archbishop-President, the most senior of his clerical advisors shall act in the role of Archbishop-President until the selection of a new Archbishop of Bogotá.

III. A Colombian National Assembly shall be established to represent the laymen of our State.
i. The Assembly shall consist of 75 members, each representing one district containing the community in which he resides.
ii. For equal representation within the Assembly, seventy-five districts spanning the territory of Colombia shall be drawn, each containing an equal population of citizens.
iii. Each member of the Assembly shall be elected by the people of his district. Each member shall be elected every four years, starting in March of 1874. Voting shall be open to any male citizen of at least 25 years of age.
iv. A national census shall be taken every 10 years starting in 1875 for the purpose of properly apportioning the Assembly districts. The districts shall be redrawn by a commission appointed by the Archbishop-President following each census.
v. The National Assembly shall be primarily responsible for taxation and expenditures affecting the entire Republic. The Assembly shall pass funding proposals by simple-majority vote. These proposals shall become law with the approval of the Archbishop-President. The Archbishop-President has the power to strike down or amend proposals passed by the Assembly.
vi. The Archbishop-President shall be responsible for calling the National Assembly into session and dismissing it as needed.

IV. A regional government responsible for the local affairs of Venezuela shall be established in Caracas.
i. The regional government shall consist of two bodies: the Venezuelan Regional Assembly to represent the laymen of Venezuela, and the Sacred Council of Venezuela to represent the clergy of Venezuela.
ii. The Venezuelan Regional Assembly shall consist of 25 members, each representing one district containing the community in which he resides.
iii. Twenty-five districts spanning the territory of Venezuela shall be drawn, each containing an equal population of citizens.
iv. Each member of the Venezuelan Assembly shall be elected by the people of his district. Each member shall be elected every four years, starting in March of 1874. Voting shall be open to any male citizen of at least 25 years of age.
v. The Sacred Council of Venezuela shall consist of 25 members of the clergy chosen by the bishops of the dioceses within the borders of Venezuela.
vi. The regional Assembly and the Sacred Council are responsible for passing laws relating to the localized taxation and expenditures within Venezuela.
vii. The regional Assembly shall pass no law contradicting a law passed by the National Assembly and the Archbishop-President.
viii. The regional Assembly shall pass no law regarding national defense, international trade, interregional commerce, or the coinage of currency.

V. A regional government responsible for the local affairs of Ecuador shall be established in Quito, pending the approval of the delegates representing the Ecuadorian people.
i. Upon ratification of this Constitution by the delegates of Ecuador, the Catholic Republic of Ecuador shall be formally annexed by the Holy Republic of Colombia 60 days after ratification.
ii. A regional government for Ecuador shall be established, identical in structure to the regional government of Venezuela.
iii. Ecuador shall be given representation in the National Assembly in accordance with Article III.

[Lumine]

Kingdom of Quebec

Proclamations from His Majesty

Concerning the new Government and the British Union

His Majesty congratulates all parties and candidates who took part in the recent General Election, as well as the Conservative Union for their electoral victory. His Majesty looks forward to working with the Government and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the nation.

It is our belief that the recent actions of the British Union, drastically ramping up their military budget and flooding their North American colonies with weaponry, constitute not an act of defence, but entirely unwarranted and unjustified provocations against the Kingdom of Québec and other fellow North American nations. His Majesty does not desire war against the British Union, and will exhaust diplomatic options, but neither he nor the nation will stand idly by against bellicose behavior from our neighbor. As a result, His Majesty will grant assent to legislative proposals to increase military spending, and will work with the Government to study alterations to the draft that do not disturb domestic peace.

Concerning Geography and Territorial Exploration

Although the present times offer many issues and possibilities which demand our collective attention, it is out belief that the sciences must never fall behind. Particularly now that, even as much of the world has been discovered, there are still many places in which man is yet to enter and discover. As a result, His Majesty hereby decrees the creation of a Société géographique royale du Québec, to complement the efforts of the Montréal Académie des sciences. The Société géographique will incorporate distinguished public figures, explores, geographers, cartographers and such other experts, and it will be presided by a Board of Governors. Crown Prince Philip and future successors in that role will serve as Honorary Presidents of said board.

Our first instruction to the Société géographique will be to immediate organize a naval expedition, aided by land parties, that will attempt to find and sail across the so-called Northwest Passage in the Arctic Ocean, and travel from Québec City to Roquefort. Finding this passage, we hope, will provide us with a potentially useful alternate trade route, as well as to assert Quebecois sovereignty over said passage.

Concerning Colonization and Settlements

It is the belief of His Majesty that colonization and settlement of our western provinces, particularly east of Vaudreuil and west of Champlain (Ontario), is of paramount importance for the successful development of the nation, as well as to provide further means of expanding agricultural production. As a result, His Majesty encourages Parliament to consider debating and passing a Québec Lands Act, to grant plots of land - of a size sufficient to allow successful farming - to pioneers, settlers and immigrants, by formally registering them in return a small administration fee, and taking necessary precautions to see the land is developed and not subject to speculation. This process, if enacted, should fall under the protection of the Pacific Gendarmerie, to prevent unnecessary conflicts, maintain order between new communities, and ensure their safety.

[Lumine]

His Majesty Henry II salutes the bravery of his namesake, His Majesty King Henry V of Spain, in his spirited defence against foreign intervention within his lands. He is pleased that the King and his family have been able to escape unharmed, and he has ensured that the Spanish Royal Family is recieved in Montréal as his guests of honor.

Following negotiations, we are pleased to announce the signing of the Roquefort Settlement, addressing the matter of the Spanish Royalist Fleet and ensuring aslyum and protection for the Spanish Royal Family and any refugees fleeing from the lands under their former and present control.

It is hereby ordered that the transfered Spanish ships, and the crews and officers who decide to remain in Quebecois service, will form part of the Quebecois Pacific Fleet, based in Roquefort.

The Roquefort Settlement (1872)
An Accord between the Kingdom of Spain and the Kingdom of Quebec,

1.) The Spanish Fleet currently based in the port of Roquerfort will hereby be transfered to the ownership of the Kingdom of Quebec.

2.) His Majesty Henry V, his family, and his government will be granted permanent asylum in the Kingdom of Québec.

3.) The Spanish Royal Family will receive an annual stipend from the Kingdom of Quebec, and will be given ownership of a palace and its grounds in Montréal as their personal property.

4.) His Majesty Henry V will be allowed to set up a court and government in exile in Montréal.

5.) The Kingdom of Quebec will open its frontiers to royalist refugees from Spain and South America, expediting the citizenship process for those who want to become citizens, and granting lands for them to settle.

6.) Spanish sailors who so wish it will be allowed into the Quebecois fleet, with their current rank guaranteed.

7.) Spanish soldiers and/or volunteers who so wish it will be allowed into the Quebec military or the Quebec Foreign Legion, with their current rank guaranteed.

8.) Crown Prince Henry of Spain (b. 1860) will be formally betrothed to Princess Theresa Maria of Quebec (b. 1864), daugther of Crown Prince Philip.

x Henry II, King of Quebec