Gilded Ambitions: Concert of Europe Part V (Gameplay Thread)
Spamage:
Gilded Ambitions: Concert of Europe Part V
Turn 1: 1900
Map of the World in 1900
(Source: Made by Me)
Cast and Characters
Kingdom of France: King-Emperor Louis XX de Bourbon (X)
Habsburg Monarchy: Archduke-Regent Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen (Dereich)
Russian Republic: President Pavel Milyukov (KaiserDave)
Kingdom of Scandinavia: King-Emperor Charles XIV of Hanover (Ypestis)
United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, and the Americas: Queen Mary III of Hanover (S019)
Empire of Quebec: Empress Wilhelmina von Hohenzollern (Lumine)
Divine Republic of Brazil: Archbishop-President Joaquim Arcoverde de Albuquerque Cavalcanti (Windjammer)
Commonwealth of Louisiana: King Louis-Philippe III de Bourbon-Orleans (Dkrol)
Kingdom of Mexico: King Luis II de Bourbon-Orleans (Laki)
Chinese Republic: President Zhang Zhidong* (HCP & DevoutCentrist)
Republic of Japan: President Tokugawa Iesato
Kingdom of Naples: Francis III de Bourbon-Naples (GoTfan)
Qajar Iran: Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (PSOL)
Holy Republic of Gran Colombia: Archbishop-President Federico González Suárez (Kuumo)
Ottoman Empire: Grand Vizier for Life Ahmed Muhtar Pasha (Spiral)
United Provinces of New Holland: Stadtholder Samuel van Houten (Atlas Politician)
Holy Union of Spain: President Arsenio Linares y Pombo (DwarvenDragon)
Confederation of New England: Chairman James Blaine* (OBD)
Durrani Empire: Abdul II Shah Durrani (AverageFoodEnthusiast)
Korean State: First Minister Gwon Jung-hyeon (oldkyhome)
Popularity
Grand Vizier for Life Ahmed Muhtar Pasha: High, Divisive
King-Emperor Louis XX de Bourbon: High, Divisive
Archduke-Regent Louis-Henry von Habsburg-Lothringen: Moderate-High, Impassive
President Pavel Milyukov: Moderate, Divisive
King Louis-Philippe III de Bourbon-Orleans: Moderate, Impassive
King Luis II de Bourbon-Orleans: Moderate, Divisive
Archbishop-President Federico González Suárez: Moderate, Divisive
Empress Wilhelmina von Hohenzollern: Moderate, Divisive
Naser al-Din Shah Qajar: Moderate, Divisive
Archbishop-President Joaquim Arcoverde de Albuquerque Cavalcanti: Moderate, Divisive
Stadtholder Samuel van Houten: Moderate, Impassive
Queen Mary III of Hanover: Moderate, Impassive
President Arsenio Linares y Pombo: Moderate, Impassive
Abdul II Shah Durrani: Moderate, Impassive
King Francis III de Bourbon-Naples: Moderate, Divisive
First Minister Gwon Jung-hyeon: Moderate, Impassive
King-Emperor Charles XIV of Hanover: Moderate-Low, Impassive
Chairman James Blaine: Low, Divisive
President Zhang Zhidong: Low, Divisive
Economic Standings
Commonwealth of Louisiana: Strong
Empire of Quebec: Strong
Holy Republic of Gran Colombia: Strong
Kingdom of France: Moderate-Strong
Kingdom of Scandinavia: Moderate-Strong
Holy Union of Spain: Moderate-Strong
Kingdom of Naples: Moderate-Strong
United Kingdom of Britain, Ireland, and the Americas: Moderate-Strong
Habsburg Monarchy: Moderate-Strong
Confederation of New England: Moderate
Chinese Republic: Moderate
Qajar Iran: Moderate
Republic of Japan: Moderate
Kingdom of Mexico: Moderate
Divine Republic of Brazil: Moderate
Russian Republic: Moderate
Ottoman Empire: Moderate
Korean Republic: Moderate-Weak
Durrani Empire: Moderate-Weak
Kingdom of France
(Source: Made by Me via Midjourney)
-King Louis XX, you outshine even your distant grandfather King Louis XIV in terms of your grandeur. The France you have forged is dominated wholly by royal authority. Despite your strength and popularity, there are many who still challenge your government. Many of the cowards who attempted to topple the royal regime in the Coup of 1890 such as the wretched Georges Clemenceau operate abroad and spread slander about your government. Closer to home, terrorist cells have assassinated some close advisors, such as Boulanger. Liberals, secular socialists, Dutch nationalists, Italian pan-nationalists, and even Catholic-Republicans have been accosted attempting to plot against your rule in the past decade. Some at Versailles urge you to ease up on the intense repression and rein in the Sons of St. Louis in order to decrease subversive activities. Others believe that your actions so far should merely be a prelude to a more rigid enforcement of thought and belief within France. Will you ease up on domestic repression, or should the authoritarian system be maintained, so much work having gone into establishing it?
-France has many friends, or at very least acquaintances, on the global stage, but few formal allies. In Europe, only minor powers such as Portugal and Romania demonstrate any real positivity towards your government. Further afield, Brazil likewise has emerged as a partner, albeit only in a limited fashion. What diplomatic path will you take for France? How will you overcome the objections of other governments who deem you as too erratic and unpredictable a partner?
-Looking out into the world, some hawks see numerous opportunities for France to assert its glory. Aceh was promised to your realm in the Congress of Copenhagen as compensation for losses in the East Indies, but its distance has meant that little action has been taken against the Sultanate there. Also in Asia, there is still a sense among many that France was grievously insulted during the Congress of Copenhagen, the Durrani, Chinese, and Mysore allowed to pick away at the French Raj. Some would have you avenge these insults, though it risks enflaming the wrath of other major powers in the region? Further options for colonial glory exist in taming the currently unoccupied parts of the Sahara for through the sending of French forces as ‘volunteers’ into other theaters of war. Will you involve France in colonial wars, or is it best to focus on maintaining your current possessions rather than trying to grab new ones?
Habsburg Monarchy
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Archduke-Regent Louis-Henry, the realm looks to your steady hands for guidance after the tragic assassination of your nephew Charles IX. As the sole adult male Habsburg in the realm, you have assumed the role of preeminent regent, caught between young Maximilian V’s feuding mother and grandmother. Domestically, Empress Dowager Vittoria de Bourbon-Savoie (Maximilian’s grandmother) has been associated with the Habsburg liberals, in line with her father’s (the slain Prince Xavier) beliefs. The Empress Mother Chistina of Hanover, meanwhile, is a reliable conservative vote. You have been fairly flexible in the past, during your regency your reformist streak winning the admiration of liberals, while the commitment to order kept conservatives in line. The Habsburg Monarchy is a far bigger and more complicated realm than Poland was however. Will you align with Vittoria and the Liberals or Christina and the Conservatives? Or would it be best to maintain a sort of neutrality and balance the factions against one another?
-Many see the glory of Habsburg colonization of Africa as incomplete. Despite extensive claims on both Abyssinia and the Sahel, the two regions remain largely outside of your control as the new century begins. Perhaps there is no way better to unite the people behind the ruling regency than through prestigious victories in foreign lands? These calls for adventurism have been tempered with others who argue that Asia was, and remains, Austria’s primary colonial cash source and that Africa is but a sideshow that can be subdued sometime in the future. Will you pursue colonial expansion? What will be your other policies in order to protect the existing outposts you already possess as far afield as Singapore and Ningbo?
-The Third Imperial Reform was shelved in the initial aftermath of your nephew’s assassination. Yet, many believe that by doing so, you have let the assassins win. Despite the relative youth of Maximilian V, there are factions at court calling for a reintroduction of the proposal. It is hoped that the memory of the slain sovereign and an appeal to German nationalism could be used to centralize the Empire one step further. Yet, given Louis XX’s tantrum last time, let alone Russia’s stony silence, it would be wise to take great care should you do so. More ambitious advisors remind you that this could be a rare window where the reform would succeed, urging you to capitalize on this political moment while it lasts. What will you do about the Empire?
Russian Republic
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Congratulations on your victory, President Milyukov. You come to power as a Chicherin loyalist, winning a narrow pro-democratic big-tent plurality against more extreme options on both the right and left. You even managed to defeat Suvorin’s son, an act of redemption on behalf of your former mentor President Chicherin. Yet, the legislative vote looms. Many fear that the radicals will be boosted by the desire to limit your authority. How will you deal with the upcoming campaign? Will you involve yourself, if so in what capacity? Beyond that, what will you do about the violence increasingly present on the Russian political scene? Your very own election saw street fighting not only between Argunov’s Socialists and Purischkevich’s Nationalists, but your own supporters as well. Should this level of disorder be tolerated, a natural part of spirited political campaigns, or are crackdowns in order?
-You inherit a Russian government and military are staffed by a wide variety of political appointees. After six years under President Mikhaylovsky, many civil servants are vocal leftists and opposed you in the 1900 vote. Further back, some of Suvorin’s appointees still lingering on likewise remain somewhat hostile to you as leader, a fair portion having abandoned traditional conservatism in favor of Purishkevich-nationalism in the last decade. Mikhaylovsky chose to allow existing appointees to stay on, fearful of making too many enemies, but that need not necessarily be the case for you. Given the importance of the military, in particular, some of your allies have argued for a wholesale reorganization of that organization’s leadership. How will you tackle this prickly political issue?
-Diplomatically, Russia has remained aloof from European affairs. While your government expressed opposition to the Habsburg-led Third Imperial Reform, little concrete action was taken. Instead, Russian policy has been focused to the south, on keeping Iran in check and halting the northward spread of French India. After all, Russian aid was a key part of the Ottoman decision to assault Cilicia in the opening stages of the Qajar-Ottoman War. After several decades of this, is it perhaps time for a reassessment of Russia’s diplomatic position? The growth of China has been viewed with great concern in particular, despite the shared republican nature of both your states. What diplomatic initiatives, if any, will your government take during its first year in power?
Kingdom of Scandinavia
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Charles XIV, as the first Hanoverian sovereign of Scandinavia, you have had to forge your own path. Just a year and a half into your reign, there remain many domestic issues that require your attention. The assassination of Prime Minister Boström early last year has shaken Scandinavian politics. While you’ve named an interim prime minister, another member of the Conservative Party, there are many who believe fresh elections are necessary in order to gauge the electorate’s opinion after such a major development. The last vote was in 1897, so there is still time if you wish to hold off.
-The Senussi Rebellion in Egypt had begun to draw greater attention at home. Many in the colonial offices fear that further successes on the part of the rebels could embolden further anti-colonial action in other parts of Africa. Yet, the issue is controversial, especially given Egypt’s vocal reluctance to welcome more Scandinavian troops. There are also complications caused by the inhospitable nature of the Sahara. Will you commit more men to the Senussi Rebellion, or is it best to let the Egyptians handle matters on their own? Beyond that, what will be your broader policies for Scandinavian Africa?
-Scandinavia has clung tight to the Habsburg Monarchy for several decades now, your combined efforts having been crucial in subduing the Prussian Eagle once and for all in the 1870s. Your sister acts as one of the three regents operating in Vienna, while your niece governs Britain. Yet, many in Stockholm have become uneasy about the trajectory of the Habsburg-led Holy Roman Empire. The Austrian attempt to consolidate authority was thankfully, albeit tragically, stalled by the assassination of Charles IX, but the issue still has many concerned. Some have even questioned the longstanding ties to the House of Habsburg. After all, did Gustav Adolphus not ride south to prevent the centralization of the Empire under the Habsburgs three centuries ago? Scandinavia has a reputation for diplomatic flexibility, so it would not be unheard of for you to pivot in a different direction, whatever that ultimately looked like.
United Kingdom
(Source: Made by Me via Midjourney)
-Queen Mary III, you have succeeded in the face of many men underestimating you solely because you are a woman. The Transatlantic Monarchy needs your guidance more than ever. The Scramble for Africa continues in full swing. Growing voices in favor of political and social reform have emerged in Britain and Ireland. The Americas, the Cape Colony, and British Australia all sit at risk of foreign attack. Parliament under Prime Minister Salisbury looks to your leadership to determine the domestic political agenda for the coming year. What are your primary policy goals in such turbulent times?
-Britain, by virtue of being present on both sides of the Atlantic, has tremendous diplomatic commitments. In addition to your dynastic alliances with Austria and Scandinavia, your realm has also been a close partner with Colombia. Traditionally these were used to ensure balance in Europe and defense of British North America. Yet, recent developments have some questioning the old ways. Some in Parliament believe that Stockholm and Vienna can maintain peace in Europe without your help, arguing it is best to be noncommittal in continental affairs. In the Americas, the instability in both Quebec and Mexico have provided you the opportunity to poach members of the North American Alliance, such as New England and Louisiana. Will you seek to realign London’s diplomatic policies, or did you father and his government make the correct calls?
-Perhaps it was inevitable, given your age (20) and sex, but Parliament, the Church of England, and your palace staff have all been providing intense pressure that you should marry. Yet, the question is to whom, or if at all? While a foreign prince could cement diplomatic ties, it raises the uneasy issue of a foreign dynasty ruling over Britain through your children, let alone any potential religious differences. A spouse from the British nobility could be wise, but that invites factionalism and domestic partisanship into the royal household. Should you wish to keep the House of Hanover on the throne, you could marry a cousin from Charles XIV, though your family’s inbreeding with the House of Oldenburg in the last century had repeated disastrous consequences. There is also the option of remaining unmarried, like your esteemed predecessor Elizabeth I, leaving your half-sister, 10-year-old Princess Helen as the next sovereign. What path will you choose on this sensitive dynastic matter?
Empire of Quebec
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Queen Wilhelmina, your seizure of the throne just several years ago still remains one of the most controversial developments in Quebec’s short history. Despite your father’s clear wish that you ought to succeed him, there are malcontents who still seek to undermine you. With many of your pretender relatives having taken refuge abroad, the domestic squabble has gradually taken on a new dimension, given the increased likelihood for foreign meddling. Given your pregnancy, and all the perils it entails, how will you handle the matter of your own succession? Furthermore, what is to be done about the malcontents within your grasp, such as your aged loudmouth granduncle Prince Louis and his immediate family?
-Your show of strength cowed both houses of the legislature into public displays of loyalty shortly before your coronation. Yet, the fact remains that Prime Minister Amedee Papineau had slow-walked the Pragmatic Sanction of 1895 through the National Assembly, the stress of this likely indirectly contributing to your father’s early demise. Clearly you have no friend in Papineau, or the SUQ for that matter, but the question remains what to do about it. Your moderate supporters believe you should work with the elected government, even if you are both not fond of one another, for the good of the nation. More conservative and militarist advisors believe this to be a sign of weakness, allowing vipers to share a bed with yourself. They would have, at very least, new elections called. Some go further call for cracked skulls or even a suspension of the constitution, reminding you of your aunt Charlotte’s success in wrangling the French nobility through her iron-fisted leadership. What will you do about the SUQ majority in the National Assembly? Will you call new elections? Or perhaps would it be worthwhile to work towards a genuine reconciliation with the SUQ, putting the past behind you?
-Your taking of power and the sidelining of your young nephew’s silly claim to the throne have chilled relations with New Orleans. This is not to mention your government’s distaste thus far with developments in Mexico, especially their socialist flavoring. The North American Alliance seems moribund, at least for the time being, and there are some diplomats that would have you look elsewhere. Cooperation with Britain, once unthinkable, could be a means of protecting your borders and ensuring dominance of the high seas. Should you elect to retain a hostile attitude towards London, perhaps alliances could be cultivated with the Cape Republic or New Holland? Are there other diplomatic paths you will undertake in this new century?
Spamage:
Divine Republic of Brazil
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Archbishop-President Joaquim Arcoverde de Albuquerque Cavalcanti, Brazil is in need of your leadership if the true strain of Catholic Republicanism is to endure. Under threat from foes both outside and within, it is now more important than ever that the Divine Republic stands as a loyal servant of God. You were elected as Archbishop-President by your fellow clerics with the promise of reforming the existing system and breaking the stagnant attitude adopted by your predecessors. Yet, thanks in part to the Andean Crisis, many of your goals remain unfulfilled. Mandatory public service has yet to be fully implemented despite igniting the Upper Peruvian rebellion. Promises for expanded social services have likewise been sidelined by the need to increase the military budget. How will you ensure that the promise of true Catholic Republican doctrine is implemented in Brazil, even during this dire time?
-A key source of wealth for your realm has been Brazilian Africa. The mission states are undoubtedly one of the crown jewels of the Divine Republic, helping to corner the market in rubber, sugar, and timber. Yet, some parts of your claims remain outside your control. Expansionists in your government have urged a more active colonization strategy to secure the outlying regions, even if it means beating down local opposition from the tribal peoples. This would likely entail some level of military commitment to that effort. The mission-states are also known for the high level of exploitation of the populace. Many foreign observers have demanded a reform of the brutal practices inflicted by many of your citizens on the residents, though you have been warned that loosening up could damage production. Will you reform practices in the mission-states, or has the existing system worked well enough that it is not worth tampering with?
-The Andean Crisis is in full swing. To your south, the La Platans seem to be on the verge of collapse, the people fed up with the harsh dictatorship of Reginaldo Toro. He has been adamant in refusing any Brazilian intervention so far, fearing you will undermine his position as leader. Yet, even so, some in the foreign office would get involved, fearful of the unrest spreading and destroying your own realm. It must not be forgotten that within your own borders, the Andrean Free State has risen against Brazilian control of Upper Peru. Your men have been pushed to the Peruvian coast, some fearing defeat there could unravel the Divine Republic’s image of strength. How will you handle the Andean Rebels and the events unfolding in La Plata to your south?
Commonwealth of Louisiana
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-King Louis-Philippe III, you have come to power as the political system is facing some of its greatest threats yet. Separatism is alive and well in Louisiana, as the election of 1898 demonstrated. Columbian morons have easily been swayed by a work of fiction and romanticism into voting for the CNP, ignoring all your family has sacrificed on their behalf. Smaller groups in both Cuba and Liberia also embrace the separatist mantle. Beyond them, however, other radical forces have been on the rise. The CeC seeks to use the Crown to restore domestic order by any means necessary. The Socialists and Famer’s parties both want to undermine the economic system that has helped your nation thrive. With the weakening of the ULP, will you seek to align with one of these political forces or perhaps play them off against one another? Should the government heed radical demands like those of the CeC and crack some skulls, or is the best way to foster stability governing in line with democratic principles?
-Diplomatically, Louisiana has been challenged by developments in both Mexico and Quebec. Your onetime allies have each committed egregious offenses against your family and your realm. Henry-Philippe is ignored by his aunt Wilhelmina when by all rights he ought to be her heir, while Luis II continues his descent into madness down in Mexico. Given the instability, some have proposed reconciliation with Britain as the best path forward. Others believe a more autonomous, isolationist foreign policy is in order, to keep all options open. Or, perhaps, somehow the North American Alliance could be revived, as unlikely as that seems. What will you do about Louisiana’s diplomatic policy?
Kingdom of Mexico
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-King Luis II, no sovereign has electrified American politics as much as yourself. In the face of tremendous domestic opposition, you have crushed internal foes and started to forge a new Mexico. Your victory in the Border War has given you a fairly unchallenged control over the domestic situation. What direction will you take domestic policy? Reactionary-socialist ideologues would have you sweep away the last vestiges of your grandfather’s representative liberal monarchy by shuttering all regional assemblies, not merely those that were disloyal to you in the conflict. Furthermore, there is ample legislation to consider, relating to social policies, military expansion, economic recovery, and worker’s rights. You must also decide what is to be done with the Augustinian rebels that have fallen into your hands over the past several months, the last bands of those who sought to topple you in favor of your uncle having surrendered just months ago.
-Ties have undoubtedly been strained with your onetime North American allies, who have expressed disapproval over your actions in Mexico. Perhaps even more insulting was the aid of many Louisianans to the Augustinians in the Border War, even if the involvement of New Orleans itself cannot be conclusively proven. In light of these developments, perhaps it is time to reconsider Mexico’s foreign policy. Some believe that cooperation with either Colombia or Brazil could be fruitful. Also on the table is closer ties with France, though this could engender backlash from other powers more hostile to Paris. There have also been whispers of a joint partition of the haughty Louisiana alongside either Britain or Quebec, though this possibility seems rather remote. What diplomatic actions will you take in 1900?
Chinese Republic
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-The elections of 1900 are widely recognized to be pivotal for the future of the republic, likely determining the trajectory of the government for decades to come. The public has been electrified by mass rallies and a spirited, splintered campaign. The Black Banner movement calls for a reassertion of Chinese strength under Ma Yukun, while the Socialists demand wholesale economic reform under Cai Yuanpei. To the center, the NPP has shifted in a liberal direction under Kang Youwei, while the conservative Republican Party has nominated Xu Yingkui. How will the Chinese election shake out in such dire times?
-Diplomatically, China has been content to be relatively isolated for quite some time. After the trauma of major civil wars and the Korean invasion, most citizens enjoyed the respite provided by the past two decades of peace. Yet, as memories of the misery of the past conflicts have faded, calls for a reassertion of Chinese hegemony in Asia have grown. Russia’s control of Manchuria and Mongolia is still widely viewed as illegitimate. Likewise, the European outposts at Ningbo (Austria), Macau (Portugal), and Hainan (Scandinavia) are viewed as foreign impositions. This is not even mentioning other European imperial projects that blanket much of the Asian continent. More cautious voices have warned of potentially drastic consequences for rash actions though, suggesting perhaps it would be best to find a foreign partner. Will you take action on the diplomatic front?
Kingdom of Naples
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-King Francis III, you come to power in a Naples divided. Your father’s deposition of your cousin Philip V, and the subsequent authoritarian creep, have meant many of the liberal ideals of the 1870s have been rolled back. While this gave Alfonso III the room needed to suppress Catholic-Republicanism and other subversive ideals within your realm, it also worsened relations with the prickly Pope Clement XIV. Your accession was greeted by protests in some corners, some in Naples proper believing that only by restoring democracy can the realm be saved. Others are more wary, including many of the conservative nobility and leadership of the army, remining you of the radical Italian nationalism inculcated into the youth and warning events could quickly spiral out of your control. Will you loosen the authoritarian regime instituted by your father in the aftermath of the Quiet Coup, or is a more authoritarian form of government necessary to protect your subjects from chaotic radicals?
-Naples may be master of the Mediterranean, given the unique ability to split the sea in half with your possessions in Sicily, Malta, and Tunisia, but that does not mean you can afford to stand alone. Past involvement with both France and Austria has been frustrating, both those realms seeking to stifle the voice of the Italian people, so your close ties with Russia were probably somewhat inevitable. Your loose alliance with Spain has likewise been fairly fruitful, though many at court watch developments in Madrid somewhat nervously, wary of a slip into radicalism. Other potential partnerships remain on the table. Perhaps Greece, the Ottomans, or Iran could be coerced into a partnership? Even powers further afield such as Britain or Louisiana could be valuable to have in your corner. What will be Naples’ diplomatic position during the coming years?
Qajar Iran
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Naser al-Din Shah, you are the great survivor. Your reign has been a triumph. From the conquest of the Levant to the defense of the homeland in the Qajar-Ottoman War, you have largely protected your gains thus far. Despite a recent slowdown, your rule also has coincided with tremendous economic expansion. Yet, the winds of change blow even in Iran. As was illustrated in the Mutiny at Antioch, you are no longer unquestioned in your rule. Malcontents among the clerics, liberals, socialists, and other radicals largely operate underground, surfacing only to assassinate your ministers and publish pamphlets calling for radical reforms such as parliamentarism, abolition of slavery, and mass suffrage. This makes for a somewhat tense domestic political environment, given there are many perfectly content with the way that things are. Will you heed these calls for reform or double down on the repression that has served you so well thus far?
-The succession remains a crucial issue at court. As was so recently illustrated by the collapse of the Durrani into civil war after the death of Ahmed Shah, a strong heir is essential for the protection of your legacy. Your current heir, Mozaffar ad-Din is seen as a wastrel, spoiled by life in opulence, despite his superior pedigree among your children. Some reformists have called on you to defy tradition and alter the succession in favor of your others. The eldest Prince Mass'oud Mirza is fairly popular, but has been barred from the throne thus far due to his mother’s non-Qajar background. Your youngest son Kamran Mirza could also be an option. Either choice would likely enrage the conservatives and traditionalists in your government, even if it was for the good of the realm. Will you alter the succession to serve the immediate needs of your dynasty, or would it be wiser to stick to tradition. After all, were you yourself not a product of the existing succession rules?
Holy Republic of Gran Colombia
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Archbishop-President Federico González Suárez, Colombia has achieved much in the decades since it was granted independence. Your predecessors expelled the colonizers, fashioned a small colonial empire, and liberalized what had been a fairly doctrinaire authoritarian regime. These developments are now under threat. Provincial bumpkins and corrupt local politicians fought to undermine a rationalization of domestic politics. Brazil, thought once a friend, has become a jealous rival for leadership of the Catholic-Republican cause. The LPC has emerged on the fringe, threatening to pull the realm backwards. Matters have not been helped by an inconclusive election in 1898, forcing a broad coalition into power to keep the radicals out. This opening has led many to look to you for guidance. How will you tackle the bevy of domestic diplomatic challenges facing the Holy Republic?
-Colombia has benefitted greatly from its longstanding ties with Britain, let alone the loose network of Catholic-Republican allies cultivated through the Holy League. Yet, there are many who feel that these current ties are insufficient, leaving the realm vulnerable. Involvement in the exploding Andean Crisis to your south could provide you with a firsthand chance to fashion more allies wholly loyal to Bogota. Yet, one need not necessarily have to build allies from scratch. Given your presence in Asia, there are calls for a rekindling of ties with New Holland, reconciliation with Tokyo, or perhaps approaching Beijing and establishing a friendship there. Closer to home, perhaps Colombia should take advantage of the North American Alliance’s confusion and use it as a chance to overcome the heretofore impenetrable Quebecois veto of further diplomatic cooperation? Should you elect to not get involved in the south, maybe even the impossible could be achieved, through a rapprochement with Brazil?
Ottoman Empire
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Oh, grandest of viziers, your reign over the Ottoman state is absolute. The young sultan is safely in your custody, isolated from those in the public that would use him to achieve their own ends. The government has been purged of all those who question your authority, while the people have rallied to your cause under the banner of nationalism and revanchism. Enlistments are at an all-time high, young men fervent in their desire to right the wrongs done to their fathers. With this ironclad grip over domestic affairs, what will your major actions be at home? How will you reconcile your supporters’ hardcore Turkish nationalism with the presence of numerous minorities such as Greeks within your borders? Is heretofore unbridled western modernization to be continued apace, or rolled back in the name of Turkish traditionalism?
-Under your leadership thus far, the Ottoman Empire has remained a neutral power, playing off would-be foreign allies against one another. France and Russia each have in the past expressed their desire for closer ties. While Paris may share your proclivity for authoritarian ideology, Russia remains a far closer neighbor. Still, the thought of allying with the power that ripped out the beating heart of the empire and renamed it Konstantingrad certainly has many uneasy. Yet, something likely must be done, a wholly neutral Ottoman Empire an easy target for Iranian aggression. In terms of enemies, the consensus is that both Greece, Scandinavia, and Iran are not to be trusted. The presence of the Senussi Rebellion, targeted as it is against Scandinavian Egypt, could be a tempting means of poking them in the eye after they so heartlessly betrayed your onetime alliance decades ago. What form will Ottoman diplomacy take under your clear-sighted guidance?
United Provinces of New Holland
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-Welcome, esteemed Stadtholder Samuel van Houten. Back in power following the 1898 elections, you and your Liberal plurality in the States General have been courted by all sides to form a government. While you have governed with the conservatives in the first year or so, the chance of flipping to an alliance with the socialists remains on the table. Only the fiery, right-wing PVDO expresses no desire to join your administration. Will you pivot to an alliance with the socialists, or is the existing arrangement satisfactory. Beyond that, what will be your major legislative goals in the upcoming session of the States General? How will you bolster your domestic popularity in a fairly partisan environment?
-New Holland nimbly navigated the diplomatic situation back in the 1870s, employing an opportunistic manipulation of alliances in order to reconquer a fair portion of land lost during the Korean-Japanese assault way back in the 1840s. Yet, many of your neighbors still remain distrustful of your government’s sincerity, decades on from your wars of reconquest. If New Holland is to truly thrive, it must have some partners. While outright choosing France or Austria is perhaps a bit perilous, given the chance of becoming embroiled in European squabbling, there are other potential allies in the region. China, isolated as it is to the mainland, could be a potential partner in reversing Japanese and Colombian gains in the region. Or, vice versa, Japan could be allied as a means of containing China. The prospect of alliance has also been raised by Siam, a regional power eager to undermine Dai Viet and regain territories it lost to Cambodia. What will be your initial attitude to diplomacy? How will New Holland navigate the fairly complex diplomatic situation it finds itself surrounded by.
Holy Union of Spain
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-President Arsenio Linares y Pombo, you lead the Spanish nation at a crucial turning point in its history. Finally, the misery and ruin of the old Spanish Civil War is in the past, the Holy Union entering a new era. Nearing its third decade under Catholic Republican leadership, there are numerous different opinions on how to forge ahead in domestic politics. Thus far, your reign has largely been a continuation of the military-backed authoritarian of your two predecessors. Many have called for change. Reformists urge you to follow the Colombian example and liberalize, organizing elections and a new constitution. The traditionalists and radicals reject these calls. Despite their failure to seize control of the government in 1885, many in the Spanish Church view your government as being too ideologically lax. They would have a return to harsher repression and enforced compliance with Catholic doctrine. How will you handle domestic politics? What direction will the Holy Union of Spain take under your leadership.
-Diplomatically, Spain has long maintained defensive alliances with Naples and Colombia. Despite ideological differences, the Kingdom of Naples has been a fairly reliable check against French intervention. Colombia, meanwhile, was crucial in the establishment of the current regime and the final defeat of the liberals in the Spanish Civil War. Still, there are some who would forge a new diplomatic path. The deposition of Philip V and the eventual rise of Francis III has many questioning whether the agreements with Naples are still binding. Colombia, while a loyal friend, is also rather distant. Will you shake up the Spanish diplomatic policy, or is it best to remain close to proven friends?
Spamage:
Confederation of New England
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-The elections in New England are going to be pivotal in determining how the Confederation will respond to the changing world it finds itself in. With immigration, foreign affairs, and political reform all being hotly debated, the vote could go in any direction. Whether it’s George F. Hoar and his reformist Progressives, John Fitzgerald and his immigrant-backed Federalists, or Henry Cabot Lodge and his Yankee Centralists, the coming months are going to be crucial. What direction will you head? What tone will the victors strike and how will the new government tackle domestic politics?
-The North American Alliance is damaged, perhaps fatally. Quebec, already straining ties with New England by constructing the St. Lawrence Seaway, has caused great alarm through Empress Wilhelmina’s authoritarian accession. Mexico, meanwhile, seems on the verge of psychotic extremism. While Louisiana remains much as it has during the past several decades, the factionalism in that realm also has many concerned. In the face of such diplomatic uncertainty, a growing faction in government calls for New Englander neutrality or even a rapprochement with Britain. Your realm, while sturdy as the North American War proved, will likely require a formidable foreign partner. Who will it be?
Durrani Empire
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-A key issue during your father’s reign and the subsequent Durrani Civil War, was the degree to which westernization should be balanced against traditional Pashtun and Islamic practices. Your father was a modernizer, while your rebel uncles both fell more along the traditional side of the spectrum. While you have won control of the realm, seemingly settling the dynastic squabbling for the time being, the question of reform remains unanswered. Some close to you believe that adopting European methods and practices is necessary if the realm is to survive, while others fear the domestic consequences of forcing these on a traditional populace. What tone will you set in regards to reform and, if you choose to do so, what are key areas on which you will focus?
-The tensions between Russia and Iran have placed you in an awkward position as a friend to both powers. Russian aid was undoubtedly crucial in helping you win the throne against your treacherous uncles, but Iran is a far closer power with a vested interest in your survival. Will you favor one power over the other? How will the Durrani Empire navigate this uncomfortable diplomatic situation? Or is it perhaps time to take diplomacy in a new direction, with rapprochement with France or a further solidification of ties with your anti-colonial allies?
Korean State
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
-First Minister Gwon Jung-hyeon, the past few decades have not been kind to Korea, but the people have endured. After the collapse of the Joseon Dynasty with the Daeboreum Revolution in 1877, many Koreans hoped that a new era of domestic prosperity would emerge. This was not the case. The First Republic was a peasant-led, chaotic regime. Mob rule determined major political decisions as local authority gradually faded away. A coup by several high ranking military officials in 1882 saw the initial leadership deposed. Yet, recognizing their unpopularity and inability to restore order to the outlying provinces, the military junta was quick to call to China for aid. Chinese soldiers poured into the republic with the government's permission, slowly stabilizing the peninsula. By 1886 the last of the minor warlords was defeated, yet the Chinese soldiers remained. Beijing viewed your nation as a key source of technology and commerce. Similarly, despite their promises to hold elections, the military junta continued the state of emergency that they had initially used in their 1882 coup. The next decade was a time of great repression, the government brooking little opposition to themselves. Only with the withdrawal of the Chinese army in 1895 did the people gain room to breathe. Public pressure and small-scale civil disobedience brought down the old government in 1897, paving the way for you and your political allies to seize power. The future nature of the Korean state is in your hands, all options on the table. Some would have the Joseon Dynasty, exiled in far-off Vietnam, restored to power. Others have called for you to exercise power in your own right, envisioning a repressive system far more impressive than that of the military. Still, there also remains the option of democratizing and promulgating a new constitution. What path will you forge for the Korean people?
-Korea was once the terror of Asia. As the first power to modernize, it was Korean ships that helped to conquer the Dutch East Indies, forming a massive colonial empire that saw many European realms recognize you begrudgingly as their equal. Yet, mismanagement by Emperor Yi Ho, especially with his disastrous decision to invade China in a misguided attempt to claim the Mandate of Heaven, saw the Joseon dynasty deposed and Korea humiliated. After the peace with the Chinese Republic, your realm was initially dominated by Beijing, only the passage of time and Japanese pressure reducing the stifling embrace of the Chinese Republic. Chinese garrisons and political attaches only withdrew in 1895 after Japan’s saber-rattling, granting you relative freedom in terms of diplomacy. What will Korea’s diplomatic aims be, situated as it is uncomfortably between a rising China and an authoritarian Japan? Will you seek to rebuild the old Korean Empire, this time republican in fashion, or is mere survival to be preferred? Perhaps one of the European powers could be succored, providing an honest broker against the designs of your neighbors…?
Army Strength:
Kingdom of France
30 division Army of France
15 division Army of Padania
8 division Army of Delhi
5 division Army of the Sacred Heart (Burma)
5 division Army of Algeria
2 division Army of the East Indies
(65/655 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Russian Republic
20 division Army of Moscow
13 division Army of Ukraine
10 division Army of Pskov
5 division Army of Mongolia
5 division Army of the Caucuses
5 division Army of Turkestan
5 division Army of the East
(63/630 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Chinese Republic
20 division Army of Beijing
10 division Army of the South
10 division Army of Xi'an
10 division Army of Shanghai
6 division Tibetan Defense Force
3 division Burmese Defense Force
(59/590 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Habsburg Monarchy
10 division Army of Austria
10 division Army of Lombardy
10 division Army of Galicia
10 division Army of Hungary
5 division Army of Bohemia
2 division Army of Abyssinia
1 division Army of Singapore
1 division Army of the Sahel
1 division Army of Ningbo
(50/503 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Great Britain, Ireland, and Americas
15 division Army of the Mississippi
10 division Home Guard
3 division Army of the Cape
2 division Army of Australia
(30/300 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Republic of Japan
15 division Army of Tokyo
5 division Imperial Guard
5 division Army of the Pacific
1 division Army of Hokkaido
(26/265 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Divine Republic of Brazil
15 division Army of La Plata
10 division Army of Brazil
9 division Army of the Amazon
(34/170 divisions possible raised, 20% mobilized)
Kingdom of Scandinavia
5 division Army of Sweden
4 division Army of Hanover
3 division Army of East Africa
2 division Army of Cameroon
2 division Egyptian Expeditionary Force
(16/165 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Qajar Iran
8 division Army of Mesopotamia
4 division Royal Guard
4 division Army of Azerbaijan
(16/160 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Kingdom of Naples
10 division Army of the North
3 division Army of Sicily
2 division Army of Tunisia
(15/156 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Holy Union of Spain
10 division Army of Castile
5 division Army of Catalonia
(15/155 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Commonwealth of Louisiana
8 division Army of Texas
4 division Army of the Northern Territory
2 division Army of Cuba
(14/145 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Durrani Empire
5 division Royal Guard
4 division Army of Herat
4 division Army of the Indus
1 division Army of Baluchistan
(14/140 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Kingdom of Mexico
7 division Army of the North
3 division Army of the Yucatan
3 division Army of the Capital
(13/131 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Empire of Quebec
5 division Army of Montreal
3 division Army of Vaudreuil
2 division Army of Hawaii
2 division Army of the Plains
(12/120 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
United Provinces of New Holland
5 division Army of Batavia
3 division Army of Malaya
3 division Army of Willemstad
(11/115 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Holy Republic of Gran Colombia
5 division Army of Bogota
4 division Army of Venezuela
1 division Army of Peru
1 division Army of Malaya
(11/110 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Ottoman Empire
5 division Army of Ankara
4 division Army of Sinope
1 division Army of Cyrenaica
(10/101 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Korean State
4 division Army of the Capital
4 division Army of the North
(8/85 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Confederation of New England
5 division Army of Boston
(5/45 divisions possible raised, 10% mobilized)
Naval Strength*:
Naval Technology
First-Rate: This navy employs all of the latest technologies across its fleet including new tactics, equipment, and training. Truly among one of the best seafaring fleets in the world.
Innovative: New strategic ideas are planned and tested, further modifications have been made to equipment for more efficient operation.
Advanced: Ships are modernized and equipment is top of the line. Overall better organized than modernized fleets.
Modernized: Navy is at standard levels of development for time period.
Reformed: The naval equipment is near-modernized, though experience and training with new supplies is lacking.
Modified: Although still dominated by old ships and methods, efforts have been made to reform the navy, including the purchase of ships from more advanced powers.
Traditional: This navy still employs tactics, methods, and equipment from the 1870s or earlier. Limited sea capabilities and stagnant mindset.
Naval Size
Dominant: This power truly has a global naval reach. Advanced fleets at various points of the world and the ability to supply said vessels with relative ease. More than two hundred vessels in active service
Massive: Extensive naval reach, able to operate in most areas, assuming supply is secured. Around two hundred vessels.
Sizable: Naval reach includes most of surrounding seas. Roughly one hundred and fifty vessels, with the ports able to supply them.
Standard: Naval strength can be projected in the region, with further excursions when necessary. Around one hundred ships.
Limited: Several dozen ships. Extensive and long-distance operations are possible, but only on rare occasions.
Small: A dozen major ships, limited regional navy.
Nonexistent: Primarily applies to landlocked countries. No navy in existence.*
*-Not applicable for anyone right away
Navies of the World
United Kingdom of Britain, Ireland, and the Americas (First-Rate, Dominant)
Kingdom of France (Innovative, Dominant)
Kingdom of Scandinavia (Innovative, Massive)
Confederation of New England (Innovative, Limited)
Republic of Japan (Advanced, Sizable)
Kingdom of Naples (Advanced, Sizable)
Holy Republic of Gran Colombia (Advanced, Standard)
United Provinces of New Holland (Advanced, Standard)
Russian Republic (Modernized, Massive)
Divine Republic of Brazil (Modernized, Sizable)
Commonwealth of Louisiana (Modernized, Standard)
Holy Union of Spain (Modernized, Standard)
Kingdom of Quebec (Modernized, Standard)
Kingdom of Mexico (Modernized, Standard)
Habsburg Monarchy (Modernized, Limited)
Korean State (Modernized, Small)
Chinese Republic (Reformed, Standard)
Qajar Iran (Reformed, Limited)
Ottoman Empire (Modified, Small)
Durrani Empire (Modified, Small)
KaiserDave:
The Inauguration of President Pavel Milyukov
The State Duma is packed to capacity in the Petrovsky Palace, with all 600 deputies in attendance, in addition to the packed upper levels with attendees and the press, as well as even a section for an orchestra, specifically the Orchestra of the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards of Moscow. At the rostrum, stood Chairman of the State Duma Sergey Muromtsev with his aides, and above him there was a frame, which until this morning had been empty. In the wee hours of the morning, construction men had come in and fitted the frame with a new portrait, a portrait of Pavel Nikolayevich Milyukov, newly elected President of Russia, in a highly divisive contest. The bewhiskered historian now watched the entire chamber. And now he entered. He had chosen to arrive to the Petrovsky in an automobile, a shocking new technology only just making its way into Russia, eschewing the horse-drawn carriage. His attempt at innovation did not take attention away from the high police and military presence.
Now Milyukov entered the chamber, as soon as he entered there was a roar from the middle of the benches of the Duma, the Constitutional Liberals gave their hearty approval for their man, who had take back power from the treacherous Suvorinite conservatives and triumphed over the extremists, this was there champion. From the others came less immediate polite applause, but also ice-cold silence. Milyukov shook the hand of Muromtsev as his deputies, as well as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Guards, and waved to the Assembly, to which he received an even greater roar of approval from the assembled liberals. Now, everyone stood at attention as the orchestra began to start up. The orchestra burst into the hearty strains of "Slav'sya" (Glory) the National Anthem of the Republic. All stood for the strains of the national anthem which still united most of the hall. Those who had served in the Army, and many had, raised their hand in salute. With the conclusion of the National Anthem, Muromtsev spoke to the hall, announcing the commencement of the Oath of Office. Milyukov was handed a rolled up piece of parchment, which he unrolled and stood at the front of the rostrum to announce.
I, Pavel Nikolayevich Milyukov, do swear, before God and before the Russian people, to uphold the constitution of the Russian Republic and the principles of Republican government, and to bear true service and loyalty to the Russian people, and to defend with my utmost Russia and all of her people. God bless and save Russia.
A great cheer came from the Liberals again, with polite applause elsewhere. One remembers the Great Redeemer's inauguration in 1876, where the cheers came from every corner of the room with incredible enthusiasm. Now, there was sectionalism and partisanship. Milyukov was presented with the tri-colored Presidential sash by Muromtsev which he bowed to accept over his chest. There was a shout from the Colonel-in-Chief and the guards posted throughout the room presented arms, more clapping, more cheers, more lack of enthusiasm from the extreme ends of the seats. But now, Milyukov removed his speech from his coat, and began to address the hall.
Gentlemen of the Duma, patriots, countrymen, Russians. I am proud today to begin my service as President of this great and glorious Republic, and to render my service to the Russian people, the great Russkiy Narod, who are the most selfless and dignified people I know of, who deserve the best from their elected leaders. I promise to do my very best in their service, and to provide for and serve every corner of our beloved nation, from Minsk in the west and Vladivostok in the east to Konstantingrad in the south and St. Petersburg in the north. It is for Russia that I dedicate my whole life.
I believe my election demonstrates that the Russian people recognize two supreme truths, and it is these truths that will guide my leadership.
Firstly, that Russia is an exceptional nation in the history of the world. An exceptional nation molded by the dedication and the sacrifices made by the great personages who came before us and whose ingenuity have culminated in a uniquely Russian Republic, guided by the wisdom of the Russian people and our storied past. That Russia is the world's most free nation and the great defender and virtue, liberty, and representative government. That while many other nations languish under anti-constitutional ancient despotisms and barbaric tyrannies without any right or recourse for the oppressed peoples, Russia upholds the most sacred and Christian flame of liberty for the entire world. I promise never to shirk from defending the exceptional and inviolable rights and freedoms of the historic Russian family of peoples. Defending these freedoms is my highest calling, not only as practical ideas that the Russian people enjoy, but also as aspirational ideas for the entire world, to which every nation may proceed in their own way.
Secondly, that the Russian people seek good, decent, effective government. They are asking their Duma to work with one another, to restore peace and amity, and to build the prosperity of our nation. They have rejected mere narrow sectionalism and factionalism. This is the course of destruction, and we Russians are above this. The people are demanding an effective course of progress. The Russian people know that this country is capable of great things, but that this can only be accomplished when all parties contribute positively to the Republic and uphold our uniquely Russian free system of government. For that reason I make a comprehensive offer to all parties, I will work with you for the greatness and prosperity of Great Russia, I ask for your good faith and your willingness to work with me for the betterment of Russia. This second truth is that the Russian people are wise, and they are the true masters of the government, and that they are asking for a government that is capable and not crippled by sectionalism.
I intend to announce a course on constitutional reform, foreign policy, economic development, and social discontent that I believe will contribute to the peace and prosperity of all. But in keeping with our Republican constitution, for which I have the greatest respect, they will render their verdict on a new State Duma to work with the President and the Ministers on that course, and for that reason I proudly undertake my noble obligation to dissolve this body, effective immediately, pending elections this spring that will bring forth a new Duma, just according to our cherished Republican traditions.
God save Russia, and may our glorious Republic live for one-thousand years!
Milyukov was received with applause from the chamber, as he waved and shook the hands of Duma members who came to the rostrum, with the notable absence of his greatest rivals. Milyukov exited the chamber after many a shaken hand to his waiting automobile, which would proceed to the Grand Kremlin Palace, the official residence of the President (Suvorin and Mikhaylovsky had always preferred their middle class flats), where outgoing President Mikhaylovsky would receive him and the official photos would be taken. A new age in Russia had begun.
GoTfan:
The people of Naples and King Francis warmly congratulate President Milyukov on his victory in the recent election in Russia. Naples has always been grateful for the friendship of the Russian state and people, and the King looks forward to meeting with the President soon.
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