Very well written scene. Poor Dion will have a hard time fomenting revolution amongst such seemingly selfish people. But then, they're just taking an opportunity as it arises. Perhaps a war would provide steady income for Dion if he joined up?
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Drake Rlugia said:
What with Rent being 150 a month, sure they could
And man, that's some great parental loving there.
Edited due to an assumption made due to poor reading o : If this is the best the proletarian revolutionaries can do, they’re doomed.
o : If this is the best the proletarian revolutionaries can do, they’re doomed.
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stnylan: Yes, quite. I felt I was dwelling upon the upper class for far too long, and I needed to extend to the lower classes of Imperial Brazil. We'll undoubtably return to Dion at once point. However, he's not important as his father (in terms of plot).
LeonTrotsky: The Revolutionary has much work ahead of him. However, I wouldn't call the trio greedy or selfish. They are doing what needs to be done to survive. If it means robbing a fellow 'friend' so be it. They have already fallen lower than most. I suppose he could join the army, but being blacklisted will deter those attempts. If the war gets quite bad, they may allow him to join, or he may even be conscripted.
RGB: Well, the Rent isn't 150 a month, Dion merely owes that much in back Rent to the landlord. Still, it isn't cheap, and they are probably paying out the nose (30-50 Reals) for the dirty hovel they call home. In regards to Alves, yes, I suppose he is a bad father. But Dion is illegitimate, and illegitimate children need hushed away in this era. However, considering Alves has fallen from grace, I suppose his reputation can't be harmed anymore should his bastard child be revealed. Hm....
Fulcrumvale: Somewhat. It's mostly all underground, as 'radical' parties are banned in Brazil. It's making progress though, and the war may see it explode open...
LeonTrotsky: The Revolutionary has much work ahead of him. However, I wouldn't call the trio greedy or selfish. They are doing what needs to be done to survive. If it means robbing a fellow 'friend' so be it. They have already fallen lower than most. I suppose he could join the army, but being blacklisted will deter those attempts. If the war gets quite bad, they may allow him to join, or he may even be conscripted.
RGB: Well, the Rent isn't 150 a month, Dion merely owes that much in back Rent to the landlord. Still, it isn't cheap, and they are probably paying out the nose (30-50 Reals) for the dirty hovel they call home. In regards to Alves, yes, I suppose he is a bad father. But Dion is illegitimate, and illegitimate children need hushed away in this era. However, considering Alves has fallen from grace, I suppose his reputation can't be harmed anymore should his bastard child be revealed. Hm....
Fulcrumvale: Somewhat. It's mostly all underground, as 'radical' parties are banned in Brazil. It's making progress though, and the war may see it explode open...
XI. Coming out on Top
Propaganda used by the United States to snap the population into supporting the war against the Entente. Brazil would adopt such posters as well.
Propaganda used by the United States to snap the population into supporting the war against the Entente. Brazil would adopt such posters as well.
July had died into August. August brought war. Germany declared war against Russia and France; German troops entered the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, sparking war with the Dutch, whose King was sovereign of that land; Belgium felt the wrath of Liége and was soon occupied. All of Europe was at war, Germany and Austria against France, Britain, and Russia. The Americas were no less quiet, with American invasions into the Confederate Shenandoah and Québec (where an uprising had began in June). Even if Germany was outnumbered in Europe, they had the Americans behind them.
Even Brazil was effected by this wrapping, shaking war. This brings us to the Imperial Palace, the sprawling complex. At the beginning of the year, it had been a happy place. Now, it was quiet. Empress Cecília was unsure of her place in this grandiose war, but knew a choice was needed. The Germans led by Ketteler and Adalbert pushed her to declare for the Centrals. The Canadian ambassador pressed for neutrality. Cecília could only scoff at all this nonsense. It was not her place to take part in a man's game, the game of war! She did not want it, and she hated it intensely.
Her pregnancy was showing. Yet the Empress said nothing regarding that, and spoke only politics. She was no longer a girl guided by emotion. She had to rule as a Empress, an imperial beast of great stature and poise. She needed to be like Victoria, rather then Eugénie. Cecília was at her desk, where she spent such time. The social hour had been abandoned, the carefree tone of the court abandoned for the stiff, German style, forced upon her by Adalbert, who curtly stated that "No nation can be ruled over tea!" As a good wife, Cecília had bended to his will. It was under these circumstances that she was in her office, brooding over what to do. There was no denying it; the world was at war, and Brazil was being pushed to take a side. It was a difficult choice. Cecília felt bound to Germany, for they had given her a husband, and hope for the future. Yet Britain scared the Empress. What kept their vast navy from bombarding Rio de Janeiro? The Empress wished to spare her people suffering.
Yet the pushing became too much. August faded into September, and September died into October. The Germans were halted at the Marne; Russia humbled at Tannenburg; Antwerp fell to Germany, and Turkey declared for Germany. While Brazil sat, the war continued to expand. People died, and the Empress wished only for peace. Yet it would not be. The Entente pledged to seek no separate peaces. In the Americas, the war stalled. The Confederates held back the Americans from pillaging Virginia, while Québec continued to be steamrolled. As the suffering continued to fill the air, Cecília knew she had to make a choice.
She chose Germany. Not because she felt close to them, but because they seemed strong, and mighty. She was certain that the Centrals would win out, and the war would be over soon. Thus, on October 10th, Brazil declared war on the Entente.
Alves has some shady friends.. thieves who support him with pittance from what is his own rightful allowance. I suspect though that his connections with the past and with the present will be significant.
As for declaring for the Central Powers, sounds like an interesting plan. There's nothing Germany or Austria can do to help Brazil, and plenty that the British or even the French navies could do against her.
As for declaring for the Central Powers, sounds like an interesting plan. There's nothing Germany or Austria can do to help Brazil, and plenty that the British or even the French navies could do against her.
Fulcrumvale: Possibly. But Germany does have the United States on it's side, which is admitably a plus.
kingmbutu: Yes, not the best of friends, but again, they can't help it. As for his past, yes, I think it's going to be very significant. Alves will no longer have any reason to hide his son away, considering his reputation is tarnished by his sacking.
As for her alliance choice, everyone seems to underestimate the fact that the United States is allied to Germany and joined her in her war against the Entente. America can certainly help where Germany cannot.
kingmbutu: Yes, not the best of friends, but again, they can't help it. As for his past, yes, I think it's going to be very significant. Alves will no longer have any reason to hide his son away, considering his reputation is tarnished by his sacking.
As for her alliance choice, everyone seems to underestimate the fact that the United States is allied to Germany and joined her in her war against the Entente. America can certainly help where Germany cannot.
Which is all very nice on paper, except that the US is stalemated against the CSA and has the RN between it and Germany…and both of them have the RN (and the CSN) between them and Brazil.
BTW, how much larger is the RN than in OTL? British leadership would have known for decades that the RN would be facing a two-front war against the USN and KM and built more Dreadnoughts accordingly. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine that they have been building 4-5 dreadnoughts per year for eight years now, rather than just for a few years during the dreadnought race as happened in OTL.
Wow, that was rambling…
To be honest, I haven't worried about numbering of the armies and fleets. It's supposed to be a narrative above all else. The RN is probably a little bit larger, but I would think the plans would take into consideration the CSN, which treats the Carribean as it's very own lake.
America probably can't support Brazil militarily, but it shouldn't have too. The Entente would either have to a) Attempt an amphibious landing in Brazil, or attack through the steamy jungles of Guyana. If anything, they are going to bleed her dry by squeezing off her trade routes. Over 60% of Brazilian trade, OTL, was carried by the British Merchant Marine, anyways. Of course, given ATL events, that's probably a small amount...but still. Brazil won't be dropping out too soon, but the toll of war will weigh heavy upon her.
America probably can't support Brazil militarily, but it shouldn't have too. The Entente would either have to a) Attempt an amphibious landing in Brazil, or attack through the steamy jungles of Guyana. If anything, they are going to bleed her dry by squeezing off her trade routes. Over 60% of Brazilian trade, OTL, was carried by the British Merchant Marine, anyways. Of course, given ATL events, that's probably a small amount...but still. Brazil won't be dropping out too soon, but the toll of war will weigh heavy upon her.
Declaring war on the Entente? Biggest gamble of them all. I somehow doubt they'll manage to stay merely silent partners. I think Brasil may yet see war.
What now happens to the other Latin American countries? A war over the River Plate?
RGB: Rest assured, the woes of the Trenches will be felt in Brazil as well.
stnylan: Argentina is quite pro-British, and is destined to enter the war against Brazil. If Brazil had contented herself to neutrality, she would've been spared war. But now she'll face Argentina. The remainder of the Latin countries cannot hope to harm Brazil: they won't dare try to cross through the Jungles. The war in South America will be limited to Brazil and Argentina.
stnylan: Argentina is quite pro-British, and is destined to enter the war against Brazil. If Brazil had contented herself to neutrality, she would've been spared war. But now she'll face Argentina. The remainder of the Latin countries cannot hope to harm Brazil: they won't dare try to cross through the Jungles. The war in South America will be limited to Brazil and Argentina.
XII. Home Before the Leaves Fall
The first Brazilian troops sent off to war.
The first Brazilian troops sent off to war.
It was not very long after Brazil declared for the Central Powers that she received a grave insult from Argentina, that the Argentines had decided to declare for Britain and the Entente. Overnight, the Brazilian southern flank became a war zone, and troops had to be shifted north. Not much sooner after the Argentines declared war, Argentine shells fell upon the cities of Salto, and Montevideo, not including various Uruguayan, Paraguayan, and Brazilian hamlets smashed by Argentine shells. The Brazilian army was quickly embarrassed by this matter and declared the movement of several regiments south to combat Argentine arrogance.
It didn't help that Britain had various ships stationed around the world, and could afford to aid the Argentines in their bombardment against Brazil. Shells from ships in the British South American Flotilla fell against Brazilian cities along the coast, most especially Rio de Janeiro. To the gentle souls of the urban city, the war came to a vast shock of them. They imagined a gallant war on horses far from the cities. The shelling changed that, and a grim view was adopted by the populace. Nevertheless, life continued unabated in the capital.
This could be seen in various ways. The aristocracy still attended to their parties, although the Baronesses and Countesses lamented that they could not hear the songs of Wagner and Haydn over the large blasts, and the Marchionesses and Duchesses complained that the British shelling prevented merchants from docking in the capital, depriving them of rich fabrics from their dresses. Aside from music being played a little louder at balls, and aristocratic fashions being more stingy, the aristocrats were nevertheless not horribly effected by the war. For the lower classes however, such as poor Dion Alves, life became more miserable than it already was. Basic needs such as coal and fuel were reserved for the military, whatever remained open for sale in various stores. Given that the aristocracy and bourgeoisie were given more priority than the proletariat, it meant that people with Dion went without much of what was needed to survive. Survival was possible, but it was pitiful.
This string of events weighed heavily upon Cecília. There was no grumbling from the people yet (aside from the opposition, who grumbled no matter what), but she knew Brazil needed to be successful to ensure peace on the home front. The euphoria of war lasted only long, the people only egged on by the cries of Kaiser Wilhelm, who had declared in Germany that the war "Would be over before the Leaves fell." Unless Brazil scored military victories against Argentina, things would quickly go into reverse.
Those early victories Cecília wished for came. The Argentine rabble were defeated in Uruguay, and partisans rose up in Argentine Paraguay, shouting at Buenos Aires for home rule, or at least independence. The war remained mobile in South America for only a few weeks. After the Brazilian Army of the Plate smashed Argentine forces at Salto, things began to bog down as they did in Europe. It was not helpful to Brazil, who lacked a large supply of maxim guns and various assortments with which to fight with, while Argentine was held together by British loans and weaponry. Brazil however, was not totally alone in the war. The Germans had allotted her several generals for training the army, along with a loan for thirty million reichsmarks. The Americans too proved ready to aid, with a vast shipment of rifles, artillery pieces, and machine guns, along with millions of dollars worth of supplies. This placed hope in Cecília's heart, but she still knew that the supplies would need to arrive safely in Brazil.
The war was starting to heat up, but already Cecília was ready to leave the kitchen.
Other that the (I presume) traditional hatred between Argentineans and Brazilians, why did Argentina join the Entante? Did Britain promise them the Falklands?
Further, how did the US and Germany ship aid through the CSN/RN blockade?
Further, how did the US and Germany ship aid through the CSN/RN blockade?
Fulcrumvale: Well, Argentina hates Brazil which is reason enough. Britain probably also promised them the remainder of Paraguay and Uruguay.
As for the blockade: Germany and the United States have promised these things, but they haven't arrived yet. Chances are German aid won't leave port, because the British will establish their RL blockade over Germany, preventing them any sort of exit into the Atlantic. The Americans will probably fair better. The South American Flotilla of the RN isn't that large, but it can serve as a commerce raider against Brazilian shipping and those seeking to aid Brazil. The Argentine navy is pitiful and we won't mention it. The CSN is probably the only threat to American shipping to Brazil, but much how the Brazilians are torn fighting their fellow slave-holders, The Confederates dislike fighting the Brazilians. The Confederates don't mind sinking Yankee ships in the carribean, but Brazilian ships are a different matter. I'll probably try to cover the "Gentleman's agreement" Brazil has with the CSA soon.
As for the blockade: Germany and the United States have promised these things, but they haven't arrived yet. Chances are German aid won't leave port, because the British will establish their RL blockade over Germany, preventing them any sort of exit into the Atlantic. The Americans will probably fair better. The South American Flotilla of the RN isn't that large, but it can serve as a commerce raider against Brazilian shipping and those seeking to aid Brazil. The Argentine navy is pitiful and we won't mention it. The CSN is probably the only threat to American shipping to Brazil, but much how the Brazilians are torn fighting their fellow slave-holders, The Confederates dislike fighting the Brazilians. The Confederates don't mind sinking Yankee ships in the carribean, but Brazilian ships are a different matter. I'll probably try to cover the "Gentleman's agreement" Brazil has with the CSA soon.
Not a very auspicious opening to war. I suspect that Cecilia will soon have more to deal with than only enemies abroad however.
Looks like things will be tough with the British taking such an active interest in the South American theatre, unless of course they suffer some defeats in Europe and have to stop aiding Argentina.
It is the grind any Central power must fear.
And you need a navy. Just enough to scare the South Atlantic Squadron off.
And you need a navy. Just enough to scare the South Atlantic Squadron off.