I'll be following...
Ecuador often changes it's ruling style it seems....back and forth from democracy to dictators
Ecuador often changes it's ruling style it seems....back and forth from democracy to dictators
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As 1852 opened, President Urbina was determined to turn the 1850s into a decade of progress. He sent memos to the scientists and researchers of Ecuador, requesting that they emphasis military and industrial technologies in order to best keep up with neighboring nations.
For decades, the government of Ecuador had been demanding tributes from the native peoples. However, President Urbina determined that such tributes did not fit with the liberal ideals of the new Ecuador he envisioned, and abolished them in late January of 1852. While his rhetoric on the matter was mostly idealistic, letters sent to his aides show a more pragmatic side of the decision: he understood that it would cost much money and push Ecuadormfurther into debt, but it would also pacify the Quecha and Guajiro populations, two of the biggest groups opposed to his presidency.
In late September of 1853, a group of rare item collectors came to President Urbina with a proposal. They would create a museum showcasing art, artifacts, and cultural memorabilia open to all citizens, regardless of class. However, the government would have to fund the museum. The finance minister urged strongly against funding the museum, as the debt was below 1,000 dollars for the first time in twelve years. The culture minister disagreed, and argued that foreign countries would look more favorable upon Ecuador if it had such a facility. President Urbina agreed to create the museum, and government funds were appropriated for the project.
March 24 1854 brought news of a new technological improvement: the mechanical saw. Loggers in the western reaches of Ecuador were thrilled, and saw their production nearly double! This served as quite a boost to the Ecuadorian economy, and greatly increased the volume of exported material.
On December 13 1854 a newspaper reported on the arrest of a traitor in Quito. One of the nation's leading poets was found out to be a spy from none other than Ecuador's nemesis Peru. President Urbina opposed the death penalty on principle, so the police force determined it would be better to take matters into their own hands. While awaiting trial, the traitor was found dead in his prision cell, clearly suffering several bullet wounds. The Peruvian government lodged a protest, but Urbina didn't even open the letter, feeling that the Peruvians were quite right in their anger but that nothing could be
done.
1855 was spent reducing the government's debt. From over 2,200 in the late 1840s, the Urbina administration cut debt to 400 by 1 January 1856. According to the finance minister, Ecuador would be debt free by September 1856 (at the latest), an assessment Urbina received with great pride. The last four years had been a time of great growth for Ecuador - the native peoples had been brought into the mainstream fold with the abolition of tribute, a public museum had been established, a treacherous Peruvian traitor was eliminated, and the national debt was almost paid off. Ecuador's image had improved in the eyes of the world, and literacy rates were steadily rising. Things were looking up for the backwater state, after years of turbulent politics and internal warfare.
For decades, the government of Ecuador had been demanding tributes from the native peoples. However, President Urbina determined that such tributes did not fit with the liberal ideals of the new Ecuador he envisioned, and abolished them in late January of 1852. While his rhetoric on the matter was mostly idealistic, letters sent to his aides show a more pragmatic side of the decision: he understood that it would cost much money and push Ecuadormfurther into debt, but it would also pacify the Quecha and Guajiro populations, two of the biggest groups opposed to his presidency.
In late September of 1853, a group of rare item collectors came to President Urbina with a proposal. They would create a museum showcasing art, artifacts, and cultural memorabilia open to all citizens, regardless of class. However, the government would have to fund the museum. The finance minister urged strongly against funding the museum, as the debt was below 1,000 dollars for the first time in twelve years. The culture minister disagreed, and argued that foreign countries would look more favorable upon Ecuador if it had such a facility. President Urbina agreed to create the museum, and government funds were appropriated for the project.
March 24 1854 brought news of a new technological improvement: the mechanical saw. Loggers in the western reaches of Ecuador were thrilled, and saw their production nearly double! This served as quite a boost to the Ecuadorian economy, and greatly increased the volume of exported material.
On December 13 1854 a newspaper reported on the arrest of a traitor in Quito. One of the nation's leading poets was found out to be a spy from none other than Ecuador's nemesis Peru. President Urbina opposed the death penalty on principle, so the police force determined it would be better to take matters into their own hands. While awaiting trial, the traitor was found dead in his prision cell, clearly suffering several bullet wounds. The Peruvian government lodged a protest, but Urbina didn't even open the letter, feeling that the Peruvians were quite right in their anger but that nothing could be
done.
1855 was spent reducing the government's debt. From over 2,200 in the late 1840s, the Urbina administration cut debt to 400 by 1 January 1856. According to the finance minister, Ecuador would be debt free by September 1856 (at the latest), an assessment Urbina received with great pride. The last four years had been a time of great growth for Ecuador - the native peoples had been brought into the mainstream fold with the abolition of tribute, a public museum had been established, a treacherous Peruvian traitor was eliminated, and the national debt was almost paid off. Ecuador's image had improved in the eyes of the world, and literacy rates were steadily rising. Things were looking up for the backwater state, after years of turbulent politics and internal warfare.
Nice updatre. I like how you paraphrase the events and make them fit into your story. Remember my advice about '59 better be prepared.
I'm kind of worried about that. I've been researching military and culture (to try to build prestige so I can get into a useful alliance). I hope to capture Lima quickly and force a peace before too much blood is shed. That will definitely be hard to do, though, given Peru's manpower compared to mine...
check the ledger if Peru got a strong navy, if not build 2 or 3 clipper convoys ship and land all your troops in Lima at the very beginning of the conflict.
You shouldn't worry too much about that. I guess there is an event that ends the war without territorial loss for you (but could be an ai-only event).
You shouldn't worry too much about that. I guess there is an event that ends the war without territorial loss for you (but could be an ai-only event).
1856-1860
President Urbina, despite being despised by the vast majority of Euador, was taking effective steps towards repairing the nation's tarnished image and rebuilding it's broken economy.
On 10 February 1856 a group of conservative rabble-rousers were caught slandering the government. As the police moved in to arrest them, a full fledged riot broke out in Iquitos. Federal troops were sent in immediately, but it wasn't until March 18 that the military prevailed, sending the rioters back home.
Ecuador was experiencing greater wealth than ever before, and had not only paid off all debts but expanded the treasury by over 400 pounds. President Urbina was not one to leave money unspent and gathering dust, so when the opportunity came along to rebuild decrepit sewers in Quito he gladly agreed.
In late September of 1857 a consortium British bankers approached the Ministry of Finance with an offer. In exchange for allowing British investment in land along the Peruvian border, the bankers would help pay off Ecuadorian debt. President Urbina understood that there was much to gain by agreeing to the British offer, but he also felt that allowing British meddling along an already tense border might exacerbate the situation. With a heavy heart, President Urbina turned away the bankers empty-handed.
March 27 1858 brought yet another anti-Urbina revolution, this time in Guyaquil, where local laborers were frustrated by former slaves (freed several years earlier by President Urbina) getting equal pay. The revolters, numbering over 7,000, proved to be the biggest threat so far in the 1850s.
The rebels were taken care of by Urbina himself, leading a mixed unit of infantry and cavalry. Although the losses were heavy, the rebels were beaten quite handily by 19 May 1858.
On January 11, 1859, tremendous events were underway. The budget was growing rapidly (approaching a thousand pounds!), the slaves had been emancipated, native tributes had been ended, and Ecuador's sovereignity had been firmly established at the expense of British banks. In a shocking turn of events, President Urbina (confident that his work was done, or rather, as done as could be, given the circumstances) presented a letter of resignation to the Parliament. The clearly surprised assembly told Urbina that they would take up debate as to whether or not to accept his resignation and restore Ecuador to a democracy.
After tedious and heated debate, it was announced that Parliament would indeed accept Urbina's resignation. Urbina further shocked the political speculators by requesting that former president Luis Rocio be restored to his position. When questioned why Urbina would surrender his position to a Conservative, he replied that as much as it pained him to say it, his liberal reforms, while good for the future of Ecuador, were not popular and that the people clearly wanted the Conservative Party of Ecuador to be the leader of the government. Parliament accepted to install Rocio on the condition that an election will be held before the end of the year, and the Third Democratic Era began.This was not without contention, however, and certain groups (notably the Quecha and former slaves loyal to Urbina due to his racial equality programs) were clearly upset by this sudden change.
President Rocio, in keeping with his policies during his previous term, lowered taxes to below 20% on all classes and raised considerable tariffs on foreign goods. Money was now flowing into Ecuador quickly, much to the pleasure of the government.
In April of 1859, the government announced that it would take a considerable loan in order to build a railroad in Quito, the nation's first! This was heralded as a clear sign of the industrial progress Ecuador made in the 1850s, no matter how turbulent the era was. Immediately following the completion of that railway in August, another loan was taken to expand it west to the coast through the sugarcane plantations of Guyaquil.
As was expected, President Rocio won re-election handily in the election of 1859 (which was held as a result of the resignation of President Urbina). The final tally was surprising in that the Jesuit Party had surged past the Liberal Party as the chief opposition. Poll numbers were released several days later:
Conservative Party of Ecuador (Luis Rocio) - 68%
Jesuit Party (Manuel Carrera) - 22%
Liberal Party (Frederico Utilisante) - 10%
As the 1850s closed, Ecuador was finally emerging as a nation worth living in. Railroads had been constructed in Quito and Guyaquil, relations with Peru were slightly improved, and the budget had been turning out positive numbers for several consecutive years. Things were looking up for the forgotten nation of South America!
President Urbina, despite being despised by the vast majority of Euador, was taking effective steps towards repairing the nation's tarnished image and rebuilding it's broken economy.
On 10 February 1856 a group of conservative rabble-rousers were caught slandering the government. As the police moved in to arrest them, a full fledged riot broke out in Iquitos. Federal troops were sent in immediately, but it wasn't until March 18 that the military prevailed, sending the rioters back home.
Ecuador was experiencing greater wealth than ever before, and had not only paid off all debts but expanded the treasury by over 400 pounds. President Urbina was not one to leave money unspent and gathering dust, so when the opportunity came along to rebuild decrepit sewers in Quito he gladly agreed.
In late September of 1857 a consortium British bankers approached the Ministry of Finance with an offer. In exchange for allowing British investment in land along the Peruvian border, the bankers would help pay off Ecuadorian debt. President Urbina understood that there was much to gain by agreeing to the British offer, but he also felt that allowing British meddling along an already tense border might exacerbate the situation. With a heavy heart, President Urbina turned away the bankers empty-handed.
March 27 1858 brought yet another anti-Urbina revolution, this time in Guyaquil, where local laborers were frustrated by former slaves (freed several years earlier by President Urbina) getting equal pay. The revolters, numbering over 7,000, proved to be the biggest threat so far in the 1850s.
The rebels were taken care of by Urbina himself, leading a mixed unit of infantry and cavalry. Although the losses were heavy, the rebels were beaten quite handily by 19 May 1858.
On January 11, 1859, tremendous events were underway. The budget was growing rapidly (approaching a thousand pounds!), the slaves had been emancipated, native tributes had been ended, and Ecuador's sovereignity had been firmly established at the expense of British banks. In a shocking turn of events, President Urbina (confident that his work was done, or rather, as done as could be, given the circumstances) presented a letter of resignation to the Parliament. The clearly surprised assembly told Urbina that they would take up debate as to whether or not to accept his resignation and restore Ecuador to a democracy.
After tedious and heated debate, it was announced that Parliament would indeed accept Urbina's resignation. Urbina further shocked the political speculators by requesting that former president Luis Rocio be restored to his position. When questioned why Urbina would surrender his position to a Conservative, he replied that as much as it pained him to say it, his liberal reforms, while good for the future of Ecuador, were not popular and that the people clearly wanted the Conservative Party of Ecuador to be the leader of the government. Parliament accepted to install Rocio on the condition that an election will be held before the end of the year, and the Third Democratic Era began.This was not without contention, however, and certain groups (notably the Quecha and former slaves loyal to Urbina due to his racial equality programs) were clearly upset by this sudden change.
President Rocio, in keeping with his policies during his previous term, lowered taxes to below 20% on all classes and raised considerable tariffs on foreign goods. Money was now flowing into Ecuador quickly, much to the pleasure of the government.
In April of 1859, the government announced that it would take a considerable loan in order to build a railroad in Quito, the nation's first! This was heralded as a clear sign of the industrial progress Ecuador made in the 1850s, no matter how turbulent the era was. Immediately following the completion of that railway in August, another loan was taken to expand it west to the coast through the sugarcane plantations of Guyaquil.
As was expected, President Rocio won re-election handily in the election of 1859 (which was held as a result of the resignation of President Urbina). The final tally was surprising in that the Jesuit Party had surged past the Liberal Party as the chief opposition. Poll numbers were released several days later:
Conservative Party of Ecuador (Luis Rocio) - 68%
Jesuit Party (Manuel Carrera) - 22%
Liberal Party (Frederico Utilisante) - 10%
As the 1850s closed, Ecuador was finally emerging as a nation worth living in. Railroads had been constructed in Quito and Guyaquil, relations with Peru were slightly improved, and the budget had been turning out positive numbers for several consecutive years. Things were looking up for the forgotten nation of South America!
Good update, and by the looks of it... the Conservatives dominated once again and the Liberals are being phased out by the Socialists and Reactionaries!
With industrialization, modernization and a more stable government under the beltway now, I can only imagine how much longer it will take before you decide to unleash some Ecuadorian might on your neighbors - namely Peru?
With industrialization, modernization and a more stable government under the beltway now, I can only imagine how much longer it will take before you decide to unleash some Ecuadorian might on your neighbors - namely Peru?
Peru's military is far more powerful than mine now, which is definitely worrisome. Colombia might be a better target - they have more right culture provinces, and their military is smaller. I'm reluctant to go to war with them, though, given that Ecuador now has 3 Peruvian core provinces, and they might consider an attack on Colombia as an easy opportunity to regain them (which in all honesty, it would be).
Maybe I'll start thinking about the Pacific soon, though. Some of those little states are begging to be plundered and used for cheap manpower...
Maybe I'll start thinking about the Pacific soon, though. Some of those little states are begging to be plundered and used for cheap manpower...
As the 1860s began, President Rocio envisioned a decade of industrialization, modernization, and peace. After the turbulence of the late 1840s and 1850s, Ecuador desperately needed a period of stability and calm.
February 12, 1860: News reached Ecuador that former president Urbina died (evidently of malaria) while on a tour of Mayan ruins in Guatamala. Dispite being despised by so many during his presidency, the manner in which he handled his resignation won him the respect of the country. His body was quickly returned to Ecuador, where it underwent funereal preparations. After laying in state for a three day period, he was interred in a simple mausoleum in the outskirts of Quito.
In July of 1860, the Confederate States of America announced that it had split from the Union. The revolt was short-lived, however, and a major Union offensive through Arkansas and Louisiana, coupled with series of amphibious assaults, left the Confederacy reeling. By May of 1861, a peace deal was arranged bringing the rebelling states back into the warm embrace of the Union.
President Rocio renewed calls for the expansion of the rail system in Ecuador. Parliament respond by authorizing spending on a railway in Archidona, although it would cause even more debt. By January 1862 the railway had been completed, providing a transport route from the coast at Guyaquil, through the capital and biggest city of Quito, and into the Ecuadorian heartland at Archidona.
On 12 March, 1862, the speaker of Parliament suggested that, in light of the tremendous support for the Catholic Church in Ecuador, the nation might form some sort of understanding with the Church, be it a concordat or letting the Church rule directly as a satellite of the Papacy. President Rocio rejected this notion, stating that the secular constitution of Ecuador would not be cast aside. This was the second time Rocio chose to protect sovereignty in the face of international or internal pressure to do otherwise, giving him the reputation of being stubborn and nationalistic.
Columbian counter-revolutionaries were caught crossing the border into Ecuador in pursuit of ultra-conservative rebels. He felt, perhaps quite rightly, that the act constituted a violation of Ecuador's territorial sovereignity. Despite concerns that the military was unprepared for a war against such a potentially potent foe, Rocio was obliged to request a declaration of war, a request which was approved by a wide margin.
Evidently Colombia was equally unprepared for war with a foreign power, and Ecuadorian troops had great success early in the war, capturing 3 provinces in a matter of months and reaching the walls of Bogota by the end of January 1863. Back in the Ecuador, Costa Rican troops (allies of Colombia) landed in Esmeraldas and Guyaquil, although neither of those armies numbered over 700 troops, and they were largely ignored by the Ecuadorian military. Meanwhile, the biggest battle of the war, The Battle of Bogota, was underway and would prove to be a major blow to Ecuadorian hopes to capture the Colombian capital.
Ecuadorian troops retreated hastily from Bogota after experiencing heavy losses at the hands of an evidently better trained and more disciplined foe. They turned their attention towards the pacific, and captured two more provinces west of Bogota. However, another loss in battle sent the Ecuadorian forces reeling back southwards. Luckily, Colombia was having real problems with war exhaustion and rebels, and Ecuador managed to get an extremely favorable peace that saw Buenaventura and Pasto, two pacific coastal provinces, join Ecuador.
In October 1863 an election campaign began. President Rocio, riding a new wave of popularity brought on by a relatively successful war against a larger neighbor and the industrial progress made by Ecuador, was heavily favored to win in a landslide. His biggest threat came from the Jesuit Party, which was polling around 25%.
1864 began with a sense of optimism unlike any before. Ecuador was well on its road to industrialization, and had 4 provinces with railroads (Quito, Guyaquil, Archidona, and Buenaventura). The military, despite not winning a single battle, had captured 5 Colombian provinces and settled for a piece that saw two of those five retained. The political situation appeared to have stabilized, and export numbers were way up, paving the way for continued economic growth.
February 12, 1860: News reached Ecuador that former president Urbina died (evidently of malaria) while on a tour of Mayan ruins in Guatamala. Dispite being despised by so many during his presidency, the manner in which he handled his resignation won him the respect of the country. His body was quickly returned to Ecuador, where it underwent funereal preparations. After laying in state for a three day period, he was interred in a simple mausoleum in the outskirts of Quito.
In July of 1860, the Confederate States of America announced that it had split from the Union. The revolt was short-lived, however, and a major Union offensive through Arkansas and Louisiana, coupled with series of amphibious assaults, left the Confederacy reeling. By May of 1861, a peace deal was arranged bringing the rebelling states back into the warm embrace of the Union.
President Rocio renewed calls for the expansion of the rail system in Ecuador. Parliament respond by authorizing spending on a railway in Archidona, although it would cause even more debt. By January 1862 the railway had been completed, providing a transport route from the coast at Guyaquil, through the capital and biggest city of Quito, and into the Ecuadorian heartland at Archidona.
On 12 March, 1862, the speaker of Parliament suggested that, in light of the tremendous support for the Catholic Church in Ecuador, the nation might form some sort of understanding with the Church, be it a concordat or letting the Church rule directly as a satellite of the Papacy. President Rocio rejected this notion, stating that the secular constitution of Ecuador would not be cast aside. This was the second time Rocio chose to protect sovereignty in the face of international or internal pressure to do otherwise, giving him the reputation of being stubborn and nationalistic.
Columbian counter-revolutionaries were caught crossing the border into Ecuador in pursuit of ultra-conservative rebels. He felt, perhaps quite rightly, that the act constituted a violation of Ecuador's territorial sovereignity. Despite concerns that the military was unprepared for a war against such a potentially potent foe, Rocio was obliged to request a declaration of war, a request which was approved by a wide margin.
Evidently Colombia was equally unprepared for war with a foreign power, and Ecuadorian troops had great success early in the war, capturing 3 provinces in a matter of months and reaching the walls of Bogota by the end of January 1863. Back in the Ecuador, Costa Rican troops (allies of Colombia) landed in Esmeraldas and Guyaquil, although neither of those armies numbered over 700 troops, and they were largely ignored by the Ecuadorian military. Meanwhile, the biggest battle of the war, The Battle of Bogota, was underway and would prove to be a major blow to Ecuadorian hopes to capture the Colombian capital.
Ecuadorian troops retreated hastily from Bogota after experiencing heavy losses at the hands of an evidently better trained and more disciplined foe. They turned their attention towards the pacific, and captured two more provinces west of Bogota. However, another loss in battle sent the Ecuadorian forces reeling back southwards. Luckily, Colombia was having real problems with war exhaustion and rebels, and Ecuador managed to get an extremely favorable peace that saw Buenaventura and Pasto, two pacific coastal provinces, join Ecuador.
In October 1863 an election campaign began. President Rocio, riding a new wave of popularity brought on by a relatively successful war against a larger neighbor and the industrial progress made by Ecuador, was heavily favored to win in a landslide. His biggest threat came from the Jesuit Party, which was polling around 25%.
1864 began with a sense of optimism unlike any before. Ecuador was well on its road to industrialization, and had 4 provinces with railroads (Quito, Guyaquil, Archidona, and Buenaventura). The military, despite not winning a single battle, had captured 5 Colombian provinces and settled for a piece that saw two of those five retained. The political situation appeared to have stabilized, and export numbers were way up, paving the way for continued economic growth.
Update:
This project isn't quite dead yet, despite no new posts in a while. I've been busy with work, as finals are rapidly approaching. I should be able to get a few updates in the next few weeks, and they'll pick up again with more regularity once university gets out in mid-May. I hope to have an update in within 24-36 hours.
Thanks for those of you who are still following despite the sporadic updates and delays!
This project isn't quite dead yet, despite no new posts in a while. I've been busy with work, as finals are rapidly approaching. I should be able to get a few updates in the next few weeks, and they'll pick up again with more regularity once university gets out in mid-May. I hope to have an update in within 24-36 hours.
Thanks for those of you who are still following despite the sporadic updates and delays!
Sorry for the long delay! It might be a few weeks before I can put in another update, as university finals are fast approaching, but I’ll make every effort to get another one up this weekend. This update will only cover two years, but those years sure were eventful, and hopefully I can turn those years into a full and satisfying update.
As 1864 arrived, the election campaign was in full swing. The Conservative Party of Ecuador was expected to win handily, riding a popular platform of industrialization, commercial development, and military reform. The CPE, headed by the popular incumbent President Rocio, was increasingly popular in the rapidly industrializing west, where his pro-railroad policies were already having a tremendous impact on the economics of the region.
The unfortunate truth that Ecuador’s armed forces didn’t win a single engagement (although the speed with which they rapidly seized provinces was impressive) in the recent war with Colombia hung darkly over the military command structure. President Rocio felt that the modernization of Ecuador’s military would kill two birds with one stone – both modernize the armed forces and increase their capacity for warfare, and co-opt a popular Jesuit Party platform.
![url]](http://[url]http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/7126/41337523.png[/url])
A Public debate on economic policy drew huge crowds, and was widely reported on by newspapers throughout Ecuador. Guest lecturers and economists spoke for hours, but as the conference wrapped up it became fairly clear that the protectionists had won a clear victory in the eyes of the Ecuadorian people.
![url]](http://[url]http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7290/22663770.png[/url])
In the mid and late 1860s, the University of Quito became known as a hotbed of idealism. Students, especially students of literature and philosophy, flocked from neighboring nations to attend the University. Neo-Kantian Idealism was a top subject of conversation and dialogue, and the University quickly developed a reputation as a leader in the research and discussion of philosophy in South America.
When the results of the election were released, there was no real surprise at the wide margin of the CPE victory. The big story of the election was the collapse of the leftist radicals and the re-emergence of the Jesuit Party, largely in the still unindustrialized and ultra-conservative eastern reaches of Ecuador. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party maintained its status as odd man out, popular chiefly amongst the former slaves of Esmeraldas and Guyaquil as well as some Quecha elites in Piura.
Results:
CPE: 61%
Jesuit Party: 30%
Liberal Party: 9%
In fall of 1864, President Rocio followed through on one of his campaign promises and balanced the national budget. He requested that parliament block any future expenditure that would put Ecuador in debt greater than 4,000 pounds.
In February of 1865, President Rocio, acting upon the recommendation of his Minister of Immigration, instituted a ten-hour workweek policy in an effort to attract immigrants. Despite Ecuador being a rapidly industrializing and relatively liberal state, immigrants were pouring into Chile, Argentina, and Brazil while ignoring the Republic of Ecuador.
In early 1866, the Spaniards were becoming increasingly active in South America yet again. Many of the ardently independent states, namely Peru and Chile, were vocal in their opposition to increased Spanish meddling. Despite the risk, President Rocio felt that increasing oft-strained relations with neighbors was important, and agreed to support the Anti-Spanish sentiment expressed by Peru and Chile.
![url]](http://[url]http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1378/57156116.png[/url])
Late February saw a Jesuit Party rally turn into a revolt, something that many Ecuadorians thought was a thing of the past. As the Republic moved into the mid-1860s, President Rocio was facing his biggest threat of the decade.
![url]](http://[url]http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/9305/37437040.png[/url])
As 1864 arrived, the election campaign was in full swing. The Conservative Party of Ecuador was expected to win handily, riding a popular platform of industrialization, commercial development, and military reform. The CPE, headed by the popular incumbent President Rocio, was increasingly popular in the rapidly industrializing west, where his pro-railroad policies were already having a tremendous impact on the economics of the region.
The unfortunate truth that Ecuador’s armed forces didn’t win a single engagement (although the speed with which they rapidly seized provinces was impressive) in the recent war with Colombia hung darkly over the military command structure. President Rocio felt that the modernization of Ecuador’s military would kill two birds with one stone – both modernize the armed forces and increase their capacity for warfare, and co-opt a popular Jesuit Party platform.
A Public debate on economic policy drew huge crowds, and was widely reported on by newspapers throughout Ecuador. Guest lecturers and economists spoke for hours, but as the conference wrapped up it became fairly clear that the protectionists had won a clear victory in the eyes of the Ecuadorian people.
In the mid and late 1860s, the University of Quito became known as a hotbed of idealism. Students, especially students of literature and philosophy, flocked from neighboring nations to attend the University. Neo-Kantian Idealism was a top subject of conversation and dialogue, and the University quickly developed a reputation as a leader in the research and discussion of philosophy in South America.
When the results of the election were released, there was no real surprise at the wide margin of the CPE victory. The big story of the election was the collapse of the leftist radicals and the re-emergence of the Jesuit Party, largely in the still unindustrialized and ultra-conservative eastern reaches of Ecuador. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party maintained its status as odd man out, popular chiefly amongst the former slaves of Esmeraldas and Guyaquil as well as some Quecha elites in Piura.
Results:
CPE: 61%
Jesuit Party: 30%
Liberal Party: 9%
In fall of 1864, President Rocio followed through on one of his campaign promises and balanced the national budget. He requested that parliament block any future expenditure that would put Ecuador in debt greater than 4,000 pounds.
In February of 1865, President Rocio, acting upon the recommendation of his Minister of Immigration, instituted a ten-hour workweek policy in an effort to attract immigrants. Despite Ecuador being a rapidly industrializing and relatively liberal state, immigrants were pouring into Chile, Argentina, and Brazil while ignoring the Republic of Ecuador.
In early 1866, the Spaniards were becoming increasingly active in South America yet again. Many of the ardently independent states, namely Peru and Chile, were vocal in their opposition to increased Spanish meddling. Despite the risk, President Rocio felt that increasing oft-strained relations with neighbors was important, and agreed to support the Anti-Spanish sentiment expressed by Peru and Chile.
Late February saw a Jesuit Party rally turn into a revolt, something that many Ecuadorians thought was a thing of the past. As the Republic moved into the mid-1860s, President Rocio was facing his biggest threat of the decade.
just stumbled onto this extremely engaging AAR, never realised there was such potential to have fun with countries such as Ecuador in Vicky
Bad news, gents. Turns out my computer is in need of a reformatting, and it's unkown whether or not I'll be able to save the Vicky save files from my computer. Looks like this run is coming to an end. Thanks to all of you who followed this - I'll try to get another Vicky AAR up within the next few months.
*rings the requiem bell*
This AAR is officially dead. After reformatting my computer, I went into my backed up Victoria files (and my EU2 files, for that matter) - all saved games were corrupted. I don't know how it happened, but it made me extremely frustrated, as I really liked playing this Ecuador game. As it is, the AAR is dead as dead can be, and I have no plans of creating another (third) incarnation. I think i'll focus instead on my Sindh FTG AAR, and maybe start a CK AAR.
Thanks to all those who followed this, I certainly enjoyed writing/playing it!
This AAR is officially dead. After reformatting my computer, I went into my backed up Victoria files (and my EU2 files, for that matter) - all saved games were corrupted. I don't know how it happened, but it made me extremely frustrated, as I really liked playing this Ecuador game. As it is, the AAR is dead as dead can be, and I have no plans of creating another (third) incarnation. I think i'll focus instead on my Sindh FTG AAR, and maybe start a CK AAR.
Thanks to all those who followed this, I certainly enjoyed writing/playing it!
pity ... I think I only stumbled on this after you'd stopped adding to it, best of luck with your other AARs though