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Hopefully the locomotive didn't explode, it being so experimental and all.;)
 
The Son of the Emperor
Prince Imperial
An Alternative History Affair


Chapter 4: Setting the Mold
Part One


With a New Year beginning, the young Emperor was looking forward towards another year of speculation on where France as a nation would be. In the going on eighth year as Emperor of the French, the nation had grown to vast new heights in military, economy and power; though the power was far cry from the previous heights. Unknown to most people outside of the highest circles of the military and the inner circle was the deep plan to unify Italy into two or three nations, divided between preferably Sardinia-Piedmont, the Papal States and a Kingdom of Naples. Though this game of diplomacy involving the former proving grounds of his father would be one of the only many ventures of the nation during 1838.

Though festivities were occurring throughout Paris, the soldiers of France in Sicily were busy capturing the key port city of Messenia. With the capture of Messenia, the government of Two Sicilies came to the realization that the possibility of a victory or even a return to the status quo via a white peace were possibilities nil. The peace treaty that followed was light, Sicily would annexed to Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont; whose ruler Alfred was dismayed by the lack of demands towards additional control of southern Italy. After the war, a month long journey followed with French soldiers returning to port, and an eventual victorious parade under the Arc de Triumph in Paris; which occurred on February 4th, 1838.


Peace with the Kingdom of Naples (Two Sicilies).​

Turning to the home front, the administration began focusing on further improving the quality and type of goods that were produced within France. In late February, the state-fun paper factory in Il de France was shut down, due to its continuous low performance in production and lack of turning a profit. Workers were to be retrained towards additional factories within the region. In early March, the state announced the expansion of factories in Rhone, focusing on the winery and liquor distillery.

Lastly, the affairs of the state and the world would come to the attention of the administration. On April 14th, relations with Copenhagen were established to a more friendly status, with talks of Denmark, a former Napoleonic ally joining within the sphere of France. Later in April, it was mentioned that the Netherlands went bankrupt, setting off an eruption of activity. Before Paris could intervene, Belgium declared war against Luxembourg, which had been under the protection of Amsterdam. Rumors were spreading that Prussia was interested in a piece of the Netherlands, but the threat of French intervention kept Berlin in line.



 
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The Son of the Emperor
Prince Imperial
An Alternative History Affair


Chapter 4: Setting the Mold
Part Two


A sunny day prevailed upon the Thames, though the tension in the crowd could be felt. It was an unease feeling as British citizens lined the docks to witness three marvelous French frigates steam into port, flags furling with enormous pride. Upon the docks, an escort of Britain’s finest lined, awaiting the arrival of the quest of honor, his majesty Napoleon II of France; who sought to establish better relations Britain. What an occasion to establish relations than the coronation of new queen, whose relative inexperience and youth could be played by the masters of diplomacy and state of affairs.

As the flagship the Napoleon, a 36 gun frigate dropped anchor, an eloquent golden carriage with a marvelously carved N in the sides pulled into the view from the deck. The majestic Empress Sophie, whose grace and smile seemed to diminish the fears of the crowd, was escorted by the well dressed Emperor, whose curly red hair enhanced his boyish looks, further reducing the tension in the air. Once the royal couple sat in the carriage and waved to the gathered citizens, the carriage began in trot towards Buckingham Palace, where the new queen was to be coronated.

The coronation at Buckingham Palace would be the first for the history of Britain; but it would be noted as the most marvelous. Firstly, the nation’s excitement over the youth of the incoming monarch added to the optimism. Secondly, an increase of relations between Britain and France would further keep the balance of power in Europe in check. The balance of power was in need for discussion, as the Germanic states seemed to be aligning closer together; Russia was losing a war to the uncivilized Persians, and war being waged in the Low Countries.

At the coronation, tensions were heightened when the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley walked over to the Emperor Napoleon. No one at first knew how the situation would play out. However, the Duke courtly bowed before his majesty and walked away without incident. It was noted in the papers next day, that the Emperor Napoleon’s face contained a smirk after Wellington bowed to him.



 
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The Son of the Emperor
Prince Imperial
An Alternative History Affair


Chapter 4: Setting the Mold
Part Three


Whatever good feelings had been founded at the coronation of Queen Victoria were quickly soured by Napoleon’s next move. With the war against Morocco and Spain over; which resulted in loss of latter’s holdings along the Mediterranean, France and the rest of Europe saw an opening. Luckily, France was the first to strike, demanding a concession from the Kingdom of Morocco. The beys of the felt confident that France would send under strength force like the Spanish; however France was no Spain. Roughly 27,000 troops had been assigned to the affair; with another additional twelve thousand available if need be.

Reactions from London were quickly felt by Paris, especially after French demands on Morocco were known. If Morocco succumbed, which most knew it would, France would find itself in control of land directly across from Gibraltar, the formidable and revered British fortress that dominated the entrance and exit from the Mediterranean Sea. Unbeknownst to the British though were the designs for Tangiers, which called for massive amounts of work into naval base and extensive fortifications.


On August 22nd, the first and only major battle would occur between Morocco and France; and was an utter catastrophe for the beys. Although the beys had numerical superiority in this battle of 12,000 against Montholon’s 9,000, the smaller force had better artillery, training and leadership. Within three days, the bey’s forces were reduced to a few hundred soldiers who had mostly fled. Meanwhile, Montholon’s force had lost a mere 371 soldiers killed, captured, missing or wounded.

By end of the year, Morocco would submit to the demands of Paris. The fears of Britain would soon be underway, as dozens of French ships carrying workers and supplies began arriving. It was estimated that within a year, a naval base would be established. Once the port would be established a fleet would be sent. The fleet would consist of several frigates currently being constructed.



 
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I guess there are some nervous people sitting in Westminster now.:D
 
The Son of the Emperor
Prince Imperial
An Alternative History Affair


Chapter 4: Setting the Mold
Part Four




As their father attended to business of state; which had slowed as the year began to drag into the late fall with winter soon to come, the imperial children, which now numbered three were full of joy. The oldest, Princess Marie Louise had recently just turned six years of age, with Prince Napoleon Francis Philippe Bonaparte or “Philippe” as the court had taken to calling him approaching his third birthday. The youngest member of the household was Prince Napoleon Carlo Joseph Bonaparte; who had miraculously survived his first week of birth and was now a year and a month old. Born on August 16th, 1837 the physicians believed the child would die due to a high fever. A week had passed and the child lived. The citizens of Paris, then the nation were relieved to hear about the well being of the young Prince known simply as Joseph.

On November 16th, the children were delighted by the arrival of magnificently dressed ambassador from a far away land of Egypt. The young Princess Marie eagerly pointed to Egypt on a gigantic globe within the Imperial Study, much to the delight of her tutor and parents. What the young daughter did not know was her father’s ambition for the country was. Like his father, Napoleon II had an interest in Egypt. That interest lay in establishing a canal connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, which would greatly reduce travel times from Europe to the East Indies. If France controlled this vital real estate, its wealth would skyrocket.

The ambassador had left after a week in Paris; and shortly after he left disheartening news arrived. French ministers had been led to believe that Egypt while ‘uncivilized’ was capable of handlings its military affairs. However, that was proven to be a false assumption as the nation of Abyssinia defeated Egypt in a costly war. Egypt would lose control of portions of the upper Nile. Luckily this territory was of little interest or strategic values to Paris, as French eyes were mostly cast on a north-south canal.

Diverting French eyes away from Egypt was easy, Belgium had recently further increased its status in the world and was considered a great power, though its true strength was most likely less than that. Spain, the southern neighbor continued its long decline into decay, falling out of Europe’s great power status. Meanwhile France continued to rise, threatening Britain’s dominance as the master of the world. With no questions ask, France would easily handle Britain in a land war, though without a doubt Britain would handle France at the sea. But that would soon all change, hopefully within a few years.



 
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I'm still following this with enjoyment.... POST COMMENTS NAO!

Although I do have the question of whether your in Writing with the StAARs?
 
I'm still following this with enjoyment.... POST COMMENTS NAO!

Although I do have the question of whether your in Writing with the StAARs?

I am disqualified from Writing with the StAARs, because I am hosting the competition. I am though, one of the judges though (again because I am hosting it).
 
I have to say Spain annexing the entirety of Ethiopia is something of a rarity. Nice update TekcoR.

It is the map pack, created by Alexspeed. Ethoipia exists, so does Spain.
 
"However, France was no Spain" - nicely put! Even Spain doesn't want to be a Spain!

I liked the interlude in London very much. Old Wellington might be called back into service soon enough, methinks. Maybe he fancies another shot as Prime Minister? A confrontation approaches...
 
The Son of the Emperor
Prince Imperial
An Alternative History Affair


Chapter 4: Setting the Mold
Part Five




The beginning of 1839 would pass without major concern for the nation of France, with few events drawing attention away from the eyes of the Emperor, who was now spending an enormous amount of time with his children. Occasional ministers would interrupt the family time, which often was fit with studying of military history for the boys. On one such occasion, the minister of state had important news that the Bonapartists had secured an additional handful of seats and now controlled nearly 23 percent of the assembly.

As the spring flourished, the Emperor and the young Prince Imperials were seen often visiting the military grounds throughout Paris. Europe was beginning to clamor for war, with threats ranging from the Balkans, the German states, the Italian states and the far north in Scandinavia. Bordering the German states, the Army of the Rhine numbering 100,000 soldiers stood ever vigilant waiting for a moment and a reason to strike into the numerous Germanic states. Another 100,000 soldiers in the Army of Italy stood ready to cross the Alps at a moments notice to seize control and unify the Italian states. Though intervention of the Army of Italy was thought unnecessary as Austria would most likely back down once France’s intentions became clear.

On April 25th, 1839 Austria’s reactions would be gauged as dual declaration of wars went out. Sardinia-Piedmont declared war on Modena while the Papal States declared war on Tuscany. Emperor Napoleon II quickly threw the support of the nation of France behind Piedmont and Papal States. By May 2nd, news was heard from Vienna. Vienna would abstain from intervening on the behalf Tuscany and Modena. The Emperor’s belief that Austria would restrain itself if France sanctioned the aggression had proven true; and the generals that doubted Emperor lost credibility.

Rumors began swirling that the Italian peninsula would be united by the end of the year. Fuel to the fire was added the departure of additional reinforcements from France to port of Marsilles. These rumors fueled further rampage that the young Prince Philippe would be crowned the ‘Eternal King of Rome’ and the ‘King of Italy’. Napoleon II refused to respond to the rumors, increasing the speculation by the press of the nation. If the people of France were confused on the intentions of the Emperor, so were France’s enemies. The nations next strike would seem illogical except to all of the brightest and informed people, those within the inner circle of the House of Bonaparte.


One of the major discoveries of 1839, Vaccination. The other discovery was Genetics: Heredity.​


 
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Eternal King or Rome... You've got to like the sound of that.:D
 
War with Britain? Please let it be war with Britain!
 
No war with Britain...just let her rot like spain! Even better revenge! Just help French Canadians to revolt in America! 1837 (while late) must be a victory this time :)
 
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