• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Do you know Mr. Romero that I once saw you as an embodyment of conservative principles, and an example for future conservadores. It is truly a shame that you have decided to become the puppet of an Emperor who do nothing but wage war and destroy business. You are not at all the shining figure I saw you as. If I ever come to Santiago, you had best watch your back.

-Armando de Vasces, a proud and true conservador
 
((TH, do you ever feel like the ringleader of a three ring circus here? Or just a spectator, watching the animals play?))
 
Cesar/Disraeli 1856-1861: Argentina and the Empire​


The transition from Republican to Imperial Chile was less than smooth, but ultimately successful. Cesar Roseno crowned himself Emperor Cesar I in a lavish ceremony following the recapture of Santiago from Santandera - who, though defiant to the end, failed to keep out the Empire for even a week. Cesar I quickly appointed Disraeli as his Prime Minister, who preserved most of the Emperor's original appointments under the democratic government. The two new appointments were Karl Weissmuller, the new Minister of Security and charged with hunting the dissidents who had escaped, and former President Romano, who was given the post of Lord of the Imperial Treasury following his declaration of support for Cesar I and the Empire.

Romano was given a tough job, as always, though he had never been one to take easy ones. Disraeli and Cesar charged him with finding a way to both fund a new war in Argentina and fund the raising of dozens of new brigades. Though the railroads Romano had always sought for Chile still seemed loathe to come, the treasurer quickly re-implemented the pro-mining policies he had always been famous for. These, combined with new mining technology, created a healthy surplus in the imperial treasury. With finance secured, Cesar gave Disraeli the go-ahead to execute their original jingoistic plans: the reconquest of Patagonia and Rios Negro from Argentina.

War was declared in early March and Carrera and Carrow, given their orders, quickly marched into Argentina. While Carrow pre-occupied himself with the occupation of Patagonia, Carrera marched south to the Argentinian capital in Buenos Aires. Argentina's entire army at the time of the declaration was just 3,000 undersupplied men; at the outbreak of war they were rapidly reinforced by local mobilization to 6,000. Carrera crushed them at Buenos Aires but failed to obtain their surrender and spent more than a year chasing the reticent Argentinian army around the country-side, all the while conducting a siege of Buenos Aires. The enemy capital fell in early 1857. Carrow's lengthy campaign in the south of the country, combined with Carrera's final defeat of the Argentianian army in February 1857, at long last forced an Argentinian surrender. In July 1857, the treaty of Buenos Aires was signed, surrendering the provinces of Patagonia and Rios Negro to Chile.

The victory was greeted with tremendous celebration in Santiago but alarm abroad. Following his coup, Roseno rebranded the Republicans the "Viceroyalists" and declared all treaties and commitments made under them null and void. This created a possible front with Chile's former allies in Brazil, which moved ever closer to Chile with the integration of Bolivian Alto Paraguay into Brazil in 1857 as well. Many believed a confrontation with Brazil had become inevitable as Chile joined Brazil as one of the world's middle powers and a major player in South America following victory in Argentina.

After the war, internal security became Cesar's main preoccupation, and Weissmuller became the most common visitor to the Imperial Palace in Santiago. In 1856, a Chartist rally was suppressed in Puna, and the Empire passed laws against secret liberal societies in most of the major cities of the Empire. Despite these security actions, Weissmuller continued to have no leads on the location of the rebel leader, Antonio de Santa Rosa.

Despite this lack of intelligence, Weissmuller learned in 1857 that a major schism had occurred in the rebel ranks. The thesis of a convention, developing the subject of so-called "Anarcho-Liberals" in Krakow in the spring of 1857, had begun to be distributed through the republican's networks by underground press. These "radicals" or "radical liberals" comprised more than a third of the rebel ranks, Weissmuller predicted, with roughly 200,000 so-called "Jacobins" and 100,000 "anarcho-liberals" or "libertarians." The latter faction rallied around Zepeda, though both factions agreed to call the general Antonio de Santa Rosa their leader.

In response to internal security needs, Disraeli and Cesar ordered the massive build-up of the Chilean military between 1858 and 1861. In this period, the size of the Chilean military swelled from 24,000 to 90,000 as the army recruited new infantry, cavalry, and artillery brigades (a total of 30 by the end) - and amazingly, Romano's treasury managed to bankroll the whole army and continue to run a surplus. The build-up left Chile with the strongest army south of the United States in the Americas.

Despite the precautionary build-up, Antonio de Santa Rosa continued to hold off on his order to rebel. Organizing and arming more than a quarter of a million men was no mean feat, and he knew that striking before the time was right would seriously damage their mission.

A period of tense peace settled over Chile and continued into 1861, when the court began to consider the idea of a new government.


-------------------------

Candidates for Prime Minister and Agitators should declare.

Sample:

I am running for Prime Minister or I am an agitator

If you're already an agitator, you don't have to re-declare, but you have the opportunity to stop agitating.

Unfortunately, I played through but I lost my notes on what happened, which is why this post is a bit sparse for details.

You have two days to declare (until 6 PM PST on the 27th).
 
((Oh, I'll keep agitating alright... IN SECRET :ninja:))
 
(( Thank you for the update, I know it can be hard to get stuff done on the holidays, especially hobbies, when one should be spending time with family and friends. ))

Members of the Court Imperial, I would like to offer myself up for the continued leadership of His Majesty's Government. I am running for Prime Ministership. In the past five years the Emperor has not steered us wrong. Argentina has been brought low, the army is expanding, and still our coffers are full. Even better the Viceroyalistas are fragmenting as the years pass.

Having been the representative of the Imperial Will for the past half-decade, I feel I, of all the court, am uniquely qualified to continue the day to day running of the Fatherland while the great leader reigns.

And with another five years I promise you the commissioning of a proper navy and rail network.

I hope I can count on the support of you, my influential friends, to sway the various factions of the court in my favor.

Thank you.
 
"Glory to the Empire! We have once again triumphed over the hated vultures, and proved more then victorious! Our place in the sun grows with each passing victory. I hereby request that the Ministry of War begin the production and/or purchase of a large navy, as well as the continued enlargement of the armed forces. I as well request, of Minister Weissmuller, that you continue your search for the treacherous Santa Rosa. As well, I announce my official backing of Disraeli for the post of Prime Minister once again, although I will not appoint him to the post. Viva La Imperio, Viva la Chile!"

-Emperor Cesar I
 
I call for all Republicanos to boycott these sham elections and to continue organizing, agitating and arming ourselves to overthrow the so called imperialistos. Libertad o Muerte!

Francisco Rivera - Republicano. Senator in the legitimate government of Chile
 
Incredible! The army has somehow overcome an enemy it only outnumbered 3 to 1! And lack of railroads still makes travel difficult! And now more Chiliens are being drafted so they may be pointlessly slaughtered in more of the Emperor's wars! It is truly amazing the lack of change in this so called "New Era"

-Armando de Vasces
 
((I'm actually a socialist/communist, not a liberal))

"Whilst this is a glorious victory, in true Spanish style, I cannot help but feel that the army spent far longer than necessary fighting. But this victory doesn't make Roseno any less of a tyrannical oppressor. We have an army of 90,000 men of which over half are for internal security needs. This is not good. Now that Roseno has his army, he will be wanting to play with his toys. He wants a war."

Anselmo Galante
 
((Socialists existed at the beginning of the 19th century, but had views somewhat different from the Marxists and Proudhonist traditions of the late 19th-early 20th century. Though I agree they tended to exist in more industrialised nations than Chile.))
 
It is troubling to hear talk of the rebels venerating their vainglorious dead. The peasants are being misled as to who the true heroes of Chile are.
Perhaps we can amend that error.
I present before la Corte Imperial a draft decree. Should the court decide it is worthy, we shall present it to our Emperador estimado.

Imperial Honours Act

By decree of the Imperial Government, the creation of two decorations and an order of merit to recognise the achievements of those who loyally and of their own volition serve their fatherland with honour.
  • The Imperial Service Medal - A Civil decoration for distinguished action in the service of the Empire and its citizens. (Any full citizen eligible)
  • Chilean Cross of Gallantry - A Military decoration for conspicuous bravery or sacrifice in the service of Chile. (Any enlisted soldier or commissioned officer eligible)
  • The Honourable Order of St. Francis Solano - An honour bestowed upon those who have made great achievements in benefit to the Empire. Title of Compañero for civilians or Caballero for the military. (Any full citizen eligible)

The Imperial government hereafter decrees that...
  1. The awarding of the decorations and honours can be made by the endorsement of a Prime Minister in service to the Emperor, or the Emperor himself.
  2. The Order of St. Francis be headed by the Emperor as its Comendador except in the case of a regent being appointed at which point the regent would assume that role.
  3. The Prime Minister of Chile, in service to the Emperor, shall be given civilian honours in the Order of St. Francis at the conclusion of a full and untarnished term of service.
  4. Any soldier or government agent, loyal to the Empire, who is slain by rebels during the exercise of their sworn duties, shall be given a state funeral, a stipend for their family and a posthumous decoration with the Imperial Service Medal.
  5. Any Government, Civil or Military Official, loyal to the Empire, who is slain by rebels during the exercise of their sworn duties, shall be given a state funeral, a stipend for their family and a posthumous appointment to the Order of St. Francis.
 
Last edited:
I will be running as Prime Minister of the Chilean Empire.

-Emilio Hernandez de Caviezel
 
((So, just wondering: I'm disenfranchised from this election cycle, right?))

General George Alexander of Santandera, an objective essay on the life of the now deceased General

Santandera's life is quite interesting, at least to me. He was born to an english-spanish aristocratic family, who moved to Chile when he was still young. Quite similar to myself I would say, except for the fact that I'm a native Chilean while he was not. In any case, his life in Chile is far more interesting than the life he left behind. Santandera abandoned his past completely and embraced the Chile of the time. His love for what he saw as Chile never faltered, as evidenced by his staunch opposition to the establishment of the Empire. He fought to the very bitter end and I am certain that he did not expect to survive. In fact, many things point to him expecting to die against the Empire. Those letters of his that I've read - and which were written during his fight against the Empire - display a sense of morbid foreboding.

The personality of the late Santandera was quite quirky in my opinion. He was stubborn until the very end, and zealously followed an inner moral code. He had a tendency to speak about "honour", which is -as we all know - a very fuzzy concept and incredibly subjective. Santandera's definition of "honour" seemed to be a case of not stabbing people in their backs or betraying what he saw as the "Chilean Identity". Every single one of those who broke his moral code were subject to his unending hate, as evidenced by the late Zepeda and Badajoz in addition to those who supported the Empire. Badajoz was somebody who Santandera was on good terms with, all the way up until his coup attempt, after which Santandera made a 180 turn against Badajoz. Quite surprising, but from my knowledge of the late General far from unexpected. Emperor Cesar I is a similar case. They were on amicable terms up until the coup which installed the Empire, after which they became bitter enemies.

My verdict on Santandera is that he was a stubborn conservative, his stubbornness growing ever stronger the older he became. He was a devout follower of his own moral code, which brought him into conflict with many people and which eventually lead to his death at the age of 63.
 
Last edited:
Do you know Mr. Romero that I once saw you as an embodyment of conservative principles, and an example for future conservadores. It is truly a shame that you have decided to become the puppet of an Emperor who do nothing but wage war and destroy business. You are not at all the shining figure I saw you as. If I ever come to Santiago, you had best watch your back.

-Armando de Vasces, a proud and true conservador

"I am sorry that I could not live up to your expectations Mr. de Vasces, but events of the past has changed the situation and all these coup's have shown that democracy might have been premature in Chile. I am sure many of us wishes it would have worked, but so far it hasen't, and reprecautions were needed to be taken."

- Lord of the Imperial Treasury, Eduardo Emilio Romano
 
I will lead the Anarcho-Liberales, a subdivision of the liberales with more jingoistic and a little more authoritarian views against trade unions and social reforms that might destroy our economy. But for now I'm just a Republicano. I will stay true to the liberales cause: free market and no government intervention in the economy or press.
 
Article on the Anarcho-Liberal movement in Chile

Though many didn't understand General Zepeda in his erratic actions the year he died, his ideals of a socially-authoritarian but ideologically liberal ideas prevailed in small middle-class groups. His concept of a completely free market and press (prived of government interference) co-existing with an authoritarian government that standed for the ideals of freedom but resisted against social reforms, was completely adapted into the new anarcho-liberales.

This may sound paradoxical, but the anarcho-liberales sought that the only way to weaken the state was from within. As anarchists they despised the state, but as politicians used some of its powers for the general benefit. Since a private military was not yet affordable in this century, the anarcho-liberales had to adapt themselves to the concept of the state's army. But the foundations of this free society had to be defended from radical social movements that sought social reforms that might destroy Chile's private sector, so the state had to stand up to defend society. And so coexisted the concept of a strong and weak state: economically and socially the state was very weak and people were free, but militarily it sought to keep Chile united and also keep Chile as a power in Latin American politics.

General Zepeda also was known for his jingoism. He fought in the wars against Peru and Bolivia, and was a war hero in his time. He also planned to make the patagonia Chilean, a goal he could not accomplish in his life time, but that passed on to the future generations: in 1861 Argentina surrended the Patagonia to Chile.

So, suming it up, anarcho-liberales want a free market and press more than anything and also hate bureaucracy and the state, but still need and desire a state to defend the country and political institutions from savages and tyrants like Emperor Cesar I and his goons or from future radical worker movements that might want to destroy our free society.
 
Last edited:
Francisco Rivera, due to his age and declining health will no longer be taking a leading role in politics. His son Pedro Rivera (b. 1825) will be representing the Rivera's in Chilean politics. Pedro served as an officer in the Chilean Army and resigned following the tyrant Roseno's illegal coup. Pedro now serves as a general in the Republicano Militia and is committed to reestablishing the Chilean Republic and its constitution and bringing Roseno and his gang of traitors to justice.
He is busy training and drilling his soldiers and waiting for the right time to bring down the illegitimate and tyrannical Roseno regime. He does not consider himself a liberal but is committed to the Republic and its constitution like his father and other men of honour. He believes the Republicanos should put aside any ideological differences and unite for the common purpose of deposing Roseno. He will fight to the death for the republic as will his men. He is an agitator