Empire of the Pacific - A California AAR

vitcash

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Apr 14, 2010

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• Nov 30, 2011

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• #81

been waiting for a Californian AAR for ages now, keep it up man

are you worried that the good old usa is going to turn on you? It always did eventualy with me

 

Spitfire5793

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Mar 6, 2011

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• Dec 4, 2011

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• #82

Well done, I'm really enjoying this.

 

TKFS

Major

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Jul 11, 2010

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• Dec 7, 2011

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• #83

I really hope this hasn't died.

 

Frymonmon

President of California

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Jul 21, 2010

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• Dec 7, 2011

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• #84

Not at all. I've just been busy recently. I cannot promise anything, but I suspect I'll have Hensdale's update out this weekend.

 

Omen

Colonel

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• Dec 7, 2011

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• #85

Yay! That's great, I've been hoping you were just busy.

 

Revan529

Field Marshal

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• Dec 7, 2011

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• #86

Ron Paul 2012? I love you, Frymonmon...

Oh, and good about a (possible) update this weekend: Wonderful!

 

TKFS

Major

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• Dec 8, 2011

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• #87

I cannot contain my excitement!!!!!!

 

stnylan

Compulsive CommentatAAR

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• Dec 8, 2011

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• #88

A very interesting read. Giddings was quite the warmonger, will be interesting to see just how Hensdale in practice faces the challenges of his term/s.

 

dwhawk119

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• Dec 11, 2011

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• #89

Just read through this, excited to see some more!
Can't wait to see the ideas for future expansion.

 

Frymonmon

President of California

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Jul 21, 2010

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• Dec 30, 2011

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• #90

Alright folks! Welcome back to everyone who will be reading this! I have a treat for all of you today! I will now commit a lofty goal Empire of the Pacific shall have updates to the 1880s by the time the first week of the New Year is done!

Without further adieu, I have begun writing the next update! Expect it today!

 

Frymonmon

President of California

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Jul 21, 2010

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• Dec 30, 2011

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• #91

Hensdale: 1861 - 1866​

​

Senator Johnathon Hensdale's inauguration was notable because it was the first Californian inauguration that took place inside the halls of the Californian Congress. On the first of January, a terrible storm had come off the pacific coast and slammed into Southern California. This made any sort of outside inauguration impossible. Instead, President Hensdale was ushered into office during a joint session of Congress, closed to the public and press. This almost instantly sparked an outrage amongst the citizens of San Diego, who had been invited to and had watched the Inaugurations of their Presidents since John Walsh [1], the first President of California.

1. Johnathon Hensdale, Fifth President of the Californian Republic.​

Although he got off to a rocky start, President Hensdale was not deterred by the public opinion that he was a reclusive President. In early February, he took his Presidency straight to the people. Over the past few years, factories had started to appear in San Diego - touching off a small, but growing, industrial base in the Californian Republic. These new factory workers were almost always looked down upon - the Californian Republic was founded on the ideals of a yeoman farming population, living of their land and not being tied to the rise and fall of prices and wages. Always a forward thinker, President Hensdale walked out of the President's Mansion in San Diego, directly into the industrial district. He asked the permission of the factory owners to hold a speech to all of the factory workers. Needless to say, the emphatically agreed to have their President speak at their factory.

His speech was deeply motivating to everyone that heard he. He emphatically denounced the idea that he was hiding from the people, and pledged to work closely with as many citizens as he could to ensure their will was being carried out and that they consented to his government. He took up the banner of helping these industrial workers in their plight of being discriminated against. He made it very clear he saw the future of the Californian Republic in Industry and Commerce, not farming and independent labor. He pledged to improve working conditions and expand Industry to all of California.

2. President Hensdale speaking to a gathering of Factory Workers at the Walter and Johnson Steel Mill.​

News of the new President's speech ripped through the country like wildfire. In San Francisco, a wealthy businessman named James Howard grouped together with a few of his fellow aristocrats, including former President Wagner, to form Howard and Wagner Industries. Their first priority was to expand the current industrial production of San Francisco, which was limited to a large grouping of small skilled craftsmen shops along the Shore district. They invested in the construction of a textile mill on the outskirts of the city. It was a huge success right from the start. Over 2000 men signed up for factory work the day they started to hire. Cotton from Southern California was shipped up to San Francisco by the rail line connecting the entire country to fuel the demand for Cotton in the mills.

3. Howard and Wagner Industries first factory in San Francisco, called H&W Fabric.​

This growing demand from H&W Fabric tied up the single railway line immensely, with trains running up to 2 days late to their destinations [2]. This started to cause unrest within the country, the very Rail system everyone had grown so dependent on was beginning to be taken over by a single company. The Californian Congress rebuked Howard and Wagner Industries by passing a law mandating that the railway, controlled and owned by the Government, could not be used for private citizens endeavors. Motivated by the need to ship Cotton from Southern California to San Francisco quickly, Howard and Wagner Industries invested in their own private railway line, extending from Rosarito to San Francisco.

4. Howard and Wagner Industries private train, nicknamed Champion of Commerce, traveling along their private railway.​

While Howard and Wagner Industries had gotten off the an explosive start, President Hensdale applauded them in the many speeches he made around the country. He stated his support for the Industrial movement inside the country, and made it clear the Government would do whatever it could to foster both the growth of Industry and maintain the ability for a farmer to keep his job is he wishes to. Although supportive of Howard and Wagner Industries, President Hensdale was adamant that the Californian Republic's Government was indeed the supreme law of the land. In the spring of 1862, President Hensdale authorized an initiative to expand and improve the railway network in California. A nation-wide project was soon underway - undermining the success and fascination with Howard and Wagner's newest company, H&W Railroad.

5. Californians working on the Government-owned railroad in Mariposa.​

A very significant portion of President Hensdale's minimalist foreign policy was to extend and improve the ties it held with the United States of America. The cultivating moment was when President Hensdale invited Vice-President Herschel Johnson to California to tour its majesty and grandeur. President Stephen Douglas looked upon the request with gratitude. It had been a policy of the United States Democratic Party to encourage ties with California, that could eventually lead to annexation similar to Texas. Of course, President Douglas did not make this vocal in his letter back to President Hensdale.

Vice-President Herschel arrived in California by the USS Virginia in August of 1862 in the port of San Francisco. He was invited to address the Californian Congress in a joint session - and spoke eloquently about the United State's commitment to foster trade and cooperation between their two Republics. Shortly after, President Hensdale and Vice-President Herschel travel to the cities to show the support the United States had amongst the common Californian citizen.

6. The USS Virginia docked offshore of San Francisco harbor.​

Trouble in San Francisco started to brew once again with the strike of several workers in one of Howard and Wagner Industry's factories. They protested against the way their working conditions were, and demanded to have slightly better wages. They felt that they were one of the worst treated industrial workers in North America. However, this was false considering condition were much worse in most of North America, and even the world. However, this mattered none to the strikers. The protest lasted only one day, December 24th, until former President John Wagner issued an order that all the workers were fired, and new ones were to be hired. James Howard approved this motion and suddenly about three hundred workers found themselves out of a job.

7. A strike at one of Howard and Wagner Industries factories in San Francisco.​

A slight tragedy struck California on the Christmas of 1862 shortly after the strike. Senator Alex Williams died of a heart attack early Christmas morning, opening up a spot that needed to be filled in the Californian Congress. Senator Williams lived in San Francisco and represented the San Francisco District in Congress. The Governor of the District, Patrick Clydesdale, was Constitutionally bound to appoint a successor. He was heavily influenced through a private dinner and a generous campaign donation of over three thousand dollars by James Howard to appoint him to the spot. In the end, it worked. On January 17th, 1863 - James Howard was sworn in as the Junior Senator for the San Francisco District in the Californian Congress. He entered the Congress as an official Independent. He quickly formed a coalition of Pro-Business Senators and Congressmen who agreed to support the ideals of Business and Commerce in the nation. His appointment was criticized by those who sympathized with the strikers, and the popularity of Governor Clydesdale plummeted.

8. James Howard, Senator from the San Francisco District and Co-Founder and CEO of Howard and Wagner Industries.​

Later that month on January 25th, 1863, the State of South Carolina declared its Independence from the United States of America, in opposition to the Republican take over of the United States House of Representatives. Inspired by their move, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama followed suit on February 1st, Declaring their secession from the United States. The rest of the Slave states were in an uproar. Motions passed in Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Texas, Louisiana Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma declaring they were now separated from the United States of America. These rebel states then banded together and on February 10th, Declared the Confederate States of America. They also claimed and controlled the Western territories that had Slavery, thanks in part to the Aristocrats in the Government there. The United States of America acted fast. On March 5th, the President Douglas called for 50,000 volunteers to crush the rebellion in the South. The War Between the States had begun.

9. The Confederate States of America, as proclaimed by the Confederate Government in Richmond, Virginia.[3]​

This proved a crisis for the Californian Government. They had only recently avowed to the United States that they would stand with them in any occasion - but now the Confederate States surrounded them and it was impossible for communication to reach the United States unless it went around South America. A huge debate heated up in the Californian Congress about what side to support, if any at all. A plan was forged between Congressmen Frank Hathaway of San Diego and Senator James Howard. They proposed that the Californian Republic remain officially neutral, but trade openly with both parties. General John Bates of the Californian Army agreed that his force would be used to protect the borders should the Confederacy try and infringe upon their territorial integrity while trading with one another.

10. Congressman Frank Hathaway, Senator James Howard, and General John Bates.​

While the Hathaway-Howard bill easily passed the Californian Congress, it became quite clear that it was centered around trading with the Southern Confederacy. Howard & Wagner Industries sent 95% of their foreign exports to the Confederate States of America over land with a railroad line. Senator Howard was asked about this discrepancy, but simply pleaded the fact that Howard & Wagner Industries was separate from the Californian Government and could do what it wished with its exports. When a vote to try and repeal the Hathaway-Howard Bill came up, Senator Howard's Pro-Business caucus filibustered the repeal. After four months of trying to get it repealed, the motion died in December of 1863.

The War Between the States continued raging on through 1864. The United States army swiftly moved to occupy Iowa - and pretty much that was it. A few advances in Northern Virginia and the Confederates were able to stall them on most other fronts. A startling tale was the Confederates being able to mount a bombardment of a fort along the coast of Maine from ships at sea - which broke through the Confederate blockade and terrorized Union shipping.

11. Bombardment of Fort Resolve in Cape Code by the Confederate Navy.​

In California, little if anything changed for the general population during the War Between the States. There were no refugees or fighting on their soil. The only difference is that the flag over the border crossing station in Northern California changed. Regardless, the people of California simply didn't care. When the Farmer-Laborer party tried to drum up support to oppose Howard & Wagner Industries sale of goods to the Confederate States, the people simply shrugged it off. Growth had been sustained, and immigration picked up even more - with the effects of the Gold Rush still lingering, and the fact the United States and Confederate States were both at war - not the most attractive place for an immigrant.

In August of 1864 - a message arrive from the British Government, they have news of a new document drafted in Switzerland of rules to be used in the time of warfare. All the nations of Europe agreed to these rules - and the Swiss have extended the document to the Californian Republic to sign. A lengthy debate ensued about supporting this document or not. A Senator from Eureka attached a stipulation to the 'Geneva Convention' document that stated the military budget must be cut alongside its adoption. Many of the old Ursine Imperialists rallied against this, and the document as a whole. They felt their ability to conduct warfare would be controlled by European bureaucrats. Ultimately, by a wide margin, the Californian Congress agreed to sign the document, and dispatched the Californian ambassador to France to enter Geneva and sign the document on behalf of President Hensdale.

12. News of the Geneva Convention hits San Diego.​

A surprise to all Californians arrived on November 6th, 1864. The Mexican ambassador to the Californian Republic lobbied an official request for President Benito Juárez to address the Californian Congress. President Hensdale accepted his request, stunned and fearful. California and Mexico had only recently been at war, and he was wondering if Juárez was using it as a proclamation of War to regain Baja California. Everyone was astounded when on November 17th, 1864 - President Benito Juárez offered the Californian Republic a full military alliance. He also proposed that should an alliance be struck, that Mexico will cede all claims to Baja California, effectively making it an integral part of California.

It didn't take long for the measure to be passed. President Juárez and President Hensdale signed the Californian-Mexican Treaty of 1864 on December 2nd in the foyer of the President's Mansion, affirming a military alliance between the Californian Republic and the United Mexican States.

13. The offer made by President Juárez to the Californian Republic.​

1865 brought the Californian Congress the ability to release the population statistics in the Californian Republic. The overall male population increased by almost 95,000 citizens to 407,790 citizens. The population stood at 315,510 only five years prior. The Californian Republic was on a huge population growth that didn't seem to want to stop. The past five years saw an uptick in the immigration of Italians and Russians to California, most of them settling in their own communities in Northern California. The Liberty Party also saw much of its support go to either the Free Soil or Worker's Union party after they disbanded. The election of 1865 was the first in which the Worker's Union ran candidates, picking up three representative seats and a senate seat.

In the newly acquired Baja California, the number of Californians was still on the rise, up almost ten percent from five years ago. Many suspect Baja California will be majority English-speaking by the late 1870s.

14. Population Statistics of the Californian Republic, 1865.​

With 1865 here, the election was on. President Hensdale felt confident enough to run once again. He easily secured the nomination of the Farmer-Laborer party in the Spring of 1865. The Ursine Imperialists vainly ran former President Giddings again to try and unseat President Hensdale. A District Senator from Mariposa, named Albert Johnson, was selected to run under the banner of the Free Soil party. The Populists decided that they would not run any candidate in this election.

The real shocker was from the upstart, and up and coming Worker's Union Party. Charismatic Eric Vandrove, an employee in Howard & Wagner Industries largest factory in San Francisco, was given the nod to run for President under the Worker's Union banner. He preached rights for the workers and to tear down the wealthy industrial barons, and distribute the wealth in a "Fair Deal" to all workers. His movement began to gain traction in the industrial cities of San Diego and San Francisco.

15. Eric Vandrove, Candidate for President of the Californian Republic for the Worker's Union Party.​

While the election was taking place, a fiery campaign was fought by all the Candidates. Eric Vandrove led the charge to the public, accusing the elite of lording over the Country. He openly blasted the Californian Government and wished to be put in charge to bring about worker's rights and justice for all Californians. President Hensdale, along with former President Giddings, blasted Vandrove, citing the fact that a form of Direct Democracy was practiced in many Californian towns and cities - which effected the national government. President Hensdale also used himself as an example, where during his term he openly went and agreed to listen and take the advice of many citizens. District Senator Johnson more or less echoed the President and former President, but highlighted that he felt the Government controlled to much of California, claiming that most Government land should become "Free Soil" to settle for all Californians.

The election ended with President Hensdale winning by a wide margin. He captured Fifty-Four percent of the vote, compared to District Senator Johnson's Thirty-Five percent of the vote. Eric Vandrove and his party claimed Six percent of the vote, while former President Giddings won Five percent of the vote. President Hensdale was relieved at the relative obscurity of the Free Soil candidate, and the fact that a majority of Californians approved of the way he was handling the country. He pledged to continue his work as he had done in the past five years of focusing on the domestic actions of the Californian Republic.

Previous Update: Giddings: 1856 - 1861
Next Update: Hensdale: 1866 - 1871

---
Author's Note(s)
---
[1] – Walsh was born in western Virginia during the American Revolution. His father taught him everything he knew about liberty and independence. He despised the institution of slavery, and packed his bags out to California in 1822. He was the leader of the Californian Rebellion, and ruled the country from 1825 to 1835.

[2] - Howard and Wagner Industries kept bribing the Government overseers of the Train Schedules to keep their trains running when they needed them to.

[3] - Yes folks, I edited the borders. I made it slightly more realistic than it was before. I gave the Confederacy Arizona, New Mexico, A slice of Texas that didn't break off and Idaho. They had cores on everything else already. I also removed Minnesota from the Confederacy and gave it to the United States.

 

Last edited: Jan 6, 2012

zagoroth

Mayor

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Jan 12, 2010

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• Dec 30, 2011

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• #92

I love this AAR, I have always thought about doing a California playthrough (up there with Texas), as those nations always seem to get huge amounts of immigrants.

One question, why not support the US and declare on the South for Oregon, or Nevada-Utah, or something? This is an incredible opportunity (especially since Mexico now forms a new front)

 

Revan529

Field Marshal

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Mar 28, 2009

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• Dec 30, 2011

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• #93

Brilliant! I like how you been giving characters from the Presidents either cameos or major roles (I can't wait for mine )!

I'm happy that this is being continued, and I thank you Frymonmon!

 

King50000

King of Kings

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• Dec 30, 2011

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• #94

This just keeps getting better and better. Keep up the good work, and I can't wait to see a certain General pop up *cough* *cough* *wink* *wink*

 

Frymonmon

President of California

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Jul 21, 2010

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• Dec 30, 2011

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• #95

@zagoroth: I thank you for that. California is indeed fun because of the amount of immigrants it gets. As for your other question well... It'll be revealed in the next update.

@Riccardo93: Yeah, I like using the people from The Presidents because it was a great inspiration for mine to write this AAR. I thank you for being a loyal follower of this AAR!

@King50000: Thanks for the compliment, and but of course! General Mandrake will serve in honor and dignity

 

King50000

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• Dec 31, 2011

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• #96

Oy... >.<
Maybe a well respected businessman and president?

 

BigBadBob

The One and Only BBB

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• Dec 31, 2011

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• #97

It's back!? Yay!

However, now that I am aware of how much "The Presidents" influenced you, I demand Mr. Harrison at least two terms in office around 1900.

 

Mr. Capiatlist

Mademoiselle Gothique (she/her/hers)

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• Dec 31, 2011

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• #98

I love the idea of an independent California. Good luck keeping this going.

 

Frymonmon

President of California

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Jul 21, 2010

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• Dec 31, 2011

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• #99

@King50000: Don't worry Khur will see his day of glory in this AAR.

@BigBadBob: It's back and it's here to stay. Trust me - James Harrison will have his day. I've already penned in most of my general ideas of placement. Pay attention to the 1880s. All I have to say.

@Mr. Capiatlist: Many thanks. Glad to have you as a reader of this AAR.

On a side note; I've begun writing Hensdale's second term.

 

Red Cesar

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• Dec 31, 2011

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• #100

....Eric...Vandrove? My legacy lives on!