Libre, Soberana y Independiente
(Free, Sovereign and Independent)
The Storied History of the Central American Navy
(Free, Sovereign and Independent)
The Storied History of the Central American Navy
Welcome to my new AAR, Libre, Soberana y Independiente - The Storied History of the Central American Navy. This will be my first attempt at a Victoria 2 AAR, a game I have had for a while but never really fully acquainted myself with.
This AAR will also be my first attempt at a history book-(semi)narrative AAR, a kind of hybrid, if you would like to put it that way. I will only go over the bare essentials in terms of economics, politics, diplomacy and ground forces: the large majority of this AAR will cover the creation and handling of a fledgling Navy.
As I stated before, I have not played Victoria 2 as much as I would like; therefore, my gameplay and overall skill may be a bit sub-par. My understanding of the budget and population folders are not necessarily where they should be, but I will do my best in delivering the highest-quality AAR I can give to you all.
My primary inspiration for even thinking of writing this AAR was my having read Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the US Navy by Ian Toll. Therefore, you will probably see that the early portions of this AAR bear a somewhat similar/striking resemblance to this historical account.
Settings
Difficulty: Normal
Country: United States of Central America
Starting Year: 1836 (did I need to tell you that?)
Cheats Used: "cash" if needed; "yesmen" for role-playing purposes
Table of Contents
Chapter I
Prologue
Part I - Beginnings
Part II - The Latin American Wars of Independence
Chapter II
Laying Foundations (1836)
Part III - A Nation of Entrepreneurs
Part IV - Defeating a Recession
Part V - Quelling a Dispute
Chapter III
Without a Respectable Navy; Alas, America! (Jan. 1837 - Jul. 1838)
Part VI - Shaping an Army
Part VII - Forging an Alliance
Part VIII - Starting a Movement
Part IX - The Department of the Navy
Chapter IV
A Motley Band of Sailors (Aug. 1838 - 1840)
Part X - The Six Frigates
Part XI - Impediments
Chapter I
Prologue
Part I - Beginnings
Part II - The Latin American Wars of Independence
Chapter II
Laying Foundations (1836)
Part III - A Nation of Entrepreneurs
Part IV - Defeating a Recession
Part V - Quelling a Dispute
Chapter III
Without a Respectable Navy; Alas, America! (Jan. 1837 - Jul. 1838)
Part VI - Shaping an Army
Part VII - Forging an Alliance
Part VIII - Starting a Movement
Part IX - The Department of the Navy
Chapter IV
A Motley Band of Sailors (Aug. 1838 - 1840)
Part X - The Six Frigates
Part XI - Impediments
Cast of Characters
President Francisco Morazán
Morazán ascended to the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Central America in 1830. He presided over an economically and militarily weak country that was surrounded by the powerful countries of Mexico and Colombia. Morazán was elected through his beliefs of the strength of government as well as his free-trade policies.
Secretary Jaime Torres
Jaime Torres became Secretary of War following the Scandal of 1832, where the former Secretary of War [Ferdinand Guerrero] was accused of fraud and was impeached. Torres reached his position through his friendship with President Morazán, as well as his distinction as a Captain during the revolution of the 1820s.
Secretary Antonio Moreno
Secretary Moreno, born in 1799 and 39 at the time of the creation of the Department of the Navy, was viewed as lazy and carefree by most that knew him. However, having served as a correspondent and [for a year and a half] a sailor in the British Navy, Moreno is the most - as well as likely the only - skilled seaman in Central America.
Secretary Esteban Vega
Vega, a master at economics, came to the President's cabinet after having been a banker and entrepreneur in the growing Republic of Central America. Vega's bills, proposed to Congress from 1833 through 1835, helped establish plans of eliminating national debt by actually borrowing more money from foreign countries, which would then be deposited into the National Bank, which would be compiled with the money from protective tariffs and higher taxes to pay off the debt over a long period - a plan borrowed from America's Alexander Hamilton. His plans became part-reality with the Tariff Collection Act of 1836.
Captain Bernardo Barillas
Barillas worked as a deckhand aboard trading vessels before he inadvertently brought about the establishment of the Department of the Navy in 1838, with himself as first Captain of the Navy.
Lieutenant Felipe Rios
Having been a shoemaker for many years, he signed up without hesitation upon the establishment of the Navy. He was scheduled to be assigned to the first completed vessel of the navy, Suerte.
Alexander Mueller
Mueller, born in Oldenburg, was destined to be a man of the navy. Having gained considerable knowledge regarding naval trade, business, and privateering, he immigrated to Central America in 1827. He established an influential trading company that made him rich. At the same time, the Republic was struggling to come up with the foundations of their new-found Navy. For the Navy, Mueller was the missing link. Though he had illegally armed his ships to fend of privateers and pirates, he was granted amnesty after he began development and construction of the navy's first vessels.
President Carlos Soublette
President Soublette had been eyeing Central America for a while. He knew that, should Central America be absorbed into the ever-hungry Mexican Republic, South America would be open to Mexican expansion. His proposed alliance with President Morazán drew continental attention, securing strong ties with Central America and defending the independence of both nations.
President Antonio López de Santa Anna
Though a proud military commander, Santa Anna lost much of his prestige and public approval following his failure to subdue the rebellion during the Texan Revolution in 1835-36. Looking to regain his vaunted prestige and military skill, many believe he is now laying his eyes on the Central American Republic to the south.
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