Splendor Sine Occasu: A Columbia AAR

[Commandant]

Splendor Sine Occasu: A Columbia AAR

Due to a lack of interest for myself and problems with boer state events I've have decided to start a new AAR which will be a bit closer to home for me. Keep in mind however that this still a work in progress and I am open to ideas for how to play the nation. Also pops have been updated to historical levels as according to AHD there are no Europeans in British Columbia in 1860.




Table of Contents
1846: Prologue
1861-1866: Out For Blood

[Commandant]

1846: Prologue

Map of Oregon Country Pre-1846 Border Resolution

The area then known as the Oregon Country was inhabited by British and French-Canadian fur traders since 1810. In 1818 a treaty was signed which allowed both British and American settlers/traders to live in the disputed area. This treaty however was not seen as a conclusion by either side and both knew that a decision would have to be made at some point regarding the border. Thankfully for the British however, the US government at the time controlled by the Southern led Democrats who cared very little for the expansion of the North where plantations could not exist. The statehood of Texas had also taken over the political scene, thus the issue of the Oregon Country border fell to the wayside with only a handfull of Whigs taking issue with the British claims.

US-British border after 1846 Oregon Treaty

With little political resistance from the Americans the British signed the Oregon Treaty on June 27, 1846, which did break the the 49th parallel border line. The signing of the treaty by then US president did little at the time and life simply went on for the people in the region refered from then on as British Columbia. While seemingly uninterested in aquiring the territory, the US congress did see the area and its population as a future market for American goods. In order to achieve this the Americans had only one thing they wanted from the British through the treaty, this was a promise that in the next two decades the British held region would be given a large degree of self-governance with a functioning parliment. The British had no problems with agreeing with this as they had already been making efforts for self-governance in the neighboring Canada provences so it would only be logical to do the same in Columbia. British Columbia however was meerly a bunch of districts under the de facto jurisdiction of HBC administrators. Unlike Rupert's Land to the north and east, however, the territory was not a concession to the company. Rather, it was simply granted a monopoly to trade with the First Nations inhabitants.

Flag of The Colony of Vancouver Island

The signing of the Treaty of Oregon in 1846, the HBC determined that its trapping rights in British Columbia were tenuous. Thus in 1849, it moved its western headquarters from Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River to Fort Victoria. Fort Vancouver's Chief Factor, James Douglas, was relocated to the young trading post to oversee the Company's operations west of the Rockies. This development prompted the British colonial office to designate the territory a crown colony on January 13, 1849. The colony was immediately leased to the HBC for a ten year period, and Douglas was charged with encouraging British settlement. Richard Blanshard was named the colony's governor. Blanshard discovered that the hold of the HBC over the affairs of the new colony was all but absolute, and that it was Douglas who held all practical authority in the territory. There was no civil service, no police, no militia, and virtually every British colonist was an employee of the HBC. Frustrated, Blanshard abandoned his post a year later, returning to England. In 1851, his resignation was finalized, and the colonial office appointed Douglas as governor.

Sir James Douglas, second Governor of Vancouver Island

While very far away, the Crimean War changed life in British Columbia. Douglas had assisted the British government in establishing a naval base at present-day Esquimalt to check Russian and American expansionism. This meant that during the war Victoria would be the staging ground for the invasion of Russian held Alaska. Volunteer regiments were pulled up from around the area, were sent deep into Alaska to kill off the Russian soldiers without having to bring in an expensive full-time Brtisih force. The success of these units became clear as they picked off the Russians with little to no losses. Military observers back in the Home Isles refered to their fighting style as gurilla warfare. The Columbian forces by the next year had de facto control over the populated area and when the war ended the British were given full rights to Alaska. In return for their service to the Crown, the British government included Alaska as part of the B.C. area and any future colony able to police the area would recieve it.

Map of Russian claims in Alaska

By the mid-1850s, the colony's non-aboriginal population was approaching 500, and sawmill and coal mining operations had been established at Fort Nanaimo and Fort Rupert. Through his diplomatic skill and a couple drinks, Douglas was able to secure cheaper land prices so that middle class Britons could afford to immigrat to the colony. The result was that emigration was healthy, and the land owning middle class stayed the free land grants in the United States, and the newly-discovered goldfields of California. A secondary result was the creation of the new class system, with a well off working population. A colonial assembly was started in 1855, which exerted more control over the affairs of the colony.

British Gunboat

By 1857, Americans and British colonists were beginning to respond to rumours of gold in the Thompson River area. Almost overnight, some ten to twenty thousand men moved into the interior of British Columbia, and Victoria was transformed into a tent-city of prospectors, merchants, land-agents, and speculators. Douglas — who had no legal authority over British Columbia, stationed a gunboat at the entrance of the Fraser River in order to exert British authority by collecting licenses from boats attempting to make their way upstream. In order to exert its legal authority, and undercut any HBC claims to the resource wealth of the mainland, the district was converted to a crown colony on August 2, 1858, and given the name New Caledonia. Douglas was offered the governorship of the new colony, on condition that he sever his relationship with the HBC. Douglas accepted these conditions, and a knighthood, and for the next six years would govern both colonies from Victoria.

Cabin on the Fraser, B.C., "The Bacon is Cooked", About 1862

The remainder of Douglas's term as Vancouver Island governor was marked by increased expansion of the economy and settlement, and greater agitation for both union of the two colonies and for the introduction of fully responsible government. There was a second gold rush, the Cariboo Gold Rush and again Victoria experienced an economic boom as the staging point for the prospectors.

Sir Arthur Kennedy, third and last Governor of Vancouver Island

Douglas was succeeded as governor by Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy, a career colonial administrator who had previously served as governor of Sierra Leone, Western Australia, Hong Kong and Queensland. While there was popular acclaim for the appointment of a governor free from ties with the HBC, Kennedy was initially met with suspicion and opposition by the colonial assembly, which feared the loss of Vancouver Island's status vis-à-vis the growing power of the mainland colony. Kennedy met with opposition by some in the assembly over the plan for the colony to unite with British Columbia. It was only when opponents were persuaded that such union would boost the colony's ailing economy that passage of the proposal was assured by the assembly. In 1860, the colonies of New Caledonia and Vancouver Island merged into The United Colonies on December 28, 1860. The capital was put in Victoria and Sir Kennedy would go onto serve as the first Prime Minister of the dominion.

[Jape]

Ooh a Columbia AAR - i like you 'prehistory' of the colony before it becomes a dominion. I'm saw sure the mighty Columbian Beaver will spread its mighty... teeth(?) across the Pacific Northwest in the name of Empah!

[Commandant]

Actually the bald eagle which is so often used in the US i more common in Canada. The area in which Columbia inhabits is actually full of eagles. Now on Vancouver Island I have never seen a beaver but I have seen many eagles. So Columbia would indeed spread its wings across the North-West.

[Commandant]

New update will follow in 16 hours.

[Saithis]

Being born and raised in Oregon and viewing myself as more of a Northwesterner than an American, I'm understandably giddy at a Columbian AAR. Please, do head down and spread the eagle's splendour to my home neck of the woods before you're done! In return for this minor request, granted or not, I shall give you my subscription and readership, and look forward to the new update.

[Commandant]

1861-1866: Out For Blood

The United Colonies after its creation




Population census 1861

The United Colonies was a large nation compared to many in Europe. But while having much in the way of land, the population was comparable to a small European city-state. The European part of the population spoke English it did however split with Anglo-Canadians in the Okanogan and Caribou regions while the governing British whose numbers were twice of those of the Canadians lived on the South Coast. The differences between the two were small compared to the joint view they held of the Yankees in the south who they feared might intrude on their offers. Apart from the few Russians left over in Alaska, the north of the nation had no Europeans at all. Native Americans ruled these areas and like the rest of the dominion made up a majority of the population.

Gold rush on the North Coast

Financial support for the government appeared on the 1st of October, as large deposits of gold were found in the Sitka and Yakutat regions of Northern BC. News of these finds did take time to reach outside the dominion but huge amounts of prospectors from around the world started to appear. This income gave the government for room to move around while keeping taxes low.

Colonial Marines marching through a immigrant ghetto in Victoria

With a large amount of soldiers living on Vancouver Island and income from the gold rush, Prime Minister Authur Kennedy ordered the creation of two military units. One was to police force in the interior and north of the dominion while the other was to be tasked with maintaining control of the South Coast. The first of these units was formed on October 12th, 1861, this was the Colonial Marines. The Marines were based in Victoria and began implementing the parliament’s laws.

Treaty of Richmond which ended the Confederate War of Freedom

While The United Colonies built itself up, the Americans to the south were fighting a civil war. The fast moving Confederate armies were able to take Washington quickly and capture regions around its borders while the US was fighting a two front war with Mexico. The Confederates were doing well considering but the gains stopped and both sides failed to take any ground. With millions dead and a president humiliated, Abraham Lincoln signed a peace treaty with the Confederate States and shortly after retired his presidency.

[CENTER]

HMUCS James Douglas

The rise in nationalism caused the situation in Victoria. The ruling conservatives were split between the moderates and radicals yet the liberals still stayed a distant third. Prime Minister Kennedy led the radicals and left the conservatives to form the Nationalist party. Their goal was the expansion of the United Colonies, preferably into somewhere warmer. With this in mind, then Captain of the Marines Hugh de Robeck put forward the kingdom of Hawaii as a good place to start of. Jingoism had swept the country and with that in mind parliament approved the eventual invasion. Plans for a flotilla were started and favour was gained for international support. On October 22nd 1865, the HMUCS James Douglas was launched. Captain Benjamin Butler was put in charge of the flotilla and soon after the Marines was sent off to Hawaii.

The Colonial Marines win their first victory

The invasion took the island nation by complete surprise. The well trained and British equipped marines took to shore quickly. A similar force in size was guarding the main island but were slaughtered, with only just over 600 left. With no opposition left, the Colonial Marines became an occupation force until the Colony of the Sandwich Islands was set up on November 5th, 1865. Once news of the victory reached Victoria many people erupted in celebration but at the same time wanted to see more expansion.

Conservatives and Reactionaries claim victory in the 1865 election

A strong economy and taste for jingoism lead the Nationalist Party and Conservatives to victory on the 1st of January, 1866. Prime Minister Kennedy was happy to continue on as the parties leader and even happier with the recent census. In just a period of 5 years the entire population of the United Colonies had doubled with English folk making up almost a half of the population. Disease had hurt the Native Americans and they would no longer represent a majority in the dominion.

Population Census 1866

[Commandant]

Any ideas on places to expand? I'd like to go for Oregon and the rest of washington but Im not sure how to pull that off. Also as an interesting note, the USA and CSA are allies now.

[Commandant]

Preview of next update.

[atomicsoda]

Great start to the AAR. Are you allied with or in the UK's sphere?

[Tommy4ever]

Very interesting. Expanding into the US seems very difficult but if you can manage go for it!

For more long term Empire building the Far East is where to go. Mabye take some land of Korea, the Indochinese and one day even China. IIRC POPs can migrate from Asia to the Americas, so holding some populous Asian lands could send a flood of Asian immigrants across the Pacific to your lands.

[Commandant]

atomicsoda: I was allied, they didnt seem interested in sphering me
Tommy4ever: It would seem that due to many factors (which will be apparent in the update) that expanding into the US is possible but small gains would be required instead of one big land grab. I dont really wanna expand into Korea for example because it all has to be realistic, just like any v2 games i play i dont like to do things that could never happen in real life because as it stands I have a small army with a small population to support it.

[Commandant]

1866-1871: Enemy At The Gate (Part 1)



Hastings Mill

New immigrants were pouring into the United Colonies. The population had nearly doubled in the first 5 years of the dominions existence, leading many to believe that they could one day become a powerful figure in the international stages. The population in Vancouver rivalled that of Vancouver Island with many new industries opening up to support the logging industry in the settlements of New Westminster, Granville, and Gastown. One of these new industries was the Hastings Mill, which was established by Captain Edward Stamp. The mill helped brought another settlement in the form of a company town.

The United Colonies on the world stage

As new settlemts started to appear in the North and on the coast a sense of adventure swept the people. Rumours of a French botanical expedition became known and many raised funds privately in the hope that the aging Prime Minister Kennedy and parliament would send an expedition to the French colony of Ziguinchor. While a risky endeavour the success of the expedition would greatly improve the United Colonies standing internationally.

Many however failed to realise how much of a precarious situation they were in as the United States had laid claim to Seattle and the only other friendly military in the area was the Canadian Army, which was half the size of neighbouring American units. The Colonial Marines and Light Horse were not the modern formations they once were. Guards and cuirassiers made up many modern European armies including the Americans. Parliament however had complete faith in the generals leading these units.

The United Colonies forces move in quickly take ground

Fears of American aggression were justified on January 20, 1867 as US congress approved the American “Liberation” of Seattle. News of the declaration of war reached Victoria immediately but many felt that they would have to spill little blood as Britain was their ally and they were a dominion. However the Liberal government in London instead denounced their dominionship of the United Colonies stating that “Britons would only spill blood for fellow Britons, not yokels living in the woods”. When word of the speech reached Victoria many became fearful that the Americans wouldn’t stop at the 49th and that eventually they would annex them. Others voiced concerns for what it might cost to fight what many saw a war they would lose.

Privateer escorts captured American merchant ship to Seattle

While conversations were taking place with how they should react, the PM ordered the Colonial Marines and Light Horse to move into the North-West US in an attempt to stifle the American public support of the war. The HMUCS Douglas was sent to the California coast to engage in raids which went unopposed as there were no US Naval forces in the pacific. Local militias were started in the interior and Letters of Marque were given out in the hopes of being able to blockade the US West coast.

Militia men engage American forces

American military leaders simply ignored the movement of troops to the area right away and instead moved two larger army units near the border. The Marines and Light Horse were ignored as the American forces split up with one force occupying Seattle and another moving up through Idaho into the United Colonies. While able to move to Seattle if needed, the Colonial Marines would not be able to hold there ground against the 36,000 Americans and Prime Minister Kennedy, the now de facto head of state, ordered that losses were to be kept to a minimal as they would not be able to reinforce their units. The American forces in the interior moved up to Prince George and split up with another unit moving further North. With little in the way of supplies and occupy many citizens land, the American forces in the North faced stiff opposition from only a couple hundred militia men.

The Light Horse charge the enemy at The Battle of Great Falls

While generals did all they could to keep away from the Americans confrontation was bound to occur and so it did. On June 22nd 1867, the Light Horse came under attack from American cuirassiers and even though the cuirassiers were better equipped the Light Horse came out victorious five days later. The skirmish had taken nearly a third of the unit out while only killing 300 on the American unit. The Light Horse would continue to come out victorious in another 2 battles until their numbers were at half strength and they were required to retreat at the Battle of Bozeman. The remaining members would continue to capture American territory but wouldn’t come in contact with the enemy again.

General Thomas Smith-Dorrien, commander of the Light Horse



Part 2 Coming Soon