The Second Spanish Empire: Reconquista

[BillGrant]

Well I just finished my Previous AAR, as Texas. Went WAY better than I had expected, turned Texas from a Bankrupt, almost Unrecognized Nation to a World Power, 100 years later. But on my next AAR I maybe wanted to try the United States, Mexico, the Ottoman Empire, or even Egypt. But I decided to do Spain. Spain had one of the biggest Empires in the 1700's and very Early 1800's, and they lost most of it by the 1820's and 30's.

I want to do a Re Conquest of some of the lost Territories of the Former Spanish Empire. Not the entire former thing, that would be most likely Impossible for my Skill in Vicky II. But seeing what I did with Texas, I might have a Large Empire by 1936. So, first post of the AAR will come soon.

Chapters:

The War for Monarchy: 1833-1839

Restoration: 1839-1846

An Empire up for Grabs: 1846-1855

Obstacles of the New King: 1855-1862

Modernization and the Arabian Wars: 1862-1870

Spain's Silver Age: 1870-1879

Carving Up the Cake: 1879-1888

The New King and his Empire: 1888-1896

Tangling with Uncle Sam: 1896-1903

A Brother's War: 1903-1911

Alfonso's Modernization: 1911-1918

The Falange Strikes: 1918-1925

Falling Into Chaos: 1925-1930

Implosion and a New Spain: 1930-1936

Epilogue

[Kaisersohaib]

looking forward to see this :P even if re-conquista is kinda bad for my country never mind subbed

[loki100]

good premise, it makes for a plausible goal that is a real challenge

[Jape]

Its an interesting challenge Bill, look forward to seeing it. The Spanish did make some efforts to reconquista the Americas in reality, but its a lot harder when the other side have guns and don't think you're a god.

[BillGrant]

The War for Monarchy


Spain, once one of the great European Powers had an extensive Territorial Empire, was reduced to It's Mainland and Few Island Territories. Napoleon, Europe's Nemesis in the Early 1800's to 1815, undermined Spain to lose It's Territories.

Spain's once Massive Territorial Empire:


Spain's Monarchy fell apart after the Napoleonic Wars. Some wanted a Restoration of that Former Monarchy, and bring Spain back to It's former Glory before Napoleon. Carlos, son of Charles IV of Spain, wanted restoration to the Spanish Throne. He began the Carlist Wars in 1833, but the Nationalist Spanish Government stood in his way.

Carlos:


The Nationalist Spanish Government was mostly Liberal. Carlos had 40,000 Monarchist Troops ready to Capture Madrid, but Spain Mobilized 60,000 men. This shattered the Spanish economy and began Spain's Financial Crisis. Liberals and Carlists battled through the Urban Cobblestone Cities of Spain. The Bloodiest battle of the War for Monarchy was the Battle of Zaragoza in 1837.

Zaragoza took place in Spain's Plains, 55,000 Liberals meet 35,000 Carlists. This was the biggest decisive battle of the War. The Carlists were defeated, and shattered from a hope of victory against National Spain. From then on, the Carlists Retreated, and Retreated.

Battle of Zaragoza, 1837:

The War lasted into 1838, when most of the Spanish Territories under Carlos Surrendered. Carlos himself fled to Morocco. The War for Monarchy ended in 1838, and costed the lives of 15,000 Spaniards Total on Both Sides. The same year, the Dutch wanted to Reclaim Belgium, Belgium called in Great Powers to aid them in the War, one of them being Spain.

The Spanish Government was more concerned about fixing Spain's Financial Crisis because of the War for Monarchy. Spain now owed 200,000 Pesetas to at least 20 different Countries, and only had 1 Million in the National Bank. The Spanish Government Believed they could solve the Crisis by the 1850's or 60's. Spain blockaded the Dutch, then settled for peace, no casualties suffered.

Around the World, the United States and the U.K solved a Territory Dispute, the U.K also was at War with Mexico for Yucatan. Russia and Spain also signed an Alliance Treaty in 1839. Spain also became Allies with the U.K and Belgium.

But Carlos, still in Morocco, had other plans for Spain.

[loki100]

nice bit of scene setting, you did well to beat the main Carlist army, but it seems as if that threat is not over yet?

[Kaisersohaib]

nice bit of scene setting, you did well to beat the main Carlist army, but it seems as if that threat is not over yet?

((Yep i think thats the plan he is adding drama and suspense))

[BillGrant]

Restoration



The War for Monarchy was over and Carlos Failed, but this wouldn't be the last time Liberal Spain saw him Again. The Spanish Financial Crisis was coming to a close as early as 1839. Carlos Himself returned to Spain in 1839 as well. Austria, hungry for land, Invaded Denmark and Holstein. The Danish were in no Position to take on the Austrians. Carlos was Captured by Spanish Troops in Southern Spain and brought before Isabel II and the Liberal Court.

Carlos still preached himself as a savior for Spain, many in the Liberal Court wanted Carlos Executed, but many Spanish Citizens questioned if the Liberals would protect them. 30 Percent of the Poor Spanish Population was starving and receiving no food. Carlos preached that he would fix the Financial Crisis Permanently, and bring back Spain the power it had in the 1700's.

Carlos, eventually out of the protection of the Citizens, and Carlist Troops, ousted the Liberal Government, Restoring the Spanish Monarchy. Spain was now an Absolute Monarchy, Isabel II fled to the Two Sicily's, and the Liberal court was more or less part of Carlos' Empire. Anyone who displayed Treason, or Liberal Passions were Executed.

The Spanish Army under the Liberal Government were poorly Uniformed and Equipped Militias under no Central Leadership, the Spanish Military was a shadow of what it was in the 18th Century. Carlos created the Spanish Civil Guard. The Spanish Army was more Equipped with Supplies, Uniforms, and better Training.

Carlos had returned the Spanish Flag to what it was during It's Golden Reign:

He had made the Royal March, used in the 1700's by Spanish Grenadiers, as the National Anthem and the Official March of Spain:

Many Nation's were Surprised to see a Monarchist Spain back to Power. Austria had finished their War with Denmark in 1840. Holstein had Declared Bankruptcy as well. Holstein had borrowed money from Spain when it was still Liberal. Carlos, threatened to Declare War to Repay Debts back to the Spanish Crown. Denmark and Holstein argued that they had borrowed money when Spain was still ruled by Liberals. Carlos, seeing this as a Ripe Casus Belli, Declared War on Denmark and Holstein in 1840.

Prussia joined the War as well to have Holstein repay Debts. Spain, targeted Greenland and Iceland. Greenland was a moderately sized landmass and could look nice for his own Prestige, and Spain's new Empire. At least 500 Spanish Troops Froze to Death crossing into Greenland, but by 1841, Both Greenland Iceland were occupied.

The Danish had already settled for Peace with Prussia, they Received Jjyland in return for Denmark's Surrender. Denmark soon found Spanish Troops in their Capitol and Surrendered. Holstein repaid Spain Debts, and Denmark was Stripped of It's Overseas Territories. Carlos now had New Territories of the new Spanish Empire.

In 1844, The United States, just after Annexing Texas, Declared War on Mexico, Spain's former Colony, for the rest of the Texan Territory, West of the Rio Grande. Carlos saw this as a Reconquista chance and Joined the War effort Against Mexico. Carlos Preached about "Reconquista" to Spanish Citizens, that Spain would Reclaim most of It's lost American Territory. A Spanish Fleet from Cuba, carrying 8,000 Troops, was dispatched to Yucatan to Stage an Invasion.

Mexico was losing Horribly to the United States, a much more Powerful Republic. The Battle of Mexico City, was a Humiliating Spanish Defeat in the War, 8,000 of the Spanish Troops were ambushed by 15,000 Mexican Troops. 1,000 Spanish Troops were killed and only 300 Mexicans.

The Battle of Mexico City, 1844:


Mexico signed a White Peace Agreement with the United States in 1845, but was still at War with Spain. With their Exhausted Troops, and little Brigades left, the Mexicans had to desperately hold off Spanish Reinforcements directly from Spain. Spanish Troops eventually Over whelmed them and Mexico City was Captured as well as Surrounding Territories. Mexico Surrendered Yucatan to Spain.

Carlos celebrated his perfect timing for war with Mexico. The Spanish-Danish War and the 1st Reconquista Crusade were only the First steps to the Reconstruction of a Second Spanish Empire.


Spanish Empire, 1846:

[loki100]

ah nice move, playing Spain as an ultra-reactionary Carlist monarchy is 'fun' ... well for us, your readers, anyway

re in game screenshots, picking up on your post elsewhere. F11 is your friend, you'll find them then in the 'screenshots' folder of whereever you've installed V2. Any image editor will then do all you need to do.

But then I like AARs with no in-game images, it can works very well in some instances.

[BillGrant]

ah nice move, playing Spain as an ultra-reactionary Carlist monarchy is 'fun' ... well for us, your readers, anyway

re in game screenshots, picking up on your post elsewhere. F11 is your friend, you'll find them then in the 'screenshots' folder of whereever you've installed V2. Any image editor will then do all you need to do.

But then I like AARs with no in-game images, it can works very well in some instances.

Ah, you saw my post in the other thread, thanks, I'll go Mostly no game Images with Some In Game Images here and there.

[BillGrant]

An Empire up for Grabs



Carlos' New Spanish Empire had won the Spanish-Danish War in almost matter of mere Marching and began the First Reconquista Crusade against Mexico in an Effort to totally Conquer the Nation. Carlos had decided that it was a time for peace for the Spanish. The Economic Crisis was now Fixed and Spain was racking up large Income.

Carlos was slowly trying to Industrialize like the other European Powers such as the United Kingdom, France, and Prussia. However the Spanish Empire was a secondary Power to them, Carlos now preferred the French over the British because of Spain and France's Heavy Economic Trading. Spain remained quiet for several years until the 1850's.

Beginning in the 1850's, The United States, still having slavery Tensions, decided that Cuba should be annexed to the United States from Spain. Cuba would be used as a Slave State. The Ostend Manifesto was used as a possible Casus Belli for a U.S-Spanish War over Cuba.

Pierre Soule, the man behind behind the Manifesto:



The United States threatened War, but eventually backed down, Many European Powers angry at the U.S government for proposing such a Document. The Ostend Manifesto made Carlos bitterly Angry. U.S and Spanish Relations Frosted over following the Manifesto.

Spanish Political Cartoon:



After the Manifesto of 1854, Spain went on another Crusade against Mexico, and moved Troops From Spain to Yucatan to stage another Invasion, 27,000 Troops were sent to Yucatan, and it became apparent that if Spain was going to become a World Power once again, they would have to Field a strong Military, one to keep the Americans at Bay.

The Second Crusade was a Re Run of the First, Neighboring Territories, and Mexico City Captured, this time Morelia was Annexed. Carlos believed that Mexico would be back under Spanish Control by the 1880's. Carlos never got this Dream. He knew he would never live to see Mexico back under Spanish Control. Carlos died in 1855, ruling Spain for 16 Years.

Now with Carlos Dead, many Spanish Politicians Grappled for the Control of the Empire. Carlos' Son was next to be in Line, but they argued that Carlos had unlawfully took control of Spain. In the end, Carlos VI, Carlos' son became King of the Spanish Empire, he pledged to finish his Fathers Dreams of Reconquest of the Americas.

Carlos VI:

[loki100]

you are making good progress, reclaiming Mexico will give you a powerful base in the Americas. Why aren't you picking on the smaller Latin American states at the same time? They tend to become very powerful later on with immigration etc

[alhoward]

you are making good progress, reclaiming Mexico will give you a powerful base in the Americas. Why aren't you picking on the smaller Latin American states at the same time? They tend to become very powerful later on with immigration etc

I would expect that it's a concern for infamy; if he takes states from the larger nations he's expending ten infamy for a larger region than if, for example he annexed Uruguay for twenty infamy and one province. But rereading your statement, you probably are talking about countries like Chile and the USCA, aren't you?

[BillGrant]

you are making good progress, reclaiming Mexico will give you a powerful base in the Americas. Why aren't you picking on the smaller Latin American states at the same time? They tend to become very powerful later on with immigration etc

Mexico Is my Main Target, but USCA is protected by the United States, but I'll go after Argentina and Columbia, they're nice spots for Expansion.

[Ybakgibumpti]

However, I always find that gaining CB's whilst playing as Carlist Spain with a reactionary party (Or any other with Jingoistic policy) is so quick that it's unlikely to be detected and can cost absolutely nothing in terms of infamy. Even if it's detected, for me it seems to only generate a small amount of the predicted infamy gain. You'll also need panama from those Colombians instead of waging a diplomatic war that'll take 10 just to add them to your sphere of influence.

[BillGrant]

Obstacles of the New King



Carlos wanted to Industrialize Spain, Factories were already growing up in Number in Spanish Mexico and Spain Itself, and Carlos and the Spanish Government were Encouraging Capitalists to Invest in These factories. Railroads were also popping up in Spain Itself, Railroads Connecting all of the Provinces together and Supplies To Factories Increasing.

Spanish Railroad, 1856:

Carlos wanted to Bring Spain into the Modern Era Of Technology much like the Other European Powers and the United States. In other parts of Europe, the Osterpruben War began in 1856, with Russia Declaring War on Prussia, now the North German Federation. The War lasted into 1857, and was a major Russian Defeat. Russia lost many Brigades in the War.

The European Powers were Carving up African Territories, most of Morocco eaten up by France, Constant European Conflicts with Egypt, only to be broken up with the Constant Intervention from the United States.

Carlos changed the old Spanish Cross Flag from the 1600's and replaced it with the Former Liberal Flag, but it now represented the Spanish Monarchy. The Anthem and Official March stayed the Same though. Carlos wanted the new Flag to Represent a new Empire.

In 1858, the Ottoman Empire and Spain signed an Alliance Treaty, ending an old Religious Grudge since the 1400's, and even much before. Unfortunately, the Ottomans had dragged Spain into a War with Egypt. Spain had sent the Royal Fleet to North of the Sinai Peninsula. Easily defeating the Egyptian Fleet there. 9,000 Troops were landed, eventually Marching to Cairo.

Spanish Troops in Egypt, 1858:

Once in Cairo, the Spanish Brigades were beaten back by Egyptian Troops. The Rest of the War, until 1859, a Small Spanish Fleet Blockaded above the Sinai Peninsula. Spain dropped out of the War in 1859, then after, The United States and Belgium joined the War against the Ottomans. The Spanish Defeat at Cairo had made Carlos know that Spain's troops and Arms were not Up To Date, most still using Flintlock. All of Spain's Ships were still using Sail, most of the Major European powers had developed Ironclads, the United States was using Steam Ships as early as the 1820's.

Carlos had ordered that Steam Transports and Ironclads be built for the Spanish Navy and Declared that the Old Royal Armada was Obsolete. After the War was over, Spain was making efforts to Modernize It's Army, all Flintlocks being Replaced by Muzzle Loading Rifles of the Period, even Breech Loading Rifles were being Developed for Spanish Armies.

In 1862, Carlos ordered the First Modern Spanish Ship, an Ironclad Ship. This was the first step to Modernizing Spain's Navy.

[BillGrant]

Conflicts in the AAR:



The War for Monarchy: 1833-1838, Liberal Victory,

Spanish-Danish War, or War of the Debts: 1839-1841, Austrian, Prussian, Spanish Victory,

First Reconquista Crusade: 1844-1845, Spanish Victory

Second Reconquista Crusade: 1854, Spanish Victory

Spanish-Egyptian War: 1858-1859, Ottoman, Spanish Defeat

Arabian Wars: 1868-1878, Spanish Victory

Third Reconquista Crusade: 1874-1875, Spanish Victory

Fourth Reconquista Crusade: 1886, Spanish Victory

The Anarchist Revolution: 1888-1889, Spanish Victory

The East German War: 1889-1890, Russian, Spanish Defeat

Spanish American War: 1899-1901, Indecisive, White Peace

The Iberian War: 1904-1907, Spanish Victory

The Falange War: 1918-1921, Spanish Victory

The Civil War: 1930-1932, Falange Victory, end of the Monarchy

Intervention in Greece: 1933-1934, Spanish Victory

[Danking]

Itd be impressive if you could restore half of the former Spanish Empire.

[BillGrant]

Modernization and The Arabian Wars


With Failure to Win a Victory against Egypt in 1859, it had prompted Carlos to Modernize the Spanish Army and Navy and to send a Message to the World that the Spanish Empire was not to be reckoned with. The First Spanish Ironclad ship was built in 1862, to compete with the other European Powers. Steam STransports, "Raiders", and more Ironclads were ordered. The Sail Ships were De Commissioned and Christened for their Service.

First Spanish Ironclad, 1862:

The American Civil War began in 1862. Carlos saw this as an Opportunity to Re Conquer Florida from the C.S.A. Carlos' Advisers were firmly against it, and complained to Carlos that Spain was Unprepared for War with the C.S.A, even if they were Rebels. The Operation was Cancelled. Spain Abolished Slavery in the 1840's, the First Carlos labeling it as, "Old World". The Spanish Government was not Abolitionist, but saw Slavery as an old Practice and a useless activity for the Economy.

The U.S Conquered the C.S.A in 1864. The Geneva Convention was also held in 1864. Carlos sent Diplomats to Switzerland to Sign on Behalf of Spain.

The Geneva Convention, 1864:

By 1866, the Spanish Navy and Army was Completely Modernized, all of the Spanish Navy was not using Sail. It was now on Par Technology wise with the other European Powers. Carlos, saw the Arabian Peninsula as a location with Many Riches, and to Claim Mecca as a new Christian Holy Site. In 1868, Carlos ordered 18,000 Spanish Regulars to be sent to Hedjaz to Conquer it and Claim Mecca.

A Spanish Fleet blockaded Mecca, and landed 18,000 Troops. The Battle of Mecca ensued. 500 Spaniards were killed, but double what was given to the Muslim Force. The Hedjaz Armies Retreated. 500 More Spaniards died traveling through the Brutal Arabian Deserts.

A Spanish Force Off Duty in a Small Town in Hedjaz, 1869:


Hedjaz surrendered in 1869, and was annexed into the Growing Spanish Empire. Carlos now wanted to Conquer the Entire Arabian Peninsula to Claim Spain as a Dominant European Power once more.

[loki100]

this carries on going well, useful to snag Arabia as well as your more traditional lands.