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In den Augen Gottes
An Alternative History Affair
By TekcoR

Chapter 5
Patience and Resolve



After the defeat at the campaigns at Lozma, the Russian Empire seemed hell-bent of avenging the devastating losses. In the midst of winter, the Russians would launch a campaign aimed at Gumbinnen. On January 18th, the first campaign came to a screeching halt as 48,000 Prussians inflicted close to 11,500 causalities to an army of 37,000 while only receiving just over 4,000 of their causalities. Undeterred by the setback the Russian command launched another campaign against Gumbinnen in February. By February 23rd, the Russians would retreat once again from the scene of battle. Over 24,000 soldiers of the invading 33,000 had been claimed as causalities, while the defending Prussian group of just shy of 24,000 suffered close to 6,000.


January's battle at Gumbinnen.​

Though news of the campaigns seemed to draw most attention of the press, there were other events as equally important coming from Berlin. The national assembly (the first of the nation since the signing of the constitution in 1843) had eased the restrictions of trade unions. Previously only state-controlled trade unions were allowed, but now non-socialist unions were allowed. In addition to the news of reforms, there was some research that had occurred. On April 17th, steamers had been researched. Scientists would now focus on their attention at better organizing the factories of the state.

Returning to the war, which required the most attention of the state, the Russians had launched two additional campaigns, while Prussia launched one of its own. At Radom, two relatively equally balanced forces battled for several days before the Russians called it quits on March 10th. Of Russia’s 34,000 soldiers close to 24,000 had been marked as causalities compared to the Prussian’s fewer than 5,000 of 36,000. Another campaign was directed at Gumbinnen, with both forces bringing 69,000 to the battle. Prussia would hold the field suffering 11,876 causalities compared to the Russians nearly three times as high 34,210. In little other note, a Prussian cavalry corps captured the town of Lublin, forcing the town’s rather large garrison of 3,000 into surrender.


A few months would pass as both sides gathered their forces again. The Prussian military refused to advance further, not for the fear of attacking. A simple reality had been made evident. Why attack the enemy and risk the chance of defeat when the enemy was beyond willing to attack and risk defeat? All Prussia had to do was wait for the enemy to come and its then forces could gather to overwhelm the attacker. In late May, the Russians would again return to the field – again aimed at Gumbinnen. Again the Russians would be overwhelmed by reinforcements bringing the Prussians to 48,000 strong compared to the invader’s 33,000. Only this time a more resounding victory was proclaimed as the Russians suffered 29,000 causalities – 87% of their fighting force!

On June 15th, the last campaign of the war would end at Przemysl. Prussian cavalry had been roaming the Polish countryside eagerly harassing Russian supply lines when they encountered a corps of about 26,000 troops. After numerous raids and skirmishes, a battle was forced. The Russians appeared overconfident as the Prussians were “only horsemen”. By end of the day, of the 26,283 Russians, all of them had been claimed as dead, wounded or captured.

The next few months would be spent ironing out a peace treaty. In the treaty of Danzig, signed October 9th, 1845 the Russian Empire would lose its claim on western Galicia to Prussia. Moldavia, which had been a non-combatant, would receive a large swath of territory in the form of Russian-owned Moldavia and Bessarabia. The reasoning behind the decision to increase the power of Moldavia was two fold. Berlin had been asserting its influence on the nation in hopes of eventually securing another ally within the region. Plus, the territory would be a huge road block to the Russian dream of claiming Constantinople for their desires.


 
Interesting, nice borders and an expanded Romanian state. Is Moldavia still a Ottoman puppet, or is it neutral?

It is an Ottoman Puppet, but I view it as propping up the Ottoman Empire. I did kinda have the Ottomans lose a bit of land in the before 1836 part of the story.
 
An impressive victory that can only heighten Prussia's prestige throughout Europe. The Russians never seemed to bring an overwhelming force against the Prussians and they've paid for that oversight.

If I were Austria I would be more than a little concerned.
 
An impressive victory that can only heighten Prussia's prestige throughout Europe. The Russians never seemed to bring an overwhelming force against the Prussians and they've paid for that oversight.

If I were Austria I would be more than a little concerned.

They shall be concerned!

Wait a minute... what's going on with Serbia for one of her southern provinces to be occupied? Rebellion? War?

There is a rebellion in Serbia going on. It is a Albianian revolution!
 
Love the borders.:)
 
Does that one province even have an Albanian core? I thought only the borders of modern day Albania had cores in-game.

PDM adds some cores, and Albania has them on parts of Serbia.
 
In den Augen Gottes
An Alternative History Affair
By TekcoR

Chapter 6
Animal House


With the war with Russia resolved in Prussia’s favor a calm had returned across the land, though this feeling would quickly be disrupted. Never satisfied to spend more than a few days for beginning of the year celebration; the liberal members of the house passed legislation opening trade unions with no restrictions. Previously the country had been limited to non-socialist only trade unions. The point was rather moot as there were no records of socialist trade unions. Regardless, the people were happy as the government was working in their perceived interest.

Just a few weeks old the year of 1846 would provide a major headache for the Prussians who now controlled the majority of Polish lands. In Paris, a group of Polish exiles found sympathetic backers in the French elite and established a committee for Polish independence. The groups goals which were leaked to the papers, called for the establishment of nation consisting of Warsaw as its capital, along with access to the Baltic and territorial concessions from Prussia and Russia. Once the article was leaked to the press, the French government had to withdraw support. In the regards to Polish aspirations, Prussian and Russians relations were improving while relations with France were decreasing.


On March 2nd, another unthinkable event would occur with another march on Berlin. The march though was very peaceful and more of a parade celebrating the acquisition of additional land. Though support for war was rather low in the western provinces (Friesland, Rhineland, Westfalen) – people were still grateful and rallied around the flag. In a gesture to the people and veterans of the war, the King attended the opening of the Berlin Zoo on April 28th. All veterans of the previous war were given lifetime memberships.

The liberals in the house quickly followed up in their desire to reform the nation and offered new rights. On May 25th, voting rights were reformed and opened up to those with some wealth. The middle class, which had been growing since the expansion of factories, would be given the right to vote. A vast majority of Prussians, those actually manufacturing products and harvesting the resources necessary for the work would not be given the right to vote. Steps had been taken in the right direction to equalize the voting system and it was appreciated by the populace. One of the major benefits to all people came on June 26th, when the nation’s tax rate was lowered from 50% for all classes to 40%. Prussia’s treasury was blossoming, why not give some back to the people?


 
One of the major benefits to all people came on June 26th, when the nation’s tax rate was lowered from 50% for all classes to 40%. Prussia’s treasury was blossoming, why not give some back to the people?

Indeed, you seem to be doing extremely well financially. Is this normal for PDM, as seem to recall being a bit harder up in vanilla?

Prussia seems well on the way to becoming a limited constitutional monarchy. Let's hope that the Old Guard don't feel the need to do anything drastic.
 
In den Augen Gottes
An Alternative History Affair
By TekcoR

Chapter 6
Outbreak


The financial relief on the people was of great benefit. The industry that the government and capitalists had heavily invested in saw a wider range of their products being sold to more people. However there was a slight consequence in lowering the taxes. News spread throughout the other German states that the people of Prussia were being taxed less. The outrage over the taxes, along with other lack of freedoms in other German states would put a dire strain on leading state within Germany.

On April 2nd, the first “Pan-Nationalist” revolt would occur within the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. The Grand Duke, Charles Friedrich, petitioned for Prussian assistance. On April 13th, over 24,000 Prussian troops marched into the streets of Weimar and violently suppressed the revolt with little to no harm to the troops. After the suppression of the revolt, another Prussian corps was called in to reinforce the nation of Hesse-Darmstadt, which was seeing nationalist revolution of its own. The Hesse-Darmstadt rebellion located around the town of Giessen would contain heavy fighting, as the liberals had heard the rumors of the iron boots of the Prussian crown. It was not that Prussia was against uniting the German states. Prussia wanted to do on its own terms.


The resistance of about some 36,000 strong would face off against 24,000 crack Prussian troops. In the three day battle that ensued, nearly 10,000 Prussian troops suffered some form of casualty, with about a dozen killed. A month later, on July 8th, another plea was heard from Grand Duke Charles Friedrich pleading for additional assistance. This time the revolutionaries had appeared in larger numbers, some 42,000 strong. In a four day battle that followed, between the days of the 10th and the 14th, another 9,000 Prussians would suffer injuries, with close to twenty dying. An equal amount of citizens were reported among the causalities at both Giessen and Weimar – about 30,000 a piece.


For the rest of the month and into the proceeding month the revolution seemed to be crushed. Prussia could return to its development. On March 8th, the first stock exchange was forming in Berlin. Financial experts had recently agreed upon plans to setup the stock exchange and were working on a way to print additional money if necessary. On the political front, all Prussians were given a form of healthcare – trinkets really but better than the previous no healthcare. Then on September 11th, restrictions on Prussian press were lifted, the press was now free to publish stories without inference from the government.

But just when Prussia thought it was out of the woods on revolutions…


 
I'm surprised you havent invaded denmark yet.

but good read!
 
The revolutions seem to be coming to a head. It's worrying to see how many men the pan-nationalists can muster, but at least the Kingdom has itself stayed rebel free, for now.

It was quite shocking at first, seeing their numbers. I was like: "Woah, really?"

I'm surprised you havent invaded denmark yet.

but good read!

Patience my friend, patience. Denmark's turn is coming.
 
In den Augen Gottes
An Alternative History Affair
By TekcoR

Chapter 6
The Diagnosis Worsen


…news reached Berlin from Paris that the French had were undergoing a revolution against the monarch Louis-Philippe I. A series of political meetings, revolts and elections culminated on February 26th, 1848 with the establishment of a provisional government called the Second Republic. The nephew of Napoleon, Louis-Napoléon returned to France in February 1848, but was quickly told to return to exile. The nephew did win a seat on the Constituent Assembly to draft the constitution. After a series of further revolts that undermined the provisional government in June 1848, Napoleon ran for president. On December 10th, 1848, Napoleon became the first President of the Republic.

A return of a Bonaparte to the head of France was not the only concern of Prussia in the year 1848. On February 19th, the Danish government sought to incorporate the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein into Denmark proper. Austria, facing possible unrest at home did not bother to respond to the request of Schleswig-Holstein. Prussia on the other hand took up the cause of the duchies and responded with a declaration of war against the Danish nation. Close to fifty thousand soldiers of the Prussian army – in two corps – were dispatched to handle the troublesome Danes.

By early April, the Danish army had reached the town of Aabenraa, where a battle broke out between the 15th and 18th of the month. Over 60,000 German (Prussian and Schleswig-Holstein troops) battled against the numerically inferior 45,000 Danes. Heavy causalities were incurred by both sides, close to 17,000 for the Germans and 28,000 for the Danes who were forced to retreat. By late May, Prussian forces advancing without assistance from Schleswig-Holstein fought against the Danes at Esbjerg. Initially an equally sized battle of around 24,000 soldiers each, Prussian reinforcements sealed the deal. The Danes suffered 12,700 causalities compared to Prussia’s 7,000.


For the new month and a half the war would bring about an uneasy truce. However, between July 13th and 15th the second battle of Esbjerg was fought. The nearly evenly matched forces battled with great determination, but the superior training and battle hardness of the Prussians would pay off. By the end of the 15th, the entire Danish corps of 17,169 troops was dead, captured, missing or wounded compared to Prussia’s losses of a 4,071. Denmark was finished.

The war would continue until April 1849 because of numerous circumstances – though the Danes never fielded an army capable of challenging the might of Prussia. There were numerous reasons why the war continued. Firstly, on May 10th, 1848 Hungary declared itself a new nation. There were rumors of possible Prussian intervention in the affairs at hand; though no intervention would come. Emboldened by the French revolution and independence movement in Hungary, the liberals within the Prussian kingdom made their demands on the king.

The liberals claimed that the had over 3 million supporters ready to take to the streets across the nation if additional measures were not taken to further reform the voting system. Initially the King refused to sign such legislation if it was passed. Persuasion became the tactic of the liberals. On June 3rd, over 20,000 liberals marched in a torchlight procession through the streets surrounding the palace. The next day the king relented and signed into law a new weighted universal voting system.


Prussia it seemed had dodged a bullet. Though there was still the revolution occurring south in Austria; which had recently received Russian support.


 
Revolutions are starting to pop up everywhere it seems. Best be careful. And I thought S-H was a puppet of Denmark, how are they allied with you in the war? I'm not familiar with PDM, so that may explain why I don't know.
 
Revolutions are starting to pop up everywhere it seems. Best be careful. And I thought S-H was a puppet of Denmark, how are they allied with you in the war? I'm not familiar with PDM, so that may explain why I don't know.

If I remember right, they are a puppet, but there is an event that pops up that made them free and Denmark wanted to reincorporate them.
 
As a little teaser...

I can't wait until 1901 gameplay wise!
 
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