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A Nation of War 1849-1851
In America, the spike of new provinces had re-lit the Slavery Debate, and many supporters and opposers of slavery took to the streets. Several acts of violence and oppositional essays were printed, and the situation neared boiling point. George, worrisome of possible anarchy, ordered Slavery banned from the new provinces, and declared a Court Gag, silencing the nations legislature on the issue of slavery. Many Liberal Absolutists resigned in such a act of absolutists, and were carefully replaced with Reactionary representatives from New York.

Nonetheless, the political situation was becoming precarious, as activists from across the Kingdom called for greater reform. George and the Council formed a agreement, legalizing non-socialist trade unions, and quelling the fears of the population. While such a act was generous to the people, many Conservatives on the council saw this as a act of representation, and in that years annual alignment report, the Liberals had increased their power by 12%, replacing those who had resigned in opposition earlier. This move granted another Liberal Majority, many of whom pressed for peace and stability without the realm. George spit in the face of the Liberals, even going as far as declaring Cuba a neccesary property of the United States, infuriating the Great Powers of Europe.

King George II, 1849
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But another storm was brewing.

The aftermath of the Treaty of Mexico City was far from peaceful. In Mexico, many conservative and reactionary politicians argued against the signing of the peace treaty, as the British had sent ambassadors regarding the arrival of a massive European Army. Indeed, a series of small naval defeats off the coast of America had thrown off the initial British plans, as nearly 14 men-o-war ships had been sunk over the course of just a few months. Nonetheless, the British Navy did not turn around, and was set to arrival in Canada just several days prior to the battle. The defeat at Vancouver however had set off a chain reaction, and many Mexican liberals believed the war was lost.

Antonio López de Santa Anna, who had reigned as President nearly 10 times, and even as a dictator, resisted the influence of the Liberal congressman and marched into Mexico City, reinstating himself as official President, while in truth, he was a dictator. Almost immediately, Santa Ana declared the Treaty of Mexico City void, and called upon the British government to support its claims. But before the message arrived, King George had received word, and declared war on Mexico with no opposition. This time, the British forces refused Mexican assistance, appalled at the politician tyranny of President Santa Anna and condemned both the actions of Mexico and America.

Antonio López de Santa Anna
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Without aid from Britain, and American troops still in the vicinity, Mexican forces were crushed on all fronts. Santa Anna was able to mass a army of 24,000 and intended to march towards Nevada, where two 15,000 American Armies had been separated. They army was assaulted by 20,000 American troops under General James Hemingway, who attacked through Mexican Texas, arriving at Paso del Norte and crushing Santa Anna. The battle of Paso del Norte was the only memorable engagement of the continued warfare, as American troops, no longer distracted by the Northern British troops, could freely occupy Mexico.

Battle of Paso del Norte
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However, the war became an illusion for the successes of his the King's army, has the real threat laid in his people. Perhaps the most memorable uprising prior to the Great New England Uprising was the Manhattan Rebellion of July, 1850, when 14,000 American soldiers were forced to battle a rebellion of equal size in the streets of the city. The Royalist soldiers concluded victorious and the imposition of higher tariffs were imposed, but the King's power had become threatened another time.

Rebels set fire to a wealthy Royalist neighborhood.
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Finally, after another year of slow warfare, American troops entered Mexico City, and forced Santa Anna to ratify the Treaty of Mexico City, with Nevada, Arizona, and the rest of Texas now included. Santa Anna was unable to resist, and after only a week of the treaty, the President was dethroned and executed on behalf of the Liberals. While Mexico decayed into rebellion, so did the United Kingdom of America.

American Forces enter Mexico City
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On the 9th of August, Republican soldiers and civilians in the North Eastern section of the nation declared their independence from the United Kingdom, rising 80,000 soldiers to war. George, with no such force at his side, was provoked into a mobilization against the Republican troops. The effort was slow however, and Rebels destroyed small pockets of militia that had held themselves in the North East. The King, now also faced with a small rebellion in Texas, commanded James Barnum to lead the forces into battle.

New England Nationalists seize New York.
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Republican Forces, under President Rigten Winston, marched towards Boston and New York in October, forcing the Royal Family and Court to evacuate South. Winston scored a early victory against 13,000 men at Boston* and another at New York** before preparing for his motion south. By November though, local Royalist militias had slowed down the advance of the three (30,000 strong) Republican Armies. Finally, with most of the North East occupied, Barnum defeated Winston 38 miles west of New York, sweeping North and forcing the surrender of the remaining two armies. Barnum's second major victory in less then two years was enough for him to be appointed Chief of the General Staff. The King however was very concerned, and finally conceded to the Liberal Court the edict allowing the Landed Nobles of his realm to vote. On February 1st, 1851, the National Council was reformed into the Royal Legislature, the first congressional house in the history of the nation.

Typical Electors in 1851
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United Kingdom of America in 1851
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Nice to see the kingdom held onto the idea of manifest destiny. Any plans to try to enforce the 'rights' of the King upon Cuba?
:excl:
You think maybe you could work in the coat of arms of the Washington family somewhere? Granted it has nothing to do with the gameplay, but given how desperate Maximilian was to add dignity and prestige to the fledgeling monarchy it seems odd that he didn't plaster his family's ancient coat of arms on everything that moved.
 
Is the US government now Prussian Constitutionalism as the upper class can vote?
 
Great AAR! I really like the unique take you've got here, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
 
A most interesting and fresh idea. I am curious to see how this develops. Well done!
 
One Nation Under God 1852-1857


The United Kingdom of America, since the death of King Maximilian had safely been in a continuous state of war since 1829. Though it had achieved many victories, the people, the military, and the economy was beginning to tire out, and it became clear to the Royal Administration that it was time for the nation to rest, and recuperate. Following the declaration of the Royal Legislature, elites across the country had began to advocate positions in the upcoming election. It came as a dark realization that many of the Landed Nobles were indeed either associated with the Republican Party, the Whigs, or the Free Soil Party, all of which supported a limited royal power with a stronger legislature. These aristocrats poured money into the separate Liberal campaigns, and with support of the local people, conservatives were quickly drowned out.

George attempted to revive the conservative party by declaring a edict of lower taxes, bringing the rate from 80% to 60%. While the people appreciated the move with much conviction, Liberal parties promised even lower taxes amongst all classes, and on August 29th, the Aristocrats voted in the Liberals by 70%, declaring the Whig Party as the Ruling institution in the Royal Legislature.

Results of the 1852 election
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The Whigs, who controlled nearly 55% of the legislature, were lead by a combination of different liberal parties, with the Republicans forming a loose coalition with the Whigs. The Republicans were co-led by King George's eldest son, William, who represented the aristocracy within the party. George and William constantly came to blows over common issues, but William's close nature to the King managed to get the Royal Throne to approve the Legislatures proposition of legalizing all trade unions. On top of that, the fiscal leader of the Whigs, Sir Edward Makenson, proposed the taxation act of 1852, as promised to the people, lowering and regulating taxes to and below 50%. These reforms while imposed on a massive scale, were not opposed by George, who was pleased that the lowering of taxes could be sustained by the nations economy.

New Budget under Whig Authority
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The following years were marked by a continued relationship between the Whig Party and the Royal Throne, both of which had begun to implement a Laissez-fair economy, a strategy with furthered the authority of the capitalists and the aristocrats. For three years, the United States economy flourished, and by 1854, the Military had recovered from the previous wars, and had begun to grow. While the Industrial sector remained at a standstill, mostly due to the lack of artisans and craftsmen, the administrative and bureaucratic sector expanded, resulting in a generally larger budget and efficient tax rates, despite the lowering of the total income tax. Abroad, King George manage to adopt a series of alliances, both in Europe and South America, the most famous being that of Portugal, who allied with the American Kingdom in 1855.

King Pedro V of Portugal
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By 1856, the Liberal power had peaked 60%, and while George had been content with a period of successful joint rule, he became concerned that their authority was beginning to fringe on his Royal power. In late 1856, George offered his support to the Republican Party, pulling away from the Whigs in a attempt to tear the Liberal Coalition apart. At first, he believed himself succesfull, but William was able to negotiate a coup of power and the maintenance of the coalition in December. Williams seemingly genius diplomatic skills put his liberal abolitionist party in power, and by the following year, the Republican Party and its coalition seized a super-majority, enough power to override and Royal Edict and overcome any veto placed by the King.

The Super Majority of the Republican Party.
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George, now with his power temporarily stripped, entered a state of miserable depression, isolating himself within the Royal Court and repeatedly cursing damnation at his eldest son.
 
I find it incredibly amusing that your United Kingdom of America was more liberal in 1857 than I managed in the entire game as a democratic U.S.A.

Hopefully William's legacy saves the royal family if/when Jacobins come to power. Aside from George the First, most of them have been good people.
 
I find it incredibly amusing that your United Kingdom of America was more liberal in 1857 than I managed in the entire game as a democratic U.S.A.

Hopefully William's legacy saves the royal family if/when Jacobins come to power. Aside from George the First, most of them have been good people.

The U.S is more Liberal as a effect of the monarchy, more people desire suffrage, and are therefore liberals. As a democracy, most of the desired reform has already occurred, so conservatives are much more frequent.
 
The Gathering Storm, 1857-1861

At the conclusion of 1856, it became apparent to the people of America that a new domestic power was rising, and to their most pleasured ears, gave rise to the Republican Party and its first super majority. William, Prince of New York, and heir to the throne of the Kingdom, was quick to take advantage of such a opportunity, and while his father hid in shame, furthered election reform to include the Upper Class and the Lower Class. While Reactionaries and the few Conservatives left shouted, the constitutional rights the King himself had sworn in had granted the super-majority power over a Royal Veto, which out of self-respect, never came. William became a popular leader almost instantly, and by May of 1857, two parades were held by the city of Richmond and Charleston to honor his political efforts and grant further authority to the people and its legislature.

The Following Months of the Electoral Amendment
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Prince William of New York
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Following the successes of the liberal Republican Party, the increasingly unfavorable King George appointed General Barnum as temporary regent, at which point many assumed George to have been in total solitary confinement. The lack of conservative authority, and opposition, brought the prominent issues to the the leading Republican Party, most profoundly, the Slavery Debate. It seemed that, divisions within the party, prevented further reformation and soon enough, the Republican Party lost their super majority following a series of abolitionist propositions brought forth by Northern Conservatives that attacked several Republican Abolitionists. William, who had voiced a radical support for the sustaining of Slavery, clearly alienated a group of his party, but with his defeat and slight conservative comeback, the Republicans swept the following mid-term, and gave him his largest majority, at 69%. The new super-majority, quickly motioned for further voting reforms, and with their majority still maintained, passed a series of censoring reforms, that opened up private newspapers, of course still subject to censorship.

Upper House following the sweeping Liberal Reforms
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The rise of sweeping liberalism and nationalism was not confined to America, and soon in the North German Confederacy, a series of essays, most prominently the communist manifesto, which brought around a new radical leftist ideology constructed around the workers and a redistribution of wealth. These idealistic groups and ideas arrived in the nation as underground parties, uniting under the Socialist Party of the United States, which silently called for the immediate removal of monarchist powers and the swift creation of democracy.

In 1860, it became apparent to the conservatives that Monarchy was on the verge of a total removal of powers, and following the results of the 1860 Upper House elections, the Republican Party reached its peak at a overwhelming 71%, enough authority to petition the abdication of the King. William, obviously, kept such demands in check, but the Socialists and Radicals called for such legislation to be proposed. Throughout this time, it was repeatedly reported that the isolated King had attempted to suicide and the only thing that kept him from doing so was the wise advice of the Reactionary Lord Barnum.

Results and aftermath of 1860 Congressional Elections
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The most important reform of the 1860 Super Majority was the Freedoms Act, that granted all citizens, no matter of class, the right to vote, though the wealthy retained a weighted vote. But the freedom's act sparked chaos within the nation over the Slavery Debate, with many people arguing that the Freedom's Act was a act of hypocrisy for the Liberal sect of the Republican Party that called for the entertainment of the slavery. Nonetheless, the act swept through the National Legislature, and William was subsequently framed a hero of the people.

The National Legislature directly after the declaration of the Freedoms Act of 1860
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What followed was amongst the most unexpected acts in the history of the nation.

In January 1861, King George II made his first public appearance in nearly 4 years, barking of the importance of Divine Right and calling his fellow reactionaries and conservatives together in a series of private council meetings. It quickly became apparent that George had the whispers of General Barnum in his ear, as he ranted over the "Satanist" Liberals who threatened his god given rights. He called together the Generals together in June of 1861, and on the 22nd of the following month, history was made.

At 11:00, King George had arrived at the National Legislature to give a speech in regards to his opposition of the Freedoms Act. After he concluded his speech, he was booed off the stage, most loudly by the small proportions of Radicals and Socialists. By 11:35, General Barnum's troops stormed into the National Legislature and opened fire on the leftist politicians in the room. Conservatives and Reactionaries fled to the King, who stood tall as the battering of rifle fire massacred the local politicians. Barnum arrived just a moment after the massacre of 200 politicians, and called the remaining politicians to the Royal Court, where the old constitution was burned, the National Legislature demolished, and the restoration of power's to the King declared.

King George is declared Absolute Monarch of the Kingdom of America
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William, fled the city undetected (he had been out to lunch), and arrived at his southern Liberal stronghold on the 29th. The following day, the slave states declared themselves a independent nation, as the rightful Kingdom of America, and crowned William as King. On the 30th of July, war was declared between the two opposing sides.

The New Independent Kingdom of America on the declaration of war.
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Are you trying to keep yourself as an absolute monarchy (just an question)?
 
Wait, so the Republicans are the Southern party in this timeline?:(

You know, for balance issues, that just might work. The Laissez Faire boost to industry could keep the southern economy competitive against the more potent but Interventionist northern economy.
 
Wait, so the Republicans are the Southern party in this timeline?:(

You know, for balance issues, that just might work. The Laissez Faire boost to industry could keep the southern economy competitive against the more potent but Interventionist northern economy.

Yep, and they are not the CSA, they are the Second Kingdom of America. There essentially agrarian Republicans against the big, industrial, and Royalist north.
 
A House Divided 1861-1864

The Royalist Coup and the subsequent declaration of war by the Kingdom of America on their Southern Counter-part, was the first war in nearly 11 years across the entire world. Peace and stability had brought the nations of the world to a prosperous times, but the American Civil War shattered such a prospect. On August 15th, just two weeks after the war began, the global market collapsed, and Industrial Goods world wide came to a complete standstill. Only the Southern Americans felt no brunt blow, as the Radicals in charge managed to lower taxes while rising the tariff system and cutting local government budgets. Their high reliance on Agrarian systems and their low-need for Industry (as the South had amassed such a gun collection from Royalist armory's that everything else could be produced in local shops) was perfect for fighting a war, and on the 22nd of August the first engagement erupted.

North American Continent near the outbreak of the Civil War
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The Royalists were quick to act, and sent four armies across the border, one marching towards Richmond, one through Kentucky, and two from the western front. William amassed his entire army, a small force of 27,000, but collected of experinced veterans and commanded by a charismatic military leader, Robert Lee. Robert led the Republican Army North while William moved to Tallahassee, which had been relocated as the new Republican Capital. The first major battle of the war came several months after a series of Royalist occupational victories in the North, including Lexington and Northern Virginia. At Nashville, Robert led a surprise ambush on a marching Royalist army of 27,000, massacring the enemy army and rallying together thousands of nearby Republicans who cheered the Royalists and jointed in on Robert's expedition, who continued pursue the fleeing Royalists, who were reduced to 4,000 men at Chattanooga.

The final moments of the battle at Nashville, with most of the Royalist Army destroyed.
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But Barnum and the Royalists had a clear advantage, in both manpower and Industry, and a second army of 27,000 managed to split Robert and his 19,000 reinforcements, beating the Republicans at the first Battle of Bowling Green. Robert managed to withdraw relatively intact, and massed together enough supplies to launch a counter attack, and just days later managed to defeat the Royalists at the Second Battle of Bowling Green. Robert's Victories secured the immediate independence of the new nation, and the first organization of the National Legislature was put into effect, eventually resulting in a 80% Majority by the Ultra-Liberals, a party that William himself feared for their slight Jacobin policies.

First Organization of the Republican National Legislature
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Robert and his goals quickly switched perspective, and the defense of Richmond, Virginia had become the priority. Robert forfeited a series of his Tennessee victories in the effort to rush west, arriving at Virginia before the years end. Robert combined his own army and his reserve force and attacked Richmond with 36,000 men against the 30,000 Royalists who occupied it. Using a night march to steal a day, Royalist forces found themselves out maneuvered by morning, and the following day, Robert decisively defeated the Royalists eventually marching all the way to Washington D.C (Sometimes refereed to as the Second Capital), before turning around and heading back west.

Republican Forces at the Battle of Richmond
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Domestic Policies were also a matter of much importance during the war, and while the South tried to hold on to conservatism in order to promote stability in war time, William advocated for a Universal Suffrage Act, which eventually was proposed and passed by the Ulta-Liberals. The Universal Suffrage Act brought mass support world-wide to the Southern cause, and many civilians in the North flocked South to support the Republicans, who were fighting for every inch of ground. Battles raged across the Central Southern Territory throughout 1862, with decisive Royalist victories in Oklahoma and Virginia, but with a steady Republican Defense being formulated in the center. By January of 1863, Lee managed to divide two armies of 24,000 winning a small victory at Lexington before forcing a Royalist retreat of 19,000 men to Knoxville. After a long seven day battle, the Southern Forces outflanked the Royalists, and crushed the first army on the 29th.

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The victory at Knoxville forced Robert to pursue South, leaving gap for a 30,000 man Royalist army to invade through Malden. The Royalist Army attacked the Republican Army at Memphis, and while the Republicans slightly outnumbered the Royalists, the better morale and equipment of the Royalist Army inflicted heavy casualties. However, after two days of fighting, a surprise cavalry charge broke the artillery regiments, and a heated infantry engagement followed, eventually cultivating in a seeming victory for the Republican Forces. It was at that moment however, that the Lord Regent arrived with 24,000 men and dealt Robert a crushing blow.

Early Republican Disadvantage
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Attack of the Republican Cavalry
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The Arrival of Barnum
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Royalist forces persued Robert and beat him again at Vicksburg, but were unable to pursue him further without losing their grasp on the Tennessee. Robert instead moved to Florida to gather conscripted soldiers in a attempt to replenish his forces and launch a counter attack at Vicksburg, where he desired to draw in the Royalist Armies and end the war there. Barnum did not allow this, and sent a series of smaller Royalist Armies on a campaign to wear out the South, diverting Robert's attention, but after a Victory in South Carolina, Robert managed to march his 36,000 men west to jump start his campaign. On November 14th, Robert attacked Vicksburg with 34,000 men against a single army of 28,000 Royalists, a battle which would emerge as the largest and most decisive of the war. Robert's Zealous and war hardened veterans tore the local force to pieces, and forced Barnum to intervene with his own 17,000 men, a move which greatly outnumbered the Republicans. Robert dug in, and repelled every attack by the combined two armies, flipping the tide of the battle back into his own favor. On the 24th however, Barnum called in for a third army, which intervened the following morning. Now Surrounded, Robert fought the Battle until the 26th, where he was beaten by the three armies and forced to surrender.

Half Republican Forces managed to retreat to Jackson, where they beat the Royalist three times, before finally they were overran by Barnum.

Results of the Second Battle of Vicksburg
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The defeat of Lee prompted the Republican National Legislature to officially surrender, ending the war in February of 1864. Royalist forces stormed the Royal Palace in Tallahassee, and returned William to George...with his head on a plate.
 
The defeat of Lee prompted the Republican National Legislature to officially surrender, ending the war in February of 1864. Royalist forces stormed the Royal Palace in Tallahassee, and returned William to George...with his head on a plate.
Ouch. It was obvious that George was never going to allow the monarchy to fall into William's hands, but I expected a prince in the tower thing.

I wonder how the unnamed second son is going to deal with the throne when he gets it. Given what happened to William I doubt he'll be willing to develop much of a political identity of his own. Hopefully he will find the spine to avoid being a puppet for Lord Barnum.
 
You didn't answer my question yet. Are you still planning to keep America an absolute monarchy?
 
You didn't answer my question yet. Are you still planning to keep America an absolute monarchy?

Not Particularly. You see, I am trying to tell a story, and the rapid reformation of a Absolute Monarchy into a total Legislature would make little sense at all. That, along with the inevitable Civil War which would not have made sense if I kept it as it was, forced me to create some tension between Royalists and Republicans.

Perhaps the most definitive answer to your question is No, but neither am I trying to peruse a democracy or a Constitutional Monarchy, I simply see how such actions will pan out as I deem fit.
 
Wait, what? Isn't William George's son?!? Oh by the way subscribed. And how do you upload screenshots (I have an AAR on hold, and I don't know how to upload screenshots)?