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Ah nice. Portugal is still Sunni, correct? Also, how did those Bedouins get into Anatolia?

Nope, Catholic, Most of the world is, the only Sunni's left are in Africa, The only Shias are in the remains of the old Muhammad Caliphate.

The Bedouins beat the Byzantines back to the De Jure Kingdom of Greece in Anatolia, though left their Steppe territories alone. They held the land long enough to convert most of it to Bedoin before An Austrian led crusade finally dug the Caliph out of Anatolia and gave the land to the Knight's Hospitaller, who the Byzantines finally dug out themselves in Eu4.

I have a feeling that the democratic Byzantines will be the good guys here. And I have a feeling that the good guys are going to lose.

Well, Playing the HRE so far has felt like a Villain Protagonist. Betrayed Bohemia my most loyal vassal throughout Ck2, Turned the Pope into a Puppet then Violently put down the Reformation and later the Italians all in the name of keeping the Empire strong. Victory at any cost, for the glory of House Anniona, Mwuhahahaha :p
 
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New Anglia, the Knights Transient, and Canada, all locked in a three-way struggle to control North America with Quebec stuck in the middle. I'll be surprised if Quebec still exists by the end of V2. As for who will win... well, I'm rooting for the Knights Transient, but New Anglia seems more likely.

Mexico seems set to me. It seems posed to remain the buffer state keeping North and South America divided. Maybe some minor land changes, but I imagine it'll be static. A little further down, Venezuela will probably conquer everything north of it until it borders Mexico.

The cultural spread of the continents is fascinating. So much German, but a surprising amount of Natives remain important.
 
The State of the World 1836
Part 3: Asia and Africa

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Sorry about the Delay, Fallout 4 is a hell of a drug. Anywho time to move onto Asia. First off is the Legendary Mongol Empire, still a dominant force in Northern Eurasia the Mongols are the only major power in Asia that have not already westernized. The Mongols are also the only Native Catholic state of Asian descent and have brought the light of the lord to almost thier entire empire. Though now in a new age the Mongols have new enemies, namely the Russian and Wu empires who have begun to look upon their lands with hungry eyes.

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The Mongol Empire is primarily Mongol, though Jurchen and Chinese minorities exist in the eastern portions of the empire. There is also a large bedouin Minority in the formerly Muhamidid steppe lands North of Afghanistan​

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Further south we have, the China. in the 15 years we have skipped, the strongest of the Ming Successor States, the Wu had become successful in either subjugating or fully annexing all the other Ming successors. Thus marking the rise of the Wu dynasty. Emperor Wu Shen I began a series of reforms shortly after named the Wu restoration, which brought the previously competitive Wu state to equal parity with the western powers of Europe, America and India. This has also resulted in the Wu adopted a meager constitution granting several powers to a legislative senate elected from the various nobles of China.

However despite Wu's great success in the north, the Kingdom of Cordoba and the Malaysian Empire have carved southern China up among themselves, allowing the Shan, the only remaining Chinese successor to remain independent. Korea as well stands independent of the Wu, but remains reactionary and Isolated.​

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Culture is nothing remarkable, the Wu have accepted cultures on large areas of the Chinese population, though not all of it, the Southern Chinese have developed a wholly different identity, identifying with the defeated Ning Dynasty that only exists in exile due to the Cordoban and Malaysian Partition of South China. Though not shown on the Map, China has Vanilla V2 population, So that means its the most populous region on the map, Wu has nearly double the Holy Roman Empire's Population for example.​

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Moving onto Indochina and Indonesia, the colonial powers have a much firmer foothold. Malaysia is the dominant power here, with a large navy and control over the valuable straits of Johor. Like the Wu and Indians Malaysia is westernized and now has an interest in the continued independence of Borneo. Malaysia also experienced its own revolution of sorts towards the beginning of the 19th century, and thus has adopted a rather radical constitution not unlike the Byzantine one, though the Monarch under the Malaysian system has little to no real power, instead a Prime Minister is the elected head of the executive branch with the Malaysian King as more of a figurehead.

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The Idealism of Malaysian Democracy ends here however as the country is a vast multiethnic empire, with only certain peoples recognized in the Malaysian constitution. Much of the Indochinese people are treated no better than the colonial populations of Japan, China or Africa. Though they may be quiet for the moment, eventually they will ask for representation in the Malaysian government. With Kosala and Wu competing for dominance in the region, Malaysia and her peoples may become a battleground for the various great powers, should she fall from grace herself.​

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Next up we have the Republic of Australia, a Union of four major Islands, Tasmania, Australia and the Two Islands of New Zealand. Australia is one of many of Cordoba's rebel children, Specifically Australia was supported by Malaysian interests as a way for Malaysia to limit Cordoba's influence in China and Indonesia. Australia while not expected to be a major power has become a popular immigrant destination due to the monarchies and dictatorships of America.​

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Most European colonization has been limited to the coastlines, with Aboriginal populations still calling the central lands of Australia home. Harsh assimilation policies in New Zealand have completely erased the Maori populations there from existence. The Majority of Australia's population lies along the temperate Eastern Coast of the Continent, but there are also some cities on the western coast as well as in New Zealand, where the native wildlife is less bent on trying to kill prospective immigrants.​

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Moving swiftly onwards, we have the Might States of India only two of which have remained as great powers. In the 15 years the Raj of Kosala officially annexed the Raj of Tamlikan as well as seizing large portions of Punjabi territory in the name of Safeguarding India from western Powers. Kosala unlike many other powers in Eurasia is an absolute monarchy and a powerful one that that with the largest military in the world and one of the largest populations.

Kosala in the past was one of many Indian states fighting for survival against the Teutonic Order and the Heretic Kingdom of Messalla. To better combat the Europeans the Rajas of Kosala heavily reformed Indian society until it had become utterly unrecognizable from the cultures of Old. One that would later fuel conquests of the middle east, and Southern Persia no different than European seizures of land elsewhere.

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India itself still remains divided, Politically and Culturally. Though now with the dawning of a new age, the Indian people have looked to China and Europe and seen success not failure. Many now are looking not for independence but for Unity, under a powerful Indian state that can lead them to greatness.

Indian Unification seems almost inevitable, but it is on a clock, as the People of Kamarupa, are more open to European and Chinese Ideals, and have not only westernized but begun to embrace European Industry. With ample population and prestige due to their participation with European powers two great powers in India would render the dream of a unified India all but impossible.​

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Last of course is Africa. Of the major Native states remaining in Africa there are two. Ajuuraan and its neighbors are the last Sunni countries in the world. Though their recent rise to power is a recent event. Previously the Horn of Africa was dominated by Nubia and Abyssianna who both died out due to Byzantine, Egyptian and Muhammid conquests of the region. Ethiopia and southern Egypt has exchanged hands in the past century not once but nearly a dozen times and the Ajuuraans hold on the region is tenuous at best, likely to collapse when the Native Miaphysites rise up to reclaim the crown of Nubia once more, opening the way for the Byzantines or another power to return to the region and bring order.

Mali on the other hand has been quite the opposite. Mali was reborn in the Medieval Era when the Umayyad Dynasty collapsed. To better resist Umayyad reconquest the Umayyads converted to Catholicism, as a means to exploit the politics of the Kingdom of Africa, Cordoba and Aragon. The Umayyads eventually did return not via the sword but via marriage and using connections with Portugal, Mali carved out a meager colonial Empire themselves, with ports in Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia and southern Africa. Mali like many powers outside of Europe has liberalized somewhat and has a constitutional monarchy and while she is westernized still is considered a minor power by the larger empires of the world, despite her population or size.​

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The Issue of Mali is Africa, as a whole is a very multicultural continent, despite European opinions to the contrary. Keeping the various West African peoples together has proven to be a nigh impossibly difficult task, amplified by the hostile African climate. The Local tribes however all do truly believe Mali is their true state and have no desire for independence, only control. Malian elections are often violent affairs, further amplifying a chain of problems.

With the Ban of the slave trade the main source of Mali's income collapsed nearly overnight, combined with massive inflation issues brought on by Gold mines in west Africa, the Empire has quite the hill to climb should it achieve greatness.​

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Last up is the Mutapa, an uncivilized state protected by Mali on the southeastern coast of Africa. The Mutapa remain wholly independent despite Cordoban, Austrian and Malian interest in colonizing the region, though not through thier own effort. Mali, unwilling to take on further burdens to it's collapsing economy promised to protect the minor state, Austria and Cordoba, unwilling to commit to a land war in Africa have been willing to abide Mali's protection of the African Minor states if only becuase they are unwilling to commit thousands of troops to the African Rainforest.

Next up we'll be looking at the Austrian Empire. Then we'll start time again and get going with the AAR proper once again.​

 
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The Mongol Empire is doing remarkably well, seeing as they haven't really changed how they operate in a long time. Can they survive in the ear of industry, or will their stubbornness finally catch up with them?

Australia may regret their independence. They have complete control of a continent... too bad it is a weak continent, compared to the rest of the world. I'd be surprised if someone doesn't conquer some or all of the nation.

Kosala is massive... So much potential from them. They're in a great position, capable of expanding to the East and West. Some real competition for the other Great Powers.

I love how Mali has turned out here. They're no threat to you, but they're much stronger than one would expect. Various parties all trying to run the nation and the economy being devastated by the decline in the slave trade could lead to disaster though...
 
The State of the World 1836
Part 3: The Holy Roman Empire


One Final State of the world post, this time talking about the Player Nation, and the Greatest Power in the world.

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Austria, or the Holy Roman Empire as it is now known as once more, is a Global Empire, One with Holdings in every continent. At its Height the Austrian Empire controlled nearly all of South America in addition to its already vast Colonial Empire which includes the Dominion of California, Dominion of South Afrika, and the Japanese Protectorate.

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We'll be starting our brief overview with the Dominion of California. California is the largest of Austria's dominions but not very densely populated. Though this has in the short term has made them loyal members of the Holy Roman Empire. Not willing to repeat mistakes of the past, Californians receive proper, and perhaps favorable treatment as a the first member of the Anniona Commonwealth a new system designed to keep the various colonial and Puppet nations of the Holy Roman Empire loyal and obedient.​

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California despite its population is one of Austria's richest and most valuable colonies. During the early 1800's Austrian prospectors found small deposits of Gold, Silver and Iron throughout the Pacific Northwest. Though with the chaos of the Napoleonic wars, such news quickly faded. Now with the Empire once more at peace, the colony is likely to quickly become a valuable gem in the Austrian crown.

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The Dominion of Japan is Austria's most populous colony. When Sengoku Jidai started Japan knew only chaos for several hundred years. Though this Chaos eventually ended when the Takeda unified Japan it once again reignited when Catholicism was introduced to Japan via Andalusian traders and missionaries. Rather than rejecting Christ's holy power as Korea and the Chinese have done the Japanese Shogunate instead embraced it, sponsoring a second civil war between the Shogun and the reactionary Daimyo's of Japan.

The second Sengoku only ended when Austrian Naval forces arrived, and slowly began to conquer and Integrate the Japanese in the name of protecting Catholic interests in the Area. The Shogun of Japan reacted of course, westernizing both Japanese Arms and society but it was too late, the Austrians had captured the last Empress of Japan and made her an Anniona via marriage, much as they had to countless other dynasties in ages past. Though they fought bravely, the Japanese ultimately were put down and the Dominion of Japan was formally established.​

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Now Emperor Franz-Joseph stands as the rightful Emperor of Japan through the blood of his Grandmother Empress Meisho II. The Japanese are a prosperous and determined people, though are wholly mixed on Austrian rule. One one hand the Holy Roman Empire has brought order to a chaotic time of Japanese History, it is also a constant reminder of the humiliation and Embarrassment the Japanese people have endured.

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Japanese Feudal culture is notable in that the rather than be seen as barbaric and uncivilized, Reactionaries within the Holy Roman Empire have seen the Japanese as an example of their Ideal society, one of little to no social movement, with the Emperor with nearly godlike despotic power over his country. The Japanese as a whole however are still treated as no better than Colonials by the Empire itself, making the Islands yet another Commonwealth state, no better than California or Africa.​

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Austrian Indonesia is a collection of lesser dominions, with little purpose or place in the Holy Roman Administration besides providing Naval bases for Austrian ships traveling across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Though New Guine and the Philippines have been the sites of Plantation they are rather minor and have remained undeveloped and neglected compared to the rest of the empire.​

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In Africa, things are slightly different. Austria originally started its African adventures as early as the late 1400's though such African colonies were primarily used for Naval bases on the way to America. This changed with the discovery of the Cape of Good hope, and the rise of the Slave Trade.

With Cordoba and Portugal each threatening to monopolize the Slave trade, Austria found a sudden need to take large amounts of African coastline to Bypass the Umayyad-Cordoban Monopoly on African trade, and thus the Kongo and South Africa was colonized. Later long after the abolition of Slavery Goldmines had been discovered in the Cape of good hope, leading to several short colonial wars in the 18th century where the remainder of south Africa was seized in the name of the Holy Roman Empire.

Now South Africa sits as the primary producer of diamonds and other precious materials in the world, having paid for itself nearly four times over in rare gems, gold and Ivory. With technology rapidly progressing, new Vaccines and new inventions may enable further European colonization of the interior of the dark continent, allowing further riches to be extracted from the heart of Afrika.

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Onto the Holy Roman Empire itself, in its full glory. The Holy Roman Empire has been in existence for over 900 years since its original formation in 910 AD. Though the Empire has experienced Crisis, Invasions and Reformations it has never been truly destroyed and now stands as the most powerful country in Europe yet again.

The Empire consists of Several old Electorates, once Kingdoms and now Imperial Provinces. The First of which being Germany, which includes all German land north of the Alps, and west of Bohemia and Bavaria. Bohemia, is one of the smallest provinces in the Empire, consisting of the Czech peoples of the North. The Italian Peninsula is divided in Half, into Northern Italy and Southern Italy. The old lands of the Kingdom of Burgundy have been reconfigured into the Province of Occitania. Austria Proper is the largest and most populous state of the Empire, consisting of Bavaria, Upper Austria, the Duchy of Carinthia and Illyria. The last remaining states are, Carpathia, which consists of all remaining land within the Carpathian Basin, Wallachia which consists of all land to the east of the Carpathians and Bulgaria which includes the old Kingdoms of Serbia and Bulgaria.​

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The Cultural Makeup of The Empire reveals a diverse and multiethnic Empire under the normal, homogeneous grey. Germans(grey), Austrians (Who are functionally the same as South Germans), Bohemians(Bluish Purple), Goths(Orange), Tatars(Minorities in Bulgaria and Hungary), Greeks(Purple), North Italians(Light Green), Occitans(Off Light blue), Swiss(red), South Italians(Dark Green), Slavic Minorities(Light Green in Hungary) and Poles(Pink) all exist within the Empire.

While other Empires struggle with Multiethnic populations, The Holy Roman Empire takes a stern stance within the Empire on many Policies. German is the primary language of the Empire and is spoken by nearly all non-romance cultures within it and the Second and less popular legal language of the Empire is Latin, which the Occitans, Italians and small French and Greek Minorities speak.

Accepted Cultures such as the Czechs and Goths are at the same level as Germans in terms of citizenship, Public service and of course the Military. However due to these three cultures making up the Majority of the country's European population the Italians and Occitans have found it more difficult to properly Integrate with the Austrian Administration, while the Greeks do not try at all. Due to issues in the past the Italians and German populations of the Holy Roman Empire do not properly abide each other and a large portion of Austrian domestic policy in the last eight years has been to keep a second civil war from breaking out.

The Occitans while not especially rebellious or defiant are also not recognized properly by the Holy Roman administration and are expected to once again be given an Autonomous state within the Empire, much as they had been before the Napoleonic Wars. Something the Italians and Greeks had also demanded and been denied.​

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In General the largest culture within the Austrian Empire is i fact, the Japanese, who outnumber nearly any other cultural group including Ethnic South Germans which make up only 20% to the Japanese 22%. Though the Japanese still are a minority when weighed against the combined 20-8-3 Percents of South German, Gothic and North German Populations. Still overall the Empire is not predominantly German which has led to some issues in the past and likely in the future.

On a whole the Population of the Empire is primarily Catholic, with small minor protestant and Shinto Minorities still existing. Nearly one in Ten of the total population however is most concerned with the Integration of Church in state, favoring a continued Policy of Integration of the Emperor and his role as the religious head of the Empire. Something that makes sense as many people within Austria are either still Farmers or Laborers.​

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Currently nearly 70% of Imperial citizens show a conservative Bias, and agree with the NCP policies of Interventionism, Protectionism and Moralism. Though the Conservatives aren't in power in neither the Imperial council or Reichsrat, instead the Reactionary National Party controls the majority of the Reichsrat, though the Emperor of course is the end all Authority in Policy.

The Holy Roman Government is a simple system. The Emperor remains at the top of the System, is the Head of the Military and chief legislative Officer. Under him is the Imperial Council, an appointed small council of talented officials within the Empire that serve as the Emperor's chief advisors.

Under them is the Reichsrat, which has recently been reformed by the National Party following Napoleon's revolution to no longer include elected officials. Instead the Reichsrat is an appointed body of Noble representatives from across the country representing the interests of each region and demographic of the Austrian Population.

The Empire does not officially support any local elections or voting, though keeps several policies, One, being that No man for any reason shall enslave another and two, No man shall be deprived his right to assemble his peers in his own home, place of business or public place.

Though there is no voting, Reforms from the Original Holy Roman System have shown that representation based on states within the Reichsrat can cause issues, namely with the many minor states of Carpathia which used to dominate elections in the past. Thus The Reichrat has been reformed that referendums on certain issues are to use the Jeffersonian Method, an election system Popularized by the New Anglian Politician, Thomas Jefferson.

Divided once, but now once more Unified, the Holy Roman Empire now can strike out towards a new Destiny. With an Empire upon which the Sun never sets, and Descendant of two Sun Gods at the helm of the country it is time for the Holy Roman Empire to once more rise from crisis and war and take her place, as greatest Nation in the world, not only for the Modern Era, but for all time.​
 
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The Dominion of Japan is fascinating to me. The citizens have equal reason to love and hate the Holy Roman Empire that conquered them. I'd love to see either the citizens gain more authority in the HRE, seeing as they are a fifth of the empire, or even attempt to break free. I don't want the HRE to weaken, but an independent Japan influenced by a global empire sounds fun to me.

An empire of farmers and labourers... it could be good to educate the citizens more, but then they'd probably want more rights. You have no social reforms, and it'll be fun seeing how long you can keep it that way.
 
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Chapter 1: Guns, Drums and Steel


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(Emperor Karl-Franz Joseph Anniona I)​

1836 would be remembered as an important year in Europe and perhaps the world over. Emperor Karl-Franz, the Leader who had reunited the Holy League and oversaw the defeat of Napoleon and his Liberal Coalition had suffered and survived a heart attack on January 12th. Karl was an experienced and notably controlling Emperor, due to the Betrayal of his Father, Karl kept the Reichsrat and Imperial council stocked only with whom he felt were the most Loyal to the Empire and House Anniona. With the defeat of Napoleon Karl-Franz relaxed his restrictions but still refused to step down as Kaiser, despite his worsening health. Within a Month the Emperor was bedridden once again and Prince Willhelm ascended to the Throne as Co-Emperor and Regent of the Holy Roman Empire.
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Unlike his more reactionary and old fashioned Father, Prince Wilhelm was a more of a progressive, though not liberal by any stretch of the imagination. Wilhelm's generation grew up during the Napoleonic Wars and Napoleon had many supporters still within Austria. Many liberal musicians, authors and poets were inspired by his deeds as the King of Italy meaning Napoleon's great failure had become the tragedy of Europe, one that would start a new Cultural movement known as Romanticism.

Romanticism emphasised emotion, which stood in contrast of the growing industrial revolution. In particular due to the Holy Roman Empire's medieval sensibilities the so called Knightly Generation of Austria, of which (Prince Wilhelm was a part of) were heavily influenced by Romantic Culture. This of course led to many Holy Roman Imperials to develop tastes for the arts, sciences and history that they otherwise wouldn't.

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One of Emperor Wilhelm I's first actions as Emperor was to approve the Walhalla, a Proposal of King Ludwig of Burgundy to construct a hall to commemorate Imperial Heros and Catholic Saints, such as Saint-Empress Gisela I, Christopher the Great, Copernicus. A Temple where one day, where Willhelm expected he was be honored alongside Julius Caesar as well as his own Ancestors.​

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Meanwhile, a different Monarch was about to Ascend to the Throne Herself. Empress Victoria was now 16 Years old, and Vasily Rurikovich had just recently stepped down after his second Turn as Prime Minister of Russia. The new more conservative administration headed by Nicholas Berensky decided it best to distance itself from the Liberal Administration which was now falling out of Favor. In additiona more practical concerns due to recent tensions on the Scandinavian border led to Berensky moving the Capital of the Russian Empire from St Petersburg to the Imperial Palace at Moscow.
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It was here in Moscow, Empress Victoria officially received her Coronation from Pope Hilarius VI in full view. A Moment in Russian history that would be recorded and remembered for all time As one of the most talented Monarchs in Europe was about to formally take the throne.

Emperor Wilhelm and Empress Victoria were Cousins by Marriage and were Raised together in St Petersburg towards the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Originally Emperor Karl-Franz Joseph has proposed a Betrothal only to be denied by the Russian Duma who were still mindful of inviting the Anniona's into Russia. The new Conservative Duma of Russia was more open to the Idea of return to marriage ties, though not with the Empress. Emperor Wilhelm instead provided Alexander Anniona, whom had previously been considered as a candidate for Emperor of Russia.​

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The Duma Agreed and once again the Russian and the Holy Roman Empires were once more bound by both Ink and Blood in an Holy Alliance that could dominate all of Europe. Elsewhere however trouble was brewing, namely in America, where the old truces had been thrown away.​

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(New Anglian Senator, Henry Clay delivers a speech at the 1st Continental Congress)
In the Interest of Keeping Colonial powers from Returning to America, each Decade the various American States, led by Kingdom of New Anglia and Knight's Transient agreed to convene once every year in the American Continental Congress. The First congress of 1835 led to the Proposal and approval of the Monroe doctrine, (Named after Templar Politician James Monroe) which involved assurances that the Entire National Congress would respond to any recolonization attempts by a European Power. With New Anglian, Argentinian and Knight's Transient Backing the Doctrine passed near unanimously, though none expected it to be enforced.​

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The American Continental Congress would inspire, Liberal Author Alexander de Tocqueville to write, Democracy in America, a book detailing the rise of American democracy and social progress in the wake of the revolutions. Praising the liberal reforms done by the various powers and the co-operation they had achieved through democracy, rather than petty monarchist politics.

At the congress of 1836 however relations between the Quebecois and Canadian ambassadors turned sour over the American Free Trade doctrine, purposed originally by the Haitians. The Free Trade Doctrine would allow free use of the St Lawrence River, The Caribbean, Great Lakes and newly finished Erie canal in New York in exchange for a maintenance fee paid by all members. The Knight's Transient and Canadians flatly refused such an act, agreeing only to the free use of the Caribbean unless Quebec agreed to sever trade ties with the Celtic Empire and Austria. Quebec saw this as an obvious act of hostility and left the Congress.​

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Unwilling to Compromise the Quebecois attempted to instead seize the St Lawrence Coastline themselves and force their own terms of the treaty. The Knights had sensed this as a potential outcome and proposed an Alliance with the Canadians, under the premise of retaining the Integrity of the Continental Congress. The Canadians agreed and mobilized their forces to put down the Quebecois.​

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Meanwhile in Europe, the Kingdom of Westphalia, emboldened by Empress Victoria's Ascension and the Russo-Imperial Alliance formally declared war against the Kingdom of Denmark to enforce gains promised to them for thier assistance against Napoleon. Kaiser Wilhelm, agreed to keep the Holy Roman Empire out of the war in exchange for Celtic and Byzantine Neutrality. Sweden would later Join the war and Russia agreed to oversee the war as the primary partner to prevent the Balance of Power from becoming too skewed.​

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Upon seeing all the news of the previous year reported on in the Imperial Newspaper, Kaiser Wilhelm Anniona would state "it's going to be one hell of a century"


 
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Okay, can I level with you for a second? This advise is absolutely crucial to win the game. Do not under any circumstances send any of your children to Japan. If you do not need my warnings don't be surprised if they attack you with giant robots.
 
The renewed alliance with Russia puts the HRE in an amazing position. If the Byzantine Empire tries to change the power balance, the two of you could crush them together, as the past has shown. I like the promise that Empress Victoria will be a talented ruler. Seems Russia has a bright future.

It seems the 1st Continental Congress went poorly. Poor Quebec might not survive this war. That will only worsen the three-way war in North America.

Okay, can I level with you for a second? This advise is absolutely crucial to win the game. Do not under any circumstances send any of your children to Japan. If you do not need my warnings don't be surprised if they attack you with giant robots.

But then the child will return and conquer the world! :D
 

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Upon seeing all the news of the previous year reported on in the Imperial Newspaper, Kaiser Wilhelm Anniona would state "it's going to be one hell of a century"



I would say that as well if a man produced a rabbit from a hat! These are dark times indeed.......
 
Chapter 2: A Most Eventful Year
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With the Dawn of the Knightly Generation, one that would thrive in an Industrializing Europe, a new Era had officially begun in Europe. Despite the best efforts of the Holy League, Liberal ideals were spreading like wildfire throughout coffee houses, secret meetings and even newspapers. White peaceful right now, House Anniona had begun to grow worried, and now prepared for the worst. A Second Reformation, a Liberal Reformation could threaten to undo all that they had achieved.

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Events in America however were now beginning to Spiral out of control. There was a major force dividing the major American states beyond simple petty rivalries. New Anglia, The Knights Transient while abiding by official decree's to ban the slave trade, still had legalized slavery within their states. The Continental Congress, agreed that the issue of slavery would be handled by prospective Nations. There was no nation where the conflict was greater than in Andalusia.

Florida, which had soil too swampy and wet for a proper plantation economy was home to vast numbers of escaped slaves who lived among the native seminole tribesmen in the interior. The United States, being a democracy was split in half among its Florida, Andalusian Population in Florida and its slaveholding Flemish population in Georgia, While the two peoples themselves did not run into many conflicts, the issue of slavery remained deadlocked in American politics, and thus nothing was done about the seminoles.​

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(David 'Davy' Crocket, serving as governor of Florida)​
After Anglian slave hunters were attacked by 'White' Seminole Tribesmen in the Florida panhandle, things escalated and new Anglian General, David 'Davy' Crockett, was sent over the border with a full Battalion. Needless to say, the the Americans were advised not to resist, and once Crockett's campaign had finished the Rose of New Anglia was flying from St Augustine. Crockett would later be appointed governor of Florida, and later would found Crockettsville, outside St Augustine, as the official capital of the State of Florida.​

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New Anglian occupation however also led to nearly a thousand Missionaries, originally sent by the Catholic church to flee north and west, into Georgia and the Major cities of the Knight's Transient, New Anglia and Mexico. There Missionaries such as Charles Finney would start what would widely be called America's great awakening. A Period of Enlightenment thinking combined with Unitarianism and Reformation Ideals that would further distance the Americas from Europe and Asia.
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(Charles Finney as the head of the West Orthodox Church of America)​

Charles Finney himself was one of the most notable figures of this new Reformation. Finney was a Templar priest, though he quickly grew disillusioned at the Templar approach of Tolerantia or 'Tolerance' which stated that the Templar would tolerate any and all changes the Pope in Rome made to Catholic Doctrine, despite how unfounded or politically influences they may have been.

Finney eventually founded the West Orthodox church of America, which would be later known as Finism, a Christian sect that respected the Authority of the pope and Orthodox Patriarchs, but enforced doctrine based on American Intrests, rather than European ones. The Foremost issue of America being slavery, which Finney and many of his followers were adamantly opposed to.​

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Elsewhere int he world, the War against Denmark was turning ever more Grim as Westphalia, Russia and Sweden began to demand ever demanding peace terms to the Danish Government. The Danes of course had no hope of winning, and though they were successful fighting a guerilla campaign in Norway they had lost Holstein, Poland and southern Sweden to the Russian alliance.​

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Eventually the Danes caved, agreeing to harsh Russian demands including the cession of Pommern to Westphalia, disarmament and official acknowledgement of Russia's control over Northern Europe. This peace however excluded the Swedish who were furious when they were ordered to stand down by the Russian Embassy. Westphalia, who also wished to reclaim its coastline and Holstein from Denmark was less than pleased. Empress Victoria had seen Russia through its first war however, and brought a great victory to the Empire in the First European war since Napoleon.​

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It was during the Russo-Danish War that Victoria had begun the process of Industrializing Russia. In June of 1837 Victoria announced the opening of the First Russian Railroad, a continuous line that ran from St Petersburg in the north, through Moscow and then down and east again to Kiev. Travel in Russia could now be done in days, rather than weeks. The Trans-Russian Railroad also had military benefits as well, ones that Victoria had planned to exploit to their fullest in the very near future.​

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Shortly after the opening of the Trans-Russian Railroad, Empress Victoria gave what is known as the Manifest Destiny speech to the Russian Duma, Summarized, the speech stated that it was the Russian Empire's destiny to stretch from the Atlantic waters of the West, to the Pacific in the east. That Siberia, rightfully belonged to Russia, a Virgin Wilderness waiting for Russia to ride out, colonize and settle. The Mongol Khanate of course stood in the way of this great Russian destiny and the first step of Russia's new eastern Campaign would be to Mongol lands in Siberia that stood in the way of Russian colonization.​

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Kaiser Wilhelm, inspired by Russia's great new campaign had ideas of his own for the future. Namely the untamed wilds of Africa. With modern technology Willhelm declared his own campaign, to secure South Africa for Holy Roman Empire, and the vast riches that could lay within. The First steps of this campaign would be to send a science expeditions to the Imperial Kongo. When said expeditions reported back to the Empire, further settlers, soldiers and engineers would be sent to officially set up further colonies deeper inland.​

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(In Yellow, Areas that would later be officially recognized as Imperial Colonies by the end of the 1836)
This African campaign would quickly bear fruit as the African wilderness particularly in the southern area of the Congo as well as the Plains near Cape Colony were discovered to be more livable than previously thought. The Holy Roman Empire quickly sent Colonial detachments to seize and secure these new lands and begin to properly integrate them into the Dominion of South Africa.​

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However, as the great powers resolved their business in Europe and Africa, Things in America and Asia were only getting started.
 
So about the Empire, are all cultures accepted?

NoCulture (Which is what Gothic, Danelander and Navarrois converted into) South German, North German, German, Swiss and Czech are accepted. I added in a few events from NNM to allow me to accept Italians later on. I technically had dutch and occitan accepted as well but i removed them as a compromise for the Italian events.

This would be a really nice Alt scenario to play... With opportune events and some name modding, it could be a new Divergence scenario!

It probably would considering ive kept everything fairly balanced like Divergences, But i'm not the best at modding, and the few events and changes ive done were difficult enough without breaking things. I imagine proper events for Mali to break up/become a GP, Sick man of Europe type stuff for Denmark, Westphalia, Scandinavia and Norway trying to form "Scandinavia/Germany" Iberia formation for Spain (Though in theory I can rip that one straight out of NNM) and other such events. would be a nightmare.

How do i know it be a nightmare? well i tried to get the Hungarian revolution event from NNM into this mod except with Italy, It crashes the game whenever it fires now, So i have since removed it. The American Cores events are a godsend, though with the narrative I have planned i might have to switch to one of the big boys if things keep deteriorating between the big powers to get them to actually fight eachother.

Okay, can I level with you for a second? This advise is absolutely crucial to win the game. Do not under any circumstances send any of your children to Japan. If you do not need my warnings don't be surprised if they attack you with giant robots.

Considering my modus operandi was putting sons in kingdoms i conquered, and house Anniona would have no reason to stop the practice being you know Sun Emperors and all, safe to guess, Wilhelm's younger brother is the Lord-Regent of Japan. :p Here's hoping his descendants wait till the 2000's to come after me with robots, Geass style :p

It seems the 1st Continental Congress went poorly. Poor Quebec might not survive this war. That will only worsen the three-way war in North America.

Considering, most of the Attendee's can barely stomach each other long enough to have a polite conversation, The Congress will probably end one way, but hey maybe New Anglia, the Knights and Mexico will surprise me.

I would say that as well if a man produced a rabbit from a hat! These are dark times indeed.......

Wouldn't be a first, though the last person to use 'magic' brought on a plague that killed several million people in Europe. Needless to say he will be detained :p
 
It seems this timeline is much more kind to Davy Crocket. Good for him, I suppose. This Finism sounds interesting, but if it doesn't spread outside the dying USA, I don't think the faith will survive long.

What an amazing time for Russia. The Empress shows she can win wars, the Trans-Russian Railroad has a nice ring to it, and bloody Manifest Destiny? Russia is apparently the USA of this timeline. The Mongol Khanate is going to receive a wake-up call soon, showing why you must adapt with time.

The expansion deeper into Africa is good news for the HRE; now you just have to expand more. Gotta dominate the resources!
 
Chapter 3: The Changing Guard
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It would quickly become apparent that while the Holy Roman Empire was the dominant power in the world, Empress Victoria of Russia held most if not all the Initiative within the Holy League. With the war in Siberia going well Victoria introduced her new Economic and Military policy to the Russian Duma, the Civil-Military Cooperative Prosperity Act.

The Civil-Military Cooperative Prosperity act or CMCP was originally devised as a compromise to the ongoing debate regarding Russian factory Policy in the Duma. The Liberals preached for the a hands off philosophy regarding the economy, the Conservatives however argued that Russia was already falling behind the Chinese and Austrians due a mix of several factors such as an entrenched Reactionary Nobility, Serfdom laws restricting social movement and a simple lack of willing capitalists within Russian soil.

Victoria Proposed a solution with and with the aid of Prime Minster Nicholas Berensky the CMCP became a possibility. Russia's industry was primarily based on the existing Co-operative relationship between the Military and various so called Equipment companies. With the Rise of the Trans-Russian Railroad however so called Railroad Barons had begun to monopolize transport, steel and lumber production in certain areas of the country where they weren't blocked by the local nobility.

The CMCP would officially ban Noble interference of Capitalist activities, provide heavy subsidies to various Military and Railroad affiliated companies. Serfdom across Russia would be quickly be made illegal and the borders opened to immigrants to provide a labor source for new factories in the growing Russian Cities. The Intention of course being Russia would have the tools it needed to remain competitive with the more populous and literate Chinese and Holy Roman Empires.​

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With such radical reforms sweeping Russia, the Fall of 1837 presented entirely different issues to Byzantium's front door. The Desert had long been an agricultural strain on the greek administration. In the early 1800's several notable agricultural scientists and experts predicted the rich lands of the Nile and Fertile crescent were being drastically over farmed to feed the Empire.

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(The Egyptian Wheat Blight, depicted by Artist, Vincent Van Gogh)​

In late November this finally became as Spike Blight quickly spread throughout the wheat crops of Egypt, killing nearly 40% if the Egyptian harvest and forcing nearly 10% more to be burned to stop the spread of the disease. The Byzantine Senate quickly fell into crisis as the local farmers could not afford to import food, and Famine loomed as a distinct possibility to the Empire. By December, Basileus Artorius I declared a state of the emergency and approved the use of 800,000 Roman Bezants to be used to relieve farmers in Palestine, Egypt and Arabia. Most of these funds were from none other than Basileus Artorius' personal finances as the Byzantine Senate became bogged down in debate on how to proceed, and how much aid to give, if any to the struggling Egyptian and Bedouin farmers.
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In America, the War of the St Lawrence had ended and the Knight's Transient had Emerged the victor. The Canadians who did the majority of fighting on their own soil quickly fund themselves unable to push back back in time ot meet the Knights and force a more amicable peace with the Quebecois.

The Knights, seized the region in its entirety and put the Quebecois under strict Military occupation. The Canadians needless to say were furious, The Celtic Empire even more so but both found themselves in a position where a move against the Knights would risk problems at home. The Celtic Empire was wrapping up a war against the Flemish and the Canadians were in no place to conduct a major war themselves without help.​

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(Grandmaster George Kennedy of the Knight's Transient)​

Meanwhile the Templar Grandmaster, George Kennedy negotiated terms with the remainder of the American Continental Congress for the annexation of Quebec. Kennedy had a keen political sense for American Politics and the coming storm regarding slavery. As one of the original members of the Templar leadership that saw opportunity of the Quebecois 'Rouge State' as he would later call it Kennedy forcibly extended into the Quebecois state as an act of eliminating Abolitionism. The New Anglians and Mexicans, were willing to abide by Kennedy's Knights if only for the sake of keeping Northern Abolitionist Sentiment to a minimum as the USA and the Southern Members of the Congress were growing more and more outspoken over abolitionism.​

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The Columbians, and for the most part the South American Members of the Congress were appalled. The Colombian Chamber of commerce specifically began to Quarantine North American shipping for indefinite periods of time, and Tariffs on North American goods were raised dramatically. Though Columbia was a small Market and the sudden loss of trade with the Whole of America led only to economic Crisis, One that would only be resolved by a return of European Merchants from Spain, Austria and France eager to buy Colombian Tobacco at a discount.
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The Short term alliances with canada was now officially over and despite Kennedy's skill at the negotiation table, he was unable to prevent the formation of Saxon Brotherhood, a Anglian and Canadian Alliance established as a insurance measure to Ensure the Knight's Ambitious would be restricted to Quebec. The Canadians however wished to take the alliance further and approached an old friend for help.​

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Kaiser Wilhelm however was not intrested in bogging the Empire down in foreign wars in America. While the goal of Abolitionism was noble the Imperial Council and Kaiser while not especially worried, saw too much risk in becoming involved in American Politics as the Monroe Doctrine remained, a looming spectre, threatening Rich California with Mexican invasion. Kaiser Wilhelm, declined, and then ordered two more defensive regiments from Japan to be sent to the Californian Capital of St. Francis.​

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One might ask, why did the Celtic Empire let the Quebecois, fall to the Knight's Transient, Simply put the Celtic Empire had other issues. Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, the Nephew of Napoleon was the offspring of Louis-Bonaparte and Catherine Anniona-Bretagne, A marriage made before the Napoleonic wars had even started. Louis had lived most of his life in relatively peace on his mother's estate in Neutral Flanders. Upon news of his uncle's death however Louis had taken up politics and decided to run for office as the Flemish Prime Minister. Due to his claim on the French and Italian Throne King-Emperor Arthur demanded Louis bow out of the election. Louis refused, and the Flemish who felt their national sovereignty being threatened refused to extradite Louis, allowing him to run, and later allowing him to win.​

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(Louis Napoleon, Prime Minister of Flanders)​

The Celts could not withstand the insult and invaded in the summer of 1837. Known as the Child's Invasion, the Celts lost several battles to the disciplined and determined Flemish Military led by Bonaparte. By fall, King Arthur had become the laughing stock of Europe and in desperation formally asked Kaiser Willhelm for help. Kaiser Wilhelm famously responded "Should that fat Bonaparte seize your throne I would personally congratulate him, and then Crush him and take it for myself lest you forget, All of Europe is my Birthright"

It was well Known Kaiser Wilhelm had an extreme dislike of the french. Many of Napoleon's successes Willhelm attributed to french error as it as been an Austrian General, Friedrich walther that finally turned Napoleon back. Constant Celtic Undermining of Imperial Authority in Spain and attempts to sway the Occitans to break free of the Empire and Join the Celtic Empire were but two of a long chain of insults the Bretons had given Willhelm over his career. Though fortunately for Austria, Wilhelm's pride did not return to bite him at least in the short turn as the war in Flanders quickly turned in favor of the French as Flemish manpower began to dwindle and Napoleon began to realize the inevitability of war with a major power.​

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The French seized the remainder of Flemish Champagne as concessions for the war, as well as the forced abdication and extradition of Louis Napoleon. Louis however would later flee to Austria, where Kaiser Wilhelm welcomed him with open arms on conditions that he renounced House Bonaparte's claim to Italy. He would later be given a position as Viceroy for the Dominion of South Africa. The Celts, though angry were not willing to commit national suicide by attacking the Holy Roman Empire, and give Willhelm reason to make good on his threats.​

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With the end of the year came a Changing of the Guard. Denmark, the sick man of Europe had made good on its namesake and now had become a pit of rebellion, collapse and poverty. Meanwhile at least for the time being the Empire of Mali had organized her various peoples into the National African League, a patriotic party Organized devoted to furthering the country's interests. The NAL would Dominate the Mali election of 1838 and enable the great native power to finally be recognized as such the world over.​

Meanwhile with the Russians focusing wholly on Internal and Eastern Affairs, The Celts licking their wounds and the Danes in collapse, the Westphalians saw a new path for themselves, A German Path. With the recent fallout between Kaiser Wilhelm of the Holy Roman Empire and King Arthur III of the Celtic Empire, the French had been formally kicked from the Holy League.​

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Westphalia, was all too happy to replace them.
 
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Russia finds a way to stay influential as the ERE faces dire times. As Denmark continues to fumble, Mali takes its place as a Great Power. So many changes... Which will prove lasting?

The Knights Transient conquering Quebec fills me with joy, as it shows they have a chance of being the dominant power in North America, but the alliance with Canada and New Anglia does not bode well for them. If only they would make an alliance with a Great Power in Europe, they could win. Given history though, I doubt that'll happen.

Love the Child's Invasion, especially the Kaiser's remark. Louis would have made his uncle proud, seeing how well he did with so little resources. Westphalia are being smart allying with the HRE, taking the French's place. The Celtic Empire is strong, but against the HRE and Russia, I predict a painful lose in their future,