Authors Note: This post is just setup history, to explain the current alternate history as well as establish the political characters of Gran Colombia
The Independence of New Granada: 1808-1821
Born on 28 March, 1792, Francisco Maria was the youngest (surviving) child of King Charles IV of Spain [1]. Naturally adventurous, Francisco rejected many of the aspects of Royal life ( a fact that did not go over well with many in the court) . He would commonly leave the palace in disguise, consorting with the common people of Madrid.
Due to the Napoleonic Invasion of Spain during The Peninsular War, the then 16-year-old Francisco would flee to the Viceroyalty of New Granada in South America to avoid capture by French forces. After his arrival in New Granada, Viceroy Antonio José Amar y Borbón would be deposed, and the position of President of the new Junta would be offered to Francisco. A known sympathizer of the Criollo and
Mestizo people, Francisco would be able to placate a majority of the opposition to his rule. As talks of total independence grew throughout the Viceroyalty, He would toy with the idea of being King of New Granada, however he believed that the liberal faction wouldn't support anything less than a Republic. His close friend Romano Loredo would suggest he create a Constitutional Monarchy ( rather than an absolute monarchy, as suggested by some reactionaries ), So as to gain the support of the Reactionaries and the regional elites, as well as satisfy the groups calling for a republican system.
On July 20, 1810, The Kingdom of New Granada would be founded, which controlled the lands of New Granada itself, as well as the Captaincy General of Venezuela. The next 9 years would be filled with fighting between the government of New Granada and the Spaniards, who were repeatedly attempting to restore order to the rebellious colonies.
King Francisco I of New Granada in 1817
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By 1821, Almost all of Spanish America was in rebellion. New Granada itself was starting to turn the tide of war against the Spanish; New Granada and Venezuela were fully under New Granadian control, and several Armies under the command of General Simón Bolívar were preparing to liberate Ecuador from Spanish Control.
The Kingdom of New Granada on September 1st, 1821. The Division between Venezuela and New Granada is shown as a black line.
While the government of Panama stayed loyal to the Spanish Crown, the people had no such intention. Panamanian patriots had risen up in Yaviza and Panama City. In part due to Gran Colombian aid, it was expected that Panama would be independent in the next few months.
With only the territory near David unoccupied, A Panamanian victory is considered Inevitable.
A 2 year draft would be instituted until Hostilities ended, however some within the government were concerned about the Economic effects of it; Despite this, New Granada would mobilize it's reserves
Now that there was the distinct possibility that several Non-Viceroyalty areas could be offered annexation if they were to win independence (Spanish Haiti being the best example), King Francisco would create "Gran Colombia", a federation composed of New Granada and Venezuela, with membership being open to any nearby Former Spanish Colony.
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State of the Federation, September 1st, 1821:
Gran Colombia was to recognize equal rights for all (male) citizens, an ironic point considering slavery is still legal.
The Population is majority Catholic, And ethnically almost 3/4ths of Gran Colombians are North Andean. A sizable Afro-Caribeno population exists, though it is very under-represented compared to the North Andeans.
While limited rights were available to the Middle and Lower classes, a growing Liberal faction ensured more change was to come in Gran Colombia.
Despite monetary concerns, 9 ships would be built or refitted, to allow Gran Colombia to attempt to fight the Spanish fleets smothering the Caribbean.
The borders of the Federation in 1821:
The Flag of Gran Colombia:
---
Authors Note(s)
---
Welcome to The New AAR! We now have an even harder nation to keep together than the USCA, however being a Monarchy should help keep things stable. I tried to keep King Francisco's backstory historically plausible, rather than just have him appear out of the blue and become king of Colombia
. This was more of a prologue chapter, since I wanted to keep the Independence war in a separate post (or two). While the promised Iberians and Infighting have appeared, the Imperialism will have to wait a little while
As for mods, this AAR will use Concert of Europe until 1836 (to allow for independence wars and such), at which point i will 'convert' my progress into Divide By Zero and continue from there. In addition to those, i'll use bits and pieces from other mods when the time comes.
[1] Francisco is a version/replacement for Infante Felipe Maria, a child of King Charles who died during childhood.
The Independence of New Granada: 1808-1821
Born on 28 March, 1792, Francisco Maria was the youngest (surviving) child of King Charles IV of Spain [1]. Naturally adventurous, Francisco rejected many of the aspects of Royal life ( a fact that did not go over well with many in the court) . He would commonly leave the palace in disguise, consorting with the common people of Madrid.
Due to the Napoleonic Invasion of Spain during The Peninsular War, the then 16-year-old Francisco would flee to the Viceroyalty of New Granada in South America to avoid capture by French forces. After his arrival in New Granada, Viceroy Antonio José Amar y Borbón would be deposed, and the position of President of the new Junta would be offered to Francisco. A known sympathizer of the Criollo and
Mestizo people, Francisco would be able to placate a majority of the opposition to his rule. As talks of total independence grew throughout the Viceroyalty, He would toy with the idea of being King of New Granada, however he believed that the liberal faction wouldn't support anything less than a Republic. His close friend Romano Loredo would suggest he create a Constitutional Monarchy ( rather than an absolute monarchy, as suggested by some reactionaries ), So as to gain the support of the Reactionaries and the regional elites, as well as satisfy the groups calling for a republican system.
On July 20, 1810, The Kingdom of New Granada would be founded, which controlled the lands of New Granada itself, as well as the Captaincy General of Venezuela. The next 9 years would be filled with fighting between the government of New Granada and the Spaniards, who were repeatedly attempting to restore order to the rebellious colonies.
King Francisco I of New Granada in 1817
====================================================================================
By 1821, Almost all of Spanish America was in rebellion. New Granada itself was starting to turn the tide of war against the Spanish; New Granada and Venezuela were fully under New Granadian control, and several Armies under the command of General Simón Bolívar were preparing to liberate Ecuador from Spanish Control.
The Kingdom of New Granada on September 1st, 1821. The Division between Venezuela and New Granada is shown as a black line.
While the government of Panama stayed loyal to the Spanish Crown, the people had no such intention. Panamanian patriots had risen up in Yaviza and Panama City. In part due to Gran Colombian aid, it was expected that Panama would be independent in the next few months.
With only the territory near David unoccupied, A Panamanian victory is considered Inevitable.
A 2 year draft would be instituted until Hostilities ended, however some within the government were concerned about the Economic effects of it; Despite this, New Granada would mobilize it's reserves
Now that there was the distinct possibility that several Non-Viceroyalty areas could be offered annexation if they were to win independence (Spanish Haiti being the best example), King Francisco would create "Gran Colombia", a federation composed of New Granada and Venezuela, with membership being open to any nearby Former Spanish Colony.
====================================================================================
State of the Federation, September 1st, 1821:
Gran Colombia was to recognize equal rights for all (male) citizens, an ironic point considering slavery is still legal.
The Population is majority Catholic, And ethnically almost 3/4ths of Gran Colombians are North Andean. A sizable Afro-Caribeno population exists, though it is very under-represented compared to the North Andeans.
While limited rights were available to the Middle and Lower classes, a growing Liberal faction ensured more change was to come in Gran Colombia.
Despite monetary concerns, 9 ships would be built or refitted, to allow Gran Colombia to attempt to fight the Spanish fleets smothering the Caribbean.
The borders of the Federation in 1821:
The Flag of Gran Colombia:
---
Authors Note(s)
---
Welcome to The New AAR! We now have an even harder nation to keep together than the USCA, however being a Monarchy should help keep things stable. I tried to keep King Francisco's backstory historically plausible, rather than just have him appear out of the blue and become king of Colombia
. This was more of a prologue chapter, since I wanted to keep the Independence war in a separate post (or two). While the promised Iberians and Infighting have appeared, the Imperialism will have to wait a little while As for mods, this AAR will use Concert of Europe until 1836 (to allow for independence wars and such), at which point i will 'convert' my progress into Divide By Zero and continue from there. In addition to those, i'll use bits and pieces from other mods when the time comes.
[1] Francisco is a version/replacement for Infante Felipe Maria, a child of King Charles who died during childhood.
