Kingdom of Italy
~ King Umberto-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Kingdom of Italy
The conclusion to the Balkan War came as the largest of surprises to the German Foreign Office. The various treaties signed at crippling costs to several nations, chief among the Principality of Bulgaria. What was previously known as the Principality of Bulgaria is now a mere shadow after the conclusion of the Balkan War. Half of the principality has been stripped, resulting in more tensions and ill will among the people of the Balkans. But not only has half of the population of Bulgaria, ethnically Bulgarians, been reannexed into the Ottoman Empire. The remaining half of the Principality is forced by the treaty of Edirne to pay a staggering amount of reparations, dooming the population to poverty and starvation in the wake of the war. Similar fate followed the Serbians and the Montenegrins who all pay large reparation, far exceeding any fair peace. It was due to this that the German Empire joined the Russian Empire in the Emperors directive as the current peace treaties signed by the Ottoman Empire will not result in benevolence or peace, but in the starvation, despair and death of many Christians in the Balkan region. It brings great disappointment towards the Sublime Porte that this be the conclusion, as the devastation of people and nations are the treatment one would expect from the people of the far east.
-Bernhard von Bülow, Minister of Foreign Affairs
With the Guangxu Emperor fully in control of the Imperial court (the country perhaps less so), he could finally apply his progressive beliefs on the country. With the army just barely holding the Yuanists away from Luoyang, a city where the Emperor swore to “suffer and die with my loyal subjects” and revolution sweeping the south of the country, the Qing Dynasty was in dire straits. The Guangxu Emperor, while always in favor of wide social reforms, had held back his plans during wartime, devoting most of his attention to the very survival of his dynasty. However, with the start of the Shuangsi Revolution on April 4, 1907 and the release of Yuanist China’s constitution, the Emperor realized that he could no longer hold off his reforms should he wish to see his dynasty’s survival. He addressed the court to announce his intentions of the passing of the Bill of Rights outlined in his by Imperial edict, in which he remarked “Even an Emperor’s wealth cannot buy another year, and it is awfully difficult for a dead man to go to the market.” The aristocracy held their breath, many predicted a coup by the ultra-conservatives in a repeat of 1898, when the Guangxu Emperor was put under house arrest by a clique led by the late Empress Dowager Cixi in the wake of a barrage of reforms. Yet, after two weeks most of the Imperial court were, at the very least, reluctantly announcing their support for the Bill of Rights, and the social reforms that were bound to come with it by extension. The Guangxu Emperor, with help from around half a dozen progressive court advisors wrote the Bill of Rights in his personal chamber over the course of a few days, with some romanticized accounts claiming that it was written to the backdrop of soldiers singing patriotic tunes and artillery fire as the Imperial Army (Banner Armies pre-reform) desperately fought to hold the countryside outside of Luoyang. The Bill of Rights (full name Bill of Rights and Responsibilities of the Subjects of the Empire of the Great Qing) was passed as an Imperial edict on April 2, 1908, twenty-one days after the constitution of Yuanist China was passed in the Forbidden City. Below are some of the more important aspects of the Bill of Rights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill of Rights and Responsibilities of the Subjects of the Empire of the Great Qing
Ding Hai, Bing Chen, Guangxu 33
Ding Hai, Bing Chen, Guangxu 33
A. An Imperial Subject is any man or woman that was born in any of the current or previous territories of the Empire of the Great Qing.
B. The age of majority for an Imperial Subject is sixteen years of age.
C. A non-criminal foreigner who has resided within a current territory of the Empire of the Great Qing for at least five years may apply to become an Imperial Subject through his local magistrate.
D. An Imperial Subject may have his subjecthood revoked by his own desire on demand through his local magistrate, or a court may approve the revocation of a person’s subjecthood in the case of treason or a major crime within another sovereign country.
B. The age of majority for an Imperial Subject is sixteen years of age.
C. A non-criminal foreigner who has resided within a current territory of the Empire of the Great Qing for at least five years may apply to become an Imperial Subject through his local magistrate.
D. An Imperial Subject may have his subjecthood revoked by his own desire on demand through his local magistrate, or a court may approve the revocation of a person’s subjecthood in the case of treason or a major crime within another sovereign country.
A. All Imperial Subjects have the right to freely express their own religion, and have the right to create a house of worship wherever they may please so long as other involved parties (landlords, neighbors), consent.
B. All Imperial Subjects have the right to freedom of expression.
C. All Imperial Subjects have the right to freedom of speech and the creation of the press, so long as the character of the Son of Heaven is not insulted in any way.
D. All Imperial Subjects have the right to assemble in peaceful protest on public property in order to seek redress for supposed grievances committed by the government, be it on the local or Imperial level.
E. All Imperial Subjects have the right to write a written petition to any official or person associated with the government of the Empire of the Great Qing, up to and including the Son of Heaven.
F. All Imperial Subjects have the right to buy and sell private property at will. Government seizure of private property must always be accompanied by adequate monetary compensation.
G. All Imperial Subjects have the right to move throughout the Empire of the Great Qing unmolested, insofar as their travel does not pose a health or security threat to other Imperial Subjects, their property, or soldiers, administrators, teachers, and policemen in the employ of the Empire of the Great Qing.
H. All Imperial Subjects have the right to come before a policeman, soldier, magistrate, or any other official of the Empire of the Great Qing in order to accuse another Subject of a crime, and the accuser shall be provided with legal and physical protection by the Empire of the Great Qing until any proceedings, regardless of the guilt of the accused, have come to pass.
I. All Imperial Subjects have the right to a fair, speedy, and just trial by jury.
J. All Imperial Subjects have the right to provide for their own attorney, or allow for the Empire of the Great Qing to provide one for him in the event of the lack of an attorney.
K. All Imperial Subjects have the right to take grievances committed upon them by other Imperial Subjects, companies, or groups to a civil court, so long as both parties may provide their own attorneys.
L. All Imperial Subjects have the right to contest their sentences should they be convicted of a crime or declared at fault in a civil dispute, be it in criminal or civil court, without the aid of their own attorney in the former.
M. All Imperial Subjects, when under detention by police or military law enforcement officials of the Empire of the Great Qing, may attempt to contest their detention as illegal before a judge, doing so will have no charge unless the Imperial Subject were to provide their own attorney.
N. All Imperial Subjects have the right to nonviolently resist the actions of a law enforcement or military official’s attempt to enter the Imperial Subject’s private property in order to search the premises or detain a Subject within without a magistrate-issued warrant, or the official’s belief of there being a probable cause for him to detain any persons within the private property or investigate the premises.
O. All Imperial Subjects may contest any fines or monetary citations wrought upon him by an official of the Empire of the Great Qing before his local magistrate.
P. All Imperial Subjects have the right to pay a fine, listed in the Legal Code, to their local magistrate in order to avoid the punishment of beating by the bamboo, heavy or light.
Q. An Imperial Subject, having been convicted of a crime that warrants the punishment of death, may only be executed with direct approval by the Son of Heaven.
R. An Imperial Subject has the right to, via written or verbal testimony performed before a magistrate, pass on his possessions, be it items, money, or in property, to any person he pleases to give it to after his death.
S. All Imperial Subjects may send their sons to a schoolhouse belonging to the Imperial Schoolhouse Commission, so long as the proper fees regarding entry can be paid.
T. All adult male Imperial Subjects have the right to participate in the civil service entry examinations, so long as the proper fees regarding entry are paid and the Subject is deemed physically, academically, and psychologically fit to become a candidate for the administration.
B. All Imperial Subjects have the right to freedom of expression.
C. All Imperial Subjects have the right to freedom of speech and the creation of the press, so long as the character of the Son of Heaven is not insulted in any way.
D. All Imperial Subjects have the right to assemble in peaceful protest on public property in order to seek redress for supposed grievances committed by the government, be it on the local or Imperial level.
E. All Imperial Subjects have the right to write a written petition to any official or person associated with the government of the Empire of the Great Qing, up to and including the Son of Heaven.
F. All Imperial Subjects have the right to buy and sell private property at will. Government seizure of private property must always be accompanied by adequate monetary compensation.
G. All Imperial Subjects have the right to move throughout the Empire of the Great Qing unmolested, insofar as their travel does not pose a health or security threat to other Imperial Subjects, their property, or soldiers, administrators, teachers, and policemen in the employ of the Empire of the Great Qing.
H. All Imperial Subjects have the right to come before a policeman, soldier, magistrate, or any other official of the Empire of the Great Qing in order to accuse another Subject of a crime, and the accuser shall be provided with legal and physical protection by the Empire of the Great Qing until any proceedings, regardless of the guilt of the accused, have come to pass.
I. All Imperial Subjects have the right to a fair, speedy, and just trial by jury.
J. All Imperial Subjects have the right to provide for their own attorney, or allow for the Empire of the Great Qing to provide one for him in the event of the lack of an attorney.
K. All Imperial Subjects have the right to take grievances committed upon them by other Imperial Subjects, companies, or groups to a civil court, so long as both parties may provide their own attorneys.
L. All Imperial Subjects have the right to contest their sentences should they be convicted of a crime or declared at fault in a civil dispute, be it in criminal or civil court, without the aid of their own attorney in the former.
M. All Imperial Subjects, when under detention by police or military law enforcement officials of the Empire of the Great Qing, may attempt to contest their detention as illegal before a judge, doing so will have no charge unless the Imperial Subject were to provide their own attorney.
N. All Imperial Subjects have the right to nonviolently resist the actions of a law enforcement or military official’s attempt to enter the Imperial Subject’s private property in order to search the premises or detain a Subject within without a magistrate-issued warrant, or the official’s belief of there being a probable cause for him to detain any persons within the private property or investigate the premises.
O. All Imperial Subjects may contest any fines or monetary citations wrought upon him by an official of the Empire of the Great Qing before his local magistrate.
P. All Imperial Subjects have the right to pay a fine, listed in the Legal Code, to their local magistrate in order to avoid the punishment of beating by the bamboo, heavy or light.
Q. An Imperial Subject, having been convicted of a crime that warrants the punishment of death, may only be executed with direct approval by the Son of Heaven.
R. An Imperial Subject has the right to, via written or verbal testimony performed before a magistrate, pass on his possessions, be it items, money, or in property, to any person he pleases to give it to after his death.
S. All Imperial Subjects may send their sons to a schoolhouse belonging to the Imperial Schoolhouse Commission, so long as the proper fees regarding entry can be paid.
T. All adult male Imperial Subjects have the right to participate in the civil service entry examinations, so long as the proper fees regarding entry are paid and the Subject is deemed physically, academically, and psychologically fit to become a candidate for the administration.
A. An Imperial Subject must always pay the taxes prescribed to him.
B. An Imperial Subject, when presented with an order to report for national service within the Imperial Army or the Imperial Navy, must heed it.
C. An Imperial Subject must serve on a jury when summoned.
D. An Imperial Subject must appear before a judge in court when accused of a crime or brought into a civil dispute.
E. Imperial Subjects must disperse when participating in a peaceful protest upon the command of a chief of police or a law enforcement officer of a higher rank, along with the orders of Provincial Governors and the Son of Heaven.
F. An Imperial Subject must yield to allow a military or law enforcement officer to detain persons and search private property upon the citation of an officer’s probably cause or an official warrant of search.
G. An Imperial Subject is expected to report all criminal or subversive acts to a local law enforcement officer immediately.
H. An Imperial Subject, when finding himself abroad, is expected to follow the local laws of the place where he is present, in addition to the laws prescribed in the Legal Code of the Empire of the Great Qing.
B. An Imperial Subject, when presented with an order to report for national service within the Imperial Army or the Imperial Navy, must heed it.
C. An Imperial Subject must serve on a jury when summoned.
D. An Imperial Subject must appear before a judge in court when accused of a crime or brought into a civil dispute.
E. Imperial Subjects must disperse when participating in a peaceful protest upon the command of a chief of police or a law enforcement officer of a higher rank, along with the orders of Provincial Governors and the Son of Heaven.
F. An Imperial Subject must yield to allow a military or law enforcement officer to detain persons and search private property upon the citation of an officer’s probably cause or an official warrant of search.
G. An Imperial Subject is expected to report all criminal or subversive acts to a local law enforcement officer immediately.
H. An Imperial Subject, when finding himself abroad, is expected to follow the local laws of the place where he is present, in addition to the laws prescribed in the Legal Code of the Empire of the Great Qing.
A. A landlord may press a fee of rental upon a tenant on a monthly basis, of which the amount asked can be no more than twenty percent of the amount the tenant pays in taxes, or no more than forty percent of a tenant farmer’s monthly crop output.
B. A landlord may expel any tenant or tenants for any reason at any time, so long as the written approval of the local chief of police or the local district magistrate is gained.
C. A landlord may block any construction or destruction taking place on his property without consent.
D. A landlord may block a tenant’s request to turn his rented dwelling or property into a house of worship of any sort.
E. A landlord, when requesting the presence of the police or any other law enforcement official, may give consent for the official or officials to search a tenant’s dwelling and detain any persons found within without the consent of the tenant in question.
B. A landlord may expel any tenant or tenants for any reason at any time, so long as the written approval of the local chief of police or the local district magistrate is gained.
C. A landlord may block any construction or destruction taking place on his property without consent.
D. A landlord may block a tenant’s request to turn his rented dwelling or property into a house of worship of any sort.
E. A landlord, when requesting the presence of the police or any other law enforcement official, may give consent for the official or officials to search a tenant’s dwelling and detain any persons found within without the consent of the tenant in question.
A. A landlord cannot refuse to release a tenant who wishes to break his lease and leave the landlord’s property when the tenant
B. A landlord is expected to report all criminal or subversive activity which is being committed by his tenants to law enforcement authorities.
C. A landlord may not seize the personal property (tenant-acquired livestock, furniture, etc.) of a tenant for any reason.
D. A landlord may not inflict physical injury upon a tenant unless the action was committed under the pretext of self-defence.
E. A landlord may not sell a dwelling or property on which a current tenant resides or conducts his business, without written or verbal consent from the tenant without intimidation before a local magistrate.
F. A landlord may not withhold food, water, or shelter from a paying tenant.
G. A landlord may not entrap a tenant on his property.
H. A landlord must refuse the sale of leases to unaccompanied minors and non-widowed women.
I. A landlord may not modify a residence or allow a certain amount of tenants into a certain-sized space when doing so would become a health or safety hazard to the landlord, tenants, or bystanders
B. A landlord is expected to report all criminal or subversive activity which is being committed by his tenants to law enforcement authorities.
C. A landlord may not seize the personal property (tenant-acquired livestock, furniture, etc.) of a tenant for any reason.
D. A landlord may not inflict physical injury upon a tenant unless the action was committed under the pretext of self-defence.
E. A landlord may not sell a dwelling or property on which a current tenant resides or conducts his business, without written or verbal consent from the tenant without intimidation before a local magistrate.
F. A landlord may not withhold food, water, or shelter from a paying tenant.
G. A landlord may not entrap a tenant on his property.
H. A landlord must refuse the sale of leases to unaccompanied minors and non-widowed women.
I. A landlord may not modify a residence or allow a certain amount of tenants into a certain-sized space when doing so would become a health or safety hazard to the landlord, tenants, or bystanders
A. A tenant may negotiate the terms of his lease at any time.
B. A tenant may vacate the property at any time, so long as his debts are paid for.
C. A tenant may bring or remove personal property from his rented dwelling or property at any time.
D. A tenant may report criminal or subversive acts being perpetrated by the landlord to a law enforcement official at any time without fear of retribution on the part of the landlord.
E. A tenant may refuse paying his rent in any form other than harvested goods or money.
F. A tenant may leave the property of his landlord temporarily at any time without the consent of the landlord.
G. A tenant may sell his harvest or produced goods at any price or amount of which he sees fit.
B. A tenant may vacate the property at any time, so long as his debts are paid for.
C. A tenant may bring or remove personal property from his rented dwelling or property at any time.
D. A tenant may report criminal or subversive acts being perpetrated by the landlord to a law enforcement official at any time without fear of retribution on the part of the landlord.
E. A tenant may refuse paying his rent in any form other than harvested goods or money.
F. A tenant may leave the property of his landlord temporarily at any time without the consent of the landlord.
G. A tenant may sell his harvest or produced goods at any price or amount of which he sees fit.
A. A tenant may not leave the property of his landlord, permanently or temporarily, with the intent to evade paying his rent.
B. A tenant is expected to report criminal or subversive acts being perpetrated by his landlord or another tenant to the proper law enforcement officials.
C. A tenant is expected to pay his rent to his landlord on a monthly basis.
D. A tenant may not obstruct the entry of law enforcement personnel into his rented property when said personnel possess the consent of the landlord to do so.
E. A tenant may not modify his rented property in an irreversible or needlessly costly way without seeking the consent of his landlord.
F. A tenant may not falsely report the presence or lackthereof of other tenants who are in fact not present or present on his rented property, respectively, to his landlord or any other interested party.
B. A tenant is expected to report criminal or subversive acts being perpetrated by his landlord or another tenant to the proper law enforcement officials.
C. A tenant is expected to pay his rent to his landlord on a monthly basis.
D. A tenant may not obstruct the entry of law enforcement personnel into his rented property when said personnel possess the consent of the landlord to do so.
E. A tenant may not modify his rented property in an irreversible or needlessly costly way without seeking the consent of his landlord.
F. A tenant may not falsely report the presence or lackthereof of other tenants who are in fact not present or present on his rented property, respectively, to his landlord or any other interested party.
- The Son of Heaven may alter any aspect of the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for the Subjects of the Empire of the Great Qing via Imperial edict.
- During times of civil strife or war, for the benefit of the safety of the public and of the Empire, the Son of Heaven may temporarily suspend any or all rights, duties, responsibilities, or prohibited actions within the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for the Subjects of the Empire of the Great Qing while ultimately keeping the content of the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for the Subjects of the Empire of the Great Qing unaltered.
Last edited:
For God himself proclaimed:
The nations of the earth shall wane,
And yet will live, will thrive Albania.
For you, for you we fight.
the Kingdom of Albania;
The men sat in silence, looking at each other. It was obvious that many of the delegates to this particular conference hated each other and there was little enough question why. The Albanian independence 'movement' as it had existed up until this point had been largely divided into two groups: those that were broadly pro-Ottoman and wished for greater autonomy within the Imperial structure, and those that were fiercely anti-Ottoman; composed mostly of expatriates from Romania and others who had been forced to flee after skirmishes with Imperial authorities. But those divisions were (supposedly) gone now; extinguished by the cold bath thrown onto the Albanian nation by this latest missive from Constantinople.
Fundamentally what held the two groups apart were misconceptions. The pro-Ottomans were seen as traitors and collaborators whilst the anti-Ottomans were seen as dangerous radicals who only undermined the cause. In reality, however, both were animated by the same simple goal: the welfare and ultimate sovereignty of their people and their motherland. That cold was what brought them together now; settled into a drafty old house in the ignominious city of Tirana. The Treaty of Sarajevo was not perfect; of course not. And of course the delegates differed in how close they wished to be to Constantinople. But all of them, down to a man, were going to fight to preserve the sovereignty which had been thrust into their laps. After a few more moments of uncomfortable silence, someone spoke. It was Prime Minister Qemal.
"Well gentlemen, this is it. Of course this situation is not what I would have preferred... but it is clear that we can no longer depend on the Sultan to guarantee our sovereignty. Therefore we must decide what our next course of action will be."
A few of the delegates scoffed disdainfully at this whilst others made pained faces. The former had never expected anything but grief from the Sultan to begin with, while the latter were left adrift on a sea of disillusionment. Foqion Postoli piped up next, his reedy young voice splitting through the air.
"We should be done with this monarchial charade. Look at the Macedonians! They have a republic and their hearts are filled with fire. Should we proclaim a republic, all Albania will take up arms for us!"
Groaning with irritation, Bageri shot back at the young man in sharp tone. "Yes indeed Foqion! Look at the Macedonians, and see how no nation in Europe will touch them with a 10-metre pole! No-one is willing to risk their own head by spurring republicanism in their neighbours. Monarchy isn't perfect, but offering some inbred a crown may get that inbred's cousin to support us!"
The men in the room nodded. They were mostly republicans in their hearts of heart; but the year was 1908 and monarchy was the strategist's play. Qemal shook his head at the assembled and looked at them with exasperation.
"Gentlemen! Please! Specifics of government can be decided later; for now we will re-institute the Regency Council and hammer out the details once we are sure we will not be hanged. I am sure we are all familiar with Halit Bej Bërzeshta and I invite the honourable bej to enlighten us as to the military situation..."
Halit stood and did not attempt to hide a grimace. "We are not exactly ready to cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war. We have Ottoman-bought guns and a fair amount of troops, especially if we mobilise, but we will probably have to resort to guerrilla warfare before the month is out. If we decide to engage, that is."
The men looked at each other. They knew what they had to do.
The Provisional Government of the Kingdom of Albania
Qeveria e Përkohshme e Mbretërisë së Shqipërisë
It has become clear to His Majesty's Government that the Ottoman State is manifestly unwilling to fulfill her obligations to protect the Kingdom of Albania as per the Treaty of Sarajevo; instead choosing to attempt to unilaterally annex the Kingdom in clear contravention of international law. Consequently the Provisional Government no longer feels bound by conditions of vassalage to the Sublime Porte, and withdraws the offer of the Albanian Crown to any member of the House of Osman. The executive functions of the state will be exercised collectively by the Regency Council; represented by His Highness Ismail Bej Qemal in his capacity as Chairman.
As well, the Provisional Government finds it necessary to order a general mobilisation be undertaken immediately; in order to provide for the defense of the Kingdom of Albania against any nefarious foreign elements. While it is the express wish of HM's Government to avoid conflict and maintain the precious state of peace currently reigning in the Balkans, Albania will be ready to defend her lawful sovereignty.
Lastly, the Provisional Government wishes to retract her previous condemnation of the freedom fighters in Macedon; and expresses her feelings of amity towards the National Republic of Macedonia as the legitimate representative of the Macedonian people.
-- Spiridon Ilo,
Prime Minister of His Majesty's Provisional Government of the Kingdom of Albania
"Everyone, grab your weapons!"
The Revolution spreads Brothers! The Albanians have come to see the Sultan for what he truly is. The villainous oppressor who would rather crush them under heel then allow them their freedom. Now they stand shoulder to shoulder with us in our just crusade for the freedom of the Balkan Peoples. So take heart brothers who have taken arms. Stand that inch prouder knowing that your example has emboldened others to stand and break their chains. Those who still stand on the fence between neutrality and joining the revolution take note! See that you and your peoples would not be alone in defiance of the Sultan and his craven elites, for more flock to the banner of the Revolution every day. United we can crush an empire, united we can forge a new path for the Balkans. One of peace and unity. Where every man of the Balkans can stand shoulder to shoulder in equality, free of the oppression of the past.
Raise your arms in defiance brothers. Defiance of the Sultan and his oppression.
For Freedom, For Unity, For the Revolution.
Britain stands as a guarantor of peace and stability. The so-called "Great War" - no doubt dubbed thus by some Prussians dreaming of grandeur and empire - devastated the youth of Europe, but not that of Britain. No hundreds of thousands of grieving families, no tens of thousands of cripples roaming the streets, no war debts from arms purchases, no resentment over lost prestige and power. British military strength and diplomatic accumen is what kept us out of the war, and unless our hand is forced, shall keep us out of the next. But for this, we must maintain the Royal Navy as the dominant force on the oceans.
Britain stands as a guarantor of prosperity and security. In all of Europe, only Britain can look ahead towards a bright, peaceful and prosperous future. No man can say to be better off, or more free, or more secure in case of ill health, than the Britons. With the ever-increasing cooperation between the various parts of the Empire, we must now strive to bring all of these achievements to our dominions, for they are our brothers and sons, sisters and daughters. Be they Australian, Canadian, South African, New Zealander or New Foundlander, they are all Britons, too, and thus forever tied to us in our commonwealth.
Britain stands as a guarantor of honour and strength. The Japanese, a proud people and dear and loyal friends to us Britons, have long since struggled with the vile insurrections on Taiwan, and many a Japanese family suffered for the cruelty and barbarism of the Taiwanese terrorists. Yet the British Army, in an unprecedented and truly amazing show of skill of arms and bravery, and supported by the ever-dependable might of the Royal Navy, put a swift end to the horror that had gripped Japanese hearts for these past few years. Never was an action such as the landings at Tainan and Taichung - previously thought to be utterly impossible - executed with such swiftness and ferocity, so that the enemy collapsed almost immediately upon the arrival of British arms. We must, and will, continue to aid our friends around the world, for the Empire's reputation is impeccable.
Britain stands as a guarantor of prosperity and security. In all of Europe, only Britain can look ahead towards a bright, peaceful and prosperous future. No man can say to be better off, or more free, or more secure in case of ill health, than the Britons. With the ever-increasing cooperation between the various parts of the Empire, we must now strive to bring all of these achievements to our dominions, for they are our brothers and sons, sisters and daughters. Be they Australian, Canadian, South African, New Zealander or New Foundlander, they are all Britons, too, and thus forever tied to us in our commonwealth.
Britain stands as a guarantor of honour and strength. The Japanese, a proud people and dear and loyal friends to us Britons, have long since struggled with the vile insurrections on Taiwan, and many a Japanese family suffered for the cruelty and barbarism of the Taiwanese terrorists. Yet the British Army, in an unprecedented and truly amazing show of skill of arms and bravery, and supported by the ever-dependable might of the Royal Navy, put a swift end to the horror that had gripped Japanese hearts for these past few years. Never was an action such as the landings at Tainan and Taichung - previously thought to be utterly impossible - executed with such swiftness and ferocity, so that the enemy collapsed almost immediately upon the arrival of British arms. We must, and will, continue to aid our friends around the world, for the Empire's reputation is impeccable.
His Majesty has ordered a fleet review of commonwealth squadrons, scheduled for the 9th of August, 1908. All dominion squadrons, as well as detachments of the Home Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet will participate in this grand display.
To make amends for the unruly and disgraceful behaviour of a few of his sailors at Portsmouth, His Majesty has personally issued an invitation to the United States government to participate in this review.
~First Sea Lord John Arbuthnot Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher of Kilverstone
The Birth of Yuanism
Although the brainchild of Hongxian, much of Yuanist Policy was devised by Tang Shaoyi
With the ratification and passage of the Peking Constitution, which established a legislature, and the rise of the Tongmenghui in Shanghai, the promulgation of a political party grew to be one of the Hongxian Emperor's pet projects. Although autocratic, and almost dictatorial, the Hongxian Emperor was also obsessed with his public image. How he was portrayed, both internationally and domestically, was constantly on the Emperor's mind. Before he left his palaces or his rooms, he always donned a crisp uniform, resplendent with medals and badges. His now-silvery white moustache was combed, trimmed every single day, and he engaged in speaking lessons to give his voice an authoritative, yet strong tone. So when Hongxian deemed it necessary to create his own political party, it came as no surprise to any of today's scholars that it would be modeled after his visage, with a ideology that shared his name and beliefs.
Although the brainchild of Hongxian, much of Yuanist Policy was devised by Tang Shaoyi
Yuanism was the term for the unique form of nationalism that arose out of the ashes of the Revolution of 1902. First coming into being, albeit in a provisional form, with the installation of Zaizhen as Emperor in 1902, Yuanism was the brainchild of then-Chancellor Yuan Shikai. Yuan advocated for a nationalistic China that did not pander to any single one of what he saw as the "5 Races of China", the five being the Han, the Manchu, the Hui, Mongolians, and Tibetans. Instead, he advocated for all 5 Races to work together for the betterment of the state, not for one particular ethnic group. Although the Manchu hardliners within his court were upset with this reversal in social roles, Yuan's domineering influence saw his "5 Races United Under one State" theory gain significant traction within the then-Qing court. With the death of Zaizehn and subsequent coronation of Yuan as Emperor, this theory was only solidified as reputable fact within the Empire of China.
In addition to his pan-ethnic virtues, Yuanism's economics were equally as peculiar. In Tang Shaoyi's "Manifesto on Econmics", published in 1908, Yuanism set out it's economic policy as a blend of fiscal conservatism, economic nationalism, and state capitalism. Conservative in nature, Shaoyi, Hongxian's chief advisor and closest confidant, devised economics that promoted lower taxation of the populace, and limited deregulation of the economy whilst establishing protective tariffs that promote Chinese goods over foreign ones. However, the most unique chapter of Shaoyi's "Manifesto" was the promotion of state capitalism in order to modernize. Believing that Chinese industrialists were too far and few between to properly industrialize the nation, Shaoyi advocated for the government building and establishing factories and companies, building them up from scratch, before the government sold said factories, companies, and corporations exclusively to Chinese businessmen who showed the drive and ability to hold these companies. It was a clear sign of Yuan's autocracy, and a indicator of the lack of faith that the Hongxian Government had in the Chinese populace, whom they knew were undereducated and poorly taught. This unique economic policy directly streamed from Hongxian's autocratic and nationalist nature, as seemed to be the guiding force in all Yuanist policy.
Socially, Yuanism promoted a pseudo-Han Chinese culture, whilst establishing a cult of personality around the Emperor. It called for the birth of a "new nation" and a "national reinvigoration", under the "benevolent guidance of the Emperor". Whilst not afraid to establish more modern and progressive reforms such as universal suffrage for all Chinese males aged 21+, and securing freedom of religion and press, Yuanism also heavily relied upon Confucianism and tradition to propel it's vision of a "new Chinese state". Yuanism applied Confucianist values of the family unit, morality, and the Five Constants of benevolence, justice, rite, knowledge, and integrity to Hongxian's Empire. In official texts, Hongxian was referred to as the "Father of the Nation", a "moral guide", and through his displaying of the Five Constants, the ideal Chinamen. The Emperor was seen as the spiritual and physical embodiment of all China, almost a god, and only through acting like the Emperor, can China truly progress towards it's goal of a "modern state". However, Yuanism also promoted that all Chinese begin dressing in Western fashion, cutting off their ponytails, arranging their hair in Western styles and going to school. Stating that education was the key to progress, Yuanism encouraged all Chinese males to go and learn science, math, history, and language in either Western or Chinese schools. It cast away the backwardness of the Qing, abolishing kowtowing and other traditional practices of the Qing Court in favor of humane acts that placed courtiers and petitioners on almost the same level as the Emperor. Yuanism's social policies blended tradition with progression, and for that it was truly revolutionary.
In 1908, Tang Shaoyi and Duan Qirui founded the Chinese Progressive National Party (中国进步民族党). In the Party's manifesto, "Chinese Nationalism" or Yuanism, as it later came to be known, was outlined as the guiding ideology for the Party. With the birth of the CPNP, Hongxian finally had a political voice that he could speak through. In the first Congress of the CPNP, Tang Shaoyi was elected as President of the CPNP, giving his position as Chancellor added legitimacy. Covertly, Duan Qirui began the formation of a paramilitary wing, called the Front for Chinese Nationalism (FCN), lending his military expertise to the establishment of the FCN as a reputable force (although it took until 1909 for the FCN to really organize and come into being). 1908 was the year that Chinese Nationalism became the guiding ideology of the Empire of China, the year that Hongxian's dream of a "new Chinese state" finally began to take shape.
The same brief, government-made anti-rebel speech begins to be found posted on walls and yelled by town criers throughout Qing-controlled territories
"Imperial Subjects of the Empire of the Great Qing! For six years, we have been engaged in a long, brutal war. Many ask, 'what do we fight for?' Heaven has deemed for the Son of Heaven of the Guangxu Era to reign over the many multitudes of Chinese and Manchus and Mongols. The treacherous Yuan Shikai and the devilish Sun Yixian intend to go against the will of all the Gods and Heaven itself in the pursuit of their own interests. They wish nothing more to become usurping Emperors over this fine Middle Kingdom, their promises of freedom are untrue. The Bill of Rights and Responsibilities provide all the freedoms an Imperial Subject would desire! You fight for the will of the Gods on high and Heaven above!
Have you not heard of the vile actions that Yuan, who is like a dwarf, and his barbarian hordes perpetrate upon good Imperial Subjects? Captured soldiers of the Qing are torn in half, and none survive their prison camps should they be spared on the field! They withhold the food from the common man, and let the innocent starve so they can feed their army of bandits and murderers! Whenever they come across a woman, regardless of her age, she is violated and beaten most shamefully and left to die in a ditch! The follower of Yuan is no better than a jackal. Yuan Shikai hands not an ounce of help to the people, despite his and his clique's demand for him to be worshipped as if he were a god.
It is true that great hardship falls upon many of you these days. For that, the Son of Heaven is nearly driven to tears. As he had said during his great speech, the corrupt administrator is just a great an enemy as Yuan Shikai. A better life will come once this cancer in our Empire is removed! That is what you fight for, a future, the rightful Son of Heaven, and for you and your family's very lives. There is no space for a coward in this Empire anymore. We all must do our part to achieve victory. Long live the Qing, and may our Golden Empire be solidified under the grand aegis of Heaven!"
"Imperial Subjects of the Empire of the Great Qing! For six years, we have been engaged in a long, brutal war. Many ask, 'what do we fight for?' Heaven has deemed for the Son of Heaven of the Guangxu Era to reign over the many multitudes of Chinese and Manchus and Mongols. The treacherous Yuan Shikai and the devilish Sun Yixian intend to go against the will of all the Gods and Heaven itself in the pursuit of their own interests. They wish nothing more to become usurping Emperors over this fine Middle Kingdom, their promises of freedom are untrue. The Bill of Rights and Responsibilities provide all the freedoms an Imperial Subject would desire! You fight for the will of the Gods on high and Heaven above!
Have you not heard of the vile actions that Yuan, who is like a dwarf, and his barbarian hordes perpetrate upon good Imperial Subjects? Captured soldiers of the Qing are torn in half, and none survive their prison camps should they be spared on the field! They withhold the food from the common man, and let the innocent starve so they can feed their army of bandits and murderers! Whenever they come across a woman, regardless of her age, she is violated and beaten most shamefully and left to die in a ditch! The follower of Yuan is no better than a jackal. Yuan Shikai hands not an ounce of help to the people, despite his and his clique's demand for him to be worshipped as if he were a god.
It is true that great hardship falls upon many of you these days. For that, the Son of Heaven is nearly driven to tears. As he had said during his great speech, the corrupt administrator is just a great an enemy as Yuan Shikai. A better life will come once this cancer in our Empire is removed! That is what you fight for, a future, the rightful Son of Heaven, and for you and your family's very lives. There is no space for a coward in this Empire anymore. We all must do our part to achieve victory. Long live the Qing, and may our Golden Empire be solidified under the grand aegis of Heaven!"
From the Regency Council of the Kingdom of Albania
Nga Këshilli i Regjencës e Mbretërisë së Shqipërisë
c/o HE Count Vladimir Lamsdorf,
St Petersburg, the Russian Empire
Your Imperial Majesty,
On behalf of the Regency Council of the Kingdom of Albania I am writing to inform you that, after much thoughtful consideration, it has been the decision of this Council to offer the Crown of Albania to Your Imperial Majesty's most distinguished and esteemed cousin; His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich. We would be most grateful if Your Imperial Majesty could convey these glad tidings to His Imperial Highness and impress upon him the grave dignity which this offer possesses.
Most respectfully,
His Highness Ismail Qemal Bej Vlora
Chairman of the Regency Council
Romanian Politics in 1908
Following the peaceful resolution of the wars of 1907, the Kingdom of Romania saw rapid shifts in its political situation in the lead up to the 1908 elections. Though many Romanians were quite pleased to have secured victory and liberated the Romanian minority in Southern Dobrudja, the costs of the war brought about many detractors of the National Liberal Party. Prime Minister Dimitrie Sturdza and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ion I. C. Brătianu had been leading voices in the National Liberal Party for closer ties to Germany, which had been entrenched in the recent war, but most of the party's rank and file remained Francophiles, and felt revulsion at the shift in foreign policy. The Conservatives were similarly split over the war's outcome, but for different reasons. Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino, the official head of the Conservative Party was critical of the war, citing that it had diplomatically isolated Romania, brought high cost to the Romanian people, and entrenched Ottoman rule over the Christian peoples of the Balkans. In sharp contrast, Cantacuzino's greatest rival in the Conservative Party, Petre P. Carp, was highly supportive of the war, always a firm Russophobe and Germanophile. His Juminist allies have been a prime source of bipartisan support for the National Liberal Party, compared to the more hard liner conservatives under Cantacuzino.
If the Twelve Month War divided Romanians, the post war climate in the Balkans cleaved through political lines. The Treaty of Bucharest and increasingly close ties to the Ottoman Empire attracted critics and proponents in droves. Proponents cited the treaty as vital with increasingly hostile relations with Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary, the former due to the war, and the latter due to the much reviled Danubian Dam. Critics said that the treaty didn't protect Romania at all, and shackled it to a powder keg at odds with half of Europe. Those who could remember the time when Romania was de jure an Ottoman vassal were also wary of forging new ties to the Ottomans as well. Even those who were supportive of the government for the Treaty of Bucharest, were concerned by the Open Letter to the Aromanian People published by the Romanian envoy to the Ottoman Empire, Nicolae Mișu. Petre P. Carp was the most prominent of these, claiming that "Romanian foreign policy should not be driven by the interests of the Aromanians".
Economically the nation was less at odds, due to the highly successful reforms the National Liberal Party had undertaken, often with Juminist and sometimes general conservative support. These reforms hadn't even brought the nation into debt, so only the most hard liner conservatives publicly spoke against modernization and economic reforms. What division there was stemmed from the urban-based policy of the National Liberals compared to the more agricultural-based policy sought by the Conservatives. A few National Liberals and some Juminist Conservatives have made noise about social reforms, to break up feudalistic land ownership, but there is little support among the voter base for such measures. Electoral reform is also a non-issue to both parties.
Thus there are four major political movements in Romania in the prelude to the 1908 elections. The main National Liberals, headed by Prime Minister Sturdza and Foreign Minister Brătianu, seek a continuation of current foreign policy, tying Romania to Germany and the Ottoman Empire as foreign allies, and further economic reforms to industrialize and urbanize Romania. The Francophile National Liberals, effectively led by up and coming politician Nicolae Xenopol, are a wild card, potentially supportive of the main party due to inertia and economic alignment, potentially supportive of the Conservatives over foreign affairs, or they could try to create their own political party. The hardline Conservatives under Cantacuzino and the more moderate Take Ionescu, seek to disentangle Romania from the foreign alliances it has become involved in and seek rapprochement with its neighbors, while also redirecting economic focus to agriculture and rural development. Finally the Juminist Conservatives around Carp wish to maintain ties to Germany, while scaling back Romanian involvement in the Balkans, and seek economic development of both urban and rural interests.
Romania's direction for the next few years, and potentially its status as a power in Eastern Europe, will be determined in the upcoming election.
Chains and Things: the Albanian nationalist movement in 1908
Before the dissolution of nationalist unity, the various and sundry factions and political leaders had coalesced around one central goal: maintaining the already internationally-recognised status of Albanian independence; even as a rump state. This was mainly the result of an influx of expatriate nationalists into Albania in order to support their nascent motherland. Unlike the Albanians already living in the Kingdom who were predominantly Muslim and kindly-disposed towards the Sultan in Constantinople, these 'foreign' Albanians, who hailed from places such as Romania's wealthy expatriate community or even the United States, were predominantly Greek or Russian Orthodox and wished to see the Sultan swing from a lamppost. The foreign Albanians quickly seized control of the wider nationalist movement in Albania through financial superiority. Leading the foreigners were Prince Albert Ghica, Thanas Floqi, and Anselmo Lorecchio. Romanian, American, and Italian by respective nationality the three of them were all quite independently wealthy with extensive ties to various European and foreign interests; and posed a serious threat to Prime Minister Qemal's grip on power. The Tirana Conference was called as a result of these developments; although ostensibly due to the Ottoman intention to annex the nation.
At the Conference it was generally agreed upon that the independence of the Albanian state at present should be preserved, and that those present would work together to achieve that goal. After that, everything fell apart. Qemal had abandoned the heart of his Ottoman loyalties in order to attempt to retain his personal grip on power in the country but quickly found himself sidelined by the forces arrayed against him. Shunted into the purely ceremonial position as Chair of the Regency Council his last gasp was the installation of Spiridon Ilo -- almost a complete nonentity -- as the second Prime Minister of Albania as opposed to Prince Albert, who had the support of his fellow Romanians and not a few native Albanians either. Of course, as Ilo himself had been an active member of the Albanian community in Bucharest, even this victory rang hollow. At the end of the Conference it was clear that those involved in Qemal's former native Albanian-dominated government would not have a seat at the table anymore. It was time for the new guard to come out.
It was as a result of this that the Boris Letter was eventually issued. Although signed by Qemal in his capacity as Chairman he himself had strenuously argued against it; but it was to no avail. The Council was by design filled with men more familiar with Bucharest than Durres, and they had their own intentions. Having failed to convince the other movers and shakers of his own claim to the Albanian throne Prince Albert decided to back a dark horse candidate: HIH Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich of Russia. His Imperial Highness had many qualities which were eminently useful to the Prince and his Romanian clique. He was a famed bon viveur who had his private residence built in the style of an English manor and notoriously flirted with his cousin, Crown Princess Marie of Romania; visiting her in Bucharest much to the distress of her husband and fueling wild rumours. His legendary charm and charisma was assumed to be able to win over the hearts of his Muslim subjects while his playboy lifestyle assured Prince Albert and company that he would be easily managed. As well, his (albeit nominal) Orthodoxy would win the support of Orthodox Albanians still in the Ottoman Empire as alongside many foreign Albanians... and then of course there was his close cousin Nicholas. Russia may have shown herself to be a paper tiger in recent conflicts, but she was certainly better than nothing.
In light of these considerations the Council voted -- over Qemal's furious, vein-bursting objections -- to extend the Albanian crown to Boris. The irony of offering the crown to a man who was probably even less suitable than the man Qemal had more or less personally overthrown was not at all lost to him; and he resigned in a fit of pique almost immediately after signing the document. The repercussions of the Council's offer began to be felt as soon as it was made widely known to the movement. While many, mostly Romanians and Prince Albert's allies, were pleased with the result, others were horrified. The pro-Ottoman nationalists who had up until then been co-operating out of loyalty to Qemal swiftly stormed from the coalition; traveling with him to Vlore, where in a desperate pitch to salvage his once-prominent position he proclaimed himself Governor of the Ottoman Vilayet of Albania. Meanwhile the powerful Ghica-Floqi-Lorecchio alliance floundered as well. The three men had worked well together to subvert Qemal's influence but, deprived of that common aim and ultimately pursuing vastly different visions, they soon splintered; taking shards of the movement with them.
Thanas Floqi had been educated in the United States of America and had made significant ties with the Albanian expatriate community there, who funded his return to Albania. He was heavily influenced by Anglo-American ideals of constitutionalism and was incensed that a member of "those brutish Romanovs, rulers of wasteland steppes" had been offered the Crown. He and his allies -- a motley assortment of native and foreign Albanians who were broadly dedicated to constitutional ideals -- also withdrew themselves from the rapidly dwindling nationalist coalition and sent their own letter; this one offering the Crown to Juan Pedro Aladro y Kastriota. Of all the would-be Kings of Albania, Juan Pedro was without a doubt the only one that genuinely loved Albania and her people. A prominent diplomat under the late King Alfonso XII of Spain he had first grown interested in the country while on his trips across the Continent. This interest quickly grew into a passion and Don Juan Pedro soon became heavily involved with Albanian nationalism. He published pro-Albanian pamphlets throughout the length and breadth of Europe, and kept correspondence with Albanian noble families scattered across the Mediterranean; eventually researching and staking a claim to the Albanian throne itself through descent from the Kastrioti dynasty. He even spoke fluent Albanian. His love for Albania, his reputation as a "perfect cavalier" and his pan-European connections from his diplomatic career made him the ideal choice in Floqi's eyes. And so Thanas Floqi and His erstwhile Majesty's government sat in Durres, which had been abandoned by the Ilo government in favour of the more-defensible Tirana.
The third member of the former triumvirate, Anselmo Lorecchio, found both his former comrades to be delusional. Born in Italy of Albanian descent Lorecchio had been the man to know in the Italian-Albanian community. By the time Albania gained independence under the terms of the Treaty of Sarajevo he was already an established community figure and prolific writer as well as editor of the largest newspaper in the Italian-Albanian community; and he could not have been more thrilled as the Albanian crown was handed to a Savoyard. By the time he had managed to make arrangements to manage his affairs in Italy and move across the Adriatic, however, Charles III and his government were already back in Italy. Naturally turning to the Italian-Albanian community for help Charles III soon became personally acquainted with Lorecchio and the two men swiftly became allies. Lorecchio then moved to Albania on the informal understanding that he was to agitate for Charles' interests; but knowing that the King would prefer to have a country to rule over in the first place his first immediate goal was to ensure Albania's survival. Leveraging his influence abroad along with his wealth Lorecchio soon forced his way into the upper echelons of the new ex-expatriate establishment; and formed an alliance of convenience with Ghica and Floqi to force out Qemal and his stalwarts. He also garnered the support of the Catholic Albanians and the moderates who had initially resigned from Qemal's government after he had defied King Charles. After the collapse of the Ilo government Lorecchio and his allies set up shop inland, in the city of Elbasan, and formally invited back Charles III and Prime Minister Prenk Doda. Whether the Italian would accept Lorecchio's offer or that of the Ottomans, however, remained to be seen.
The battle lines had been drawn. The Ilo government fractured into pieces almost immediately after offering the throne to Grand Duke Boris and went from being the sole nominal government of the country to being one of four. With the Ilo government in Tirana, the Qemal government in Vlore, the Floqi government in Durres, and the Lorecchio government in Elbasan the Albanian nationalist was now completely and thoroughly shot to hell. The eminent potentates of the movement had splintered in a flurry of ambition and megalomania and the nationalist intelligentsia at large began to choose sides. Many luminaries and liberals of the movement, such as Dhimiter Tutulani, Zef Jubani, and Christo Dako sided with Floqi's government and began to churn out propaganda accordingly. Meanwhile Ismail Qemal made contact with the eminent Ibrahim Temo. Temo was an ethnic Albanian and just so happened to be a founding member of the Young Ottoman movement and therefore extraordinarily influential with the Ottoman government. Without making any promises, Teno told Qemal that he would bring his pleas for mercy to the Sultan. A prominent supporter of Qemal's as well was the Mufti Rexhep Voka; an influential theologian and linguist. At the same time, the Ilo government was grudgingly endorsed as the legitimate government by Muslims such as Salih Gjuka and more enthusiastically by leading Orthodox politicians like Petro Nini Luarasi and Pandeli Evangjeli. Lorecchio's government was by far the least popular for obvious reasons; and only garnered support from Italian-Albanians or northern Albanian Catholics like Giuseppe Schiro and Nikolle bej Ivanaj in addition to the handful of moderates lead by Fehim Zavalani.
But amidst all the politicking and shifting alliances of intrigue, it was difficult to remember how much control these four separate governments actually exerted in the immediate aftermath of the establishment. The Kingdom of Albania remained a very young nation to which the Albanian nationalist movement had devoted itself from the top-down. The Albanian nationalist movement was, primarily, composed of educated and wealthy men whether they had lived in Albania all their lives or hailed from abroad. The coup that deposed Charles III, the invitation of Prince Mehmed, the Tirana Conference; these had all been plays acted out at the very top and neither affected or were affected by the lives of the common Albanian citizens. Observing the political chaos in the country, British diarist and traveler Evelyn Merton remarked "the Albanian political arena is akin to men fighting over who has the honour of holding the door for a beautiful woman. By the time they have it settled, the woman has left the building."
Last edited:
Triomphe et Calamité: French Republic, 1906-1908
With Émile Loubet's term expiring in 1906, and his decision to not seek re-election, the Presidency of the French Republic was won by Armand Fallières in a tight election against Paul Doumer of the Radical Party. Shortly thereafter the Republic held its legislative elections, the Radical and Left Republican coalition increasing its majority and maintaining a hold over power gained the previous year. Ferdinand Sarrien's ministry was not to last long however: he resigned on the 20th of October citing health reasons and was replaced by the influential Émile Combes.
Premier Émile Combes
Combes was to be faced by a humongous challenge in the following year: the Balkan Debacle, as some called it, sparked war across Europe and the French Republic found itself facing off against the German Empire and Kingdom of Italy. The war itself largely proved a stalemate, but the French remained optimistic about reclaiming Aslace-Lorraine and repairing their injured pride. It was not to be: the Treaty of Warsaw was signed bringing the war to a conclusion with a status quo antebellum, as the government termed it. The people, encouraged by the government's opponents, viewed it otherwise.
The resulting protests and outcry spurred President Armand Fallières to announce the dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies and his intention to resign upon the conclusion of fresh elections. The election that followed was a decidedly one sided affair: the Left and Centre-Left, sullied by their handling of the war, stood no chance against the onslaught they faced at the hands of the Right.
Republican Federation, Popular Liberal Action, French Action, combined with a hodge podge mixture of Conservatives and Nationalists claimed victory: all together they held 328 seats of the 585 seat Chamber of Deputies, a reasonable majority. The remaining seats of the Chamber of Deputies were divided between the Left and Centre Left, both of them vastly diminished in size and influence.
President Armand Fallières appointed Joseph Thierry, President of the Republican Federation, as President of the Council of Ministers before tendering his own resignation. The election that was to follow for the Presidency would largely be a decided affair, but the Right was determined to choose the perfect candidate to act as a moral figure that could bring unity to the fractured country.
And there was no better candidate than Noël Édouard Marie Joseph, Vicomte de Curières de Castelnau: a decorated war hero, of noble lineage and good standing; the general was not only popular, but also interested in the presidency. With the backing of the Right and his own standing Vicomte de Castelnau was elected easily with 72.4% of the National Assembly's vote, his next closest competitor receiving only 11.7%.
President Noël Édouard de Castelnau
President de Castelnau's first address was one filled with the fiery rhetoric of national unity and pride in the Republic. Behind the scenes he was just as fiery, but with a different aim in mind: the general turned president was determined to amend the French Constitutional Laws of 1875, and with that accrue in his position greater executive power.
Last edited:
Justice: The trial of Sgt. Chen
One aspect of the reforms of 1906-1907 that made the Banner Armies into the Imperial Army was the creation of military courts. Most of the time, in a reflection of the general quality of Qing administration, these courts were hopelessly corrupt or terribly mismanaged. However, the "Grand Tribune", in Luoyang proper, was remarkably well-run. This trend of decently managed military courts, probably brought about by its proximity to the temporary capital of Luoyang, saw the military court at Kaifeng operate competently as well. On June 29, 1907, a few days after Kaifeng was taken back by Qing forces in a back-and-forth struggle for the city with the Yuanists, Sergeant Chen Jingxing, 30, was brought before the court charged with the murder of local resident Zhu Binghan. Sgt. Chen was not allowed to speak, and the three-man tribune of officers turned judges received testimony from soldiers and civilians alike. Below is a transcript of some of the proceedings.
One aspect of the reforms of 1906-1907 that made the Banner Armies into the Imperial Army was the creation of military courts. Most of the time, in a reflection of the general quality of Qing administration, these courts were hopelessly corrupt or terribly mismanaged. However, the "Grand Tribune", in Luoyang proper, was remarkably well-run. This trend of decently managed military courts, probably brought about by its proximity to the temporary capital of Luoyang, saw the military court at Kaifeng operate competently as well. On June 29, 1907, a few days after Kaifeng was taken back by Qing forces in a back-and-forth struggle for the city with the Yuanists, Sergeant Chen Jingxing, 30, was brought before the court charged with the murder of local resident Zhu Binghan. Sgt. Chen was not allowed to speak, and the three-man tribune of officers turned judges received testimony from soldiers and civilians alike. Below is a transcript of some of the proceedings.
A: Captain Fu Baohan, one of the three tribunes
B: Lance Corporal Zhou Kanglong, a soldier turned bailiff
C: Sergeant Chen Jingxing, the defendant
D: Captain Wong Honglao, another tribune
E: Corporal Dong Shenru, another soldier turned bailiff
F: Soldier Tao Fuhai, a witness
G: Lance Corporal Liu Wuxing, a witness
H: Zhu Shiqiao, a witness and firstborn son of Zhu Binghan
I: Doctor Zou Yanggong, a witness, local doctor and the first to examine Chen and the deceased Zhu
B: Lance Corporal Zhou Kanglong, a soldier turned bailiff
C: Sergeant Chen Jingxing, the defendant
D: Captain Wong Honglao, another tribune
E: Corporal Dong Shenru, another soldier turned bailiff
F: Soldier Tao Fuhai, a witness
G: Lance Corporal Liu Wuxing, a witness
H: Zhu Shiqiao, a witness and firstborn son of Zhu Binghan
I: Doctor Zou Yanggong, a witness, local doctor and the first to examine Chen and the deceased Zhu
A: The trial is now in session. Sergeant Chen, are you aware of the crimes of which you are being accused?
C: Yes sir.
A: Are you furthermore aware that the punishment for the crime of which you have been accused of warrants your beheading with a sword?
C: Yes sir, I am aware.
A: What say you in your defence, then?
C: I had killed him, yes sir. But it was self-defence!
D: Explain what happened, Sergeant Chen.
C: Well, I was on Zhaozhong Street, as I'm sure you know, when a local coolie blocked my path. I asked him to move, and he didn't move. So, I tapped him on the shoulder and he hit me with his load, some bricks for rebuilding a shelled out house, I suppose. I brandished my bamboo at him and he hit me again with the bricks. I pulled my revolver on him and told him that he was under arrest, and he yelled at me, and the other civilians around me began yelling, too. I couldn't understand their accents so I fired a shot into the air and ordered them to disperse. The coolie still didn't move and he punched me. I was in fear of my life of those people, and I shot him twice in the chest for his assault.
A: Doctor Zou, do wounds on the accused and the deceased support this? Please rise and take the stand.
Zou takes the stand.
I: Well, sir--
D: Speak up, please.
I: My apologies. As I was saying, Mr. Zhu had indeed been shot twice in the chest from a very close range, close enough for there to be powder burns on his chest. He had been shot through the heart and was dead when I got to him.
D: And when was that?
I: I examined both Zhu and Sergeant Chen within ten minutes of the shooting. Sergeant Chen exhibited no bruising or signs of defensive wounds on him and his uniform was not disheveled in any particularly noticeable way.
A: Did you see any of the actual shooting?
I: I heard the gunshots in my apothecary down the road, but no, I only saw the body and Sergeant Chen.
A: Alright, thank you. Be seated.
Zou sits down.
A: Lance Corporal Liu, please take the stand.
C: I object to this man taking the stand against me.
A: Why's that?
C: He owes me several taels of silver and has avoided paying, if I were to die nobody would be there to pick up his loans.
A: Enough. Silence yourself, Sergeant Chen.
C: He'll lie! Wuxing always lies, the bastard!
A: Silence! You are not to address any man in this court room by his given name nor are you allowed to curse! Allow for Lance Corporal Liu to speak, if you interrupt again you will be punished. Do you understand?
C: Yes sir.
G: I saw it all happen. The threatening yelling that Sergeant Chen talks about was simply the locals attempting to tell him that Mr. Zhu was very hard of hearing. The "hitting" was simply the load over Mr. Zhu's shouldiers swinging about and striking Sergeant Chen quite lightly. It was hardly assault. Sergeant Chen always liked to kill, and would grow angry very easy, so I wouldn't--
C: You shut your mouth, you dirty liar! A curse on you and all your ancestors! Were I not bound, I'f punch you right here, I swear!
A: 5 strikes of the bamboo! Corporal Dong...
E: Yes sir.
Sergeant Chen is forced to stand is hit 5 times on the back by Corporal Dong. The fifth strike breaks the bamboo rod. Captain Wong is laughing.
A: Lance Corporal Zhou, get Corporal Dong a new bamboo rod, you are excused for the time being.
B: Yes sir.
A: Sergeant Chen, do you understand that further outbursts will warrant 10 strikes from the heavy bamboo next time?
Chen remains silent
A: Do you understand?
C: Yes.
B: Address Captain Fu properly.
C: Yes sir.
B: Better.
Captain Fu nods his head in approval.
A: Lance Corporal Liu, please continue.
G: Well, yes. As I said earlier, Sergeant Chen was hardly being assaulted and was in no way being threatened by anybody. He shot Mr. Zhu because of a short temper, that's all.
A: Alright. You may be seated. Soldier Tao, please rise and deliver your testimony.
Lance Corporal Liu sits. Soldier Tao takes the stand.
A: Soldier Tao, what did you see?
F: The same as Lance Corporal Liu, sir. Sergeant Chen got real angry after being tapped with Mr. Zhu's brick load and shot him, twice in the chest. He didn't even seem all that scared like he claimed. Just angry. Not much more I can say besides that.
D: Well, that was no help.
A minute of silence.
A: Alright... Um, Mr. Zhu, please take the stand. Soldier Tao, you may be seated.
Soldier Tao sits. Zhu Shiqiao takes the stand.
A: Lance Corporal Liu claims that your father was hard of hearing. Is this true?
H: It is. A bomb fell next to him when he was fighting the Dungans, and could never hear well after that. I watched the shooting. It is exactly as the others say. Sergeant Chen killed my father because he was angry. Was it drink or opium, I don't know. But he just kept acting 'What? What?', over and over to Sergeant Chen til he shot him. Now, my mother cannot feed herself, neither can my younger sister. He was the one who kept us afloat after the opium poisoned our uncle, we will--
A: That's enough. That's enough.
Captain Fu sighs, and talks to Captain Wong and the other tribune (unnamed in the records) quietly for about five minutes.
A: Based off of what we have seen today, along with the past four sessions' evidence and testimony, I believe we can convict. The tribunes here, under the authority of the Son of Heaven of the Empire of the Great Qing, hereby convict Sergeant Chen Jingxing of the murder of Zhu Binghan, of which the punishment will be beheading by sword in the parade grounds of Kaifeng in three days. The paperwork will be finalized tonight. Gods help you, Sergeant Chen.
The room bursts into motion, celebration can be heard from Zhu Shiqiao and his relatives, along with some of the soldiers who were meant to appear as witnesses. Chen is screaming curses and unintelligible phrases and is dragged out by the bailiffs. The court is dismissed.
The Russian Playboy
From a visit with his kin in France to tiger-hunting in India and Indochina as a guest to exotic kings, Boris eventually visited the United States of America, spending six weeks. He learned the art of golf, sailed with the Vanderbilts around New York City, and even met with the President - much to the dismay of the First Lady - over a hectic six weeks before finally returning home.
Such a wild trip certainly characterized Boris' persona, that of a wild, unpredictable playboy. In this short time however, Boris did indeed changed, writing back to his brother Kirill, "after a while every woman is the same, nothing is new except the face." His transition to maturity was ushered along by his time in the Far East, serving in the bloodied Russo-Japanese War under Kuropatkin where he distinguished himself for bravery. Likewise, he served Kuropatkin again during the Russo-German War, where he would lament the fall of Warsaw with the famous words, "the fates have damned us to witness untold horror this day - and for what?"
And so when the letter from the nascent Albanian government reached Boris, he was a new man altogether from how the world stage saw him. Writing back to them, he urged caution, but notably did not deny the Crown, stating:
"I am deeply honored by the honor afforded to me on behalf of the Albanian people, a vaunted responsibility that I do not take lightly. There exists many issues I see with the state of the Albanian realm and its survival is threatened by the enemies my cousin so frequently denounces. Nicholas has given me no advice, instead ushering me to prayer to find the answer, a practice he has increasingly utilized these past years, and a practice I too find myself embracing.
I have listened to God and I pray that he protects my journey, for I wish to see this Albanian land, meet its people, and see how I fit into the Lord's Will; will they accept me as one of their own? If it is so, then I will graciously accept your offer."
It was technically an acceptance, though the parameters were vague and it remained to be seen if Boris would be satisfied by support behind his presumptive government, his doubts surely multiplying as he traveled to this land and heard of its fracture. Perhaps his exact concerns were made more transparent as it became known that he corresponded likewise with the Italian royal family, seeking a bride from among their numbers - perhaps to bind together the factions that quarreled over the rightful dynasty?
Macau During the Chinese Civil War
Macau has been a colony of the Portuguese Empire for over 400 years. It served as a key trade port between Portuguese (and to an extent, western) merchants and Chinese merchants. During this time, Portugal payed to "rent" the land from the Ming and Qing dynasties. This deal would last until 1849 when Portugal declared Macau "free" of Chinese law and expelled all Chinese custom houses. China did not respond pleasantly, and in the Baishaling Incident of 1849, the nearby Qing fort of Baishaling would shell Macau and Chinese men would assassinate the governor of Macau. Portuguese soldiers numbering 36 strong along with a single howitzer attacked the fort led by Vicente Nicolau de Mesquita. They were heavily outgunned by the 400 men and 36 cannons of the Imperial Army. However, a single hit from a howitzer caused panic among the Chinese forces leading to an assault by the Portuguese in the chaos, and when a black Mozambican soldier scaled the fort, the Qing fled from him thinking he was some sort of devil. Mesquita would conquer Baishaling, but destroyed it when he realized he could not keep the fort. Soldiers from Goa and the mainland were sent to Macau, and Britain, America, and France sent aide to Portugal in the matter. Before a punitive expedition could be launched, a frigate exploded killing 200 people, cancelling the expedition. However, by 1850, Macau was now fully under Portuguese control.
(Mesquita)
During the next fifty-odd years, Macau was rather quiet. In 1871, the Hospital Kiang Wu was built as a place for traditional Chinese medicine. The only reason this is of note is that in 1892, a doctor by the name of Sun Yat Sen would bring western medicines to the hospital in an attempt to modernize it.
Macau during the Chinese Civil War has served as a place of refugee for those fleeing from the carnage of the war. It's current governor, José Augusto Alves Roçadas, has lightly increased the garrison of the port in the event of an attack. Macao is Portugal's only port that is close to China, and as such, it is a key colony for the Portuguese crown. Depending on who wins the Civil War, the Portuguese government may have to change its stances on how to negotiate with the new government to ensure they remain sovereign over the port.
(Governor Roçadas)
The United States of America
Hail, Columbia
The United States thanks the British government for its kind offer. A delegation led by President Roosevelt aboard the USS Mississippi will join the British naval review as guests.
1908
Europe
With the Twelve Months' War and Balkan War both having come and gone inside of a year, the British admiralty and army high command wished to ensure that the Royal Army and Navy remained in peak fighting condition, despite having not fought a major land or sea war in many years. Particular attention was given to German operations in Poland in the summer and autumn of 1907 – and the siege and capture of Warsaw – along with General Brusilov's daring cavalry strategy and tactics in Romania and his near-annihilation of a third of the Romanian army. Field Marshal Kitchener suggested the creation of an Army General Staff, which every other major European power had, which could coordinate army operations and logistics from a central position during both peace- and wartime. A series of bureaucratic reports eventually confirmed that his suggestions would drastically improve the quality of the army. The necessary funds and laws were passed to make it so, and the General Staff was created. As this was going on, there were repeated attempts by Primrose's government to again push for the Imperial Defence Fund. After witnessing the disastrous wars that shook Europe to its core, many colonies quickly signed on to the proposal. [Imperial Defence Fund enacted, +1 army level in 2 turns to UK]
The success of federalization efforts, plus the continually-stable economy of the whole Empire, inspired a grand review of all major naval stations across the globe (save the China Station, which remained in Hong Kong for obvious reasons). Over twenty battleships and dozens of cruisers – the single largest navy in the world – was viewed by some two-hundred thousand spectators, including dignitaries and diplomats from countries the world over. In a display of seamanship, the entire fleet sailed out into the Channel and executed perfect maneuvers with unmatched cohesion and precision. The United Kingdom, flexing its might once again to the world, would not be forgotten among the petty squabbles of the lesser nations. [+3% political support to UK]
The review of the Grand Fleet off Spithead, July 1908.
[+1 health & welfare to the Netherlands, +1 administration in 1 turn (tax reform) to Netherlands]
The Swedish government budget of 1908 proposed a new series of initiatives from Prime Minister Lindman. An increase in taxes on businesses and wealthy businessowners was a proposed solution to completely eliminating the entire government deficit in one fell swoop. However, as the economy was in a mild recession and imports from foreign countries were on the fall, the taxes, while increasing government revenues, did little to alleviate the economic situation; in fact, it exacerbated the recession by quite a lot. Despite the first new steps for the construction of a new railline in the north having been taken, the government response was deemed inappropriate. The failure of the conservatives and centrists to properly address the recession – perhaps by doing nothing at all – led to their being savaged in the Riksdag election after the budget was accepted. By fate – or, perhaps, as an omen for the Social Democrats – Lindman's government held on to the legislative majority by a single seat. [-1% political support to Sweden, Lindman re-elected, +1 infrastructure in 2 turns, +1 infrastructure in 5 turns]
The German demobilization send hundreds of thousands of soldiers home to their families. A brief dip in the economy as men struggled to return back to work ensued, as with most demobilizations on such a large scale, but before too long the German economy was ticking alone as before. The large war indemnities paid by the Russians did much to shrink the German deficit, however temporarily. With Germany technically coming off this war the victor, it was revealed in the polls, with the conservatives being returned to power with a large majority. Chancellor Arthur von Posadowsky-Wehner was now very popular, as he was widely credited with managing the overall war effort – though his actual contributions were, in actuality, up to question. [Conservatives in Germany re-elected, +3% political support to Germany]
Any pretenses of political unity and national strength that came from the Empire's victory over Japan were virtually shattered with the short-lived war of 1907 against the German Empire. The Army, long considered one of the most fearsome in the land, almost one century since its great triumph over Napoleon, was shown to be the hollow shell it truly was. The army and the state were considered to be unshakable institutions – a vision that was reinforced with the victory over Japan. With that image now degrading rapidly in front of the Russian people, there seemed to be less and less holding the multi-ethnic Empire together. Tensions that simmered below the surface now boiled to the top, as more and more people were emboldened to speak out. The first signs of trouble rose when strikes began to take place in various workshops and factories across the country. Sympathy strikes broke out across St. Petersburg, supporting the grievances those workers held against their current living conditions. Due to the Tsar's land reform of the previous years, in many cases it was better to be a landed peasant than one who was working in a factory, toiling hard all day to produce goods to be sold at a price they could never afford, all the while struggling to pay rent and feed themselves.
Education in Russia was limited at best. Those who were educated were far more open to revolutionary ideas, and their words and speeches were given to these industrial workers on strike and found a way to whip them up into a revolutionary frenzy, bringing forth promises of greatness, a revolution for the working people of the country. In the halls of power, there was nothing but a deaf ear for these radicals. Viktor Chernov, a founder of the Social Democratic Labour Party and a leading Menshevik, was one of these men who had ample education and, it just so happened, a good speech handy, and he encouraged more strikes through a series of emotional speeches and openly-published essays, joined in by other members of Russia's radical classes, including noted revolutionary Leon Trotsky. The government did not take serious note of these strikes until they grew unavoidable. The pressure continued to mount, and after several weeks, St. Petersburg suddenly found itself with 200,000 men taking to the streets on strike – and they were angry at the government. Men gathered around Chernov, who decided to lead a march to the Winter Palace, to petition the Tsar for assistance and to improve the conditions of the workers, which many considered to be deplorable. After reaching the palace, the guards at the facade were instructed to secure the premises, and not to let the demonstrators past a certain point. When such a line was crossed, they opened fire on the hungry and scared crowd, sending them scattering, and filling the streets with blood. More soldiers poured out from nearby barracks and were brought in to continue firing on the crowd as they clammered this way and that in a confused and bloody mass.
Russian troops open fire on the factory workers on Bloody Friday, 1908.
The event became to be known as "Bloody Friday" with over three thousand men – and some women, too – being shot dead. The news blasted across the Empire, emboldening revolutionaries, and causing more strikes to break out. The industrial economy of Russia was starting to seize up, as all industrial centers saw a drop of anywhere from thirty percent to one hundred percent of workers. Electricity services and newspapers shut down, and only now did the Tsar begin to come to grip with what was happening to his country. Industrial work was nearly nonexistent in St. Petersburg, where it was estimated that 300,000 of the 400,000 industrial workers were on strike. Thinking quickly, the government's reformist wing proposed a novel idea: implementing the revised Constitution, crafted years ago, that would limit the powers of the Tsar, and bring forth somewhat parliamentary government to the Empire. To the hungry and angry masses in St. Petersburg and Moscow, there was no swelling of support for democratic government. Sergei Witte, understanding the lack of support for his measures, announced his resignation from the government. Ivan Goremykin quickly emerged as one of the new power-players within the government, convincing the Tsar to do away with the other reformist ministers, and use this as an opportunity to give a show of strength to the Russian people.
With support from the Tsar, the Imperial Army was sent into St. Petersburg, with orders to bring the city back to functioning conditions and force the workers to go home. Very quickly, imperial soldiers encountered major obstacles in the form of the strikers themselves. The confrontation that occurred between soldier and striker was brutal and short. Soldiers swept through the city, shooting at large gatherings of men waving red banners or gathered around to listen to patriotic and revolutionary speeches. The city was declared to be under martial law and everyone not working declared to be a delinquent and subject to being thrown in jail for an indefinite period. Underground revolutionaries, both from abroad and within Russia, quickly began to emerge, their voices louder and stronger. Popular strikes and demonstrations began in Helsinki, Warsaw, and elsewhere in non-majority Russian areas. The Tsar's image of the powerful and benevolent overlord, who would assist in the plight of the Russian underclass, was being chipped away by the massive demonstrations. Surely, the Tsar could see them and hear them – so why was he not helping?
Not helping the government's situation as this unfolded was the fact that the newspapers that were still in operation in the cities were those with revolutionary bents, and were largely responsible for continuing to stir the pot. The government countered with more men to go into these underground operations and physically break up printing presses, seeking to limit the flow of information to those men on strike. The brutal crackdown continued, until order began to be restored, slowly, to the city centers. By early March, industry was once again ticking over in Russia's cities, but unrest and strikes still occurred on a weekly basis. St. Petersburg had peace restored to its streets and its factories, but it was an uneasy one. Autocracy reigned supreme in the Russian Empire, just as it always had, but the veneer about the Tsar's benevolence was forever shattered.
As spring turned into summer, the uneasy peace in the Empire continued until a sultry July morning. Sailors on-board the battleship Potemkin, fed up with low pay, rotting food, and abusive superiors, staged a revolt against their officers, killing the captain and first mate and taking control of the ship. The sailors decided to take their grievances directly to the Tsar – and so they sailed for St. Petersburg.
Sailors on the battleship Potemkin stage the July Revolution.
When the ship arrived in port, passerby were shocked to see the battleship's 12-inch guns turned on the nearest army barracks. With the rest of the Baltic Fleet nearby, turmoil broke out among the crews; several mutinies succeeded, though most were put down. Potemkin, docked to take on coal, was threatened with a boarding party of imperial soldiers; the mutinous new captain ordered the ship scuttled, though only a few 6-inch shells detonated instead of the several dozen planned 12-inch shells. The ship, damaged but still afloat, was knocked out of action, and the mutinous crew eliminated as a threat within minutes. One cruiser was successfully scuttled by the mutinous revolutionary seamen, but the rest were returned to imperial service shortly thereafter. The reaction from Goremykin's government was immediate and decisive. A swift crackdown on alleged socialists and dissidents took place throughout every major city in the country, with thousands being arrested. Chernov himself was seized in an SDLP organizational headquarters and executed after a thirty-minute trial the next day. Despite the outrage and disgust over the government's handling of the dissent, the socialist and communist resistance to the tsarist St. Petersburg government quickly floundered and slowly collapsed under the weight of the disciplined army, which was, at the same time, undergoing serious reforms in a review of its performance in the Twelve Months' War. With the authority of the autocratic government almost fully restored, Nicholas II's reign as absolute monarch of Russia continued – but would it last much longer? Could the Empire survive an uprising like this in the future? To make things worse, the strikes and fighting in Helsinki and Warsaw had shown St. Petersburg that there was popular resistance to Russification – and that the Poles would not soon forget the government's wartime promise. [-49% political support to Russia, +1 army level in 1 turn to Russia, +1 army level in 2 turns to Russia, -1 light cruiser to Russia, -3 Polish Legions to Russia]
Having witnessed the strides in medical technology and knowledge as a result of the Austro-Hungarian medical mission on the Eastern Front the previous year, a few technocrats in the Italian Army suggested to the Minister of War that the Austro-Hungarian doctors be invited to share their research and findings to primarily improve the care and treatment of wounded Italian soldiers in future conflicts, but also to potentially acquire new medicines and promote greater funding into general medical research across the country. The meaning of the effort became significant when King Umberto fell ill with an initially unknown sickness – soon realized to be measles – which he contracted after a royal visit to Libya. The nation went into a period of prayer, and Umberto suffered from a severe bout of pneumonia caused from the infection before miraculously coming into the clear – due in no small part to the Italian medical team, advised by several Austro-Hungarian medics that had served on the Eastern Front, that watched him around the clock. The Royal Army was granted large funds to research and develop new cures, medicines, and means to heal and treat wounded and ill soldiers. [+1 army level to Italy in 2 turns, +1 health & welfare to Italy in 6 turns, +3% political support to Italy]
A newly-organized field hospital for the Royal Italian Army.
The small and still-struggling Portuguese light and heavy industry sectors experienced great change in 1908, first with efforts promoted by the government to expand to markets outside of Iberia. Initially there was no progress; by the end of the year, however, some of these goods were exported to some Portuguese colonies, primarily Angola, Mozambique, and Goa, relatively cheaply. A related government push to get those unemployed because of the dominance of Spanish goods on the market bore little fruit; while some were successfully encouraged to go to secondary and tertiary schools, many simply demanded their jobs back – or any job, for that matter. Others simply had trouble attending school in the first place. [Some farmers and factory workers start going to school, -3% political support to Portugal]
The Spanish government, seeing Lisbon's attempts to bolster its own domestic industries – which it viewed as direct contraventions of the Treaty of Lisbon – an Act of Government passed the Spanish parliament almost unanimously establishing a government subsidy toward businesses that exported almost exclusively into Portuguese markets. Many in the parliament were too colored by their frustration with Portugal to notice that their own government's expenditures continued to climb, thereby increasing the already large deficit. The few Portuguese industries left in Spain were slapped with higher taxes than before, which quickly drove them out of business, even with the heavy government subsidies provided to them by Lisbon. Domestic Portuguese industries again stumbled after a brief year of relative success. Prices undercut most Portuguese businesses; though the consumer benefited hugely, the still-unemployed factory workers grew gradually more angered, even as some were hired back as Spanish industrial presence increased. This was a double-edged sword: as more Spanish industries shifted over to production in Portugal, some Spanish workers, too, found themselves out of work. [Portuguese businesses in Spain annihilated, Spanish takeover of Portuguese industries continued, -2% political support to Portugal, -2% political support to Spain]
In a move unexpected by anyone, the Austro-Hungarian government began funding the design and construction of a new dam along the Danube situation on the Serbo-Imperial border that would help to provide electrical power to virtually all of Hungary. Design and construction teams were brought in from the United States at high cost to create one of the most ambitious and powerful dams thus conceived. Romanian diplomats profusely attacked the project as a ploy to economically ruin their country, but their demands and threats went unheeded by Vienna. [Danube Dam in 7 turns, +1 infrastructure in 7 turns to Austria-Hungary]
There were bigger threats to the stability of the Balkans than a simple dam, however. As the NDE (Nationale Deutsche Einheitspartei) seemed to continually grow in support in Austria and Bohemia, new threats emerged. The conclusion of the Balkan War seemed to ignite in the hearts of many others in Austria-Hungary the want of independence, or, at the very least, a great deal of autonomy. Many towns in Transylvania began to break down amid huge protests for unification with the Romanian motherland. Many Muslims and Turks in Novi Pazar rose up and demanded independence less than a few months after their territory was officially handed over by the Ottomans. Serbs and Bosniaks demanded immediately emancipation, with the former proclaiming the need to unite with the regime in Belgrade. While these manifestations never progressed beyond protests – at least before July – that all changed very quickly.
A street in Sarajevo, where shops and buildings were ruined by riots.
Emperor Wilhelm II was not well known for his ability to hold his tongue, and on 19 July he gave a statement broadcast on radio wherein he blamed the Hungarians for the disunity in the Empire and for their attempted seizure of the throne. He further ridiculed the concept of the Dual Monarchy and, in words that could barely pass as vague or uncertain, indirectly suggested that all lands where German-speakers were the majority immediately join the German Empire in a union. This caused an enormous stir in Vienna, with the Common Army (the Landwehr were left out, for obvious reasons) being quietly mobilized in the region and brought to the border with Germany to pre-empt any forced unification that may have been attempted. As the Triple Alliance went down in flames, so too did any chance – in the very near future, anyway – of an Austrian unification with Germany. Even with a series of books, plays, and even short films being released with a pan-German nationalist tinge, it did little to quell the fires of loyalty to King-Emperor Franz Josef. On 28 July several towns in Transylvania reported armed uprisings by local Romanian militias, with dozens killed. The following day a riot in Budapest was violently put down by a battalion of the Honved, triggering smaller riots and urban uprisings throughout Magyar-speaking Transleithania. Widespread protests in Sarajevo threatened to turn violent at every minute, and several bystanders and civilians were bludgeoned to death or severely beaten before intervention by soldiers of the Common Army. On 6 August Franz Josef issued a patriotic speech calling for unity, and end to bloodshed, and a resumption of talks and negotiations to continue to improve the quality of life of all of his subjects. The speech seemingly calmed the nationalist moods for a few days, but a bombing in Debrecen that killed 27 and another confrontation between civilians and the Common Army in Vienna again threatened to destroy the social fabric of the Empire. Amid all of this chaos, the most violent instigators of the NDE disappeared, never to be heard from again. Another government initiative to pour money into Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, and other Balkan nations was cut short, and only a small amount of funding and investment ever escaped the country's coffers before the disturbance of the summer. [-11% political support to Austria-Hungary]
Though the Romanian militias seemingly dispersed before the army arrived, they again appeared, seized the town, and declared all of Austro-Hungarian Transylvania the proper territory of the Kingdom of Romania. Thousands of militiamen answered the call to arms, picking off patrols, liberating other towns, and spreading the “good word”. Unsure of what to do, both the Honved and Common Army were not sent in until three weeks later, after the rebels had established a strong foothold and had achieved a degree of coordination. As the winter began to set in and temperatures dropped, only a few minor and small skirmishes were ever fought. In the south in Novi Pazar and Bosnia, the Common Army, already present in the region, quickly quashed any public demonstrations against rule from Vienna, and remained there for the rest of the year on the orders of the Emperor. [-288 soldiers to Austria-Hungary]
Leading up to the Romanian general election, the National Liberal Party, overseeing economic reform throughout the first decade of the 20th century and the successful conclusion to the wars against Bulgaria and Russia, seemed very strong. However, a power struggle emerged between Prime Minister Sturda and Nicolae Xenopol due to criticism from the latter over the legacy of the two wars and its potential affect on Romania's future diplomatically and economically. Though it seemed the National Liberals might fail to be re-elected, due in large part to staunch vocal criticism from Xenopol and Conservative leader Gheorghe Cantacuzino, they secured strong majorities in both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. However, Sturdza could not continue to serve as Prime Minister; his work was done. He stepped aside and was quickly replaced by his deputy and Foreign Minister, Ion I. C. Brătianu, son of a previous Prime Minister that served in the 1870s and 80s. [National Liberals re-elected, Brătianu made Prime Minister, -11% political support to Romania]
The disastrous performance of the Bulgarian Army in two wars, though admirable, resulted in the essential neutering of the Bulgarian state. Prince Ferdinand was forced to abdicate from the humiliation of the defeats, setting his fourteen year-old son to the throne. The loss of both Southern Dobrudja and Rumelia, to Romania and the Turks respectively, severely weakened the Bulgarian economy and the government's ability to train and maintain a standing army. The National Assembly was reduced in size from 189 to a mere 69 seats. The ruling center-left coalition was complete annihilated in the national elections in 1908, ending one era of Bulgarian politics and beginning another. With several parties dissolving altogether and others merging and consolidating to hold on to the reins of power, the Bulgarian people, enraged and humiliated at their bitter defeat, elected a nationalist coalition of the People's Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, and the National Renewal Party. The People's Liberal Party's leader was the serving Regent, Racho Petrov, a decorated army man and former Chief of the General Staff and Minister of War. The PLP beat out the Conservatives by one seat for the majority of seats within the coalition, and with the coalition winning the majority of Assembly seats, Petrov was made Prime Minister. The most powerful man in Bulgaria, dedicated to the preservation of the armed forces, which had been shrunk in the wake of the war, now had to balance a weak economy and enemies all around. [-4% political support to Bulgaria, Petrov and nationalist coalition elected]
Regent and Prime Minister Racho Petrov, radical Bulgarian nationalist.
Newly-minted Greek Prime Minister Gounaris backed an effort to improve the quality of education of the national bureaucracy, to hopefully pave the way for tax reforms that would shrink the government deficit and streamline the budget overall. The bureaucrat training school in Athens received funds for expansion, physically and personnel wise; a newer, smaller school was opened in Patras later in the year. With luck, these new expenditures would earn Greece the right to be proud of their efficient government (if one could ever exist, that is). [+1 education in 4 turns, +1 administration in 4 turns, +1 administration in 6 turns to Greece, -5% political support because Thessalonika is still Ottoman due to treaty modification]
The Ottoman “victory” in the Balkan War – losing to the Austro-Hungarians and ceding territory to the Greeks, while crushing the Bulgarians and forcing Serbia and Montenegro to accept the status quo – gave the Ottoman government the animus to counteract the dangerous Albanian nationalism that was beginning to spiral out of control. In just a few short months, the Albanians had gone from one of the most loyal ethnic groups within the Empire to one of the most vengeful and liberty-driven. The Grand Vizier appointed a pro-Constantinople Albanian sympathizer, Said Halim Pasha to head the new “Vilayet of Northern Epirus”, squashed in between Greece and the “occupied” lands of Albania. The local governor would have considerable autonomy and authority to meet with local Albanian leaders to produce and enforce policies beneficial to the “unique Albanian cultural situation”. However, travel to this region proved rather difficult, owing to the conflict provided by Albanian and Macedonian revolutionaries, and though maritime travel was mostly safe, it proved somewhat annoying and, in some instances, rather difficult. [+1 administration in 4 turns to Ottomans]
An Ottoman declaration of martial law over the area affected by “Slavic dissidents” granted the Imperial Army broad powers and great authority to quash the rebels and restore absolute order to the region. From the start, the Macedonians struggled to gain popular support for their revolution. Despite many leaflets and propaganda pamphlets, many simply refused to join the socialist-tinged revolution against the Ottomans to form a “national republic” – assuming, of course, they could read the propaganda in the first place. However, what the rebels lacked in local support, they made up for in support from abroad. Socialist revolutionaries operating out of Italy, Austria-Hungary, and elsewhere sent millions of dollars in funds to the revolutionaries through back-channels, bribed soldiers and bureaucrats, and through direct smuggling. Upwards of six-thousand volunteers poured in from the northern Balkans, various places in the central and western Mediterranean, from Russia, Germany, and elsewhere. Tens of thousands of firearms, including mortars and small disassembled artillery pieces, were smuggled in – though their place of origin was unknown, it could be surmised that they did not have to travel a terribly long distance owing to their good condition. It was these efforts alone that kept the rebellion alive long enough to see 1909. An Ottoman advance through Shtip met resistance from harassing riflemen and cavalrymen, with sparse artillery bombardments keeping them on their toes. In the shadow of the mountains, a bloody battle for Veles was fought, resulting in the withdrawal of surviving revolutionaries after forcing heavy casualties on the Turks. The guerrilla nature of the resistance saw a constant harassing of supply lines, and troops popped up to occupy rear areas that had been cleared just days beforehand. In September an offensive toward Prilep stalled when the three Ottoman columns – one near Drenovo, one near Konopishte, and one at Izvor – were ambushed and were forced back with heavy casualties. The mountainous terrain made the pacification of any territory extremely difficult, allowing the rebellion to flourish in the more protected areas away from any threat of Ottoman penetration. [-2% political support to Ottomans, -3,753 soldiers to Ottomans, -1,599 soldiers to Macedonia]
Further to the west, the until-recently fractured Albanian government came together again under Spiridon Ilo, whose offer of the Albanian crown to Grand Duke Boris Romanov was accepted (he arrived in May via steamship; the Ottomans, having let him pass through the Bosphorus, had been unaware of the situation until it was too late). Upon Boris' arrival, Prime Minister Ilo offered his office to Prenk Bib Doda in an effort to unite the disparate Albanian factions and bring all of Albania together under a rather liberal constitutional government. Few promises could be made – and yet fewer kept – as several divisions of Ottoman troops bore down on them in response to their refusal to accept the total authority of Constantinople. The various government offices all packed up and moved to the small town of Bulqize, nestled in a valley between small mountains that would prove extremely difficult to capture. The few Ottoman artillery pieces acquired post-independence were set up to cover the valley's eastern entrance, and conscripted troops were placed so as to have enfilading fields of fire on all the various points of entry of Ottoman forces into the valley. Ottoman forces made a stink of treating the local populace kindly; one instant of rape was punished with summary execution, along with a payment to the violated woman's father and husband. As the rest of northern and southern Albania was still occupied by the Ottomans, the independent government could not draw on the manpower reserves available there. Ottoman troop incursions were limited in size and scope, due to the nature of the rebellion in Macedonia and the immense amount of resources it was soaking up, and by the end of the year the Albanian front mostly became a backwater to both the government and the wider public as a whole. [-846 soldiers to Ottomans, -205 soldiers to Albania, +1 army level to Albania]
The wars of nationalistic fervor throughout Europe were not forgot nor ignored in the Near East. As the third elections of the Second Constitutional Era of the Ottoman Empire neared, controversy broke out between FAP and PUP – the two largest mainstream parties in the House of Commons – and the Armenakan Party, which represented Armenian interests in the government. After a series of killings of Armenian families by “rogue bandits” near Ardahan – who some claimed to actually be Ottoman troops – a local Armenian fedayi leader by the name of Andranik Ozanian led an armed band of fedayi on a hunt that resulted in the execution of the “bandit” leader and his men. News of the great “national victory” poured across the border into Russian Armenia, eliciting a large emigration of fighting-age men with arms to prepare for the total liberation of Armenia from the grip of the Ottoman Empire. Andranik, known for both his charisma and his strategic and tactical ability, quickly became the de-facto leader of the revolutionaries, and after winning the revolution's first large battle against the Turks at Susuz (which led to the liberation of Kars), was named “General-in-Chief” by a council of Armenian leaders, lead mostly by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation but also composed of members of Armenakan as well as conservative religious leaders and statesmen. The Armenian liberation movement gained steam and became a bigger and bigger problem for the Ottomans – and, therefore, it became more and more important to them that it be crushed immediately. [Armenians in revolt, -4% political support to Ottomans, -5,381 soldiers to Ottomans, -2,928 soldiers to Armenia]
Andranik shortly after his victory at the Battle of Susuz.
The inability for the government to put down the various revolts immediately, coupled with the loss of territories in the west (despite the recapture of Rumelia and the disgrace of Bulgaria) greatly angered many voters throughout the Empire. Tack onto that the failures of FAP to properly seek out allies during or shortly after the Balkan War and one had a very slim chance of re-election. Ziya Gökalp, the influential and highly charismatic new Turkist leader of PUP, led his party to a smashing victory in the election, winning government for the first time since the reinstatement of constitutionalism. FAP bled to both PUP and the various other ethnic nationalist parties that had lost faith in civic nationalism, particularly after the nationalistic nightmare that was the Balkan War. The United Muslim League and Ottoman Socialist League, in particular, made noted gains in the number of seats in the Commons. [PUP elected, Ziya Gökalp named Grand Vizier, -8% political support to Ottomans]
The results of the Ottoman general election of 1908: Party of Union and Progress (red-violet), 149; Freedom and Accord Party (light blue), 77; Ottoman Socialist Party (deep red), 15; United Muslim League (lime green), 14; People's Party (blue), 7; Arab Nationalist Party (gray), 6; Serb Democratic League (gold), 4; Armenakan Party (deep purple), 2.
Asia
Shahanshah Mozaffar, coming off the somewhat disastrous continued bureaucratic purges of 1906, shifted his attention away from administrative reform. The Iranian education system was decrepit and extremely outdated and would need enormous reforms and overhauls if it were to prove effective in the rapidly-changing modern era. The Shah dispatched emissaries to various Western countries noted for academic excellence, particularly the United States and United Kingdom, and immediately began implementing his findings. The reforms put the budget under strain and immediately began to bring into question the Shah's intentions on the part of the aristocracy who, having endured two successive purges, were now being forced to witness a series of reforms that could jeopardize their station in the country's politics and economy. [+1 education in 1 turn, +1 education in 4 turns, +1 education in 5 turns, +2 education in 6 turns to Iran, -5% political support to Iran]
The proclamation by the Guangxu Emperor of a Bill of Rights, which guaranteed a series of rights to Qing subjects that were on par with rights guaranteed by the Republicans and the Yuanist regime. Coupled with a new wave of state propaganda aimed at crediting the Republicans and Yuanists with mass starvation, disease, rape, and destruction, it somewhat worked to renew some confidence in the Qing regime. However, many people were simply more occupied with avoiding those fates than with a government edict that would protect one's “right” to “free speech”. [+3% political support to Qing]
The Chilean military mission stepped up its commitment to the Foochow Agreement as the Qing war effort became more and more grim. One Chilean officer would be subjected to having to instruct over a dozen potential new junior and senior officers within a timespan of a month or less – nevermind having to deal with the language barrier – while other officers with some (i.e. extremely little) field experience being sent to give “on-the-job training” to other Qing officers on the frontline. What few weapons the Chileans could spare were sold to the Qing, though it was often not enough to make much of a difference. Still, the desperate efforts of the Chileans did help to give many clueless Qing officers a very basic, if superficial, understanding of modern western-style warfare. [+1 army level to Qing]
To the northeast, the Peking Constitution, written almost entirely by Tang Shaoyi “on the orders of the Emperor”, was implemented, to provide the groundwork for the beginning of government in the regions administered from Peking. Alongside the Constitution was the signing of the Nanking Agreement, establishing a one-year ceasefire between Peking and Shanghai. The Yuanist propaganda machine attempted to spin the ceasefire as President Sun's recognition of Yuan as the one true Emperor and ruler of China, but it confused many people: why were the Republicans not surrendering, thus bringing the south and east under Peking's control? Why was fighting to resume so soon? [+1 administration, +1 administration in 1 turn, +1 administration in 3 turns to Empire of China, -8% political support to Empire of China]
The Qing policy of defense carried over into the new year. While the de-facto capital of Luoyang and the nearby cities of Zhengzhou and Kaifeng held against the Yuanist onslaught, Hongxian's troops – aided indirectly by the spread of the Republican revolutionaries throughout the south – continued to seize more territory. Hongxian personally led his Imperial Guards in a roundabout attack on Luoyang, approaching from the south after capturing Xuchang in late August. Fighting was fierce again along the Zhengzhou-Kaifeng line as reinforced Qing positions bore the brunt of coordinated Yuanist assaults backed up by numerous batteries of heavy artillery which dealt heavy casualties. On 11 September Yuanist troops established a foothold on the southern banks of the Huang He just a few miles west of Kaifeng, and across the river poured tens of thousands of soldiers. The city fell the next day as the Qing defenders surrendered, fled for the hills, or were totally annihilated in brutal close combat. Nearby Qing troops rallied to defend Zhengzhou, as the fall of the city likely meant the capture of Luoyang. General Duan Qirui, Hongxian's Chief of Staff and second-in-command of the elite Imperial Guards Army, continued the push north, as Feng's Army of Peking continually tightened the noose around the Zhengzhou defenders. 20 September saw Yuanists take the northern and southern outskirts of the city, but they were quickly pushed back with Qing reinforcements under the command of Prince Chun from the west. On 29 September, however, despite the commitment of Chun's elite modern corps of soldiers, Yuanist morale and determination was too strong, and the Qing lines collapsed. Chun flew into a fit of rage, berating his incompetent subordinate officers and having several of them executed (to the surprise and disgust of several watching Chilean officers). At that moment Prince Zaitao, heir of the Emperor and a general trained in the Western tradition, arrived and assumed overall command of the Luoyang front, sending Chun back to the capital to organize the last stages of defense. With Hongxian to the south and Feng to the northeast, Zaitao beat a fighting retreat west toward the makeshift imperial capital. He ordered four conscripted divisions – the last in the area that had not cracked or suffered from severe morale or organizational issues in recent months – to take up defensive positions on Mount Song, from which they were to hold off the Yuanist offensive long enough to ensure the completion of the final Luoyang fortifications. The 1st and 9th Divisions of the Imperial Guards attacked from the south on 5 October, expecting to quickly break the Qing defenders, but were surprised to be thrown back by superior numbers. Yuanist troops then bore down on Mount Song – one of the sacred mountains revered in Chinese history – and enacted a brutal siege, ending after a full week and with the slaughter of almost every Qing soldier on the mountain. Casualties were nearly as steep for the Yuanists, but the soldiers had done their job. By the time Yuan attacked Luoyang, the defenses there were indeed very strong, and Zaitao inflicted heavy casualties on the general-turned-Emperor in three battles near Gongyi and Yichuan. By 18 October Yuanist forces, despite very heavy casualties, had broken through the first layers of Qing fortifications. Without Zaitao's knowing, two divisions of Feng's Army of Peking struck from the northwest, attacking that lightly-defended quarter of Luoyang. Amid a Yuanist artillery bombardment, the Guangxu Emperor, suffering from a disease undiagnosed by Qing doctors, was fatally wounded. As he lay dying, he blessed his family and friends, and delivered a weak cheer for a strong and prosperous China in the future before expiring. Later that day, a courier delivered the news to Zaitao, overseeing the defense of a short ridgeline east of the capital, that he had become Emperor following his elder brother's death. The twenty-one year-old general and now Emperor, who was fighting China's greatest commander almost to a standstill, was slow to react. After an hour of pondering the news in his personal command tent, he emerged to order the evacuation of Luoyang, with the court and imperial family members fleeing to Xi'an. The body of the Emperor was brought with those fleeing, and he was later buried at the new makeshift capital. Zaitao fought several disengaging actions west as October melted into November, but they were relatively few in casualties. The Luoyang Campaign was over, and the Yuanists had won. [-5% political support to Qing, Guangxu Emperor dead, Zaitao succeeds to the throne; +2 infantry divisions to Empire of China, +3% political support to Empire of China, -89,357 soldiers to Qing, -79,111 soldiers to Empire of China]
Preparations for a Yuanist parade in Luoyang after its capture.
To the south, Yuanist and Republican armies were in a scramble to seize as much Qing territory as possible. The March proclamation by Guangxu to give “not one inch” to the rebels perhaps aided in delaying the advance, but it could not prevent it. Wu Peifu and Zhou Ziqi orchestrated a blistering and merciless campaign to the northern shores of Poyang Lake, where they met and shook hands with Republican troops. Qing generals Tang Jiyao and Long Yun were tasked with heading a minor expeditionary force of well-trained and equipped soldiers to liberate the eastern Zhejiang pocket and drive a wedge between Republicans in the south and east. The offensive met with marginal success in the beginning, with the army making it all the way to Shangrao before being beaten back by the Republicans. In early August, with Yuanists bearing down on Luoyang and new problems in Qinghai, the offensive was called off. The Qing pocket along the coast shrunk, but still held on. The last remnants of the Qing Navy found refuge in the port city of Taichow. [-26,488 soldiers to Qing, -30,589 soldiers to Republic of China]
General Lu, originally tasked with energetically assaulting Hui forces in Qinghai near the city of Xining, found himself increasingly at odds with both his superiors and his orders. To him, the Qing dynasty was collapsing – what was the purpose of putting up the facade of order and authority? On 5 June he issued a proclamation to his troops urging them to reconsider their allegiance to the Dragon Throne. While he was vague in his overall goals, his officers were able to deduce his intentions: to peel his entire army off from the Qing and march east, under the Republican banner, and attack the Qing capital from the rear. When he was confronted by the loyalists among his staff, he and his few allies fled south to Republican lines, quickly being accepted with open arms and being offered commissions as full ranking officers. With his home province now firmly under Republican control, he could fight with the passion of one defending his homestead. Minor Hui attacks on the army formerly belonging to Lu were mostly held back, though Ma family control in the rest of Qinghai expanded significantly. Similarly, Governor Yang, loyal to Yuan's regime in Peking, tasked General Ma Fuxing to encircle Urumqi and capture it, thereby seizing its valuable resources (mostly its population). Fighting picked up here and was more brutal than expected, but by early September Qing resistance collapsed, and the last – and largest – major urban center in Sinkiang fell to the Yuanists. At roughly the same time, some small shipments from private arms companies in the United States made their way to Republican ports; while it was not enough to fully re-equip the National Revolutionary Army, it gave them a taste of the more modern weaponry to come. [-1 infantry division to Qing, Lu Rongting defects to Republicans, -7,173 soldiers to Qing, -2,005 soldiers to Empire of China, -1,849 soldiers to Republic of China, 1903 army tech to Republic of China]
With the rapid collapse of Qing authority across the country, and with region after region falling firmly into the grasp of one of several warring factions, a new group took arms and put their own skin in the game. For years, various Mongolian princes had spoken amongst themselves about the possibility of independence; now, with the Qing seemingly in their death throes, they could risk the move. Tögs-Ochiryn Namnansüren, a wealth and influential prince that claimed descent from Genghis Khan himself, convinced the Bogd Khan, the spiritual and religious leader of the Mongolian people, to convene a council of the leading princes and aristocrats of the country to determine their people's fate. They opted unanimously for independence, with the assumption that they would receive full diplomatic and material backing from St. Petersburg and potentially the Japanese (though it was unknown if this would actually occur). The Bogd Khaanate was officially pronounced several days later, with the Bogd Khan as its Khagan. Tögs took on the role of Prime Minister, quickly organizing the first pieces of a state bureaucracy while bringing together various princes to form the backbone of the new Mongolian army. [Mongolia in revolt, -2% political support to Qing]
The new spiritual leader of the Mongolian people, Bogd Khan, now ruling directly for the first time in centuries.
The Korean Emperor sought to continue his streak of modernizing his country by offering significant subsidies to companies wishing to construct railroads across the country. Subsidies for local companies would total 20% of the projected cost, while foreign companies would find 10% of their costs paid for. The sole domestic rail company, Royal Korean Rail, found itself overburdened by pressures from the government to construct a railroad, and so it was quickly bought out and renamed Korea Government Railway, receiving an enormous amount of funds. A modern rail, and tributary minor lines, was planned to be built between Seoul and Pusan, and some foreign rail companies – primarily those that had built the Northwestern Railway and the Seoul-Chemulpo Railroad – financed further projects in both the north and south. It did not come out cheap for the Korean government's coffers. [+1 infrastructure in 3 turns, +1 infrastructure in 4 turns, +1 infrastructure in 5 turns to Korea]
To combat the large deficit and even larger national debt, social liberals in the Imperial Diet introduced a proposal to create a national land value tax which would be implemented in a series of steps over the next two years. Each year, two new brackets of landowners, categorized by the total value of all property owned, would have a period of six months to sell their land to the government at market price, thereby escaping the land value tax altogether. While staunchly opposed by nearly all conservatives, they were enticed by the possibility of lowering the staggering deficit and alleviating the average Japanese subject's share of the national debt. Prime Minister Saionji did little in the way of promoting the bill by personally winning over party leaders and deputies, but miraculously it passed by just a few votes. Most aristocrats understandably did not sell their land, thereby both improving government receipts and opening up large swathes of land to be sold and developed on the market. [+1 administration in 2 turns to Japan, land value tax introduced]
The end of the Taiwan rebellion left much to be desired of the Imperial armed forces. The IJA was largely spent and its prestige heavily damaged. The Imperial Navy had lost all of its capital ships during the Russo-Japanese War. To make up for this startling deficiency in warships, the government oversaw the purchasing of a large fleet of older vessels from both Italy and the United Kingdom. While these ships would likely not stand a chance against the newest American, Italian, British, or French dreadnoughts, they could certainly do their part in enforcing Japanese policies in the East. [+4% political support to Japan, +7 pre-dreadnoughts, +4 armored cruisers, +7 light cruisers, +6 destroyers, +2 submarines to Japan, -2 pre-dreadnoughts, -2 light cruisers, -6 destroyers, -2 submarines to Italy, -5 pre-dreadnoughts, -4 armored cruisers, -5 light cruisers to UK, - $ 225 m. to Japan, + $ 25 m. to Italy, + $ 200 m. to UK]
The first election to take place in Japan after the expansion of the franchise to all men of voting age, regardless of education or property ownership, saw a triumphant victory for the liberals. The conservatives, still thrashed and badly beaten after the humiliating defeat against the Russians, struggled to win support from the various parties that had pushed through universal suffrage – however, some independent deputies blamed the liberal government for the disastrous military campaigns on Taiwan that lasted several years. After the liberal coalition was re-elected with a slightly slimmer yet still healthy majority, Saionji tendered his resignation to the Emperor, who accepted it and offered the post to Ozaki Yukio, former Minister of Education and the darling of the liberal political elite for his principled politics. Despite all of these tidings of good joy for the liberals, nationalism was on the rise even more than ever before, and many people demanded that Japan restore her pride and dignity on the world stage. Had a new era come to Japan with the successes of the liberal government in 1908? [Liberals re-elected, Ozaki Yukio named Prime Minister, +3% political support to Japan]
Americas
Emboldened by his rising Presidential campaign and his broad support, President Roosevelt maked use of his bully pulpit to continue to advocate for Congress to pass funding for the new Lexington-class battlecruisers, another revolutionary capital ship design. Roosevelt touted the idea of a battlecruiser as the natural next step in naval warfare innovation, which would give the USN a superior position over all the navies of the other great powers. When the legislation was introduced into the House of Representatives, several skeptics from both parties quarreled over its lack of armor, which many deemed horribly insufficient. Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon of Illinois was adamant in passing the bill as presented, confident that the funding levels for the three trial ships, as well as five Smith-class destroyers, would not be a significant drain on the budget, and that the ships would perform well regardless of their specifications. The House passed the bill as stated in late August, and the Senate deliberated for a week in September before finally passing it and sending it to President Roosevelt, who quickly signed it into law, fulfilling his desires for continued naval expansion and a strengthening of America's naval forces. [+3 battlecruisers in 4 turns, +5 destroyers in 1 turn to US]
Congress was not just focused on matters of naval affairs. A select committee was set up, at the urging of progressives and reform-minded Republicans, to investigate mining disasters that had been taking place across the country in recent years. With the anthracite coal strike still in everyone's mind from just a few years previous, there was broad-based support for increased regulation and measures to prevent unneeded injuries to Americans who helped fuel the ticking engine that was the American economy. With the support of President Roosevelt, a coalition of reformists from both parties saw legislation passed that established the United States Bureau of Mines, which would begin operations in 1910, after funds for research and more regulatory authority would be delineated to it. [+1 administration in 3 turns to US, +6% political support to US]
Fresh off his electoral victory, President Roosevelt wasted no time bringing more of his brand of reforms to the United States. One particular issue he felt strongly about – as evidenced by many years of his pushing progressive reforms through the Congress – was the welfare of the people as a whole. Inspired by the horrid conditions that people, both black and white, felt in the South, as well as the working conditions that were horrid across northern factory cities, the President felt it necessary to bring in reform from the top down, rather than working with the states, as in previous years. Working with like-minded reformers, legislation was drafted that called for the establishment of the National Health Service, which would combine all current medical agencies operated or funded by the government. For many Democrats in Congress, this was a tough sell. Many other Democrats were surprisingly interested in the proposal, with a large amount of interest in crafting eligibility requirements for any National Health Services. One measure that was attached to it was tied to a person's ability to vote, granting them and their family access to any of these services. This measure could, of course, be modified by the states at their whims.
President Roosevelt explaining his support for the National Health Service in Washington, DC, late November.
While this was very agreeable to many legislators, how to pay for it was not. President Roosevelt asked that it be possible for the United States government to levy a tax on income, much as it had done during the Civil War to sustain the Union war effort against the rebellious Southern states. Now, he was proposing it as a means of paying for other government actions that went beyond what many thought were the logical limits of government. Many Democrats attacked Roosevelt for attempting to enact a “dictatorship” through legal means and for expanding government authority beyond what was permitted by the Constitution. The legislation, while proposed in both the House and Senate, did not get much traction in committee, and was dead by the end of the year. The National Health Service legislation was, however, passed on the last day of 1908 during a special session of Congress, awaiting the President's signature. The only problem remaining was there was no way to pay for the system. [+2 health & welfare in 4 turns to US once signed by Roosevelt, -2% political support to US]
The issue of the pay of both the Mexican Army and the rurales police force had become notorious in government circles. The pay was so low that recruits in both the army and rurales would often service just half of their four year term of enlistment – or less. President Díaz ushered through the Congress several bills pertaining to the pay of enlisted men in both services, wishing to both improve the morale and retention rate of ranking soldiers. The President mandated to his higher-ranking officers to reform the army training doctrine and stiffening up discipline among its ranks. [Mexican army and rurales morale improved, +2% political support to Mexico, +1 army level in 1 turn]
The seventy-eight year-old President announced that presidential elections would occur two years earlier than scheduled, and his proclamation was quickly followed by an act of the Congress to change the election date in anticipation of the event. Díaz expected to sail to victory, but was suddenly challenged by a scion of a very wealthy landowning family, Francisco Madero, who issued a call to “social justice” and reforms to Mexico's virtually non-existent industrial regulations system. Four weeks before election day, after a fierce few months of campaigning, Madero fell strangely ill and began suffering from symptoms not related to fatigue, including, after several medical exams, extreme stomach pain, the urination of blood, diarrhea, severe headaches, and extensive vomiting (including, in some causes, the expulsion of blood). Madero was quickly diagnosed by two visiting American doctors as suffering from arsenic poisoning; however, it was ruled that the dosage given to him was insufficient to cause him death. As he recovered in the city of San Luis Potosí, he wrote, mostly in bed, the “San Luis Potosí Plan”, which, among other things, declared any potential re-election of Díaz illegal and called for “free suffrage and no re-election”. Though Madero had largely recovered by the day of the election, Díaz was announced has having been astoundingly re-elected with over 93% of all votes cast. However, Madero's promises of general social and economic reform – hinting at apparent plans to take back foreign- and wealth-owned Mexican land, thereby instituting sweeping pro-poor land reform – were not lost on the poorest of the poor. Throughout the country there boiled under the surface rebellious tensions which threatened to break loose.
On 20 November, several dozen armed men stormed the post office in Cuautla in the state of Morelos. Led by a charismatic young man by the name of Emiliano Zapata Salazar, the men proclaimed the “liberation of Mexico” and an end to Díaz's tyrannical and seemingly-unending rule of the country. Townspeople quickly grabbed their guns and came to stand by them, and when a detachment of Federal Army troops arrived they were quickly pushed back after a brief gun battle. News of the “Battle of Cuautla” spread like wildfire throughout the country. In the north a man of similar youth and charisma, going by the name of Francisco Villa, gained fame for seizing a government train of arms and money in the town of San Andrés and capturing over fifty soldiers sent to arrest him. Madero called for an open rebellion to topple the President and institute a new and free government, naming himself (to general support) Provisional President and being appointed as full General “by acclamation”. Hundreds of rurales and soldiers flocked to his banner around the town of Casas Grandes in Chihuahua. Revolution had come to Mexico. [Mexican Revolution begun, -152 soldiers to Mexico, -7% political support to Mexico]
A band of revolutionaries in northern Mexico, armed with family rifles and a makeshift cannon.
The Argentine government took continued interest in the modernization and upgrade of its military. The British Royal Army, which was undergoing serious reforms and a new modernization program, served as the model for the Argentine Army. Several arms deals saw tens of thousands of Lee-Enfields and over one-hundred artillery pieces shipped to the country throughout the first half of the year; later months involved deals regarding the purchase of new naval arms with improved accuracy, range, and firepower over the weapons currently mounted on the navy's ships. While it certainly proved expensive, both the Army and Navy significantly improved their firepower. [ - $ 260 m. to Argentina, 1904 army tech to Argentina, 1904 naval tech to Argentina]
Africa
Morocco experienced increased diplomatic pressure by the Spanish government throughout the year, with heated discussions over trade and investment taking place. The Riffian Berber tribes were also paid visits by Spanish diplomats and army officers; while the content of these discussions were unknown, it certainly caused a stir in Moroccan politics shortly thereafter. In October the Rif tribes, turning against their once-allies in the Melilla War just a decade or so previous, began attacking Moroccan outposts in the Rif mountains. Several barracks were burned down and over two-hundred Moroccan troops killed in just several weeks, and as the year turned to 1909 tensions continued to heat up as Morocco refused Spanish demands for most favored nation status in all Moroccan population centers. There were often gunbattles within hearing distance of the border guards in Spanish Melilla. Would the Spanish intervene to stop the fighting and enforce their demands? [Riffian people in Morocco in revolt]
The Italian assumption of colonial authority over both eastern Somalia and Tunisia was hailed as a great victory in the game of empire by the Italian public. Continued immigration to the Italian colonial holdings – primarily Libya, and now Tunisia, too – saw new labor in these desert oases. Army survey teams scouted out the best possible areas of defense in the event the French would ever come over the border to reclaim their old colonies. Investment continued to flow from Italy proper like a waterfall, and though it often did not reap the results the government would have liked, Tunisia and Libya still underwent a continued and drawn-out process of development economically and infrastructurally. [Libya and Tunisia under going continued development]
Menelik II, one of the great absolutist rulers of the world and famous in the West for his victory against the Italians, proclaimed through imperial decree a great bureaucratic reform. Menelik carved out of his realm a series of administrative states, led by governors appointed by Addis Ababa to deal with local issues. Governors were, in theory, to be appointed solely on merit alone, and would completely disregard favors provided by the aristocrats to the Emperor. While it would still prove to be almost impossible for any skilled man to become governor, it opened up the possibility for lower-ranking nobles and even wealthy non-nobles to reach the post. A slew of new bureaus, modeled on European examples, were created, with ministers appointed to serve at the Emperor's pleasure and to advise him on their areas of expertise: foreign relations, government finances, war, trade and commerce, and a few others. Higher-ranking aristocrats, while angered over the Emperor's move with the governorships, were mostly placated with the creation of these offices, which received substantial funding. [-5% political support to Ethiopia, +1 administration in 1 turn, +1 administration in 2 turns, +2 administration in 5 turns to Ethiopia]
Habte Giyorgis Dinagde, newly-minted Ethiopian Minister of War.
Other events
William Henry Hartnell, Simone Lucie Ernestine Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir, Ruggiero Eugenio di Rodolfo Colombo, Edward Teller, Günther Prien, Lev Davidovich Landau, Stéphane Grappelli, Edwin Duncan Sandys, Millicent Lilian Entwistle, Eugen Weidmann, Clarence Linden Crabbe II, Bo Yibo, Rómulo Ernesto Betancourt Bello, John Mills, William McMahon, Reginald Carey Harrison, George Rodger, Frank Nicholas Stanton, Louis Dearborn L'Amour, Abraham Harold Maslow, Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr., Ruth Elizabeth Davis, Heribert Ritter von Karajan, Percy Faith, Lionel Leo Hampton, Egbert Roscoe Murrow, Oskar Schindler, Eve Arden, James Maitland Stewart, Ian Lancaster Fleming, Melvin Jerome Blanc, Francisco Marto, Alfons Vilhelm Robert Rebane, Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens, William Fife Knowland, Thurgood Marshall, Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, Harold Edward Holt, Arthur Joseph Goldberg, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Lev Semyonovich Pontryagin, Richard Nathaniel Wright, Victor Amazaspovich Ambartsumian, Charles Hazlitt Upham, Jane Alice Peters, Enver Halil Hoxha, Ilya Mikhailovich Frank, Arturo Frondizi Ercoli, Dmitriy Feodorovich Ustinov, William Felix Knight, Giovanni Leone, Harry Andrew Blackmun, Joseph Raymond McCarthy, Claude Lévi-Strauss, Lester Joseph Gillis, and Simon Wiesenthal are born.
Albert Einstein, a leading figure in theoretical physics, is granted a lectureship position at the University of Bern.
For the first time a long-distance radio signal is sent from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
A kerosene lamp, accidentally knocked over during a play at the Rhoads Opera House in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, starts a fire that claims the lives of 171 people.
The New York to Paris Race begins.
Frederick Cook claims to have reached the North Pole. His claims later came into serious dispute, and remain controversial to this day.
Witnesses in the Siberian wilderness claim to see a streak of fire through the sky, which is later connected to the leveling of an enormous amount of forested woodland near the Tunguska Rier.
A typhoon strikes Hong Kong; significant damage is done to the city, and the storm is so severe that it sinks the passenger liner Ying King, killing over 400 passengers.
Wilbur Wright successfully dispels the belief in Europe that his initial 1903 flight was a hoax by demonstrating several flights in France in more sophisticated aircraft.
The film "Fantasmagorie" is released by Émile Cohl; it is later remembered for being the first animated cartoon recording.
In the flight that claimed the life of Thomas Selfridge, the first casualty from airflight, Orville Wright is severely wounded.
Henry Ford produces the first unit of his automobile design, named the Model T, notable for its creation on the assembly line.
Leopold II of Belgium ends his personal control over the Congo Free State and turns it over to administration under the Belgian government.
Messina and Reggia Calabria are severely damaged in a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that kills tens of thousands.
The skeleton of a 40,000 year-old Neanderthal is discovered in southwestern France.
Ferdinand IV of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, the final ruling Grand Duke of Tuscany (r. 1859 -- 1860); John Hope, former Governor of Victoria (and OTL first Governor-General of Australia); Henry Campbell-Bannerman, leading Liberal figure (and OTL Prime Minister from 1905 to 1908); Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad, highly influential Muslim theologian and religious leader; Frederick Stanley, a former Governor-General of Canada; Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States (and the only man to serve two full non-consecutive terms); Thomas Selfridge, the first man to be killed in the crash of a powered aircraft; and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; die.
Last edited:
1909
Kingdom of Albania
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Grand Duke Boris (uncrowned)/Prime Minister Prenk Bib Doda
Ideology: National liberalism
Alignment: None
Capital: Bulqize
Political stability: 58%
Population: 0.623 m. (1.2% growth)
GDP: $ 436 m. (1.7% growth), $ 696 per capita [full mobilization]
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 13 m.
Expenditures: $ 24 m.
Balance: $ - 11 m.
Treasury: $ - 6 m.
Infrastructure: (1/5) Poor
Administration: (4/5) Failing
Education: (3/5) Failing
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 8%
National Defense
Manpower: 11,318
Army: (1/5) Poor, 1904 technology
1 infantry division, 0 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [1 infantry mobilized]
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1897 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Ab Ovo
Argentine Republic
Politics & Economy
Government: Federal constitutional republic
Leader(s): President José Figueroa Alcorta
Ideology: Conservative
Alignment: Uspallatan Alliance
Capital: Buenos Aires
Political stability: 79%
Population: 8.050 m. (3.5% growth)
GDP: $ 20,492 m. (3.4% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, boom, market economy, $ 2,546 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 604 m.
Expenditures: $ 893 m.
Balance: $ - 289 m.
Treasury: $ - 11,584 m.
Infrastructure: (2/5) Average
Administration: (4/5) Poor
Education: (3/5) Poor
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 64%
National Defense
Manpower: 127,216
Army: (4/5) Average, 1904 technology [war games every odd year w/Chile] [+1 in 2 turns]
7 infantry divisions, 2 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Average, 1904 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 2 pre-dreadnoughts, 4 armored cruisers, 3 light cruisers, 7 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Arrowfiend
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Politics & Economy
Government: Dual constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): King-Emperor Franz Josef/Minister-President Ernest von Koerber/Prime Minister Albert Apponyi de Nagyappony
Ideology: Conservative populist & Austrian nationalist/Classical liberal & Hungarian nationalist
Alignment: Central Powers (???)
Capital: Wien
Political stability: 44%
Population: 60.360 m. (1.8% growth)
GDP: $ 121,166 m. (3.0% growth)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, boom, market economy, $ 1,984 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 4,212 m.
Expenditures: $ 5,399 m.
Balance: $ - 1,187 m.
Treasury: $ - 53,714 m.
Infrastructure: (1/5) Good [+1 in 7 turns] [Danube Dam in 7 turns]
Administration: (1/5) Average
Education: (3/5) Average
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 63%
National Defense
Manpower: 326,383
Army: (3/5) Average, 1903 technology [+1 in 2 turns]
40 infantry divisions, 9 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 4 mountain divisions=
Navy: (4/5) Poor, 1900 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 9 pre-dreadnoughts, 3 armored cruisers, 10 light cruisers, 21 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Dadarian
United States of Brazil
Politics & Economy
Government: Federal constitutional republic
Leader(s): President Nilo Peçanha
Ideology: Radical republicanism & social liberalism/centrist liberalism
Alignment: None
Capital: Rio de Janeiro
Political stability: 59%
Population: 22.547 m. (2.6% growth)
GDP: $ 17,569 m. (4.7% growth) [settlement & development of interior]
Economic status: Agrarian, boom, market economy, $ 764 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 426 m.
Expenditures: $ 1,284 m.
Balance: $ - 858 m.
Treasury: $ - 11,172 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Poor
Administration: (2/5) Poor
Education: (3/5) Poor
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 36%
National Defense
Manpower: 195,850
Army: (1/5) Poor, 1898 technology
6 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (3/5) Poor, 1897 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 4 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 5 light cruisers, 11 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: luc124
Principality of Bulgaria
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Prince Boris III/Regent & Prime Minister Racho Petrov
Ideology: National conservatism & militarism
Alignment: Allied Powers (???)
Capital: Sofiya
Political stability: 58%
Population: 2.184 m. (1.1% growth)
GDP: $ 3,336 m. (-1.2% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, depression, market economy, $ 1,528 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 121 m.
Expenditures: $ 398 m. [+ $ 100 m. reparations to Ottomans until 1912]
Balance: $ - 277 m.
Treasury: $ - 3,080 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Poor
Administration: (1/5) Average
Education: (3/5) Average [+1 in 2 turns]
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 62%
National Defense
Manpower: 37,185
Army: (4/5) Poor, 1897 technology
2 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Average, 1900 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: LatinKaiser
Chilean Republic
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional republic
Leader(s): President Pedro Elías Pablo Montt Montt
Ideology: Classical liberalism & nationalism
Alignment: Uspallatan Alliance
Capital: Santiago
Political stability: 64%
Population: 3.315 m. (1.6% growth)
GDP: $ 8,367 m. (2.9% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy, $ 2,524 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 319 m.
Expenditures: $ 614 m.
Balance: $ - 295 m.
Treasury: $ - 3,361 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Average
Administration: (2/5) Average
Education: (3/5) Poor
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 48%
National Defense
Manpower: 70,995
Army: (2/5) Average, 1902 technology [war games every odd year w/Argentina]
3 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (3/5) Poor, 1897 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 4 armored cruisers, 4 light cruisers, 6 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Julius Maximus
Empire of the Great Qing
Politics & Economy
Government: Absolute monarchy
Leader(s): Prince Zaitao (uncrowned)
Ideology: Modernization
Alignment: None
Capital: Xi'an
Political stability: 33%
Population: 138.998 m. (0.1% growth)
GDP: $ 39,556 m. (-3.0% growth) [full mobilization]
Economic status: Agrarian, depression, mixed economy, $ 283 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 1,418 m.
Expenditures: $ 6,703 m.
Balance: $ - 5,285 m.
Treasury: $ - 23,685 m.
Infrastructure: (1/5) Poor
Administration: (1/5) Poor
Education: (3/5) Failing
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 5%
National Defense
Manpower: 2,991,318
Army: (1/5) Poor, 1902 technology [+3 in 1 turn, +1 in 2 turns]
52 infantry divisions, 14 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [5 infantry, 1 cavalry modern; 11 infantry, 2 cavalry semi-modern] [16 infantry, 3 cavalry mobilized] [+1 modern infantry, +1 modern cavalry in 1 turn]
Navy: (4/5) Failing, 1895 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 5 armored cruisers, 4 light cruisers, 6 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Rolman99
Empire of China
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary “constitutional” monarchy
Leader(s): Hongxian Emperor/Chancellor Tang Shaoyi
Ideology: Conservative nationalism & modernization
Alignment: None
Capital: Peking
Political stability: 45%
Population: 71.596 m. (0.3% growth)
GDP: $ 45,740 m. (-2.5% growth) [full mobilization]
Economic status: Agrarian, depression, mixed economy, $ 639 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 1,563 m.
Expenditures: $ 3,031 m.
Balance: $ - 1,468 m.
Treasury: $ - 7,251 m.
Infrastructure: (2/5) Poor
Administration: (1/5) Poor [+1 in 1 turn, +1 in 3 turns]
Education: (2/5) Failing
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 4%
National Defense
Manpower: 991,374
Army: (4/5) Poor, 1898 technology
36 infantry divisions, 8 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [5 infantry, 1 cavalry modern; 4 infantry semi-modern] [21 infantry, 6 cavalry mobilized]
Navy: (3/5) Failing, 1895 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Korona
Republic of China
Politics & Economy
Government: Provisional constitutional republic
Leader(s): Provisional President Sun Yat-sen/Premier Lin Sen
Ideology: Socialist nationalism & republicanism
Capital: Shanghai
Political stability: 63%
Population: 209.481 m. (0.1% growth)
GDP: $ 125,381 m. (-3.0% growth) [full mobilization]
Economic status: Agrarian, depression, mixed economy, $ 599 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 2,956 m.
Expenditures: $ 4,288 m.
Balance: $ - 1,332 m.
Treasury: $ - 1,994 m.
Infrastructure: (1/5) Poor
Administration: (1/5) Poor
Education: (4/5) Failing
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 6%
National Defense
Manpower: 5,385,990
Army: (2/5) Poor, 1903 technology
30 infantry divisions, 5 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [28 infantry, 3 cavalry mobilized]
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1880 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: oxfordroyale
Ethiopian Empire
Politics & Economy
Government: Absolute monarchy
Leader(s): Emperor Menelik II
Ideology: Moderate modernization
Alignment: None
Capital: Addis Ababa
Political stability: 71%
Population: 4.656 m. (1.6% growth)
GDP: $ 2,439 m. (1.0% growth), $ 524 per capita
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, mixed economy
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 48 m.
Expenditures: $ 69 m.
Balance: $ - 21 m.
Treasury: $ - 929 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Failing
Administration: (1/5) Poor [+1 in 1 turn, +1 in 2 turns, +2 in 5 turns]
Education: (2/5) Failing
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 5%
National Defense
Manpower: 70,196
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1896 technology
2 infantry divisions, 0 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 1 mountain division
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1850 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: baboushreturns
French Republic
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional republic
Leader(s): President Noël Édouard de Castelnau/Premier Joseph Marie Philippe Thierry
Ideology: Catholic conservatism/Social liberalism
Alignment: Allied Powers
Capital: Paris
Political stability: 61%
Population: 46.328 m. (1.0% growth)
GDP: $ 129,141 m. (-2.3% growth) [colonial infrastructure project in 1 turn]
Economic status: Industrial, depression, market economy, $ 2,788 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 6,761 m.
Expenditures: $ 9,416 m.
Balance: $ - 2,655 m.
Treasury: $ - 53,913 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Good
Administration: (3/5) Good
Education: (3/5) Good
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Poor
Literacy rate: 83%
National Defense
Manpower: 256,183
Army: (2/5) Good, 1906 technology
29 infantry divisions, 8 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 3 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Good, 1904 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 11 pre-dreadnoughts, 12 armored cruisers, 26 light cruisers, 48 destroyers, 11 submarines, 7 airships [+2 dreadnoughts in 1 turn, +2 dreadnoughts in 2 turns]
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Maxwell500
German Empire
Politics & Economy
Government: Federal constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): King-Emperor Wilhelm II/Chancellor Arthur von Posadowsky-Wehner
Ideology: Conservatism & nationalism
Alignment: Central Powers
Capital: Berlin
Political stability: 57%
Population: 62.197 m. (1.5% growth)
GDP: $ 197,940 m. (-1.3% growth)
Economic status: Industrial, recession, market economy, $ 3,183 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 7,776 m. [+ $ 1,470 m. reparations from Russia until 1916]
Expenditures: $ 8,581 m.
Balance: $ - 805 m.
Treasury: $ - 99,999 m.
Infrastructure: (1/5) Excellent
Administration: (2/5) Excellent
Education: (1/5) Excellent
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Average
Literacy rate: 90%
National Defense
Manpower: 399,574
Army: (2/5) Excellent, 1907 technology
42 infantry divisions, 10 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 3 mountain divisions, 10 Zeppelins
Navy: (3/5) Average, 1904 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 12 pre-dreadnoughts, 10 armored cruisers, 22 light cruisers, 50 destroyers, 30 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Sneakyflaps
Kingdom of Greece
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leaders(s): King George/Prime Minister Dimitrios Gounaris
Ideology: National conservatism
Alignment: None
Capital: Athína
Political stability: 53%
Population: 6.884 m. (12.8% growth)
GDP: $ 8,486 m. (7.1% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy, $ 1,233 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 274 m.
Expenditures: $ 572 m.
Balance: $ - 298 m.
Treasury: $ - 4,175 m.
Infrastructure: (4/5) Poor
Administration: (3/5) Poor [+1 in 4 turns, +1 in 6 turns]
Education: (1/5) Poor [+1 in 2 turns, +1 in 4 turns]
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 28%
National Defense
Manpower: 61,463
Army: (4/5) Average, 1897 technology
5 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 1 mountain division
Navy: (1/5) Average, 1898 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 3 armored cruisers, 3 light cruisers, 10 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Mikkel Glahder
Sublime State of Iran
Politics & Economy
Government: Absolute monarchy
Leader(s): Shāhanshāh Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar
Ideology: Conservatism & modernization
Alignment: None
Capital: Tehrān
Political stability: 53%
Population: 11.293 m. (1.3% growth)
GDP: $ 11,513 m. (1.5% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, mixed economy, $ 1,020 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 264 m.
Expenditures: $ 337 m.
Balance: $ - 73 m.
Treasury: $ - 704 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Poor
Administration: (2/5) Poor [+1 in 2 turns, +1 in 4 turns, +1 in 6 turns] [corruption campaign in 3 turns]
Education: (3/5) Failing [+1 in 1 turn, +1 in 4 turns, +1 in 5 turns, +2 in 6 turns]
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 9%
National Defense
Manpower: 56,078
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1892 technology
2 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [1 cavalry modern]
Navy: (2/5) Failing, 1885 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: keldonia_skylar
Kingdom of Italy
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): King Umberto/Prime Minister Sidney Sonnino
Ideology: Conservatism
Alignment: Central Powers
Capital: Roma
Political stability: 73%
Population: 39.068 m. (1.7% growth)
GDP: $ 70,183 m. (-1.3% growth)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, depression, market economy, $ 1,796 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 3,007 m.
Expenditures: $ 4,458 m.
Balance: $ - 1,451 m.
Treasury: $ - 40,429 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Good
Administration: (4/5) Average
Education: (3/5) Average
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Poor [+1 in 6 turns]
Literacy rate: 72%
National Defense
Manpower: 275,112
Army: (4/5) Average, 1905 technology [+1 in 2 turns]
26 infantry divisions, 5 cavalry divisions, 2 marine divisions, 4 mountain divisions
Navy: (4/5) Average, 1905 technology [+1 in 2 turns]
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 9 pre-dreadnoughts, 8 armored cruisers, 7 light cruisers, 31 destroyers, 11 submarines [+2 dreadnoughts in 1 turn, +2 dreadnoughts in 2 turns (UK), +4 light cruisers in 1 turn (UK), +1 light cruiser in 1 turn]
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: jacob-Lundgren
Greater Japanese Empire
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Emperor Meiji/Prime Minister Ozaki Yukio
Ideology: National liberalism
Alignment: None
Capital: Tōkyō
Political stability: 62%
Population: 48.906 m. (1.7% growth)
GDP: $ 65,039 m. (4.5% growth)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, boom, market economy, $ 1,330 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 2,489 m.
Expenditures: $ 5,301 m. [+ $ 1,200 m. reparations to Russia until 1914]
Balance: $ - 2,812 m.
Treasury: $ - 73,996 m.
Infrastructure: (4/5) Average
Administration: (1/5) Good [+1 in 2 turns]
Education: (3/5) Average [+1 in 2 turns]
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Poor [+2 in 3 turns]
Literacy rate: 93%
National Defense
Manpower: 306,065
Army: (4/5) Average, 1900 technology
16 infantry divisions, 4 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Good, 1899 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 7 pre-dreadnoughts, 4 armored cruisers, 12 light cruisers, 15 destroyers, 2 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: riccardo93
Great Korean Empire
Politics & Economy
Government: Absolute monarchy
Leader(s): Gwangmu Emperor
Ideology: Modernization
Alignment: None
Capital: Seoul
Political stability: 69%
Population: 13.906 m. (1.3% growth)
GDP: $ 11,474 m. (1.2% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy, $ 825 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 238 m.
Expenditures: $ 169 m.
Balance: $ 69 m.
Treasury: $ - 373 m.
Infrastructure: (2/5) Poor [+1 in 3 turns, +1 in 4 turns, +1 in 5 turns]
Administration: (4/5) Poor
Education: (1/5) Average [+1 in 1 turn]
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 9%
National Defense
Manpower: 269,763
Army: (4/5) Poor, 1891 technology
3 infantry divisions, 0 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1895 technology [semi-modern ports in 1 turn]
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Duke Dan “the Man”
United Mexican States
Politics & Economy
Government: Authoritarian constitutional republic
Leader(s): President Porfirio Díaz
Ideology: Laissez-faire conservatism & “Mexican” nationalism
Alignment: None
Capital: Ciudad de México
Political stability: 42%
Population: 15.267 m. (1.2% growth)
GDP: $ 23,480 m. (2.6% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy, $ 1,538 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 416 m.
Expenditures: $ 300 m.
Balance: $ 116 m.
Treasury: $ - 1,598 m.
Infrastructure: (4/5) Poor
Administration: (3/5) Poor
Education: (1/5) Poor
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 26%
National Defense
Manpower: 171,378
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1896 technology
1 infantry division, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (4/5) Failing, 1895 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 2 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Keinwyn
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Queen Wilhelmina/Minister-President Abraham Kuyper
Ideology: Christian conservatism & nationalism
Alignment: None
Capital: Amsterdam
Political stability: 71%
Population: 6.006 m. (1.8% growth)
GDP: $ 21,074 m. (2.2% growth)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, expansion, market economy, $ 3,509 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 1,227 m.
Expenditures: $ 1,249 m.
Balance: $ - 22 m.
Treasury: $ 1,542 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Good
Administration: (2/5) Good [+1 in 1 turn (tax reform]
Education: (4/5) Average [+1 in 1 turn]
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Poor [+1 in 2 turns, +1 in 4 turns]
Literacy rate: 95%
National Defense
Manpower: 137,033
Army: (2/5) Average, 1895 technology
11 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 1 marine division, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (4/5) Average, 1897 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 6 armored cruisers, 6 light cruisers, 12 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: TJDS
Ottoman Empire
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Padişahları Mehmed V/Grand Vizier Ziya Gökalp
Ideology: Turkish nationalism
Alignment: None
Capital: Qustantiniyye
Political stability: 57%
Population: 36.431 m. (1.6% growth)
GDP: $ 44,212 m. (-0.7% growth)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, recession, market economy, $ 1,214 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 1,503 m. [+ $ 5 m. from Montenegro until 1911, + $ 20 m. from Serbia until 1912, + $ 100 m. from Bulgaria until 1912 ($ 125 m.)]
Expenditures: $ 1,697 m.
Balance: $ - 194 m.
Treasury: $ - 31,632 m.
Infrastructure: (4/5) Average [+2 in 7 turns]
Administration: (4/5) Poor [language committee proposal in 1 turn] [+1 in 4 turns]
Education: (1/5) Average
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 25%
National Defense
Manpower: 232,114
Army: (3/5) Average, 1904 technology
18 infantry divisions, 4cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 2 mountain divisions [4 infantry, 1 cavalry (1/5) Excellent]
Navy: (1/5) Average, 1897 technology [+2 in 1 turn]
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 2 armored cruisers, 8 light cruisers, 25 destroyers, 0 submarines [+1 pre-dreadnought in 1 turn, +1 pre-dreadnought in 2 turns, +1 armored cruiser in 1 turn]
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Haresus
Kingdom of Portugal
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): King Carlos/Prime Minister Ernesto Hintze Ribeiro
Ideology: Conservatism
Alignment: None
Capital: Lisboa
Political stability: 58%
Population: 6.366 m. (1.8% growth)
GDP: $ 8,284 m. (1.9% growth)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, expansion, market economy, $ 1,301 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 306 m.
Expenditures: $ 457 m.
Balance: $ - 151 m.
Treasury: $ - 2,512 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Average
Administration: (1/5) Average
Education: (3/5) Poor
Health & Welfare: (2/5) Poor
Literacy rate: 39%
National Defense
Manpower: 146,591
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1904 technology [+1 in 1 turn, +1 in 2 turns]
4 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 2 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (2/5) Poor, 1898 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 1 armored cruiser, 4 light cruisers, 5 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: naxhi24
Kingdom of Romania
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): King Carol/Prime Minister Ion I. C. Brătianu
Ideology: Centrist liberalism
Alignment: Central Powers
Capital: București
Political stability: 68%
Population: 7.807 m. (5.3% growth)
GDP: $ 17,972 m. (-2.5% growth)
Economic status: Agrarian, depression, market economy, $ 2,302 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 530 m. [+ $ 30 m. Reparations from Russia until 1916]
Expenditures: $ 428 m.
Balance: $ 102 m.
Treasury: $ 312 m.
Infrastructure: (1/5) Average
Administration: (1/5) Average
Education: (3/5) Poor [+1 in 1 turn, +1 in 4 turns]
Health & Welfare: (3/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 26%
National Defense
Manpower: 65,773
Army: (4/5) Poor, 1895 technology
5 infantry divisions, 2 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 1 mountain division
Navy: (4/5) Poor, 1898 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: aedan777
Russian Empire
Politics & Economy
Government: Absolute monarchy
Leader(s): Tsar Nicholas II/Prime Minister Ivan Logginovitch Goremykin
Ideology: National conservatism
Alignment: Allied Powers
Capital: Sankt-Peterburg
Political stability: 49%
Population: 146.008 m. (1.3% growth)
GDP: $ 175,245 m. (-1.6% growth) [moderate economic development in Far East]
Economic status: Semi-industrial, depression, market economy, $ 1,298 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 8,263 m. [+ $ 1,200 m. reparations from Japan until 1914]
Expenditures: $ 11,213 m. [+ $ 30 m. to Romania, + $ 1,470 m. to Germany until 1916]
Balance: $ -2,950 m.
Treasury: $ - 88,913 m.
Infrastructure: (4/5) Average
Administration: (4/5) Average
Education: (2/5) Average
Health & Welfare: (2/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 27%
National Defense
Manpower: 573,311
Army: (4/5) Average, 1906 technology [+1 in 1 turn, +1 in 2 turns]
49 infantry divisions, 8 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 2 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Good, 1899 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 16 pre-dreadnoughts, 4 armored cruisers, 4 light cruisers, 20 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Noco19
Kingdom of Serbia
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): King Milan II/Prime Minister Konstantin Novaković
Ideology: Classical liberalism
Alignment: None
Capital: Beograd
Political stability: 62%
Population: 3.178 m. (1.7% growth)
GDP: $ 3,704 m. (1.2% growth) [full mobilization]
Economic status: Agrarian, expansion, market economy, $ 1,166 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 115 m.
Expenditures: $ 166 m. [+ $ 20 m. reparations to Ottomans until 1912]
Balance: $ - 51 m.
Treasury: $ - 320 m.
Infrastructure: (4/5) Poor
Administration: (3/5) Poor
Education: (3/5) Poor
Health & Welfare: (2/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 30%
National Defense
Manpower: 98,040
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1903 technology [+1 in 1 turn]
6 infantry divisions, 2 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [4 infantry, 1 cavalry mobilized]
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1880 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Corman50
Kingdom of Spain
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): King Alfonso XIII/Minister of State Melquíades Álvarez
Ideology: Social liberalism
Alignment: None
Capital: Madrid
Political stability: 64%
Population: 24.483 m. (1.7% growth)
GDP: $ 40,595 m. (2.0% growth)
Economic status: Semi-industrial, boom, market economy, $ 1,658 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 1,300 m.
Expenditures: $ 1,740 m.
Balance: $ - 440 m.
Treasury: $ - 29,052 m.
Infrastructure: (1/5) Average
Administration: (1/5) Average
Education: (1/5) Average
Health & Welfare: (4/5) Failing
Literacy rate: 42%
National Defense
Manpower: 269,491
Army: (1/5) Poor, 1905 technology
6 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 2 marine divisions, 1 mountain division
Navy: (3/5) Poor, 1898 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 1 pre-dreadnought, 2 armored cruisers, 6 light cruisers, 16 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Olligarchy
Kingdom of Sweden
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy:
Leader(s): Gustav V/Prime Minister Salomon Arvid Achates Lindman
Ideology: Conservative
Alignment: None
Capital: Stockholm
Political stability: 60%
Population: 5.463 m. (1.0% growth)
GDP: $ 15,315 m. (-0.7% growth), $ 2,803 per capita
Economic status: Semi-industrial, recession, market economy
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 744 m.
Expenditures: 739 m.
Balance: $ 5 m.
Treasury: $ - 995 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Average [+1 in 2 turns, +1 in 5 turns]
Administration: (3/5) Average
Education: (2/5) Good
Health & Welfare: (2/5) Poor
Literacy rate: 88%
National Defense
Manpower: 82,160
Army: (2/5) Average, 1905 technology
4 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (1/5) Average, 1906 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 12 armored cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 3 destroyers, 2 submarines [+3 submarines in 1 turn]
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: sunflower
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Politics & Economy
Government: Unitary constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): King George V/Prime Minister Archibald Primrose
Ideology: Social liberalism
Alignment: None
Capital: London
Political stability: 69%
Population: 48.945 m. (1.8% growth)
GDP: $ 211,817 m. (2.3% growth)
Economic status: Industrial, expansion, market economy, $ 4,328 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 15,793 m.
Expenditures: $ 17,552 m.
Balance: $ - 1,759 m.
Treasury: $ - 82,697 m.
Infrastructure: (1/5) Excellent
Administration: (1/5) Excellent
Education: (2/5) Excellent
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Average [+3 in 1 turn]
Literacy rate: 88%
National Defense
Manpower: 581,700
Army: (4/5) Good, 1904 technology [+1 in 2 turns]
42 infantry divisions, 10 cavalry divisions, 3 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (2/5) Excellent, 1905 technology
5 dreadnought, 0 battlecruisers, 30 pre-dreadnoughts, 19 armored cruisers, 33 light cruisers, 100 destroyers, 6 submarines [+2 dreadnoughts in 1 turn, +4 dreadnoughts in 2 turns]
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: von_Roundstedt
United States of America
Politics & Economy
Government: Federal constitutional republic
Leader(s): President Theodore Roosevelt
Ideology: Social liberalism
Alignment: None
Capital: Washington, DC
Political stability: 71%
Population: 91.102 m. (2.5% growth)
GDP: $ 440,117 m. (2.0% growth)
Economic status: Industrial, expansion, market economy, $ 4,831 per capita
Government Spending & Services
Receipts: $ 13,803 m. [Panama Canal in 6 turns]
Expenditures: $ 14,210 m.
Balance: $ - 407 m.
Treasury: $ - 25,365 m.
Infrastructure: (3/5) Excellent
Administration: (3/5) Good [+1 in 3 turns]
Education: (1/5) Excellent [+1 in 2 turns]
Health & Welfare: (1/5) Average
Literacy rate: 91%
National Defense
Manpower: 498,896
Army: (3/5) Average, 1903 technology
14 infantry divisions, 3 cavalry divisions, 1 marine division, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: (2/5) Good, 1904 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 27 pre-dreadnoughts, 12 armored cruisers, 18 light cruisers, 35 destroyers, 14 submarines [+4 dreadnoughts in 1 turn, +3 battlecruisers in 4 turns, +6 light cruisers in 1 turn, +5 destroyers in 1 turn] [-10 pre-dreadnoughts, -2 armored cruisers, -5 light cruisers for 1 turn]
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: etranger01
Armenian liberation movement
Government: Revolutionary military group
Leader(s): General-in-Chief Andranik Ozanian
Ideology: Revolutionary socialism & nationalism
Capital: Kars
Manpower: 57,391 [full mobilization]
Army: (3/5) Poor, 1898 technology
2 infantry divisions, 0 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [2 infantry mobilized]
Navy (1/5) Failing, 1880 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: sealy300
National Republic of Macedonia
Government: Provisional revolutionary republic (National Committee of Sovereign Macedonia)
Leader(s): Provisional President Damyan Yovanov Gruev
Ideology: Socialist nationalism & republicanism
Capital: Krusevo
Manpower: 16,319 [full mobilization]
Army: (1/5) Poor, 1906 technology
1 infantry division, 0 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [1 infantry mobilized]
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1880 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Ranger900
Ma clique
Government: Military warlord government
Leader(s): Governor Ma Anliang
Ideology: Warlordism with Chinese characteristics
Capital: Xining
Manpower: 183,361
Army: (1/5) Poor, 1898 technology
4 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions [3 infantry mobilized]
Navy: (1/5) Failing, 1880 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: stormbringer
United Mexican States (rebels)
Government: Provisional revolutionary republic
Leader(s): Provisional President Francisco Ignacio Madero González
Ideology: Social liberalism
Capital: Casas Grandes
Manpower: 16,226
Army: (2/5) Poor, 1896 technology
1 infantry division, 0 cavalry divisions, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions, 1 Villista battalion, 1 Zapatista battalion [1 infantry, 1 Villista, 1 Zapatista mobilized]
Navy: (4/5) Failing, 1895 technology
0 dreadnoughts, 0 battlecruisers, 0 pre-dreadnoughts, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Air Force: (1/5) Failing, 1909 technology
0 reconnaissance squadrons
Player: Firehound15
_______________________________
GM Note: @Firehound15 is now the Mexican rebel movement backing Madero, @Stormbringer is now the Ma clique, and @sealy300 is now the Armenian national liberation movement. @Harpsichord must take a leave of absence; I wish to thank him for his patience in dealing with me and for taking over Japan on such short notice. @Riccardo93 replaces him and once again takes the reins of Japan. Please save any and all criticisms, harsh and otherwise, for tomorrow, because I am running on no sleep in a little over 42 hours.
Last edited: