July 1840-July 1841: The industrial boom begins
Although cholera and influenza continued to ravage German lands, Chancellor von Wächtersbach was hailed as a visionary as the economy of Germany continued to expand and grow.
The disappearance of Friedrich von Hohenzollern caused much consternation in the beer halls, but the name more frequently mentioned, even among the poor, was Paul Meier. The President of the Planning Commission completely revitalized German industry with a comprehensive plan to build new factories and close unproductive ones. Skilled workingmen flocked to Prague, in particular, as the center of industrial renaissance. The effects of this boom reached as far as Neustrelitz, which saw the founding of the country’s first stock exchange. The Neustrelitz Grain Exchange opened its doors in April of 1841.
Another key center of industrial growth was Italy. Piedmont received state funding to open a series of new schools, designed specifically to train the worker of the future.
New fortifications broke ground around the Papal States, making the Pope nervous enough to send a protest to the Chancellor – a protest which fell on deaf ears. Venice, which saw its Clipper Shipyard reopened and subsidized by the government, voluntarily began an intensive program of Germanization to show their gratitude. [1]
Germany’s decision to stay at peace while the rest of the world continued to quarrel paid dividends as well. German-Japanese relations grew closer than ever, while the people of Castille openly embraced the idea of ties with Germany, even as the government showed some hesitation.
Foreign Minister von Bern was also credited with forestalling another crisis in Ak Koyunlu.
The only trouble spot for the first twelve months of the Wächtersbach administration was Saxony, where much to the surprise of former Army Chief of Staff von Mannerheim, Stadtholder von Leipzig, some charismatic workers spoke out against what they called “inhumane” working conditions. [2]
Yet, even more potentially dangerous (and a source of some concern for Minister of the Interior von Sigmaringen) was a group of radicals, who supported the abolition of the wealth based voting system that had served the Republic of Germany for years.
Still, that was a problem for the future. Under the inspired leadership of Maximillian von Unger, the only person from the Picard administration to keep his old post, German intellectual development reached an “Age of Idealism.”
There was a profound sense of pride in German accomplishments, and the nation enthusiastically expressed their approval of the Bern speech against “French Imperialism” in a demonstration, taking place in the newly named Löthringen (formerly Lorraine). [3]
A couple more useful images I couldn’t fit into the narrative for the update:
Railroads:
Foreign policy:
And budget:
Idhrendur, all of your factories were built or are being built – the AI also started an ammunition factory in Bohemia.
Budget right now is 60/55/50 (poor-rich), with 25% Army spending and 30% Navy spending. I’m kind of OCD about having my tax rates 5% apart, but we could always change that, if Finance wants to.
Some Georgian, I’m continuing to ignore the Asian crises, because even if we one supported one side or another, it would fizzle. If you want to take a more active position, let me know. If there’s a European crisis, we’ll stop and handle it.
[1] That’s a lot of code – for the non-Vicky 2 experts, the upshot is a boost in assimilation rate (to Bavarian culture, our primary culture) at the expense of a one-time in infamy and reduced relations with anybody with cores of Lombard culture – in other words, no one.
[2] They want 14 hour workdays – I figured no self-respecting conservative would give into such demands (and it would just increase reform desire, not actually make any policy changes).
[3] An unintended benefit of my absent mindedness; I fired these decisions
after the Venice event, so we only have a total of .8 infamy. We’ll burn that off in about four months.
48 hours begins now, for ministers to submit any and all changes. Shal5, you are officially now a voting member of the AAR!
))
