The Road to Liberty - a U.S.A. PDM AAR

Killerflood

Corporal Cannonfodder

56 Badges

Jun 18, 2007

821

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• Jul 30, 2014

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• #201

What's the deal going to be with Alaska? Do you have good enough relations with Russia to be able to buy it if that event pops up?

 

Zorro

Field Marshal

92 Badges

Mar 15, 2003

2.635

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• Aug 2, 2014

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• #202

rorlegion said:

I want as many powers as possible to join the scamble for Africa. I've played up to 1880 and the liferating event fired almost immediately for me, giving me a significant edge. However, I am seriously considering editing the savegame file so that France, the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Germany can start colonizing as well.

Click to expand...

They should get the event quickly or do you have to share a border to get that 20% increase?

 

rorlegion

First Lieutenant

61 Badges

Sep 5, 2006

262

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• Aug 3, 2014

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• #203

Killerflood said:

What's the deal going to be with Alaska? Do you have good enough relations with Russia to be able to buy it if that event pops up?

Click to expand...

Yeah, I've been keeping 150+ relations with Russia the entire time. I should be in good shape.

Zorro said:

They should get the event quickly or do you have to share a border to get that 20% increase?

Click to expand...

I think they get that 20% increase regardless of a shared border. I'm not sure you're eligible to get the invention unless you (the AI) research the per-requisite tech, though. Perhaps I'm wrong. I should tag-switch to Spain and double-check.

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I should have a new update out tonight or tomorrow afternoon.

 

rorlegion

First Lieutenant

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Sep 5, 2006

262

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• Aug 4, 2014

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• #204

Vol. V, Ch. 8: The Liberian War
Homestead Act, Alaskan Purchase, Congress of London
February 23, 1866

​

Lincoln's administration had been pressuring Congress to take action on Liberia for years, even before the Civil War. Finally, on September 2nd, 1865, just as election season started, Congress issued a formal declaration of war on Liberia. The garrison stationed at Ifni soon received orders to sail along the coast of Africa and land at Monrovia. Already, the expensive military base in Morocco proved fruitful. The journey from Ifni to Monrovia was considerably shorter and less expensive than what it would have been from Boston.

Two weeks after the declaration of war, troops landed in Monrovia. Liberia only managed to gather a force of 9,000 men to defend its capitol city - hardly a fair fight for the Americans. Within hours of initial artillery shelling on enemy positions, the Liberian government surrendered. Casualties only numbered mere hundreds on both sides. In the next months, Major Amos Baker traveled from city to city, informing the population that they were once again under the jurisdiction of the United States government.

The lands making up the new colonial province of Liberia were settled with a little over one million people (~260,000 men of working age). It had sizable coffee plantations and a small source of tropical wood to serve America's economic appetite. Major Baker sent word to Washington to send construction crews and surveyors. Within months, Monrovia was booming; 30,000 American troops were stationed in an army base still under construction, the city's port was being upgraded to allow for docking of larger ships, and churches were being constructed all over the new colony. Surveyors were immediately put to work to determine the viability of rubber plantations deeper inland.

The U.S. was still reeling from the recession in 1865. Millions of African Americans entered the workforce after the Civil War. Unfortunately, there was not enough work to go around. The once rich landowners in the South could no longer afford to spend their riches on luxury goods, having to pay former slaves wages to keep their plantations running. This decreased domestic demand for all sorts of consumer goods, leading to further unemployment in cities in the northern states. Lincoln and the Republicans did, however, attempt to ease the burden on the unemployed.

In 1862, Lincoln signed into law the Homestead Act, establishing a three-fold homestead acquisition process in America's continental territories: filing an application, improving the land, and filing for deed of title. U.S. citizens and new immigrants alike could now file an application with the federal government and claim 160 acres of surveyed land out west. For five years, the homesteader had to live on their new land and improve it by building a dwelling and growing crops. After five years passed, the homesteader could file for his deed by submitting proof of residency and improvements to a local land office. Title could also be acquired after a six-month residency and minor improvements to the land, provided the homesteader paid the government $1.25 per acre. Traveling to these newly opened lands became easier as rail lines continued to be constructed westward. The Homestead Act of 1862 was a huge success; immigrants from Europe were further incentivized to travel to the new world for a fresh beginning.

Throughout the 1800s, Europeans were fascinated with the new science of Archaeology. Eager to join the rest of the civilized world as a leader in science and discovery, several American universities sent teams to unlock the mysteries of ancient Egypt. In November of 1865, American explorers uncovered the greatest discovery yet: the Tomb of King Tut. This discovery received worldwide press coverage - even in Japan. The artifacts that were uncovered were pristine, like none ever seen before. American universities received letter after letter asking to lease many of the newly uncovered artifacts to various European universities and educational institutions. This significantly boosted America's prestige in the eyes of Europe.

In the Spring of 1864, The Russian Empire, seeking to pay off some of its national debt, approached federal officials in Washington with a proposal to sell its North American Holdings. Officials soon worked out an agreement: for £250,000, the U.S. would acquire the entirety of Russia's North American holdings - around 586,412 square miles of territory. Though the U.S. was struggling to pay its loans to Austria, the government was able to borrow from Austrian banks at a higher interest rate. Lincoln, now becoming infamous for his administration's lavish spending, was reported as bluntly saying "worth it," and haughtily walking out of a press conference on the White House lawn.

Outside of the U.S. drastic political changes were emerging. The 1865 Conference of London hosted delegations from nearly every European nation to discuss the future of the Balkans. The Ottoman Empire, having struggled for years to maintain order in the Balkans, submitted to the decision of the conference. The Ottomans would surrender nearly the entirety of its European land to the ethnic majorities residing therein. The Conference saw the expansion of four minor countries and the creation of three new ones: Albania, Bosnia, and Bulgaria. Austria, France, Italy, the UK, and Russia would guarantee the independence of these new and expanded nations while the Ottoman Empire was forced to retreat into history of glory days passed.

 

Last edited: Aug 4, 2014

Phroane

Private

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Jul 10, 2014

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• Aug 4, 2014

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• #205

Wouldn't Liberia be counted as a state rather than a colony seeing as how it was a civilized nation when you conquered it? Either way I love this aar and look forward to seeing the empire expand.

 

DKM

General

56 Badges

Sep 29, 2013

2.487

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• Aug 4, 2014

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• #206

Phroane said:

Wouldn't Liberia be counted as a state rather than a colony seeing as how it was a civilized nation when you conquered it? Either way I love this aar and look forward to seeing the empire expand.

Click to expand...

In game terms it would but it would likely be thought of as a colony storywise.

 

InvisibleSandwi

Customization Advocate

85 Badges

Aug 20, 2012

805

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invisiblesandwichtm.wordpress.com

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• Aug 4, 2014

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• #207

Phroane said:

Wouldn't Liberia be counted as a state rather than a colony seeing as how it was a civilized nation when you conquered it? Either way I love this aar and look forward to seeing the empire expand.

Click to expand...

If the population statistics in the most recent chapter are accurate, then Liberia already has a small manufacturing sector (1.8% of its workforce is craftsmen). It may very well thrive under the new direct American management.

 

rorlegion

First Lieutenant

61 Badges

Sep 5, 2006

262

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• Aug 4, 2014

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• #208

Phroane said:

Wouldn't Liberia be counted as a state rather than a colony seeing as how it was a civilized nation when you conquered it? Either way I love this aar and look forward to seeing the empire expand.

Click to expand...

DKM is right - Liberia being a "state" in the "United States of America" doesn't really make sense, at least not right now. I edited the game file to make it a colonial territory. It makes more sense story-wise if Liberia is a colony rather than a state.

InvisibleSandwi said:

If the population statistics in the most recent chapter are accurate, then Liberia already has a small manufacturing sector (1.8% of its workforce is craftsmen). It may very well thrive under the new direct American management.

Click to expand...

If my math is correct, nearly 5,000 males are craftsmen. Since I deleted the factories and made Liberia a colony, I'm hoping the craftsmen immigrate to the USA where industrial jobs are plentiful.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Edit: Because of Alaska, and because I like metal, please enjoy "Alaska" by Between the Buried and Me:
[video=youtube;X_T1nIQQ-zs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_T1nIQQ-zs[/video]

 

Zorro

Field Marshal

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Mar 15, 2003

2.635

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• Aug 5, 2014

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• #209

A good update, the United States seems well poised to grow economically in the coming decade.

 

Killerflood

Corporal Cannonfodder

56 Badges

Jun 18, 2007

821

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• Aug 5, 2014

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• #210

Zorro said:

A good update, the United States seems well poised to grow economically in the coming decade.

Click to expand...

Assuming they don't drown in debt.

I just find the image of Lincoln strutting across the White House lawn hilarious. "Honest Abe" should now become "Haters gonna Hate Lincoln".

 

Barkingdragon13

Captain

53 Badges

Dec 31, 2012

396

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• Aug 6, 2014

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• #211

Killerflood said:

I just find the image of Lincoln strutting across the White House lawn hilarious. "Honest Abe" should now become "Haters gonna Hate Lincoln".

Click to expand...

Frankly it's not a bad assessment of his OTL presidency

 

GreatUberGeek

Count of the Netflix Binge-Watch

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Aug 8, 2013

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• Aug 7, 2014

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• #212

I'm not totally sure I like this Lincoln you've created=he's rather warlike. So, will America acquire any more colonial possessions?

 

ShotoLord

First Lieutenant

55 Badges

Dec 13, 2012

290

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• Aug 7, 2014

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• #213

The colonial possessions America shallhave to liberate shall include Australia!

 

rorlegion

First Lieutenant

61 Badges

Sep 5, 2006

262

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• Aug 8, 2014

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• #214

Vol. VI, Ch. 1: The 1865/66 Presidential Election
Rise of the Socialist Party and the KKK, Political Change in Europe
April 3, 1866

​

Of the two major parties, both candidates had served as high-ranking military officials in the Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant, who served on Lincoln's cabinet for the past three and a half years, was the premiere pick on the Republican ballot. Democrats overwhelmingly supported Major General George B. McClellan, though they were slowly losing support from the American people, who favored Republicans and the more radical social-liberals who formed the new Socialist Party. Newcomer Franklin B. Owens, the presidential nominee of the social-liberals, was a businessman of moderate success from New York City, the industrial capitol of the new world. He had ties to several European socialists, and he was known to visit less than favorable social circles in the city. Yet, he was a player worth knowing, as he rallied workers in major cities throughout the northern states to support education reform and laws prohibiting child labor.

Ulysses S. Grant was declared president-elect in February of 1866, soon after the war in Liberia officially ended. As a military man, he campaigned on bringing America's military into the modern era. Soldiers would be equipped with modern rifles and steamships of iron would retire all of the old wooden warships of the past. The Democrats, still a major political force, lost their majority in the Senate, giving Republicans an edge in shaping policy for at least the next two years. Mr. Owens ended up winning 7.8% of the popular vote, putting the Socialist Party on the map. Social-liberals won nearly 10% of the seats in House elections and vowed to encourage Republicans to support education and labor reform.

Statement from the Administration: "Suffrages of the public has elected me to office. As your President, I will always express my views to Congress and urge them according to my judgment, and when I think it advisable will exercise the constitutional privilege of interposing a veto to defeat measures which I oppose; but all laws will be faithfully executed, whether they meet my approval or not. The country having just emerged from a great rebellion, many questions will come before it for settlement in the next four years which preceding Administrations have never had to deal with. In meeting these it is desirable that they should be approached calmly, without prejudice, hate, or sectional pride, remembering that the greatest good to the greatest number is the object to be attained.

This requires security of person, property, and free religious and political opinion in every part of our common country, without regard to local prejudice. All laws to secure these ends will receive my best efforts for their enforcement. A great debt has been contracted with the Austrians in securing to us and our posterity the Union. The payment of this, principal and interest, as well as the return to a specie basis as soon as it can be accomplished without material detriment to the debtor class or to the country at large, must be provided for. To protect the national honor, every dollar of Government indebtedness should be paid in gold, unless otherwise expressly stipulated in the contracts. Let it be understood that no repudiator of one farthing of our public debt will be trusted in public place, and it will go far toward strengthening a credit which ought to be the best in the world, and will ultimately enable us to replace the debt with bonds bearing less interest than we now pay. To this should be added a faithful collection of the revenue, a strict accountability to the Treasury for every dollar collected, and the greatest practicable retrenchment in expenditure in every department of Government.

The young men of the country—those who from their age must be its rulers twenty-five years hence—have a peculiar interest in maintaining the national honor. A moment's reflection as to what will be our commanding influence among the nations of the earth in their day, if they are only true to themselves, should inspire them with national pride. All divisions—geographical, political, and religious—can join in this common sentiment.

In regard to foreign policy, I would deal with nations as equitable law requires individuals to deal with each other, and I would protect the law-abiding citizen, whether of native or foreign birth, wherever his rights are jeopardized or the flag of our country floats. I would respect the rights of all nations, demanding equal respect for our own. If others depart from this rule in their dealings with us, we may be compelled to follow their precedent.

In conclusion I ask patient forbearance one toward another throughout the land, and a determined effort on the part of every citizen to do his share toward cementing a happy union; and I ask the prayers of the nation to Almighty God in behalf of this consummation."

Current Party: Republican (Liberal) with a strong majority in the Senate
Estimated Population: 34.82 million, ~8.7 million males of working age
Average Literacy: 48.2%
Standing Army: ~360,000 Soldiers
Navy: 131 Warships, 24 Transports

Current Diplomatic Missions:
Colombia [Sphered]
Ecuador [Sphered]
Venezuela [Sphered]
Hawaii [Sphered]
Paraguay [Sphered]
Uruguay [Sphered]
USCA [Sphered]
Japan [Sphered]
Peru [Sphered]
Chile [Sphered]
Argentina [Sphered]
Brazil [Ongoing]

Budget for 1866:

Domestic Plans and Policy:

• Pay off the National Debt [Ongoing]
• Enforce Reconstruction Policies [Ongoing]
• Encourage immigration to U.S. territories [Ongoing]
• Encourage railroad development in southern states [Ongoing]

Foreign Policy:

• Increase relations with the United Kingdom, North German Federation, and Italy [Ongoing]
• Avoid entangling European alliances [Complete]
• Assert the Monroe Doctrine in the Americas [Ongoing]
• Encourage foreign investment of rail and industry [Ongoing]

---

Southern Democrats, unhappy with the result of the Civil War and the role of their state governments, formed a loose organization to violently advance the idea that the white man is superior to the black man. These groups of white racist southerners terrorized black men, women, children, and even immigrants, throughout the former Confederacy. In this, they did not discriminate in their hatred. In more rural parts of southern states, even law enforcement and state officials supported the racist organization, hindering reconstruction wherever they could. Republicans are expecting to pass legislation to criminalize certain common practices and behaviors of this organization.

Shortly after the sale of Alaska, several goldmines were discovered therein. A huge rush of immigrants from around the world found their way to this vast territory to seek the riches of the unknown. This will probably lessen relations between the Russian Empire and the United States, but the sale was legal and finalized - the gold belonged to the federal government and thus, the people. Russians and Ukrainians who had immigrated to North America before the sale were eager to participate in American culture and its way of life, especially land ownership. Truly, America was becoming the envy of great powers across the lake, and Americans knew it. Exceptionalism in the hearts of Americans was beginning to take root...

Europe was gripped with Nationalistic sentiment. Over the past decade, the political landscape has changed drastically. Not only had the Ottomans largely ceded from Europe, but both Germans and Italians had formed new countries in Central Europe. Germany's industrial capacity rivaled that of the UK, causing worries of the great powers in Europe of this new and unknown political force right in the middle of their continent. Italians were now unified under a central state, for the most part. The now Dual Monarch of Austria-Hungary sought to fortify its border with Italy should it seek to unify all Italians, even those residing in its own borders. Europe always seemed to be geared toward war, Americans thought, and now more than ever it seemed like the best course of action was to stay out of it's affairs.

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2014

alxeu

Hunting werewolves.

100 Badges

Feb 11, 2012

1.797

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• Aug 8, 2014

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• #215

That Europe looks nice, with the only semi-weird looking border being the A-H Romanian one. Another good update, which is naturally expected of a man of great talent.

 

GreatUberGeek

Count of the Netflix Binge-Watch

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Aug 8, 2013

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• Aug 8, 2014

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• #216

The KKK needs to be crushed, and who better than Grant? The Europeans borders are sublime-it seems closer to 1914 than 1866! A Great War must be in order...America shall triumph!

 

trekfan

Major

88 Badges

Jul 16, 2011

639

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• Aug 8, 2014

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• #217

The debt, it hurts...

 

Killerflood

Corporal Cannonfodder

56 Badges

Jun 18, 2007

821

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• Aug 8, 2014

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• #218

Wait, when did Austria lose Galicia?

Also, I'll be curious in finding out whether Grant's administration TTL will be wracked with scandals like OTL.

 

MiltonS

Major

93 Badges

Jun 9, 2012

578

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• Aug 8, 2014

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• #219

I too am loving that Europe. The coals are burning...

 

Zorro

Field Marshal

92 Badges

Mar 15, 2003

2.635

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• Aug 8, 2014

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• #220

Looking forward to Grant's presidency!