54 - 40' or...

[unmerged(24031)]

Good maps.

I agree that the sale of Flores is a little sad. It would have been nice to see a Columbian outpost in the far east.

 

[unmerged(17581)]

Great update.

 

[stnylan]

Interesting maps. And a very nice-looking Columbia.

 

[coz1]

Well, as for the land sales - money now, retake the claims later.

I was actually a bit surprised the Second Yukon war went so quickly, but I imagine that blockade did the trick, plus some nice maneuvering around the Pacific.

But the one thing that stuck out for me the most in this update was this small line:

As the 20th President of the United States David Farragut made a simple inaugural address, stressing the importance of peace, adaptation, and strengthening ties with the United Kingdom and the United States new northern neighbor Canada.

Notice there is no talk of Columbia in there. Nor the CSA. The US has plans. Another border war is in the works and I think you will need the UK on your side if it happens. Plus, an alliance with them will assist you against Russia in Asia if you move that far.

Good luck and great update!

 

[Machiavellian]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. As for the sale of the Russian claims, you may be right, it could cost me in the long run. But Prime Minister Stanford really wanted more money to continue the utter industrial build up of Columbia. Plus with the United States and other countries having the claims to most of the other key areas that would be needed to create a colony, it seemed a good investment. I actually almost hope that the US makes Samoa and the rest into a colony, maybe then Columbia can reassert her rights to that region. As far as wooing the UK. I've made some tries, but so far it has not been very successful, however I have been making steady gains with France.

On another note, I am more than willing to do some fan service. Is there any type of character you would like to see in this AAR or anything you would like me to do differently in the future? Or would anyone like to do a guest-writing segment? Just let me know and I will see what I can do.

The next update will probably be ready by this weekend. It will include the Three Month War and probably introduce the third President of the CSA.

 

[CatKnight]

Great update as always Mach. Like the others I'm wondering if selling your claims was a great idea, though I do think there are advantages to keeping Columbia compact.

Fan-based requests...sure, I have one. Your Young Columbians scare me a little and the Unionists aren't much better. Heck, I'd be willing to give the Redemptionists a shot at this point.

You need a new party, the anti-YC. You can call 'em the Old Columbians if you want.

 

[Machiavellian]

Funny you should mention that Cat Knight. The Unionists are actually in the process of falling apart. Next update Elliot West will achieve his goal and become the leader of a new political party that will undoubtedly seem far less underhanded or manipulative than those in Columbia's past. However, if this isn't to your liking, I'll see about going into the game files and scripting the emergence of another in the future.

 

[Sir Humphrey]

This is great! I have just read most of the updates! Nice.

 

[Morpheus506]

I just realized how close you are to becoming a communist dictatorship. Just make sure your next party doesn't decide to add "People's" to the title of your nation, and I think you'll be good.

And good, I hope the USA is making plans. About time to show you upstarts a lesson, I'd say. Maybe if Russia, USA, and the UK allied together.... man that'd be great.

 

[Storey]

Finally had time to read your story and it's excellent. I know one of the reasons/excuses used in the last war with Russia was

"in support of the French forces and international stability"

but I keep looking at French California and it doesn’t look right. Maybe that might be a good place to eventually expand?

Joe

 

[CatKnight]

Now that'd be amusing. The People's Republic of Columbia. Flag shows a marlin with a hammer and sickle in its mouth, crowned by a red star. :rofl:

 

[unmerged(28894)]

With the way America's looking right now, how about making Nathan Forrest a future president of the CSA?

 

[unmerged(32548)]

With the way America's looking right now, how about making Nathan Forrest a future president of the CSA?

That would be bad.

 

[Machiavellian]

Thanks for the Comments all. I don't think Columbia is going to become a socialism anytime soon, though I believe that it could be a problem once the 1880's come around as I believe that is around when socialism becomes more apparent in pops. I could be wrong about that. If It did become a socialist state, I'd think that it would be a hammer and an axe, since Lumberjacks would be represented over somone working the fields.

I was pondering Nathan Bedford Forrest if the Confederate's more radical party had won, but it didn't so I will be selecting someone else. Haven't completely settled yet. I've played the game someone so I can update now. I'll probably start working on it tonight so I should have the update by tonight or tomorrow, though no later than Thursday if everything goes as planned. I would have updated last weekend, but I was quite under the weather and couldn't bring myself to write.

As for a Russian/United Kingdom/USA alliance. ::Shivers:: I think that would be extremely bad for Columbia and the world.

 

[Morpheus506]

As for a Russian/United Kingdom/USA alliance. ::Shivers:: I think that would be extremely bad for Columbia and the world.

To some people, maybe.

 

[unmerged(24320)]

..Or would anyone like to do a guest-writing segment? Just let me know and I will see what I can do.

although i have seen guest-writing in other AARs, and understand how one can guest-write things that don't require knowledge of the events that occured in the game (for example, a flashback that would extend an understanding of the current events in the game...), how could a guest post events that occur in the game without knowing what those events are?

i understand requests, but guest-writing is not a request...

 

[Machiavellian]

The Three Month War​

​

"Like sailors we are, who must rebuild their ship upon the open sea,
never able to dismantle it in dry dock or to reconstruct it there from the best materials."
-- Otto Neurath​

Throughout the later portion of 1869 the various acts of the Residency laws came under systematic attack. The Alliance between the Unionist divide and the Young Columbia Party, along with the changing views of Columbia's population as a whole helped bring about an end to the garish practice of Residency. By February of 1870 all but the 2nd Residency act was deemed unconstitutional and removed. Even the famous 2nd act was revised, its terms of drafting reflecting no longer those classified as residents, but rather any who lived within the country, full citizen or not.

This proved to be the final nail in the coffin of the Unionist party old guard, who with the decision of Abraham Near to retire from politics left a massive hole in the party structure. While it is unclear exactly when the Unionist Party ceased to exist, it had to be sometime during 1870. The Unionist divide under Vice President Elliot West transformed itself into the Populists, who while maintaining the old Unionist views on Protectionism and holding to a strict secular stance on religion and the state adopted the new ideas of a full citizenship campaign and strict pacifism. Guided by the views of West, Meek, and Shafer the new Populist Party attracted many younger politicians and idealists who previously ran independent due to contrasting views with the old hard-line parties. Those Unionists who felt betrayed by the new agenda of the Populists retired, defected to the Young Columbia Party or in some rarer cases threw their lot in with the Redemption Party.

While still Vice President, Elliot West now severed his agreement with Leland Stanford and President Sutter. He had achieved the mutual goal of dismantling the residency laws and remaking the Unionist Party under his leadership. His alliance with the Young Columbian's was no longer necessary. It was perhaps because of this new stance that Vice President West found himself sent on a diplomatic mission to distant Sweden. Meanwhile Ambassador Delazon Smith, who claimed he would retire at the end of ‘72, continued his work in the Confederate States of America. In March of 1870 Delazon Smith attempted to aid CSA President Albert Sydney Johnston in diplomatic dealings with Spain, but ultimately was unable to convince Spain to sell Cuba to the CSA. While some within the CSA clamored to take Cuba by force, President Johnston refused to guide his country blindly into war and instead put his focus into industrializing the South and domestic reform.

In Columbia the population was for the most part content, though anger at the United States of America once more simmered to the surface thanks to negative light shed on them in the widely read novel Fire through Seattle by W. H. Coz, a ruthless social critic who detailed through semi-fictional characters what life was like in Seattle during the early portion of the North American Border War. The novel also helped to further villainize Sheridan and Joseph Hooker, who were portrayed as a bloodthirsty tyrant and a vain, oversexed warlord respectively. Needless to say, while the novel was quite popular in Columbia, Mexico and the CSA.. It barely sold in the United States. It did have a following in France (where it was translated) and Canada, though the British population seemed to pass on the sometimes too explicit nature of the book.

While some urged Columbia to enter further into the world sphere, for the most part Columbia remained a regional power, curious to the events on the Global stage but not quite prosperous or powerful enough to fully enter into them. This was demonstrated in Columbia's disinterest with the French colonial wars in China and Korea or the Hohenzollern acceptance of the Spanish throne. Columbia also occassionally still stumbled when it came to international prestige, as was demonstrated by their continued diplomatic relations with the widely shunned state of Hungary. President Sutter nonetheless viewed the technological gains made by trading with Hungary well worth the loss in prestige in the eyes of the Austrians.

In late 1870 Columbia would once more be plunged into war, though this time in a rather bizarre manner. On December 14th Guatemalan pirates seized several trading vessels of Columbia on route around the cape horn. Outraged and suspecting that Guatemala's government was shielding the pirates President Sutter demanded that payment for damages suffered be made by the government of Guatemala. General Vicente Cerna, the Dictator-President and handpicked successor of Carrera refused to consider any form of reparations. Further angered by Columbia's saber rattling, the Guatemalan leader thought to make a show of force in an effort to make Columbia back down. On December 27th a small number of Guatemalan troops take control of Columbia outpost on Wake Island. This clear declaration of war could not be ignored and Columbia soon responded, formally declaring it was at a state of War with Guatemala on January 10th, 1871. The CSA was informed that it was not needed in this conflict. Wake Island was quickly recaptured, with no sign of the Guatemalan forces anywhere on the Island.

The Victoria Daily
VICTORIA, TUESDAY, JANUARY 14th, 1871.

Let's make those pirates pay!
War with Guatemala. Details on page 2.
-------------------
British Prime Minister Gladstone to Meet with Elliot West
Details on page 6
Civil war and insurrection grips West Prussia
The provinces West of Kassel fall into general rebellion, Prussia accuses French of involvement.
-- Full story on page 4.
CSA Congress and President Johnston approve Gradual Emancipation bill Details below.​

Richmond, Virginia January 13th, 1 P.M.: With the assistance of CSA President A.S. Johnston the Confederate Congress has removed the 4th clause of the 9th section of the 1st Article of their Constitution. In its place a bill has been approved to introduce the gradual emancipation of all slaves within the Confederacy. Though they will not be granted full citizenship, this has been viewed with much praise internationally. Confederate President Johnston has stated that he expects all slaves to be freed by 1876. It is expected that the bill will pass, thanks to conditions wherein all freed slaves will have to pay off a debt for their freedom. Presidential Candidate Nathan B. Forrest has come out strongly against the reform measure, directing heated and scathing criticism at President Johnston and his Party.

As January became February the armies of Columbia gathered at Honolulu where they were training in Marine landings. Between the 1st and 7th, experienced veterans of the 2nd Yukon War's island hopping campaigns and troops under Lt. General Latre, considered by most the rising star of the Columbia Military, boarded several transports and with escort sailed for Guatemala. On Friday the 13th the Fleet arrived along the coasts of Guatemala. After a minor shelling using the small weapon armaments of the ironclads, the armies of Columbia unloaded at Puerto de San Jose, storming the beaches with little resistance. The two armies then split up, with Lt. General Latre leading his corps toward Guatemala City while Brigadier General Harper led his forces on a march to the eastern city of Marcos.

While Brigadier General Harper did encounter some light resistance from the Guatemalan army on his march East, the poorly trained troops quickly retreated or surrendered. Fighting in and around the Capital was minimal, and Lt. General Latre added another notch to his long string of career victories with the capitals capture as early as March 22nd. On April 11th, Harper's corps brought about the fall of Marcos and with it the surrender of Guatemala. On April 19th, 1871 the peace of Atilan was signed with Generals Harper and Latre representing Columbia and General Vicente Cerna of Guatemala and two key lawmakers representing Guatemala. The Three Month War was over. The terms of the peace were rather harsh, not only would General Vicente Cerna be forced to resign and bring the establishment of a Liberal government body, but also Guatemala would give up control of several key ports to Columbia and provide a 40-year lend-lease on the city of Marcos. Guatemala's new government would also grant Columbia military access to all parts of its territory as well as paying War Indemnities as was initially desired. General Vicente Cerna was noted as the instigator of the conflict, though he was allowed to freely leave his country with a fair share of wealth.

The Three Month War was a great success for Columbia with a minimal loss of life and success all around. While it was not a planned war, it showed that Columbia was a growing power and would not tolerate attacks on its sovereignty.

Several other major events occurred in North America during the month of March, with the CSA electing a new President, a great fire spreading through Chicago, and the death of United States President Farragut - causing further problems within the United States. In the Confederate States Albert S. Johnston's chosen successor, the charming and picturesque cavalry commander John Hunt Morgan defeated his rival Nathan B. Forrest in a tight race. Aged 45, Morgan was like Forrest a Cavalry raider during the war. While eventually holding the rank of General, Morgan's most significant role was off the battlefield where he helped bring about the State of Kentucky's secession from the USA and it's joining with the Confederate States. While President Morgan promised to continue the reforms of Johnston he also appealed to those who desired a settlement regarding the "unlawful state of Kanawha". The State of Kanawha, which was also known to some as West Virginia, had long been a sore spot for the Confederacy, which viewed the State based around Charleston and Wheeling as an abomination and a rightful part of Virginia. At his inauguration Confederate President John Hunt Morgan vowed to seek all diplomatic channels to restore the whole of Virginia and maintain peace on the continent.

The 3rd President of the CSA - John Hunt Morgan​

The United States also had a new President due to the somewhat expected death of David Farragut who had been ill for most of the new year. Fortunately for the United States, which had long suffered due to Presidential deaths and impeachments, Vice President Blaine had been carefully selected and was well respected by the people as a whole. While far from the charismatic and bold man that Farragut was, James Gillespie Blaine was an accomplished Politician and highly competent for the nation's highest office. At nearly the same time the CSA was electing its new President, Vice President Blaine was sworn in as the United States of America's twenty-first President.

The 21st President of the United States of America, James G. Blaine​

In May Columbia's own vice president returned from his diplomatic mission to Sweden and London. While some minor trading benefits were established with Sweden, his meeting with Prime Minister Gladstone of Great Britain was considered a dismal failure. Talks of alliance were rejected outright by Gladstone, who followed in the footsteps of his mentor Lord Palmerson. Gladstone made it clear that for Britain to ally with Columbia made little sense, as Canada was part of the Commonwealth and under the treaty of Washington, which ended the North American Border War, Britain along with France Guaranteed the independence of the United States and its post war borders. Since Columbia and the Confederate States were already allied, and Mexico was allied with the CSA, for Britain to form an alliance with Columbia would be nothing but a conflict of interests. This was an unexpected failure in Columbia's foreign policy and made President Sutter a little nervous.

The summer of '71 was rather prosperous for Columbia, with exceptionally warm weather and several open-air concerts featuring the music of Beethoven, Chopin, and Haydn. Most Columbian's viewed themselves as highly literate and lovers of the arts, often attempting to make a name for themselves in a world where "Olde Europe" usually led. While a fan of comedies, President Sutter did not express much interest in the arts and instead focused on the future of Columbian Imperialism. Shortages of coal were beginning to be a problem for the industrializing nation and it is said that during the summer plans were drawn up for invasions of islands of Nippon, China and Russia. Particular focus began to be directed at Nippon, which Columbia feared would fall under the influence of one of the great European powers.

Black Wednesday, August 2nd of 1871 - hit Columbia by surprise. For the most part the economy seemed to be booming, but a sudden bank sector crash made policy makers in Columbia suddenly more cautious. The unlimited lending and poor investments of several government sponsored companies helped bring about the collapse of several large banks, including the Victoria insurance and loans corporation. While it is suspected that much of this may have been caused by creative book keeping of Leland Stanford and his associates, an investigation never occurred. Though the collapse of the banks hurt the wealthy, most of the common citizens of Columbia were unaffected, other then being more wary to invest in the stock markets. Those who did choose to invest usually sought the more stable market of London.

Another odd event that occurred during the month of August was the disablement of Argentina's constitution. On August 10th, Argentina’s Dictator and former governor of Buenos Aires, Juan Manuel de Rosas, officially ended Argentina's life as a Republic when he had himself crowned King. This move was only the next step for the seventy seven year old Dictator, who having successfully crushed his opponents within the country and further consolidated his power through the use of his assassin organization: the Mazorca, had been glutted on his own delusions of power. Unchallenged internationally, many in Columbia and the other North American democracies felt this set a horrid precedent. Editorials condemning the abuse of power in Argentina ran for months after the incident and while many seemed fired up over the incident, no government wished to take any aggressive stance towards Argentina, with few nations even bothering to embargo the Southern Monarchy.

Columbia's own President Sutter was more concerned with Russia's continued expansion in Asia and the upcoming campaign for the December 1872 Presidential election then events in a region as far South as Argentina. Seeming justified due to the lack of international objections, King Juan of Argentina began his reign as a Monarch.

The new flag of the Monarquía de plata de la Argentina
​

 

[unmerged(24320)]

Several other major events occurred in North America during the month of March...

excellent update!​

it is really nice that you have information from all over the world!

 

[unmerged(17581)]

Awesome update, Machiavellian! As usual!

 

[stnylan]

Sounds like West Virginia could become an excuse for war in a few more years' time.