A History of the Empire: Vol. 3
Chapter 2: The Union Republic
As the republican leaders discussed how to reform the government, a tragic series of events unfolded. On April 13th of 1631, Emperor James was convicted of acting against the interests of the people and for conspiring to force war. James was to hand over his power to the republicans in a formal declaration and as such would be allowed to keep his title and act as a ceremonial head of state. When James was released from captivity to meet with the republicans, he and the guards escorting him were attacked by a small but well trained group of royalists. The royalists killed the guards and freed James, hoping to smuggle him out of the Isles. It is unknown to this day if James had any knowledge of the plot. As the royalists attempted to flee London with James, they were captured by a republican patrol. During the fight James was hit by musket fire in neck and he died quickly. News of the plot and death of the Emperor traveled quickly to the republican leaders.
These leaders were forced to revoke much of the planning for the new government in light of the Emperor's death. In order to establish a constitutional monarchy, they would need a member of the royal family. Henry was the only remaining Lancaster and the republicans did not trust that Henry would be controllable. In a state of emergency, Clive declared that he would be taking over as administrative leader of Great Britain. He declared that an assembly would be called and the government reformed. On June 2nd 1631, Clive declared that the imperial government of Great Britain had been dissolved and that a republic was being formed. The new government would be referred to as the United Republic of Great Britain, Ireland, and the Controls. It would quickly be known as the Union Republic.
David Clive assumed the role of Union Director, essentially giving him full control of the government. Clive, although in the highest position, did not desire to be a monarch or dictator.
On July 11th, Clive called a meeting of the Union Congress to help create a permanent legislative body, which was Clive’s main concern. On July 26th, the Union Congress approved not only a new constitution and began the process of reforming both the administration and control of the republic, but they also began to alter the direction they wished to take. Many symbolic changes were made during this time. The words “empire,” “emperor,” and “imperial” were removed from all legal documents. Republican soldiers were being given uniform specific colors. The flag was redesigned slightly to help differentiate royalist and republican forces, who were still battling in central England.
Clive and the Union Congress made it a priority to make certain that the lower classes were aware of their rights. Most of these peasants were completely unaware of how to react to these changes. Rights like voting, which applied only to the literate amongst them, and the ability to file grievances were alien to them. Clive had news of these rights and changes sent to the Controls and ordered their public recitation and application.
In America and Africa, Control leaders were very cautious about how to react to the new government. The republicans were fueled by many anti-expansionist sentiments and the Controls feared a massive drop in support. On December 14th 1631, Daniel Rooke, head of the African Control, declared that the Control would not submit to the new leadership and that they stood in defiance of the Union Republic. On March 2nd of 1632, Arthur Davis of the American Control made a similar statement and joined Rooke in planning a restoration of the monarchy. The Greater Indian Control declared a state of neutrality and acknowledged both the Controls and Union Republic.
In a dual statement, Clive responded when the king of Sicily asked for aid against Persia. Italian diplomats were unsure of how Clive might respond to the request. In June of 1632, he made the statement that the Union Republic was not honoring agreements and guarantees of the previous imperial government. In essence, Clive was breaking the alliance with Sicily while simultaneously informing the Controls that he would not support them in light of their stance on the new republic. A member of the Union Congress, Hugh Cook, brought forth the idea of a war on the Controls. His idea was deemed militarily unfeasible and voted down, but it was approved by 12 of the 42 representatives, showing that it had support.
Around the same time the Greater Indian Control had a tense moment in Asia. A large British fleet was met by an equally large Japanese fleet in the Strait of Malacca, an area recently annexed by the Japanese. The Japanese threatened the fleet to turn around. The British fleet proceeded to hold its position. When a small Japanese transport vessel was accidently sunk when it was perceived as hostile, the Japanese fleet fled south. The British did not pursue and instead headed back west. Once more the Japanese and British had come close to open conflict.
In late 1633, Henry secretly left Italy and met with Rooke in Morocco. After a several months of planning, Henry, Rooke, and several other leading officials from the African Control set sail for America. The destination was the city of New York. The city sat on a small island along the American east coast and was being used as a temporary seat of government. There they would meet with Davis to discuss plans for how to best restore the Empire, which became known as the York Discussions. Two plans were developed. Several years of preparation were needed before either could be implemented.
Worth noting is the improvements made on the home isles during this period. To help support those who desired a stronger Britain, Clive set up funds for the building of a large University in London, a new and quite large market to be developed in London to promote trade in the area, and a weapons factory in Exeter. All were praised by republicans as Clive leading Great Britain to greatness.
On the 18th of March in 1635, a series of attacks and assassinations took place. Clive was attacked, yet escaped alive, although with a rather serious wound to the arm which would affect him for the remainder of his life. Of the 42 representatives of the Union Congress, 11 were killed and 9 more seriously injured. Several assassins were captured. They were found to be well trained and well funded. Many of them kept completely silent about their employers, but the republicans realized quite quickly who they had been funded by. On April 1st Clive gave a speech to the Union Congress claiming making the statement that “With our newfound rights comes a necessity to bring them to far off shores.” On April 3rd the congress approved of the use of force against the Controls to bring about order.