Anniona and Iron (Pt. 3 Austrian Image Heavy Mega campaign)

[dragoon9105]

Chapter 27: Left in the Cold

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Denmark was once again in Crisis. The Sick Man of Europe had been struggling against Swedish and Germanic Rebels now for decades. The Revolts of 1864 and 1865 however would be unlike the rather disorganized riots that had plagued the Danish beforehand. This time the revolts were organized and supported by Pan-Germanic Forces around the world. Pan-Germans who were now being abandoned by the greater Holy Roman Empire and her allies.

Kaiser Ferdinand had decided this would be his ultimate answer to the question of Germany. Instead of siding with the German Nationalists as his father had Ferdinand sided instead with the Danish. Military support namely in the forms of military and economic aid was sent to the legitimate Danish government in Copenhagen.

Westphalia who had also taken chances to jump on Danish weakness in the past also took pause. Memories of the short Austrian invasion were still fresh. Without Westphalian or Holy Roman Support, The Russian, Celtic and Eastern Roman Empires refused to stir for a predominantly German Revolt in isolated Scandinavian and left the rebels to their fate.​

With the International End of the Crisis resolved Kaiser Ferdinand moved to set his new Policy regarding Pan-Nationalism as a whole. Germany as a concept was to be removed from discussion as the Holy Roman Empire was to be a nation of many different cultures as opposed to a singular nation state a policy that would be repeated for all the other prospective Nation-States within the Empire such as Italy, Bohemia and Bulgaria.

In Denmark work would begin on revising the Danish Constitution. The Celtic Empire who had large amounts of influence in the Danish Government and Economy would spearhead the effort to stabilize the situation in the North. The Celt's would prove unwilling to work with Holy Roman officials at all and work on governmental reform would slow to a crawl. The original goal of great power intervention, to stabilize scandinavia would increasingly fall further out of the spotlight as diplomats from both sides battled for prestige and influence in the Baltic.​

Elsewhere in the world, Eastern Roman Archeologies had recently received approval from the Imperial Senate to begin an extensive research and excavation project in Egypt. One area in particular, known as Valley of the Kings had previously been declared as a restricted area by the Senate in an effort not to anger the local egyptian population. Emperor Alexios-Duncan however had now removed such restrictions in hopes that discoveries in egypt would bring greater prestige to the Nation and of course increase in the Senate for further african projects, such as colonization.​

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Elsewhere in the World, a new leap forward was being made for the Empire. The first Great American War had revealed the potential of steam powered Ironclad warships. While more traditional sailing ships still had a massive advantage in range Kaiser Wilhelm had seen the potential in furthering research into such modern ship designs, especially if Austria hoped to remain the dominant power at sea.

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During the Summer of 1865 the First of a new series of Steam Powered Warships was launched after years of secrecy in development. The HRS Christopher would be the first in a new line of the imperial Ritterlich class of Ironclad Warships. Due to being the first in such a class the Ritterlich class was designed to balanced speed, firepower and projection.

The Navy proved willing to pay any cost to make such a design happen, Future ships were estimated to cost nearly Five Times as much as older steam powered commerce raiders which still remained competitive in speed and Firepower. The Christopher also be the first ship to experience some key weaknesses unique to it's new design. The First of which was it's massive steam Boiler which made it an ideal, and easily noticeable target for Shore Based guns that could penetrate the top of the ship and render it immobile. The Iron plated hull also required constant repairs due to corrosion. The ship also had a massive coal issue due to an oversized Boiler built to help maximize speed, but low amounts of cargo space dedicated to fuel. The Later two issues would force the Christopher and it's Sister ships to only operate in areas nearby ports capable of repairing and refueling the modern ships.

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The Powder Keg of Europe had been effectively settled down for the moment. Denmark has proved that it was not to be the spark that Europe would bleed over, 1865 would end in peace but such things couldn't last forever.

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

Poor Denmark. The crisis was avoided, but I can't see the Celtic Empire and the HRE agreeing on how to fix things. It probably won't take long until another Denmark-centered issue drags the rest of Europe into it.

The new iron steamers are excellent news for the HRE. A stronger navy is never a bad thing, especially if you need to cross the globe to fight your enemy (like some former colonies).

 

[dragoon9105]

Chapter 28: Anarchy

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The rise of Industry in Europe, Liberal ideas of democracy born out ot of the enlightenment were allowed to flourish and grow. Rich Capitalists in the Various Empires of Europe had taken these ideas to heart and often used their wealth and influence to at least attempt to further reforms. Such efforts however were often half-hearted and blocked by a belligerent ruling class and even in a Yellow Controlled Holy Roman Empire, Idea's such as suffrage were not only taboo but illegal to speak about entirely.

It was in the more oppressive and unstable societies however the Liberal intellectuals had grown more and more radical both in ideology and their methods. In unstable Denmark in particular, where the government was little more than a puppet for the Holy Roman, Russian and Celtic Empires the native Danish had begun to gather not into political parties but Anarchist circles, where the eventual takeover of the government was being planned.

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In the Holy Roman Empire, Liberals dissatisfied with Kaiser Ferdinand's changes gathered into a new, Radical Liberal Party. While only a very small party the Radical Liberals threatened to expand and polarize the Reichsrat and Austrian people even further on the future of the government. The Kaiser's response to this was severe and declared hypocritical by his protractors. The Radical Liberal party was banned and forced underground and its followers were absorbed back into the National Liberal party. Such an action however would do little to stop Anarchist circles from forming in the more Urbanized areas of the country.

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The Holy Roman response could of course not save Denmark. Celtic Belligerence on control over the Danish had left a weak and Divided government in the North, one that the Danish people found all to easy to overthrow. A new, Anarchist Constitution was written, the King of Denmark was made little more than a hostage within the Royal Palace in Copenhagen.

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An Overthrow of the Danish Government left both the Holy Roman and Celtic Empire's stunned, and scrambling to assemble some semblance of Order in Northern Europe after the North German Revolutions throughout norway only Months Earlier. The Eastern Roman Empire and Westphalia would also pledge assistance to the conflict, in doing so however an Opening was made, not in Europe but back in Asia.

The Muhammid Caliphate was waiting for an opportunity to re-ignite their war with the Mongols. The Mongol Khanate was now officially westernized and had adopted a Modern administration, That wouldn't matter of course as the Wu Empire was willing to come into the war almost immediately, fighting alongside their allies in the West.

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What the Wu did not expect this time however was that while the Eastern Roman Empire had formally backed out, the Third Player in Mongol Politics, Russia was ready to defend the Mongols. While traditionally enemies, Empress Victoria wished to prevent any further expansion of the Wu or her allies in Eurasia, combined with the Eastern Roman Empire's massive success in the past helping the Mongols proved to be a risk free move.

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In Northern Europe things only turned worse. With Denmark in collapse Nationalists and Anarchists in Danish Holland had also risen up and were violently put down by French Troops in the Area. The Flemish response was to mobilize the army and march on Danish Holland, citing their claim to liberate the Lowlands from a collapsing Denmark.​

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The Kingdom of Spain which was undergoing their own Crisis quickly abandoned Denmark to it's fate. Westphalia who had an alliance with the Flemish felt this was the perfect way to stabilize the situation in the North and Joined in, mobilizing their own armies along the Rhein at the Danish Border in Holstein.

The Celtic Empire had begun to mobilize as well, but their own intent was clear. The Westphalians and Flemish were going to partition Denmark. North German Rebels also still controlled Norway and should Denmark be lost could link up with Westphalian armies in Southern Denmark and enforce their terms, the possibility of the opportunist Westphalians accepting the Crown of Germany couldn't be ignored.

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Kaiser Ferdinand had not missed this possibility either. With the Celtic Empire looking to Join the Flemish once again called on Holy Roman Empire to Intervene and stop the collapse of Northern Europe. Within days Kaiser Ferdinand had the army prepared and moved by rail to positions on the French Border, thus marking the end of the peaceful Status Quo of Europe.

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

Russia and the Mongol Khanate fighting Iraq and Wu... I'm rooting for Russia, due to the Mongols finally catching up with the rest of the world, but I'm not sure they can beat Wu. Then again, I had doubted the Eastern Roman Empire.

The HRE is back in the business they excel at: war. Denmark is chaos and the Celtic Empire is pit against you... I feel like we've been here before. How will the status quo be changed this time?

 

[dragoon9105]

Chapter 29: The Watch on the Rhine

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In the coming Months the Rhineland would once again become a Battleground for Celtic and German armies. Kaiser Ferdinand, to prevent further escalation issued orders limiting Offensive actions to Northern France and the Border regions at Alsace Lorraine.

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The Opening weeks of the war saw a massive Celtic push into Flemish and Westphalian Territory. Nothing particularly unexpected from the Holy Roman Empire. Westphalia however rather than giving fight at the border retreated to deal with a defenseless denmark and instead reserved needed to be mobilized North towards Gelre to prevent the Celtic Army from cutting of Flanders.

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On the Diplomatic Front things continued to collapse for the Defending Danish-Celtic Coalition as Sweden entered the war as a third party, citing their claims on Norway as enough reason for war. North German Rebels in the region however remained organized and quickly mobilized now to resist a swedish invasion.

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Meanwhile in the Dominion of South Africa preparations for a renewed Invasion of the Mutapa were being finished. Now that various Native territories had successfully been brought into the Imperial Administration a final move to remove the last recognized un-westernized native African Government could be made.

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At Mainz the tide turned for the worst for the Celtic Empire as the last major offensive army had been broken by Imperial Forces. After nearly a year of Containment in the Rhineland, General Gerhard von Clemens decided it time to finally strike into France in hopes to Liberate Flanders, and possibly strike as Paris itself.

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The Offensive of Early 1869 pushed the war finally onto Celtic Land. By June Imperial forces had cleared much of Alsace Lorraine and the Celtic Rhineland. For Austrian Citizens this was when the war had truly begun, as various Independent Newspaper and Photography Companies were allowed to take pictures after successful battles along the Rhineland Front. The Censored Press would paint the war as a great victory, despite nearly every offensive done by Austrian Soldiers resulted in more casualties on the Imperial Side of things.

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At Sea an entirely diffrent victory had been struck. The Imperial Fleet now Augmented with top of the line Steamer ships and Ironclad warships completly and utterly destroyed half of the the Celtic Fleet outside Dover. An Imperial Blockade was leveled against the Celtic Isles, and what had been a losing war for the Celtic Empire was quickly turning into a looming Economic Disaster.

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Kaiser Ferdinand had no wish in a simple peace with Honor has his father had. The Original Compromise that had led to the reunification of the Empire had given the Celtic Empire a large chunk of rightful German Land. Kaiser Ferdinands intentions were now to reverse these decisions through the reintegration of the Rhineland and Alsace Lorraine into the Holy Roman Empire. With Russia and the Eastern Roman Empire busy in the east, none could stand to oppose Ferdinand's demand.

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Not long after the disaster at Dover, Paris was surrounded by Imperial Forces and eventually taken, bring an end to the war and the start of peace Negotiations between Arthur III and Kaiser Ferdinand. Celtic terms were the return of the Rhineland and Alsace Lorraine to the Holy Roman Empire, and the Liberation of a North German Republic in Norway. Kaiser Ferdinand who had no intention of allowing any Northern German Republic to exist modified the terms to ensure Flanders would receive it's due.​

A Final Treaty was signed in Brussels marking an End to Dutch crisis as it was now being called. Holland was to be ceded to the Flemish who would assert themselves as the Primary protector of Dutch and Walloon peoples in Europe. Meanwhile The Rhineland would finally be returned to Holy Roman Protection after nearly two centuries of control by the Celtic Empire. Westphalia would ultimately be completly snubbed from any demand and further expansion for the Upstart North German state was halted entirely due to the mentioned, cession of the Rhine to Austria.

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Western Europe would have peace for the moment. Though War and Rebellion still raged on in Scandinavia, The Greater Powers the Celtic and Austrian Empires as well as Westphalia had returned to their corners. In Asia however, the powers of the east still fought and in Far Away America events were once again conspiring, to set a continent on fire.
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​

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

Nice to have the Rhine returned to the Holy Roman Empire. I wonder how long until Denmark's issues cause another war... Still, I'm excited to see what's going on in the East and Americas.

Also, I'm going to go ahead and say the coming war with Mutapa will be fairly one-sided.

 

[dragoon9105]

Chapter 30: The New Orleans War

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By Late 1869 war had once again broken out in the Americas. In South America Peru and Argentina had resolved their previous war a decade before with a shaky peace no better then a temporary ceasefire. Now with Major Powers of south America recovered Brazil and the Andes had once again become the frontline in a conflict many in the empire were starting to say would never end without a return of Holy Roman control over the region.

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In North America the uneasy alliance between the United States and The Knight's Transient had been steadily collapsing for years. Without New Anglia to serve as a common enemy the Democratic United States now found itself continually at odds with the Knight's Transient, especially in the contested regions west of the Appalachian mountains where the borders were not well defined.

On a similar note Louisiana had a longstanding border dispute with the Knights that had escalated into open Warfare. Louisiana was a sparsely populated country, Landlocked and entirely dependent on the Holy Roman Empire, Knight's Transient and Mexico for trade. Rather than coming to the terms for a proper border agreement the Knights attacked with intent to take as much territory from Louisiana as possible.

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Whether it was sensing opportunity or reacting to Knight's Transient Aggression, a mere month later the United States congress voted almost unanimously to go to war with the Knight's Transient. The Hope of the Unites States was that a two front war would break the Knight's enough that Canada or perhaps even Austria could intervene in the region and enforce a Status Quo as Wu had in Asia.

The Knight's Transient responded by escalating the war and mobilizing it's civilian population to fight the Americans. Meanwhile Templar diplomats in Mexico had convinced Santa Anna to intervene in exchange for American border territories around New Orleans.

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The Aptly named New Orleans War had begun with Louisiana and the United States of America pitted against the Empire of Mexico and Knight's Transient. American wars had been bloody in the past, and while the United States did not have the vast territory of New Anglia a century of being a Hub of Immigration had given the upstart democracy the largest population in America. Experts had already begun to predict a massive potential loss of life, on both sides.​

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Meanwhile the Kingdom of Westphalia made good on it's promises made in the Treaty of Brussels. Westphalian soldiers and personnel were deployed now to Denmark to aid in reconstruction and defense against the Swedish Military.

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The more Modern and disciplined regiments of Westphalia made quick work of the Swedish and North German Militia's that had devastated much of Norway. With her only potential ally in the conflict, Russia, busy in the east King Gustav VII of Sweden opted to stand down rather than risk german occupation.

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Speaking of Russia, The Mongolian War had gone from bad to worse. The Wu had learned from their mistakes during their war against the Eastern Roman Empire. While the Military was still mired in bureaucracy and technologically behind, Emperor Wu Shen had ensured many of the competent commanders of the previous war were weeded out and more competent veterans from the Malaysian frontier were placed in key positions. Russia of course had grown dependent on using her superior numbers to defeat her own foes, against the Wu who outnumbered the Russians two to one, Traditional Russian Infantry tactics had fallen apart and had made a bad situation far worse.

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So Much worse in fact that the Eastern Roman Empire who had sat much of the war out until this point had decided to take the opportunity to reclaim Samara from an Exhausted Russian Empire. Russia was now about to Face a war on two fronts and this time would not have the Holy Roman Empire at it's side.

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[TheAnguishedOne]

Argentina versus Peru... my money is on Argentina, but that's pretty much just a coin flip.

The New Orleans War will certainly be fun, and likely beneficial for the Knights Transient. The USA has a big population, but the Knights seem to do nothing but excel at war. Having Mexico as their ally only helps.

Russia fighting the ERE and the Wu without the HRE, with the Mongol Khanate in the middle... While I'm hoping Russia pulls off an upset, I can't see them winning both wars. Funny to think that while all of this rages on, the HRE is pretty much just relaxing.

 

[HIMDogson]

Poor Empress Victoria... I still think you wrote yourself into a corner with that.

 

[dragoon9105]

Chapter 31: A Day in the Jungle

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With half of the world at war, Chancellor Von Strasbourg had been using the Imperial Diplomatic influence to great effect in the Caribbean and South America. Under the National-Liberal Administration a large portion of Austria's subsidies arms industry had been closed down or otherwise converted into civil facilities. What factories remained had exploited what markets they could namely the America's which lacked the industrial capacity to build modern weapons of war yet also a dire need to use such weapons for defense or warfare.

(Californian Militia test firing a Jäger-Imperial 1870 Repeating Rifle built in the Holy Roman Empire)​

Mexico was the natural market for many Imperial arms, being apart of the several Free trade agreements with the empire and valuable ally, but not only the only recipient. New Anglia, Haiti and Colombia were all valuable members of the CTF, an Austrian led Free Trade agreement and had joined with Austria in hopes that her grand navy would defend them in case the more expansionist Americans or Knight's Transient ever desired Caribbean Sugar and Tobacco.

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In Eurasia the inevitability of a two front War had caused Empress Victoria to bow out, surrendering Samara to the Eastern Roman Empire, and leaving the Mongol Empire to it's fate at the hands of the Wu and Muhammid Caliphate. For Russia the war had been costly both in manpower and to the Russian economy, Samara however was at the end of the day useless wasteland and ultimately the Mongols were not vital enough of a trade partner that the loss of Land in Western Mongolia hardly would affect Russians west of the Urals.

An End of the war did mean that the Wu were free to exert their influence elsewhere. Within months the Aging Wu Shen declared his intent to bring a Status quo to America, likely an attempt to find allies against an eventual war against Austria for Japan.

Kaiser Ferdinand's response was expected to say the least. All diplomatic ties with the Wu were once again cut off, A Shoot to kill order was forwarded to Imperial Fleets in the Pacific and Imperial Militia in California. Another 50 Thousand Men making up the Austrian 20th Colonial Guard were also deployed to Korea alongside new modern warships. Austrian naval bases throughout Japan, Korea and Africa also were provided extra supplies and construction materials under a new Modernization Act passed by Chancellor Strasbourg.

Such Materials were planned to be used to make the old coaling stations into modernized shipyards on par with those in the Homeland, capable of repairing and even constructing the expensive Ironclads that were keeping the Empire's Top Heavy steel industry afloat.​

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Conflict never would come however as the Indian Brothers once again went to war and the Wu were obliged to dedicate soldiers instead to Kamarupa's aid before America. As the Malaysian-Kosalan alliance promised to be a much more immediate threat to Chinese interest than a border dispute in america.

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Back in Europe Proper the Imperial Citizen Right's Act was officially signed into law after years of controversy of debate. The act originally had been proposed as a broad amendment to the Imperial constitution and colonial charters protecting the Rights to free speech, assembly, religion, legal representation and subsidized public transport.

Liberals had proposed the act also include several local voting privileges, which garnered an almost universal boycott from Traditionalists within the party. Meanwhile Socialist elements within the Reichsrat wanted healthcare and worker pensions to be included with the act. The debate had raged and almost thirty different revisions had been brought forward to the Kaiser to approve all of which were denied.

Instead Kaiser Ferdinand sidestepped his Reichsrat and worked in co-operation with Chancellor Strasbourg and several key figures in Austria outside of the Reichsrat to develop a finalized Right's act. The Kaiser's version of the act included rights to free speech and religion in all Austrian territories, including Japan, Africa and California but didn't extend further and was passed into law by the Kaiser alone, with it being defeated in the Reichsrat.

For the members of the Reichsrat the Kaiser's act was a firm reminder that the power in Austria did not reside in any any appointed council or elected government but in it's emperor. Kaiser Ferdinand was of course again declared a hypocrite by both sides of the Austrian Reichsrat but the media of course was widely praised the Kaiser for his decision to remove the old system and allow for Freedom of Press.

In Japan, Freedom of religion would also be a major reform as while the Japanese urban population was predominantly catholic, the rural area's of japan still remained fervently Buddhist and Shinto and the few Temples of the old religions were now allowed to remain as places of worship, protected by the Emperor's authority.

(Engineer-General Herman Wenzel the Mastermind of the Panama Canal)
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To deter any remaining sources of Criticism Kaiser Ferdinand announced the success of a longstanding project of his father's that had been expanded upon in recent years. Originally masterminded by Kaiser Karl-Franz and Kurt Milkas nearly two decades ago the Panama canal was thought up to limit the travel time to reach California and Japan without having to cross the Indian Ocean. The Dream had finally been brought into reality by Engineer-General Herman Wenzel who after nearly fifteen years of dedicated excavation and construction had brought the Canal into being as one of the feats of the modern world.

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The Canal now completed had cut Travel times throughout the Empire in half. Combined with the widespread utilization of more efficient steam power Trans Imperial Shipping and travel was poised to explode, and the Empire upon which the Sun Never set was tied ever closer together.

With Malaria Vaccines and advanced Railroad technology also being put to use now throughout the empire some had also begun to propose that older plans to expand further into the African Interior and exploit the vast resources that lay hidden were now possible.​

 

[dragoon9105]

Sorry about the slower Updates guys, Finals are coming so i've been trying to ensure I've got some extra time for studying every week.

That and I also tend to have less time to get further than usual in Vicky right now since there's been ALOT of war (Eerie foreshadowing ) which means playing at speed 1 or 2 rather than 3/4.

Roma invicta!

Also, that's a lot of casualties for a status quo ante bellum. I wonder if the peace will merely postpone the war for another time.

Won't be the first time Hundreds of Thousands die in this universe for Status Quo Unfortunately XD

Canada's offer rejected... It could have been interesting, but you don't need it. Glory to the Absolutist HRE.

Improving the economy is always good news. Surprising to see a Scotsman doing it for you though.

Yep, though I'm starting to believe outside of a full occupation I'll never beat the Wu in industry or Military becuase that Pop is starting to snowball out of control.

Argentina versus Peru... my money is on Argentina, but that's pretty much just a coin flip.

The New Orleans War will certainly be fun, and likely beneficial for the Knights Transient. The USA has a big population, but the Knights seem to do nothing but excel at war. Having Mexico as their ally only helps.

Russia fighting the ERE and the Wu without the HRE, with the Mongol Khanate in the middle... While I'm hoping Russia pulls off an upset, I can't see them winning both wars. Funny to think that while all of this rages on, the HRE is pretty much just relaxing.

Never underestimate America in Vicky. Even if they lose this war, by the end of the game I expect they'll STILL end up being a GP. Right now becuase of Westernized Wu, America pulls around 5000 Immigrants per tick from the Wu alone when they are at war... That's ridiculous. Still right now they are still in danger of being overrun by the Knight's superior military.

Poor Empress Victoria... I still think you wrote yourself into a corner with that.

To be fair on the poor Girl she did just fight the most technologically advanced and most numerous Nation at the same time and managed to jump out with only minor losses. Russia is still #3 I should point out, so they aren't doing bad. Westernized China is a terrible beast to cross In the coming years exactly we'll see how ridiculous Wu can be when it's fully mobilized.

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

Sad to see Russia lose, but they did what they could and, as you pointed out, the territory lost isn't that vital. Something really needs to be done about Wu though... and I'm not opposed to your Asian territory expanding.

Nice to see Freedom of the Press for the HRE. The Kaiser holds all of the power, but that doesn't mean the people can't have a voice within the empire.

 

[dragoon9105]

Chapter 32: Afrika

(Governor Luciano depicted straddling Africa for the Holy Roman Empire alone)​

The Holy Roman Empire like the Roman Empire before it had always been consumed with an never ending desire to expand and exploit everything it could. In the chaos of the 19th century however the Empire was being pulled in multiple different directions. The more radical liberals, socialists and anarchists were focused entirely on change at home, improving the economy and human rights reform. National Liberals and more traditional parties wanted the Empire not only to expand but eliminate it's competition abroad, chief among which was the Wu Empire which was still widening an economic gap. With the Wu blocking further expansion into Asia and the America's outside of California proving to be a cesspit of controversy, rebellion and war the Empire looked to the last remaining frontier, Africa.

Africa was a continent left out of time, described as a virgin wilderness not yet touched by the industrial powers of the world. It's resources were untapped and valuable and it's people innocent and impressionable. This was of course for the most part false, the richest parts of Africa had already been parts of either the Holy Roman Empire or the Empire of Mali for centuries. It's people had been in almost constant contact with Europeans as well, though with the massive rise in technological advancement since the start of industrialization many of those peoples who's presence would dissuade European colonization now found themselves on the end of Austrian repeating firearms.

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With such inventions as the Railroad, Breech Loaded firearms and various Vaccines the door into the more inhospitable area's of the continent had been opened for Austrian Entrepreneurs. When Diamonds were discovered deep within the Congo hopeful colonizers began to flood into Cape Colony, Zanzibar and Mali to prepare expeditions into the vast untamed Wilderness. Governor Alexander Luciano had quickly sensed what he felt was the beginning of a second great colonial rush as entrepreneurs across Europe flocked into Central Africa to stake claims and seek their own fortunes and had the Colonial Afrika Corp move north along the African coast and begin to step up small wayforts throughout the region to press Austria's claim to the land before another power made their own move..

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Other than Entrepreneurs immigrants fleeing oppressive conditions in Europe and turned away by Warfare In America also arrived in the unclaimed regions of Africa, chief among them were Scottish, Saxon, and Indochinese peoples who wanted no part of ongoing struggles for independence or the violent warfare that was dominating their home countries. Such peoples however found themselves trapped in way of an Expanding Austrian Empire, one that did not give any sort of local representation and was more interested in what lied beneath the African soil than who lived atop it.

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With the Holy Roman Empire laying claims to almost the entirety of the continent the other Great Powers reacted accordingly calling a Conference in Copenhagen to discuss the future of the dark continent. Chancellor Strasbourg however had no desire to send a delegation to a conference where he very well would find the Celtic and Eastern Roman Empire's greedily outstretching their hands to him and ignored it while deploying further troops into the African frontier.

As predicted the Conference would occur, without the Holy Roman Empire the Celtic and Eastern Roman Empires carved up africa between each other leaving small areas to Russia and Westphalia. Russia however could not be less interested and when the Conference of Copenhagen demanded Russia's help in enforcing the will of the Conference Empress Victoria Refused. While the Westphalians, Celts and Eastern Romans could have went to war, Byzantium in particular would be leaving their backside open to a very angry Russia that would almost assuredly jump on the first opportunity to reclaim Samara and possible take further gains in the Crimea.​

In Africa itself, the Sahara was the first patch of land to fall completly under the Empire. Though Mostly Useless the Sahara territories would prove to be a proof of concept for later colonization efforts in the heart of Africa.​

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With the various colonial powers of the world posturing and preparing to expand what empires they had The King of Cordoba had passed a series of colonial reforms officially integrating the various Island territories of Cordoba into the Government, likely as a precursor to the elephant in the Room, Cordoban China.

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Efforts in Central Africa would also continue mostly unopposed for the rest of the Year. A major form of resistance would be none other than the Eastern Roman Empire moving to defend it's own interests in Ethiopia and Northern Africa. The Pan-Roman frontier in Africa would have no official borders but in various area's throughout the Jungles military and economic buildup would become the daily agenda in the region.

Meanwhile, American affairs were once again getting out of hand.​

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

Ah, HRE domination flows throw Africa. You're determined to remain the ultimate colonizer, eh?

Anarcho-Liberals in Mexico... Poor Americas seem be always have something new causing a change in the dynamic. They never fully calm.

 

[dragoon9105]

Chapter 33: Down South in Dixie

(American Soldiers at camp near Norfolk)
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The Previous wars in America had set a dangerous precedent for the coming New Orleans War. The Knight's Transient had a relatively easy time with Louisiana on the onset of the war and in the first few months the Louisiana Militia, the closest thing to an actual military the state possessed was routed leaving Transient forces to begin occupying the territory. The United States however would prove to be willing to fight with more than local militia and fully mobilized a fighting force.

(United Stated Recruitment Poster for the the 3rd Savanna Army)​

The United States was the only democracy in North America and through this was the ideal location for thousands of immigrants from both Europe and the East with vast areas of unclaimed land to be tamed in both the states of Florida, Georgia and Carolina and the Western Territories taken from New Anglia. When the American Congress issued a declaration of war it was from these immigrant communities that America had found the strength to hit well above their own weight. Further amplifying the Knight's Transients issues was now the sheer vastness of a front they acquired through war with both the United States and Kingdom of Louisiana. In Louisiana particular Transient soldiers encountered a new Enemy once they were completly unprepared to face.

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Native Americans, notably the Sioux Nation had assisted the Kingdom of Louisiana in gaining it's independence from Cordoba. The Sioux were treated mostly with respect and left to their own ways by the Louisiana Government and care was taken to maintain an alliance of friendship between the two peoples. Increases in Cattle herding, mining and Farming in Louisiana had strained these relations in more recent years but still the frontier had remained mostly peaceful compared to the rest of the continent. In Austria the Sioux and other Native American tribes were actively hunted and displaced into foreign territories and by the 1870's large amounts of Native Americans from California and Mexico had also moved to Louisiana.

When the New Orleans War began the Knight's Transient had attempted to align themselves with the Sioux and other tribes due to their own interests in conquering the frontier for themselves. The Knight's Transient did make an earnest attempt, at first but unlike other native Americans the Knight's had dealt with beforehand the Sioux were powerful and proudly independent, Terms for annexation and integration were denied. The Knight's response was to attack and completly exterminate several villages to make a statement and in doing so had started a war with yet another people in the west, the Sioux would fight alongside Louisiana attacking Railroads, Army camps, freeing Louisiana towns and making further permanent progress west all but impossible for the Knights while the larger threat, America still loomed in the south.

The Americans meanwhile were having great success in their Primary Campaign in the east, having seized Norfolk and brought soldiers to bear as far north as the Potomac. At sea Ironclad American Ships had complete control and using ports in Neutral Canada the American fleet using the 'Anaconda' Plan had successfully set up a blockade along the entire Transient Coastline grinding trade to a halt and starving the Military power of America of weapons and ammunition that it desperately needed.

This had come at a price however, as American troops in the Western Front had been left more or less on their own while the more dangerous Knight's Transient was being dealt with in Virginia. Mexican forces advanced into hostile territory taking heavy casualties throughout the Arkansas territory. In one Particular Battle 300 American soldiers held the line at New Orleans for just under two weeks against Emperor Santa Anna's 2000 strong Army de la Norte marking perhaps the greatest disaster in Mexican Military history and further Eroding Santa Anna's support back at home.​

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The Imperial Mexican government was known to be on shaky ground ever since the collapse of the Continental Congress. Santa Anna had made all the right decisions in geopolitical board by allying with Austria and dismantling the great alliances in America. Ultimately when the great General turned Emperor returned to Mexico city he was not greeted with celebration but revolution, as Domestic policies set by a corrupt government under him had done nothing but breed dissent.

Santa Anna was captured by Rebels outside Veracruz and executed in the Anarchist Controlled Capital, though Santa Anna's death would be only the beginning of a long and bloody civil war as Loyalist and Imperial Remnants led by former Chief of the Army Colonel Herman Hernandez escaped to the North and negotiated a hasty peace with the United States for Arkansas.

In Urban Savanna another popular uprising, namely a Coalition of Socialists and Anarchists had risen up in Quantrill and Marched into Savannah Georgia. Fearing a massive workers uprising the Army was returned to the States and the United States formally backed out of the war, though for the Beleaguered Knight's Transient the damage had already been done and Peace with the Sioux and Kingdom of Louisiana would be signed only three months later.

​

In other news, the Ever opportunist Holy Roman Empire had exploited the American Conflict to expand her own influence in the Caribbean and South America. With the opening of the Panama Canal, Venezuela now found itself right along a new critically important trade route. The Venezuelan Government officially to Join with the other Holy Roman Aligned nations in the Caribbean enjoying Austrian Military protection at the cost of much of their freedom in regards to foreign trade.

​

The Final and perhaps most notable of events in America would be the ultimate second Canadian Revolution where once again the Crown of Germany was offered to Kaiser Friedrich. This time however the Kaiser chose not to ignore the Canadian Parliament and instead flatly declined a move that ultimately would polarize the Germans living within the Empire. There were still strong growing Pan-Germanic Groups within the Empire, and now those groups knew if change was to come, House Anniona would need to be dealt with, Permanently.

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

The winner in the war was ultimately Mexico then, as they gained some land. Too bad civil unrest forced them out of the war, I had been hoping for a more dramatic conclusion, perhaps even the complete annexation of a nation.

These Canadians just don't know when to quit. We don't need Germany when you're already something better.

 

[dragoon9105]

Apologies about the Huge extended Delay, Was busy for most of Finals week and when I wasn't busy i've been running around fixing things and putting out fires (Not literally putting out fires but close enough)
​

Chapter 34: The Scottish Question

(The Lion Flag of Scotland, Often flown in defiance of the Celtic Andrew's Cross of the Scottish Imperial Province)
​

For the Better part of it's History under the Celtic Empire Scotland and Ireland had been treated like a backwater. While the Celtic Empire, as it called itself claimed to rule over all Celtic Peoples there had long been a divide between the French Speaking Bretons and Britons of the Empire, and the Gaelic speaking Irish, and Scottish in the North. The Kingdom of Scotland for much of its history had bravely resisted Celtic Expansion and only after all of her allies had either fallen to the Holy League or otherwise collapsed on thier own was Scotland finally put down by the Kingdom of Brittany and Absorbed into the Fledgling Empire.

With no Colonial Empire to speak of for her own the Celtic Empire had used Scotland and to a lesser extent Ireland as a means to exploit the Mineral Wealth of her European holdings, at the expense of the Natives. The Reign of King Arthur III and the rise of Industrialization had only amplified tensions as military defeat after defeat had strained the Celtic Economy even further and meant Higher Taxes and Industrial Expansion into the Scottish Highlands.

The Sudden Death of King Arthur III would prove to be perhaps the shock to the Celtic Empire's system as the underage Arthur IV would assume the Throne only after a regency of no less than a Ten years. With no other immediate family to speak of Control of the Government fell to the predominantly French Speaking Celtic Court, and the so called "Conseil des Cochons" (Council of Pigs). The Regency Council of Arthur IV quickly proved itself to be corrupt and no better than a Pawn for Industrialist forces which were monopolizing large areas of the Celtic Economy.

(Scottish Militia outside Edinburgh taking a Photo after stopping a Coal Mine pay train)
​

By June 1872 The Council sanctioned Practice of La vergonha had spread to the Celtic Isles, after the removal of several Heritage protection laws that dated back to the founding of the Empire. Shortly after the Imperial Council would pass the "Economic Wellness Act" that among other things banned the Hiring of Non-French speaking peoples throughout the Empire. The result was no less than a Province wide Strike and Protest across the Scottish and Irish Provinces, and everything from Mail delivery to Factory word had ground to a halt.​

​

Chancellor Andre Von Strasbourg was a widely known supporter of more Liberal groups in his homeland of Scotland. During his Tenure as Imperial Chancellor Strasbourg had donated over Ten Million Annon out of his personal fortune to various groups within the Northern Provinces, many of whom would later be revealed to have turned militant during the Wellness strike.

On the foreign affairs front Von strasbourg had commits the Empire into supporting the Scottish. Both the Media and the Reichsrat would use the opportunity to paint the Entrepreneur turned Politician as corrupt, painting his moves as an abuse of Power. Kaiser Ferdinand's response to the widespread defamation against his chancellor was a Public Statement declaring his support for the Scottish, and an Implied Partition of the Celtic State.

​

This time the other Players of Europe would not fall into line with the Emperor. The Byzantine Empire, Russia and Westphalia all would side with the Celts, despite the Former two's more liberal leanings. The Celtic Empire provided a valuable offset to the Holy Roman Empire and weakening it further threatened the Balance of Power in Europe more than Empress Victoria or Emperor Alexios-Duncan were prepared to deal with.

​

Facing a potential War in not one or two but Four Fronts Kaiser Ferdinand Backed down and the Scottish were left without support. A month later Celtic Armies moved back into the Scottish provinces and put down the revolt through use of Lethal Force. Photographers and Newspaper Journalists through Europe would document the following "Valentine's Day Massacre" in Edinburgh where strikers throughout the city were arrested, shot and scattered, Earning wide amounts of Sympathy in Russia, The Holy Roman Empire and Eastern Roman Empires but it would be too little too late.

​

Meanwhile with Kaiser Ferdinand having abandoned his Kinsmen in Scandinavia and Canada for the Scottish the Westphalians had finally secured their hold over the Kingdom of Denmark with the Help of Pan German forces in Norway. While the Holy Roman Empire was denying the very possibility of a Pan German State the Westphalians now fully intended to exploit pan Nationalist feelings the world over and make the Dream of a reunified Germany a reality.

​

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

Poor Scotland. Their efforts only earned them a massacre of innocents. This only serves as another reason for the HRE and the Celtic Empire to be enemies.

 

[dragoon9105]

Chapter 35: The Concert Ends

(Newspaper detailing the growing Diplomatic Relations between India and the Holy Roman Empire)
​

The Year 1875 started much like any other boring year in Europe. The Holy Roman Empire in particular was celebrating the fruits new Trade and Military deals with the Kosalan Empire of India. With the Wu being fierce rivals of the Empire the Indian Subcontinent had become a major area of contention between the aging divine emperor Wu Shen and Kaiser Ferdinand. Kosalla and Kamarupa the dueling Indian Empires were host to the third and fourth largest economies in the world respectively as well as a massive population base that could be mobilized in the event of war between China and Europe.

With relative peace in America and Europe most eyes were on the ever unstable Asia to be the spark of the next major conflict. While to some extent they would be right tensions in Europe had begun rising following the Scottish Strike faster than most anticipated. Like most conflict in Europe this new crisis would have its origins in Scandinavia. In response to Westphalian control of Denmark Danish and Swedish paramilitary groups had begun imported weapons from hurting Austrian arms industry.

The Jäger-Imperial 1875 contract had recently been suspended by the military to test the new Napoleone II repeating rifle used in Italy. In doing so however the Jakost Rifle company was left several large stockpiles of the weapons with nobody willing to buy them. While private enterprise managed to relief some of the burden a light of hope had come through a deal with the Kingdom of Sweden who bought large amounts of the weapons for use its in own military and Paramilitary activities in scandinavia. When photographs accompanying an article on the tensions in Scandinavia revealed Swedish revolutionaries in possession of the rifle an official investigation was begun.

By May the investigation had revealed the Jakost had sold the guns without knowledge of the Government but was acquitted of almost all criminal charges thanks to more liberal reforms made during Kaiser Freidrich's early reign. Jakost was however found guilty of tax evasion and two million Annon fine was levied against the company. The Fine combined with other losses from the rifles as well as legal fee's from the trial had bankrupted the once great Imperial company. The Putsch Armament company, one of the last remaining armament companies in Austria absorbed Jakost ending the company that had provided house Anniona her weapons of war for a century.

=
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Elsewhere in Europe the Russian Empress Victoria was now finally ready to have her revenge against the Eastern Roman Empire. Her reign, initially successful due to a strong council, and stronger alliance with the Holy Roman Empire had begun to weaken and the Russian Empire had at some points teters at the point of decline. Wars against the Eastern Roman Empire and Wu without Holy Roman help had been devastating in the past. Now however the Empress was old and nearing the end of her reign but she did have one saving grace, she had Machine Guns on her side. Machine guns, new Artillery and tactics taken from the American wars. The Empire was prepared to strike back, and hard.

​

Sensing their own opportunity, all premise was dropped in Scandinavia. The Proxy wars Sweden had begun to fight against Denmark and Westphalia were now very real and the Swedes were prepared to ask the Holy Roman Empire for help in weakening the growing Pan-Germanic Block in the North.

The Celtic Empire were the first to Join into the war, on the side of the Danish and in doing so damned both Denmark and themselves to a war neither were prepared to handle. Public outcry from the Scottish Strike and Its aftermath had left many in the empire with a desire for revenge against what they saw as a cruel regime. In reality the Holy Roman Empire was just as if not more oppressive of similar revolts in the past and present only that they had become more efficient at dealing with such mass uprising before they gained more widespread attention across the world. Either way the Kaiser was well prepared to punish the Celtic Empire for Isolating the Empire in the recent past, even if it was only in self defense.

​

The Initial rush into the French countryside ended up being more successful than anticipated. The French Military after all was still recovering from the Scottish rebellion. Welsh, Scottish and Irish officers were in the process of being phased out and with no ready replacements the Celtic Army found itself lacking leadership against a more technologically advanced and numerous foe.

​

The Westphalians meanwhile backed out of the war entirely. With Russia busy in the East and the Celtic Military undermanned and unready, Westphalian military leaders had quickly realized that their own country would become the front line for Austrian forces normally devoted to the Russian front. The Carpathian defense armies in particular had already begun redeploying by rail to Bohemia and Frankfurt. Kaiser Ferdinand as well was more than willing to look for an excuse to break up the Pan-Germanic Block in its entirety and for most of Europe this was no secret. Ultimately the Westphalians chose not only to stay neutral but abide Austrian soldiers in thier territory on their way to Denmark.

​

With the French front proceeding as expected and the Initial defenses of the Eastern Roman Empire failing in eastern Europe it was now that the powder keg that was India had erupted. Once again land disputes between the two powers that be had escalated into full scale war, this time however each side had a much more powerful backer. On the Eastern side of the conflict was of course the Wu.

​

On the side of Kosala it would be the Holy Roman Empire. The Chinese and Austrian Empires were now about to fight each other for the first time in history.

​

 

[TheAnguishedOne]

A sad end for the Jakost company, who had evidently been quite useful to the HRE.

Russia versus the ERE again is exciting; I wonder if Russia can deal a blow to the other Rome. I doubt fighting the Celtic Empire will be a challenge for you. No, the real war is against the Wu. Things have been building towards this for a long time, and they're your main competition for being the strongest military power in the world. This war may well decide the two nations' fates... This'll be fun!