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Wow that was very detailed and well written, as always. :D

Glad to see they didn't get caught up in a war to the death and the tired and weary troops can now go home and see their families. But what of the evils of the Spanish? ;)
 
Rensslaer said:
The Peruvian settlement was offered by them, and I'm often not inclined to accept those offers, except they did offer many of the provinces I'd wanted, and I had, in fact, had a close call. I figured I'd best stop while I was ahead.

Yeah, I wish the AI would offer better peace deals...odd that it never offers to pay me war indemnities, which is one my favorite goodies to much on.

I can imagine that the Andes probably proved a big chunk to chew...but could provide interesting oppty for Imperial expansion. Thank God the Americans don't try to enfore the Monroe Doctrine!

Good luck on Unification. :)
 
Nicomacheus said:
I can imagine that the Andes probably proved a big chunk to chew...but could provide interesting oppty for Imperial expansion. Thank God the Americans don't try to enfore the Monroe Doctrine!

Good luck on Unification. :)

Thank you!

Yes, Peru looked much bigger on the ground than it did on the map. And perhaps I was a bit surprised when we faced more actual army troops and tactics in Peru than in China.

But the campaign turned out well. We shall see where it goes from here.

Rensslaer
 
After the Andean War, there followed a period of peace and growth for Prussia.

Pruss1845.bmp


Prussia officially became an empire, with the first two colonies -- Yebuti became part of the Prussian Empire on 11 September 1845, and the many islands of the Polynesian chain became a colony on 12 April 1846. Other areas of interest continued to be expanded, and new outposts were added along the coasts of Kameroon, Namibia (South West Africa) and Borneo.

King Wilhelm insisted on pursuing a friendly relationship with Great Britain. However, these entreaties were rebuffed, as was a later proposal for a defensive alliance with Russia. Defensive alliances were, however, successfully arranged with both Sweden and the Netherlands, and Prussia's position was made greatly more secure.

The conquest of Hainan had provided to Prussia some much needed consumer goods. And the new territories of Peru provided iron and sulphur – not enough to meet the needs of industrializing Prussia, but at that time more iron was produced for Prussia in Peru than at home, and Samoa and Peru provided Prussia’s primary source of rare but necessary sulphur.

Two remote provinces of Peru were sold in order to raise money to finance a new railroad expansion. Piura was sold to Russia, and Antofagusta to Chile.

During 1845 and 1846, the Prussian rail network was extended along the Baltic coast, as well as strengthened, primarily in the central industrial states of Sachsen and Brandenburg, but also somewhat in Westfalia.

Rails1847.gif


(it is interesting to note the well-developed rail networks in Bavaria, Holland and Sweden)
 
May 1846

The banquet table was almost as long as the room, seating 50 people to a side. Count Pietr van Rensselaer considered himself fortunate to be seated where he was, on a corner next to King Wilhelm I and his Prime Minister. Rensselaer was a tall man, apparent even when he was sitting. His hair was a thin, wispy white, combed tightly across a slightly reddish scalp. The only thing more distracting than his height was his nose -- a commanding Roman nose which tapered to a point some length from where it started. His beak-like nose, together with his sharply focused eyes, left the impression of a hawk. He was a count of Dutch descent whose family’s estate in Munster had a long history of dedicated service to Westphalia and, more recently, to the Prussian royal family. He was well-educated, well-traveled, and quick of wit and understanding, which had brought him to the attention of von Kauperke, and thereby of the King.

Elaborately dressed servants dashed this way and that, delivering new plates to replace old, and filling glasses with wine and brandy. Van Rensselaer had brandy but, mindful of his proximity to these two powerful men whose friendship he was cultivating, he drank sparingly, always maintaining his wits for the conversation.

“I understand,” said the King, gently moving the talk away from discussion of the Polish question, “that a relative of Napoleon Bonaparte has recently escaped from one of Louis Philippe’s prisons. Disguised as a carpenter, no less!” He let out a quick bark of laughter, betraying how much he enjoyed hearing of things that caused consternation in the French king.

There was an awkward silence for just a moment. Normally, von Kauperke or van Rensselaer would instantly pick up the conversation. But Kauperke was watching Rensselaer keenly, intrigued by his arched eyebrows and too-interested look of surprise.

“Do you know something of this man, Pietr?” von Kauperke asked.

It took a full three seconds for van Rensselaer to react to von Kauperke’s question. He was still registering the implications of the news the King had just voiced. His response faltered at first. “Well... Indeed, if it’s the person... and it has to be... the person I know, then that is quite interesting news, indeed.” He reflected for another two beats, seeming to those in attendance to be enraptured by the terrapin eggs in the middle of the table. The others waited, expecting what might be quite a tale.

“Yes, er... Louis Napoleon Bonaparte.” Van Rensselaer let the party absorb the name for a moment. “I came to know him while studying at an English university, perhaps a decade ago. He lived nearby at 9 Berkeley Street. He is quite an interesting man, and so I have followed his adventures, and renewed our acquaintance on two more recent occasions.” Both the King and his Premier listened intently. Van Rensselaer addressed the King, directly. “I must say, your news is the first I have heard of him in perhaps two years. I am sure you recognize the ramifications of his escape,” he said flatteringly. He went on before the King could indicate that he had no idea. “This man has a long history as a would-be usurper, and I happen to know that Louis Philippe regards him as the largest threat to his throne that now exists.”

King Wilhelm seemed suitably impressed, and begged him to go on. Von Kauperke showed no particular reaction, seeming to be in complete agreement with the opinion just voiced.

“As a young man, Louis vented his frustration with both the French and Austrian establishments by pledging as a carbonari in Italy, agitating for the unification of Italy under one king. He was arrested, expelled, and soon found himself in Paris, where he was arrested again for being an overly ambitious Bonaparte. He spent some years in exile in England, where I got to know him fairly well.”

More of the dignitaries seated nearby had ended their conversations and were now leaning nearer to hear. Van Rensselaer went on. “In 1836, he actually had the temerity to ride up to the fortress at Strassburg and issue a call for the garrison there to rise up and join him in overthrowing the King!” He smiled slightly, fondly remembering the stories Louis had told him of this. For Wilhelm, recognition seemed to be dawning. He and von Kauperke shared a significant glance.

“Then, after spending some time in America, he returned and tried the same thing in Lille!” Wilhelm was now listening as if van Rensselaer was showing him how to operate a piece of machinery, taking in every last detail for recall later.

“It was after that,” van Rensselaer concluded, “that he found himself in prison. I honestly don’t understand why Louis Philippe didn’t find some way to see him dead.” He pondered that once more, as did they all. “But perhaps God has in mind yet more destiny for this young man.” He sniffed. “Louis seems to think that his life is cursed, and that everything that was due him has been denied him. Rather, I think he has led quite a charmed life. It truly makes me wonder what Providence might have in store for him.”

Van Rensselaer’s sudden silence was a cue for the table to begin murmuring again, now certainly focused on this very question. Wilhelm remained quiet for a time, perhaps running Machiavellian considerations through his mind. Von Kauperke finally pressed, “My dear Count, could you please tell me more about Louis Napoleon’s personality?”
 
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Methinks Louis the Napster might make a perfect puppet for the conquered French state. How about it? Might that be where your eponymous self is suggesting ever so slightly?
 
coz1 said:
Methinks Louis the Napster might make a perfect puppet for the conquered French state. How about it? Might that be where your eponymous self is suggesting ever so slightly?

I am, in fact, going everywhichway... which comes to haunt me, as you will see. ;)

Rensslaer
 
Part Two of Three -- Retrospective & Background (we'll return to the action soon!)

The last half of the 1840s was also a time of rapid advance in technology, culture and engineering for Prussia. By order of the King, Prussia's Jewish citizens would be allowed to hold any position within the government, and the decree struck down a number of discriminatory laws throughout the country in an attempt to more fully integrate Jews into the society. A zoological garden was opened in Berlin, listeners thrilled to the musical brilliance of Robert Schumann, and astronomers at the Berlin Observatory discovered an 8th planet, which was named Neptune due to its bluish purple hue. Improvements were made to steam engines, the production and processing of both iron and coal, and Prussia began building its first plant for the production of machine parts. Prussia's Army also benefited from advancements in the quality and standardization of small arms -- improvements which promised to give Prussian troops the advantage over most of her neighbors and potential enemies.

Several new divisions were added to the Prussian Army, including several native divisions intended to defend their homelands while freeing Prussian regulars for duty elsewhere. Many of these divisions were shipped back to Prussia for internal security duties as liberal unrest grew.

In fact, internal rebellions became ever more frequent in Prussia and Europe in general through 1846 and through the end of the decade. Prussian regiments were kept busy rushing from one uprising to another, and quickly learned how to use their new rail network to great advantage. Unrest only increased when in January 1846 a band of Polish separatists began agitating for reconstitution of the Kingdom of Poland on the lands of three contemporary empires. Prussian citizens of Polish descent were often roused to action, and Polish majority districts accounted for many of the uprisings in these years.

Around Europe, there was much uncertainty. Monarchs felt insecure due to the widespread rebellions, and because of the imposition of a constitution upon the Greek King by the Athens militia. In the summer of 1845 the unhappy French people threw out their King, Louis Philippe, and declared the Second Republic. Many considered the atmosphere as similar to that which preceded the bloody upheavals in France at the end of the previous century.

A religious war between Protestants and Catholics began in Switzerland. King Wilhelm arranged for marginal political and monetary aid for the Protestants, but largely stayed out of the conflict. That might have changed twice in 1846 when first France and then Austria moved to ally with the Catholics, but both times Great Britain stepped in with threats and quickly ended both precipitant incursions. The government and people of Burma also began persecuting Christians a year later. Again, Wilhelm was greatly moved by the plight of his fellow believers, but by that time he was growing acutely aware that Prussian military action nearer to home would soon become inevitable.
 
From The Eagle Rising: The Story of Prussia’s Arrival On the World Stage, pub. 1989 by Professor Reinicke Herz

Prussia, throughout her early industrial period, suffered from critical shortages of basic raw materials. One of the primary materials needed for an industrial power is coal, and of this Prussia enjoyed a substantial domestic supply. However, Prussia was throughout this period plagued by shortages of iron ore, forcing her to turn to supplies from other German states and, sometimes, Austria. While Prussia’s industries also occasionally suffered from shortages of timber (required for ships and railroads) and cotton (when properly supplied, Prussia had a strong textiles industry), the main unmet need which forced Prussia into dire economic straits was for sulphur. Her armaments industry -- the best in Europe at the time -- created an undying need for sulphur. It was this hunger which drove Prussia’s Peruvian adventure of 1843-44. But even access to American sources did not wholly meet the demand.

As an industrializing power, Prussia had the potential to attract many workers from the farms, and even labor from neighboring countries. However, a reliance on Britain for production of machine parts (which meant, practically, that Prussia got none, the UK having used them primarily for domestic needs) prevented the creation of new jobs. Subsidized factories, the establishment of outlying colonies, the need for military hardware and troops, and the need to establish a rail network also meant that the Prussian government had a ravenous appetite for tax revenue. These high taxes -- nearly 50 percent in most cases -- made Prussian citizens unhappy, and turned away many would-be immigrants. Some Prussian workers even left taxes and unemployment behind to seek a new life in the United States.

Both, King Friedrich Wilhelm III and his succeeding son, Wilhelm I, were mindful of the need to educate the Prussian populace, but their commitment was never at the forefront. While Wilhelm I often expressed concern that a bright future would require an educated population, the constant financial pressures of choosing colonization and industrialization over education could only maintain the status quo. Until the 1850s, Prussia’s literacy rate never exceeded 80 percent.

Spending in Prussia on the police forces and government regulators was another pressure with which budgeteers dealt with on a catch as catch can basis. This philosophy (or lack of one) resulted in a great deal of graft and corruption through many Prussian provinces, and these difficulties reached crisis proportions at about the time Prussia could least afford to deal with it -- during the financial crunch and rebellions of the late 1840s.

King Wilhelm I decreed some minor reforms in the mid ‘40s. They resulted in improved working hours for laborers, restrictions on child labor, a paltry minimum wage, and regulations to avoid the worst safety conditions to which many workers faced earlier in this century (most notably in the meat packing, steelfounding and mechanical industries). However, the King resisted political reforms of the type that were either agreed to by or forced upon governments around much of Europe.

The aforementioned demands for money caused another problem for Prussia, which was to weigh heavily upon her. Poor fiscal discipline resulted in the accumulation of debt. Prussia’s debt was modest at first, and was mitigated by no fewer than three separate campaigns between 1836 and 1846 to pay off these loans. But by the mid-forties, a “now or never” spending mindset had taken hold of the King and his ministers. It was widely felt that in order to pay off the debt and overcome Prussia’s other obstacles in coming years, the costs of industrialization would need to be paid up front. It can be debated, and often is, whether this was true or not. Ultimately, considering the corner into which these issues painted the government, most observers have concluded that this heavy indebtedness was a key mistake.

Revolts, corruption, raw materials shortages and an extreme debt load all encumbered what would otherwise have been a first rate economy. Beset with these myriad problems, Wilhelm I and his Premier, von Kauperke, eventually recognized a fundamental truth. Prussia faced a choice between halting its aggressive industrialization programs in order to deal with its infrastructural problems, or seizing raw materials by force from whichever source was most practically available.

It was this dilemma which culminated in the fateful determinations made in the spring of 1847.
 
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Nerfix said:
I like this AAR. :)

I appreciate your interest!

I have enjoyed your Socialist Japan AAR. Haven't gotten to the others yet.

Thank you!

Rensslaer
 
4 February, 1847

Erwin von Kauperke stooped with some irritation and picked through a sampling of sticks among the firewood bucket. Finding one hearty enough to bring some warmth to the room, he jabbed with it at the base of the fire.

He took some pleasure in seeing the embers flare, and not just because of the fleeting warmth it delivered. This was his office in a small cottage at one of the Pommeranian estates of Wilhelm I, King of Prussia. The February weather was playing havoc with his joints, and he wondered why the King had chosen this location, e’er subject to the Baltic chills, rather than someplace in Prussia’s drier western or southern provinces.

But this simple pleasure warmed him, partly because of the role he held in a great adventure. Europe was a fire gone too long unstoked, he reflected. And Prussia had remained too far from the warmth. As the King’s Premier, it was his responsibility to plan, organize and execute one of the most ambitious endeavors in Prussia’s history – the invasion of the Austrian Empire in order to seize the Germanic provinces and the coveted natural resources which coincided with the German pattern of settlement.

The wealth of coal, iron and sulphur in the mountains of Austria and Bohemia would be the perfect match for the industrial might of Prussia, which was held back only by constant shortages of natural resources to feed its appetite. Then Prussia would take the world by storm, even as it also earned the premier position as the leader of all the German people, and took a vital step toward reunification under one King.

It was likely to work… It would work. It must.

Von Kauperke started at a scuff on the slate floor behind him, forcing him to let go his vision.

“Mein Count,” his secretary Renny said, “There is grave news from Schleswig.”
 
At the door to his King’s chambers, von Kauperke paused. The sentries, aware that Kauperke was perfectly well authorized to admit himself, glanced at him with poorly hidden puzzlement. Kauperke steeled himself, advanced, and knocked. At the King’s acknowledgement, he entered.

Closing the door securely behind him, he addressed Wilhelm the First of Prussia, His Majesty. “Louie, my friend. There is a crisis. We must talk now so that we appear resolute before the cabinet.”
 
Great AAR. Like the character driven and the use of the "encyclopedia" to summarize the broad strokes.

Once again: Good Luck on Unification! :)
 
Once convened with their cabinet, von Kauperke and the King hid their private agony over what this unexpected news might mean for their plans. The Kingdom of Denmark, under new leadership, had chosen to provoke Germany by forcing its German citizens to renounce their homeland and pledge exclusively to the Danish King. These citizens had held special autonomous status as a result of the Northern War, more than a century ago, and this was clearly a move toward annexation of this territory outright. Austria, apparently, had taken up the gauntlet and pledged to defend German honor. That had set St. Petersburg into crisis, and owing to a treaty with Denmark it seemed clear that Russia was about to declare war on Austria. Naturally, everyone expected that Prussia would soon come to the aid of Schleswig also. And it was that which burned on their conscience.

“This is so blatant a move, the Danes cannot but expect us to act!” one of the ministers puzzled.

Von Kreitz suggested, “Perhaps they have judged that we are too weak to take on Russia, whose involvement they assured beforehand. They feel we will back down."

Von Meinholt, Prussia’s foreign minister, differed, "Or it may be the Tsar who is driving this -- an excuse to fall upon our eastern provinces. But they cannot know we are already prepared for a great power war. All we must do is transfer those forces north.”

Defiance flared in young Bronweiller. “No matter whose trap, we must act. We have no choice. We are not women!” he said with fury.

“Enough!” the King erupted, rising on the balls of his fists to look down the table. He was resolved, with a certainty that stunned Bronweiller back into his seat and everyone else into utter silence. He caught the eye of his friend and Premier across the table before he went on.

“The Austrian campaign,” Wilhelm assessed, “is our only salvation in this time. With the labor unrest and constant revolts, we cannot sustain an adequate combination of reforms and military operations, all while maintaining order at home and avoiding usurious taxation that will only drive more revolution. Our financial situation is driving us toward bankruptcy, all because we lack sufficient natural resources and are dependent on others for what we have. If we pause to take on Denmark and Russia first, our opportunity will be lost and we shall be bankrupt before we complete our plans. It grieves me, but our path is clear. There cannot be another time. It is now.”

Perhaps too dazed to hold his tongue, Bronweiller made a weak show of resistance. Quietly, he said, “So we will let the ‘fishermen’ force our People to renounce their Blood?”

The King flared at his insubordination, but instead composed himself, choosing his words carefully. “We are stronger than we have been in this century, and the Austrians’ power has waned. The time has come to make known to the world who leads Germany, bring Austria’s German people to our fold, and seize the resources our People have been for decades shoveling into the mouth of a dying empire. The Habsburgs will no longer have any say in the German question.” He paused for only a moment to let the logic sink in. “Victory in this effort seemed certain when we devised this plan, and now that Austria is at war with Russia over an insignificant point of order with Denmark, our position is ten times stronger. Providence has parted the waters for us and made our way clear. Austria made a grave mistake in taking on Russia for Schleswig. Are we, instead, to squander our advantage over a simple matter of pride?”

Meinholt voiced his concern also, but not forcefully. “The world will think us a joke, to quaver at the feet of Denmark. It will hurt our prestige around the world to ignore this provocation.”

This time, von Kauperke put the cap on it. “Not once Austria and Bohemia, and in all likelihood Bavaria, are ours. This is a temporary setback to our international standing. Once Austria is broken, perhaps we can extend our hand to them, and by interceding on their behalf earn their gratitude by saving them from the Russians. It is all to our benefit to go forward, and simple folly to turn back.” He let his words settle, and carefully noted the determination in the King’s eyes as well. “Given time to prepare, victory against Austria will enable us to have our reckoning with Copenhagen… And with Saint Petersburg.”
 
Good to see that for now a huge war is being avioded and I suspect the Austrians are going to regret their actions against Russia and Denmark.
 
From The Eagle Rising: The Story of Prussia’s Arrival On the World Stage, pub. 1989 by Professor Reinicke Herz

On 18 March, 1847, Prussia declared war on Austria and Prussian armies charged forward into the legendary Austrian Empire. Austria’s network of defensive alliances kicked into play, and Anhalt, Baden, Bavaria, Hannover, and all four of the Saxon duchies and principalities joined with Austria. Only Mecklenburg joined on Prussia’s side, and was soon to suffer for it as Hannoverian armies attacked. Several German minors remained neutral.

Hannover was perhaps the one surprise Prussia faced. Von Kauperke’s information had led him to believe Hannover would not get involved, and so the two divisions present in West Prussia had to deal with a two-front war against Hannoverians in the north and Bavarians and Wurttemburgians in the south. Minden soon fell to Hannover, whereupon they turned their attention north against Mecklenburg. The 9th Corps in Saarbrucken turned back a Bavarian assault, and even advanced into Kaiserslauten, but by June Bavarian reinforcements had arrived and annihilated the Prussian defensive line. Bavarian troops managed to disrupt Prussian industry in the Rheinland in the autumn. They were not stopped until turned back at Koln in mid-October. Naturally, indefensible Sigmaringen quickly fell. And to make things worse, France began threatening Prussia’s open flank, though ultimately they did nothing overt.

In April, Prussia opened a second front against the Austrians. The 3rd Corps, having recently been relieved by two divisions of native Chinese troops at Hainan, landed from the Adriatic at Udine, and began working its way north in an attempt to connect with Prussian troops pushing south. Two other divisions landed there in August.

Through the summer months, Prussian armies dealt with relative success with the interference from minor German states. Hannoverians retreated in Minden, and were attacked at Luneburg. Two Prussian divisions chased the Saxon army across their homeland until they became the first opposing power to capitulate on September 21st. Saxony ceded Chemnitz and Leipzig to Prussia. In November, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was also annexed and became part of Prussia.

As neither the Rheinland nor northern Bavaria were considered the focus of the war, it is natural that in both regions the front remained fluid contests of give and take. Fifth column movements behind the lines caused much consternation to General von Halberstam as he prosecuted the war. Even as Prussian armies struggled with Austrian regulars on the frontiers of battle, rebellions sprung up behind the lines and required large garrisons to remain behind to put them down.

The main Prussian front advanced aggressively from the north, seizing all of Bohemia and working south into Austria proper from there. By September, a massive battle at Brno had given Prussia victory, and the Austrians made their first feeble attempt at a peace settlement, offering two border provinces. That was too shallow a result for what had become a major commitment for Prussia. This and several similar offers were refused. Soon, a Prussian army under the immediate command of General Oder had fallen upon the disorganized Austrians who had retreated to Wien from Brno.

ss15.gif


By late fall, Prussia’s offensive had achieved many of its objectives, and Prussia controlled great swaths of Austrian territory. Yet, it was in November of 1847 that it seemed that Prussia might have overreached. Indeed, even as Austrian troops consistently fell back, it was Bavarian commanders that advanced on every front. Reinforced Bavarian corps had pushed back abortive Prussian assaults upon Regensburg and Beyreuth, and then began pushing north. In the Rheinland, Bavaria held sway over Saarbrucken, Kreuznach, and more recently Trier, and a second whole Prussian division had had to be disbanded after nearly total annihilation. Moreover, in the east, Prussians had suffered defeats at the hands of Bavaria in Plzen, Karlsbad, and Budejovice. Diplomats on both sides paused their dealmaking efforts and held their breath as the balance between the powers seemed to teeter…
 
Lord G. Q. White said:
But what of the evils of the Spanish? ;)
Well, not meaning to disappoint you and Coz... but (I don't think this is foreshadowing too far ahead) before anything could be done about said Spaniards, they had a pact with France.

... Which perhaps means they're on the list later, for a more protracted campaign! ;)

Thanks for keeping tabs on this!

Rensslaer
 
coz1 said:
Methinks Louis the Napster might make a perfect puppet for the conquered French state. How about it? Might that be where your eponymous self is suggesting ever so slightly?
I'm looking forward to a recurrence of Rensselaer very soon here, in a fashion which may obscure as much as it illuminates.

I'm currently either reading or listening to (audiobooks) two separate histories of the Franco-Prussian War, and I've unexpectedly developed a fascination with Louis Napoleon.

Thanks for your comments!

Rensslaer