1805
Europe
Across Europe, many nations signed the Treaty of Tarnow, formalising the Third Coalition against Napoleon. Although the Coalition had got off to a bad start, with the huge defeat at Passau, the members were confident of their chances of victory, and were willing to do whatever it took to stop Napoleon. The United States also joined, although many questioned if Jefferson was really interested in defeating Napoleon, or was just eyeing Florida and the other Spanish colonies. [Third Coalition formed]
1. Smith & Hart Arms Company, one of the new British arms manufacturers.
In the United Kingdom, His Majesty's Government decided to heavily subsidise anyone who would set up an armaments factory, in order to support both their own and their allies demands for war materiel. These measures were successful, several new arms companies set up, and some existing arsenals, such as that at Enfield, were mechanised to allow better production. Although the traditional elites were worried by this open support of the rising middle classes, they were prepared to tolerate it in order to defeat Napoleon. [+4 Industry to the United Kingdom, -1,000 Gold from the United Kingdom, +5% Equipment to the United Kingdom]
Less successful, were efforts to modernise the armies tactics and armament. Generals detailed to assess French tactics and come up with effective counters found nothing new, and an attempt by 'Professor' Maximilian Frymooten von Haellstrom-Valtenburden-Sigmarton to create a new type of cannon, loaded from the breech rather than the muzzle, ended with the death of several unfortunate gunners, the destruction of a large area of the Norfolk marshes and the death of one terribly unlucky cow. [-350 Gold from the United Kingdom]
Furthermore, a scandal was provoked in Parliament, when a document detailing plans to fund separatist movements in the Spanish colonies was uncovered. The plan had only been made by a minor civil servant, and Prime Minister Pitt and most of the Government managed to distance themselves from the idea, but the damage was still done, and the press had a field day, criticising the Government and weakening its popularity. [-1 Stability from the United Kingdom]
The United Kingdom also engaged in extensive trade with Russia designating them a key economic partner. Both nations profited greatly from this, with Russian furs becoming a major hit with the fashionable members of British society, and Scotch becoming a personal favourite of Tsar Alexander. [+50 Trade Balance to the Russian Empire, +50 Trade Balance to the United Kingdom]
Meanwhile in France, Napoleon also gave orders to subsidise industrialisation, but these ended in failure. With the British blockade, so many men in the army and a general lack of technology, it proved impossible to set up any factories. Efforts to improve roads to the East also failed, due to many of the same reasons. [-1200 Gold from France]
Efforts to further train the army also proved fruitless. With most of their strength actively engaged in warfare, it was very hard to find time for training, especially when every musketball used on a paper target was one less dead Austrian. They did however receive some good news, as the draft of 1805 was called up, further boosting the French armies numbers. [-1175 Gold from France, +100,000 Conscripts to France]
Napoleon also signed the Treaty of Paris with Spain. Many important trade links between the 2 nations were soon set up, boosting the income of each. Attempts by the French to modernise the Spanish military met with failure however, as opposition from many Spanish officers and aristocrats made any change impossible, with some even going so far as to dub the King 'The bastard Frog' in reference to his French ancestry, although they were careful never to say this to his face. [-175 Gold from France, +40 Trade Balance to France, +40 Trade Balance to Spain]
Meanwhile, in Austria, action was taken to fully equip and supply the army, in an effort to counter the equipment shortages which had caused problems. The Austrians were successful in their attempts, with many gun makers putting in an extra effort in order to defeat Napoleon. [+10% Equipment to Austria, -343 Gold from Austria]
2. Hungarian rioters loot a burning building.
In Budapest, things took a turn for the worst when a minor scuffle in a cafe between Hungarians and Austrians escalated into a brawl, then exploded into open rioting. The police, outnumbered and without military assistance to call upon, had tremendous difficulty stopping the rioters, and eventually resorted to using cavalry charges and live rounds on the Hungarian rioters, which added only more fuel to the flames. After a week of continuous rioting, during which many non Hungarian business were looted and wrecked, with their owners intimidated, beaten up or even killed, the police finally managed to restore order. However, the Hungarians would not forget this day easily, and there were rumours that the riots were just the beginning. [-2 Stability from Austria, -100 Gold from Austria, -30 Base Income from Austria]
The Austrian Empire also took steps to raise extra men, beginning a huge recruiting drive. Most successful in the Czech and Austrian areas of the Empire, the drive managed to reach its target of 100,000 men, although the cost for such a massive call up was huge, with the Austrians spending huge amounts to equip them all. This effort did however, help to bring stability to the Austrian Empire, public opinion shifting more behind the war. Archduke Charles also attempted to continue his reforms, but after the defeat at Passau, many officers were not so keen on listening to his ideas, many regarding him as a failure who was inferior to them. [-1000 Gold from Austria, +100,000 Regulars to Austria, +1 Stability to Austria]
The Austrian Emperor also gave a speech in Vienna, attempting to further rally people behind the war effort. However, the speech was poorly written, and many of the audience could not help but laugh at the use of words such as "Satan" andd "Evil" to describe Napoleon, which they saw as childish insults.
The Austrians also decided to designate the Prussians as a key economic partner. Although many questioned the wisdom of trading with Prussia, a nation poorer than many other potential trade partners, the move did help both nations income. [+25 Trade Balance to Austria, +25 Trade Balance to Prussia]
3. One of the new Russian forts, this one overlooks the Gulf of Finland, and guards against naval attack.
In the vast expanse of Russia, the Tsar was also busy shaping his nation. In an effort to protect the capital, he ordered the fortification of both the city itself, and of Krondstadt. The measures met with some considerable success, and soon the approaches to St. Petersburg were covered by numerous gun batteries, forts and blockhouses, which would impede any attack by land or sea. [-400 Gold from Russia, St. Petersburg and Kronstadt fortified]
The Tsar also ordered the purchase of new equipment for the army, and the recruitment of 25,000 more men for the army. Costs are high, with many nobles grumbling that with so many men taken from their land, they wont be able to make enough profit off the harvest, but the men are raised and the equipment is brought, albeit at a higher than normal price. [-700 Gold from Russia, +25,000 Regulars to Russia, +7% Equipment to Russia]
The Baltic coast saw further expansion, as the Tsar ordered that steps be taken to improve the local economy in the area. Although the measures cost a lot, the construction of new barns, granaries and introduction of new farm tools helped boost the local economy, thereby helping Russian income. [-500 Gold from Russia, +70 Base Income to Russia]
4. Painting of fresh Prussian recruits taking a break to relax.
In Prussia, the King also took steps to increase the size of the army and purchase equipment. Both of these measures resulted in problems, with many Colonels simply pocketing a large part of the money given out by the King, and spending it on cards rather than guns. [-355 Gold from Prussia, +10,000 Regulars to Prussia, +15% Equipment to Prussia]
Furthermore, efforts by some forward thinking officers to convince other officers that reform of the army was needed were met by shock and indignance. The majority opinion was that these young radicals were fools, and that the Prussian army, victor of countless battles and scourge of the Frenchman, Austrian and Russian, was the finest fighting force in Europe, and to reform it was folly. An Attempt by the King, who had shown interest in the young officers ideas, to rectify the situation with a speech, in which he declared that the young officers were souls who's intentions were good, but they had just been misunderstood, caused even more indignation and shock. [-1 Stability from Prussia]
5. Elector Maximilian IV of Bavaria, a forward thinking and Liberal ruler.
A little to the South, in Bavaria, the Elector was also organising change and reform, but in a far more radical way. Enraptured by what he saw as the benevolent and enlightened rule of Napoleon, the Elector signed into law the Bayerische Konstitution, a document which guaranteed basic civil rights, such as equality of law and emancipation of the Jews. Although many aristocrats protested, they soon realised that the Elector had the support of the lower and middle classes, as well as the French, and that with a little imaginative interpretation, the document could be worked around. [+1 Stability to Bavaria]
The Bavarian Elector, like so many of other European leaders, attempted to reform his army. He first ordered the raising of 5,000 new men, to be formed into elite light infantry units, in order to pacify the Tirol and aid the Bavarian forces in close terrain. This measure was successful, but another attempt to reform the army along French lines failed, proving too radical for many established members of the military. [-75 Gold from Bavaria, +5,000 Regulars to Bavaria]
Finally, the Elector ordered a large propaganda campaign, in an effort to rally support against the Ancien Regime in both Germany and Austria. Aided by his new constitution, he found considerable support in many German states, and although their Governments resisted, many Liberals and Revolutionaries flocked to Bavaria, taking up arms for the cause. Efforts to destabilise Austria, failed however, the Ancien Regime being too entrenched to be uprooted in such a fashion. He also signed the Treaty of Ulm, binding together the South German States in a loose coalition, although both Wurttemburg and Baden made it clear that any closer Union would be unlikely. [Baden and Wurttemburg in Bavarian sphere, +2,500 Regulars to Bavaria]
In Switzerland, the Tagzatsung was also changing things. Increasing tariffs on all non French goods by 20%, and all other taxes by 5%, they boosted their income, although the measures were not particularly popular. They did also order the construction and improvement of the nations infrastructure, which provided a significant boost in income. [+40 Base Income to Switzerland, -20 Gold from Switzerland]
6. Two Swiss soldiers leave an inn on their way to war.
They also ordered the production of pro French propaganda, which met with considerable success. Many young men left home and volunteered for the army, and the Swiss population rallied behind Napoleon, who had returned them order from the chaos of the Helvetian Republic. [-50 Gold from Switzerland, +3,000 Regulars to Switzerland]
In Portugal, the Government abandoned its plans of ship construction after the Spanish occupied nearly all the shipyards, disrupting any potential production of vessels. They did however, invest a large sum of money into Brazil, not only improving the local economy, but bringing around many Brazilians who had turned against them. For now at least, the majority of Brazilian public opinion was in favour of a continued relationship with Portugal. [-283 Gold from Portugal, +50 Colonial Income to Portugal, +1 Stability to Portugal]
In the decaying Ottoman Empire, the Sultan desperately tried to increase his popularity and control in the nation. Grand parades were held in the capital at vast expense, with marching bands, troops and even a few elephants. Furthermore, the Sultan toured the Empires mosques, joining in prayers with his subjects in an attempt to win them over, and gave speeches all around the nation. These actions cost a large sum of money, and many of the nations citizens remained unimpressed, feeling that if the Sultan really cared, he would do something for them rather than for his international prestige or god. [-300 Gold from the Ottomans]
Furthermore, the Sultan ordered that many Christians, particularly those in the Asian areas of the Empire, be peacefully converted to Islam. Many resisted, particularly in Armenia, were brutal methods were used to try and force conversions. As was to be expected, few people converted, and some even took up arms against the missionaries, murdering them or running them out of town. [-50 Gold from the Ottomans, -1 Stability from the Ottomans]
The Sultan also deemed it wise to designate Portugal as a key trading partner. Many questioned this move, as there were certainly richer nations to trade with. The Sultan dismissed these naysayers however, as at the time, Portugal was at peace, and therefore trade would be uninterrupted by the wars engulfing Europe. [+20 Trade Balance to Portugal, +20 Trade Balance to the Ottomans, -10 from both until Portuguese mainland liberated]
7. Serbian militia celebrating the assassination.
Finally, the Sultan ordered forces in to restore order to the Serbian provinces. Brutal fighting ensued, with many villages being torched and innocents being murdered by both sides. The Ottomans initially made good progress, but after a few months became bogged down by the Serbian forces, who struck then melted away into the forests and hills. In a shocking turn of events, the Ottoman commander, Mehmed Pasha, was assassinated as he rode from his Headquarters to inspect newly arrived forces. Members of the Serbian resistance burst from the trees either side of the track he was travelling down, and after butchering his escorts, disarmed him and then hung him from a tree over the road, where he was found by an Ottoman patrol. [-500 Regulars from the Ottomans, -500 Conscripts from the Ottomans]
In Spain, another decaying Empire, the King took radical steps to reform the army. Wishing to institute both a corps system similar to that of the French, and promotion by merit, although this was still to be in the favour of the aristocracy. His proposals were simply ignored by his nobles and officers, who would not tolerate a move that would both put their traditional privileges at risk, and were not keen on such radical reform to the armed forces, especially with a war being planned. [-1 Stability from Spain, -50 Gold from Spain]
Efforts to boost equipment levels meet with greater success, with many Spanish gunmakers putting in an extra effort to meet quotas, in order to support the war. [-423 Gold from Spain, +25% Equipment to Spain]
The Spanish Empire took a further hit when it invaded Portugal. With the Spanish homelands stripped of nearly their entire strength, separatist groups such as the Catalans and Basques began to grow more and more confident in their ability to defy the will of Madrid. [-50 Base Income from Spain]
Meanwhile, in Denmark, the King decided to follow the Tsar's example, and ordered the construction of many new naval fortifications. Focused particularly around the capital, with an eye to preventing any hostile landing. The measures were less successful than the Russian, and the project quickly overran its budget, costing more and causing the builders to switch to inferior, cheaper materials to complete the project. [-300 Gold from Denmark, Copenhagen area fortified against naval attack]
Attempts to expand the naval forces were more successful, with modern ship designs being built, including the 104 gun First Rate Valdemar, built to symbolise the return of Danish naval power to the seas. The Danish public were happy with this move, and were glad to make up those forces they had lost to Admiral Nelson several years before. [+1 Navy Level to Denmark, +3 Large Ships to Denmark, +10 Small Ships to Denmark, -950 Gold from Denmark]
8. The British attack on Copenhagen, shown in this painting, was still fresh in people's minds.
Less successful was the attempt to rally the people behind the King and against the French. Due to many people feeling that they should not be fighting on the side of the British, who only a few years past had humiliated them. [-50 Gold from Denmark]
The Danish King also signed the Treaty of Alingsås with his Northern neighbours, with each lowering tariffs and designating the other a key trade partner, boosting the revenues of each. [+20 Trade Balance to Sweden, +20 Trade Balance to Denmark]
To the North in Sweden, the King was also busy. Keen to defeat Napoleon and gain his share of the spoils, he ordered the size of the army increased, and met with considerable success, many men flocking to join the army and fight Napoleon for the glory of their King and Country. However, attempts to construct new military academies failed, due to almost all of the existing officer corps, who would be teaching, being busy preparing for war. [+15,000 Regulars to Sweden, -150 Gold from Sweden]
The Swedish Government also took action to improve the nations infrastructure, ordering the construction and improvement of several roads around the nation. The nations economy is strengthened by this, although the project goes slightly overbudget. [+30 Base Income to Sweden, -150 Gold from Sweden]
The army was also on the move, with half of them marching to the port of Norrkoping to there await orders, and the other half moving to the Southern part of the Sweden-Norway border, in order to protect Sweden against any aggression from that direction. Furthermore, a large part of the Swedish naval strength was sent North of Gotland, to guard the approaches to Stockholm, while another large part of the fleet was sent to Norrkoping. Some observers reported that the Swedish fleets North of Gotland and at Norrkoping together vastly outnumbered their supposed total strength, but many disregarded this as a simple overcount.
The Americas
The United States of America and the Imperial City of Hamburg enter into trade compact, with the United States supplying Hamburg with raw materials and food stuffs while Hamburg supplys continental wares. [+10 Trade Balance to the USA]
After some debate, Congress ratifies the Treaty of Tarnow. In light of this new, more bellicose stance for the nation, Congress quickly passes the Naval Act of 1805, granting the War Department the authority to commission six new additional heavy frigates for the United States Navy. These commission are soon passed to dockyards around the country where work begins in earnest. [+6 Small Ships to the USA in 1 turn, -300 gold from the USA]
9. The newly built Fort Sumter guards Charleston harbor.
After passing the Naval Act of 1805, Congress quickly moves to pass the United States Army Act of 1805. The act sought to increase the size of United States Army, and exceeded all expectations with a total recruitment of 15,000 men, far exceeding the proscribed 10,000. Additionally, the Act called for the construction of new fortifications as well as the improvement of existing fortifications in the New York and Charleston Harbors. [+15,000 regulars to the USA, +1 Army Level, -100 Gold from the USA]
10. Sacagawea helps guide the Lewis and Clark Expedition across the Continental Divide.
Lewis and Clark continue their expedition to reach the Pacific Ocean, departing from Fort Mandan on the Missouri River in the Spring, in the company of Sacagewea. From there they cross the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass and descend to Pacific Ocean following the Clearwater River, the Snake River, and, eventually, the Columbia River, until they reached the Pacific Coast. Here at the mouth of the Colombia River the Expedition erects Fort Clatsop. Meriwether Lewis managed to catalogue several new species of flora and fauna on its trip, while William Clark manages to produced several detailed maps of the region, establishing strong claims for the young republic. [Strong claims on present day Washington and Oregon and the Colombia River System, the Northern Louisiana Territory is mapped, small for at the mouth of the Columbia River, -25 Gold from the USA]
Early in the year, Congress passes the Pacific Coastal Act. The act provides funds for three small ships to make the perilous voyage around the Southern tip of South America and reach the Russian Alaskan Colony, before charting coast between Alaska and Spanish California. The expedition successful charts the coast and manages to set up a small trading post on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Before beginning their return voyage, the naval expedition manages to trade maps and documents with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. [Claims on the Coast of Columbia, small trading post on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, -100 Gold from the USA]
Despite the best intentions of the Spanish Monarch, the situation in Spanish Colonies in the Americas continues to deteriorate following the disastrous attempt to form a new Council of the Indies, elected by popular sovereignty in the colonies. The move was strongly opposed by the Cortes and current Council of the Indies destabilizing the government at home. However, the situation was worse in the colonies, as the Viceroys and other colonial administrators fear how the new proclamation will affect them and the effect it will have on their power as power is transferred from Peninsulares to Criollos and, worse, natives. As a result, news of the proclamation is only posted in government offices, and even there it is obscured and only printed in Spanish. [-2 stability from Spain, colonial unrest, -50 Gold from Spain]
Asia
In Japan, this year’s cherry blossom bloom is spectacular, with the bloom lasting longer than normal. The Tokugawa shotgun proclaims it a sign for future Japanese strength and prosperity. The message is well received and a new sense of optimism sweeps across the Japanese populous. [+1 Stability to Japan]
11. Cherry trees blossoming.
After restrictions on foreign goods are lessened, new books, ideas and novelties slowly trickle into Japan from Dutch traders. Scientific equipment and medicines provide the largest benefits. It takes a long time for these new goods to be understood and there is still opposition towards western ideas. However the benefits they bring are slowly being realized.
[+110 Base Income to Japan, Japan begins to move towards western ideas]
Less successful however is the attempted reform of the Kaku to the Yen. The reform causes confusion and receives hostility from the population who are resistant to the change. The reform is quickly abandoned, pleasing the people, although resulting in the loss of the revenue invested. [-500 gold from Japan]
To the north, the island of Hokkaido experiences an unusual cold during the spring planting season, exceptionally so during the summer growing season, and the autumn sees abnormally early snow fall. The result was a general crop failure, affected both rice and other crops, such as wheat and barley. Reports soon start to reach Edo of people eating dogs and horses to survive. Horrified by this news, Tokugawa Ienari orders aid in the form of rice and fish to be sent to Honshu. It is mid-winter before the aid arrives, however its distribution is hindered by the sheer amount of snow and dead bodies on the roads. The few who do receive the aid are thankful, although for most it is too late. [-320 gold from Japan]
Meanwhile, in India, the Maratha Confederacy decided to open up trading relations with the other natives to the North of them. Unfortunately, neither nation had very much to trade, and poor infrastructure made that little trade there was near worthless. [+5 Trade Balance to Maratha]
The King did see this problem, and ordered that the roads of the nation be improved and new ones built. Unfortunately, measures failed, with funds going missing, workmen ambushed by bandits and very little improvement being possible with such primitive techniques. [-300 Gold from Maratha]
Furthermore, steps were taken to increase support for the current rulers of the nation. The King gave a speech to many assembled people, and some funds were spent to pay others to give speeches around the nation. The measures met with some success, but with opposition from many nobles, who wanted a weak monarchy in order to preserve their own power. [-15 Gold from Maratha]
12. Sketch of Maratha troops, showing the mix of equipment used by them.
All was not bad news however, as Marathan attempts to buy weaponry to aid their poorly equipped forces met with a large amount of success, the Marathans being able to purchase several hundred matchlocks to accompany their usual complement of swords, spears and bows. [+10% Equipment to Maratha, -500 Gold from Maratha]
In the Qing Empire, the Emperor sent out a group on a diplomatic tour of Europe. Stopping in many nations, the officials took notes and gazed in wonder at some of the Europeans modern technologies. Unfortunately, the move caused considerable anger in isolationists at home, with many believing that the Emperor was denying the clear superiority that China had in every way over other cultures. [-1 Stability from Qing, -50 Gold from Qing, Qing officials tour Europe]
The Emperor also ordered moves against the White Lotus and Miao rebel movements. These met with little success, despite the Chinese swamping their opponents with 1,300,000 men. The rebels, unwilling to fight against such overwhelming forces, simply hid, burying their weapons and striking only at particularly isolated elements of the Chinese forces. Against the Miao, the Qing did meet with some success however, as a leading rebel was caught in a local brothel, then beaten and taken outside, where he was hung. Furthermore, the Qing forces set up several forts throughout the rebellious regions, helping secure them for their rule. [-500 Regulars from Qing, -600 Gold from Qing, Miao and White Lotus movements suppressed although still active]
Furthermore the Emperor deemed it necessary to take steps to counter corruption in the Chinese administration. Although this cost a large amount of money, inspectors caught several corrupt officials in the act, as well as several corrupt investigators. They were executed for their treason, and with their death, income experienced a growth. [-600 Gold from Qing, +50 Base Income to Qing]
Afrika
The Danish King contracted some settlers to try and create a colony in Afrika. Initially, the enterprise went well, with the settlers establishing the village of New Aalborg and sending back for more supplies and colonists. Unfortunately, by the end of the year the venture had ended in failure, the settlers wiped out in an attack by native tribes, with whom they had started a dispute. [-50 Gold from Denmark]
