The Economist
News Highlights from Around the World, 1838 Edition
Leaders
News Highlights from Around the World, 1838 Edition
Leaders
Europe
Poster for Queen Victoria's Coronation Celebrations
The Coronation of Queen Victoria resonated with the people of British Empire. All across the empire and thus around the globe, sherry glasses were raised to toast the Queen and wish her a long and healthy life. Toasts were also made to the continued glory of the empire. [-20,000 £, +1 Stability]
Following previous success in investing in the Midlands, efforts are made to invest in the creation of factories focused on the production of the naval supplies needed to support the nation's maritime empire. The investments though expensive do serve to improve the nation's industrial capacity. [-30,000 £, +6 industry in 2 turns]
Fulfilling the terms St. Petersburg-London Accord, the thousands of muskets, rifles, and artillery pieces in addition tons of industrial machinery. The deal was amenable to both parties as the Russian Army was better equipped and the nation's industry was supplemented, while the British Treasury was filled with Russian gold. [-20,000 £ UK, +15, 000 gold to UK, -15,000 gold Russia, +5% Equipment to Russia, +3 Industry in 2 turns to Russia]
The French King Louis-Philippe I, keen on increasing the stability of his realm began, a tour of his country giving speeches urging unity. Though the many found the low quality trappings of his entourage and the stages used for his pronouncements, the tour was by and large successful. [-10,000 ₣, +1 Stability]
A French printing press
The King also gave the order to reduce the printing the French Franc. This had the result of the increasing the relative value of the Franc and increased bullion reserves in the French Central Bank. [Printing rate set to 45%]
The Dutch implemented a unique, for the time, industrial program in the Amsterdam. It called for all factory workers to be paid a minimum of three gilders per week. The program was successful in getting a few textile factories to set up shop. [-14,000 ƒ, +1 Industry in 2 turns]
King Leopold, striking a pose while running away...
The Dutch were also successful in their endeavor to pacify the most of the Low Countries, except for a small section of coast around Oostende. Unfortunately, despite efforts to catch the mad Belgian King, he had escaped to parts unknown, crying of "Aboose" (sic)… [Belgium under Dutch Control]
In Prussia, the Army with state yet again seeks to expand its numbers. The Army started a large scale recruitment drive that succeeded in increasing the number brigades in the Prussian Army by seven full brigades. Efforts to strengthen the signal corps through the use of telegraph technology were also successful. [-40,000 ℳ, + 35,000 Regulars, +1 Army level in 2 turns]
Efforts to build new shipyards centered on the construction of modern steamships in Stettin and Königsburg were moderately successful. The project in Königsburg was delayed due local opposition, however the new shipyards were able to be constructed in Stettin. [-25,400 ℳ, +1 industry in 3 turns]
The Prussian Foreign Ministry eager to prove its worth sets out across Northern Germany attempting to convince the many statelets that joining the German Confederation would best serve their interests. The response from the German States is muted, with most expressing relative disinterest. [Little interest in the German Confederation]
The explosion...
Efforts to improve the Danish Navy are an abject failure, as when the new cannon was being tested at the Naval Ordnance Range, rips apart in a massive explosion killing the research team working on the project. [-7,000 Dkr]
Following the passage of the Danish Bill of Rights, the abolition of slavery is declared throughout the nation. Though several planters are unhappy about this at first, they are quickly won over by large sacks of cash. [-5,000 Dkr]
All across the Kingdom of Norway propaganda appears denouncing the Swedish King as French and out of touch with the Norwegian people, in particularly highlighting the Barbarian remark. This propaganda finds a strong purchase among the Norwegian people who are becoming increasingly disillusioned of their king. [Norwegian's more likely to elect a different king once the current one dies]
King Karl XIV Johan in a misguided attempt to raise stability decrees that Swedish and Norwegian will be the national languages of both his realms. However, these only breeds resentment of the other union partner in each nation. [-1 Stability]
More successful was the order to reduce the printing the Swedish Krona. This had the result of the increasing the relative value of the Krona and increased bullion reserves in the Swedish Central Bank. [Printing rate set to 45%]
A depiction of the Swedish "geologist"
In an attempt to uncover valuable mineral and metal deposits, the Kingdom of Sweden puts out a public contract seeking the lowest bid for a geological team to survey the nation. The "geologist" selected had placed the lowest bid, however, he was also a con-artist and citing cost overruns was able collect thousands of Krona from the government before leaving the country for parts unknown. [-10,000 Skr]
The construction of coastal guns in Malmo and Goteborg was much more successful. The new coastal defenses greatly increase the Swedish coastal defenses across the Kattegat. [-5,000 Skr]
1838 once again saw the expansion of the Russian Army, this time by 35,000 new recruits. The newly enlarged Russian Army stood 200,000 strong. [+35,000 Regulars, - 4,000 руб]
Following the construction of the new factories, the Russian government began a strong push to increase literacy across the empire, particularly in the urban centers. It was believed that by educating these people would provide for more trainable workers in the new factories. [-5,000 руб, +4% Literacy]
One of the new Russian factories
The Russian government took steps to supplement the investments made by the United Kingdom in the industrial development of the nation, paying particular attention to the industrialization of St. Petersburg and Moscow. [-11,500 руб, +2 industry in 2 turns]
The continued war in Italy, prompted the Austrian Empire both increase the size of its army and develop new weapons and tactics for its army. The recruitment drive was extremely effective as the ranks swelled with thousands from all across the empire. Furthermore, efforts to improve the weaponry and tactics of the army were also successful. [-59,000 Ausƒ, +20,000 Regulars, +1 Army level in 2 turns]
In an attempt to promote unity throughout the empire, Emperor Ferdinand I goes on a speaking tour throughout the empire. This tour proves to be less uniting than expected as the Emperor only spoke German, Czech, Magyar, Italian, and Latin, a fact that greatly incensed the other minorities in the empire. [-6,000 Ausƒ, -1 Stability]
A cross-section of the Main-Danube Canal
The Main-Danube Canal connecting the Main and Danube Rivers and thus the Atlantic to the Black Sea was completed in 1838. The canal is a great success, bringing much traffic through the German Kingdom and improved the flow of goods throughout the countries on both rivers. [-30,000 Bavƒ, +500 Base income, +1 Infrastructure]
The Bavarians propaganda mills were busy during the fall of 1838, printing thousands of posters and pamphlets to distribute throughout the South German states. This propaganda was successful insofar as it convinced the Grand Duchy of Baden and the Kingdom of Wüttermburg to accede to the Treaty of Frankfurt. [-5,000 Bavƒ, the Grand Duchy of Baden and the Kingdom of Wüttermburg sign the Treaty of Frankfurt]
Sardinian efforts to rally people to flag and push out the Sicilians are largely successful. They succeed in raising 15,000 more men. [-7,000 SP₤, +15,000 Regulars]
Efforts to promote literacy meet with similar success, as a program is instituted modeled after the Austrian literacy program. The Italians alter the curriculum to emphasize the works of the great figures of the Italian Renaissance. This sparks a dramatic increase in literacy levels. [-25,750 SP₤, +5% Literacy]
The beleaguered Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies, puts out the call for North Italians, nationalists, and deserters to join his cause. The efforts only encourage more people to desert the army. Only his later speech, saved the remainder of the army from being completely disorganized. [-5,000 Regulars]
Diagram of the new Sicilian firearm
Noting the lark or proper arms for his army, King Ferdinand places several large orders among the gunsmiths to better outfit his army. A breakthrough was made my a gunsmith in Naples who was able to develop a better, more reliable firearm. [-75,000 TS₤, +1 Army level in 2 turns, +5% equipment]
In Italy, the war continued for Italian Unification. The Sicilian High Command had dictated that the invading Austrian army on the south of the peninsula had to be destroyed in order to free up more troops to fight in the north. The Austrians, though in possession of numerical superiority over the Sicilians, were given the orders to hold at all costs. When the Sicilians finally launched an all-out attack on the fortified Austrian lines, despite being outnumbered by the defenders, the Austrians repulsed each consecutive attack with concentrated artillery fire as well as disciplined volleys. Though the Austrians held their position and prevented the Italians from routing them from Southern Italy, casualties were heavy on both sides, especially for the Sicilians. [-10,000 regulars to Two Sicilies, -8,000 regulars to Austrian Empire]
Meanwhile, further in the north, the Sicilians were also going on the offensive. Here, both the Sardinian and Sicilian armies moved to engage one another; for the former, their objective was to secure Lucca; for the latter, their objective was to decisively defeat the Sardinian army and occupy their mainland territory. When both armies finally met about 30 kilometers north of Lucca, the Sicilians, who maintained the numerical superiority in a ratio of close to 2-to-1, exchanged many deadly volleys of gun and artillery fire with the Sardinian army, both sides unrelenting in their successive attacks. However, as the Sicilians suffered more and more casualties, the Sicilian commander was reluctant in committing his reserves. As both sides whittled the other down, a large Austrian force arrived with the objective of driving into Tuscany and routing the Sicilian army. Though the Sardinian and Sicilian armies had both suffered brutal casualties, the Austrians refrained from intervening in the battle, despite being larger than the remains of both armies combined, due to trouble with logistics and low morale, after witnessing the devastation of the battle. Due to their smaller size and their proportionately high casualties, the Sardinians withdrew north as the battle wound down. The Sicilians, still relatively strong, held their position for only a day due to the presence of the much stronger Austrian force. Several days later, with logistics improved slightly, the Austrians advanced into occupied Tuscany several kilometers, but halted after further logistical issues, leaving the Sicilians to escape mostly intact. [-10,000 regulars to Two Sicilies, -8,000 regulars to Sardinia-Piedmont]
In the Hellenes, King George I gave a grand speech preaching the need to oppose the Turks. However, he also cautioned that active opposition should occur in time, not at the present. [-1,000 ₯, Greek people less demanding of war]
King George I also took the opportunity to convene the nobles and prominent learned men to begin drafting a constitution for the Kingdom. [-3,000 ₯, 3/5 progress on creating a new constitution]
Queen Isabella II was intent on increasing the level of education among her subjects decrees that attendance shall be mandatory through the elementary level. This decree placed a heavy burden on the Spanish state but it will increase the education level of his realm. [-106,000 ₧, +10% Literacy, +750 Base income]
Angry Spanish landlords
Attempts to reform land ownership in Spain were met with the disgust and anger of the landlords. It took the concerted efforts the Queen and her advisors, and several thousand pesetas, to quiet the discontented landowners. [-50,000 ₧]
The decision to encourage investment in new factories was largely supported, however such plans were shelved until a later date due to lack of funds.
The Battle of Maella, a Carlist Victory.
In Northern Spain, Spanish Liberal Forces, under direct orders from the Crown, went to try and rout and kill the rest of the Carlist forces. In Aragon, outside of the town of Maella, the two forces met. The Liberal forces were far superior in quality and number to the Carlists, but after a surprising breakthrough that both sides did not expect, the Carlists were able to rout the Liberals from the field with a cavalry charge, killing many of them, no little casualties to themsevles.
[-3,500 Regulars from Spain. -250 Regulars from the Carlists]
In order to try and maintain some parity with the British and French navies, the Portuguese began investing in improving their navy by hiring foreign advisors. However, the “advisors” hired were con-artists and quickly stole thousands of Escudo from the government. [-25,000 P$]
More successful were attempts to invest in a railroad connecting Lisboa to Faro. Though its costs were high, the new railroad would soon ease travel between the South and the capital. This new rail road in turn spurred capitalists to invest in some industry in Lisboa. [-93,000 P$, +1 Infrastructure in 2 turns, +1 Industry in 2 turns]
The government also strove to increase education among the catholic males in the nation. This effort was very successful, if expensive. [-40,000 P$, +5% Literacy]
North America
Eager to increase support of the United States in the Latin American countries the United States invested heavily in its new partner, Chile, in 1838. Investments included the construction of a rail-line between Valparaiso and Concepcion and a large shipment of gold to the Chilean Treasury. [-5,000 gold for USA, +2,500 gold for Chile, +1 Infrastructure in 2 turns for Chile]
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The United States was not silent on the domestic front either. It poured millions into the construction of railways that connected the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern States. [-$79,000, +2 infrastructure in 2 turns]
In 1838, the United States began a major propaganda effort to convince the American and Mexicans of the unjustness of the current Mexican government and their extremist policies. This propaganda was successful in driving many who would have aided the Mexican government further from it, and uniting many Americans behind the war. [-$11,250, +1 Stability USA]
The United States also lends some aid to the Mexican rebels supplying them with new arms. [-$5,000, +5% Equipment Rio Grande]
The three armies set against the Mexicans are reorganized into the Army of Texas under General Franklin Pierce with a command of 10,000 men, the Army of the Rio Grande under General Winfield Scott with a command of 10,000 men, and the Army of Observation under General Zachary Taylor with a command of 5,000 men. The Army of Texas is tasked with defend San Antonio and the state of Texas from any possible invasion by the Mexicans. The Army of the Rio Grande is accompanied by the Army of Observation and moves Southwards towards the Mexican Capital, meeting little resistance.
Desperate to increase the size of his army Santa Anna once again puts out the call for volunteers. As many of those who would join him already had, recruitment fell far below the goals set. [+5,000 Regulars]
Santa impatiently presses the new recruits service and begin his march South intent on quickly capturing the Mexican Capital. The march takes its toll on his men as many Mexicans fear Santa Anna and refuse his soldiers aid. [-2,500 Regulars]
The Battle for Mexico City
The bulk of the Army does however reach its destination of Mexico City, where they are greeted by the entire Mexican army. The new Mexican Army was larger than the one in Second Battle of Matamoras, having been reinforced by volunteers, intent on protecting their homes. The Mexican Army had carefully chosen the most strategic positions to defend the approaches to the city and had fortified these areas well. The resulting battle was fairly inconclusive, with Mexicans pushing back Santa Anna’s Army; however the attackers still maintained an advantage in numbers. [-10,000 regulars Santa Anna, -2,500 Mexico]
In order to root out corruption in the government, the Federal Republic of Central America invites priests into the government, believing them to be free from corruption. The priests are able to root out corruption; however, they demanded that Catholicism was made the state religion. [-20,000 CAR$, +1 Stability]
A "citizen" of a rural town
The government attempts to take a national census of the Central American Republic, however things went badly awry when the census began to visit rural areas. In these areas census figures were greatly skewed, with some towns reporting monkeys as residents to the Census Bureau, and as government spending was based on population, large sums of money were diverted. [-250 Base income]
The Federal Republic of Central America commences its invasion of Mexico, with 15,000 men invading the Yucatán and another 15,000 men invading Chiapas. These men encounter little resistance as most of the Mexican Army had been pulled North to deal with the rebellion. [Yucatán and Chipas under Central American control]
South America
Governor Rosas
In the Argentine Republic, Governor Rosas managed to pass a law through Congress calling for the expansion of the army. A large number of Argentines agreed to join the nation’s armed forces. [-30,000 A$, +10,000 regulars from Argentina]
Rosas also announced that a number of geologists would be sent out to attempt to find minerals in the Argentine wilderness. The Geologists were extremely successful finding large numbers of minerals far to the south and west of the Capital. The minerals could give the government a massive amount of money if they were developed. [+ 2,000 Base Income to Argentina if mines constructed.]
The government also encouraged the development of small businesses the initiative was quite successful despite being costly. [+500 Base income, +1 industry to Argentina in 2 turns, -53,000 A$]
In the Republic of Chile the government commenced a plan to improve the quality of the army with the assistance of the British. However the Chilean officers refused to listen to the British as they believed that many other nations used superior weapons and tactics. [-7,500 gold from UK, -19,800 Chi$]
The government also announced an initiative to improve the navy, again with the assistance of the British. This time the officers agreed to listen to their British counterparts. [+1 Navy Level to Chile, -2,500 gold from UK, -13,200 Chi$]
Construction work in Valparaiso
The Chilean Government also announced that they would be expanding the infrastructure of the nation to improve connections between Santiago, Concepcion and Valparaiso. The ports at Concepcion and Valparaiso would also be expanded. [+1 Infrastructure to Chile, -33,000 Chi$]
The British government also decided to invest a huge amount of men and money into the colonization of Patagonia. The British managed to gain control of a large area of Patagonia however at a massive cost. [-15,000 gold from UK, UK controls large portion of Southern Patagonia]
Asia
In 1838, attempts to reform the tax system of the Ottoman Empire were finally successful. The reforms primarily focused on the creation an Imperial Tax Office that used data collected by the Census Department to more effective extract taxes from the population, much to their chagrin. [-461,000 Ott£, +500 Base income]
Progress on the new Ottoman Constitution faltered, as disagreements over the distribution of power between the provinces and the Sublime Porte. [3/5 progress on the new constitution]
An Ottoman fortification
In an effort to shore up the empire’s defenses, the Engineering Corps of the empire built a massive series of fortifications along the Southern Banks of the Danube, ready to defend the empire from any attack from the North. [-1,500,000 Ott£, +1 Army level in 1 turn]
Efforts to encourage investment in a new Industrial Center in Constantinople were also successful. The year saw the construction of a few textile manufactories on the Golden Horn. [-1,152,000 Ott£, +1 Industry in 1 turn]
The Chinese delegation visited several European capitals intent on learning the wisdom of the West. Furthermore, the Qing delegation did not endear itself to the European courts when the meaning of the character "夷" (yí) in their correspondences was discovered, when a sailor mentioned it meant, barbarian. However, in almost every European court they were universal snubbed, except for the Sublime Porte, who instead fleeced them for all they had. [-8,000 gold for China, +3,500 Gold for Ottoman Empire]
The Sultan of Aceh
The Dutch eager to protect their East Indian holdings expands their holdings on the Sumatra. Following the capitulation of the sultan of Aceh to diplomatic demands, they are able to gain control over the entirety of the island. [-2,500 gold, Control of Sumatra]
The Portuguese desiring to expand their holdings in the East Indies chartered the exploration of nearby islands and attempt to start the colonization of these islands. However, the supplies intended for this exploration never reached Timor, instead having been captured by pirates. [-18,500 P$]
In the Japanese Empire the Shogun organized another massive Cherry Blossom Festival. The Samurai decided that they would go this year and the Stability of the Empire improved slightly. [+2 Stability to Japan, -14,000 ¥]
The Shogun also distributed goods to the population in an attempt to improve stability. However the goods were of poor quality and many Samurai viewed this as an insult and confidence in the Shogun decreased. [-1 Stability, -14,000 ¥]
A Crimson Seal License
The Shogun signed the Dutch Treaty of the Crimson Seal. The Dutch government received 25,000 ounces of gold and the ability to trade at several ports in the Japanese Empire. This improved the economic situation of both nations quite considerably. As well as improving the military of the Empire. [-25,000 gold from Japan, +25,000 gold to the Netherlands, +1 Army level to Japan, +1 Naval level to Japan, +2 Industry in 3 turns to Japan, +10% Equipment to Japan]
In the Empire of the Great Qing the Emperor ordered the creation of an Agency to eliminate all cases of corruption in the government. After a year of searching the Agency announced that they could find no trace of corruption in the Bureaucracy. The day after the report was released Prince Duan hosted a massive party at his recently built Palace on the outskirts of Beijing.
The Imperial Economic Congress was hosted in the city of Beijing, however due to the absence of the major European Powers of Britain, France, Austria and Russia the Empire gained little. [-56,400 海關, +1,000 Base income to China]
Qinq and Taiwan
The Emperor also sent two colonization expeditions to Taiwan and Hainan. The expedition to Hainan was reasonably successful giving the Emperor de facto control over half the island while the Taiwan expedition was massively successful securing the entire island and even establishing a large number of farms on the island. [-84,600 海關, +2,000 Base income to Qing, Qing have control of Hainan and Taiwan]
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