The Economist
News Highlights from Around the World, 1841 Edition
Leaders
Europe
1841 saw the launching a program to increase cooperation between the Admiralty and Army. It was maintained that the “Army would be a projectile fired by the British Navy.” It was also determined that more time would be spent training the two branches to fulfill this ideal. [-40,000 £, +1 Army Level in 3 turns, +1 Naval Level in 3 turns]
The year also an expansion of infrastructure across Britain, particularly in Cornwall and the Fenlands. However, efforts to invest in industry were less than successful with many new factories closing shortly after opening due to a lack of competitiveness. [-20,000 £, +1 Infrastructure in 3 turns]
Desiring to improve the French industrial base, the French subsidize the construction of a new industrial area in Toulouse. The new industrial area would support the continued industrial development of the region. [-15,000 ₣, +2 Industry in 2 turns]
The French efforts to increase the size of the navy were marginally successful if far more expensive than originally envisioned. However, the French fleet would soon be supplemented by a number of smaller craft. [-7,000 ₣, +25 Small Ships in 2 turns]
Part of the New Dutch Waterline
Determined to defend their newly expanded nation, the Dutch order the investment in a new line of impressive fortifications, dubbed the “New Dutch Waterline.” The New Waterline would protect approximately 70% of the country and form a major impediment to invasion. It was decided that the construction would first concentrate on securing the Western border. This process went hand-in-hand with the raising of 10,000 more men for the Dutch Army. [-125,500 ƒ, +1 Army level, +10,000 Regulars, 1/3 completion of the New Waterline]
The Dutch were determined to in an industrial future for their nation, however an economic downturn forces the government to expend the entire budget allocation on preventing the bankruptcy of several factories. [-45,600 ƒ]
Reform of the Dutch Constitution continues with most of the basic ground work for a governmental system based on the United Kingdom's being laid. However, several important questions remained, ranging from the size and qualifications of the electorate, the powers of the king, and the possibility and role of a civilian executive branch. [4/5 completion of new Dutch Constitution]
Efforts to continue the training and expansion of the Danish Navy were met with disaster when on a training exercise in the Baltic, catastrophe struck as the powder store on one of the ships ignited and caused a chain reaction that lead to the destruction of several nearby ships. [-12,000 Dkr, -1 Large Ship, -3 Small ships]
Attempts to expand the infrastructure of the Danish colonies was a ineffective, with many of the supplies disappearing in transit... [-5,000 Dkr]
Reform of the Danish Constitution continues with most of the basic ground work for a governmental system based on the United Kingdom's being laid. However, several important questions remained, ranging from the size and qualifications of the electorate, the powers of the king, and the possibility and role of a civilian executive branch. [4/5 completion of new Danish Constitution]
The Winter of 1841 saw a thawing of relations between the Norwegians and their king, as the king toured the country and listened to his people's needs. There he learned that people were upset with his previous pronouncements and were angry at his abuses of their language. [-10,000 Skr, Nowegians are less pissed off]
Efforts to build mines in the locations specified my the geologists are successful though the costs are far higher than expected due to the extreme remoteness of the locations of the mineral deposits. [-23,500 Skr, +500 Base Income]
The Russian Tsar, determined to continue the modernization his country, orders the construction of new factories dedicated to the construction of military armaments and furniture in Moscow and Kiev. The new factories would soon prove integral to the arming of the Imperial Russian Army. [-52,000 руб, +5 Industry in 3 turns]
The Russian Tsar eager to further strengthen his army further, orders the vast expansion his army by 50,000 men. The recruitment drive met expectations with 51,000 men being recruited into the army being lured by a regular meal and pay. [-5,300 руб, +51,000 Regulars]
The Russian Imperial Army continues its drive into Central Asia continuing to drive the nomads before them. However, it was believed that the nomads would attack later in an attempt to reclaim their lost land. [Central Asia under Russian Control]
The terminus of the Trans-Baltic Railroad in St. Petersburg
In the spirit of mutual cooperation, the Prussian and Russian governments embark on the construction of the Trans-Baltic Railroad connecting Russian and Prussian capitals. However, it was important to note, that there was a break of gauge at the Prussian-Russian border, between the broad gauge Russian Railroad and the Stephenson gauge Prussian Railroad. [-40,500 ℳ from Prussia, -6,000 gold from Prussia, -6,700 руб from Russia, +1 Infrastructure in 3 turns for Prussia, +1 Infrastructure in 2 turns in Russia]
The Prussian effort to expand their shipyards' capacity was a failure as at one of the construction sites in the Konigsburg shipyards a fire broke out, which not only delayed efforts to speed up the naval refit but also lead to the destruction of several ships. [-40,500 ℳ, -2 Large Ships, -5 Small Ships]
Efforts to secure relations with the Saxon states by the Prussians were considerably more effective. With relations warming with the North German minors, though these states seemed determined to maintain their independence particularly given their relations with the other German states. [-81,000 ℳ]
The fruits of Bavarian Agriculture
The King of Bavaria sponsors an Agricultural Fair in Munich to encourage the demonstration of new industrial techniques and develop a stronger agricultural sector. [-26,500 Bavƒ, +500 Base Income]
Following several rounds of diplomatic negotiations, the Kingdom of Bavaria is able to secure the rights to lay track and operate trains in the Grand-Duchy of Hesse and Saxe-Coburg Gotha. This leads to closer relations between the nations and the potential for greater integration. [-19,200 Bavƒ, Closer relations with Hesse and Saxe-Coburg Gotha]
The year is also marked by a new immigration law in Bavaria, one which encouraged the immigration of oppressed intellectuals from around the world. It was expected that this influx of intellectuals would bolster the nation's economic growth. [-38,400 Bavƒ, +1.2% Economic Growth]
1841 saw continued implementation of the Austrian Land Reform Act of 1840. The year saw the completion of the bulk of the land transfers, though the government once again ran out of funds. [-250,000 Ausƒ, +2,500 Base income, 2/3 land reform payments completed]
Austrian Emperor Ferdinand I
The Austrian Empire takes the opportunity afforded by the Land Reform Act and the recent Treaty of Rome to make a speech promoting unity in his nation. His speech is well received and endears him to all his subjects across the empire. [+1 Stability]
The Emperor also gave the order to reduce the printing the Austrian Gulden. This had the result of the increasing the relative value of the Gulden and increased bullion reserves in the Austrian Central Bank. [Printing rate set to 45%]
The Portuguese Admiralty continues its daunting task of modernizing its country's navy, implementing changes to standing doctrine based on the new hull designs and cannons being used by the refitted Portuguese fleet. While of great use to the navy, these doctrinal changes will take some time to filter into common use. [-100,000 P$, +1 Naval Level in 2 turns]
Queen Maria II orders that the Portuguese spice trade be further expanded through a second attempt at founding a Portuguese East Indies Company, the first of which operated from 1628 to 1633. Unfortunately, the same result befalls the second Company, with potential investors remaining skeptical of the new organization and influential private merchants refusing to acknowledge its authority over their trade, leading to the Company's collapse three months later. [-50,000 P$]
A new textiles factory begins construction in northern Portugal after the Portuguese Crown decides to directly invest in the low-income region. Domestic demand for textiles is high and this new factory is expected to increase local industry and reduce reliance on foreign goods or slower artisan production. [-50,000 P$, +1 Industry in 2 turns]
As construction crews attempt to expand the shipyards at Porto, a tragic accident leads to the entire collapse of a major scaffolding, the deaths of twenty-five workers, and the temporary shutdown of the entire facility as falling debris renders several docks nonfunctional. The Portuguese shipyard authorities scramble to repair the damage and, consequently, the naval shipbuilding effort becomes a secondary priority for almost six months. [-40,000 P$, Portuguese shipbuilding delayed 1 turn]
Queen Isabella II of Spain extends an offer to her country's industrialists: For every private peseta invested into domestic industry, the Spanish Crown will provide matching funds. The majority owner of the country's largest iron mine accepts her offer and begins construction on a steel mill, while a group of ranchers from Andalusia start their own factory to process and create leather goods. [-6,000 Gold, +2 Industry in 2 turns]
Unfortunately, attempts by the Spanish Crown to expand the gold mines around Toledo meets with disaster, as rapid tunnelling leads to a shortage of proper supports, which in turn results in a sizable collapse, killing twelve miners. [-63,300 ₧, -100 Base Income]
Spanish volunteers from the short Papal-Sicilian conflict return home, bringing with them valuable knowledge and expertise. Rather than simply return them to the ranks, the Spanish War College offers them a reasonable stipend to write their reports on the Italian War, then disseminates these reports to Spain's commanding generals, resulting in several quiet modifications to existing defensive doctrine. [-106,300 ₧, +1 Army Level in 3 turns]
The Spanish Admiralty engages in an exhaustive review of its current fleet capabilities and concludes that a sizable number of its ships are obsolete models, actually bringing down the overall quality of the navy rather than adding to it. Five men of war, along with fifteen frigates, are sent to the breakers in Barcelona; while the fleet's numbers are reduced, its operating efficiency actually seems to be slowly increasing. [-5 Big Ships, -15 Small Ships, +1 Naval Level in 1 turn]
The Spanish Army begins a renewed offensive in the north of Spain to root out the Carlist forces once and for all with surprising brutality, burning down rebel-aligned villages and summarily executing anyone even suspected of being a Carlist sympathizer. These methods backfire spectacularly, as a new wave of sympathy for the Carlist movement spreads through northern Spain, particularly in Basque-speaking Vasconia. While a few small blows are struck against the reactionary rebels, it seems like for each dead Carlist soldier there are two new recruits, and the Spanish Army takes heavy casualties. [-3,000 Regulars, -1 Stability, Carlist support increases in northern Spain]
To replace the ships lost at the Battle of Sardinia, the Sardinian Admiralty orders the construction of five new capital ships and ten new frigate escorts at the shipyards in Genoa. Surprisingly, this process proceeds both on-schedule and on-budget, as Piedmontese shipwrights labor to restore their country's naval pride. [-13,300 PT₤, +5 Big Ships in 2 turns, +10 Small Ships in 2 turns]
Following several joint operations with the modern Austrian Army of Lombardy-Venetia in Northern Italy during the Italian War, the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont begins to incorporate Austrian doctrine and techniques into its own relatively-backwards land forces. Sponsored by King Victor Emmanuel II himself, the proposed changes are radical but considered necessary to defend against potential aggression from their southern neighbors and are rapidly implemented. [-30,300 PT₤, +1 Army Level in 2 turns]
Just a year after its foundation, the professors from the College of Industry and Technology at the University of Turin are called to the King of Sardinia's royal council to offer their advice on further industrialization. They propose a scheme used to great success in Spain: offering matching funds for private industrial projects. The King accepts their proposal and issues a royal decree; barely two weeks later, ground has been broken on a new fertilizer plant in Aosta, owned in equal part by a Piedmontese shipping magnate and the Sardinian Crown. [-19,000 PT₤, +1 Industry in 2 turns]
Following the completion of the road refurbishment project, the ambitious Sardinian King sets his sights on creating a network of railroads to bring his entire realm together. Construction begins on basic prototype railways connecting the cities of Turin, Genoa, and Nice, though the process is both expensive and expected to take quite some time. [-94,900 PT₤, +1 Infrastructure in 3 turns]
Upon hearing the terms of the Treaty of Rome, specifically the clause unifying Sardinia-Piedmont and Tuscany, the self-proclaimed King of Italy goes into a furious, berserk rage, ranting for hours about the perfidity of the Sardinians, including a substantial period devoted to speculation about an unwholesome intimate relationship between Victor Emmanuel II and Klemens Wenzel von Metternich of Austria. He orders his entire delegation to Rome summarily executed, calls for the assassination of the Pope, then proclaims himself God's Vice-Regent on Earth and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Consumed in his angry babbling, Ferdinand II barely notices when the nice men in white coats come to lead him away from the throne room. [-4 Stability, Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies dethroned]
Queen Dowager Maria Theresa, Regent of the Two Sicilies
With his father declared incurably insane and locked away in his "summer palace", the five-year-old crown prince is proclaimed King of the Two Sicilies as Francis II. As the new king is only a child, a regency council is established, headed by Francis' stepmother Queen Maria Theresa of Austria. On his behalf, she signs the Treaty of Rome, establishing her adopted son as Duke of Sardinia and relinquishing both his and his father's claim to the throne of Italy. [+1 Stability, Francis II now King of the Two Sicilies, Maria Theresa now Regent of the Two Sicilies until 1852]
In a desperate effort to shore up eroding support for the Bourbon monarchy following the events of her husband's mental collapse, Maria Theresa tours the country with Francis II, who presents himself as a solemn, dutiful child attentive to his beloved stepmother's requests. The people of the Two Sicilies are calmed by the sight of their boy king and his graceful regent, pacifying all but the most hardcore republicans. [+1 Stability]
With the signatures of Francis II of the Two Sicilies and Pope Gregory XVI, the Treaty of Rome comes into effect and the Italian War of Unification ends, with peace between all parties mandated until 1848. The island of Sardinia, occupied by Sicilian troops, is transferred to the Sicilian Crown as the Duchy of Sardinia. While the Two Sicilies secures a certain amount of renown for its achievement in the face of overwhelming odds, it falls far short of its original goal of total Italian unification. [Sardinia transferred to Two Sicilies, -300 Base Income to Sardinia-Piedmont, +300 Base Income to Two Sicilies, +10 Prestige to Two Sicilies]
Furthermore, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany is absorbed into the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont as the Duchy of Tuscany. Now without the island of Sardinia and with a new major holding, the House of Savoy changes the name of its kingdom to Piedmont-Tuscany. Despite the loss, Tuscany is a much richer province and its peaceful inclusion in the kingdom, as well as the victory over the so-called "King of Italy", brings great honor to the House of Savoy.
[Sardinia-Piedmont annexes Tuscany, +700 Base Income to Sardinia-Piedmont, Sardinia-Piedmont becomes Piedmont-Tuscany, +30 Prestige to Piedmont-Tuscany]
With all Italian nations repudiating the anti-Austrian rumors and propaganda swirling around the Peninsula, the Austrian Empire achieves a small measure of tranquility in its Italian holdings. Under the leadership of Prince Metternich, Austria has repulsed the first wave of Italian unification, which it hopes to be the last. [+1 Stability to Austria, +10 Prestige to Austria]
The Kingdom of Greece begins a naval improvement program in the port of Athens, scrapping its oldest capital ship and its three escorts while bringing the rest of the fleet into drydock for repairs and refits. Though the Greek navy is small, the facilities in Athens are almost as outdated as the fleet itself and slow the process significantly. [-34,300 ₯, -1 Big Ship, -3 Small Ships, +1 Naval Level in 2 turns, Greek navy laid up for 2 turns]
Greek Marshal Andreas Stavridis begins an exhaustive recruitment campaign to increase the size of the relatively puny Greek military while also putting in purchases of military equipment at several British firms. With Stavridis' personal reputation and substantial sign-up bonuses on its side, the recruitment campaign bears fruit immediately, as 15,000 Greek men enlist in the Hellenic Royal Army. The equipment purchases are expected to take longer to arrive, due to the ongoing blockade in the eastern Mediterranean. [-14,300 ₯, +15,000 Regulars, +10% Equipment in 1 turn]
Hellenic engineers work overtime on personal order from King George I to build a series of fortified camps along the Greco-Ottoman border, designed to defend against any potential incursion by Turkish soldiers. The network is surprisingly extensive, though also quite expensive. [-22,900 ₯, Greek border fortified]
The Middle-East
Numerous pamphlets and posters begin appearing in Thessalonica, Epirus, and Macedonia, calling for "enosis", or union with Greece. With taxes going up to fund the Sultan's war against Egypt and the entire Ottoman Army deployed in the Levant, Greek militiamen answer the call with blood and iron, torching tax offices and military outposts alike. Soon all three regions are engulfed in turmoil and strife, with no organized Ottoman presence to oppose the zealous rebellion. [-1 Stability to Ottomans, Thessalonica, Epirus, and Macedonia controlled by Greek rebels]
Increasingly in debt due to the Oriental Crisis, the Ottoman Empire chooses to sell one of its least valuable western provinces to the Kingdom of Prussia, as Tunisia is already cut off from the Empire by the rebellious Sultanate of Egypt. The Prussian Overseas Corps lands in Tunis and take control of the territory with little objection from the natives, as they're merely trading one oppressive master for another. In exchange, Prussia bullion and rifles are shipped to Constantinople, equipping not just the Empire's reserve forces but also increasing the overall level of supply in the Ottoman Army. [-30,000 Gold to Prussia, +15,000 Gold to Ottomans, +20,000 Regulars to Ottomans, +5% Equipment to Ottomans, Tunisia transferred to Prussia]
The Ottoman Empire also transfers the island of Cyprus, the Dodecanese island chain, and the rights to the Egyptian-occupied island of Crete to the United Kingdom, with the Ottoman Sultan announcing the handover as "a voluntary gift to our gracious friend and ally, Queen Victoria". Though some in the Sublime Porte call it thinly-veiled extortion and regional governors complain about the Sultan not even demanding token payment for the islands, the handover occurs smoothly enough. [-1 Stability to Ottomans, Cyprus and Dodecanese transferred to UK, Crete will revert to UK ownership upon recapture]
Despite the best efforts of the Ottoman Sultan, further efforts to raise troops meet with little success, as most willing volunteers have already enlisted in the Ottoman Army and the offer of standard pay does little to entice the reluctant. [-483,800 Ott£]
The Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, a wealthy man in his own right, personally invests in the construction of a clothing factory in Constantinople, though construction in the massive city remains slow. [-1,209,500 Ott£, +1 Industry in 2 turns]
In his yearly speech to the Egyptian people, Sultan Muhammad Ali cites Islam as the cornerstone of his new regime and Islamic faith as the key to a second era of Egyptian greatness. Though this religious fervor is disturbing to Coptic Christians and secular academics, it also serves to solidify his support with the lower classes and the highly-influential imamate. A wave of nationalistic pride sweeps Egypt, spreading from Alexandria and Cairo out to the countryside and resonating with the simplest farmer. Soon, the moon and three stars banner flies in every village and Egyptians consider themselves a separate and independent people once again, no longer merely subjects to the moribund Ottoman Empire. [Nationalist movement in Egypt, Egyptians reject Ottoman rule, -1 Stability, +500 Base Income, +1 Army Level for the duration of the war]
60,000 zealous new patriots answer Muhammad Ali's annual call for able-bodied soldiers following his speech, doubling the size of his armed forces and completely overwhelming the Egyptian Army's ability to equip and train all of them. Instead, as had been done earlier in the Ottoman Empire, a third of them are given standard basic training as regulars, while the other 40,000 are organized into a militia, armed with ancient muskets and pikes to fill out the Egyptian lines. [-794,400 Egy£, +20,000 Regulars, +40,000 Conscripts]
The Sultan's first minister attempts to solve the persistent shortage of rifles and uniforms by establishing government subsidies to encourage domestic military industries. Unfortunately, the effort is drowned out by the rising tide of militant nationalism and most of the money set aside for the project disappears into the pockets of corrupt officials. [-496,500 Egy£]
New guidelines for infantry drill and discipline are set forth by Muhammad Ali of Egypt, himself a veteran soldier. While this new doctrine is undoubtedly effective, it also takes quite some time to filter through the ranks of the army, as occupied as it is with the ongoing conflict in the east. [-1,986,100 Egy£, +1 Army Level in 3 turns]
The Egyptian Navy makes its last stand at the isle of Crete, as British and Ottoman ships encircle the island. Sensing weakness in the enemy's flank, the small fleet surges out to exploit it, only to encounter a reserve force positioned in anticipation of exactly that end. With no escape possible and destruction imminent, the Egyptian admiral runs up the white flag, surrendering his ships to the Ottomans in exchange for merciful treatment. [-5 Big Ships to Egypt, -10 Small Ships to Egypt, +5 Big Ships to Ottomans, +10 Big Ships to Ottomans]
The Egyptian detachment in North Africa finally succeeds in pacifying the region, though their advance on Tunisia is stopped cold by the Prussian Overseas Corps, whose commanding general politely but firmly informs them that Tunisia is now an colonial holding of the Kingdom of Prussia. With only 8,000 men to the Prussians' 20,000, the Egyptian commander is forced to swallow his pride and be content with his other gains. [Ottoman North Africa controlled by Egypt]
The Egyptian Army attempts to make a stand in Jerusalem, with the city's crumbling walls fortified and plenty of stockpiled supplies. However, their position rapidly becomes untenable when a second Ottoman force marches from the east, threatening to entirely cut off their potential route of escape. Instead, a small force of 5,000 regulars, along with 10,000 militiamen, is left behind to hold Jerusalem and provide the appearance of a spirited defense while the bulk of the army escapes. The Anglo-Ottoman force attacks Jerusalem head-on and begins taking tremendous losses, with noticeable discord between the British and Ottoman generals resulting in substantial friendly fire. When the dust settles, the allied forces have retaken Jerusalem and the southern Levant, but at a staggering cost. [-5,000 Regulars to Egypt, -10,000 Conscripts to Egypt, -12,000 Regulars to Ottomans, -8,000 Conscripts to Ottomans, -6,000 Regulars to UK, Southern Levant controlled by Ottomans]
Bloodied but unbeaten, the Anglo-Ottoman force marches on the Sinai, where the Egyptian Army has once again fortified the strategic chokepoint in the region. This time, 85,000 Egyptians meet 50,000 Ottomans and 30,000 British head-on, bolstered by the presence of Muhammad Ali himself at the defensive line. What follows is almost a week of intensive fighting, the superior morale of the Egyptian soldiers prevails, repulsing the joint offensive, albeit at a huge cost. [-15,000 Regulars to Egypt, -20,000 Conscripts to Egypt, -20,000 Regulars to Ottomans, -10,000 Regulars to UK]
With over 20,000 British soldiers dead in the Middle East, both coalition and opposition MPs in Parliament begin agitating over the conduct of the war. This unrest is not specific to Parliament, as Trafalgar Square is host to several large anti-war protests the day after the losses in the Battle of the Sinai are announced. There is little sympathy for the Ottoman Sultan in Britain and a great deal of anguish over the dead soldiers, which grows with each passing day. [British people call for peace]
Through a series of bribes and favorable trade deals, the Portuguese colonial governor in Aden is able to convince the regional sheiks that a close relationship with Portugal is in their best interests. Soon, most commerce in the southern Arabian Peninsula flows through the growing port of Aden. [-20,000 P$, +100 Colonial Income]
The Americas
The inside of a new Steel Mill
The Industrial Funding Act of 1841 lead to a vast expansion of American industry, though at a similarly massive costs. It lead to the growth of the steel industry in Cincinnati, shipbuilding in Cleveland, and meatpacking in Chicago, among other cities. [-$216,200, +15 Industry in 2 turns]
The Funding for Education Act of 1841 funded the expansion and improvement of many schools across the Eastern Seaboard. These new schools would educate a new generation of leaders for the young nation. [-$83,800, +5% Literacy, +1000 Base Income]
Manifest Destiny on the Great Plains
The government also attempted to encourage the westward expansion of the nation into the vast Western spaces held by the nation. The lead to vast westward movement of people into the Western territories particularly in the Northern Mississippi valley. Several of these territories would soon be reaching the population levels necessary to apply for statehood. [Florida and Wisconsin apply for Statehood]
One of the Mexican silver mines before the modernization
In Mexico the President ordered the expansion of the silver mines. This initiative was very successful as the Silver Mines expanded significantly. [-138,000 Mex$, +4
00 Base Income to Mexico]
He also ordered the modernization and improvement of the textile industries in Central Mexico however this was a complete failure as most of the funds were used by corrupt officials to line their pockets. [-23,000 Mex$]
In Argentina Rosas ordered that the previous year’s project to invest in the economies of Uruguay and Paraguay be continued. This time the project was extremely successful with both countries becoming dependent on Argentine money and goods. While their economies expanded. [Uruguay and Paraguay completely dependent on Argentina. Uruguay and Paraguay Puppets of Argentina, -5,000 gold from Uruguay and Paraguay]
He also ordered the expansion of the farming sector. This slightly improved the economy of the nation. [-71,800 A$, +500 Base Income to Argentina]
An Argentine expedition was also sent to Patagonia. It succeeded in taking control of all lands not claimed by Britain or Chile in the area. [Argentina has Patagonia, -7,200 A$]
Some of the new Chilean ships
In Chile the purchase of 4 Large and 10 Small ships from Portugal went flawlessly as the ships arrived in Valparaiso in early March. [+4 Large ships, +10 Small ships, -4 Large, -10 Small ships from Portugal, -4,000 gold from Chile, +4,000 Gold to Portugal]
Chile also commenced the expansion of her silver mines in the south. This, along with the expansion of ports led to a substantial increase in the Chilean economy. [-33,000 Chi$, +250 Base income to Chile]
Chile also made an attempt to remove corruption from the government in accordance with the Popes request. This was not particularly successful but the Pope was pleased with the attempt and encouraged immigrants to go to Chile. [-33,000 Chi$, +250 Base income to Chile]
The Chilean government also tried to sow dissension in the Peru-Bolivian Confederacy. They received a response from an anonymous general that he would lead a revolt against the government in exchange for Chilean weapons and men. The Chilean government slipped equipment and a force of 500 men into Peru however it was later discovered that the “General” had actually been the Peruvian government which was taking the equipment and arresting the soldiers. [-5% equipment from Chile, -500 soldiers from Chile, -10 Prestige from Chile]
In early 1841 Chilean troops marched quickly into PBC territory taking control of Antofagasta and continuing towards Lima. They were however confronted by 15,000 Peruvians who after a small skirmish forced the Chileans back and retaking Antofagasta.
During the battle 7,000 Chileans had landed behind enemy lines however Santa Cruz, expecting this had kept 5,000 men in reserve in Lima. These men were ordered to march quickly to cut the Chileans off from the sea. After the main Chilean force withdrew the main PBC force sent 5,000 men to force the Chileans back. Sandwiched the Chileans attempted to make their way back to the ships but most were but off and forced to surrender with less than half making it back. PBC casualties were minimal. [-6,000 regulars from Chile, -1,500 regulars from PBC]
Asia/Oceania
In the Empire of Japan the Shogun continued the modernization of the currency moving from the Koku to the new Yen. This was quite successful and the currency was adopted in most of Honshu. [-40,000 gold, -91,200 ¥, +3,750 Base Income, Japanese currency reform 2/4]
The Shogun surprised everyone by holding a massive Ume (plum) Blossom Festival. After recovering from their initial shock the
Samurai grew suspicious and the stability of the Empire decreased as a result. [-2,600 ¥, -1 Stability from Japan]
Some of the plum blossoms that nobody saw.
The Shogun also attempted to manufacture new weapons for his army however the attempt was unsuccessful as the artisans were still unable to construct enough to improve its level of equipment. [-13,000 ¥]
The Shogun's expansion of the Japanese road and canal systems was also successful though the project both took longer and and cost more than expected as some local daimyo demanded more compensation for their land than was expected. [-24,400 ¥, +1 Infrastructure in 3 turns]
In the Empire of Dai Nam the Emperor encouraged Buddhist and Confucian missionaries to establish schools in the country to improve the literacy in the country with a government grant to any who agreed to. [-20,400 ₫, +5% literacy to Dai Nam]
He also ordered the construction of defensive positions along the Red River to hold the Chinese off. This was quite successful in ensuring that any Chinese attack would be a slaughter. [Dai Nam has fortifications along the Red River, -15,300₫]
Some of the fortifications
In China the new Emperor was crowned in the city of Nanking however after the announcement that there would be no regency many nobles and officials were disgruntled with the Emperor. [-28,800 海關, -1 Stability from China]
More successful was the establishment of a standardized Chinese alphabet which was quite successful although it was only adopted upper echelons of government. [-460,300 海關, +4,000 Base income to China, Chinese alphabet reform 1/4]
Some of the new Chinese characters
In the Sino-Viet war the Chinese ordered 2 Banner Armies to march to the current border of the two nations were they were confronted by the Vietnamese. Eager to defeat their enemies the Chinese charge three times at the enemy positions north of Hanoi and three time they were repulsed with extremely heavy casualties. [-1,000 regulars from Dai Nam, -15,000 regulars from China]
A third Banner army along with the Qing navy also moved to Hainan where they established a base of operations. While a call went out to all Buddhists and Taoists to surrender or assist in the fight against Dai Nam however this only served to strengthen the Vietnamese morale.
The British were able to greatly expand their holdings on the South Island of New Zealand, either by signing treaties with the native Maori tribes, or subduing them using other means. This opens vast tracks of land to settlers for sheep farming. [-40,000 £, More of New Zealand opened up]
