[Forum Game] World in Revolution: 1900 Mk. II

[AzagalTheGreat]

Rey Carlos of Portugal

28th September 1863- ???

King Carlos was born in Lisboa,Portugal, the son of King and Queen Maria Pia of Savoy, daughter of Victor Emmanuel II, King of Italy. He had a brother, Infante Afonso, the Duke of Porto. He was baptised with the names Carlos Fernando Luís Maria Víctor Miguel Rafael Gabriel Gonzaga Xavier Francisco de Assis José Simão.

He had an intense education and was heavily prepared to rule as a constitutional monarch. In 1883 he traveled to Italy (with more then one purpose, many of his relatives were members of the Italian royal dynasty, and their ruling King Umberto , his uncle), England, France and Germany (Where too, relatives lived of him,) where he increased his knowledge of the modern civilization of his time. In 1883, 1886 and 1888 he ruled as regent as his father was traveling in Europe, as it had become tradition among the Portuguese constitutional monarchs. His father Luis I advised him to be modest and to study with focus.

In the 1880's, it was long on the schedule for him to marry a daughter of Friedrich III, who would become German Emperor, but eventually it was decided against. For negotiations had halted, and the religion of the possible brides (Lutheran) was too big an obstacle to overcome. Then a better candidate was presented, a daughter of the pretender to the vacant throne of France. Amélie de Orléans would prove to become his wife, and in 1889 the couple would assume the throne as Carlos and Amelie, King and Queen of Portugal.

It was under the tenure of Carlos , that one year later, Portugal would face the greatest shaming in its recent history. The so called Pink map was rejected by the British and an ultimatum sent to the otherwise friendly country. It was then and there Republican tension would really start to catch on, for this affair had hurt the prestige of the Portuguese monarchy, and it is to this day a growing movement, even so that at times, there have been open rebellions against the monarchical government. As it looks, Portugal is steadily marching to a civil war if action against the causes of this growing republican movement (Corruption, tax evasion by the rich, the list goes on and aon) are not undertaken swiftly and steadily...
​

 

[MastahCheef117]

The End of an Age​

It was not a little-known fact, at the turn of the century, that the Ottoman Empire was dying. It was not always like that, however; a brief twenty-four years ago, a constitution had been promulgated; people, in the Empire and without, speculated about the Empire's return to reason and greatness; plans had gone ahead for a grand reorganization and modernization of the military; reforms were carried out in government to shuffle the bureaucracy and do away with petty politics of loyalty. However, Sultan Abdul Hamid II was not known to be a great fan of the new constitution.

After suffering a humiliating defeat in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 – in which Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria all gained independence, and in which the Austro-Hungarians seized Bosnia for themselves – Abdul Hamid II moved to roll back the constitutional reforms and revert the country back to a state of absolutism. His autocratic nature served only to enrage the Young Ottomans who, dethroned from their perch atop the Ottoman government, faded back into obscurity. Their torch of crusade would soon be taken up by the revolutionary and constitutionally-minded Young Turks, composed of, besides intellectuals, young army officers.

Abdul Hamid II was not a popular Sultan with intellectuals and, especially, with the forward-thinking officers of the Army.​

Abdul Hamid II's absolutism bore witness to a continual decline in Ottoman power, influence, and prestige, as the Sultan personally sanctioned deportations and killings of non-Muslim minorities in the Eastern fringes of the Empire in the mid-1890s. His anti-Western beliefs were what killed the constitution of 1876 – the evil Western agents that he claimed were infiltrating Ottoman society were enough of a justification for him to end the Empire's first serious constitutional era – and now his attitudes were killing his own subjects.

The Young Turks became emboldened by the turn of the century. Midhat Pasha, the since-deceased progressive statesman whose work had culminated in the Ottoman Constitution itself, was their hero; they hoped to bring his efforts back from the dustbin of history and create for him a legacy of reform and self-strengthening for the Empire. Throughout February 1900, a series of secret meetings of prominent members of the Young Turks ended with the creation of a plan to restore the Empire to greatness and, in the long run, prosperity.

On 17 March the Sultan received word of a sudden revolt of army officers around Salonica, Izmit, and Izmir. When asked how many men were revolting, Grand Vizier Halil Rifat Pasha said, “It seems today the whole of the Army has rebelled against Your Majesty.” The paranoid Sultan, terrified of the prospect of being dethroned or killed, fled Yıldız Palace for the small city of Ankara. On a road outside the palace, revolutionary troops had already arrived, in part, in the imperial capital; the Sultan was detained and sent to the house of one of the ranking Young Turks officers. On 20 March two whole divisions' worth of revolutioanry soldiers entered the capital. The following day, the Grand Vizier – perhaps at the end of the barrel of a gun – proclaimed that the soldiers had arrived to restore the Empire to greatness. Abdul Hamid II had been deposed in what had turned out so far to be a bloodless coup. They named, in his stead, the new Sultan: Abdul Hamid's stepbrother, proclaimed as Mehmed V.

The stocky Mehmed, proclaimed the new Sultan. ​

That was not for long, however. Hüseyin Hilmi Pasha, a relatively young and inexperienced bureaucrat who sympathized with the Young Turks, was the man closest to the Sultan with their sympathies; he was subsequently declared to be the next Grand Vizier. Hüseyin Pasha, the following day, proclaimed the restitution of the 1876 Constitution and the return of constitutional government to the Empire. While many regular subjects hailed this move – despising the previous Sultan's tendency toward using his secret police – some military figures were enraged.

On 3 April a counter-coup was launched by key members of the Ministry of War and by the commander of the Fourth Army near Konya. Constitutionalist troops near Istanbul crossed the Sea of Marmara and headed for Konya with the intent of capturing or destroying the rebellious Fourth Army. Hasan Tahsin Pasha, former commander of the Salonica garrison, was placed in command of the Constitutionalists' right (western) wing while the acclaimed general and victor of the Greco-Turkish War, Edhem Pasha, was placed in command of the left wing. The Fourth Army, alone and unsupported, occupied Konya, despite great dissent from the civilian population. On 21 April two divisions under Hasan Pasha met the Fourth Army from the West, giving a reasonably good account of themselves despite still being rather disorganized after the first coup. Four days later, Edhem Pasha's troops finally attacked from the north. A bloody battle ensued, in which the Fourth Army's commander was killed by an artillery shell and hundreds on both sides were killed and wounded. By 28 April, the Fourth Army, understrength and underequipped from the beginning, had surrendered. While a few conservatives had hailed the Fourth Army as the last and best chance for a continued traditional Empire, most kept their mouths shut; the fact of the constitutional restoration would simply have to be accepted and lived with.

The staff of a Constitutionalist division during the Battle of Konya.​

As April waned into May, the Ottoman Empire had a new government. Constitutionalism was now the word of the day. Elections had yet to be held, and the efficacy of the government was still greatly in question in the wake of a major coup. The average Ottoman subject was elated at the end of Abdul Hamid's dreaded autocracy and the return of constitutional government, yet not everyone was pleased. The ground of this new system were still incredibly shaky. It was yet to be seen how Mehmed V would open up the first months of his reign; and, too, it was yet to be seen if the Sick Man of Europe had finally been cured of his illness. [Ottoman Empire changed to Constitutional monarchy. Sultan Abdul Hamid II deposed and replaced with Mehmed V. -2 infantry divisions, -2 army levels to Ottoman Empire. +16% public support to Ottoman Empire]

 

[sealy300]

​

Spoiler: [TRANSLATION]

In accordance with the will of the unforgettable Tsar Liberator*, on 19 February 1878 the great Russian people, who are for us like brothers, with the assistance of our good neighbors, subjects to His Majesty the King of Romania, and of the brave heroic Bulgarians, broke the chains which had tied Bulgaria, once so great and glorious, as a slave for so many centuries. Thereafter, for more than thirty years the Bulgarian people, preserving the memory of those who toiled for their liberty and inspired by their tradition, have worked without rest for the progress of their beautiful land, and have created, under my leadership and the leadership of the late Prince Alexander, a state that can become an equal member among the family of civilized nations. My people have been always peace-loving and have always longed for cultural and economic progress.

In this endeavor, nothing shall stop the progress of Bulgaria, nothing shall hinder her success. This is the desire of my people, this is their will. Let it be as they wish! The Bulgarian people and their leader cannot think and feel differently. Being de facto independent the Bulgarian state is impeded in her normal and peaceful development by certain illusions and formal limitations, which as a result cool the relations between Turkey and Bulgaria.

The people and I sincerely rejoice in the political revival of Turkey!

Turkey and Bulgaria, free and completely independent from each other, may exist under conditions which promote their friendly relationship and may devote themselves to peaceful internal development.

Inspired by this sacred deed and to respond to the national exigencies and in harmony with the will of the Bulgarian people, I proclaim, in the name of the God Almighty, Bulgaria, united upon 6 September 1885, as an independent Kingdom. Together with my people I profoundly believe that this act will meet the approval of the Great Powers.

Long live independent Bulgaria! Long live the Bulgarian people!

Given in the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, 22nd September 1900, 16th year of my reign.


FERDINAND

((*That being Alexander II of Russia))

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Бог е с нас
Шуми Марица

A DECLARATION FROM THE TSARDOM OF BULGARIA
​

The Tsardom of Bulgaria, in unanimous political action, does state that it shall enter into negotiations with the Ottoman Empire to reach an amicable agreement that is in the interests of both parties.

​

 

[Revan529]

大日本帝国
Dai Nippon Teikoku
富国強兵 - Fukoku kyōhei
君が代– Kimigayo​

The Government of His Majesty the Emperor must express its concerns regarding the state of the Ottoman Empire; whilst the unlawful overthrow of any legitimate monarch cannot be supported, that the new Sultan has shown his willingness to moderate policies and reform systems in dire need of such, is both welcome and heartening. However, the continual instability of the Sublime Porte, as evidenced by a recent attempt to reverse the course of constitutionalism, is amongst the most worrisome of signs present within the new Sultanate.

In the same vein, it is however reassuring to see that certain powers closely tied to the Ottoman Empire – namely the Principality of Bulgaria – are intent on using diplomatic means to ensure a quick return to stability and continued peace across the Balkans. His Majesty’s Government earnestly desires that an effective peace can be made to deter any such conflict from erupting.

The Government of His Majesty the Emperor shall, then, watch the events unfolding within the Balkans and beyond with interest and cautious optimism.

~ Aoki Shūzō, Gaimu Daijin

-​

The Government of His Majesty the Emperor, in keeping with the terms of Treaty of 1900 between His Majesty’s Government and the Empire of Korea, wishes to announce its intention to contract out certain duties, both in regards to manufacturing the goods necessary to ensure the speedy construction of the railways and their general operation (including, but not limited to, the manufacture and shipping of rails, ties, and cars), as well as in providing the necessary expertise in ensuring these railways are properly run, to Japanese companies. Effective the first of the next month and onwards, the Treasury and Foreign Ministries of His Majesty’s Government shall begin hearing the various offers presented by industries and businesses in the interest of fulfilling this agreement to its fullest extent.

~ Aoki Shūzō, Gaimu Daijin
~ Watanabe Kunitake, Zaimu Daijin

​

 

[MastahCheef117]

Kingdom of Serbia
Краљевина Србија
​

In solidarity with our Slavic brothers in Bulgaria, we, Alexander, by the grace of God the King of Serbia, hereby extend full diplomatic recognition to that Kingdom.

Furthermore, we express our well-wishes to His Imperial Majesty the new Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, and hope the transition to constitutionalism is blessed by God and characterized by a peaceful transformation of government functions.

a Declaration by
His Majesty Alexander, by the grace of God the King of Serbia​

 

[Olligarchy]

Kingdom of Spain

Though matters from the Balkans have ceased to matter overtly much to the Spanish State, the Government has been instructed by Her Royal Majesty the Regent of Spain to offer full recognition to the new Ottoman Government. Her Majesty also applauds the creation of a Constitutional Government that may well save the Ottomans from their continued barbarity and primitive ways. The Spanish State furthermore recognizes the Bulgarian states claims and their validity as a nation.

We look forward to continued diplomatic relations in the future with both parties.

-Ministro de Estado Francisco Silvela-​

 

[MastahCheef117]

GM Note: Due to popular demand*, Harpsichord will join us as the Kingdom of Serbia. It will be a semi-stat nation. Stats will be posted soon.





*It wasn't popular

 

[Harpsichord]

Краљевина Србија
Kingdom of Servia

С вером у Бога, за Краља и Отаџбину
With faith in God, for King and Fatherland​

​

 

[MastahCheef117]

Kingdom of Serbia
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Leader(s): Kralj Aleksandar/Predsednik Vladan Đorđević
Political stability: Good
Population: 2.694 m.
Economy: Very small, agrarian, expansion, market economy
Spending: Small deficit, small debt
Manpower: 51,385
Army: Poor, antiquated
2 infantry divisions, 1 cavalry division, 0 marine divisions, 0 mountain divisions
Navy: Failing, obsolete
0 battleships, 0 armored cruisers, 0 light cruisers, 0 destroyers, 0 submarines
Player: Harpsichord

 

[Sneakyflaps]

Official Statement from the German Empire in Regards to the Event Unfolding in The Ottoman Empire​

The Government of His Imperial and Royal Majesty is disturbed by the events which has unfolded within the Ottoman Empire these past few weeks. The overthrow of his Majesty Sultan Abdul Hamid II to show instability within the Sublime Port, instability that followed his overthrow with the army uprising near Konya. We urge the new government of the Ottoman Empire, which we acknowledge, to restore order across the Empire as swiftly as possible, to ensure that any further instability is not encouraged or provoked by radical elements within the nation.

We furthermore encourage the Sublime Porte to enter into negotiations with the Principality of Bulgaria quickly, for the sake of both states as well as the stability in the Balkans which has been known to be volatile in the past and as such is in the interest of all not to have any further possible escalations. We hope that the two states will be able to come to a satisfactory agreement, which ensures stability and the status quo in the region, to achieve this the German Foreign Office is willing to assist in this endeavor should it be requested.

-Bernhard von Bülow, Secretary of Foreign Affairs

 

[Noco19]

On the Balkans and the Ottoman Empire​

"It is with great concern that we look at the Ottoman Empire, lurching from one government to another. It is our hope that those who rule the Ottoman state are wise men who will prove agents of prosperity, men who promote peace in the Balkans and agreements with the Slavic peoples to better their position within the Empire and perhaps even allow them to join their national brethren.

In regards to Bulgaria, the Russian Empire extends its support to their newfound identity as an independent kingdom, free of Ottoman control. Likewise, the Russian Empire offers its assistance in talks between the Ottoman Empire and the Bulgarian Kingdom, should they seek arbitration from an outside power, ensuring a harmonious framework is established to the benefit of regional stability."

- Count Mikhail Nikolayevich Muravyov, Foreign Minister for the Russian Empire

 

[Mikkel Glahder]

Official statement from the Kingdom of Greece concerning the events in the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Bulgaria
​

The Kingdom of Greece is looking at the situation in the Ottoman empire with great concern as an unstable Empire is a great danger to the stability in the region and thus urge the new Sultan and the new government of the Ottoman empire to promote peace in the Balkans and come to terms with the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

As for the Kingdom of Bulgaria, we fully recognize it as an independent state and we furthermore hopes that our two coutnries will have prosperous relations with each other.

~ Athos Romanos, Minister for Foreign Affairs

​

 

[AzagalTheGreat]

An official message of the Kingdom of Portugal regarding the situation in Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire​

Only with the greatest sadness and disapproval can we talk about the events that have recently occurred in the Balkans and the Ottoman Empire. A legitimate head of state has been removed through force, and been replaced by one no less then his step brother. It is thus we must condemn the Ottoman Coup d'etat and hope the new government will restore the rule of Abdulhamid II.

The declaration by Bulgaria must be considered carefully, for as it currently stands it is no less then a declaration of independence from Ottoman rule, which would be a clear violation of the Treaty of Berlin. We must thus consider this ''independent Tsardom'' illegitimate until further notice.

Francisco da Veiga Beirão, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Portugal​

 

[Ab Ovo]

The Ottoman Empire
Devlet-i Aliyye-i Osmâniyye
​

His Imperial Majesty's Government thanks the nations of the world for their recognition. The deposition of His Majesty Sultan Abdulhamid II was an act of unfortunate necessity, to free the Empire from the unlawful chains of servitude with which she was bound; and it is the hope of His Imperial Majesty Mehmed V that the new government can pursue a policy of peace, constitutionalism, and moderation. Towards that end, the Ottoman government is willing to extend an offer to the Prince of Bulgaria -- 72 hours to rescind the Bulgarian government's disgraceful and unlawful unilateral declaration, followed by fruitful bilateral discussions -- moderated by a tripartite commission of the British, German, and Russian Imperial governments. Should the declaration not be rescinded by the Bulgarian government within that time frame, His Imperial Majesty's Government will be forced to consider other avenues to redress such a serious grievance.

Sincerely,

Hüseyin Hilmi Pasha,
Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire

 

[MastahCheef117]

Principality of Montenegro
Књажевина Црнa Горa
​

In light of the recent declaration from His Majesty Ferdinand of Bulgaria, we hereby fully recognize the total sovereignty and independence of the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

Similarly, we wish for continued peace among the nations of the Balkans, and hope the leaders of the aforementioned nations dutifully prevent a breakdown of that much-cherished peace.

His Highness Nikola, the Prince of Montenegro​

 

[Duke Dan `the Man`]

Korean Position on the Bulgarian Question

The Empire of Korean officially recognize the sovereignty of the Bulgarian Kingdom from the Ottoman Empire. However, the Korean state also wishes to inform the powers of the world that they would accept any decision made by possible negotiations by the Ottoman Caliphs and the Kings of Bulgaria in the name of peace in the Balkan area.


​

 

[Harpsichord]

I do hereby recognise Milan George Obrenovic, born Obren Hristić, as a legitimate son of my father Milan I of Servia, and thus name him as a Prince of Servia.

 

[bakerydog]

Statement by President Campos Sales on the the events between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Bulgaria
​

The Republic of Brazil would like to echo previous statements, we support any Bulgarian-Ottoman negotiations and hope that the current situation in the Balkans does not result in needless bloodshed.

 

[Arrowfiend]

Argentina on the events regarding Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire​

Peace is of utmost importance, with Argentina urging all participating parties to negotiate and come to an amicable agreement.
- Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship Felipe Yofre

 

[Sneakyflaps]

The German School System​

Second to none, that would be one way to describe the German educational system which all citizens of the Empire enjoy. The modern German school system was introduced by Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) following the defeat of Prussia against France back in the Napoleonic Wars. He was a great reformer within the secondary schools, which has shaped the German educational system to this day. He set new standards for the teachers at gymnasiums, as they are named in Germany, requiring them to have university-level training before they could teach in secondary schools across Prussia. He furthermore reformed the structure and curriculum of the gymnasiums, bringing them up to par with the rest of the world and modernizing them in areas which they lacked and more. Humboldt was also the man who introduced the three principles that guides the German Universities: academic freedom, the unity of teaching and research, and self-government by the professors.

Germany law makes it compulsory for all children to receive an education in primary school, or Volksschule. There are very strict laws which regulate how often children are allowed to be absent, as such it is only in case of extreme sickness or death in the family that the children are permitted to be excused from attending class. These Volkscchules vary greatly across Germany, while in the cities which have been in rapid development, the schools have also had joy of it, providing more classes for the children of all ages. Though in the rural parts of the country, many of the smaller towns only has a single school which is meant to function for all ages, thus providing a more lackluster education as it cannot cater to the need of every child. The purpose of the school was to give an all-rounded education for the German children, to give them a basic education, to install discipline, duty and ethics. Around 90% of the children in Germany in the last decades have received this as their final education, as their families often cannot afford to continue to pay for their education into secondary schools.

Those children of higher status family with wealth would go on to the secondary schools, where they would classic gymnasium which lasted for nine years and taught in subjects such as the old languages as Latin, Greek and Hebrew.

For much of the 19th century, the two schools above was the norm, but following the unification of Germany in 1871, the state took over the secondary educational schools and things began to change. Two new gymnasiums were added, the Realgymnasium and the Oberrealschule. The former of these two changed its focus from the traditional languages of the gymnasium, instead putting a greater attention on modern languages instead of those of the past, while still keeping Latin. This however didn’t stop it from also adding such things as science and mathematics to its curriculum, although to a lesser degree. The Oberrealschule also placed a focus on modern languages, completely dropping the ancient languages, but most of its focus lay in the fields of science and mathematics, two of the things which have greatly helped the empire in its industrial revolution.

The fourth and final gymnasium to be added happened only a few years ago was the Mittelschule or Realschule as it has also been called. This school was aimed at the lower classes of society compared to the others which were aimed at the rich and aristocratic, and students could enter after four years of primary school like with the rest. Its focus lay in the option of becoming a trainee in a modern industrial office or position, or receiving a technical job within the German economy. Unlike the other gymnasiums, this school only lasted six years, compared to the nine years of the others. Furthermore those graduated did so without receiving an entrance qualification for university. The reason this school came about was the shifting demographics, with the vast amount of people now living in cities compared to the rural lifestyle only three decades ago. Together with the prosperity brought to the German public from the industrial revolution and the Unification of Germany. It had allowed many new families, worker families and so forth who received an increase salary and parental demand to send their children into further education. As such the Mittleschule was created for those who sought further education for their children, while still not being able to fully admit their children to one of the other gymnasiums. It was also in 1871 that the first gymnasium for women opened.

The structure of the gymnasiums also allowed the government far greater control than in the primary schools, or universities. This had great benefit as the government decided the curriculum and as such could keep it modern and up to date with all the new technological discovers made during this era. A goal of Kaiser Wilhelm II, himself being a great patron of art and science, and has taken a keen interest in ensuring that Germany is kept at the forefront of development.

The final level of education is the universities, the studies taught at university vary greatly, but the German universities has had a high interest in the studies of engineering, chemicals and electronics among other sciences, which has helped the scientists of the Empire receive noble prices after noble price, making Germany in a short span, one of the nations with the most prices. One of the issues with the universities, as well as the primary school is that it lacks central control. As such several of the universities, predominantly in the east of the German Empire have yet to catch to several of the newer schools of engineering. This is mainly due to their location, and the more traditional nature of the said universities and the Junkers. Something which the Kaiser is aware of and seeks to change.