Sceptre of David: An Israel AAR

[superskippy]

The Tribes Return​

For 2,000 years the Tribes of Israel had wandered exiles from their homes, and yet each year they prayed and yearned to return to the land of their ancestors. For more than a millenia this prayer was only symbolic, the Jewish communities grew up around the great cities of Europe and were always subject to the benevolence of their Christian monarchs. But in the early 1800's radical changes swept Europe, Napoleon broke open the Jewish Ghettos, reformed legal codes were enacted across Europe liberating the Jews of Europe. This sudden liberation led to a new idea, instead of remaining in the lands of their oppressors why not seize upon their new found liberty by going to the land of their ancestors? Instead of just saying "Next year in Jerusalem" why not actually go there? And so a great exodus began, with Jewish agencies financing mass transport out of ports in Italy, Austria, France, and Spain with hundreds of thousands flocking from every nation in Europe. Colonies sprouted up all along the coast of the Levant, while the minor cities exploded in population swiftly becoming Jewish strongholds of population. Jewish business elite purchased vast amounts of land, started businesses, and even opened several factories industrializing and commercializing the Levant to an extent not seen for a 1,000 years.

But the Jewish population now had dreams of nationhood, to found a Jewish nation once again in the land of their ancestors. But as an Ottoman fief that chance seemed slim, that is until Mehmed Ali of Egypt seized the region and expanded his campaigns into Syria. It became apparent that the Ottomans would not regain Palestine, and so Jewish leaders petitioned the Egyptian Sultan for the independence of their small nation. Ali was no fool, he realized the benefit of creating a buffer state which would act as an obstacle to any Ottoman counterattack, he also fully weighed the benefits of holding onto the territory, which was little.

The Jews had not risked everything by asking for Jerusalem, and even still they expected rejection. Yet all their hopes were answered when Sultan Ali granted the Jews their country. For a week they rejoiced and the news reverberated around the world, a Jewish nation was born again. Delegates from each major city were sent to plan the foundation of the state, one of the first questions asked was, what to name the state? Barak Kaufmann a German immigrant and mayor of Jaffa, was quick to answer "Must we really debate? This is Yisrael!" and with that he not only named the nation, but secured the provisional presidency. Yisrael was born.

President Kaufmann had petitioned Sultan Mehmed for the census records from the Egyptian archives. The Sultan had no issue and oblidged without complaint. The records were surprisingly detailed:

One of the main questions posed was what to do with the sizeable non-Jewish minorities in the country. The decision was made to extend to them equal rights in the government, but to at all times advance the concept of a Jewish State. One aspect of advancing this was the decision to only recruit Jewish soldiers, this would ensure that the Jewish people would always have a monopoly on force in their own country. The Jerusalem Corps was formed as the first armed Jewish force in more than 1,800 years, the Lion of Judah Brigade was formed from diehard Jewish zealots, fiercley loyal to the state and to their faith.

The Knesset was formed within a week of the nations establishment. It was to be the legislative body of the state, it would have 100 members with each party gaining a seat after they passed the 5% mark in an election. This high threshold was given so as to keep the Christian and Moslem minorities in check and out of power in the state. The influx of so many immigrants gave a politically diverse state, with socialists, conservatives, and liberals all making the nation their home. The political soul of Israel had yet to be won.

Though the nascent state and its exhausted government was preoccupied with building the proper workings of a state, they could not help but cast a gaze towards Jerusalem and the Jewish colonies throughout Palestine. Would Jerusalem fly the Banner of David once again?

 

[superskippy]

My goal for Israel is to create a thoroughly Jewish state in the Levant, gaining control of all of Israels corelands in Jerusalem, the Sinia, Eilat, and Jerush. From there who knows, maybe I'll create a small system of colonies, get involved in international affairs, etc. But this all assumes that nations dont gather together to crush the nascent Jewish state...

But please comment, and ask any questions you like.

 

[unmerged(61356)]

This sounds like a really interesting idea. How strong a military are you going to be able to build? With the Ottomans on one side and the Egyptians on the other, I imagine that you're going to need some strong friends to both defend yourself and expand. Any idea on who you will try to ally with?

 

[superskippy]

Well actually the starting event gives you a nice boost in ammunition and small arms, and with the flood of immigrents that I get (which you'll begin seeing in the next few updates) I could make myself militarily independent through reserves and my strong industry and population. At least tough enough to fend off Egypt.

 

[unmerged(61356)]

I hadn't realized that there was an event to create Israel(I don't play Victoria very much). Good to hear that you'll be able to defend yourself. Looking forward to the next update.

 

[superskippy]

There isnt this was a mod that was created a while back, so I decided to test it out and loved it. Theres a whole series of events that he made with it including some in the 1870's, 1880's and 1890's, I'll go see if I cant find the link to the mod thread.

 

[likk9922]

You really enjoy the minor religions, don't you Superskippy? Well, I was a big fan of the Mormon AAr, so as a Jew and a fan of yours I'm gonna follow this one, too.

Good luck! Just a little thing- perhaps more Ashkenazic? The way you describes it, it seemed as though most of the Jews were coming out of Europe, which is predominantly Ashkenazic.

 

[superskippy]

Haha I really like to pick nations that are rarely picked with interesting cultures, I'm Jewish myself and I figured it was time to do Israel. And yes the bulk of the population will eventually become Ashkenazic with immigration, and when more pogroms occur. The Sephardic Jews are those that naturalized as Sephardic, came from Spain, the Ottoman territories, and Arab states. There is no Mizrahim so its hard to mirror that so its all thrown under Sephardim, I did not create this mod so I cant change that however.

 

[superskippy]

Trials and Tribulations ​

The Jewish state almost at once found itself inbetween the hammer and the anvil. The Ottoman empire was not going to take the expansion of Sultan Ali lying down, and swiftly sent its troops to invade Syria and Jordan to drive back against the Egyptian troops. The Israelis looked on with worry, would the Ottomans attempt to attack and reclaim the Levant from Israel? As it turned out the Ottomans had issues on their Russian border and halted in the midst of their success, instead carving out some Egyptian territory for them.

President Kaufmann and his interem cabinet were discussing what further tasks they could accomplish before the first elections took place which would put in place a Knesset which they would have to go to. They had a window to govern by virtual decree and create the foundations of the state. One of their first acts was the creation of a Jewish Palmach, a Jewish shock force of hardcore reservists who could be called up to defend the nation. They had enough arms and supplies to arm 50,000 Jewish militiamen, they were very specefic to avoid granting arms to the Orthodox or Moslem citizens.

As the council deliberated more actions like expanding railroads, building factories, and planning infrastructre advancement, the Knesset Council announced the election campaign would begin at once. A mesh of communist, conservative, liberal, and socialist parties and politicians took to the field.

Then Simon-Bar Kochba named after the famed Jewish revolutionary, but now acting as the standing secretary of state for the nation received word that the Egyptians might be willing to give away Jerusalem. The Egyptians after their crushing defeat at the hands of the Ottomans were desperate to gain a technological edge. So the Israelis sent an envoy to the court of Sultan Ali, they were willing to send professors, scientists, and theorists to Egypt to reform Egypt. The cost however, was Jerusalem and the alternative to a refusal was a similar deal to the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan was quickly receptive.

And so for the first time in nearly 2,000 years a Jewish nation reigned over Jerusalem. What the crusaders had tried to recover by force, what the Moslems had battled over, what Richard and his knights had laid their eyes on, had been recovered with ease not by the sword, but by the promise of knowledge. Nor was it lost upon the newspapers of the world, and Israel rode a tide of popularity. But none of that mattered to the Jews who flooded into Jerusalem for a pilgrimage, flocking to the Western Wall as the Star of David flew overhead. They flooded onto the Temple Mount even as stern Rabbi's protested, few would heed them. The heart of Judaism, was theres once again.

The State of Israel's interim government at once declared Jerusalem to be the capitol of the nation and of the Jewish people. The Jerusalem Legion was sent to the city with a small army of clerks marching alongside them to begin scoping out locations for the Knesset, the Judiciary, the Executive, and all other departments of government.

This was met almost at once with dissent from the local Moslem and the Greek Orthodox Church, indeed the Moslem population so used to having control over the city swiftly revolted. But the 22,000 Jewish soldiers and their artillery detachments quickly crushed the revolt, and in an effort to break down the community used extreme force, going so far as to wheel artillery into the revolting neighborhoods to blast them at point blank range. Some 5,000 Moslem inhabitants of Jerusalem were killed in the uprising along with 400 Jewish soldiers. The Jerusalem Legion was swiftly reinforced, the entire nation seemed to be rife for revolt, as the Christian and Moslem minorities seethed with anger.

 

[unmerged(62343)]

This looks very interesting...and since I am also following "Hebrew Uganda", might as well add this to the list.

 

[canonized]

So I stumbled upon this by accident thanks to grayghost over here . - gives the ole man a shoulder punch - . I have this nasty habit of tending to value his opinion so now I'm very much hooked on your story ! Very excited to see how this turns out !

 

[unmerged(62343)]

So I stumbled upon this by accident thanks to grayghost over here . - gives the ole man a shoulder punch - . I have this nasty habit of tending to value his opinion so now I'm very much hooked on your story ! Very excited to see how this turns out !

Hey, hey, hey...no need for violence...oh, yeah, these games are predicated upon violence...very well, carry on then.

 

[unmerged(61356)]

Nice update and congrats on reclaiming Jerusalem without violence. I must say, however, that the extremely long border with Egypt would make me very worried. Once the government settles into it's new home, will they be thinking about carving out some kind of buffer zone?

 

[unmerged(62170)]

Interesting, very interesting indeed, how will Israel develop I wonder? Stuck between two large but less advanced Muslim Empires could see a large Judean State created if you play carefully, a Suez Canal seems to an excellent way to open up Israel to Imperial expansion as well

 

[Nikolai]

Are there some events for Jews from around the world to immigrate? I think that would be more than realistic.

 

[unmerged(81390)]

Are there some events for Jews from around the world to immigrate? I think that would be more than realistic.

yeah, how is the immigration you wrote about shown in the game?

 

[Brian Roastbeef]

I've never before noticed or played an Israel mod for Vicky. Guess I'll watch here to see what its like before I give it a go.

I like this so far. Original idea and an easy to follow style.

 

[superskippy]

Thanks for all the comments guys I'll have another update up today.

Hardraade: The border with Egypt is somewhat worrisome, but there are a few things to consider. One that the Ottomans and Egyptians keep walloping each other every chance they get. From that I've discovered how positively weak the Egyptians are. Since Israel is civilized and starts with high education and tech I have a big edge in my military skills, I think in a war with Egypt assuming I move quickly enough, my smaller but much better army could slice the Sinia from Egypt and whipe out their garrisons in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. But that remains as always... untested.


Dr. Gonzo: Indeed espcially as Egypt is unallied and uncivilized. The Ottomans are civilized making it a bit tougher, plus they have deep manpower reserves. The only issue with expansion is keeping the Jewish character of the state, one idea I had was to create an empire of satallite states and small trade colonies. Again thats assuming Israel survives.

Nikolai and Ahura Mazda: Yes there are events for immigration, for some reason whenever the modded events come up the game wont let me photograph them. So far there was the initial immigration boost in 1836, and later in the 1880;s and 1890's there are supposed to be events that send hundreds of thousands of Jews to Israel fleeing pogroms in Austria, Krakow, Russia, etc etc.

Brian: Thanks!

And thanks for the rapid replies, I'll definitly have another update or two up today. My other mod was more non-vicky picture heavy, but with so much going on this one is going to have a lot more ingame pictures than style ones. Again thanks!

 

[unmerged(61849)]

I tested this mod around half a year ago, and twas a entertaining though quite easy game. I achieved my goals in twenty-five years instead of 75 years (very hard/normal) and the rest of the time I kept on attacking Arab counties, then satelliting and oppressing them.

I was able to take all the Egyptian provinces habitated by Jews in only one war. Frenchies didn't even bother to show up, 'cause I had chosen 'Political Zionism' in one of the events included in the mod. Due to that pick I had +150 relations with all the Western powers, which weren't interested at all in intervening in my Zionistic expansionism plans. International Zionistic Conspiracy didn't meet any resistance.

Ottomans weren't much of a obstacle either, with the help of the Russian bear I kicked their arses without troubles. I demanded war indemnities and constructed a flourishing economic sector with Turkish money. I wasn't going to expand beyond boundaries of the new-born Greater Yisrael, but after re-thinking my house rules I occupied Meccah. Just to show the unopposed Jewish hegemony over Middle East.

I also experienced a rather odd issue, which was on the other hand somewhat potentially historical. After occupying Jerusalem and other Arab populated area some event sky-rocketed the militancy of Arabs, but they never started to calm down. The militancy change kept steadily +0.00 or +0.01, and Arabs kept revolting like maniacs. At first I visited the brink of collapse, but then my army got things in control, and I was able somewhat to reduce the Arab militancy through military presence. The revolts still kept occuring and I was forced to continue the massacre. After a handful of decades the Arab representation of the total population was shrank down to something like 10%!

Well, don't think I wanna steal your AAR, that's not really my intention. I'd just like to subscribe and wish you good luck. After the first episodes this AAR seems to belong to the group labelled 'quality reading'.

 

[likk9922]

Cool! I'm Jewish too, so this intrests me quite a bit.

Good job grabbing Jerusalem.