Shadow of the Andes - An Interactive Chilean AAR

[Kaioo]

I Will see every step of this country till im dead, how can you Señor Carlos stand about the quick deterioration in industry? i certainly think that bothered, or am i wrong?

"Senor, I am a believer in Intervening in the industry by giving the economy a push, and doing what is necessary to rekindle the industry, as is our President Senor Farias. You have no reason to worry, the country is in good hands. I am concerned with the state of the economy, and I know that Farias will do what is right, and I will support him with the rebuilding of the industries. I have already personally provided aid in the form of money to several businesses.""- General of Argentina, Carlos Ramone de Guerro

 

[Maxwell500]

"I thank all for their offers of help, but I will only take small sums of money as donations, and the rest can be earned back. I hope Senor Andonie will face justice."

~ Alejandro Silva

 

[Kaisersohaib]

Well then i will take a break, but i can`t stand the economy deteriorating more, well i wasn`t happy either not being elected Minister of Foreign Affairs, we will see how this country will run,Señor el General
- Miguel del Alvarado

 

[ThunderHawk3]

Farìas, 1931-1933: The Greatest Nation​

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The last days of the Palomino administration were rocked by a series of scandals that dwarfed those that had preceded them, predominantly blatant embezzlement, corruption, and crime by treasury officers and political allies of the President. Apparently without the threat of possible electoral defeat, nothing was then left to restrain the most criminally self-serving members of the Partido Liberal and the Palomino administration. By far the most widely publicized of these scandals was one revolving around former Foreign Affairs minister and Liberal elder statesman Carlos Andonie III. Andonie was widely reported as having blatantly embezzled one million American dollars from formerly nationally owned enterprises (using his business positions to secure the sum), then fled to the United States. Attempts to extradite Andonie from the US became more complicated when he then escaped to Mexican California.

Despite this latest embarrassment for the Palomino administration, President Farìas offered to reinstate Palomino as the Fleet Admiral of the Chilean Navy and Minister of the same, a position that the former president readily he accepted. Palomino continued to oversee the rapid naval expansion he had presided over during his own time in office. However, Farìas inauguration was an immediate blow to the military in other ways. The new socialist administration was quick to cut defense spending, though Farìas made good on his promise not to downsize the military in any way. Even so, Chilean clout suffered overseas, and France quickly overtook Chile as the world's most powerful military force in early 1931.

However, war was the least of the concerns of the Chilean people, and the 30s would prove to be a peaceful period for Chile. The same could not be said for the rest of South America. Provoked by climbing unemployment, Andonist rebellions broke out in UPCA, Colombia, and Brazil in January, 1931. Honoring old obligations, the Defense Ministry dispatched Carlos Ramone de Guerro to Brazil with a complement of modern tanks and aircraft to combat the rebellion, a task he performed admirably. Only a few pockets of rebels remained by 1932.

Overseas, rebels were not so easily crushed. Dissatisfaction over westernization and depression bolstered the Communist movement in China, which became an open rebellion in June, 1931. Russia followed suit a month later after widespread dissatisfaction at the Czar's Peasant Reform, which lagged European standards so badly that wide swaths of the country broke out arms.

As civil strife engulfed the east, depression continued in the west. By January 1932, the government estimated that Chile had reached a grand total of 100,000,000 people, but far fewer jobs. Subsidization efforts by Farìas' managed to save several floundering defense-related industries, and unemployment in Rio Negro notably dropped from a spiraling height of 29% to 22% in early 1931. However, the numbers stayed thereabouts, as factory builders insisted that they simply could not construct appropriate facilities any faster. Farìas was heavily criticized for his decision to keep the military at 300,000 men standing, when the population of Chile willing to serve was closer to 3,000,000. Both the unemployed (who wished to work, even in the army) and the jingos (who desired a powerful army for Chile) were outspoken critics of the policy.

However, Farìas' insistence that a strong army was unnecessary was unwavering. It fell instead to Palomino to continue the buildup. A fleet of new Dreadnoughts, whose construction began under Palomino's own administration, was finished in February 1931, and again catapulted Chile to the world's #1 military power. Palomino continued his campaign of expansion further, constructing two additional fleets and new naval facilities in Martinique and the Canal Zone by 1932. This expansion propelled Chile up higher than it had ever been. Coupling with rising industrial output, Chile overtook France as the 2nd most powerful country in the world by 1931. With the buildup, by the end of 1932, Chile was seen as having finally overtaken even the US and earned a new title for itself: the most powerful country in the world.


Player Actions Needed:
Nothing planned.
So now that we're the most powerful country in the world, what do you want to do?

 

[Maxwell500]

News has reached Chile that the age old Communist, Ernesto F. Fuentes has joined the Communist rebels in Russia, hoping to gain some fame among International Communists.

 

[unmerged(432017)]

((Who do we have sphered in South America?))

 

[Kaisersohaib]

So this is the last election?

 

[Revan529]

It is unfortunate that the Liberales would become stained by the actions a criminal, a deviant who betrayed the trust of the Chilean people and the administration placed in by them.

The president's military policy is absurd! Cutting spending, but not reducing the size of the military? Now our men are ill supplied, and are forced to make due with inadequate barracks, guns, and other necessary things. If the president means to cut down on spending, he should focus first on useless government programmes, and then downsize the military properly, not leaving them starved for supplies!

Furthermore, his economic policy is a wreck! If 22% unemployment is a goal, then even the Emperor was a capable leader! With few exceptions, Chile has always had a free market, and was growing rapidly. Now, we turn our back on capitalism, and the economy is in such dire straits, that over a third of the population is living without work, and who knows how many are impoverished! This is a veritable dark age in our nation's history!

 

[Kaioo]

"Downsize the military? That is absurd! Already too many men have already been displaced from our military, for you to suggest that even more be removed is a disgrace! These men fought for our country, fought for your freedom, and you want to thank them by making them unemployed? I am simply outraged that you would suggest this Senor. "-General of Argentina, Carlos Ramone de Guerro

((Also, I am going to presume that Kaiser is speaking OOC, so I will not have Carlos question him publicy voicing a coup))

 

[unmerged(432017)]

I must say I am deeply disheartned witht he presidents foolish military cuts WHILE STILL keeping our military large. I have advised him against this at every turn but he won't listen, this plan is doomed to failure.

 

[Kaisersohaib]

What?Señor Carlos do you agree with me now, How can he cut the military budget, who is right now?

 

[Kaioo]

"Senor, I am not voicing anger about the budget being cut. The budget itself is secondary in my view to what is most important, the Chilean men that are a part of our military that fight for this nation, spilling their blood for this nation. I am voicing concerns over the suggestions by certain individuals that the military size should be cut. They talk about how the unemployment is bad, yet in their same breaths are fine with cutting the number of soldiers, thus creating more unemployment. Not only does this go against the battle against unemployment, it is also a betrayal of our veterans to even consider cutting the number of soldiers."-General of Argentina, Carlos Ramone de Guerro

 

[atomicsoda]

I must say I am deeply disheartned witht he presidents foolish military cuts WHILE STILL keeping our military large. I have advised him against this at every turn but he won't listen, this plan is doomed to failure.

Our Army is not large for a nation of our status. We only have 100 brigades when we could raise 1000. I believe we should increase military spending on equipment while also raising an additional 100 brigades. This would help our factories and mines by providing additional demand while also providing jobs for our soldiers and strengthening our defence in a turbulent world where major nations may soon be under new dictatorial communist regimes. If the President is unwilling to do this then I submit the Congreso should by passing the Chilean Security Act.

Chilean Security Act

1. The Army shall be expanded by 100 Brigades.
2. Construction of all units shall be started or ordered by 1935.
3. The make up of these brigades (Infantry, Armour etc.) shall be determined by the President and Generals in joint consultation.

General Alejandro Ramirez, Minister of Defence

 

[Kaisersohaib]

My suggestions are,Señor Carlos, that the budget itself is not going badly these days, but unemployement is high these days in la República, the military budget is secondary as you said but cutting it down will unemploy loads of soldiers, even me i saw that the Army of Patagonia were never more afraid these days, Señor, cutting is good but not these days.

 

[Kaioo]

Our Army is not large for a nation of our status. We only have 100 brigades when we could raise 1000. I believe we should increase military spending on equipment while also raising an additional 100 brigades. This would help our factories and mines by providing additional demand while also providing jobs for our soldiers and strengthening our defence in a turbulent world where major nations may soon be under new dictatorial communist regimes. If the President is unwilling to do this then I submit the Congreso should by passing the Chilean Security Act.

Chilean Security Act

1. The Army shall be expanded by 100 Brigades.
2. Construction of all units shall be started or ordered by 1935.
3. The make up of these brigades (Infantry, Armour etc.) shall be determined by the President and Generals in joint consultation.

General Alejandro Ramirez, Minister of Defence

"I agree with Senor Ramirez. I offer my full support behind the Chilean Security Act. Whilst we are on this note, were we not voting on some bills before the election, that we have not come to a conclusion upon, or did I miss that? After much deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that we can not just sit by with a low military budget leaving our men ill-equipped in the current climate, and as Senor Ramirez pointed out, a nation of our status should have a larger military."-General of Argentina, Carlos Ramone de Guerro

 

[Kaisersohaib]

Our Army is not large for a nation of our status. We only have 100 brigades when we could raise 1000. I believe we should increase military spending on equipment while also raising an additional 100 brigades. This would help our factories and mines by providing additional demand while also providing jobs for our soldiers and strengthening our defence in a turbulent world where major nations may soon be under new dictatorial communist regimes. If the President is unwilling to do this then I submit the Congreso should by passing the Chilean Security Act.

Chilean Security Act

1. The Army shall be expanded by 100 Brigades.
2. Construction of all units shall be started or ordered by 1935.
3. The make up of these brigades (Infantry, Armour etc.) shall be determined by the President and Generals in joint consultation.

General Alejandro Ramirez, Minister of Defence

I Completely agree with you a nation of our status should have a bigger military power against foreign invasions or viceversa so its a yes for me

 

[yourworstnightm]

Bigger military? What has soldiers and wars ever given us? Only death and despair I say. And wars are bad for business.

 

[atomicsoda]

Bigger military? What has soldiers and wars ever given us? Only death and despair I say. And wars are bad for business.

What have capitalist ever given us? Unemployment and the enrichment of the elite at the expense of the people. Capitalist like yourself are never patriots as your loyalty is to gold not the nation. Soldiers will sacrifice their lives for Chile. You only care about profits Sr.

 

[ThunderHawk3]

Chilean Security Act

1. The Army shall be expanded by 100 Brigades.
2. Construction of all units shall be started or ordered by 1935.
3. The make up of these brigades (Infantry, Armour etc.) shall be determined by the President and Generals in joint consultation.

Player Actions Needed:
Okay, so we'll hold a snap vote on the Chilean Security Act. Vote yes or no on this bill. Voting will end on Monday, 10 AM PST.

Sample Ballot:
Chilean Security Act: Yes/No/Abstain

 

[Gloa]

Chilean Security Act: No

A larger standing army is not necessary for our protection, and indeed in the past such measures in times without a pressing threat lead mostly just to the rise of power by the generals and subsequent coups. Chile needs to rebuild, and the metaphorical plow will do us better than the sword. We need to focus on production, business, infrastructure, and all kinds of other things we could do without our men and money than gorge our generals on a bigger army. Additional demand could be made by modernizing and rebuilding infrastructure (such as our communications and transportation industries) and factories, which would be a far better investment in our future than having a larger army right now.