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This is a once in a generation opportunity to both free a people and free an Empire. To give the Dalmatians liberty and to break the encirclement of the Empire by the French and Polish. Germany must stand up and be counted. Let our foes look upon our armies and navies, and know their place in the world.

Hans-Jurgen Von Arnim Boitzenburg
Belligerent Imperialist
 
((Without spoiling too much, I finished the rest of 1903. I will post an update sometime later this week, possibly tomorrow night.))
 
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1903: The rising tide of Socialism

The astonishing results of the 1903 General Election were matched with an equally astonishing government. Franz von Bavel-Timmermans had patiently rejected attempts from liberals and conservatives alive to bring him into the government; finally, he was rewarded for his patience, as he became Chancellor. His ministers were equally surprising. No fewer than four members of the DSU held prominent positions. The key areas of finance and foreign policy were dominated by socialists. For the first time, a Communist served in a Reichstag ministry, as Jean-Pierre St. Gerard became Minister of Education.

Yet for all of the new faces, much of the government's policy was surprisingly conservative. Finance Minister Friedrich Gerulf and President of the State Planning Commission Otto Meier addressed the budget shortfalls by ending financial subsidies to underperforming factories. The popularity of the DSU allowed Gerulf to sell the lower classes on a tax increase by including the first pensions for retired Germans, an extremely popular measure that passed the Reichstag easily. Gerulf also introduced legislation to nationalize significant parts of the German rail network, which was equally popular. The liberal Minister of the Interior, Johannes Carile, also contributed to the economic resurgence of Germany by promoting incentive plans to hire more clerks in German factories, a move which was sure to improve efficiency.





The other major Socialist ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saw Axel Wouters make significant changes to German foreign policy. Many minor European states were cast off as the territory of other Great Powers. Tver was the sole exception, as Germany continued to compete with Poland for influence there. Wouters also expanded on the Asian connections of Germany, redoubling efforts to restore Japan as an economic ally. For the first time, Germany cast an eye toward China, as diplomats headed to Beijing with the goal of concluding a military pact in 1904.

Quelling rumors that a Socialist would not be willing to use aggressive foreign policy, Wouters supported Dalmatian rebels in European Venice. When Venice threatened to escalate the matter, Wouters issued an ultimatum (a politely worded one, but an ultimatum nonetheless) that had Venice almost immediately surrender. Germany signed an alliance with the fledgling nation, but there were already disconcerting rumors that Dalmatia was rejecting democracy.





Plenty of eyebrows were raised in the Reichstag when, mere months after a member of the KPD entered the government proper, Communists seized control of Brittany. Rumors started swirling that Gerard, the Minister of Education, had diverted government funding to support the rebellion. Gerard firmly denied the rumors, but that did not stop them from circulating. A few of the more radical members of the KPD were shocked to see that Gerard was continuing the educational platform of his predecessor, Walther Herwig, and spending funding on military improvements, specifically to the navy. This decision was all the more surprising since the Minister of War, Konrad von Schwaben, had announced no new efforts to expand or reform the German military.

vF7tGr.jpg


Journalists the world over applauded the first Socialist regime in Germany. Von Bavel-Timmermans was celebrated as a "quiet genius." Money poured into the republic's coffers; in just six months, over £290,000 filled the government treasury, and that despite an increase in the amount of social spending. Germany was respected as tough but fair in foreign politics. The military was being modernized. As 1904 began, a sense of prosperity and pride filtered through the elites of the German nation.




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The Supreme Court announces nominations for the President of Italy. As a reminder, those who seek election must be residents of Italy at the time of the election.

New legislation may also be proposed and ministry plans altered.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
 
I intend to stand once more for the office of President of Italy. So few times has Italy seen such prosperity, why change the course of the ship now?

((The KPD controlled the second-most-powerful position in the Republic; the de facto leader of Italy, and they're impressed by a Minister of Education? :p))
 
I would like to announce that I am running for President of Italy ((a few pages ago I announced that I was moving to Italy so am I eligible?)). The Italian people have been neglected for too long and deserve autonomy and respect.

I must confess that the Red government has proved to be at least somewhat competent. They have demonstrated prudence by not testing their wild economic theories on the nation and allowing private enterprise to flourish. Taxes are low and business is booming- let us keep it this way.

While I am saddened by the loss of some European partnerships our strides toward Asia are a great step forward for Germany and for liberty. Many years ago I supported a policy of closer cooperation with Asia and the policy appears to be making fruit. Unfortunately, we have had some differences with the Chinese government but perhaps we may spread the doctrine of liberty to their unwashed masses.

Three cheers for the liberation of Dalmatia! No more shall Venetian oligarchy threaten the mainland of Europe. Now we must free the Sicilian people and completely drive away the corrupt Venetians from Europe. My only concern is that the Dalmatians appear to be taking hostile measures against democracy. We must show them the error of their ways.

-Herr Liberator
 
I feel that allowing a non-Italian to govern Italy will cause nothing but dissent and internalized struggle against what they perceive as foreign domination.
 
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((I know I'm super late, but I vote continuing into HoI4. I have no idea if you all have decided already one way or another, though.))
 
I feel that allowing a non-Italian to govern Italy will cause nothing but dissent and internalized struggle against what they perceive as foreign domination.
There are significant german and Neapolitan minorities in Italy. Truly it is representative if one of them gets to rule the Italian abomination once in a while ?
 
Well, if the Federalists hadn't of insisted on forcing those two groups to large-scale exist under the umbrella of the Republic; we wouldn't be having this conversation.
 
While I am saddened by the loss of some European partnerships our strides toward Asia are a great step forward for Germany and for liberty. Many years ago I supported a policy of closer cooperation with Asia and the policy appears to be making fruit. Unfortunately, we have had some differences with the Chinese government but perhaps we may spread the doctrine of liberty to their unwashed masses.

-Herr Liberator
You supported armed invasion, Herr Meningen, if my memory does not fail me. The diplomatic schism between our peoples exists in large part due to this incident, so please do not try to present yourself as some visionary leader. Nobody here is falling for it.
 
I feel that allowing a non-Italian to govern Italy will cause nothing but dissent and internalized struggle against what they perceive as foreign domination.

I believe that electing an enemy of federalism to another term will cause dissent

You supported armed invasion, Herr Meningen, if my memory does not fail me. The diplomatic schism between our peoples exists in large part due to this incident, so please do not try to present yourself as some visionary leader. Nobody here is falling for it.

I was never a proponent of invasion. I believe we should have sided with the Korean peoples to protect their freedoms.
 
I feel that allowing a non-Italian to govern Italy will cause nothing but dissent and internalized struggle against what they perceive as foreign domination.

Which is a failure on the part of exceedingly weak governments to make sure that the Italian identity dies and a new German identity is taken up by the common people.

Utter failure I say.
 
The last year has shown the success of my plan. Therefore it will be repeated:
No factories should be subsidized, but there shall be a program of government investment to expand all profitable industries.

-Otto Meier

(( Again use the cancel all subsidies button, and if you notice subsidies pop up again, hit it some more. Also Shift+Click the factory upgrade button. ))
 
((The KPD controlled the second-most-powerful position in the Republic; the de facto leader of Italy, and they're impressed by a Minister of Education? :p))
((Are you implying that the position of Minister of Education is anything less than the axis upon which the wheels of fate turn!? For shame!
:p
Speaking of Education, @Avindian, should I keep posting the current tech levels of Germany after each update, or would you like to do that as long as you are Minister?))
 
Which is a failure on the part of exceedingly weak governments to make sure that the Italian identity dies and a new German identity is taken up by the common people.

Utter failure I say.

Your barbaric idiocy is astounding.