Sadly I cant. By the time I actually started considering it, all three states are gobbled up by other European powers. Most African states do not last long in the scramble.
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Sadly I cant. By the time I actually started considering it, all three states are gobbled up by other European powers. Most African states do not last long in the scramble.
Election of 1890
We are now halfway through our tale fellow readers. It has been over fifty years since a humble rebellion forged a new nation in Eastern Europe. Half a century has passed, and the world is a completely different place. Yet the UBP has managed to survive as one of the few democratic nations in Europe. To show exactly how far the UBP has come, let us look at some statistics.
Average Literacy:
1836: 5.2%
1890: 31%
Prestige:
1836: 10
1890: 181
Industrial Score:
1836: 0
1890: 32
Military Score:
1836: 1
1890: 33
World Wide Ranking:
1836: 20
1890: 15
Factories:
1836: 0
1890: 5 (1 under construction)
Male Population:
1836: 864.19 Thousand
1890: 3.12 Million
The UBP has improved drastically over the past few decades. From a backwards democratic farming nation to a colonial superpower, the UBP has survived everything thrown at it. But dear readers, this is only half of the story. Our story will cover another 50 years of UBP history. What better way to start the second half then to talk about an election.
The election of 1890 would pit all the parties against each other again for a bid to see who would run the executive office. Parties would throw in their candidates to see who would come out on top, and the people will get a chance to decide their leader. This election was calmer then the last. With Eskola proving that big business would not dominate the government, the people had begun to gain faith in the government once more. 89% of the voting population would go out to cast their vote in the election. Politics were on the mind of ever citizen during this time.
The conservatives would once again run Eskola for the presidency. However, Eskola once again will not be our focus. We return to Villem Allik, the conservative's rising star. Villem Allik had made a name for himself the last election due to his dedication to getting Eskola reelected for another term. As a reward for his effort, Villem Allik would receive the title of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Now, for this election, Eskola decided to make Villem Allik his running mate, and give Allik the honor of being the Vice Presidential candidate for the conservatives. If Eskola is to get elected for another term, Allik would become the VP. This was a huge prestige boost to Allik who swiftly accepted.
The liberals would also have a rising star in their ranks. Rihards Bolmanis was the Villem Allik of the liberal party. Bolmanis is considered a great speaker among the liberal ranks. His words have rallied many to the liberal cause, and his popularity among the liberal party higher-ups earned him the liberal presidential nomination in 1890. Bolmanis would campaign with the idea of improving relations between the UBP and the other great colonial powers to prevent a crisis from emerging in Africa during the UBP's colonization efforts. Bolmanis argued that this would prevent the UBP from getting drawn into a European colonial conflict, and would be the best way to ensure peace across the country.
(Bolmanis)
The socialists though, had the true ace in the hole. The socialist nomination convention had seem like a tie between three candidates. Then, one man introduced another man by the name of Miervaldis Blats, and the socialists soon agreed to make Blats their candidate. Blats is a progressive, an offshoot of the socialist movement. A progressive is a man who wishes to progress society, and make the government more responsible for the people. Progressives wanted to break down trusts and have the government more involved in the economy. Baltic Progressives would take the state capitalism of the conservatives and push it more to a socialist agenda. Progressives also wished to help the common man, especially those in the work force, and to eradicate corruption in the government. Blats was a progressive, and his nomination would be seen by many socialists as a new step forward for the socialist party.
(Blats)
1890 also marked selection year for a new world event, the world's fair. The world's fair was created to showcase the achievements of nations across the globe. The UBP would apply to receive the honor of hosting this event in Vilnius, but the committee that decided where the fair would be held choose another city. Many in the UBP were outraged, and demanded the government boycott the fair. The UBP would send delegates to the fair anyway.
When the ballots were counted, the results surprised a lot of people. Eskola would come out with only 37% of the vote. Bolmanis would receive only 33% of the vote. The biggest shock came with the announcement that Blat had received almost 31% of the vote. This was the closest election to date in the UBP, with no candidate scoring more then 50% of the population. However, Eskola would come out on top. This election would see many people wonder if the conservative political platform was faltering, and that the next election could see a liberal or even a socialist president. But one thing was clear, Eskola was entering a new decade. With major advancements in war, a new war would be possible, a war that could see the deaths of millions of people, a war that could see countries and empires torn apart, a great war.
Ooh, the Socialists are gaining support. Maybe we'll see a socialist government soon enough, just in time for the first great war.
- 1
Eskola (1890-1894)
Eskola would go down as the president who was in office for the longest. His total time in office would be about ten years; two following the death of Peetar Part, eight following two consecutive election victories. His second and final term would be non-eventful for a president, at least compared to presidents in the past. His term though would see some minor action, alongside with minor complications and one significant global affair.
In the Philippines, a rebellion movement was on the rise. For the past few decades, the Filipinos had been fighting against Spanish occupation, and now Baltic occupation. The Philippine national movement was reborn following the annexation by the Baltic nation. One of the key members of the movement was a young man by the name of Emilio Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo and other people in the movement organized an insurrection against the Baltic state. They organized brigades of rebel soldiers, and during the opening days of Eskola's second term, declared open rebellion against the United Baltic Provinces. The rebellion though, like the socialist revolt a few years prior, would be crushed by the Baltic Asian Army, or the BAA. The BAA would suffer from guerrilla warfare and rebel traps. While most of the rebels were found, many leaders, including Emilio Aguinaldo, fled the country. This would add on to the violence that is slowly engulfing the Philippines.
(Aguinaldo)
One thing though was happening on the political scene. In state-elections, a socialist was elected as governor of Latvia. Bendiks Aire was a socialist of the same nature of Miervaldis Blats, in which he was a progressive. Many historians consider this the start of the progressive era of Baltic politics. Progressive socialists were starting to gain political power on a local and state level. However, progressive policy could not make a national impact until a president could be elected. Progressives though would try their hardest to spread their ideology. Muckrakers, those who write to expose, were making impacts on newspapers and on the novel industry. Progressives were making a stand against the corruption of the government. One of their key focuses was against the weighted suffrage, and the abuse of the non-secret ballots. They also were upset over the abuse of labor unions and the refusal to make them legal on some level. It became clear that Progressives would be a force of change if a progressive president was elected.
In colonial affairs, a bit of a altercation occurred on the colonial border of Sokoto. The Sokoto government had recently discovered Dutch explorers in Sokoto territory. The Dutch claimed that the Netherlands owned the land they were exploring, and not the Sokoto government. Sokoto brought this to the attention of their "masters" in Vilnius. Jingoists cried for war against the Dutch to enforce their claim on the region, er, well, Sokoto's claim. However, cooler heads prevailed, and war against the Dutch was avoided
The need to defend the colonies had a good backing. Plantations were beginning to develop across the colonies. One of the key products was cotton. Baltic cotton soon became a major international product. It was the third most popular form of cotton next to Southern USA cotton, and Indian cotton. However, following the US Civil War, southern cotton would fall out of style, and Baltic cotton would take its place. Soon, the Baltic would become the next major producers of "King Cotton".
Foreign affairs saw the completion of the Suez Canal by the British in Egypt. The opening day of the Canal saw a large statue erected in honor of the constructor. The completion of the Suez Canal would be the biggest canal, right above the Kiel Canal constructed by the Germans a few years prior.
The biggest event to come out of the year came from France. A notable noble by the name of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, fascinated by the ancient Olympiad of the ancient Greeks, and the large sporting events hosted by various nations, would found the International Olympic Committee. The Committee would sponsor the creation of the first modern Olympic games. The location would be in Athens Greece. The Baron would seek support from nations all across Europe in organizing the first Olympic games. The UBP would be one of those nations to join the Committee.
(Coubertin ((Winner of the best mustache of the AAR)))
These were the events when the election of 1895 rolled around. Progressives were becoming the next major political ideology, and an attempt to organize world peace through the glory of sports would mark the last term of Eskola. In all, events were kinda bland in his last term. Eskola though would continue to be in politics following his last term. He would be a member of the Baltic Assembly until his death in 1920, at the age of 88.
I imagine the Netherlands are too strong or have too powerful of allies to snatch a few colonies away from them?
That is indeed an impressive mustache.
That is indeed an impressive mustache.
I imagine the Netherlands are too strong or have too powerful of allies to snatch a few colonies away from them?
That is indeed an impressive mustache.
They be allied to Austria-Hungary and Spain.
Apologies, I have a huge Programing project due tomorrow for my intro class, so I spent today working on it. Election update will be either tomorrow or Thursday
Also, do not expect many updates following the election of 1895, for next week is finals for me.Being the lazy person I am, waiting to the last minute being the hard worker I am, I need to crack down, so expect speratic updates for this week and the next.
Also, do not expect many updates following the election of 1895, for next week is finals for me.
Election of 1894
This election was set to be as vigorous and close as the last one. For the past four years, progressive socialists had been slowly gaining power throughout the Baltic, much to the dismay of the liberals and conservatives. However, many began to see the ideologies of the country reflecting state borders. Socialists had begun to assert their control over Latvia, liberals had been massing in Lithuania, and Estonia was the big conservative state. Many people began to assume culture and certain ideologies just went together. However, the socialists had the advantage here. Latvia was home to the most populated region in Latvia, Valmiera. Valmiera's population is 160,000 at this time, larger then any region in the whole UBP. However, the two biggest cities are still Riga and Vilnius. Riga is also socialist controlled, while Vilnius is a battleground of political ideologies, where all three ideologies clash for control of the government.
The election was an orderly affair. It was not violent, and it was not bloody. Nothing really much can be said about the election season as a whole. More people tend to focus on the results as a major point in Baltic politics, and many consider the people involved as important, but the majority of the election was not newsworthy. It was a peaceful affair.
Once again, the conservatives had to find another candidate to support them. This was when the conservatives selected the man who had been gunning for the nomination for almost ten years. Villem Allik, the conservative "boss", has more experience then any other political candidate in the conservative party combined. He was a Minister, the Vice President, and now he was running for President. It was his time to truly shine, as he now had the full backing of his party. Some people consider this the moment when the conservatives handed themselves over to Villem Allik, and, as a famous political term called it, "became Allik's own political faction, doing whatever he told them to do".
Allik though would face tough competition from the other two parties. The liberals would once again run Rihards Bolmanis, the liberal version of Allik. Both men are considered some of the greatest speakers and politicians in the whole country. They both had the full backing of their political parties, and they had the resources to hold a campaign. Bolmanis would campaign for a reduction of a tariff that had been raised by the conservatives in the years prior. Currently the tariff was at 20%, making a healthy amount of revenue, but Bolmanis wanted it reduced to aide businesses struggling to pay the expenses.
Last, there are the socialists. They would nominate the leader of the progressive movement, a man who was favored by socialists, progressive, social-liberals, and communists. Miervaldis Blats would once again be running for the presidency. Blats would argue against the three big causes of corruption in his eyes, "Unregulated colonialism, unregulated businesses, and unregulated resource management". He would support regulated each of these aspects in a hope of making the government more responsible to not only the people, but to each of these factors. Progressives and socialists alike would rally to Blat's cause.
This election would be the biggest in history. All three sides did not hold back in trying to win it. They had unleashed their biggest guns into the fray, and now it was up to the people to decide. Soon, the world began to watch as these three candidates battled it out for the fate of the country.
Bolmanis would shoot himself in the shoot (figuratively) almost right off the bat though. He argued against temperance, and claimed that "It violated the cultural and religious traditions of all people in the country". Many members of the Baltic Temperance movement would go to the conservatives or with the socialists who did give leniency to these movements. Some critics say that this one statement ruined Bolmanis's chances of winning.
Allik would earn political points by denouncing a pro-polish paper claiming that "The UBP belonged to the new Polish Kingdom". Allik would destroy this paper, earning him points among the nationalist and patriotic aspects of the UBP society. However, he still had a long campaign to win before he can assure his victory.
When the results were announced, the whole country held its breath.
Bolmanis got 34.08% of the vote
Allik got 31.7% of the vote
Did Bolmanis actually pull off this victory even with his statements? Many liberals began to see the results and started to celebrate a liberal victory. Then they announced Blats's results...
Blats got 34.21% of the vote
Socialism prevailed in the end. By an extremely narrow margin of only 0.13% of the vote, Blats had won the election. Today did not belong to the liberals or the conservatives, but to the red tide. Blats became the first socialist president of the UBP.
- 1
Aha, a socialist government. You don't see that every day. This should be incredibly interesting to see.
Blats (1895-1899)
President Blats, the first socialist in the executive office, would see a lot of change in the United Baltic Provinces domestically and in foreign affairs. The rise of progressive feeling would usher in a new age for the UBP, and age of reform, and an age of government responsibility to its constituents.
In order to show how much the UBP was changing, a census was conducted in the country. While most of the findings were normal, two things did increase, the birth-rate and the size of a family. Originally each family had about one-two children on average. The average was found to be raised to almost a 2.5 average, which means families were getting bigger, and more children were being born each year.
Politically, Blats had to deal with a new chancellor in the Baltic Assembly. The conservatives had decided to put a statesmen into the office of chancellor. This man's name has come up numerous times in conservative politics. This man has had the most experience out of all members of the conservative party. I am indeed talking about our good friend Villem Allik. Allik, a professional speaker, would be selected to lead the conservative coalition and the Assembly as its chancellor. While it was not the presidency, it was the next best thing. Allik would make sure socialist filth would not corrupt the inner chambers like it did the presidency.
(Allik)
Domestically, the new progressive government saw to it that assimilation policies throughout the country and its colonies end. Progressives were not frightened by immigrants and non-Baltic nationalities like the conservatives and liberals were. They wanted to embrace the diversity that came with owning a large country. During the time of the socialist government, minority culture flourished throughout the country. It was the first time in history were more people were proud to call themselves their culture then to be called Baltic.
Another rebellion though would break out in the Philippines. Socialist revolutionaries from the years prior radicalized and became communist rebels. Communist rebels wished to see a proletariat dictatorship take over the country. However, in the Philippines, the communists wanted to create a People's Republic of the Philippines, an independent communist state, where the ideals of Marx would flourish. This however, like all the rebellions up to date, was crushed by the much larger, much better trained Baltic colonial forces.
However, the biggest event came from the border. For the past few decades, an independent Polish state had been established. This state was created when some great powers fought Russia and freed it from Russian occupation. The Poles had began to create a government. The government was a monarchy, this being established by the British and the Germans, based off the British style of monarchy in which the legislation had the most power and the King became nothing more then a figure head. The King selected to lead the Polish kingdom was a man by the name of George of the house of Wettin, pretenders to the throne when Napoleon named a Wettin Duke of Warsaw. George at first followed the guidelines set by the great powers in letting the Polish Congress handle all affairs, that however would change over the course of the next few years.
(George of house Wettin)
(Steczkowski)
Here is where the UBP gets involved. Steczkowski, rather then be put on trial and possibly imprisoned for life for his actions, fled north across the border into Lithuania. He would soon ask for and address the Baltic Assembly explaining the curtailing of liberties that the UBP held dear in Poland. He asked that Baltic forces enter Poland to help restore the rights of the Congress, and to bring George down from his power. The UBP was hesitant to listen. After all, Poland was not their business. President Blats though had other ideas. He dreamed of a possible unification with Poland, another Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth some might think, where the Lithuanians became the rulers, and the Poles became the subjects. He met with Steczkowski and agreed to help the Congress if the Poles agree to heed the word of the Assembly in Vilnius. Steczkowski agreed, not knowing that he had signed over the rights of Poland as an independent state.
There was one problem with war between Poland and the UBP. The Poles had a much larger army, an army equipped with the latest technology from Germany and Britain, as well as leadership training from the mighty Prussian-trained generalship. It would be a tough fight, for the UBP only had 40,000 - 50,000 men in its standing army. The Poles however, made a grave mistake, sealing their fate. In 1897, Poland would go to war with Austria-Hungary over Krakow, the second most important Polish city in Europe next to Warsaw. Austria-Hungary was the only ally of Poland, and Poland had destroyed it ((I am not messing around, they back stabbed their ally)). Austria-Hungary was also allied with the Ottoman Empire, and soon the Turks were marching north to aide this unusual alliance. Polish forces would make headlines into Gallicia, but would be stalled by Austrian and Turkish forces at the battle of Žilina, a province in Slovakia
(Polish Troops bogged down in Slovakia)
This was the oppurtunity that President Blats had been waiting for. With the Poles occupied in Austria-Hungary, the UBP would vote as one to declare war on Poland. The reason was "To protect the liberties of the Polish people from autocracy". With this declaration, the UBP army mobilized into Poland. They crossed at the border from the Lithuanian region of Marjampole into the Polish region of Suwalki. The first European war involving the UBP had begun.
The armies split up, 1st Division going west towards Warsaw, 2nd Division going east along the Polish-Russian border. In order to alleviate tensions with the Russians (whom still have claims in the region), President Blats offered the Russians an alliance of protection. The Russians quickly accepted and Russia was eliminated as a factor from the war.
The war progressed smoothly. The UBP army slowly began occupying province after province. Skirmishes with Polish irregulars was common though, and these forces would slowly pick off the army forces. Yet, the army kept pushing right through them, using Polish railways to get UBP reserve soldiers to the front lines.
(Baltic Soldiers under fire from Polish Irregulars)
By the end of the year, Baltic soldiers were successful in securing the northern half of Poland. Turkish forces had broken through the Polish lines and had begun to occupy the southern region of Poland. While Turkey and the UBP were not enemies, they were not allies either. The wars fought against Poland were separate, and thus the Turks and the UBP never helped each other with their objectives. Hostilities did exist between the UBP and Austrian forces due to Austria supporting Russia in 1833 in fighting Baltic rebels due to the Holy Alliance that was active between the two nations. By the end of 1897, and into 1898, the 1st Division, which included about 20,000 soldiers at the time, had made it to Warsaw, and began to put the city under siege. New cannon technology made sieges deadlier then ever. However, Warsaw was well fortified, and King George himself rallied the people inside the city.
(Artillery Guns used on Warsaw by UBP forces)
Soon, Warsaw fell to the besiegers, and in February of 1898, the Baltic soldiers marched triumphantly into the city of Warsaw. King George sued for peace. The conditions he offered were that the Polish Congress receive all the powers that it had when it was established, and all powers he had after that would be removed from him. Poland was successfully delivered from autocracy, but now it was a puppet to UBP will. The Polish government answered to the Vilnius government in deciding Polish affairs. While the Congress was free to build up Poland, it became a more westernized and civilized version of Sokoto to the UBP. For the first time in over one hundred years, Poland and Lithuania were united, but this time, the Poles would be following the Lithuanian lead.
(Baltic Borders, 1899)
Blats was hailed as a hero by his people, and just in time too. 1899 was an election year, and whoever won this election would lead the nation into the next century, the 20th century. The new century would have to be met by resilient leaders and brave souls. While Poland and Lithuania were united, it would still take time before the glory of the former Commonwealth could be restored.
The following election update would conclude "Part 1" of this AAR if you really want to believe so. We will be in the 1900s, so following the update, I will be posting maps, research trees, industrial screens, ETC, to get a view of how the world is at the turn of the century.
Also Apologies for the long delay. It is finals week, so cracking the books requires me to be absent.
Also Apologies for the long delay. It is finals week, so cracking the books requires me to be absent.
Finally, a war in Europe, and one that avoids bringing in the Great Powers too. I see Russia is still friendly towards you, what with accepting an alliance and all.
So what happened with the war between Poland and Austria-Hungary? Did making Poland your puppet force it to end in a stalemate?
So what happened with the war between Poland and Austria-Hungary? Did making Poland your puppet force it to end in a stalemate?
Poland peaced out with them before I peaced out with Poland. I dont really remember the details but if you puppet a nation involved in another war, that war immediately ends.
I was worried puppeting a nation at war would be like vassalizing a nation in EUIV where you get dragged into their war. Now that would have been a nasty development.
Election of 1899
The election of 1899 would determine who would lead the UBP into the next century. The conservatives and liberals were desperate to try and remove the "red menace" from power before it toppled everything that they had created over the past sixty years. Progressives were pressuring local governments to pass reforms in voting and in how elections were done. Trade unions, being supported by the rise of socialism, began to branch out and expand throughout the industrial sector. Whoever won in 1899 would go into the new decade dealing with these situations. Whoever won though could determine if the direction these situations would go.
The conservatives were hurt from loosing the last election, and with their main candidate out of the running due to his position as Chancellor, the conservatives nominated Edvin Raud. Raud served as governor of Baltic Malaysia after the BAC was purged from the region. He had colonial experience, and made him a viable candidate for the presidency in the eyes of the conservative party. Raud promised a return to "normalcy", or in other words, a country that followed conservative policy. Sadly though, Raud's only backing came from rich aristocrats, and he was seen as "out of touch" with the common man. This would seriously hurt his campaign.
(Raud)
The liberals would select Rihards Bolemanis once again to run as their candidate. The liberals at this point were just doing nomination conventions just for ceremony at this point. No other liberal candidate would be able to beat Bolemanis in the nomination campaign. Bolemanis promised to also return to "normalcy", but his version was one in which industry could rise unregulated and open without fear of tamper by the unions. He wanted to crack down on the rising union tide, and to make sure businesses can operate without fear of strikes. Bolemanis would be very popular among non-working class citizens, like capitalists, bureaucrats, clergy, and the military.
(Bolemanis)
Blats would run again for a second term. His campaign slogan said it all; "Let the people decide." The idea behind Blats's policy was to introduce referendums to the population to determine their stance in many fields. These fields included the weighted vote, the non-secret ballot, trade unions, and other social reforms. Blats also promised to legalize trade unions, for "their existence should be protected by the right to assemble according to the Baltic Constitution." Blats would receive support from workers, clerks, artisans, and minorities, as well as union leaders. This would ultimately tip the election in Blats's favor.
While the election was moving on, Blats (as the president during all this), would receive two big bonuses to his administration at the last minute. The first was when economists stated that the UBP was entering another economc boom, and that a bull market was present within the country. The economic rise would raise Blats's approval ratings from 45% to 55%.
Another came in the Philippines. Once again, problems with the natives would occur. The revolutionary Philippine nation would try its luck in attracting international attention to their cause. They would start a crisis in the Philippines in the hopes that international pressure could make the Baltic back down. It did not work. The international community ignore the small nation, and 99% of the world choose to remain neutral in the affair. Without international support, the Philippine nation's objective would be crushed. Imperialists across the country would see this as a victory for Blats, and his popularity would rise even higher. What many people first saw as a socialist hydra was now something of a good president.
When the polls were tallied, Raud would receive about 24% of the vote. Bolemanis would receive 31% of the vote. Blats would receive 46% of the vote. It was revolutionary before that a socialist backed candidate could win the presidency, now it was even more revolutionary that a socialist backed candidate could win the presidency TWICE. Blats would have another four years, and this means he can push his legislative agenda without fear of having to worry about reelection.
The timing though, was bad. News came from the newly puppet state of Poland. Reactionaries were angry with the Congress, and were showing it in a violent and brutal way.
The UBP is turning more and more red with each election.
Looks like Poland might need some help there or else the government will topple.
Looks like Poland might need some help there or else the government will topple.