Spain 1836 - 1854.
Spain in 1836: A little country of 16 million people, bordering France and Portugal. All former colonies, with the exception of Philippines and Cuba, were lost in the nations decline in early 19th century.
The economic situation seemed great: Over 16 million tax payers, more than eight factories, and almost complete self-sufficieny of raw materials. Timber and sulphur were missing, though, along with some fancy spices.
Political field was wide, and it seemed as all people could support their views, through any of the three parties.
Our army was huge, nearly forty thousand men. And why? Why would we need a strong army in a paradise, that we inhabited? Were we not at peace at last, as we had given up the foolish claims of other world, and began living in the Iberian penisula? Immedeatly we disbanded some of the troops.
Then it began...
In 1833 the King of Spain Fernando the third had died. Leaving the throne to Isabella. However after her "incidental" death, the throne succeeded to his brother Carlos, later knowed as Carlos the Fifth. His reign was that of conservative. A reactionary against the new liberal institutions.
However Isabella had many powerfull friends and so the people were incited to revolt. Soon all of Iberia was at flames, and the ministers who were behind the disbanding of the army, were also disbanded so to speak. The last standing colonies saw this as an opening for freedom and soon revolters took controls of Havanna. The sea between the Philippine islands, kept the revolts from spredding out, but still within the years of the civilwar, all of Phillipines became one, under the Isabellian banner.
The army was enforced, mobilization took place and special laws took place to ensure both financing for the army and minimalizing the revolt risk.
Many people left their homes, and settled to new areas. Loyal citizens from the Canaries and Tafersit, escaped the revolution to Africa, which coast they soon controlled. The goverment seeing this as an opening for conquest of Africa supported their work, even though it meant raised taxes. The French also were not at all pleased, by this new wave of Spanish colonialism, especially to Africa, which the French themselves had began colonizing heavily.
After an ultimatum send by the French goverment to the Spanish, the Spanish finally ordered the cessation of the movement. The coastline, however was already claimed. Also due to the extremely tensious situation, Russia and the Netherlands offered us an alliance. The French were now eager to give up their ultimatum, and as such our colonization could have continued, if it had not been for the lack of money.
The war was a fierce one. Carlos had to make some concessions to the revolters, by allowing public meetings for instance, and so slowly but surely the Isabellians went into decline. Having gained no further support from the French the last supporters of Isabella fled the country with haste. July of 1838 is greeted as the first month of peace. No revolts take place during the month. Also it was a month before, in June that the last revolt base in Manilla was destroyed. The war had ended.
A parade was organized for the triumphant Spanish army. Although having lost more than eighty thousand men, they had won. Victories in mainland Spain, tobacco plantations of Cuba and even in the jungles of Manilla, had proven to the world, that Carlos was truly the king of Spain.
Greeting the marching army, and the masses waving the Neo-Castillian flag, Carlos smiled.
"BANG!", Carlos quickly ducked. "KABOOM!", a whole company left the earthly world, as an 8-inch cannon delivered it´s deathly congratulations. "The Feminist, the feminist!" shouted general Ortega in agony. King Carlos quickly rolled to his side, and as an able man he took out his sword and rose it up and shouted: "Show ´em wenches, if they are allowed to leave the kitchen!".
A fierce fight took place between the two armies, but eventually the pure quantities of Carlos´ men were able to make the battle the last for the feminist division.
The Feminist division was one of the most feared of the whole civil war. Originating from Basque lands and having trained by the French during the war. The women were in the war, not just for a liberal goverment, but for equality between the two genders. They were not just Spanish, along with the training the French had given to them, a number of French women joined them. Most of the women had lost their husbands in the war, and they were filled with rage, not just for Carlos, but for his army, too.
It was after this battle that the war was truly over. And in January of 1839, the completition of the war was final. A number of social reforms were given to show the good will of Carlos.
As the war was finally over the results could be seen: The economic disaster was huge. More than one and a half million people had either died, or left the country. Three factories were destroyed and the country was in a slight debt.
The buildup began. No factories were build, but instead Africa was colonized furthermore. The French now had experienced a change of political climate and no longer could they make ultimatums to Spain, without suffering the consecuences. The French rush for Africa was however admirable.
It was now in late 1839 that colonialism in Africa halted. All coastal provinces were taken, and no country was yet to move to the dark, inner parts of Africa. It was now clear where the next blow would land...
In December 1839 a quick plan was drafted to use the experienced veterans of the civil war against Fez. The war was nothing much to see, as the Fez armies were at dissarray from day one to the end of the war a year later. The French followed this example by declaring a war on Tunis and later on Al Djazir.
The war on Fez.
It is the climax for the rush to Africa. Only I, Carlos V of Spain, and the French goverment are battling in this field. In an odd turn of events France guarantees our independence. An insult, or a friendly gesture? Having no interest in making France our enemy, we decide to reach out and furthermore increase our relations by sending gifts to them.
Due to the Slesvig question wars, and the overall revoltious atmosphere of late 1840´s we decide to create an alliance with the French. Having all fixed up in the domestic front, I turn my eyes to foreign issues: As it seems Prussia and Austria have been faced with a balanced enemy, as Russia has supported Denmark in the aforementioned Slesvig question war. After these two wars, which end to small expansion of the Russian territory, Russia goes to war with Persia, and with it´s protector, the United Kingdom.
Industrial world is a strange place, strange place indeed. The British having been unable to colonize Africa, have left openings for other countries. Sweden is a big player in Namibia, and believe it or not, USA has taken the control over Djibouti. The fortress in Djibouti is propably there to ensure the import of opium from a more stable market. China has been a bit of a trouble maker, so it is not at all that strange that USA has taken the control of another market area.
The fort of Djibouti seems to have another, more important purpose, as in December of 1852 the Yanks declare a war on Egypt. Perhaps they are trying to build a canal through Suez? My scientist tell me it is possible, due to the short distance between the coasts. A magnificent canal it would be! Uniting Mediterranean with the red sea. And the Yanks controlling it would ensure them to truly be something. The British, however might have other plans...
But for now, we go to war. France has allied itself with Egypt, and so we, as allies of the French, go to war. The war is a colonial war, which makes it impossible for us to attack mainland USA. The only front we find easy enough to fight is the Pacific. Our navy embarks from Barcelona taking thirty thousand men with it to the Philippines, from where we attack to the Yank colonies. It takes us nearly a year, before all former-US islands of Mikronesia, and Papua New Guinea become ours. After that our strike force leaves to Djibouti and rest of Egypt, where it is fighting till the end of this war.
During the war, the Ottoman Empire sees this time as a good opportunity to finish of the Egyptians and so they strike. We go to war, and are able to capture one Ottoman settlement in Mikronesia, making all Islands in Mikronesia ours. The war ends to a small part of Syria given to the Ottos.
We leave both wars, and are at peace in 1853, although blessed with new areas in Mikronesia. We now decide to furthermore expand our Asian empire: A declaration of war is sent to Brunei. Our economist are extremely happy, afterall incorporating the wood rich areas of Brunei in September the same year, puts us one step closer to self-sufficiency.
The Yanks have found a good peace for themselves in July of 1854: Both Crete and Cyprus, along with some mainland Egypt becomes theirs.
Some maps of the time:
Africa
Egypt
Far-East
Oceania
Central America
Spain in 1854: A little country with 21 million people. Colonies include Mikronesia, West coast of Africa, Cuba, part of Borneo and the Phillippines.
Speculations of the future:
-We will propably stay loyal to the French we have too much business going on to hurt our relations intentionally.
-UK might become hostile to us.
-USA is our number one enemy, OE is the second.
-The rise of Japan might shake my Asian empire.
-Portugal is doing relatively good in Africa, maybe we should incorporate their colonies to our mighty empire?
-Russia is doing good, might stand in our way in the future.
-Sardinia-Piedmonte is growing strong. We are obligied to support two sicilies from them.
"The world will be at war, alliances are being made now... On whose side will YOU stand? That´s the spirit of today. " -Carlos V of Spain July of 1854.
