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Nice job until now, very entertaining story.
Are all of these provinces colonial city, or have you colonized anywhere else ?
Are all of these provinces colonial city, or have you colonized anywhere else ?
lawkeeper said:
All colonies are fortified cities excepting Yazoo and Biloxi, which are under construction. I have have a few on the Eastern Seaboard (Connecticut, Nova Scotia, Isle Royale, and the island of Newfoundland) but my primary effort shifted first to the Gulf of Mexico region and then up into Arizon and the Mississippi basin.
Things seem to be going well for France and the nobility during this period of time. The colonization of the vice-royalties is very impressive and it seems clear that france is the master of the new world as well as the old one.
Has the Rossignol Family settled down? I don't love to hate them near as much as I used to.
Side note: I know I already said "impressive colonization", but that was wrong and I apologize. What I meant to say was I love New Aquitaine!
Side note: I know I already said "impressive colonization", but that was wrong and I apologize. What I meant to say was I love New Aquitaine!
rahlus said:
They're a bit milquetoast, but you have to remember that we're creeping up on the French revolution. That's a fine opportunity for some fun.
Chapter the Seventeenth
State Bankruptcy?
On November 16, 1700, King Carlos II of Spain died. As his heir, he named Philip Bourbon, the nephew of King Louis XIV. Cantabria was given as a gift to the new king of Spain, and relations with that nation became very high... while relations with England and Austria plummeted. Nothing came of it, however, as both these countries feared the great power of France and Spain combined.
In case of war, however, Rossignol established new cantonments for the recruitment of soldiers on December 29.
On December 22, 1701, the success of the Bourbon takeover of Spain increased the reputation of France to even greater heights.
October 4, 1702, a burst of enthusiasm for the army led thousands of peasants to suddenly volunteer for the infantry. They were quickly incorporated into the regular army.
On October 11, 1704, there was a fortification effort in the region of Bourgogne and Nivernais, increasing the defenses of those provinces.
In December, 1705, Louis XIV again had a bout of insanity, this time deciding that he would be the Queen Mother for a few months, rather than the king. Eugène immediately inspected the king's dishware and found that several of his favorite goblets had lead-based glazes. A popular medical theory of the time purported that consuming lead was bad for the humors of the brain and heart, so the goblets were discarded and the king was able to recover in a few months.
On February 5, 1707, miners in Saltillo discovered a new strain of gold. The production income of that province increased slightly.
February 22, 1708 once again brought enthusiasm for the navy in the colonies, as wealthy creole merchants donated some 20 warships in Mazatlan and Yucatan for anti-piracy patrols.
The beginning of 1709 saw a plague in the lands of France, which somehow simultaneously struck the new world colonies and France proper at the same time, killing thousands and lowering national stability.
On April 22, 1710, a new monopoly company serving the newly colonized lands along the Mississippi River was formed, contributing 300,000 ducats to the royal exchequer.
In May of 1711, the alliance between the Empire of Russia and France expired, and France chose not to renew it. Rather, Louis XIV joined the Spanish military alliance, which also included the merchant republic of Venice.
On February 1, 1712, the cities of France demanded the return of their old rights, which Eugène was fairly sure they hadn't possessed in almost 300 years, and they should have just forgotten about them. He refused, and the respect of the burghers for the central government was lowered.
In July of 1713, Eugène continued the policy of reducing restrictions on intellectual activity in France, becoming slightly more innovative.
On February 9, 1715, Eugène inaugerated a campaign of fighting corruption in the government. These activities proved to be very expensive and the resistance of entrenched officials lowered the stability.
On September 14, 1715, Louis XIV, the Sun King, died. He was succeeded by his great-grandson, known as Louis XV. There ensued a struggle over the regency, then, with Eugène's cousin, the Duc d'Orlèans Philippe II attempting to take over control. With neither party willing to give ground, there ensued an uneasy truce in which both maintained great influence over the path of the nation.
With the regency apparently stabilized, Rossignol spent some time in the provinces, fostering a revolution in agricultural affairs in December of 1715. He returned, however, in early 1717 to campaign against the Missippi Trading Company, an expansion of the monopoly company founded there in 1710. It appeared on the surface to be a perfect situation, which would give enormous return for almost no investment, but Eugène described it as a "confidence trick" and predicted economic disaster should the plan go through. However, the appeal of money and the apparent ease of obtaining it overrode his concerns and Philippe II's faction succeeded in securing royal approval and investment. Early on, it saw good dividends, such as the claiming of new land in Milwaukee in September 1717. However, it was an economic timebomb ready to burst.
On August 20, 1718, the peasants of France again felt unhappy and miffed at their pathetic condition and revolted. When the Mississippian bubble burst on January 7, 1719, Eugène was in the provinces, helping to stabilize the nation. He quickly returned to Paris on a wave of vindication, and even as the country spiralled into an economic crash he secured the dismissal of his rivals from the court. Inflation was at an all-time high (though still lower than Austria's, Spain's, or England's), enforcement of ordinances from the central government fell off, and the status of peasants improved with the bankruptcy of many nobles. Eugène immediately set about the work of correcting all these problems.
On February 1, 1721, the King, Regent, and the whole court were stunned by the news that noblemen in France had allied with the mortal enemies of their great nation... the savage Indian tribe of the Shawnee! Stability was lowered as men all over France vainly attempted to understand exactly what the nobles had been hoping to accomplish with their alliance. Calls to invade Shawnee were refused by Rossignol, because as he said, "I've better things to do than to chase down loincloth-wearing nomads."
A scandal with the English court occurred on January 13, 1722, when the French ambassador attended a garden ball in London and was unable to find a lavatory, and he was caught urinating in the bushes. Relations with England were already very low, so there was no substantive effect.
On February 1, 1723, French merchants were harrassed by Danish officials, and an official protest was lodged with Copenhagen.
On Christmas Day 1723, a great feud between two noble families in the region of Burgundy was ended, prompting the king to send them a gift to represent his goodwill.
A boundary dispute with the Shawnee people was settled on January 10, 1725. Though it would have been trivially easy to play the event up and righteously conquer the Shawnee, Eugène preferred to allow the tribal confederation to survive, as it formed a buffer between Louisiana and the English colonies on the Atlantic coast. At the same time, the cost in stability accrued by the inevitable protests of the traitorous pro-Shawnee nobles (who had caused such trouble in 1721) would have outweighed any territorial aggrandizement.
On January 10, 1726, Rossignol was feeling the effects of his age, some sixty-six years by that time, and he appointed a cardinal to appease the Catholic faction at court and to see to the finances of the state. Andrè-Hercule de Fleury proved to be a most excellent selection, and the effects were very positive.
In April, 1727, Rossignol convinced the king to issue ordinances rolling back to the limited freedoms which had been granted the peasantry in the wake of the state bankruptcy. The status of French serfs was again the lowest in any European state.
On October 1, 1727, new orders for drill and training in the military enacted a reformation of the army.
Over the ensuing years, Eugène got older and events became more blurry. His young great-grandson Charles began to take up more of the load of the regency. A nobleman with the nom de plume of Voltaire published a book of philosophical letters, which greatly elevated the intellectual status of France. Charles summarized the political impact of the tome for Eugène, saying that it was all bunk, and dangerous bunk at that.
A devastating fire struck Franche Comte, burning down the weapons manufactory there. Combined with the losses in the great economic crash of 1719, this had curtailed the weaponmaking capacity of France severely, and step were taken to, at great cost, construct new factories.
On March 23, 1736, Eugène Rossignol retired at regent, leaving his post to his grandson Charles. To commemorate his departure after such a long and peaceful period, a spontaneous donation of some 400,000 ducats was made by friendly noblemen. Charles was twenty-two years old.
ooc: took the wrong (historical) choice in the Mississippi Trading Co. on purpose... because it makes a better story
State Bankruptcy?
On November 16, 1700, King Carlos II of Spain died. As his heir, he named Philip Bourbon, the nephew of King Louis XIV. Cantabria was given as a gift to the new king of Spain, and relations with that nation became very high... while relations with England and Austria plummeted. Nothing came of it, however, as both these countries feared the great power of France and Spain combined.
In case of war, however, Rossignol established new cantonments for the recruitment of soldiers on December 29.
On December 22, 1701, the success of the Bourbon takeover of Spain increased the reputation of France to even greater heights.
October 4, 1702, a burst of enthusiasm for the army led thousands of peasants to suddenly volunteer for the infantry. They were quickly incorporated into the regular army.
On October 11, 1704, there was a fortification effort in the region of Bourgogne and Nivernais, increasing the defenses of those provinces.
In December, 1705, Louis XIV again had a bout of insanity, this time deciding that he would be the Queen Mother for a few months, rather than the king. Eugène immediately inspected the king's dishware and found that several of his favorite goblets had lead-based glazes. A popular medical theory of the time purported that consuming lead was bad for the humors of the brain and heart, so the goblets were discarded and the king was able to recover in a few months.
On February 5, 1707, miners in Saltillo discovered a new strain of gold. The production income of that province increased slightly.
February 22, 1708 once again brought enthusiasm for the navy in the colonies, as wealthy creole merchants donated some 20 warships in Mazatlan and Yucatan for anti-piracy patrols.
The beginning of 1709 saw a plague in the lands of France, which somehow simultaneously struck the new world colonies and France proper at the same time, killing thousands and lowering national stability.
On April 22, 1710, a new monopoly company serving the newly colonized lands along the Mississippi River was formed, contributing 300,000 ducats to the royal exchequer.
In May of 1711, the alliance between the Empire of Russia and France expired, and France chose not to renew it. Rather, Louis XIV joined the Spanish military alliance, which also included the merchant republic of Venice.
On February 1, 1712, the cities of France demanded the return of their old rights, which Eugène was fairly sure they hadn't possessed in almost 300 years, and they should have just forgotten about them. He refused, and the respect of the burghers for the central government was lowered.
In July of 1713, Eugène continued the policy of reducing restrictions on intellectual activity in France, becoming slightly more innovative.
On February 9, 1715, Eugène inaugerated a campaign of fighting corruption in the government. These activities proved to be very expensive and the resistance of entrenched officials lowered the stability.
On September 14, 1715, Louis XIV, the Sun King, died. He was succeeded by his great-grandson, known as Louis XV. There ensued a struggle over the regency, then, with Eugène's cousin, the Duc d'Orlèans Philippe II attempting to take over control. With neither party willing to give ground, there ensued an uneasy truce in which both maintained great influence over the path of the nation.
With the regency apparently stabilized, Rossignol spent some time in the provinces, fostering a revolution in agricultural affairs in December of 1715. He returned, however, in early 1717 to campaign against the Missippi Trading Company, an expansion of the monopoly company founded there in 1710. It appeared on the surface to be a perfect situation, which would give enormous return for almost no investment, but Eugène described it as a "confidence trick" and predicted economic disaster should the plan go through. However, the appeal of money and the apparent ease of obtaining it overrode his concerns and Philippe II's faction succeeded in securing royal approval and investment. Early on, it saw good dividends, such as the claiming of new land in Milwaukee in September 1717. However, it was an economic timebomb ready to burst.
On August 20, 1718, the peasants of France again felt unhappy and miffed at their pathetic condition and revolted. When the Mississippian bubble burst on January 7, 1719, Eugène was in the provinces, helping to stabilize the nation. He quickly returned to Paris on a wave of vindication, and even as the country spiralled into an economic crash he secured the dismissal of his rivals from the court. Inflation was at an all-time high (though still lower than Austria's, Spain's, or England's), enforcement of ordinances from the central government fell off, and the status of peasants improved with the bankruptcy of many nobles. Eugène immediately set about the work of correcting all these problems.
On February 1, 1721, the King, Regent, and the whole court were stunned by the news that noblemen in France had allied with the mortal enemies of their great nation... the savage Indian tribe of the Shawnee! Stability was lowered as men all over France vainly attempted to understand exactly what the nobles had been hoping to accomplish with their alliance. Calls to invade Shawnee were refused by Rossignol, because as he said, "I've better things to do than to chase down loincloth-wearing nomads."
A scandal with the English court occurred on January 13, 1722, when the French ambassador attended a garden ball in London and was unable to find a lavatory, and he was caught urinating in the bushes. Relations with England were already very low, so there was no substantive effect.
On February 1, 1723, French merchants were harrassed by Danish officials, and an official protest was lodged with Copenhagen.
On Christmas Day 1723, a great feud between two noble families in the region of Burgundy was ended, prompting the king to send them a gift to represent his goodwill.
A boundary dispute with the Shawnee people was settled on January 10, 1725. Though it would have been trivially easy to play the event up and righteously conquer the Shawnee, Eugène preferred to allow the tribal confederation to survive, as it formed a buffer between Louisiana and the English colonies on the Atlantic coast. At the same time, the cost in stability accrued by the inevitable protests of the traitorous pro-Shawnee nobles (who had caused such trouble in 1721) would have outweighed any territorial aggrandizement.
On January 10, 1726, Rossignol was feeling the effects of his age, some sixty-six years by that time, and he appointed a cardinal to appease the Catholic faction at court and to see to the finances of the state. Andrè-Hercule de Fleury proved to be a most excellent selection, and the effects were very positive.
In April, 1727, Rossignol convinced the king to issue ordinances rolling back to the limited freedoms which had been granted the peasantry in the wake of the state bankruptcy. The status of French serfs was again the lowest in any European state.
On October 1, 1727, new orders for drill and training in the military enacted a reformation of the army.
Over the ensuing years, Eugène got older and events became more blurry. His young great-grandson Charles began to take up more of the load of the regency. A nobleman with the nom de plume of Voltaire published a book of philosophical letters, which greatly elevated the intellectual status of France. Charles summarized the political impact of the tome for Eugène, saying that it was all bunk, and dangerous bunk at that.
A devastating fire struck Franche Comte, burning down the weapons manufactory there. Combined with the losses in the great economic crash of 1719, this had curtailed the weaponmaking capacity of France severely, and step were taken to, at great cost, construct new factories.
On March 23, 1736, Eugène Rossignol retired at regent, leaving his post to his grandson Charles. To commemorate his departure after such a long and peaceful period, a spontaneous donation of some 400,000 ducats was made by friendly noblemen. Charles was twenty-two years old.
ooc: took the wrong (historical) choice in the Mississippi Trading Co. on purpose... because it makes a better story
I liked this update. Things seem very peaceful and the events come across well. Why those traitors nobles would ally with the Shawnee is a shock. They should have been rounded up and hung for treason.
I eagerly look forward to the time of Revolution. Seeing the Rossignol family on the chopping block of Robespierre's virtuous terror will be most interesting indeed.
I eagerly look forward to the time of Revolution. Seeing the Rossignol family on the chopping block of Robespierre's virtuous terror will be most interesting indeed.
Random events do throw out some odd ones at times for sure. Well done to stabilise yourself financially. Is that an ongoing problem?
Do you have any colonial adventures outside of the Americas?
Do you have any colonial adventures outside of the Americas?
stnylan said:
It's an event, if you invest in the Mississippi Trading Company in 1717 (+200d, free manufactory, +500 infra, and IIRC some stab) you get an event in 1719 that knocks you for +15 inflation, -1000 ducats, -1 centralization and -1 serfdom, and destroys 2 manufactories. It hurts, a lot
No, not yet, anyway.
Pablo Sanchez said:
Of course, you're right. Not everyone in a family can be diabolique. Evil can skip a few generations.
Chapter the Eighteenth
A Little Expansion
In 1737, there was a boundary dispute with the relatively peaceful native people of the Dakota, or Sioux tribes. Charles played it up at home, stating that it was vital for France to display it's strength in this matter. A declaration of war was sent to the tribal leaders and French colonial troops marched across the border into Iowa, assaulting the light fortifications there. The Dakota were without firearms and had only the most rudimentary tactics, and they were quickly swept from the field. Their territories were annexed on December 30, 1739, establishing the Viceroyalty of Louisiana along the entire line of the Mississippi. Missionaries were immediately sent to the new provinces, where they would eventually succeed in fully entrenching Catholicism there.
Early in 1740, the inheritence by Empress Maria Theresa of the Austrian hereditary lands was challenged by many German princes within that nation. As Germany had been fully divided between France, Denmark, and Austria, there were no armies prepared to attempt to challenge the succession. However, France was not eager to worsen its relations with either party, and declared neutrality in the situation.
On February 24, 1741, a great cathedral was commissioned in the city of Bordeaux, at great expense.
On March 26, 1743, a dispute over the boundary between the French colonies and those of England was settled diplomatically.
December of 1744 brought a fortification effort in Italy, as the cities of Naples and Bologna had their defenses increased. The hostility of France's Venetian ally towards Austria would not be lightly abandoned.
On February 1, 1741, peasants all over France rose up in revolt, citing unhappiness with the rights afforded to them. The revolts were quickly put down, but the stability of France remained low.
On August 7, 1748, the long-anticipated war with Austria came to pass, as Venice declared war on the Habsburgs over the possession of Istria, which had long been in Habsburg hands. France and Spain both honored the call, and French troops quickly advanced into southern Germany. The ease of the advance surprised Rossignol, as he was mindful of the previous difficult wars with Austria. This time French troops won nearly every battle, easily sweeping their enemies from Wurzburg and laying siege to many provinces. The Armeè d'Italiè relieved Venice when it came under siege by Austrian armies, and the remaining French armies harried enemy troops wherever they appeared.
Spain did more poorly. Left to their own devices by France, the Bourbon king managed to lose several Mediterranean provinces to Austria amphibious forces, and he eventually sued for peace--ceding the province of Gerona to Austria.
On June 1, 1750, Venice forced peace, seizing the provinces of Tirol and Istria, and securing Wurzburg for France. Efforts were immediately taken to improve the status of the fortifications and infrastructure of the new acquisition, which were wholly inadequate to the standards of the French crown.
On July 4, 1751, a holy man local to Italy performed a great miracle, healing the disease of several lepers and returning them to society. He was proclaimed a saint and stability in the realm increased.
On May 11, 1752, another of the seemingly interminable series of border disputes with England was resolved.
November 11, 1753 brought war. The island of Sardinia declared its independence from Spain, and the French allies in Venice and Poland refused to honor the call to war. Charles, however, saw an opportunity to bring another component of Italy into France, and war was declared on the Sardinian rebels. Spanish troops quickly piled into the province in numbers far too great to be supported by the supplies on the island, but a French general was quickly dispatched. Upon his arrival he assumed command and ordered an assault, which failed. The next month, some 12,000 French infantry with 40 cannons reinforced the positions and resumed the assault, which was now successful. Sardinia was annexed by France.
Appropriate apologies were dispatched to the King of Spain, along with the advice that he should maintain better control of his dominions in the future.
A monopoly company was formed on August 5, 1753, contributing 300,000 ducats to the exchequer.
On September 16, 1754, Charles dispatched funds to the support of dissidents in Venice, who were agitating against the Dogè who had dishonored the call to war against Sardinia.
In July of 1755 there was great unrest among the peasants of France. Despite the appearance of stability and peace in the realm, it was evident that years of heavy taxes and oppression were wearing on the common people. Scarcely a year after the revolts were put down, the cities of France submitted a petition demanding the return of their old rights, which was categorically refused.
On June 14, 1758, a great noble family was nearly forced to declare bankruptcy, and was only saved by their intemperate demand for royal aid. As their connections would have certainly caused great trouble otherwise, the decision was made to dispatch them sufficient funds to restore their estates.
May 1, 1761 forced the king to again deny a petition of the burghers for a return of their rights.
----
Sidebar: The colonial front
During the period of 1750-1751 a great operation of tax reform was undertaken in the overseas viceroyalties. All bailiffs were promoted to tax collectors, leading to a substantial increase in revenue from the colonies. It was hoped that this would relieve pressure from the suffering taxpayers of France proper, but in the event Charles Rossignol decided that it was better to leave the taxes as they were and to keep the extra revenue.
Naval experts in France also invented several innovations in navigation which allowed ships to navigate previously unexplored waters. The Pacific fleet was ordered out, and it began an operation which carried on for many years. Troops were landed on a Hawaiian island which had refused the efforts of the colonial authorities; all native warriors were massacred before the power of French musketry, and subsequent colonization efforts were successful. Using Kuai as a base, the navy moved farther east, discovering the Empire of Nippon on November 10, 1761. Expeditions further into the ocean revealed the precise location of the long-rumored Empire of China.
After a few bribes, the Chinese agreed to an exchange of maps, revealing most of the Eastern Pacific and the territories surrounding China on September 22, 1763. The uninhabited island of Taiwan was selected for colonization, and settlers began to flow, with the help of an intrepid Colonel who doubled as cartographer.
Further naval expeditions revealed a vast, undiscovered continent far to the South of China, which was named "Australia." The possibility of colonization there seemed strong, provided that events in France would not preempt the effort.
A Little Expansion
In 1737, there was a boundary dispute with the relatively peaceful native people of the Dakota, or Sioux tribes. Charles played it up at home, stating that it was vital for France to display it's strength in this matter. A declaration of war was sent to the tribal leaders and French colonial troops marched across the border into Iowa, assaulting the light fortifications there. The Dakota were without firearms and had only the most rudimentary tactics, and they were quickly swept from the field. Their territories were annexed on December 30, 1739, establishing the Viceroyalty of Louisiana along the entire line of the Mississippi. Missionaries were immediately sent to the new provinces, where they would eventually succeed in fully entrenching Catholicism there.
Early in 1740, the inheritence by Empress Maria Theresa of the Austrian hereditary lands was challenged by many German princes within that nation. As Germany had been fully divided between France, Denmark, and Austria, there were no armies prepared to attempt to challenge the succession. However, France was not eager to worsen its relations with either party, and declared neutrality in the situation.
On February 24, 1741, a great cathedral was commissioned in the city of Bordeaux, at great expense.
On March 26, 1743, a dispute over the boundary between the French colonies and those of England was settled diplomatically.
December of 1744 brought a fortification effort in Italy, as the cities of Naples and Bologna had their defenses increased. The hostility of France's Venetian ally towards Austria would not be lightly abandoned.
On February 1, 1741, peasants all over France rose up in revolt, citing unhappiness with the rights afforded to them. The revolts were quickly put down, but the stability of France remained low.
On August 7, 1748, the long-anticipated war with Austria came to pass, as Venice declared war on the Habsburgs over the possession of Istria, which had long been in Habsburg hands. France and Spain both honored the call, and French troops quickly advanced into southern Germany. The ease of the advance surprised Rossignol, as he was mindful of the previous difficult wars with Austria. This time French troops won nearly every battle, easily sweeping their enemies from Wurzburg and laying siege to many provinces. The Armeè d'Italiè relieved Venice when it came under siege by Austrian armies, and the remaining French armies harried enemy troops wherever they appeared.
Spain did more poorly. Left to their own devices by France, the Bourbon king managed to lose several Mediterranean provinces to Austria amphibious forces, and he eventually sued for peace--ceding the province of Gerona to Austria.
On June 1, 1750, Venice forced peace, seizing the provinces of Tirol and Istria, and securing Wurzburg for France. Efforts were immediately taken to improve the status of the fortifications and infrastructure of the new acquisition, which were wholly inadequate to the standards of the French crown.
On July 4, 1751, a holy man local to Italy performed a great miracle, healing the disease of several lepers and returning them to society. He was proclaimed a saint and stability in the realm increased.
On May 11, 1752, another of the seemingly interminable series of border disputes with England was resolved.
November 11, 1753 brought war. The island of Sardinia declared its independence from Spain, and the French allies in Venice and Poland refused to honor the call to war. Charles, however, saw an opportunity to bring another component of Italy into France, and war was declared on the Sardinian rebels. Spanish troops quickly piled into the province in numbers far too great to be supported by the supplies on the island, but a French general was quickly dispatched. Upon his arrival he assumed command and ordered an assault, which failed. The next month, some 12,000 French infantry with 40 cannons reinforced the positions and resumed the assault, which was now successful. Sardinia was annexed by France.
Appropriate apologies were dispatched to the King of Spain, along with the advice that he should maintain better control of his dominions in the future.
A monopoly company was formed on August 5, 1753, contributing 300,000 ducats to the exchequer.
On September 16, 1754, Charles dispatched funds to the support of dissidents in Venice, who were agitating against the Dogè who had dishonored the call to war against Sardinia.
In July of 1755 there was great unrest among the peasants of France. Despite the appearance of stability and peace in the realm, it was evident that years of heavy taxes and oppression were wearing on the common people. Scarcely a year after the revolts were put down, the cities of France submitted a petition demanding the return of their old rights, which was categorically refused.
On June 14, 1758, a great noble family was nearly forced to declare bankruptcy, and was only saved by their intemperate demand for royal aid. As their connections would have certainly caused great trouble otherwise, the decision was made to dispatch them sufficient funds to restore their estates.
May 1, 1761 forced the king to again deny a petition of the burghers for a return of their rights.
----
Sidebar: The colonial front
During the period of 1750-1751 a great operation of tax reform was undertaken in the overseas viceroyalties. All bailiffs were promoted to tax collectors, leading to a substantial increase in revenue from the colonies. It was hoped that this would relieve pressure from the suffering taxpayers of France proper, but in the event Charles Rossignol decided that it was better to leave the taxes as they were and to keep the extra revenue.
Naval experts in France also invented several innovations in navigation which allowed ships to navigate previously unexplored waters. The Pacific fleet was ordered out, and it began an operation which carried on for many years. Troops were landed on a Hawaiian island which had refused the efforts of the colonial authorities; all native warriors were massacred before the power of French musketry, and subsequent colonization efforts were successful. Using Kuai as a base, the navy moved farther east, discovering the Empire of Nippon on November 10, 1761. Expeditions further into the ocean revealed the precise location of the long-rumored Empire of China.
After a few bribes, the Chinese agreed to an exchange of maps, revealing most of the Eastern Pacific and the territories surrounding China on September 22, 1763. The uninhabited island of Taiwan was selected for colonization, and settlers began to flow, with the help of an intrepid Colonel who doubled as cartographer.
Further naval expeditions revealed a vast, undiscovered continent far to the South of China, which was named "Australia." The possibility of colonization there seemed strong, provided that events in France would not preempt the effort.
More and more interesting. I'm eager to see the Revolution.
Hehe, well done against the Habsburg. Just go on stomping them.
You never discovered China before ? What about the Indian Ocean, are you planning to expand there ? And it seems you found a place where to exile the future troublemakers.
Hehe, well done against the Habsburg. Just go on stomping them.
You never discovered China before ? What about the Indian Ocean, are you planning to expand there ? And it seems you found a place where to exile the future troublemakers.
Chapter the Nineteenth
The Big Bang
On January 4, 1762 a man named Rousseau published a scandalous book called "The Social Contract." He argued that the government existed as a result of a contract between the rulers and the ruled, and that the current state of French government was immoral, because it protected the rights of the aristocratic few. Rousseau felt that the government should attempt to secure the equality and freedom of all citizens. The Duke Rossignol opposed this book in the strongest terms, and was able to have it banned--and Jean-Jacques Rousseau exiled. The ideas spread nonetheless, and discontent in France seethed. To counter this liberalism, Rossignol again increased the priviliges of the nobility.
On February 15, 1762, a boundary dispute with Venice was settled diplomatically.
November 24, 1763 brought new regulations for the medical profession, removing many quacks from the career and increasing population growth in France.
One year later, troublemaking artisans petitioned the king to lower taxes and increase their priviliges. They were intercepted and executed before they could go before the king, because Rossignol feared that they might influence him unduly.
1766 was an exceptional year, with revenues increasing and inflation dropping.
In September of 1767, a great revolt among the mestizos broke out in Guatemala. So many rose in arms that there was insufficient stocks of food for them to steal, and many died of starvation before they were crushed by the colonial armies.
19 September 1768 heralded the creation of internal trade ordinances for the provinces in Lousiana, increasing taxes there.
1771 was another exceptional year. The French economy appeared to be getting back on its feet, such that a new trading company was created on October 9, 1772.
On January 11, 1773, the economic minister Turgot attempted to further his reforms of the French economy. Rossignol and the conservative faction at court, wary of Turgot's reputation as an "enlightened" economist denied permission for any reforms of the economy. This brought unhappiness among the merchants of France, but wealthy noblemen donated some 500,000 gold pieces to the royal treasury with the coming of December 1774. Liberals noted with anger that the primary contributors to this fund were wheat and corn speculators who would have had much to lose had Turgot's reforms been enacted.
They grew angrier still, when these same nobles were granted a royal monopoly on wheat distribution in the new world, in October 1775. Indications of corruption at the highest level of French government was beginning to cause resentment among the low classes.
July 7, 1778, however, led to a major realignment of policy. The English colonies in North America declared their independence and requested French aid. Rossignol, eager to damage the British anywhere he could, immediately dissolved the French alliance with Spain and joined one with the Americans, declaring war on Britain as soon as was possible. French troops sortied in the thousands from Connecticut and Lousiana, smashing British formations and supporting the Americans under Washington whenever possible. In addition, the French navy engaged in a blockade of English ports to prevent reinforcement of the New World.
By Christmas 1780, however, the French nobility tired of this support for a revolutionary rabble and demanded an honorable end to the conflict with Britain. George III of England agreed to pay some 150,000 ducats in war indemnities to France, and peace was reached. The American war continued for another year, with the colonials agreeing to cede control of the crown colony of Georgia, an area which had been largely royalist in the first place. Though not a total victory, American independence had been won, and largely by the strength of French arms.
On August 11, 1781, Rossignol responded to allegations of corruption by aggressively reforming the lower ranks of officialdom.
On July 24, 1783, King Louis XVI went temporarily mad. For several months he was entirely useless. News of this spread throughout the countries and classes, and sentiment against the monarchy became even more rife.
A subsequent scandal at the court on August 8, 1784 caused dissatisfaction to become nearly universal. Hundreds of years of repression of the lower classes combined with the unspeakable decadence of the higher classes was making France a powderkeg of revolt. At any moment the entire country might be drowned in blood.
A proposal from their long-time enemies the British, called the "Eden Agreement," was rejected. There would be no economic deals with Britain. This refusal led to severe unhappiness among the merchants of France.
On May 6, 1789, King Louis XVI convened the General Estates in order to enact some economic reforms. The assembly was quickly hijacked by liberals who attempted to bring about social reforms as well, but they were harshly rebuffed by the aged Regent Rossignol and his reactionary partisans.
The Duke hinted darkly that "the emotional appeals to these foolish notions of liberty, equality, and fraternity between all men pose a great danger to public safety. The preservation of the natural order may soon demand certain actions on the part of the army."
News of this statement rapidly caused a panic in liberal circles, and the situation rapidly spiralled out of control. Crowds of revolutionaries took to the streets in Paris, and fear of the army caused them to storm the Bastille on July 14, 1789. The armies marching on the city in response instead mutinied at the gates of the city, and joined the rioters. On July 17, 1789, with similar events taking place all over France, the revolutionaries of Paris declared the formation of a Radical Republic of France.
Next:
some interludes to elaborate the family situation, and thence to the Revolution!
The Big Bang
On January 4, 1762 a man named Rousseau published a scandalous book called "The Social Contract." He argued that the government existed as a result of a contract between the rulers and the ruled, and that the current state of French government was immoral, because it protected the rights of the aristocratic few. Rousseau felt that the government should attempt to secure the equality and freedom of all citizens. The Duke Rossignol opposed this book in the strongest terms, and was able to have it banned--and Jean-Jacques Rousseau exiled. The ideas spread nonetheless, and discontent in France seethed. To counter this liberalism, Rossignol again increased the priviliges of the nobility.
On February 15, 1762, a boundary dispute with Venice was settled diplomatically.
November 24, 1763 brought new regulations for the medical profession, removing many quacks from the career and increasing population growth in France.
One year later, troublemaking artisans petitioned the king to lower taxes and increase their priviliges. They were intercepted and executed before they could go before the king, because Rossignol feared that they might influence him unduly.
1766 was an exceptional year, with revenues increasing and inflation dropping.
In September of 1767, a great revolt among the mestizos broke out in Guatemala. So many rose in arms that there was insufficient stocks of food for them to steal, and many died of starvation before they were crushed by the colonial armies.
19 September 1768 heralded the creation of internal trade ordinances for the provinces in Lousiana, increasing taxes there.
1771 was another exceptional year. The French economy appeared to be getting back on its feet, such that a new trading company was created on October 9, 1772.
On January 11, 1773, the economic minister Turgot attempted to further his reforms of the French economy. Rossignol and the conservative faction at court, wary of Turgot's reputation as an "enlightened" economist denied permission for any reforms of the economy. This brought unhappiness among the merchants of France, but wealthy noblemen donated some 500,000 gold pieces to the royal treasury with the coming of December 1774. Liberals noted with anger that the primary contributors to this fund were wheat and corn speculators who would have had much to lose had Turgot's reforms been enacted.
They grew angrier still, when these same nobles were granted a royal monopoly on wheat distribution in the new world, in October 1775. Indications of corruption at the highest level of French government was beginning to cause resentment among the low classes.
July 7, 1778, however, led to a major realignment of policy. The English colonies in North America declared their independence and requested French aid. Rossignol, eager to damage the British anywhere he could, immediately dissolved the French alliance with Spain and joined one with the Americans, declaring war on Britain as soon as was possible. French troops sortied in the thousands from Connecticut and Lousiana, smashing British formations and supporting the Americans under Washington whenever possible. In addition, the French navy engaged in a blockade of English ports to prevent reinforcement of the New World.
By Christmas 1780, however, the French nobility tired of this support for a revolutionary rabble and demanded an honorable end to the conflict with Britain. George III of England agreed to pay some 150,000 ducats in war indemnities to France, and peace was reached. The American war continued for another year, with the colonials agreeing to cede control of the crown colony of Georgia, an area which had been largely royalist in the first place. Though not a total victory, American independence had been won, and largely by the strength of French arms.
On August 11, 1781, Rossignol responded to allegations of corruption by aggressively reforming the lower ranks of officialdom.
On July 24, 1783, King Louis XVI went temporarily mad. For several months he was entirely useless. News of this spread throughout the countries and classes, and sentiment against the monarchy became even more rife.
A subsequent scandal at the court on August 8, 1784 caused dissatisfaction to become nearly universal. Hundreds of years of repression of the lower classes combined with the unspeakable decadence of the higher classes was making France a powderkeg of revolt. At any moment the entire country might be drowned in blood.
A proposal from their long-time enemies the British, called the "Eden Agreement," was rejected. There would be no economic deals with Britain. This refusal led to severe unhappiness among the merchants of France.
On May 6, 1789, King Louis XVI convened the General Estates in order to enact some economic reforms. The assembly was quickly hijacked by liberals who attempted to bring about social reforms as well, but they were harshly rebuffed by the aged Regent Rossignol and his reactionary partisans.
The Duke hinted darkly that "the emotional appeals to these foolish notions of liberty, equality, and fraternity between all men pose a great danger to public safety. The preservation of the natural order may soon demand certain actions on the part of the army."
News of this statement rapidly caused a panic in liberal circles, and the situation rapidly spiralled out of control. Crowds of revolutionaries took to the streets in Paris, and fear of the army caused them to storm the Bastille on July 14, 1789. The armies marching on the city in response instead mutinied at the gates of the city, and joined the rioters. On July 17, 1789, with similar events taking place all over France, the revolutionaries of Paris declared the formation of a Radical Republic of France.
Next:
some interludes to elaborate the family situation, and thence to the Revolution!
Well, you played all the cards to get to this point. I just hope your Revolution is worth it!
The line about the revolt in Guatemala, and there being so many rebels that they depleted the food stocks, was very funny!
The line about the revolt in Guatemala, and there being so many rebels that they depleted the food stocks, was very funny!
Interlude
Revolutionary Pornography?
Rossignol Mansion, Near Versailles
1779
"I always said that sparing the rod must spoil the child, haven't I?" Charles demanded.
His son, Francois, nodded. "You never spared me the rod. Not even when I didn't deserve it."
"You wouldn't be the man you are today if I hadn't given you those beatings."
"Well, let me handle this, father. He's sixteen years old and knows better than to read this garbage!" Francois replied.
The young Julien Rossignol finally arrived in the room, as summoned. He held the book out at arm's length for the boy to see. It was The Social Contract. Without preamble, Francois asked him, "Does this belong to you?"
Julien nodded, "It does."
Francois picked another up from the table in front of him. This was one by Voltaire. "And this?"
"Also mine," Julien said without a trace of guilt, "they are all mine. Rousseau, Voltaire, Locke, Montesquieu... who told you where to find them?"
Charles interjected, "A chambermaid saw them."
"That's a pity, then. Reading those books has given me an appreciation for people of her status that I did not possess before. It is only because of her ignorance that she would betray me such," the boy said.
"People of low birth are always ignorant, but she did the right thing, here. She's preventing you from being ignorant as well!" Charles sneered; he pointed at the books and gestured to a manservant, "Burn those."
He turned back to his grandson. "Just because our great Empire is engaged in a war in support of revolutionaries, one shouldn't get foolish ideas in his head and actually believe the lies that they tell. It's an alliance of convenience, for anything that frustrates the power of Britain is good for France."
Francois took a deep breath, "I shall have to switch you for reading this... this revolutionary pornography, Julien."
"I shan't stop believing what I read," the boy replied.
"I should hope that a Rossignol and royal cousin has the backbone not to change his mind because of a simple whipping," Charles concluded darkly, "but life and experience will change your mind for you. You're young yet, and you know no better than to believe what you read. When you're older, you'll understand."
"I hope never to see things the way you do, you yellowed corpse," Julien responded coldly, "you have presided over the most corrupt and decadent administration in the world. Some day soon, the people will rise up against you in such numbers that you cannot suppress. The watchword of the coming decades will be 'Death to the enemies of the Human Race!'"
Charles chuckled as he stood painfully, "Ah, to be young again. Francois, do your fatherly duty."
The Regent of France walked slowly from the room.
...
1789
Julien was 27 years old and still a believer in the principles of the Enlightenment. For this, he had been greatly looked down upon by his grandfather and his younger brothers had been favored over him. While the rest of the family remained in the more luxurious estates in Guyenne, the Netherlands, he went to live on the island of Corsica, for the climate agreed with him. As a member of the greatest noble house of France, he was a curiosity there and very popular among the local aristocracy, despite his unorthodox beliefs.
In fact, his ideals were met with some enthusiasm by the independently minded Corsicans, though they maintained no illusions of escape from France--the suppression of the Dutch revolts had demonstrated easily to all the subject populations that where once the map had been French blue, it would never be another color (the abandonment of Kaffa and Kerch notwithstanding). He became friendly with an obscure and impoverished family of Corsican aristocrats named the Bonapartes, and even secured the appointment of a son named Napoleon to the French military academy as a favor.
And when the revolution came, Julien was far away and forgotten. He eventually recieved, with little grief, the news that his grandfather had been run down by the Paris mob and lynched. The crowds had shouted, "Death to Rossignol, death to the tyrant!"
Aside from that, his family had merely experienced their removal from power and the new privation of taxes. It appeared that the radicalism of this new republic was applied in the main to removing the despots from power and applying fair laws. The Rossignols would probably keep most of their estates, and certainly the small mansion in Corsica would not be molested.
Though a few of his cousins chose to flee France, Julien remained on his mediterranean island and took up gardening. He hated to say he had told them so, but he had proven to his grandfather who was right and who was wrong.
He never anticipated, however, that they could both be correct...
Revolutionary Pornography?
Rossignol Mansion, Near Versailles
1779
"I always said that sparing the rod must spoil the child, haven't I?" Charles demanded.
His son, Francois, nodded. "You never spared me the rod. Not even when I didn't deserve it."
"You wouldn't be the man you are today if I hadn't given you those beatings."
"Well, let me handle this, father. He's sixteen years old and knows better than to read this garbage!" Francois replied.
The young Julien Rossignol finally arrived in the room, as summoned. He held the book out at arm's length for the boy to see. It was The Social Contract. Without preamble, Francois asked him, "Does this belong to you?"
Julien nodded, "It does."
Francois picked another up from the table in front of him. This was one by Voltaire. "And this?"
"Also mine," Julien said without a trace of guilt, "they are all mine. Rousseau, Voltaire, Locke, Montesquieu... who told you where to find them?"
Charles interjected, "A chambermaid saw them."
"That's a pity, then. Reading those books has given me an appreciation for people of her status that I did not possess before. It is only because of her ignorance that she would betray me such," the boy said.
"People of low birth are always ignorant, but she did the right thing, here. She's preventing you from being ignorant as well!" Charles sneered; he pointed at the books and gestured to a manservant, "Burn those."
He turned back to his grandson. "Just because our great Empire is engaged in a war in support of revolutionaries, one shouldn't get foolish ideas in his head and actually believe the lies that they tell. It's an alliance of convenience, for anything that frustrates the power of Britain is good for France."
Francois took a deep breath, "I shall have to switch you for reading this... this revolutionary pornography, Julien."
"I shan't stop believing what I read," the boy replied.
"I should hope that a Rossignol and royal cousin has the backbone not to change his mind because of a simple whipping," Charles concluded darkly, "but life and experience will change your mind for you. You're young yet, and you know no better than to believe what you read. When you're older, you'll understand."
"I hope never to see things the way you do, you yellowed corpse," Julien responded coldly, "you have presided over the most corrupt and decadent administration in the world. Some day soon, the people will rise up against you in such numbers that you cannot suppress. The watchword of the coming decades will be 'Death to the enemies of the Human Race!'"
Charles chuckled as he stood painfully, "Ah, to be young again. Francois, do your fatherly duty."
The Regent of France walked slowly from the room.
...
1789
Julien was 27 years old and still a believer in the principles of the Enlightenment. For this, he had been greatly looked down upon by his grandfather and his younger brothers had been favored over him. While the rest of the family remained in the more luxurious estates in Guyenne, the Netherlands, he went to live on the island of Corsica, for the climate agreed with him. As a member of the greatest noble house of France, he was a curiosity there and very popular among the local aristocracy, despite his unorthodox beliefs.
In fact, his ideals were met with some enthusiasm by the independently minded Corsicans, though they maintained no illusions of escape from France--the suppression of the Dutch revolts had demonstrated easily to all the subject populations that where once the map had been French blue, it would never be another color (the abandonment of Kaffa and Kerch notwithstanding). He became friendly with an obscure and impoverished family of Corsican aristocrats named the Bonapartes, and even secured the appointment of a son named Napoleon to the French military academy as a favor.
And when the revolution came, Julien was far away and forgotten. He eventually recieved, with little grief, the news that his grandfather had been run down by the Paris mob and lynched. The crowds had shouted, "Death to Rossignol, death to the tyrant!"
Aside from that, his family had merely experienced their removal from power and the new privation of taxes. It appeared that the radicalism of this new republic was applied in the main to removing the despots from power and applying fair laws. The Rossignols would probably keep most of their estates, and certainly the small mansion in Corsica would not be molested.
Though a few of his cousins chose to flee France, Julien remained on his mediterranean island and took up gardening. He hated to say he had told them so, but he had proven to his grandfather who was right and who was wrong.
He never anticipated, however, that they could both be correct...
I just caught up with the tale - just in time it seems! A couple of things that nobody else picked up on, but I just had to comment on...
And now - treachery in the ranks as the house of Rossignol starts to crumble. But perhaps you have some surprises in store yet...?
Had the ambassador never been taught to mind his Ps and Qs at these sort of functions?
They must have been like sardines...
And now - treachery in the ranks as the house of Rossignol starts to crumble. But perhaps you have some surprises in store yet...?
Farquharson said:Had the ambassador never been taught to mind his Ps and Qs at these sort of functions?
I like to throw in silly things like that. Maybe you also noticed that one of the regents died as a result of a mauling by a rabid badger... a somewhat unusual end for an aristocrat.
They must have been like sardines...
Yes, I would estimate that as many as 50,000 Spaniards died of starvation, dehydration, and exposure during the conquest of Sardinia. They just kept landing, the poor, poor fellows...
Pablo Sanchez said:
Whatever could you mean?
Pablo Sanchez said:
Wow.
Oh well.. They couldn't have been regulars... still.. its a terrible waste of the peasantry.