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Interlude: 1853 – 1858 (Part 2)
In the beginning of the ‘50 4500000 souls were following the spiritual guide of the Caliph. Following the teaching of the Mahdi, the main concerns of the poor people were religion zealotry and the ongoing wars against the colonial powers.
Railroads were crossing half of the country, but nothing was done to start an industrial production of any goods. The main concern of the Caliph was again the growing influence of the Europeans in Africa. It seems that the colonial and imperialistic interests of the white men were unstoppable. No signs of enemy armies were ever seen in the raids of the horsemen of the Caliph, but Sokoto was still not considered a nation and so there was no way to find a pretext to start a war against the leading colonial powers: Spain and Sweden.
In the southern Nigeria, English companies opened depots in the Niger delta cities and in Lagos. The English traders were as ruthlessly competitive as the delta towns themselves and frequently used force to compel potential suppliers to agree to contracts and to meet their demands. The most important of these trading companies was chartered by the British government as the Royal Niger Company and granted broad concessionary powers in "all the territory of the basin of the Niger." Needless to say, these concessions emanated from Britain, not from any authority in Nigeria.
The company was supposed to respect local customs except so far as may be necessary “in the interests of humanity”. The qualifying clause was aimed at slavery and other activities categorized as "barbarous practices" by British authorities.
Meanwhile, the Royal Niger Company established its headquarters far inland at Lokoja, from where it pretended to assume responsibility for the administration of areas along the Niger and Benue rivers where it maintained depots. The company interfered in the territory along the Niger and the Benue, sometimes becoming embroiled in serious conflicts when its British-led native constabulary intercepted slave raids or attempted to “protect” trade routes.
Something have to be done: the ways of the withe men were considered highly immoral by the religious authorities of the Caliphate. The European influence in Africa cound not be tolerated. Diplomats were sent all around Europe, looking for a diplomatic way to declare war to the western traders. Finally something was found: dense clouds of war were gathering around Russia.
Nicholas I, Tzar of all the Russian people, was following the traditional Russian policy of resolving the so-called Eastern Question by seeking to partition the Ottoman Empire and establish a protectorate over the Orthodox population of the Balkans, still largely under Ottoman control. Based on his role in suppressing the revolutions of 1848 and his mistaken belief that he had British diplomatic support, Nicholas moved against the Ottomans, who declared war on Russia in 1853 backed by their satellites.
Fearing the results of an Ottoman defeat by Russia, in 1854 a huge coalition (United Kingdom, France, Spain, Sweden and later Sardinia-Piedmont and Two Sicilies) joined what became known as the Crimean War on the Ottoman side. Austria and Prussia remained neutral, leaving Russia without allies on the continent. But two growing powers were on the Russian side: the Celestial Chinese Empire and the Sokoto Caliphate.
Sweden was defeated by the Russian army in two months. Ostersund, Bodo, Hammerfest, Lulea become part of the Russian empire. All the colonies were lost to the forces of the Caliphate.
Ottoman Empire, fighting a two-front war against Russia and Egypt, surrendered four provinces to the army of the Tzar in the peace treaty signed the 3rd April 1855.
But the other forces of the coalition could not be checked so easily: exhausted by three years of war, finally Russia and China surrendered large part of their empire to the ever-hungry interest of Queen Victoria. Two Chinese provinces were also ceded to France and in 1858 the world was again in peace.
But while fighting in Europe and Asia, Africa was forgotten by the western powers: at the end of the war, a new Muslim power was finally born:
In the beginning of 1859 the President of the U.S.A. was on his first official meeting in the Caliphate, discussing the way to bring the African Nation in the world diplomacy as one of the leading powers of the world.
Amazing - this is a brilliant strategy. But risky, I'll imagine, if one of those colonial powers decided to remove that pesky African opponent. 
Been a while since I played Victoria, so I can't remember - what does it take for an uncivilized nation to become civilized?
Been a while since I played Victoria, so I can't remember - what does it take for an uncivilized nation to become civilized?
I'm very impressed, to be a civilized nation ,you need like 5 of each techology and a modern goverenment I think
Very impressive. I think Macroeconomic's last China AAR detailed what you needed to become civilized. And I agree, snatching colonies is one thing, but be very careful.
AKjeldsen said:
To become civilized I need:
1) 100 Prestige: not a problem after claiming land in Africa. I'm around 600 prestige so far (3rd nation in the world...)
2) 50 Industrial Power. I need 5 factories. I have all the parts to build them, but I waited to end the wars against the colonial power to start my industrialization. So far, with my thin railroad network, I have 6 point in industrial power.
3) 10 Military Power. A very big problem! I made a HUGE mistake in the deal with the U.S.A.. I don't have the technology to build infantry. So I have to chose between useless irregulars or useless Manowars. I have 3 cavalry divisions from the start and 1 dragoon division for an event 2 months ago. I'm at 5 points of Military power. To reach the goal, since I can build only native-quality troops, I have to recruit 50 divisions of irregulars infantry or to build 50 Manowars.
I've just played my last steps to civilization and in the next update you will see how I civilized (a bit crazy way...)
coz1 said:
I agree: it was very dangerous. But no European soldiers were seen in Africa. I think that the AI have some problems to fight a war with me (a nation surrounded by unclaimed land). Now it’s a little different: I have borders with Spain and Portugal. I'm very week and as an uncivilized nation I can be annexed in one war…
nice update but i am how far foward have you played? Because i remeber something in the first post about the fall of Sokoto.
Stunning success, and the maps really bring it to life. Well done!
Don't you have some useless claim somewhere you could trade for some more technology?
Don't you have some useless claim somewhere you could trade for some more technology?
Very nice AAR. Its interesting to include Russia's wars of conquest in your description as well, as I do think that was probably why not enough effort was put into Africa (at least that's quite a realistic reason).
No, it is not abandoned. I'm too busy at work! I'm very sorry! The next update will come as soon as I can!
Wind of Greatness and Clouds of War
15th March 1859
Twenty years ago I arrived in a savage country. Now I live in a nation struggling to reach full industrialization. Quite unbelievable. Two days ago I came back to Sokoto City: a new railroad is crossing the city, a steel factory is near to be completed. A tree-lined avenue is crossing the new industrial district. The clay huts were largely replaced with colonial-style houses. Few Americans citizens walk around the city. After 20 years spent following the horsemen of the Emir of Ilorin, I’m back in a new city!
Coming back from Yebuti I saw something new growing up. After the first raids in the European colonies, a government structure was slowly build up in the occupied territories. Words of a new African revival spread trough the entire continent. Everywhere the horsemen bringing the green flag arrived, a crowd of native welcome the men of the Caliphate.
I’m a witness of a miracle!
Workers at the tobacco plantation use the new manufacturing techniques from the U.S.A.
15th March 1859
I cannot believe to what I’ve heard: the President of the United States of America is coming in Sokoto City. An official meeting with the Mahdi is scheduled for the next week. The U.S.A. government is guaranteeing the independence of the Caliphate. The official statement of the U.S.A. foreign department says: “All the lands occupied by the soldiers of the Caliphate are protected by the US Army. The African land was rightfully claimed by the democratic government of Sokoto.”
The new army training with the American Advisors
17th March 1859
Bad news come from Spain: the Spanish diplomacy do not recognize the government of the Caliphate. They claim their influence on the land of Mauretania. the Spanish government demand that the “savage fanatics of the Caliphate” leave immediately the regions of Senegal, Algeria and Mauretania. Things are going grim… The Caliphate is again waiting for war… 6 ships were commissioned. The Emir of Yelwa, Ashamed, was put in charge as admiral of the fleet.
The Admiral of the Caliphate, Ashamed, Emir of Yelwa
28th March 1859
The meeting with the US President, James Buchanan was a complete success for the Caliphate Diplomacy. The authority of the Sultan was recognized for all the claimed lands. The other trading post and commercial buildings all around Africa were sold to the United States of America. Millions of US dollars fuel the economy of the Caliphate. I fear the Spanish reaction. Spain is out of the game in the continent. No chance of further expansion for the Iberian kingdom, surrounded by the possessions of the Caliphate and the United States of America. United Kingdom and France are coldly accepting the Status Quo.
13th September 1859
The Horsemen of the Emir of Ilorin are moving to Mauretania. The people I followed for twenty years have order to look to some suspicious moves reported in Spanish southern Morocco. Heavy Spanish military activity was reported near the border. I cannot leave the men I’ve followed for so many times.
25th October 1859
The rumors were true! Spain send an official declaration of war to the Emir of Adjazair yesterday. 130000 Spanish soldiers are marching against the Emirate. Our regiment was reinforced to 10000 men, but the Emir of Ilorin simply don’t have enough men to help the brother Emirate. We are witnessing to a massacre.
The Emir of Ilorin, dear friend and travelling companion
28th October 1859
The Emir Morocco joined Adjazair in the war against Spain. Disagreement and frustration filled our heart. The troops are only waiting the order to join their Muslim bothers against the Europeans. The Spanish troops quickly advance in the Desert.
29th October 1859
My God! France joined Spain. Morocco and Adjazair are doomed. We cannot do anything to stop the joined forces of two European great powers. Today a messenger come from the Capital, Sokoto City. Something strange is happeneing in the USA. Someone speak about a Civil War coming… 12 more ships were commissioned. Our little army is at full strength. With our best friend occupied with a civil war, the Caliphate is at the mercy of Spain… Hundreds of people come every week to our camp, asking voluntary recruitment. No one want a Spanish or French landlord. The cruel determination of despair will bring our flag. We will stand here to fight to the last man. Everyone is expecting the worse.
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are we perhaps witness to the fall that was stated in the first post? I hope not, I hope the US defeats the CSA and immediently comes to the sokoto's aid
Looks like the Europeans are coming your way, do you think than a divided America can really protect the Caliphate?