Greetings readers, and welcome to my first AAR here on Paradox Forums. I originally had this idea around 6 months ago, but was never able to get around to such a project due to real life issues. Now, with some time on my hands, and some AARing experience from aHawks interactive AAR, A Federation of Equals, I feel I have the capacity to begin one of my own (except of course, not interactive.)
The Premise of this AAR is simple: What if the Nicola Affair (Newburgh letter) was no failure at all, and instead Washington accepted the offer, becoming the first monarch of the United States. A brief note, this plot is totally irrelevant to the ACIII DLC, as of course this idea has been dwelling in my mind for quite some time. Let's Begin!
Quick Note: The Prologue is a little sloppy right now, I'm going to do some cleaning before the actual AAR begins--the editing will include pictures.
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In 1775, dissent amongst British colonists in North America broke out into open conflict between the Parliamentary British Forces, and the Patriots, colonists who desired self-rule and represented taxation. Though initially a small isolated conflict, a series of colonial victories in 1777 and 1778 ushered in international support, most prominently from the French and Spanish. Within the course of a few months, the war had expanded into a global conflict, though victory looked dim for the Colonial forces under General George Washington. Strings of colonial defeats were only halted in 1781, when small victories slowly began pushing the British forces back. Following a decisive French naval victory at Chesapeake, and a smashing colonial advance spearheaded by Washington, the combined Allied forces defeated the British at the Siege of Yorktown, effectively ending the war.
On the 22nd of May, 1782, with the British army broken, Lewis Nicola, a officer in the Continental Army, sent a silent letter to Washington's chambers. Nicola initially spoke of the dissent amongst the colonial forces, as pay and wages had rarely arrived due to the precarious situation of the American economy. Indeed, the Continental congress could not levy taxes according to the Articles of the Confederation, which were reserved for the states. This initial point ushered in Nicola's argument over the weakness of a decentralized republic, slowly unraveling is support for a constitutional monarchy. At first, General Washington was very skeptical of the message, attempting to separate himself from the officer. As time passed though, the General began to notice the instability of the military, eventually cultivating in the October mutiny of 1782. Though the uprising was put down, the scar it had placed on the colonists position was damaged.
Washington met with Nicola in January of 1783, both entering the conversations with a mutual desire for stability. Washington advocated that he would appear as a "American Cromwell," which only concluded with the return of tyranny. His counter-part however did not argue against appearance, but rather how logisticaly and factually the monarchy could restore order to the chaotic United States. The two concluded that Washington would agree to the plan, and accept the monarchy along with making Nicola a fellow minister, but only if Lewis's stability plans could deliver a renewed and orderly nation. On September 3rd, the Treaty of Paris was signed, concluding the American Revolution with a certain Colonial victory.
Washington quietly rallied support from fellow Generals and wealthy politicians, igniting the Washington Conspiracy in a plot to overthrow the Republic and the Articles of the Confederation. At first, many were reluctant to forfeit their rights for a stable state, but the Shays Rebellion of 1786-87, proved Nicola right. The ineffectiveness of the states to work in one unit brought immense support for Washington's cause. The monarchists were not the only ones to rally support from Shays Rebellion, the Federalists under James Madison and Alexander Hamilton fought a public campaign against the Confederates, unaware of the movements of Washington and Nicola.
By 1788, Washington and Nicola were prepared for the political motion, both having taken massive support from the military. On the 28th of March, Washington and Nicola stormed into the Congress of the Confederation with 60 men, and declared the dissolution of the congress. The following moments ensued chaos, and six congressmen were shot and killed by the occupying force. Within a few days, the majority of the states had heard the news of Washington's intentions, mostly before Monarchist troops could arrive. Republican leaders scrambled to raise local forces, especially in Boston and Philadelphia. Neither Washington or Nicola had counted on rebellion, especially because of the major military support the two possessed.
Perhaps the most decisive early move by the Republican leaders was the recruitment of Horatio Gates, the victor of Saratoga. Horatio had a long history of antagony towards Washington, and was easily persuaded by the Republican Leader, Alexander Hamilton and his uneasy ally, James Madison. Horatio moved to secure the major cities, as the conflict had erupted with very unclear borders and frontiers. Washington's mood became uneasy, especially when the Republican Militias occupied Boston, with local support swinging to the Republican side.
The American Civil War, officially broke out on the 29th of March, with the declaration of Alexander Hamilton as the "Protector of the Republic" and the coronation of William on the 1st of April in response. King Washington was the first to move, sending General Daniel Morgan with 11,000 men towards Boston from New York. Horatio scrambled to prepare a defense, intending to draw Morgan's forces into a urban battle. Despite having less men and undisciplined troops, local citizens took up arms in the fight as well, and Morgan was forced to withdraw with 1,000 casualties.
Victory at Boston secured the Republican power, and locked Monarchist power to just a few locations across the colonies. The victory was short-lived however, as Horatio believed that holding Boston against Washington any longer would result in a total defeat, evacuating the city in June. Nathanael Greene, commanding a combined Monarch force, siezed Boston four days after the evacuation, forcing the Republicans North, away from New York and Boston. Horatio believed he could only achieve victory through irregular warfare, a tactic he had originally despised. He was saved from this strategic shift when Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, former Chief of Staff, defected to the Republican side. With him, nearly a quarter of Washington's forces mutinied, and moved to join Steuben's growing force in New Jersey.
Washington, dismayed by the constant setbacks, moved 15,000 men to North Pennsylvania in a attempt to sweep east and pin down the 9,000 soldiers Steuben had massed. Steuben called upon Horatio to avoid any Monarchist movements and rush south, in a plan to merge the two armies near New York. The campaign failed, when Morgan stole several marches from Horatio, catching Gates 33 miles north of New York. Horatio's forces were reduced from 3,000 to 900 by a superior force of 5,000. Horatio fled back north, but Morgan did not pursue, instead joined Washington in the attack against Steuben.
The battle was a decisive Republican victory, the greatest of the Prussian's career, with Steuben defeating a force nearly two-thirds his size. Washington scrambled back to New York, while Steuben rushed south, gaining new support along the way. At the turn of the year, Hamilton reorganized his government to Richmond, Virginia where Steuben was repositioning. It was near Richmond where Steuben completely reorganized his militia into a standing force, much like he had done during the revolution. The solidification of the Republican power in the south had been a clear defeat for the Royalists, who had shifted their attention north. Within just a few months, Horatio had been defeated once more, captured, and executed for treason.
Despite the securing of power in the south, Steuben grew uneasy, and eventually provoked Washington to launch his full force against Richmond. Washington happily accepted, and stormed to Virginia with 30,000, the total combined Royalist forces. Steuben intended to meet Washington in open battle, in southern Maryland. The former comrade's met on the 9th of August 1789, after weeks of skirmishes. The battle, lasting two days, concluded with the destruction of the Republican forces. Steuben was slain on the battlefield by a stray cannon, sending the remainder of the republican militias into chaos.
Royalist forces stormed Richmond late the same month, concluding the brief, yet destructive civil war. Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, and fellow supporters were executed for treason, as Royalist forces moved throughout the nation to purge the remaining opposition.
The Premise of this AAR is simple: What if the Nicola Affair (Newburgh letter) was no failure at all, and instead Washington accepted the offer, becoming the first monarch of the United States. A brief note, this plot is totally irrelevant to the ACIII DLC, as of course this idea has been dwelling in my mind for quite some time. Let's Begin!
Quick Note: The Prologue is a little sloppy right now, I'm going to do some cleaning before the actual AAR begins--the editing will include pictures.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prologue---Part 1
In 1775, dissent amongst British colonists in North America broke out into open conflict between the Parliamentary British Forces, and the Patriots, colonists who desired self-rule and represented taxation. Though initially a small isolated conflict, a series of colonial victories in 1777 and 1778 ushered in international support, most prominently from the French and Spanish. Within the course of a few months, the war had expanded into a global conflict, though victory looked dim for the Colonial forces under General George Washington. Strings of colonial defeats were only halted in 1781, when small victories slowly began pushing the British forces back. Following a decisive French naval victory at Chesapeake, and a smashing colonial advance spearheaded by Washington, the combined Allied forces defeated the British at the Siege of Yorktown, effectively ending the war.
On the 22nd of May, 1782, with the British army broken, Lewis Nicola, a officer in the Continental Army, sent a silent letter to Washington's chambers. Nicola initially spoke of the dissent amongst the colonial forces, as pay and wages had rarely arrived due to the precarious situation of the American economy. Indeed, the Continental congress could not levy taxes according to the Articles of the Confederation, which were reserved for the states. This initial point ushered in Nicola's argument over the weakness of a decentralized republic, slowly unraveling is support for a constitutional monarchy. At first, General Washington was very skeptical of the message, attempting to separate himself from the officer. As time passed though, the General began to notice the instability of the military, eventually cultivating in the October mutiny of 1782. Though the uprising was put down, the scar it had placed on the colonists position was damaged.
Washington met with Nicola in January of 1783, both entering the conversations with a mutual desire for stability. Washington advocated that he would appear as a "American Cromwell," which only concluded with the return of tyranny. His counter-part however did not argue against appearance, but rather how logisticaly and factually the monarchy could restore order to the chaotic United States. The two concluded that Washington would agree to the plan, and accept the monarchy along with making Nicola a fellow minister, but only if Lewis's stability plans could deliver a renewed and orderly nation. On September 3rd, the Treaty of Paris was signed, concluding the American Revolution with a certain Colonial victory.
Washington quietly rallied support from fellow Generals and wealthy politicians, igniting the Washington Conspiracy in a plot to overthrow the Republic and the Articles of the Confederation. At first, many were reluctant to forfeit their rights for a stable state, but the Shays Rebellion of 1786-87, proved Nicola right. The ineffectiveness of the states to work in one unit brought immense support for Washington's cause. The monarchists were not the only ones to rally support from Shays Rebellion, the Federalists under James Madison and Alexander Hamilton fought a public campaign against the Confederates, unaware of the movements of Washington and Nicola.
By 1788, Washington and Nicola were prepared for the political motion, both having taken massive support from the military. On the 28th of March, Washington and Nicola stormed into the Congress of the Confederation with 60 men, and declared the dissolution of the congress. The following moments ensued chaos, and six congressmen were shot and killed by the occupying force. Within a few days, the majority of the states had heard the news of Washington's intentions, mostly before Monarchist troops could arrive. Republican leaders scrambled to raise local forces, especially in Boston and Philadelphia. Neither Washington or Nicola had counted on rebellion, especially because of the major military support the two possessed.
Perhaps the most decisive early move by the Republican leaders was the recruitment of Horatio Gates, the victor of Saratoga. Horatio had a long history of antagony towards Washington, and was easily persuaded by the Republican Leader, Alexander Hamilton and his uneasy ally, James Madison. Horatio moved to secure the major cities, as the conflict had erupted with very unclear borders and frontiers. Washington's mood became uneasy, especially when the Republican Militias occupied Boston, with local support swinging to the Republican side.
The American Civil War, officially broke out on the 29th of March, with the declaration of Alexander Hamilton as the "Protector of the Republic" and the coronation of William on the 1st of April in response. King Washington was the first to move, sending General Daniel Morgan with 11,000 men towards Boston from New York. Horatio scrambled to prepare a defense, intending to draw Morgan's forces into a urban battle. Despite having less men and undisciplined troops, local citizens took up arms in the fight as well, and Morgan was forced to withdraw with 1,000 casualties.
Victory at Boston secured the Republican power, and locked Monarchist power to just a few locations across the colonies. The victory was short-lived however, as Horatio believed that holding Boston against Washington any longer would result in a total defeat, evacuating the city in June. Nathanael Greene, commanding a combined Monarch force, siezed Boston four days after the evacuation, forcing the Republicans North, away from New York and Boston. Horatio believed he could only achieve victory through irregular warfare, a tactic he had originally despised. He was saved from this strategic shift when Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, former Chief of Staff, defected to the Republican side. With him, nearly a quarter of Washington's forces mutinied, and moved to join Steuben's growing force in New Jersey.
Washington, dismayed by the constant setbacks, moved 15,000 men to North Pennsylvania in a attempt to sweep east and pin down the 9,000 soldiers Steuben had massed. Steuben called upon Horatio to avoid any Monarchist movements and rush south, in a plan to merge the two armies near New York. The campaign failed, when Morgan stole several marches from Horatio, catching Gates 33 miles north of New York. Horatio's forces were reduced from 3,000 to 900 by a superior force of 5,000. Horatio fled back north, but Morgan did not pursue, instead joined Washington in the attack against Steuben.
The battle was a decisive Republican victory, the greatest of the Prussian's career, with Steuben defeating a force nearly two-thirds his size. Washington scrambled back to New York, while Steuben rushed south, gaining new support along the way. At the turn of the year, Hamilton reorganized his government to Richmond, Virginia where Steuben was repositioning. It was near Richmond where Steuben completely reorganized his militia into a standing force, much like he had done during the revolution. The solidification of the Republican power in the south had been a clear defeat for the Royalists, who had shifted their attention north. Within just a few months, Horatio had been defeated once more, captured, and executed for treason.
Despite the securing of power in the south, Steuben grew uneasy, and eventually provoked Washington to launch his full force against Richmond. Washington happily accepted, and stormed to Virginia with 30,000, the total combined Royalist forces. Steuben intended to meet Washington in open battle, in southern Maryland. The former comrade's met on the 9th of August 1789, after weeks of skirmishes. The battle, lasting two days, concluded with the destruction of the Republican forces. Steuben was slain on the battlefield by a stray cannon, sending the remainder of the republican militias into chaos.
Royalist forces stormed Richmond late the same month, concluding the brief, yet destructive civil war. Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, and fellow supporters were executed for treason, as Royalist forces moved throughout the nation to purge the remaining opposition.
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