A Nation of War 1849-1851
In America, the spike of new provinces had re-lit the Slavery Debate, and many supporters and opposers of slavery took to the streets. Several acts of violence and oppositional essays were printed, and the situation neared boiling point. George, worrisome of possible anarchy, ordered Slavery banned from the new provinces, and declared a Court Gag, silencing the nations legislature on the issue of slavery. Many Liberal Absolutists resigned in such a act of absolutists, and were carefully replaced with Reactionary representatives from New York.
Nonetheless, the political situation was becoming precarious, as activists from across the Kingdom called for greater reform. George and the Council formed a agreement, legalizing non-socialist trade unions, and quelling the fears of the population. While such a act was generous to the people, many Conservatives on the council saw this as a act of representation, and in that years annual alignment report, the Liberals had increased their power by 12%, replacing those who had resigned in opposition earlier. This move granted another Liberal Majority, many of whom pressed for peace and stability without the realm. George spit in the face of the Liberals, even going as far as declaring Cuba a neccesary property of the United States, infuriating the Great Powers of Europe.
King George II, 1849
But another storm was brewing.
The aftermath of the Treaty of Mexico City was far from peaceful. In Mexico, many conservative and reactionary politicians argued against the signing of the peace treaty, as the British had sent ambassadors regarding the arrival of a massive European Army. Indeed, a series of small naval defeats off the coast of America had thrown off the initial British plans, as nearly 14 men-o-war ships had been sunk over the course of just a few months. Nonetheless, the British Navy did not turn around, and was set to arrival in Canada just several days prior to the battle. The defeat at Vancouver however had set off a chain reaction, and many Mexican liberals believed the war was lost.
Antonio López de Santa Anna, who had reigned as President nearly 10 times, and even as a dictator, resisted the influence of the Liberal congressman and marched into Mexico City, reinstating himself as official President, while in truth, he was a dictator. Almost immediately, Santa Ana declared the Treaty of Mexico City void, and called upon the British government to support its claims. But before the message arrived, King George had received word, and declared war on Mexico with no opposition. This time, the British forces refused Mexican assistance, appalled at the politician tyranny of President Santa Anna and condemned both the actions of Mexico and America.
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Without aid from Britain, and American troops still in the vicinity, Mexican forces were crushed on all fronts. Santa Anna was able to mass a army of 24,000 and intended to march towards Nevada, where two 15,000 American Armies had been separated. They army was assaulted by 20,000 American troops under General James Hemingway, who attacked through Mexican Texas, arriving at Paso del Norte and crushing Santa Anna. The battle of Paso del Norte was the only memorable engagement of the continued warfare, as American troops, no longer distracted by the Northern British troops, could freely occupy Mexico.
Battle of Paso del Norte
However, the war became an illusion for the successes of his the King's army, has the real threat laid in his people. Perhaps the most memorable uprising prior to the Great New England Uprising was the Manhattan Rebellion of July, 1850, when 14,000 American soldiers were forced to battle a rebellion of equal size in the streets of the city. The Royalist soldiers concluded victorious and the imposition of higher tariffs were imposed, but the King's power had become threatened another time.
Rebels set fire to a wealthy Royalist neighborhood.
Finally, after another year of slow warfare, American troops entered Mexico City, and forced Santa Anna to ratify the Treaty of Mexico City, with Nevada, Arizona, and the rest of Texas now included. Santa Anna was unable to resist, and after only a week of the treaty, the President was dethroned and executed on behalf of the Liberals. While Mexico decayed into rebellion, so did the United Kingdom of America.
American Forces enter Mexico City
On the 9th of August, Republican soldiers and civilians in the North Eastern section of the nation declared their independence from the United Kingdom, rising 80,000 soldiers to war. George, with no such force at his side, was provoked into a mobilization against the Republican troops. The effort was slow however, and Rebels destroyed small pockets of militia that had held themselves in the North East. The King, now also faced with a small rebellion in Texas, commanded James Barnum to lead the forces into battle.
New England Nationalists seize New York.
Republican Forces, under President Rigten Winston, marched towards Boston and New York in October, forcing the Royal Family and Court to evacuate South. Winston scored a early victory against 13,000 men at Boston* and another at New York** before preparing for his motion south. By November though, local Royalist militias had slowed down the advance of the three (30,000 strong) Republican Armies. Finally, with most of the North East occupied, Barnum defeated Winston 38 miles west of New York, sweeping North and forcing the surrender of the remaining two armies. Barnum's second major victory in less then two years was enough for him to be appointed Chief of the General Staff. The King however was very concerned, and finally conceded to the Liberal Court the edict allowing the Landed Nobles of his realm to vote. On February 1st, 1851, the National Council was reformed into the Royal Legislature, the first congressional house in the history of the nation.
Typical Electors in 1851
United Kingdom of America in 1851