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I upload my screenshots online from Image Shack, and then use their provided link which screens it onto my writing. If you want more in depth details, PM me.
I'm currently very busy right now, with School Work and such, so there will most likely not be a update this week, and perhaps next week. After that, I plan to jam in as many updates as possible, but real life is quite busy.
An Era of Change, 1864-1868
The death of the Prince of America at the conclusion of the American Civil War brought about a period of major reform within the reactionary base. Lord Barnum in reaction to the victory, instrumented a harsh crackdown on the Southern Radicals, imprisoning those who had offered support, and supplementing massive nationwide trials, all on the basis of treason. In the ensuing purge, thousands of southern sympathizers were hanged or shot, including Robert Lee and the majority of his army. George, who widely approved of the plan, established his Royal Court amidst the dissolution of the Legislature, restoring the 'absolute' authority in the monarch. Of course, Lord Barnum retained a strong regent grip over the nation, whispering advice into the ears of George who usually conceded to the General. The Royalists enjoyed a modicum of private authority in this time, with much of the southern lands being granted to the American Nobles that had supported Royalists during the Civil War. The brief stage in 1864 represents the height of Royalist power, for on the 3rd of February, 1864, King George contracted a unknown illness, and passed away the following week.
The next in line, Maximilian Washington, the Second of his name, was a well known Moderate who staunchly opposed an increased authority of the Royalist factions. Using the new Absolute Powers vested in him, (as granted by Barnum and George), he refused the advice of the Lord-Regent and dissolved the Royalist Court. In its replacement, he declared the foundation of the Second Royalist Legislature, to be appointed by the King, and the King alone. Appointing a coalition of prominent liberals and conservatives in opposition to the Reactionaries, the acts forced Barnum to resign his political position, giving full legislative power back to the Congress and the King. With the resignation of Barnum, Maximilian passed several edicts in a process coined, "Radical Reconstruction," offering general amnesty to the Republicans not related to politics, removing the economic sanctions, but retaining a strong military force within the region. Northern Industrialist Royalists were not satisfied however, as the state that had protected their industries was undergoing major reform. Maximilian had a way with words and finance, and soon enough, every major Industrial Center was being subsidized by the state.
Royalist Legislature just preceding the resignation of Lord Barnum.
As the Kingdom ushered in a refusal of total absolutism, the Conservatives took office, while all seeking reforms, Maximillian made it clear that political instability was not appropriate at the time and declared he would veto and voting reforms until the nation had stabilized. This stabilization came in the rapid reconstruction of the military, which over the course of the Civil War, had been reduced to a mere 70,000. Maximillian, who was a staunch colonist and expansionist, took about a series of legislation that could ramp up the quantity of soldiers within the military. By raising the military budget and personal wages, civilians flocked to the enlisting boards, thousands at a time across the Kingdom. But the desperation for troops required more then the vast militarization of the North. In a controversial move, Maximilian opened the armed forces to the southern soldiers as a symbol of amnesty and peace between the two. Many Southern Soldiers accepted the King's proposal and pledged fealty to the state, as a sense of unity was re-established. These reforms, tied together with a nation wide tax decrease of 10%, brought new found popularity to the King, unseen since the early reign of George.
Military undergoing reconstruction, by 1867's conclusion; the armed forces had peaked at 125,000
The reformation of the kingdom continued in the Industrial sphere, now booming with the massive subsidizing policies tied together with the free trade ethics of the Conservatives, which game American Factories an edge on the International Industrial stage. Though it brought a heavy burden of the American economy as time rolled on, investors both domestic and foreign flocked to the American industry, all turning their eyes to the Washing Railroad System. Initially, the capitalists began funding the projects, nearly 40 railroads being prepared for upgrade and reconstruction at the time, while a surge of workers flushed into the country as a new labor force. But Maximilian, intent on encouraging a even greater investor confidence, began to fund the projects en masse as well. The collaboration between state and private investor meant the early stages of construction were ignited faster then any production facility in the entirety of the world. The collaboration system continued for several months, until either the railroads were completed, or the government could not spend any more.
Maximilian, while now placated in success domestically, was turned to foreign issues in late 1867. In the world, less then three wars had broken out since 1850, but that changed in 1867. Following the outbreak of a failed rebellion in Dutch Guyana, Nationalistic Fervor gripped the Western Hemisphere. This nationalist feel, while remained relatively contained, broke into violence in the Spanish Colony of Cuba, where a revolution broke out. The Spanish, too far to efficiently shuffle troops across the ocean, were forced to rely on local soldiers and loyalists, while using guerrilla tactics. With the help of the United Kingdom of Central America, a former ally of America, the local Cubans beat the Spanish in a series of battles. By late August, 6,000 American troops arrived to assist the effort, but mistook some of the Cubans for Spanish, and a heated engagement erupted outside the rebels and the Americans. American forces, severely outnumbered, were beaten, but only to return home embarrassed at their error.
But Maximilian was not willing to give up his successful reign and popularity yet, and in a rare move, censored the press and ordered a modification of the story, describing the rebels as firing upon the America soldiers first in order to avoid American influence in Cuba. Using the Ostendo Manifesto that had been conducted years before for popular support, Maximilian declared war on Cuba and prepped a invasion. The United Kingdom of Central America declared its neutrality, as the Cuban and American Monarchs clashed. Maximilien landed General AJ Wellington in the east with 15,000 men, and General George Warner with 15,000 men at Jagua. Wagner battled a numerically inferior Cuban force of 6,000, and decisively defeated them at the Battle of Jagua.
The brief victory at Jagua and the following pursuit wiped out the military capabilities of the Cubans, and by 1868, Maximilian declared the war over, annexing Cuba.
Beautiful update! Actually the war with Cuba is very realistic..... minus the fact that the US was fighting Spain.
Just caught up, and now I'm subscribing. Excellent AAR - I'm impressed at how believable you've made the American monarchy sound.
This is great, I've always thought of playing a good American monarchy scenario. Nice story you've fleshed out here, subscribing. 
Spreading the Blue - 1868-1878
When the annexation of Cuba occurred in July of 1868, many American's began to believe they were witnessing the spread of European Imperialism in the embodiment of the American Monarchy. The birth of Socialism in 1867 had triggered a violent wave across the German States, and by the following year, a Socialist Party had taken its foot on American soil, with several American legislators secretly holding allegiance to the new ideology. Advocating more rights to the working class that had begun to suffer after the state subsidized wealthy factory owners during Reconstruction, they quickly received support from urban regions, most profoundly in New York, where a clash of opposite idea's came to bearing.
While Socialists were only a small percent of the population, a growing Conservative movement advocating in favor of Maximilian swept through the majority of provinces. Enlisting lines and State Services flooded with applicants, many of whom now saw the Monarchy as a important connection line between the governed and the governing. Thousands poured into the streets of rural area's, as the King's Military Buildup policy merged with a new attempt to drastically enlarge the size of the relatively small American Navy. Soon enough, a sense of National Pride and Jingoist fervor burnt throughout the country, with military parades, and public speech's by Royalist Supporters, flooded the nation. By 1869, the nation was itching for a good fight.
Their opportunity came along the Algerian Coast in October of 1869, when American trade vessels, preparing to land at the French Algerian Possessions, were attacked by a state-sponsored privateer company, that sacked the HMS Washington the largest ship in the trading fleet. Following a investigation by local French, Portuguese, and American officials, it became clear of the tie between the Pirates and the Algerian Government. Over the next few months, 15,000 American troops were shuttled into Portuguese Territory by the small American Navy of 34 vessels. Lead by General Alexander Winterson, American Officials provided the Algerian Embassy with a declaration of war on new year's eve, and by the first day of 1870, American troops were preparing for the invasion.
But the act of American Imperialism was overlooked by a series of events in Europe, that played well for the American effort to keep themselves off a international condemnation. The first of which occurred in the Papal States, where Mercato Bevinci, a Roman Atheist with a hateful despise for supposed 'Papal Tyranny' and a burning desire to protect the working class in Italy, developed a new idea alongside German Philosopher and Statesmen, Karl Marx. Labeled, 'Communism,' Bevinci proposed a ideology where the State dominates the Industrial and Economic Factors in the nation, acting as a single entity to better achieve a system of equality amongst a newly created 'Proletariat' staged against the wealthy, Bourgeois.
Communism was internationally condemned and prohibited alongside Socialism in most countries, including the Constitutional Kingdom of France, who were beginning to take a much stricter approach to dissent and foreign threat. Following their ban on far-leftist parties, they turned their anger to the Americans, who they perceived were attacking Algiers to corner the French in Africa (a move of which Maximilian was most proud.) Following a strongly worded letter to the American diplomats in Paris, Maximillian responded with a apology to the French, only to two hours later, declare that American troops had begun the occupation of Mascara and Naama.
The total occupation of Algeria by American Forces
The war in Algiers was slow however, despite the Algerian Government’s lack of any Armed Forces, local Muslim tribes banded together in groups of camel divisions and managed to grind down the American advance. Despite the resistance, American victory was eventually achieved after two years of war, when the French accepted the American terms of victory over the Algerian Population, a move that greatly angered the French population against the rising Royalist power. Such conservative successes brought about a brief decline in liberal activity in the popular sphere, as heavy capitalist foreign investments in Japan and Brazil had brought the American economy to a halt, as the Protectionist policies tied together with the liberal attempt to flood in money from American owned companies in foreign land had ultimately failed. Building Industrial centers at such a distance proved more costly than profitable, and many economists, eventually pushed for the halt of such investments. Maximilian was able to bring production in Japan to even, with income being risen from such ventures by removing the subsidizes on the Japanese factories, which was replaced by the Imperial Governments own subsidizes that were so “kindly” requested by the local American diplomats.
Total Foreign Investments by the American Monarchy and local Capitalists
Following the Great Chicago fire of 21st of November, 1871, and a brief economic downfall during the repair cycle, American interests shifted to Europe amidst a restored Liberal Majority. The American Foreign Minister, Jason Demtrinis, a well known Moderate and member of the Republican Party, traveled to Vienna in February of 1872, where he was joined by Prince Adolf of Auersperg, the Minister-President of Cisleithania, and Prime Minister Fontes Pereira de Melo of Portugal. The trio represented the newly formed Vienna Council, forging a ‘Holy Alliance’ of both military, diplomatic, and trade relations in the protection of Monarchism. The three nations represented the sphere’s of authority, America in the Western Hemisphere, Portugal in Colonialism, and Austria in Europe. The new alliance brought about an order that frightened the North German Federation, as American and Austrian combined forces would quickly overwhelm the Germans. Prince Bismarck and King Wilhelm completely overestimated the strength of the American Navy, and while it was still under production, could not ferry more than 20,000 men per voyage. America did however, possess the world’s first machine guns, and the most highly advanced military system in the world, excluding the United Kingdom.
Tensions in Europe between Austria and Prussia were further raised when the French and Austrians attempted to defuse a Prussian attempt to place a German Prince upon the throne on Spain. In fear of being surrounded, and provoked by a major incident on the Alsace, the French Republic declared war on France, but Austria quickly backed down, fearing a second disastrous conflict. Many historians argued that the intervention of Austria could have concluded the war, but Bismarck’s actions thwarted such movements. Nonetheless, the Federation found itself fighting a coalition of French, Swedish, Belgians, Sardinians, Romans, Neapolitan, and Brazilians. The first Major War on the European Conflict in over 25 years triggered a global economic crisis. Tied together with rising Socialism, the Monarchy sought ways to stabilize the spiraling world economy, that was made even worse with the successful French invasion towards the Rhine. Perhaps the nation hit the hardest, were the Russians, whose major trade routes were blocked by a massive Swedish blockade of the Baltic, that nearly triggered war. This was only prevented when the Americans proposed a purchasing of the tundra of Alaska, which the American’s payed nearly nothing for, approx. 100,000 pounds.
Maximillian saw promising developments in Alaska, perhaps as a way to begin a encirclement of British Canada, and began the colonization of the unclaimed British territories. With settlers rushing to new lands, many found themselves settling in area’s such as Dakota or Oregon, before they reached the promised peaceful and isolated land of Alaska. The rush west was only further encouraged by an American Expedition to the Black Hills, which triggered a war between local American Forces, and the Sioux tribes inhabiting the area. Nonetheless, after the discovery of large gold deposits, the ‘Gold Rush of Dakota’ ignited, sparking a mass immigration to the western states.
The Franco-Prussian War was amongst the defining moments of European History. Following a series of French victories along the Rhine, and a Swedish invasion of Schleswig-Holstein, Prussian Forces were in full retreat. As French forces stormed West, Prussian General, Helmuth von Moltke, rallied together the 2nd Army at Frankfurt, and in a decisive victory, crushed 100,000 French soldiers under Patrice de Mac-Mahon, in June 1873. The Prussians proceeded to launch a massive counter-attack, pushing the French forces to Forbach, where they won decisive victory at Spicheren. Tied together with the destruction of the Swedish Fleet in the Baltic, the Prussians turned the tide of war, driving out the Invasion of Holstein within a week of the victory at Spicheren. Following victories across France, Prussian forces arrived at the gates of Paris in late 1874, and ignited a three month siege, eventually ending with the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine. On the 21st of January, 1875, King Wilhelm of Prussia was declared ‘German Emperor’ officially founded the German Empire.
Battle of Frankfurt
The "Empire" was short lived however, when Emperor Wilhelm was forced to acknowledged the establishment of a growing liberal majority, and renounce his absolute authortiy over Germany, founding a constitutional Monarchy within Germany.
The short-lived German Empire
The conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War began the age of Imperialism and its feature, ‘The Scramble for Africa.’ First, the American’s annexed Hawaii, becoming the first Pacific Island possession of Royalism.
Perhaps the most profound actions of America’s 1870’s, was its involvement in the Scramble. Using Algeria as its base for operations, American troops rushed south with local settlers to seize control of large swaths of land before the French or British. Americans battled with local natives in constant warfare, sometimes using ruthless executions or massacring tactics to drive out the local African Tribes. Such nations such as the Netherlands, joined the 'Holy Alliance' during this time period, mostly for the purpose for a place in the sun in Africa, of which it was being largely excluded. In 1878, the Americans, after sweeping through the Sahara, prepared to begin the colonization of the sub-continental fertile land of central Africa, which was only promoted by a pro-colonial stance by the newly appointed Republican Party.
American Economy following the appointment of the Republican Party
Africa in 1878
This is an interesting read, and an interesting way to take the US in a different direction. I'm following!
Really enjoying the AAR! Wish there was a fantasy mode in the main game that allowed you to choose your government type easily at the outset.
I demand that you force the false Queen to hand over large swathes of Canada, though that might be harder now that they can march into your African territories
I demand that you force the false Queen to hand over large swathes of Canada, though that might be harder now that they can march into your African territories
Awesome update, I wonder if the Europeans will formulate a reverse-Monroe Doctrine on Africa. It looks like they're too distracted by Socialism to see the young colony cross the ocean and give them a taste of their own imperial medicine! Love it...
Love it...
I'm aiming to get a large update up tomorrow, so we can begin to progress at a faster pace.
Wars of Imperialism - 1878-1887
The year 1878 marked the conclusion of a period of peace in Europe originated from the Congress of Vienna, that had prevented general European Wars, and restricted them to local conflicts, such that had existed during the Franco-Prussian War. The Holy Alliance by the conclusion of the 1870s, stood as the most powerful entity in European Politics, with the entering of the Russian Empire the year before. Russia, who was also closely tied with defeated France, created the final bloc in what seemed to be a surrounding maneuver by the American-Austrian Alliance, around the Germans. At the time, President-Chancellor Otto van Bismark, the leader of the conservative movement that opposed the Constitutionalism on the Empire imposed in previous years, was ignorant of the scenario. On May 2nd, Bismark gave a violently jingoistic ultra-nationalist speech, titled "Blood and Iron" within the halls of the German Assembly, and called for an action of war against Austria to restore German Bohemians to the unified state. Unaware of the Russo-Austrian agreement, Bismark put forth a declaration of war, which was harshly opposed in the Assembly. Leftists and Socialists who opposed the Monarchy were able to stall the Conservative motion, but the effort was wasted. When word reached the Hapsburg Monarchy on the 17th of May, the Austrians delivered a declaration of war to the German embassy, and called upon its allies.
President-Chancellor Otto van Bismark, widely considered the worst German leader in its history.
The French saw the declaration of war as a second opportunity, and the Radical National Assembly under Bonaparte parties, put forth a simular declaration, intent on declaring a separate war for Alsace and Lorraine, and more northern German provinces, to block Baltic Trade by the Germans. By the 20th of May, The Republic of France, The Russian Empire, The Austrian Empire, the Papacy, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Porgugal, the Duchy of Lucca, the King of Tuscany, and the King of Greece had all entered a state of war against the Germans. Initial German Advances into Poland were halted by the French and Austrian invasion five days succeeding the declarations of war. Both the Austrians and the French poured over the border, with nearly 100,000 troops in Silesia, and over 200,000 French forces in Northern Germany.
Situation in Germany on May 21st.
Throughout summer, a string of Austrian Victories and the Russian Counter-Invasion through the German war machine to dust. Germany found its cities occupied in all directions, with insufficient forces to fight them off. By October, the first Austrian troops had marched into Berlin, and pacification of the region was finished in under three weeks. Austrian Forces felt betrayed by Maximilian however, whom had pledged naval support to the Austrian Forces. After a brief German victory in the Mediterranean over the miniscule American fleet, American reinforcement became sufficiently unnecessary, and wasteful, especially after the success of the tri-invasion of Germany. The action soured relations to almost hostile limits, when the HMS Oregon fired on a Austrian port after a weapons malfunction. By the time the Austrians reached Berlin, the Hapsburg Monarchy declared the Holy Alliance invalid on the day of supposed treaty revision, leaving American forces temporarily isolated. Following the international plunge of the stock market in the days following the declaration of war, the economic situation in America became dire, and it was not until the abolition of the Holy Alliance (along with the American war subsides) did a recovery process ignite.
Austrian Troops occupy Berlin
At home, the war had shown a brutal, harsh type of warfare, one of which the Socialists used for their advantage. Due to a wide-spread switch in public favor, the United States began dragging behind in the Scramble for Africa, and was forced to abort several colonies as it was encircled by French and British colonials systems. The Socialists turned the tide on what had once been a jingoistic fervor into a pro-isolationist populace, by utilizing the newly freed press media system implemented by the crown itself. By the conclusion of the year 1878, the Socialists were assumed (as they were technically illegal), to control nearly 10% of the Upper-House. The Pro-War sympathizers were saved when the media from Europe halted after the Treaty of Paris, on May 2nd, nearly a year after the conflict began.
The treaty was an astounding victory for the Russians, French, and Austrians, all of whom successfully pressed their claims, which included, Poland, East Prussia, Schlesien, Alsace and Lorraine, and part of the Northern Bank of the Rhine.
Europe, following the Treaty of Paris
As attention was finally diverted away from Europe after the ratification of the treaty, focus re-routed itself to Africa, where the Americans had been pinned in by a combined Anglo-French movement. In 1880, William Fry, the commander of the American Colonial Force, was seeking possible unclaimed lands in Africa to be welcomed in by both American and European immigrants under the American Flag. The 9,000 man force was subsequently ambushed by a equal force of Muslims, under Umaru bin Ali, the Sultan of Sokoto. After realizing he had marched near the actual city of Sokoto, he quickly issued a declaration of war in the midst of the ambush (of which the King never questioned), and counter-attacked, defeating the forces at their own capital.
William and newly arriving colonial forces ignited the occupation of Sokoto in early 1881, where harsh conditions and constant raids made progression difficult. Eventually, after weeks of stalling, the American Golonel moved 6,000 men to the eastern portion of the nation in late 1801, where he unknowingly launched an assault on a enemy force with twice his numbers. After fierce fighting, American soldiers pushed back the African horde, but not before the death of Fry, who was killed by a enemy sabre.
General Fry sketched dying at the hands of Sokotans, depicted as Native Americans, a people of which American's already had a burning hostility towards. New York Times, 1883.
The war in Sokoto concluded with a clear American Victory in October 1882, ending the expensive two year conflict with a total annexation of the Emirate of Sokoto to the American Military-Governor, Steven Howards.
The conclusion of the war in Sokoto brought a brief end to the conflicts in Africa, and returned focus to the American Continent where major Industrial and Economic events were brewing. The first of which, was the final completion of the inter-continental railway, funded, produced, and constructed by the Railroad Mega-Company, Bennet & Company. Having received funding by the crown in 1879 in accordance with the Edict of Springston, Bennet & Co. had nearly a total monopoly on the entire American railroad system, making it the most wealthy and largest corporation in the Western Hemisphere. Challenged only by Royal Steel, Bennet & Co. laid down nearly 400 Million Dollars in track, and received nearly twice that amount in total revenue. Between 1881 and 1890, it would be the only company to hold more then 800 Million Dollars in total assets.
Industrial Workers laying track in Oregon for Bennet & Company --- 1883.
Beyond that however, Bennet & Company had desires away from the American continent, and saw the ability to make great profit from a agrarian land with little transport capacities. Forming a sub-division, Bannet & Son, the company had the desire to begin to ship several hundred workers to Africa, with labor support from the local population. The thought of forced transport greatly angered the workforce, many of whom were members of the Socialist Unions. In late 1883, the workers ignited a great strike that halted nation wide production, and forced the Company to call in for state assistance. Maximilian, who refused to show any sign of weakness, marched down to the striking force with "Union-Busters" and opened fired on the crowd. Realizing that the King could freely kill who he pleased, the workers returned to their workplaces, refusing to join the 7 brethren that had been killed in the massacre.
Massacre at Baltimore
The conclusion of the great strike allowed the transfer of nearly 2,000 workers to Africa, many of whom began a trekking journey to unite the resource rich North, with the fertile Central-Africa, separated by the magnanimous Sahara desert. Construction began in Algeria, but it was not long after its commencement when the local workers came under raid from Saharan Tripoli's that believed their tribal land was being violated. Maximilian, believed to be in a bad mood, decided to declare war on Tripoli for such actions, though there was no proof that the raiders had any attachment to the Government of Tripoli.
Fearing for their own independence, Tunis quickly rushed to the aid of Tripoli, providing 20,000 troops in conjunction with Tripoli's 6,000. The American Colonial Force, now commanding near 90,000 troops in the entire region, sent 20,000 American Forces (many of whom were locals, trained and equipped by the Americans) into the invasion force. American forces first encountered resistance at Ghat, when a 9,000 American force was assaulted in traditional fashion by 17,000 Tunisians and Tripoli. After seizing a significant hill on the far right of the battlefield, American artillery was able to pound the incoming force with relative ease, as the more advanced infantry were able to defend such a hill with a series of new doctrines, that limited the Muslim capability to launch a full out assault. Eventually, after wearing down their opponent, a large Cavalry brigade flanked the opposing mob, and sent the enemy into full rout.
The Victory at Ghat was the decisive battle in the invasion of Tripoli, and by August of 1884, the majority of the nation had been occupied by American Forces. As General William Hardsfield (the victor of Ghat), prepared for the invasion of Tunis, assisted with a blockade of the state. War with Tunis brought about a renewed tension with the French Republic, who had invested heavily in Tunis. As negotiations between Richard Heartfeld, the Ambassador to France and the National Assembly begun, the court began to invest itself in a new project.
Richard Heartfeld, the Ambassador to France, would be instrumental in keeping out French Intervention in Tunis.
Richard Heartfield began a system of stalling tactics, watching International Events with great intrigue, and preparing for the moment where French vulnerability would allow American forces to properly invade Tunis. With tensions running high in Germany, Heartfield seized the opportunity to further provoke a Second Central European War. After sending a telegram to Berlin, the American Ambassador, Gregse Vadilosk, a Russian Immigrant, provided a false report to the German President, William von Hardesbur, that the Austrians had provided a threat of war. Following another fabricated border incident, Austria and Germany found themselves at war in 1885. The sudden shift of French attention allowed the invasion of Tunis to commence, most of which found itself occupied in the following year.
To the luck of von Hardesbur, the French and Russians were unable to intervene, and soon, the disciplined German troops won a string of victories along the borderline, eventually marching all the way to Vienna, encountering only two decisive battles, one in Bohemia, and the other in Venice. By the time Tunis had been annexed in 1886, and the institution and commission of 40 new Iron Clad War ships, the Germans had recaptured their old territory taken by the Hapsburgs, and even forced the annexation of Bohemia into the nation.
Europe and North Africa in 1887
Wonderful update! So you missed out on some of the Africa cake? Sad to see Germany get its $&% kicked, but it happened in RL, too, so I guess it makes sense.
The Days of Uncertainty 1887-1895
The Wars of Imperialism in the 1880s, and the wide variety of success regarding colonialism, ushered in the apparent popularity of King Maximilian amongst the populace. After achieving a renewed alliance with Austria in June, results in the Royal Naval Project, finally began to bear fruit. Construction of over 4 dozen Ironclads ships and the official establishment of the American Royal Navy, brought forth new popularity, and with unemployment relatively high, a new venture for those who had no occupation. The Ministry of Finance, Derek Strethoim, had a different opinion on the vast expansion, and though initially reluctant to hand the King a fiance report, he eventually delivered the papers to the Royal Legislature. After a length speech at the Legislature, Strehoim convinced the Councillors to bring the Iron Clad construction program to a total halt. His proposition managed to pass, but was almost immediately vetoed by Maximilian the same day, who believed that his public image as a supporter of further militaristic developments surpassed the economic consequences in matters of importance. The following week, the final costs were rallied, and the project was put into full motion, with major Industrial Centers within the nation beginning to sell their outsource material to the government. The project manager, Arthur J. H. Weiss, soon realized to his dismay that the private and publicly owned factory material would not be enough to sustain the project alone. Weiss attempted to settle a deal with the colonies, requesting more goods to be returned to America, but even that was not enough. Eventually, the Royal Legislature was importing goods from nearly every major European nation, and as the economy plunged as a result of such spending, Europe reaped the profits.
Many workers were laid off in Industrial centers ran by the government, sparking protests and a vast increase of privately owned factories as workers fled into the arms of the Capitalist.
The victory at Yemen allowed the Americans to implement taxes on individuals and shipping traveling through the straits of Hormuz, forcing them to pay both French and American taxes. Unlike their counter-parts however, American shipping was allowed entry without cost, and the lucrative trade and tax system began to slowly repair the shattered economy. Soon enough, massive private investments into the Industrial Sector boosted the economy, unemployment dipped, and the importation of goods was finally halted with new materials from Yemen. Eventually, in 1894, the Royal Naval Project was completed, and while further expanse was necessary, the United States had managed to grasp
The economic collapse did not affect just the Royal Workers, with the Ironclade and the cost of Importation through the roof, along with new Army expenses from the colonies, subsidies and certain health benefits were put on hold. The result, was a massive enlargement of the Socialist Party, which had been legalized only weeks before. On the 5th of January, 1888, known as "Black Wednesday" the public sector of the stock market plunged. Historians usually agree that the Liberal grasp on the budget restricted a raise on taxes, and as such the King was forced to raise tariffs to new highs, around 15%. Liberals staunchly opposed the move, with wider riots and protests being sparked across the country. It was not but five days later, when Maximilian's wife, Queen Jennifer, convinced twins, Prince John, and Prince Harry, with the former being the eldest. Many leftists had firmly grasped the prospect that one of the couple was infertile, and that the death of Maximilian would bring the conclusion of the monarchy. This turned out to be obviously wrong, and finally, with the economy in shambles and the monarchy secured, Jacobin Revolutionary Republicans declared rebellion in a attempt to overthrow the Monarchy and end the destructive economic policies of the crown. Led by a charismatic young leader, Theodore Albertson, the rebellion rallied wide-spread support amongst the people. In ital successes in Cuba, and the Mid West prompted immediate retaliation on behalf of the 450,000 American soldiers, though the threat of unloyal leaders and a possible military defection or mutiny became a dangerous prospect.
Decisive Victory seemed the only way to secure the loyalty of the Royalist troops to the Crown, though Albertson denied such a strategy. Fighting for every inch of ground, the Royalist armies advanced at a slow tempo, allowing the more revolutionary regions time to secure their position. Nonetheless, the military refused to defect despite some Republican sentiment, as Generals of each army had sufficient ambitions, each one modeling themselves after Lord Barnum in a attempt to perhaps institute a military government, with the King as a puppet. While such a desire never came to fruition, it saved the Royalist Crown in November of 1889, after nearly a year and a half of fighting, when the Chief of the General Staff, Artel Gabriels, defeated 20,000 rebel soldiers in the Rocky Mountains, with Albertson returning to New York as a prisoner of war. Subsequently, he was tried, found guilty, and executed for high treason.
The Chief of the General Staff and the Victor of the Battle of the "Rockies," Artel Gabriels.
Gabriels was almost ideally promoted to the Ministry of War as a sign of gratitude from the King, but it was not long after till bloodshed returned. While the rebellion had been put down inconclusively with the defeat in the Rockies and the death of their leader, idealistic fighters refused to put down their weapons. Despite a tired and winded populace, 80,000 North-Eastern republican nationalists took up arms against his Majesty. Maximilian, tired of internal warfare, decided to pass forth voting reform, bringing the wealthy capitalist and middle-class's to the voting ballot. His reforms weakened the rebellion, and while it was not put down until elections were full underway, it made a lasting impact on the Revolutionaries who claimed that Maximilian was like his father, unwilling to reform. He did however, sustain the position on his Iron Clad project that had jump-started the economic crisis, and while it was not the primary reason anymore, the economy continued to struggle.
The substitute for the massive economic penalties of the project were replaced by the construction of the Panama Canal, and the adoption of maritime trade with the Asian and European Powers in the far-east. The Suez Canal, controlled by the British, was quickly undermined by French control of the Straits of Hormuz, challenged only by the local Arabic Government in Yemen. By 1890, the Asian trade relied on the ability of the three nations, France, the United Kingdom, and Yemen to work in correspondence, but the system was very unstable and constantly at threat from dissolving. The French and the British decided in mid-spring, that the best course of action would be the seizure of Yemen, though neither side could decide how such a partition would be properly handled. As France and the United Kingdom became increasingly hostile to each other, Artel saw a opportunity for profit, and before the French and British could decide on a final conclusion, 18,000 American soldiers had landed in Yemen and defeated the local force of 1/3 its size. The motion caused international outcry on behalf of the British and French, who united in opposition against the Imperialist American effort. Artel however, had already annexed Yemen, and had motioned for coastal guns to be pointed towards the Red Sea, and as a result, the British went silent. Soon enough, Bennet & Company had begun the infrastructure work in the colony, and a line of defenses had been established along its uncomfortable northern border, with large naval centers being instituted to prevent a surprise French response.
American Troops relied on quick victory in Yemen as to prevent European Intervention, cavalry became a useful weapon of war, despite is disadvantages with modern weaponry.
The establishment of the Yemenese colony brought forth a full recovery to the American economy. By using its vital control of half of the Straits of Hormuz, it began implementing taxes on all foreign persons and shipping, excluding American's and their goods. This discouraged trade through the straits of Hormuz by foreign countries, and soon, America, challenged only by the British, dominated the Asian trade. Through taxes and trading directly off the new colonial grasp, the American economy soared to new heights, and all tariffs were finally abolished to the relief of the capitalists and middle-classes. At the moment that all seemed right, the colonies suddenly came under threat.
An Arabian Alliance, formed under British supported countries, declared war on the American Kingdom, surrounded by forces that outnumbered it by nearly four times. To make matters worse, at the same time, France declared war on Spain, now intent on achieving revenge on the Americans by controlling the Mediterranean trade, and blocking the straits of Gibraltar. The seeming disaster of economic and political failures on behalf of the ruling liberals triggered a last gasp of air for the Reactionaries, who declared rebellion, one final time. While they appeared miniscule in number, suspicions began to arose if the King would support them, or destroy them.
Good stuff, nice to see American colonies and also nice to see the Austrians kicking a bit of German arse.
This AAR is going to be on a several week hiatus while I am away for the next 50 days.
That's too bad! this has been a great AAR and I'm looking forward to read what comes next, even if I do need to wait for a couple of months
End-Game 1895-1898
((Wanted to wrap it up, so here is my sloppy finale.))
The Arabian War, toppled with the Reactionary Rebellion and the outbreak of a new European Conflict dismantled the steady and stable expansion that had existed over the previous decade. Despite the crown's interest in continued jingoistic efforts, the people were growing relentless, and the great storm of turmoil not witnessed since the Civil War began to emerge once more. Even decisive victories on the Arabian Front could not persuade the people of America into investing a new aura of trust into the crown, especially as Socialist, and newly formed Communist parties, swept through the urban centers. Such was the discomfort of the Imperial position when the extremely popular conservative, Artel Gabriels, Minister of War, received a "revelation, "resigning his position and publicly subscribing to the ideals of Karl Marx. The immediate aftershock stunned Royalists across the globe, with Maximilian responding to the move in a fiery speech denouncing the actions, exclaiming: "This man has betrayed his ideals because of images he perceived in a wet dream." Indeed, for many across the American continent, the "defection of Gabriels" was viewed no more then a strange scandal.
The impact it would leave on the nation, however, could not be more damaging. As the Royal Forces achieved total victory in Arabia, to the British dismay, local dissent at home began to spike, as members of the left rallied together in opposition of the Reactionary Rebels. In the absence of the military, local militia's were formed, composed of Radical Republicans and Socialists, many of whom organized themselves into advanced fighting forces to combat the Absolutists. By the conclusion of 1895, with the military still bogged down in conventional warfare, the Socialist militia's decisively defeated its opposition, declaring itself, "The True Protectors of America." This was greatly troubling to the members of New York society, immediately demanding the disbandment of the militia's across the nation in a act supported by the Royal Edict of December 17. In a nearly unanimous reaction, the independent fighting forces refused, and instead formed a umbrella force that composed of all the rural, suburban, and urban militia, titled: The Red Army. At this point, the American Nobility, while still sustaining the unity of the nation through concessions to the Liberals, sought to ensure the loyalty of the armed forces.
Reactionary Rebels being executed by Republican Militias (Nevada)
Unsure and discomforted, Maximilian appointed himself the mechanical head of the American Royal Forces, refusing to substitute himself with a professional for fear of defection. While this act was performed in the effort to sustain the unity of the Armed Forces, instead, it shattered it. On February 3rd, 1896, leftist members of the military, disturbed the Royal assumption of the military, initiated a mass mutiny, most prominent in the Navy. Gabriels, rushed to the streets of Boston, and exclaimed, "Workers of America! To Arms!" In his footsteps, they followed. Tens of thousands of Industrial Workers, having bore the weight of oppression for decades, rushed into the streets into strike and riot, firing upon soldiers that intended to disperse them. In conclusion however, many of such soldiers would simply lay down their weapons, and join the rebels. Such actions saw the majority of the urban centers overrun with the leftist forces, under a loose collection of organized factions.
The Workers in Boston rise in this early 20th century illustration.
Perhaps the most defining moment of such a rebellion came in late march, when the Urban Factions, and the rural militias agreed to swear allegiance to a single high command, The Red Army and The Protector of the People, Artel Gabriels. Within a few weeks the Socialist High Command had started to amalgamate the common people into a powerful military force, capable of opposing one of the most advanced armies in the world. And indeed, it was. The Royal Army, while demoralized by the recent events, commanded the most disciplined officers and soldiers in the modern west, with artillery capabilities that could easily shatter any foe. Nonetheless, the Royalists began to abandon cities, the last of whom was New York, and the subsequent flight of the Royal Family. As the East coast crumbled away, the capabilities of Industry followed, with the seizure of factories across the region being supplemented by The Red Army and nearby Republicans. The drastic switch in economic capabilities allowed the rebels to produce vast amount of arms that the Royalists could no longer provide.
Workers and Soldiers seize a factory from a Royalist Official and his unit.
1896, for all intensive purposes, was no short of total anarchy. With Rebel forces intent on outproducing their opponent and avoiding confrontation, His Majesty began calling in troops from the African theatere, only to have the remainder of his fleet crushed just outside of Baltimore, in the Battle of Baltimore Bay. It was not until late fall that the Royalists were able to retain control of the oceans, with a naval intervention coming on behalf of the British (who could fear nothing more then a Socialist nation upon her borders.) Yet a armed intervention, was a different story. British forces were unable to land, as rebel coastal guns and a strong defensive fleet prevented such attempts, while a invasion through the North was ultimately dismantled due to unfavorable weather conditions. The chaos that engulfed the American continent ended the following year, when the Red Army decisively went upon the offensive, pushing west towards the Mid-Western states. Royalists were able to achieve a string of victories, holding off their opponent until summer, when a counter-attack in the North resulted in massive loyalists casualties.
Perhaps the most fierce section of the war, was the Battle of the Great Lakes, lasting nearly from March 1897, to November, and including over 500,000 troops in the first instance of military trench warfare. To both sides, dominance over the Great Lakes was imperative, as it provided possible landings for troops transportation deep into the heart of enemy territory. The nine month battle cost over 230,000 lives, with a rebel victory merely restoring the war into a general stalemate. The stalemate concluded in January of 1898, when the Royal Family was massacred by a group of Communist soldiers. The death of Maximilian in the absence of an age-apparent heir, prompted a coup that thrust a reactionary party in charge of the Royalists. The result was a second mutiny, allowing the Rebels to make a final push, defeating their opponents in the Summer.
The Battle in the Trenches of the Great Lakes
In the end, a republic was formed. Republicans, Socialists, and Communists, while all sharing different ideals, proudly held up the prospect of the First American Republic for all the world to see. Such a idea, indeed, had never been thought of before, and to the rest of the west, startled them. The British Monarch in disgust once said, "Is this what would have happened had Washington not taken the crown!?"
I hope you enjoyed this AAR, my first of the kind.
