Welfare of the Cantons: A Swiss AAR

[stnylan]

So, Von Reinhard's paranoia regarding Catholics ensures that his so-called allies further the Catholic cause yet keep him in an information vacuum.

I think that is called getting his just desserts, or something

 

[Cinéad IV]

Fantastic! Lets hope your small surplus is transformed into a big once once your businessmen begin making money

 

[unmerged(87106)]

Nice update...

A "New Era" sounds good to me!



asd

 

[robou]

Sematary: Thanks

germanpeon: you would indeed, new additions from VIP 0.2

stnylan: haha yes, or just me not looking at who i was converting while playing

Cinéad IV: as long as i don't go bankrupt, everything should work out...

asd21593: Well it only took 6 updates to finally get to the start of it

update is coming now...

 

[robou]

1837: More Choices and World Events

7.


On February 9th, about a month a year after the project had begun in January 1836, the Swedish Scientist John Ericsson*, in Swiss employ, found a way to make the steam engine practical, which would help the general efficiency of all workforces, but most of all would help in Sulphur production, with the new innovation of the Contact Process. It would also allow other scientists, as Ericsson left Switzerland for the United States of America after finishing his project for the Swiss, to seek better ways to use pressure to increase the use of the steam engine, and also lead the way into Mechanical Production methods. Ericsson held a display in Bern for a month before leaving the country and allowing the Alpine nation to harness his new innovation.

The release of John Ericsson's Practical Steam Engine, Bern February 9th, 1837

John Ericsson, the famous Swedish Scientist​

Another project would now recieve government funding, although that was in high demand. The council would have choose from a list of valid projects requesting funding.

Strategic Mobility would certainly be a useful doctrine to follow in the rough mountain terrain of Switzerland, but the precious resources of the government could not be wasted on an army that was unlikely to fight a war. The government would just have to take a risk and pray for the best in diplomatic immunity.

Since Switzerland had no coastline, and hence no standing navy, without a want to get one in the first place, research into Battleship columns was turned down without the dossier of information even being read by any member of the council.

Again, funding was asked for to construct a stock exchange in Bern, which was seriously thought about, as it would increase the economic ability of the new Entrepreneurs ten-fold. This would be classed as a finalist candidate.

Research into romantisict ways of thinking was also put forward, and this was taking hold in Italy and France, but the Swiss would have none of it. In no way was cultural development connected to the government, and hence the idea was rejected, just as the development into naval thinking was. If the Swiss people were to develop, they would do so in their own time, or if the government felt a change was needed.

The last project to be put forward was an extentsion of the research done by Ericsson, and was to be carried out by the remains of his Swedish team who had stayed in Switzerland. This would help improve the efficiency of factories, and make heavy industry more viable for a small country like Switzerland. This project was accepted as a finalist.

The projects put forward for government funding, 1837 ​

It was a tight call between the two finalists. Two things eventually decided it for the council, though. In Switzerland's democratic cousin, the United States of America, the so called 'Wildcat Banks' and huge fluctuations in the stockmarket were causing a huge panic in the American population, who began selling and buying shares like madmen. The "Panic of 1837" also spread into Mexico and impoverished the already poor population of that country. The Swiss could hardly risk that ammount of fluctuation, and therefore turned down the idea of a stock exchange until the world market had cooled down. On the other side, the Swedish team pledged that their research would also help in timber production, which was holding back the Swiss Lumber production and making a need for expensive imports, and that following research into using Steam power in more than just Sulphur mining, but also in Iron and Coal mining and Steel production; all of which were vital parts of the Swiss economy. Therefore, the government kept their financial support with the Swedish team.

The Swedish Team win government backing for the second time in two years​

World Events:

In Spain, a civil war between the Carlists, in support of Infante Carlos brother of the dead King Ferdinand VII, and the Liberals, insupport of Isabella II of Spain, the dead King's daughter, had been raging since 1833. After seven years of endless war in the Basque and Catalonian regions of Spain, Liberal (or Isabellino) troops had got the better of their Carlist enemies, mainly due to British and French funding and being in control of the formal government of Spain. When, on March 5th, the Carlist General, Rafael Maroto, surrender in the so called Abrazo de Vergara (embrace in Vergara), the war was won by the Isabellinos. Carlos agreed to meet with his neice and make terms. The Carlists gave up much of their land to the Isabellinos, but Carlos was allowed to keep small parts of Northern Spain as compensation for his loss.

End of the First Carlist War, March 5th, 1837​

Barely weeks later, another long civil war ended in Brazil. The War of the Farrapos was brought to an inconsequestional status-quo peace. The self-proclaimed Piratini Republic, centered around the regions of Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná, had fought a guerilla war, attracting commanders from around the world, like the failed Italian revolutionary, Italo Garibaldi, to its cause. The small republic had held off everything that Emperor Pedro II of Brazil could throw at them and had brought the resources of the largest South American country to a halt. They would gain independance, and recognition from Europe, but no land. The peace was signed in Rio de Janerio on March 20th, 1837.

The Treaty of Rio de Janiero, March 20th, 1837 ​

The only other event that attracted world attention was the arrival of Texan diplomats in the courts of the Great Powers. Texas had fought a bloody war of independance against the government of Mexico throughout 1836, and had won its independance, if nothing else. The two nations still hated each other, and it was clear that Texas needed allies if it was not to beaten into the depths of the history books by an enraged Mexican Nation. The United States of America, of where most of the Texans were from, the United Kindom and France all guarenteed Texas its independance, and the young nation was appeared to be safe. However, they still held claims over vast swathes of Mexican territory, which would doubtless cause conflict later on.

The black area are the disputed territories claimed by Mexico, Texas, and the USA (through Manifest Destiny)​

Notes:
*Ericsson would famously design USS Monitor later on

 

[stnylan]

Yes, the nice think about Switzerland is the ability to (more or less) ignore naval techs.

 

[robou]

Ok, sorry to say this folks, but i am calling this to a halt. This isn't due to lack of comments (i acctually got more than i expected) or too any of you. It is simply because an internally based AAR in a country as small as Switzerland where nothing of great interest goes on is direly boring. However, i have learnt a few things on this short journey which i am going to use to build up my next AAR, which will be similar but different at the same time. Question is, which nation to play as. I have a hotlist for you to choose from. Take your pick:

1. USA - 1 Votes
2. Prussia - 3 Votes
3. Russia - 3 Votes

which out of those three?

thanks for all the support i have had for this one, and hope you can follow onto the next, and hopefully, more interesting AAR.
Thanks
Rob

 

[unmerged(62170)]

I can see why you'd lose interest in Switzerland (hardly Las Vegas now is it ) but its still a shame. Hopefully you'll keep up the high quality in your next AAR.

If I had to pick I'd go with Russia, but I dunno

 

[Mishgan]

Pick the Bear! Pick the Bear!

 

[germanpeon]

Too bad that it is ending, it was a great idea. I can see why it ended though.

My top choice would be Russia, beating the USA by a hairs breadth. If you make the AAR in the style of your Italy or Swiss AAR I would be extremely happy. I love the history book with sprinklings of gameplay any lots of in-game screenies.

 

[robou]

Too bad that it is ending, it was a great idea. I can see why it ended though.

My top choice would be Russia, beating the USA by a hairs breadth. If you make the AAR in the style of your Italy or Swiss AAR I would be extremely happy. I love the history book with sprinklings of gameplay any lots of in-game screenies.

it is most liekly to be something along those lines. That said, there is still the possibility that i might do an American Civil War AAR in the Narrative/History book style as an undecided side as yet. Would that be popular?

 

[unmerged(87106)]

Sad to see this go, but I completely understand.

I'd like to see USA, considering that there is already a Russia AAR going on. I'd love to see USA in the style of "Rocky Road."

In any case, this was a great, well-written AAR.

Good luck on future endeavors!



asd

 

[germanpeon]

That said, there is still the possibility that i might do an American Civil War AAR in the Narrative/History book style as an undecided side as yet. Would that be popular?

I would be mildly interested (in comparison to your Italy and Switzerland AARs), but it would be infinitely better if it didnt cover only the ACW, but was a genuine GC from start to finish. Couldnt hurt to put extra flair on the ACW, though, if thats what you are interested in.

 

[unmerged(87106)]

it is most liekly to be something along those lines. That said, there is still the possibility that i might do an American Civil War AAR in the Narrative/History book style as an undecided side as yet. Would that be popular?

Maybe it's just because as an American, I've had Civil War heroics shoved down my throat since elementary school but...

I'd rather not see an ACW narrative, there seems to be a lot of those (not currently, but it has been done before, a lot)

Nevertheless, if you want to, go ahead, I'll read your great writing anyway...



asd

 

[robou]

I would be mildly interested (in comparison to your Italy and Switzerland AARs), but it would be infinitely better if it didnt cover only the ACW, but was a genuine GC from start to finish. Couldnt hurt to put extra flair on the ACW, though, if thats what you are interested in.

i will put that in as a suggestion as well then I must agree with asd on the subject of Russia as well, as there is already one running.

 

[unmerged(75640)]

I want to see what you can do with Prussia. I think that would far outstrip both the US and Russia. That being said I am sorry to see this end but I know what you mean by it being boring. Also there is a US AAR going on, mine.

Oh and since this is over and all I guess I might as well say this. I was going to nominate this for the ACAs.

 

[Nikolai]

Either Prussia or Russia would get my vote.

 

[robou]

Oh and since this is over and all I guess I might as well say this. I was going to nominate this for the ACAs.

you can always vote for the Rocky Road, that is in this ACA as well

 

[unmerged(81390)]

Prussia!

 

[unmerged(77251)]

Take anyone you want - but don t stop !