Principie Moderni IV (Map Game) Relocation Page

The Ming Dynasty still rules over the vast lands of China. On the other side of the world, the Hundred Years War continues between England and France. Europe is still stuck in the old ways of feudalism and chivalry while the notions of a New World are considered figments of the imagination.

We welcome you to the long-awaited fourth expansion of that immortal series. Welcome to Principia Moderni IV! Starting in 1400 AD, this is the dawn of the modern world and the tail end of the Middle Ages. The Renaissance is just kicking off in Europe, while the nations in the western side of the continent are locked in the last gasp of the Hundred Years War. The Muslim world is still reeling from the invasions of Turks and Mongols, with the Caliphate resting in the collapsing Mamluk Egypt and the Ottomans on the rise in Anatolia. Make it count.

The first game was the most successful on the wiki, leading all the way to the modern day with mostly plausible posts and little controversy. The second game reached almost to the modern day, but failed due to a plethora of ASB events and moderator bias. The third game was much more worthy of the first, almost running into implausibility but climbing back into a shining glory by the end. Riding on the latest reforms of map games since the end of PMIII, this is the most logical next step in that evolution. Remember, above all other rules, — have fun.

Important Pages

• Rules and Algorithm
• Alliances
• Holy Roman Empire
• Feudal Dynasties
• College of Cardinals
• Nations

The Night's Watch (Moderators)

• Lord Commander Scrawland
• First Ranger Wolves
• First Builder Callumthered
• First Steward SkyGreen24
• Maester GunsnadGlory
• The Mountain that Rides Feudy McPlagueface
• The Rising Tide Solace
• Eunuch User:Person67

The Wildlings

All users currently on the wiki may play unless otherwise noted.

Banned Users

A ban from plausibility strikes lasts 30 days, after which the third strike is repealed and the banned player is unbanned. However, the newly unbanned player rejoins the game with two strikes, as a form of probation.

• Bear - 1648

Plausibility Strikes

Three strikes and you're out! Each strike resets after 30 years of the most recent strike.

• Fallacy I

Moderator Strikes

These are strikes for moderators and how they moderate. The same three strikes rules apply. If a moderator is banned from moderating. However, they can still play as their nation. Mod strikes can be delivered in one of three ways:

1. If a sufficient number of players (more than half of all players voting) vote to give a moderator a strike.
2. If I, Scraw, give them a strike.
3. If a majority of all mods (i.e., more than half of the total number of mods, excluding that moderator) vote to give a moderator a strike.

Moderators can be given strikes for the following reasons:

1. Exhibiting bias that would benefit the nation they are playing.
2. Exhibiting bias that would negatively affect a player they have a personal dispute with.
3. Making a ruling that contradicts a proven fact from OTL or an established fact from earlier in the game.
4. Overruling a decision of a majority of moderators.

The Game

1850

We're trying to move through turns faster, only possible if people post fast. Person.

The government in Austria falls and the Germania front takes over. Revolutions continue elsewhere with calls for more true democracy. In Prussia the Germania front supported by weapons supplied by the Rhineland attacks conservative politicians.

• Japan: Western Advisors brought over from Burgundy are appointed to a special government department known as the "Western Industrialization Commission". In the city of Sapporo, the first modern factory is built in Japan with the help of Burgundian architects. In the Governate of Fiji, a massive shipyard is constructed. European technology imported from Burgundy begins being implemented in the cities of Edo and Kyoto. The Japanese navy is expanded and updated. Settlement starts up again in New Caledonia and New Britain. A colonial outpost is also created on the largest of the Solomon Islands, with the Japanese officially laying claim to the islands as dependencies of the Papuanyu Governate. Papuanyu is also expanded along the coast with the new land being set aside for plantations in the core of the island, where deforestation occurs. Japanese traders start trading in the Indian Ocean. Shinto continues to syncretize with Catholicism. The Japanese police force becomes more standardized and are equipped with modern weapons. More Japanese people drink coffee so they can do more work. In Edo, several Japanese scholars become infatuated with liberalism and write the book "Kyōwakoku" or Republic, on the values of democracy, republicanism and liberalism and how they could be applied to Japan. The book takes hold in a minority of the pro-western intelligentsia while most still favor a near absolute monarchy like Russia or a semi-constitutional monarchy like Burgundy. In December, a popular vote is conducted and most people favor to dissolve the parliament. Prime Minister Tojo and the Emperor's cabinet take heed of this and begin making plans for a second Japanese constitution. Missions are built in Papua, Sulawesi and Java. Catholicism becomes a prominent religion among natives in Angu-Zia.
  • I thought your date on industrialization was 1860? ~Nic
  • I'll see what Scraw and Person have to say, but as Nic pointed out, the industrialization date that was approved was 1860, not 1850. And although you may now have Burgundian technology/architects, that still does not mean you have the resources to begin creating factories until later. -Sol
  • I said, begins, the technology is extremely sparse and mostly symbolic. Full scale industrialization will begin in 1860.

• Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in number of slaves. More soldiers enter the Swazi land, now numbering 100,000, to assist them with defense. Several new roads are continuing being built in Aliwa and Rowzi to supply the soldiers. The marines launch an attack upon the Zulu coast.
  • Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonization begins to connect the settlements.
  • Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
  • Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We request British and Iberian support for future industrialization in return for foodstuffs and goods.
    • Iberian Diplomats: We will accept these terms if our rightful claims in Angola are returned.

• Belkan Empire: Under the leadership of Zaiyetsev and the tsar, Vladimir, the Belkan armies absolutely wipe out the mainland armies of Samothrace and keep a heavy blockade on the Kretian forces while preparing a massive landing for of nearly 400,000 to land at different parts of the island to simply overwhelm whats left of the Kretians. The economy - after two years of buildup and repairing from the civil war - has undergone good development but not up to top level growth yet. The reunification of the secessionist states continues with Bulgaria officially being fully readmitted to the Empire as a full state after its repairing operation had gone smoothly and large amounts of political elections has resulted in loyalists elements taking complete control of the legislation there. While the Imperial Government retains majority control it seeks to implement a long standing objective of ending the final breakaway state and fully reunifying Belka in its entirety launching a huge operation against the remainder of the Krete/Samothrace Federation. The operations are launched in quick succession overwhelming many of the islands and seizing the undermanned forts relatively easily. The only difficult fight stands in Krete itself where the final stand at Harakleion ends in a brutal yet Decisive battle. With the seizure of all of the disputed territory, the small Islamic Federation ends and its leadership is jailed and its architects hung for treason. The territories are quickly reintegrated as military governates while they are rebuilt to a point of rejoining the empire as full states. For the first time since the end of the civil war population growth is in the positive with Belka boasting 57 million people and growing. Some smaller cities have effectively been rebuilt while the countryside and smaller villages are rebuilt. The end of the final war against the third Belkan breakaway state leaves Belka with a standing 1.2 million strong army, almost all veterans. The very decisive actions by France diplomatically bring Belka to no other choice but to leave its military standing and the Robust Belkan banking system allows for favorable and large loans to finance the army and the rebuilding. The recent deals with Egypt open a whole new market for Belkan goods which does help with the profit margins. The Belkan navy finishes its expected modernization plan and unveils altogether the 25 modern ships it has constructed over the last few years. Five 120-Gun armored sheathed ships-of-the-line, ten 80-gun armored sheathed second-rate ships-of-the-line, four armored steamships boasting 60-guns, and six 50-gun heavy frigates. Multiple older ships are retired from service to balance out service costs. Belka officially sends a few regiments consisting of 30,000 men to Egypt in a show of good faith as well as advisors and arms to facilitate Egypt's adoption of Belkan Shock warfare tactics.
• Russia: The Cossack settlers of the Great Basin and the territories of Kartoshka (OTL Idaho area) start their conquest north to Avalonian Plains west of the Rockies (this is Alberta, using Avalon as the name because there is no name for Canada). Gold is discovered flowing from the Yukon River leading to a gold rush in Alyeska and people moving north planting land claims. The city of Lucentum (OTL San Francisco) is renamed New Constantinople and becomes a major hub for sailors to get drunk and gamble. Many of the rich in the New World colonies move to the city. In other New World news, the colonial territory of Aleutia, the first overseas colony of Russia is admitted into the empire as a Province, this kick starts the beginning of colonial integration with the Mainland. In the heartland of Russia near Kursk, plumes of smoke come from a small farm house and people think a fire had broken out. It turns out this is a working steam motor from the Cherdenkos. The father and son are brought forth by the tsar, and are given imperial funds to develop steam engines for the Russian armed forces and public. Crown Prince Vladimir at 19 decides to tour the New World colonies, but takes a ship from Sevastopol to New Valois to establish diplomatic relations in Laurentia, namely Brésil, his journey will take him to the coast of Burgundian Patagonië, up to New Grenada and eventually Russia’s rival in the New World, Aztlan. Tsar Konstantin decides to wave a hand of friendship to Russia’s old friend Hungary seeing the new French alliance, to re-establish the defensive pact with Hungary, formerly known as the League of Eagles (Mod Response).
  • Yeah, Hungary and Russia sign a defensive pact. Person.
  • Prussian Diplomacy: Seeing how Prussia feels uneasy over the French decision to include the Rhineland's into their alliance, we seek for a friend to our East to join their alliance of the League of Eagles.
  • Burgundian Dip: like Prussia, Burgundy also looks to join the League of Eagles.
• France: President Alarie properly resigns after having an affair with a prostitute, ending his marriage and effectively tarnishing the Conservative Party's reputation as an honest, fair and Catholic political faction. Due to the President's failed reforms and a decreasing economy, the call for a new constitution is made by the National Committee, after both citizens and politicians decidedly begin seeing the Republic has weaker than the Monarchy that had existed prior. Thus, the government is re-formed from a unitary constitutional presidential republic to a federal constitutional parliamentary republic, with the position of President being replaced with Chancellor, and the position of Vice President being replaced with Premier. Elections for the newly created positions of Chancellor and Premier are intended to occur in the next year, with the current Vice President being placed as the temporary Chancellor until then. The federal system, inspired by the late Belkan Federation, is partially implemented, with federal state elected politicians making up the new National Congress. The elections for the National Congress are made this year, and out of the 110 seats available, the New Democracy Party obtains 49, the Republican Party obtains 29, the Neo-Monarchist Party gains 15, the Bonaparte-Monarchist Party gains three seats, with the remaining eight seats being made of independents. The military is organized into ten divisions of 100,000. Industrialization continues. By the end of the year, the battleship known as Le Napoléon is created, supporting 90-guns and a purposed steam engine. Inspired by the deceased man of the same name, it is meant to pay homage to the power that was Napoleon and his influence in France. Only one is created at this time and it is expected that another one shall be created once per year for ten years total. After years of research and development, the French scientist Pierre successfully isolates a type of anti-malarial drug from the bark of a tree in the Cinchona genus, allowing for the successful treatment for malaria (and before someone decides to be like "oh, well that shouldn't be possible at this time", let me remind you that quinine was not only isolated in OTL France, but it was also isolated in 1820, so I think for it to have been isolated by now and with the French having had a large reason to begin research into an anti-malarial drug (especially due to the failed colonization of the Kongo), it is both reasonably and overly plausible). Russian bouque music begins relatively popular, with music preaching about the industrial worker's life, the common soldier's lows, and pipe dreams about the perfect state. Most of these musical artists originate from the southern French regions of Occitania and Basque, as well as Navarre and portions of coastal Savoy. Popular artists include Pierre "Little Peep" Dufour, Alfred "Logic" Dumont, and Jérome "MadeinBSQE" Sardou. the port cities in mainland China continue to generate trade between the western Republic and the eastern Empire, and with the full buyout of the Papua colonies having been finished, trade with the tribal states in Papua begins, allowing for the exportation of high quality goods and the importation of modern technology and literature, as well as Christianity. A military alliance, known currently as the Pact of Steel, is offered to Sicily, the Rhineland, Poland and Hungary, and is meant to be a large, systematic military alliance that can take on the powers of Belka and Britain, in the case of another European war happening (Scraw). The population reaches 31 million by the end of the year, and although nationalism is at a median, it is on the rise following a very popular and enlightening year in France.
  • French Ere: Christianity continues being implemented in society, now displacing Islam. Although Kuzirism is still relevant in parts of the state, it has substantially declined in popularity due to Christianity. In terms of governance, schools are further updated with French cataloged information about technology and medicine, as well as how to build most industrialization technology that has been either re-worked and reverse-engineered by the French at some point. Agriculture flourishes as it always seems to do. The neighboring tribal warlord states, Warri and Nri, are offered colonial vassalization into the larger French Benin, with the same offers that were given to the state of Ere.
  • The Rhineland and Poland agree. The Papal States catch wind of what's going on and secretly send word to France that they would greatly prefer if they didn't align with Sicily. Hungary is too scared of Belka to join in. -s
  • French Diplomacy: It is decided that Sicily will not join the defense pact, and it is requested that the Czech State join the military pact instead.
• Ethiopia: Ioshua sends an expedition to find a study the source of the White Nile in order to further understand why the river flows North instead of South. To attract more European investors and settlers the more upscale parts of Addis Ababa, Axum and Adulis are slowly paved and bricked. To keep unemployment low the government contacts men to help pave more roads around the country and clear trees for more farm land. The Red Sea fleet begins its modernization program, aiming to become the model of what a fleet should look like in Africa. The populace continues to like the rule of Ioshua known for being a gentle and caring Emperor. Coffee and cereal products continue being churned out at a high rate in workshops. With life generally improving people now have more time to spend their money and coffee shops begin to slowly pop up in the major cities.
  • French Diplomacy: If Ethiopia has any valuable or rare resources, the French would like to begin trading.
  • Ethiopia Diplomacy: We have gold, platinum and coffee to offer.
  • French Diplomacy: Excited after hearing about there being gold and platinum in Ethiopia, an envoy of diplomats are sent to Ethiopia to work out a sort of 'protectorate' agreement (OCC Solace: Basically, you continue playing as Ethiopia, but I have claims over you in Africa [for an idea of how this would look, see British India on the map]. If you agree, I can send stuff over and you can begin proper industrialization).
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: The reinforcement of soldiers in Ireland is continued with last year's militia raising send to Ireland. The Irish Famine Act is passed fining landowners for renting out plots of land less than £5 in yearly rent because it is seen to be the cause of the problem that the poor don't have enough land needed. Mass evictions continue, while in attempt to appease the rest of the Irish, exports are allowed again and a lot of the land taken from the smaller land holders goes to larger land holders or a few individuals. The rest are forcibly moved into India. Uluru receives a wave of Indian settlers who settle in Uluru and set up farms. England has a population of 15.4 million, Wales has 1.1 million, Ireland has 5.7 million people, and Scotland 2.6 million. In Britain, based in southern England, the army rests at 5000 professionals with 40,000 men in Ireland. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. The number of railways being built increases with connections between the coal mines and industry towns on the north. Industry is expanding quickly due to Britain's trade networks. The gold rush continues as more people move to Uluru and others are transported. Further prospecting continues in search of more precious minerals. The expedition down the Nile returns having taken casualties but they can testify that the Nile is very long. Finding a cure for the tropical diseases becomes important but isn't managed yet. Work on the ports in British North Africa is begun to expand their capacity. A fleet comprising two first-rate ships-of-the-line, seven second-rate ships-of-the-line and 14 frigates is dispatched to Egypt to support them in their conquest of the Sinai.
  • India: The movement of goods to Europe speeds up again. Further training of a central army occurs. The British continue work on Rohtasgarh Fort. The mass arrival of the Irish in west India is tough for the Indians but they're told to keep to themselves largely so it's fine. Indians are taken from cities and moved to Uluru.
  • The king thanks the British for their support and in return, orders a mini-port city to be built on the OTL location of Port Said, and for it to be named after the current king of Britain.

• Sultanate of Egypt: The Sultan declares himself King of Egypt instead of the sultan, and renamed Egypt into the Kingdom of Egypt. We send diplomats to both Belka and Britain to establish diplomatic ties with them, and offer them to station their troops in Egypt, and say that we will lease the Suez Canal to both of them for 100 years of they both jointly administer it, in exchange, they will send doctors, teachers, military advisors, and allow foreign exchange students to study in their capitals and universities, along with them both supporting Egypt against the Arabs (FEUD AND PERSON RESPONSE NEEDED!!). We continue to slowly build up our infrastructure, such as continuation with roads along the Nile, and starting to build up more of our major cities such as Giza and Alexandria. European weapon designs are adopted and begin being built and supplied to our soldiers on the front lines in the Sinai. Old Egyptian architecture and culture is celebrated and paid homage to in the form of the first ancient Egyptian museum in Egypt, which has King Muhammed Ali II in person there to open the new museum. The museum includes many ancient artifacts found during the Napoleonic Wars, and has the most charable artifact of all time, the Rosetta Stone, on display. The museum is styled in a combination of old Egyptian architecture and modern European architecture. Islam is also included in a celebration of Egyptian history and culture, and living an Islamic life is highly encouraged, and many anti-drug and alcohol laws are passed this year, in attempt to gain support from the Caliph in Cairo. Parliament passed new legalisation fully legalizing public Coptic worship in Egypt as a whole, and takes it to the next step by introducing freedom of religion to Egypt, and actively encourages diversity in religion. Militarization of the mouth of the Nile continues, and many soldiers are placed around the Nile, with many military ships patrolling the Nile River.
  • Belkan Dip: Belka agrees and immediately requests a similar port to Britain near Alexandria as well as sending engineers to begin looking at the development of Suez.
• The king automatically agrees and offers a one-year lease of the port city of Damietta, which Belka can renew every year by paying Egypt 300,000 USD.

• Republica Iberia: In 1850 Republica Iberia continues the reforms aimed at pulling Iberia into step with the rest of Europe. The High Command of the Fuerzas Armadas de Iberia continues the reforms of the Army, bringing Sandoval Rifles into service in the Brigada Assalta and a carbine version into service with the Brigada Rapida and Brigada Colonia. By the end of the year the entirety of the Iberian Army is equipped with the Sandoval Rifles or Carbines. With the navy’s shipyards brought up to speed the navy orders the production of eight first-rate frigates and 12 second-rate frigates in addition to the 16 third-rates already in service. The hulls of the first four first-rate steamships-of-the-line are completed this year while the hulls of another four of the second-rate steamships-of-the-line are also completed. The hulls of the other four first-rate steamships-of-the-line are laid-down along with another four of the second-rate steamships-of-the-line. Efforts continue to modernize the older ships from the First Republic and the Navy begins using the sailors as a workforce to help in the modernization efforts. Industrialization of Northern Iberia continues with strong growth in coal production and factory construction. The iron industry continues its boom around Toledo and large textile plants open across Catalonia. Rail service continues to expand and and many cities have at least some form of access. Cotton from the increasingly productive Andalucia floods into Catalonian textile mills. Farming flourishes in the South as the large system of water management allows some farmers to grow two crops in a single year.
  • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: Colonial Governor, Santiago Fernández resumes his plans for expansion once more with the continued support of the Brigada Colonia from. The colony now spans from Maghreb to nearly the north bank of the Rio Senegany (OTL Senegal). Facing impenetrable desert inland the colony expands into the last remaining land in the strip of coast. With no direction for colonial expansion, voices of empire grow restless in the colony and parliament of Iberia.A Diplomatic Envoy is sent to Senegany (the country just south of the Iberian Colony) offering protectorship. A detachment of 1000 of the Brigada Colonia accompanies the envoy to the border to act as encouragement. (Mod Response Needed)
    • French Diplomacy: Iberia is offered membership into the military alliance: Pact of Steel.
    • Iberian Diplomacy: Membership into the Pact is rejected as Belka and the United Kingdom currently do not threaten Iberian Sovereignty.
• Brésil: The territories acquired in Argentine are integrated fully. However, dissent is cracked down upon as well. The new king ascending to the purple is a 26-year-old man named Tomás de Valois, and he has plans for the nation. He subsidises the lumber industry as well as the shipping industry. He promotes settlement of the interior and encourages farming along the Amazon River. Barges carry food from farms in the Amazon to the coastal cities, supporting a lot of growth. The armed forces are expanded, with new equipment coming in, as well as a small arms manufacturing company. An offer is made to Iberia, asking for an island in the east for Brésilian trade. Also, the Tomás doctrine is established, saying "We, the Brésilians, feel that it is our duty to secure our independence. To further this interest, we hereby declare the unquestionable sovereignty of all nations on Laurentia and Arcadia, and will fight any outsiders who violate this aforementioned sovereignty. An attack on Laurentia or Arcadia is an attack on Brésil. In addition, we believe in self-determination, thus, any European nation with a presence in this hemisphere should withdraw or else invoke the Brésilian ire."

• Kingdom of Burgundy: Early in the year, the States-General authorizes the establishment of a new African colony, and after some consideration the location of OTL Monrovia, Liberia is chosen. Once the initial fort is constructed, it is named Lodewijkstaad, after the last king. With the signing of an alliance between Napoleon's Rhineland and France, King William orders the fortification of the Rhenish border, as well as the continued efforts on the French border, of which the St Quintin strategic fortress is nearing completion. Frederik Haussmann returns to the royal military after being granted an artillery contract last year, presenting a design for an artillery piece with a rifled barrel, and a screw block (OTL Armstrong screw breech) to allow reloading from the breech instead of the muzzle. He presents several designs, one for a three-inch diameter piece to serve as a light field gun (OTL Armstrong gun), and two different six-inch rifled cannon designs, one as a heavier field/siege gun, and one for use on warships. The naval variant design is sent to the appropriate department of the Royal Navy so they can properly test it, while the army is sent the three- and six-inch field gun designs. While the first prototypes are being built, it is expected the first tests will take place next year. An envoy is sent to Borneo, offering them protectorate status under Burgundy (mod response, please).
  • Borneo accepts these arrangement out of fear. -s

• Kingdom of Prussia: Prussia is politically fractured. On one side, you have the liberal groups being led by Schikelberger and on the other, you have Becker. Both sides seem to be leaning away from their original ideals and are noticeably becoming more radical. The king stops having support of Becker as it had moved away from what the king saw as “True Conservative Values”. The Deutsche Neutral is established by Otto Hess. Having a level of Charisma higher then Becker or Shickelberger he gathers the public eye under a view of peace, prosperity, and unity. Not in any separate faction but one in order to remain a balance within. Moderates from both ends of the spectrum, mainly citizens, flock to his speeches with one being held in Rostock that discussed the idea of political harmony and that how either factions had the wrong idea for Prussia and saw the Germania Front plus the diminishing liberal front and not to exclude the movement started by Karl Becker as factions that could not coexist and each at the very end seeking dominance to oppress the other. Hess went on gaining large crowds and also published a book called The Art of Union. It laid out the ideals that could help balance out and lead to a better society and organized factions directed to people who had plans and future ideas of having their own organizations and such but also gave light on what could go wrong and how to limit corruption. Hess was later quoted by a local newspaper discussing not just his book but the two conflicting sides of the Liberals and Conservatives as “A match without a spark. Only time will tell when they will cause a tragedy”. That day struck at 3:00 PM on March the 3rd. It occurs in Neubrandenburg following a speech made by Karl Becker. As he turned around to walk off the platform, a bullet is fired. Karl is dead. What ensued was a riot and screams as the counter rally organized by supporters of the Germania Front and the Liberal Front which included Schikelberger began to fire back at the Conservative organizers as guns pinned against each other and thousands of people were left amidst the chaos. The square where the speech was held became a war zone with both factions shooting and beating up one another and civilians that had been minding their own business and trying to hear from both sides were left trampled and dead. By the time it was contained, eight officers, 28 civilians, and 48 faction members were killed. The king was furious but felt empathy for those lives unfortunately lost. He had taken his time from the palace as a leader to attend funerals of the police force and civilians killed and laid out a message to the Kingdom advocating for political unity but does not hesitate to put blame on Napoleon. He mentions that if the leader had not funded the movement and if compromise could have been made, this would have likely not had happened. Across the nation, people marched in memory of those lost from all likes and groups. In the midst of the recovery, Schikelberger was killed by a gunman after he was accused of the murder of Karl Becker. This marked an end to the factions as both sides had their reputation in shambles and the leaders of both sides agreed to dismantle their groups. Due to the Germania Front having close relationship with the Liberal Front and had taken part of the event have several of their members charged with murder and the Germania Front being labeled as a Domestic Terror Group following their acts and attacks on Conservative politicians that happened to be members of the Diet and links to “Bloody Monday”. They were also not permitted to take part in any government affairs. This year following the events of what happened on “Bloody Monday”, Hess marched with his group to Neubrandenburg and stayed silent for 84 minutes in memory of those lives lost before giving a speech advocating once again for unity and peace with even former Members of both factions participating with one another. Family members of those lost also showed up and the other hundreds that were injured also took part. Hess following the votes after running with party members gain 28 seats. This astonishing victory showed evidence that the people wanted change and not just any change but peace and unity. In the meantime, the king gives the order to build defenses around Poland to ensure they would be a limited threat while on the Bohemian border, defenses and railways for our military are established. Fortifications are continued along the Rhenish border and materials and guides for further fortifications are sent to Saxony. We continue to focus on a naval build-up as well. Maximilian fears the power Napoleon has when it comes to influence and also how powerful he could be in theory when it comes to leading a military. In July during a cool summer day, an assembly is called with several military generals, marshals, war strategists, and university experts on the history of warfare and so forth. In this assembly, they are given the job to meet back in Berlin three times a week to discuss planning an offensive and defensive measure against Napoleon. This top secret planned was code named Operation: Blaue. Studies of the Belkan Civil War and strategies used by Napoleon are researched on as well as what the enemies flaws were are all done in extensive levels of government secrecy. Posters to report any suspicious activity from Germania Front Members are posted Nationwide. The fall of Austria is seen as no surprise and we request the newly established Austrian government to allow us to hold their royal family in exile. The bank charter act is passed preventing any new bank from being able to print banknotes and every time a bank is purchased, it will have to remove its notes from circulation. This leaves the Bank of Prussia in Berlin as one of the main producers of banknotes.
  • Saxony: Defences continue being built while anti Germania Front Posters are posted across the region with tight security for government facilities and such.
  • Greater Hussein: Elfenbein finally unites with the rest of Hussein and the territory is named Greater Hussein. In the meantime, more roads and homes are established as the German populace continues to rise with a new wave of migrants.

1851

The potato famine continues. Give it a bit longer but it's cooling now.

With revolution and protests spreading across the continent and the overthrow of the Austrian government, the Germania Front in Prussia declares a revolution in the name of a United Germany and they ask Rhineland and Austria to invade. The people reject the tyrant king's label of "domestic terror" and identify themselves as true patriots. They cry out for true German hero Napoleon to save them. The revolutionaries take control of Magdeburg and Cottbus, which become the focal points of revolutionary activity. People across the country are in revolt. Shickelberger is assassinated as an enemy of revolutionary thought.

Arab-Persian War ends in a decisive Persian victory. Check the map for the new borders.

Revolutionary elements overthrow the government of Sicily. However, the revolutionaries are pretty stupid and disorganized and within weeks their provisional government collapses due to infighting between the two leaders of the revolutionaries. The military deposes the revolutionaries under the pretenses of restoring order and the old regime but they end up establishing a permanent military government.

• Kingdom of Egypt: Cheering and dancing can be seen all over Cairo, as people welcome back the soldiers who fought fearlessly against the Arabian army to re-establish rightful Egyptian sovereignty over the Sinai Peninsula. In the city of Suez, people cheer and welcome the Egyptian soldiers, with many soldiers firing bullets into the air to signal victory. The king publicly thanks the Governments of Belka and Britain for aiding Egypt in retaking the Sinai. Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai are ordered to stop the offensive at Eilat (in present day Israel), and are told to entrench themselves and told to begin building up their defenses for a possible Arabian counterattack. The day will be forever be known as “Sinai Day”, as declared by parliament. We also declare that we will honor our deal with Britain and Belka and will Accept any cartographers who wish to map out the region for a future canal (FEUD AND PERSON RESPONSE NEEDED). We continue to build up our infrastructure, as new roads continue being built around the Nile, along with the expansion of the major cities of Alexandria and Cairo. Construction of the soon-to-be British port begins, and is to be named “King George’s Port”, and is located in the OTL Port Said area. Parliament and the Prime Minister begin to look South, as they wish to build up the mostly rural and weak infrastructure of Kush (Sudan), and order for the building of a brand new city in the OTL place of Khartoum, which is to be named “Alia” in honor of the Muhammed Ali Family. The king orders beginning the building of more schools in Giza and Alexandria, along with rural towns in Kush, to increase the literary rates and to educate his people, with the school architecture being based on British Architecture. Parliament passes an education reform, which sees Egypt adopting a combination of Belkan and British school systems. Egyptian History continues being consolidated throughout Egypt’s architecture and entertainment, along with education, as the king encourages and personally funds exhibitions to uncover more of Egypt’s history. King Muhammed Ali II, in order to gain more support and popularity among the Caliph of Cairo, encourages an Islamic way of life for all Egyptian Muslims and their families, and also encourages Studies of Islamic History and Sciences. A Secret delegation is sent to Addis Ababa, which tells Ethiopia to not accept protectorship of France, and instead to align itself with Egypt, as Egypt will trade and invest in Ethiopia.
  • Belkan Dip: We immediately send cartographers and engineers to look into the Canal Zone.
• France: The democratic elections take place at the beginning of the year, and Frédéric Daladier of the Conservative-Nationalist Party wins the election in a surprising 59% majority in comparison to the Democratic Party electee Gerard Avril. However, the Democratic majority of seats in the National Congress remains relatively high still, allowing for the democrats to maintain a power in the decision-making of new policies. The military is increased to a total of twenty divisions of 200,000 total soldiers, and after preparing society of the plans, explaining how more natural resources like iron ore are needed to further industrialize the state, as well as saying how "democracy is freeing the people of the coast to better their lives", war is declared on Maghreb in hopes of taking both Morocco and Algeria. Two companies of 75,000 soldiers each are sent to the respective locations (being Morocco and Algeria, that is), and two fronts are opened. By the end of the year, both Morocco and Algeria are occupied with minimal casualties taken. With the quick defeat of the Maghreb Sultanate over the period of a few months, a treaty is ordered by the end of the year, asking that Maghreb cede everything west of the OTL Tunisia border to France (Mod, Algo is posted). With citizen uprisings taking place around the occupied territory, suppression begins as the 140,000 troops set up military camps and bases around the cities of Algiers and OTL Rabat. Any hint of opposition is taken violently in this occupation, with any and all opposing forces being shot or killed. Modern industrial military technology is sent down to French Ere. Military fortification building begins on the Burgundian-French border, as well as the Iberian-French border. With Belka joining the Maghrebian side of the conflict, the cities of Algiers and Rabat are placed on lock down, with the 140,000 troops located taking the high ground of the cities, as well as blockading the entrance to the city. Mass and extensive conscription is expected to take place next year with members in the League of Eagles rising, and it is expected that the military troop numbers will raise from 200,000 active to 750,000 active by mid next year. The military budget raises from >1% GDP to almost 10% GDP, due to the expectancy of another large-scale European war occurring in the coming year and the need to be prepared for invasions at every corner. The Pact of Steel is effectively put on a "war warning", telling leaders of the Rhineland and Poland about the oncoming war and the steps needed to prepare before the outbreak.
  • French Ere: Conscription begins, with military generals and other advisers training soldiers in case of "the call for arms". By the end of the year, the military numbers 20,000, with the population being 2.2 million. The neighboring states of Warri and Nri are threatened to join French Ere, and if they decline, then war should be expected to be declared (Mod).
  • Iberian Diplomacy: Upon hearing of this blatant Frankish incursion into the Iberian sphere as prescribed in the Mediterranean Concord, to which Belka is a signator, the Republic dispatches a diplomatic envoy. The Republic sends an ultimatum to the French Government to abandon this attack on Maghreb. Otherwise, the Iberian Fleet will be forced to interdict the French invasion forces. Furthermore, the diplomats remind France that it recently fought a disastrous war and that its allies in Germany are also on the brink of conflict.
  • Belkan Dip: France is reprimanded in its blatant and obviously provocative invasion of Algiers as an attempt to try to force Iberia into a war over a sphere of influence while in a time of extremely high tensions in Europe. Belka responds with a total cessation of trade in key industrial products Belka has a decisive manufacturing advantage in. (I know I export a large amount of these products to most of Europe) including high quality steel, high quality cannons, munition, military related supplies, as well as huge amounts of iron, and railway components of which Belka is one of the industry leaders in production.
  • OOC Solace/ French Dip: As long as France has no status of membership in terms of being an observer or actual member of the Mediterranean Concord, then it does not apply to France. And no offense, but Iberia is seen as lapdogging Belka at this point with the Concord. And another thing, is that France hasn't fought a war since 1843, and due to the fact that the war was not a victory nor a loss, it is simply cataloged as a small but lengthy conflict and thus does not really effect political and public opinion toward any future conflicts past that point that does not include Burgundy, including the Franco-Maghrebian War that is going on now. To go back to the Mediterranean Concord, the "division" of the Mediterranean Sea does not take in account French naval/general presence in the Mediterranean Sea, thus invalidating it further. Not to mention that not even the Papal States haven't even partially recognized it. And just because a war is about to break out does not mean I can't do some colonial conquest while I wait. And another thing, if Iberia were to intervene in my colonial war because you, Steph, have interests in the region also, then I will call my allies to the conflict, which would probably cause the League of Eagles to be called to arms against the Pact of Steel because of Belka's membership in that, starting the Second Napoleonic/Large European War. Now after threatening war and debunking all of your reasoning for possibly stopping my conquest of Maghreb, do you still want to do what I think you are about to do? Globalism, even at a European-limited level, is ineffective still. I hope this doesn't change anything major between our nations; I just want you guys to respect my new claims on Africa. Now, please stop with this "splitting this and that" stuff like the Papacy did with Spain and Portugal in OTL and let me get some territory in northern Africa.
    • And I'm going to say this now, but is Person seriously allying with the anti-Napoleon League? Like, he had no problem not helping in the largest European conflict a decade ago since the early 1800's but now, all of a sudden, he is bandwagonning and ready for war? And, to be fair, I have not been totally aggressive at all, as I am merely debunking and stating reasons for what I am doing against three people. But oh well, the more the merrier. -Sol
    • You have made no secret that the Pact of Steel was anti-British for no reason and your alliance with Napoleon is working with a long term enemy. I didn't intervene in you going after Burgundy nor would I have intervened in the Pact of Steel yet you're forcing this on me but unlike Mrs May when someone threatens me I punch them before they carry out their threat. Person.
    • Anti-British? I thought you were staying neutral. And you saying how "working with a long term enemy" is hypocritical of you since you are in the same alliance as Burgundy, which has a more extensive differential history than British-Napoleon. -Sol
    • The Pact of Steel is clearly stated to be anti-British. You can't be neutral with your enemy. I would be neutral but you say you want to fight me. Person.
  • The demand made is basically almost all of Maghreb, Maghreb beseeches foreign powers to help them defeat France. Maghreb is probably going to have to surrender next turn, though. Person.
  • Belkan Dip: Belka agrees to help and requests military access.
  • Yeah, Maghreb grants military access.
• Russia: The Cherdenko steam engine tests the first locomotive on a platform showing it can work. National funds are allocated for building a railway from Novgorod to Feograd. In military terms, seeing how woefully outdated the Russian fleet is, it is decided to update the existing western fleets. 50 more ships would be added to each fleet over the coming years which would bring the total Baltic Fleet number to 200 and Black Sea to 150. Meanwhile, military plans are drawn up for future conflicts in the west and to Russia's south central. In foreign policy news, Burgundy is with open arms let into the League of Eagles, and with heavy consideration, Prussia is accepted with a five to four vote on the war and foreign affairs council. The Colonial Administration with backing of the tsar offers to sell Russia's claim west of 110th Meridian West in Arcadia to Scandinavia for whatever sounds price is reasonable with us (Mod Response). The famed Finnish Captain Kauko Haikkinen sets off for one final voyage, a trip from Helsinki to Cinigrad in Alaska rounding the cape, back down the coast of the New World to Helsinki up the Atlantic. Halfway there a sudden storm off the coast of Ere and lands on the African coast at the base of a river in the night. In the week that passed Haikkinen and his men fought valiantly against the black natives with their Kalashnikov breech-rifles and cannon fire from the ship. By the end of the hot week of fighting and near running out of ammunition a Burgundian ship out of the horizon appears and rescues the men. The area where Haikkinen landed was labeled Finnish point. The saving was also a fundamental reason on Burgundy's entry into the League. A special committee was set up, and while Haikkinen was back off doing his adventure around the world. A group of 200 soldiers with a few wives established Fort Posadka Krovi on the Africa Coast (OTL Libreville, Gabon). In Arcadia the first elements of the northern Sioux fight against Cossack settlers in "New Siberia". The Yukon Gold Rush continues as settlers pour into the region. Many people just sail up the Yukon River in armed boats or just march through the Pyotr Mountain Range. In New Constantinople the drunken palisades of life get the better of some people, a disgruntled gold miner and former sailor, along with being a Baltic German has a new hobby. Playing local bar named the Feodor gets him noticed in the music community. This man, a Stephen Mueller begins to right his own music and publishes them in songbooks. His current influential songs are, "Space Cossack", "Little Girl", "Chernobog", and "Going to the Country". Because of the sudden outbreak of war in the Mediterranean involving a League member, 500,000 troops are ordered to mobilize in preparation for war as commanders start to draw up plans.
  • Belkan Dip: We show great interest in joining the League and submit an official request for admission.
  • British Dip: We offer an alliance against French aggression to Russia.
  • The League of Eagles Committee accepts the British and Belkans into the alliance.
• Aztlan: Aztlan focuses on the new trading colony of Quilmes and gives it autonomy similar to the Hong Kong of our timeline making it more like a puppet state then a colony.

• Republica Iberia: The Provisional Capital in Valladolid is abandoned in favor of a newly constructed capital in the centrally located and historically important city of Madrid.The heightened tensions across Europe and the size of armies in the Franco-Burgundian War leads the Republic to become more militarized to preserve its sovereignty. The High Command of the Fuerzas Armadas de Iberia begins a national armament and organization program. Youths across the country are registered for military service and beginning in 1852 all 18-year-old males will be required to attend local regimental training camps for six weeks after harvest for a national reservist system. Furthermore, the Army orders Sandoval Rifles for a national armory in Toledo, plans are in place to have 200,000 rifles and carbines stockpiled there within the next five years. The fortification of the Pyrennean line are strengthened and the majority of the Iberian Army takes up positions in the few mountain passes, and the coastal lowlands. With the navy’s shipyards brought up to speed the navy orders the production of eight first-rate frigates and 12 second-rate frigates in addition to the 16 third-rates already in service. The hulls of all eight first-rate steamships-of-the-line are armed and outfitted, and all eight enter service in a christening ceremony attended by thousands in Barcelona. Another four of the second-rate steamships-of-the-line are also completed, and all eight completed ships enter service. The Navy decides to order another four first-rate steamships-of-the-line which are laid-down alongside the last four of the second-rate steamships-of-the-line. This will place the Iberian Navy on par with many of the other European navies and well ahead of those of most nations. Industrialization of Northern Iberia continues with strong growth in coal production and factory construction. The iron industry continues its boom around Toledo and large textile plants open across Catalonia. Rail service continues to expand and and many cities have at least some form of access. Cotton from the increasingly productive Andalucia floods into Catalonian textile mills. Farming flourishes in the South as the large system of water management allows some farmers to grow two crops in a single year. Envoys are sent to Belka to discuss the formation of a Mediterranean Concord to protect peace in these troubling times. The Frankish decision to invade Maghreb shocks the nation. The Mediterranean fleet of eight first-rates, eight second-rates, and 12 third-rates are deployed to rendezvous with the Belkan squadron. Plans for mass conscription are accelerated due to French aggression and by the end of the year the whole manpower of Iberia will be available for service. Hundreds of thousands of young men volunteer to join the Iberian Army after hearing of the dire nature of the continent. Meanwhile, the recruitment offices organize regimental training exercises and begin to produce the vast body of reservists needed for the coming war. Military spending increases dramatically and two new Sandoval Rifle plants open this year. The border is placed on high alert, and an additional 200,000 fresh recruits arrive at the Frankish frontier placing the garrison of the 38 star-forts of the Pyrennean Line at 272,000. The Pyrennean Line is continually fortified and awaits a French assault.
  • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces pressure to expand. Unfortunately in the north, desert blocks much further expansion. However, the Colony Porto Amboim faces no such expansion issues. Thus settlers begin expansion efforts northward, and although nominally Iberian Colonial Authorities declare such expansion illegal, they make no real efforts to stop it (50 px). Additional growth occurs in the colony at Franovilla, (OTL Monrovia), and the small port expands its borders by 250 square kilometers along the coast (5 px). The Diplomatic envoy sent to Senegany (the country just south of the Iberian Colony) continues to argue for their acceptance of protectorate status under Iberia. A detachment of 1000 of the Brigada Colonia accompanies the envoy to the border to act as encouragement. (Mod Response Needed)
  • Belkan Dip: Belkan diplomats arrive in Valencia to discuss the terms of the Concordat and in a show of good faith a gift of consumer goods and cultural items are gifted to the Iberian government.
  • British Dip: We offer an alliance against French aggression to Iberia.
  • Iberian Dip: Accepted.
  • Iberian Diplomacy to Papal State and Sicily: Both Nations are offered observer status in the Mediterranean Concord.
  • Iberian Diplomacy to World: Talks between the French and the Concordat have been successful. France has agreed to surrender Morocco to Iberia, and Tunisia and Libya to Belka. France will be permitted to join the Concord.
  • Egyptian Dip: Egypt politely asks to join the Concordat.

• Ethiopian Empire: Ioshua respectfully declines France's offer. However, we do accept trade and investment from Egypt (and secretly proposes that we offer Swahili to the deal.) Ioshua has a military parade in Addis Ababa to show off his modern land force. He also sends the Imperial Guard on another round of training the populace for possible wars. Roads are slowly spanning the nation making it safer to travel in the nation. Expeditions to different areas continue bring back valuable scientific information. A city on Lake Turkana is built close to all the farms to allow a population center in the region for more proper control.

• • Egyptian Dip: We tell Ethiopia that their decision was a good choice, and that this decision would have saved Egyptian-Ethiopian Relations, and prevent another conflict from breaking out between the two nations.

• Belkan Empire: While still recovering from its brutal civil war, now with a few years of reconstruction under its belt, the major cities affected have been more or less repaired and some effort is put into Samothrace and Krete which are still under military governates. However, with a need to get a bit farther away from the central government, many former rebel Belkans push to the more open territories in the empire specifically settling in Moldavia, Carpathia, and Ionia and Krete. Loyalists head these directions as well as the exploitation of a major hard coal basin in Nicaea attracts the investment interest of many Belkans who form companies around the basin to begin exploitation alongside the already large operations in Serbia, Bulgaria and Vlach. The Belkan's arms industries more effectively many government owned businesses, are finally usurped by two major arms industries which have begun to develop within the country. Zastava Arms develops in Kragujevac employing tens of thousands and churning out arms, munitions and cannons in their large foundries and factories. Ironically a secessionist industry taken over following the war has become Belka's second largest arms industry. Known as the Plovdiv Arsenal they produce Belka's top tier guns specifically the new and improved mainline long arm being used by Belkan infantry. The Transportation sector in Belka after disruption during and directly after the Civil war seen a massive boost as the huge loans and investment taken out to rebuild and restructure has been used in spades on Belka's railway networks spurring on the growth of large Railway corporations which now have more or less connected many of Belka's states as never before converging heavily on Belgrad, Trieste, Sarajevo, Zagreb, and Vasiligrad with an up and coming hub in Sofiya. An interesting process for steel making considered to be much more effective and cheaper for production sees many industrial companies take interest as the Karakov Process is shown for the first time, effectively turning the Wrought Iron and Pig Iron productions into large scale steel making processes. While just a demonstration it is shown to work extremely well heavily sparking interest in the process to be adapted in coming years. While still expensive, the larger Belkan industrial magnates still are heavily invested in creating large amounts of steel which is integrated into the most important railway networks. Some tests are also done to look into ironclad warships and research begins in earnest. Another interesting invention is a new artillery piece considered by the Belkan army through the Milošević Artillery Foundry company which demonstrates a rifles, breech-loading cannon boasting a much higher accuracy and fire rate while also being able to withstand the explosive charge from the cannons. Military leadership is highly impressed and a contract is given to outfit an army of 250,000 with the guns replacing their older more inaccurate pieces. Belkan leadership brings its forces and government officials into Damietta as a treaty port and a permanent squadron of 25 warships, five first-rate battleships, five second-rate cruisers, ten third-rate frigates, and five corvettes. Under the impression the French are refusing to back out of the invasion of Maghreb and with newly minted access to Maghrebi lands forces recently deployed to Krete the Previous year are marshaled and an expeditionary force of 100,000 armed to the teeth land directly at Tunis escorted by another Belkan Squadron of 20 relatively modern warships. The Force, while forgoing bringing horses of their own, immediately turn to the Egyptian and Maghrebi people buying enough horses to fully outfit Belka's heavy cavalry complement rather than watch many Belkan horses die on the journey across the sea. The Belkan Corps of Engineers pays many Maghrebi people as well as bringing Belkan infantry in to construct a series of trenches around Tunis and down into the desert effectively forcing any attack to come at Belka and any Maghrebi forces directly at the city seeing as the desert cannot hold any sizeable military force. The second squadron consists of two battleships, five second-rate cruisers, seven third-rate frigates, and six corvettes. With the chances of war breaking out having just gone from distant and in the future to near and drastically clear, the Belkan army is mobilized in different terms. The 200,000 strong occupational forces are split between Ionia and Krete and the remaining 800,000 troops begin setting up camp in the north along the Austrian border and farther south in Croatia due to barracking issues. While the armies stand down in some capacity the unexpected acquisition of Tunisia and Libya force a change in the attitude in the situation. Under the impression that war is still not far off due to the Algiers Crisis, the Belkan army expands and updates the Trieste strategic fortress and begins the development of a comprehensive series of interlocking trench lines along the border with Austria knowing full well any invasion force will have to funnel in through the small front of attack against heavily fortified trenches. The gaining of Belka's first large scale overseas administered territory forces many to debate the status of it with many championing the creation of Belka's first overseas colony while others sees Maghreb as an abused power that requires protection. A sort of middle ground is reached as the Belkan tsar, Vladimir oversees the creation of the Tunisian authority which instead of heavily imposing colonial rule, allows for a freer state in Tunis and Libya with the City of Tunis as the capital. Many Maghrebi rights are respected and as of current only a small economic concession is extracted out as the Belkan authorities are more concerned with establishing Tunis as a protectorate and the reliable successor to the Maghreb. While expecting some backlash, the Belkan army in Tunisia imparts many goodwill projects including digging canals and bringing reliable water sources to many villages not usually able to get water reliably. While trying to show some goodwill to the new people under Belan protection in the Tunisian governate, the Belkan soldiers, all mostly from Belka's shock corps which have been taking place in most of Belka's engagements since the height of the civil war, are trained heavily in policing tactics and crowd control as the army begins to bring in crown control substances. With so many innovations being made in the field of firearms these last few years the Belkans begin to produce the Spanish made rifles in some numbers while also looking into developing their own bolt action rifle based on the Needle rifle from Prussia having acquired a few samples through black market dealings. A working model is put out in just a few months looking to co-opt Belkan military doctrine into the rifle and a few prototypes are made for sharpshooters known as the Zastava Needle Gun.
  • Governate of Tunisia: Under a relatively softhanded Belkan thumb the Governate of Tunisia, ruled by a democratic council of Maghrebi magnates and aristocrats, comes into power convening in Tunis. While legitimately angry under the issues of the French aggression and by some other measure Iberian ascension to power in Morocco proper, the Tunisians knowingly having invited the Belkans in are much less angry by comparison. Combined with a relatively hands off approach to ruling and the appointing of a very hands off governor as well the Tunisians are more or less left to their own devices. However, with new access to business connections in the Belkan corporate world the Tunisians actually help stimulate Belka's economy as an influx of consumer goods and hirings of Belkan experts to modernize infratructure and cities sees the beginning of a modernization project. While still somewhat having issue with the assumption of control by Belkan authorities, the declaration of a protectorate and Tunis being essentially Maghreb in exile alleviates some of these problems as some of the more important members of the new governate are fully well aware of their disadvantage to European powers and see the imposition of a hands-off ruling by an industrial powerhouse for the blessing it is. In comparison to the heavy handed tactics in Algiers and assuming the same in Morocco, the Tunisians are allowed to keep their own armed force of roughly 20,000 soldiers, as well as their own police forces and many of their laws as long as they dont override or go against common law in Belka. With the necessity of modernization, cities look to be developed as a major ports with Tripoli being surveyed for a huge expansion of their infrastructure and port facilities. The quick influx of food stuffs from Belka also seems to have a positive effect. A wave of Belkan businessmen and entrepeneurs reach Tunisia relatively quickly in order to take advantage of the many opportunities in Belka specifically the development of multiple naval outposts and bases as well as the surveying for a major irrigation and farming project around Tunis itself to reclaim some of the arid territory around the city.
  • Egyptian Dip: We recognize the new government in former Maghreb territory as the true successor to the Maghreb State as the Governate of Tunisia.
  • British Dip: We offer an alliance against French aggression to Belka.
  • Belkan Dip: We agree to an alliance.
  • Egyptian Dip: We agree to send horses and camels to the Belkan armies.
• Kingdom of Prussia: Life in Prussia has taken a turn for the worst. The nation has fallen into a state of turmoil. As protocol calls, the king leaves Berlin at the heart of the night to escape the revolutionaries and to ensure maximum safety by heading off to Königsberg. Berlin and major cities across the nation are put under curfew to ensure safety and secure arrests of Revolutionaries. Within Cottbus, Heinrich led by one of the Prussians generals circles the city and use their newly introduced Dreyse Needle Guns within the act and attacking the revolutionaries after encircling the city. The revolutionaries surrender after being outnumbered and outsupppied. Arrests are made and they are sent to jail cells. The whole city goes into lockdown and no one is allowed to leave the city. In the meantime via telegram, the king is able to give orders and be delivered messages from Königsberg while the city is secured. Germania Front Revolutionaries continue being caught and arrested while others are shot. Some of their leaders are caught within Magdeburg after another surrounding. Guerrilla Warfare begins being used within the city as a last ditch effort to stop the forces as they continue to try to contain the Revolt. The police force is given the order to shoot or arrest any of the Germania Front Members as well. Deaths begin being felt on both sides. In Berlin, fortunately things remain calm. A crackdown on possible revolters are made. Otto Hesse caught in the mess within a small town of Wolfsburg begins to deliver messages nationwide to group members to organize in the streets against the revolters and goes for the shocking last resort. In a minutes notice, his loyalists rush out as normal citizens but with rifles in hand, begin to fight against the Germania Front who have caused a ruckus. Otto Hess is also accompanied by an old college friend, member of the King's Council and Diet Participant, Otto von Bismark. He helps lead the fight gaining civilian support against these “Revolutionary Radicals”. A conflict ensues with the Neutral Faction consisting of moderates and civilian supporters against the radicals in Hannover. For the night, they shot at each other endlessly. Bismark brought up the idea of sneaking around several of the city blocks and also sneaking through the back of some multi-story buildings left abandoned from civilians seeking shelter elsewhere and to shoot down from the buildings as in the form of a perch. It is successful and the Germania Front before they are able to get closed in, the volunteer forces of the Neutrals are halted and then the military swoops in with the local police force and arrest plus shoot anyone who tries to act with further aggression. With massive crackdowns continuing, a breakthrough comes through by late within the year and the Germania Front shows signs of slight weakness and minor cracks as they begin being thinned out but remain quite formidable and we'll supplied in areas still impacted. The fighting continues with the Neutral Faction remaining quite strong and working alongside our troops. A letter is dispatched to the Rhenish government and Austrian government requesting them to not get involved with the revolt as in mutual respect to be held between our internal affairs by the king to ensure that we remain to have peace with one another as a wrong move could descend Europe into war and we hope to not see a great bloodbath in the near future to ensure something small doesn't escalate (Mod Response). Local Farmers try to live their life peacefully and help supply the Neutral forces and Prussian Troops tagging along through the countryside with fresh grown produce. Hess and Bismark gather support for the end of this crisis that had unfortunately spilled the blood of the innocent and ill-involved with several military personnel helping train Hess's People Army defensive maneuvers and how to be better organized during offensive attacks on the revolutionaries. With this established and a guaranteed mutual support on both sides of Hess and Bismark-led forces plus the Prussian Armed forces, we wait until New Year's Day to continue the massive crackdown operation. As the clock nears midnight, something that should cause for joy as another year approaches just leaves civilians dreaded and trying to stay indoors and away from violence that lingers on the streets.
  • Saxony: With fear of revolt in Saxony, the government evacuated Dresden and moved to Leipzig with heavy guards while severe crackdowns are made on people planning on a future revolt or any correlation with the Germania Front. As a precaution, military presence is increased along the Austrian and Rhenish borders along the forts just in case their governments attempt any form of intervention. A small group of Hess’s supporters help report suspicious activity as the great political purge drags on and fears of revolt still look over.
  • Greater Hussein: The colony remains heavily guarded and current administrative powers continue to run the region independently and only deliver goods and manufactured materials to select ports that have no access to Revolutionaries.

• Kingdom of Burgundy: With the disturbances in Burgundy's ally Prussia, and the revolutionaries request for Napoleon's intervention, King Willem orders the military to be put on readiness. Fortification of the Rhenish and French borders increases, with a series of fortresses and trenchworks now built along the latter, and during the year the Sint Quintin strategic fortress is completed. Railroads are expanded across the country. The royal military this year conducts its tests on Frederik Haussmann's design for breech-loading artillery, with army testing the three- and six-inch field guns, and the navy testing the six-inch naval gun. Both branches are impressed with the accuracy or the guns, and the explosive power of the shells designed for them. The royal army decides to adopt the weapons immediately, whilst the navy begins designing new ships to use the naval variant. Later on in the year King Willem II dies in his sleep, and his son Robert is crowned as King Robert IV. Having heard of the introduction of the Prussian Dreyse Needle Gun, an envoy asks Prussia if Burgundy would be allowed a few examples to study, in return Prussia would be sent examples of the Haussmann breech-loading artillery (ADOLF RESPOND, PLEASE).
  • Prussian Diplomacy: The offer is accepted and several of our Needle Guns are shipped off with the basic paper cartridges. We also ask in exchange for volunteer support over our nation's current revolt.
  • Burgundian Dip: 15,000 volunteers, calling themselves “Kingsmen”, are transported to aid the Prussian military in suppressing the revolutionaries.
• Japan: Seeing the formation of various alliances in Europe, Asai Tojo begins expansion of garrisons in the Japanese colonies as well as expanding the Japanese police force (which is just as well equipped as the military and is unofficially a branch of it) to cover the colonies. The Colony of Papuanyu expands and colonization continues in Melanesia. Japan offers to buy the rest of Hawaiian Colonial Empire (several scattered Pacific islands) for one million USD and an alliance (Mod Response). Colonization of New Britain, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands continues. The navy is expanded. Burgundian architects and advisors begin working with the Japanese Industrialization Commission on how to modernize. Plans are made for the rebuilding of several cities in Hokkaido and Honshu that were destroyed in the Boshin War in a more modern fashion. As Japan has made an alliance with Burgundy, we request that this alliance be merged as a sub-alliance into the League of Eagles. Asai Tojo and the foreign ministry see joining the League as a chance to gain the island of Denpassar. We also request that if we join the League, Iberia will renounce its claims over southern Sulawesi, which was integrated into the Sulawesi colony after the expedition to Makassar (Iberian and League of Eagles Response).
• Brésil: With European tensions flaring, Tomás issues The Statement of Neutrality, declaring that Brésil shall not get directly involved in any European conflict unless it is threatening Brésilian trade, or Brésilian interests. The government continues to fund settlement and development of the interior, and a town is established in land that is technically Peruvian soil. WIP.

• Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. THe Swahili army in Rowzi begins an offensive south into Zulu territory. The marines launch an attack upon the Zulu coast.
  • Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
  • Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
  • Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We request European support for future industrialization in return for foodstuffs and goods, especially low-interest loans and large quantities of consumer and military goods for the potential European war.
  • Ethiopian Diplomacy: We offer more trade to Swahili and a possible alliance between us.

• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: While the Irish potato blight continues now that so many Irish were deported the actual amount of deaths falls dramatically as land is more concentrated around middle income farmers. Exports go up again a bit pleasing merchants. The last of those evicted are moved onto Uluru and India. England has a population of 15.4 million, Wales has 1.1 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.6 million. In Britain, based in southern England, the army rests at 5000 professionals with 40,000 men in Ireland. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. The number of railways being built increases with connections between the coal mines and industry towns on the north. Industry is expanding quickly due to Britain's trade networks. The gold rush continues as more people move to Uluru and others are transported. Further prospecting continues in search of more precious minerals. Quinine is obviously a good treatment for malaria. With the rapid conquest of Maghreb and the British intervention in Egypt it is clear about the importance of Africa. Further explorers are sent out to Africa trying to explore rivers such as the Congo. In Uluru the new waves of Irish and Indians begin settling in Northern Australia setting up farms in the region trying to block Japanese expansion and not be in the more populous Uluru areas. The Irish are given large land to be held in hereditary ownership enough for sustenance for free while the Indians are given it under a mortgage which should be paid off within 20 years.
  • India: The movement of goods to Europe speeds up again. Further training of a central army occurs. The British continue work on Rohtasgarh Fort. The Irish establish a presence in the larger ports on the western coast rather than going out into the countryside. A lot of them gain work at the docks. The removal of industry from Bengal begins on a small scale. Poorer Indians are taken from small farming holdings with land redistributed or the urban poor by Sepoy from the cities and smaller farms and moved to Uluru.

1852

With the rapid conquest of Maghreb, many people felt betrayed by Belka who just came in and took their land. Iberia and France weren't popular either. Rioting breaks out in Tunis as they set up barricades and spreads like wildfire across Maghreb as a popular revolt tries to force the Europeans out of the towns and cities. Those living in rural areas withhold their crops and launch guerrilla attacks. The native police and military force make only limited half-hearted attempts to restore order sympathising heavily with their cause.

The potato blight is over on St Patrick's Day.

The Rhineland government vetoes military intervention in Prussia, so Napoleon resigned as Chancellor and led his own army of defectors and revolutionaries 20,000 strong into Prussia.

• Aztlan: Aztlan, seeing the tension go crazy in Europe follows the example of their ally Brésil - they declared neutrality in any European conflict unless attacked by a European power involved in said conflict.
• French Republic: The joining of France to the Mediterranean Concordat is both seen as horrible and good, with nationalists seeing it as the wrong step in the wrong direction, with democrats seeing it as the opposite. The Chancellor sees the entire issue that was created as "France's submission to her enemies", and subsequently fires all of his cabinet staff, only to replace them with hardline military generals that had served in the Franco-Burgundian War, as well as a few that had planned/led the Maghrebian invasion. These new advisers, more or less submitting the French President into doing as they wish, declare that "France will no longer be looked down upon by her enemies". With this, the military (as projected last year) is raised to upward of 750,000, with conscription continuing to fill in the reservations once more. It is expected, by 1854, that the reserves for the military will have reached 750,000 as well. The population rises to 34 million by the end of this year. More factories are created in southern France, primarily around Occitania and western Savoy. Navarre becomes militarily fortified, as well as the border with Burgundy. Industrialization continues, with French engineer Henri Giffard flying the first airship from Paris to Trappes. Railways from Paris to Bordeaux are fully established, and thus the ability to quickly transport both troops and goods from northern to southern France is established. The funding for the navy is increased heavily, with ten top-of-the-line battleships being in service currently (I started ten a while back and have starting making another ten), 20 second-of-the-line battleships, and 36 medium-sized frigates currently in commission. Although it is important for the French to maintain a large, land-based military, it is decidedly clear that some sort of movement to become more marginally recognized as a naval power. Quinine production and successful usage in Benin results in yet another formal diplomatic mission to the Zayiyr region begins, this time the diplomats appear not only more aggressive toward the natives, they also make it clear that if the Congo were to decline the offer for colonial vassalization, then war will once again be initiated and the French will once again claim the Sultanate of Zayiyr (Mod on success in vassalizing Congo).
  • French Maghreb: The 140,000 troops in Algiers remained positioned in the city to help fight against these insurgents. They are ordered to generally guard the city, but small squadrons are sent out to invade and raid the supply lines that the militants are using to rebel/survive on. It is expected that these raids and invasions will effectively defeat the insurgents without suffering major casualties.
  • French Ere: French, as a language, begins becoming more widely spoken, and Christianity begins to displace Kuzirism and Islam more and more.
  • No thanks, says Zayiyr. Person.
• Russia: Colonization of New Siberia continues as the Cossacks of Arcadia continue to fight Sioux natives. Continued work on the rail line leads to improvements in the Russian road system. Improvement of the western navy continues. In Africa at Haikkinens Landing a small port is erected on the banks of the Krovi River. This allows ships to dock on supply runs to the fort. Meanwhile, explorers with their soldiers begin to venture upriver and along the coastline. Generally, the fort itself is expanded but not by far into the African jungle as malaria and the natives take its toll on the men. The only thing keeping Africans away are volley fire from rifles and artillery from the nearby docked naval ships. The government creates the Russian West Africa Company and begins to survey the local area and claim it for the Russian Empire. The tsar decides to send 30,000 troops to Prussia to bolster the current regime in Königsberg.
  • Japanese Diplomacy: As Japan already has a concrete alliance with Burgundy, we request that this alliance be formally incorporated into the League of Eagles.
  • The government finds itself in a racial slog and votes no for a Japanese entry, instead, counter offering a non-aggression pact.
  • Japan accepts the non-aggression pact, although the Japanese diplomat to Russia begins getting fed up with the racism.
• Japan: Expansion of the navy continues. The Japanese industrialization commission continues drawing up plans to rebuild the cities destroyed in the Boshin War. Japanese settlers continue to settle in Sulawesi and Java. Papuanyu is expanded and the Bismarck Archipelago, almost all of which is under the control of Japan, is incorporated into the Papuanyu governate. Colonization of Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia continue. Japan makes a second offer to Hawaii to buy up all their colonial possessions for ten million USD and two modern ships as well as a non-aggression pact (MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE!!). Asai Tojo begins to grow ill and resigns in favor of militarist Yamagata Aritomo. Aritomo continues the expansion of the Japanese police force. The Liberals in Japan, influenced by the liberal movements in Europe of the French Republic and Rhineland, found the Japanese Liberal Party. The party is quite small and its main platform is constitutional monarchy, secularization and more rights for the peasants as well minimizing the role of the military in the government. Asai Tojo recovers later in the year and announces his plans to run again for Prime Minister. This leads to a split in the ruling Seiyoka (Westernization) Party between Tojo, who favors slow colonial expansion and a policy of appeasement with the western powers, and Aritomo, who favors taking advantage of the situation in Europe to expand as well as increased colonization as well as gaining a port in the Indian Ocean, possibly from Swahili.

• Republica Iberia: The events of last year cause a wave of both unrest and national fervor in Iberia. The people are distinctly aware of the threat of invasion, and thus the Assembly provides funding for a military expansion program. The High Command of the Fuerzas Armadas de Iberia begins a national armament and organization program. As planned, all 18-year-old males are required to attend local regimental training camps for six weeks after harvest for a national reservist system. Furthermore, the order of Sandoval Rifles for the national armory in Toledo continues being fulfilled. Production goals are increased and 400,000 rifles and carbines should be stockpiled there within the next four years. The Navy commissions another eight first-rate ships-of-the-line along with another 12 second-rate ships-of-the-line, all to be completed in four years. These will be outfitted with Belkan Naval Artillery according to the Mediterranean Concord. Industrialization of Northern Iberia continues with strong growth in coal production and factory construction. Belkafour Brigada Rapida are deployed from their positions in Iberia to Morocco to establish order and allow for the creation of a new government. A further 16,000 troops from both Brigada Colonia are deployed as well leaving Iberian troops numbers at 48,000. While Iberian presence remains unpopular, the military begins a campaign to reach out to the people. Iberian officials make it clear that France and Belka together are both too powerful for the people of Maghreb to overcome, but Morocco will have dignity, respect, and peace under Iberian protection. A constitution, in many ways similar to the Iberian Constitution, is drafted for Morocco, entrusting foreign and trade policy to the Iberian Senate, and otherwise allowing for a high degree of home rule on most domestic issues. The only Iberian oversight is a permanent, non-voting, seat in the Assembly which is intended to help advise both the Moroccan and Iberian governments. The constitution also recognizes Islam as the religion of Morocco and makes no pretense at changing it. This alone helps encourage religious leaders to accept Iberian protection. Moroccan elders and religious leaders are consulted and asked to assist Iberia in establishing the Moroccan Republic. While some resist, many see this as a way to further their own power and influence on a greater level. With their assistance elections for the new Moroccan Assembly are held in November, and while rebels still persist in the Atlas Mountains, most coastal and urban Moroccans, the vast majority are content with the republic.

• • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries, the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces pressure to expand. Unfortunately in the north, desert blocks much further expansion. However, the Colony Porto Amboim faces no such expansion issues. Additional growth occurs in the colony at Franovilla, (OTL Monrovia), and the small port expands along the coast (15 px). The Diplomatic envoy sent to Senegany (the country just south of the Iberian Colony) continues to argue for their acceptance of protectorate status under Iberia. A detachment of 1000 of the Colonial Legion accompanies the envoy to the border to act as encouragement. (Mod Response Needed)
  • Senegany says no. Person.
  • Don't magic away revolts. Person.
• Belkan Empire: Having more or less expected the riots across Maghreb the Belkan expedition renamed to the Belkan Army of Tunisia refuses to tolerate the massive riots and the Army is deployed en masse as well as another 50,000 troops redeployed from pacified Krete to handle Tripoli. This deployment of Belkan troops is initially met with violence. However, as local police and military units are summarily quarted and disarmed kept under guard so as to not help the Maghrebi rioters. This is met with a violent clash which ends in the deaths of 25 Maghrebi police and the arrest of hundreds more as the Belkan army refuses to back down. The mainline populace having attempted to seize control of many of the major cities officially meet in their first clashes with Belkan troops, veterans of the pacifications of South Belka, Samothrace and Krete as well as blooded in the fires of Belka's ruthless civil war. These highly trained Veteran troops handle the situation in Tunisia and Libya with speed and finesse. The City of Tunis is the first one pacified, however, in the most violent clashes of the entire rioting and revolt. The majority of the cities populace able had come out to clash with the Belkan authority. However, the Army using infantry square to deny territory, smoke bombs and nausea-inducing industrial byproducts the Belkan army handles the initial riots well. The Introduction of the Zastava Needle Gun into the Belkan armies repetoire as a sharpshooter rifle ends in a stunning success for the gun as a sharpshooter unit, cornered by masses of the violent mob are able to not only hold their ground but fully break one of the mobs near the city center using the Needle Gun. The rifles usage for more than a sharpshooter rifle is made very apparent and the general of the Belkan Army of Tunisia requests his army be the testbed for this rifle to be used as the primary rifle for the Belkan army. However, for the time being, the riots in Tunis themselves are finally put down after six weeks of clashes and heavy fighting. This coincides with clashes nearly as brutal in Tripoli as the 50,000 strong Belkan force having to handle a much larger spread of territory is forced to burn out multiple farms and occupy so much more territory. While tired, the Belkan forces across Tunisia make steady progress as the move toward Sfax and Sirte - the regions last two major cities. Smaller villages and towns are occupied or pacified along the way as a major action of bombardment occurs with Belkan navy ships on the coast against rioting villages. While Belka's new colonial possession erupts into violence, many in the government had predicted this and are not particularly concerned. The home front makes decisive gains as various new technoligies and processes are expanded significantly or updated. Weapons factories and artillery foundries churn out more modern equipment and the rebuilding of the remaining shattered regions of Belka continues.

• Kingdom of Egypt: Port George is completed this year, after three years of construction. It’s smaller then compared to Alexandria or Constantinople, but it’s able to hold relatively large ships. We invite the British navy to take control of the port as per the deal (remember Nic, it’s located in OTL Port Said). We react to the rebellions in Maghreb with some sympathy, as they are fellow Arabs and we understand their fear of being colonized, but we don’t do anything per our agreement with Belka, instead we decide to Stay Neutral in the Maghreb Conflict. We continue to build up our infrastructure, by building more buildings and towns, and expanding major cities such as Alexandria and Cairo, we also continue to build roads along the Nile. Egyptian mappers come back with info suggesting a canal can be built around the Suez area. With this, we ask Belka and Britain if they would like to begin building a canal, and send their workers and people to help build it. (PLAYER RESPONSE NEEDED!!). More schools are built around the nation. We continue to build the future city of Khartoum in the Kush (OTL Sudan) region. The king continues to encourage an Islamic life for all Egyptian Muslims and their families, and also encourages the studying and research in Islamic sciences. Arabic text books are also mass produced, in order to give the schools of Egypt exactly what they need to teach the youth of Egypt. In schools, students are taught math, science, Islamic sciences if their parents apply for it, and of course history and government. Students learn that Egyptian parliament is divided into the Upper and Lower Houses, with the upper house known as the “High Council”, which is filled with government officials, nobles, and young men, while the lower house is known as the “Collective of Peasants” which is made of peasants, the elderly and veterans. Egyptian Companies, which are in one way or another linked to the royal family as either one of these companies has a royal family member as the CEO, or have a royal family member in a high ranking position, continue to invest in the Ethiopian economy, making loans to struggling companies, or by expanding their products to Ethiopia, making Ethiopian branches of their companies. The border with Arabia is militarized some more, with more soldiers staffed in the Sinai, along with some additions to the defenses.
  • British Dip: Yeah, we occupy the port which was built for us. We also send money, architects, engineers and geographers to help build the canal.
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: While the Irish potato blight continues now that so many Irish were deported the actual amount of deaths falls dramatically as land is more concentrated around middle income farmers. Exports go up again a bit pleasing merchants. The last of those evicted are moved onto Uluru and India. England has a population of 15.9 million, Wales has 1.1 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.6 million. In Britain, based in southern England, the army rests at 5000 professionals with 40,000 men in Ireland. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. The number of railways being built increases with connections between the coal mines and industry towns on the north. Industry is expanding quickly due to Britain's trade networks. The gold rush continues as more people move to Uluru and others are transported. Further prospecting continues in search of more precious minerals. Quinine is obviously a good treatment for malaria. With the rapid conquest of Maghreb and the British intervention in Egypt it is clear about the importance of Africa. Further explorers are sent out to Africa trying to explore rivers such as the Congo. In OTL Northern territory which is named North Uluru the Irish and Indian settlers begin to arrive setting up farms. Work is begun on a rifled breech-loading artillery gun which is capable of firing explosive shells for naval use with the first probably being installed next year.
  • India: The movement of goods to Europe speeds up again. Further training of a central army occurs. The British continue work on Rohtasgarh Fort. The Irish establish a presence in the larger ports on the western coast rather than going out into the countryside. A lot of them gain work at the docks and as soldiers. The removal of industry from Bengal begins on a small scale. Poorer Indians are taken from small farming holdings with land redistributed or the urban poor by Sepoys, from other parts of India, from the cities and smaller farms and moved to Uluru. The Sepoy forces are more formalised under one army as a new commander Samuel Skripal with an officer academy established and a clearer pay scale increasing with length of experience. The Irish form their own regiments as well going on to command a number of native formations. Units are not stationed near where they originate from. The main army is paid for by each state contributing taxes to it.
• Kingdom of Prussia: As we manage to control the major extent and continue our campaign of crushing the revolt, Our troops stationed along the border notice something that they would have never thought to have seen. Napoleon II leading an army of 20,000 strong marching toward our defenses and heavy complex Fortifications near the Prusso-Renish border. General Heinz orders the men to begin firing. Gunshots from our Dreyse Needle Guns and newly produced artillery from Burgundy are used. An urgent telegram is dispatched to the king notifying him on the matter. He orders an army of 100,000 men to march beyond the fortifications and battle him there. The army is successful having a decisive victory over Napoleon. The men are captured and Napoleon is imprisoned. With the imprisonment of Napoleon, a clear sentence is made. By the order of the king, he receives death by a bullet to the back of his head leading to a quick and humane death. The other members of his men are imprisoned for a week and banned from returning to Prussia and face immediately expulsion from the kingdom and the ones who had killed any Prussians are sentenced to life in a well-guarded prison in Hussein. An offer is given to the Rhineland's if they'd like their people back and imprison them as well instead after them being sent to Hussein. With Napoleon dead, Revolutionaries in Prussia feel a sense demoralization as the Revolution continues to see its downfall. Hess and Bismark continue to lead their “citizen army” across the lands helping contain the revolt and capture local revolutionary leaders before sending them off to the local forces before them being imprisoned with the rest. A planned court hearing is already being worked out in Berlin after the king's return with hopes of the movement being removed while he also is planning out ideas with his council for reform. He promotes several more generals that have served well and have received rigorous training and experience. Our highest ranking generals train our men to be professional troops. Recruits continue being accepted with 12,000 signing up across the nation seeing how not only do they want to help the nation but also help eternally with the crushing of the Revolution seeing that their people would support an invasion of a former foreign leader to invade and threaten our sovereignty. Police and local military have made great success. The largest of our cities put in place curfews to ensure that arrests are made safe, easy, and swift. Some questions arise on the events of Napoleon’s attempt such as why did the Rhenish leaders not stop an obviously armed lot of 20,000 strong with weapons and such. A diplomat is sent out Moscow to review the matter and see if further action is necessary. Prince Heinrich IV sees this as an event that could have been prevented if the Rhenish Military and local leaders took action before any lives had to have been lost from both sides in a conflict against Prussia. In the meantime, he takes time to hunt in East Prussia and learn how the military operates. He spends his Christmas with Hess and Bismark near a lodge in Saxony as it seems that the revolution could now be taken care of the military and local officials with the “people army” being disbanded until further notice with former Members reporting suspicious activity to the police and local law enforcement.
  • Saxony: The state decides to continue enforcement and crackdowns on suspicious activity. Agricultural-based businesses thrive following the end to Potato Blight.
  • Greater Hussein: With the members of Napoleon's former army now imprisoned, they face maximum security but are treated well. New Berlin thrives but Elfenbein remains as the main source of our trade based economy.
  • Nope.

• Kingdom of Burgundy: with the arrival of the shipment of Dreyse Needle Guns, the Burgundian Royal Army begins producing a native built variant. Seeing France’s military expansion, King Robert and the States-General see it only prudent to continue the fortification of the French border, as well as the border of the Rhineland. Industrialization continues, with a new rail line constructed from Dijon Brussels via Troyes. Production of artillery continues, with the Haussmann rifled guns being introduced to the army in larger quantities. On the naval side, the keel of the SMS Dreadnought, the first of a new class of steam-powered frigates to be armed with 30 Haussmann six-inch rifled breech-loaders, to fully test the effectiveness of rifled artillery at sea. Meanwhile, the navy commissions three more steam-powered first-rate ships-of-the-line, these are the 130-gun Herzog Guise, Herzog Waterloo, and Loutrengen. These join the three Elisabeth de Eisen-class as the First Battle Squadron of the High Seas Fleet. Together, the High Seas Fleet sits at 23 first-rates, 29 second-rates, and 58 frigates, while the North Sea Fleet includes 19 first-rates, 24 second-rates, and 42 frigates.
• Ethiopian Empire: The still young emperor continues his close to thirty year reign by continuing to improve the living conditions in the nation. The first large hospital is built in Adidas Ababa and is sponsored by the royal family and the Colleges of Ethiopia. The small economic boom caused by investment by Egypt is put back into society with more schools and churches being built. The city of Ezana is slowly growing along the shores of Lake Turkana as the farmers in the region travel there to trade and do business. The Royal Guard is made more of an elite force while a regular army is slowly starting to get off the ground. The Red Sea fleet is still modernizing a moderate pace with five of the older ships being decommissioned a year while three new ones are added. The largest class so far is the 86-gun Queen Sheba. Improvements are made in science as expeditions come back noting the ecology and wild life of the interior of Africa.
  • You're not building an 86-gun ship. Person.

1853

Turns are almost coming out regularly. Keep this up, boys.

In Maghreb, the coastal regions of Tunisia and Libya are retaken with violence although the Arabs are smarting under the suppression while farther inland Belka has little control. In Algeria, rioters manage to secure most of the coast excluding Algiers. Their forays inland have little effect. In Morocco the people are not appeased by offers of self-determination and in a push hold most of Morocco.

Hawaii accepts Japan's offer.

Napoleon, retreating after his defeat at the hands of the Prussians, joins forces with Saxon revolutionaries. The Saxons agree to join forces with Napoleon in the name of a united Germany and to restore their freedom from Prussia. As such, Prussia loses control of Saxony.

Rebels in the Gibraltar area begin demanding reunification with Iberia. They want the British to be gone.

• Japan: With Hawaii's acceptance of the offer, the Japanese Government organizes Fiji and the former Tui Tonga Empire into the Colony of Tonga-Fiji while French Polynesia, the Cook Islands and the other more far-flung islands are organized into the Colony of Japanese Polynesia. The Japanese government looks at converting some of the Polynesian Islands into naval bases to project power into the Pacific. New Guinea (all of which is under Japanese control since our purchase of French Indonesia and the bankruptcy of the Chinese East India Company) continues to be Japan's most prosperous colony as plantations on the colony supply Japan with grain, coffee, spices, and rubber. Java also provides grain and spices but contributes more due to the amount of trade that goes through it. The election comes up with rivals Asai Tojo and Yamagata Aritomo as the main competitors for the title of Prime Minister. Aritomo, a general and militarist, seeks an expansionist path of Japan through military force, while Tojo, an admiral and diplomat, seeks expansion through diplomacy and by maintaining the balance of power. Tojo wins the election, ending Aritomo's short reign as prime minister, but nevertheless the split in the Seiyoka faction continues. The Aritomo-ites form their own party, the Kokumin Domei or National Alliance Party. The Seiyoka renamed themselves the Rikken Seyukai or the Constitutional Friendship Association. Expansion of the navy continues and the Japanese Industrialization commission continues getting supplies and planning for building a modern infrastructure in Japan with the help of Burgundian architects, which is scheduled to begin in 1860.

• Belkan Empire: The success in the Tunisian Governate vs the French and Spanish sectors of colonized Maghreb is obvious and the Belkan Army of Tunisia in accordance with the Concordat splits a force of 50,000 acting as the remaining pacification force and the remaining 100,000 troops march into Algeria unleashing hell on the French Maghreb in assistance of French efforts of pacification. The usage of industrial byproducts as legitimate chemical weapons as well as smoke bombs alongside a massive amount of artillery and cavalry brings the Belkan troops within sight of multiple Algerian cities which are summarily bombarded heavily. The remaining pacification force in Tunisia begins expanding its influence into the countryside as many people are arrested and rounded up for withholding crops as well as actions against the Belkan government in Tunisia. While initially for a more hands off approach the revolt has brought the situation to light and the Belkan government in Tunisia is reformed fully into a colonial government with the Supreme Soviet, Vozhd and Emperor all agreeing to appoint a Viceroy of the new colony. The Tunisian Governate continues with its government in the capital city of Tunis and part of the supression army of 50,000 is to be kept as a major garrison for Belka's only overseas colony as of late. In accordance with a deal in the  works with the British a small fleet is assembled of three first-rates, three second-rates, and four frigates. Belkan engineers and architects as well as excavation equipment are all moved to the proposed construction site of Suez. The homefront continues to rebuild and much of the devastation from the civil war with areas such as southern Greece and now Ionia and Krete seeing the reconstruction of them. In contrast to the heavy Islamic influences that came, the Belkan people have begun to settle heavily into these regions with the capital of Krete having become a hub of Belkan immigrant activity. While there is some push for immigration restrictions to be removed to allow for wider settlement of Belkans worldwide, heavy incentives to settle in controlled regions wins out and the outside immigration restrictions are kept in place as many move to Krete, Ionia and the northern frontiers in Carpathia and Moldavia which still are lightly populated compared to the Belkan core. Belkan immigrants to Tunisia are also a first as many set up their homes in the abandoned homes in the upper class districts of the city of Tunis which has been cleared out due to rioting. In accordance with the Concordat Belka uses Spanish supply stations and establishes an outpost in West Africa in Cameroon which is quickly legitimized by some minor trade treaties with the natives. More options are looked at in OTL Liberia and the Ivory Coast and suitable locations are mapped. Belka's population fully crests 60 million domestic. With the recent acquisition of colonies and protectorates and outposts the Belkan Tsar engages in a proposal to begin the construction of a fully equipped fleet. The Supreme Soviet, seeing the profitability in certain colonies and a much needed boost to Belka's underemployed shipbuilding industry, engages in an ambitious program to remove outdated ships and bring Belka's navy fully into the modern age. It retires nearly 20-30 year old ships with modern battleships and cruisers and frigates effectively beginning an ambitious project to construct nearly 60 new ships in a decade including ten new battleships which would bring Belka's first-rate battleship complement up to 25 with a large auxillary fleet of nearly 120 other warships with ambitions for more as it sees the necessity to bring task forces to many new and future colonies. The Belkan Squadron of ten ships sent to Swahilia is sent to Socotra which is consequently turned into a major naval base. 
• French Republic: The Militarized Initiative begins following the utter failure that was the National Revival. Reforms and policies directed to improve the military and naval power of the republic are made, including a plan to turn Corsica into a more navally-focused state, as well as continuing the overall national conscription of able-bodied men aged 18-25. Fortifications on the Iberian and the Burgundian borders are made. The population reaches 34 million.
  • French Africa:
    • Maghreb: With the unexpected losing that is occuring in Maghreb, the French President begins a more hardline approach to these militants and to the Berbers. Under the orders to "solve it", Colonial Governor Simon Rodier mounts a large militarized semi-genocidal invasive mission to fully clear out any and all remaining militants in the area by any means necessary. Turning the city of Algiers and the Northern African coast into a hell on earth, the burning of mosques, killing of innocents who may or not be linked to terrorists, and genocidal-level techniques are used to quell the uprisings and properly demoralize the populace, as well as properly implant the French flag into central Maghreb. In addition to these conditions, bounties of known terrorists are placed on their heads. Terrorists found are properly executed publically, as well as their known family members also being executed, with the reasoning statement being "to properly cleanse the populace of its terrorist behavior", which is further accomplished by showing what happens when you try to turn against the French government. By the end of the year, most of the African coast is re-secured and many of the militant leaders have been captured, killed or both, and soon the war is moved inland.
    • Ere: The French language begins to become more widely known and begins to replace the Arabic and Beninese languages that have existed there for a long time.
    • You don't just magic away a language. Person.
    • I didn't magic it away, I simply talked about how French is becoming more widely spoken, causing for a small but still slightly relevant replacement of the original languages. -Sol
    • -Scraw

• Republica Iberia: The High Command of the Fuerzas Armadas de Iberia continues the national armament and organization program. As planned, all 18-year-old males are required to attend local regimental training camps for six weeks after harvest for a national reservist system. The star-forts of the Pyrennean line are fortified with trench lines dug into the tough soil of the mountains. Furthermore, the order of Sandoval Rifles for the national armory in Toledo continues being fulfilled. Production of the weapons continues 400,000 rifles and carbines should be stockpiled there within the next three years. The Navy continues work on the eight first-rate ships-of-the-line along with another 12 second-rate ships-of-the-line, all to be completed in 1856. These ships adopt a much more Belkan-inspired strategy and the first-rates have 110 guns, while the second-rates have 80. While the average size of the guns is much smaller the broadside weight is much greater and allows these ships to better engage multiple targets. These will be outfitted with Belkan Naval Artillery according to the Mediterranean Concord. Industrialization of Northern Iberia continues with strong growth in coal production and factory construction. Belkan industrial expertise begins to truly increase, not only Iberian raw industrial capacity, but also Iberian industrial efficiency. In particular, Iberian shipbuilders benefit from Belkan experience and the importation of Belkan technology in the field. These benefits begin to spill over into other areas of Iberian industry and the general efficiency of the Iberian economy begins to greatly improve. The iron industry continues its boom around Toledo due to huge demand and large textile plants open across Catalonia. Iberian cloth production now matches in value the consumption of cloth. Some of the production is exported to nations throughout the Mediterranean, notably southern Belka which appreciates the light cotton clothing during the warm summers. Rail service continues to expand and most all mid-sized cities have at least some form of access. Cotton from the increasingly productive Andalucia floods into Catalonian textile mills. Farming flourishes in the South as the large system of water management allows some farmers to grow two crops in a single year. Culturally Iberia is growing more integrated. The expansion of the rail systems, and the introduction of mandatory military training bring people together from across the country. Efforts to codify Iberian continue, and the language work begins becoming known among academics across Iberia. Iberian Diplomats offer to sell Francovilla (OTL Monrovia) to the Burgundians in exchange for their technology in naval steam-propulsion and a license to build the new breech-loading field guns they have developed.
  • En La Republica de Morocco: The rebellion in Morocco exceeded initial reports, and more dangerously initial reports indicated much less resistance from leaders and religious figures. The 48,000 mounted soldiers already in Morocco secure a region extending from Casablanca to Fez in Central Morocco. While the populace is clearly unsupportive of the Republic of Morocco, a government is still formed in Fez, mostly of collaborators and ambitious regional figures looking to use Iberian rule to increase their power. This republic asks the Iberian republic to aid them in establishing stability and Iberia obliges. 32,000 troops are distributed over landings at Essaouira, Souira Kedima, Safi, El Jadida, El Hoceima, and Melilla, seizing the towns and forcing an end to the riots. Local constabularies are threatened arrest if they do not begin to reinforce law and order. The troops then begin efforts to establish security along the coast with support from the Iberian Navy. Having put down small violent rebellions in several towns the coastal route is generally secure. This allows 16,000 of the soldiers to push into the countryside to meet the additional 48,000 troops marching toward Marrakesh. While the 32,000 had deployed across Morocco, 48,000 troops of Brigadas Assaltas were landed at Casablanca and begin a march to secure Marrakesh. The road to Marrakesh is riddled with small rebelious towns, and at each one Iberian soldiers force the entire population to swear an oath of loyalty to the Moroccan Republic. The army fans out to cover a huge swath of Morocco and as they sweep across the country they effectively herd particularly rebellious groups southward toward Marrakech. While they march, the army spreads the news of the French retribution taking place in Algeria. Thus, when the army arrives at Marrakesh to find a huge and armed mob of enraged Moroccans. The mob and the army clash on the banks of the river Oued Tensift. The mob is swiftly and brutally destroyed. Iberian rifle fire shreds the disorganized mass armed with either antique muskets or improvised weapons. Cannons firing grapeshot carve swaths out of the mob and after only four hours the fighting ends with the majority of the mob dispersing. 5000 Moroccans lay dead in the river as a small taste of the potential that could befall the Moroccan people should they continue resisting their new government. The city of Marrakesh surrenders quietly after witnessing the carnage. A deal of peace is offered to the rebellious Moors in the north and due to the brutality of French forces the Berbers, for the most part, do surrender. By the years end 90% of Morocco is under the control of the joint Iberian-Moroccan forces with only around 1000 Iberian casualties and 8000 Moroccan dead.
  • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces pressure to expand. Unfortunately in the north, desert blocks much further expansion. With the conflict in Morocco the colonial economy booms as troop transports bring wealth to earlier colonists.

• Kingdom of Egypt: The Suez Project opens up many new jobs for many unemployed Egyptians, as many volunteer to help work on the canal, and are given high salaries to tell other Egyptians that helping build the Suez is a good and well paying job. Egyptian architects and builders arrive at the Suez Canal planned site, and begin setting up the things needed to build the canal, and welcome the Belkan engineers and builders. The Suez Canal officially begins construction. Schools continue being built around the nation, by order of the king, and we start contributing a lot of our GDP into domestic projects, education and infrastructure. We continue to hold up our infrastructure as we expand our most populated and major cities such as Cairo and Alexandria, along with many roads being built along the Nile. Pyramids are discovered in Sudan, speculated to have been the grave site of many “Black Pharaohs” during ancient times, and are immediately put under government protection. Our soldiers begin to use more modern European weapons as Belka and Britain ship weapons to Egypt to help us modernize our army, our economy has also greatly improved. The first foreign exchange student ever in Egyptian history arrives in Belgrade to begin his studies as a lawyer. Another student is set to be sent off to London to do his studies at the beginning of the school year next year. We continue our investment and aid to the Ethiopian economy, and many Egyptian companies continue to expand their influence over the Ethiopian economy, and gaining their place in the Ethiopian stock market. Still, many Egyptian products are sold in Ethiopian markets in major cities like Axum and Addis Ababa. Today is the king’s 40th birthday, and it is a national celebration, but also shows that the king is also aging (because back then they died at a younger age, but back then that was considered pretty old.) and could die soon, but no signs of weakening or illness have been found or noticed.
• Russia: With the conflict escalation in the Prussian civil war, emergency orders go out to the governors of Lithuania and White Ruthenia to begin construction of fortifications outside Vilnius and Minsk while a conscription bill is passed by the tsar's war council issueing for the creation of a standing army of 700,000 men to be ready. The first Russian railway between Feograd aand Novgorod is completed. Architects are sent to the industrial members of the League to prepare for Russian industrialization to replace the workshop and foundry system. Mobilization for the remaining 200,000 men is slow. In camps dotted across the west of the country, men train with old muskets and carved out prices of wood shaped like rifles. Many men don't have uniforms. Artillery is even more of a problem, simplified slingshots are all the men have to work with. A sense of dismay grips the higher ups and commanding chairman of the war council Duke Molotov of Kiev. Estimates are put at around 1855 by the time Russia can fully equip and train a modern army and navy, but by 1860 both sectors would be more then prepared. Many naval officers and builders travel to Burgundy and Britain to study transoceanic naval travel and naval warfare theories. Culturally with the rapid mobilization patriotism takes hold and patriotic songs are produced to accompany the military buildup. In Arcadia the Yukon Gold Rush ends with no real finds. The only prospect is that people were forced to settle in "Yukonia" (OTL Central Alaska and Yukon). In Novorossiya Stephen Mueller becomes a star with the song "The Joker". Mueller announces plans for a full songbook by 1856. In the meantime he starts to review his unpublished song "Fly Like an Eagle" for that songbook.
• Brésil: Surprising everyone, Emperor Tomás Medici abdicated, expressing a wish for a democratic government. However, despite not being on the ballot, Tomás is elected as the first president solely on write-ins. Begrudgingly, he decides to serve the first term. He establishes a three-branch government, with the presidential branch, the legal branch and the federal branch. Tomás is reported to have said that "the powers must be separated at all costs". However, the action of abdication causes massive dissent among the staunch monarchists, worrying many Brésilans that he would embrace other liberal ideas. In nonpolitical news, development of the interior continues.
• Aztlan: The Tlatoani has grown sick and old while the government hopes to create a trade relationship with Japan (Mod Response) The Aztecs are preparing for the worst and a new king may be crowned very soon.
  • Japanese Diplomacy: Tojo is intrigued by this offer and offers to set up a Japanese Embassy in Guadalajara as well as possibly buying a port in Baja.
  • Aztec Diplomacy: The Tlatoani accepts Tojo's offer.
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland:. The plight is over, the English are blamed a lot for it naturally. Seeing issues in Gibraltar, the British send 2000 soldiers to round up the whole population and herd them over the border to Iberia every man, woman and child. A border fence is erected, men are set to patrolling it, while a few hundred fishermen and families from England are moved in along with the new garrison who establish a position on the rock. England has a population of 16.4 million, Wales has 1.1 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.6 million. In Britain, based in southern England 10,000 professionals with 50,000 men in Ireland. In India, 15,000 soldiers in South India. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. The number of railways being built increases with connections between the coal mines and industry towns on the north. Industry is expanding quickly due to Britain's trade networks. The gold rush continues as more people move to Uluru and others are transported. Further prospecting continues in search of more precious minerals. Further explorers are sent out to Africa trying to explore rivers such as the Congo. In OTL Northern territory which is named North Uluru the Irish and Indian settlers begin to arrive setting up farms growing sustenance crops mainly. Aware of the rapid growth of a number of countries African colonies, the British propose Belka help them out gaining control of Swahili, two first-rate ships-of-the-line, four second-rate ships-of-the-line, ten frigates and four impressed merchant ships carrying additional food and water sail for Zanzibar City under the command of Captain William Carr and along with the Belkan contingent they present a demand to Swahili that Swahili sign a deal establishing a protectorate. The British and Belkans fire blanks into the harbour to make their arrival and power clear.
  • India: The movement of goods to Europe speeds up again. Further training of a central army occurs. The British continue work on Rohtasgarh Fort. The Irish establish a presence in the larger ports on the western coast rather than going out into the countryside. A lot of them gain work at the docks and as soldiers. The removal of industry from Bengal begins on a small scale. Poorer Indians are taken from small farming holdings with land redistributed or the urban poor by Sepoys, from other parts of India, from the cities and smaller farms and moved to Uluru. The Sepoy forces are more formalised under one army as a new commander Samuel Skripal with an officer academy established and a clearer pay scale increasing with length of experience. The Irish form their own regiments as well going on to command a number of native formations. Units are not stationed near where they originate from. The main army is paid for by each state contributing taxes to it. This army is separate from the British army.
  • Belkan Dip: We agree and our squadron is sent.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: With the main contingent of the Swahili navy in the South and Sefuwa, and the main coastal defenses being on the East Coast of Zanzibar, Pemba Island and Mafia Island, the Sultan of Swahili has no choice but to agree to becoming a protectorate.

• Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. The Swahili army in Rowzi begins an offensive south into Zulu territory. The marines launch an attack upon the Zulu coast. The sudden British and Belkan attack on Swahili was unexpected, and the navy and army in Zulu were unable to return to defend the capital. The Sultan was thus forced to agree to become a protectorate of the British. Regional political forces in Somalia, Aliwa, Malindi and Ibo begin to incite unrest due to the perceived weakness of the Sultan. However, on the Swahili coast, the population is ambivalent and sees it as a necessary measure. The sudden incursion also forces a doctrine and organizational reformation in the naval academies off Zanzibar, Mogadishu, Mombasa and Malindi, as well as the within the Ministry of the Ports (Foreign Ministry). However, the military attacking Zulu are not recalled, but ordered to continue fight. A success in Zulu will hopefully boost national confidence following the humiliation.
  • Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
  • Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
  • Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We accept the Ethiopian trade deal and offer protection, creating perhaps a complex chain of protectorates in East Africa.
  • Belkan Dip: We intervene in part of these negotations declaring Ethiopia a region of Belkan interest.
• Ethiopian Empire: We inform Belka that if they want to interfere with our diplomacy then they will talk to us directly. We thank Swahili for the trade and offer them and Egypt to build a Great East African Road that would connect our capitals. The Red Sea fleet tends to avoid getting too close to European ships for their own protection. Ioshua begins going on a speaking tour around the Empire informing the Ethiopian people of the European rush for resources on our continent and how we must hold firm in keeping our culture and independence. Ioshua terms this conquest the Great Race, denoting the speed at which the European nations are grabbing chunks of Africa. The Royal Guard is put on ready status and the newest ships being built in Adulis are kept in port protection. Ezana City continue to grow and becomes a major outpost for expeditions into the interior. The farms surrounding the city continue to output high quality crops and provide a basis for more population growth. The College of Axum releases its first scientifc book called "The Wildlife of the Empire." Workshops continue to pop up as the government finds its economy still growing.
  • Belkan Dip: We inform Ethiopia that it was partly our fleet that sat off the coast and subsequently subjugated Swahili and that if they wish to communicate with the Anglo-Belkan accords Protectorate it shall address the mother nations and not the protectorate.

1854

The rebellion ends in Maghreb for a number of reasons such as the number of enemy troops and French brutality. The population isn't happy but they will do as told.

A lot of people in Russia are unhappy that they are helping Prussia because they don't like Germans.

The Belkan outpost in West Cameroon is raided by natives.

The Iberian people are rightfully angered by the British stupidity and support the restoration of the people of Gibraltar to Gibraltar. Additionally, the local economy dies as there are no people there. This means there is no one for the British garrison to have sex with or all the other things. They quickly realize they have made a grave error and mutiny, destroying the hastily constructed wall and inviting all the people back.

In Brésil, people find the new government system very strange and untrustworthy. Only President Tomás, who is still called Emperor by everyone, is respected, while the other parts of the government are despised by the people. Many people begin calling for the restoration of the empire.

In Britain, a document titled The Slavic Menace is published and widely circulated among top officials in government and the military. It outlines the "treachery and untrustworthiness" of Slavic people as a group and concludes that they can't be trusted as partners on the world stage. This has the effect of creating anti-Belkan sentiment in Parliament and there are rumors that even the king subscribes to this theory. It coincides with the release of a popular novel written by famed author Bartholomew Toomes called The White Count, which features as the primary antagonist an evil, scheming Belkan count who comes to England and steals a noble Englishwoman and kills good Englishmen. Although it is primarily a comedic work, it negatively impacts the popular opinion of Belka.

With all of Saxony in revolt against Prussia, the Saxons are able to assert their freedom once more. The Prussians are forced back into Prussia proper. Napoleon returns to the Rhineland in order to seize control once more, and with the support of the people, he issues an ultimatum to the government. They can either join him or they can get out of his way. Wisely, they choose to get out of his way. He forgives them for their transgression and many of them end up rejoining his government anyway. With the Rhineland and Saxony under his control, Napoleon declares the re-formation of the Kingdom of the Germans and has himself crowned.

• Republica Iberia: The High Command of the Fuerzas Armadas de Iberia continues the national armament and organization program. The system of reservists continues to grow with a total complement of just over 480,000 trained in the basics of the military. With the vast majority of the military back in Iberia most of the men called up in 1851-1852 are sent home. This places the total reserves at 640,000 with a standing army of 72,000. The star-forts of the Pyrennean line are further fortified with trench lines dug into the tough soil of the mountains. An effort is made to carve cannon emplacements into the mountains surrounding the key passes between Iberia and France. Furthermore, the order of Sandoval Rifles for the national armory in Toledo continues to be fulfilled. Production of the weapons continues 400,000 rifles and carbines should be stockpiled there within the next two years. The Navy continues work on the eight first-rate ships-of-the-line along with another 12 second-rate ships-of-the-line, all to be completed in 1856. These ships adopt a much more Belkan inspired strategy and the first-rates have 110 guns, while the second-rates have 80. While the average size of the guns is much smaller the broadside weight is much greater and allows these ships to better engage multiple targets. These will be outfitted with Belkan Naval Artillery according to the Mediterranean Concord. Industrialization of Northern Iberia continues with strong growth in coal production and factory construction. Belkan industrial expertise begins to truly increase, not only Iberian raw industrial capacity, but also Iberian industrial efficiency. In particular, Iberian shipbuilders benefit from Belkan experience and the importation of Belkan technology in the field. These benefits begin to spill over into other areas of Iberian industry and the general efficiency of the Iberian economy begins to greatly improve. The iron industry continues its boom around Toledo due to huge demand and large textile plants open across Catalonia. Iberian cloth production now matches in value the consumption of cloth. Some of the production is exported to nations throughout the mediterranean, notably southern Belka which appreciates the light cotton clothing during the warm summers. Rail service continues to expand and and most all mid-sized cities have at least some form of access. Cotton from the increasingly productive Andalucia floods into Catalonian textile mills. Farming flourishes in the South as the large system of water management allows some farmers to grow two crops in a single year. Culturally Iberia is growing more integrated, and while regional differences persist increased migration and linguistic integrations made by the centuries of unification continue to bring the country closer. The expansion of the rail systems, and the introduction of mandatory military training also help to bring people together from across the country. The government encourages the cultural unification through incentives to intermarry, and sponsors a program encourage population growth in an attempt to populate Iberia more densely. Population estimates place the current population at 24.8 million. Efforts to codify Iberian continue, and the language work begins to become known among academics across Iberia. Iberian Diplomats offer to sell Francovilla (OTL Monrovia) to the Burgundians in exchange for their technology in naval steam-propulsion and a license to build the new breech-loading field guns they have developed.
  • En La Republica de Morocco: With open rebellion and riots at an end the majority of Iberian forces are withdrawn as the Moroccan Republic begins to build its own peacekeeping force, only the two Brigada Colonia, 16,000 troops, remain in Morocco to provide security along the border region. The economy begins to recover from damages which are thankfully fairly limited. The Moroccan Army now stands at 30,000 but lacks most modern equipment and cannons. Policing units are also reinforced, but on the whole the situation remains peaceful. New elections are held as to incorporate more of the country at the insistence of Iberia, these prove successful in replacing some of the more corrupt members of the assembly with more decent leaders. In order to encourage unity and economic recovery the government plans to rebuild the Moroccan road network to be more efficient. Morocco sees a wave of Iberian business expansions as many Iberian businesses see a chance for huge profits in the resource rich country. Mineral prospectors begin searching the Atlas Mountains and other parts of the countryside for deposits of valuable minerals.
  • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces pressure to expand. Unfortunately in the north, desert blocks much further expansion. With the ability to bring in supplies from Morocco, the colony expands once again along the southern border of Morocco (50 px).
  • Burgundian Dip: the offer is accepted.
• Japan: Asai Tojo falls ill once more, this time fully resigning and names Yamagata Aritomo as his successor. This, however, doesn't heal the split in the Seiyoka faction and the Rikken Seyukai, Tojo's party, elects Sanjo Sanetomi, their general secretary, to be the new head of the party. In order to gain more followers, Sanetomi reforms the party into one that supports republican and democratic values, gaining the support of Japanese Republican Intellectuals in Kyushu. The last fully Ainu settlement is abandoned in Hokkaido. In Chernondaeyol or the Japanese Kurils, Japanese has become the dominant language after most of the Koreans left. The Japanese Industrialization Commission begins importing materials to build the first factory in Japan, which is scheduled to be constructed in 1860 in Edo. The Japanese Diplomat to Burgundy asks for Dreyse Needle Guns, citing their treaty of friendship in which Burgundy promised Japan western technology (Burgundian Response). Japanese merchants also begin arriving in Aztlan to trade and establish themselves as a minority in the city of Cabo, creating a "Japantown". Tensions between Japanese and Tondolese merchants begins to escalate as Japanese traders become more aggressive and pierce into Tondo's already shrunken (since the trade war) sphere of influence. Japanese merchants trading in Champa begin to settle there and seek to foment resistance among the Champans to their Tondolese Overlords who possess a greatly different culture and live on an island across the sea.
  • Melanesia: Japanese merchants assert control over all of Melanesia as the settlement on New Caledonia evolves into a full-fledged city. Colonization of smaller islands in Melanesia continues. Papuanyu (I'd like to remind the mapmakers that I own all of New Guinea and West Papua) also expands along the coast.
  • Polynesia: Japanese settlers brought from Hawaii arrive in the islands. The islands become bases for Japanese trade in the New World.
  • Burgundian Dip: in light of European tensions, the arming of the Burgundian military with Needle Guns is the first priority. Once matters are settled in Europe, the sale of weapons to Japan will be revisited, Burgundian diplomats assure Japan.
• Russia: Training and arming of the army continues as the Prussian Crisis worsens. Aging Tsar Konstantin II publishes a paper touting that the Germans east of the Elbe are no threat, but seeing Napoleon's Germans as a true threat as they nearly destroyed Europe once before. The 30,000 men of the Prussian Expedition Force are called back to Russia only to be joined by Cossacks and 20,000 more soldiers who had been stationed across the Empire. They are sent back into Prussia not as soldiers but as occupiers. The 50,000 men are stationed between Pomerania and East Prussia to carve out an Anti-Germania zone collectively known as Östpeußen. Meanwhile, going along with Plan: Östpreußen 1500 soldiers, sailors and marines are dispatched to seize Hussein and Eflbentein (whatever it was called). The first textile mill is opened in Azov, it is automatically staffed by mainly young women. The textile mill is bought by the army and made to produce uniforms. Construction of the first planned factories begin in Tsaritsyn, but time for the equipment to arrive is a long time. Cossacks venturing northward stumble upon a hostile native civilization once thought to be myth. Immediately, a small scale bush war erupts in the northeast against the "Guuti" civilization. Their numbers surprise the Cossacks who use guns and shouting the Lord's name in vain at the savages is all that seems to be effective. Former leader of the band Cheslav Chistayavoda Vozrozhdeniya, Josif Fydorovich is sued for his newest song "Old Man Down The Road" for, sounding like himself surprisingly. Josef won the court case by sheer logic from his old music boss.
• French Republic: With the re-establishment of the Kingdom of the Germans, the French Chancellor begins pushing for more militarized reforms specifically designed to prepare the nation for the oncoming onslaught of pan-European war. However, he falls ill and dies shortly before finishing these reforms. His successor, Chancellor Roussel - one of the military generals that directed and supervised the genocidal tactics used against the Maghrebians - makes it his goal to not only finish these reforms, but to also plan widely for the future of the French State, including industrial bases located more centrally in France proper rather than closer to the Iberian-Burgundian borders. Due to the success in the French Maghreb, the African territory becomes transformed into a semi-autonomous republic. The navy expands, now having a total of twelve top-of-the-line battleships, 24 second-of-the-line battleships, and 40 medium-sized frigates currently in commission. Due to the need to not really need to keep any more Arcadian and Laurentian colonies and islands, the Bahamas are sold to the Belkan Empire. However, the French Republic offers the rump state of Argentine protectorate status under the Republic, and offers to help the former French colony "get itself back on its feet". (Mod).
  • French Republic of Algeria: Although labeled a republic, the government continues to crack down on militants and terrorism through the same tactics used last year. The colonial governor, Simon Rodier, gets the title as President of Algeria, although he still serves Chancellor Roussel.
  • Argentine accepts the offer. -s
  • Brésilian Diplomacy: Tomás is absolutely furious with France's actions, stating that their behavior in relation to Argentine is strictly against the Tomás doctrine. Troops are positioned along the Argentine border, and immediate withdrawal is demanded by French diplomats. In addition, the sale of the Bahamas to Belka is denounced. Argentine is, however, the current flashpoint.

• Kingdom of Egypt: The Suez Canal continues being built, but we wish for Britain to send over their share of workers and architects to help with the project. PERSON RESPONSE NEEDED. Our eastern border with Arabia continues being militarized. Our king orders a new colonization policy in the Kush region, as he wishes to populate the region futher, and also make room for the new population to populate the brand new city in the Kush region. 100 Egyptian families of various descent travel down south permanently, as they are promised land, exception from paying taxes, and more, and begin settling their “promised land” (Bible reference, LOL). Investment in the Ethiopian economy continues, with many Egyptian businesses buying out dying Ethiopian companies, and also buying stock on the Addis Ababa stock exchange. We encourage Ethiopia to accept Belkan protectorship, as it could mean more foreign investment and an eventual boom in business. Egyptian soldiers begin training with European tactics, specifically Belkan ones. As they begin to adopt shock tactics, this heavily increases their efficiency on the battlefield, along with their European weapons. We continue to build up our infrastructure, with new villages and towns being built, mainly in the Kush region to help modernize and de-isolate itself, and to prevent any rebellion that could happen if we don’t address the issue. We continue to build roads along the Nile, along with new buildings in towns. We, as always, continue to expand our most populated and major cities, Alexandria and Cairo, to meet with the increasing number of new people coming to live in these cities. Schools continue being built across the nation. The King continues to encourage an Islamic life style to all Egyptian Muslims and their families, and says it should be every Egyptian’s goal, doesn’t matter whatever religion they are, to have a big family. Advancements and studies of Islamic sciences are encouraged, with the main goal to gain support from the Caliph in Cairo. Project Khartoum continues as always, if it estimated for it to be finished at the end of the decade. A crack down on slavery begins as a new age in Egypt begins, and well paying jobs are now more common to find. In just three months 100 people in situations similar to that of slavery were emancipated and their owners renounced their ownership of their slaves, put on a quick and easy trial and thrown in jail. An increase in foreign literature has been seen around the major cities of Cairo and Alexandria, with many Belkan and British, even some Polish books of poetry and science have been appearing in Arabic translations. This could be the start of something ...
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: Seeing what has happened in Germany and France and everything. Britain declares themselves neutral today on the issue of Germany but any violation of Burgundian or Iberian neutrality by the Pact is a violation of British neutrality. The British are really worried by this reactionary movement and see the potential growth of the Pact of Steel to encompass the whole of Europe. Military spending is increased as large orders are set out for weapons and government bonds sales are increased while the interest rate is raised along with taxation seeing a rise. Alliance with Belka is ended due to some public opinion issues. Any investments in Egypt or Swahili isn't an alliance though and is ignored. England has a population of 16.9 million, Wales has 1.1 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.6 million. In Britain, based in southern England 10,000 professionals with 50,000 men in Ireland. In India, 15,000 soldiers in South India. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. Recruitment of soldiers is driven up and the navy is made ready for action with the order to draft more sailors and prepare key supplies as well as move new cannons onto ships. Parliament passes the Preparations Act 1854 which says within the decade Britain will be involved in a continental war and the Ministry of War should make preparations as such. The soldiers at Gibraltar rotated back to England and replaced by a different 2000 who leave the people of Gibraltar there as they were and the soldiers set to work constructing a fort and trench lines up on the rock.
  • India: The movement of goods to Europe speeds up again. Further training of a central army occurs. The British continue work on Rohtasgarh Fort. The Irish establish a presence in the larger ports on the western coast rather than going out into the countryside. A lot of them gain work at the docks and as soldiers. The removal of industry from Bengal begins on a small scale. Poorer Indians are taken from small farming holdings with land redistributed or the urban poor by Sepoys, from other parts of India, from the cities and smaller farms and moved to Uluru. The Sepoy forces are more formalised under one army as a new commander Samuel Skripal with an officer academy established and a clearer pay scale increasing with length of experience. The Irish form their own regiments as well going on to command a number of native formations. Units are not stationed near where they originate from. The main army is paid for by each state contributing taxes to it. This army is separate from the British army.
• Kingdom of Burgundy: Seeing the situation in Germany, and knowing of France’s alliance with the Rhineland (as the States-General do not recognize the “Kingdom of the Germans”), King Robert IV orders the military mobilized. The Army of Flanders, Army of Lorraine and Army of Champagne, each 200,000 strong and armed with Needle Guns and Haussmann artillery pieces, take their defensive positions in the north, south, and center respectively along the French border in case France decides to launch a new invasion. As more men are mobilized, they are organized into the Army of Brabant and Army of Holland which will act as reserves. The armies of the Arcadian and Laurentian colonies are also ordered to be put on standby. The Royal Navy is ordered to be put to sea, with the North Sea Fleet stationed in Friesland to guard against the Rhenish, and the stronger High Seas Fleet at Calais, with orders to engage enemy fleets that break Burgundian territorial waters. King Robert's two sons hold command positions in the newly mobilized military, Crown Prince Karel commanding the Army of Lorraine, and Prince Rogier commanding the North Sea Fleet. With the military mobilized, Burgundy slips into a wait and see mode, looking for the occasion they’ll need to leap into action.

• Kingdom of Prussia: As the conflict ensues further, the king asks for a ceasefire from the Revolutionaries to discuss terms of compromise after a ceasefire is signed in Berlin. Revolutionary leaders were checked for weapons and such with an equal number of people on both sides to view the terms of peace. Liberals wanted change in order with the King having less control. The Traditionalists wanted things to stay the same. As the liberals make their statements clear that change must be made within Prussia such as more equality between the lower and upper classes and rights to freedom of speech and rights to the press that would not be intervened by any administrative power. The traditionalists didn't have much to say and moderates such as Bismark and Hess agreed at least partly with the liberals. The liberals also bring up the idea of German Unity but are divided on working with Napoleon with other members speaking out on not the idea of facing what their fathers and grandfathers faced. The king anounced to the hearing that to expect change. In the meantime, we welcome the assistance of Russia in East Prussia as a power to maintain order. The King announces to his nation that he has had a change that must be made that our old traditions had become obsolete. He signs an agreement with the leaders of the revolution that would keep them out of jail and protected and is able to continue their group as political. He delivers a speech to the crowd in Berlin to change the government to a constitutional monarchy. He also mentions that only change could be brought to the people if people let their arms down, turned to each other, and respected each other. Even if they were to disagree, they must stay as one people for the nation. On May 22, 1854, another elected Assembly sat for the first time in Berlin. They were elected under the law of April 8th, 1854, which allowed for universal suffrage and a two-stage voting system. Most of the deputies elected to the Berlin Diet, called the Prussian National Diet, were members of the burghers or liberal bureaucracy. They set about the task of writing a constitution "by agreement with the Crown." King Maximilian of Prussia unilaterally imposed a monarchist constitution to undercut the democratic forces. This constitution took effect on December 5th, 1854. On December 5th, 1854, the Berlin Diet was dissolved and replaced with the bicameral legislature allowed under the monarchist Constitution. This legislature was composed of a Herrenhaus and a Landtag. Rogue fighters are called to stop and arrest minimize as violence slows to a halt. With order being reinstated, we focus on our economy and such plus productions of goods for ammunition and weaponry and such. Heinrich IV is raised to Brigadier General level although his men had some slight distrust in him for being a monarch. They begin to like their new commander and don't even question his royal connection and see him as only a brother-in-arms. With Napoleon back in the Rhine and reforming and uniting German States, the king makes a speech saying how we and our brothers-in-arms had fought hard to gain our expanded territory and how we must maintain the regions we had and question how our other German brothers had become ignorant to their rule from a nation that had brought us all into conflict and have attempted to unite us under their own image but not one that is fitting or in favor to any nation other then theirs putting all their influence into Cologne and trying to make us into their tools for their gain. Our land had been seized and we had Prussians moving into each other's lands that were once Saxony and the people's identifications were both Saxon and growing Prussian with some identifying as Germans within that land and we were becoming closer until Napoleon invaded and attacked our men causing loss of life. Now, he is back and a serious threat to our nation and the claimed last hub for a true nation that would work for all Germans. So, telegrams and letters are dispatched to all of Prussia’s allies of the likes of Belka, Britain, Russia and other friends informing their move for war. On December 31st, hours before the clock struck midnight, war is declared upon The Kingdom of Germany to bring a better Europe and more free German States that may have their own voices heard with a similar system of preference and not be ruled by one greater power and a democratic agenda and questioned plus elected leadership, by the people, and for the people. Armies March to there defenses along the border and wait out for the enemy to make their move as we begin to further fortify and transport goods via train while creating trenches along the border. Cannons are in place. Men are ready to die as victory for us could only come from "Blood and Iron" Prince Heinrich says to the men.He writes in a journal about his feelings of his father as a sacrifice that he has mixed feelings over but cares most importantly on what would satisfy his people and what must be done and with war facing in front of him, he questions if he will make it back to Berlin victorious or with defeat. Strategist in Berlin working out their previous plans against the Rhenish menace have to revise certain plans due to the unexpected takeover of Greater Germany.
• Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. The Swahili army in Rowzi continues an offensive south into Zulu territory. The marines launch an attack upon the Zulu coast. Regional political forces in Somalia, Aliwa, Malindi and Ibo begin to incite unrest due to the perceived weakness of the Sultan. The former trade consulates/ embassies in European capitals are remodelled to become formal Swahili embassies.
  • Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
  • Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
  • Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We request Britain to provide support in the form of military officer attaches against the Zulu.

• The Xindai Emperor dies, without designating a heir apparent. The imperial court of China is divided between his two younger brothers: Jin Enlai and Jin Xiaoping. The former is supported by the traditionalist faction (deriving from the isolationist faction), while the latter the reformist faction (deriving from the populist faction). Following a purge of high-profile reformists from the imperial court, and the persecution of its remaining faction members, the traditionalists manage to install Jin Enlai as the Emperor. However, capitalizing on the increasingly anti-elite sentiment within the peasantry; heightened by relaxed policies on education and lack of literary inquisition, he initiates a large-scale peasant rebellion based in Xi'an. Quickly establishing an agrarian-populist platform, he advocates for increased social mobility, reforms cracking down on political dynasties and emphasizing meritocracy. Furthermore, he advocates for the industrialization and militarization, as well as a protectionist and semi-isolationist foreign policy. Due to his policies, he manages to attain support from the peasants, who are organized into peasant militias led under military officials who have defected. Due to the financial cost of suppressing the rebellion, Jin Enlai doubles the tax rate and officially abolishes the tributary system while ceasing vassalship over Nivkghu and North Mongolia. The disruption of agriculture caused by the conflict coinciding with the tax hike further consolidates his unpopularity. The imperial court of Korea quickly aligns itself with Jin Xiaoping, and supplies his forces with armaments. The border with traditionalist forces is fortified, with thick resistance on both sides failing any attempts by Korea to dispatch elite troops to aid the rebellion. About 200 naval vessels (amounting to one-fifth of the total number) are dispatched to Korea Bay, launching raids on ports held by traditionalist forces as well as supplying rebels.
• Federal Republic of Brésil: President Tomás de Medici views his fellow countrymen with disappointment. He, however, believes that the Brésilians will eventually ajust to this new government. The government then proceededs to backstab Tomás. In the midst of the Argentine affair, two French diplomats made some backroom deals to members of the federal assembly. The dissent act of 1854 is passed, allowing the government almost complete control of the press, and forbidding foreign newspapers. The demands to France are dropped, following an article stating "that France has promised to withdraw from Argentine" Many people are deeply concerned about this, there have been reports of a War Plan Bourgogne circulating throughout higher leadership. Whatever the reason, recruitment has been taking place, and the military is raised to 10,000 soldiers, with a revitalized training system. A special unit of 1000 rancheros is formed, specialized in jungle warfare. Naval transport for 5000 troops is commissioned, being expected to complete in two years. Columbia and Mapuche are both sent deals, requesting military access through their territory. Military expansion isn't all that is happening, however. Infrastructure is massively invested in, expanding roads into the Amazon rainforest. Irrigation systems are massively expanded in the Uruguay river basin, as well as canals connecting most cities to a navigatable river, massively expanding agricultural output. In fact, Brésilian food begins being shipped to Europe, giving Brésil a trade surplus. Growth of Brésilian cities ensures a labor surplus, so employers begin to concentrate skilled workers in buildings called Des usines. Going back to politics, when Tomás complains to the federal assembly about the laws they have passed, and the apparent treason in favor of France, he is charged with attempted subversion and jailed. This, however, is not made public, knowing the public outcry it would generate. To outside observers, nothing appears to have happened. But the government is definitely not well.

1855

The Prussian King is quietly kidnapped in the night by hardline conservatives. After he refuses to turn back his reforms, they have him poisoned and he dies.

Napoleon sends his brother-in-law, Robert Müller, to Rome to ask the pope to restore the Imperial title to Germany. Meanwhile, he fights Prussia.

• Japan: The Japanese Government announces their support for the traditionalist faction in the Jin civil war. Japan also announces that they will pledge soldiers and ships to the traditionalists if they abolish the tributary system (Traditionalist Jin Response). Expansion of the Imperial Japanese Navy continues. Japanese merchants also begin arriving in Aztlan to trade and establish themselves as a minority in the city of Cabo, creating a "Japantown". Tensions between Japanese and Tondolese merchants begins to escalate as Japanese traders become more aggressive and pierce into Tondo's already shrunken (since the trade war) sphere of influence. Japanese merchants trading in Champa begin to settle there and seek to foment resistance among the Champans to their Tondolese Overlords who possess a greatly different culture and live on an island across the sea. Japanese advisors in Siam, pointing out China's current instability, secretly attempt to persuade the Siamese into becoming a Japanese protectorate as the only way to protect them from European colonial expansion (Siam/Mod Response, I don't know if someone is actually playing as Siam). The Japanese Industrialization Commission begins importing materials to build the first factory in Japan, which is scheduled to be constructed in 1860 in Edo. The Japanese navy is put on standby near French held territories in case Burgundy joins the war with Prussia and draws Japan in. The Japanese police force is expanded, with crime dropping to an all time low as the police crack down on both the Yakuza and other anti-government forces. 20 Japanese ships-of-the-line are sent from Formosa to Macau carrying 6000 professionally trained Japanese soldiers with top notch weaponry from Burgundy to capture the port from the French.
  • Melanesia: Japanese merchants assert control over all of Melanesia as the settlement on New Caledonia evolves into a full-fledged city. Colonization of smaller islands in Melanesia continues. Papuanyu (I'd like to remind the mapmakers that I own all of New Guinea and West Papua) also expands along the coast.
  • Polynesia: Japanese settlers arrive on the islands bought from Hawaii. The islands become bases for Japanese trade in the New World.
  • Indonesia: The Governates of Java and Sulawesi are organized into the Colony of Indonesia. Rubber, coffee and rice cultivation continues. An army of 7000 colonial conscripts is raised in Java to invade French Denpassar.
  • Siam says no -Sol
• Scandinavian Empire: King Sven III Gyldenløve responds to his people's demands after his father's, King Henrik VII, death. He institutes a programme with more power for the people, for the Karls of Scandinavia. The House of Trusted and House of Nobles will merge into the House of Peers, while a House of Commons for all Scandinavian citizens will be introduced. A system between a government and an official opposition will be created, with the House of Commons directly elected by the people. The voting process starts in the farthest away regions and ends in the more urban regions of the south, with the votes being CLOSELY guarded by armed soldiers. The king relaxes censure, but upkeeps measures against taboo themes such as pro-Catholic movements. The new House of Peers will be an advisory council on foreign affairs and military affairs, constituted by clergy members of the Kappelian Church of Scandinavia and members of the nobility hand-picked by the king. The House of Commons will be in charge of domestic affairs and nation-wide elections will be held in 1865. The country sends a secret letter to Burgundy, asking for Prinz Rupert Island and the French African colony outside of Burgundian claims in return for joining the war effort should the French join (GUY response). We otherwise improve relations with the British and send a diplomat to London. We also split the Kingdom of the Isles and Iceland from Scandinavia proper, giving them a home-rule government on their own. Scandinavia starts building railroads, with two lines being started: one from Riksdale to Malmö, and one on the island of Sjaelland, to connect Copenhagen with its island. Finally, Scandinavia seeks to expands its fleet. Scientiae Dei is continually funded by the state, along with the State Bank of St Birgitta. 
  • Iceland: We establish a major port in Reykjavik for coming whalers from the New World and encourage further whaling in Iceland and open a branch of Scientiae Dei to collect Icelandic sagas. We also tentatively try to colonize the island of Hejnriksholm (Jan Mayen).
  • Kingdom of the Isles: We encourage whaling among the community of the Isles.
  • Vinland: Expansion continues westward, slowly but surely. The government encourages mass whaling and logging in the colony's capital, Olafsborg.
  • Ny-Sjaelland: Activity is flourishing in Christianshavn and whaling and commerce is a major point. The colony prospers due to the income it gets from processing goods coming from Vinland and Scandinavia proper
  • Greenland: We support slow expansion on the coast, and we expand whaling.
  • Secret Burgundian Dip: the Scandinavian offer is accepted.
• Russia: 300,000 soldiers are deployed along the Polish border to prepare for a Polish entry into the German War. To make up in army communication a mass of Telegraph lines running from Östpreußen Division HQ in Königsberg to Riga and Minsk are hastely constructed. Kalashnikov starts to improve his original 1830s breech-rifle design. The first armaments factories along with new railroads across the south bring in large pools of labor. There are so may people working, the government conveys the "Share" system, which is an early form of rationing, mainly money and food. Kiev becomes a major railway epicenter for the Ukraine and becomes the HQ of the Zapad Railroad Company. Factories designed for textile and weapons production pop up across the cities on the banks of the Don and Volga. As of Scandinavia's more friendly show to Russia many Finn nationalists demand greater autonomy, they are granted that in just inter Finish affairs, the country isn't willing to grant the Finns independence yet. Russia offers for a small price to sell its Arcadian claims east of the 110 Meridian West as a sign of good fortune between the two countries (Andy respond). Diplomats are sent through Belka to our ally Hungary promising them Galicia in case of war with Poland. Admiral Anton Kolchack sends disturbing reports back to the mainland of French warships off the coast of Russia's newly acquired African outposts it occupies for now. Kolchack for now imposes martial law on the former Prussian colonies. Kolchack has no illusions of a great slaughter the Africans have waiting for them. In Novorossiya a group of 10,000 colonial soldiers and sailors coming from all walks of Pacific life in both Arcadia and Siberia gather to prepare for the seizure of French enclaves in China and the East Indies. Meanwhile, Stephen Mueller teases his fans about a new songbook release.
  • Scandinavian Dip: We accept this. 

• Kingdom of Prussia: The king's body is found in his palace bed dead. A small brown piece of paper lies in his shoe as his last will. As Heinrich lays down his battle plans, he receives the news via telegram. With tears streaming down his eyes, he jumps on his horse, leaves his men to a back-up Brigadier and rushes home leaving dust in the air wherever he passes. When Heinrich arrives, he grieves with so much emotion that had never been seen from a man so stern in nature. Three days later and he is buried next to the rest of the royal family. His will left behind reads of him being poisoned and awaited his death but wanted to make the perpetrators clear. They are caught trying to escape to Bohemia but are halted and arrested. Heinrich is coronated as King of Prussians. The culprits are trialed and a sentence is given. They will face execution. The ringleader of the act, though, is given something different. He unlike the rest is sentenced to life in prison intentionally made to rot behind bars with solitary confinement and highest level of security. Heinrich a week later returns back to his station as King to discuss plans against Napoleon's armies. They build heavy defences along the Elbe. At the heart of the night, King Heinrich orders around 250,000 of his men stationed along the border with thousands in trenches and on horseback and such to stay back and only shoot at the sight of an approaching enemy force while around 86,000 of those soldiers head to Wolfsburg at night travelling within the forests with lanterns. When they strike, they have the element of surprise with General Hans making his against the forces in the city. In the meantime, reinforcements head in with large amounts of Artillery placed along the Elbe defenses from Burgundy. Large population zones practice evacuation drills every 15 days that around 50 miles away from the battlefield. General Hans and his 86,000 men are divided into organized groups that spread out and head Hanover. Cavalry surround the infantryman and hauled artillery are brought along with them with us sending a rogue horse rider into the city blowing around leaflets warning of the city being a battleground and advise people to take cover if they hear gunfire in their lowest floors and such to avoid injury to civilians. 50,000 more troops cross the Elbe from the north and attack Stade with reinforced lines of troops are sent around their occupancy path and are divided into groups to ensure that they aren't encircled. Goods begin to be transported over to the men as they march toward Hanover in a defensive formation to protect from incoming men. In the landtag, discussions over the war brew on how we could win the conflict and how much more funding should we add to the military. It is decided that they take heavy investments into it in hopes of expanding the budget for greater levels of purchase and such. The Sünger Sewing Machine begins being distributed as an item for more efficient and better operating sewing machines for business purposes. Taxes is raised on the rich further to even out the Noble-to-lower class wage gap and as an attempt to distribute wealth but this is only raised slightly just to help kick off levels of funding for public schooling. Members of The League of Eagles is reached out to further with us and Scandinavia having a kick-off of relations, we offer them sleep cars and railroad materials and request in exchange for furniture, furs and materials plus volunteers for our war against Napoleon. An alliance is also offered (Player Response). The Russians are reached out to for backup support. Belka is also contacted for transports of finished goods to assist in our supplies while our more Western counterparts are only asked to do what they can to assist as currently any support is much needed. French ships are spotted and with a telegram having been received of their declaration of war, we dispatch 98,000 to the north and add another section to re-enforcements the border line along the Elbe. People in Hamburg begin to be evacuated and take shelters in cellars while a fight rages on along the mouth of the Elbe with us attempting to hold back the French but it is deemed as safe to return after the Scandinavians and our other alliesanage to keep them away from our coastal, and river opening communities. Operation Black Parade is given a go and at the hear of night with smoke being spread across the Elbe, our men cross the border and meet up in Stade and Wolfsburg and hit hard at Hanover and also branch off room the Elbe and go for Liepzig with reinforcements arriving to take care of the forts along the Elbe and abroad the border. Scandinavian men are greeted and work alongside us Prussians helping with defensive management while we continue our march into the Napoleonic German Kingdom.
  • Scandinavian Secret Dip: We accept the offer.
• French Republic: With over 800,000 ruthless active soldiers and 700,000 reserves prepared to eat their own guts and then some, war is declared on the Kingdom of Prussia and Russia for their declaration of war against France's ally, the Kingdom of the Germans/Rhineland. 175,000 troops, armed to the teeth with 1845 Seine rifles (equivalent to the OTL M1841 Mississippi rifle) and transported via two top-of-the-line battleships and eight medium-sized frigates to the Rhineland to help the war effort, with 75,000 troops beginning a front in the region just below Scandinavia. The Russian and Prussian colonies in the Africa are immediatley invaded in hopes of siezing them. Bohemia is asked to join the war effort by joining the war, promising it parts of Silesia from Prussia if it joines (Scraw). With the Iberia, Burgundy, and Scandinavian Empire declaring war on France, all of the reserves are mobilized, with 400,000 men divided into four armies invading Burgundy throughout the Burgundian border. 250,000 men begin invading Iberia in total, with 100,000 of those invading through Navarre, 75,000 invading Sardinia through its close proximity to Corsica, and 75,000 remaining stationed on the Iberian border, waiting for the offensive. Knowing that Britain will enter the war soon, the navy is set up in defensive positions along the Atlantic border. The Burgundian provinces of Bourgogne, Belgium, Aube, and OTL Grand Est are invaded. The population becomes overly nationalistic with the numerous countries declaring war on their nation, and soon many ethnic English, Dutch, Belkan, and Iberian citizens begin to be killed (not by the military, but by the people) as the atrocity of being declared war on by seven nations has proved to raise citizen moral and military moral. The population reaches a solid 35.5 million. Mandatory laws for businesses to provide food to men on the front lines are passed, and the usage of railroads to transport men and goods to the front lines is abused heavily. In the French Republic of Algeria, the city of Algiers becomes heavily fortified, and it becomes mandatory for the natives to serve in the armed forces due to the Belkan invasion, with many promises that their service will give them reduced taxes and are allowed to keep any and all riches secured on the battlefield. Two top-line battleships and six second-battleships are sent to French Benin, to help capture the Prussian and Russian colonies respectively. Due to the populace having enjoyed the French stay in Benin, citizens being voluntarily joining the armed forces to protect their sovereignty from "evil warlords that wish to turn Benin into a slave pit", although much of the men are conscripted and supplied with colonial-level weaponry. 
  • Scandinavian Dip: We declare war upon France and all their allies. We raise 70,000 troops in Denmark and Scania to move to the Elbe front and have our navy stationed in the Skagerrak. 
  • Bohemia joins. -scraw

• China continues to experience warfare, with Beijing captured by the peasant militias under Jin Xiaoping, with reinforcements arriving from Korea, who have successively breached the fortifications of the traditionalist forces. A new government is organized, and establishes control over the entirety of China north over the Yangtze river. Jin Enlai and his forces retreat south, taking the remnants of the imperial court in Nanjing. However, his unpopularity is further cemented by the implementation of grain quotas, seizing the surplus grain of farmers to fund his war campaign. With the arrival of Korean reinforcements (who are better equipped and better trained), Jin Xiaoping urges his peasant militias to not abandon their fields to prevent further disruptions in agriculture. In Korea the number of naval vessels engaged in raiding the coastal territories under traditionalist forces is raised to 300 ships, while 50 ships (with a complement of 10,000 men) are dispatched south to launch a naval assault on the port of Shanghai. Meanwhile, an addition 50 ships are sent to neutral French Macau in order to capture the port of Zhuhai, which will be the base to launch a larger offensive capturing the Pearl River Delta. In both Korea and the Chinese territories controlled by the reformists, the civil examination system is abolished, and replaced with a temporary system of direct appointment based on loyalty and merit, regardless of social class. The class system and huji system (which discriminates against rural people) is also abolished.
  • Japanese diplomats meet with Jin Enlai and offer to pledge troops and ships if they abolish the tributary system and pursue an isolationist policy.
  • The traditionalists reject the Japanese offer and threatens to launch a punitive expedition if they intervene.

• Kingdom of Burgundy: French ships are spotted sailing through Burgundian territorial waters in the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. Seeing this as a hostile action, the commander of the High Seas Fleet, Admiral Graaf Hasselt exercises his discretion and orders the French to be engaged (the battle lines are 23 Burgundian first-rates, 29 second-rates, all armed with explosive shells against two French first-rates, and eight frigates, none armed with shells, is an algo necessary?). Before the battle, the steam frigate SMS Vuurbol is sent back to port at flank speed to inform the military and government. Grand Admiral Cornelis van Roosevelt takes his own initiative and sends messages directly to the Army, who order the Burgundian forces along the French border to consider themselves at war, that any French movements are to be considered of hostile intent. By eveningfall, the States-General and King Robert have met and passed a declaration of war against France for the violation of sovereign Burgundian territory. As the French make their offensives, the Army of Flanders meets the French attack toward Belgica, the Army of Champagne meets the attack in otl Aube, Crown Prince Karels Army of Flanders counters the attack into Ducal Burgundy, and the reserve Army of Brabant (150,000 strong) is sent to match the fourth French army moving toward the border of OTL Grand Est. Meanwhile, the 50,000 strong Army of Limburg is sent to occupy Alsace. Word reaches the Admiralty about the Battle of the Strait of Dover and the naval Battle of Sardinia, and the effectiveness of explosive shells. Reports from the SMS Herzog Guise, the flagship of the High Seas Fleet, state that a French first-rate ship-of-the-line exploded after a single broadside, likely for a shell that detonated in its powder storage. Reports from other ships of the High Seas Fleet concur in the devastation shells inflict on wooden-hulled warships. To say the Admiralty is surprised is an understatement, and after being informed, King Robert IV orders the navy to devise a way to protect Burgundian ships from similar weapons. (More to come)
  • The Japanese wish to join the war in exchange for the French Colonies in East Asia.
    • Burgundian Dip: Burgundy answers that it would recognize Japanese ownership of any French colonies they seize during this war.

• Kingdom of Egypt: with Europe going to war again, our king decides it’s best to stay out of it and Declares Egyptian Neutrality in this “Great European War, But says he might join in the future. We continue to modify are navy, and offer to buy ten ships-of-the-line from Belka (FEUD RESPONSE ABSOLUTELY NEEDED!!). We continue to build up our infrastructure by building roads along the Nile, along with expanding our most populated cities of Cairo and Alexandria. The University of Cairo begins its construction this year, and should be finished in a couple of years, this along with the continuous building of many schools across the nation happens in education. The king continues to support an Islamic life style for all Egyptian Muslims, along with encouraging the studying and research of Islamic sciences. We take advantage of the war situation in Europe to start arms dealing with Belka and ask Belka if they would like to buy some weapons (FEUD RESPONSE NEEDED). The navy is put on red alert and the same goes for the army. Project Khartoum continues to be constructed in the Kush (Sudan) Region. Militarization and fortification of the Arabian-Egyptian border continues. The Suez Canal continues its construction, albeit with more guards due to the war.
  • Belkan Dip: We agree to build ten modern ships for Egypt's navy rather than selling old stock. We also request to rent out an Egyptian army of roughly 80,000 troops.
    • Egyptian response: We tell Belka we simply can not give them 80,000 troops. Why not? Because that’s our entire army, but we could settle for sending 1000 men.

• Belkan Empire: The situation having developed in Europe to a breaking point, the Belkan Supreme Soviet and the tsar himself declare the League of Eagles defensive treaties in full effect and the Belkan Empire declares war on the Pact of Steel in Force. While the economy has not in reality fully recovered, there is supreme confidence in the new abilities of Belka to handle the wartime and under new laws put into effect the Belkan Empire effectively employs itself into a wartime economy. while somewhat lacking the Belkan textile industry begins to take off purchasing cotton from Britain and Egypt as it begins to church out uniforms and other military related clothes. The standing army of nearly 1.5 million troops is mobilized and the Forces standing by in Slovenia convene and launch a massive strike into Southern Austria with nearly 800,000 troops split into four armies which are to seize various objective after breaching the frontier launching operation Dragonov into Austria. The Belkan army of Tunisia also seeing a large French army nearby in Algiers launches its own attack into Algiers slamming into the French army in the colonial capital agreeing to spread out and siege the city as an auxilliary Maghrebi force goes about seizing other cities and towns along the way. This force is made up of about 40,000 Maghrebi troops who are given the mission to liberate their country from the French under the joint command of Belkan Maghrebi commanders. On the home front the Belkan navy is deployed en masse with the entire fleet of nearly 150 ships splitting off into battlegroups minus the ten ships still located in Socotra. This leaves Belka with 18 battleships, 40 cruisers, 65 third-rates, and the rest being gunboats which spread out across the Mediterranean with the main battle fleet of the Belkan High Seas Fleet consisting of seven battleships, 15 cruisers and 20 third-rates which effectively blockade much of the Mediterranean but avoiding close contact with the French coast. The remaining Belkan standing army of nearly 550,000 troops begin to plan other operations and two main armies of 200,000 apiece are drawn up and begin moving north to maneuver around to support Russia. The final smaller army of 150,000 is kept domestically as a deterrent force. However, with this going on the draft laws are changed and it becomes apparent that Belka could potentially double its current fighting strength. Upward of 600,000 men begin to be trained for the reserves while another 900,000 are slated to be trained in smaller more concentrated runs in the next few years. While Belka is mostly prepared for war, the activation of such an immense and powerful industry has brought the military and martial spirit of the Belkan nation back to the forefront. The introduction of the new rifles across Belka's armies and the new artillery cannons puts Belka firmly in the camp of the most advanced and well equipped army in Europe. Tsar Vladimir addresses his troops in Slovenia before their invasion of Austria and with his powerful oratory skills he speaks. "The Balance of Europe is one that has never been easy to achieve, and in recent years our great nation has suffered untold atrocities impacted brother to brother, but we have persevered. This ... Napoleon, These French, they are respectable, and their courage and valour cannot be something we ignore, But Belka ... She is the war foundry of Europe, she is the reborn eagle which will lead Europe into an age of peace and prosperity. We have consistently done the impossible, and once again Belka shall make her name known, respected and healthily feared across Europe. March onward sons of the motherland, march to victory!" While Algeria is not as decisive as high command had hoped the Belkan General staff and high command agree that tying down 140,000 French troops so far from home is a good idea the Belkan armies focus mostly on fighting in Austria. The Belkan army surrounding Algiers begins to dig in heavily building its own trenchlines around the city effectively leaving it fully surrounded and a break in the siege a highly costly affair for the French army. The offensives in Austria, however, are much more successful as the border engagement goes well as does the invasion of Graz which sees the southern third of Austria fall to the Belkan armies which began to fan out into Tyrol and central Austria with 400,000 troops looking to secure Tyrol and western Austria before linking up on the western side of Vienna while the other two armies of 200,000 apiece have camped just south and east respectively. Under intense pressures from the war, a large and profitable base of nitrate farms is set up to make the necessary arrangements to fully outfit the Belkan armies with enough powder to fight the war unhindered by outside supply constraints.

• Republic of Texas: The current Texan government is under the leadership of Grand Marshall Jack Caldwell, who is a member of the Liberty Party. The government has two different parties: the Liberty Party and Patriot Party. While these are political parties, it is more accurate to call them confederation/alliances of various different cowboys and dragoons - and others. The Liberty Party is by far the largest of two and comprises the majority of the cowboys. They advocated the continuation of the massive decentralization of the government, to the point of near anarchy, and a relative political isolation from the rest of the world while the Patriot Party is made up of outliers and fringe groups of the cowboys, along with farmers, ranchers and ordinary townspeople. They advocate the advancement of governmental powers, futhering economic developing, and generally an establishment of a more sedentary lifestyle. The Grand Marshall is ultimately the head of government and the military. The Grand Marshall is limited to a single ten-year term limit. Within Texas there are many gunfights between members of the two parties. At the town of Walsburg a fight occurs between Patriots and Liberty members ending in 30 dead.
• Ethiopian Empire: The Empire makes no notice of the war in Europe. Ioshua decides how to proceed with the war in Europe knowing it will effect trade. The College of Axum begins to experiment with throw-able explosives (if plausible). The Imperial Guard is expanded to 150,000 while the new regular army stands at 77,000 as it continues to grow. The Red Sea fleet is instructed to not sail too close to European vessels involved in the current Great War. Ezana City now sits around 30,000 consisting mostly of a merchant class that sells to the farmers and explorers going into the interior. Adulis continues to be under the protection of the newest ships made until newer ships are made to replace those. The general populace is trained again for war by the Imperial Guard. Workshops slightly shift to produce rifles for the Army. More roads around the nation are paved and upscale parts of cities have bricked roads.

• Republica Iberia: The High Command of the Fuerzas Armadas de Iberia continues the national armament and organization program. The system of reservists continues to grow with a total reserves at 740,000 with a standing army of 72,000 at the beginning of the year. However, after the outbreak of total war in Europe, the army calls up an additional 400,000 soldiers for a standing army of 472,000. Most are deployed to the Pyrenean line, with 72,000 deployed to Morocco. The soldiers on the Pyrenean line are deployed in four armies, East, Center, West, and Navarre. The star-forts of the Pyrennean line are further fortified with trench lines dug deep into the tough soil of the mountains. Tunnels are burrowed deep into the mountains for the safe transportation of men and supplies; further effort is made to carve cannon emplacements into the mountains surrounding the key passes between Iberia and France. Furthermore, the order of Sandoval Rifles for the national armory in Toledo continues being fulfilled. Production of the weapons continues 400,000 rifles and carbines should be stockpiled by the end of 1855. The Navy continues work on the eight first-rate ships-of-the-line along with another 12 second-rate ships-of-the-line, all to be completed in 1856. Burgundian naval technology is implemented in a late stage redesign of the ships’ power plants. Economic growth is converted into militarizing the economy, and producing Sandoval Rifles and the recently purchased Burgundian breechloading field cannons. After receiving word of Iberian entry into the war late in the year, Iberian forces in the West and Navarre Armies launch simultaneous attacks on the neck of Navarre where it enters the Iberian Peninsula from the South West and the East. A moderate Iberian fleet is sent to support the invasion. The assaults meet limited resistance as French forces have been occupied in the north. Thus after occupying the country, the armies begin to dig in expecting a French attack. The navy begins operations with Belkan naval units to interdict French trade, effectively cutting France off from Algeria. This allows Iberian troops, supported by 30,000 Moroccans to invade Algeria from the west, meeting up with Belkan forces in Algeria after several weeks of limited fighting. The Moroccan forces support the war effort by ensuring that local populations do not revolt behind the Iberian troops. General sentiment of France and the outcome of the Algerian Crisis in 1851 led Iberia to send word to Belka that it intends to move that France be removed from the Mediterranean Concord. It is stated that the French posturing in the Mediterranean demonstrates a lack of resolve behind the principles of the Concord. Furthermore, should Belka agree to expel France from the Concord, Iberia would lodge a complaint in the treaty of French meddling in Iberian spheres, thus Belka would be bound to aid Iberia in driving France from Iberian claims in the Western Mediterranean. Iberia will declare war on the French Republic if Belka accepts.
  • En La Republica de Morocco: Morocco joined the war against France, a move which the population generally supports having heard of the brutal occupation and crimes committed by the French. The army is deployed with Iberian forces to help support the liberation of Algeria. A further 10,000 Moroccans volunteer, and are used to continue solidifying republican control of the country. With the highly popular news of the invasion, popular support for the government grows. While small holdouts remain in the south and east, more than 85% of the country is firmly under control of the republic by the end of the year.
  • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces pressure to expand. Unfortunately in the north, desert blocks much further expansion. Expansion plans are cancelled due to the war.
    Belkan Dip: We agree.
  • Egyptian Dip. We offer Iberia to buy a flock of camels for $10,000.
  • Iberian Dip: Accepted, to be used for scouting in Algeria.

• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: Seeing France invade Burgundy, we declare war on the Pact of Steel. This war had to be done and fought before the anti-monarchist/anti-capitalist forces forces of Germany and France work together to form a European Union. The British Parliament increases military spending again and authorises an expeditionary force to be sent to Burgundy across the channel in support of Burgundy against France comprising 50,000 soldiers, artillery and cavalry this year while recruitment is increased so reinforcements can be sent. Further production of weapons and supplies is pushed up by factories. Orders for construction of large landing craft on unimproved shores carrying foot, horse and cannon are given. England has a population of 17.3 million, Wales has 1.1 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.6 million. In Britain, based in southern England 10,000 professionals with 50,000 men in Ireland. In India, 15,000 soldiers in South India. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. The royal navy proceeds to make an effort to blockade the French Atlantic coast patrolling the seas. Sales of government bonds rises to finance the war. Parliament asks their Arcadian cousins to declare war on France if they feel like it. (Mod response)
  • India: With war in Europe breaking out everything in India remains quite calm. Some 30,000 Sepoys are deployed overseas to Europe on double pay.
  • They do not particularly feel like it. -scraw

• Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. The Swahili army in Rowzi continues an offensive south into Zulu territory. The marines launch an attack upon the Zulu coast. Regional political forces in Somalia, Aliwa, Malindi and Ibo begin to incite unrest due to the perceived weakness of the Sultan. The Department of the Port is officially reorganized into the Foreign Ministry of Swahili.
  • Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
  • Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
  • Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We request Britain for support in the form of military officer attaches against the Zulu.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We offer Britain to provide munitions, guns and the 40,000 men foreign volunteer legion if Britain is willing to set up factories in Swahili.

1856

The ongoing war continues, that is all.

Napoleon is great, possibly even the greatest, maybe even of all time.

• French Republic: With losses on all fronts made and the loss of Navarre to the Iberians, it is decided that instead of pulling off numerous different offenses in Europe, that a defensive will begin. Guarded by all of the active military in the case of being assaulted during the progress, trenches are built all the way across the Iberian and Burgundian borders. After these trenches are built, most of the troops are ordered to begin settling in and taking up defensive positions in these trenches to allow no further advancements into the French mainland by either Burgundian and Iberian forces. The entire Atlantic coast is put on watch as if any invasions occur, then a squadron of 150,000 troops will be deployed to defend. Corsica, due to its fortress-like behavior that was voted upon decades before the war occurred, is also put on lockdown as 30,000 troops are moved there to begin taking up defensive and strategic points. Because of the outdated weaponry used, the Nantes Armory begins producing and selling new and expiremental weaponry for use in the frontlines of the war. These are called the Nantes Model 1856 (OTL Springfield Model 1855). In terms of artillery, the 6-pounder is replaced by the new and improved, as well as more efficient: Model 1855 12-pounder "Bazaine". The French Republic of Maghreb is given independence due to the need to use resources for the mainland rather than the state. Due to Benin's distance away from the conflict, it is still boarded up in fortresses around the coast to prevent any attacks from any European power. The population faces large conscription to help defend the mainland from any possible European invaders. The coastal capital of Kalabri is boarded and placed on lockdown.
• Russia: An extra 100,000 men is give to the 1st Army under General Andrei Denkin. This army of 400,000 men is told to march to Warsaw and burn the city. More reserves are called up bringing the army to one million men. There are two crises, the first is weapons. Men are still using outdated muskets. So Kalashnikov rushes his new breech-rifle designs (a cheaply made Spencer rifle) all while the Mosin Company releases its new carbine to the troops (an 1855 Colt Revolver rifle). More telegraphs and factories are placed around the western half of the country to accommodate the weapons demand. The second crisis is in Asia where 5000 of the 15,000 men are sent to take Macau and Papua are srck fighting against whordes of marauding Chinese. These causes and international incident with a neutral power in civil war fighting both alliances soldiers at the same time. The troops under Vlad Belik's Macau force return to Vostokgrad. Meanwhile, the army of Papua takes Frances Papua ports. Without acting, a cabal of Siberian governors form an army of 30,000 Siberian-born soldiers, to invade the disfunctional Chinese northern vassals. Using cavalry and boats Yuurt is taken from Mongolia while remembering days of old, heavy skirmishes occur in the woods of Sakha. Futilely Nivhk boats duel with outdated but reliable cruisers off the south Siberian coast. Admiral Kolchak's ship is sunk of the coast of Angola where he barely survives only to land in Iberian territory there. He and his men compile themselves as the Russian Africa squadron was just wiped out. Not knowing about current events, settlers in Arcadia continue to settle eastward. Stephen Meuller releases "Fly Like An Eagle" in New Constantinople, which becomes a major hit, the man becoming a huge celebrity in the Novorossiya.
  • For the last time, Japan owns all of Papua. The Chinese East India Company collapsed and the French sold their colonies to us during the Franco-Burgundian War. France also owns Macau-Japan
  • Did you forget I'm at war with France, and what are those two French enclaves in Papua I see? -Russia
  • I repeat: They sold all their colonies to me during the Franco-Burgundian War. That includes those enclaves.
  • Then tell me why they are on a map of 1850 when that war ended in the early 1840s. -Orwell
  • The Map before this one showed me owning all of Papua then the mapmakers inexplicably changed it to China and France owning part of it even though no territorial changes had been made.
  • Technically the map changes were not inexplicable, because I can explain and account for them. A while ago when color changes were going on and mapmakers were changing, something got messed up and China's colony was removed in the mess. So I corrected it. You did get all of France's colonies except Depenssar. This led France afterward to buy ports from the Chinese colony as it lost all of its stuff to you. So that's why there are France and China are in Indonesia. Sorry, you don't control everything. Hop off. ~Nic
  • Was there not an event that said that the Chinese East India Company went bankrupt. Would this not mean that China lost its colonies? Also, the treaty of Bosavi which was Japan's annexation of Quququ had Japan as its sole protector.
• Japan: As France has taken away all their troops to be put in the mainland, Macau and Denpassar are occupied. The occupying forces establish the military governments of Macau and Denpassar. Hearing of the Russian Invasion of China, Japan mounts 10,000 soldiers for a naval invasion of Korea. The Chinese, busy fighting Russia, are unprepared for our invasion and we occupy the island of Jeoul and siege the city of Busan. We ask for an alliance with Russia against our common foes of the Pact of Steel as well as the Jin (Russian Response). The Japanese force of 20,000 colonial divisions equipped with modern weaponry in Papuanyu launches an invasion of Chinese Papua which has seemingly reappeared after being gone for over a decade.
• Belkan Empire:  The Siege of Algiers continues in earnest and the French troops residing in the city are requested to surrender as France has abandoned North Africa. The French troops in Algiers are noted to have been left for dead which is included in the surrender request (mod). While this is a tertiary front, the Belkan armed forces converge on the German southern capital of Vienna, one of the greatest cities in Germany. 800,000 troops from Belkan Grand Army commanded by civil war hero Georgy Zaiyetsev, ostensibly Belka's main Army group in the war, hit Vienna from all sides as elements push around from all sides intent on encircling Vienna and crushing the city and its defenders outright. While this is ongoing the two armies sent north known as Army Group North commanded by Aleksey Aegeanov enter Poland after a years preparations. While lower on cavalry and artillery support in favor of the Belkan Grand Army, the Belkan army pushes on Galicia in full with nearly 400,000 troops with 200,000 hitting Galicia in full with the other army slamming into Polands core heartland fully intending on cutting Galicia off from core poland. the 200,000 strong army hits the Poles full force in Galicia hitting them near Gotogory (Poland should have about 150,000 troops in general around here) The second army converges on galicia and aims north toward Warsaw looking to prevent more assistance from the Polish troops stationed near warsaw (should have another 150,000 have them half mobilization for good measure) (algos to come). The homefront sees three new armies raised and outfitted to a medium standard in artillery and Cavalry. In a short measure to aid the Spanish who lack in manpower, a force of 200,000 troops escorted by the 14 strategic squadron (two Battleships, 13 second-rates, and 15 third-rates) land in Spain and begin setting up their camp in Northern Iberia in full support of the Iberian armies on the Pyrenees line. the remaining 400,000 are devoted as a strategic reserve and place garrison duty all around the Empire waiting fully on further developments in the war. Belka's industry kicks into full overdrive. The Karakov process once a curiosity is proven in its worth and large steel producers begin dumping their older more inefficient and expensive methods in order to more heavily manufacture steel in unheard of quantities. While it is just a few producers as of late the push for more steel production to go this way takes hold due to the economic incentive due to war production. Textile manufacturers also expand as cotton is bought in record amounts to outfit hundreds of thousands of soldiers and support staff. The Supreme Soviet, noticing a supreme deficit in the budget, is forced to increase taxes as a result but also raises money in unprecedented ways. For the first time in Belkan history, the citizens of the empire are called upon to fund the war effort beyond this. War bonds are sold and with such a war going on, the Belkan people buy into the ideals the tsar has presented and war bonds are bought in record numbers securing financing heavy for the war effort. Zastava Arms, and the Plovdiv Arsenal as well as the Milošević Artillery Foundries are all expanded. Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece all see expansions of various arms related industries including basic industries which provide tens of thousands of jobs to the still somewhat beleaguered peoples of southern Belka who take these jobs in spades. The battle of Vienna goes well for the Belkan army as the Grand Army decisively crushes resistance at Vienna encircling the city and following up with a quick capture of the city and its defenders. Warsaw while a bit more difficult sees much of the same results as the Polish forces holding the city are unable to hold off the overwhelming numbers from their city even after multiple battles which are a brutal slog through the city. With the effective occupation of Austria underway one of the Belkan reserve armies takes on the occupation duty with 200,000 troops stationing themselves across austria as the Grand Army marches north pushing around into central germany. The Grand Army splits in two with a force effectively readying itself to invade Czechia. a Force of 50,000 detached from the home army is sent to Egypt on charter and camps in Damietta with full intent to move south to Ethiopia. While not widespread, telegraphs have starting to lightly crop up across the Empire. However, with the war on, the Supreme Soviet sees their worth and authorizes a spending bill to fund a nationwide telegraph network.
  • Scandinavian Dip: We send a letter, asking for aid in navally attacking the French colony of Benin. (FEUD response).
  • Belkan Dip: Belka agrees and details a 20-ship battlegroup of two battleships, five cruisers, seven third-rate frigates and six corvettes.
• Scandinavian Empire: King Sven III Gyldenløve continues to oversee the democratic transformation of Scandinavia. Our troops in Prussia continue marching with the Prussian army. We send a letter to Burgundy, asking for aid in navally attacking the French colony of Benin (GUY response). We otherwise improve relations with the British and send a diplomat to London. Scandinavia continues building railroads, with two lines being started: one from Riksdale to Malmö, and one on the island of Sjaelland, to connect Copenhagen with its island. No new project is funded due to the war. Finally, Scandinavia seeks to expands its fleet. Scientiae Dei is continually funded by the state, along with the State Bank of St Birgitta.
  • Iceland: We establish a major port in Reykjavik for coming whalers from the New World and encourage further whaling in Iceland and open a branch of Scientiae Dei to collect Icelandic sagas. We also tentatively try to colonize the island of Hejnriksholm (Jan Mayen) and scout in the northeast of Jan Mayen, looking for new whaling spots (MOD response for me colonizing Jan Mayen and finding Svalbard).
    • Approved. -scraw
  • Kingdom of the Isles: We encourage whaling among the community of the Isles.
  • Vinland: Expansion continues westward, slowly but surely. The government encourages mass whaling and logging in the colony's capital, Olafsborg. We plan merging the colony with Ny-Sjaelland for next year.
  • Ny-Sjaelland: Activity is flourishing in Christianshavn and whaling and commerce is a major point. The colony prospers due to the income it gets from processing goods coming from Vinland and Scandinavia proper. We plan merging the colony with Vinland for next year.
  • Prins-Rupert Island: We give the Basques freedom, appoint Benat Aritza as governor and expand whaling.
  • Greenland: We support slow expansion on the coast, and we expand whaling.
  • Burgundian Dip: A detachment of the North Sea Fleet, consisting of three first-rates, six second-rates, and 11 frigates, along with transports carrying 20,000 troops, are allotted to support the Scandinavians.
    • Scandinavian response: We bring the best of our ships with us to Africa with the best of our ships, with 20,000 men, heading for Benin. 

• Kingdom of Egypt: In parliament, new laws known as the “Obscenity Laws of 1856” are passed, which basically bans obscene conversations. These new laws are summed up by the Prime Minister as “Banning the foul language that has plagued our society in Egypt today, this foul language violates the Qur’an and Egyptian morals in every way possible, and will not be tolerated in the media or in public places. Talk about sexual things in public shall also be restricted, and must not be said in places of education and religion.” These new laws also make it easier for the government to control the media, and other things. These laws make other topics, not just obscene topics, also illegal to talk about in public, this includes certain political topics. New Lèse-majesté laws are also passed, and now Lèse-majesté is a law in Egypt now, and is enforced, with no exceptions. We send an ultimatum to the Ethiopian Emperor, requesting that Ethiopia become a protectorate of the Belkan Empire. In exchange, Egypt will fully invest in Ethiopia’s economy, and will expand trade, and Belka will also help build up Ethiopia’s infrastructure, all the while you get to stay in power as Emperor of the Ethiopians, and many oversee the protectorateship, of course, you may decline this offer, but it’s heavily suggested you accept it. (ETHIOPIAN RESPONSE NEEDED) We announce this year that we will restrict French access to our waters, and will board and detain the crew of any French ship that violates our sovereign waters. We continue to build up our infrastructure, by building roads along the Nile, and expanding or most populated cities of Cairo and Alexandria. New schools are built all across the country, and new medicines are created to cure the sick. The King continued to encourage an Islamic lifestyle for all Egyptian Muslims and their family, he also encourages the study and research of Islamic sciences. The Khartoum Project shall be completed next year, with 200 families already on the waiting list to move into the new city.
• Republic of Texas: The country remains apathetic toward the Great European war occurring abroad, instead choosing to maintain much of its focus inward. The lifestyle remains mostly the same, with little change occurring in the country with free living, with little intervention from the government. Small-scale fights occurs between Pats and Libs across the country, being mostly shoot-outs. However, some farmers, and townspeople tired of the constant violence and gangs that terrorize their towns, move to Bayous in what it is OTL Louisiana establishing small scale communities. The Pats, believing they can attract more foreigners to their cause, begin to move around Anglo-Arcadia glorifying the Texan lifestyle and the freedom it entails, to attempt to encourage young fresh blood to move to Texas.
• Ethiopian Empire: We respectfully decline Egypt's offer but we do offer to help in anyway with the war. We propose to send a 20,000-man Ethiopian Legion to help Belka in Europe. We also begin to privateer French shipping in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Ioshua selects 20,000 of his best troops to be sent away in case that Belka accepts the offer. The college of Axum continues to experiment with throw-able Explosives. Ezana City still continues to be a staple in Lake Turkana lifestyle providing to be a nice cityscape in what is seen as the frontier. Science becomes more important as the colleges look for ways to make medicine better for the populace. The Emperor liking the readings of Ecology begins to Sponsor the Royal Zoo in Addis Ababa to be owned by the Royal family. More schools and churches are built around the nation - as are more roads begin paved for use.
  • Egyptian Response: We respect Ethiopia’s decision, but are heavily disappointed. Investment still continues in the Ethiopian economy, gobbling up stocks and land.
  • Belkan Dip: Under the umbrella of Belkan protection, Ethiopia can peacefully modernize and gain better use of its resources. Belka offers a protectorate over Ethiopia in exchange for Belkan investment, and some administration of her resources. It is strongly recommended Ethiopia take this deal.
  • Ethiopian Response: We will agree as long as the Emperor has control over his people, armed forces and most of the resources.
  • EoGuy accidentally removed it, restored. -Feud

• China-Korea: With the capture of Nanjing, the southern viceroys begin capitulating to the victorious reformist forces. Jin Enlai and the remnants of the traditionalists are caught and jailed, and are to be tried next year. However, traditionalist sympathizers assassinate Jin Xiaoping during celebrations in Dalyeon. As a result, the week following his death is declared a period of mourning. Prince Jin Yinxhi is chosen by the reformist faction as his successor due to popular support. To deter the mild Japanese siege, 20,000 troops are sent from the Ulsan garrison to Busan, with the Japanese being ousted from the mainland. Meanwhile, a fleet of 50 ships (each having a complement of ~200 soldiers and sailors), primarily of the turtle-ship class, is first amassed in Mokpo and sent to Jeju, successfully capturing it. An additional 50 are sent to Daemado (resulting in the total ships mobilized being raised to ~100 ships), to stage a future punitive expedition against Japan. A treaty stipulating Chinese demands is drafted in the capital in anticipation of success. Russian action in Macau and to the north of China is ignored, due to Macau's status as a French concession, and due to the northern states no longer under China's jurisdiction. However, a force of ~100,000 Green Standard Army troops are sent northward as a precaution, and messengers are sent to the Chinese embassy in Moscow saying any entry into Chinese territory will be met with resistance. Gold mines are opened to finance the punitive expedition against Japan and to stabilize the economy. Land is seized from landlords and other aristocrats aligning with the traditionalists, and is redistributed among their tenant farmers. A national market for excess grain is established, in order to purchase the surplus grain from farmers, and for the farmers to amass enough disposable income to engage in other economic sectors.

• Republica Iberia: The first year of the war went well for Iberia, but after the seizure of Navarre and its subsequent defense the army faces an entrenched enemy. The system of reservists continues to grow with a total reserves at 540,000. Meanwhile, the standing army grows by another 200,000 to 672,000. The new troops are moved to the front near Navarre and with support from the Belkan army deployed to Iberia an assault is begun on the French troops digging in north of Navarre. 650,000 troops led this assault on Aquitania against the French army around Iberia. A general call for weapons production is sent out, and Sandoval Rifles are produced to resupply the forces engaged in combat. A redesign by the Sandoval Rifleworks leads to the Sandoval Model 1856, which features a more reliable breech and an improved sight. Furthermore, the rifleworks begins experimenting with cartridges and other novel designs. A company representative approaches the Russian Government about their Kalashnikov Breech-Rifles, looking to purchase a few model pieces. The Navy finishes work on the eight first-rate ships-of-the-line along with another 12 second-rate ships-of-the-line. These are deployed to support the Aquitanian offensive. Economic growth is converted into militarizing the economy, and producing Sandoval Rifles and the recently purchased Burgundian breech-loading field cannons. The navy begins operations with Belkan naval units to interdict French trade, effectively cutting France off from Algeria. The word reaches the military of the invasion in Sardinia and the navy sets up a blockade of French resupply ships. In an effort to starve out the French troops, the Iberian forces move to secure the coast. The commander of the abandoned French Army in Algeria is offered unconditional surrender and good treatment if he ends this pointless siege. (Mod Please, Solace has said he is not ordering them to do anything and doesn’t care).
  • En La Republica de Morocco: Morocco joined the war against France, a move which the population generally supports having heard of the brutal occupation and crimes committed by the French. While small holdouts remain in the south and east, more than 90% of the country is firmly under the control of the republic by the end of the year.
  • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces pressure to expand. Unfortunately in the north, desert blocks much further expansion. Expansion plans are cancelled due to the war.
  • Yeah, they surrender unconditionally. -Sol

• Kingdom of Burgundy: With France falling back in the defensive, Burgundy takes the opportunity to ensure that the troops are properly supplied with modern weapons and equipment, as the French offensives have shown the effectiveness of Needle Guns and the Haussmann breech-loading rifled cannons. In Benin, with progress slowing, Burgundian forces take command of the offensive against the Benin forces (I have approval from Am). The SMS Verwoesting, the first of its class of iron-clad floating batteries, is launched. It is joined by four sister ships, Donderend, Lava, Bliksem, and Haussmann. Though all five need more fitting befor they see combat, it is expected they’ll be operational next year. (More to come)

• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: With France on the defensive this suits Britain fine, an additional 40,000 soldiers are raised and sent to Burgundy while 30,000 Sepoys are also dispatched to Burgundy. Arrivals from Swahili to form several new African regiments begin training and arming with senior officers being anyone who can be taught Swahili, while due to lack of speakers, most of the junior officers end up being Africans learning English. They're not ready yet for deployment. In Britain recruitment and training grows with Britain moving to wartime economy and the expectation of rapid troop growth next year. Work on large landing craft for foot, cannon and horse are continued. As demand for weapons rises and demand for other stuff falls factories shift to wartime production heavily. England has a population of 17.3 million, Wales has 1.1 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.6 million. In Britain, based in southern England 10,000 professionals with 10,000 men in Ireland. In Burgundy there are 90,000 British troops and 30,000 Sepoy. In India, there are 15,000 soldiers in South India. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. The royal navy proceeds to make an effort to blockade the French Atlantic coast patrolling the seas. Through the use of straw purchasers the British government requests to buy rifled muskets from the various Arcadian Kingdoms and maybe for them to produce some (Mod response) in cash obtained through bonds.
  • Arcadian Kingdoms agree. ~Wolves

1857

The war in Europe is still indecisive and continues as expected.

An influential Indian native known as Bakht Khan declares himself Emperor of India and receives legitimacy by the Grand Assembly, which also revolts against the British. With the Grand Assembly giving Bakht Khan legitimacy as the Emperor of India, much of the native population begins to revolt against their British overlords and declare a revolution. The natives are armed, also.

In Japanese Indonesia, the natives arm themselves and begin a revolution for independence against their Japanese overlords, much like the natives in India.

• Belkan Empire: The surrender of Algiers is championed as a massive triumph in the war effort and newpapers are printed of Belka's rapid successes across virtually every warfront. The Fall of Vienna and Warsaw see nearly 450,000 captured, many intact, many injured. However, contrary to the usual workings of a Belkan war, the prisoners are not treated badly or killed, as was commonly believed. They are interned at the Moldavia and Slovenia internment camps and are well kept and fed with promises to return home following the war. The capture of 140,000 Frenchmen at Algiers just adds more to the mix as all of the men are rapidly transported away from the collapsed front in North Africa and brought into another new internment camp, the Thrakiya Internment center which takes care of the 150,000 French prisoners. With so much success, the war effort remains well kept and paid for as the Belkan war bonds commission sees record purchases this year further funding the war effort, while somewhat grumbling under higher taxes, the victories under the war front, and now the raiding of the Austrian and Polish Treasuries, sees a massive influx of raw capital of which most is used to pay off the reconstruction loans from the civil war and some to pay off the higher interest war loans. The Belkan gold reserves are now at an all time high as gold flows in from captured treasuries, and now tribute from Ethiopia and more well-to-do trade with Egypt which effectively leaves the Belkan currency in a stronger position than it was pre-war. The general population does begin to tire as casualties mount in some theatres, specifically the sobering reminder of nearly 100,000 dead in Poland. Part of Army Group North remains to keep the remaining Polish army pinned in Galicia but not attacking effectively waiting for the Russians or Hungarian to handle them. The 200,000 strong army under Aegeanov from AGN pushes toward Eastern Prussia and officially enters Germany in April encamping itself near Berlin. The Belkan army under Aegeanov looks to Berlin where to march hoping to fill in gaps or open another battle on the Germans. The split Grand Army marches out of Austria leaving it to the Austrian Occupational Army which officially takes up positions all across Austria, specifically working to restore Vienna and Graz to their pre-war status and operation as quickly as possible. The Occupational government tries to remain as uninvolved in the lives of the Austrian people as possible barring anti-Belkan war activity. The Belkan 1st and 2nd Armies move toward the Kingdom of Germany now fanning out on the Southern Border and preparing a major operation to seize Munich, waiting on Prussian allies to pin down the northern Army. The 3rd and 4th Armies, however, have not detached into Southern Germany, but move toward the Czech state effectively moving through the flat plains before them meeting in full the Czech army on the plains of Milhostov. In a more equal battle the 400,000 strong Belkan Army meets the 350,000 strong Czechian army with full plans to knock the Czechs out of the war over the course of this year and occupy Prague by December. Under the new agreement with the Ethiopians, the Belkan army of 50,000 marches into Ethiopia beginning to establish the necessary Belkan administrative authority over Ethiopia. With the Eastern Mediterranean effectively clear of enemy naval traffic, the first wave of Belkan opportunists numbering 1500 and settlers reach Tanzania establishing the Belkan commonuity of Novo Sarajevo near Dar es Salaam complete with its own 200 strong garrison force. A group of Explorers effectively begins to explore particularly to the southwest and northwest beginning mapping and cataloging of the land. The clearing of the North African front also sees Belkan opportunists take up residency in Tunisia and Libya as nearly 2000 people take up residency on former fields and farms owned by the Tunisians who were driven away during the mass riots. Belkan engineers make a major breakthrough in the Suez project as they reach roughly 60% completion. The Belkan East Africa Squadron is formed with the effective colonial annexation of Ethiopia and the first settlements of Belkans in East Africa underway. Socotra is turned into a naval fortress under Belkan garrison with currently only 500 marines stationed there, and Massawa is turned into the headquarters of the Belkan East Africa Squadron with various funds being given to Belkan companies to develop Massawa into a modern port with facilities to repair and resupply the Belkan navy. The First and Second Battles of Mihostov coalesce into a Belkan victory but the Belkan troops do not pursue wanting to reinforce and resupply before pushing on Prague.
• Ethiopian Empire: Ioshua demands a maximum Belkan force 15,000 men and no more asking the Belkan government to remove 35,000 of their troops from his soil. The Imperial Guard is put on full notice with such a large number of foreigners in the nation. Ioshua tells this nation how this will progress the nation. However, he is distraught over the number of troops sent to the Empire and guarantees his people that they are still under his rule and no one else's. Ezana City now has a population of around 35,000 as more families move to the city looking for adventure farther away from the larger urban centers. Privateers are paid generously by the government when prizes are towed back to Adulis. The more modern captured ships are immediately fixed up and re-flagged under the Empire. The zoo of Addis Ababa is 50% complete and has large fanfare around the capital region. The regular army is expanded to 100,000.
  • Belkan Dip: We demand an amendment that roughly 25,000 Belkan troops be allowed to act as a Garrison force in Ethiopia and Massawa be allowed for use as the Home Base for the East Africa Squadron currently consisting of ten ships. The 50,000 strong force is more of an initial force to feel out the country, and a smaller garrison was going to be kept in the future. We assure them that 25,000 troops will leave within the year. Ethiopian cooperation will see the development of Ethiopia's first railways within the decade, and the development of Massawa as one of the most profitable ports in East Africa.
  • Ethiopian Response (Massawa is called Adulis in this timeline.): If the number is lowered to 20,000 the amendment will be passed by the Emperor immediately. And Adulis may be used as the home port of the East Africa Squadron.
  • Belkan Dip: We agree. Following initial administrative operations being established only 20,000 Belkan troops will remain in Adulis as their base of operations alongside the East Africa Squadron.

• Federal Republic of Brésil: Just as the day looks darkest for this nation, the headline appears: Tomás Escapes! He appears in Saint-Denis, where he manages to take control of the city when the guards decide to join his cause. Quickly, the surrounding cities join, as well as the La Plata basin. The rest of the nation remains under the thumb of the Federal Republic. There are no real battles, other than a few scattered skirmishes in the jungle. Tomás appoints Andre Grande to lead the "Armee de Brésil", but as both sides seem to be gearing up rather than fighting, he mostly drills the army to fighting standard. Tomás authorizes a government program to encourage mechanization in the arms industry, but it has only made small steps in that area, as there doesn't seem to be any interest amongst businesses. The Federal Republic under Louis de Provence lobbies several governments, including France, Britain and Iberia, to intervene in the civil war, but Tomás urges these governments to not interfere.

• Republica Iberia: The second year of the war, while a success for Iberia, proved very costly, the assault into Aquitania in particular led to high casualties.The system of reservists sees a fall in growth coupled with a demand for new troops to fill the ranks on the front. Total reserves fall to 390,000. Meanwhile, the standing army is maintained at 672,000. Another assault is launched early in the year against the French forces in Aquitania before the French can fully entrench. The fairly strenuous lines of communication prompt the military to begin setting up a telegraph network from Madrid to Bilbao. This is the first such line in Iberia and it amazes many soldiers who hear tell of it. A general call for weapons production is sent out and Sandoval Rifles are produced to resupply the forces engaged in combat. Production of the Model 1856 Sandoval Rifle begins and some units begin to receive the more effective weapons. Furthermore, the rifleworks continues experimenting with cartridges and other novel designs. A factory technician, by the name of Enrique Vento, at the Sandoval Rifleworks begins experimenting with a repeating lever-action design. Economic growth is converted into militarizing the economy, and producing Sandoval Rifles and the recently purchased Burgundian breech-loading field cannons. The navy begins operations with Belkan naval units to interdict French trade, effectively cutting France off from Algeria. The word reaches the military of the invasion in Sardinia and the navy sets up a blockade of French resupply ships. In an effort to starve out the French troops, the Iberian forces move to secure the coast. A professor of physics at the University of Salamanca, Estêvão Jorge, creates a mechanism he names the electrically actuated self-rotator. Later in the year he begins work on a more powerful and practical model of his “self-rotator.”
  • En La Republica de Morocco: Morocco joined the war against France, a move which the population generally supports having heard of the brutal occupation and crimes committed by the French. While small holdouts remain in the south and east, more than 90% of the country is firmly under e control of the republic by the end of the year. An influx of Algerians fleeing the destruction wrought by the two recent wars reaches Morocco. These refugees are welcomed as new citizens of Morocco and will be resettled throughout the south and east.
  • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries, the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas. 16,000 troops from the Brigada Colonia are deployed to the colony after reports of insurrections. They are escorted by one first-rate, six second-rates, and four third-rates drawn from both fleets. The troops are transported on several large private transport vessels contracted for the voyage.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces pressure to expand. Unfortunately in the north, desert blocks much further expansion. Expansion plans are cancelled due to the war.
  • OOC Solace: The French troops don't leave their trenches. They basically stay there permanently, so, any attempt at attacking them "before" being entrenched was a lost cause as of last year.
• French Republic: Troops remain entrenched and continue to fight the onslaught of Iberian and Belkan soldiers as they continue to attack. Casualties remain high, but soldiers continue to be largely nationalistic, as well as being well supplied. The electrical telegraph, which has been in the experimental phases for the past few years, begins being re-purposed for military usage and thus the first telegraph stretching from the Aquitania province to Paris is established as a means of sending messages from the front lines back to the base of operations quickly and efficiently. More men begin being sent to the Iberian front, reducing the Burgundian-border entrenched men from 700,000 to 450,000, with 250,000 being sent to fill in the casualty void made over the past few years, propelling the Iberian-border entrenched men to 850,000. The 12-pounder artillery pieces continue bombing the Iberian-Belkan forces as many times as there are usable shells, in an effort to effectively "shock" them and begin mutinies among the invaders. Much of the navy is decommissioned to better pay for war resources and continue to produce weaponry and artillery, as well as supplies. It becomes encouraging for citizens to begin helping the war effort by donating goods and other food resources war.

• Ecumenial Rashidun Caliphate: Following the death of the former Caliph, Abu Malik ibn Tameem el-Sabi, the Ulema, or Council of Senior Scholars, assembles within the Caliphate’s enclave in Damascus. The Council is made up of the most eminent scholars of Islam from across the Muslim world. Within a month the Maktab Al-Qudds (Holy Office) is appointed by the Ulema and begins the appropriate vetting procedures to elect a new Caliph. Despite controversy due to the consideration of Abu Othman ibn Harb due to his direct relation to the late Rashidun Caliph Ahmed Abu Bakr Ibn Harb (strict traditions within the Caliphate during the election of a Caliph ensure no Caliph may be directly related to any previous Caliph before, to prevent Simony). On the 1st of Ramadan 1273 AH, Salih Al-din ibn Yasser Al-Mutlaq (a former lecturer in the University of Beirut on Islam) is elected Caliph in a unanimous vote by the Maktab-Al-Qudds. The Caliph’s first order of business is to attempt to heal the growing wounds in the House of Islam. With the Arabian-Persian war, the division of Maghreb amongst the squandering European nations of Belka, France and Iberia and Egypt’s growing proximity to the Belkan sphere of influence (a nation that has been one of the largest adversaries of the Caliphate’s since their inception in the beginning of the modern era), are all major threats to the integrity of the House of Islam and of great discomfort to the Ulema. Due to Abu Malik’s illnesses, many of these issues were left unattended to. On the issue of Maghreb, Caliph Salih Al-din issues a proclamation, condemning the disgraceful affront on Maghreb’s sovereignty by the nations of France, Iberia and Belka and atrocities committed to the Maghrebi populations by the invading administrations such as that of the French. The proclamation ends its the Caliph’s approval of the resistance within these nations.  
  • Enclave of Damascus: As the official workplace of the Caliph, Caliph Salih Al-din ibn Yasser Al-Mutlaq settles into his office within the enclave where he begins administering the affairs of the House of Islam. As per common protocol, the Caliph does not settle into his residence in the Qalla District of Cairo until the end of the year. An official proclamation is released declaring the results of the election of the Caliph by the Maktab Al-Qudds. In the proclamation, the Caliph relays his personal greeetings to the nations of Islam across the world.
  • City of Cairo: The City-State of Cairo, the official residence of the Caliph, rejoices with the news of the election of a new Caliph. However, day-to-day administration is carried out by the Shay Al-Nass (thing of the people), a council of laymen who work on enforcing legislation and finances of the Ecumenial Rashidun Caliphate. Most income comes from wealth and resources from the Port of Gulangyu, standard fees and fines within the city, revenue from the Hajj and Umrah (pilgrimages to the Holy Cities) and donations from Muslims across the world. The Shay Al-Nass appoints Abu Othman ibn Harb as Governor of the Port of Gulangyu.
  • Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina: Pilgrimages and business as usual occurs.
  • Port of Gulyangu: Abu Othman Ibn Harb is appointed Governor of the Port. However, the Ayatollah, Hasan Al-Niemery appointed by the Maktab Al-Qudds jointly administers the port. The port continues to be one of the largest sources of income for the Caliphate and therefore has major importance. It also serves as a safe place for the far-eastern Islamic communities. On behalf of the Caliph, the Ayatollah and Governor travel to the court of Chinese-Korean Emperor with gifts and rewards hoping to re-ignite the strong relationship between the two counterparts. (Player Response)
  • Belkan Dip: We assure the Caliph that while Belka has had disagreements with the Islamic world in the past, much of this can be attributed to highly aggressive rhetoric on both sides. The Ottoman subjugation of the Balkans had been a rallying cry, for centuries, and the old Federal governments wish to build a colonial empire in such a way as the other western European powers corrupted what was once a beautiful and stable vision for Belka's future. While yes, we do occupy a significant portion of the Maghreb, we remind the Caliph that there has been no destruction of religious or holy sites, and casualties during our riots were relatively low and the people are still able to operate relatively freely and without molestation for their beliefs. We just required order restored in a disorganized land. In terms of our relationship with Egypt, while in the past we have tried invasions of Egypt, we reiterate that we agree this was not the best course of action, and diplomacy has achieved more in the last decade that two separate Belkan governments over 200 years ever did. Egypt is slowly but surely removing the last vestiges of a stagnant age that has handicapped its growth and development with Belkan support and aid. 
• Kingdom of Egypt: A delegation is sent to the Cairo citadel. The delegation is there to assure the Caliph that Islam is fine and that Islam has continued to flourish, even after the deal with Belka and Britain. The delegation also says that Belka and Iberia have respected Islam and holy sites ever since they colonized Maghreb, and that it was mainly France that is the culprit, and is against the Muslims, but has been put a stop to thanks to Belka and Iberia’s liberation of Algeria. We reassure the Caliph that if we had intensions to harm Islam or the Caliph that we would revolt against the Balkans to protect Islam and the Caliph at all costs, but that has not happened yet. (PLAYER RESPONSE). We continue to build up our infrastructure by continuing to build roads along the Nile, and expanding our main population centers of Cairo, along with building schools nationwide. The King continues to gain the favor of the Caliph in Cairo, by continuing to encourage an Islamic lifestyle, and research and studying of Islamic sciences. 10,000 Egyptian troops cross the Ethiopian border. This is because of Ethiopia’s recent protectorate status of Belka, and so the Egyptians have come to help administer Ethiopia, along with securing and protecting Egyptian companies in Ethiopia. They set up their command center in Axum. The commander of these forces, General Al-Sisi, wishes to have a luncheon with the Emperor (PLAYER RESPONSE NEEDED!!). Khartoum City is completed this year, and 100 families come to lay claim to open houses. Approximately 1000 people in Sudan have signed up for homes in Khartoum, and wish to move to the city, as they hope to find new job opportunities there. Militarization and fortifications continue on the eastern border with Arabia. We peg the Egyptian dinar with the Belkan ruble officially this year, hoping to prevent the dinar from experiencing problems with inflation in the future. The King permits Egyptian volunteers and mercenaries to fight in the Great European War.
  • Ethiopian Response: While friendly, we weren't notified by the Egyptian government of their plans to invade our nation. We demand all 10,000 Egyptian troops leave Ethiopia before there is an incident. Then we will see about a luncheon.
  • Egyptian Response: We offer to downgrade the 10,000 troops to 5000 troops, as we wish to secure Egyptian companies and aid our Belkan allies, but also respect Ethiopia’s wishes to not be overwhelmed with troops.
  • Ethiopian Response: No Egyptian troops. You did not need to secure Egyptian businesses before and will not now seeing as they are safe under our troops. Those are the conditions.
  • The King reluctantly agrees to the Ethiopian demands, but wishes for Egyptians in Ethiopia, along with Muslims to have special protective status. General Al-Sisi wishes to know if the luncheon is still on.
  • Ecumenical Rashidun Caliphate‘s Envoy: The diplomat is welcomed into the Citadel and his message is relayed to the Caliph. In response the Caliph sends a personal response to Muhammed Ali II of the Mus’od dynasty. In his letter it states: Greetings to the Sultan (King) of Egypt. Be wary of the Belkans, my friend. Was it not they who invaded your lands and sided with the cruel Ethiopian oppressors? Was it not they who, when the Ethiopians capitulated at the hands of the your great and noble father (May God rest his soul), attempted to invade and take control of Egypt for themselves? The Belkans were once close allies with the Maghreb. Now you see, as they subjugate and divide it, that they are motivated only by greed, they have fought us for centuries. The oppression of the Turks happened at the hands of the Belkans, where their culture and beliefs were disregarded?! I request, dear friend, you be cautious and wary, in honor of your father and your nation. On a side note, the envoy to Egypt reminds the king and his court that as per the Second Treaty of Cairo (1742), Cairo is an independent city-state under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenial Rashidun Caliphate.
  • King Mohammed Ali II writes back to the Caliph saying that he will be cautious, and will make sure to think over deals that the Belkans present to him. He thanks the Caliph for reminding him of the treaty of Cairo and tells him Egypt still respects that agreement.

• Russia: The army regroups in the pillaged ruins of Warsaw with 100,000 men coming in to reinforce the main army. 255,000 men are sent to destroy the remainder of the Polish army embedded somewhere around Lodz while the 200,000. Kalashnikov buys a few factories in Tsaritsyn to jumpstart production of his patented 1856 Breech-Rifle. Kalashnikov sets up his Sibero-Novorossiyan division of his arms company known as the Vulkanicheskiy Arms Company and starts to build the first true East Coast armament factory Port Sibir. Railroads in the Ukraine have connected the major cities to the ports and Tsaritsyn. Plans to expand railroads to Minsk and the Baltics is scheduled for postwar due to the threat of possible sabotage. In the meantime the Zapad Railroad Company begins to build a grand North-South Railway running from Noransk (OTL Murmansk), to the port of Novokiyev (OTL Novorossiysk). This railway would run to Feograd then to Novgorod, to Moscow, down to Azov and then the final destination of Azov with other railways branching off to Tsaritsyn, Helsinki and the planned Riga-Tallinn route. Telegraph lines continue being installed across the heartland of the country along with factories in the major cities. The Siberian Cabal occupies the Chinese vassals. However, an capitulated commander tried to push into Manchuria, but was stopped by the Chinese Green Army. In the fall and winter Tsar Konstantin goes hunting for prey both known and unknown. The cabal doesn't know what exactly to do with the new territory. So a special council is set up as the soldiers begin to bring their families to the supposedly cooler areas in the vassals. In late December he catches a cold after getting lost for a couple hours in the Ural foothills. He is rushed back to Novgorod and Grand Prince Vladimir is prepped for possibly taking the crown, the man already with democratic ideas in his head, with aspirations of Russia being the "Northern Light" of the world. Colonial expansion in Arcadia continues as usual with Russians and Anglo's fighting against hostile natives in the Novorutenian/Great Basin countryside. Stephen Mueller releases another album which once again is another hit especially with the song "Steam Boat" from the Mongol, Yakut Sasha Khan, who wrote and made the song four years earlier detailing his first trip on a steamboat from Azov to Vasiligrad. However, Khan is barely known for the song and Mueller takes all the credit.
• 'Scandinavian Empire: Emperor Sven III Gyldenløve continues to oversee the democratic transformation of Scandinavia. Our troops in Prussia continue marching with the Prussian army. We send a letter to England, asking for aid to navally attack the French colony of Benin alongside Burgundy and Belka without troops there '(Person response). We otherwise improve relations with the British. Scandinavia continues building railroads, with two lines being started: one from Riksdale to Malmö, and one on the island of Sjaelland, to connect Copenhagen with its island and we start building a steel processing factory in Jönköping and prepare to build one in Linköping. No new project is funded due to the war. Finally, Scandinavia seeks to expands its fleet. Scientiae Dei is continually funded by the state, along with the State Bank of St Birgitta.
  • Iceland: We establish a major port in Reykjavik for coming whalers from the New World and encourage further whaling in Iceland and open a branch of Scientiae Dei to collect Icelandic sagas. We also tentatively colonize the island of Hejnriksholm (Jan Mayen) and and name the new islands we find in the north Spitsbergen. We establish a whaling settlement in Spitsbergen. 
  • Kingdom of the Isles: We encourage whaling among the community of the Isles.
  • Ny-Sjaelland and Vinland: Activity is flourishing in Christianshavn and whaling and commerce is a major point. The colony prospers due to the income it gets from processing goods coming from Vinland and Scandinavia proper. We plan merging the colony with Vinland for next year. Olafsborg and Vinland become incorporated and logging and whaling is encouraged, while also scouring for mining. Plans for a railroad from Olafborg toward the inland are drawn up.
  • Prins-Rupert Island: Benat Aritza supports Basque immigration toward Prins-Rupert due to the war-ravaged Navarre being isolated. Whaling is encouraged on Prins-Rupert.
  • Greenland: We support slow expansion on the coast and we expand whaling.
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: It's pretty damn annoying that some Indian has declared himself the Emperor. We request Burgundy, Iberia, Scandinavia, Russia, Prussia and Belka for as much merchant shipping as possible to help the British move an army to India quickly. All merchant shipping which is flagged as British is impressed into service for shipping troops to India. On that note ,now that Dravidia is in rebellion we plan to move 80,000 British soldiers to India leaving the Sepoys from India in Burgundy. 50,000 soldiers are pulled from Burgundy while another 10,000 British and 20,000 African soldiers are equipped and trained this year with more coming next year. Recruitment continues as does production of weapons and purchases of weapons from Avalon, Savannah and Iroquois. A force of 60,000 British soldiers along with 20,000 Africans is being shipped to Surat in Gujarat as a staging point for an offensive. The fleet from Bristol is dispatched to escort transports and intercept anyone who tries to support the Indian uprising. Once ready, the British plan to enter Dravidia and march along the coast to Mumbai before turning inland and heading for the capital of Hyderabad, the heart of the rebellion and the capital. Sepoys from Bengal, Sindh, Gujarat and other Indian territories not backing the revolt provide a force of around 25,000 Sepoys. The British start their own campaign of information, Bakht Khan is presumably a Muslim from his name - and a south Indian at that. The various Viceroys of the Indian States make the case that they don't want to support a Muslim southerner over their own sovereignty. Bengal is promised lands from Dravidia after the rebellion. Within Dravidia dissent amongst the Marathi people, the Tamil and the Malayalam is encouraged because of their genocides by the Grand Assembly and they are promised greater protections by the British than they already have. England has a population of 17.3 million, Wales has 1.1 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.6 million, in Britain, based in southern England 10,000 professionals with 10,000 men in Ireland. In Burgundy there are 40,000 British troops and 30,000 Sepoy. In India, there are 95,000 soldiers in South India. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. The royal navy proceeds to make an effort to blockade the French Atlantic coast patrolling the seas.
  • Iberian Diplomacy: Iberia will volunteer all merchant shipping prevented from operating due to the war. Furthermore, the Iberian navy will expand its efforts to deny the Bay of Biscay to the French Navy such that the British may free some of their fleet from blockade duties. 
  • Burgundian Dip: Burgundy offers whatever merchant ships Britain has need of. The Burgundian Royal Navy will also step up in their blockade of France while Britain’s Navy assists with the suppression of the Indian rebels.

• China and Korea: Upon his ascension to the position of Emperor, the Huifu Emperor (Prince Yinzhi) promulgates the Oath in Five Articles, a document which outlines the main aims and actions to be followed during his reign. Several officials instrumental in the war are granted high political positions, including Li Hongzhang, Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang. Several early reforms are undertaken. China and Korea are reunified into a single country, rather than two separate countries under a personal union. The Gregorian calendar and Western attire are adopted. A future diplomatic expedition into Europe is planned, which aims to make a comprehensive study of modern industrial, political, military and educational systems and structures in European great powers. The leaders of the traditionalist forces are tried and executed for treason, while Jin Enlai is killed by a peasant mob under custody. The force of 100,000 Green Standard Army troops are supplemented with additional 50,000, and a diplomat is sent there to negotiate new borders with the Russians. Meanwhile, a force of 50 ships and 10,000 troops is sent to Fukuoka as part of a punitive expedition. Chinese planners continue contemplating a full-scale invasion of Japan, but many remark on the increasingly outdated state of the Chinese military in contrast to newer and more efficient equipment used by European merchants. The policy of free trade is ended, and tariffs are raised ~5% to provide additional revenue to the state. Gold continues being mined, in order to stabilize the economy.
  • Ecumenial Rashidun Caliphate‘s Envoy: On behalf of the Caliph, the Governor and Ayatollah of the rented Port of Gulangyu travel to the Court of the Huifu Emperor with gifts, rewards and presents hoping to re-ignite the relations between the two counterparts.
• Kingdom of Prussia: Kingdom of Prussia: With the war dragging on to Year Two and casualties on the front continuing to rise, our reserves and other active duty troops numbering another 150,000 men are dispatched to Hannover in an attempt to outnumber the forces there while another 100,000 are sent to Leipzig and 60,000 to Stade to hold up the stalemate and prevent Napoleon’s army from making any breakthroughs. In February, Heinrich calls upon a council in Berlin to discuss ways of attacking the core of the Rhine without any troops being deployed. Some suggested using the river but it is seen as suicide. As it seemed that no plan could be given to do such an ambitious move, the meeting nears an end until a man named Ferdinand Heinz brings up the idea of using hot air balloons. At first it is seen as farfetched and is laughed at until the king tells them that it is disrespectful to act as such. Heinz goes on to explain a simplified strategy in which hot air balloons would be launched into the air from Hamburg and would be flown over Cologne and drop grenades over them which would detonate near or at the surface. Once it makes impact with each air balloon carrying four of these bowling ball-sized behemoths containing flammable substances which, in turn, would lead to fires and explosion. Following the drops, the balloons would be safely flown to Burgundy before having a safe flight back to the site of take-off. And so, 2400 people set off on a cold March morning and headed to their balloons with a hope of success seeming bright while the war rages on on the main front. 20 hot air balloons were sent three hours earlier to drop pamphlets from the sky warning the people of an impending danger from above. At the arrival of the air balloons, with a partly sunny and clear sky, the payload is dropped around the Cologne area with the majority of the explosives detonating. The hot air balloons leave and head off to Burgundy with multiple landing points made due to air currents leaving the balloons far apart. Following this, we plan for another airdrop over the Rhine for next year. We offer the British 800 merchant ships in exchange for British ship-of-the-line designs (Player Response). Contracts are signed with businesses within the nation for the purchase of goods like clothing from factories with food from a variety of companies being purchased and rationed out to the military front lines via train causing for quick delivery. Burgundian artillery see greater level of use but a new Prussian variety begins being worked out. In Berlin and places as far east as Königsberg, the war is just something used in conversations over people having brothers, sons and fathers sent off to the war but nothing more to it. Female employment is on high demand due to so many men leaving their jobs for the military cause. Regulations are put in place over safety within factories to ensure a safer working environment. In the meantime, the Manned Glider becomes a good hit within the nation with it seeing high use in Silesian hilly terrain. Four balloons are told to keep pamphlets in secret and to not tell the other members of the operation before being dispatched to fly over Versailles dropping pamphlets of warnings that due to their nation’s acts, they face a similar threat to those impacted in Cologne.
  • British Dip: Yes, OK.

• Kingdom of Burgundy: With France diverting such a significant portion of its army away from the border, the military initiates Operation: Nancy. On the morning of September 19 - the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Nancy - a massive artillery bombardment is unleashed on the French lines. The Haussmann rifled guns again show their worth as accurate fire is able to breach the walls of French fortifications in a relatively short time (ala the Siege of Fort Pulaski). After a day of bombardment, the Army of Flanders, and the Army of Limburg, both at 250,000 men after being reinforced from other fronts, advance. Supported by a heavy naval presence, they break through the depleted French army guarding their way and advance into Normandy, where they defeat that French army again at the Battle of Le Havre, bringing Upper Normandy under Burgundian occupation. The armies then set about fortifying their positions, while pioneers (combat engineers) go about turning Le Havre into a service port for the floating batteries. With Britain dealing with an Indian insurrection, the Royal Navy takes a more predominant role in blockading the French coast.

1858

The war continues. Same thing, different year.

Bakht Khan has no religious beliefs, and instead has an overall tolerance and general respect of all religions. This secures him help from civilians of all religions, and soon, a force of 120,000 led by Bakht Khan begin attacking a very important British port along the coast (I don't know which - whichever is the most important) in an attempt to lay siege to the British port and effectively end the flow of stuff into southern India.

The various ethnicities in the south of India, such as the Tamils, decide to take up their own independence movements in an effort to separate themselves from both the British and the main Dravidians. Overall, things are not looking good.

With influence from the Caliph, many Africans in Morocco and Algeria begin another revolt against their overlords, although these revolts are very small in size.

Indonesia continues to fight for its independence from its Japanese overlords.

Many Egyptian people are angry at the recent laws passed, including the obscenity laws, lèse-majesté laws, and restrictions of the press. They think these are betraying the spirit of the revolution at the start of the century.

Also, when it comes to the war in Europe and its participants, casualties will now be checked a lot since they have been ignored a lot. Both invading and defending armies in a battle will face casualties of one-fifth of their army. Any arguments can be made in Discord or on the Talk Page.

Update: After authorization from Person and Solace, an intimate knowledge on the warfare type and tactics being used, please consult me -Feud - for casualty figures.

• Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. The Swahili army in Rowzi continues an offensive south into Zulu territory. The marines launch an attack upon the Zulu coast. 
  • Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
  • Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
  • Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We request Britain for support in the form of military officer attaches against the Zulu.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We offer Britain to supply them with a few tens of thousands of volunteers to fight in India. We also offer British weapon factories to be built in Swahili for favourable terms on labour and resources.
• Belkan Empire: While the war continues to go heavily in favor of the Alliance, a major factor begins to come into play, the casualties of the war, by current estimates upward of one million Belkan troops have died, or been injured during the war. However, while the casualties have been enormous, the Belkan armies have made impressive and amazing gains. However, between Poland, Austria and Czechia the estimates on Belkan war dead and injured are almost 650,000. However, as a result of new medicine and medical advances, roughly 200,000 of these men are able to return to active duty and 50,000 are able to return home - albeit maimed heavily. The issue now begins how to crack the German state and finish the Siege of Prague. With 1.9 million men still in the field, the Belkan army is still the largest army in the field and the gains in the war reflect the complete dominance in numbers. The Belkan people, regardless of casualties, however, refuse to give up and another year of impressive warbonds purchases follows and more boys reach conscription age every year. These last three years alone have seen almost 150,000 men able to join the war effort after reaching 17. With so much on the Line the Tsar and the Soviet refuse to give up and a new strategy begins being adopted, removing the harmful tactics of massed combat and extremely brutal and costly shock tactics. Instead, a new method begins to evolve, precision shock combat. The Belkan armies will remain at 200,000 but will operate much more independently as they look more toward meeting an enemy on equal number terms and utilizing greater support options and supplies to outdo their enemies. With Munich in their sight, 400,000 Belkan troops march on the city. the First Army marches directly on the city and begins a massive bombardment (I need troop numbers from Scraw or Solace - or someone) while the Second Army pivots just north of the city to act as a blocking force. In Czechia the Belkan army pushes on the remnants of the Czech army in Prague now numbering roughly 250,000 vs Belka's full strength Third and Fourth Armies which surround the city and begin pounding it with artillery for a siege. On the homefront the adopting of better steel making has made steel production expenses a thing of the past and Steel becomes prevalent across the board as firms and industries across the board begin incorporating it into the next generation of industrial technologies and production. Railways are no longer limited by the lesser iron and the capital city of Belgrad becomes the first railway network to be replaced and rebuilt with steel railways, their superiority spread rapidly to Sofiya and Sarajevo and now with three major cities linked, the output is matched and Belgrad in particular becomes the single largest steel producing region in the world. An expedition is mounted to Ethiopia to more fully survey its resources for development and the King and his government are to be notified. The building of Adulis into a modern port becomes a major goal as heavy berths for ships and major forts and barracks for the garrison are developed and built rapidly. In rapid succession many Ethiopian workers are hired en masse for construction and paid in greater wealth than can be paid by Ethiopian nobles and firms. Rather than forming a singular East Africa Company, the Supreme Soviet allows 12 companies to open up shop in Adulis to facilitate competition and get the most bang for its buck out of its new protectorate in Ethiopia, collectively known as Abysinnia in Belka. Some of these companies also set up shop in Tanzania and this year roughly 1000 fortune seekers reach Novo Sarajevo expanding the settlement near Dar es Salaam and continuing Belka's exploratory attitude west. With the war taking a toll on Belka's older ships, and seeing Burgundian naval forces having effectively made wooden ships obsolete a new design begins being organized. An ironclad warship, with a revolving gun turret specifically one with a rifled artillery gun and heavily sophisticated fire control organization. This, however, totally removes the masts of the ship and requires a highly sophisticated steam engine turbine to control and drive the warship. A new type of naval gun also begins being devised which will abandon a shorter barrel and elongate the barrel in a gun turret. The gun is an elongated 12-inch gun with a higher level charge and possibility of the munitions being highly explosive as well with rudimentary Armored Piercing shells beginning tested as well. The Belkan telegraph system also expands heavily as its practical use for communications as well as its military applications explodes. The small revolt in Algiers forces the General of the Army of Tunisia to take a hard stance and in the first confrontation with the revolters General Yanasov forces their hand with a hard assault with the ringleaders being picked off by sharpshooters and the shock regiments being used en masse as a brutalization squad beating many into submission as control over Algiers is brutally reinstated. To ram the point home, captured revolters are paraded in chains as the Belkan army conducts a massive parade in the city right through the town square. Tsar Draculesti sails for Damietta being received by the Belkan garrison which continue on to the Egyptian capital for the scheduled meeting. The Belkan army near Berlin redirects to join with the Prussian forces in Stade for battle. Belkan traders and businessmen in response to China's visit ostensibly travel to China to survey multiple ports and cities in case the developments with China are highly positive. Multiple cities are surveyed. The cities of prime interest to Belkan visitors are Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tsingtao, and Guangzhou which are slated to be perfectly spaced for supply, trade, and basing as well as the ability of having equal effects on the majority of the important provinces of Coastal China which would be seen as a boon to China so as to not focus too much power and potential into one region.

• Kingdom of Egypt: To prevent any conflict between the government and the people, a nationwide referendum is held to see if the people wish for these laws to be removed (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED FOR RESULTS). We continue to build up our infrastructure, with roads continuing being built along the Nile, and Giza and Alexandria being expanded upon. Schools continue to be built nationwide, specifically in the Kush region. Khartoum is renamed “Alia” in honor of the Muhammed Ali dynasty. We offer the Tsar of Belka to come visit Egypt, and maybe meet with the king himself (FEUD RESPONSE NEEDED). Egyptian businesses continue to invest in the Ethiopian economy despite the Belkan protectorateship. The King, in order to gain favor from the Caliph in Cairo, continues to encourage an Islamic lifestyle for all Egyptian Muslims and their families, along with the research and study of Islamic sciences. We send aid to Egyptians in Ethiopia. Our eastern border with Arabia continues to be heavily fortified and militarized. Alia continues to grow as usual. A statue of Mohammed Ali the First is built in the middle of Giza, the capital of Egypt, along with a statue of Muhammed Ali the Second in Suez City. Egyptian soldiers continue to train with European tactics and weapons, and continue to modernize. Our economy sees a massive boom with almost a decade of Belkan aid and investment, along with some British investment as well.
  • The people vote largely in favor of removing the laws. -s
  • Belkan Dip: We agree to the meeting between our two rulers.
• Republica Iberia: The third year of the war proved both very costly and indecisive. The system of reservists sees a fall in growth coupled with a demand for new troops to fill the ranks on the front. Total reserves fall to 340,000. Meanwhile, the standing army is maintained at 672,000. Rather than assault the French Lines this year Iberian Forces in France dig in and begin a concerted campaign of bombardment. To destroy French Morale and weaken their resolve to fight. More telegraph lines are built between Madrid and the other major centers of military production and supply. The Iberian rail network has so far proven barely sufficient to supply the north with war materials. Plans to lay several new lines are developed for after the war. A general call for weapons production is sent out, and Sandoval rifles are produced to resupply the forces engaged in combat. Production of the model 1856 Sandoval Rifle begins and some units begin to receive the more effective weapons. Furthermore, the rifleworks continues experimenting with cartridges and other novel designs. Enrique Vento leaves the Sandoval Rifleworks as he seeks a patent on a lever action for a rifle. By August his patent has been rushed through because of its military nature. He then approaches the military with two possible versions of his new rifle (OTL Henry Rifle). The navy begins operations with Belkan naval units to interdict French trade and the blockade of French resupply ships from Sardinia. 100,000 Iberian troops from the Pyrenean Front are deployed to recapture Sardinia, and land in Cagliari where Iberian naval power can protect them. Professor Estêvão Jorge develops a more practical version of his “self-rotator.” While walking the streets of Salamanca he realizes that perhaps his “self-rotators” could be used to drive a carriage. He begins work on a so-called “Electrically Actuated Rotator Carriage.” (This happened in OTL, and it's just an experiment with zero applications, just to be clear.)
  • En La Republica de Morocco: The revolts brought on by the Caliph are quickly suppressed by the Moroccan Army supported by the Iberian troops still in Morocco and Iberian Occupied Algeria. The use of Moroccan troops helps to legitimate the Moroccan Government, and vast majority of the rebels are dispersed. The assembly, which is comprised primarily of coastal Reformist Muslims begins to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. Although the movement faced a decline after its initial spread in the 1730’s the practitioners of the sect have managed to maintain a moderate level of adherence in the coastal regions of Morocco. In less dangerous terms, a particularly lazy farmer in the generally peaceful Souss-Massa region of southern Morocco, Omar Ramzi, faces off with the arid Moroccan landscape. However, this particular year, rather than burn the undesirable biomass of his crop. Instead, he just leaves the pile of wheat and hemp stalks in a depression on the lower edge of his small plot.
  • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas. 16,000 troops from the Brigada Colonia are deployed to the colony after reports of insurrections.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces pressure to expand. Unfortunately in the north, desert blocks much further expansion. Expansion plans are cancelled due to the war.
• Russia: Shortly after the destruction of the remnants of the Polish army Tsar Konstatin II dies from fever and pneumonia from his hunting trip. Crown Prince Vladimir takes the throne as Vladimir VI and immediately reforms the imperial rule to make both make his rule easier and pave the way for democracy. He forms government sponsored programs and a ministerial cabinet with different secretaries. His first government program is the National Industrialization Act, which promotes companies to industrialize the country. The second is the National Railway Act which pumps money into railroad companies. However, Zapad and Don Companies take the majority of these profits from their competitors. The standing army at 455,000 is reinforced with the remaining trained and armed reserves of 300,000 as more recruits are pulled to form a new reserve force of 300,000 finally bringing the total up to one million active troops. The troops not involved on the Prussian front are sent there, to break the German lines by sheer numbers. Expansion continues in Arcadia. The total of 700,000 is moved to Stade in the North to cooperate with the Prussian army, to simpily drive west and link the Eastern League Army with the Western League forces. Hungary is asked to officlaly join the war for gain in Poland and a stake at the victors table (MOD REPONSE).
  • Hungary joins the war on the side of the Eagles against Poland and others. Person.
• Scandinavian Empire: Emperor Sven III Gyldenløve continues to oversee the democratic transformation of Scandinavia. Our troops in Prussia continue marching with the Prussian army and we send our navy with 200 men to capture Borkum and the other East Frisian Islands. We otherwise improve relations with the British. Scandinavia continues building railroads, with two lines being started: one from Riksdale to Malmö, and one on the island of Sjaelland, to connect Copenhagen with its island and we start building a steel processing factory in Jönköping and prepare to build one in Linköping. No new project is funded due to the war, but the Sjaelland project is close to being finished. Finally, Scandinavia seeks to expands its fleet. Scientiae Dei is continually funded by the state, along with the State Bank of St Birgitta.
  • Iceland: We establish a major port in Reykjavik for coming whalers from the New World and encourage further whaling in Iceland and open a branch of Scientiae Dei to collect Icelandic sagas. We also tentatively colonize the island of Hejnriksholm (Jan Mayen) and and name the new islands we find in the north Spitsbergen. We encourage whaling on Spitsbergen.
  • Kingdom of the Isles: We encourage whaling among the community of the Isles. We also establish a few kelp farms and textile factories. 
  • Ny-Sjaelland and Vinland: Activity is flourishing in Christianshavn and whaling and commerce is a major point. The colony prospers due to the income it gets from processing goods coming from Vinland and Scandinavia proper. Olafsborg and Vinland become incorporated and logging and whaling is encouraged, while also scouring for mining. Plans for a railroad from Olafsborg toward the inland are drawn up.
  • Prins-Rupert Island: Benat Aritza supports Basque immigration toward Prins-Rupert due to the war-ravaged Navarre being isolated. Whaling is encouraged on Prins-Rupert. (Mod response for Basque immigration)
  • Greenland: We support slow expansion on the coast and we expand whaling.
• China and Korea: ~10,000 troops, in the absence of opposition, successfully attacked the port of Fukuoka, as part of a punitive expedition. Emissaries are sent to Edo demanding monetary compensation for property damages inflicted upon Busan and Jeju (MOD RESPONSE). A diplomatic voyage consisting of four naval vessels, which collectively carry a total of 200 people escorted by 100 sailors, is sent to Belka to achieve the recognition of the Huifu Emperor's ascension to the throne, as well as to conduct a comprehensive study of modern industrial, political, military and educational systems (BELKA PLAYER RESPONSE). Gold continues being mined, in order to stabilize the economy. Guano fertilizer is used in the cultivation of grain to further heighten agricultural productivity, while the usage of glans condoms and abortifacient medicine to prevent unwanted births is used to curb run-off population growth. The census shows that China is inhabited by approximately ~77 million households, representing a total of ~385 million people. In China, sericulture (production of silk), the cultivation of tea and the production of porcelain remain the main industries. In Korea, the cultivation and harvesting of ginseng and cotton, and the production of jewelry (made of high-quality gold and precious gems) are emphasized.
  • Belkan Dip: Tsar Vladimir accepts the Chinese delegated and a force of 15 warships, three of which are Belka's top-of-the-line battleships escort the Chinese envoy fleet to Belka's grandest city of Vasiligrad. The Belkan government accepts the Chinese envoy with curiosity and vigour and requests to enter into high level negotiations with China immediately, recognizing the Haifu emperor immediately. 

• Peru: Under the House of Raygada, King Jose I continues to make sure Peru maintains proper prosperity and progression. The population is currently 2.1 million, slowly rising. The main economic fields are agriculture and silver mining projects, which ultimately support most of the workforce. The peacetime military is 25,000, with reserves being the same. 
  • Just a hint, Peru is low key the richest country on the continent right now cause of its saltpeter deposits. -Feud
  • Note they speak French and are a Republic.-Orwell

• Ethiopian Empire: The nation seems relatively unaffected other than Adulis which sees a large presence of the Belkan troops and Europeans coming into the port. The colleges of Ethiopia offer Belkan scholars to come see their research and aid them in progress. The Royal Zoo is opened with much fanfare seeing that almost 40% of the city came on opening day. Most who never leave the city are in shock by the many animals and being able to be so close to them. A fort begins construction over the port of Adulis. Ezana City continues to grow at a moderate rate becoming a very profitable city aiding the farmers around its limits. The Emperor sets off the Royal Carriage company seeing as more of the country is becoming accessible with his roadwork. Imperial Guard members are dumped into the regular army bringing the regular army numbers to 90,000 and the Imperial Guard around 50,000. The regiment of Royal Grenadiers is founded to further research the effectiveness of throw-able explosives. The navy continues to hunt down French ships with resounding success especially with the transferring of French ships to the Ethiopian Crown. (Could a mod tell me the largest type of French ship I'd be able to capture?) Ships not of large enough size have their cannons stripped and are sold to the highest bidder for timber. The young son of Ioshua is soon to slate his service in the Imperial Guard. 
  • Belkan Dip: As per the protectorate Agreement Belkan companies established in Adulis will be surveying Ethiopian resources for potential of industrial-level extraction. This will provide jobs to the people of Abysinnia (The Ethiopian name in Belka). Belka's industrial benefit system will be restructured for Abysinnia to more effectively reflect the nation's culture and tradition, but will eventually produce a robust and effective workforce. Belka also requests that it begin training and arming of an Abysinnian foreign legion of roughly 25,000 with modern equipment and tactics to operate under Belkan state command.
  • Ethiopian Response: The Emperor doesn't mind the foreign legion but he wants to be able to decide when the troops will be used - seeing as these are his subjects.
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: So this Bakht Khan is irreligious. Propaganda is maintained on other issues, either the Indians side with us or they don't. Since the revolt is still going on another 60,000 troops are being shipped to India via various landing points in the Gulf of Khamhbat. These are 40,000 British troops and 20,000 Africans being landed and moved into Dravidia when they arrive to take Hyderbad where the force sent last year got distracted. The force last year of 105,000 and its cannon and horses that went out to confront the rebellion attacks Bakht Khan's siege of Mumbai in a field battle as he is outside the city supported by two first-rate ships-of-the-line, three second-rate ships-of-the-line and nine frigates. All merchant shipping which is flagged as British is impressed into service for shipping troops to India. Recruitment continues as does production of weapons and purchases of weapons from Avalon, Savannah and Iroquois. The fleet from Bristol remains to escort and intercept duties as well as supporting the British in their fight outside of Mumbai. The Tamils can rebel fine, good for them. England has a population of 17.8 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 10,000 professionals and 10,000 men in Ireland. In Burgundy there are 30,000 British troops and 30,000 Sepoy. In India, there are 155,000 soldiers in South India. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. The royal navy proceeds to make an effort to blockade the French Atlantic coast patrolling the seas. 
• Brésil: Tomás decides that now is the time to go on the offensive. The Brésilian navy sails up the Amazon, taking control of a few cities along the banks. The main army, under Andre Grande, advances along the Plate Valley, but is stopped by the Republican army. In the battle of Noveau Orleanais, the Federal army is soundly defeated by the Republican counterpart. However, the Second Federal army does slightly better. It makes progress along the coast, completely annhilating Republican resistance in the area. Some towns reportedly surrendered without a fight. Wip
• Kingdom of Burgundy: The Army of Flanders and Army of Limburg, which took part in last year's Normandy invasion, are reorganized into the Army of Arteisë, 250,000 strong. Some 50,000 men wounded in the Normandy offensive are rotated to other fronts. The Army of Artesië continues fortifying their position around Le Havre and Rouen, and Le Havre as been outfitted as a supply port for the armored floating batteries. Of those, the SMS Verwoesting and SMS Donderend are sent down the Seine River this year, attacking riverside buildings and fortifications. Their armor was designed to be proof against 68-pound naval guns, as such, French field artillery is unable to penetrate the ironclads. The pair penetrate inland to within twenty miles of Paris before fuel concerns cause them to turn back. Impressed by their showing, the Admiralty orders new ironclads built. The 30-gun Dreadnought-class steam frigates, whose construction slowed due to the war, are chosen to be plated with iron armor. The performance of the Verwoesting-class on the Seine also inspires the navy to devise dedicated river-borne ironclads, to operate on rivers such as the Seine, Marne, Aube, and Rhine.
• Kingdom of Prussia: With Burgundian weaponry continuing to be introduced, this begins being used in the same way they had used their weapons to breach defenses. Hanover sees the greatest success with a combined force of weapons and hot air balloons taking a toll on the defenses leading to fortifications being useless. 40,000 more men are deployed to the front at Wolfsburg. Another 40,000 are sent off to Stade. Dresden receives the next ring of hot air balloons bombing the region with Grenades. Designs are received from the British and dockyards are opened up along the Baltic coast to begin using the designs of the British naval vessels and adding preferable elements to them within our liking with 18 different ships incorporating British designs begin being constructed adding to job growth. A new flagship also begins being planned named das Friedrich II. As job growth grows, especially in the female category, the unemployment rate falls slightly. Businesses that have signed government contracts for supplies and goods lead to them being capable to expand factory construction but focus mainly in inner or Eastern Prussia where areas have no threat of being impacted by the war. Sünger Sewing Machines make a big hit and are expanded further. Companies begin expanding their purchase of imported resources and textiles begin being produced. The Central Bank of Berlin leads to more organized banking. Mints and currency production is expanded with two more mints opening in Potsdam and Rostock. Dead bodies begin being returned to families and are given proper burials which are partially paid by the government. Mining for iron continues to grow further which allows for more steel based items to be produced and also permits to construction of regional railroads in Silesia. Mortars and a wide range of artillery begin being brought into the battlefield to be used against the Napoleonic German armies.

• Argentine: "Ten years ago the Treaty of Mendoze was signed, stripping away most of our land, with our enemies, Mapuche, Brésil and Aztlan decimating our armies and humiliating us down to a rump state centered in New Vichy. The hope of our people crushed, our spirits demoralized, now we are ash but soon we will be reborn as a phoenix for our enemy Brésil is in the midst of civil war. The time is now for all Argentines, both in New Vichy and occupied by Brésil to rise with gun in hand, for Argentines to reconquer what is rightfully Argentine's and free all who are being oppressed by the divided Brésil amd the Argentines in Brésil to free themselves in the midst of Brésil's chaos and engage in violent revolution to a state that both oppresses them and cannot run itself." These are the words Prime Minister Maxime Ernest Bret addresses to the Argentine nation, and he immediately mobilizes 200,000 troops to invade La Plata, using French funding, French weaponry, and French supplies since we are their protectorate. These 200,000 troops pour into Brésilian La Plata by crossing the Salado River and rapidly reconquering the land north of the Salado, east of the Paraná, and west of the Uruguay, liberating and joining with local Argentines in these previously occupied lands and defensive fortifications are set up along both sides of the Salado. Meanwhile, the New Vichy stock exchange is opened to revitalize the economy.
• Brésilian Diplomacy to Mapuche: Tomás urges the Mapuche to launch an expedition against Argentine, before they rise to torment the Mapuche people once more. Tomás writes if we defeat them once more, we can guarantee their absence. Let us not repeat history with the oppressive Argentinian thumb over the Mapuche people. [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED].
  • (Diceroll 27 - not in favour) Mapuche declines joining the war. ~Wolves.
  • The mods conferred, we changed our minds and Mapuche will join the war under Brésilian direction. Person.
  • Argentine response: With Mapuche joining on the side of Brésil, a militia garrison of 50,000 troops is raised to defend the border city of Rosario on the Argentine-Mapuche frontier.

1859

War continues.

The Sicilian military government collapses with rebels poisoning the leaders of the cabals. Junior officers begin fighting each other to seize control in the chaos, while the people cry out for the intervention of the Papal States. The Papal States does indeed intervene in the name of maintaining the Lord's Peace.

The Hungarian people are against war and move to depose their longstanding military dictatorship. The Provisional Republic of Hungary is declared and the republican government pulls out of the war and declares neutrality indefinitely.

• Russia: Tsar Vladimir VI damns the republican Hungarian leadership and the Polish people in a speech outside the Palace of St Rurik. "The Poles have plagued Russia for far too long. From their shocking invasion 200 years ago during our crusade against the Mongols of the Great Khanate, holding our territory for 40 years while our leaders fought amongst each other. It is time to rid the name of Poland as a nation, but to have it as a province of Russia. My kinsmen of Russia, from the border to Lodz, I decree a Pale of Settlement. Any Pole who resists will be shot." With that speech the Tsar's advisors commission the Polish Resettlement Act which forces Polish families out of homes so chosen by newly arrived Russian families. This effort is backed up by 150,000 occupying troops. Meanwhile, on the German front, the high command desides to launch an offensive against the Germans with local Prussian and Belkan troops. Codename Operation: Chernobog (after the Russian Pagan god of death), the plan is simple. A massive artillery barrage from thousands of guns are to chew up the line while the main force advances. Breakthrough is to occur, and soldiers are to march 200 miles to Burgundy, to link allied armies. In Spring the great attack is launched. "Men, you have been waiting your whole lives to prove yourselves with honor. The Poles may have been our enemies, but they are done with. We stand here as brothers-in-arms with our Belkan Slavic brothers, and our Prussian allies, against the threat which is Napoleonic Revanchism. You men are the hammer which is to be plunged on top of Napoleon's big head, to make him dizzy for a final blow. And, like a sickle to wheat, we shall slice his Germania off its stem of his throne. We have been assured there are wine, women and song waiting for us in Burgundy. For the glory of the Olive Army and Mother Russia, comrades, uhra!"- speech handed out to officers and commandants to read to their troops under the last seconds of the great week-long artillery barrage. Troops use rapid fire Kalashnikovs and revolvers to cut the enemy's musket-fired infantry. By sheer numbers the German line breaks as fighting on the Prussian front moves into mobile warfare, not seen since three years before during the early battles. The mass of men in Olive and green uniforms armed with repeating weapons that far outpace Needle Guns in firing speed march and march to the Burgundian frontier cutting the Germans off. However, there are many casualties in the one mile by 200 mile front. The army suffered at least 75,000 to 100,000 casualties. Some troops, however, once the offensive finished, drank enough beer and wine in Burgundy entire stores lost their stocks to thirsty celebrating soldiers. 400,000 troops, however, are sent to accompany other friendly forces for the Prussian-planned Operation: Michael, the attack against Frankfurt. In Siberia, the governors of the new provinces of Mongolia, Yakutia and Amur all institute segregation against the local inhabitants to protect European settlers. Governors in the Novorossiyan territories of Saliya and Novorutenia institute the same policies. The "Red Monkey" politics of Novorossiya are heavily inspired by that of the new policies on Poles. Industrial sites begin to rise up around the country along with railroads. Several Russian officials move to occupied Macau assuring continual Russian post-war presence in the city. We offer to buy and produce Burgundian artillery to further increase the effectiveness of our fighting troops and supply the Leagues vast armies (Guy, Respond).
  • Burgundian Dip: With Russia agreeing to pay a licensing fee for Burgundian artillery it produces, the offer is accepted.
• Belkan Empire: Under the cover of darkness, Munich is very clearly taken in a quick and surprising fashion from the relatively negligible Munich garrison. With this under control the Belkan First and Second Armies push into the Rhineland proper moving into positions around Stuttgart (need troop numbers from a mod, please). The push on Stuttgart marks a new phase in the war as the convering armies of the League have effectively created a large potential encirclement in the Rhineland. The seizure of Stuttgart and a push on Frankfurt would effectively end the war and the Belkan armies push on Stuttgart in earnest with this goal in mind. While this is the case, the Belkan forces in Prague begin a massive push to finally take the embattled city and end the Czech resistance once and for all. The casualties in Czechia have been higher than expected as the Czech's proficiency and development of domestic equipment had been unexpected. Between the battle of Mihostov and the initial and middle stages of the siege of Prague, the Belkan army has suffered nearly 150,000 casualties in Czechia much higher than expected. It is hallmark as the Czechs were not expected to defend their country with such ferocity. This, however, sets the stage for the final battle for Prague. the full strength 400,000 strong army converges on the final held portions of Prague beginning the final siege. The battle is pitched as the 150,000 remaining Czech forces augmented by militia, police, garrison units, and even civilians fight brutally for their city with almost fanatical resistance. However, after a week of intense and pitched fighting, Prague falls and the Prague castle and the city center is stormed in a spectacular fashion. Two days later the Belkan army conducts a Parade in the city center now cleared of rubble before a 100,000 strong detachment from the Austrian occupational force reaches prague. While beaten and battered from combat, the Belkan Third and Fourth Armies follow a new pathway to the front, one of supply trains and temporary infrastructure built by the Corps of Engineers which allow the Belkan army, previously moving on foot mostly through the field, toward the front allowing the entirety of the Third Army to reach the front in just a few short weeks. The Third Army disembarks near Wurzburg with a light railway junction built up to allow for military traffic and the Belkan Third Army encamps just 50 miles from Frankfurt preparing for one of the final battles of the war in Germany. With so much going on abroad, the Belkan homefront remains just as crazy. The industrial sector is in a boom never seen before as steel making, railway upgrades to steel railways continues and telegraphs are built all over the country. A huge telegraph line extends from Belgrad all the way to northern Austria in Bavaria just outside Munich allowing for clear cut commands from the command to the armies albeit with a slight delay for the distance. The Arms industry has expanded significantly and artillery, the Needle Guns and uniforms are produced in record amounts. Belkan war loans continue to be paid heavily with war bonds. However, the toll begins to take its toll on the people as officially people begin to run out of money to support the war on this level. The Belkan government, however, is not done. Tsar Vladimir and now his son, the Crown Prince Uliyam reaching age 18, address the people. "This war has taken its toll. Hundreds of thousands of our troops lie battered and broken, but our will is not broken. As we speak, our finest soldiers have reached the outskirts of two of Napoleon's and the Rhineland's largest cities. We hope with this offensive, we will break the back of the German war effort, and will see if the French have the gall to continue this war on their own. Long Live the Belkan Empire." The speech is met with mostly positive results. However, it is transcribed across the telegraph lines and delivered to every army as a boost to morale. This is considered a stunning success as the troops, weary from the war, see new vigour and fresh recruits are rotated in from mauled units to handle some of the final offensives. Field Marshall Zaiyetsev tours all the army encampments personally to boost morale as well and agrees that he will lead the offensive on Frankfurt himself declaring "I will take what these Revolutionary pigs call their capital or die trying." In this, he outfits himself in his own finest field commander uniform, takes himself a revolver and a Needle Gun and prepares to fight with his men for the taking of the city. The Belkan navy, once a more neglected military element has taken a new prominence as many hoping to avoid the army have volunteered in favor of the navy. Belka's shipbuilding capacity - once more meager and in favor of smaller ships - has expanded significantly. The Belkan fleets having been decent in size, but more shoddy in construction have taken on new prominence as top-of-the-line battleships replace three lost to straight attrition and bad weather during a storm and the fact that he ships were nearing end of life anyway. nearly 15 crusiers and 25 frigates are completed this year after two years under construction. The armored sheathing put over many of these ships consisting of semi thick iron is put around as a last minute addition. However, in sharp contrast to earlier naval efforts, the newest Ironclad is laid down, a mastless steam turbine powered ship armed with two turrets with eight-inch guns on each turret. It is designated a "Destroyer" aimed specifically with the goal of commerce raiding, and targeting of the lesser wooden ships of the line. Other designs begin to coalesce as well with theories under works for a whole fleet of Ironclads of every shape and size to replace the now outdated wooden ships. The Suez Canal is announced to be fully finished this year to great fanfare as a Belkan and British ship front-to-back are the first ships through the canal in an official capacity. The Belkan army coaslesces one of its home guard garrisons into a force of 80,000 and it replaces the Damietta garrison which returns home. This new garrison is turned into the Suez Defense Force.

• Argentine: Last year we have successfully secured the Salado River at a high price of 21,400 men, may God bless their souls and give them the mercy they weren't given on Earth. Fearing a massive joint Brésillian-Mapuchean counteroffensive our forces go on the defensive, entrenching themselves in recently reconquered territory, setting up medium sized trenches, to become heavy trenches by next year. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister continues to encourage all occupied Argentines to revolt in Brésil and Mapuche and he orders our small industry to be ramped up and devoted to the war effort, developing our small defensive navy of ten ships in New Vichy. While the army entrenches, there is a massive civilian effort to entrench the entirety of Argentine, especially New Vichy, which is being developed into a strategic fortreess and raises 50,000 troops to defend the capital city. Argentine intelligence receives word in the field that Bresilian and Mapuchean forces are going to attack the strategic border city of Rosario, positioned along the Salado River (still part of the Salado Front) and the Parana River and an organized tactical redeployment is made with 178,600 troops sent to defend Rosario. Along the way to Rosario, the Grand Argentine Army is replenished with 12,116 troops eager to join the fight against the Bresilian-Mapuchean Coalition and upon arriving to Rosario 25,000 cavalrymen from the frontier join the Grand Argentine Army, totaling 200,000 troops within the city . 50,000 troops are positioned on the outskirts of Rosario, 5000 of them being part of this army. and entrench the outskirts in medium sized forts, to become large trenches by next year in 1860. The remainder 200,000 troops are placed within the city of Rosario itself and develop it into a strategic fortress just like New Vichy, both the center city army and the outskirt army having medium seized cavalry. Using the infrastructure and the industry of Rosario for one year, the light artillery support is replenished and updated into medium artillery support for the Grand Argentine Army in Rosario. Both armies prepare their defenses to the best of their abilities using all their strength, knowledge, talent, heart, mind, spirit, and soul to defend against the oncoming Bresilian-Mapuche Offensive next year with the city's population fully behind them. "Defend Rosario! For Argentine!" With this, the Grand Argentine Army are resupplied, well positioned, and prepared, totally fortified within and on the outskirts of the great fortress city of Rosario.

• Kingdom of Egypt: (Due to some idiot deleting my response to Belka’s tsar visiting Egypt, I will have to make a recap in this turn) last year, when Belka’s Tsar came over to Egypt, he was greeted with crowds of cheering people as his car arrived in the capital of Giza. The Tsar and King met and the Tsar was greeted to an hour long military parade for his first day visit, then a luncheon with the king and prime minister of Egypt, and the Belkan Commander of the Damietta Garrison. The Tsar's second day in Egypt saw him take a tour of the Museum of Ancient Egyptian History in Giza, which was then preceded by a tour of the capital of Giza. The third and final day of the Tsar’s visit to Egypt saw them traveling to the then almost complete Suez Canal, where the two royals inspected the Suez building site, and met some of the engineers and workers on the canal, along with a tour of the city of Suez. The day ended with a farewell parade held for the Tsar as he made his way back to Damietta, and soon sailed back to Belka. We continue to build up our infrastructure, with roads being built along the Nile, as well as expanding our major population centers of Giza and Alexandria. Schools continue being built all across the nation, especially in Sudan. Alia City continues to grow more and more everyday, as poor Sudanese families make their way from their villages, to the fledgling city of Alia. The King continues to support an Islamic way of life for all Egyptian Muslims and their families, along with encouraging and funding studying of Islamic sciences and advancements in Islamic sciences. Egyptian companies continue to make heavy investments in Ethiopia, along with Egyptian construction companies coming to help build much needed things such as schools, small bridges, and universities. The Egyptian army continues to adopt European tactics, specifically Belkan shock tactics, which will greatly increase the efficiency. The media continues to be mostly state run in some way, but censorship has been reduced some, with the media still glorifying the Muhammed Ali Dynasty and the King and his reforms, but criticizing other elements of the government for corruption and immoral scandals, which soon land these officials in jail. With the Suez being completed, a celebration is held in Suez City, along with a visit from the king, which he blesses all the workers and their families for their hard work, and wishes them all a good life. The next day the families of these workers find 200 dollars in their bank accounts, along with much needed appliances for free on their doorsteps. Today, in a three-hour long speech, the king announced that Egypt would be joining the Great European War on the Belkan Side. Now, Egyptian Naval ships patrolling Egyptian waters will open fire on any French ship that refuse to surrender to Egyptian authorities. Nothing happens after this declaration of war, and the Egyptian army is not mobilized.
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Another 60,000 men are raised and sent to Burgundy now that things in India seem pretty under control. Seeing Burgundy's success on the Seine the British choose to take it to the next level. Combined with Burgundy they launch an offensive up the Rhine in August with an attack on the Rhenish border first to break their line by Burgundian troops while British soldiers, British and Burgundian ships sail up the Rhine. As the Rhine is quite deep and with screw propellers and masts removed the British move three ships-of-the-line and 20 frigates, in addition to the landing equipment the British built up and a load of river barges they commandeered. This force takes 120,000 man to seize Duisburg and Dusseldorf from the Germans using cavalry, artillery and naval support. Seeing Burgundy's success with iron ships the British want to see how far they can take this and plan to build new ocean- going ironclad frigates. The Warrior class begin construction with two ships which will hold 40 guns be clad in iron almost to the top and have a propeller. Recruitment continues as does production of weapons and purchases of weapons from Avalon, Savannah and Iroquois. England has a population of 17.8 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 10,000 professionals and 10,000 men in Ireland. In Burgundy there are 90,000 British troops and 30,000 Sepoy. In India, there are 155,000 soldiers in South India. There are two fleets: one at Portsmouth and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates. The royal navy proceeds to make an effort to blockade the French Atlantic coast patrolling the seas.
  • India: The forces besieging Hyderabad continue. Bakht Khan and his army are attacked again and again and they are scattered. With the defeat of the rebels, Parliament reorganises parts of India with South India coming under direct rule of the King through his proxy, a Viceroy, in response to the disloyalty of the Grand Assembly which is disbanded. In addition massive judicial punishments are handed out with tens of thousands of men comprising rebels, Sepoy who deserted their units or just high class Indians who the British feel led the revolt are deported to Uluru. This massive campaign of deportation has them handed sentences ranging from seven years to 20 years in penal colonies. Thousands of others are forced into labour battalions for the length of their sentences. In an attempt to stop further mutinies all industry is methodically removed and destroyed by the British. Those in the labour battalions are moved out into Burma and set to work building forts and heavy trenches at Myitkyina, Mansi, Hseni, Mongton, Kawkareik and Keng Tung near the border with China. The Sepoy who stayed loyal well done to the more are recruited to replace the vast amounts of disloyal Sepoy. Aware that many Indians resent the rate of advancement new regiments should have either it's CO or XO as Indian with the other role filled by a European. The new ones are more caste neutrally recruited and from poorer Muslims aware that many of them revolted because they sympathised with nobles. Groups like the Thuggee are targeted as a martial race. They are also only equipped with smooth bore muskets compared to the British rifled breech-loading guns. 
• Ethiopian Empire: Ioshua sends his son Theodore to the Imperial Guard after many years of schooling around the nation. The Royal Zoo continues to attract visitors from around the country and on some days visitors may be greeted by the Emperor himself. Workshops continue to produce large amounts of coffee, arms and grain. With the navy being re-equipped with French ships Adulis is free to produce boats for a widening civilian boat market. Belkan fashion soon arrives in in the capital and designers get to work infusing traditional Ethiopian dress with Belkan Style. Frontiersmen return home with wonderful artifacts and paintings showing the interior of the continent evoking almost a 30% increase in expeditions. Ezana City continues to be the main staple at Lake Turkana and is set as the capital of the new Turkana Region. This year also sees a spike in ships captured and sunk by the Red Sea Privateers with their efforts greatly boosting the economy and giving more insight to naval warfare. The Royal Carriage Company is fully setup and its workshop already has 25 orders from some of the richest Ethiopians (Ethiopian wealth is pretty well distributed among its people.)  

• Kingdom of Burgundy: With added British reinforcements, much of the remaining Burgundian reserves are organized into the 200,000 strong Army of Geulders, and attack down the Rhine with the British. Supported by the ironclad batteries Lava, Bliksem and Haussmann, as well as a number of screw frigates, break through at Emmerich and advance down the Rhine, taking the cities of Duisburg and Düsseldorf. An envoy is sent to Cologne, asking it to allow the Anglo-Burgundian forces to base themselves there for their offensives next year, citing historical cooperation between Cologne and Burgundy (mod response, please). The ironclads take advantage of their immunity against the outdated Rhenish artillery and sail farther down the Rhine, bombarding the cities of Bonn and Mainz, the latter of which sits at the junction between the Rhine and the Main river, which leads to the city of Frankfurt. In other news, the SMSDreadnought, Burgundy's first proper seagoing ironclad (though wooden-hulled) is launched. Around the same time, the first of her successors, the 40-gun SMS Kinnik Wëllem II, to be built with iron, and designed with speed in mind, is laid down.
• French Republic: With the bombardment of Rhineland and the closing in of Belkan, Burgundian and British forces, Chancellor Roussel begins opening up the possibility of leaving the war due to the collapse of the German government and the subsequent low citizen morale for the continuation of the war, mainly due to the lack of supplies from the crippling blockade. Diplomatic ambassadors, requesting for a ceasefire, are sent to Iberia, Burgundy and Belka. Until confirmed, the servicemen will continue their involvement in the war. The Argentine-Brésilian Conflict is becoming something of small importance, and it is expected that once the war is officially over for the French and the blockade is lifted, that support will be sent to aid the Argentine government. Due to the loss of the French in the war, assuming it is going to end relatively soon, Chancellor Roussel officially ends any involvement in attempting to go for another term as Chancellor. Sebastien Gaucher, of the Democratic Faction, has begun to make headways and is expected to win the 1860 election. Possibly more later.
  • Belkan Dip: We agree to dicuss a ceasefire with France. Will this be followed by diplomatic action to end the war?
  • French Dip: Sure.
  • Iberian Dip: 'We agree to attend ceasefire discussions and propose a location in the Papal State if they will host it (Mod Response from Papal State, Please).
  • Burgundian Dip: the French ceasefire offer is accepted.
• Empire of Brésil: The headline reads: Forty thousand dead, republican forces defeated! In a coordinated campaign with the navy, the Brésilian Army marches through to Noveau Calais (On the Amazon River), whilst the navy cuts the FRB in half. The Republican forces attempt to dislodge the forces under Andre Grande, which results in a complete bloodbath for both sides. The monarchist forces ambush the enemy, but the enemy manages to hold the line, dragging the fight on for two days. In the end, the Brésilian flag is still standing. They then march victorious into the capital of the FRB. After this victory there is no time for jubilance, however, in honor of those who died, and due to the Argentine invasion. This army of 350,000 then swiftly makes way, mainly by boat, to the Argentine front, where they reinforce the lines. Artillery is unpacked, fortifications are assembled, and they hold ground. The soldiers are all awarded land for their valiant service, and a week-long celebration takes place. While some of the men are still on guard, most of the men are feasting and drinking and celebrating, and their wives and sweethearts are permitted to visit (let's just say that more than plans were conceived in that time) during this week-long party. However, it quickly fades back into the dull somber tone of the military, with nothing but stale bread, happy memories and a love for their nation to pull them through. Even though there is no offensive taking place, artillery fire is still a daily occurrence. Tomás sends a letter to the Mapuche leader, planning a joint offensive on March the sixth, giving the Mapuche and Brésilians ample time to fully assemble the forces needed. (KK, here you go:) Currently along the front there are about 400,000 troops, roughly half of them being hardened by the civil war.

• Republica Iberia: With the French offer of ceasefire, the republic has much to consider. Due to the general slowdown of combat in the previous year of the war, the Iberian position remains essentially unchanged. The system of reservists sees a fall in growth coupled with a demand for new troops to fill the ranks on the front. Total reserves are maintained at 340,000. Meanwhile, the standing army is maintained at 672,000. With the request for a ceasefire, some reservists are given extended leave for between three and four months so as to return home for harvest or planting. Plans to lay new rail lines are developed for after the war so as to connect more of the mid-sized cities and generally improve transportation around the country. Production of the model 1856 Sandoval Rifle continues, and some units begin to receive the more effective weapons. The Vento Rifleworks opens and production of the 1859 model Enrique Rifle begins. The weapon is well received with those troops who purchase one, but fails to win a military contract due to fears of overstressing ammunition supply lines. The troops in Sardinia are reinforced by the 56,000 troops in North Africa. Professor Estêvão Jorge continues his experiments with Electric “Self-Rotators.”
  • En La Republica de Morocco: Rebels are continually suppressed by the 40,000 strong Moroccan army. A detachment of the force maintains a policing capacity in Algeria, supported by the 16,000 Iberians of the Brigada Colonia which returned from the East Indies. The Moroccan Assembly, which is comprised primarily of coastal Reformist Muslims continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. On Omar Ramzi’s farm he once again just piles the wasted material in the ditch near the edge of his property.
  • En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries, the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
  • En África Ocidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces pressure to expand. Unfortunately in the north, desert blocks much further expansion. Expansion plans are cancelled due to the war.
• Scandinavian Empire: Emperor Sven III Gyldenløve continues to oversee the democratic transformation of Scandinavia. Our troops in Prussia continue marching with the Prussian army and we occupy the East Frisian Islands with our men, sending an additional 50 men. We, otherwise, improve relations with the British, possibly hinting at a major trade. Scandinavia continues building railroads, with two new lines being started: one from Stockholm to Malmö, and one from Jönköping to Riksdale. We continue building a steel processing factory in Jönköping and start to build one in Linköping. The Sjaelland and Riksdale-Malmö lines are finished. Finally, Scandinavia seeks to expands its fleet. Scientiae Dei is continually funded by the state, along with the State Bank of St Birgitta.
  • Iceland: We establish a major port in Reykjavik for whalers coming from the New World and encourage further whaling in Iceland and open a branch of Scientiae Dei to collect Icelandic sagas. We encourage whaling in Spitsbergen and found a small whaling settlement on Hejnriksholm after no other resources were found.
  • Kingdom of the Isles: We encourage whaling among the community of the Isles. We also establish a few kelp farms and textile factories. 
  • Ny-Sjaelland and Vinland: Activity is flourishing in Christianshavn and whaling and commerce are major points. The colony prospers due to the income it gets from processing goods coming from Vinland and Scandinavia proper. Olafsborg and Vinland become incorporated and logging and whaling are encouraged, while also scouring for mining. Plans for a railroad from Olafsborg toward the inland are drawn up.
  • Prins-Rupert Island: Benat Aritza supports Basque immigration toward Prins-Rupert due to the war-ravaged Navarre being isolated. Whaling is encouraged on Prins-Rupert. (Mod response for Basque immigration)
  • Greenland: We support slow expansion on the coast and we expand whaling.
• Durrani Afghanistan: Emir Mohammed Khan Durrani begins to enforce Zaidi Shia Islam on his subjects, particularly trying to convert the Zoroastrian "debacle" that has occurred. Yet he remains tolerant toward Sunni Muslims, now a minority since the Ali Al Assad incident a few hundred years back ... Due to some idiots in Iran that converted the nation to Sunni Islam, Durrani's relations remain tense with Iran. Mohammed Khan likes what he is seeing in India with Bakht Khan, however, stays "neutral." Yet the Emir is mainly interested in seeing Shia Islam rule India again, which (according to the games canonical history) occurred under the Delhi Empire and Bahmanid dynasty. Emir Khan seeks to bring the nation to glory, so Kashmir is invaded (sorry, I don't have time to algo this.) Due to a healthy estimate of three million Afghans - in 1900 OTL it was 4.5 million so, due to the population growth over time it would be healthy to assume three million - our army stands at about 20,000 soldiers, so 15,000 are sent to "liberate" Kashmir for the warlords. (I know that the British have British India, but from my understanding it was the four Indian nations and the land between them, Kashmir seems too remote and useless to be British territory.)
• OOC: Zaidi Shi’a is no longer a sect, as due to the ATL Grand Council of Basra, it merged with Sunni Islam to establish one firm Islamic theology and ended the schism. Essentially there is no longer Sunni Islam or Zaidi Shi’a Islam, just Islam.

• Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. The Swahili army in Rowzi continues an offensive south into Zulu territory. The marines launch an attack on the Zulu coast. With the influx of Belkan settlers into Mombasa and Malindi, changes in the legal system begins with extraterritoriality granted to the Belkan settlers. However, there was also unrest due to the changes in the legal system.  
  • Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
  • Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
  • Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We request Belka for support in the form of military officer attaches against the Zulu.

• Kingdom of Prussia: Following our victories in the north, our troops consolidate into a single force and storm south to Frankfurt. We bring with us our Russian and Belkan comrades who had also fought in Stade as well. In the meantime, we begin to help repair and care for the Civilian Victims with rations being delivered en masse from the Prussian Heartland. Orphaned children are taken care of and searches for bodies continue to count up all the victims and casualties. Volunteers from Hamburg go in and help the sick with doctors being paid by the government to assist those in occupied lands. Jobs continue to be expanded and localization of railroads are expanded mainly to the largest of cities in Prussia. Factory regulation is expanded as well to ensure the safety of workers. The Sünger Sewing Machine begins to be introduced in homes. In the meantime, a man named Wilhelm Schmidt releases his book on the origin of species. It begins to pick up some circulation with him using prime examples of songbirds. The Heinz Rifle is invented (OTL Volcanic Lever-action Rifle but with a larger cartridge) in Potsdam by a gunsmith named Alphonse Fritz Heinz. Several factories are established in West Prussia and Pomerania for producing textiles and clothing. Buildup of inner cities and suburban zones are made while damages caused by rioters from years back are mostly restored. The Landtag sees another turn of votes which keep the liberals in power but also introduce some new faces. The idea of Pan-Germanism grows in Prussia with some sometimes either going with either identity of Prussian or German. Former Germania Front Members see Napoleon as a failure for them as he was incapable of uniting the German people - not even reaching close to the success of his father. Heinrich has a slight rise in popularity due to his acceptance of the more liberal government and success of keeping the heartland of Prussia from being ravaged by the war and leading to more jobs. Chocolate bars are seen as a new hit with them being cheap, affordable and tasty with them being distributed in rations and small packages to the battlefield and occupied regions with them being distributed to the victims mainly to lighten up the situation with small get-togethers in squares. Farming sees a boost due to the demand rise during this time of war with farmers having government contracts to supply goods to soldiers abroad. Prussians try to make the best out of their heartbreak with thousands of soldiers not coming home to families but dying honorably in battle. The government hands out small pensions to families to cover burial and funeral costs. A memorial to those who had died is already being planned to be established in Hamburg, one of the cities closest to the battlefield as soon as the total death toll comes out. The war drags on. Prussians see the idea of helping establish a new and true Germany as something they are willing to do with some political activists calling for all Germans to unify but no longer see a Napoleon-led Germany as an option due to him nearing the end and failing to gather all the Germans into one state bringing on the question of who and how the German people will be united. With our men heading to Frankfurt, we send our volunteers to help the wounded and hot air balloons to drop supplies from the air for the fight with us also planning another drop following the battle to drop rations and food for the victims which would also include gifts dropped and delivered on Christmas Eve to occupied regions in Saxony and Leipzig as the citizens are not to blame and are now homeless or poor. Soup and bread are also handed out to those less fortunate.

1860

With their defeat in the war, the German government removes Napoleon from office and installs his brother-in-law Muller as the acting head of state. Napoleon and the men most loyal to him decide to depart from the continent.

• Belkan Empire: The war ends and while casualties are high with nearly 650,000 dead and almost another half-million maimed or injured by the war, many permanently. The war, however, is over. Belka has proven to not just its neighbors, but to the world that she is a major power and contention with her is not something to be taken lightly. The armies return home besides two 50,000 strong garrison forces apiece which remain in Austria and Czechia respectively. Belka announces following the war its withdrawal from all its existing alliances, however, maintains strong friendly connections with both Iberia and Russia due to long standing national friendships, or other non alliance based organizations. This is particularly done specifically to allow Belka's newfound strength and power to develop outside of the existing basis of an alliance network. The Empire's advancement in this war having pretty much no damage done on the homefront has, however, taken a significant toll on her financial system as loans, war bonds and other war related expenses have mounted. However, with a victory and Europe needing to be rebuilt open contracts are taken by Belkan industrial companies to begin rebuilding in Austria, Czechia and other nations as well at least until their own companies take over the industrial repair deals. The Belkan army standing at nearly 1.9 million is drawn down significantly to operate much more heavily on a smaller professional force. The Belkan army is downsized with its forces being drawn down from 1.9 million to around 800,000. This is done as a money saving venture as well as room for the Belkan navy to expand and grow naturally as well as bring many veterans a much needed reprieve from their military lives. The returning soldiers now being discharged are given multiple options as they return. Many are discharged with a nice bonus as well and the men who return home to their wives or even single are quickly married. Almost one million returning soldiers take up many industrial jobs, as well as moving on Belka's final frontiers in Moldavia and Carpathia/Transylvania. Farms and communities spring up in mere weeks as the organized soldiers establish new towns on the frontiers beginning major settlement of Belka's final lightly settled territories. In a move with the Chinese delegation the Belgrad-Beijing Cooperation Treaty is proposed to the Chinese to codify the terms described (candies and I have discussed terms heavily). The end of the war has had a profound impact on the psyche of the Belkan people. War, while a glory and prestige winning movement, has reared its ugly head as something to also be afraid of and this marking the largest loss of life in Belkan history in a non-civil war, the Tsar, the Soviet, and all facets of government agree that withdrawing into a much more isolated position in Europe is for the best so as to not be drawn into the rest of Europe's highly destructive and taxing wars. With the war over more attention is paid to Belka's colonies and dependencies. The Bahamas, purchased just before the war, finally sees the movement of true Belkan administration with many of the colonial officially being dismissed as nearly 10,000 Belkan troops and a squadron of 15 ships arrive replacing the light force which established control years before. With the annexation of most of Algiers as well, the Belkan colony of Tunisia is renamed and restructured. The North Africa Dependency is established in its place and a garrison of 20,000 remains in Tunisia as its capital to oversee the centralization of Belkan power over the colony. With Seuz completed as well, Belka being the closest as well as one of the primary owning interests of the canal organizing the Suez Defence force out of Damietta and also brings in a massive fleet to take host in Damietta. The Suez Defence fleet is established holding ten battleships, 15 cruisers, 20 third-rates and five corvettes. The fleet specifically boasts Belka's finest, a refit of many of the ships with iron plating as well as three of Belka's new "Destroyer" designs effectively making this one of the most modern fleet forces in the world. In Adulis, Belkan engineers begin some of the first construction of a railway aiming it toward Egypt as it is to link up with Damietta which sees its own railway beginning construction. Novo Sarajevo is also expanded near Dar es Salaam and expansion of exploratory efforts continues. Belkan patrols begin to look for suitable colonial opportunities in West Africa and a force of 1000 marines establishes a fort and trading town on the coast at the site of OTL Libreville naming it Port Volda with two cruisers hanging off the coast to provide fire support in case any natives come knocking. This is established directly next to the Russian outpost already existing there.
• Russia: The String-Baroque revolution occurs spurring a name change from string-baroque to something different as mass dance parties in towns occurs for the youth. String-Baroque becomes known as Bugi-Vugi. This is mainly because of the new highly popular Karelian Group Joseph av Fjell producing a trio of hit songs such as "Fires Rising", "Railroad Tune", and "Siberian Song". A local Siberian group also makes noise in the east of the country. Known as Bronstein-Tymoshenko Superpower (or BTS) has a hit song called "You ain't seen nothin yet". Another Siberian group made up of war veterans calls itself Chernobog after the Great War operation. The Great War Cossack-poet Dimitri Popov writes about his idea of the "Easy Rider" after hearing Chernobog play for the first time with their song "Born to be Wild". Settlers that set themselves up in central Poland return from the now Polish rump state to settle the new frontiers taken from Poland. With only 220,000 casualties from the Great War the population 47 million people. In a political move, the occupation forces in Prussia's African colonies are with drawn with the Elbentein force going home and the Hussein troops going to Fort Posdka Krovi. Admiral Kolchak returns to Russia after spending a couple of years in Burgundian South Africa. Kolchak seeing the clear superiority of steamships advocates before the newly established Naval Committee a new fleet. There are to be four fleets in total for the Empire. The Baltic would be 150 ships, the Black Sea fleets would each consist of 100 ships, the Pacific would be 200, and African Squadron would consist of ten. It is expected to be at the end of the decade and provide jobs to the million men out of work. The Baltic fleet would consist of 15 battleships, 30 cruisers, and the rest being frigates and destroyers (split evenly). There are also plans for five iron clads to be independently built. The Black see fleet would consist of ten battleships, 25 cruisers, and a even number of frigates and destroyers with another five ironclads. The Pacific fleet would be mainly stationed in Arcadia with a large flotilla of ships for East Asian travel. This fleet would be 25 battleships, 15 ironclads spread out between all ports. And a large base of smaller ships. The African Squadron would be three cruisers and seven frigates. All these ships are steam powered. The first copies of Haussmann Artillery are manufactured in Kiev.