News from the Far East
MARATHA MERCHANTS ARRESTED IN BRITISH INDIA. Calcutta, United Kingdom of Great Britain. The British imperial authorities in India arrested several merchants from the Maratha Confederacy accused of stirring up anti-European sentiment in markets throughout the region. The British have come down hard on these murmurs of dissent, and so far the efforts seem fairly successful. Border controls and customs have been tightened along the common border with the Maratha Confederacy, as tensions continued to escalate among the Marathas and the Europeans in India. The British army has been greatly alarmed at these actions as the very large Maratha army has been seen mobilizing towards the borders. (+1 Stability)
CIVIL WAR IN BURMA. Amarapura, Burma. King Bagiydaw of Burma has become a great recluse in recent months, rarely leaving his chambers and neglecting affairs of state. Some have attributed this bout of depression to the recent death of a beloved wife, and it has truly affected his position as king. His absence from politics and refusal to take part in what many believe to be his duties as monarch have led to the growth of a movement to oust him. The Crown Prince Therrawady has orchestrated a considerable force behind him to lead a rebellion to remove his brother from the throne. Unfortunately for the rebellion, this act brought their monarch out of his shell, and has since resulted in a prolonged civil war between the two factions. Bagiydaw has managed to secure the north, while his brother has since begun rallying support and his army in the south.
VICIOUS MURDERS OCCUR IN SOUTHERN CHINA. Ghuangzhou, China. A spate of particularly brutal and malevolent murders have taken place in the ports of southern China. European merchants leaving customs houses have been found barely alive or dead with their bodies riddled with tiny holes. While obviously not an official form of protest, the killer or killers seems to be using the customs houses to identify his European victims. Over a dozen have already been murdered, mostly British, and Chinese authorities seem to have little knowledge or abilities to identify the killer. Associates of the European victims have written to their governments, appealing for some form of aid to help end the attacks against their trade in China.
KOREAN ANTI-CHRISTIAN EFFORTS SPARK VIOLENCE. Seoul, Korea. The Korean government has continued to pursue its anti-Christian policies throughout the course of the year, hunting down missions and missionaries, and refusing to allow European traders access to their nation. This year, a particularly large refuge of Christian missionaries and converts were discovered along the southeastern coast of the peninsula. Armed with European weapons as well as local supporters, the Christians fought against the government agents sent to arrest and eliminate them. The missionaries themselves barely escaped by boat, as those they were sent to convert were slaughtered by the Korean army. The brutality of the slaughter was conveyed across the nation, and some have begun to express concern at the fervor of the anti-Christian attitudes of the regime. (-1 Stability)
MERCHANTS BEGIN BLOCKING SALE OF EUROPEAN GOODS IN VIETNAM. Hue, Vietnam. With the recent efforts at westernization by the monarchy being well underway, the recent growth in trade with the Europeans that this entailed has made Vietnamese merchants increasingly upset. An effort was spearheaded this year to shut down European influences in Vietnamese markets, as various underhanded tactics were used by local merchants to discourage the purchase of European goods. Warehouses and ships have been set aflame, while merchandise has gone missing from stalls selling European goods. It seems a pronounced anti-European attitude has begun emerging among those in interior, while merchants on the coast continue to profit from the new trade. (-1 Stability)
PERSIANS INVADE SOUTHERN KHAZAK KHANATE. Gonbad, Persia. In retribution for nomadic attacks during the war with the Durrani, the Persians have invaded the southern Khazak Khanate. Initially running rampant over the villages and sending the nomadic tribes fleeing to the north, the Khazaks ultimately assembled their forces together in the hopes of challenging and defeating them, much as they had done to Moscowy last year. They eventually managed to locate and engage the Persian army, attempting to take them by surprise at night. They nearly succeeded, and a bloody battle was engaged at close quarters. The Khazak horde came very close to destroying the Persians, but an alert artillery officer managed to turn the tide with efficient use of grapeshot. With the dawn the Persians managed to bring their superior firepower fully to bear, routing the Khazak force and sending them across the Amu Darya.
Casualty List
Khazak Khanate: 7 Cavalry Brigades
Persia: 5 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade
PERSIA SHOWS IMPROVEMENT AFTER DURRANI WAR. Tehran, Persia. The Persian armies faced a determine foe throughout the war against the Durrani Empire. The Durrani army managed to fight a good fight outside Kabul and held the Persians at bay for a considerable time. The Persian army has thus learned a lot of fighting a war, and many of their troops are veterans or led by veterans of that conflict. Observers of the Persians say that the army has seen a noticeable improvement in quality as a result of that war, promising a hopeful military future in the struggle against the Khazaks. (+1 Army Quality)
CHINESE HANG EUROPEAN MERCHANTS AND SINK SWEDISH WARSHIP. Zhanjiang, China. The Chinese have been having considerable success with their new tactics for hunting European smugglers and merchants. Realizing their warships are slower, they have used their superior numbers to herd the smugglers into prepared traps. This tactic has led to the capture of nearly a dozen smuggler vessels. The crews of these majority American, Swedish and Dutch vessels have been hung for smuggling, despite appeals to their own governments. Unfortunately the efficiency of the Chinese approach led to a Swedish warship, raiding Spanish commerce in the area, being stuck in one of the nets. Fearing a Spanish plot, the Swedish captain fired upon the Chinese and attempted to flee. Once realizing the trap, the Swedes attempted to fight their way out, doing enormous damage to the Chinese ships, sinking three of them. The Swedish powder supply eventually was ignited in the battle, sinking the Swedish ship and another Chinese ship with it. The Swedish government received reports of the battle from an observant British vessel which was left alone by the Chinese. Swedish merchants have been outraged by the action, and have since begun to demand ever more action against the Chinese.
Casualty List
China: 4 Fifth Rate Warships
Sweden: 1 First Rate Warship
MOSCOWY INVADES NORTHERN KHAZAK KHANATE. Saratov, Moscowy. Not long after the Persians had smashed the combined Khazak army in the south, the khanate faced a new invasion in the north. The Moscovites, who had been humiliated in battle last year, sought vengeance with an invasion of the northern khanate. Much like the Persians in the south, they pushed the tribal nomads away while burning and razing villages in their path, dispersing their inhabitants. Hoping to regain some of their lost honor from their defeat at the hands of Persia, the Khazaks once more assembled their forces and rode north to fight Moscowy. They managed to lure the Moscovite army into an ambush in a narrow cannon, turning their own firepower against them in a melee battle. The Khazaks routed the Moscovite army, and sent them running back to their own lands. The whole way, the Khazak horsemen harried the invaders, leaving many dead behind them.
Casualty List
Khazak Khanate: 4 Cavalry Brigades
Moscowy: 4 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
VIETNAM COMPLETES WESTERNIZATION OF ARMY. Hue, Vietnam. Despite the growing dislike for the Europeans among the middle and upper classes, the Vietnamese monarch has continued to westernized his armed forces. This year, the efforts have been completed and the Vietnamese army has been reorganized along the lines of a standard European army. Many army officers have been left in the dust and form the core of a growing rebellion against the king from the ranks of the nobility and other members of Vietnamese society. The navy has also grown uneasy, concerned that the change in the army's ranks could mean unwelcome change for them as well. (-1 Stability)
VIETNAM BEGINS MODERNIZING PORTS. Saigon, Vietnam. With the completion of the revamping of the nation's military, the Vietnamese monarchy has ordered that the ports system be established more in line with the European model as described by his hired advisors and engineers. He has ordered buildings to be razed for new warehouses and docks to be construction to allow for larger European vessels. Following a program similar to the recent customs houses established by the Chinese, the Vietnamese have created a customs system in their own borders. Chinese authorities have noted that the new program allows for special dispensation in the carrying of opiates into Vietnam for distribution into China. They have since issued a formal protest to the Vietnamese customs officers. Needless to say, the Vietnamese merchants have been less than thrilled about this development, giving their own backing to resistance against the king. (-1 Stability)
SPECIAL: War of the Catholic League
SPANISH TAKE OFFENSIVE IN CARIBBEAN. San Juan, Empire of Holy Spain. The Spanish, having brought in considerable amounts of troops and ships into the Caribbean early in the year and last year, began an offensive to establish overwhelming dominance in the region. The allies conducted similar maneuvers, with the exception of Britain, which felt the need to maintain security in the eastern and northern Atlantic. Regardless, the British failed to bring a new garrison to the island of Bermuda, which was the first target of the Spanish fleet. The Spanish attacked with overwhelming force, despite the outbreak of disease on the trip over. The British garrison did what they could, but the Spanish fleet avoided the guns of the fort and landed the troops on the other side of the island. Overwhelming Spanish firepower soon brought down the walls, and with no sign of a relief fleet, the British garrison surrendered. The Spanish soon moved on to the Bahamas, where they were met with even less resistance, as the British garrison at Nassau surrendered before the Spanish even began bombardment. The remaining British strongholds in the islands were surrendered by the colonial governor of the islands to prevent further damage to the plantation economy, which the Spanish have left mostly intact. At this point, both the Allied fleets and the Spanish fleets began amassing for a pitched battle as it became more and more apparent that the next Spanish target would be Jamaica. Swedish and Dutch contingents joined the British at Kingston after the disaster in Guyana, and the Spanish brought together all of their available assets throughout the West Indies. The Spanish ultimately sailed for Jamaica and managed to draw out the allied fleets for a full engagement. The battle proved to be a hard fought engagement, easily the largest naval battle of the war to date. The Spaniards proved to be effective sailors and though no tactical genius was displayed by either side, the fighting soon became vicious and at close quarters. For several hours there was no clear victor emerging until at last, a few allied ships took flight. After extensive, vicious fighting, the Spanish emerged the clear victor at sea, sending the allies fleeing to their respective ports. The Spanish then landed on the west side of the island and began marching upon Kingston, as the British settlers fled before them with most of their slaves. The British army marched out to oppose them but were quickly and easily smashed by the significantly larger Spanish force. With the city undefended, the governor surrendered the colony and the last British forces. The Cayman Islands also promptly fell, surrendered to a small Spanish flotilla. The Spanish looked to further extend their gains throughout the rest of the year, as no allied fleet showed up to contain them as the British remained paralyzed politically and the Swedes and Dutch unwilling to act without British support. The Spanish rampaged through the British and Dutch West Indies, with very little to stop them. Rather then being surely destroyed in battle, most of the islands surrendered after a token defense from their fortifications. The Dutch West Indies also fell one island at a time, though the Spanish refrained from continuing on their attacks into Guyana.
Casualty List
Empire of Holy Spain: 5 Infantry Brigades, 4 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade, 13 Third Rate Warships, 16 Second Rate Warships, 5 First Rate Warships (+9 Third Rate Warships, +11 Second Rate Warships, +3 First Rate Warships from captured vessels)
Sweden: 10 Second Rate Warships, 6 First Rate Warships
Republic of the Netherlands: 2 Infantry Brigades, 7 Third Rate Warships, 6 Second Rate Warships
United Kingdom of Great Britain: 8 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade, 9 Third Rate Warships, 5 Second Rate Warships, 1 First Rate Warship
NAVAL FIGHTING IN THE INDIAN AND PACIFIC OCEANS. Manila, Empire of Holy Spain. The fighting in the Pacific Ocean has mostly toned down as the emphasis of both sides shifts to the Caribbean and Atlantic. Regardless, ships of both sides have been raiding each other's ports and commerce, with mostly limited effect. Very rarely have many actual engagements taken place, and most involving two or three ships at most, ending with the enemy being sunk. The fighting has been on a small, but vicious scale, as both sides more or less recognize the irrelevance of the theater.
Casualty List
Empire of Holy Spain: 2 Second Rate Warships
Republic of the Netherlands: 2 Third Rate Warships
Sweden: 1 First Rate Warship
PORTUGUESE LAUNCH FAILED AFRICAN OFFENSIVE. Oporto, Portugal. As Spain waged a much larger war in the Caribbean, Portugal made moves of their own to bring the war to other allied possessions in Africa. The first battle was for the new Swedish settlement in Senegal, where the Swedish ships were surprised by the arrival of the inferior, but much larger, Portuguese fleet. Regardless, the Swedes managed to lure the Portuguese into range of their forts' guns and evened the odds. The Portuguese still nearly won the battle, and inflicted a costly toll upon the Swedish defenders before at last they were forced to withdraw after having heavy casualties inflicted upon them. This caused the Portuguese to abort any further plans they may have had for conquest in Africa.
Casualty List
Portugal: 4 Fourth Rate Warships, 3 Third Rate Warships, 2 Second Rate Warships
Sweden: 3 First Rate Warships (+3 Fourth Rate Warships, 1 Third Rate Warship from captured vessels)
SWEDEN BEGINS COMMERCE WAR. Oslo, Sweden. The Swedish navy has begun an irregular commerce war in the Atlantic Ocean, turning their sailors essentially into pirates as they search out to capture or sink the Spanish merchant fleet. The efforts have been mostly unsuccessful and insignificant, as few ships have been captured of any value or promise, and no real gains have been made or effect upon the Spanish economy. Due to the strength of the Spanish fleet in their home waters and in the Caribbean, the Swedes have been more or less incapable of finding many good prizes in the massive expanse of the Atlantic in between. Spanish admirals have denounced the dishonorable Swedish tactics and their "acts of piracy" stating that any Swedish sailor who was involved in piracy would be treated as a pirate and hung rather than given the honors of surrender as a prisoner of war.
Financial Section
SARDINIA REPORTS ECONOMIC GAINS. Cagliari, Sardinia. The outbreak of war in Italy seems to have created a minor economic boom in the island kingdom of Sardinia. Traders from the belligerent sides seem to be using the island as neutral ground to continue their commerce, regardless of affiliation. Various other nations have taken advantage of the growing local markets, and have begun joining these traders in order to increase their own profits. As the war escalates, Sardinian merchants look forward to increasing their influence and commerce with the rest of the Mediterranean nations. (+5 Economic Points, +2 Manpower)
MAJOR ECONOMIC RETREAT IN BRANDENBURG. Berlin, Brandenburg. The War of the Catholic League has begun to have a clear effect on the economy in the Germanic nation of Brandenburg. Sweden's recent passage of mercantilist legislation and their cessation of Pomerania to Prussia have thrown the local merchants into extreme disruption. As the year progressed the situation worsened, as Sweden continues to look to new nations to open its markets to. In Sweden's growth, Brandenburg has been left behind. Old markets for the nation's merchants have been closed or now face worst tariffs than before. Some have turned to Poland or the Netherlands to find new markets for their goods, but profits have been worsening among all, and some smaller merchants have even been forced into bankruptcy. (-10 Economic Points, -1 Stability)
CLOSURE OF BORDERS LEADS TO DOWNTURN IN AZTEC EMPIRE. Tlaxcala, Aztec Empire. The closure of Aztec borders to immigrants and missionaries has also led to the demise of most trade with the Empire of Holy Spain. While the outbreak of war in the Caribbean had already begun to cause a downturn in the nation, the situation has begun to worsen dramatically. Manufactured goods from Europe are becoming increasingly scarce, and local workers have little to no idea of how to replace the quality of the lost goods. (-5 Economic Points)
PARIS TAX INCREASE MET WITH LIMITED GRUMBLING. Paris, Paris. The King of Paris announced an increase in taxes this year, to help finance the construction of modern paved roads in the city. Overall, the population have shouldered this new burden surprisingly well, though not without the occasional murmurs of dissent. While the increase has hindered some local commerce, or sent it underground, the increase has been limited enough that it hasn't caused significant disruption. The king now has some small new resources at his disposal, while the population remains overall indifferent to their increased cost of living. (+3 Economic Points)
SWEDISH ECONOMICS TURN TOWARDS SELF-CONTAINMENT. Stockholm, Sweden. The Swedish government began a program this year attempting to steer their merchants and middle class to becoming more self sufficient and mercantilist. Most of the emphasis has been upon eliminating any trade with the Catholic League, removing a massive market for Swedish merchants. The effort has seemed to have made very little difference, though British and other merchants have protested at the move, saying it could hinder their own efforts to trade with the Swedes. Fortunately, there are few ways the Swedes could have angered the British merchant class any more than they already have.
DUTCH GOVERNMENT UNABLE TO PAY ITS BILLS. Amsterdam, Republic of the Netherlands. Great economic unease has emerged in the Republic of the Netherlands when the government confirmed suspicions that they would be unable to pay all bills for colonial administration. This has led to a minor downturn at home as much goods and trade goes to waste, while abroad the shortage of funds for administration has led to a growth of unrest. It appears to many economists that the cost of the War of the Catholic League has likely led to a loss of funds for domestic concerns. While most costs of domestic policies were covered, unfortunately a good portion was missed, leading to the economic downturn and social unrest. (-5 Economic Points, -1 Stability in all colonies)
ECONOMIC FLUCTUATION REPORT. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain. Typically this section of our updates will only include the title and the city name of the foremost financial center in the world. Below we have the various changes not related to specific events involving the rest of the world. Also a brief status of the world's economic situation will be included, typically in a one word description such as "Recession, Depression, Boom Times, etc." Enjoy this recession:
Population Movements
Austria:
-1 Manpower to United States of America
Burgundy:
-1 Manpower to Empire of Brazil
-1 Manpower to United States of America
Empire of Brazil:
+1 Manpower from Burgundy
+1 Manpower from Paris
+1 Manpower from Portugal
Novgorod:
-1 Manpower to Vinland (Sweden)
Paris:
-1 Manpower to Empire of Brazil
-1 Manpower to United States of America
Portugal:
-1 Manpower to Empire of Brazil
Sweden:
+1 Manpower to Vinland from Novgorod
-2 Manpower from Sweden to Vinland
United Kingdom of Great Britain
-2 Manpower to United States of America
United States of America
+2 Manpower from United Kingdom of Great Britain
+1 Manpower from Austria
+1 Manpower from Paris
+1 Manpower from Burgundy
-1 Manpower to Vinland (Sweden)
Diplomatic Pouch
To:
United Kingdom of Great Britain
From: Maratha Confederacy
We demand that you vacate all territories claimed by our Confederacy before your invasions of our lands.
To:
United States of America
From: Cherokee Nation
We'd prefer not to have to engage in war with you, and we hope you will honor past treaties with our people so that we can avoid armed conflict and be allowed to live in peace.
OOC
@The_Tyrant: you didn't specify exactly where most of your spending was supposed to go, so I assumed that it was to be used for the floating gardens project.
@GamezRule: The cost per turn of full education for everyone in your nation would be 23 EP a turn, after extensive funding over the course of many years to actually establish a full educational institution. You may want to scale back your plans a little bit or provide much more than you have. Also, it should be noted that many nobles live by the motto: "Change is bad." They would be (and are) less than thrilled about educational reform.
@Dreadnought: Apologies, but the rules on colonization apply. No expansion into "white" territory unless it is an issue of concern.
@NinjaDude: I believe such land reform like you've expressed would be more accurately displayed as a policy, not a project.
NedimNapoleon, arya126, and bombshoo have all been dropped for inactivity. The Roman Empire, Hungary, and Vietnam are now open to new players.
Circuit has switched to the Roman Empire. The Papal States is now open to new players.
With the great distances involved in the War of the Catholic League, I have added some temporary sections to some nations called "Armies Abroad." This section lists where your armies are if they aren't actually in one of your colonies. They are independent of your main stats.
World Map
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