News from the Americas
COUP TOPPLES GOVERNMENT IN NEW GRANADA. Bogota, Colombia. After numerous attempts upon his life and against his regime, the Military-Governor of New Granada, Felipe Argos, has been overthrown. As anger against his, what had been assured to be temporary, rule mounted, the result has been a fresh military coup, led by his former second in command Aureliano Buendía. Buendia's coup has resulted in the overthrow of the military dictatorship, and the establishment of what has been called the new Republic of Colombia. The new government has been established, and elections are slated to be held as per the old schedule, in 1846. For now Buendia possesses absolute power over the nation, but he has promised, that should the elections go against him, he will happily turn power over to the people's choice for president. (+2 Stability)
PRESIDENT TAYLOR OVERTHROWN IN MILITARY OUSTER. Washington D.C., United States of America. In a move shocking the world, the government of the United States of America has been overthrown in what amounts to a military coup. After years of the U.S. Army being abused and then blamed for its failures on the battlefield, the officer corps have shown through revolt their exasperation. With most of the American military in West Florida preparing for a new invasion of the Aztec Empire, the general officer corps have staged a bid to eliminate what they view as a destructive government. General Alfred Scott rallied the Virginia and Maryland militias and governors to support the cause of a new regime. The general has promised security as well as state autonomy in domestic affairs, particularly the touchy subject of slavery. The local army, loyal to Scott, as well as the militias of Maryland and Virginia have managed to seize Washington D.C. and place President Taylor under arrest. The Vice President and most of Congress has also been placed under house arrest for the time being, though some have been allowed to return to their home states. This move has thrown the US into chaos, and the states have each called up their own various militias, while the US Army has fallen apart, as most soldiers return to their home states. The governors of Maryland and Virginia continue to fully support the efforts of the general, while North Carolina and Georgia have fallen suit. South Carolina appears to be divided on the issue, as the Senators from the state were at home during the coup and have been denouncing it with righteous fury. The rest of the South have called up the militias but seem to be taking a wait and see approach to the oncoming storm. In the territories, the local army garrisons seem almost unanimously in support of General Scott, and continue to preserve order and protect the settlers in his name. West Florida, Cherokee, and Jacksonia have become horrified at these developments though and both regions have threatened through various areas to secede if the general does not step down and restore the elected government. The northeast, with the exception of Vermont and Maine, have all mobilized the militias and called for the elected government's return. The general has refused to step down and has demanded that the militias be demobilized. Meanwhile, in New York a standoff has begun as the governor demands the surrender of Fort Arnold in the harbor to the militias, and the local colonel has refused, pledging his support to General Scott. (-2 Stability; -5 Infantry Brigades, -6 Cavalry Brigades)
ANTI-GOVERNMENT ARRESTS MADE IN URUGUAY. Montevideo, Uruguay. The Uruguayan government under President Argosto has begun a series of arrests of the main proponents of the Colorados. This has been in response to last year's unrest and rioting caused by the allies of the Colorados, and the hopes of ending resistance to the national program of consolidation. The arrests have gone off without a hitch as the back of the party of the Colorados has been broken and the new government extends its power. This has helped further the ongoing projects of integration, allowing further consolidation of the central government, as well as stabilizing the power of Montevideo. The efforts have been lauded as an attempt modernize and develop the Uruguayan nation to be on par with its neighbors in Brazil and Argentina. (+1 Stability)
ELECTIONS INSTALL LIBERAL GOVERNMENT IN ARGENTINA. Buenos Aires, Argentina. After successfully restoring order after the death of President Rosas, General Lallena has reestablished an elected government. For the first time in years, the Congress has been recalled and new elections have been held as a fresh constitution is drawn up in the spirit of President Rosas. The result has been the establishment of a fully democratic government along the lines of the American system. General Lallena has been elected as the nation's first president since Rosas, and has pledged to bring a truly free and prosperous society to Argentina. The new president is almost as popular as the old, and has gained a substantial following among the masses, even gaining some support from those who detested Rosas for his belligerent approach to centralization. (+1 Stability)
JAMAICA ELECTIONS. Kingston, Jamaica. The Jamaicans had another viciously disputed election season this year, as the Democratic Party struggled to maintain its hold on the government. In Congress, they have lost increasing ground to the conservatives as they rail against the expenses of the policies of the current government. Furthermore, the conservatives have called for a more independent course from the United Kingdom, allowing trade with more nations. The single source trade advocated by the liberals has kept the nation profitable, but the conservatives state that far more could be made of new trade relationships with other American and European nations. Regardless, the liberals have managed to barely retain control of the presidency, despite accusations of fraud and buying the vote from their competition. (-1 Stability)
NEW SPAIN ELECTIONS. Managua, New Spain. President Rivera of New Spain continues to demonstrate his overwhelming popularity among the masses as he has been reelected to his second term of office. The president's strong centrist policies, as well as his flamboyant and extreme resistance of oppression by Spanish business has won him great support among the local people. The recent expulsion of Spanish businesses has gained him even further support, and he is being lauded as the true savior of New Spain from imperialist aggression. Even the institution of a blockade of the coasts by the Spanish navy has done little to dim his star, and he continues to remain barely opposed by any other elements of New Spain's political system. (+1 Stability)
SPAIN BLOCKADES NEW SPAIN OVER ECONOMIC DISPUTE. Port Rivera, New Spain. Tensions between the Empire of Holy Spain and New Spain have gone to their lowest point since the end of the War of New Spain's Independence. After increasing resistance against the Rivera Transport Scheme in New Spain, President Rivera has ordered the expulsion of several small Spanish businesses. The situation continued to escalate, leading to the expulsion of several more. The Spanish at last responded in force, by declaring a full economic blockade of New Spain, dispatching over fifty new warships to close commerce to the nation. They have insisted upon the return of Spanish business and New Spain's submission to Spanish economic requests and demands. So far President Rivera has refused and the blockade continues.
CUBAN REBELLION. Havana, Empire of Holy Spain. The Spanish Empire wasted no time in responding to the rebellion in Cuba in order to quell any notions of similar activities in the region's other colonies. The first major battle was a Spanish naval attack upon the harbor at Havana in order to destroy or reclaim the warships taken in the initial uprising. The result was a vicious nighttime duel between the two fleets and the forts defending the harbor. The Spanish won an overwhelming victory, sinking the Cuban fleet, and silencing the guns in the forts with relatively little damage to the infrastructure. Unfortunately, this did come at a cost as several ships were sunk by the Cubans and the forts' guns, which have been proven accurate. This strengthened the blockade around the island, securing Spanish control over the smaller islands. The Spanish launched their first invasion from the west, using troops fresh from the Aztec campaign to advance directly upon Havana. At Pinar del Rio, the Cuban main army and Spanish fought in the first major battle of the rebellion. The result was an overwhelming Cuban victory, which routed the Spanish army as they attacked prepared Cuban positions around the town. The Cuban cavalry was able to cause inordinate damage to their Spanish counterparts. Only the word of further Spanish invasions in the east saved the Spanish army as they hastily returned to their beachhead. Unfortunately the sheer scale of the disaster at Pinar del Rio effectively neutralized them as an offensive force through the rest of the year. Two other major Spanish armies landed in the east, and leaving a force to cover the defeated force, the Cuban leaders marched east to counter the invasion. The Cubans were able to meet the first Spanish force as they awaited the rest at the town of Camaguey, and they attacked, hoping to destroy the Spanish before they could unite with another army from the east. Spanish cavalry bought time, allowing them to assemble prepared positions against the incoming Cuban attacks. With difficulty, the Spanish fought the desperate Cubans off, forcing them to retreat while they reinforced with troops from the east. With all positions reinforced, the Spanish were able to launch a final two-pronged assault on Havana at the end of the year. The Cubans, low on ammunition and reinforcements, did their best to defend positions around the city. Unfortunately, thanks to a Spanish loyalist, a gap in the Cuban defenses was revealed and the Spanish managed to devastate the Cuban army with no difficulty. The result has been a devastation of the Cuban rebellion as the leaders have been hung for treason, and the soldiers caught in combat have been shot for the same reason. Only a few of the rebels survived and fled to remote villages or the jungles. (+3 Stability in Cuba, +1 Stability in Empire of Holy Spain, +2 Stability in all American colonies)
Casualty List
Cuba: 6 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 3 Artillery Brigades, 5 Second Rate Warship, 2
Neptuno-class Warships, 2
Toledo-class Warships
Empire of Holy Spain: 9 Infantry Brigades, 8 Cavalry Brigades, 3 Artillery Brigades, 2
Neptuno-class Warships, 4
Toledo-class Warships; +1 Army Quality
AZTEC WAR TAKES NEW TURN. Tenochtitlan, Aztec Empire. The turmoil in the United States of America and Empire of Holy Spain has invited the war in the Aztec Empire to take a completely new turn. With the American military presence from the border vanishing as chaos and confusion emerges throughout the eastern United States, the Aztec northern flank seems increasingly secure. Similarly, the rebellion in Cuba has resulted in a large portion of the Spanish army being withdrawn to restore that island to the empire, weakening their presence in Aztec territory. Taking advantage of this, the Aztecs have begun attacking Spanish patrols and isolated towns throughout the northeast, reclaiming lost territories from the Spanish. It seems that the Aztecs are more than willing to continue the war, despite the growing odds mounting against it.
Casualty List
Aztec Empire: 3 Infantry Brigades
Empire of Holy Spain: 2 Cavalry Brigades
CHILE COMPLETES PORT MODERNIZATION. Santiago, Chile. In a project that was briefly delayed due to dealings with the Empire of Brazil, the Chilean government has at last finished the construction of a modern port in Santiago. This includes new steamship facilities, as well as a number of new coalition stations along the city's waterfront. Furthermore, an older steam engine was purchased from Brazil, hoping to show Chile's progress and modernity among nations. The effort has gone more or less unnoticed among the world's economy, as Chile remains a backwater among nations. Furthermore, many of President Portales' opponents have been decrying the experiment as an enormous waste of the nation's resources. This has led to growing resistance against the president within Chile, threatening to further destabilize the nation. (-1 Stability)
ECUADOR COMPLETES PORT MODERNIZATION. Manta, Ecuador. The kingdom of Ecuador has been pleased to announce the completion of a new port at the town of Manta. This port has opened up much of the northern part of South America to trade, including locations within the interior of Colombia. This city has become a growing center of trade for merchants coming up from Peru or other seeking a place to refill the coal bunkers before heading to New Spain or Jacksonia. The town's overnight prosperity has been a boon for King Simon, further legitimizing his rule in the eyes of the Ecuadorian people. The efforts have also continued to place Ecuador economically above their bitter rivals in Colombia as they strive to build a better life.
News from Africa and the Middle East
LOCAL WARFARE DISRUPTS SOUTH AFRICA. Cape Town, United Kingdom of Great Britain. The British colony of South Africa has faced a new challenge this year as local African tribes begin resisting the encroaching British settlements. The British have begun fencing off lands and claiming property throughout the growing region, which is proving to be the currently most popular location for immigration within the empire. The disputes have resulted in growing violence as the settlers form militias to fight the locals, with very limited assistance from the local military. The local garrison has been less than enthusiastic about intervening in the growing violence, creating some discontent among the settlers with what is viewed as the Crown's inaction in the matter. (-1 Stability)
BANDITS SURGE AGAIN IN ABYSSINIA. Addis Ababa, Abyssinia. The nation of Abyssinia has once more become besieged by a surge in bandit activity throughout the countryside. After a few years of quiet activity and rebuilding their strength, the various bandit lords have managed to regain some striking ability. The result has been the overrunning of several Abyssinian cavalry patrols, as well as the establishment of their own powerful fiefdoms in the countryside. The main army has been called out to restore order and has done so fairly successfully in most regions. Unfortunately, this has proven costly in battle as the whole process has been in the nature of a military campaign. The fighting has been frequent and brutal, taking a toll upon the Abyssinian army. (-1 Infantry Brigade, -1 Cavalry Brigade)
NEW REBELLION ERUPTS IN THE CALIPHATE. Konya, Turkish Sultanate. As the rebellion in Cizre Bohtan continues to escalate, the Caliph called for the arrived of new soldiers and a dramatic increase in the size of the army to fight the rebellion. This has resulted in new tensions within the Turkish Sultanate of the north, a vassal of the Caliph. The Turks have been less than enthusiastic about the Caliph's rule, and the growing strength of the rebellion in the east has further given them cause to doubt the authority of the government in Cairo. Furthermore, the Wahabis in the south have continued to elude and win victories against the Caliph's armies, and after consulting with other local emirs, the Turkish provinces of the north have seceded from the Caliphate, declaring the Turkish Sultanate. Many of the soldiers and officers from the region have been offered substantial motivation to join this rebellion, and the number of desertions and defections from the army has dramatically increased. (+1 Stability)
ANTI-CALIPHATE SENTIMENT RISES IN OMAN AND TUNIS. Muscat, Oman. For over two decades, the sultans of Oman and the beys of Tunis have paid tribute to the Caliph in Cairo, offering up support both economically and politically. This appears to be coming to an end, much has it had not too long ago in Yemen. As the Caliph's authority diminishes, the leaders of Oman have been calling for the sultan to cut ties with the dying empire and forge Oman a new path through history. The failure of the Caliph to act towards the loss of Zanzibar and the following European invasion of that country has further made people bitter towards the Caliphate. The sultan has stated that he intends to take these claims very seriously, and may well end Oman's status as a protectorate of the Caliph. Similarly, the growing strength of the navy in Tunis and their growing integration into the trade of the west thanks to the effects of the Venetian Wars, has made them significantly less reliant upon the Caliph. The people of Tunis seem more and more eager to join in the trade and commerce promised as seen with the growing wealth of Sardinia to the north. (-1 Stability in Oman and Tunis)
CIZRE BOHTAN REBELLION. Cizre, Cizre Bohtan. The Mamluke response to the uprising in Cizre Bohtan has not been half-hearted, but they have continued to face setback after setback in the process. The army was assembled upon the banks of the Tigris, as they prepared to march directly upon Cizre. Throughout the process they came under constant attack by other Shia rebels, striking at supply caravans and wandering patrols from the main assembly point. Furthermore, the Wahabis in the south continued to distract from provisions and reinforcements to the northern army. The eruption of rebellion among the Turks further weakened the assembled army which was greatly below its planned strength by the time it actually began moving north. Furthermore, the forces of Cizre Bohtan were greatly bolstered by an influx of foreign funds of unknown source, allowing them to purchase and producing significantly more arms and ammunition. The army of Cizre Bohtan, well informed of their enemy's moves by local sources, was awaiting the Mamlukes' arrival at the village of Dohuk. The result was an overwhelming rebel victory, which routed the Mamluke army, sending them fleeing south in utter disarray. The shocking success of this battle gave the Cizre generals great confidence, encouraging them to invade the more southern provinces. The town of Mosul was captured after a half-hearted Mamluke defense, and with it much control in the region has fallen to Cizre Bohtan.
Casualty List
Cizre Bohtan: 4 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade
Mamluk Caliphate: 8 Infantry Brigades, 4 Cavalry Brigades, 3 Artillery Brigades
PERSIANS ESTABLISH A NEW MILITARY ACADEMY. Tabriz, Persia. As war engulfs the Caliphate to the east, the Persians continue to hone and refine their military training and knowledge. After years of experience in fighting rebels and bandits in the countryside, as well as the conventional wars in India and the Durrani Empire, the effort seems to be finally paying off. The new academy in Tabriz is staffed solely by Persian officers and trainers, rather than a mishmash of Persian and British trainers. It seems that Persia is now more than capable of waging war on European terms, perhaps even better than most European nations. The new academy is lauded as the finest new institution of its kind in the Middle East, and perhaps in the world as a whole. (+1 Army Quality)
PERSIA BEGINS REBUILDING WESTERN INFRASTRUCTURE. Ahvaz, Persia. The wars of rebellion in the Mamluk Caliphate and growing threats from the Caliph seem to imply that war could well be once more on the horizon for Persia. To this end, and to help pacify the local population, new roads are being built and old ones are being repaired throughout the western provinces. The effort is clearly well underway, and has begun to build up healthy relations with the relocated tribes and Arabs in the area. The effort has done more to stabilize the region than fifty brigades, helping to establish the Persian Shah as a virtually benign authority in the west. The military has similarly approved of this project, believing that its completion will greatly ease the ability of Persia to withstand an invasion from the west or to undertake one of their own. (+1 Stability)
MADAGASCAR BEGINS BUILDING EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE. Antananarivo, Madagascar. Queen Ranavalona of Madagascar, having finally achieved her goal of establishing a united Malagasy kingdom, has sought to further expand her power and the status of her kingdom. The first goal among these is the result of increasing trade relations with Abyssinia and the Mamluk Caliphate. The status of the nation relying upon oral tradition to hand down education has been deemed inappropriate for the queen. Leaders of the various tribes, and their children have been ordered to attend a growing number of schools, established by the queen. The effort is to create a true upper class, and an educated one at that. Teachers have been hired from the Caliphate and the Abyssinian clergy, though this has resulted in rising clashes between the Christian and Islamic teachers. (-1 Stability)
News from the Far East
FOREIGN MERCHANTS ATTACKED IN KOREA. Seoul, Korea. After a devastating series of wars in which the king of Korea has first beaten his local opposition, and then even the might of the Swedish Empire, he has begun encouraging new attacks upon foreign merchants. While technically the treaty signed with Sweden has forced Korea to allow European merchants to trade within Korea's borders, the agents of the king have been fanning resentment against this group. Mobs led by Koreans have attacked merchants from the three main trading partners in Korea; Sweden, Spain, and Japan, calling for them to leave and threatening their lives. Several merchants have even died from savage beatings. Calls have been made for the foreign governments to do something about these actions, but in Korea they have proven popular among an increasingly xenophobic nation. (+1 Stability)
WAR IN CHINA. Peking, Ascendant's Kingdom of Holy China. The brutality of earlier years of the war in China has returned, as the various factions launch new offensives to garner further control and influence throughout the empire. The first major offensive was undertaken by the Ascendants as they at last launched their long awaited attack upon the Fuzhou Empire. The government in Fujian was only able to muster a comparatively small force against the Ascendants, and sent them off to what was almost certainly their deaths, while attempting to hold against Guangzhou's siege of the capital. The Ascendant army easily smashed this force and seized a substantial amount of Fuzhou's territory. As per their policies elsewhere, the Ascendants have brutally slaughtered villages which are viewed to have cooperated too much with Europeans or otherwise been considered not truly worth of Ascendance. By the end of the year, they have come closer and closer to the British port of Shanghai, threatening for the first time a European possession in China. Rather than pushing further along the coast, they instead pushed west along the Yangtze River, overwhelming several Guangzhou garrisons. In the south, Guangzhou continued to attempt to seize Fujian to no avail, as through sheer determination the lines of the city continue to hold against wave after wave of attack. The siege shows no signs of ending, but Fuzhou's resources continue to dwindle was Guangzhou prepares for yet another year of the siege. Other small skirmishes have also continued as raiding prevails throughout the more scarcely populated west as Yunnan raids into Guangzhou territory and the Ascendants raid Tibet.
Casualty List
Ascendant's Kingdom of Holy China: 10 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade, -520 Manpower
Fuzhou Empire: 28 Infantry Brigades, 7 Cavalry Brigades, 6 Artillery Brigades, -45 Manpower
Guangzhou: 37 Infantry Brigades, 7 Cavalry Brigades, 9 Artillery Brigades, -20 Manpower
Tibet: 3 Infantry Brigades, -10 Manpower
Yunnan: 4 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades
Financial Section
GLOBAL ECONOMIC CHANGES. Madrid, Empire of Holy Spain.
Random Stat Changes and Fluctuations
Manpower Boom for Denmark: +6 Manpower
Random Naval Quality Boost for Brittany: +1 Navy Quality
Random Naval Deterioration for Sweden: -1 Navy Quality
Random Army Quality Boost for Corsica: +1 Army Quality
Diplomatic Pouch
OOC
Thanks to Milarqui for providing links to bring us up to the current update on the first post.
@Milarqui: You miscalculated on expenses, and two brigades could not be built. This was taken out of the constructed infantry and cavalry (one each).
SouthernKing has been booted due to inactivity. Portugal is now free for new players.
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