(Next War) From Sea To Shining Sea

Swordsmen:

Eyelander
Pain Train
Demoknight
Demopan


Machine Guns:

Sasha
Natasha
Iron Curtian
 
The only ones I could think of at the moment, there is going to be more. Can you add The Borealis to the ships.
 
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The USS Quantern has been completed in Seattle. Carrying the great explorer, Neil Armstrong, it voyages west, to explore the Pacific Ocean.

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The development of Animal Husbandry did not have a great impact in America, as there were few land animals that could be domesticated. The most common one was the turkey, which became particularly popular in the mountain cities of Cheyenne and Denver, where fish and deer were hard to come by.

I have researched Animal Husbandry. Doubt it will do anything for me. I next research Education.

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The great prophet Narayana Guru was famed for spreading the works of Judaism. Though born in Chicago, he spent most of his life in Miami. Narayana believed that the clergy should find work outside the faith – he ran a famous boating service in Miami, often regaling passengers with his wit and wisdom.

A Great Prophet has been born. I send him to Miami, where he will take up residence as a Great Citizen. They need the hammers.

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I have begun work on the Angkor Wat wonder in Denver. It will improve the production of my priests.

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Huayna Capac has offered me 285 gold for Mediation. I accept.

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Asoka has demanded that I give him the Compass. As there is jack he can do to me, I refuse. It is my general policy not to give in to demands.

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In 1135, Neil Armstrong discovered the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean, the first land encountered there. Though the islands had little to offer in terms of resources, they did encourage further exploration.

I have found Hawaii. I don’t like that Hawaii is represented as mostly mountains, which cannot be built on. I suppose you could build the Moai Statues there, but I already built that in Seattle.

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Genghis Khan actually goes the diplomatic route, and politely asks me for Machinery. However, I am loathe to give up such a potent technology, so I refuse.

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The Quantern has encounted pirates in Polynesia. While I have the advantage, I don’t want to risk losing Armstrong, so I flee, planning to put him down on solid ground while I engage the pirates.

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In 1170, the city of Montreal was founded on the west coast of the Quebec Peninsula.

I have founded the city of Montreal.

The Quantern has defeated the pirates.

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The island of Iceland, charted by the USS Endeavor in 1175, is the only significant landmass in the Atlantic Ocean. Its strategic location and plentiful local resources made its colonization a priority for the American government.

I have finished charting Iceland. I plan to colonize it as soon as possible.

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In 1210, the Quantern sighted the island of New Zealand. The largest landmass yet discovered in the Pacific, plans were made to colonize New Zealand once the Americans found a way to cross the sea with larger ships.

I have found New Zealand. I plan to colonize it once I get Astronomy. I also plan to research Astronomy after Education, especially as England is already working on it. Colonizing New Zealand will further expand my territory, give me a foothold in the South Pacific, and enable me to eventually film The Lord of the Rings.

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Two great scientists have been born abroad this year – Andrei Sakharov and Alhazen. Also in science news, a volcano has devastated the Aztec countryside.

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In 1230, Neil Armstrong sighted Australia. Although it would later transpire that Australia’s coast had been charted by Old World explorers, he would later become the first outsider to set foot on her shores.

I have found Australia. I may attempt to colonize it, though it’s hardly out of reach for the Old World powers.

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I decide to try and fill in some of my missing geography, by making a deal with Catherine of Russia. To my surprise, she does not ask for me to give her my own world map. This will make it much easier to circumnavigate the world first.

It turns out that between me and the Russians, the only area I need to explore to prove the world is round is the Bering Straits.
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I also make moves towards settling Alaska. I pick out a spot on the Alaskan Coast that will make a nice settlement. I plant a Worker (Phil, if you’re wondering) there in advance of a Settler and Longbowman.

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In 1240, using maps acquired from the Russians, American cartographers proved that the world is round.

Huh. Looks like I just needed a turn to collect the maps or something.


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In 1245, Neil Armstrong made first contact with the Aborigines of Australia. They were eager to join the American civilization, sending their greatest warrior, Yahtzee, to join the American military.

The natives have given me a Warrior. Not really useful. Yahtzee is, of course, named for Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw of the Zero Punctuation game review videos.

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America has a long and proud tradition of formalized education, tracing back to the great academies like MIT and the University of Washington or the religious schools so central to Judaism. Around 1255, this system was expanded to create universities. These universities were intended to produce not scholars, but productive members of society. While a formal education system for children was still centuries away, the seeds had been sown.

I have researched Education. I immediately start work on Astronomy. Also, in an effort to beat the English with time to spare, I bump up my research budget.

In Australia, another tribe has granted me a Worker. I name him Ulm, as requested. I decide to start laying the groundwork (ie roads) for a possible colony in New South Wales or Victoria.
Incidentally, are there any Aussies among my readership?

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The Egyptians and Mongols have gone to war. I think I’ll stay neutral.

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It seems that India has beaten me to the punch, and colonized northwest Australia!

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Montezuma demands that I give him 1700 gold. I am hesitant, but I don’t want a war with my southern neighbor, given that in my experience, AI players spend way more on their military than I do. I give in, as I can afford it and still have a massive treasury left over.

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The great synagogue of Angkor Wat was designed to serve the spiritual needs of the people of Denver, since the Temple of Solomon, as a holy site, was unsuitable for such a task. It was more than a place of worship – it was a community center. People held weddings and bar mitzvahs there. Social organizations would meet there. And hundreds of children studied the Torah and Talmud in its many classrooms. Angkor Wat became the model for synagogues across the nation, encouraging a deeper connection between the clergy and the community.

I have built Angkor Wat in Denver, which increases the production of my Priest specialists.

Given the increased tensions with the Aztecs and the apparent absence of barbarian attacks from Canada, I decide to relocate my infantry to my southern border.

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Yahtzee has been killed by a barbarian Warrior in Australia.

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At the time of its founding in 1300, Iqualuit was America’s northernmost city. While it would never reach the greatness of the southern cities, Iqualuit was strategically placed to control access to Hudson Bay.

I have founded Iqualuit.

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The engineer Henry Bessemer has been born in Boston. And Islam has been founded in Medina – which is almost right. Or it might actually be right – wasn’t Medina the first city to actually accept Islam? I need to read the Koran some day. I think I’ll keep Bessemer around for the next Wonder I build.

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Egypt has requested my aid against Mongolia. I decline.

Holy crap, the Egyptians have captured Karakorum!

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Founded in 1352, Juneau is an unusual city. While it is on the North American mainland, it is surrounded on all sides by impassable mountains. One ship has always been stationed there to enable transport to and from the rest of the continent.

I have founded Juneau.

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I build a galley in Seattle – the USS Borealis. It will be relieving the Wave Thunder of transport duty on the West Coast, so I can send the (more experienced) Wave Thunder out to colonize New Zealand once we get Astronomy.
 
OK, I had a few problems with Fraps, so a few items will not have screenshots. The Mongolian-Egyptian war is over, and I have encountered China and Japan.

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Asoka offers me Civil Service and 90 gold for Optics. I agree.

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With a strong central government and the lack of an aristocracy, the development of an American bureaucracy was inevitable. The formalized civil service came about in 1364, with the establishment of the various departments of government – War, Commerce, Justice, and Science. This necessitated the hiring of thousands of government employees, nearly all of them in New York, as well as higher taxes to support the bureaucracy.
I have acquired Civil Service from India, and have chosen to adopt the Bureaucracy civic.

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No less than four nations – Persia, France, Spain, and India – have declared war on the Mongols!

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The stars have long fascinated man. But the science of astronomy really got its start when some MIT students (who may have been drunk at the time) got their hands on a spyglass (possibly illegally) and pointed it at Saturn, and saw it as a disc with ears. These observations were later confirmed by sober scholars, and sparked a great deal of interest in the planets. Eventually, this led to the development of the heliocentric theory of the universe. These observations also led to the creation of star charts which could be used for navigation, opening the way for the colonization of other lands.
I have discovered Astronomy. I choose Liberalism next, as I want its civics and the free technology comes with researching it first.

I dispatch the upgraded USS Inevitable to Iceland, carrying a Settler, a Worker (General Olaf), and a Longbowman, who I now name Oveur. That is an extremely obscure reference which I will not explain immediately, in the hopes that someone here gets it.

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Caesar offers Engineering in return for Music and a lot of gold. I’d rather not part with the gold, but I do want Engineering. So I negotiate. Instead of giving him gold, I give him Philosophy.

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Engineering is the application of science and mathematics to the manufacturing of things. While “tinkerers” have been around since the Stone Age, it was only in 1378 that we see references to “engineering” in historical accounts. The first known example of American engineering was at MIT, where astronomers began to apply their knowledge of optics to make better telescopes. In 1380, MIT began offering courses in engineering, which quickly expanded to include many fields. Today, over half of all MIT graduates are engineers of one kind or another.

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Horses are not native to the Americas, and it was only in 1380 that America finally learned how to ride such creatures, when Neil Armstrong learned the techniques from Javan natives. Eventually, horses would be imported into America, but they never became more than a curiosity.
Well, I’ve finally learned Horseback Riding.

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The first American colony to be founded beyond North America, Reykjavik eventually became a thriving city in its own right.
I have founded Reykjavik.

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In 1390, the great North American War began, as the Aztecs and Incas declared war against the Americans. Though they had the element of surprise, the Americans had superior technology and superior mobility within their territory, thanks to their amazing network of roads.
The Aztecs and Incas have declared war on me. Aw crap. I begin by upgrading my units in New Orleans and Denver, to fend off the obvious attacks.

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I order Babe Ruth to intercept the Incan Spearmen threatening Calgary and Chicago. I decide not to send Clark against the army headed for New Orleans – I’ll let them come to me.

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In 1394, the first blood was spilled in the North American War when Babe Ruth and his macemen crushed a force of Incan spearmen that had just destroyed the iron mine near Calgary.
The first victory goes to me.

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The Incan incursion into the northern United States was defeated when Babe Ruth destroyed the second Incan unit near the source of the Mississippi. Meanwhile, the USS Civ’ed destroyed the Aztec crab boats off of the Yucatan Peninsula, and the main Aztec force pushed up into the Appalachians.
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The Aztecs won their first battle of the war at the First Battle of the Mississippi in 1402, where they defeated the American swordsmen under Omega124. The victory came at a heavy price – the Aztec axemen were wiped out. Second Mississippi was a draw – the feared Jaguar Warriors were destroyed, but so were Babe Ruth and his macemen. William Clark survived, as did some of the Aztec longbowmen.

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The philosophy of liberalism, which holds that all men are created equal and all have rights to personal liberty, has deep roots in American politics and culture. In 1404, the American government issued the famous Freedom Proclamation, granting all citizens freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Judaism was no longer the national religion – there was no national religion. This resulted in an explosion of culture, as the government could and would no longer restrict what people could say. Meanwhile, out of the shadow of religious doctrine, scientists were free to ask and answer fundamental questions about the universe.
I have researched Liberalism, and adopted the Free Speech and Free Religion civics. As I am the first to research Liberalism, I get a free technology. I choose Printing Press, as it will lead to many important technologies.

The printing press was invented in 1400, but only with the advent of the Freedom Proclamation did it enter common use. Literacy in America was always high, a legacy of the Jewish emphasis on study, but now books of any kind were cheap. It was also vital to the establishment of a free press, one that could report on the events of the world without government interference.
The American press had an additional advantage – birthed during the chaos of the North American War, there was no shortage of urgent news. The official government outlets spoke little of the casualties sustained at the Mississippi, but the independent press carried all the details. The public’s preference was clear, and in light of the Freedom Proclamation, the civilian government did not censor reports, although the military did prevent the leaking of military secrets. Incidentally, the deaths of Babe Ruth and Omega124, which were first reported in the New York Times, resulted in a surge of new enlistments of citizens wishing to avenge their fallen heroes.


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In 1404, Neil Armstrong landed on Easter Island. The island had little to offer in terms of natural resources, but the locals offered to fight for the Americans, under their leader Jason Momoa.
Jason Momoa is actually not an athlete, but an American actor of Polynesian heritage. He is best known for portraying Ronon Dex on Stargate Atlantis, Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones, and the title character in the new Conan the Barbarian film.

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The Aztec invasion was finally defeated in the Battle of Lake Michigan. Fought in sight of Chicago, the tired and wounded Aztec longbowmen were crushed by William Clark and his macemen. But the war was not over…
Well, I’ve stopped their initial attacks. But now I want some payback.

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With the bodies of the first invading force still warm in the ground, the Aztecs launched a second attack on the United States in 1412. This time, the Americans resolved to stop them at the border. William Clark led a daring raid to destroy their artillery, while archers moved up to support him. Meanwhile, America began training troops for a possible invasion of the Aztec Empire…I have started training macemen and siege weapons to possibly attack the Aztecs.

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The North American War ended almost as abruptly as it began. The American people were simply tired of war, and there was uncertainty that they would have the stomach for the kind of offensive war being contemplated. A peace envoy was sent to Tenochtitlan, and Montezuma and Huayna Capac agreed to end the war.
As the Aztecs have started pushing further into my territory, I decide that I don’t want to fight them any more. So I offer to end the war, and they accept. I don’t cancel my unit production, as I want those troops in reserve for the next war…

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The Great Engineer, Imhotep, has been born in New York. Like Bessemer, I choose to keep him for later.

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Guilds served an important role during the American Renaissance. They served primarily as a means of collaboration between craftsmen, allowing projects of larger scope or new inventions to flourish. Guilds also encouraged self-regulation, which was seen by many as a preferable alternative to dealing with the Department of Commerce.
I have researched Guilds. I can now build Grocers. I choose Banking next.

The postwar economic boom necessitated a ready source of capital to help new businesses get their start. The practice of lending for interest encouraged entrepreneurship, and fed the continued growth of the American economy.
I have researched Banking. I can now build Banks. I next research Replaceable Parts, as that will allow me to build Lumbermills, which will send my production through the roof.

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The city of Sydney was founded in 1460. While not the first American colony, Sydney was part of the first major American colony initiative.
I have founded Sydney, roughly where it should be.

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The second American city in Australia, Melbourne boasted lush farmland and nearby silver resources. With this city, there was no question – America intended to be a major power in Australasia.
Melbourne’s up.

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The third city in what would become the state of Australia, Hobart sat on the island of Tasmania. Hobart reinforced the American presence in Australasia – now naval forces would be required to drive them out.
I’ve built Hobart.

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England is offering me Nationalism and money for Printing Press. I accept.

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The North American War left more emotional scars than physical ones on the American people, and the Freedom Proclamation promoted many new ideas. But many took solace in an old idea – a devotion to the American nation above all else. Nationalism was especially popular in the colonies and border cities.

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Machinery was invented centuries ago, but machines were expensive to make and expensive to repair. The development of replaceable parts in 1480 made repairs much easier, which made machines overall cheaper. Guilds worked to ensure uniform part sizes and qualities. The greatest impact was in the lumber industry, where hand-saws soon gave way to mechanical ones, producing the Great Lumber Boom.
I have researched Replaceable Parts. This allows me to build Lumbermills. In a heavily forested country like America, this is a godsend. For my next tech, I choose Economics, as it nets me a free Great Merchant.
 
You take screenshots with Fraps? Huh?
 
Nice to see this one back :goodjob:

Welcome back Meshakhad!
 
Thought this story was dead. Good to see it breathe again!
 
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Confucianism has spread to America, arriving in the city of St. Johns. I intend to build a Confucian Monastery there ASAP, so I can spread it to other cities before I get Scientific Method and can no longer build monasteries.


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The first attempt to treat economics as a science, rather than a philosophy or political doctrine, was “The Wealth of Nations” written by the American merchant Pytheas and published in 1504. This ushered in a new era of economic prosperity, as people learned to better manipulate the market to their advantage.


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I have developed Economics, granting me a free Great Merchant, and enabling me to use the Free Market civic. I begin to research Gunpowder.


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Mansa Musa has offered me Divine Right and 330 gold for Guilds. I accept, more for the gold than for Divine Right.


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The philosophy of Divine Right, that the monarch was appointed by the principal deity of the religion of choice, did gain a few adherents among the American monarchists, but was not taken seriously by the populace.


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Another product of MIT, gunpowder was invented in 1526. Its military applications were quickly recognized, although it would be some time before guns replaced bows as the principal weapon of the American military.

I have invented Gunpowder. I begin to research Constitution.


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It seems the Indians are expanding into Polynesia, which makes sense after I took the good parts of Australia. I should probably get going on that whole New Zealand thing. Oh, and the Endeavour took out a pirate galley.


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In 1546, Pytheas chose to settle in Sydney, bringing his business sense and grasp of economics to enrich the young city.

I have decided to make Pytheas a Great Citizen of Sydney, as he adds an additional food to the city, and Sydney will need it.


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Donny Osmond has arrived on the outskirts of Juneau. The mines he will be building should give a boost to the city’s economy.


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On March 5, 1554, during a royal visit to Boston, King George was met by a mob protesting high taxes on the American people. When a snowball struck the king in the head, he ordered the royal guards to open fire on the mob, killing five. The Boston Massacre produced outrage throughout the nation, leading to the American Revolution. The monarchy was overthrown, replaced by the Constitution of 1556, which established the American democratic system. This system was particularly popular in major cities, which drew power from their massive populations. Scientific research also benefited, particularly as their first president, Thomas Jefferson, was a graduate of MIT and took very seriously the clause in the constitution which made promoting and supporting the pursuits of science a government responsibility.

I have researched Constitution, and adopted the Representation civic. This adds happiness to my major cities (you know, the ones most likely to have unhappiness) and makes all my specialists produce research.


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A scientist has been born in New Orleans. I’m going to probably found another academy, but I’ll wait until after the revolution to determine which city, because right now all my cities are producing no research, so I can’t tell where an academy would provide the most benefit.


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The anarchy is over! Now I see that New York is the city that would most benefit from an Academy. Which is kinda obvious – it’s only the friggin’ capital!

Al-Kindi is considered to be one of the most influential political philosophers in American history, and the founder of modern political science. He rose to prominence with his famous 1554 pro-democracy essay, The Science of Democracy, in which he argued that it was illogical for an egalitarian society like America to have a monarchy. He also turned many monarchist arguments about the impracticality of a democracy against them. Drawing on Darwin and his theory of natural selection, he posited that anyone who could reach a leadership position in a volatile democratic government would by definition be competent and politically savvy, otherwise they would not have been able to get there. While a native of New Orleans, Al-Kindi settled in New York, figuring that the best way to study government would be up-close. He founded the Columbia University there to further the development of politics as a science. To this day, it is said that if a politician didn’t get his degree at Columbia, his top advisor probably did.

I have established an Academy in New York. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the screenshot. Oh, well.


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In 1560, Hindu missionaries from Iceland established the first Hindu community in North America, setting up shop in New York itself.

I have spread Hinduism to New York. I begin production of a monastery, so I can later produce Hindu missionaries. The thing is, with Free Religion, it’s good to spread as many religions as you can to every city in your nation, so you want to get monasteries in high-production cities.

In related news, I have landed a Christian missionary in North America. However, Confucianism suffers the crippling weakness of having its North American base in St. Johns. The chance that I’ll be able to complete a Confucian Monastery in St. Johns, train a missionary, send him to a larger city, and build another monastery there before I can no longer delay researching Scientific Method is slim. So I do what seems stupid, and dispatch Imhotep from New York to hurry construction. The thing is, this is important, and I have two Great Engineers.


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Christianity has also spread to New York. I will build a monastery once I am done training a Hindu Missionary.


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Montezuma demands that I cut off relations with the Romans. Normally, I would refuse, but as Montezuma is my short-tempered neighbor, and the Romans are a distant nation with little power, I accept.


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Confucianism in America got a boost in 1578 when the renowned engineer Imhotep converted to Confucianism. Settling in St. Johns, he helped to design and build the first Confucian monastery in North America.

I decided to have Imhotep become a Great Citizen rather than hurry construction. I should still be able to complete the monastery in time with his help, and he’ll continue to boost production in St. Johns after it’s done.


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Chemistry has been practiced in one form or another for millennia, going back to early smiths and dyemakers. Much of the foundation of modern chemistry was actually laid by medieval alchemists, who produced a great deal of data as well as inventing many common tools of chemistry (though they failed to turn lead into gold). The modern science of chemistry in America arose in the late 1500s, when the first chemistry texts were produced at the University of Washington.

For my next technology, I choose Steam Power.


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The city of Halifax was the last city to be founded on the East Coast.

I have founded Halifax. It won’t do much, but I had room.


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The development of steam power in 1612 had far-reaching implications for the American civilization. Never before had they – or anyone else, for that matter – had access to such a concentrated source of power. Everything could be produced faster now. Coal provided a superior fuel source to wood. Ships could be built to sail against the winds and currents. And America entered the Industrial Age.

I have developed Steam Power. My next technology will be Democracy. Also, I have discovered multiple coal deposits throughout my territory, including two near New York.

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Saladin – my rival for Most Advanced Civilization – has made a very enticing offer – Military Tradition and 780 gold for Chemistry. I accept.


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The American military tradition is one of the oldest and proudest in the world. American soldiers prided themselves on their emphasis on merit over birth. In 1620, the American military began to establish a more cohesive training program that took into account new developments in warfare while retaining their traditions – including, for some, the ancient war-cult of William Clark.


Aw, crap, the missionary failed to spread Confucianism to New York. I’ve got one card left – I can use Universal Suffrage to quickly buy another, and accelerate the building of the monastery. The reason I need to do this soon is that I also want to get Scientific Method ASAP, so I can research Physics before Saladin and get a free Great Scientist. But for that, I will need…


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While America has a long history of egalitarianism, in practice the wealthy and highborn used many means to keep power for themselves. These included laws restricting the franchise to property owners, or poll taxes that the poor couldn’t pay.
In the end, it was a combination of popular sentiment and cold-hearted political calculus that led to the establishment of universal suffrage. A few politicians realized that if they could give commoners the vote, those commoners would probably put them into office. They allied with suffrage advocates and began repealing voting restrictions, leading to the 1634 Democracy Proclamation, which declared that all adult citizens of sound mental health, regardless of wealth or property, had the right to vote in all elections in their jurisdiction.

Allowing commoners to vote was change enough, but a few of those forward-thinking politicians also offered women a chance to vote, given the chances of doubling their vote tallies. This change brought yet more chaos, especially when many jurisdictions realized that they had no laws forbidding women from voting. In 1636, Reykjavik shocked the nation when Senator Sharon Marysdotter stepped onto a New York pier.
But there was little that could be done. Just as Al-Kindi predicted, political expediency won out over tradition. By 1642, every state in America had universal suffrage. Three cities (Seattle, Calgary, Reykjavik) had elected female senators.


Well, there you have it. Now for four turns of anarchy…


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In the midst of this political turmoil, American scientists also discovered a way to smelt coal more effectively. This was put to use at shipyards, improving their production and safety standards.
I chose this option because I intend to use hydroelectric power for all of North America (Three Gorges Dam ftw!) so I will have only four coal plants (Hobart, Sydney, Auckland, Wellington), but many drydocks.


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The first city in New Zealand, Wellington was founded in 1638. While many expected that the New Zealanders would find common cause with the Australians, the two regions soon became cordial rivals.

I have founded Wellington. I get their worker, Hamshot (the handle of a New Zealander friend of mine), to build a cottage.


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The second city in New Zealand, Auckland became a proud mining town, and the main production center in New Zealand. It is also the southernmost city in America.

I have just noticed that New Zealand and Iceland are very nearly antipodes. My nation spans half the world.


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The anarchy is over. Now to hurry that missionary…


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…and spread to New York…


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…and hurry a monastery! Done!


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Aw, crap. Turns out I won't be able to research Physics faster than Saladin. Oh, well.


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A Great Prophet, St. Peter, has been born in Chicago. I am unsure what to do with him. Start a Golden Age? Put him in a city as a Great Citizen? Maybe use him to help make an island settlement actually viable?
 
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The scientific method has been in use far longer than its existence has been recognized. It is almost common sense. But for centuries, certain facts were held as immutable truth regardless of evidence, such as the Biblical account of creation. The recognition of the scientific method produced a subtle but profound change in the way science was done.

I have developed the scientific method.

St. Peter was one of the first great religious scholars of the post-Democracy Proclamation era. He is most remembered for his treatise on science, where he gave scientific research religious support. The basic thought was, G-d created the world with a certain set of scientific laws, and those laws are compatible with what is said in the Bible. Eventually, science will discover them on its own, so religion should get out of the way. While he is hardly responsible for this, his words are considered emblematic of the Great Scientific Awakening.

I have decided to use St. Peter to start a Golden Age, in order to boost scientific research and general industrial production.


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I have New York start building the Statue of Liberty. Why? Because it’s New York.


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Genghis Khan has offered a Defensive Pact. I accept.


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The coal-aided mass production of steel transformed America. From steel beams in buildings to steel armor for ironclad warships, the development of steel was a major milestone in the Industrial Revolution.

I have developed Steel. Next up: Biology.


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The city of Thunder Bay was the first in a wave of new cities founded in the north, as America sought to complete its dominion over the continent.

I have founded Thunder Bay. As the document notes, this is part of what will be a new wave of cities I plan to found in Canada and Alaska. I have already begun planting longbowmen on the sites of these cities.


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The discovery of the barbarian city of Tartar sent shockwaves through the American press, bringing back old memories of barbarian hordes raiding American farms, villages, and Chicago. Faced with this threat, the American government dispatched a strike force from Seattle, commanded by Edgar Martinez.

I have found a barbarian city on the Arctic coast. I prepare an army in Seattle to stop them, only delaying to upgrade Big Bertha to a Cannon.


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In 1706, Edgar Martinez and Jason Momoa defeated the barbarian city of Tartar. There was an even greater push now to colonize the north – it was the only way to be sure that no barbarians would emerge from the wild to threaten America again.


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Catherine is asking for Chemistry. Mindful of my position on the tech ladder, I refuse. Especially as she doesn’t offer anything in return.


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The second in the so-called Northern Wave of cities, Prince Rupert was little more than a silver mining town in the Cascade Mountains.

I have founded Prince Rupert, to take advantage of the silver deposit nearby. It will also prove resistant to attack from any direction.


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In 1720, scientists at the University of Washington discovered the cell – the basic building block of all life. This fundamental discovery sparked a revolution in biology, and this better understanding of the basics of life led to many improvements in agriculture.

I have discovered Biology. This improves the production of my farms, and lets me build farms without irrigation. It also lets me build the National Park wonder. For my next tech, I choose Physics.


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Saladin is asking for Replaceable Parts, but he’s actually offering something in return – Military Science. As the Middle East is also lacking in trees, I accept.


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Given their appetite for science, it was only a matter of time before Americans began to study the science of war. In 1724, Columbia University began offering classes in military science, which turned out a new generation of educated military officers.


Spoiler :


I decide to build a National Park in Calgary. The city is almost completely surrounded by forest, and will benefit greatly from having a lot of Forest Preserves.


Spoiler :


Caesar wants to reopen our borders. Not wanting to antagonize my Aztec neighbors, I refuse.


Spoiler :


Huayna Capac has a better offer – 300 gold for Calendar. I boggle at his ignorance, and accept the offer.


Spoiler :


Founded south of the ruins of Tartar, Yellowknife surprised many by turning much of the northern forests into farmland.

I have founded Yellowknife.


Spoiler :


Built in the Cascade foothills, Edmonton proved to be surprisingly prosperous, with bountiful forests and plenty of irrigating rivers.

How could I not honor the home city of BioWare?


Spoiler :


The 1742 presidential election was the closest in history, with the difference between Sandor Howard and Victor Post coming down to a mere couple hundred votes. Two separate recounts, each using different methods, produced different results, which required the Supreme Court to decide. The court ruled in favor of Howard, though many noted that the judges who voted in favor of Howard had all been appointed by presidents belonging to Howard’s party.

Gee, does this remind you of anything?


Spoiler :


Physics is arguably the most fundamental science, dealing as it does with the nature of atoms and basic forces of nature. The development of physics by Americans opened the way for revolutionary developments in energy and technology.

I have developed Physics. Next up: Railroad.


Spoiler :


America is rightly proud of its beautiful vast forests. The huge increase in logging during the Great Lumber Boom led many to fear that they would be cut down. A system of national parks was establish to preserve the great forests and other locations of natural beauty, with the first being Banff National Park near Calgary.

I have built my National Park in Calgary. The city will now have no unhealthiness due to population, and a specialist for every Forest Preserve. Fortunately, the city is surrounded by forests.


Spoiler :


The Statue of Liberty was built as a monument to American democracy. Lady Liberty stands proud in New York Harbor, welcoming immigrants to America, Land of the Free. It swiftly became a symbol of both New York and America as a whole. Of course, the citizens of Boston thought it was a lame ripoff of the Colossus.


Spoiler :


Founded in 1763, Prudhoe Bay sits on the edge of the Arctic Ocean, arguably making America a three-ocean nation.

And another city is built. I have at least two more planned in Alaska.


Spoiler :


Xi Ling Shi was quite the polymath. He conducted experiments with lightning, chemistry, and biology. He also founded DePaul University in Chicago.

I have used my latest Great Scientist to build yet another Academy, this time in Chicago.


Spoiler :


The second Arctic city, Nome is considered to be the most inhospitable city in America. It also ranks as one of the northernmost cities on Earth.

I have founded Nome, to take advantage of the oil nearby.


Spoiler :


In 1773, American archaeologists near Calixtlahuaca uncovered a cache of ancient texts from tribes that predated American or Aztec settlement in the area. The American government decided to distribute the texts to libraries and universities around the world, boosting America’s image in the international community.

The research boost isn’t much, and I could use the image improvement.


Spoiler :


The railroad truly revolutionized transport in America. Before now, goods and people were transported either by muscle power (typically humans, llamas, or oxen) or by water. The railroads enabled the speedy and effective overland transport of goods across great distances. Soon, America was crisscrossed by a massive rail network that would bring the entire country closer together.

I have researched Railroad. This is a major technology, as railroads not only increase the speed at which my people can move around, but it improves production at mines, quarries, and lumbermills. I choose Combustion as my next tech.

I also need to start thinking about corporations. In particular, will I found Mining Inc? The corporation itself is rather nice, providing a major production bonus in each city. However, it competes with Aluminum Co (which provides a research bonus), Creative Constructions (which provides a lesser production bonus and a culture bonus), and Civilized Jewelers (which provides an income and culture bonus). I decide against it – I can get Creative Constructions with Combustion (after I also research Corporation).


Spoiler :


Caesar offers me 820 gold for Democracy. I balk at first, but then I notice that Caesar is 3 turns from researching Democracy – it won’t make much of a difference for him. So I agree.


Spoiler :


The westernmost city in North America, Anchorage overlooks the Bering Straits.

I think I’m done with building cities. I might build more in the future, but there’s no real need.


Spoiler :


The invention of the internal combustion engine in 1789 was a second revolution in transportation, right on the heels of the railroad. Soon, animal-drawn carts would become a thing of the past, replaced by the ubiquitous automobile. And oil, the preferred source of fuel for these engines, became a major national resource.

I have developed Combustion. Next up: Corporation.


Spoiler :


Yet another Great Engineer has been born in New York – James Watt. I decide to use Bessemer to found Creative Constructions once I get Corporation, and use Watt for something else (probably hurrying a Wonder).
 
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