Nuovo Impero Romano - Italy AoI 4.0

However, la familia is in desperate need of expansion. In particular, the estranged sibling of Trieste begs for freedom from its foster family of Austria-Hungary. Austria-Hungary and its cousin Germany not having an alliance, igniting the old family feud could go in Italy's interest... o

...or pave the way for disaster.



We are only into Week 7 when the Mahdi, who has conquered Ethiopia for Islam, decides that French Somaliland should join his, er, Allah's, possessions.



Week 9, Italy put itself on the Gold Standard, stimulating economic activity.

Hoping to see a weakening of the French and British Empires, a sum of 10 gpt was given to the Mahdists under the table and without public knowledge.



Week 29, the inevitable happened when the British demanded gold. Naturally, Italy was in no position to deny the demands.

Week 33, French Djibouti fell to the Mahdists. Plans were made to voluntarily give the Mahdists the Italian possessions if necessary - they were poor and little more than a talking point in politics. British control of Suez, meanwhile, made them effectively at the mercy of Albion's goodwill. Colonies closer to home would be needed.

Week 41, the La Platan governments, which had cemented an alliance a few years ago, jointly attempted to extract tribute from Italy, but were promptly rebuked.



Week 45, the Government of Prime Minister Francesco Crispi established several railroad monopoly charters, furthering the development of Italia.



More prominently, the French demanded funds. Having delicate trade routes with Spain, the government caved. 100 gold was deposited in Mahdists bank accounts shortly afterward. The French also had retaken Djibouti by this time, but the Mahdi and his men were certainly giving them trouble.



As Italy focused herself on building up the industrial base of Rome, the Russians came knocking for a Christmas present.

52 weeks had passed. Italy had overseen a massive expansion in government funds, with minor expansions to industry. Stock exchanges now had branches in several of the city centers, and the Anglo-French hegemony was experiencing pains in the Mahdists(who, having Elite City Guards in all four cities, will be a tough nut to crack given the AI's lack of competence with regards to artillery!).

Week 17, a bestseller was published in Italy, bringing glory to the nation as millions around the world purchased the book.

By Week 21, Djibouti had once more been seized by the Mahdists.

As Djibouti held strong against French artillery, the PM was overseeing the assembly of Italy's own line of batteries. By Week 41, there were 11 artillery batteries to back up the navy, and 1 more battery was produced every two weeks.

As cities were at work building the greatest artillery force in the world, Italy hosted the World Fair to represent peaceful intentions.

The French, meanwhile, had successfully taken Mahdist Adawa.

Week 9, the Japanese signed a protect pact with Brazil, so as to expand their influence in the Americas.

Week 29, the British expanded their influence, signing pacts with the Turks and Scandinavia. It seemed they were trying to encircle Germany or Russia.



More prominently, Italia signed a series of agreements with the United States, including a pact. The Americans had great power in the Atlantic, and thus would be a check on British and French power for Italy. Italy, likewise, would fund the United States' actions in Latin America via the humble 10 gpt, out an economy that was currently turning 754 gpt. The alliance was informal, as Americans had a spirit of isolationism; only those in the upper echelons of the state knew of it. It was also viewed as a low-risk investment; Italy caved in to any demands that were made of it, and so war was avoided.

Spanish trade partners ended up demanding Timber; it was decided to sell it to them.

Week 37, Edinburgh hosted the Olympic Games.

Week 41, the Filipinos rose up in revolt against Spain, with the Natives attacking the Spanish possessions there.



Scientifically, the X-Ray was perfected for medical use in Roma, thus bestowing prestige and good health upon Italy.



New Years, the Wright Brothers' theories were proven true in Roma. Receiving government funding, they were able to build and perfect the first airplane. An influx of scientists soon saw chemical weaponry and better artillery being built by Italy.

Week 13, Gugliemo Marconi was able to detect signals from Newfoundland from Rome. It became apparent the radio could be used over vast distances, even oceans. As such, Marconi's company rose to prominence, empires all over the world using Italian-pioneered radio signals to keep their vast territories together.



Week 25, the Anglo-German War broke out. It was hoped that the Mahdist Revolt would make it hard for Britain to reach the front from Egypt, and in turn, cause the British to have trouble with the conflict. The Ottomans and Scandinavians soon backed up the British, however. Could Germany hold out against the monolithic British Alliance?



While the British and Germans murdered eachother in cold blood, Italy's "New Renaissance" - as the Government had proclaimed it - was continuing, with the discovery of electrons. Even with right-wing Rudini's departure and the rise of Prime Minister (and General) Luigi Pelloux, the conservative factions of Italian politics were widely revered, having bolstered the size of the navy considerably, and also having fostered the sciences and

Around the same time, the British and Russians, fearing growing Italian prominence, demanded gold. Italy, boasting a treasury in the tens of thousands by this point, happily paid up. As an insult, 500 gold was quickly sent to Germany.



Week 37, the Vacuum tube was perfected in Rome. Breakthroughts in colonial administration and mining followed. Later research showed the British now considered Italy "technologically advanced."

The Germans were attempting to engineer Aspirin, but plans were made to undercut them. A doomed empire, after all, would have no need for such glory...

Week 5, scientists developed Aspirin, a revolutionary medicine capable of relieving pain as well as fevers. Italian prosperity surged with the immense revenue from such a useful drug, and advances were soon made in technologies such as Submarines shortly afterward.

Week 9, the Russians and Chinese signed an alliance. This was of keen interest in Europe, as it meant Asia now fell under a massive Sino-Russian bloc. Meanwhile, the Italo-American alliance was renewed.



The Germans and Mahdists found a common enemy in France. The French saw opportunity, and desired to finally retake Strasbourg from the German menace.



The Chemical Plant of Milan was completed in Week 13, boosting its production.



Week 13 also saw the founding of the Red Cross by Italy.

Test runs, meanwhile, showed artillery would be more than capable of ridding the Adriatic of Austrian ships if necessary.

Week 21, Britain declared war upon Russia. China declared war on Britain as a result, and Japan declared war on Germany. Austria declared war on Britain. Italy would probably profit from all the chaos.

In civilian news, Somalia found itself linked by road thanks to the influx of Conscript Workers. These conscripts were paid well for their time, but their low morale impacted their efficiency. Either way, the workers would do their job well, making Italian Africa worth keeping.



Naval vessels, meanwhile, closed off the Red Sea to non-Italian traffic. The European empires would have to go elsewhere to ship raw materials back home, crippling European economies. Italy was safe as well - the powers were too busy fighting themselves to do much about it, and America would also rally to Italy's defense.

With the Turks and Scandinavians' declarations of war against the Austrians, Austria and Germany found themselves as de facto allies.

Week 37, with news that all Austrian ships were out of port and en route to Egypt, ships made sure to block off Trieste. This would prevent their return from soaking up naval artillery's damage.

Week 41, the French guaranteed the Filipino Natives' independence. Just as they helped the Americans break free from Britain, they now intended to help the Filipinos break free from Spain!

China and Uruguay, meanwhile, declared war upon the Turks.

Britain and Germany, meanwhile, signed a peace accord, but it wouldn't last. Either way, the Brits had made off with German New Guinea, Togoland, and part of Tanzania.

Week 45, Cuba declared war on the Spanish! Spain now had revolts in both its territories. Germany and Scandinavia, meanwhile, made a point to sign a peace accord...

At the same time, the Filipinos declared war on Germany. Translation: Germany would surely attack them, thus triggering a war with the French. All of Europe was rapidly spiraling downhill.

Italy of course, was enriched; countless refugees went to the peaceful nation.



YES! The British and French titans were now at war. Japan soon declared war upon the British in turn, meaning Britain now had a serious naval rival.

Just as the northern front opened up, so did the South. France declared war upon Spain!

The British colossus was now at war with China, Austria, France, Russia, the Filipinos, and Japan, and in all likelihood would soon find itself fighting Germany again once the Turks and Germany met eachother on the battlefield.

Likewise, in the vein of the Revolution, the French were at war with Germany, Spain, and Britain.

To illustrate the toll on their economy, the British had only 7 gold to Italy's 43,000.

Japan soon declared war upon the Spanish, meaning Japan now had the chance to expand its holdings enormously in East Asia.

France declared war upon the Lowlands. It seemed they were being led by a Napoleon IV from behind the curtain! The Lowlands soon found enemies in Japan and the Filipinos as well.

The establishment of an artillery school in Rome was just the newest in a line of military breakthroughs. The royal navy was vast, but land-based artillery would be needed to penetrate the European landmass.

Meanwhile, the British took French Abidjan in Africa.

Week 13, the Russo-British affair finally ended.



Week 21, the Chemical Weapons program of Italy officially commenced in Milan.

Week 33, the Argentines declared war upon Uruguay... a conflict that actually made sense!



Week 45, it was all but confirmed that Italy had entered a new era in research and prosperity, still kilometers ahead of the competition. In China, the British Empire had collapsed, with China reclaiming Hong Kong and Russia Shanghai.

Recap:

Treasury of 53,000 gold, gaining 413 gpt; the current research is Airships; from there we can get a free tech wonder, and thus increase our tech lead enormously again.

Key units:

12 Italian Infantry
27 Submarines
13 Battleships
2 Bersaglieri; 2 Cavalry
26 Torpedo Boats
42 Horse Artillery
2 Maxim Guns



Power bar for reference. Note Italy's steady rise while everyone else keeps fluctuating like mad.

Week 1, sensing impending doom, the Habsburgs demanded tribute, and were rejected. They growled and claimed they could take on Italy. Such a wonderful theory; it would be put to the test soon.

The Brits came right after, but of course, they were given their demands.

The Franco-German War ended with no fruits reaped by either side.

Austria made peace with the British, but the Brazilians just took their place. It seemed to have been a pan-Portuguese effort, as the Portuguese joined the conflict against Britain.

Meanwhile, the Mahdists and France finally ceased their pointless war, with no border changes.

Week 9, Spain declared war on the Turks, while the Brits finally gained peace with Japan.



At the loss of but a single novice group of Italian Infantry, Triest fell to Italy's naval supremacy. Just as Italy was a geographical expression to the Austrians, the Austrian Navy was now but a historical expression to Italy. Troops bunkered down for the inevitable counteroffensive...

Europe didn't really care much for the war, being busy with their own drama, and the fact Italy had always wanted Sudtirol and Triest since unification.

The Austrians didn't bother with a counterattack, though Britain and France signed a peace treaty upon hearing of Italy's annexation of tiny San Marino. Spain and France, likewise, ceased hostilities.

...France used the British' trust against them however, and soon re-declared war.



To damage the Austrian economy, the Balkan railway networks would be used to decimate territory along the border. The land-based artillery could decimate four "tiles" worth of Austrian railway, roads, and mines every month, and over the course of the war, this would add up to considerable damage.

Week 17, the Austrians' attack forces were purged, as was their lone City Guard. The Habsburgs routinely would send in a cavalry unit that would be within artillery range.

Via rights of passage with the French, Lowlands, and Germans, 8 tiles were destroyed in Week 17. The Austrian infrastructure was suffering immensely because of the war.

Week 21, the Austrians killed a lone Italian infantry, but they'd pay for it in time.

In retaliation, two Austrian Cavalry were killed by Home Guards, and the last Austrian route leading directly to Triest was pillaged.



Week 25, the Intelligence Agency of Rome was formally established, due to the need to keep tabs on the Austrian armies.

Meanwhile, the government made a decision: the Army would swing through German territory and attack tiny Troppau. The Austrians always neglected their central cities. Translation: their weak defenses could be overrun, and Austria-Hungary cut in half.

Artillery softened up the city enough for two Cavalry to do serious damage, killing the elite City Guards. Reports showed the city to have only two other units protecting it.



A cavalry unit was sacrificed to the machinegunners of Troppau, but Infantry soon crushed it. Troppau was annexed, and the military government began constructing a powerless Slovakian government that would begin day to day administration of the region post-bellum.

Meanwhile, two Austrian engineer groups were forcefully disbanded by Infantry.

Week 29, one Infantry was killed by Austrian cavalry, but Troppau and Slovakia remained in Italian hands.

Week 33, the Anglo-Benelux War erupted, thus meaning Britain was more or less at war with all Africa.



Italy's scientific boom resumed with the publishing of the Theory of Relativity in Rome.

Week 37, 2 Austrian cavalry were cleared from the peninsula. Shortly after, the City Guards of Lemberg were slaughtered. The machinegunners, meanwhile, were killed by Chlorine Gas.



Lemberg's fall heralded the rise of a free Ukraine. It was planned to liberate Krakow and end the affair. Krakow's liberation would have to take place over several months, due to being more defended than Lemberg and Troppau.

In a stroke of genius, the Austrians sent 2 cavalry to their deaths in Lemberg against the Maxim guns.

Reports put Krakau's troops at 10, with 3 Home Guards included. 48 artillery units, by contrast, were wielded by the Italian military.

Raids on Krakow killed one of the Machinegunners with no losses.

Meanwhile, a humanitarian crisis was erupting in Krakow - only 21 of all 54 citizens could eat due to the fields being actively taken over by Italian troops.

Week 45, a new Franco-German War erupted. This was bad because it meant the railways might get clogged and thus slow down the war against Austria.

Meanwhile, the Siege of Krakow resumed. Thanks to a new Corps unit(adds +10 to the unit's health and gives it +3 movement points!), the city was doomed. A regular band of infantry took down the City Guard.



The city fell with minimal losses. Italy's steady march to prominence continued without interruption.

However, Triest and Lemberg were rioting. As plans were made to deport all Austrians and Hungarians within the regions, it was decided the war should nonetheless end to quell the riots. Promising the troops would be home before Christmas, the Prime Minister and his majesty's government intended to destroy all Austrian Trench Guards in the occupied zones, and then sue for peace.

Week 49, the Austrians killed one machinegunner unit in Troppau, but otherwise, they were done for.



The theories of animal conditioning also saw great strides, furthering the Italian Renaissance.

With no losses, the trenches were cleansed.

With the last few shells unloaded into Austria to damage her economy further, the Habsburgs were invited to a peace accord.



The Treaty of Salzburg was cruel. Austria had to cede all lands it had lost since the start of the war, give all its gold to Italy, and finally, give 145 of its 413 GDP (35%!) to Italy.

Meanwhile, the Republics of Ukraine, Slovakia, and Krakow were born. Krakow was given its own name to avoid a resurgence of Polish nationalism, something Russo-German interests would not want.

Further south, while the coastline was largely seized by Italy, Serbia made its move and became the Kingdom of Serbs, Bosnians and Croats, or Yugoslavia.

In just ten months, Italy had finally avenged centuries of Habsburg domination of the cradle of Western civilisation. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, now in the midst of socioeconomic upheaval, would soon transition into the Triple Monarchy of Bohemia, Austria and Hungary. Their far-flung territory of Lulea in Scandinavia would likely fall as well.

In the meantime, Austria was a building block of the growing Italian monolith, nourishing Rome with its tribute. The network of central European satellites would give Italy more prominence in European politics, and no one would ever question Italy's capability as a major power ever again!

With Austria's fall from glory, the Habsburgs were desperate to regain it. They conquered Liechtenstein, but France, seeing little progress against Germany, soon annexed vast swaths of its land, including Liechtenstein, to create the Duchy of Tirol. The Germans, meanwhile, just annexed parts of the Sudetenland.

Week 5, Austria and the United States inked a peace treaty, meaning there was no chance of the Americans dragging the Italian Empire back into war.

The Government had a new issue as soon as the war was over - unemployment. Not due to soldiers leaving service, but because of the huge pool of Conscripts that had been built in East Africa. No less than TWENTY-FIVE conscripts had worked the small Italian possessions, and now were without jobs. As the unemployed could be unruly however, the PM came up with a genius idea.

A deal was cut with the Mahdists - they would pay 80 gold over the course of 20 months, and in exchange, the hordes of Colonial Conscripts would work their territory and make it fabulously wealthy. The right of passage was mutually beneficial to all involved - the Mahdist economy would go through the roof, while the Italians would collect a small payment and enable the Mahdists as rivals of the Franco-British hegemony.

While the question of what to do with African laborers was settled, another one popped up - what to do with Europe. Italy had gained quite a bit of land and influence with the war, and cheaply at that, losing only a handful of units, but it still needed more power.

It was thus decided, that the Balkans, and their ports, would be seized for Italy. Italy only had five ports capable of major fleet production, whereas Britain had eight, and dozens more capable of smaller ship production around the globe. To topple the lion, more battleship capacity would be needed.

Belgrade was right on the border, but boasting 17 units, it would be a tough nut to crack with only 52 horse batteries. As such, an amphibious assault would be necessary. With that in mind, cities were directed to begin amassing steam transports for a giant naval conflict.



Week 9, Italy hosted both the World Fair and the Olympic Games. Great success!

Week 13, the Scandinavians declared war on Germany and the Lowlands.



Week 21, forays into genetics bore fruits, and Italy marched onward.



Week 29, Italy became the center of the international wine trade. France was usurped as a result of superior Italian techniques.

Meanwhile, a large group of steam transports had been amassed, and there were plenty of units ready to fight. The right of passage in the Balkans was cancelled in preparation for the next phase...

The Balkans and Lowlands soon signed a mutual protection treaty, but that just meant the Lowlands could be an added prize.

Week 37, come the establishment of a Motor Carriage Company in Rome, Rome generated 590 shields per turn. It was now possible to rush Maxims by rushing a steam transport and letting production do the rest! (One turn Maxims! )

With 10 Machine Guns and 23 Rumanian infantry, it looked like the Balkans could put up some semblance of a fight. Of course, they didn't have the Italian Navy! The target of Kerkira, and all of Albania with it, was only protected by six troops. While the Balkans altogether possessed 20 naval vessels, that was dwarfed by Italy's 84!

When the war began with an attack on the Albanian fleet, all the Balkan states joined in on its side, mainly Greece with its 18 naval vessels. Serbia was contacted to try and win their allegiance, but alas, they would have none of it.

It went global, with La Plata and the Benelux siding with Greece.

The naval war was devestating - for the Balkans. The Balkan fleet was quickly cut down to 16 vessels with the assault on Albania. Meanwhile, all horse artillery batteries went down to SIcily, where they began to rain hell upon the Balkan fleet off the coast. 5 Torpedo boats were sent to the bottom, accordingly, cutting the Balkan resources immensely.

Meanwhile, there was a shortage of troops - the European Wars were blocking the railways, preventing a mass landing. Either way, four Italian Infantry bravely took up position outside Kerkira in the Hills.

Meanwhile, alliances were forged. Austria, Russia, Britain, Spain, and countless other major powers were dragged into the war against at least one member. La Plata found itself at war in all directions as a penalty for their insolence.

Week 41, the American alliance was terminated. They insisted on bumping up the rate to hundreds of gold per turn; they were worth a lot, but not that much!

Later, the Balkan forces saw 4 losses, all Machinegunners and City Guards, in Albania. The naval power was paying dividends!

Speaking of navies, artillery opened fire on all Balkan fleets within range of Sicily. They had managed to destroy Sardinia's naval base. Italy managed to destroy all Balkan naval vessels sans a Steam transport and two undetermined ships. As such, rule of the seas now belonged to Italy and her allies.

Week 45, as Russia and Britain made peace yet again - Russia gaining overseas territory in Ghana and Togoland - the war in the Balkans intensified, with Italy cutting down three Balkan cavalry with no losses.



At no losses, the Albanian Kingdom was annexed. The Italian King was declared the monarch of Albania, and would rule Albania in personal union with Italy. Rome, meanwhile, gave Albania the same treatment as the other free Republics - it concentrated power in people with ties to Italy, or immigrants for that matter.

With Greece now cut off both by land and sea, it was expected it would capitulate soon enough. Meanwhile, Serbia would have to wait its turn. But they wouldn't have to wait long - Field Guns were on the way, and they would be far superior to Horse Artillery.

Week 49, Germany and France made peace, but how long was that going to last? Bucharest, meanwhile, fell to the Russians.

A complete decimation of Athens saw the killing of all its Machinegunners and City Guards, as well as some infantry. While the conquest of the city would have to wait, a triumph was in the works...