Concert of Europe: Europe's Revolutions!

Joined
Jan 25, 2010
Messages
839
Location
USA
Intro

It is January 1847.

During the last years it became more and more evident that the Concert of Europe came to an end. Although the five Grand Powers came to an amicable arrangement in the Balkans affair, Great Britain soon played its own melody, which was guided by the trade interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. Other conflicts like the Schleswig-Holstein affair or the future of Italy kept unsolved. Nationalistic and social problems are ignored.
So in 1847 the new order seems to be that England does not care any longer about what is going on on the continent and concentrates on her colonies and the oversea trade. The remaining four Grand Powers form the HOLY ALLIANCE to keep order on the continent and to free the Balkans from the heathens.
The growth of the industries is still unbroken and so is population growth. Never before it was so simple to get rich. Investments in railroad companies fly high on the stock exchange market. On the other side, many artisans cannot keep up with the new speed of production and poverty spreads even faster than richness.
The performance of this alliance against the Turks and their ally is amazingly poor. The war consumes an enormous amount of money and even the neutral states suffer from it. Furthermore the apparent incompetence of the governments and their staffs raises the unhappiness of their people. Many European countries saw a bad harvest in 1847 and the increase of the food price makes life harder for the poor.

Due to the investments in new industries and the war, it is getting harder to borow money, esp. for countries with high debts and small growth.
The United Kingdom under the government of Queen Victoria is getting stronger year by year. It left the struggles about Ireland and India behind. England is the leader in technology, it has the biggest railroad net and its industrial production is beyond any comparison. Although many say that the quality of the new machined products is poor compared to the traditional goods, the prices are ridiculous low. English goods flood the markets of Europe and the world.
Although England is in an excellent position, not all English are satisfied with the government. Part of the middle class is concerned about the isolation and fear that England will lose the European market. Others blame the Queen for the passive attitude in the Eastern Med. The war cut off important trade routes, esp. those for cotton. These let to an enormous increase in the price of American cotton. Several textile factories already released thousands of workers, the rest decreased wages. This, combined with the increase in food price, mobilizes political parties and unions. In December, more than 20,000 workers and their families gather at St. Peter's Filed near Manchester. They send a note to London demanding minimum wage, reduced price for food, the right to go on strike and changes in the voting right. The administration sends thousands of police and army forces, but it hesitates to attack. This upsets the contractors. They send a note to London demanding to arrest these bunches of criminals and threaten with forming their own securities.

France is the strongest power on the continent and in many things the antipode of England. If England has the biggest industrial production, France has the biggest market. And it does everything to improve in technology and industry. Due to the national railroad program Etoile de France the countries railroad net is growing faster than anywhere else. This gives trade and industry a kick. France produces almost as many steam engines as England these days and the textile industry is growing too. The owners of factories may not make as much profit as their English competitors, but working conditions and wages are much better. Paris is developing to the most shining and glamorous capitol of Europe.
Although the government of King Louis-Philippe was very liberal and improved the living conditions a lot, it failed in the war against the Turks. Although almost 200,000 soldiers were sent to the orient, there is almost no progress. News about the latest battles decreased the popularity of the King and his ministers drastically. After the so-called “Spanish Wedding” affair and the scandal at the Netherlands about 50,000 demonstrated at Paris. The Royal Guard moved into the capitol to restore order, the protesters built barricades and it seemed as if there was once again a political bloodbath at Paris. However, Louis-Philippe decided to give in. He retired and before he left to his English exile he laid the power into the hands of the parliament. Within one week the national parliament passed a republican constitution – once again – and nominated Napoleon, a nephew of the former emperor, to become president of the Republic of France.

Prussia is ruled by King Friedrich Wilhelm. He does not fulfill the expectations of his subject. Many had hoped that after the liberation from Napoleon, Friedrich Wilhelm would unite Germany and lead the country into a new democratic era. The Schleswig-Holstein affair decreased his popularity and after his unsuccessful engagement in the war against the Turks the liberals blame him for sending the army into the wrong war and for being the servant of Austria. The new tax system and the railroad programs develop the industry, but the country is still far behind England and France.
The government tries to protect the economy with import fees, but nevertheless cheap products from England and France threaten the existence of many artisans. The increase of food price makes this even worse.
In December hundreds of Silesian weavers organize and assault factories to destroy the machines. They demand a stop of textile imports, lower food prices and to stop the building of new railroads.

Ferdinand, the ruler of Austria, moved the focus of is policy from the former Holy Roman Empire to the Balkans, where he wants to become heir of the Ottomans. However, this policy is not accepted by all Austrians. Basically, three groups oppose the policy of the Emperor. First of all, there is the German majority, which things that Austria has a holy mission to rule over Germany. Then there are the Hungarians, which fear that new provinces on the Balkans will decrease the already small influence of Hungary. And finally there are the liberal, which think that it is a waste of resources to try to conquer some undeveloped regions instead of modernizing the country. All three think that the failures of the campaigns are nothing but a just sentence by God.
Although the government tried to support the development of the country, progress is slow. Cheap imports from England and rising food prices decrease the happiness of the people, although it is still quiet in the realm – with one exception: south of the Alps, the Italian subject of his majesty protest. They suffer most from the breakdown of the Mediterranean trade. They block the ports and the roads across the mountains.

The Russian Czar Nikolai Pavlovich Romanov is the ruler of 85 million subjects. This giant realm is hard to rule and even harder to develop. Although the Russian made some remarkable progress, the war against the Ottoman Empire discovers the weakness of the huge Russian army. Maybe the alliance with the Western European countries may help to accelerate the development.
The Czar gives the Poles a lot of independency and so far this has avoided many problems. The Kremlin has to worry, however, about the growing influence of the English at Asia. Russian participation of the Black Sea trade and the Mediterranean trade broke down completely.

The Ottoman Empire is very isolated and there is little information. Of course, the war against almost all European countries is the main problem of the Sultan. He struggles for the survival of his realm. But even if this war is successful, he has still more than enough trouble. Egypt is demanding more and more parts of his realm and the trade across the Ottoman Empire is getting more and more unimportant and unprofitable. And the gap in technology compared to the Europeans is getting bigger.

Egypt managed to defeat the French hordes and this certainly boosts moral of the population. But Alexandria and most of the coast is still occupied by the Christians. If Egypt wins, it may raise to a new Great Power in the southwestern Med. If not, it may soon disappear.

Greece is more or less a puppet in the game of the Great Powers. The war against the Ottoman Empire may make the country grow drastically or it may destroy the nation. Unfortunately, Greece has little input on the outcome of the war.

China is the new superpower in the east, at least regarding size. But it may not be able to keep pace with the west.

The United States of America are a still rising star in the western hemisphere. Some say that it is going to be a future Great Power, but this is certainly a bit too optimistically. Right now it has to solve a couple of problems, first.



England has 27 million citizens (including Ireland, but not the other colonies), tax income is 123 million per year, the nation has a debt of 317 millions. The British Army is about 100,000 soldiers, the Royal Navy has about 120 warships all over the world.
France has 35 million inhabitants and a tax income of about 124 million. The debt is 275 million. The army has about 600,000 men and the navy about 40 ships.
Prussia has 15 million people. The income is 38 million and the debt 125 million. The army is about a quarter of a million and the navy has just a handful of ships.
Austria has 32 million people, 78 million income and a national debt of 235 million. The army has about half a million soldiers and the navy has a dozen ships.
Russia has 60 million people, with an income of 85 million and a debt of 195 million. The army has 600,000 men and the navy about half a dozen ships.
Ottoman Empire has 11 million subjects, an income of 9 million and a treasure of 50 million. It has 150,000 soldiers and fleet of about 20 ships.
Egypt has 3 million people and an income of 3 million. The treasure is still 20 million. The army is about 100,000 and the navy about a dozen ships.
Greece has a population of 1 million. Income is 1.5 million and debt is 10 million. It has less than 50,000 soldiers and only a couple of ships.
China has a population of 430 million. Income is 70 million and it does not have debts. The army has 2000000 soldiers and the fleet is not worth mentioning.
USA have a population of about 17 million. The army has 150,000 men and the navy between 30 and 40 ships. Income is 30 million, debt 50 million.





England:
France:
Austria: Warman (Just as a small role)/ 1 other person can sign up for this role!
Prussia:
Russia:
Greece:
Ottoman:
Egypt:
China:
United States of America:
 
Interested, but I think I will wait to see how this develops.
 
Provide rules, a map, and nation templates, etc.
 
Ummm.... please see the OP for the nation templates. :)


Rules:

There really isn't any rules. You go along as you go. You can do your own diplomacy and make your own military. You people are real human beings so make sure you treat them good.


Military-

You have several branches, footmen, cav and artillery with your navies. You can make them however. You can disband old regiments at your own risks and make new ones and start wars!




[SPOILER

Last Chapter until now!


]Chapter 3 Part 1: Main Militay Events (Jan 1st 1844 to Jan 1st 1845)

Some events will be kept private and related by pm, you are free to make details public if you chose. These are events that are known to all. Details are distance calculated and have dates for battles etc. Movement and terrain in the details have been averaged.


General Overview

The Ottoman Sultan and Mohammed Ali of Egypt, while the Concert were discussing the future in Frankfurt, signed a peace Treaty in February (it was the first thing I realised when I became 'host' so I say February as Metternich left Frankfurt early). That same month a Jihad was proclaimed all over the Ottoman Empire, the French invasion (outlined below) added impetus to the Jihad. This was why the French Ambassador was "insulted" and expelled from Cairo (it wasn't actualy the Sultan who insulted him). It seems though that in general the Concert underestimate the Ottomans; the Dolmabahçe Palace was started in 1843 and cost 35 tons of gold.

In general I set my plans for non player 'factions' BEFORE orders arrived and have stuck to them.

I have also taken into account the Papal (Gregory XVI) announcement that rebellion is normaly bad. This has eased some of the rebellious fervor for now but more of that in Part 2.

I have tried to play Austria 'safely' assuming KM will return.


Russia


Balkan Campaign - Details sent privately.


A Holy Banner of St George is consecrated and leaves Moscow with the Czar and an army plus Nuns who have volunteered to run Hospitals leaves Moscow before a thaw sets in. They set out for Edirne.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet, with supply vessels, sets off from Odessa to Varna. They are intercepted while rounding the headland east of Kavarna. The Battle of Kavarna Bay ensues. The Russian Fleet withdraws. Tactical draw, Strategic Ottoman victory.

Click image for larger version. Name: image_1922.jpg Views: 10 Size: 172.5 KB ID: 7276

'Corps Engelhardt' leaves Iasi and marches south. They reach Varna which is unoccupied but docks are damaged. Engelhardt is informed of the Naval action and sends a boat to Odessa saying the Turks have gone. The Fleet and supply vessels return. They set about repairs and the Fleet guards the convoy route. Meanwhile...

'Corps Gorchakov' leaves Iasi after the Czar has arrived and head for Bucharest. They encounter a minor ambush near Fundeni. Russian victory. Gorchakov leaves a garrison at Ploesti and marches to Bucharest. His army is denied entry by Prince Gheorghe Bibescu but food is available for a price. He sends messengers to Varna and Iasi and waits. Engelhardt leaves a garrison at Varna and marches to Bucharest. Still the Prince will not open the city. The Czars Orders arrive. Engelhardt and his Corps march to Plovdiv which they occupy without a fight. Engelhardt leaves a garrison at Plovdiv then advances on Edirne where he is forced to fight.

The Battle of Edirne is quite a desperate affair and Engelhardt at first tries to withdraw. Mistakes are made. Result: Tactical Draw, Strategic Ottoman victory.

The Czar arrives at Bucharest with an army to join Gorchakovs army. Diplomatic talks get nowhere and after a week they leave Bucharest. Gorchakov enters Craiova and leaves a garrison and reaches Vidin without resistance. The Czar marches to Plovdiv and he and Engelhardt, with their forces joined, approach Edirne again and are ambushed near Svilengrad losing a few men. In Edirne, now renamed Adrianople again, they are greeted by King Othon of Greece with a Greek army.

News arrives at Edirne of the First Battle of Varna which is a Russian Defeat. A handful of men of the Varna garrsion bring news to Ploesti. The Czar orders Engelhardt to retake Varna (This was the Russian midturn choice: Assault Bucharest or retake Varna) with his remaining army. Engelhardt starts to beseige Burgas but when an Ottoman fleet appears he breaks the siege and continues to Varna. The Ottoman fleet and transports arrive before him.

There occurs a Second Battle of Varna which is a desperate battle and occurs over 2 days. Russian 'Pyhrric' victory.

Engelhardt then faces bombardment and a truce. He agrees to abandon the town is given a small escort "back to Russia". His men are alowed to keep their arms. At Braila more of his wounded are fit for service again and Russian supply train is encountered. The escorting Ottomans are taken prisoner and Engelhardt with a small force returns to Varna where he fights the Third Battle of Varna which is a Russian Victory.

The Czar then orders Gorchakov to leave a garrison at Vidin and take Burgas. This he manages to do; Russian Victory. Gorchakov sends a reinforcement to Engelhardt at Varna and Engelhardt sends a reinforcement to Ploesti.


Russian Caucuses/Eastern Anatolian Campaign

Major General Ivane Andronikashvili leaves his base with an army and moves south through Georgia and Armenia. Briefly he enters Persia before returning to Armenia. He then marches west and assaults Van.

Van in 1890 is depicted here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Th...(1893).jpg

He fails and is forced to give up. Andronikashvili marches north and occupies Agri (Karakose today). He leaves a garrison and continues north to Kars where the citadel holds out. He leaves troops to lay seige and marches futher north to Artvin where he is greeted as a new Bagratid King of Armenia. He returns to Kars and eventualy the garrison surrender. He sends further reinforcements to both Agri and Artvin. The campaign is regarded 3/4 successful.


Russian Suppression of Polish Revolt

General Field Marshal Ivan Paskevich sets off for Warsawa which he finds in rebel hands and a swift Russian Victory ensues. He marches south to Krakow and is informed that by International Treaty it is a Free City. He asks for orders from the Czar but his dispatches go back to St Petersburg before heading to Moscow and then south to find the Czar at Adrianople/Edirne. He has no reply before next year.




France


French Expedition to the Indian Ocean Details privately.

A small French fleet with transport and supply vessels sailed down the coast and was 'invited' ashore by a British Naval Squadron off the Cape Colony where the Governor General Maitland (yes he of Waterloo) had their ships repaired and forced them to play cricket (Maitland was a 1st Class Batsman). The French (perhaps diplomaticaly) lost the cricket game: British Cricket Victory. They are then 'escorted' by Her Majesties Navy until a storm arises. The French fleet survive but put into Reunion. After that nobody tracked their course. Some say that Zanzibar now carries a French flag others Aiden or Oman.


French Expedition to the Levant

Toulon and Marseilles are declared closed to merchant shipping. A vast armada of transport and supply vessels are hired,stolen, or impressed. They depart East and are sighted by British ships (British mid turn choice: assemble an interception fleet? Y/N). The Armada arrives near Cyprus and is informed it has been retaken by Egytian forces. Part of the Fleet continues and the other part bombards then lands troops to recover the Island in the name of King Othon of Greece.

Corps d’Hilliers

The Fleet that continued arrived off Beurit and after a bombardment General d’Hilliers and his Corps are landed and take Beirut: French Victory. After arranging matters in Beirut d’Hilliers swifty marches inland to fight the Battle of Damascus. He becomes the first Christian General to enter Damascus after victory since the Christian Mongul Kitbuqa in 1260: French Victory.

Leaving a garrison at Damascus he then turns north after sending word to the fleet. He divides his Corps but is able to occupy both Homs and Tartus without having to give battle. He orders some redeployments and these pass off peacefuly before sending dispatches back to France and south desribing his situation as "excellent".

d’Hilliers returns to Damascus and with a his main army advances north east toward Palmyra. He observes the ruins and continues his advance east.

Click image for larger version. Name: palmyra-syria-263524-sw.jpg Views: 8 Size: 149.5 KB ID: 7277

Then news reaches him that Homs is beseiged. He marches west with haste but is does not reach there in time to affect the First Battle of Homs. The garrison, trying to break out, are forced to give battle and the result is a French Defeat. When d’Hilliers arrives he begins a second seige. Later a relieving Ottoman force appears and there is a Second Battle of Homs during which the French persue the retreating Ottomans as far north as Hamah, which they storm. French tactical victory, strategic draw.

d’Hilliers then decides to withdraw from Homs and returns to Beirut. He sends dispatches to Bugeaud requesting support.


Corps Bugeaud

This is the second part of the French Armada and which has retaken Cyprus for Greece (OOC: and the French Naval base).

Having retaken Cyprus this part of the fleet arrives at Jaffa. (Jaffa pic here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ma...nfeind1887.jpg)

A bombardment ensues and then a brief Battle of Jaffa which results in a French Victory. Bugeaud leaves a garrison then swiflty marches onto Jerusalem which is surrendered on condition of respect for all religions. The French General respects the terms of surrender but arrest all Europeans "for their own safety" and send them to Jaffa. After having the region south scouted Bugeaud leaves a garrison and departs south ordering the fleet to supply him before he heads south for Cairo. He reaches Cairo and fights The Second Franco-Egyptian Battle under the the Pyramids which like the first is a French Victory.

Bugeaud sets up a Divan and proclaims himself Military Governor of Egypt until order is restored. He finds the British Ambassador in Cairo and has escorted to Jaffa "for his own safety". He then receives d’Hilliers request for support (the French mid turn choice; support d’Hilliers or try to subdue Egypt). Bugeaud sends a request to the fleet to meet him at Alexandria and leaving a strong garrison marches north.

A French Sqadron of the Fleet arrive before Bugeaud and proclaim the port closed. Merchant vessels attempt to run the blockade and some are sunk. The French start a bombardment until a British Squadron arrive. The French ships withdraw east to Aboukir. Bugeaud arrives and makes contact with the French ships. He assaults Alexandria from the land, the British ships do not interfer. The assualt goes badly; Tactical Draw. French strategic defeat. Bugeaud departs south leaving some troops and wounded to board on the French ships. He then evacuates Cairo and with it's garrison returns to Jaffa.



Britain

The Suppression of the Irish Rebellion is achieved with little loss of life (except for a few rebels) is achieved once new forces arrive at Dublin.

In British India Sir Charles Napier and troops of the East India Company with a British contingent attack Sind (Hyderabad - Karachi region). Two battles occur before British Victory is complete.


Austria


Austrian Conquest of Illyria (Albania)

A large Austrian army gathers at Sofia. A contingent heads west to Skopje where they find King Othon of Greece. They continue west and fight several skirmishes before entering reaching Tirana. A surrender is agreed and the Ottoman garrison later taken prisoner after a breach of their parol. The march continues to the coast and the ports are garrisoned. Austria declares the Adriatic 'open for trade'. A garrison is left at Tirana and a reinforcement sent by ship to Redzeky in Italy. The remaining troops return to Sofia. Austrian Victory.


Austro - Russian Suppression of the Hungarian Revolt

A second small Austrian army marches north (from Sofia) and is joined by reinforments from Vienna at Pecs, they carry with the body of Generel Benedek. Meanwhile at Lvov a Russian army under General of the Cavalry, Karl Lambert joins with Austrian contingents and march south west to Budapest. The armies from north and south converge on Budapest. The decree of the new Kaiser concerning "a two chambered Imperial Parliament" is handed to the remaining rebels who lay down what weapons they have. Order is restored. The Russian army returns to it bases and the Austrians return to Vienna and Sofia.

Austro - Prussian Advance on Constantinople

Before the Austrian army returns south from Budapest they are joined by a Prussian army. They head south together where they hear that Czar is at Plovdiv and the Greeks at Edirne. The joint force with Generals Warman and Dufour marches south east of Edirne and bases itself around Kesan where Prussian, Austrian and the Papal flags are raised.

Austrian Suppresion of the Italian Revolt

Radetzky receives reinforcement by ship from Illyria and takes the offensive. One minor skirmish outside Milan before order is restored.



Piedmont Sardinia

A small fleet and elite force under Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Genoa, having received the Popes blessing and a Papal banner set out from Genoa and passing through the Straits of Messina reach Cyprus. There they are welcomed by General Bugeaud. The Prince and General dine together. The Prince and the Sardinian fleet proceed to Beirut where they arrive at the end of the battle. The Prince meets the French General d’Hilliers.

They leave with d’Hilliers for Damascus and take part in the battle there. The Prince raises the Papal banner over his residence in Damascus making him the first ever (to my knowledge) to do so. He pays his respects at the tomb of Saladin. The Prince and his force accompany the French force to Tartus where his ships have helped the French in a bombardment. The Prince is able to stop the French garrison at Tartus retreating when d’Hilliers withdraws from Homs.[/SPOILER]
 
Provide rules, a map, and nation templates, etc.
Without such things ^^^ your game seems too unfinished. You need to create the game structure or it will fail from the start.
 
Top Bottom