1881
Happenings in Europe
Catalonian nationalists executed several Bonapartist-affiliated government officials in Barcelona this year, preceding outright calls for independence against the government. While the list of complaints is quite long, the over-arching theme is Spain's continued support of French-Bonapartist bullying and expansion throughout Europe and the world. The movement was soon joined by many unhappy Catalonians, and it seems that a full independence movement has sprung up. (-Spanish Economy, -Spanish Regional Stability, -5 Spanish Infantry Brigades)
Taking advantage of a distracted Ottoman Empire, Greek forces launched an invasion of Thessaly. Soldiers from Athens marched towards Larissa, and captured the town without much of a fight, as many of the regions ethnic Greeks joined from the countryside. Before long, however, a significant portion of the Ottoman army was brought to bear on the Greeks, who fell short of their goal of capturing Thessaloniki. Not wishing to invoke the ire of Bulgaria or Serbia as well, the Ottoman's have been attempting to handle the situation as tactfully as possible. (-5 Greek Infantry Brigades, -1 Greek Cavalry Brigade, -1 Greek Artillery Brigade, -4 Ottoman Infantry Brigades, -1 Ottoman Artillery Brigade)
Fighting in the Ionian Sea has disrupted some trade traffic between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The Greeks have somehow managed to keep the Turkish fleet from dealing it a crushing blow, and has raided several Turkish port cities in Asia Minor. (-Romanian Economy -Russian Economy, -Bulgarian Economy, -Ottoman Economy, -Greek Economy, -1 Greek Cruiser, -1 Greek Frigate, -3 Greek Gunboats, -2 Ottoman Cruisers, -2 Ottoman Gunboats)
Several Greek conspirators attempted to kill the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II in Constantinople. Luckily for the Sultan, the Arab's missed all of their shots, and were quickly apprehended by Palace guards.
The Treaty of Trieste has secured the Austrians access to the port of Trieste, free of all tolls and tariffs for exports. Trieste has already quickly become a hub for Austrian trade, and Austrian entrepreneurs have actively been looking for ways to invest in the city's infrastructure. (+Austrian Economy, +1 Austrian Trade Route)
A railway between Bergen and Oslo began construction this year. (+Danish Economy)
Bavarian infrastructure continues to grow as the government funds mre railway and canal expansion. On top of that, an allowance of money has been given to each local municipality to spend at their own discretion on community buildings. This, coupled with attempts to subsidize industries threatened by French expansion saw a general increase in the Bavarian economy. (+Bavarian Economy)
Public outcry against Jewish emigration from Russia to the Duchy of Warsaw has led to several protests, and the deaths of a few Jews in the city of Lodz.
Denmark has called for elections this year. The Conservative Højre party managed to edge out the liberal Venstre, though just barely. Colonial expansion secured another term for the Højre.
The Russian Trans-Siberian railroad is under continued construction. A small bit of headway was made from the East, with both railways hoping to meet somewhere in the middle of Siberia.
Calls for independence by a group of Czech nationalists stirred up some rioting within the Austrian Empire. While Emperor Franz Joseph has done a decent job in keeping a can on the nationalist tendencies of many of the ethnicities within the empire, something caught on this year, and before long several hundred Czechs took to the streets protesting Austrian rule. (-Regional Austrian stability)
A petition through a few regions of the German Confederation to join with Prussia have been stifled.
A group of escaped slaves from the United States, made their way to Paris by way of Canadian steamship, to personally plead to the Napoleonic government for some sort of relief for the plight of their fellow slaves back home.
Several Italian nationalists from Padania were arrested for attempting to incite riots against French rule in northern Italy. Despite their arrests, the public was still stirred up a bit. (-French regional stability)
Parliamentary elections in Genoa saw the Conservatives eek out a victory. The Nationalist Unity Party did managed to win a significant portion of the seats in Parliament, with the Liberals coming losing a majority of their seats to the upstart Unitarians.
Venetian Elections took a similar tune as their Genoan counter-parts, with the Conservatives maintaining power in the Major Council, but with Italian Nationalists becoming a substantial menace to the order at hand.
Happenings in Africa
Calls for greater autonomy from direct rule was heard from the British South Africa.
British settlement from South Africa began to expand northward towards the Tswana people. Through a mixture of driven colonization, and brutal military tactics, the British pushed much of the non-assimilating Tswana out of their ancestral homelands, and sent them either farther north, or towards the Boer Republics, who summarily butchered much of the tribes members themselves. (-2 British Infantry Brigades, -1 British Cavalry Brigade, -1 Transvaali Infantry Brigade, -1 Orange Infantry Brigade)
The rest of Britain's South African army turned itself to subjugate the Swazi tribes. Fighting proved intense, and not all the tribes were fully eradicated. (-2 British Infantry Brigades, -1 British Artillery Brigade)
Duel treaties with local tribes confused officials in both France and New England, as the rights to the village of Abeokuta, situated between the two powers became a source of contention, as military units from both nations attempted to occupy it. Much to the glee of the locals, the two powers squared off, and a small fire-fight ensued, with French soldiers killing or injuring close to a dozen New Englanders, with few casualties themselves.
French forces have finally captured the legendary city of Timbuktu. (-3 French Infantry Brigades, -1 French Cavalry Brigade)
A similar situation occurred south of Portuguese Guinea, as Venetian adventurers and French military detachments attempted to settle the same plot of land. The Venetians, who had already gotten to the region first (and established a series of fortifications) offered to not bother the French if they settled further down the coast. The French complied, though military units from both powers raced inland to lay claim to as much as possible. (+French Guinea, -2 French Infantry Brigade, +Venetian West Africa, -1 Venetian Infantry Brigade)
Further British expansion along the Horn of Africa has continued rather un-impeded, with local kings declaring themselves to be a part of the growing British Empire.
The expansion of European powers in West Africa continued in earnest this year, as the Danish, French and British government continues to send soldiers to fight the Ashanti tribes that have been raiding the northern end of their settlements. The superiority of Western arms consistently over-powered their Ashanti counter-parts, though the expansion came at a price. (-2 British Infantry Brigades, -3 Danish Infantry Brigades, -3 French Infantry Brigades)
Peace with Merina was announced by Emperor Napoleon III, on the basis of Madagascar being turned into a colonial protectorate of the French Empire. The Merinian King has still been given the right to rule on small domestic matters, and continues to hold court, despite the presence of French soldiers and civil administrators who have set about reforming the new colony. The first order of business has been the ending of the slave-trade to the dismay of much of the Merchant aristocracy on the island. Slave holding factions have rallied together to fight off the French attempts at forcing the new abolition laws on them, and a small civil revolt has broken out throughout the island. (-2 French Infantry Brigades)
Deep within the confines of the Congo, French explorers, settlers and missionaries have set about taming the wilderness. Using the Congo as a highway of sorts, the French have begun setting up varied trading posts, and instituting some form of western law wherever they can.
Prussian missionaries have begun constructing schools to help 'civilize' their new Zanzibar protectorate.
A Muslim named Muhammad Ahmad began an open revolt against Ottoman rule in Egypt, declaring himself the Mahdi, the redeemer of the Islamic world. Anti-Ottoman tensions throughout the Egyptian-Sudanese territory lead to many to follow the Mahdi's call for arms against the Ottomans, who have struggled to put down the revolt. (-9 Ottoman Infantry Brigades, -2 Ottoman Cavalry Brigades, -3 Ottoman Artillery Brigades)
Happenings in Central and Southern Asia
The Russian Empire and Persia have continued to move into Central Asia, loading more and more forces into the region, in an attempt to suppress the Uzbeks. Resistance stiffened a bit this year as the Uzbeks began making last stands throughout the region. The Russians made it to the Syr Darya, though after a year of hard-campaigning decided to stop and regroup before pressing the assaults. (-5 Russian Infantry Brigades, -2 Russian Cavalry Brigades, -1 Russian Artillery Brigade, -4 Persian Infantry Brigades, -1 Persian Cavalry Brigade)
Happenings in East Asia
The Chinese have continued to invest their money into the Imperial Road network. (+Chinese Economy)
The Chinese Emperor has made it a point to ensure the safety of Western Opium traders, and has sent significant portions of his army to be stationed in all major Chinese ports. Incidents of violence between the westerners and the Chinese have dropped significantly since the move, but outcry against the Emperor for allowing for the Opium trade to continue has reached an all-time high.
The United States has turned quite the profit, selling some of its antiquated battleships to the East Asian powers. China bought itself 1 of the battleships, while Korea bought 2. In the latter case, the United States also sent over several officers to help train the Koreans on how to properly sale the battleships.
New English, American and Californian industrialists have started investing heavily in Korean industry. Factories have started popping up in Hanseong, with Nobi workers producing textiles and other goods under the watchful eyes of their masters. (+Korean Economy)
A "Great Patriotic Reform" began taking place in Japan this year, with many sweeping reforms based largely off of pre-existing western ideals. The humiliation that the empire faced at the hands of the French fleet was a major catalyst for the recent attempts at reform, though much of Japan's conservative populace hasn't exactly taken the reforms in stride. Regardless, with the help of several prominent English industrialists and engineers, industry and trade has already started to be spurred on in the Empire, though the entirety of the reform process is supposed to take several years. (+Japanese Economy, -Japanese Stability)
Happenings in the Pacific
Great Britain and Prussia have come to an amiable agreement in regards to the settlement of New Britain with British marines peacefully retreating from the islands. (-New Britain)
Meanwhile, Britain hasn't spent long looking for new islands in the region to lay claim to. Both Vanuatu and Tonga were declared protectorates of the British Empire.
Prussia has continued to expand it's military presence in the East Indies, by laying claim to large parts of the coast of New Guinea.
Shooting started between a small flotilla of Portuguese and Dutch ships, over some minor islands in the Banda Sea. The Dutch sent a few ships to claim the islands, but were shocked to already find a Portuguese presence on the islands. Courteous diplomacy failed, and the Portuguese refused to leave the islands. The Dutch maneuvered their flotilla to corner the smaller Portuguese fleet, which summarily began firing at the Dutch. The superior might of the Dutch fleet left 1 Portuguese gunboat sinking, and a few Portuguese sailors dead. (-1 Portuguese Gun-boat)
Venetian traders were supplemented by ships from the Doge's fleet, as they began to lay claim and settle some lands around Geelvink Bay in New Guinea. (+Venetian East Indies)
Tribes in Borneo massacred a collection of missionaries from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands this year. The reasoning behind the murders wasn't clear, though merchants from the two nations have stayed clear of the area until further notice.
Chilean ships laid claim to parts of Polynesia, furthering it's want for recognition as a Pacific power.
A British garrison and flotilla took up residency in Hawaii, as per the agreement between the two powers made last year.
Happenings in North America
A native revolt took place late this year, across much of Central North America, with several Sioux tribes coming together to fight off American and Canadian rules. The Sioux were supplemented in part by a sizable number of freed and escaped slaves from both the United States and Canada, and managed to receive weapons from some unknown sources. The Indians raced to defend the area against continued encroachment on their lands, and managed to fight off a few half-hearted American and Michiganian attempts at surprising the fighting. (-2 United States Infantry Brigades, -1 Michiganian Infantry Brigade, -United States Economy, -Canadian Economy, -Michiganian Economy)
Despite high tensions during the Scramble for Oregon last year, cooler heads eventually prevailed between the Russian Empire, the United States of America and the United Kingdom and her Dominions. The previously proposed Montreal Convention has essentially signed by the United States of America, splitting the territory into three fairly even parts. As part of the compromise British, Canadian and Russian officials were supposed to return the stolen slaves to officials in the American region, though most came up short in their searches. (+1 American Trade Route, +1 Canadian Trade Route)
The citizens of what was Oregon Country have had a tougher time adjusting to the changes than their governments did. The cultural hodge-podge of Anglo-American-Russian communities now found themselves under direct rule from one of the three powers. Abolitionists in American Oregon have continued to create trouble, despite the signing of the Convention, and anti-Tsarist protests have become a common occurrence in Russian Oregon. Overall, many of the second-generation Oregonians feel as though the Montreal Convention forgot to include the wants of the people actually living in Oregon. (-American Regional Stability, -Russian Regional Stability, -Canadian Regional Stability)
The United States has begun to assemble a massive military complex off the coast of Coos Bay in Oregon. The improvements have been going rather well, though some minor acts of sabotage have set work progress back a few days here and there.
French Prime Minister Alexi de Tocqueville has went on a goodwill tour of both Mexico and California, with a small army of aides and other French officials. Things went well, though during a stop at Vera Cruz, Mexican Anarchists fired shots at him, with several landing close to the Prime Minister. Undeterred, Tocqueville continued his tour further south, which ended in Panama City, where he inspected the French garrison.
The harsh weather experienced across North America last year caused many crop failures. In the midst of the Oregon Crisis, few states expressed care for the loss of agriculture, save for the Korean Empire, which attempted to send the United States a large amount of wheat as a gift. The United States quickly rejected the wheat, and sent it back to Korea, with President Forrest claiming that American agriculture can cover their needs.
The United States government has set aside a fairly nice bit of money for inventors and general innovators that wish to come to the United States and patent their ideas. European intellectuals have thus far been a bit hesitant to make the trip over, but Latin American scientists and industrialists have started making the trek. This is to go with the industrial subsidies that President Forrest has been passing, and the opening of polytechnic schools in both St. Louis and Atlanta.
A group of extremist-abolitionists took to freeing several dozen slaves in Virginia, creating havoc in the farms outside of Richmond. Upwards of 20 people were killed or injured, and the chaos only broke when a few of the abolitionists were captured by government officials and hung.
California established a National University in Los Angeles.
Happenings in Central America and the Caribbean
A revolution broke out in the Central American Republic this year, as factory workers began striking for better working conditions. While the liberal party has been attempting to rule benevolently, industrialists have continued to court their interests with backroom deals and payoffs. After a short while, the strikes had to be broken by the military. Several units refused to fire on the protestors, with many of the soldiers actually joining their ranks. The liberal government soon fell, as General Guardia declared himself temporary ruler of the Central American Republic until a new government could be formed. (-3 Central American Infantry Brigades, -Central American Economy)
Elections in El Salvador saw the Liberals retaining power, as a show of national unity while faced with the events occurring in the Central American Republic.
Happenings in South America
Elections in Gran Colombia were particularly heated this year, with the Conservative Party sweeping both the Executive and the Legislature. Complaints against Gran Colombia's recent alliance with the United States and Brazil were some of the most contested topics, and the conservative party's refusal to become a "Yankee Lapdog" was ultimately what lead to the victory.
British expansion into Patagonia has been slightly checked by Chile, who has been arming and supplying the Mapuche Natives with weaponry to prevent such an expansion from happening. The Platine village of Choele Choel was attacked and burned by some of these armed Mapuche, and before long British regulars marched south and struck back at several Mapuche villages. (-2 British Infantry Brigades, -1 British Cavalry Brigade)
Calls for the abolition of slavery in the Brazilian state of Bahai have become more pronounced this year, as several escaped slaves took to murdering and raping several citizens in the province. A large portion of Brazil's Negroes and mulattoes have already been freed through manumission, and have added their voices to the calls for reform. (-Regional Brazilian Stability)
The Brazilian government has started constructing elaborate telegraph lines throughout the empire.
Elections in Peru lead to a hawkish government finally taking action against Bolivia after many years of territorial dispute and tensions between the two governments. Peruvian armed forces attempted to extend their influence a bit deeper inland from its southern Pacific-coast territories, and found themselves quickly rebuffed by Bolivian armed forces. The counter-invasion by the Bolivians were led by a French ex-patriate, Simon Guizot and captured the city of Iquique, without much of an issue. The real fighting took place around the lake front near Titicaca, where entrenched Peruvian forces were systematically expelled by the Bolivians. (-4 Bolivian Infantry Brigades, -1 Bolivian Cavalry Brigade, -1 Bolivian Artillery Brigade, -5 Peruvian Infantry Brigades, -1 Peruvian Cavalry Brigade, -3 Peruvian Artillery Brigades)
The naval theatre of the war was decidedly less spectacular, with the Peruvians gaining a clear upper-hand. The Peruvian fleet, though expelled from Iquique managed to blockade much of the Bolivian coast-line. (-1 Bolivian Frigate, -3 Bolivian Gunboats, -3 Peruvian Gunboats)
The Paraguayan dictatorship demanded economic compensation from Sul, after a Paraguayan steamer blew up in a Sul river, under some mysterious circumstances.
Military Developments
The United States and Brazil designed the E. Kirby Smith-class Battleship.
Political Forum
Trade Forum
The Austrian Empire and Britain have started trading.
The United Kingdom and the Dominion of Canada have started trading.
The United Kingdom and New England have started trading.
The United Kingdom and the Empire of Japan have started trading.
The Russian Empire and Denmark have started trading.
The United States of America and Russia have started trading.
Sul and Chile have started trading.
Peru and Gran Colombia have started trading.
California and the Commonwealth of New England have started trading.
The Commonwealth of New England and the Netherlands have started trading.
Portugal and Sweden have started trading.
Khalistan and the Ottoman Empire have started trading.
Spain and the Ottoman Empire have started trading.
The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and Genoa have started trading.
Padania and Greece have started trading.
Texas and Spain have started trading.
Ecuador and Mexico have started trading.
Hannover and Sweden have started trading.
Romania and Portugal have started trading.
Bulgaria and the Netherlands have started trading.
Chile and Gran Colombia have started trading.
Political
Austria and Venice have entered into a Military Alliance
Diplomacy
To: Great Britain, Brazil
From: Bolivia
Peruvian soldiers crossed into our lands, and spilled our own blood on our own soil. We hope you see who the aggressor is here.
To: European Powers, Balkan Peoples
From: Greece
Join together! Let us throw off the shackles of Turkish rule, and together march forward to a more peaceful future!
Bonuses
Tales of Yang Li's bravery has lead to a few extra conscripts for the
Chinese Empire +4 Chinese Infantry Brigades
The
Venetian Government managed to work on a surplus this year! +10 Banked Venetian EP
The Japanese Empire has a lot of reforming to go through, but that extra money they found will help out a bit. +10 Banked Japanese EP
Korea got a visit from some American soldiers of fortune, who happened to forget some of their guns. (+2 Korean Artillery Brigades)
OOC:
To: Everyone: Aside from a few individuals I'm disappointed with the world-building you guys are doing. It makes moderating this seem more like a job, and less interesting.
To: ZD, GK and Immaculate: You guys really mucked up a pretty map with your Oregon borders.
To: ZD, Blaze Injun: You two were already trading via land.
To: Everyone: Stats, other tune-ups and the like will be posted upon completion, hopefully tonight. Wait until tomorrow to point out any mistakes, usually I like to try to see if I can figure them out myself. Also, I am interested in player-feedback. If you have any questions or tips for me, I'm happy to hear them privately.