Update 2: January 1, 1892 - December 31, 1892
Middle East
Anatolia
Spoiler :
Fast-developing territory with booming labor market, strong mining and agricultural production, and up-and-coming industry.
Surrounded by good people
1892: Trying to emphasize the role of Sultan Abdülhamid II as the man that unites the tradition and the modernity, the Grand Divan has “assisted” the young monarch with choosing primarily intellectuals, technocrats, and progressive Islamic clerics as ceremonial figures and parts of his entourage. Besides directly influencing the atmosphere of the Topkapi Palace, this move also sent a clear signal to the Ottoman society that the nation will continue its steady pace into the modernity.(Regional quest completed with success, region Anatolia gains +10 IC, +5 MC, Regional Growth Fluctuation +0.25%, Sublime Porte losses: -0.93 HC, -1.44 IC, -2.09 EC, -0.51 MC)
Twenty classes
1892: Pontic Greeks are sizeable and proud minority in the Turkish Black Sea shore, and they were never particularly liked by the Ottoman authorities. Until recently, however, they were let be, as long as they didn’t claim much power and paid their taxes. All of it has now changed because of the problem of Greek Aegean piracy, combined with the growing movement that demanded greater Pontic Greek representation in the Janissary corps and thus in the Grand Divan. Highly patriotic (and a bit too fervorous) wali (“governor”) of the Trebizond Vilayet chose to solve the problem through a ruse. A forced conscription program officially named “Soldiers for Public works by drawing of twenty lots” (nicknamed “the Twenty Classes”) started to round up Pontic Greek males of all ages and assign them to “asistant engineering” battalions that, coincidentally, wear no military uniform, do not get issued any weapons, and have no Turkish (or generally Muslim) soldiers assigned to them. These “battalions” then are designated to perform excruciatingly heavy labor in horrible conditions, “allowing” the Pontic Greeks to prove their value to the military and thus, maybe, eventually, produce some outstanding officers that could claim the position of a pasha, someday. Needless to say, the Pontic Greeks and even Turkish intellectuals see the “Twenty Classes” as an appalling ridicule mixed with all signs of forced labor.
Simpletons and big ideas
1892: The school education reform in Anatolian vilayets was completed this year with quite a success, establishing a state of the art school infrastructure across the vast region and producing plenty of public support for that achievement. The biggest achievement of this reform is that it created strong, stable system of basic education for the new generation of Turkish students and workers that is guaranteed to pay back in the years to come. On the negative side, critics point out that absolutely no effort was made to educate the displaced workers that are too old for returning back to regular basic schools and are thus driven to the fringe of the society, working low-paying, manual jobs or, even worse, turning to crime and extremism. (Regional quest completed with success, region Anatolia gains +30 IC, -10 EC, -5 MC, Regional Growth Trend +1%, Sublime Porte losses: -4.06 HC, -3.63 IC, -9.28 EC, -4.56 MC)
Shady enosis
1892: The Greek word “enosis” means “union,” and for the Cypriot Greeks it emphasizes their desire to reunite with the free state of Greece. For years, non-Turkish population of the island has been kept largely illiterate, meaning that their role in the local economy was of manual workers or subsistence farmers, incapable of effectively putting together an organized reunification movement. In the last year, however, it seems like the Cypriot Greek diaspora has received plenty of funds, and Ottoman agents suspect that this wealth comes from dealing with Italian-backed Balkan Greek syndicates of rather questionable business nature. Now it’s up to the Sublime Porte (or a foreign player) to decide how to deal with it.
Merit and tradition
1892: In full accordance with the strong progressive trend in its recent policies and state decisions, the Grand Divan chose to reform the Janissary officer corps to reflect the dynamic, meritocratic environment of other European and even East-Asian armies. From now on, new officer positions were instructed to be given solely on educational achievements and field experience, while old boys’ networks and bribes became a one-way ticket out of a military career. The old guard pashas who supported (or, at least, not objected) the reform, were allowed to keep their positions, but any known complainers and corruptioneers were “allowed to retire.” Besides boosting the region’s intellectual and educational blossom, this reform also cut many shady ties that Mexican and Gran-Paraguayan investors used to use for controlling a greater share of Turkish military procurement industry. (Regional quest completed with success, region Anatolia gains +20 IC, Sublime Porte gains +4% Regional Influence, Mexico loses -2% Regional Influence, Gran Paraguay loses -2% Regional Influence, Sublime Porte losses: -1.4 HC, -2.17 IC, -3.14 EC, -0.76 MC)
Turkish Cilicia? Armenian Cilicia!
1892: Armenian population of Cilicia is enjoying a massive population boom that drives more and more hillside villagers of Armenian descent to the Adana plain. Not only are they starting to outnumber Turkish residents of that region, important both in terms of naval commerce and pharmaceutical industry, but they also tend to dominate the job market thanks to a better average level of education (an area in which Anatolian Turks won’t be able to outcompete the Armenians until a new generation of school students joins the job market) and an extreme sense of communal solidarity. This, of course, gives birth to a lot of ethnic tensions and economic anxiety, with some hotheads even proposing extreme measures, such as ethnic cleansings and pogroms.
Pocket battleship
1892: After the last year’s embarrassment, the Admiralty threw more resources into the ambitious new project, this time fixing the damage done and achieving humble, but visible progress. However, at this rate it seems like the ambitious “pocket battleship” project could turn into a decade-long Odyssey of questionable value. Western-European shipbuilding experts point out that the problems that plague Turkish shipbuilders boil down to two factors: backwardness of technology and lack of an amassed, concentrated effort of the Turkish industry on the complex task at hand. (Technology quest progress: 6.62%, Sublime Porte losses: -2.72 HC, -0.67 IC, -6.33 IC, -4.63 MC)
Surrounded by good people
Spoiler :
1891: Now that the figurehead of the nation is chosen in full accordance with the Grand Divan’s modernization-oriented agenda, it’s time to make the best out of ceremonial and court appointments. Some positions have already been filled, but now the entire entourage of the Sultan needs to take shape, and it’s clear that these people, as vague and insignificant as their titles are, will have a lot of influence on the decisions of the Grand Divan. Old-school Janissary pashas argue for filing the court with distinguished and influential war heroes and Muslim clerics, which would help to attract a lot of popular support and please the masses. Younger generation of officers lobbies for surrounding the Sultan with children of prominent industrialists and capitalists, promoting continuous modernization of the Ottoman state. Intellectuals would love to see the court that endorses arts and sciences, while provincial elites want to see greater ethnic and religious diversity in the court, promising that that could improve provincial loyalty and thus boost tax revenue.
1892: Trying to emphasize the role of Sultan Abdülhamid II as the man that unites the tradition and the modernity, the Grand Divan has “assisted” the young monarch with choosing primarily intellectuals, technocrats, and progressive Islamic clerics as ceremonial figures and parts of his entourage. Besides directly influencing the atmosphere of the Topkapi Palace, this move also sent a clear signal to the Ottoman society that the nation will continue its steady pace into the modernity.(Regional quest completed with success, region Anatolia gains +10 IC, +5 MC, Regional Growth Fluctuation +0.25%, Sublime Porte losses: -0.93 HC, -1.44 IC, -2.09 EC, -0.51 MC)
Twenty classes
1892: Pontic Greeks are sizeable and proud minority in the Turkish Black Sea shore, and they were never particularly liked by the Ottoman authorities. Until recently, however, they were let be, as long as they didn’t claim much power and paid their taxes. All of it has now changed because of the problem of Greek Aegean piracy, combined with the growing movement that demanded greater Pontic Greek representation in the Janissary corps and thus in the Grand Divan. Highly patriotic (and a bit too fervorous) wali (“governor”) of the Trebizond Vilayet chose to solve the problem through a ruse. A forced conscription program officially named “Soldiers for Public works by drawing of twenty lots” (nicknamed “the Twenty Classes”) started to round up Pontic Greek males of all ages and assign them to “asistant engineering” battalions that, coincidentally, wear no military uniform, do not get issued any weapons, and have no Turkish (or generally Muslim) soldiers assigned to them. These “battalions” then are designated to perform excruciatingly heavy labor in horrible conditions, “allowing” the Pontic Greeks to prove their value to the military and thus, maybe, eventually, produce some outstanding officers that could claim the position of a pasha, someday. Needless to say, the Pontic Greeks and even Turkish intellectuals see the “Twenty Classes” as an appalling ridicule mixed with all signs of forced labor.
Simpletons and big ideas
Spoiler :
1890: Modernization of the Ottoman economy is in the full swing, but Turkish peasantry and urban commoners are woefully uneducated. That makes them cheap manual workers, but leaves them little place in modern factories or increasingly mechanized mines. To make matters worse, a growing part of Anatolian peasantry is feeling left behind by the pace of progress and turn instead to dangerous practices of Islamic socialism, akin to the Waisi movement of Russian Tatars or the Ummahism of the Khedivate of Egypt.
1891: The Sublime Porte chose a radical, brave approach to solving the problem of its illiterate workforce. A full-scale education reform was initiated, providing children of the rural and urban working class with access to secular or pluralist system of high-quality, modern education. On the negative side, this reform failed to address the problem of low literacy among the currently unemployed workers, majority of which are way past their school age. When the reform is completed, it could provide some great long-term results, but it is likely to completely alienate the contemporary generation of unemployed workers. (Regional quest progress: 89.14%, Sublime Porte losses: -2.16 HC, -2.05 IC, -4.93 EC, -2.32 MC)
1891: The Sublime Porte chose a radical, brave approach to solving the problem of its illiterate workforce. A full-scale education reform was initiated, providing children of the rural and urban working class with access to secular or pluralist system of high-quality, modern education. On the negative side, this reform failed to address the problem of low literacy among the currently unemployed workers, majority of which are way past their school age. When the reform is completed, it could provide some great long-term results, but it is likely to completely alienate the contemporary generation of unemployed workers. (Regional quest progress: 89.14%, Sublime Porte losses: -2.16 HC, -2.05 IC, -4.93 EC, -2.32 MC)
1892: The school education reform in Anatolian vilayets was completed this year with quite a success, establishing a state of the art school infrastructure across the vast region and producing plenty of public support for that achievement. The biggest achievement of this reform is that it created strong, stable system of basic education for the new generation of Turkish students and workers that is guaranteed to pay back in the years to come. On the negative side, critics point out that absolutely no effort was made to educate the displaced workers that are too old for returning back to regular basic schools and are thus driven to the fringe of the society, working low-paying, manual jobs or, even worse, turning to crime and extremism. (Regional quest completed with success, region Anatolia gains +30 IC, -10 EC, -5 MC, Regional Growth Trend +1%, Sublime Porte losses: -4.06 HC, -3.63 IC, -9.28 EC, -4.56 MC)
Shady enosis
1892: The Greek word “enosis” means “union,” and for the Cypriot Greeks it emphasizes their desire to reunite with the free state of Greece. For years, non-Turkish population of the island has been kept largely illiterate, meaning that their role in the local economy was of manual workers or subsistence farmers, incapable of effectively putting together an organized reunification movement. In the last year, however, it seems like the Cypriot Greek diaspora has received plenty of funds, and Ottoman agents suspect that this wealth comes from dealing with Italian-backed Balkan Greek syndicates of rather questionable business nature. Now it’s up to the Sublime Porte (or a foreign player) to decide how to deal with it.
Merit and tradition
Spoiler :
1890: A split is growing among Ottoman officers and magistrates. Historically, any Ottoman official has had some relation to the military or naval authorities, and the recent attempt to establish modern educational standards among officers has caused a lot of discontent among the well-entrenched old guard. From their perspective, the new generation of public and military servants are inexperienced idealists who think that listening to a lecture or two makes them good leaders. The opposite side, on the other hand, views their predecessors as inept and corrupt nepotists. Some solution of this internal crisis needs to be found soon, least other powers use it for their benefit.
1891: The Sublime Porte was trying to calm down the old elite by providing it with opportunities to retire to gain safe, unimportant positions within the government, a move that left many younger generation officers reeling with contempt, because the move was viewed as awarding corruption. On the other hand, an attempt to promote experienced war heroes from the younger generation saw a very limited number of promotions, because the military education reform was too recent to give the younger, better educated officers many opportunities to gain war experience. Still, despite mixed results, the Porte’s agents are close to calming the discontent and ensuring silence and obedience in the both parts of the officer corps.(Regional quest progress: 55.79%, Sublime Porte losses: -0.99 HC, -1.53 IC, -2.22 EC, -0.54 MC)
1891: The Sublime Porte was trying to calm down the old elite by providing it with opportunities to retire to gain safe, unimportant positions within the government, a move that left many younger generation officers reeling with contempt, because the move was viewed as awarding corruption. On the other hand, an attempt to promote experienced war heroes from the younger generation saw a very limited number of promotions, because the military education reform was too recent to give the younger, better educated officers many opportunities to gain war experience. Still, despite mixed results, the Porte’s agents are close to calming the discontent and ensuring silence and obedience in the both parts of the officer corps.(Regional quest progress: 55.79%, Sublime Porte losses: -0.99 HC, -1.53 IC, -2.22 EC, -0.54 MC)
1892: In full accordance with the strong progressive trend in its recent policies and state decisions, the Grand Divan chose to reform the Janissary officer corps to reflect the dynamic, meritocratic environment of other European and even East-Asian armies. From now on, new officer positions were instructed to be given solely on educational achievements and field experience, while old boys’ networks and bribes became a one-way ticket out of a military career. The old guard pashas who supported (or, at least, not objected) the reform, were allowed to keep their positions, but any known complainers and corruptioneers were “allowed to retire.” Besides boosting the region’s intellectual and educational blossom, this reform also cut many shady ties that Mexican and Gran-Paraguayan investors used to use for controlling a greater share of Turkish military procurement industry. (Regional quest completed with success, region Anatolia gains +20 IC, Sublime Porte gains +4% Regional Influence, Mexico loses -2% Regional Influence, Gran Paraguay loses -2% Regional Influence, Sublime Porte losses: -1.4 HC, -2.17 IC, -3.14 EC, -0.76 MC)
Turkish Cilicia? Armenian Cilicia!
1892: Armenian population of Cilicia is enjoying a massive population boom that drives more and more hillside villagers of Armenian descent to the Adana plain. Not only are they starting to outnumber Turkish residents of that region, important both in terms of naval commerce and pharmaceutical industry, but they also tend to dominate the job market thanks to a better average level of education (an area in which Anatolian Turks won’t be able to outcompete the Armenians until a new generation of school students joins the job market) and an extreme sense of communal solidarity. This, of course, gives birth to a lot of ethnic tensions and economic anxiety, with some hotheads even proposing extreme measures, such as ethnic cleansings and pogroms.
Pocket battleship
Spoiler :
1891: Smyrna warfs are rumored to be working on a brand new type of a ship that doesn’t revolutionize any concepts of naval warfare, but combines existing armament, engine, and hull technologies to produce powerful, short-range warships capable of shore protection. Unfortunately, the single warf assigned to work on the new project proved to be lacking some critical knowledge and capacity to work on an experimental project of that scope, resulting in a series of accidents and a needless loss of materiel. It seems like more state-sponsored efforts need to put to into this project for it to produce a presentable result. (Technology quest progress: -3.21%, Sublime Porte losses: -1.37 HC, -0.34 IC, -3.20 EC, -2.34 MC)
1892: After the last year’s embarrassment, the Admiralty threw more resources into the ambitious new project, this time fixing the damage done and achieving humble, but visible progress. However, at this rate it seems like the ambitious “pocket battleship” project could turn into a decade-long Odyssey of questionable value. Western-European shipbuilding experts point out that the problems that plague Turkish shipbuilders boil down to two factors: backwardness of technology and lack of an amassed, concentrated effort of the Turkish industry on the complex task at hand. (Technology quest progress: 6.62%, Sublime Porte losses: -2.72 HC, -0.67 IC, -6.33 IC, -4.63 MC)
Greater Caucasus
Spoiler :
Stagnant, divided region, rich with natural resources.
Pontic smugglers
Riches of the Caucasus
Great Armenia, Greater Armenia
Pontic smugglers
Spoiler :
1890: Abkhazian boatmen have been chased to the port of Sukhumi by a Turkish patrol gunboat. Blamed for smuggling wine to and from Crimea (perhaps, rightfully), they hoped to find a cover in the city after abandoning their boat. After ignoring all calls for restraint, the Turkish gunboat entered Georgian waters and opened fire on the moored boat, miraculously not causing any damage to the city (and the boat itself). While no physical damage was done, newspapers on both sides have raised hell over the incident.
Riches of the Caucasus
Spoiler :
1890: Imam Mushthaid of the Caucasian Imamate has been approached by the elders of 12 influential Chechen and Ingush teips (clans), with complaints over his increased diplomatic dependency on the Sublime Porte in his attempts to not succumb to Russia (the Turks, they argue, are mainstream Sunni at best (or secularists at worst), not Wahabbi true believers). Meanwhile, the amalgam of Dagestani tribes, having grown rich on the Caspian Sea trade, is supportive of greater ties with Russian Astrakhani Tatars and Jews, hoping to benefit from Russian capital the same way the Khan of Khiva did. Now the religious tribal Imamate seems to be torn between two major players in the region.
Great Armenia, Greater Armenia
Spoiler :
1890: Armenians have applauded gradual secularization of the post-Ottoman state of the Sublime Porte, but they’re growing agitated seeing oppression of their brothers and sisters in the Caucasian Imamate. Several pashas of Armenian descent lobby for applying diplomatic pressure on the Imam to change the position of Armenian communities in the Caucasian Wahhabi state. This, however, is not an easy political fight, especially since Georgia and Russia are both happy to use the plight of Caucasian Armenians (fellow Orthodox Christians, albeit of Armenian Apostolic branch) in their diplomatic games and business expansion.
Arabia
Spoiler :
Slowly-developing, underpopulated region with rudimentary, primitive economy, but unexplored natural resource deposits.
1892: In another colonial venture of the Porto-Brazilian Twin Crown, its naval forces were dispatched from Goa to the Persian Gulf, ordered to secure Qatar, Bahrain, and other “primitive” statelets that exist in the vicinity of the sea. They were able to do so easily, with the natives possessing no arms that could realistically damage the fleet or even its marine infantry detachments. However, the expenditures of labor and materiel were rather high because of the poor logistics and appalling climatic conditions in the region. Now, only the depth of the Arabian desert are “unclaimed” by any centralized powers. (Portugal-Brazil gains +20% Regional Influence, uncolonized loses -20% Regional Influence, Portugal-Brazil losses: -2.18 HC, -1.40 IC, -2.87 EC, -4.99 MC)
The sea and the desert
The Bloody Haj
1892: The Hejaz Railway was completed this year, signifying a great change in the economic and infrastructural history of the region. In addition to that, the authorities of the Sublime Porte put an honest effort into improving urban infrastructure across the region without damaging historical districts and enraging religious communities. Even though some fundamentalist groups still saw these changes as a betrayal of the ancient tradition, the project created a boom of new businesses and an influx of capital to the region, not even mentioning a much bigger (and more organized) crowds of pilgrims. (Regional quest completed with full success, region Arabia gains +15 EC, +5 MC, Regional Growth Fluctuation +2%, Sublime Porte losses: -1.13 HC, -1.09 IC, -2.58 EC, -1.21 MC)
False Sharifs
1892: Recent improvement of the Hejazi infrastructure has boosted pro-Turkish sentiments in Arabia, helping to spread modernity across the region. However, as the new ways come to replace the old, a series of cultural and value splits have resurfaced, crystallized in the argument over who should claim the title of the Sharif of Mecca and Medina, the traditional steward of the Holy Cities. For centuries, the title was held by the Hashemite clan, which recently has grown decadent on Ottoman gifts and privileges (and, naturally, completely loyal to the Turks). More fundamentalist-minded Arabs propose that the traditionalist House of Saud should keep the Holy Cities under their watch, having their streets patrolled by Wahhabi religious police to eradicate even the slightest signs of vice, opulence, or western influence (these people also tend to express a quiet desire to see Hejaz and Nejd completely free of the Turkish influence. Meanwhile, some progressivists argue, that the position of the Sharif of Mecca should be completely abandoned as a tribute to a meaningless tradition, because the authorities of the Grand Divan have proven to be much better stewards of the Holy Cities than any of the formal figureheads of the Hashemites or Sauds could ever claim to be.
The Sand People
1892: As most of observers expected, the problem of Bedouin militancy was effectively resolved this year with a combination of progressive Islamic proselytization and direct military action against tribes and clans that insisted on resisting the Sublime Porte’s authorities. (Regional quest is completed with success, region Arabia gains -5 HC, +5 IC, +5 EC, Regional Growth Fluctuation +2%, Sublime Porte losses: -5.17 HC, -3.51 IC, -5.38 EC, -1.99 MC)
Pearls of the Pirate Coast
1892: Back in the 17th century, a Portuguese expedition by Afonso de Albuquerque has already tried to colonize the Persian Gulf coast of the Arabian peninsula, attracted by it’s pearl trade. With the demise of the Portuguese colonial empire, the British came to dominate the Gulf trade, but they, in turn, struggled with the pirates sponsored by the Al Qasimi family ruling two out of six local sheikhdoms. Now that the Portuguese are back, this time claiming complete colonial ownership of the Pirate Coast (as this region is still known in the English-speaking world), they are, too, forced to deal with the Qawasim pirates that impede local pearl trade. What makes these pirates so hard to eradicate is that they often find refuge deeper in the desert (where Portobrazilian marines cannot pursue them), sometimes protected by the territorial laws of the Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah sheikhdoms.
1892: In another colonial venture of the Porto-Brazilian Twin Crown, its naval forces were dispatched from Goa to the Persian Gulf, ordered to secure Qatar, Bahrain, and other “primitive” statelets that exist in the vicinity of the sea. They were able to do so easily, with the natives possessing no arms that could realistically damage the fleet or even its marine infantry detachments. However, the expenditures of labor and materiel were rather high because of the poor logistics and appalling climatic conditions in the region. Now, only the depth of the Arabian desert are “unclaimed” by any centralized powers. (Portugal-Brazil gains +20% Regional Influence, uncolonized loses -20% Regional Influence, Portugal-Brazil losses: -2.18 HC, -1.40 IC, -2.87 EC, -4.99 MC)
The sea and the desert
Spoiler :
1890: The Sultanate of Oman is built on a compromise between sea-faring, urban Ibadi communities of the Indian Ocean shore and desert-roaming Bedouin nomads of the Arabian desert. The sultan’s recent attempts to modernize the nation with the help of foreign investments were well-received in the cities, but Berber tribal warlords despise the changes this brings to their lifestyle. The divide is growing, and it remains to be seen how long Oman will be able to preserve its unity.
The Bloody Haj
Spoiler :
1890: Modernization of Turkey, Egypt, Maghreb, and Punjab has led to a growth of Muslim population across Africa and Asia, and now it’s led to increase of number of people travelling annually to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina. On the one hand, the travellers are bringing a lot of money into the local treasury, but on the other hand the conditions of the Haji (especially those of them who are not privileged to be born into nobility) are deteriorating. Some officials suggest creation of a railway that could lessen the burden of travelling across the desert. Others point out that even if such a railroad was to be built, it wouldn’t solve the problem with almost annual stampedes on the cities’ streets. One way or another, solving this problem could boost up local budgets and grant a lot of prestige to the Porte’s leaders.
1891: Ottoman state-owned enterprises started to aggressively invest into the development of Hijaz railways and port infrastructure, while state press and loyal religious leaders did a great job calming down local population over the changes these infrastructural changes were going to bring to their lives. The prospects of this project seem to be very positive. (Regional quest progress: 70.79%, Sublime Porte losses: -1.64 HC, -1.34 IC, -3.74 EC, -1.95 MC)
1891: Ottoman state-owned enterprises started to aggressively invest into the development of Hijaz railways and port infrastructure, while state press and loyal religious leaders did a great job calming down local population over the changes these infrastructural changes were going to bring to their lives. The prospects of this project seem to be very positive. (Regional quest progress: 70.79%, Sublime Porte losses: -1.64 HC, -1.34 IC, -3.74 EC, -1.95 MC)
1892: The Hejaz Railway was completed this year, signifying a great change in the economic and infrastructural history of the region. In addition to that, the authorities of the Sublime Porte put an honest effort into improving urban infrastructure across the region without damaging historical districts and enraging religious communities. Even though some fundamentalist groups still saw these changes as a betrayal of the ancient tradition, the project created a boom of new businesses and an influx of capital to the region, not even mentioning a much bigger (and more organized) crowds of pilgrims. (Regional quest completed with full success, region Arabia gains +15 EC, +5 MC, Regional Growth Fluctuation +2%, Sublime Porte losses: -1.13 HC, -1.09 IC, -2.58 EC, -1.21 MC)
False Sharifs
1892: Recent improvement of the Hejazi infrastructure has boosted pro-Turkish sentiments in Arabia, helping to spread modernity across the region. However, as the new ways come to replace the old, a series of cultural and value splits have resurfaced, crystallized in the argument over who should claim the title of the Sharif of Mecca and Medina, the traditional steward of the Holy Cities. For centuries, the title was held by the Hashemite clan, which recently has grown decadent on Ottoman gifts and privileges (and, naturally, completely loyal to the Turks). More fundamentalist-minded Arabs propose that the traditionalist House of Saud should keep the Holy Cities under their watch, having their streets patrolled by Wahhabi religious police to eradicate even the slightest signs of vice, opulence, or western influence (these people also tend to express a quiet desire to see Hejaz and Nejd completely free of the Turkish influence. Meanwhile, some progressivists argue, that the position of the Sharif of Mecca should be completely abandoned as a tribute to a meaningless tradition, because the authorities of the Grand Divan have proven to be much better stewards of the Holy Cities than any of the formal figureheads of the Hashemites or Sauds could ever claim to be.
The Sand People
Spoiler :
1890: A radical branch of Islam, known as Wahhabi, has been popular among Arabic nomads since the 18th century. Now that the Islamic world is changing so fast (too fast, as some say), these religious fanatics start teaching return to the roots of the Mahomedan culture of the 7th century. That means that even the Ummah of Egypt is considered an abomination of the prophet’s teachings in their eyes. It used to be easy to ignore this development among the natives just a few decades back, but a series of raids on Turkish and Omani outposts, combined with at least two assassination attempts of noble Haji (one a Magrebi bey, and another one a Turkish pasha of Syriac descent) are suggesting that something dangerous is brewing in the minds of disenfranchised Bedouins.
1891: The Sublime Porte approached the problem with a combination of anti-Wahabi propaganda by more “modern” Islamic scholars (which was surprisingly well-received) and punitive expeditions by the military against more independence-minded nomadic tribes (that aspect of the operation was less successful, possibly due to the intense logistical problems such a concentration of armed forces had to overcome in the desert). Either way, it seems like the discontent is going to be put down soon. (Regional quest progress: 70.17%, Sublime Porte losses: -3.04 HC, -1.7 IC, -2.67 EC, -1.11 MC)
1891: The Sublime Porte approached the problem with a combination of anti-Wahabi propaganda by more “modern” Islamic scholars (which was surprisingly well-received) and punitive expeditions by the military against more independence-minded nomadic tribes (that aspect of the operation was less successful, possibly due to the intense logistical problems such a concentration of armed forces had to overcome in the desert). Either way, it seems like the discontent is going to be put down soon. (Regional quest progress: 70.17%, Sublime Porte losses: -3.04 HC, -1.7 IC, -2.67 EC, -1.11 MC)
1892: As most of observers expected, the problem of Bedouin militancy was effectively resolved this year with a combination of progressive Islamic proselytization and direct military action against tribes and clans that insisted on resisting the Sublime Porte’s authorities. (Regional quest is completed with success, region Arabia gains -5 HC, +5 IC, +5 EC, Regional Growth Fluctuation +2%, Sublime Porte losses: -5.17 HC, -3.51 IC, -5.38 EC, -1.99 MC)
Pearls of the Pirate Coast
1892: Back in the 17th century, a Portuguese expedition by Afonso de Albuquerque has already tried to colonize the Persian Gulf coast of the Arabian peninsula, attracted by it’s pearl trade. With the demise of the Portuguese colonial empire, the British came to dominate the Gulf trade, but they, in turn, struggled with the pirates sponsored by the Al Qasimi family ruling two out of six local sheikhdoms. Now that the Portuguese are back, this time claiming complete colonial ownership of the Pirate Coast (as this region is still known in the English-speaking world), they are, too, forced to deal with the Qawasim pirates that impede local pearl trade. What makes these pirates so hard to eradicate is that they often find refuge deeper in the desert (where Portobrazilian marines cannot pursue them), sometimes protected by the territorial laws of the Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah sheikhdoms.
Near East
Spoiler :
Fast-developing, but extremely ethnically and religiously complex region with mediocre economy, but big symbolic value.
Druzes and Maronites
Loyal troublemakers
1892: After the last year’s struggle with reforming the Kurdish way of life through a series of economic entitlements and introduction of military professionalism, Ottoman hardliners had few hopes about the future of that “soft reform.” However, this year all observers were shocked to find out that some sort of qualitative change took place in the core of the Kurdish society, perhaps stimulated by the way of progressive changes sweeping through the rest of the empire. The vast majority of once unruly hamidiye forces (nicknamed “legalized robber brigades” for their style of warfare) was quite efficiently reformed and integrated into the Sublime Porte’s military, which created a class stratum of educated officers inside the Kurdish society. At the same time, the state-run programs and grants designed to encourage agriculture and rural craftsmanship among the Kurds created a critical mass of successful farmers and entrepreneurs that helped other Kurdish enclaves and tribes transition to a more productive, sedentary lifestyle. (Regional quest completed with full success, region Near East gains +5 HC, +15 EC, +10 MC, Regional Growth Fluctuation +1.5%, Sublime Porte losses: -1.95 HC, -1.69 IC, -4.46 EC, -2.25 MC)
Greater Kurdistan
1892: Recent reforms of the lifestyle of Ottoman Kurds have created a phenomenon of growing national consciousness among them. No longer were they a conglomerate of semi-nomadic hillman tribes, but a multifaceted and multireligious ethnicity, prosperous and loyal to the Sublime Porte. The informal borders of Greater Kurdistan are, however, not limited to the lands of Turkish Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and Northern Syria. A sizeable Kurdish minority lives in Persian Khorasan and Hamadan, and some enclaves could be found even in Georgia and the Caucasian Imamate. A vocal group of Kurdish national thinkers is starting to make its voice known to the Sultan and the Great Divan, arguing that Kurdistan should be reunited once again, either under the benevolent rule of the Sublime Porte, or (should it fail to act upon it) as an independent state.
Not So Fertile Crescent
Druzes and Maronites
Spoiler :
1891: Druze and Maronite (Antioch Christian) communities of Lebanon are at it again! Their intercommunal warfare of 1860 was put down not without French colonial assistance, and it seems like both of the communities are trying to settle ancient land disputes through fighting once again. Both of these ethno-religious minorities are disenfranchised in the Sublime Porte’s state apparatus and both have little influence in the province of Palestine and Lebanon. Some advisors welcome this conflict as a part of a larger “divide and conquer” strategy, but others point out that conflicts like that siphon a lot of energy from the empire, wasting it on local squabbles.
Loyal troublemakers
Spoiler :
1890: The Kurds are known to be very loyal to the Sublime Porte, serving in irregular cavalry units of the Ottoman army since the 16th century. However, their nomadic lifestyle disrupts regional politics and economy. Kurdish blunt takeovers of grasslands previously “owned” by other agricultural communities of Syriacs, Druzes, and Cilician Armenians have led to a lot of discontent and criticism of the Porte’s administration, not even mentioning direct skirmishes between local militias. Now the walis of Damask and Mosul have to decide how to tackle this problem.
1891: The Sublime Porte tried to address the problem from two directions. On the one hand, better paying or more high-ranking positions in regular Ottoman cavalry were offered to a lot of troublesome tribal clans, doing a lot to subdue them. However, the attempt to gradually encourage less nomadic lifestyle through economic investments and public works weren’t met with as much success. (Regional quest progress: 28.79%, Sublime Porte losses: -1.07 HC, -0.96 IC, -2.45 EC, -1.2 MC)
1891: The Sublime Porte tried to address the problem from two directions. On the one hand, better paying or more high-ranking positions in regular Ottoman cavalry were offered to a lot of troublesome tribal clans, doing a lot to subdue them. However, the attempt to gradually encourage less nomadic lifestyle through economic investments and public works weren’t met with as much success. (Regional quest progress: 28.79%, Sublime Porte losses: -1.07 HC, -0.96 IC, -2.45 EC, -1.2 MC)
1892: After the last year’s struggle with reforming the Kurdish way of life through a series of economic entitlements and introduction of military professionalism, Ottoman hardliners had few hopes about the future of that “soft reform.” However, this year all observers were shocked to find out that some sort of qualitative change took place in the core of the Kurdish society, perhaps stimulated by the way of progressive changes sweeping through the rest of the empire. The vast majority of once unruly hamidiye forces (nicknamed “legalized robber brigades” for their style of warfare) was quite efficiently reformed and integrated into the Sublime Porte’s military, which created a class stratum of educated officers inside the Kurdish society. At the same time, the state-run programs and grants designed to encourage agriculture and rural craftsmanship among the Kurds created a critical mass of successful farmers and entrepreneurs that helped other Kurdish enclaves and tribes transition to a more productive, sedentary lifestyle. (Regional quest completed with full success, region Near East gains +5 HC, +15 EC, +10 MC, Regional Growth Fluctuation +1.5%, Sublime Porte losses: -1.95 HC, -1.69 IC, -4.46 EC, -2.25 MC)
Greater Kurdistan
1892: Recent reforms of the lifestyle of Ottoman Kurds have created a phenomenon of growing national consciousness among them. No longer were they a conglomerate of semi-nomadic hillman tribes, but a multifaceted and multireligious ethnicity, prosperous and loyal to the Sublime Porte. The informal borders of Greater Kurdistan are, however, not limited to the lands of Turkish Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and Northern Syria. A sizeable Kurdish minority lives in Persian Khorasan and Hamadan, and some enclaves could be found even in Georgia and the Caucasian Imamate. A vocal group of Kurdish national thinkers is starting to make its voice known to the Sultan and the Great Divan, arguing that Kurdistan should be reunited once again, either under the benevolent rule of the Sublime Porte, or (should it fail to act upon it) as an independent state.
Not So Fertile Crescent
Spoiler :
1890: The lands of Mesopotamia and Syria that used to be known as a part of the ancient Fertile Crescent are experiencing a serious agricultural demise. Perhaps, caused by a combination of growing population, a series of droughts, and often obsolete agricultural techniques, these lands are impacted by severe exhaustion of soil. Some territories on the edge of the Crescent have already been consumed by the desert, and agricultural output keeps falling. That, in turn, pushes many poor peasants into cities, where they join the local underclass.
Central Asia
Spoiler :
Slowly-developing region suffering from drawbacks of fast-paced modernization followed by reactionary rollback.
Retreating seas
The White Sun of the Desert
The New Method
Retreating seas
Spoiler :
1890: The Caspian and the Aral seas used to be two major sources of agricultural activity in Central Asia. However, these seas (or, rather, giant lakes) are starting to show signs of drying up. With them, local agriculture starts shrinking, and Caspian trade is seriously impacted both by the retreat of the sea from several small Khivan ports (that literally have turned into inland cities by now). To make matters worse, the population of the Caspian sturgeon has diminished, hitting hard the caviar business that’s been keeping quite a few fishing communities very rich.
The White Sun of the Desert
Spoiler :
1890: Military modernization of Khiva has brought the khanate on the peak of its imperial power in recent years, but now it seems like the nation is being torn by contradictions. Turkmen locals, in their majority, are nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples, who don’t mind having oil rigs built in their lands by Russian businesses, as long as it generates some wealth for them, but they’re not very welcoming of changes to their own lifestyle. And changes is exactly what modernization of the Khivan economy brings. At the same time, the Uzbek population of Bukhara and the rich Ferghana valley (both conquered a few decades ago) are quite acceptive of the Western (primarily Russian) technologies and traditions. That puts the Khan in a strange situation, when the most loyal part of his society is the least excited about the course of his policies.
The New Method
Spoiler :
1890: Now that the amalgam of popular rebellions led by the Basmachi movement has achieved its purpose of freeing the peoples of East Central Asia from aristocratic exploitation, it is time for them to come together and form a united state entity. So far, the only source of central authority in the state is the Shura-i Islam (Islamic Council) composed of muftis (Islamic scholars and interpreters of the Shariah law). That, naturally, creates quite a reactionary lean to otherwise socially progressive policies of the Basmachi. However, a new faction is getting a lot of weight in this rudimentary state apparatus. Calling themselves Taraqqiparvarlar (“progressives”), they advocate usul ul-jadid (“the new method”) in the approach to state policies. In short, it may be summarized as modernization of all spheres of life akin to the reforms of the Egyptian state. However, more reactionary factions of the Islamic Council (supported by the rural underclass) view this as a betrayal of the original, Luddite nature of the movement. For now, disagreements between the proponents of both factions have been rather civil and took place primarily in madrasa schools, but it seems like the tensions are about to escalate soon if no faction claims victory.
