Update 1 - 1765
Domestic Events:
Reform and Expansion
Russia has begun a great series of reforms. These reforms opt for the creation of many Legislatures to represent the various people of the Empire. The reforms include the establishment of five different Dumas. The reforms are popular and are considered a major success by both the Czar and the citizens of Russia, including the ethnic minorities. (+1 Confidence, Centralization)
Also Russia has begun the creation of her own colonial Empire. Russian merchants, colonists and soldiers has departed from Kamchatka for Alaska. So far the Aleutian Islands has been added to the titanic Empire. Already outposts have been set up on the Alaskan peninsula itself. The European Empires of France, Britain and Spain now have a new contestant for power in North America.
More Reform, Forceful Expansion
France has also under gone reforms. Reworking the tax system, removing restrictions on government employment and adding a new civil defense network of police and militia. As well, peasants are recognized land owners. A new oath of loyalty is announced for all future citizens of the Empire. The list continues goes on and on. The reforms are accepted albeit not as well as the ones in Russia, particularily including nobles in the new tax system by taking away their previous privilege of being exempt. (-1 Confidence)
France has also begun expansion but not in North America or Asia. Extremely close to home. (see military events)
Finally, French investment has turned the Indian city of Pondicherry into and economical center, strengthening French influence in the region. (+Pondicherry EC)
Does Expansion Ever End?
Spain has also been busy. First her military has claimed the land of California to the Crown of Spain. Already a settlement has been created but has yet to be named. Possible titles are Monterey or San Fransisco. Spain has also done some expansion in La Plata, captur- claiming land for the Crown from the local natives. The Natives could have easily overpowered the expedition but the mere sight of firearms sent the Natives on the retreat. Finally came Borneo as Spain has created a settlement on the Northern tip of the Island from the Philipines. They will need to move fast as the Dutch have also be expansion of the Island. The expansion has the nobles cheering in Madrid and the civilians have made 'parades' in the streets announcing the glory of Spain and how she has risen again.(+1 Culture) These expansions were accompanied by MAJOR *sigh* reforms in the leadership of the Spanish government, which has made the Spanish monarchy one of the most capable governments in the World. (+5 Civilian Leadership)
A Smarter People
The Piedmontese government has announced the creation of the Milan University. It is the largest university in the Italian Peninsula. The creation of the university is accompanied by reforms in the education system which have brought up the standard of Education in the country. However, this accomplishment has been marred by a larger threat (see military events) (+2 Eduation)
The Rising Dragon
China has begun a project of interests. China has been looking and researching Western culture, that of the French, Portugeuse and British primarily. Qianglong Emperor's plan is to observe these cultures and to learn from them instead of being xenophobic like the Japanese (see military events). Qianlong plans to profit money wise from this as well and much effort is being put into learning the customs of the West.
China has also cut relations with the Japanese and Ammanese. The Ammanese economy is already suffering (-1 Economy) and she has been forced to smuggle opium into China. This has also reached failure as the the Chinese have caught and confiscated the opium. Japan responded another way (see military events). Siam however, is profiting greatly from the free trade with the Chinese (+1 Economy) and many believe that a Siamese-Chinese alliance will be the one to dominate Asia for decades to come.
Confidence or no?
The acts of the Ottoman Empire and her plans to relinquish control of the Crimea and parts of the Caucausus and Romania to Russia and to relinquish Bosnia and parts of Romania to Austria have the the citizens of the Ottoman Empire questionable in the confidence of their Sultan. Not to mention the recent agreement to sell the rights of Algeria, Tunisia and Tripoli to France. Never mind the fact that the Sultan has created a program to keep students in school from ages six to sixteen (+1 Education) and no matter that he has constructed great forts around the nation to protect it, which has gained many volunteers to help in manning the forts (+15 Militia Divisions). Or even the open trade which has helped many Ottoman citizens get richer and contribute to the economy even more (+1 Economy). The plans to give away lands that are Turkish and his dealings with the Christians have lead to riots in Ankara and small riots in Istanbul. Despite reform, and reform the people do not want their Empire to crumble on the political map of the World (-2 Confidence).
Military Events
Holy War
Japan, in a fury of anger and rage has surprised the Chinese military. It was not devastating, but shocking. The tiny Island has begun a campaign of culture on the Manchu Empire. It came quick as many Japanese ships bombarded the port of Pusan in Chinese Korea. The Chinese ships quickly went out to fight the Japanese back but the superior training and numbers of the Japanese fleet managed to prevail. The Chinese were badly defeated and to add insult to injury, the Japanese destroyed the jetty as the left. The next target was Seoul. As the Japanese moved North they met with a larger Chinese fleet. The battle was quick yet indecisive: the Chinese were forced to retreat but the Japanese took too many casualties to continue. After these two incidents the Chinese lost twenty-two ships, the Japanese, thirteen. However, it was far from over. The Japanese sent ships all over the coast of China making many engagements against the Manchu fleets. Fishing boats were attacked, small time sailors were attacked, warships were attack, merchants were attacked. No one was exempt from the punishment.
In Tokyo the Shogun blared that the defeat of China was at hand and that the Chinese bullying of Japan was to cease. The Shogun yelled that the Chinese fleet was no more. He could not have been more mistaken. The Chinese, after the Korea incident, began suffering motre civilian casualties than anything. But nevertheless the battle on the seas raged on until China could simply sail no more ships. All of them had been sunk, damaged or reported unfit for combat. The truth was China could have continued the fighting and stalled the Japanese but the captains of the Chinese navy were too inepted and frightened to sail. They were going to pay for that.
The first to go was Cheju Island. The Japanese Navy quickly surrounded the Island and the entire Japanese Army unloaded and obliterated the Chinese defences. And the citizens. Primarily Chinese citizens, the Island was depopulated within days. All Chinese were tried for treason and then executed. The next was Shanghai. Again, the entire Japanese Army was used in this operation. The city was completely shattered by the offensive. The Chinese were pushed back with ease as the Japanese swarmed the city. The massarcre began and thousands of Chinese were killed, civilians and soldiers. The atrocities were encouraged at home by the Shogun and Warlords nad slowly the amounts of murders of Chinese on the Island increased. In Shanghai, the Japanese were stopped from reaching far from outside the city as the many a Chinese sacrificed themselves in a courageous but vain move. The Chinese threw themselves at the Japanese to stop them.
Although not religious, the Sino-Japanese war is truly a Holy War, a war of cultures and beliefs. A war that is stacked against the Tokugawa Shogunate. However, the Evenks of Northern China seem to be growing rebellious and that could be a potential threat to the Chinese in the North (-8 Japanese Divisions, -12 Japanese Squadrons, -14 Chinese Divisions, -18 Chinese Squadrons, +1 Japanese Culture, +1 Chinese Culture).
The Boot Goes to War (see spotlight)
India in Partition
India, although gradually losing all independence to foreign powers, still has some independant powers. The Maratha Confederacy was intent on bringing the number down. The invasion of Rajputana was supposed to be a quick one. Assault the capital and capture the crumbling pieces of the Kingdom. They were mistaken and the Maratha forces were turned back shortly before the capital. Success was reach in Western parts of the country to due the unpreparedness and lack of defense. Rajputana was save primarily by the British who began a multipronged invasion of the Maratha Confederacy. Quickly the capital was captured (and it's economical importance ruined ) along with many other major cities. The Confederacy is crumbling only a year into the campaign. The redcoats still have much to conquer but the most important parts of the country are already taken. (-3 Rajputanan Divisions, -9 Maratha Divisions, -4 British Divisions)
Anarchy in the Bambara Empire
The Bambara Empire, Empire of Segu, Segou however you want to say it or pronouce it has been fighting itself internally. That fighting is beginning to lull as a new leader has risen to power. Ngolo Diarra, an ex-save has ascended to power. Already his power has shown as the rebels and fighting has died down country wide and his support from the people is made known. Many believe that Ngolo is soon to be the next Emperor of the nation and will lead it to eternal glory (-4 Bambaran Divisions, +20 Bambaran Militia Divisions, +2 Bambaran Confidence, +1 Bambaran Culture)
Expedition in the Desert
The Emperor of Fez had plans. Strong plans. He planned for a massive expedition in the desert to expand the lands of his Empire throughout Africa. But like many things, it turned into a failure. Shortly into the adventure, a large rebellion broke out near Fez and the soldiers were recalled to put it down. The fighting was fierce and it didn't help that the rebels were somehow better equipped than the Moroccan forces themselves. But soon the rebels began to cave in and the Moroccans quickly pressed onward. The rebels have not yet been defeated but it will be soon as they are surrounded and trapped by the Emperor's forces (-2 Moroccan Divisions).
Random Events
Riots in Modena have increased the destability and insecurity of the Duchy (-1 Confidence)
A group of patriotic civilians has donated to the Project in Istanbul. The group was however, never heard from again after rioters visited their houses (+1 Project Progress)
The Alaskan fur trade has already begun to see some profit (+1 Economy Point to Russia)
Dutch government receives support for their colonial ventures (+1 Confidence, +1 EP for the Netherlands)
The German League is received as a success by all Germans (+1 Culture for all German States)
Tensions rise between the German League and Denmark-Norway (-1 German League Confidence)
An influx of Maratha refugees has boosted commerce in the city of Goa (+Goa Economical Center)
Spotlight
The Boot Goes to War
Quick as a wink, Austrian soldiers were in Trieste. That battle ended before it began. The Austrians bombarded the city with an array of heavy and light cannon and slowly advanced towards the city. The defenders, however, had no inteniton of fighting. Counter-battery artilllery fired back while civilians and soldiers quickly dismantled the port and other economical institues. By the time the Austrians reached the city, the firefight lasted only ten minutes before the Venetians surrendered.
Days the Austrian Navy dispatched for the city of Venice itself. The Venetian Fleet went out to meet the Austrians despite reports of the Austrian Army preparing to assault the city. The ensueing battle was titanic as the Venetian Fleet fought to the death. Among both belligerents the casualties rang high. But alas, the Venetians were defeated and as they retreated back to port they heard the whooping cries of victory from the Austrians. But as the Venetians returned to Venice they found themselves too late. The Austrian flag of the Habsburgs waved high in the Sun. The Venetians scuttled their ships.
Defeat seemed imminent for the Venetians. Most of their Army had been crushed at Venice and at the Po River. Slowly they retreated towards their one last hope. If they could stand here they could hold off the Austrians. The city was fortified greatly. They must hold there until help came. They must hold Parma.
But it was too late for that as well. Piedmontese flags rose over the horizon at the city of Parma. They too had betrayed the Venetians. Disgruntled the Venetians pushed North. Skirmishes with Austrians dwindled their numbers. Desertion rates were high. In Vienna, Maria Theresa proclaimed the annexation of the Most Serene Republic. Croatia went without a fight but Albania erupted in sheer anarchy. Various militia strove for control. Chaos erupted.
The Venetians haven't given up, however and ocntinue to fight in the North. But news came. Good news. Great news.
The French Garde Imperiale and other strong divisions began a pincer movement against Turin. The Venetians rejoiced and stepped out to attack Milan. Although just militia now the Venetians refuse to give up. Turin fell in a massive battle when the French ran into ahbout one hundred thousand Piedmontese fighters. Turin will now need years of reconstruction to bring it to what it was.
In quick succession the city of Genoa fell as well to the French forces and the Garde Imperiale pushed out from Turin. The next goal was Milan and then Piedmont would be no more. The French received many from Genoa and then many behind enemy lines began to take up arms in Milan. Slowly the French push on, but steadily they pushed on. They reached Milan but were pushed back as reinforcements from now Piedmontese Parma relieved the Milan garrison. The French had push far, far into Northern Italy. But the war was not over, merely stalled. On the mainland anyway.
Cagliari was seiged from the Sea by French forces. Heavy French guns pounded the port, destroying it and any ships there as well. They were merciless. The Garde Imperiale landed and quickly took the city. They fanned out to the North but became bogged down in engagements with Sardinian soldiers and/or militia.
The Boot of Italy is now at war. It a matter of weeks four powers were put against each other. An end to two nations is sorrowfully in sight but it is the aftermath that could be more devastating. (-Most Serene Republic of Venice as an independent faction, -Trieste Economical Center, -6 Austran Divisions, -3 Austrian Squadrons, -12 Piedmontese Divisons, +2 Piedmontese Militia Divisons, -Navy of Sardinia-Piedmont, -1 Piedmontese Confidence, -Turin Economical Center, -Cagliari Economical Center, +5 French Militia Divisions, -3 Professional French Divisions, -2 Good French Divisions, -3 Garde Imperiale Divisions, -2 French Squadrons)
