UPDATE I
1793 A.D
NON-MILITARY EVENTS:
Vittorio Amedeo III, King of Sardinia-Piedmont, sends emissaries throughout most of the duchies Northern-Italy, asking the dukes and doges of Milan, Genoa, Parma, and Modena to join together, and unify with the Piedmont, in order to save themselves from the radical revolutionary armies of France. The emissaries were not, however, well-recieved - most thinking the idea was preposterous - and the Turin's prestige has taken a hit. The move has also angered the Austrians, due to the fact that both Milan and Parma reside under the influence of Vienna, and indeed, the Duke of Milan being none other than the Holy-Roman Emperor himself. This anger is further transformed into outrage by Sardinia's military moves in the region
(See Military Events) (-1 Piedmontese Confidence)
In France, chaos reigns supreme. The "Terror" as it has come to be known, is now a nation-wide program aimed at the destruction of dissent, and the destruction of the Reactionaries. The King, or as the Revolutionaries like to call him, "Citizen Capet", is the first casualty in this terror - for he, according to the Committee for Public Safety, aswell as a jury of peers, is guilty of no less than crimes against all of France, and treason. He is convicted to the guillotine without hesitation. Throughout Europe, the aristocracy now freely clamors for French blood, and even in France, even in the crowds watching the death of their sovereign, there is shame. (For indeed, a great portion of this crowd, did not, as usual, chant and jeer. They were silent.) The English have already declared that should Louis XVI fall to harm, there shall be war between the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, and the First Republic of France. They have yet to act on that threat, and indeed, Parliament is now divided on the question.
This, however, does nothing to dissuade the Revolutionary Government, and with Robespierre at its lead, it continues to radically reform the state, whilst smashing all resistance through a reign of terror. Even in the very center of this Revolution, the National Convention, conflict breaks out. The Girondists, once the radicals of the Legislative Assembly, were now, by many, seen as the conservatives of the National Convention, and as reactionaries in their own right. For they, once the main proponents of a fiery revolution, now sought to protect their own power, and tried, in vain, to quell the forces which they themselves unleashed. The Montagnards, with the support of the Committee for Public Safety, aswell as the commune of Paris, sought to once and for all destroy the power of the Girondists. Robespierre, especially, was motivated, for he believed that the glories of the Girondists were beginning to wrongly outshine his own (as the Girondists claimed the credit in the execution of the King, though in reality they only consented to it), and that they, should they be allowed to continue their activities, would soon present a threat to the revolution. Claims of
"Royalisme!" were soon issued by the Montagnards, and by Marat, in his incindiary paper,
L'Ami du Peuple. In the chaos of the political powergaming that ensued, the Montagnards soon isolated the Girondists, and finally, with the support of the National Guard, they were purged from the government.
Meanwhile, in it's radical reforms, the government of Robespierre began a rapid "de-christianization" of France, forming new holidays such as the Feast of Unity, celebrating the glories of the Revolution, whilst rapidly working to supress, and indeed, destroy, the power and the status of the clergy. Due to the terror, there is little opposition in Paris, or much elsewhere, for that matter, yet in some corners of the countryside, the resistance of the peasants continues to simmer, as all they believe is torn down by the government in Paris - even this, however, is quickly repressed, as the Sans-Coulettes inflict their own terror throughout the provinces of France (See Military Events). The Nobility finally almost ceases to exist in France, with most either executed, or becoming
emigrés, and fleeing accross Europe, to save themselves from Paris and the terror.
(+1 French Confidence, -1 French Culture) (-1 French Civilian Leadership)
In Naples, a new society is formed, seemingly without much government encouragement. This society is the Society of New Rome, and its leader, a man who goes by the name of Verita, is quite the character. The Society urges for the unification of Italy, and the restoration of the Roman Empire, and indeed, it is beginning to gain support by some of the more radical peasants and bourgeoisie. The papers which this society publishes are rather incindiary, and thus, the society is facing heavy resistance from the Aristocracy. Ironically, however, the society seems favorable of King Ferdinand.
Elsewhere in Naples, King Ferdinand believes it is time for Reform, and establishes several new legislatures to allow, on paper, greater representation for the Sicilians and others in the Kingdom. However, things are different in practice than on paper, and indeed, these new legislatures have very little power and just do more to confuse and greatly expand the beaurocracy.
(-1 Neapolitan Civilian Leadership)
Japan, in a startling act, purchases the colonies of Russian America. This disturbs many throughout the Shogunate as the government in Japan, for the past century or so, has vowed not to engage in the affairs of foreigners, and indeed, has isolated itself accordingly. The more conservative elements of society have thus begun to question the wisdom of this purchase, and the wisdom of the Shogun, as indeed, the colonies are very far away (especially for the weak, obsolete Japanese fleet), very sparsely populated, have a very harsh climate, and bring very little direct benefit, besides making the administration of the Shogunate even harder. Meanwhile, Japan has also given Russia exclusive trade rights, and opened itself once more to foriegn commerce. This again, disturbs the more conservative elements of society, yet slowly, Russian trade is bringing in some profit - though this requires a further few years of growth to provide any substantial growth in Japanese industry.
(-1 Japanese Confidence, -1 Japanese Culture, +1 Japanese Size)
According to official reports by the French Government, the Electorate of Bavaria has signed an alliance with the First Republic. This sparks a major diplomatic crisis within Germany, as Prince Karl Theodor has neither denied, nor validated, the truth of such an agreement. In Bavaria itself, the nobles angrily protest, as the radical proletariat and bourgeoisie begin to gain hope that Bavaria too, shall free itself in the example of France. Abroad, especially in Austria, a crisis erupts as an alliance with France would neccessitate a war with Austria, and thus end Bavaria's participation in the Holy Roman Empire, and perhaps its status as an independent state. The Austrians, however, have yet to react, following the example, perhaps, of Karl Theodor himself - a monarch whose popularity, especially with this new crisis, continues to fall with amazing speed.
(-1 Bavarian Confidence)
Qajar starts to work a national census. The census, however, does not simply measure the population. Instead, it measures a whole multitude of figures concerning agriculture and the economy, in order to, according to the government, increase effeciency in the taxation process. Indeed, it is already beginning to, for the Government, with more accurate figures, is more able to collect upon its taxes and thus administer the government of Qajar.
(+1 Qajar Civilian Leadership)
China opens itself up to reform, seeing the need for modernization, and signs an alliance with Britain. The Emperor has also reportedly paid the British government a sum of several million pounds, and the British, in return, have been sending a large stream of advisors (primarily technical and economical) to China. However, China is a massive country, and attempts at reforms shall need several years of investment and encouragement, at the least. The knowledge though, is already seeping through and into the country.
(+1 Chinese Education)
Shah Alam II, the so-called "Emperor of India" holds a massive military parade (massive because the Shah now has under him a British army of 5 Divisions) in Delhi. The Shah commands the respect of millions of Indians, and though some claim he is selling out to the British Imperialists, most continue to respect him, and indeed, now further respect the British government in India. Already, several Sepoy divisions have pledged themselves to the Shah. However, this Shah seems nothing more than a figurehead.
(+5 British Irregular Divisions)
Within the United States, Congress passes several key peices of legislation this year. Among the laws passed are the Militia Law and the Coinage Act. The Militia Law of 1792 gives the President the authority to raise the militia "whenever the United States shall be invaded, or be in imminent danger of invasion from any foreign nation or Indian tribe...[or]whenever the laws of the United States shall be opposed or the execution thereof obstructed, in any state, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by this act". Immediately, upon the signing of this act, several thousand men volunteer and enroll themselves into these state Militias. The Coinage act, meanwhile, establishes the dollar as the unit of money in the United States, declares it to be lawful tender, and created a decimal system for U.S. currency. It has also established the Mint, in order to control the flow of money throughout the country. Overall, these acts do much to improve the condition of this young nation.
(+1 American Civilian Leadership, +1 American Confidence, +5 Militia Divisions)
The apple, it seems, did not fall too far from the tree, as in the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, several key reform legislative acts are passed aswell. The main one being the Act of Union. Out of this act, the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland are abolished, and in their place, is formed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Penal Laws are removed, greatly increasing the support of the Catholics, and reducing the threat of Catholic insurrection as a whole, whilst the Irish Parliament is itself given representation in London. A new flag is inaugurated aswell, one which encorporates the flag of St. Patrick, and represents all those of the British Isles. Overall, this is met with wide support, and the popularity of the King, and his prime minister, William Pitt, greatly increases. The opposition, meanwhile, has stayed remarkably quiet on this issue - after, reportedly, meeting in secret with several representatives of HM's government. (Especially given the fact that Ireland, throughout history, has been able to provoke, on numerous occasions, quite interesting incidents within Parliament.)
(+1 British Confidence, +1 British Culture)
MILITARY EVENTS:
The French continue their revolutionary war both within their country, and accross Europe. Within France, the National Guard is employed ruthlessly to isolate and destroy the Royalist insurgency using a number of tactics (top on the list is sheer terror and ruthlessness, but intimidation and bribery has found its way on the list aswell), working especially hard near Lyon and the Vendée. The former was siezed by several divisions (both of National Guardsmen and radical militias) rather quickly, and these divisions, once they had control of the city, renamed it Ville-Affranchie and proceeded to implement the trademark policies of terror. The homes of the rich were looted and destroyed, and all traitors were guillotined. Even some non-traitors were guillotined for good measure (shocking the resistance out of many a monarchist), and the city, once a bastion of the counter-revolutionary movement, was now firmly in the hands of the Parisian government. Lyon served as a model for the rest of Royalist France, and soon, using the massive amount of troops raised by the government, the revolutionaries moved in for the kill, extinguishing throughout France most of the Royalist hotspots. The Royalists, much to the chagrin of Monarchs throughout Europe, were now relinquished to a second-rate insurgency in the countryside - an insurgency whose leadership was, quite literally, decapitated.
(-15 Royalist Irregular Divisions) (-7 French Conscript Divisions)
In Italy, Vittorio Amedeo III was much angered by the denials of the Piedmontese proposal of unification. As a result, he ordered his armies to attack first Genoa, and then Milan. Genoa, being surrounded by Sardinia-Piedmont, was rather quickly overwhelmed by it's superior forces. The Doge, not wanting the destruction of his city nor his death, quickly surrendered. What Sardinia-Piedmont is to do with Genoa remains to be seen, but as it stands, it looks like the Most Serene Republic shall no longer exist. Milan, too, was quickly overwhelmed by the superior force of Sardinia. This move, however, is not seen as the wisest, and it is likely to force Vittorio Amedeo's hand towards a war against Austria, a war which, though it has not started, seems quite unwinnable, even if the Austrians are distracted by their war in France. In Vienna, courtiers and common people alike are urging the Emperor to crush this upstart. However, it seems as if Sardinia-Piedmont's problems have only just begun...
(-The Most Serene Republic of Genoa as an independent faction) (-The Duchy of Milan as an independent faction) (-2 Piedmontese Divisions)
...as Robespierre, deciding that Sardinia-Piedmont could not be trusted and faced a clear and present danger to the First Republic, decided to Invade. With Piedmontese forces spread throughout both Milan and Genoa, the French forces scored easy victories in the beginning, moving rapidly to occupy the regions of Savoy and Nice. From here, the two French forces soldiered on through the Alps, facing only limited resistance as news of the defeats slowly filtered to Milanese and Genoese Armies. Near Turin, Vittorio Amedeo III attempted one last defense - yet all was lost, for the French armies swept into the Piedmontese lines, smashing them nearly instantly. Vittorio was not given the honor of death, and was instead wounded in battle, and then captured. His future does not look bright, yet that of his Kingdom looks worse.
(-12 Piedmontese Divisions, -2 French Divisions, -3 French Conscript Divisions)
Europe faces yet another revolution.
(-17 Polish Divisions, +10 Polish Irregular Divisions) (-10 Prussian Divisions) (-13 Russian Divisions) (+1 Polish Confidence)
(See Spotlight)
Elsewhere in Europe - specifically within the lowlands, chaos reigns. Firstly, it reigns in the Austrian Netherlands. For here the forces of revolution clashed violently against the forces of reaction. It was the French who initially siezed the initiative and, raising an army of some 200,000 regular troops and 100,000 conscripts, launched an invasion of the Austrian Netherlands. Initially, the French were quite successful, beating back the Austrians (though, according to some, the Austrians readily retreated instead of allowing themselves to fight on French terms) and taking Brussels and much of the Franco-Austrian border. Once the initial gains were achieved however, the Austrian army, hitherto on the retreat, now turned on the offensive, attacking the French positions accross the board, especially focusing their forces towards an attack at Brussels. Serious casualties were inflicted on the French army, yet in the end, it was not enough to break the occupation of Brussels and the immense concentration of superior French forces. The Austrians were soon repulsed from their attack, and were left to hold the line. The French are left defending their positions - rather tenuously, one might add - and after the initial shock of battle, have once more collected themselves at the front. Within the Austrian lines, however, dissent simmers, and already several revolutionary insurgencies have popped up in Belgium, apparently goaded on by the French forces.
(-12 French Regular Divisions, - 4 French Conscript Divisions) (-7 Austrian Divisions, - 2 Austrian UU Divisions)
Secondly, in London, during the opening months of the year, it was reported that the King, and his Prime Minister, William Pitt, went into secret talks with several leading members of Parliament. What was discussed during these meetings is not known, yet it is known, that upon the end of these meetings, Parliament was re-convened, and that once in session, it issued a declaration of war against the United Provinces of the Netherlands, with clear support from the King. The rationale for this war is simple, if weak. The Netherlands is vulnerable, particularly against the revolutionary forces which are sweeping Europe. Therefore, in order to secure British interests, it was deemed neccessary to remove the threat which the Dutch presented to the British, and thus, all members against the forces of the revolution.
British forces, upon the declaration of the war, moved rapidly - far too rapidly, as a matter of a fact, for the Dutch military to react. In a series of naval engagements off the coast, the Dutch fleet was annhilated, half of it spread accross the world, whilst the other half frantically struggled to group itself together in the face of English aggression. The English, with superior firepower and numbers, proved the victors, and soon the seas were clear for what was next, and what was next did not bode quite so well for the Dutch. The next step in this operation - the marine landings throughout the United Provinces - had been meticulously planned for, and a rather large amount of force had been requisitioned. The Dutch, meanwhile, were not expecting an invasion at all, and indeed, were rather concentrating on the expansion of their colonies. British forces quickly swept the Netherlands (though not without significant casualties - casualties which were mostly due to disease and bad conditions, the reality of every amphibious manuveur in this age), smashing the Dutch forces before they had a chance to react. With this British occupation however, the Batavian revolution has flared up again, and though the cities are in firm control of the Royal Army, there still lurks in the countryside several revolutionary insurgents.
The British have used this oppurtunity to also occupy much of the Dutch colonies, and Suriname, Ceylon, Singapore, Malaysia, and parts of Java are under British occupation as of now. Remnants of the Dutch resistance linger on with the Afrikaneers, and in far off trade posts in the south pacific.
(-9 British Divisions, -2 British Squadrons) (-10 Dutch Divisions, -7 Overseas Corps, -18 Dutch Squadrons)
The French have also taken this oppurtunity to invade Spain, pre-empting any possible invasion from the South. The Spanish were not expecting such an invasion and the French, using the element of suprise, have made strong gains (though admittedly, they have not encountered too much of a resistance just yet) in Catalonia - inciting revolutionaries there to help them in their efforts. In the end, the French forces have overwhelmed and overtook the cities of Saragossa and Barcelona, but have stopped for now, apparently running out of steam and fortifying themselves on the Ebro river. Spanish forces, meanwhile, are moving fast to regroup and counter this French offensive.
(-5 French Divisions, -3 Spanish Divisions)
Meanwhile, in Persia, Mohammad Khan, Shah of Qajar, continues his wars to unify the nation, achieving final success with a series of attacks against both the Safavid and Zand shahdoms. To the south, against the Zand Kingdom, the Qajar army envelops its opponent, surrounding Shiraz, and then sacking it. The Zand armies, disloyal as they were, scattered after their first setbacks in battle, and the Qajar forces easily won the city of Shiraz. In Shiraz, the Qajar armies were remarkably civil, making sure not to plunder or harm the civilian populace. In the east, against the Safavid armies, the Qajar force quickly overran then took Mashad. With both of these victories, Persia is now unified, and Mohammad Khan has declared the creation of the Qajar Empire of Persia.
(-10 Qajar Divisions, -Zand Persia as an independent state, -Safavid Persia as an independent state)
South of Persia, in India, it seems as if the British shall no longer tolerate the Marathan threats and jibes which are constantly produced from Pune. Britain immediately declares war on both Mysore and the Marathan Confederacy, and within a few weeks, British armies are marching from all over India, towards these two states, bent on their destruction. Mysore, the smallest of the two, and the weakest, collapsed almost immediately. A token resistance was put up along their borders, yet Tipu sultan could not sustain the defense. British rocket and cannonry scared the Mysorian army into submission, and Bangalore was quickly overrun. Tipu Sultan, hoping for a reasonable peace, was executed, and Mysore was divided amongst those loyal to the British.
The Marathan Confederacy, however, was somewhat more prepared than Mysore. Pune was properly fortified, and indeed, once the British forces began their attack, the Marathan armies were able to inflict significant casualties - yet fortifications were not enough to stop the British forces, which were, throughout this conflict, both superior in training and in numbers. The British attacked Pune from all sides, and after a difficult battle - the Marathan forces showing amazing resilience against the British invaders (no doubt fuelled on by their Ruler's rhetoric) - Pune finally fell, and the British began to move elsewhere through Maratha. British forces from Mysore, having put down the resistance with some speed, now joined the larger British force in Pune. Elsewhere, the British kept up their attack - capturing the port of Diu, and then moving on to secure the rest of Gujarat. The British forces at Pune began a rapid advance northwards, taking Jabalpur. Here, however, they were forced to stop, because as the Marathan army began disintegrating at the seams, a guerilla movement began against the British, usually lead by the various princes and leaders of the region unfriendly to the British. The British were now forced to consolidate their gains, having suffered large casualties amidst the jungle and squalor of India. No real advances were made elsewhere, except a minor breakthrough in the east. Overall, this has proved quite a year for Britain. The cost of war, however, is taking its toll on the popularity (and, as rumored, the sanity) of the King.
(-12 British Divisions, -1 British Confidence, -18 Marathan Divisions, -Mysore as an independent faction)
SPOTLIGHT
The Golden Revolution
What is the end of our revolution? The tranquil enjoyment of liberty and equality; the reign of that eternal justice, the laws of which are graven, not on marble or stone, but in the hearts of men, even in the heart of the slave who has forgotten them, and in that of the tyrant who disowns them.
- Maximilien Robespierre
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, in 1793, was in a very tenous position. Within, the government ceased to have any influence over the happenings of the country, and Poland had become a puppet to foriegn powers, which freely excercised considerable influence over the domestic and internal policies of the Commonwealth. The economy and industry stagnated, as the leaders of the nation continued to further rely upon agriculture and serfdom to maintain their power and riches. Without, the previous partitions of Poland by Russia, Prussia, and Austria took their toll on Polish prestige. Poland had ceased to become an important player in European politics. For action, however, there is an opposite and equal reaction. The reaction to this stagnation came in the form of a monarch - King Stanislaw August.
Stanislaw August, bent on the reformation and strengthening of the Commonwealth, began to make speeches throughout the country, speeches which, much to the dismay of the conservatives, outlined the need for a strong Commonwealth, and claimed that should the Commonwealth wish to survive, it cannot, as it has in the past, bow to the whims of the foriegn powers. The conservative, considerably pro-Russian factions would not hear of it, and, contacting the Russian government, they began to plot the downfall of Stanislaw August.
The Russian government, upon hearing of this, immediately dispatched an army into Poland, an army of over 250,000 men. The King was reportedly assasinated, and after a few weeks, the new Sejm convened, inaugurating an age, as it was said "of newfound partnership and prosperity" with the Russian government. This new Commonwealth was little but a puppet. During the first session however, Stanislaw August, with the support of his newly raised loyal army, stormed in, and declared that all ministers party to this conspiracy were now arrested, and declared enemies of the Polish people. It appeared as if the monarch staged his own death, and now had reappeared, to take control of the ailing Commonwealth. Immediately, martial law was declared, and instituted policies much like those instituted in France, though infinately less radical.
Levee en masse was soon declared, and the new Polish army, raised loyal to the King, pushed back the Russian forces in the west and in Warsaw, establishing a clear front Siedlce. The King continued to push his fiery rhetoric, urging for the defense of the "Golden Liberty" as all traitors to the government were publically executed, and as Polish and Lithuanian insurgents rose up against the Russian forces in the east, halting the Russian efforts at completely destroying the army of the Commonwealth.
To the west, meanwhile, Berlin was stunned. The Polish had risen up, and now were fighting against the Russians, championing their own sovereignty and the need for unity. This "Golden Revolution", as it was called, smacked of the French. However, the Prussians had planned thusly for this occasion - the occasion of Russian invasion (it did not matter to Fredrick, however, that the invasion was not an invasion in the truest sense, merely a "pece-keeping" mission.). Immediately, the Prussian army was mobolized, and soon crossed over into Poland, smashing rather quickly the Polish resistance, as it was fighting primarily in the east. General Brunswick, commander of this army, ruthlessly pressed forwards, taking first Lodz, and then, in a rather one-sided battle, overan Warsaw, fortifying his position along the Vistula, and occupying all of western Poland. Limited revolutionary insurgencies popped up, but these, for the most part, were crushed. The Golden Revolution, once seemingly bright with hope and energy, was now nearly crushed. Stanislaw August, however, refuses to give up, and is leading his nation from Siedlce, having fled the chaos of Warsaw.
RANDOM EVENTS:
In Spanish California, gold is struck, and already some aristocrats in the region have decided to capitalize on this new oppurtunity, establishing a military settlement in the north in order to secure the gold. However, it is yet to benefit the Spanish government directly, and will likely require some serious investment before real returns are made.
(No Effect)
The newfound wars of King George III and William Pitt lack enthusiasm from the people, and indeed, many are worried at this imperialistic streak alongside the growing revolution in France. The people fear that intervention in the continent shall only lead to more English blood.
(-1 British Culture)
Veritas, with the New Rome Society, creates quite a stir in Neapolitan society, especially with such radical concepts as the unification of Italy. His work, however, highlights the strength and preeminance of the Neapolitan state, and thus, is well recieved by the majority populace.
(+1 Neapolitan Confidence)
The Austrians eagerly accept the noble emigrés from France, and indeed are in fact encouraging the emigration, as these Nobles bring with them increased intellect for the Austrian Empire.
(+1 Austrian Education)
The Batavian insurgents, combined with the English invasion, does much to destroy any Dutch hope of a bright future.
(-2 Dutch Confidence, -1 Dutch Culture)
The Papal states begin to re-assert their influence both in Italy and abroad, and their efforts (excommunication, and the urging of the clergy to continue the resistance) against the radical revolutionaries in France are winning much support from the people.
(+1 Papal Confidence)
The fiery rhetoric of the Marathan leadership causes some Indians to doubt the benevolence of British rule.
(-1 British Confidence)
In Brazil, dissent is rising, as new gold is found, yet the Brazilians do not wish to hand it over to the Portugese, and are indeed believed to be stealing some away from the government, in tax evasion. This leads to a small crisis in the colony.
(-1 Portugese Confidence)
