Rise of the American Empire

[J.K. Stockholme]

Louisiana and New York have signed a non-aggression pact.

New York City confirms this non-aggression pact with the understanding that Louisiana and NYC have come to amicable agreement over the territorial limit of the Panhandle Colony's expansion (see map below).

The Divine Mandate and New York will know peace; a non-aggression pact has been agreed.

Having finished multilateral diplomatic talks between the Sect and Louisiana, we will sign a non-aggression pact with the Sect on the assumption they respect their promise to Louisiana to cancel military annexation plans that happened to conflict with New York expansion in southern Alabama.

New York City's Panhandle Colony shall be expanding this year to include:



This shall be the only enlargement of this colony, a public promise to Louisiana to further friendly relations between our two countries.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Duluth-Superior is officially NPCed.

Despite a change in premiership, Duluth-Superior will honor its defensive alliance with the Cherokee.

Florida is also officially NPCed. Fate TBA after the order lock.

 

[NinjaCow64]

To: New York City

We propose a full offensive and defensive military alliance, with the proviso that both parties give their consent before any offensive military actions are undertaken by either member of the alliance.

United States of America (Washington Heirs)

Dixie Crisis: The proximity of a possible war zone to Washington-controlled territory has made the people anxious.

Class War: The attempts of the Syndicates and Meiguo to encircle each other raise the possibility of heightened tensions and war on the Northern border. An ideological war between the workers’ democracy and the shareholders’ democracy would likely destabilize the D.C.-controlled areas.

To: Those Involved in the Dixie Crisis

Note that if this conflict escalates and the lands currently controlled by us or our allies are drawn into this conflict then we will have no choice but to retaliate in kind. We hope that all parties can find a peaceful resolution to this conflict.

To: American Federation of Syndicates, Meiguo Corporation

Again, if this conflict escalates and the lands currently controlled by us or our allies are drawn into this conflict then we will have no choice but to retaliate in kind. We hope that all parties can find a peaceful resolution to this conflict, but that seems unlikely due to the major ideological differences between the conflicting parties and reports of collapsing Meiguo authority over the region. We will be keeping an eye on this situation as it unfolds.

To: The World

We are once again expanding in the Virginian and East Virginian regions. Please avoid expanding in these regions to avoid potential border conflicts.

 

[J.K. Stockholme]

To: New York City

We propose a full offensive and defensive military alliance, with the proviso that both parties give their consent before any offensive military actions are undertaken by either member of the alliance.

New York City agrees to a full military alliance with the Washington Heirs.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Orders lock in 36 hours.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Orders lock in 9 hours.

Any player who hasn't submitted orders for two turns in a row or hasn't otherwise shown signs of activity will have their nation either dissolved, turned into an NPC, or descend into civil war.

Edit at 6:42 AM PST:

Orders locked.

 

[Ailedhoo]

The Divine Mandate would like to make a pre-update announcement regarding our policies next season:



The Prophet wishes to choose Grand Manan Island as the cradle for a fortress monastery so we may be able to spread our faith across the Atlantic and to allow us a safe haven for our merchants.

Please respect our claimant that will cometh next season as it will be enforced by the Prophet's divine will and a grand armada no less than five navies large.

 

[Gurra09]

The Divine Mandate would like to make a pre-update announcement regarding our policies next season:

[map]

The Prophet wishes to choose Grand Manan Island as the cradle for a fortress monastery so we may be able to spread our faith across the Atlantic and to allow us a safe haven for our merchants.

Please respect our claimant that will cometh next season as it will be enforced by the Prophet's divine will and a grand armada no less than five navies large.

By an Act of Parliament, the Kingdom of Bermuda is already expanding into Grand Manan Island along with the rest of Charlotte County this season. We kindly ask that you retract these claims to Grand Manan Island or we will consider your threats of a naval invasion as a declaration of war against our nation.

 

[Ailedhoo]

By an Act of Parliament, the Kingdom of Bermuda is already expanding into Grand Manan Island along with the rest of Charlotte County this season. We kindly ask that you retract these claims to Grand Manan Island or we will consider your threats of a naval invasion as a declaration of war against our nation.

The confess the Prophet was using a forecast map acquired through vision (OOC: looking at what GM posted on chat). If this proved false then the vision perhaps linked to another question.

I think we need to have a private conference...

 

[Gurra09]

After a private conference, conflicting claims in regards to Grand Manan Island have been resolved. The Divine Mandate of Tlamihua has agreed to choose another location for their planned construction of a monastery, and will make sure it is approved by the Kingdom of Bermuda before proceeding. A non-aggression pact has been signed between our nations to ensure the deescalation of this conflict and a continued peace.

 

[Ailedhoo]

The vision of Grand Manan Island was, it appears, a beacon to a new friendship.

We concur with Bermuda!

Praise the Prophet!

 

[Tani Coyote]

Battles

Pacifica

5 attacks on localities

4-1.

+1 Land XP

Navajo

10 attacks on localities

9-1. The Colorado Republic declares independence, unifying much of the land between the Navajo and American Republic!

+2 Land XP.

American Republic

5 attacks on localities

5-0.

+1 Land XP

Syndicates

5 attacks on localities

5-0.

+1 Land XP

Quebec

25 attacks on localities.

22-3. 1 Army lost.

+5 Land XP

Tlamihua

9 attacks on localities.

9-0.

+2 Land XP

Cherokee

28 attacks on localities.

25-3. 1 Army lost.

+6 Land XP

Bermuda

13 attacks on localities

13-0

+3 Land XP

Louisiana

9 attacks on localities.

8-1.

+2 Land XP

Tennessee

10 attacks on localities.

8-2. 1 Army lost.

+2 Land XP.

Los Salvadores

8 attacks on localities.

8-0.

+2 Land XP

Alberta

9 attacks on localities.

9-0.

+2 Land XP.

Duluth-Superior

15 attacks on localities

14-1.

+3 Land XP

Chicago Metropolitan Republic

15 attacks on localities.

15-0.

+3 Land XP.

 

[Nuka-sama]

Taking Chicago

Name: Meiguo Dynasty
Ruler: Jīnyīng Emperor
Government: Absolute Monarchy (Mandate from Heaven)
Capital: Zhījiāgē (Chicago)


Thanks Johanna for the flag ​

 

[Ailedhoo]

The End is Only the Beginning: An Introduction to Iccan​

By Dr Hadley Kadar of Cambridge University ​

The religious movement known as the Iccan may been referred to both as a spiritual religion set on countering excess plus violence with a sense of humility, a hyper obsessed doomsday cult infamous for its violent proselytize policies along with its allowance towards human sacrifice and both with less emphasis on the human sacrifice. Founded among the Nahuatl by Tzin Temachtiani, the (self-styled) Prophet of the Iccan, it finds mysticism in a posttheism, bordering on nontheism, explained as a world after the gods’ deaths, as a focus on a coming end; the Great Cleansing (what we refer to as the Plague or White Death as its crudely known) was a cosmic event signaling the beginning of the end. For Iccanites divinity is only a realm of godhood but of other metaphysical forces and the influences of the dead. What they see is a world which souls are aging and that the vices that affect societies (vices of both malice and decadence) are killing the Earth. The Iccanites believe the Earth will soon reborn and that to establish a spiritual linkage to the metaphysical forces that govern the universe (via the Iccan faith) are the only means to ensure humanity can be saved.


For this a savior would come, the eight in a line of bodies of a strong soul which has shepherded humans since their dawn and has influence their being; the soul is known as the Messiah and the bodies are known as the Prophets. We know from record that the Iccanite reguard past Prophet to include Jigonhsasee, Jesus, Bhudda, Muhammad and Lao-Tzu. The Amok spoke of a forgotten shaman who was the first of the Prophet, dating this figure of origin to the dawn of humanity itself as the “Awakener of Conscience.” They believe that the Prophets serve as teachers and (in times of cosmic crisis as was the case of Jigonhsasee and Muhammad) as political leaders. The current and potentially last of the Prophets, Jerra AKA Tzin Temchiania (or Ocho has the Prophet is sometimes called by the common people), is believed to have come to the time of the greatest cosmic upheaval, set forth to heal a world at risk of engulfing itself.


For the Iccan virtue is founded in a state of balance with ones’ existence. The key virtues are temperance, charity, patience, stewardship, self-sacrifice and loyalty. The Iccan link these virtues with a ecological sense, linking to what they regard as the twin sins to fight against: decadence (the cruelty against the Earth) and malice (the cruelty of the human). Sloth, gluttony and greed are not admired by the Iccanites, who regard such characters of decadence as worthy of utmost retribution if the offended fails to redeem themselves. Unjust violence, torture and deceit are regarded as hallmarks of malice. Selfishness, especially selfishness in form of pride over the Prophet’s divine law, is regarded as marriage of dependence and malice.


The Iccanites blame the greed of the past society and the decaying fault of past faiths for the current stage of the world; the rite of sacrificing leaders of other faiths to the flame is an act to appease the cosmic order in order to help cleanse the world of ill. Those regarded as “heads of sin” (AKA tyrants, the crueler criminals, corporate executives that do not expect the ways of virtue) are treated to a less pleasant sacrifice (or at least less pleasant to the Iccan; fire is regarded as a way to clean ones soul and to not be sacrifice to fire is a remark that you are unworthy of salvation). The rites of sacrifice tend to not be exploitation outside the likes of the Divine Mandate, as early practices in Mexico (along with the destruction of churches and violence against those of other faiths) forced the early movement to their exile to Texas. Yet the Amok does not encourage an industrialization of sacrifice and regards as only a necessity in extrema occurrences (though in Divine Mandate terms this might equate to fleshly conquered territories). Priests send on missions to spread the faith often encourage peace over the rites of sacrifice as a means not just for PR but that those who end mistaking sacrifice of others as a virtue may end up forgetting that sacrifice of the self is the path. One should sacrifice for the sake of the community and the balance of the realities, not for the sake of sacrifice. In consideration martyrdom is promoted as a practice to defend the Iccan way and to inspire others to take up the path to, what the Iccanites would call, salvation.


As stated the end of the world is a prime theme in Iccan thought; these are the end times and Tzin Temachtiani the 8th and last recantation of the Prophet, a being believed to be a spiritual guide for humanity, reborn in different epochs to spread messages of salvation. The Plague (referred to as the Great Cleansing by Iccanite literature) is regarded as a divine penalty to humanity for succumbing to malice and decadence. The survival of indigenous populations in America was a contributed to make way for the Prophet’s rebirth among them. The Divine Mandate, founded when the exiled Iccanites leaded by the Prophet laid their claims in Texas, is the instrument of the most holy mission: to convert the world into a haven by connecting as many as possible to the metaphysical realities. The theocracy, headed by the faith head itself, is designed not to live as long as the Prophet but to continue, for the oligarchic structure beneath the suprema autocratic dominion of Tzin Temchiania. It is said that the passing of the current Prophet will spell the watershed between the end of the world and the new beginning, a world which those of the Iccan prey will be governed by the guidance of virtue, which harmony will reign supreme over the Earth and humanity is one with the Beyond.


How this will cometh is still a mystery; the Amok is technically still being written as its author the Prophet and the 8 apostles that make the Sect of Eight continue to breath their doctrines. The Iccan faith has been labelled a cult and Tzin Temchiania has been referred to as both an Aztec Shoko Asahara and the new Jim Jones, while the Nahuatl community leader that helped exile Tzin Temchiania, Centli Mas, descried the Iccanite Prophet as “an egomaniac.” The Iccan movement has particle gained controversy with other faiths. The follower of Iccan proclaim, in protest, that there is faith is a guardian of humility in a world gone mad with pride, while the religious sociologist Dr Alexander Leaonard has remarked the likes of the Divine Mandate as “striving to fill a spiritual void.” Whatever reason one can relate to the Iccan the movement is likely to be ever present, especially with rumor of missions into Europe, Africa and beyond by the Sect of Eight in order to defy competing faith in a effort to seek out what they believe is salvation. Whatever conversion plans they have for the Americas are still as ever to be fully studied as the Mandate seems to strive more to strengthening its own, yet the chaos that may be erupting could give a opportunity which may spell fair or fel for the world.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Prestige Allotments

The Activist Diplomat

The American Republic has gained a reputation for being active in disputes everywhere north of the Rio Grande. While some states look at the Republic with annoyance, there is nonetheless some respect for their efforts among the general public. Most feel them to be the equivalent of the United Nations in terms of goodwill and influence. (+1 Prestige)

Thorned Rose

Pacifica, known for its easygoing, perhaps over the top take on life and indulgence, was very firm in defense of its new ally, Alberta. Its willingness to go to war over the Prairie Republic has garnered much respect for the state, Alberta’s eventual signing of a similar pact with Sparta aside. (+1 Prestige)

Peace Through Strength

A powerful full alliance has been formed between New York City and the Washington, D.C. regime. This represents the unity of New Yorker economic power and military power projection with the legitimacy of what is seen by many as the rump government of the former United States. In terms of geopolitical realism, however, the two form a formidable military and economic bloc with the ability to strike fast and efficiently almost anywhere in North America. Their status as a full alliance, rather than a mere defensive pact, illustrates great ambitions, and the masses have taken note. (+1 Prestige)

Honeymoon Period

The Cherokee government has seen an increase in favorable opinion based on social media outlets. (+1 Prestige)

We Come in Peace

A number of states have been recognized for past or current commitment to peaceful expansion. Recognition appears to grow with time. (States that expanded peacefully the first are receiving a little extra on top to compensate for not receiving the benefit on Turn 2)

Syndicates +3

American Republic +3

Washington Heirs +5

Sparta +1

Georgia +1

Keetowah +1

These Are Not the Insurgents You are Looking For

The Tlamihuan and Lousianan navies conducted naval training exercises as a show of force against possible Mexican aggression, much to the approval of Los Salvadores. (+2 Naval XP)

Coincidentally, several rebel leaders from within the Mexican Caribbean have vanished. Mexico has been unable to prove any connection, but it goes without saying that the masses’ confirmation bias has made them favorable to the idea of kicking sand in Mexico’s eyes. (+2 Prestige)

Holy Amazing Border Dispute, Batman

Massive disputes over territory have put the rulers of Bermuda, Quebec, and New York City in the public view. (+1 Prestige)

Full Alliances

NYC-Washington (+4)

Defensive Pacts

Quebec-Syndicates (+2)

Sparta-Alberta (+2)

Cherokee-Duluth (+2)

Non-Aggression Pacts

Sparta-American Republic (+1)

Sparta-Tlamihua (+1)

Sparta-Alberta (+1)

NYC-Washingon (+1)

NYC-Louisiana (+1)

NYC-Tlamihua (+1)

Army Power

Quebec (+5)

Cherokee (+3)

Duluth, Chicago, Georgia (+2)

Navy Power

NYC, Sparta (+3)

Tlamihua (+2)

Air Power

Duluth, Chicago, Sparta (+2)

American Republic, Navajo, Quebec, Keetowah, Georgia, Los Salvadores, Alberta (+1)

Economic Power

NYC, Tlamihua, American Republic (+2)

Louisiana, Bermuda, Chicago, Cherokee, Pacifica (+1)

Provinces

Washington (+4)

Pacifica, Cherokee, Bermuda (+2)

Syndicates, Tlamihua, Navajo, Louisiana (+1)

Prestige Annexation

Tlamihua, Quebec, the American Republic, the Washington Heirs, and New York City, all with 120+ prestige, have received 1 province each for free.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Turn III: Spring 2061

Map

Stats

National Issues (Will be Updated)

News

Lakota Collapses

In spite of strong leadership from its matriarchs, the Lakota’s localized syndicalism was unable to replicate the success of the national syndicates in the northeast. Any meaningful political and economic unit in the region has ceased to exist.

Decline of Florida

The wind has finally blown the paper tiger over. Having overextended itself, the Florida government retains effective control of the southern peninsula, but the north has degenerated into anarchy with no clear leadership.

Give Me Liberty

Meiguo’s shareholder democracy has finally collapsed. What started as reforms to expand the shareholder franchise let the genie out of the bottle, and has backfired more magnificently than the government reforms towards the end of the Soviet Union.

Meiguo has outright lost control of its territories north of Massachusetts, and the remaining territory has been split between two coalitions. Each coalition is made up of a variety of factions, which are likely to turn on each other upon the defeat of the other side. Such is politics. Some factions have a leaning towards one nation or another, but favor can always be bought (barring an unbridgeable ideological gap, of course).

Southern (Government) Coalition:

Meiguo Executives (Likes NYC; dislikes Syndicates and Washington Heirs)

Urban middle class (Likes Pacifica; dislikes Syndicates)

Catholic League (Dislikes Tlamihua)

Northern (Resistance) Coalition:

Socialists (Like Syndicates, Quebec; dislikes American Republic)

Jeffersonians (Like Sparta; dislike NYC and Pacifica)

Libertarians (Like American Republic; dislike NYC)

Liberals (Like NYC and Pacifica; dislike American Republic, Syndicates, Washington Heirs)

Monarchists (Like Bermuda)

Nationalists (Like Washington Heirs)

The War can be ignored, or participated in by all. Donations of money are always a good tactic, though sending units in to fight can quickly settle the issue, accruing prestige and combat experience. On the other hand, if another country decides to send in its troops to back the other side, the result could be quite messy.

There is always the prospect of invading the wartorn country to seize parts of it, but occupied territories take time to become fully productive. It may be worth it to save the effort and prop up a satellite state instead.

Ignore the War, or participate and share in either its ruin or its spoils. The choice is yours.

…also the many numerous border disputes show that coordination with rivals isn’t always a bad idea.

Border Dispute!

Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland have become a complete mess in political alignment. Waves of Bermudan and Quebecois soldiers have seized large swathes of land, while New Yorker spindoctors and merchants have won the hearts and minds of the people all over the region. A three-way border dispute has engulfed much of Newfoundland.

Ditto for New Brunswick, which is now divided between Bermudan and New Yorker forces.

Meiguo Resurgence

As the heartland of the Meiguo Corporation falls into disarray, a rival branch of the Meiguo family has managed to take effective control of the Chicago Metropolitan Republic.

The outward appearance of the Republic remains intact (for now), but it is apparent that it is about as powerful as the Roman Republic. Power rests with the Meiguo Emperors.

Changing Economy

Economic experts note that with the restoration of order to much of the United States, trade is rapidly expanding, limited only by a recovering population. States which do not neglect their communications networks are sure to benefit.

(Infrastructure levels relative to other states will become more important starting next turn)

 

[Omega124]

To: Iccan Fanatics

It is Syndicate foreign policy to demarcate under no circumstances will we allow the merchants of lies to expand to any island in the north Atlantic region. This is your first and only warning.

To: Meiguo remant

The Syndicates recognizes the northern remant the one true government of New England, and welcome them to the brotherhood of nations. We announce our full military support for their protection.


To: World

Any foreign expiditions to support the so called southern coalition will be considered a hostile action by the Syndicates

 

[christos200]

TV 7 NEWS
Interview with President Charlie


- Simon Fox, TV 7 News Presenter


- Charlie Harper, President of the American Republic
​

Simon Fox (S): Welcome to TV 7 News! Today, I have the honor to present you an interview of our President, Charlie Harper. This interview, taken in the President's house, is unlike any other. Relaxed, ready to talk about everything and interesting as always, our President is sure to make a great impression on you. So, without further ado, I present you the video:

Simon Fox enters the President's living room and sees him sitting in the couch. "Hello, Mr. President", he says, to which the President replied, "I am glad to meet you, Simon."

S: I am also very honored to interview you. Its been a year and a half since you took office. What do you believe are the greatest achievements of your administration so far.

Charlie Harper (C): Well, without wanting to sound arrogant, I can say that our administration has achieved quite a lot of things in this relative short time. For a start, the American Republic is one of the most respectable nations in the America. Under my administration, our Republic has gained a reputation as defender of human freedom, international cooperation and peacekeeping. People all over the continent admire us and some even compare us to the United Nations in terms of goodwill and influence. On the domestic front, my government has expanded the American economy with tax cuts, deregulation, infrastructure investment and stimulus packages. This was a good, free market and fiscally conservative policy which has made the American Republic the largest economy in America. Our economy has skyrocketed. I have also expanded our military, especially our air force, in order to defend our nation from foreign aggression. Last but not least, I have upheld all of our constitutional liberties and have expanded those liberties with my policy of deregulation.

S: Considering how respectable the American Republic is right now and how we have the largest economy, I think hardly anyone can argue with you. My next question has to do with your vision of America. Usually, politicians from your party, the Conservative, tend to emphasize Christian America and Christian values. Yet, in your speeches, you constantly mention the fact that our Republic is and must be a diverse country and have defended racial and sexual minorities.

C: I do not see any contradiction. I uphold our Christian values and defend them but at the same time I do not seek to impose those values on people by using state force. Conservatism is about personal freedom and limited government. So, it would be against Conservative principles to follow a statist policy. Anyway, America has always been a diverse and multicultural country and I believe that is our strength. However, unlike the Liberals, I do not seek special treatment for minorities. I just ensure that they get the same rights as everyone else. Whether one can make it to the top or not, depends entirely on one's skills.

S: I see, reasonable position. Now, before going into foreign policy, I want to ask a personal question to lighten the mood a bit. According to some reporters, you have been known to have dated many women, including models and actresses, and you still do so. Does any woman has your heart right now? Will we have a First Lady? Or will you remain unmarried for the rest of your term?

C: (laughs) I prefer not to have restrictions and limit myself. I love excitement, meeting new people and sure don't want to restrict myself to one woman. At least for now. If I find the Ms. Right, I might reconsider this. But, right now, I am not committed to a stable relationship. (further laughter)

S: This should be good news for many ladies of our country, with which you are quite popular. (laughter) Now, to talk about more serious issues, your foreign policy has won the admiration of many but there are critics who argue that your interventionist foreign policy and your commitments will overstretch our resources and might drag us into a war.

C: My foreign policy, the 'Charlie Doctrine', is my greatest achievement so far as President. My policy is one that defends liberty and peace across America and has gained much admiration among the public, both of our country and of other countries. The American Republic is right now one of the most respectable nations in America and we are seen as a role model. I do not believe that my foreign policy will overstretch our resources and if we ever go to war, it will be to defend our liberties. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants, as Thomas Jefferson said. We must not and shall not cower in facing the evil.

S: Fair enough. Now, to return back to domestic issues, your Finance Minister, Mr. George, has spoken about new tax cuts. Care to elaborate?

C: Well, Mr. George plans to hold a conference to announce those tax cuts and answer to the questions of journalists, but I can say that we are going to have tax cuts in sales taxes and a 12% decrease of income tax for high earners and 7% decrease for middle class citizens. Those tax cuts are going to stimulate the economy and, along with another extensive infrastructure investment program, shall provide thousands of new jobs and expand our economy. Wages shall rise and living conditions will improve even further while unemployment will be further minimized.

S: That was all I had to ask. Thank you for your time.

C: Thanks for coming here.

Video ends and the camera zooms again on the TV News panel.

S: That was the interview with President Charlie. Thanks for watching!

 

[Kinich-Ahau]

The Cherokee Nation is claiming the following lands this season:



Additionally, we would like to offer NAPs to Pacifica, Los Salvadores, the Navajo Nation, the American Republic, and the Kingdom of Bermuda.

 

[Ailedhoo]

The Divine Mandate will continue its expansion of peace!



Our standard expansion policy in our borders now take up all the land we marked as primal; the red (army claims) and the more northern blue (EP annexation) essentially is into free-form areas. We will talk with our allies in Louisiana about our agreed borders but our focus this season is north for the expansion our lands proper.

Of course it is not just by land one expands.

Florida is in chaos and we will peace to it.



The purple is our claims this turn: cyan is our potential projection but we are open to diplomatic consolidation on the split up of Florida; we are happy to hold conference on Florida to avoid the situation in Newfoundland.

Now for the controversial element.



We wish to ask Bermuda if the following claim in Maine is acceptable; it will be our only interest in the north territory wise, as it purpose is to serve as the cradle of a fortress monastery and a trading port. Our policies are for peaceful purposes and not for aggression.

We ask all in the North Americas to warn the Syndicates any aggression is not a grand path. If the Syndicates want to show aggression against us we are not prepared to kowtow to what is essentially a act of malice; we want one province, that is all, for peaceful purposes. We request the communities of North America to request the Syndicates to show restraint and not jump to war.

We politely request he Syndicates see reason and do not become warmongers over a single province. If you disrespect our religion and want to war us over that then we fear for others who do not share your atheist fundamentalism. Nevertheless we are open to find out that you indeed friends to peace and will set aside your foolish aggressive declaration in the end of sense.

We also wish to announce we support the monarchist in the civil war in New England as a mark of our respect to our Barmuda friends.