Europe and the Great Game Mk II

chris N · Aug 9, 2014

The 1870's had since Imperial Russia continuing to nibble away at the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans decided that they were willing to ajust their border with the Austrian Kingdom of Jerusalem in turn for help in stopping it from having to face a two front war. That is the Greeks in the West and the Russians in the East. The Result was the British and Austrians began to apply diplomatic and military pressure to Greece.
The Establishment of an Independent Crete came as a shock to the Greek government but it was also a signal from Vienna and London that Greece;s alliance with Russia was unacceptable to both countries.

The fact was that these wars with Russia would break out again in the 1880's and would eventually lead to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and its replacement with a Turkish National state.

chris N · Aug 10, 2014

Austria and Russia held secret talks in an attempt to achieve detente.
Most of the European powers wanted to avoid another major war.There had been the Crimean War, the German unification conflict and several conflict in the Balkans. No one was interested in seeing another conflict that might be bloodier than any of them.
Relations between Russia and France had seen a great deal of improvement since the death of Emperor Napoleon III and his son's taking the throne.

chris N · Aug 11, 2014

Austria had prevented a lot of Bloodshed in Albania. It seemed that the Serbs and Greeks both shared a dislike of the Muslim population of Albania. It was without a doubt shaped by the problems that they had both had with the Ottoman Empire. Some of the Muslim population had move to Austrian East Africa or the Ottoman Empire but a sizable amount remained. A German Prince had been offered the post of King and had accepted after assurances from Austria of help.
Austria had rebuilt the the Albanian Army. Roads and rail lines were also rebuilt.

chris N · Aug 12, 2014

The 1880s now saw Austria and Great Britain applying both Political and economic pressure in an attempt to prevent a much larger war. Greece found that it was under a dark cloud caused by its continuing to press for Greater Greece. When it allowed hostile actions against the Embassies of Great Britain and Austria in the form of hostile demonstrations it got a response from both powers. The Royal Navy appeared and the British citizens were evacuated. The British Embassy was closed as was the Austrian Embassy. All trade with Greece was blocked.
On the other hand the British and Austrian governments both moved to improve relations with the Ottoman Empire. In the Ottoman Empire the Young Turk movement started to gain momentum . The corruption needed to come to an end and reforms were needed,

chris N · Aug 13, 2014

Austrian, British and German industries were able to sign contracts to provide critical goods for the Ottoman Economy. The Young Turk movement would continue to press the government for reforms. Corruption had been one of the causes for such military disasters suffered by the Ottomans. Diplomatic moved had resulted in resolving border issues between the Austrian Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Ottoman Empire. The Austrians had also helped to solve problems between its Ally the Kingdom of Arabia and the Ottoman Empire.
There was little doubt that Austrian support for friend in Arabia and allowed them to triumph over the House of Saudi. This would pay off in many ways in the future as well as the present. Thus Austrian arms were provided for their ally and Austrian Foreign Legion forces helped to protect the kingdom of Arabia.

chris N · Aug 14, 2014

The railroad connections between Egypt and the Ottoman Empire that ran though the Kingdom of Jerusalem had shown a great deal of improvement. The Kingdom had seen a great influx of immigrants from Europe. It had also seen a lot of improvements including, water plants, sewer lines, roads, hospitals and schools Part of these projects were being carried out by the Military to improve the defenses of the kingdom.
It was also clear that some goods was moving through the Kingdom so as to prevent Greek and Russian spies from reporting on their delivery to the Ottoman Empire. Relations between the Ottoman Empire and Austria seemed to be on the upswing. The Austrians and Germans were helping with construction of improvement to the rail connections.

chris N · Aug 15, 2014

The Colonial race in Africa continues.Tensions appear to be rising as French, Italian and British interest clash. Italy has been encourage to enter the race by Austria. Both France and Italy express an interest in Tunisia.
The French have already begun to move into the western and northern part of the country from its bases in Algeria.
Morocco remains an unclaimed prize. Britain,Germany and France all have interest in the country as does Spain. However, since Germany has a Bavarian Kaiser rather than a Prussian one there is likely not to be a conflict. Napoleon IV has been on the throne for nearly 9 years since the death of his father. He has been trying to avoid a European conflict.
Still France has moved closer to Russia as it sees the Austrian Empire and Germany as possible threats to French expansion.

chris N · Aug 18, 2014

Despite diplomatic pressure from Britain and Austria the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire continued to see border clashes in the 1880s.
The Russian Military pressed the Czar to be allowed to deliver a crush blow to the Ottomans. This would result in Russia regaining more of Ancient Armenia as well as other parts of the Ottoman Empire.
However, Austria and Germany had been helping to improve the Ottoman Military. Austria was selling weapons and industrial equipment but Germany was helping to train the new Ottoman Empire Military to be better able to deal with the Russians.
After the Incident which resulted in the closing of the British and Austrian Embassies in Athens relation between the two sides went cold. The result was the Greek economy suffered.

chris N · Aug 20, 2014

Napoleon IV was unlike his father. He preferred diplomacy to the prospect of war. He attempted to repair relations with Britain , which were strained due to France's growing relationship with Imperial Russia.
The Young French Emperor was attempting to convince Germany's Bavarian Emperor that good relations with France would be worth while.
Still the Kingdom of Italy was regard as a pain. The Italians were attempting to expand their colonial Empire into areas that France considered hers.
The French had already begun to expand from Algeria into Tunisia when it appeared that the Italians were also attempting to gain at least part of it, especially a seaport.
Also French and Italian Colonial forces had run into one another in Chad. So far there had been no shooting but tensions were rising.
Then there was Morocco. France had an interest in it as did Spain , Great Britain, Germany and even the US. The Americans had no interest in establishing a colony but they did have economic interest.. French diplomats did everything possible to advance the French cause and in Paris the General and Politicians started planning th conquest of the country .

chris N · Aug 26, 2014

While Napoleon IV was attempting to avoid a European War he was determined that France should gain Morocco . He was also determined that the Kingdom of Italy should not encroach into territory that France considered hers< The French Emperor decided to use diplomacy to convince the Germans to withdraw their opposition to the French occupation of Morocco. He also appealed to Queen Victoria, who had always like the boy when he had been the Prince Imperial.
Austria was watching from the sidelines. It had been supporting the Italians . It had no interest in another European War but it did not like the fact that France and Imperial Russia seemed to be getting closer.

chris N · Aug 27, 2014

Britain and Austria had been co-operating in efforts to check the Russians and toward preventing another Major European conflict. Austria had emerged from the Crimean War as a major player in European affairs. A decision had been made in Vienna that had resulted in the creation of the Kingdom of Italy with Austrian assistance. The Austrians had even given lands which had been held by Austria to the new Kingdom in an effort to secure the Empire's left flank. Russia had adsorbed the lands that would have been Romania but it had also used diplomacy and military might to help liberate the Balkans. Relations between the Kingdom of Serbia and the Austrian Empire became quite friendly. The Serbs gained territory still the two did have a serious disagreement over Albania. Some in Serbia wanted the explosions of all Muslims from Europe much of this reaction was due to the Ottoman Occupation.
The Greeks expelled the Ottomans from its remaining foothold in Europe and Once again a Christian Kingdom's flag flew over Constantinople.
Still what was ignited in Greece was a desire to restore the Greek foothold in Asia Minor and a Greater Greece. Nothing that the British or Austrians could do could stomp this movement out. Of course the Russians supported this move as it fit in with their plans to expand into the Middle East

chris N · Aug 29, 2014

The British were calling for a conference between, France, Germany, Austria, itself, Portugal, Italy and Spain to deal with the African Colonial problem. The British were hoepeful that they could avoid a conflict between the European powers. The Portuguese had no problem with anyone else and Spain was more than willing to reach a deal. The Greeks, British and Austrians meanwhile were meeting in Munich in an attempt to reach an agreement and repair relations. The Greek economy had suffered under the lack of trade with Britain and Austria.

chris N · Aug 29, 2014

The French and Italians are both interested in Tunisia. The Italians have a foot hold along the southern coast and the southern part . France holds the west and the north and is prepared to expand until it reaches the sea. The Italians are willing to fight and request Austrian Assistance if attacked.
Great Britain purposes a compromise and expresses a wiliness to compromise over Morocco if the French would show some flexibility.
France suggest that the Italians go for Ethiopia.

chris N · Sep 2, 2014

The conference that was held in London resulted in both Spain and Portugal leaving the conference feeling that their colonial situtation was settled. The French hold on most of Tunsisia appeared to be firm, The French government stated over and over that this was French territory. Still for the moment the Ilalians retained their foothold in the southern part and along the southeastern coast.. The French were securinf more of the territory.
It appeared that the Italians were seriously considering taking Ethopia.

chris N · Sep 3, 2014

The London Conference had succeeded in preventing a European War over the issue of Tunisia . A temporary border was drawn giving most of the territory to the French. The powers agreed to revisit the issue in 2 years. Meanwhile the border dispute regarding Chad and Libya was also resolved.
The Italians appeared about to make a try for Ethiopia. The last power that mad made any attempt on the area was Great Britain and it was more of a punitive action in the late 1860s Austria had no interest in acquiring any more territory.

chris N · Sep 4, 2014

It appears that the Kingdom of Italy has decided to make a try of taking over Ethiopia. The Austrians largely remain quiet over the idea but do point out that this might be something that requires a lot of effort.
The British government attempts to throw cold water on the idea but will not use force to prevent it.
In China a reform movement begins to make a serious move to take power away from the Monarchy. They oppose the Boxer movement which is supported by the weak Monarchy, The Empress believes she can turn the clock back.

chris N · Sep 7, 2014

The Italian Government began to make its move on Ethiopia . The Austrian commander in Austrian East Africa was of the opinion that the Italians better be prepared as things were going to be rough.
In China the Civil War had begun The reformers had shown that they were ready . They had destroyed one of the Imperial Army units that was in the area. They had also shown that they could take on and defeat the Boxer movement. The leaders of the movement sent out clear signals to the British and French governments that they were not the enemies of them. They also provide evidence to the British and Austrian governments that the Imperial government had been supporting attacks on Chrisitan missionaries and citizens of the European powers.

chris N · Sep 8, 2014

The Italian Kingdom was determined to show the other European Powers that it was capable of conquest. There was still a lot of hostility toward France over the Tunisian question. The conquest of Ethiopia
would not only give the Italians a major triumph but give her a colony more likely to be settled.
The Austrians had few settlers to their African colonies. Indeed the majority of the Europeans that had moved there were the Albanian Muslims , who had been granted lands by the crown. There was some in the Austrian Empire that favored leaving East Afria and turning it over to its British and Italian allies.

chris N · Sep 8, 2014

The Italians were making their move toward establishing a bigger Colonial Empire. But in the Middle East it appeared that the Ottomans and the Russians were about to engage in another nasty border fight. The Germans and the Austrians had been busy selling arms to the Ottoman Empire. Both Austria and Great Britain were attempting to prevent Russia from swallowing up the region.
Greece had been quiet. it appeared that the breaking away of Crete combined with trade sanctions had showed the Greeks that they could not allow their people to attack the British and Austrian embassies and not expect to be punished for it..
France had become Greece's biggest arms supplier.

chris N · Sep 9, 2014

The Italian Invasion of Ethiopia immediately suffered setback. The Italians had not had enough military experience dealing in Africa and made a number of mistakes. Those mistakes lead to to military disasters. The Austrians then began to offer advise but made it clear that this would be something that Italy would have to do.
The Italians built up their bases and proceeded to fortify them. Additional troops were sent and natives were recruited from those areas that Italian forces had secured.
Rather than trying to rapidly take everything at once a new plan of action was set. The plan called for a series of operations with time between each to allow consolidation and resupply. The Italian Officers decided to listen to the Austrian Colonial officers and the result was no more disasters. It took nearly 4 years but the Italians prevailed thanks to the Machine gun and superior artillery.