Rather than just hitting the like button I'll be vocal and say a pair of enjoyable updates. Actually, seeing as I never commented after the update on Poland I should say three good ones, but regardless the build up to the world war continues, and Rhodesia continues to march down a path that will do the world proud. Also, a good map. It is nice to see such an interesting world fleshed out like this again.
The Shield of Liberty
- Thread starter Asami
- Start date
And because you guys have been delightfully patient:
The world map at the outbreak of World War II, 1880.
Could you please remind me of the situation in Peru-Bolivia? How come they ended up together? And thank you very much for the map.
Asami
Banned
During the revolution against the Kingdom of New Granada, Peru and Aymara united to form the Andean Confederation; it's one of the full democracies in Latin America.
Asami
Banned
Chapter 39: On The Homefront
Conservative Sokot citizens, turn of the century
SOKOTO CALIPHATE
Conservative Sokot citizens, turn of the century
The relationship between the Commonwealth of Rhodesia and the Sokoto Caliphate was uncertain at first. The Sokots had been using their trade relationship with Georgia to expand their own domestic power over the large river delta their country was split in twain over. The influx of western goods, medicine and guns had rapidly allowed the Sokoto Caliphate to consolidate her rule over the regions in Nigeria.
The Caliph of Sokoto was unilaterally opposed to the kind of democracy that was preached by the Rhodesians, but he also felt that a strong African ally would be a boon to have around to deter European imperialism from encroaching his own borders.
In 1868, a team of diplomats arrived in Sokoto's capital city, and met with the Caliph and his Grand Vizier. The terms written up in a short treaty enumerated the establishment of a diplomatic consulate in the capital city, and a number of trade agreements in exchange for certain military compromises on Sokoto's side. This marked the first formal diplomatic relations between another independent African tribe and the newly minted state of Rhodesia.
Rhodesia has a growing influence on Sokoto, particularly after the death of the Caliph in 1869. His son, a much more "reform minded" Caliph, issued a decree devolving a couple positions of power to aides, creating an extremely limited democratic framework from which to work from. He stated that his goal by 1900 was to empower the Sokot nation, and establish ourselves as an energetic centerpiece of African geopolitics."
MANIFEST DESTINYThe Caliph of Sokoto was unilaterally opposed to the kind of democracy that was preached by the Rhodesians, but he also felt that a strong African ally would be a boon to have around to deter European imperialism from encroaching his own borders.
In 1868, a team of diplomats arrived in Sokoto's capital city, and met with the Caliph and his Grand Vizier. The terms written up in a short treaty enumerated the establishment of a diplomatic consulate in the capital city, and a number of trade agreements in exchange for certain military compromises on Sokoto's side. This marked the first formal diplomatic relations between another independent African tribe and the newly minted state of Rhodesia.
Rhodesia has a growing influence on Sokoto, particularly after the death of the Caliph in 1869. His son, a much more "reform minded" Caliph, issued a decree devolving a couple positions of power to aides, creating an extremely limited democratic framework from which to work from. He stated that his goal by 1900 was to empower the Sokot nation, and establish ourselves as an energetic centerpiece of African geopolitics."
From 1865 onwards, the Commonwealth of Rhodesia stepped up her "Manifest Destiny" policies in expanding north-ward in settling all races of people into new territories to join into the motherland. During the mid-1860s, Rhodesian settlements cropped up along the East African shoreline, stretching incredibly far north.
In 1869, the city-sultanate of Zanzibar was annexed by the Commonwealth of Rhodesia after a trade dispute arose between the two factions -- matters were made worse when six Rhodesian merchants were beheaded for capital crimes -- namely, conspiracy against the Sultan, with intent to overthrow the monarchy and establish a protectorate.
Ironically, the Sultan's legal decision to behead the merchants did lead to his nation being conquered and turned into a protectorate. The brief Zanzibar War lasted only two weeks, and lead to the end of the Zanzibari monarchy, with it's forced annexation and integration into the Commonwealth without hesitation.
Louisa Stirling's government's changed mind-set on how to deal with those outside of the legal system of the Commonwealth played a great part in the sudden interest for expansion. While she believed in the legal equality amongst races and ethnic groups, she also believed deeply in imperial paternalism, and the efforts of "organizing and civilizing those without civilization", and "spreading the aegis of democracy from coast to coast". This brought her into conflict with The Railroad, whom accused her of "attempting to subjugate non-white races".
Stirling, for the most part, kept her wits about her during this period of feuding between the Railroad and Unionists -- and came across as very much the controlled stateswoman.
In 1870, the Doctrine of Manifest Destiny was published by the Home Office and the Colonial Secretary, outlining Rhodesia's plan for integration and settlement of new territories. The document emphasized the need to respect native culture and ethnic identity, but pointed out that democracy was an absolute necessity, and that without democracy, civilization was not within reach.
The Radicals, for the most part, remained quiet on the matter -- despite their radical liberal tendencies, they agreed with President Stirling's policy on the natives. While they wholly embraced the idea that all men were created equal as Father Jefferson had made clear in the Old Constitution, they also admitted that these uncivilized peoples needed democracy, western civilization and education to emerge into the modern age as equals, not as underlings.
An attempt in 1870 to recall the government of Louisa Stirling catastrophically failed, and damaged The Railroad's domestic prestige, with even Former President Kingsley emerging from her retirement to criticize the new "overzealous" leadership of the party -- forgetting that the leadership of the party, was, in fact, her protege and closest allies during the Patriotic War.
In the 1872 parliamentary elections, the situation got better for the Unionists.
Rhodesian general election, 1872; Assembly Elections
184 out of 367 seats required to attain a majority
The Railroad - James Cirha - 77 seats
Unionist - Louisa Stirling - 218 seats
Democratic - Robert G. Brooke- 38 seats
Radical - Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice - 34 seats
The Unionists surged in the Assembly, gaining a majority over the other three parties. However, despite this great victory, Stirling maintained that she intended to keep her coalition with the Radicals, particularly now that they found leadership in the form of Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, who was the Marquess of Landsowne, following the death of Mr. Stevens of a stroke in the months prior to the election.
In the Senate, the Unionists scored similar great victories.
Rhodesian general election, 1872; Senate elections
85 out of 170 seats required to attain a majority.
The Railroad - Patrick Johnson - 38 seats
Democratic Party - Michael Norton - 30 seats
Unionist Party - James Harden - 89 seats
Radical Party - William Carrington - 13 seats
The Royalist Party completely collapsed in all forms, with Robert Chiles losing his seat in the Senate to a Radical Party competitor. The Railroad and Democratic Party lost about 6 seats each, with 9 of those seats swinging Unionist, and 3 Radical. The Railroad had lost an immense amount of political power, and the coalition of Unionist-Radical had cemented an actual majority.
At her second inauguration in 1873, the President triumphantly stated that "this lady's not for turning," and that the course the nation was set on would not change, and that the tides were pushing them towards a new age of glory, prosperity, and great victories.
In 1873, technology got a boost in the form of a Vesperian inventor named Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the first telephone device in his home in Acadia. Phoning downstairs to his assistant, named Watson, he uttered only "Watson, come here, I need you."
After the news of this announcement broke, investors were nearly breaking down the door to get to Mr. Bell's invention. In April 1873, he was approached by the National Telegraph Service in Rhodesia, who expressed an immense interest in the man's invention, seeing it as a better way to connect the various regions under Rhodesian control.
The Bell Company was established the following month in Southmere -- and marked President Stirling's first major privatization effort of her second term as President -- she intended to devolve some aspects of the nation's infrastructure to companies who could do it for cheaper and would receive subsidies and guidelines from the government level. As a result, 60-65% of the NTS' assets were sold to the Bell Company, granting them an immense monopoly.
The makings of telephone implementation began to spread across the capital, and by the outbreak of the Second Great War, telephone connections would reach from Southmere, as far as Zanzibar -- all funded by the Royal Government, and the Bell Company. The Bell Company would hold a virtual monopoly on telephone service until the early 20th century, when the government forced the Bell Company to relinquish most of her monopoly on telephone service.
Common Bell Telephone logo, c. 1889
One of the first major inventions made by the Rhodesian people, was the electric light in 1874. In his lab in Jeffersonburg, William Marshall successfully tested and effectively invented the electric light. The Marshall Lamp Company was founded in the following months by Marshall and a friend of his. Interest in other sectors of the economy grew, and in the following months, the MLC made acquisitions in the form of a few manufacturing corporations. The Wallace and Sons Farming Company, which produced farming equipment, as well as buying out Transorange State Railroad Company, another privatization effort by the President, as well as the Southmere Electric Motor Company, a private firm that produced electric motors for industrial use.
The combine of the Marshall Lamp Company, the Wallace & Son's Farming Company, and the TSCR, renamed itself to the General Electric Company, a catch-all name for a growing enterprise. By 1900, they would expand, not only encompassing electronics, but also encompassing areas such as railroad, oil and aerodynamics.
Logo of General Electric in the present day.
In 1874, Stirling made clear her decision to not run in 1876 for yet another term, deciding instead that she would be better suited to once again teach future generations the importance of learning and possessing knowledge. The remaining three years of her administration were much of the same -- colonial expansion to the north, industrial production, education reform, and further expansion of domestic technological advancements.
In 1875, the Ministry of Research and Development was established by Executive Order, granting a cabinet-level position that focused entirely on assisting companies and the government in conducting R&D. President Stirling highlighted that having the MRD around would allow for bright young minds to see to it that their innovations be given a glowing stage to present to the world on -- it was only a matter of encouraging the young to innovate.
The 1876 election saw the Unionists debate on whom would take the mantle of the party -- the party rallied behind a man who framed himself as the "Stirlingist successor", and called for a moderate government with common sense which would govern Rhodesia for another term at least. This man was Charles J. Beckett. Beckett was from a lower class background, and while holding many Conservative views, was also a notable moderate and "progressive" in the same vein as President Stirling, and framed himself as the natural successor to her.
The 1876 election saw the change up of the Railroad leadership -- James Cirha and Patrick Johnson were ousted by their own party, looking to get new blood into power to reform the party from within and lead it to victory once again. However, the Unionists seemed to be just a bit too strong to deal with.
Rhodesian general election, 1876; Assembly Elections
184 out of 367 seats required to attain a majority
The Railroad - Kenneth Foster - 97 seats
Unionist - Charles J. Beckett - 198 seats
Democratic - Gordon Barnett - 42 seats
Radical - Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice - 30 seats
While the Railroad and Democrats made advances, the Unionists continued with a majority, granting Beckett the support he needed to be confirmed as President-Elect. In a final speech published in newspapers, President Stirling warned of "entanglement in foreign wars of which we are no member", and to "uphold democracy by caring for our own, before throwing men to die for ungrateful Europeans or Americans".
Rhodesian general election, 1876; Senate elections
85 out of 170 seats required to attain a majority.
The Railroad - Oluwafunmilayo Oliver - 42 seats
Democratic Party - Michael Norton - 33 seats
Unionist Party - James Harden - 85 seats
Radical Party - William Carrington - 10 seats
In late 1876, the Assembly decided to make Lady Ironborn a hereditary nobility title, with consent and approval from Rhodesia's Senate. In 1877, the law went into effect, granting to Louisa Stirling the now official title, Lady Ironborn, a title which has passed down from mother to daughter over the last 140 years, and is now in the possession of Rebecca Stirling.
In his inauguration, Beckett echoed the sentiment, calling for "domestic unity and friendship", and pledging to continue the work that had been going on now for 8 years. For the President, he wasn't entirely convinced that neutrality would work out.
While Rhodesia continued to expand, and her domestic technological future grew brighter, the world seemed to be getting harder to live in, and with all the pressures of the world growing, it wouldn't be long before the future got just a bit darker.
Charles J. Beckett, 3rd President of Rhodesia
In 1869, the city-sultanate of Zanzibar was annexed by the Commonwealth of Rhodesia after a trade dispute arose between the two factions -- matters were made worse when six Rhodesian merchants were beheaded for capital crimes -- namely, conspiracy against the Sultan, with intent to overthrow the monarchy and establish a protectorate.
Ironically, the Sultan's legal decision to behead the merchants did lead to his nation being conquered and turned into a protectorate. The brief Zanzibar War lasted only two weeks, and lead to the end of the Zanzibari monarchy, with it's forced annexation and integration into the Commonwealth without hesitation.
Louisa Stirling's government's changed mind-set on how to deal with those outside of the legal system of the Commonwealth played a great part in the sudden interest for expansion. While she believed in the legal equality amongst races and ethnic groups, she also believed deeply in imperial paternalism, and the efforts of "organizing and civilizing those without civilization", and "spreading the aegis of democracy from coast to coast". This brought her into conflict with The Railroad, whom accused her of "attempting to subjugate non-white races".
Stirling, for the most part, kept her wits about her during this period of feuding between the Railroad and Unionists -- and came across as very much the controlled stateswoman.
In 1870, the Doctrine of Manifest Destiny was published by the Home Office and the Colonial Secretary, outlining Rhodesia's plan for integration and settlement of new territories. The document emphasized the need to respect native culture and ethnic identity, but pointed out that democracy was an absolute necessity, and that without democracy, civilization was not within reach.
The Radicals, for the most part, remained quiet on the matter -- despite their radical liberal tendencies, they agreed with President Stirling's policy on the natives. While they wholly embraced the idea that all men were created equal as Father Jefferson had made clear in the Old Constitution, they also admitted that these uncivilized peoples needed democracy, western civilization and education to emerge into the modern age as equals, not as underlings.
An attempt in 1870 to recall the government of Louisa Stirling catastrophically failed, and damaged The Railroad's domestic prestige, with even Former President Kingsley emerging from her retirement to criticize the new "overzealous" leadership of the party -- forgetting that the leadership of the party, was, in fact, her protege and closest allies during the Patriotic War.
In the 1872 parliamentary elections, the situation got better for the Unionists.
Rhodesian general election, 1872; Assembly Elections
184 out of 367 seats required to attain a majority
The Railroad - James Cirha - 77 seats
Unionist - Louisa Stirling - 218 seats
Democratic - Robert G. Brooke- 38 seats
Radical - Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice - 34 seats
The Unionists surged in the Assembly, gaining a majority over the other three parties. However, despite this great victory, Stirling maintained that she intended to keep her coalition with the Radicals, particularly now that they found leadership in the form of Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, who was the Marquess of Landsowne, following the death of Mr. Stevens of a stroke in the months prior to the election.
In the Senate, the Unionists scored similar great victories.
Rhodesian general election, 1872; Senate elections
85 out of 170 seats required to attain a majority.
The Railroad - Patrick Johnson - 38 seats
Democratic Party - Michael Norton - 30 seats
Unionist Party - James Harden - 89 seats
Radical Party - William Carrington - 13 seats
The Royalist Party completely collapsed in all forms, with Robert Chiles losing his seat in the Senate to a Radical Party competitor. The Railroad and Democratic Party lost about 6 seats each, with 9 of those seats swinging Unionist, and 3 Radical. The Railroad had lost an immense amount of political power, and the coalition of Unionist-Radical had cemented an actual majority.
At her second inauguration in 1873, the President triumphantly stated that "this lady's not for turning," and that the course the nation was set on would not change, and that the tides were pushing them towards a new age of glory, prosperity, and great victories.
In 1873, technology got a boost in the form of a Vesperian inventor named Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the first telephone device in his home in Acadia. Phoning downstairs to his assistant, named Watson, he uttered only "Watson, come here, I need you."
After the news of this announcement broke, investors were nearly breaking down the door to get to Mr. Bell's invention. In April 1873, he was approached by the National Telegraph Service in Rhodesia, who expressed an immense interest in the man's invention, seeing it as a better way to connect the various regions under Rhodesian control.
The Bell Company was established the following month in Southmere -- and marked President Stirling's first major privatization effort of her second term as President -- she intended to devolve some aspects of the nation's infrastructure to companies who could do it for cheaper and would receive subsidies and guidelines from the government level. As a result, 60-65% of the NTS' assets were sold to the Bell Company, granting them an immense monopoly.
The makings of telephone implementation began to spread across the capital, and by the outbreak of the Second Great War, telephone connections would reach from Southmere, as far as Zanzibar -- all funded by the Royal Government, and the Bell Company. The Bell Company would hold a virtual monopoly on telephone service until the early 20th century, when the government forced the Bell Company to relinquish most of her monopoly on telephone service.
Common Bell Telephone logo, c. 1889
One of the first major inventions made by the Rhodesian people, was the electric light in 1874. In his lab in Jeffersonburg, William Marshall successfully tested and effectively invented the electric light. The Marshall Lamp Company was founded in the following months by Marshall and a friend of his. Interest in other sectors of the economy grew, and in the following months, the MLC made acquisitions in the form of a few manufacturing corporations. The Wallace and Sons Farming Company, which produced farming equipment, as well as buying out Transorange State Railroad Company, another privatization effort by the President, as well as the Southmere Electric Motor Company, a private firm that produced electric motors for industrial use.
The combine of the Marshall Lamp Company, the Wallace & Son's Farming Company, and the TSCR, renamed itself to the General Electric Company, a catch-all name for a growing enterprise. By 1900, they would expand, not only encompassing electronics, but also encompassing areas such as railroad, oil and aerodynamics.
Logo of General Electric in the present day.
In 1875, the Ministry of Research and Development was established by Executive Order, granting a cabinet-level position that focused entirely on assisting companies and the government in conducting R&D. President Stirling highlighted that having the MRD around would allow for bright young minds to see to it that their innovations be given a glowing stage to present to the world on -- it was only a matter of encouraging the young to innovate.
The 1876 election saw the Unionists debate on whom would take the mantle of the party -- the party rallied behind a man who framed himself as the "Stirlingist successor", and called for a moderate government with common sense which would govern Rhodesia for another term at least. This man was Charles J. Beckett. Beckett was from a lower class background, and while holding many Conservative views, was also a notable moderate and "progressive" in the same vein as President Stirling, and framed himself as the natural successor to her.
The 1876 election saw the change up of the Railroad leadership -- James Cirha and Patrick Johnson were ousted by their own party, looking to get new blood into power to reform the party from within and lead it to victory once again. However, the Unionists seemed to be just a bit too strong to deal with.
Rhodesian general election, 1876; Assembly Elections
184 out of 367 seats required to attain a majority
The Railroad - Kenneth Foster - 97 seats
Unionist - Charles J. Beckett - 198 seats
Democratic - Gordon Barnett - 42 seats
Radical - Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice - 30 seats
While the Railroad and Democrats made advances, the Unionists continued with a majority, granting Beckett the support he needed to be confirmed as President-Elect. In a final speech published in newspapers, President Stirling warned of "entanglement in foreign wars of which we are no member", and to "uphold democracy by caring for our own, before throwing men to die for ungrateful Europeans or Americans".
Rhodesian general election, 1876; Senate elections
85 out of 170 seats required to attain a majority.
The Railroad - Oluwafunmilayo Oliver - 42 seats
Democratic Party - Michael Norton - 33 seats
Unionist Party - James Harden - 85 seats
Radical Party - William Carrington - 10 seats
In late 1876, the Assembly decided to make Lady Ironborn a hereditary nobility title, with consent and approval from Rhodesia's Senate. In 1877, the law went into effect, granting to Louisa Stirling the now official title, Lady Ironborn, a title which has passed down from mother to daughter over the last 140 years, and is now in the possession of Rebecca Stirling.
In his inauguration, Beckett echoed the sentiment, calling for "domestic unity and friendship", and pledging to continue the work that had been going on now for 8 years. For the President, he wasn't entirely convinced that neutrality would work out.
While Rhodesia continued to expand, and her domestic technological future grew brighter, the world seemed to be getting harder to live in, and with all the pressures of the world growing, it wouldn't be long before the future got just a bit darker.
Charles J. Beckett, 3rd President of Rhodesia
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Asami
Banned
President of Georgia (1795-1861)
1796 - 1806: Thomas Jefferson (Democratic Union) - 1st
1806 - 1816: Joseph C. Rhodes (Democratic Union) - 2nd
1816 - 1819: Zebulon Pike (Liberal Democratic) - 3rd [1]
1819 - 1826: William Hull (Conservative) - 4th [1]
1826 - 1841: Benjamin Tallmadge (Democratic) - 5th [2]
1841 - 1849: Patrick C.Q. Woods (Conservative) - 6th [3]
1849 - present: Nathaniel Wilmer (Conservative) - 7th [4]
President of Rhodesia (1856 - present)
1856 - 1869: Nolusindiso Kingsley, 1st Marchioness of Southmere (The Railroad war government; rule by decree) [5]
1869 - 1873: Louisa Stirling, 1st Lady Ironborn (Unionist minority; with Radical supply and confidence) [6]
1873 - 1877: Louisa Stirling, 1st Lady Ironborn (Unionist majority) [6]
1877 - present: Charles J. Beckett (Unionist majority) [7]
[1] Zebulon Pike died of pneumonia in 1819. There was no formal line of succession, however, after 18 days of a vacant office, the Parliament formally decreed that by merit of a newly minted line of succession, William Hull should become President. He left office after losing in the 1825 election.
[2] The Democratic Party is one of the splinter factions to emerge from the Democratic Union after it's collapse. Tallmadge's party is a direct continuity therein.
[3] Patrick C.Q. Woods was defeated by Nathaniel Wilmer in a party leadership vote. As a result, an early election was held in 1849, and another one was then held in 1850. Wilmer won both, and consolidated his control over the state.
[4] Deposed by force of arms -- Georgia annexed by Rhodesia after the 1861 end to the Civil War.
[5] Leader of The Railroad before the war, and leader of the secessionist movement against Wilmer's government. After the war, became the internationally recognized President of Rhodesia -- and was re-elected with a supermajority in 1864.
[6] Also known as Lady Ironborn, she was a decorated war hero who is often called the "Rhodesian Joan of Arc". Surviving the Patriotic War, Lady Ironborn became a political figure, and was elected to the Presidency in 1868, marking the first non-leftist government in the history of Rhodesia. While her first government (1869-1873) was established through a supply and confidence agreement with the Radical Party, her second term did not require Radical supply and confidence, though she did not dismiss the Radicals in her cabinet, and chose to keep them as her party's ally.
[7] Charles J. Beckett was the natural successor of President Stirling, at least -- that's how he framed it; claiming that he would continue all of her previous policies. His pacifistic policies worry many in the Assembly and Senate, as the world grows significantly more violent.
1796 - 1806: Thomas Jefferson (Democratic Union) - 1st
1806 - 1816: Joseph C. Rhodes (Democratic Union) - 2nd
1816 - 1819: Zebulon Pike (Liberal Democratic) - 3rd [1]
1819 - 1826: William Hull (Conservative) - 4th [1]
1826 - 1841: Benjamin Tallmadge (Democratic) - 5th [2]
1841 - 1849: Patrick C.Q. Woods (Conservative) - 6th [3]
1849 - present: Nathaniel Wilmer (Conservative) - 7th [4]
President of Rhodesia (1856 - present)
1856 - 1869: Nolusindiso Kingsley, 1st Marchioness of Southmere (The Railroad war government; rule by decree) [5]
1869 - 1873: Louisa Stirling, 1st Lady Ironborn (Unionist minority; with Radical supply and confidence) [6]
1873 - 1877: Louisa Stirling, 1st Lady Ironborn (Unionist majority) [6]
1877 - present: Charles J. Beckett (Unionist majority) [7]
[1] Zebulon Pike died of pneumonia in 1819. There was no formal line of succession, however, after 18 days of a vacant office, the Parliament formally decreed that by merit of a newly minted line of succession, William Hull should become President. He left office after losing in the 1825 election.
[2] The Democratic Party is one of the splinter factions to emerge from the Democratic Union after it's collapse. Tallmadge's party is a direct continuity therein.
[3] Patrick C.Q. Woods was defeated by Nathaniel Wilmer in a party leadership vote. As a result, an early election was held in 1849, and another one was then held in 1850. Wilmer won both, and consolidated his control over the state.
[4] Deposed by force of arms -- Georgia annexed by Rhodesia after the 1861 end to the Civil War.
[5] Leader of The Railroad before the war, and leader of the secessionist movement against Wilmer's government. After the war, became the internationally recognized President of Rhodesia -- and was re-elected with a supermajority in 1864.
[6] Also known as Lady Ironborn, she was a decorated war hero who is often called the "Rhodesian Joan of Arc". Surviving the Patriotic War, Lady Ironborn became a political figure, and was elected to the Presidency in 1868, marking the first non-leftist government in the history of Rhodesia. While her first government (1869-1873) was established through a supply and confidence agreement with the Radical Party, her second term did not require Radical supply and confidence, though she did not dismiss the Radicals in her cabinet, and chose to keep them as her party's ally.
[7] Charles J. Beckett was the natural successor of President Stirling, at least -- that's how he framed it; claiming that he would continue all of her previous policies. His pacifistic policies worry many in the Assembly and Senate, as the world grows significantly more violent.
Last edited:
Asami
Banned
Chapter 39.5: Companies In Rhodesia
Bell Company
Rhodesia's telephone provider. Established by Alexander Graham Bell's trust for his newest invention, the telephone, this company purchased large numbers of state telegraph assets from the government, and represents major privatization of communications as done by the Unionist government. They own all telegraph lines, and they own approximately 60% of the national telegraph lines, as purchased from the national government.
Royal Postal Service
Rhodesia's state-owned postal carrier, operated under the aegis of the Postmaster General. Established in 1795, this service manages all courier services from every corner of the country. They are tightly partnered with the British equivalent -- the General Post Office, as such, the RPS can help deliver messages to the Motherland, or to any British commonwealth inside of the GPO system.
General Electric
A syndicate of multiple corporations, General Electric is a far-reaching electronics and essential services corporation. Originally founded as the Marshall Lamp Company following the invention of the electric lamp, it soon expanded and merged with Wallace & Son's Farming Company, as well as the Transorange State Railroad Company, and the Southmere Electric Motor Company.
They are also looking into acquisitions into oil and mineral extraction as well.
Wonka Chocolate Company
Based out of the Province of Pepper Coast, the Wonka Chocolate Company has a near monopoly on Rhodesian cacao, and is one of the growing leaders of chocolate candies in the world. Owned by William Wonka, Governor of the Pepper Coast, it is a valuable company that seeks to expand it's aegis by acquiring new extraction areas for production purposes.
Other major companies include West African Resources, Co. which looks into West African territories for resources for export back to the mainland, and to foreign realms; as well as other government corporations, such as the Royal Trading Company, which is state-owned, but shares are distributed to invested merchants.
The Royal Trading Company has significant presence in the Indian Ocean basin, but has had her place weakened due to the establishment of spin-off companies, such as the Xhosa Trading Company, and the competition of rivaling merchantry firms, such as Harrison Bros. and Southmere Trading Co.; both of whom have made dents in the RTC's power, much as the Rhodesians had damaged the East Indian Trading Company's power many years prior.
Oil acquisition is still difficult, but the Standard Oil Company is scouting areas under Rhodesia's control, and negotiating with nations to search for oil in their lands as well -- with varying levels of success in setting up exploration outfits.
Rhodesia's telephone provider. Established by Alexander Graham Bell's trust for his newest invention, the telephone, this company purchased large numbers of state telegraph assets from the government, and represents major privatization of communications as done by the Unionist government. They own all telegraph lines, and they own approximately 60% of the national telegraph lines, as purchased from the national government.
Royal Postal Service
Rhodesia's state-owned postal carrier, operated under the aegis of the Postmaster General. Established in 1795, this service manages all courier services from every corner of the country. They are tightly partnered with the British equivalent -- the General Post Office, as such, the RPS can help deliver messages to the Motherland, or to any British commonwealth inside of the GPO system.
General Electric
A syndicate of multiple corporations, General Electric is a far-reaching electronics and essential services corporation. Originally founded as the Marshall Lamp Company following the invention of the electric lamp, it soon expanded and merged with Wallace & Son's Farming Company, as well as the Transorange State Railroad Company, and the Southmere Electric Motor Company.
They are also looking into acquisitions into oil and mineral extraction as well.
Wonka Chocolate Company
Based out of the Province of Pepper Coast, the Wonka Chocolate Company has a near monopoly on Rhodesian cacao, and is one of the growing leaders of chocolate candies in the world. Owned by William Wonka, Governor of the Pepper Coast, it is a valuable company that seeks to expand it's aegis by acquiring new extraction areas for production purposes.
Other major companies include West African Resources, Co. which looks into West African territories for resources for export back to the mainland, and to foreign realms; as well as other government corporations, such as the Royal Trading Company, which is state-owned, but shares are distributed to invested merchants.
The Royal Trading Company has significant presence in the Indian Ocean basin, but has had her place weakened due to the establishment of spin-off companies, such as the Xhosa Trading Company, and the competition of rivaling merchantry firms, such as Harrison Bros. and Southmere Trading Co.; both of whom have made dents in the RTC's power, much as the Rhodesians had damaged the East Indian Trading Company's power many years prior.
Oil acquisition is still difficult, but the Standard Oil Company is scouting areas under Rhodesia's control, and negotiating with nations to search for oil in their lands as well -- with varying levels of success in setting up exploration outfits.
Ryan
Donor
in OTL Antonio Meucci invented and perfected the telephone by 1871 but couldn't afford the patent. later on it was being assessed for a patent in the offices of Western Union when it fell into the hands of a young, Scottish engineer called Alexander Graham Bell.
so does he exist in ATL, did he invent the telephone first, and did bell steal it?
so does he exist in ATL, did he invent the telephone first, and did bell steal it?
Asami
Banned
In this timeline, Bell invented the telephone in Summer 1873 in Nova Scotia/Acadia. This is before he received the patent for it in 1879 historically. Just as well, the light-bulb is invented by a man whom is not Thomas Edison, who does not exist ATL.
In ATL Rhodesia at this point, Bell Company is like an amalgamation of Western Union and OTL's Bell -- they control a lion's share of telecommunications at this point, which will run them afoul of Their Majesty's Government in due time.
In Southmere, an ambitious young man named John Fleming is working as an electrician at General Electric, while also attending Southmere University. He is working tirelessly on something that he believes will revolutionize modern electronics -- theoretically, it is called... a diode.
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I'm liking the updates! Not sure on what the Democratic Party's ideology is at this point--are they the conservative party here?
@Upvoteanthology just in case you hadn't noticed this
@Upvoteanthology just in case you hadn't noticed this
Asami
Banned
I'm liking the updates! Not sure on what the Democratic Party's ideology is at this point--are they the conservative party here?
@Upvoteanthology just in case you hadn't noticed this
The Democratic Party and Unionist Party are both heavily "broad-tent" -- there are Conservative Democrats and Liberal Unionists. Right now, President Stirling and President Beckett are both from the Progressive Unionist faction -- hence they are naturally aligned with the most progressive (and non-socialist party), the Radicals.
Asami
Banned
Chapter 40: The Great Melting Pot
By the final two decades of the 19th century, the Commonwealth of Rhodesia had this almost queer status amongst the nations of the world in being an immense place of robust and developing opportunity -- while Western "Continental" Europeans (like French and German) were migrating to the former British colonies in North America, or to the former Spanish colony of Mexico and setting up new lives there, large and constantly growing numbers of Englishmen, Scotsmen, Welshmen, Bretons and Irish were migrating into Rhodesia through either opportunistic programs of their own, or by merit of exile.
While the British had initially set up a program to deport debt prisoners to America, and convicts to Australasia, by 1870, the program had shifted so that all of the exiles were dumped on Rhodesia's doorstep -- and Rhodesia was okay with that, provided they regulated how these people did business. The Ministry of Population Management was established to manage the influx of people.
The debtor and criminal population were distributed across both the plains of Africa and across the Australasian region. The far-off colony of Rhodesia began to rapidly grow in population as many groups were attracted to the adventure that lured them "Down Under". Not only did Australasia see an intense spike in population migrations, but other regions as well.
Aotearoa, the Maori-majority chain of islands east of Australasia, jumped up in population as well, as white settlers arrived in greater numbers. While the Maori were at first reluctant, the local Aotearoa provincial government passed legislative provisions which mandated certain behaviors for the white settlers in the Maori state, largely limiting areas of settlement for them, and forcing them to comply to certain regulations such as learning the Maori language and some of their customs.
While Anglos were taking up a large portion of the Commonwealth's immigration, large numbers of Asians were entering into the country as well. Rhodesia's straddling of the major trading routes that dotted the Indian Ocean had made her the lightning rod for Asian merchant and population movements. In many port cities in Australasia, the Indian provinces, and East Africa, it wasn't that unusual by the 1880s to see a large and fledgling Chinese or Japanese population. Smaller ethnic groups, such as Lao, Khmer, Thai, Manchu and Koreans were populous as well, but in less numbers, and more distributed evenly. The rise of Oriental Towns and Markets helped export their own variants of culture and food. The cost of fish skyrocketed during the 1870s and early 1880s as a major result of the growing influence of Oriental eating habits in the Commonwealth.
While White settlers still had the largest portion of political power; the other minorities, with guarantees given to them by legal powers-that-be in the form of the Common Law of the Commonwealth, and the guarantees and protections of the various Constitutional documents that dotted the foundation of the Federal Government, the various groups were making inroads to achieving their own ends -- the Africans, whom were being crowded out of some areas by White and Oriental settlers, were being more empowered; not only politically thanks to the high-profile administration of President Kingsley and the parliamentary influences of people like James Cirha, but by the accrual of wealth into their pockets by land ownership, business ownership, and renting out their properties as they allowed whites to live on their land in exchange for monthly dues.
With the 20th century rapidly approaching, and the storms of war gathering, the Commonwealth seemed fit to grow at an exponential rate, and preparations were being made to catapult the Commonwealth to the top of the world power.
While the British had initially set up a program to deport debt prisoners to America, and convicts to Australasia, by 1870, the program had shifted so that all of the exiles were dumped on Rhodesia's doorstep -- and Rhodesia was okay with that, provided they regulated how these people did business. The Ministry of Population Management was established to manage the influx of people.
The debtor and criminal population were distributed across both the plains of Africa and across the Australasian region. The far-off colony of Rhodesia began to rapidly grow in population as many groups were attracted to the adventure that lured them "Down Under". Not only did Australasia see an intense spike in population migrations, but other regions as well.
Aotearoa, the Maori-majority chain of islands east of Australasia, jumped up in population as well, as white settlers arrived in greater numbers. While the Maori were at first reluctant, the local Aotearoa provincial government passed legislative provisions which mandated certain behaviors for the white settlers in the Maori state, largely limiting areas of settlement for them, and forcing them to comply to certain regulations such as learning the Maori language and some of their customs.
While Anglos were taking up a large portion of the Commonwealth's immigration, large numbers of Asians were entering into the country as well. Rhodesia's straddling of the major trading routes that dotted the Indian Ocean had made her the lightning rod for Asian merchant and population movements. In many port cities in Australasia, the Indian provinces, and East Africa, it wasn't that unusual by the 1880s to see a large and fledgling Chinese or Japanese population. Smaller ethnic groups, such as Lao, Khmer, Thai, Manchu and Koreans were populous as well, but in less numbers, and more distributed evenly. The rise of Oriental Towns and Markets helped export their own variants of culture and food. The cost of fish skyrocketed during the 1870s and early 1880s as a major result of the growing influence of Oriental eating habits in the Commonwealth.
While White settlers still had the largest portion of political power; the other minorities, with guarantees given to them by legal powers-that-be in the form of the Common Law of the Commonwealth, and the guarantees and protections of the various Constitutional documents that dotted the foundation of the Federal Government, the various groups were making inroads to achieving their own ends -- the Africans, whom were being crowded out of some areas by White and Oriental settlers, were being more empowered; not only politically thanks to the high-profile administration of President Kingsley and the parliamentary influences of people like James Cirha, but by the accrual of wealth into their pockets by land ownership, business ownership, and renting out their properties as they allowed whites to live on their land in exchange for monthly dues.
With the 20th century rapidly approaching, and the storms of war gathering, the Commonwealth seemed fit to grow at an exponential rate, and preparations were being made to catapult the Commonwealth to the top of the world power.
Asami
Banned
Chapter 41: The Eternal Flame
In the 19th century, Persia had found itself in a rough position -- Her empire had contracted inwards under the governance of the Qajar dynasty. And despite a minor reversal of fortune with a victory against Russia in 1816, issues continued to spring up -- the most recent being their humiliating defeat in the Turkmen War in 1858 -- the Jewish state of Scythia, along with the armies of the Mongol Khanate successfully dispatched the Iranian invasion of Turkic Central Asia, and forced the Persians to turn back and return home.
In 1870, growing increasingly frustrated with staged Ottoman incursions on the western borders, and a desire to reclaim historically Persian territory, the Shah of Persia began to look for modernized nations to assist them in their endeavors -- they found allies in the form of Japan.
The Japanese had largely modernized by 1870 and were beginning to look outwards to expand their colonial empire -- while the Koreans were an effective protectorate state, and they had made inroads into influencing in the Qing rump state in Manchuria -- they still needed assistance in expanding their colonial empire into areas such as Indochina, Malaysia and Burma. Persia presented them with a great opportunity.
In 1871, the Persian Shah was visited by a trio of Japanese diplomats and advisors, whom stated they were emissaries from the Emperor in Tokyo who would assist the Shah in modernizing his nation. The Concordat of Mutual Assistance was signed in 1871 to provide the Persians with military aid and assistance, as well as education and military reform in the form of new tactics and methods of education. This encouraged Persia to start posturing herself in preparation for war against her enemies.
The first to fall to the Persian military's new reforms was the rebellious Emirs of Afghanistan -- while Afghanistan had been largely subjugated by the Persians many years prior -- large portions of the country were still tribal and in rebellion against the Shah's authority. The military formally entered into the areas that continued their rebellious behavior, and started forcibly suppressing the upstart Emirates into following the Imperial line.
The attempts at pacifications of the Emirates was at first successful, but tied up significant amounts of Persian military effort to keep them suppressed and tightly hemmed in. Between 1872 and 1874, the Persians intervened in the affairs of their vassal states in the Caucasian region, formally annexing them into the Empire, and bringing about the end of the autonomous Caucasian lords in Azerbaijan.
In 1874, the rapid modernization and centralization of the Persian Empire sent alarm running through the heart of the Ottoman Empire's government. Persian troops' efforts of pacification in the Kurdish and Azerbaijani regions of their realm lead to a large number of Kurdish and Azerbaijani refugees moving west into the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans, largely incapable of managing the refugees, was agitated by this, leading to a protracted border incident. A number of Kurdish and Azerbaijani refugees were halted at the border, and after they attempted to enter the country, were fired upon. Most of the refugees were killed behind the border, and thus in Persia. The Ottomans continued forward, driving back larger numbers of refugees, and occupied a border village.
Persia, outraged by the Ottoman incursion, loudly demanded Ottoman withdrawal or facing war. The Ottomans withdrew back to the internationally recognized border, but refused to recompense the Persians for the affair. The Persian Army, whom had become increasingly reformed under Japan's advice and assistance, attacked the Ottomans in a two-pronged offensive through Mesopotamia -- attacking towards Basra in the south, and towards Kirkuk in the north. The Ottoman army was well-prepared for the eventuality of a Persian invasion, and put up a heavy resistance, but rapidly loss ground against the invading Persians.
The town of Sulaymaniyah, in eastern Kurdistan, came under heavy siege by the Persians. While the Persian attack was largely successful in the first wave, the Turks attempted to flank the invading Persian army and inflicted heavy damage upon them -- however, the Persians managed to get control of the city and forced the Turks to retreat towards Kirkuk.
During the course of the four-year war (1874-1878), both sides saw horrendously high casualties; particularly in battles such as Kirkuk, Basra, and Baghdad -- all three of which took days of non-stop fighting and clashing. In the winter of 1878, a spark of revolt ignited the city of Konstantiniyye into a burning riot. Far-left elements of the Turkish National Revolution Front took to the streets and attacked government buildings. The Grand Vizier was killed in a firebombing against his office, and triggered a hard reaction.
A coalition of the Army and Janissaries overthrew the Ottoman civil government, and imposed heavy restrictions on the country, and instituted a hard reactionary regime to counter that of the local revolutionary fervor. Despite this, they organized a ceasefire and a peace treaty with the Persians -- whom were having a difficult time taming the beast. The Treaty of Kargil, as arbitrated by the Dominion of India, gave the Persians control of the insurrectionist Mesopotamia and Kurdistan. Immediately, Persian troops clashed with Kurdish nationalists and Iraqi nationalists as well -- Persia had inherited a huge tumor, and would now have to deal with that.
However, revanchism lay low in the hearts of the Ottoman Empire -- they would strike back, in due time. Persia, as well, felt cheated -- their destiny was to march west to the oceans, how could the Turks stop them? It became obvious -- the two would go to war again. The question was not *why*, but *when* -- and it would be a powderkeg of epic proportions when it finally went off...
In 1870, growing increasingly frustrated with staged Ottoman incursions on the western borders, and a desire to reclaim historically Persian territory, the Shah of Persia began to look for modernized nations to assist them in their endeavors -- they found allies in the form of Japan.
The Japanese had largely modernized by 1870 and were beginning to look outwards to expand their colonial empire -- while the Koreans were an effective protectorate state, and they had made inroads into influencing in the Qing rump state in Manchuria -- they still needed assistance in expanding their colonial empire into areas such as Indochina, Malaysia and Burma. Persia presented them with a great opportunity.
In 1871, the Persian Shah was visited by a trio of Japanese diplomats and advisors, whom stated they were emissaries from the Emperor in Tokyo who would assist the Shah in modernizing his nation. The Concordat of Mutual Assistance was signed in 1871 to provide the Persians with military aid and assistance, as well as education and military reform in the form of new tactics and methods of education. This encouraged Persia to start posturing herself in preparation for war against her enemies.
The first to fall to the Persian military's new reforms was the rebellious Emirs of Afghanistan -- while Afghanistan had been largely subjugated by the Persians many years prior -- large portions of the country were still tribal and in rebellion against the Shah's authority. The military formally entered into the areas that continued their rebellious behavior, and started forcibly suppressing the upstart Emirates into following the Imperial line.
The attempts at pacifications of the Emirates was at first successful, but tied up significant amounts of Persian military effort to keep them suppressed and tightly hemmed in. Between 1872 and 1874, the Persians intervened in the affairs of their vassal states in the Caucasian region, formally annexing them into the Empire, and bringing about the end of the autonomous Caucasian lords in Azerbaijan.
In 1874, the rapid modernization and centralization of the Persian Empire sent alarm running through the heart of the Ottoman Empire's government. Persian troops' efforts of pacification in the Kurdish and Azerbaijani regions of their realm lead to a large number of Kurdish and Azerbaijani refugees moving west into the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans, largely incapable of managing the refugees, was agitated by this, leading to a protracted border incident. A number of Kurdish and Azerbaijani refugees were halted at the border, and after they attempted to enter the country, were fired upon. Most of the refugees were killed behind the border, and thus in Persia. The Ottomans continued forward, driving back larger numbers of refugees, and occupied a border village.
Persia, outraged by the Ottoman incursion, loudly demanded Ottoman withdrawal or facing war. The Ottomans withdrew back to the internationally recognized border, but refused to recompense the Persians for the affair. The Persian Army, whom had become increasingly reformed under Japan's advice and assistance, attacked the Ottomans in a two-pronged offensive through Mesopotamia -- attacking towards Basra in the south, and towards Kirkuk in the north. The Ottoman army was well-prepared for the eventuality of a Persian invasion, and put up a heavy resistance, but rapidly loss ground against the invading Persians.
The town of Sulaymaniyah, in eastern Kurdistan, came under heavy siege by the Persians. While the Persian attack was largely successful in the first wave, the Turks attempted to flank the invading Persian army and inflicted heavy damage upon them -- however, the Persians managed to get control of the city and forced the Turks to retreat towards Kirkuk.
During the course of the four-year war (1874-1878), both sides saw horrendously high casualties; particularly in battles such as Kirkuk, Basra, and Baghdad -- all three of which took days of non-stop fighting and clashing. In the winter of 1878, a spark of revolt ignited the city of Konstantiniyye into a burning riot. Far-left elements of the Turkish National Revolution Front took to the streets and attacked government buildings. The Grand Vizier was killed in a firebombing against his office, and triggered a hard reaction.
A coalition of the Army and Janissaries overthrew the Ottoman civil government, and imposed heavy restrictions on the country, and instituted a hard reactionary regime to counter that of the local revolutionary fervor. Despite this, they organized a ceasefire and a peace treaty with the Persians -- whom were having a difficult time taming the beast. The Treaty of Kargil, as arbitrated by the Dominion of India, gave the Persians control of the insurrectionist Mesopotamia and Kurdistan. Immediately, Persian troops clashed with Kurdish nationalists and Iraqi nationalists as well -- Persia had inherited a huge tumor, and would now have to deal with that.
However, revanchism lay low in the hearts of the Ottoman Empire -- they would strike back, in due time. Persia, as well, felt cheated -- their destiny was to march west to the oceans, how could the Turks stop them? It became obvious -- the two would go to war again. The question was not *why*, but *when* -- and it would be a powderkeg of epic proportions when it finally went off...
Asami
Banned
Both groups are having a hard time integrating -- they're carving out localized communities in the lightly-settled regions and are facing growing concern from the central governments who want them to assimilate.
Asami
Banned
Chapter 42: Blue Danube
Hungary in the modern age
Hungary in the modern age
October 17, 2016
Southmere, United States
“Today’s lesson is going to be on the Danube Crisis of 1878. Did anybody read the chapter I assigned last night?” Henry Cameron asked, staring out at the masses of his students whom attended the Southmere School and had been enrolled in Advanced European History; an advanced class that went over the finer details of European history, particularly where the Second Great War and the London Event were concerned—as those two events had unbelievable bearing on the development of the European continent, and on the United States as a country.
One of his students, a Chinese-ethnic boy named John, of all names, raised his hand.
He grinned at John, who said, “Well, sir, the Danube Crisis was the natural development of the affairs in the Austrian Empire at the time—the Hungarians were restless, as they had been for some time, with the Austrian government treating them like… well, a conquered territory.”
“A good start, yes, the Hungarian restlessness was a major factor in the Danube Crisis—what else?”
A boy spoke up, “The Saviet closing of the Danube, and their funding of Bosniak Radnicite partisans?”
“Precisely! Historians typically attribute the start of the Danube Crisis, and the segue into the Second Great War in Europe, to the Saviet Union’s daring closure of the Danube River through their territory, and their funding of Bosnian internationalists against Austrian rule. But more than that, the ratification of the Charter of Balkan Liberation by the Saviet government in 1877 was a major factor.”
He picked up a small book and read aloud from the front pages.
“The Peoples of the Balkans, and the Peoples of Southeastern Europe are yearning for Freedom, Freedom from Religion, Freedom from Autocracy, and Freedom from Exploitation. From today, the 25th of October in the Year Eighteen-Seventy-Seven, the Peoples, Government and Armies of the Union of Saviet Socialist Republics hereby commits itself to the long-term goal of the Liberation and Emancipation of the Struggling Proletariat of the Balkan Region from their chains of bondage in the hands of the powers that surround the People’s Revolution.”
He quietly closed the small book and said, “The Charter of Balkan Liberation was a major foreign policy initiative created by the Saviet government, with the express effort to expand their borders to, as they saw it, free the peoples of these nations from authoritarian governance. After this was decreed, the Saviet government closed the Danube River near their capital of Belgrade. In doing so, they complicated a situation for Vienna that was… trivial to say the least.”
“Is this where the Hungarian Uprising fits in, sir?” Jennifer Ortiz asked, and Henry nodded. “The Hungarian Uprising of 1878 followed in the Spring of 1878 after the Hungarians, fed up with Vienna’s lack of response to the Saviet decision, and their continued refusal to accept the Magyars as equals, rose up against their government. This timed quite well with the death of Emperor Francis III of Austria on March 8. So now, on top of the Saviets attempting to incite a revolution in their country, the Hungarians in full-tilt revolution, there was now a power struggle between two brothers.”
“Francis IV and Maximillian?” A boy asked, checking his notes.
“Yes, precisely. Francis IV was the eldest son of Emperor Francis III, and was the heir to the throne at the time of his father’s death in 1878. However, his younger brother, Maximillian, was very ambitious. He had been governing Bosnia with an iron fist during his father’s reign, and had challenged his brother’s leadership authority, as Franz Joseph had never formally governed an Imperial Province during this time-period, mainly operating as a unifying figure in the Imperial Court. Many, particularly those in the officer corps, believed that Maximillian, with much experience in the field of governance, and a history of brutally repressing dissent, was a better choice for the Emperor of Austria.”
“On March 11th, Maximillian and a number of military officers from Croatia, Bosnia, Carinthia and Bohemia attempted to overthrow Emperor Francis IV—while he failed in his goals, he did create a small headache for the Emperor, and allowed the Hungarians to use the opportunity to formally dissolve the personal union they had with Vienna. On March 30th, after three weeks of attempts by Vienna to keep the Magyars in line, Hungary declared itself in open rebellion, and declared the throne empty. The response in Vienna was not a happy one, and Francis IV ordered that his brother, if captured, be immediately executed.”
“So Austria was basically falling apart at the seams.” A student noted, and Henry nodded, showing a grave expression on his face.
“Francis IV’s resilience in the face of a Civil War in multiple ways, is commendable. He received heavy support from the Italian Empire, as well as the Bavarians and North Germans, whom wanted to prevent the various factions from unbalancing the balance of power—particularly as the Hungarians seemed to be heavily favoring a constitutional republic, which wasn’t a thing in Europe at the time. Every nation was either a monarchy, such as Great Britain, the Intermarine Kingdoms, the Three Germanies, Habsburg Spain, Hanoverian Portugal, et al—or they were Radnicite, as was the case with Passatist France and the Saviet Union.”
“So, over the course of early 1878, the war generally went on with all the sides creaming each other to death. The Intermarine Kingdoms had yet to make a commitment in the war, but had shown increasingly favoritism towards Francis IV’s government in Vienna. Hungarian nationalism directly threatened their interests in keeping their monarchy together—they remembered quite well the events of the Speak Lithuanian! Uprising, and the affairs of the Ruthenia Insurrection.”
“However, Budapest was unable to come up with a concrete form of government to adhere to, and the revolution began to lose steam as many Radnicites and Republicans refused to participate in it, creating their own Council for National Liberation out of Szeged, southeast of Budapest. The Budapest government lost a significant amount of legitimacy, dividing the Hungarian revolutionaries into two camps. This allowed the Austrian loyalists under Francis IV to launch an offensive east, capturing much of the land from Sopron to Lake Balaton without much resistance, significantly damaging both the Maximillianites and the Hungarians. After his victories there, Emperor Francis IV declared the 1878 Edict of Mercy, which said that any Hungarian or Maximillian-supporter who surrendered would be given clemency for any crimes committed against the Empire. Many took advantage of this opportunity, particularly some whom had great reservations against Maximillian’s brutality—particularly after the Bratislava Incident. Can anyone tell me about it?”
A student raised her hand. “The Bratislava Incident was when the rebels took the city from the Austrians and slaughtered 2,300 Slovaks.”
“Yes, you’ve got it.” He marked down extra credit for her and the others whom had given responses, and continued. “In the summer of 1878, Maximillian’s armies, whom had largely been rampaging across Bohemia-Moravia, launched an offensive from the Morava River south into Slovakia—they managed to reach Bratislava, and after days of siege, managed to capture the city. For their “refusal to capitulate”, Maximillian ordered the execution of over two-thousand Slovaks, outraging many from many corners of the Empire. Similar massacres had taken place at the hands of the Hungarian National Army across the northern regions of the Crown of St. Stephan, but this had been a highly publicized one; and caused a significant drop in support. Due to this, approximately 30 percent of the Prince’s armies abandoned him and surrendered to Emperor Francis, and the Prince was eventually captured in an ambush between the Váh and Hron rivers in Slovakia later that month. He was court-martialed by the Austrian Army, and executed shortly afterwards. The Emperor soon launched a number of campaigns to clean up the Hungarians, whom were bickering amongst themselves, with fights along the Körös and Tisza rivers occurring nearly daily between the two factions.”
“In early 1879, the Austrians took Budapest, and forced the capitulation of the two Hungarian factions. Many of the Hungarian leftists took their fight underground, launching a partisan campaign that forced Austria to commit to a full-scale military occupation of Hungary. Shortly afterwards, Saviet agents triggered an uprising in Bosnia, leading to Austrian efforts having to divest southwest into the region. Austria had won the war, but was now facing a partisan campaign that stretched their resources thin. Of course, the following year marked the start of the Second Great War, and with it—the end of the Austrian Empire, but that will be something we’ll be discussing next week.”
He turned the slide that he was presenting to the homework. “Tonight, I want each of you to prepare a one-page summary of the events of the Danube Crisis, and how it was a major factor in modern European History. I will expect this on my desk at the start of class tomorrow, understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, now, tomorrow’s class, we’ll be covering the rise of the German People’s Party, and how it influenced the results of the Second Great War; as well as the start of the Ideological Schism between the Saviets and the French. Class dismissed.” He finished, and as students filed out, he sat at his desk and went through his notes on the next lesson. He picked up the intranetwork phone, and dialed.
A female voice picked up, “Hello?”
“Anna! What is your class covering tomorrow?”
Anna Cameron, the British History teacher, and Henry’s wife, flipped through her notes. “We’re covering the Recall Election of 1879, and the Newcastle-on-Orange Factory Fire and how it affected labour relations in pre-London Event Rhodesia.”
“Alright, I’m trying to sync up my lesson plan with yours until we get to the London Event. After that, I can pivot away to the Ideological Schism.”
“Alright, dear. My next class is coming in, so I’ve got to go. Are we still on for tonight?” He chuckled and said, “Yes, we’re still going out to dinner. I’ve got reservations at Jack’s tonight at 8.”
“Alright, Henry. Love you.”
“Love you too.” He hung up the phone and began to write notes into the margins of his lesson plan.
Southmere, United States
“Today’s lesson is going to be on the Danube Crisis of 1878. Did anybody read the chapter I assigned last night?” Henry Cameron asked, staring out at the masses of his students whom attended the Southmere School and had been enrolled in Advanced European History; an advanced class that went over the finer details of European history, particularly where the Second Great War and the London Event were concerned—as those two events had unbelievable bearing on the development of the European continent, and on the United States as a country.
One of his students, a Chinese-ethnic boy named John, of all names, raised his hand.
He grinned at John, who said, “Well, sir, the Danube Crisis was the natural development of the affairs in the Austrian Empire at the time—the Hungarians were restless, as they had been for some time, with the Austrian government treating them like… well, a conquered territory.”
“A good start, yes, the Hungarian restlessness was a major factor in the Danube Crisis—what else?”
A boy spoke up, “The Saviet closing of the Danube, and their funding of Bosniak Radnicite partisans?”
“Precisely! Historians typically attribute the start of the Danube Crisis, and the segue into the Second Great War in Europe, to the Saviet Union’s daring closure of the Danube River through their territory, and their funding of Bosnian internationalists against Austrian rule. But more than that, the ratification of the Charter of Balkan Liberation by the Saviet government in 1877 was a major factor.”
He picked up a small book and read aloud from the front pages.
“The Peoples of the Balkans, and the Peoples of Southeastern Europe are yearning for Freedom, Freedom from Religion, Freedom from Autocracy, and Freedom from Exploitation. From today, the 25th of October in the Year Eighteen-Seventy-Seven, the Peoples, Government and Armies of the Union of Saviet Socialist Republics hereby commits itself to the long-term goal of the Liberation and Emancipation of the Struggling Proletariat of the Balkan Region from their chains of bondage in the hands of the powers that surround the People’s Revolution.”
He quietly closed the small book and said, “The Charter of Balkan Liberation was a major foreign policy initiative created by the Saviet government, with the express effort to expand their borders to, as they saw it, free the peoples of these nations from authoritarian governance. After this was decreed, the Saviet government closed the Danube River near their capital of Belgrade. In doing so, they complicated a situation for Vienna that was… trivial to say the least.”
“Is this where the Hungarian Uprising fits in, sir?” Jennifer Ortiz asked, and Henry nodded. “The Hungarian Uprising of 1878 followed in the Spring of 1878 after the Hungarians, fed up with Vienna’s lack of response to the Saviet decision, and their continued refusal to accept the Magyars as equals, rose up against their government. This timed quite well with the death of Emperor Francis III of Austria on March 8. So now, on top of the Saviets attempting to incite a revolution in their country, the Hungarians in full-tilt revolution, there was now a power struggle between two brothers.”
“Francis IV and Maximillian?” A boy asked, checking his notes.
“Yes, precisely. Francis IV was the eldest son of Emperor Francis III, and was the heir to the throne at the time of his father’s death in 1878. However, his younger brother, Maximillian, was very ambitious. He had been governing Bosnia with an iron fist during his father’s reign, and had challenged his brother’s leadership authority, as Franz Joseph had never formally governed an Imperial Province during this time-period, mainly operating as a unifying figure in the Imperial Court. Many, particularly those in the officer corps, believed that Maximillian, with much experience in the field of governance, and a history of brutally repressing dissent, was a better choice for the Emperor of Austria.”
“On March 11th, Maximillian and a number of military officers from Croatia, Bosnia, Carinthia and Bohemia attempted to overthrow Emperor Francis IV—while he failed in his goals, he did create a small headache for the Emperor, and allowed the Hungarians to use the opportunity to formally dissolve the personal union they had with Vienna. On March 30th, after three weeks of attempts by Vienna to keep the Magyars in line, Hungary declared itself in open rebellion, and declared the throne empty. The response in Vienna was not a happy one, and Francis IV ordered that his brother, if captured, be immediately executed.”
“So Austria was basically falling apart at the seams.” A student noted, and Henry nodded, showing a grave expression on his face.
“Francis IV’s resilience in the face of a Civil War in multiple ways, is commendable. He received heavy support from the Italian Empire, as well as the Bavarians and North Germans, whom wanted to prevent the various factions from unbalancing the balance of power—particularly as the Hungarians seemed to be heavily favoring a constitutional republic, which wasn’t a thing in Europe at the time. Every nation was either a monarchy, such as Great Britain, the Intermarine Kingdoms, the Three Germanies, Habsburg Spain, Hanoverian Portugal, et al—or they were Radnicite, as was the case with Passatist France and the Saviet Union.”
“So, over the course of early 1878, the war generally went on with all the sides creaming each other to death. The Intermarine Kingdoms had yet to make a commitment in the war, but had shown increasingly favoritism towards Francis IV’s government in Vienna. Hungarian nationalism directly threatened their interests in keeping their monarchy together—they remembered quite well the events of the Speak Lithuanian! Uprising, and the affairs of the Ruthenia Insurrection.”
“However, Budapest was unable to come up with a concrete form of government to adhere to, and the revolution began to lose steam as many Radnicites and Republicans refused to participate in it, creating their own Council for National Liberation out of Szeged, southeast of Budapest. The Budapest government lost a significant amount of legitimacy, dividing the Hungarian revolutionaries into two camps. This allowed the Austrian loyalists under Francis IV to launch an offensive east, capturing much of the land from Sopron to Lake Balaton without much resistance, significantly damaging both the Maximillianites and the Hungarians. After his victories there, Emperor Francis IV declared the 1878 Edict of Mercy, which said that any Hungarian or Maximillian-supporter who surrendered would be given clemency for any crimes committed against the Empire. Many took advantage of this opportunity, particularly some whom had great reservations against Maximillian’s brutality—particularly after the Bratislava Incident. Can anyone tell me about it?”
A student raised her hand. “The Bratislava Incident was when the rebels took the city from the Austrians and slaughtered 2,300 Slovaks.”
“Yes, you’ve got it.” He marked down extra credit for her and the others whom had given responses, and continued. “In the summer of 1878, Maximillian’s armies, whom had largely been rampaging across Bohemia-Moravia, launched an offensive from the Morava River south into Slovakia—they managed to reach Bratislava, and after days of siege, managed to capture the city. For their “refusal to capitulate”, Maximillian ordered the execution of over two-thousand Slovaks, outraging many from many corners of the Empire. Similar massacres had taken place at the hands of the Hungarian National Army across the northern regions of the Crown of St. Stephan, but this had been a highly publicized one; and caused a significant drop in support. Due to this, approximately 30 percent of the Prince’s armies abandoned him and surrendered to Emperor Francis, and the Prince was eventually captured in an ambush between the Váh and Hron rivers in Slovakia later that month. He was court-martialed by the Austrian Army, and executed shortly afterwards. The Emperor soon launched a number of campaigns to clean up the Hungarians, whom were bickering amongst themselves, with fights along the Körös and Tisza rivers occurring nearly daily between the two factions.”
“In early 1879, the Austrians took Budapest, and forced the capitulation of the two Hungarian factions. Many of the Hungarian leftists took their fight underground, launching a partisan campaign that forced Austria to commit to a full-scale military occupation of Hungary. Shortly afterwards, Saviet agents triggered an uprising in Bosnia, leading to Austrian efforts having to divest southwest into the region. Austria had won the war, but was now facing a partisan campaign that stretched their resources thin. Of course, the following year marked the start of the Second Great War, and with it—the end of the Austrian Empire, but that will be something we’ll be discussing next week.”
He turned the slide that he was presenting to the homework. “Tonight, I want each of you to prepare a one-page summary of the events of the Danube Crisis, and how it was a major factor in modern European History. I will expect this on my desk at the start of class tomorrow, understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, now, tomorrow’s class, we’ll be covering the rise of the German People’s Party, and how it influenced the results of the Second Great War; as well as the start of the Ideological Schism between the Saviets and the French. Class dismissed.” He finished, and as students filed out, he sat at his desk and went through his notes on the next lesson. He picked up the intranetwork phone, and dialed.
A female voice picked up, “Hello?”
“Anna! What is your class covering tomorrow?”
Anna Cameron, the British History teacher, and Henry’s wife, flipped through her notes. “We’re covering the Recall Election of 1879, and the Newcastle-on-Orange Factory Fire and how it affected labour relations in pre-London Event Rhodesia.”
“Alright, I’m trying to sync up my lesson plan with yours until we get to the London Event. After that, I can pivot away to the Ideological Schism.”
“Alright, dear. My next class is coming in, so I’ve got to go. Are we still on for tonight?” He chuckled and said, “Yes, we’re still going out to dinner. I’ve got reservations at Jack’s tonight at 8.”
“Alright, Henry. Love you.”
“Love you too.” He hung up the phone and began to write notes into the margins of his lesson plan.
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Asami
Banned
Chapter 43: The Recall of 1879
July 6, 1879
Southmere, Rhodesia
“The Assembly recognizes the Most Honorable Marquess of Lansdowne.”
The Speaker, Andrew J. Hampton, a representative of the Unionist Party, whom commanded 198 of 367 seats, vacated the lectern at the head of the hall of representatives. Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, the Fifth Marquess of Lansdowne, took his place at the lectern.
The Assembly Leader of the Radical Party cleared his throat and began speaking.
“Mister Speaker, and Representatives of the Assembly of the Commonwealth, I come before you today to speak of what I feel, to be an unalienable emergency in the terms of the world that surrounds us. The darkness of war is fast approaching. While our Land of Freedom is secure, entrenched in the dream of independence, liberty and justice—we must recognize that this war of European aggression is not our war. We must build up an Arsenal of Democracy that can spread the seed of freedom through cleverness and boldness; than through the needless loss of human life for the sake of European adventurism…”
The speech went on for over an hour, speaking on the need to replace the Beckett government, with its aggressive outward interventionism policies, with a more “light-touch, heavy application” policy. At the conclusion of his hour speech, a motion of recall was initiated by the Radical Party. Most of the other parties’ leadership, whom agreed with the Fitzmaurice ideological aim, pushed their people to vote in favor of the Recall.
With the vote going overwhelmingly against Beckett, and with a number of Unionists supporting the measure, Beckett announced that he would be relinquishing power and called for an immediate election as soon as possible. The many parties sprang into action looking to weasel their way into power.
…
September 1879
After two months of campaigning, the 1879 recall election was in full-swing. The person whom won would be secure in power until they had to fight again in the 1880 election, thus creating, in this case, a “one-year term” to test the waters and see if the President’s course of action was the one the public agreed with.
Rhodesian recall election, 1879; Assembly Elections
184 out of 367 seats required to attain a majority
The Railroad – Benjamin Clark - 54 seats
Unionist - Charles J. Beckett - 111 seats
Democratic - Gordon Barnett - 78 seats
Radical - Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice - 124 seats
In the Assembly, the Unionists had lost great ground to the Radicals, with the Railroad further tumbling from their once unimpeachable position at the head of the state’s power. With a combined 202 seats, the Democrats lent the Radicals their support, granting Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice the office of President, and securing for them the first President for the party.
Rhodesian recall election, 1879; Senate elections
85 out of 170 seats required to attain a majority.
The Railroad - Oluwafunmilayo Oliver - 21 seats
Democratic – Christopher Smith - 33 seats
Unionist - James North - 56 seats
Radical - William Carrington - 60 seats
In the Senate, the Radicals took the plurality, but once again fell short of a majority. The Democrats lent them a hand, and gave the new coalition a broad capability of governing with legislative support and a cooperative Parliament. The Radicals were taken to task in their first legislative term, with a few national events causing issues.
Less than 30 days after the election, and the “snap inauguration” of President Petty-Fitzmaurice as President, a terrible tragedy shocked the nation.
In the fledgling city of Newcastle-on-Orange, a burgeoning city in the southeastern region of Transorange. This city had developed during the mid-to-late 19th century as a place of industrial development. A lot of cloth and fabric was produced here at the Carson Bros. Fabric Factory. In 1879, the lack of labour protection came to a head when the building caught fire.
All 411 workers, many female and many male, burned alive in the building which had been sealed off by the Carson Brothers themselves, as the workers were often locked inside the building at the start of their shift, and not let out until the end. This travesty of labour abuse and the humanitarian crisis that seemed to result caused an outrage in Southmere.
The Governor of Transorange ordered the arrest of the Carson Brothers for 411 counts of manslaughter, and issued a strongly worded letter to Southmere, demanding legislative response as things were becoming unglued in one of the original, and most loyal states to Rhodesia.
The Radical leadership immediately entered into internal discussions to formulate a response. The Labour Fairness Act of 1879 was proposed in the Assembly by the Radical Party, with President Petty-Fitzmaurice giving an impassioned speech speaking of the need to grant labourers in the borders of Rhodesia a “fair chance at a peaceful life”, and to “regulate the excesses, and empower the middle class.”
As a result of the LFA, not only were each province tasked to create their own “labour boards” that kept track of the working situation, it also legalized unionization of workers, and created the Ministry of Labour Affairs, lead by the Labour Secretary.
The first major union, called the Newcastle Combine was established less than two weeks after the passage of the LFA in both the Assembly and Senate. The Railroad praised the passage of the law, and stated plainly that this was a great step towards progress for the worker. They hadn’t passed a law similar to this during their tenure of power, primarily due to President Kingsley’s distraction by the war against Georgia and Wilmer’s government for most of it—the Unionists hadn’t considered it a real issue until now, leaving the Radicals to get the credit for one of the most grand-standing labour rights policies of the 19th century.
The Carson Brothers were tried and convicted of all counts of manslaughter in the Transorange Provincial Court, and were sentenced to 35 years hard labour for their actions. Their company went bankrupt soon after, and was bought out by a competitor, a sign that poor labour management and mistrust between the classes would do nothing to benefit the nation, nor the company.
As the Newcastle debacle passed the public mind, President Petty-Fitzmaurice began campaigning in early 1880 to win re-election, but soon, his attentions were diverted elsewhere…
Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne,
4th President of Rhodesia