Events of the World: 1863EuropeThe new government of the Republic of Great Britain did not treat the uprisings lightly. Hoping to end them as soon as possible, troops were mobilised and sent to stop the revolutionaries. In the Home Isles, arrests of the old nobility cut off funding and supplies to the Marxists, who quickly ceased. In Ireland, things were bloodier, but the fighting there also ceased, although it threatened to spark up again at the slightest provocation. In India, experience learned in the previous uprising made this one quicker to put down. However, a side effect was that, due to a number of revolutionaries coming from inside Indian army divisions, military commands back in London were unwilling to trust any Indian regiments.
(-18,000 regulars to UR, uprisings over, UR prevented from conscripting Indian regiments)
The British Army decided that in order to protect Britain, the army must be expanded. Using nationalism and incentives, the size of the army quickly met its target of recruiting 100,000 new troops. However, training them would be a slow progress. Military factories also began a project to improve the quality of their rifles.
(-£350, +100,000 regulars in 1 turn, +5% equipment)
Orders were sent to shipyards to construct new vessels for the British fleet. However, many of the workers were Marxist and had been part of the uprising, and while they weren’t uprising any more, they certainly weren’t cooperating. The orders were ‘lost’ and the project got nowhere.
(-£81)
Attempts to improve the education rate by implementing a national standard went rather well, but were a bit more expensive than predicted.
(-£230, +8% education rate)
The French military began a project to convert older muzzle loading muskets into Tabatière breach loading rifles, which went well.
(-£290, +8% equipment)
The
Plongeur, the first submarine capable of non-human propulsion, was tested in controlled environments in France. The vessel performed admirably.
(-£550, +1 navy sublevel)
Design of the submarine PlongeurIn an attempt to increase the size of their colonial empire, units of the French Foreign Legion moved south deeper into Algeria. However, a fierce sandstorm cost the lives of some men and prevented any movement.
(-3 regulars)
Now that war was on their doorstep, the Prussian High Command thought it wise to encourage young men who had already served to reenlist, before they began conscription.
(+50,000 regulars)
The Prussian army began major training exercises in West Prussia. Observers noted that they seemed to be training in how to defend an attack across the Rhine.
(-£660, +1 army sublevel)
The Prussian High Command ordered factories to begin producing Dreyse needle guns, hoping they would be a better weapon. Factories were initially slow to pick up on how to manufacture them, but quickly caught on.
(-£300, +5% equipment)
Borrowing blueprints from France, Austria began to produce their own improved rifles, although it was an expensive move.
(-£310, +5% equipment)
With the outbreak of war, the Austrian government underwent a propaganda move to try and recruit more regulars. They almost didn’t have to bother, as lines at recruiting offices went almost round the block.
(+52,000 regulars)
Austrian economists met to try and improve the Austrian economy. Some success was met, and the nation’s income was improved.
(-£110, income increased)
The government of Sweden encouraged innovations in technology by offering grants. Sweden’s highly educated populace rose to the challenge.
(-£200, increased income)
Swedish trade vessels made the long journey across the Atlantic to Brazilian ports, hoping that the relative stability there meant a safe market.
(-£289, +1 resource sublevel)
In an attempt to promote pan-Scandinavism, a festival was held in the capital. It was an ambitious project, but the liberal amounts of alcohol encouraged people to turn up, and it ended in success, although not for the cleaners.
(-£112, +5% public support)
Seeking to improve the quality of their infrastructure, the Dutch government launched a project to upgrade the quality of their current railway services, making them faster and more efficient.
(-£552, +1 infrastructure sublevel)
The Dutch army was small compared to its neighbours, and as war was upon them, the Dutch military launched a propaganda campaign to encourage enlistment.
(+15,000 regulars)
To bolster the current fleet, the Dutch government authorised the commission of several new warships.
(-£3,700, +1 ironclad, +1 ship-of-the-line, +3 screw frigates)
Now that they were occupying former Belgian territory, the Dutch government ruled over people who did not support the Dutch invasion. A propaganda campaign was launched with the hopes of promoting the Greater Netherlands movement, and it had some small success.
(-£132, +5% public support)
Sparked by the new Alaskan gold rush, Russian factories attempted to capitalise on the rush by producing new mining equipment. It was a huge success and lead to many new factories spreading.
(-£440, +1 industry sublevel)
The Russian government responded rapidly to developments from Alaska, and set up state-owned gold mines. Gold soon flowed freely in Moscow and St Petersburg.
(-£280, +1 resource sublevel)
Gold mine in AlaskaRussian traders set up relations with Prussia, and goods soon flowed between the two nations. Russian traders also visited Sweden, and although the Swedish government was reluctant to trade with a warring nation, as it might threaten their neutrality, it didn’t stop entrepreneurs from going below the board.
(-£388, +1 resource sublevel)
Hoping that their military strategy would be calibrated and coordinated with their allies better, the Russian government sent officers to study at Prussian military academies.
(-£480, +1 army sublevel in 1 turn)
Knowing that the Catholic population of Romania might not be too thrilled with fighting alongside the Muslim Ottomans, the Romanian government attempted to secularize monastery estates to reduce the strain on state revenue.
(Increased income, -5% public support)
A propaganda campaign promoting secularism was launched by the Romanian government, hoping to repair the damage done by secularizing the monasteries. To their surprise, it went down well.
(-£80, +5% public support)
Knowing that the coming war might lead to hungry troops and possibly a blockade of the vulnerable Romania, the government underwent a scheme to plant crops wherever possible. It had some success, but not nearly enough.
(-£390, +1 resource sublevel in 1 turn)
The Italian army, in order to prepare for war, began an intense recruitment plan to increase the size of the Italian army. Many signed up, mostly from the south, encouraged by the promised economic incentives.
(+30,000 regulars)
The Italian government attempted to expand the output of the agricultural centres in the south. However, the loss of manpower in the region meant that it was a slow process.
(-£370, +1 resource sublevel in 2 turns)
Knowing that much of the brunt of the fighting would fall on Italy, the Italian army began drilling and training to prepare.
(-£500, +1 army sublevel)
The Italian army also attempted to purchase better equipment. However, with many nations in Europe hoarding in preparing for war, there were few sellers.
(-£98, +2% equipment)
In preparation for war, the Ottoman Ministry of War was completely reformed, and Ottoman soldiers underwent harsh training to improve their skills.
(-£460, +1 army sublevel)
A massive Empire-wide recruitment campaign was launched, with the aim of increasing the size of the army massively. The result was a flood of volunteers, ready to defend their nation from the infidel invaders.
(+100,000 regulars)
Knowing that much of the war would be waged on the Med, the Ottoman government underwent a massive naval construction program. The costs were astronomical, but the government ploughed on, deciding that victory was more important. The amount of vessels being produced had the unintended effect of sparking a rise of the steel industry in the Empire.
(-£23,000, +4 ironclads, +7 ships-of-the-line, +10 screw frigates, +10 sail frigates, +10 transport ships, +1 resource sublevel)
New ironclad, the IdjlaliehSafety regulations implemented by the Greek government improved mortality rates in Greek factories, and quickly gained the support of industrial workers.
(-£90, +5% public support)
The Greek navy underwent a project to purchase their first ironclad. Many were sceptical at whether the Greek navy, which currently had only 3 warships, none of them steam-powered, had the infrastructure to run such a vessel. However, as the new ship
Hellas was launched, it was hailed as a success, with observers quoting “it would sail straight for Constantinople”
(-£1,000, +1 ironclad)
Factories were built all over Greece in an attempt to increase the self-sufficiency of the nation, a necessity Greece was now completely surrounded by enemies in this war.
(-£578, +1 industry sublevel in 1 turn)
In 1863, Spain launched an invasion of the tiny independent nation of Andorra. With almost insignificant opposition, the invasion was over quickly, leaving Spain in control.
(-154 regulars, Andorra now part of Spain)
The Spanish army lagged far behind that of the rest of Europe. To try and tackle this, reforms were conducted by the Spanish officers. It was expensive, but eventually a success.
(-£600, +1 army sublevel)
As giving new recruits a high level of training quickly and efficiently was impossible for the Spanish government, unlike the rest of Europe the Spanish government decided to cut to the chase and begin conscription early.
(-4 prestige, +100,000 conscripts)
The AmericasPresident Lincoln had earlier in the year issued a proclamation freeing all the slaves in the USA. A propaganda campaign to raise support for the abolition of slavery was launched.
(-£100, +6% public support)
Conscription was implemented in the Union, as Generals Grant and Sherman had proven how superior numbers and a general disregard for human lives was a successful strategy.
(+250,000 conscripts)
The Confederacy also implemented conscription. Most of those recruited went to the eastern front, but all theatres received reinforcements.
(+190,000 conscripts)
Confederate merchants were offered incentives by the Confederate government to become privateers and blockade-runners. Many took up the offer, slipping past Union patrols with cargo holds full of cotton and slipping back with weapons and supplies. In one notable occasion, a run-in between a privateer and a Union ship lead to the capture of the Union vessel, a boon to the CSA.
(-£330, +1 resource sublevel, +1 sail frigate, -1 sail frigate to the USA)
Confederate blockade-runner, the AdvanceSherman once again tried to take Atlanta, this time with an army of 140,000 at his back. Lee, now reinforced by an additional 40,000, launched raids at Sherman as he marched, before choosing his field carefully to defend Atlanta. A brilliant strategy gave the Confederates the early advantage, but Sherman’s quick reactions and superior numbers kept Lee on his toes. The fighting was fierce and casualties heavy on both sides, but eventually Sherman was forced to withdraw, leaving Atlanta still in Confederate hands.
(-25,600 conscripts to the USA, -14,500 conscripts to the CSA)
Late in the year, the Union once again launched an attack on the Confederate port of New Orleans, in an attempt to finally complete the blockade. Admiral David Farragut with a fleet of 1 Iron clad, 7 ships-of-the-line, 15 screw frigates, and 12 sail frigates sailed into New Orleans harbour and engaged the Confederate fleet. The fighting was fierce, but Union sailors had learned from their previous attempt and did not fall for the same ambushes. Eventually, hoping to preserve the remainder of the fleet, the Confederate commander withdrew his vessels further up the Mississippi. Although the city was still in Confederate hands, no vessels could escape its harbour, and the CSA finally came under a full blockade.
(-1 ship-of-the-line, -4 screw frigates, -3 sail frigates to the USA, -1 ship-of-the-line, -3 screw frigates, -5 sail frigates to the CSA, CSA fully blockaded)
The Mexican government, to try and promote growth in their agriculture, tax incentives were offered to anyone who invested in modern agricultural or fishing techniques.
(-£320, +1 resource sublevel)
To increase the literacy rate, the Mexican government began to set up schools in rural villages. Expenses were high and progress was slow, although it was there.
(-£165, +5% education rate)
Mexican military officials were sent both north into North America and across the Atlantic to Europe, in order to observe the techniques employed in war. It would be a while before these observations made their way back to Mexico, however.
(-£540, +1 army sublevel in 2 turns)
In Colombia, a railway was built linking Panama City and Colón. The project was completed quickly and efficiently, with few setbacks.
(-£490, +1 infrastructure sublevel)
A project was implemented to increase the size of major Colombian ports, in order to boost exports. There was some success, but not nearly enough.
(-£410, +1 resource sublevel in 1 turn)
The Colombian government made the decision to send an expeditionary Corps of 5,000 men to aid the Union. The Corps arrived in New York and moved down south to come under the command of Grant. However, there was some discontent amongst the Colombian people, who could not understand why they were sending soldiers for a war that had nothing to do with them, so soon after their own Civil War.
(-5% public support, 5,000 Colombian troops join the Army of the Potomac)
In Brazil, attempts to improve the standing of the freed slaves went more successfully this time around.
(-£210, +5% education rate, +5% public support)
Once again, Brazilian transport ships were sent to rescue refugees in North America. As the clouds of war began to gather over Europe, it looked as if these humanitarian missions might need to expand. A wealthy aristocrat even donated a transport ship to the Brazilian government, to aid them in their rescues.
(-£100, +7,000 population, +1 transport ship)
Schools were built all over Brazil to try and combat low literacy and education rates.
(-£167, +5% education rate)
The Brazilian government sought to make Rio de Janeiro the industrial heart of Brazil, and state-owned factories were built all through the city.
(-£560, +1 industrial sublevel)
In Argentina, the government sought to develop the agricultural productivity and output of the fertile Pampas region. There was a huge success as the international market began to develop a taste for Pampas beef.
(-£300, +1 resource sublevel, +5% public support)
Stamp promoting Pampas beefIn order to transport goods through the country better, the Argentine government began construction on several railways through the country. Progress was made, but there were many delays.
(-£500, +1 infrastructure sublevel in 1 turn)
In order to promote migration to Argentina, the government offered to lease plots of land cheaply as well as subsidising the fare of travel to anyone wishing to migrate from Europe to Argentina. With war on the horizon, many scared families took up the offer.
(-£220, +0.1% population growth)
AsiaReforms of the Imperial Army in the Great Qing lead to a complete reshaping of the military’s organisational and command structure, with the aims of improving the quality of the men, as well as promoting national pride.
(-£495, +1 army sublevel)
Seeing the success of the army, a similar reform went underway in the Imperial Navy.
(-£505, +1 navy sublevel)
Arsenals were implemented all over the nation, to improve the quality of the equipment used and to ensure that the Imperial Army could be mobilised to defend any part of the nation.
(-£300, +7% equipment)
To improve the infrastructure level of China, railways began to be constructed between most major cities. It was slow progress, but progress all the same.
(-£540, +1 infrastructure sublevel in 1 turn)
In order to make sure all accounts are accurate, reforms in the Japanese government were undertaken. Lo and behold, some accounting errors were discovered and weeded out.
(Reduced national deficit)
Schools were built all over Japan, in an attempt to improve the education rate of the Japanese people.
(-£170, +7% education rate)
Factories were also built all through Japan, to try to increase the nation’s industrial output and strengthen the nation’s economy.
(-£510, +1 industrial sublevel)
-2.svg)
