joshuadim
the writer
"The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood." - Otto von Bismarck
Current Conflicts
American-Indian Wars:
Participants:
United States of America vs. Shawnee Miami Confederation
United States of America vs. Sioux Nation
Status:
Former: In favor of United States of America.
Latter: Undecided.
Russian Expansion into Central Asia
Participants:
Russian Empire vs. Khanate of Kokand
Russian Empire vs. Khanate of Khiva
Status:
Former: Undecided.
Latter: Undecided.
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Current Diplomatic Crises
None.
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Empire of Germania
-Germania enters the 20th century as one of the pre-eminent world powers, leading not only its own geopolitical union known as “The Grand Alliance” but also hosts one of the most powerful land armies ever seen, nearly unmatched in expertise, experience, and training except by the Britain and France. As factories continues to expand and the economy continues to grow, the industrial output of this mighty empire continues to only increase in pace alongside the other greats, taking advantage of the vast amounts of raw resources being brought in from its overseas colonies
-As the head of the House of Habsburg, Kaiser Franz Joseph is regarded with great esteem and is considered one of the most powerful rulers in the world. With the Habsburg family prolific across many of Europe’s kingdoms, Franz Joseph leads not only a world power, but also one of the most powerful and wealthy families in the world.
-However, not all is as it seems on the surface. As the industrial entrepreneurs make fortunes in Germania off of their manufactured goods, the workers suffer from little to no regulations to protect them as well as few civil liberties to match. As such, a growing movement of socialism from the outspoken teachings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels begins to attract the destitute to its tenets.
-Republicans and liberals also continue to demand for increased civil rights and for representation in political affairs, and while mostly peaceful, a few bombings caused by anarchists of public offices and government buildings presses the issue to the Imperial throne.
-Tensions between the Grand Alliance and the Entente Cordiale also continue to grow as a massive military and political standoff between the two pacts holds both sides at the ready for the eventuality of all out war on a massive scale. The question is, who will blink first? And who will come out on top?
Empire of Japan
-With the restoration of the Emperor’s authority over Japan at the conclusion of the Boshin War in 1890, Japan was free to begin developing and industrialize. Having been impressed with the European powers, Japan seeks to make itself a powerful nation in the region and has begun to adopt western practices, while maintaining a delicate balance of its more traditional culture and traditions.
-Japan is leading in terms of industrialization and modernization in East Asia, rapidly outpacing the likes of the Qing Empire and the Southeastern Kingdoms on an order of several magnitudes. As the Empire begins to look to the west, its military also begins to modernize, adding guns and cannons to its ranks as well as beginning to build more modern vessels for its navy.
-However, with all these advances, the Japanese isles cannot sustain the Empire’s need for raw resources for its factories and industries, and as such a new source of raw materials must be found.
-Along with this, the recently conquered Korean peoples show disdain for their new overlords, and a growing resentment builds in the peninsula which may grow out of control soon…
Kingdom of Spain
-With the start of the new century comes the precarious position the Spanish Empire currently finds itself in. The past century has not been kind as territories have either been lost to independence movements or to neighboring empires defeating the Spanish handedly.
-With an economic decline due to their last productive regions of bullion being lost, the Spanish home economy is practically crumbling, leading to great poverty among the unprivileged and the destitute. Along with this, a minimal amount of industrialization has prevented the spanish economy from diversifying as well as the other European powers have.
-One of the biggest factors leading in Spain’s decline is its infamous Inquisition, which has run rampant without oversight in the Empire. Rumours of corruption and debauchery within the inquisition's ranks only further instill the common people’s fear and hatred of this religious secret police.
-Diplomatically, Spain is isolated as well, as it has remained outside of the current 3 major pacts dominating Europe currently. Perhaps out of negligence or out of the disdain from other empire’s, it seems that the only interest others have in Spain is when they can claim the broken pieces for themselves.
-However, with a new king on the throne there is still a sliver of hope for the empire. The ambitious King Ferdinand IX seeks to restore Spain to glory and a position of strength, rather than be the laughing stock of Europe any longer. Time will tell if he succeeds or not.
United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland
-The British Empire enters the 20th century as a power to rival that of France and Germania, with a land army that is well disciplined and trained as well as undoubtedly the strongest navy in the world. Although having suffered the loss of its American and Canadian colonies to revolution and to war (respectively), the sun continues to never set on the British Empire, spanning from the Americas to the ends of the Earth in Australia.
-As the de facto leader of the Unaligned League, Britain is in itself at odds with not only maintaining its neutrality in any conflict but to also come to the aid of any of its allies should they be attacked by either the Alliance or the Entente. This delicate balance of diplomacy makes Britain in a precarious position, as one wrong move by any side could bring the Empire into another European war, perhaps the largest the world has yet seen.
-Tensions brew overseas as well as in Britain, colonial forces are at a tense standoff against the Indian empires residing in the region. Britain’s goal is clear: to claim the Jewel of Asia for its empire. But they will not claim it without a fight it seems, nor without meddling from the French.
-The Empire also sees its economy grow with the onset of industrialization, with many factories popping up to create manufactured goods from the raw materials of its overseas colonies. Many men make their fortunes off these new enterprises and a new elite aristocracy of businessmen begin to mingle with the old, landed aristocracy.
-However, even with these benefits, the Empire sees its public continue to rally for improved workers rights by using Parliament. And among the disgruntled working class comes a growing movement of socialism from the teachings of Germanian intellectuals Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
-In Parliament, trouble begins to stir as the Liberal Party seeks to muster support for new policies of social change, which may soon bring it on a collision course with the House of Lords.
Roman Empire
-Europe’s oldest empire, having survived the collapse at the end of antiquity and countless calamities. Imperii Romanum has survived all this to carry its legacy to the 20th century, however Greek it may be now.
-After defeating the Turks at Manzikert in 1071, the Roman Empire continued in its cycles of expansion and recession, gaining and losing land as great emperors came and went. As of now, however, the Empire is on a decline after suffering from internal instability as well as external issues.
-Within its borders, tensions between Orthodox Christians and Muslims continue to brew as a growing distrust and resentment leads to open clashes between groups in Anatolia. A growing nationalist movement comprised of Turkish citizens threatens the unity of the empire in one of its core provinces.
-Along with this, growing movements of independence arise from Muslims in other regions of the Empire, including Egypt and the Levant as resentment of being controlled by a minority Christian ruling class governs over a large plurality of Muslims in these regions.
-The Roman Empire also suffers from notably heavy corruption in its extensive bureaucracy, with scandals of embezzlement and misuse of Imperial taxes consistently ravaging provincial regions as well as notable arrests of provincial politicians for corruption scandals rocking the faith in the current system.
-Along with these problems comes the Empire’s willingness to repress dissent and those who speak out are either not seen again or are found missing certain goods as punishment.
-As part of the Entente Cordiale, the Roman Empire finds itself and its protectorates as a containment to Hungary, Croatia and Germania into the Balkans, and with tensions between the two opposing pacts at an all time high, it seems the Balkans might be the place to spark a new war.
-The Roman Empire is not without benefits however, its strategic position between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean makes it a key ally for the Entente and its miltary force is not to be scoffed at, even if it is somewhat lacking when compared to Germania or France.
Empire of Brazil
-As the only one of two remaining imperial powers in the western hemisphere, Brazil finds itself dominating the affairs of South America, although not without resistance.
-Sitting on the throne is Dona Isabel I, the “Redemptress”, after having defeated the short-lived Republican coup that had dethroned her father with the help of European powers Portugal and Germania. Now back at the helm of things, Isabel leads her country to a new age, and her popularity is at an all time high.
-As the First Industrial Revolution comes to a close, Brazil finds itself on the short end of the stick when compared to other American powers such as the United States. Industrialization is at a minimum, but Brazil has the resources and the manpower to create a truly mighty economy that can diversify if given the chance.
-Isabel I has also continued her father’s liberal reforms, giving more freedoms to the masses, however this has continued to irk wealthy plantation owners as well as some of the landed aristocracy, who despise their privileges being reduced.
-Tensions grow between Brazil and its neighbor and rival, the Argentine Republic. Due to the successful invasion of Uruguay by Pedro I in the Cisplatine War, border friction and tensions boil as the Argentine Republic seeks to reclaim the land for itself. Along with this, tensions broil in the Cisplatine Province as Uruguayans resent their rule under the Brazilian throne. The legacy of the Thirty-Three Orientals still lingers in the region.
French Second Republic
-In opposition to the Grand Alliance, the France stands as the head of the Entente Cordiale and one of the leading world powers at the start of the 20th century.
-Fielding a large army and a decent navy, the French are fully capable in their own right when put toe-to-toe with their neighboring rival and most immediate threat, Germania.
-The efforts of industrialization come into full swing in France as the economy beings to diversify and raw materials are put to good use in creating manufactured products. The standard of living continues to increase in France and fortunes are built.
-As the republic continues to build its industry, making many Frenchmen wealthy along the way, many of the workers are poorly treated, similarly as in Germania and Britain. Many demand for changes and improvements to their situations and some turn to the fledgling socialist movement that continues to gain traction throughout Europe’s more advanced economies.
-Internal issues also plague the country as corruption continues to grow in the bureaucracy of the republic and rivaling political parties fight for seats on their platforms of different foreign and economic policies.
-As tensions continue to brew, the front between Germania and France lays clear in the case of war. Their shared border may perhaps be the single most contested place in Europe should the two world powers come to blows. The only question is, will France be able to hold it?
-French colonial holdings in India also provide to be a point of tensions between itself and Britain as the British ambitions for the region may come in conflict with current French holdings. Time will tell if the two powers may be able to resolve their differences and come to an amicable agreement, or risk war.
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
-The Commonwealth finds itself in a peculiar position in Europe, situated between Russia and the heart of the continent, the Poles find themselves aligned in the Grand Alliance as a shield against Russian ambitions for the region.
-The Polish army finds itself to be a powerful one, especially when put head to head to Germania, Francia, and Russia. However, its military is untested in recent warfare and has yet to prove itself on the battlefield. Inexperience may perhaps be its greatest weakness at this time.
-Unlike their German counterparts, the Commonwealth unfortunately does not find itself in the efforts of industrialization, much like the rest of Eastern Europe. The economy still relies on its agrarian roots of the Polish heartland as well as its Ukrainian holdings.
-Similarly to that of the Romans to the south, the Commonwealth faces its fare share of internal issues, including that of corruption in its military and bureaucracy as well as growing nationalist sentiments within its own borders from ethnic Ukrainians and Lithuanians.
-Along with this is the noticeable repression of civil liberties, including the press, within the Commonwealth, and critics of the state have been known to either been imprisoned or exiled. A small liberal movement continues to petition for improved rights, but have so far been quashed repeatedly over the past few decades.
Russian Empire
-As vast as it is, the Russian Empire holds a tenuous position in the stage of world powers. Spanning across Eastern Europe through Siberia and into the far reaches of the New World, the Russian Empire continues to grow in size and in ambition.
-The Russians find themselves in a war of conquest against the Khanate of Kokand and the Khanate of Khiva in the start of the new century as the Russian war machine begins to march towards the asian steppes once more.
-Russia also finds itself as a part of the Entente Cordiale with the likes of France, the Roman Empire, and Sicily. Fearing further aggression from the powers in the west and itching to regain lands lost to the Poles, Russia looms over like a giant unto East Europe.
-The Russian Army in itself is massive, supported by the sons of countless conquered peoples under its empire, and fields more men than any other European army with its seemingly limitless reserves.
-However, Russia finds itself wracked with internal issues as corruption takes root heavily within its military and its bureaucracy. Incompetence takes root within its military as many of its officers bought their way into positions of authority while the bureaucrats engage in criminal practices behind the back of the state.
-The Russian economy also heavily relies on its agrarian sector as industry still has yet to grow to the proportions of Britain and Germania. With industrialization at a minimum, Russia as a great power begins to fall behind its peers.
-Civil liberties in Russia are also repressed as the press is regularly censored and a secret police works to quash dissent in any form, even if it is nonviolent. A growing discontent among intellectuals and reformists calling for much needed change continues to be a small, but slowly growing movement within Russia.
Kingdom of the Netherlands
-The Dutch are in the most vulnerable of positions in Europe, situated between the juggernauts of France and Germania and attempting to stay neutral in whatever conflict may come.
-As a member of the Unaligned League, the Netherlands is guaranteed aid from Britain should they be attacked by either the Entente or the Grand Alliance. This gives the public some relief in the midst of rising tensions and a sense of security to know that one of the great world powers would come to the aid of another.
-While the Dutch have minimal industry, they maintain a continued economic wealth due to their economic holdings and overseas colonies. And as such, they are able to maintain a comfortable position without a large industrial sector.
-Although the Dutch army isn’t as large as its European counterparts, it still maintains a modest force for the defense of its country rather than hoping to fight an offensive war in any scenario.
-And while it maintains a good record for its civil liberties when compared to other monarchies, there is still room for improvement for increased rights. The right for peaceful assembly, the improvement of worker conditions and others are among the changes demanded by liberals.
-The biggest point of contention within the Netherlands is the Congo. Having long been the point of controversy in the globe spanning empire of the Dutch, even after slavery had been abolished. Provincial revolts continue to rack the region from time to time as the local population resents Dutch rule due to the horrid legacy left behind by slavers there.
Sublime State of Persia
-After having overthrown the Zand Dynasty in 1794, the Qajar Dynasty has ruled Persia since then. Persia finds itself in an interesting position in the middle-east at the start of the 20th century. Locked between the Hashemite Sultanate to the west, the Central Asian khanates to the North, and the Indian empires to the east. Every single one of these regions playing host to either increasing tension or to war.
-Largely an agrarian economy, Persia has little to no industry within its borders and even if there was an effort to industrialize it would take years to reach significant numbers. As such, the main exports for the state are druid fruits, nuts, and the ever expensive and luxury spice of saffron.
-Although the State has experienced peace for some time, it is wracked with disunity within its own borders. After the assassination of his father before him, Mozaffar ad-Din faces growing resentment of ever increasing European interests within the borders of Persia as well as the extravagant and wasteful spending of the Shah for luxuries and trips bring financial woes to the country, and may possibly bring about a financial crisis.
-Even though Russo-Persian relations have been rather peaceful for some time after the first Russo-Persian War of 1834-1843, the current wars against Central Asia bring worries to the populace on whether or not Russia has its eyes set on Persian lands once more.
-These worries are amplified at the currently poor state the Persian armed forces find themselves in. Lacking training, experience and manpower, it would be rather easy to lose a war against the Eurasian juggernaut.
Principality of Moldavia(name has been changed because of geographical error on my part)
-The Principality of Moldavia finds itself under the suzerainty of the Russian Empire while maintaining its own independence. Being a bridge between Eastern Europe and the Balkan Peninsula, it has a cultural divide from both.
-Being a very small nation, Moldavia also has a small economy, military and government for its size. Its economy is entirely agricultural with its main exports being wine and grain.
-With its protection guaranteed by the Russian Empire, defense is not a worry however with rising tensions in Europe it may very well bring Moldavia straight into the crossfire of war.
-Moldavia does suffer from internal issues of corruption and a stagnant economy as well as poor civil liberties. However, brutal repressions of liberal thought have been carried out over the decades, leading to calls of reform to be put underground. As such, reform is a pipe dream for the masses.
Qing Empire
[infobox unavailable rn, will make later pls no bulli]
-Chinese Imperial rule has stretched back for thousands of years, having survived to to the 20th century through countless wars, crises, and more. However, the Qing Dynasty faces a new set of problems in this day and age.
-Suffering a severe lack of modernization, the Qing Empire is very behind in terms of technological prowess, industry, and civil reform. It has already been eclipsed by the likes of the rising Japan and is leagues behind the powers of Europe.
-Although the Imperial Army sports an impressive size, its equipment, and training, is lackluster at best. Outdated rifles and cannons cannot compare against more powerful, modern weaponry.
-China also suffers from internal dissent, especially after the conclusion of the Opium Wars and the rise of European influence in its economy. Resentment continues to increase towards the European powers as well as the Imperial throne for being incapable of stopping these foreign aggressors from taking entire cities and ports from the Empire.
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Military Strength of Players
Numbers are current, may increase/decrease depending on war, recruitment, etc.
Germania:
1.2 million; 300k reserves (Conscription)
France:
1 million; 250k reserves (Conscription)
Britain:
750k; Volunteer Reserves (Volunteer)
Netherlands:
250k; 350k reserves (Conscription)
PLC:
1 million; 350k reserves (conscription)
Spain:
250k; 100k reserves (conscription)
Romans:
800k; 250k reserves (Conscription)
Russia:
1.6 million; 3 million reserves (Conscription)
Qing:
200k; 1 million reserves (Conscription)
Japan:
200k; 250k reserves (Conscription)
Persia:
100k; 50k reserves (Conscription)
Brazil:
100k; 100k reserves (Conscription)
Wallachia:
30k; 20k reserves (Conscription)
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