Zillamaster55
In Denial About Denial
Turn One
January - June, 1910
World Events
- The League of Emperors, the old alliance between Austria, Germany and Russia, is reformed to some extent. Focused on maintaining peace and stability in Europe, these three crowns are set to begin influencing the policies of their minor neighbors and spherelings. This outrages many more hawkishly-minded politicians in nations across the continent, who view the move as little more than “backroom scheming”
- Edward VII, the monarch of the United Kingdom, dies in his sleep after complications from chest pains. After a somber, nationwide period of morning, his son George is crowned as King, and the issues of the monarchy can continue uninterrupted. George V, sharing kinship with both the emperors of Germany and Russia, is set to take the nation on a new course through the 20th Century. What this course may be, however, is unknown at this time
- A treaty is signed between Japan and the Joseon Kingdom of Korea. Essentially made a puppet state of Japan, the Korean “Empire” is officially dismantled by this treaty, which sees the Korean government stripped of its titles and Emperor Sunjong deposed. Japan’s borders are expanded yet again as the island nation rapidly continues to take its place amongst the great powers of the world
- The Union of South Africa, a patchwork nation born out of necessity, thanks to the near-constant resistance put forth by the Boers. The Union is governed entirely by the white minority of English and Boer settlers, but their inclusion into the Commonwealth has negated numerous arguments regarding representation of colonial governments. Meanwhile, in other areas of the Empire, there are those that see South Africa as an example of “enlightened colonialism”
- American president William Howard Taft is found dead in his White House bedroom after a night of “intense pain”. A state funeral is held for Taft, who is credited with maintaining “American Decency” after the squabbles between the Republicans and the previous president Theodore Roosevelt. James Sherman, now President, is set to take the country through the next to years, hopefully completing Taft’s various plans for domestic and foreign policy
- Tensions in Mexico begin to rise as Porfirio Díaz’s regime begins to face outright hostile resistance from commoners throughout the provinces. Díaz, having held his position as president for three decades, finds himself on shaky grounds. As a result of this, Díaz begins to circle the proverbial wagons, which many believe will lead to an outright collapse of his government as a whole
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- In the halls of the German diet, representatives of the Austrian, German and Russian Empires meet to begin reforming the old alliance of the League of the Three Emperors. With this new agreement signed, these three nations sign the agreement to further expand trade, non-aggression and general friendship between one another. With their eastern borders now relatively secure, the Austrians can rest easy knowing that, at least for now, the Russians will not attempt to break into the plains of Galicia
- At home, the Austrian government begins a huge series of reforms, hoping to combat the numerous problems that plague the country. Primarily, the famine in Galicia is seen as a prime example of a “solvable issue”. Across the country, a 5% levy is placed on all harvests across the country, with the government paying a flat price to take the extra goods, sending them to these famine stricken regions in hopes of alleviating the issues
- Alongside the redistribution of food into Galicia, the governance of the region is restructured and divided between the Polish West and Ruthenian East Galicias, both of which are made into semi-autonomous provinces represented by government appointees. Though still under the control of Germans, these regions will see some administrative reforms that will hopefully lead to some better economic and agricultural policies
- Railroads, one of the greatest inventions of the modern age, continue to undergo nationalization as the government hopes to use these new railways to expand “across the nation like a net”. The east and south of the country, especially in regions like Transylvania, Vojvodina and Bosnia, suffer from a lack of adequate rail transport, and as a result, are needed to be heavily expanded upon, a project which will take years to complete
- In Vienna, a meeting amongst the highest levels of the government is held to discuss the possibility of including Croatia as the “Third Crown” of Austria-Hungary, creating a “trialist” system of government, which would allow for the full representation of the Slavic peoples in the southwest. Only a handful of the Austrian delegation approves, and the Hungarians refuse such a deal outright, decrying it as “something to mitigate the voices of the Hungarian crown even further”
- A small portion of the nation’s budget is set aside to begin giving subsidies to farms that adopt mechanized equipment such as tractors, powered threshers and combine harvesters. These machines are the “future of food”, and have proven to be extremely effective in places like the United States and Great Britain. Outside of Austria proper, however, mechanization doesn’t catch on as most farmers are incapable of purchasing such equipment, no matter how great the subsidies are
- More overtures are made to Škoda Auto by the Austrian government to make the automobile company the sole provider of vehicles and mechanical equipment to the Austrian government and military. Škoda’s representatives agree to a minor deal in which the Austrian government takes a 30% share in the company’s stocks, while the company itself is given first dibs on any military contract presented to private companies
- As a result of these massive deals and reforms, the Austrian economy quickly begins to grind down to a much slower rate of growth. This is “unavoidable” say economists connected to the Austrian government. Nonetheless, bankers begin to give out fewer loans and companies prepare to tighten their belts for possible stagnation. Some believe, however, that the slowdown will be beneficial in the long run. What they base this on, exactly, is unclear
- The Austrian navy continues a program of expanding its docks in major port cities like Trieste, Pola, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, and Kotor in order to strengthen the nation's shipbuilding capabilities, with the goal of being able to contest the Adriatic, and secure Austria-Hungary's place in the Mediterranean. Unsurprisingly, the Italians take this as a sign of Austrian military posturing, and begin upgrading the military ports of their own in the east
- Bi-Weekly drills are held across the board for militiamen and reservists in order to keep them in top shape as the military undergoes modernization programs. One of these programs is to begin putting research into "Army Slavic", or a form of standardized Serbo-Croatian for the southern Slavs in the military. The Czechs and Slovaks in the army tend to be bilingual in German and Hungarian respectively, or at the very least are capable of learning them if need be. The southern Slavs, meanwhile, are more hesitant and stubborn
- The age of the cavalryman comes to a quiet end in the Austrian army. Most cavalry regiments are disbanded, and many others are converted into purely logistical or reconnaissance roles. Unsurprisingly, many nobles protest the move as an "unnecessary and uncivilized" change, while recent graduates of the numerous military academies view it as an important step forward for the army. Nonetheless, horsemen still remain in large quantities throughout the armed forces
- Conscription efforts are expanded as the Austrian government approves a bill that allows for the further drafting of soldiers from the Slavic provinces in the northeast and the south. Many resist this, as conscription for the Austrian army is seen as an insult, especially to the Serbs and Croats who have been chomping at the bit for further representation. The Poles, meanwhile, feel that the implementation of conscription in Galicia is an "entirely unneeded move" due to the ongoing famine
- Engineers at Škoda, tasked with providing better equipment for the Austrian military, present a new piece of artillery, similar to that being used by numerous nations around the globe. At a firing range in central Hungary, the engineers present a hulking 25cm “railway gun” nicknamed “Fetter Junge” (Fat Boy). Capable of launching a 450kg shell more than 15km, the “Fat Boy” is a monstrous weapon of war that is, unfortunately, restricted to only the strongest rail lines possible
- Competing with Škoda, the German Krupp Stahl company manages to weasel its way into negotiations, and present the Austrian military with an artillery piece of its own. Using a shell smaller by comparison, the 12.5cm FH M.10 is a “fast firing” howitzer able to launch its shells at a pace similar to the French 75mm M1897. With much bigger shells, however, the FH M.10 suffers from much longer periods of cooling and fatigue, and is only useful in rapid volleys with a long time in between
- France manages to strike a deal with the Catholic Church, hoping to return to a friendly relationship between the two. In exchange for France still being in charge of the vetting of bishops and priests within the country, churches and churchyards are able to be purchased by the Papacy. This move is contested by socialists and secularists, who fear that this could lead to a “return to the old establishment”, though the government ensures them that such an incident probably won’t take place
- The French government begins to heavily subsidies the creation of factories and general industry in colonial capitals like Dakar, Algiers and Saigon. Here, the government hopes to improve the production of these regions, utilizing local resources and labor rather than having to ship it all the way to the homeland. This has the dual purpose of relieving French factories from creating base consumer goods, allowing the largest factories to begin specializing in more expensive products
- After some consideration, the death penalty is officially restricted to the most egregious crimes such as treason or murder. This is a relief to many of the more pacifist lawyers, as well as a huge burden off of prisoners nationwide. Conservatives, of course, decry this move, and state that the death penalty is a “necessity for the deterrance of crime”. Nonetheless, this slight liberalization of the justice system is a sign of a new future for France
- In New Caledonia, the huge nickel reserves undergo exploitation by companies that are given massive subsidies to begin buying up land and creating mines. In return for subsidies and the turning of a blind eye to labor practices, the French government requires a whopping 20% share of all metals produced. This huge amount of nickel is sent directly to military industry for the plating of metals and creation of stronger ships and guns
- Companies crucial to national defense, such as automobile, rail and weapons manufacturers see upwards of a 15% share purchased by the French government. Though the companies themselves are still largely autonomous, this influence from the government allows them to “nudge” them in certain directions as the French military continues to expand. Socialists and labor unions are unable to decide whether or not this is a good thing
- The French military decides to resurrect the Levavasseur project, in which the original creator of the project is tasked with creating a new proposal regarding the creation of a dedicated artillery division. Though the costs are high, many in the army believe that such divisions would provide significant firepower both on the offense and defense, while also freeing up regular divisions to have larger pools of infantry to pull from
- Defensive drills are conducted along the border with Germany as a show of both force and readiness. Experimental artillery divisions test the latest in gun development, while infantry march in beautifully coordinated columns and undergo snappy rifle drills. This impresses the French population in Alsace Lorraine, while the German populace is concerned by such exercises. This is, of course, not out of the ordinary, and the French expect the Germans to respond with their own very soon
- With the Germans having a much larger army, and the memory of 1870 fresh in the mind of the French, the military undergoes experiments in changing doctrine. Rather than focusing on raw offensive capabilities, a doctrine of “Defensive Siege” is introduced, in which the army digs in deep and bombards the enemy before they can make any significant gains. The tradeoff for such a tactic is that exiting the defensive positions makes it difficult to regain them should they be lost, and exposes the troops to enemy fire
- The army, working in coordination with the navy, forms the Aéronautique Militaire. This new sub-branch of the military is made up of balloons, airships and aeroplanes, hoping to use these new inventions for reconnaissance, bombing and general military support. Though the branch is hungry for planes, it must deal with having lighter than air craft for the time being, as most planes can only hobble along at low altitudes for short distances
- A breakthrough is made as the Aéronautique Militaire begins testing new dirigibles. These lighter than air craft utilize their lifting capability to carry delicate camera equipment, or even light artillery shells. The navy begins testing this new tool, with the goal of using them for light coastal bombardment and spotting. Though slow moving and horribly obvious, those on the ground have essentially no ability to fight back against them
- A bizarre new invention is made, using a single track and small, horse-sized locomotive engines. These Rail Rapide are able of towing only small amounts of cargo, but can be set up in only a matter of days, quickly transporting goods to and from the front line, and then being quickly taken down to be moved elsewhere. Faster than horse-drawn transports, and more reliable than automobiles, these light rails will be a necessity should the military call them forward
- In the halls of the German diet, representatives of the Austrian, German and Russian Empires meet to begin reforming the old alliance of the League of the Three Emperors. With this new agreement signed, these three nations sign the agreement to further expand trade, non-aggression and general friendship between one another. Germany sits in a comfortable position, with its powerful industrial and military base, and enjoys that the Austrians and Russians have come to them for ensuring peace in the region
- German companies attempt to break into the Japanese market by selling rubber and minerals from the African colonies to the various Japanese industrial giants, but a recent decision made by the Japanese government locks them out from making such a deal. As a result, the rubber continues to be sent back to Germany proper, where it can be better utilized by German companies and manufacturers
- Diplomats are sent to Portugal in the hopes of tying the small Iberian nation closer to Germany, perhaps to beat the British to the punch and forming an alliance. However, due to the political situation in Portugal as republicans begin to become more brazen in their desire to overthrow the old monarchy, causing many in the German diplomatic corps fear that a revolution may soon take place, essentially nullifying Germany’s efforts. Nonetheless, the Germans keep a close eye on the Portuguese
- Swedish iron and steel, a much-needed import for Germany’s industry in the east, leads to diplomatic discussions to help tie the economies of Sweden and Germany closer together. In exchange for Germany reducing tariffs on Swedish exports, Sweden will permit the purchasing of shares in Swedish companies by the German government. Having lost Norway a few years prior, and the Russians still occupying their claimed lands in Finland, Sweden is desperate for powerful friends
- With oil becoming a more and more precious commodity, the German government begins purchasing stocks in Persian, Ottoman and Egyptian oil fields. Though the British keep much of that region’s oil under their control, this slight guarantee of imports for the German government coincides with the new plan to begin creating an “oil reserve”. Many believe that coal will be phased out in only a few years to come, and oil is the future. Germany is unwilling to fall behind in that future
- The railways in western Germany are expanded by a significant degree as the government mobilizes the poor and jobless to begin a new web of rail lines, stretching from the Austro-German border, all the way to the Franco-German border. These railways are dual-purpose, with the intentions of both industrial and military transport. Over the course of the next two years, the German military will be able to move troops at a rapid pace up and down their western territories
- In the Ruhr valley, the German government subsidies the construction of dozens of military factories, with the intention of boosting the production of arms and munitions by a significant degree. Germany continues its program of militarization, despite the relative peace in Europe, and hopes to have a huge amount of backup equipment should the nation mobilize itself for any possible conflict in Europe
- Submarines, once a novelty in the American Civil War, are quickly becoming adopted by navies the world over, with Germany included amongst them. Hoping to expand the strength of the submarine corp, the German navy commissions the construction of more than a dozen U-2-class submarines, with their eponymous ship being used as the standard model for German submarines to come. Knowing that the navy cannot hope to compete on the open seas with nations like Britain or America, Germany instead focuses on having a powerful “undersea blockade”
- A shocking 50,000 more men are drafted into the German army for the express purpose of creating Spezialkräfte (Special Forces), mainly in the realms of quick signaling and “beach assaults”. Using small motor-driven boats, these newly formed Marinesoldaten move under the cover of naval guns to storm beaches and seize key areas such as ports or coastal towns. The Marinesoldaten are restricted to service in the German navy, and their application come a European war is unknown at the moment
- With the expansion of the German submarine corp, engineers are tasked with creating a longer-ranged, more efficient submarine than the U-2-class. Experimenting with a hull that was damaged during production, engineers stumble across a more efficient form of engine placement. These longer, larger submarines are designated as the U-3-class, and are able to stay submerged for far longer periods, though are more expensive than their predecessors
- Seeing the usefulness of the British Maxim Gun, and having adopted a copied model only years before, the German army continues to experiment with better, more easily maintained crew-served machineguns. Using a shorter travel time on the bolt, the newly designed Maschinengewehr M1910 has a firing rate of 700rpm, which is much, much faster than the MG-08. The MG-M1910 is quickly adopted by German infantry divisions, once military industry is able to produce them in large enough numbers
- The League of Emperors, the massive agreement between Germany, Russia and Austria, agrees to allow the Japanese to sign the pact as an outside observer. Despite hostile relations that remain between Russia and Japan, the presence of newly promoted Prince Kuni Kuniyoshi as a military observer and advisor pleases the Germans and Austrians. Japan hopes to use their addition in the League to help continue the modernization of the Japanese military and economy
- A treaty is signed between Japan and the Joseon Kingdom of Korea. Essentially made a puppet state of Japan, the Korean “Empire” is officially dismantled by this treaty, which sees the Korean government stripped of its titles and Emperor Sunjong deposed. Japanese troops immediately sweep into governmental buildings, tearing down Korean-language markers and flags. Humiliated, the Korean populace can do little other than watch as their national identity is stripped away by a piece of paper
- Korea, now renamed 朝鮮 (Chōsen) and under the control of Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni, undergoes a full-scale restructuring of how the nation is administered. The old divisions made by the Joseon are ignored, and numerous low-level regional governors are assigned to the newly designed prefectures of Korea. These prefectures are specifically designed to maximize the efficiency of resource acquisition and exploitation, as well as making it more difficult for the Koreans to retain their old ways
- Northern Chōsen is quickly overrun by Japanese companies hoping to begin exploiting the massive coal and iron reserves. Huge mines are set up, stripping away at the mountains and hills, pulling enormous quantities of resources to quench the thirst of Japanese industry. Unsurprisingly, much of the labor is made up of local Koreans, who are placed in horrible conditions with next to little pay
- Throughout the heavily populated prefectures of Japan, namely Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, the state begins contract bids on coal-fired electrical plants. These plants will not only provide thousands of jobs, but will also help streamline industrial production throughout the country. Thanks to the addition of Korean coal, these plants are finally no longer worried about running out of their namesake power source
- A somewhat shocking, yet also unsurprising, decision is made by the Japanese government. No longer are governors or military leaders allowed to seek contracts with any foreign companies, and must instead deal solely with the growing Japanese industrial conglomerates known as 財閥 (Zaibatsu) [Financial Clique]. This essentially forces foreigners to remain in their place, and many simply sell off their factories rather than be stuck in a permanent second place
- The two policing wings of the army and navy, the 憲兵隊 (Kenpeitai) and 特警隊 (Tokkeitai) are forcefully combined by the Japanese government in order to streamline their use, much to the dismay of the two branches. Secondarily, the government takes the most efficient officers to help form the 特高 (Tokkō) [Special Higher Police], which will take over for the civilian duties
- Immediately, the Tokkō are sent across the country to begin mass arrests of socialists and anarchists after a plot to assassinate the emperor is discovered. Regardless of connection to the incident, these political dissidents are placed in prison, with their leaders given lengthy sentences, or even death. This “reign of terror” is enough to shock the populace into toeing the party line and avoiding association with “anti-Japanese groups”
- With approval from the central government, Zaibatsus are encouraged to grow as large and as strong as possible to streamline the nation’s industry. Korea, in only a few months, quickly becomes a “Zaibatsu Paradise” as companies buy up swathes of land from the local governments and begin exploiting the region as much as they can. Zaibatsus are considered the “future of the world” by foreign observers, which worries socialists everywhere
- In Busan, the mid-size port city is greatly expanded in order to meet demands from the Imperial Japanese Navy to produce more and more ships, primarily tenders and light vessels at first. Using local labor, the Busan port is quickly expanded, and its growth is attributed to the presence of the Zaibatsus, who gladly cut corners and worker's safety to get the port built as quickly as possible. By October of the following year, the Busan port will be one of the largest military ports for the Japanese
- As the Imperial Japanese Navy continues to search for more efficient and modernized inventions, some breakthroughs are made in the realm of fire control. On the Japanese battleship Kashima, an upgrade is made to her internal communications, with a small radio placed in her gun rooms to immediately transfer information from the conning tower, rather than having to rely information by word of mouth or signaling. These radios have horrendous quality, however, and the vibrations from the guns sometimes shatter the fragile equipment
- Studying experiments in Europe, the Imperial Japanese Army begins testing domestically produced airplanes, similar to the Italian Ca. 1. These small, single person biplanes are able to climb up to 400m, and with a range of roughly 15 kilometers. This new invention is a significant addition to the military’s capabilities, with the newly designated Year 42 Reconnaissance, with the hopes of using this biplane to observe the landscape and battlefield
- As the situation appears dire for the Qing Dynasty, the councils surrounding the young Xuontong emperor manage to wriggle out from under the influence of the more reactionary councilmen who have refused progress for more than a decade before Xuontong’s birth. Despite the fears that the dynasty has completely lost hold of the “Mandate of Heaven”, these reforms are believed to stave off the “tiger of republicanism” from swallowing China whole
- Thanks to the help of well-paid foreign envoys, the Qing government announces the beginning of the 新精神 (Xīn Jīngshén) [New Spirit] policies. These new policies turn their focus inwards, to better help the nation drag itself into the 20th Century and, if all goes well, return it to the status of a dominant power in the world. With China more or less being a joke in regards to industrialization and modernization, the Qing dynasty is no longer willing to take a backseat to the rest of the world. Let alone to Japan, of all nations
- Projects to improve the nation’s industrial capacity begin in the nation’s capital city of Beijing. Here, industrialization has already begun to some extent, as small textile and consumer goods factories dot the packed city streets. Entire sections of the city, largely made up of the poor and decrepit housing districts, are torn down in favor of building up foreign factories. Despite the embarrassing need for foreign industry, the “barbarians” may indeed have the right idea about some things when it comes to modernization
- A large railway project, stretching outwards from Beijing to reach cities like Shenyang, Harbin, and Shanghai. This project will take years to complete, and will require additional foreign capital in order to subsidize the domestic labor. Ironically, some engineers arrive from the United States, descendents of the hundreds of thousands of Chinese who emigrated in order to work on the transcontinental railway in the mid 19th Century
- Subsidies are generously handed out to farmers and landowners in and around cities that are willing to sell their land to the government in order for it to be turned into factories, railway stations, railway lines or other such purposes. Thousands jump at the opportunity to be able to get a smidgen of money and move into the city, and as a result, areas outside of Beijing essentially become abandoned as families pull up stakes and head into the capital, hoping for a better life
- With what money remains in the coffers of the Qing government, the nation’s pathetically tiny and underdeveloped navy sees the beginning of its latest addition. Hoping to one up the Japanese, Russians and British, who regularly flaunt their navies as they pass from station to station, the Qing begin working on a domestically produced, heavily armored cruiser similar to the German-built Hai Yung-class. The ICN 大槍 (Dà Qiāng) [Great Lance] will, if production goes well, boast three pairs of six inch guns, with a jaw-dropping 18cm belt. Production is incredibly slow, as shortages of just about everything seems to be getting in the way, and as a result, the Great Lance may not launch for nearly three years
- Rather than deal with the huge number of rifles from numerous countries, with numerous calibers and designs, the Qing military finally decides on adopting the German Gewehr 98, redesignating it as the Liang Type 1 Rifle. The Germans, having only taken minor advantage of China over the past few years, maintain a healthy relationship with the Qing, and the Mauser company is more than willing to open a factory in Nanjing to begin producing the nation’s arms
- 75 Oakland Model 40 cars are purchased by the Qing military in order to help transport officers, messengers and advisors to and from important locations. These cars are extremely expensive, and coveted more than gold by those that are able to keep them within their possession. The ultimate goal is to begin introducing motorized or rail transport for everything in the military, though not even the most advanced European nations have been able to achieve that as of yet
- A surprising breakthrough is made at a Bethlehem Steel plant in Nanjing. Using nickel during the smelting process, workers are able to create a type of “stainless steel”, resistant to corrosion and oxidation, while also being able to withstand slightly higher temperatures and pressures than contemporary steel. This steel is extremely expensive, and is still relatively low strength compared to the European types, but the “China Type Steel” is popular amongst foreign manufacturers, and the workers who came across the discovery are rewarded handsomely
- In the halls of the German diet, representatives of the Austrian, German and Russian Empires meet to begin reforming the old alliance of the League of the Three Emperors. With this new agreement signed, these three nations sign the agreement to further expand trade, non-aggression and general friendship between one another. Russia’s return to the League is a sign of Russia’s willingness to keep its doors open to foreign alliances, and the end of Russian pseudo-isolation from European affairs
- The Tsar turns to the nobility in the hopes of improving the nation’s situation, as stagnation has wreaked havoc on both the government and economy. Nicholas presents his plans on introducing numerous political, judicial, legal and general administrative reforms. These moves face backlash and resistance from the more conservative minds, who fear their positions being weakened. Nonetheless, the Tsar manages to find some friends in the "Западники" (Zapadniki) [Westernizers], who have recently gained more influence after Russia’s inclusion in the League
- Russia’s first series of reforms comes in the form of industrial subsidies for the middle and upper class who plan on either opening or expanding factories in the major cities of the nation. Alongside these subsidies, a five year tax break is levied on the lower middle and working classes to encourage their consumption of more expensive goods. Steel, textile, chemical and munitions plants crop up in cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev and Warsaw, hoping to reap the benefits of these economic reforms
- A gigantic railway project begins, with the intention of linking many of the major western cities together in an enormous web of railways and stations. This project is plotted to be extremely expensive, and will take years to complete, with tens of thousands of workers being needed to get it done as efficiently as possible. Wealthy nobles already begin to carve out their influence along the rails, purchasing specific planned stations and lines for themselves
- Military advisors are “imported” from overseas, mainly in the form of retired officers and experienced veterans. Most ironically, the Japanese representative to the League, Prince Kuni Kuniyoshi, arrives in Moscow to oversee the nation’s hugely disorganized army. His experience in the Russo-Japanese war is nonetheless a necessity, as the Russian military suffered at the hands of the more ready and modernized Japanese
- Tsar Nicholas recognizes that the nation sits atop a bountiful number of resources, both agricultural and mineral. Hoping to exploit these as much as possible, the government begins selling swathes of land in the Urals and regions surrounding Kazan, with mines and mills being constructed in droves. This will help increase the industrial output of Russia by a huge amount, though the local populace will find itself at the mercy of ever growing companies
- In order to reduce arbitration and streamline the courts of the nation, numerous laws are enacted to prevent the delaying of trials, and ensuring that all decisions are more fairly made. Judges in urban centers are quick to adopt these reforms, knowing that their jobs are on the line. However, judges in the more rural areas go against or outright reject these reforms, preferring to stay with the old ways that are both more familiar and “more just than anything a reformer could make”
- In St. Petersburg, numerous tech colleges are conglomerated by the government to create the Императорский Институт Наук (Imperatorskiy Institut Nauk) [Imperial Institute of Sciences]. Here, the students of the sciences in both Russia and the rest of Europe are encouraged to gather together and begin working on making advancements throughout the fields, with the hopes of one day having Russia ahead of the curve
- Russia’s military begins undergoing sweeping reforms that manage to upset nearly everyone. Alongside the push that troops begin undergoing more western innovations, the Tsar now demands that all officers present in the Russian military below the rank of general be sent to military colleges for Контрольные Тесты (Kontrol'nyye Testy) [Retainment Tests]. These tests focus on the officers’ competence, as well as forcing those that simply purchased their positions to wash out. This leads to numerous enemies being formed amongst the military nobles, who decry these moves as “unnecessary and unwanted”
- Shipyards in Odessa and Sevastopol are expanded in the hopes of producing more numerous and more powerful ships for the Black Sea Fleet. Despite being trapped in by the Ottoman control of the Dardanelles, Russia hopes that the strengthening of the Black Sea Fleet will deter the Ottomans from making any advances into Russia’s sphere of influence, as well as having the ultimate goal of forcing the Ottomans to open the Dardanelles completely to the Russians
- With the pathetic performance of the Russian navy in the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian navy begins testing newer and better designs of heavy ships. Keeping a close eye on the Japanese themselves, the Russian navy essentially copies the Kashima-class battleship, upping the belt by 2cm and increasing the number of its secondary guns. This new Gavril-class battleship is slower, yet beefier than most Russian ships of its type, perfect for defending the bottlenecked Baltic and Black seas
- Mimicking the Austrian advances in artillery technology, the Russian military begins experimenting with howitzers of its own. Rather than using quick firing, volley-based howitzers, the Russian army tests the newly designed 18cm M1910 Field Howitzer. This hulking artillery piece is built for long periods of fire, laying down shells over the course of hours, trading volleys for more precise bombardments
- Britain continues to seek friendship with Greece, as the fledgling democratic government is not too dissimilar from the British. Knowing that the situation in the Balkans is beginning to heat up, and the position of the Ottomans on the world stage is weakening, Britain feels that a strong relationship with Greece is crucial to maintaining British influence in the Mediterranean, as well as keeping the Ottomans in check as much as they can
- Seeing that Germany has decided to tie itself to Britain’s second rival, British diplomats meet with Danish representatives in Copenhagen to begin improving trade relations, as well as making quiet references to ever increasing German militarism. Having lost much of their southern territories to the Germans, and having a paltry military, the Danish are happy to see the British taking notice of their tiny nation
- Edward VII, the monarch of the United Kingdom, dies in his sleep after complications from chest pains. After a somber, nationwide period of morning, his son George is crowned as King, and the issues of the monarchy can continue uninterrupted. George V, sharing kinship with both the emperors of Germany and Russia, is set to take the nation on a new course through the 20th Century. What this course may be, however, is unknown at this time
- Alongside the death of the King, Parliament suffers from an “unusable and untenable” situation after the political defeat in January’s elections, with the conservatives taking a huge number of seats away from the Liberals. Overtures are made to the Irish parliamentarians, with promises of further cooperation and possible increased representation, though the Liberals have nothing concrete to show for it
- Efforts are made to “bridge the gap” between the upper and lower classes in regards to democratic participation, as small meetings are held between the working class and representatives of the Liberal party. Hoping to secure a more stable voter base in the future, the Liberals try their best to make plans for a “better economic future” and “more fair labor representation”, though the Labour Party itself is growing increasingly popular amongst the workers
- The Union of South Africa, a patchwork nation born out of necessity, thanks to the near-constant resistance put forth by the Boers. The Union is governed entirely by the white minority of English and Boer settlers, but their inclusion into the Commonwealth has negated numerous arguments regarding representation of colonial governments. Meanwhile, in other areas of the Empire, there are those that see South Africa as an example of “enlightened colonialism”
- With South Africa having become its own independent nation, some in Parliament begin discussing a similar experiment in Sri Lanka. The mid-sized island territory, crucial to the presence of the Royal Navy in the Indian Ocean, suffers from a lack of proper administration, and could easily be “brought up to par” with South Africa. Meetings are held between the Tamil and Sinhala community leaders in the hopes of hashing out a native government, though some of the meetings fall apart due to ethnic hostilities
- The Royal Aero Club, a novelty group experimenting with the latest aeronautical technologies, comes under the microscope of the British government. With small stipends planned each year, the RAC is slightly pressured to up its number of experiments and purchases of equipment, with the goal of finding efficient transport, reconnaissance or even combat aircraft. Most notably, a number of small airships prove to be a wonderful mode of transportation for the rich
- Military supplies are sent to Hong Kong in large amounts as the situation in China continues to deteriorate. Machine guns, artillery pieces, uniforms and rifles, alongside a handful of trained officers, are sent to the garrison in order to bolster its strength. However, as to not raise tensions with Japan, the British divisions in Singapore are simply placed on high alert, and not stationed in Britain’s Chinese possessions
- A new piece of equipment for the Royal Navy undergoes experimental trials in the English Channel. Dubbed the “Royal Airship Mark 1”, or RA Mk.1, this large-bodied, lighter-than-air vessel is capable of carrying a small crew with cameras, or even bombs. The RA Mk.1 is a slow moving, obvious vehicle, but is crucial for relaying information for coastal surveillance and ship support, as well as being able to drop small bombs on enemy ships or troops should the need arise
- Taking pages from the United States, the British Royal Marines begin testing an “automatic shotgun” similar to the Browning Model 5. These new shotguns, dubbed the “Birmingham Model One”, fire a 12-gauge shell from a five round tube, and are incredibly efficient at close quarters. This coincides with the possibility of having to capture enemy shipping vessels, providing troops with a more powerful weapon than a handgun or fighting knife
- As America continues to enjoy both its relative isolation and powerful economic influence, the United States sends numerous envoys to the Republic of Liberia to begin expanding trade even further. Stating the “Special Relationship” between the United States and Liberia, companies swoop in and begin taking over large swathes of the nation’s natural resources, much to the dismay of local businesses struggling to get by
- With Mexico’s political situation rapidly deteriorating, the United States announces that it will keep a close eye on the state of our friendly neighbor”. Some interpret this as a threat, while others view it as a guarantee of regional stability. Nonetheless, two divisions are sent to Texas and Arizona for “deployment exercises”, which fool essentially nobody. Should Mexico fall to revolution, it is unknown how the US will react
- The nation is thrown into a state of shock as president William Taft suddenly dies in his sleep in early February. The successor to Theodore Roosevelt, Taft’s relative popularity maintained stability in the nation. A massive state funeral is held for the late president, and Vice President James Sherman is quickly sworn in, and is immediately briefed on the domestic and diplomatic situation. With Joseph Gurney Cannon as Sherman’s Vice President, the relationship with the House of Representatives is strengthened, giving Sherman a strong backing to his administration
- As a result of this new unity between the executive and legislative branches, the Republican party manages to avoid dissent amongst its more progressive members, who hope to seek more influence in the future. America’s political situation, despite the death of Taft, remains relatively stable, thanks to the unity amongst the Republicans. The Democrats, meanwhile, steel themselves against a possible “Sympathy Defeat” by Republicans, whose voters will be more politically invigorated
- Despite Taft’s wishes to keep the American military at its current size, Sherman moves to expand the military by pushing for the raising of more divisions. These new troops, alongside standing units, are sent to Ohio and West Virginia to begin military exercises, focusing on both inter-unit cohesion and mountaineering. The latter training produces experienced soldiers, who are reorganized into the First Mountain Infantry Division, whose specialization is the first to be seen in the New World
- The Wright Model A, one of the most recent American aircraft, is officially adopted by the United States Army as a reconnaissance and messenger plane. Despite being slow, fragile and difficult to fly, the newly designated Wright Military Flyer is nonetheless a major step forward for military technologies. Several dozen are commissioned for the army, while two are specifically built as “Coastal Observation”, though one immediately crashes into Chesapeake Bay
- Utilizing the latest in lightbulb technologies, a small company in Chicago, Illinois is able to properly harness the power of neon gas. These neon bulbs, though not exactly new, are a surprisingly efficient form of lighting, and able to illuminate rooms or sidewalks much more than the traditional gas lamps. These neon bulbs are quickly adopted by the navy, hoping to better light the insides of ships
- An industrial fertilizer plant in Columbus, Ohio stumbles across an incredibly efficient form of nitrogen fixation, capable of producing strong fertilizers and ammonia. Using what is referred to as the “Nelly Process”, this new breakthrough is a boon to American agriculture, which allows farmers to produce huge amounts of crops in even the most arid conditions, while chemical companies use ammonia for a variety of applications
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