LA BELLE EPOQUE (a sequel to the CONCERT OF EUROPE)

[Arjos]

I'm loving these econo-political reports, Franc ^^
It's nice to read about the people's feelings...

Just a question for map drawing purposes, the self-declared Arab state, does it incorporate the Red Sea coast aswell?

[Franconicus]

No!

[SwordsMaster]

Why are them prussians protesting? They just got healthcare, and education!

[Greyblades]

Tell me about it!

There are riots at Sicily. The British position ends the hope of the people that there will be peace after an Egyptian defeat. Two English ships in the harbor of Palermo catch fire. Policemen, trying to fight the fire are attacked by the crowd. Protestors soon take control of the city. The King of the Two Sicilies is forced to withdraw. Protests reach Naples and spread soon further north.

Address to people of europe fearing more war IE the press: "The french invasion of Egypt is now redundant, the war is won yet French troops are still there long after peace was declared, still raping and pillaging the egyptians. Britain has vested interests in egypt being peaceful and ignoring it would be potentially worse in the long run for us than war, Britain most dearly desires a peaceful resolution but our continued requests for parley have gone unanswered and a ultimatum was the only recourse left. If you really wish to see an end to the threat of conflict; protest the French government's continued reluctance to so much as acknowledge our concerns."

All over Europe, papers report of the threat of a new war between England and France. The stock market at London breaks down, textile and railroad stocks loose incredibly. Many men of the middle class lost all of their fortune within months. Only some stocks like steel and ship yards are stable.

At Paris, the situation is similar. However, due to the share held by the states, the railroad shares do not fall so much.
Belgium and Luxembourg make a joint statement, declaring that they are determined to fulfill their commitments and will support France in case of war.

...I spent 15 million a turn investing in my economy, specfically my railroads, what did france do that gave them a benefit that I didnt get?

There is also a law which gives all colored subjects the right to get promoted in administration, army and navy. Several officers lay down their ranks and leave the army, because they cannot serve under this conditions any longer. The 1st admiral tries to mediate. He says: "Our captains were always recruited among the finest English families. This is the secret of the strength and success of the Royal Navy. And I will be damned if I have the intention to change this."

Can I get a rundown of what problems they say they have with it? I kinda would like to address it before the turn ends.

[Greyblades]

Probably should have done this earlier but...

June 18th, anouncement from parliament

The british government officially extends an invitation to the new government of France to discuss the situation in Egypt and ensure the continuation of this newfound peace. We also officially apologise for being too forceful in previous demands, we now realise that such demands were unneccissary and more likely to extend instead of expedite matters and spread feelings of resentment. We hope that the government of France will accept our apology and meet with us on this matter.

As for the issue of the new regulations of advancement of those of coloured status it is felt that the admiralty is under the impression that we wish to undermine those Englishmen who we owe so much of our security to, not so, we place no quota or obligation upon the admiralty or millitary to recruit or promote officers of inferior quality but to open the way for those who are not fortunate enough to be born anglo saxon and whose ability and loyalty is so exemplary that to deny them higher opportunity would be to Britain's detriment. We have no new expectations of the armed forces and expect them to maintain a high level of quality, we only wish to provide the power should such be needed.

HM Government

[Franconicus]

This is my view on 19th century English society:

You have basically three social classes.

Bottom up, let’s begin with workers, small farmers, artisans and unemployed. They are the losers of the industrial revolution. Machines significantly worsened their working conditions and their incomes. As long as they are able to work and have a job, they work all day long trying to make a living. Sometimes they fail. They have no share of the growth of the nation, neither of the growing industrial production nor of the colonies. If they lose their jobs, get ill or old, they may lose the base of their existence. Chances to rise into another class are marginal. These workers do care little about patriotism and politics, as they have no time for this. The nation and the government is something far away, and something you cannot expect any good to come from. Workers do not have access to papers. They do not have a voice. With the strikes, this may change. Workers may become more aware of their situation and unions may win more supporters and more influence. Of course, workers would not only try to get their share of the industrial production, but would also try to stop or at least slow down the change. They also demand work safety and social security. Moderate leaders will try to achieve this by a democratic system, where the workers can influence the policy, because they are the biggest class by numbers. More radicals do not trust in democratic changes. They aim to change the constitution and the social system by violence.

Next, middle class. Due to their education and their money they these people are the winners of the industrial revolution. They see life as a fight man against man, where the strongest earns to get it all. They are patriots and fell that they are the backbone of the nation. Their main goal is to make the step into the first class, their nightmare is to fall into the working class. Most of them prefer a radical liberalism, which they see as human right. The government should keep out of the economy. Public funding is thievery of taxes. So is social support. If workers die from hunger, than it is because of a natural law. All the middle class wants is that the government protects their freedom and safety (personal and of their property). They would like to see more transparence between the middle class and aristocracy.
The middle class controls most of the press and the House of Commons. Should the government not be able to protect them and their properties, they may organize themselves.

Finally, the aristocracy. England is a monarchy and the aristocrats are the most valuable part of society. Noble men led the country, from the times of William the Conqueror to the Napoleonic Wars. They earned their privileges through the centuries. The new times are confusing, as there are many changes. But the aristocracy guarantees stability and continuity. It holds the leading positions of the government, administration, army and navy. Giving these positions only to the noble men is the concept that made England the leading country in the world. The opposite concept would be egalitee, which the English fought in the wars against the French republic and empire. Successfully, of course, due to the supreme leadership of the aristocratic nation. The noble men look at the wealth gaining middle class with distrust. Some of these middle class men may be allowed to rise to the aristocracy, but in general the traditional monopole of the upper class has to be untouched.
Aristocracy controls the House of Lords, some papers, the administration and the armed forces.

[Greyblades]

Ah... I think I went a little too Liberal, bother.

[The Stranger]

hmpf... heroine?

[Greyblades]

If wikipedia is to be believed heroin is produced from opium.




...through techniques not developed before 1874.

[Franconicus]

so there is a difference between opium and heroin? I gotta check this!

The year is complete now. I am going to send you personal details as soon as possible (may take a week or so). Still waiting for Kival to send his orders!!

[The Stranger]

China is outraged by the Russian annexation of 库页/Kuye (Sakhalin). Kuye is our heritage, from back in time when the great Khans roamed the steppe and boasted fear into all mortal hearts! To annex this island without even any diplomatic token to the rightful owners of Kuye is despicable. We call General Annenkov to the court to explain this situation immediately.

[Franconicus]

Japan is outraged by the Russian annexation of Sakhalin, which is Japanese heritage, from back in time when the great Khans roamed the steppe and boasted fear into all mortal hearts! To annex this island without even any diplomatic token to the rightful owners is despicable. Japan will freeze al agreements, until there is an explaination from Russia.

[The Stranger]

China is outraged that Japan claims to have any heritage of the great Khans. China threatens to throw a nuclear bomb on Tokyo unless they decide to alter their previous statement.

(this is a joke ofcourse, OOC)

[Greyblades]

The President of the United States holds a speech where he demands the west for the United States. To the English government he says: "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!"

The British government reply: "It is against current british policy to acknowledge unbased nationalistic rhetoric as a negociation point. We find the current american government too likely to abuse and misuse the land and it's natives at this time to entertain the idea of american soverignty.

We also implore the United States to end thier practice of owning slaves and thier particularly poor treatment of the native americans, such practices are a black mark on a nation and intolerable for one who would call themselves civilized in this age."

[Prince Cobra]

Franc, (als du Deutscher bist) ist es moeglich den Bericht in Deutsch an mich zu senden? Ich will mein Deutsch ueben... Und glaube ich, dass mein Spiel mehr realistisch sein wird. Danke schoen! ;)

P.S. Du hast auch ueber de Oesterreichische Besetzung von Krakow vergessen.

(Sorry guys, that's coded message ~:D ( tip: use google translate )

...Vienna is currently studying the complicated situation in Europe and will make an announcement soon. If in the meantime, there is somethin you wish to discuss with Prince von Metternich, please be free to do so via your ambassadors in Vienna.

[Arjos]

Neither the Tokugawa Bakufu nor Emperor Daoguang, possess rights to the ownership of the Sakhalin Island. If the Zijin Cheng mentions a succession from the Great Khans, then the Palace must've forgotten how the Great Qing are manchurians, who claimed the Tiānmìng. That right exdents over chinese lands, Russians are as much descendants of the mongol Uls as the Manchu are. The people of Sakhalin are joining the Federal Russian Empire and will represent its citizens in the Federal Assembly. They are free and legislating over themselves, His Imperial Majesty, Czar Nikolai, hopes that this diplomatic mishap will be resolved, but Russia has no intention of respecting reduntant claims and rights, other than the local people's of Sakhalin.

State Chancellor,
Aleksandr Gorchakov

[Arjos]

BTW here's the map as of 1847 ^^

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Greyblades]

Awesome work! Odd, the hudson bay company should have started to colonise the unclaimed western americas by now.

[Arjos]

Argh, yes, knew I missed something, thanks for pointing it out: all fixed now :)

[The Stranger]

Neither the Tokugawa Bakufu nor Emperor Daoguang, possess rights to the ownership of the Sakhalin Island. If the Zijin Cheng mentions a succession from the Great Khans, then the Palace must've forgotten how the Great Qing are manchurians, who claimed the Tiānmìng. That right exdents over chinese lands, Russians are as much descendants of the mongol Uls as the Manchu are. The people of Sakhalin are joining the Federal Russian Empire and will represent its citizens in the Federal Assembly. They are free and legislating over themselves, His Imperial Majesty, Czar Nikolai, hopes that this diplomatic mishap will be resolved, but Russia has no intention of respecting reduntant claims and rights, other than the local people's of Sakhalin.

State Chancellor,
Aleksandr Gorchakov

Russia has no claim to Kuye at all, if anything Kuye is part of the Chinese heritage and otherwise they are a free people unlawfully subdued by the Russian usurperer and we shall defend their freedom. If the Czar, who so insultingly claims to be the descendant of the great Genghis Khan, will not respect this then our nations will be in state of conflict. However this is not our wish, therefor we call upon the Russian ambassador, General Annenkov, to meet at the imperial chambers in the Forbidden City, for a meeting in which we hope to resolve this problem.

[Greyblades]

Argh, yes, knew I missed something, thanks for pointing it out: all fixed now :)

We didnt restrict ourselves to the historical borders, we are currently taking as much of the unclaimed area as possible, that's why the americans are getting jumpy.


I'm rather confused as to why they are risking annoying me when they are already embroiled in a war in mexico, didn't they see what british support did for the ottoman war effort?

[Arjos]

If that is the case, as the third party involved in the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1825, any violation of the agreed latitude by the British, will be recognized as a breach of contract and will be taken as an act of war.

State Chancellor,
Aleksandr Gorchakov

[Franconicus]

We didnt restrict ourselves to the historical borders, we are currently taking as much of the unclaimed area as possible, that's why the americans are getting jumpy.


I'm rather confused as to why they are risking annoying me when they are already embroiled in a war in mexico, didn't they see what british support did for the ottoman war effort?

They did see thatthey defeated the British in the last war - and that the Lodon got Canada back somehow!

[Greyblades]

Indeed the economic slump of 1840, engineered by my predecessor no doubt, combined with threats to cut off thier cotton industry from thier buyers made america relent any gains they had made, the score still has to be settled but it is not as one sided as previous.

If that is the case, as the third party involved in the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1825, any violation of the agreed latitude by the British, will be recognized as a breach of contract and will be taken as an act of war.

State Chancellor,
Aleksandr Gorchakov

Alas, In this timeline Britain was actually at war with america at the very time when that treaty would have been made, so as far as I am concerned there is no treaty to break, and besides, I doubt the russian tzar would have wanted a repeat of the casualties of the ottoman campaign with the seemingly upcoming ruso-sino wars.

Funnily enough the lack of treaty also hase a nice effect of making the americans claims on the land somewhat diminished aswell.

[Arjos]

OoC: The historical timeline was adopted with SoFarSoGood (that's why you have Canada again) and has been used since, to make it easier for all the new players...

[Greyblades]

OOC: well ultimately it is down to Franconius, I would prefer that the old guard's generation wouldn't be retconned out of existence entirely, but I cant help but feel that if the treaty really restricted me to such extent there wouldn't be any border disputes in real history.

[Kival]

So I finished my bachelor thesis and will try to come back into this here. I may need a few days though.

[Greyblades]

Franconius?

[Franconicus]

Greyblades?

[Greyblades]

Oh good, worried for a moment there you went the way of SFSG.