Economy of Roman Empire in Colonialism (Premysloides Dynasty)

Historical background
From second half of 14th Century, Roman Empire initiated early colonial expansion which led to massive imperial growth, bloody colonial war and triumphal victory.

Colonialism and Agriculture
Roman Empire population reached critical level at 1358 when in Roman Empire lived about 42 million citizens and 8 milion slaves and non-citizens. Despite Agrarian Reforms from early 14th Century, which implement many improvements, include four-crops rotation, improved ploughs, selective breeding and abolition of agricultural taxes, agricultural output growth only by 2% per year, while population increased about 3% per years. Also industrialization, Imperial Trade Company and building large-scale workshops on fertile lands had terrible effect on agricultural output.

Landing in Varronia led to contact with local natives and to discover of many important crops (potatoes, maizes, tomatoes, bean...). While "Old World" crops are in many case sensitive and lack resilience, "New World" crops were much more suitable for "Old World" agriculture and soils.

That does not mean agrarian and food supply problems were soon solved. First large scale spread of potatoes and New World crops in Old World occured in 1389 and it could not prevent "Great Famine" of 1385 when died about 600,000 slaves and non-citizens and even 12,000 citizens. Emperor Valerianus III The Scholar initiated spreading New World crops and since that, no famines occured (many cases starving still remained, but famines did not return).

Colonialism and New World Empires
Relations between "New World Empires" as Mayan Empire and Central Varronia civilizations, like Tenochtitlan and colonial Roman Empire, were very various. Mayan civilization became one of very powers that voluntary subjugated to Roman Empire and accepted rule of Roman Emperor. This happend in 1392, when various mayan chiefs and kings met on large council to discuse stances towards Roman Empire and all of them accepted supreme rule of Roman Empire.

This had deep impact on Imperial economy as Mayans became class of wealthy and successful merchants, even in nearly unknown Old World society. Mayans soon learned original and simplified Latin and Greek, accepted Orthodox Christianity and provide Empire with wealthy trade routes in exchange for many autonomous rights and home-rule.

Very different situation occured in Central Varronia, when Empire met Tenochtitlan. While Mayan rulers subjugated to Empire, similar council happening in Central Varronia led to formation of military anti-Imperial confederacy with only goal to repel invasion. But war never happend. While Mayans were warned by imperials about terrible diseases like smallpox or typhus. Imperial Military prevented war by infecting Aztec cities and their allies, by spreading smallpox and in 1395, 95% of Central Varronian native population were deceased and remaining population enslaved by Empire. Then, Empire captured large areas, huge cities and even Tenochtitlan itself without fight.

Imperial Measures (1415)
In 1415, Imperial Government on pressure of National Imperial Bank and despite protests of Imperial Trade Corporation, published special measures to minimize possible negative effects and maximalization of positive effects of colonialism on Imperial Economy. Imperial Trade Corporation was dissatisfied with points 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. Half of colonial tax was gifted to ITC, while because of point 3, thousands slaves in property of ITC joined colonial efforts. Sending prisoners to colonies was problematic step, it decreased price of labor, but increased safety problems. Taxation of "large subjects" was targeted only on ITC, same as point 8, which prevented ITC from aquiring many lucrative lands. Point 6 was another strike against ITC, as ITC was largest producer of gold and owner of 30% of imperial gold mines in Old World and 80% of New World gold mines. However, economic historians agree that point 6 prevented possibility of catastrophical inflation, which could ruin Roman Empire. Only few of gold and in most case already processed gold jewels, were imported to Old World. Aside of that, Empire introduce death penalty for gold smuggling in to Empire.
 * 1) Complete abolition of introduced "Colonial Tax".
 * 2) Decreasing of taxes touching Mayan merchants.
 * 3) Freedom for slaves which decide to join colonial efforts.
 * 4) Sending prisoners and enemies of Empire in to colonies.
 * 5) Taxation of large subjects active in colonial progress.
 * 6) Implementing extreme tariff on gold import (90% tariff)
 * 7) Increasing local colonial self-rule include right to collect and distribute taxes.
 * 8) Preferential right for colonists to buy lands and mines.
 * 9) Appointing colonial representative to Imperial Government and Imperial Senate.
 * 10) Continue in implementing Varronian crops to Imperial agriculture.

Peak of Colonialism (1490-1575)
Era of 1490 to 1575 was Golden Age of Roman Colonialism, especially under rule of Constantine X., ambitious and powerful Emperor.In 1390, population of colonies was about 6,000 citizens, while in 1490 it was already 80,000 citizens and in 1575 colonial population reached 1,7 million citizens (exclude Mayans). Many people dreamed about better life in colonies, as they were more profit, with lower prices of land and higher prices of labour. In same time, price of 1 ha of land in Old World territories of Roman Empire was 8-times higher than in colonies. Also wages in colonies were about 70% higher than in Old World Roman Empire. Increasing of colonial population had many positive effects on Old World Roman Empire, as local price of land decreased and price of labour increased. Also problems with homelessnes and poor class reduced by their leaving Old World.

Economic output of Roman Empire increased yearly by 7-8% from 1490 to 1575 and Empire became second largest economy after Sino Empire.

War and stagnation of colonialism
From 1575 until 1612, colonialism was weakened by internal political struggles of Roman Empire and by bloody war with Sino Empire, which also initiated colonization of Varronia as New China. While war continued until 1670, from 1575 to 1612 Roman Empire experienced numerou devastating defeats, destroyed colonies, even annihilation of most Mayan population by raiding armies of China.

Imperial import from colonies shrank about 90% from 1600 to 1612, population decreased by 50%, GDP of colonies decreased by 85%, agricultural output by 45% and industrial output by 95%. When war turned in favor of Roman Empire, colonial economy virtually no more exist and remnants of economy were destroyed by Imperial Army during using tactic of scorched earth. In 1625, only 5% of former colonial economy existed and only in fortified coastal ports and shipyards, connection with Mayans was cut off and it took many decades to destroy remaining Sino Armies invading Varronia.

Recolonialism
Recolonialism and reconstruction was era occured from 1660 when most of Sino Armies were defeated until 1700. First massive surge to colonial reconstruction was presence of Imperial Military and Engineer Corps of Imperial Army which restored many destroyed routes and highways, rebuilded ports and waystations and builded new fortress. Another surge happend after end of war by peace treaty which granted all Chinese colonies in Varronia to hands of Roman Empire. Chinese colonists were expeled, but their property and lands took over Roman Empire.

Only real problem was repopulation of depopulated areas, as many people were skeptic about colonial efforts after war. China granted about 500,000 slaves as forced tribute through peace treaty and Roman Empire declared them freedmens, in exchange for their participation in colonial efforts and repopulating area. Another 175,000 members of families of imperial soldiers and officers joined colonies and then Empire was able to persuade another civilians to join colonies.

However, GDP and economic output reached pre-war level in 1750.

For purposes of understanding whole situation, last infobox about economy is focusing of colonial economy at beginning of colonial war in 1575 and at end of worst phase of colonial war in 1625.

While war continued until 1670, Empire was able to reinitiate some works and projects in colonies since 1625, especially with support from military.