Principia Moderni IV (Map Game)

The Ming Dynasty still rules over the vast lands of China. On the other side of the world, the Hundred Years War continues between England and France. Europe is still stuck in the old ways of feudalism and chivalry while the notions of a New World are considered figments of the imagination.

We welcome you to the long-awaited fourth expansion of that immortal series. Welcome to Principia Moderni IV! Starting in 1400 AD, this is the dawn of the modern world and the tail end of the Middle Ages. The Renaissance is just kicking off in Europe, while the nations in the western side of the continent are locked in the last gasp of the Hundred Years War. The Muslim world is still reeling from the invasions of Turks and Mongols, with the Caliphate resting in the collapsing Mamluk Egypt and the Ottomans on the rise in Anatolia. Make it count.

The first game was the most successful on the wiki, leading all the way to the modern day with mostly plausible posts and little controversy. The second game reached almost to the modern day, but failed due to a plethora of ASB events and moderator bias. The third game was much more worthy of the first, almost running into implausibility but climbing back into a shining glory by the end. Riding on the latest reforms of map games since the end of PMIII, this is the most logical next step in that evolution. Remember,  above all other rules, — have fun.



Important Pages

 * Rules and Algorithm
 * Alliances 
 * Holy Roman Empire
 * Feudal Dynasties
 * College of Cardinals
 * Nations

The Night's Watch (Moderators)

 * Lord Commander Scrawland
 * First Ranger Wolves
 * First Builder Callumthered
 * First Steward SkyGreen24
 * Maester GunsnadGlory
 * The Mountain that Rides Feudy McPlagueface
 * The Rising Tide Solace
 * Eunuch User:Person67

The Wildlings
All users currently on the wiki may play unless otherwise noted.

Banned Users
A ban from plausibility strikes lasts 30 days, after which the third strike is repealed and the banned player is unbanned. However, the newly unbanned player rejoins the game with two strikes, as a form of probation.
 * Bear - 1648

Plausibility Strikes
'''Three strikes and you're out! Each strike resets after 30 years of the most recent strike.'''
 * Fallacy I
 * Eljefe316 I

Moderator Strikes
These are strikes for moderators and how they moderate. The same three strikes rules apply. If a moderator is banned from moderating. However, they can still play as their nation. Mod strikes can be delivered in one of three ways: Moderators can be given strikes for the following reasons:
 * 1) If a sufficient number of players (more than half of all players voting) vote to give a moderator a strike.
 * 2) If I, Scraw, give them a strike.
 * 3) If a majority of all mods (i.e., more than half of the total number of mods, excluding that moderator) vote to give a moderator a strike.
 * 1) Exhibiting bias that would benefit the nation they are playing.
 * 2) Exhibiting bias that would negatively affect a player they have a personal dispute with.
 * 3) Making a ruling that contradicts a proven fact from OTL or an established fact from earlier in the game.
 * 4) Overruling a decision of a majority of moderators.



1860
''' With their defeat in the war, the German government removes Napoleon from office and installs his brother-in-law Muller as the acting head of state. Napoleon and the men most loyal to him decide to depart from the continent. '''

Frustrated by two major wars in Europe which many are unsure why they should care about. ''' Elections in the Burgundian Colony of New Netherland led to a separatist party gaining a majority in the legislature and request the Burgundian government give them full sovereignty the same way the Kingdoms of Avalon, Savannah and Iroquois all have sovereignty. '''


 * Belkan Empire: The war ends and while casualties are high with nearly 650,000 dead and almost another half-million maimed or injured by the war, many permanently. The war, however, is over. Belka has proven to not just its neighbors, but to the world that she is a major power and contention with her is not something to be taken lightly. The armies return home besides two 50,000 strong garrison forces apiece which remain in Austria and Czechia respectively. Belka announces following the war its withdrawal from all its existing alliances, however, maintains strong friendly connections with both Iberia and Russia due to long standing national friendships, or other non-alliance based organizations. This is particularly done specifically to allow Belka's newfound strength and power to develop outside of the existing basis of an alliance network. The Empire's advancement in this war having pretty much no damage done on the home front has, however, taken a significant toll on her financial system as loans, war bonds and other war related expenses have mounted. However, with a victory and Europe needing to be rebuilt open contracts are taken by Belkan industrial companies to begin rebuilding in Austria, Czechia and other nations as well at least until their own companies take over the industrial repair deals. The Belkan army standing at nearly 1.9 million is drawn down significantly to operate much more heavily on a smaller professional force. The Belkan army is downsized with its forces being drawn down from 1.9 million to around 800,000. This is done as a money saving venture as well as room for the Belkan navy to expand and grow naturally as well as bring many veterans a much needed reprieve from their military lives. The returning soldiers now being discharged are given multiple options as they return. Many are discharged with a nice bonus as well and the men who return home to their wives or even single are quickly married. Almost one million returning soldiers take up many industrial jobs, as well as moving on Belka's final frontiers in Moldavia and Carpathia/Transylvania. Farms and communities spring up in mere weeks as the organized soldiers establish new towns on the frontiers beginning major settlement of Belka's final lightly settled territories. In a move with the Chinese delegation the Belgrad-Beijing Cooperation Treaty is proposed to the Chinese to codify the terms described (Candies and I have discussed terms heavily). The end of the war has had a profound impact on the psyche of the Belkan people. War, while a glory and prestige winning movement, has reared its ugly head as something to also be afraid of and this marking the largest loss of life in Belkan history in a non-civil war, the tsar, the Soviet, and all facets of government agree that withdrawing into a much more isolated position in Europe is for the best so as to not be drawn into the rest of Europe's highly destructive and taxing wars. With the war over more attention is paid to Belka's colonies and dependencies. The Bahamas, purchased just before the war, finally sees the movement of true Belkan administration with many of the colonial officially being dismissed as nearly 10,000 Belkan troops and a squadron of 15 ships arrive replacing the light force which established control years before. With the annexation of most of Algiers as well, the Belkan Colony of Tunisia is renamed and restructured. The North Africa Dependency is established in its place and a garrison of 20,000 remains in Tunisia as its capital to oversee the centralization of Belkan power over the colony. With Suez completed as well, Belka being the closest as well as one of the primary owning interests of the canal organizing the Suez Defence force out of Damietta and also brings in a massive fleet to take host in Damietta. The Suez Defence fleet is established holding ten battleships, 15 cruisers, 20 third-rates and five corvettes. The fleet specifically boasts Belka's finest, a refit of many of the ships with iron plating as well as three of Belka's new "Destroyer" designs effectively making this one of the most modern fleet forces in the world. The Belkan navy in all efforts begins to develop heavily an ironclad force specifically around turret based designs with full intents to test out a battleship with these concepts. In Adulis, Belkan engineers begin some of the first construction of a railway aiming it toward Egypt as it is to link up with Damietta which sees its own railway beginning construction. Novo Sarajevo is also expanded near Dar es Salaam and expansion of exploratory efforts continues. Belkan patrols begin to look for suitable colonial opportunities in West Africa and a force of 1000 marines establishes a fort and trading town on the coast at the site of OTL Libreville naming it Port Volda with two cruisers hanging off the coast to provide fire support in case any natives come knocking. This is established directly next to the Russian outpost already existing there. The Belkan Empire begins further restructuring and upgrading of its rail networks as steel production explodes into many non-war related industries. A Small force of 20,000 is marshaled in Vasiligrad and deploys to Algiers, readying itself for a movement into one of the African states on the Western coast. Belkan population reaches 66 million and growing as a baby boom takes hold.
 * China says Oui
 * Russia: The String-Baroque revolution occurs spurring a name change from string-baroque to something different as mass dance parties in towns occurs for the youth. String-Baroque becomes known as Bugi-Vugi. This is mainly because of the new highly popular Karelian Group Joseph av Fjell producing a trio of hit songs such as "Fires Rising", "Railroad Tune" and "Siberian Song". A local Siberian group also makes noise in the east of the country. Known as Bronstein-Tymoshenko Superpower (or BTS for short) has a hit song called "You ain't seen nothin' yet". Another Siberian group made up of war veterans calls itself Chernobog after the Great War operation. The Great War Cossack-poet Dimitri Popov writes about his idea of the "Easy Rider" after hearing Chernobog play for the first time with their song "Born to be Wild". Settlers that set themselves up in central Poland return from the now Polish rump state to settle the new frontiers taken from Poland. With only 220,000 casualties from the Great War the population 47 million people. In a political move, the occupation forces in Prussia's African colonies are with drawn with the Elbentein force going home and the Hussein troops going to Fort Posdka Krovi. Admiral Kolchak returns to Russia after spending a couple of years in Burgundian South Africa. Kolchak seeing the clear superiority of steamships advocates before the newly established Naval Committee a new fleet. There are to be four fleets in total for the Empire. The Baltic would be 150 ships, the Black Sea fleets would each consist of 100 ships, the Pacific would be 200, and African Squadron would consist of ten. It is expected to be at the end of the decade and provide jobs to the million men out of work. The Baltic fleet would consist of 15 battleships, 30 cruisers, and the rest being frigates and destroyers (split evenly). The Black Sea fleet would consist of ten battleships, 25 cruisers, and an even number of frigates and destroyers. The Pacific fleet would be mainly stationed in Arcadia with a large flotilla of ships for East Asian travel. This fleet would be 25 battleships and a large base of smaller ships. The African Squadron would be three cruisers and seven frigates. All these ships are steam powered. The first copies of Haussmann Artillery are manufactured in Kiev.
 * Argentine: Test.


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: The end of the war is celebrated, and last year's mass celebration in Amsterdam amongst the League members drains most of the reserves of alcohol in the city (although the massive influx of coin to the establishment, and the respective taxes, proves a boon). With Burgundy granted occupation of the Rhine's West Bank, the region is organized into six Military Districts: Militär Distrikt Kleff, Gülich, Köln, Tréier, Zweebrúcken, and Aaltkierch. Each of the districts maintain their elected mayorships, but the maintaining of law and order falls to the military governors. Like after the 1834-40 war with France, the Army and the Navy order comprehensive reports on the military’s conduct during the war. The Army’s report commends the mass use of artillery, especially in the opening French invasions, and during the course of the Normandy offensive. The Haussmann rifled breech-loaders are praised for their superior effectiveness against the older smooth-bore muzzle-loaders. In the case of the Navy, Admiral Rupert Klaasen, the reports author, deems Burgundy's wooden-hulled ships obsolete in light of the power of explosive shells. To compare, he highlights the record of the ironclad floating batteries against French and Rhenish artillery. He recommends further expansion of the ironclad force, both seagoing like the newly commissioned SMS Dreadnought, and river-borne, to patrol rivers such as the Rhine. Grand Admiral Cornelis van Roosevelt endorses the recommendation, in fact he has already ordered a halt to the construction of new wooden ships-of-the-line, and for the older ships-of-the-line to be mothballed pending their decommissioning. The five ships of Kinnik Rogier-class, intended as steam-powered 120-gunners, are ordered redesigned. The top two gun decks are to be stripped off (reducing their armament by 80 guns), and the weight saved is to be put into the armor to be attached to the hull, and arming them with rifled breech-loaders. They are subsequently redesignated “armored razeed frigates”. The Kinnik Wëllem II, Burgundy's first iron-hulled warship, is launched this year, along with her sister ship, Kinnik Robert III. In total, by the end of the year, the Royal Navy has commissioned five 30-gun armored frigates of the Dreadnought-class, launched and fitted out two ships of the Kinnik Wëllem II-class, and begun conversion of five ships of the Kinnik Rogier-class into armored razeed frigates. Meanwhile, knowing that other countries will eventually deploy ironclads in strength, the Admiralty commissions a study to develop shells capable of piercing an ironclad's armor. Hearing the results of the New Netherlands and the new government's request, King Robert authorizes a crown committee to enter negotiations with the separatist government. By the time the news reaches New Amsterdam, and they prepare to send their envoys on their way back to Burgundy, the year has ended, and the negotiations are slated to begin the next year. In Australia, Burgundian ships from the East India Company, under the command of Captain Abel Tasman, land at OTL Hobart, Tasmania, and establish a trading fort the Burgundian EIC names Tasmanstad. The Burgundian Colony of Neiuw Friesland, the new official name for the Burgundian Colony in OTL Liberia, expands 50 px east along the coast. Garnaalië expands 50 px south. Colonial government-owned land on Neiuw Zeeland expands by 50 px.


 * Persia: (posting for Ethan): Shah Ali Amirsaleh is proud to announce his nation's independence from the Arabs. He is a nobleman from Fars province of Iran. He is of Gurkani and Amurid descent, and uses this to legitimize his throne. Textile manufacturing, a major industry, is nationalized. Iron ore follows and steel production with it. Meanwhile, saffron and spice exports to other nations are taxed, those being nationalized, with the production of saffron and containers modernized, now occurring in small workshops. The military begins the process of being converted into a professional Royal Army of about 40,000 soldiers, including 5000 imperial guardsmen. (DIPLOMACY TO BELKA - WE REQUEST HELP IN CREATING AN INDEPENDENT PERSIAN ARTILLERY FORCE AND NAVY). The firearms are replicas of Arabian-Persian flintlock muskets.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree to help the Persians as well as offering a deal to sell enough rifled muskets to bring the Persian army much closer to the modern era of firepower. We also wish to discuss other potential trade deals and possibility of other agreements.


 * French Republic: The two back-to-back losses faced in the Franco-Burgundian War and the Great European War anger much of the French population, to the point where soldiers returning from war often find their wives having left them or they are being discriminated against by normal citizens. The new Chancellor doesn't do much about this discrimination nor take any action to help their situation. Many veterans of the war find jobs in mining and industry upon returning from the war. Henri Deville, a French chemist, finally discovers a way of producing aluminium in an industrial setting. The first produced bars of aluminium are shown on display in Paris. Many corporations nation-wide begin investing heavily into the newly easily accessible resource. All outside corporations, both private and public, that have established histories in the nations of any League of Eagle's nation are instantly rejected, mainly due to Henri having lost his brother in the Burgundian invasion of Normandy. Due to the large casualties faced in the war, the military is reduced greatly in active combatants, from being the 1.5 million it was at the start of the war to a compact 450,000, mainly consisting of men that had joined either voluntarily or conscripted in the final year of the war. Regardless, the economy faces some harsh backlash following the initial uplifting of the crippling blockade that caused the starvation of much of the population, and remains relatively low by the end of the year. The French navy, which was temporarily decommissioned and stored until after the war, consists of a mere ten second-of-the-line battleships and 24 frigates. French ambassadors are sent to the Kingdom of Mali in hopes of offering them French protectorship, offering them "advanced technology from the future", as well as the ability for elites, kings and their sons in Mali to visit Paris and become educated at French universities and academies if they wish (Mod). In French Nigeria, expansion is made 50 px in the north. The Pact of Steel is formally disbanded, and thus all diplomats in the state of Germany are recalled back. In terms of participating in the Mediterranean Concord, the French Chancellor sees almost no point in France maintaining a partnership with her enemies, and only asked to be in the Concord based on the fact that Belka maintains a larger industrial base than France, thus produces more advanced goods that are somewhat needed in France. Argentine is properly supplied weaponry and other goods to help out the state in the war with Brésil and Mapuche. [Misc information] Private First Class Alexandre Marsan returns from the Iberian war front to discover his girlfriend and wife had left him. He later discovers that a few of his fellow war buddies had committed suicide, possibly due to being shell-shocked (having PTSD) on the Franco-Iberian border. To take his mind off these issues, he begins to write string-baroque music and participate in local politics as a member of the Democratic Faction in Lax, Aquitaine: His hometown. Somewhere in Normandy, Corporal Hyacinthe Pelay finds himself becoming the heir to his father's fortune following the death of his brother, who was killed in the initial invasion of Sardinia, Iberia. With this new amount of wealth at his disposal, he initially spends it on alcohol and other goods meant to cause intoxication as a way of relieving the stress and horrors of war suffered from the loss of life he had seen in the Burgundian invasion and occupation of Normandy. He later finds himself writing string-baroque music, poetry and painting art, as a way of coping with the suffering sustained. Under the pseudonym "Benoit Dylan", he releases his first self-titled musical composition.
 * Empire of Brésil: After correspondence with Mapuche war leaders, Andre has concluded the perfect place to break up the Argentine line. In addition, Tomás pressures him for a conclusion to the war, as France is not now distracted by the Great War. So, it is decided. The fate of Argentine will be made at this one town. The location selected: Parané. Following a buildup along the front, the Brésilians push forward, before reaching the town - 400,000 Brésilian soldiers in all. 60,000 Mapuche were expected to arrive soon. Who will win? Find out in The Battle of Parané!


 * Kingdom of Egypt: We request Bahrain from Belka. (FEUD RESPONSE NEEDED!). We return any French sailors captured by the Egyptian Navy to France, but keep any captured French cargo and ships, and incorporate them into the Egyptian military. We continue to build up our infrastructure by building roads along the Nile, building schools nationwide, and expanding our major cities of Giza and Alexandria. The king continues to encourage study and research in Islamic sciences, along with encouraging a traditional Islamic lifestyle for every Egyptian Muslim and their family. The Egyptian army continues to train with Belkan weapons and Belkan shock tactics. An Egyptian Security Force is made to guard the border between the British-Belkan Suez Canal Zone, and the rest of the Sinai, but we request that Belka allow the Egyptian Security Force operate in the Suez Canal Zone to help enforce the law. (FEUD RESPONSE). Alia City continues to grow.
 * OOC Solace: Since I had temporary decommissioned my navy by the end of the war and wasn't able to actually use my navy due to the blockade caused by literally everybody, it is safe to say that you had captured no French naval ships nor obtained any French industrial technology.
 * Person: Solace is correct, no French ships were captured by Egypt. 
 * Belkan Dip: We agree to the sale.
 * Scandinavian Empire: Emperor Sven III Gyldenløve continues to oversee the democratic transformation of Scandinavia. The end of the war is celebrated in Scandinavia, and we mourn the dead. We, otherwise, improve relations with the British, possibly hinting at a major trade involving the Sudreyar.  Scandinavia continues building railroads, with two lines being continued: one from Stockholm to Malmö, and one from Jönköping to Riksdale. We finish building a steel processing factory in Jönköping and continue to build one in Linköping. Finally, Scandinavia seeks to expands its fleet. Scientiae Dei is continually funded by the state, along with the State Bank of St Birgitta. 
 * Iceland: We establish a major port in Reykjavik for whalers coming from the New World and encourage further whaling in Iceland and open a branch of Scientiae Dei to collect Icelandic sagas. We encourage whaling in Spitsbergen and found a small whaling settlement on Hejnriksholm after no other resources were found.
 * East Frisies: The East Frisies are incorporated into the Scandinavian Empire autonomously, in order to smooth the transition. German is discouraged through propaganda and East Frisian is promoted. The islands become home bases for the navy, with naval bases built on Borkum and Heligoland.
 * Kingdom of the Isles: We encourage whaling among the community of the Isles. We also establish a few kelp farms and textile factories.
 * Ny-Sjaelland and Vinland: Activity is flourishing in Christianshavn and whaling and commerce are major points. The colony prospers due to the income it gets from processing goods coming from Vinland and Scandinavia proper. Olafsborg and Vinland become incorporated and logging and whaling are encouraged, while also scouring for mining. Plans for a railroad from Olafsborg toward the inland are drawn up.
 * Prins-Rupert Island: Benat Aritza supports Basque immigration toward Prins-Rupert. Whaling is encouraged on Prins-Rupert. 
 * Greenland: We support slow expansion on the coast and we expand whaling.


 * Kingdom of Prussia: The Great European War is over. Prussian troops celebrate victory but feel empathy to those that they had killed - their own brothers. Regions remain occupied until the Treaty of Florence is signed and in the meantime, whomever we had kept as POW’s are let go with fresh clothing and well taken care of. Following the conflict, it was a time to rebuild. War-torn areas like Hannover and Wolfsburg which faced harsh conditions begin to be recovered. Shelters are opened up for the homeless. Government Funded housing begins being established due to the number of houses destroyed. Farmers on the countryside also receive small loans to re-establish their fields and purchase more property to supply food. A good thing is that following the war, with men returning home, birth rates began to rise. Saxon politicians are given seats in the Landtag post-war as well. Seeing the occupation of the Western side of the Rhine, liberals in power and conservatives alike see this as something gone too far. A sovereign German State should have the right to administer their regions without foreign occupancy. The Landtag votes in the spring to cut all arms trade with Burgundy. We also take an exit out of the League of Eagles. Russia remains a very close friend and honor their protection of our colony in Africa. The United Deutsche Front is established as a movement for a united German people and establish a headquarters in Hamburg. People within our nation from both Saxon and Prussian regions no longer see the title of Saxon or Prussian fitting but recognize as German people. The United Deutsche Front calls for a name change and plans a referendum to be reviewed by the Landtag for further approval for a name change. This gains traction from the liberals and Neutralist in power. In the meantime, companies invested in pre-war territory see the chance of cheap cleared out land as a way to build new factories and houses across Saxon land. With recover in full swing, investment expands. We accept the Polish people into our nation. In the meantime, some Prussians begin to move in seeking business. Public schooling is expanded. Taxes are lowered on the lower-class. As a form of foreign aid, doctors with members of a new charity organization called the Red Heart serve food to those in need within our German neighbor and diplomats are sent over as well to work on relationship recovery. Mining for iron is expanded in Silesia. Mass recruitment kicks off with 18,000 troops being recruited. Research is done and our new recruits are trained differently from before being taught new strategies that had helped during our time at war with our German counterparts. Our newly developed rifles begin to be introduced to the military. Whatever we had of our Hausmann breech-loaded artillery is expanded throughout the military with our own version of such beginning to be tested in small groups of infantry consisting of several thousand people. A mutual free trade agreement is offered to Great Britain (Person Response). King Heinrich delivers a Christmas speech discussing the values of German and national unity. Our ships complete construction in the Baltic Sea. The main ship of the line is transported to Hamburg. Three of the frigates are stationed in Lubeck and the other corvettes in Königsberg. Izaak Muller begins designing ships made of iron for naval use with three beginning to be constructed in the Elbe River called Braunes Wasser ironclads which have 30 guns. A new colonial venture is made with 3000 men led by General Karl Munster. A large amount of Quinine is also dispatched with his men over concerns of Malaria while fighting in the jungle. War is declared on the state to the south of the Kongo with victory in sight. We launch our very first ironclad called the Krieger, a 40-gun model ship of the line and begins doing naval maneuvers and used for training outside the Hamburg Naval Yard.
 * Prussian Angola: After years of expedition and exploration, settlements are made and land is cleared. Several dozen boats come into the colony transferring colonist over by the hundreds. This leads to the establishment of several towns. In the meantime, investments are made for further expansion inland with expeditionary carving out 30 px of land to be expanded along the coast and slightly inward to the hills. Natives are introduced and treated with respect but we do apprehend whoever threatens our people their. Farms begin to be established.
 * Greater Hussein: After years of settlement and colonial growth, the search for more land grows. We expand another 30 px inland. In the meantime, cotton and tobacco introduction is expanded to produce a more better agricultural economy while the first factory is opened in Elfenbein for clothing production. Schooling is expanded with the first institution for science and astronomy is planned to be established next year. Road network and small ports are established farther along the coast. Ships begin to send goods to Angola to kick off the areas of colonial expansion. Treatment to the natives becomes more accepted with them being introduced to our customs. 8000 more people move into homes across the region and New Berlin continues to be transformed into a more tropical counterpart of our homeland with plants and trees being planted to make people feel more at home within the colonial capital. Quinine makes an appearance in the colony to treat those with Malaria after several dozen colonists had fallen ill.
 * British Dip: We accept.
 * Iberian Dip: Iberia will sell its colony in Angola to Prussia for 500,000 Iberian Real (400,000 1860 USD). Furthermore, Iberia will retain control over the largest port city in the colony.
 * Prussian Dip: Accepted.
 * Republica Iberia: With peace finally in the air, Iberian forces return home after years of war. The army is reduced to a force of 200,000 of which 20,000 is designated as an expeditionary force. The economy is steadily converted away from war-time production. The government focuses investment on the soldiers returning from war this year in order to reintegrate them into society. This investment is distributed in one of three forms: educational, one-time investment or long-term investment. Education and one-time investments are the most popular by far attracting the vast majority of the soldiers. This boost in capital helps to jump start the economy and raises tax-revenue. Furthermore, marriage rates swell as tens of thousands of the soldiers marry their sweethearts with some of their compensation money. Educational institutions see record enrollments as thousands attend college for the first time in their lives. The boost in economic growth rapidly encourages more industrialization as new companies open and expand.
 * En La Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly, which is comprised primarily of coastal Reformist Muslims continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. On Omar Ramzi’s farm, the farmer once again goes to dump the waste of his fields into the ditch, only to find that the thick layer of plant matter has created what many might consider an impossibility. Small trees sprout on the banks around the ditch, and under the layers of vegetation Omar discovers a myriad of small insects and mushrooms. He finds the occurrence magical and shows his whole community which is all surprised by the vitality of the patch. Several of Omar’s neighbors adopt the practice.
 * En las Antillas Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of sugar for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other sugar producing countries, the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
 * En las Indias Orientales Ibéricas: La Asamblea Colonial continues to encourage the production of spices for export and sale. While the region faces stiff competition from other spice producing countries, the business is still profitable. The Colonial Legion of 2000 is kept as a standing defense force of the Antillas.
 * En África Occidental Ibérica: The Colonial governor faces even greater pressure to expand, and so the colony petitions the central government to annex Senegay (State just south of Iberian West Africa) and to open the region to Iberian colonization. The Iberian Government, although hesitant at first, agrees and demands that Senegay submit or be invaded. (Mod Response, Please) (If they refuse, war will be declared) The 20,000 strong expeditionary force is transported to the West African Colony to ensure that any threat can be carried out.
 * Senegay says they will fight. Person.


 * China: After almost two years (with periodic visits from the capital itself to check up on their progress), the Beijing Mission - otherwise known as the Grand Embassy of the Huifu Emperor - returns yielding favorable results. Gold continues being mined, in order to stabilize the economy. Guano fertilizer is used in the cultivation of grain to further heighten agricultural productivity, while the usage of glans condoms and abortifacient medicine to prevent unwanted births is used to curb run-off population growth. In China, sericulture (production of silk), the cultivation of tea and the production of porcelain remain the main industries. In Korea, the cultivation and harvesting of ginseng and cotton and the production of jewelry (made of high-quality gold and precious gems) are emphasized. The Beijing-Belgrad Co-Operation Treaty is signed, laying the foundation for an amicable Sino-Belkan relationship.
 * The Battle of Parané (Brésilian Turn Pt 2): This was a humiliation. In the first attack, 70,000 men were sent to assault Argentine defenses. They promptly retreated back to camp. Next attack, 100,000 men were pushed into another massacre. Not realizing the futility, Andre ordered 300,000 men to assault their positions. Yet more were slaughtered. Finally understanding the strength of Argentine fortifications, the order was given: Surround the city! Combined with Mapuche forces, the Brésilians encircled the entire settlement, cutting off food and supplies, and setting up trenches of their own. The city is expected to starve in a year.
 * United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: With the end of the war in Europe partly as a result of British action it is clear there are still issues in Europe and elsewhere. Seeing the rapid rate of African colonisation the British plan to ramp up their own colonisation with the government approving settling in Ghana with the colony named after the Ghana Empire which isn't actually that near. The British land at three sites where they plan to establish ports and defences: Takoradi-Sekondi establishing Fort Sekondi, Grand-Bassam with Fort Bassam and Torman (Tema) creating Fort Torman. Each site has 1500 British soldiers land and start work on the ports and defences offering to trade with the locals for iron products, cotton, tobacco in exchange for them helping with the construction work. The British shift 10,000 European and 10,000 Sepoys along with the African regiments of 40,000 soldiers back to Swahili and send two first-rate ships-of-the-line, three second-rate ships-of-the-line and nine frigates to support operations against the Zulu being conducted by the Swahili with British officers in command. (Fallacy can lead them within reason bearing in mind they are British commanded). Defences are constructed south of Corringham and at East Tilbury to repel someone trying to sail up the Thames. Seeing the rise of the Ironclad work continues on the Warrior class while there are plans for a general overall of the navy and the army. The navy are going to make a transition to ironclad steam powered ships but because ironclads are not best used on large ships we plan to build a new line of frigates first with another two ironclads ordered this year. There also plans to make five floating batteries for river fighting. The army is planning to convert their rifled muskets to breech-loaders to allow faster rate of fire seeing the importance of this. The army is down-scaled a bit with the end of the war but it is clear there still needs to be an army. In Salish we start mining out all the gold and a gold rush begins with people moving over there rapidly. England has a population of 18.2 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 30,000 professionals and 50,000 men in Ireland, 70,000 European soldiers and 300,000 Indian Sepoys in India spread out across the continent, 10,000 British soldiers, 10,000 Sepoys and 40,000 African soldiers in Swahili. 10,000 in Uluru, 5000 in West Africa. There are two fleets: one at Hull and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates.
 * India: Reprisals post rebellion continue while the new Indian army is organised and prepared taken from lower-classes and castes with promises of better pay and lands. Artillery and cavalry are kept on the low for this army with most of that being British and a higher proportion of infantry amongst them. Frustrated by India still having some independence Parliament orders this new force to send 75,000 Indians and 15,000 Europeans into the Western Rajput states while an equal number invade Punjab and bring India more firmly under its control with the intention to distribute land taken to loyalists. 50,000 Indians from the north and 20,000 British soldiers keep working over South India retaliating against nobles who participated making space for loyalists from Bengal, Sindh and Gujarat to be given lands. The rest of the Indian army and British support keep working the labour battalions on defences from last year on the border with China.
 * Uluru: A steady flow of people from Britain mainly convicts and India (convicts) is maintained and a militia is formed. Seeing Burgundy landing in Tasmania - which is close to Uluru - the Governor of Uluru plans a counter landing at Little Swanport moving a mix of Uluru natives, Brits, Indians and soldiers to set up a port, defences and make some farms.
 * Ethiopian Empire: With the war over all Letter of Marque for privateering are revoked. The navy benefited greatly from raids made on merchant shipping gaining vast knowledge of naval warfare. So much so, that the first service academy is set up in Adulis and Named the Royal Naval College. Followed by the Royal Army College in Axum. We, as Belkans, ask for advisers to teach at the service colleges to aid our armed forces. The first member admitted to the Army College is Prince Theodore. Roads continue to improve - as do living conditions. With Turkana farming to abundant the birth rate has gone up with more availability to food - as does literacy with the additions of more schools around the nation.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree to sponsor Belkan military advisors to both the war college and naval college. We also wish to bring together a 40,000 strong force under Belkan training and direction to be brought up to Belkan military standards to officially establish the Belkan Foreign Legion.


 * Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. With foreign support, a major offensive into Transvaal is initiated. A naval academy is constructed in Malindi.
 * Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
 * Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
 * Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.

1861
''' The separatist politicians are pleased to enter talks with the Crown Committee and make it clear that they desire full sovereignty and self-governance for New Netherlands. '''

''' Fighting between Brésil and Argentina takes a toll on both sides as their armies are too large more so to Brésil for its really large army, they can't be fed and supplied properly leading to hunger and some diseases as well. '''

''' After heavy fighting and financing said wars by printing money, borrowing and large government budget deficits in Europe as high spending on African colonialism and shipbuilding continue. The value of currencies remains unsustainable and high inflation breaks out as people rapidly try to invest in gold and other commodities over rapidly devaluing currencies. Prices rise in shops across Europe and imports become harder to do. Demanding higher pay to combat inflation strikes break out in London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin and Belgrad and many other cities. Farmers are reluctant to sell goods leading to food shortages in cities. '''

''' A lot of veterans leave their respective armed forces in Europe to find no jobs to return to and become angry with crime rising. '''

''' Napoleon and his followers travel to the New World, visiting Iroquois and Savannah before arriving in Aztlan via Texas. '''
 * Belkan Empire: Under the cover of a dark rainy night on the African coast, a force of 5000 Belkan troops lands in the Kongo assaulting Zaire in a flashy and extremely speedy way. Armed with Belka's famous Zastava Needle Rifle, heavy complement of breech-loading guns, and ships especially designed to hold and transport cavalry safely with the utmost care allowing for a large cavalry contingent, and Quinine the Belkan army lands and assaults nearby towns and cities with clear naval support to bombard the coast into submission. Interestingly enough the expedition is a financed private venture in which Belkan forces are loaned out to nascent Africa Cordial Company (ACC) which is an offshoot of the large industrial firm known as Mogilev Steel, and subsidiaries effectively allowing it to operate on the company's dime rather than the government's. The colonization venture in the Kongo is expected to yield some economic results. The Armed force of 5000 sees great success as multiple native armies are crushed in quick succession by brutal shock warfare tactics and large scale artillery bombardment. The Belkan forces secure much of the country in short order and begin organizing a colonial government. Interestingly enough a large portion of Wealth is taken from the former royalty as a form of payment for the expedition Which immediately begins fortifying the Capital and bringing in native officials to handle the colony. Civilian resistance while initially high ends quickly as the First major riot is Quelled by the Belkan colonial expedition force. The home front sees even more military draw down as the Belkan Soviet of War dissolves an entire field army of 200,000 in response to many requests for a discharge leaving in the field 600,000 Belkan troops. The freeing up of funds is used rather than on expansionary projects but on paying off war bonds and loans taken out by the war in order to stabilize the Belkan ruble and prevent the free fall in value of the ruble. Control of the flow of money is put on by the government as an attempt to curtail or prevent major inflation or even hyperinflation which occurs and some money is put back into the hands of the first purchasers of war bonds with their first bit of interest. While this does slow down economic development to a level, the deft handling of the Belkan financial network and bonds securities prevents a mass economic issue. The rapid expansion of industry is even curtailed as a way to prevent runaway issues of idling industry being unused as the "Industrial Control Acts" of 1861 are passed effectively limiting industrial growth for periods of five years to be renewed. Interestingly Austria and Czechia now principalities with local nobles on their thrones follow Belkan model governance. Austria in particular relies heavily on the Belkan industrial firms for rebuilding of its shattered capital and the City of Gorz which took its own significant number of casualties to its people and its buildings. In another note, taxes are raised except on larger families which would go against Belka's population growth model and a new series of taxes are put on industries specifically to finance the relatively quick payoff of war bonds and loans. In general, while met with some hostility, the lack of homefront damage, huge demographics changing events and the previous implementation of industrial laws and lobbying laws force the rich who have enjoyed unparalleled prosperity to pay their taxes. The middle and lower-classes, while subject to somewhat higher taxes, are not in the same range as the upper-class and aristocratic class which argue against the taxation increase. However, in a show of solidarity with his country Tsar Vladimir, usually exempt from taxes on his own personal estates and subject to extremely low taxes on his family-run businesses and companies, removes the exemption and pays the higher taxes in all regards. "The rich and extremely fortunate of Belka have no arguing position when their own tsar does his part to pay and take responsibility for the war he got the country involved in." This is still a rather unpopular move with the higher-classes but with his submission much of the Supreme Soviet and even the Vozhd himself submits to the tax changes effectively hoping to garner the public opinion of the country. The country's election sees decisively the retaining of power by the now renamed Tsarist party, which in a landslide takes total control of the government barring some holdouts from other parties. The move to allow taxation to be implemented on themselves as well as the tsar submitting himself to taxes has removed a significant barrier between the people and the government. The upper-class and aristocracy are effectively forced into a normal tax system with the Visegrad Tax Proposition coming into effect to codify proper tax rates for all classes including a minimum tax rate enforced. The government officials tax rate sits as 15% while the middle-class sits at 10% and lower-class at 5-6%. The aristocrats and upper-classes are forced into a 25% tax and while this leads to some volatility, the loyalty of the Army sees the only tax riot of the upper-class to be put down in quick order as the aristocratic wards of Belgrad are put in their place. In regards to Belka's growing crisis in food production, an unprecedented involvement of the government in the affairs of food sale, something not generally done, is put out with wide ranging price controls of basic food crops being put into effect until the Belkan financial system stabilizes. Under immense pressure from mining magnates the governor of the province of Transylvania allows the exploitation of the Rosia Montana gold and silver ore veins once again and modern mining processes are put into effect to effectively help Belka's financial institutions meet in the middle allowing for a higher available amount of money available in general. Belkan consumer goods are traded rather than funds in both Ethiopia and Egypt to bring more bullion to decrease the paper note to bullion ratio in the Belkan banks. Belka's naval expansion is fully curbed in the face of this new financial crisis as multiple ironclads are laid to rest for the time being.
 * Belkan Maghrebi Dependency: The Maghrebi Dependency, as it is called, becomes one of Belka's primary colonies, while not particularly profitable in an economic sense its agriculture has become somewhat notable as it has expanded due to land reclamation as well as the expansion of urban farming which has become a major way food is provided in the colony. With a population of roughly six million the colony sees some notable amounts of Belkan ethnic settlement with a thriving community of roughly 25,000 Belkans having immigrated or settled as a result of the war or in the recent year as a result of the economic crisis. The Dependency - as a result of the extreme measures taken on the Belkan financial system - takes a large loan to develop a large land reclamation project around Tunisia and Algiers respectively in order to expand arable land. This will be done particularly with canals and other water storing projects. It is noted that an unexpectedly large amount of cottoBelka with intent on resale to the rest of Europe and even a few factories are opened this year purchasing domestic Chinese goods opening up a few textile mills and attracting Chinese workers hoping to capitalise on the Belkan industrial involvement in the city. City planners arrive in short order looking to turn Hong Kong into a shining example of Belkan culture, industrialism and power abroad in the globe - and particularly Asia. The first things to be put under construction are a series of modern port facilities and barracks for the eventuality of a large Belkan garrison to be stationed in Hong Kong.
 * Belkan Zaire Dependency: The victory over the native armies by the Zaire expeditionary force, has gone down in military history as it has become abundantly clear that many native states can't compete with any European army. The commanding officer of the expedition, Colonel Tarasov takes command of the new colonial state and immediately begins organizing the new state and assessing it for the ACC sending a frigate back to relay information to the homeland and the ACC. The raiding of the Royal treasury of Zaire has led to a surplus in the expedition effectively producing a net profit, however, as a transport ship bringing Belkan colonial officials and supplies for the now named Zaire Garrison. The Colony itself is approached a bit differently than the Maghrebi dependency or the Ethiopian protectorate in which offers are made to various nobles of Zaire to pay lip service to the Belkan tsar and the colonial government and in response will be treated in a more autonomous fashion than the directly ruled territories of Zaire. In response roughly one-third of the nobility agree to take the deal being treated effectively as the Emir states while paying a general tribute every year to the Belkan Empire and also providing manpower if needed. The rest - constituting roughly two-thirds of the new colony - is ruled much like Maghreb with general rights and practices being respected as long as they don't interfere with common law. a general assessment of the economics of Zaire reveal stunning potential for cash crops like cotton and coffee as well as huge potential for rubber production something Belka has sorely needed its own source for. The ACC even in regards to the bad financial situation at home, take a bullion loan to directly pay for the development of the colony as it begins a full catalogue and harnessing of the regions economic potential even shipping the first wave of rubber product back to Belka as a sample. With a population of roughly nine million the Belkan administration begins seeing the need for a very sophisticated colonial administrative network to handle this state.
 * French Republic: Assuming Mali has denied the request for protectorateship and the need to re-initiate colonization in Africa following the loss of Algeria and part of Nigeria, 5000 soldiers armed with the most modern French weaponry and assisted by most of the navy and artillery invade Mali through the small passageway it has with the Pacific Ocean. This colonial war is also the first time quinine was used in the forefront in hopes of stopping any possible Malaria attacks. Bombarding the coastal cities and blockading the country with most of the French navy available at hand, Mali is defeated by August with the siege of their capital city and the surrendering of their military. Although originally intending to make Mali a protectorate of France, the discovery of vast gold mines prompts for it to become a valuable asset to France, and soon the French Republic of Mali is established. The population is 36 million. Shipments of modern weaponry and other industrial military technology is sent to French Nigeria to help expansion in the region. In the case of rebellion, a total of another 15,000 troops are sent to Mali, totalling the troop count to 20,000. Possibly more later. Taxes are increased, and reforms to put veterans into the workplace begin to combat inflation. The first shipment of gold is brought into France, and is sold worldwide to any and all countries that want gold. Alexandre Marsan, very irritated with the current status of France, prophesizes an ideal state in where property is collectively owned by the government and every citizen is paid "according to their abilities and needs". Due to the introduction of such ideas at this time, he gains local popularity upon the release of his pamplet "Manuscrit Communiste". The term "communism" is coined, in which everything is effectively shared as a 'community' than a specific number of people. Hyacinthe Pelay reenlists in the military for another tour of six years, as he is effectively "instutionalized" in the military lifestyle and although his life and fortune are great, something is missing from inside. The first stock exchange is opened in Paris.
 * French Republic of Mali: Under the new colonial President Eric Collard, massive numberss of citizens begin to be forced into labor in the gold mines. By the arrival of the 15,000 additional troops, any citizen suspected of possibly revolting against the French are properly killed, regardless of whether or not they were involved with anything. This is mainly meant to decline morale before it rises enough for a possible rebellion. Strategies used in the original conquest of Maghreb are also used, but to a lesser extent. Since no French citizens or any other type of people are allowed in Mali, forced labor against the Malians continues and the first large shipment of gold is sent to France.
 * French Republic of Nigeria: Agriculture does its thing. Under Colonial President Joseph-Marie Jouvin, oil palm exported begins being back to France in trade for more modern and powerful weapons.
 * Empire of Brésil: "We can fight no more, as our mothers wail at the deaths of their sons, as an entire youth die for their country. We must say that no more blood shall be spent in vain. Our head hung low, defeated, we must learn from our mistakes, lest this stain repeat itself." These are the words spoken by Tomás, as he acknowledges the defeat at Parané. Tomás, with his legacy forever tarnished, abdicates in favor of his son, Theodore de Medici. Theodore is nowhere near as venerated as Tomás was at the start, but Theodore has shown a keen interest in relations with neighboring states, as well as economics. He, however, has the difficult task of reconstruction. However, first, he must negotiate a peace. He offers to cede all previous Argentine land, excluding Paraguay. The troops will be withdrawn if the peace talks go through. On the matter of reconstruction, a loan of 100 million USD is taken from the Bank of Belka, to be invested in infrastructure. In addition, Theodore invites Belkan businesses to compete on equal terms with Brésilian ones in the matters of railways and lumber mills.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree as long as Brésil agrees to pay a higher than normal interest rate due to the ongoing financial issue in Belka.
 * Kingdom of Prussia: With a financial crisis setting in, this will be the ultimate test of the central bank. Currency production is slowed to counter inflation. With the strikes in Berlin, The United Deutsche Front makes an appearance advocating support for the workers to have their voices heard. This causes member traction. The strikes go on for some weeks but its events slow to a crawl before halting altogether excluding isolated events from certain businesses. With strikes almost gone, we begin tackling crime with more police hired and put into service. Veterans who had come back home to no jobs begin to be given jobs at military factories to produce arms and equipment. PAA is established as a government funded program to aid in veterans getting their needs with shelters for those without families to care for being made in the largest of cities with food being provided. Dreyse Needle Guns continue to be expanded within our armed forces. 20,000 more people join the military as not only is it seen as a job but also something men could be in and be employed into an honorable position. Training is also expanded with generals teaching men combat professionally and even veterans getting paid to work alongside to teach them tactics of battle. The Department of Agriculture puts in an act fining farmers dozens of Marke’s over having certain surpluses of goods. Posters are posted putting farmers who refuse to give up their food as evil and spiteful people as they cause starvation. New military factories and factories for large corporations are established out in Saxony as recovery continues. Due to us wanting to move on from the days of Napoleon and our beliefs that German Brothers must stick together - especially in times of financial crisis - we offer them a free trade and arms agreement (MOD RESPONSE). The United Deutsche Front sees their proposal accepted by the Landtag and a referendum is planned for next year to change the name of our nation. New armored ships begin being built out in the Baltic with the SMS Walzer beginning to be built. Ships constructed before 1835 are planned to all be decommissioned by 1870. Military spending is raised while the budget for scientific funded studies being removed completely and left to the private sector. Taxes is raised on all classes which result in small pockets in the nation having outrage. This also like the rest of the strikes and protests just leads to people not liking certain things but there is not much that they coul really do about it. Polish people are given the option to return back to their homeland or go to a colony if they choose not to stay in Prussia. 35% of Polish citizens pack their bags while the rest stay.
 * Prussian Angola: With the seizure of the Lower Kongo and purchase of Iberian Angola, they are united into the state of Prussian Angola. With armed forces occupying the territory and colonists moving in, farming is spread in solidly controlled zones. The natives of the Lower Kongo begin to be taught our ways with communication being necessary for their survival. With their villages and capital in shambles, businessmen from Hussein and Prussia seek to develop the land. Simple brick roads begin being built connecting villages while their out-of-date infrastructure begins being replaced with German-style one story homes. This begins to lift the grudge of us being seen as foreign invaders who had taken their homeland and is rather seen as a blessing. We expand inward by 30 px with the guidance of locals. We help with their farming and it leads to us being able to send exotic goods back home. Merchants of the previous nation begin to learn our language for communication which begins being spread out. Jahre is established as the capital of the colony right next to our original settlement.
 * Greater Hussein: With towns and villages furthering development and New Berlin seeing further expansion of growth, new schools and libraries are built. A colonial military branch is established and 800 join including several dozen natives. Weaponry from the Homeland is introduced as well. Six new factories open in Elfenbein. We expand 30 px.
 * German Diplomatic Response: Müller agrees to the agreement due to the economic depression. ~ Wolves.
 * Russia: Alexander Yanukovych invents the Phonautograph and grants his first record to be that of Stephen Mueller's new (yet controversial song) "Abracadabra". In rural Siberia, many more religious folk separate themselves from the Bugi-Vugi culture of young people. One man, Vissarion Yakov pioneers the "Sibir Sound" with his "revivalist" song, "Good Ole Boys". The panic of 1861 occurs in the Feograd Stock Market. There is a swift dip in the market for two months leading to government intervention. The Market Act of 1861 is passed by the tsar's council opening for large amounts of taxation coming from the newly acquired territory in Eastern Poland, and the Ukraine to pay for the war. The Ukraine is taxed heavily for the reason that it got the most government funds from the national railway act. Zapad holds a monopoly over the entire country in the railroad business. Despite the rising crime rate which is mainly confined to Feograd and Tsaritsyn. Many men despite turning to crime see the railroad as a great job opportunity, because at least they make some money. Stock holders put their money into Zapad for the completion of the North-South Railway started last decade. Moscow once again becomes a hub of transportation as the Central Line to the main railway starts construction. By late this year seeing the relative speed of the Zapad's construction, and government need for more money to upgrade the fleet as plenty of ships are scrapped or build the newer ones, Zapad rail is both hired for the steam motors for the ships, and heavily taxed to pay for them. Philosopher Vladimir Leonov from Tsaritsyn writes the "Bolshevik Manifesto", in a response to the corporatization of industry in the nation. He predicts that the workers will eventually rise against the corporations and aristocracy and form a completely new state which he calls "Equalism", where the wealth is spread among the people evenly from the rich. He then believes that there would eventually be the "Post-Equalist" Society to which he calls Bolshevism based on his manifesto's title. He describes this as a classless society where everyone is the majority, and no man has more money than his fellow man. The reason for this is the discovery of gold in the "Rocky Mountains". In Novorossiya, the region of St Gregory (OTL British Columbia) is flooded with immigrants from the Caucasus and Ukraine. Those from Ukraine are trying to escape the high taxes.
 * Aztlan: The Tlahtoāni, Carlos de Mérida e Augusthino Diltwa I dies and his successor Benitho do Merida Dilthwa Juarez I takes power, he is confused by Napoleon's arrival in Aztlan and wants to know why he has come (Mod Response). Guadalajara is written in by a Jalisco local about the grand city and it does surprisingly well around the country. We also wish to purchase a Japanese trade port in Edo (Mod Response). 
 * BTW, sorry I was inactive, my laptop had some problems but I managed to get back on my desktop, hopefully I am still Aztlan and haven't gotten the boot.
 * Republica Iberia: The economy is steadily converted away from wartime production. The republic continues investment in the veterans of the War of the Pyrenees, but also begins to direct some of the money to the reconstruction of Navarre. French Navarrens, of which there number roughly 140,000 are given the option of swearing loyalty to the Iberian Republic and promising to learn one of the Iberian Languages, swearing loyalty to the republic and moving to an Iberian Colony with a small travel subsidy, or returning to France. Roughly 40,000 decide to return to France and cross over the border to rejoin their countrymen. However, another remainder is for the most part willing to stay, with a group of 15,000 deciding to strike out in a colonial venture. The French-speaking Navarrens form the Navarre West Africa Colony and establish a settlement near the mouth of the Gambia close to the existing Iberian outpost there. With support from the Iberian garrison they swiftly establish control over the uncontested coastline. The monetary troubles that plague Europe are to a small degree reduced by lack of Iberian spending in naval development in the last four years while other nations have been constructing increasingly costly ships. Several of the more antiquated Iberian ships are sold to avoid paying repairs and maintenance fees. The government also takes the drastic action to simply remove money from circulation, taxes to some degree go unspent reducing the inflation while the monetary crisis contributes to a significant slowdown in economic development. Although stunted by the war and their capital intensive nature, narrow gauge lines become increasingly common so the Iberian government standardizes narrow rails at 1000 mm apart. These lines are easier to lay and are much cheaper on the rough terrain. Unemployed, unmarried and after a few months of gambling and drinking, nearly broke, there are thousands of angry soldiers in Iberia. However, tales of African gold spread after the discovery of gold in Mali. The soldiers, organized by the war, pool what money they have to purchase surplus arms, which the Iberian government wells them for cheap, and travel to Africa as adventurers. A group of 2000 lands south of Mali and begin to ravage the small nation there. A further 1500 led by a particularly brutal man, well known for having survived two French bullets and for his unholy bayonetting of a drummer boy, Hermenegildo “Dois” Cortez begins a campaign against Dakar. The invasions, while not sponsored by Iberia, pillage their respective nations, and having found no real gold establish pseudo governments. The Iberian government then offers the “Conquistadores” protection as colonies which they can manage should they wish.
 * Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly invites the Provisional Algerian Government into the fold as Algeria is annexed by Morocco. Elections for the new region are to be held shortly. The republican government, which is comprised primarily of coastal Reformist Muslims continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. The practice of using decaying vegetation as a moisture trap and as cover for the insects and other organisms required for the growth of more water intensive plants continues to spread. The practice is, of course, still very minor, but has increased slightly the production of certain orchard crops.
 * Antillas Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of sugar production and as a stopover for ships headed out into the Atlantic. The Colonial Garrison is reduced to cut costs to 1000.
 * Indias Orientales Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of spice production. The Colonial Garrison is reduced to cut costs to 1000.
 * África Occidental Ibérica: The colony annexes what was formerly Senegay this year and begins to integrate it into the colony. Seeing the easy victory, half of the colonial forces return to Iberia and the remainder continue supporting colonial expansion and security efforts. The colony grows rapidly into the now more accessible sahel.
 * Kingdom of Burgundy: In light of the economic crisis, King Robert and the States-General are forced to accept cuts to the government's budget. Among those hit with cuts is the Royal Navy, which in response decommissions and sells to break up 14 second-rate, and seven first-rate ships-of-the-line, all commissioned prior to 1830. Although the remaining budget to the Navy would’ve allowed eight of those ships to remain in service, Grand Admiral Roosevelt opts to use the money that would’ve gone into maintenance for the older ships to continue construction of the armored frigates, which in turn keeps unemployment in the shipyards down. As such, the SMS Kinnik Wëllem II and SMS Kinnik Robert III are completed and commissioned on schedule. Construction on the Kinnik Rogier-class armored razeed frigates also continues. Though construction on other ships was supposed to halt, after an inventor by the name of Johan Erkensen put forward his own money to fund construction, the navy authorized the construction of an experimental ship to be named Monitor. Talks begin with envoys from the separatist New Netherlands government. It’s decided that while the talks go on New Netherlands with retain its seats in the States-General. The first matter of contention in the negotiations is the matter of defense for New Netherlands, whether Burgundy should bear some responsibility in aiding the lands militarily. A few vindictive members of the crown committee insist that due to New Netherlands request for sovereignty, they should fend for themselves, these are met by the more fervor of the separatists, who insist they could stand on their own. These parties are quieted by the more moderate member of both delegations. The leader of the crown committee, Baron Lodewijk vun Sint-Vith (chosen for the position due to past experience as the Crown's representative to New Netherlands), raises the point that, due to New Netherlands being a trade-based economy like Burgundy, would New Netherlands be able to afford to raise a military of similar proportion (if not size) to Burgundy. The separatists leader, Frederik Lucassen, not having the most recent economic date on hand, requests time to have such documents transported from New Amsterdam, which is granted. When the documents return with the data, there begins being real talk of cutting off Burgundian military support to New Netherlands, especially from the aforementioned wings of the delegations. In a private, off the record dinner, however, Baron Sint-Vith raises the point to Lucassen that the figures, while they look good maintaining a military, do not look so good for establishing one. For one, the experienced Burgundian officer corps responsible for training New Netherlands troops would be lost, leaving them with a leadership void, as well as without their supply line of modern armaments. The navy would have to be built up from scratch. Lucassen concedes the point, adding that New Amsterdam has neither the facilities nor the resources at its disposal to build a modern fleet, that until they do, contracting construction to states such as Burgundy, the UK, France, or Belka. France is obviously out of the question, the UK would be unlikely to accept due to overlapping land claims with Iroquois, and both men are leary of allowing Belka leverage over New Netherlands. Sint-Vith and Lucassen agree that there’ll be parties on both sides that’ll refuse any contract for Burgundy to build ships for New Netherlands. That also doesn’t mention that New Amsterdam lacks the drydocks to service ships-of-the-line or oceangoing ironclads. A quiet conversation with Grand Admiral Roosevelt later, it’s estimated that it would be a decade at the very least before New Netherlands could natively build a modern warship. After discussing the matter with King Robert, it’s decided that Burgundy's official offer to New Netherlands will be that Burgundy will assume responsibility for New Netherlands defense at sea, will maintain its officer corps in the New Netherlands army as well as supplying them with modern weapons, and New Netherlands will construct the necessary facilities to base modern warships out of New Amsterdam. With the unemployment among war veterans, the Burgundian West African Company decides to take advantage of the situation. Offering lands to those who sign up, they organize a small army of 5000 previously unemployed war veterans. After securing naval support from the Royal Navy, the BWAC launches an attack on the Mane Kingdom, immediately north of the Neiuw Friesland Colony. After defeating the technologically inferior Mane army at the battle of Pepel, and again at the battle of Bo, the country is annexed into the Neiuw Friesland Colony. True to their word, those that wish are given lands for them to own and develop, while they are further employed as peacekeepers. A settlement called Fräistad (OTL Freetown) is established near the site of the battle. The colonial government of Neiuw Zeeland continues consolidating territory. Neiuw Friesland (OTL Liberia) expands 50 px southeast along the coast. Garnaalië (OTL Cameroon) expands 50 px south. The Burgundian territory around Tasmanstad (OTL Hobart, Tasmania) expands 50 px along the coast.
 * Ethiopian Dip: We offer to buy some of the decommissioned ships.
 * ​​​​​​​Burgundian Dip: The offer is accepted.
 * ​​​​​​​Ethiopian Dip: We offer to buy two first-rates and four second-rates.
 * ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Burgundian Dip: The offer is accepted, the ships will be sailed to Malta, where they will be reserved until the Ethiopian crews claim them.
 * ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Ethiopian Response: Sailors from the Red Sea fleet are transported down the Nile and sailed to Malta where they will wait for the ships to arrive and sail the ships around Africa into Adulis.
 * ​​​​​​​After about four weeks - which is how long it takes for a clipper to get there and back - they present the economic data. This data proves New Netherlands can maintain a force sufficient in size for its defensive needs. Person.
 * United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: With the economic crisis being really serious it is clear powerful measures are needed to combat this rampant inflation. Parliament passes an emergency budget heavily cutting expenditure temporarily and increasing taxation. Interest rates are raised heavily to discourage borrowing. Income tax was increased to the maximum rate of 20% and a minimum rate of 10%. The window tax is reintroduced and a tax on every hide of farmland issued as well and threshold for those paying income tax is lowered to £75 a year. All in all this tax hike hits everyone rich and poor, rural and urban quite hard. To keep food supply steady Britain asks to borrow (Mod response) grain from Avalon, Iroquois and Savannah promising to repay with interest and sell at market rates. In an attempt to encourage British farmers to sell, maximum price caps are put in place which will move with inflation encouraging farmers not to try to be smart by waiting for prices to rise. Worried about exports rising due to a weak currency taxes are placed on exports while tariffs are lowered. Expenditure is lowered as ships are given skeleton crews and moved into port while further construction is put on hold. A lot of the army are moved into reserve while pay for the remaining ones is cut angering many of them but they are offered the opportunity to move to Uluru or India. Education and subsidies are heavily cut. The demands of strikers are ignored by the government and bosses are told they can fire them. Riots break out in London in June due to inflation and cutbacks leading to further protests in the midlands by veterans and strikers. Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds all have areas of the city taken over by rioters and production grinds to a halt. The Crown Jewels, the Gold at the Bank of England and many other people move their valuables outside of the city and this is made clear to people so as to discourage looting. The army are called in but many of them voicing their own frustration refuse to help leaving the government powerless. The government and upper-class move out to the countryside leaving the cities to be taken over by rioters. After a few days of anarchy though food and alcohol begins to run out and looting ends while violence against people alienates many and the riots stop. The government moves back into London and order is restored with a fair amount of damage though there is a lack of convictions. The upper-class begin to move out of the city and demand better law and order on government behalf. Not possible right now. If Swahili wants to keep British and Indian troops assisting they need to pay the wages of said troops. In Salish we start mining out all the gold and a gold rush begins with people moving over there rapidly especially with poverty in England. England has a population of 18.2 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 20,000 professionals and 30,000 men in Ireland, 50,000 European soldiers and 300,000 Indian Sepoys in India spread out across the continent, 10,000 British soldiers, 10,000 Sepoys and 40,000 African soldiers in Swahili. 10,000 in Uluru, 1000 in West Africa. There are two fleets: one at Hull and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 24 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 50 frigates.
 * ​​​​​​​India: With the British government announcing that it requires cash. The British soldiers who are laid off are encouraged to take lands in India. The Viceroy announces the blood guilt law fining all of British India for its participation in the rebellion which contributed to the economic failure. The blood guilt law has around 10,000 British and 80,000 Indian troops move from region to region demanding a set payment from the whole area to be raised how ever they wish. This inflow of gold, jewellery, precious stones and other valuables is sent back to London. The British forces sent to take the Western Rajput states and Punjab last year keep fighting and push forward while industrial scale looting behind the rear lines to provide money for London. The rest of the Indian army and British support keep working the labour battalions on defences from last year on the border with China.
 * ​​​​​​​Uluru: A steady flow of people from Britain many of them unemployed and India (convicts) is maintained and a militia is formed. Gold is mined and sent back to Britain due to the high prices demanded for it.
 * ​​​​​​​The British request for the loan is granted. -scraw
 * Ethiopian Empire: Ioshua thanks Belka for their help and negotiates for a 30,000 member Foreign Legion and the ability to decide when it's committed to combat. With the economy in Europe tanking Ioshua makes moves to keep the Ethiopian economy stable. The government begins to pay farmers not to overgrow and buys surplus stocks to keep it off the market. The bank of Ethiopia slows minting of coins by 20% and encourages people to continue spending to maintain regular prices. Public works goes into expanding the docks at Adulis and building more roads.
 * ​​​​​​​Belkan Dip: We remind Ethiopia they are a BELKAN protectorate, not a Burgundian and that Ethiopia will act as such. Belka reserves the right to sell anything and everything to Ethiopia and the right is to not be infringed. We remind them that we were willing to invade last time, and this time is no different. Ethiopia was given a free hand in its internal workings not its external. Further acts to cooperate with other powers outside the Belkan sphere will result in consequences. Do not undercut the Empire again.
 * Kingdom of Egypt: Egyptian ships arrive at Bahrain and drop off soldiers who then go on to occupy the rest of the island, including the outpost that was previously run by the French before the surrender. An Egyptian Coast Guard is set up around Bahrain to protect it from foreign invaders. The Egyptian flag is raised high above the outpost. French citizens and soldiers along with their families that still remain on the island are giving one year to leave Bahrain. We continue to build up our infrastructure. This includes building roads along the Nile, schools, and expanding our largest population centers, Giza and Alexandria. The king decides to call for parliamentary elections, seeing as how the citizens stopped the obscenity laws from being passed years ago, and fears a possible uprising if the government continues to undermine the people’s wants. The new members of parliament will then go on to elect a new prime minister, with the candidates being handpicked by the King. The king continues to encourage an Islamic life style for all Egyptian Muslims and their families, along with encouraging the study and research of Islamic sciences. The city of Alia continues to grow. The government begins to encourage larger investment and jobs in mining, as it wishes to grow its wealth and maybe get some sweet cash by selling gold and silver to European countries to help them with their crisis. Big mining businesses are founded, mostly controlled or owned by members of the Royal Family, and quickly begin to buy out mines to begin investing in mining and extracting resources. The growing of cotton is also encouraged, and any farmers around the Nile are encouraged to grow cotton on their land (all of this being grown around the Nile, of course, where there is fertile land and soil). The cult of personality surrounding the Muhammed Ali Dynasty only continues to grow, as portraits and statues of Muhammed Ali the First and Second pop up around the country. Poetry written by Muhammed Ali’s daughter is seen everywhere in Egyptian markets, and books starring Muhammed Ali’s grandson are also common, mostly portraying him as a warrior sent to battle evil and Satan himself. The Egyptian army continues to train using Belkan shock tactics and European weapons.
 * ​​​​​​​French Diplomacy: There are no French people living there, as once Belka bought the island, they were all moved either back to France or to a small island in Indonesia. So essentially, Egypt is occupying a Belkan island.
 * Scandinavian Empire: Emperor Sven III Gyldenløve continues to oversee the democratic transformation of Scandinavia. Due to the recession, projects are delayed.  Scandinavia delays building railroads, with two lines being continued: one from Stockholm to Malmö, and one from Jönköping to Riksdale. We finish building a steel processing factory in Linköping. Finally, Scandinavia seeks to expand its fleet. Scientiae Dei is continually funded by the state, but spending is cut on Scientiae Dei and funding is cut entirely from the State Bank of St Birgitta. We propose a land swap to Britain, trading the Sudreyar for (insert name here, OTL Sao Tome and Principe) (Person response, please.)
 * ​​​​​​​Iceland: We establish a major port in Reykjavik for whalers coming from the New World and encourage further whaling in Iceland and open a branch of Scientiae Dei to collect Icelandic sagas. We encourage whaling in Spitsbergen and found a small whaling settlement on Hejnriksholm after no other resources were found.
 * ​​​​​​​East Frisies: The East Frisies are incorporated into the Scandinavian Empire autonomously, in order to smooth the transition. German is discouraged through propaganda and East Frisian is promoted. The islands become home bases for the navy, with naval bases built on Borkum and Heligoland.
 * ​​​​​​​Kingdom of the Isles: We encourage whaling among the community of the Isles. We also establish a few kelp farms and textile factories.
 * Ny-Sjaelland and Vinland: Activity is flourishing in Christianshavn and whaling and commerce are major points. The colony prospers due to the income it gets from processing goods coming from Vinland and Scandinavia proper. Olafsborg and Vinland become incorporated and logging and whaling are encouraged, while also scouring for mining. Plans for a railroad from Olafsborg toward the inland are drawn up.
 * ​​​​​​​Prins-Rupert Island: Benat Aritza supports Basque immigration toward Prins-Rupert. Whaling is encouraged on Prins-Rupert.
 * ​​​​​​​Greenland: We support slow expansion on the coast and we expand whaling.
 * ​​​​​​​British Dip: Yeah, we will make the trade.

1862
''' New Netherlands agrees to Burgundy's terms on defence and wants to keep negotiations moving. '''

''' In Belka, Austria and Czechia, many nobles especially from Austria and Czechia feel aggrieved by the higher taxation, the war and by the high spending like loaning money to Brésil so they take their money, selling what land they can and emigrate to places in the New World avoiding Belkan officials as best as they can so they keep money. '''

''' In Burgundy, France, Scandinavia, Prussia, Russia and Iberia the persistent overspending on wars in Africa, the army and shipbuilding leads to further high inflation and the people begin to move to a barter economy over cash. Fighting occurs in some cities over wages. '''

''' In Britain the heavy cutbacks led to a recession with a fall in GDP and a rise in unemployment. On the plus side, though, the rate of inflation is reduced and starvation doesn't quite set in. '''

''' Across Europe there are a lot of scary groups talking about overthrowing monarchies. Their literature spreads across Europe and trade unionism is on the rise. Radical groups form in large industrial nations like Britain and Burgundy. '''


 * Ethiopian Empire: Ioshua reminds the Belkans that we will not be bullied and we have cooperated, we saw a chance to expand our navy and we did it. We also remind them that we are an empire with far more lineage then they have. Ioshua hopes all problems are resolved seeing as we were simply buying hardware. The Emperor searches secretly for defense plans made by Zera Yacob in the 1400's so he may edit them for modern day tactics in the case of invasion. Only his son and top military and government officials are informed. Work on the docks of Adulis is put on hold while the Empire looks for money to fund it. The regular army adds another 5000 men to the ranks bringing it to 105,000 men. The roads around the nation continue being built at a consistent rate. Mining expeditions are sent into the interior to increase output of metals produced in the Empire. Adulis shipbuilding picks back up with the end of the war and privateering. The new ships are studied and their designs begin being produced. New buildings in cities begin to represent a more European style, but still maintain African roots. Ezana City opens its first workshops which refine the grain saving the farmers time, seeing as they don't have to send it to one of the big three cities. The lake begins being used for irrigation spreading farming even further from the cost.
 * Belkan Dip: Buying hardware from another country is exactly the problem. If you are a protectorate, by definition you are not dealing with another state foreign policy wise. It will be overlooked this time, but Ethiopia is not to deal with potential Belkan rivals of all states.
 * Russia: The tsar cuts the army from one million active men to 300,000. He slashes naval spending by simply closing the shipyards. This leads to more men out of work. These men begin to protest outside the Palace of St Rurik, they demand jobs and money. The tsar begins to pave the way for democracy and declares a national assembly be created in light of the economic crisis. Tsar Vladimir passes the Stimulus Act which will pump some money into corporations who will use that money to expand their businesses and hire more people. Diplomats are sent to Texas and Brésil offering to sell them decent quantities of the vast stockpiles of modern weapons and ammunition (Bel and Falcon Respond). A telegram priority nationalizes any gold found in St Gregory, Novorossiya. This leads many miners to be unhappy and move south for further riches in the rump British Protectorate of Salish, joining the Brits in the Gold Rush.
 * ​​​​​​​This offer is accepted by Brésil.
 * French Republic: The 1862 Paris Riots occurs, with the result being the standing army being moved in to disperse the violent riots and effectively disperse the violent rioters. Reforms begin being further set in, mainly toward constitutional and employment reforms, such as tax cuts and deregulation on an industry or business. The French Chancellor revises the title "Chancellor" back to "President", and after working with the overly democratic National Congress, is able to pass a presidential reform that decreases the year limit of a President to four years, with the President not being able to run again. Due to the current President being two years into his term, he has two more years before the end of his term, thus making him incapable of running once again for the government position as President. The Military Iniative is declared over. Alexandre Marsan begins to rise in the political sphere, as his proposal for the "ideal peasant and worker state" gains him national noriety. Marsan announces his bid to run for President in 1864 under his newly created faction, the Communists. Hyacinthe Pelay finally returns to combat, serving as a commanding officer in the French Mali. The shipments of gold from Mali begin to be relayed worldwide, mainly being imported to locations that lack the gold treasures. At the end of the year, the standing army is reduced once again from 550,000 to 250,000 as a means of saving resources. The navy consists of one first-rate battleship, five second-rate battleships, and 13 frigates. Railroads continue to be built. 5000 troops are to be sent to Mali every year for a total of four years, which would bring the total number of troops in Mali to ~ 50,000. Les Miserables is published, historifying the events from the French Revolution to the Great European War about an ex-convict and his experiences from being a young juvenile in-and-out of prisons to being a war hero and obtaining redemption. The Gauthier Gun (ATL Gatling Gun) is patented by French inventor Gilbert Gauthier, and becomes an icon for the future of warfare, due to its ability to "reduce the size of armies and so reduce the number of deaths by combat and disease". He has also said to have made the weapon 'to show how futile warfare is' after experience combat first-hand in the French-Iberian Front of the war. Possibly more later.
 * ​​​​​​​French Mali: Consolidating the state under his grasp following the execution of the Malian King, President Eric Collard sends out ambassadors to the neighboring states to Mali (Masina [northeast], Ori and Orun [southeast]) declaring their Kings to surrender their sovereignty to the French government, and in return will remain alive and receive a portion of all profits made in exports following the increasement of French investment in the region (Mod). Outside of continuing the mining of gold, its exportation, and the new investment into the iron ore and bauxite mining projects, everything goes as planned. In the case of war with the nations that decline the offer of becoming states under the French government, 6000 troops are put on call in the need for arms, while the remaining troops continue to enforce labor protocols.
 * ​​​​​​​French Nigeria: Palm oil continues to be distributed and sold worldwide.
 * Republica Iberia: The Navarre West Africa Colony with support from the Iberian garrisons and outposts proceed to expand to quickly fill the small region of unclaimed land. The monetary troubles that plague Europe grow worse, being blamed on overspending on ships, troops, and colonies. This explanation befuddles the assembly as Iberia has not launched a new warship since 1856, and slashed the armed forces to a relatively small 200,000 following the War of the Pyrenees. Iberian colonies might have grown, but the government is not paying the conquistadors so how could inflation have grown? Regardless, gold from the kingdoms of West Africa begins to enter Iberia through the conquest of the conquistadors. Several of the more antiquated Iberian ships are sold to avoid paying repairs and maintenance fees. The government also takes the drastic action to simply remove money from circulation, taxes to some degree go unspent reducing the inflation. The monetary crisis contributes to a significant slowdown in economic development preventing industrial expansion. Tales of the Conquistadors reach millions across Iberia. Hundreds of disenfranchised soldiers sign up to join the now increasingly powerful clique. Hermenegildo “Dois” Cortez, with a cold and brutal charisma, inspired thousands to join him. However, thousands more begin protesting across the major cities of Iberia where the food crisis is most severe. The government attempts to appease the rioters with food handouts and promises of change, but the riots continue. A group of Belkan Syndicalists begin spreading their beliefs on unionism among the protesters and the practice begins to spread across Iberia. Thousands of unions and syndicates form across the country and strikes begin to slow and plague production. The government steps in to prevent a crisis and mediates a massive settlement plan. Laws are passed that mandate government involvement in negotiations and rules of mutual respect and non-violence. A major series of negotiations between the largest unions and their employers leads to a general plan for future negotiations. Rather than give the union members their demands for massive sudden wage hikes, the government gets both sides to accept a small wage hike every year for a decade. This will stabilize inflation and help reduce the economic crisis. Furthermore, the unions press for more progressive tax rates and reduced taxes for the working class. The government doesn't act on this yet, but begins to feel the pressure.
 * ​​​​​​​Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly, which is comprised primarily of coastal Reformist Muslims, continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. The practice of using decaying vegetation as a moisture trap and as cover for the insects and other organisms required for the growth of more water intensive plants continues to spread. The practice is, of course, still very minor, but has increased slightly the production of certain orchard crops.
 * ​​​​​​​Antillas Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of sugar production and as a stopover for ships headed out into the atlantic. The Colonial Garrison is reduced to cut costs to 1000.
 * ​​​​​​​Indias Orientales Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of spice production. The Colonial garrison is reduced to 1000 to cut costs.
 * ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Macaçar Ibérica: After the Iberian Makassar Company was granted a charter in March by the Iberian government to be given the rights for the chartered colony, the trading company rented several vessels to transport scores of men to set up a system of governance in the Makassar subcolony in Indias Orientales Ibéricas, also known as the Iberian East Indies, in southern Sulawesi (Celebes in Iberian). A new trading post, named Little Makassar (port), was planned and started construction early in the year to help expand the (Iberian) spice trade in Oceania. This company, led by former mercenary Ezequiel Isadore Paleologa De Hoyos, also conducted a census on the part of disputed land they find themselves granted upon. The current population of Makassar would be almost 800,000 (I calculated and made a rough estimate after reducing population, IRL).
 * ​​​​​​​África Occidental Ibérica: The colony annexes what was formerly Senegay this year and begins to integrate it into the colony. Seeing the easy victory, half of the colonial forces return to Iberia and the remainder continue supporting colonial expansion and security efforts. The colony grows rapidly into the now more accessible sahel.
 * ​​​​​​​Cortezia: Having declared himself the director of Dakar, Cortez and his men are reinforced by 1000, 1000 from the southern expedition join Cortez in addition to 2000 new recruits, as Cortez calls for the invasion of Diafanu (Nation East of Dakar). He has his second in command defende Dakar with 500 men. The remaining 2000, armed with Henrique and Sandoval Rifles, march to face Diafanu. The Diafanu Army, led by its king, meet Cortez near the border and offer to pay off the now regionally infamous conquistador. Cortez and his 2000 men face an army of 12,000. The fighting a fierce, the Diafanu warriors are fierce, but they melt under the trained fire of the Iberians. The battle is not without Iberian losses and 500 men are killed by the Diafanu. Native loses are beyond counting. The remainder of the army cuts a swath through Diafanu, until they discover the source mines in central Diafanu. Cortez also imports several hundred doses of Quinine for his men to be used in the event of Malaria. Transportation is provided by allowing two decommissioned frigates that the military is renting to the conquistadors. Funding has so far been coming from the conquistadors themselves and a few wealthy colonial families who seek new opportunities in West Africa, but the military is providing very minor assistance in the forms of discounted weapons and the ships for rent. (Just to be clear, these guys are generally self-funded adventurers who have purchased very cheap surplus weapons and boats, and organized to try to make it rich in a new land with tales of gold. It's not a government enterprise so it's costing me less directly and the spoils almost certainly are a net benefit.)
 * Belkan Empire: In an unsurprising move, Belka is forced to deal with yet another potential problem, the rising power of the newly developing Trade and Labor Syndicates. However, the fact that the Supreme Soviet and the tsar have been mostly on the side of the unions and Syndicates has gone over well and a huge upswing in popularity occurs. The Syndicates of Belka form quickly and in a massively organized fashion. Being led mostly by Army Veterans or older industrial workers such as foreman and managers, hundreds of Syndicates form in many cases endorsed by the government which in most other countries would oppress or attempt to destroy them. The formation of the Syndicates also leads to the publication of the relatively non-radical "Syndicalism in the Belkan World" a book which champions the early efforts of the Belkan state to curtail oppressive industrialization practices and its current process to retain the jobs and functionality of the industrial work force and provide for their welfare. The political movement of Syndicalism forms with the three leading Syndicates known as the Veterans Syndicate, the Pan-Belka Syndicate, and the Vasiligrad Syndicate forming in a coalition to monopolize on the political movement garnered. Multiple Soviet representatives join the movement leading to the Vozhd and the tsar to push for the formation of a Coalition government between the Slavocist party, and the Syndicalist party which agree to codify the many progressive gains made by the Belkan government in the face of its economic crisis. In this regard a concession is made to the Syndicalist party to divert tax funding to a universal education system following the end of the economic crisis. While Czech, Austrian and some Belkan nobility and upper-class try to flee, the final one-third of the aristocratic immigrants are caught and tried for Tax Dodging and imprisoned with a sentence of 15 years. Their families fortunes are halved and their lands confiscated and the sales previously made are rendered null and void and the buyers money refunded. The money taken from the families is relatively substantial as many of these families had been hoarding money and asset for years which are split up or used to pay off Belkan debt and war bonds. These seized funds make a decent dent in the debt and war bonds as the drastic measures taken this year begin to bear fruit as the massive tax revenue incoming this year stabilizes the Belkan ruble and sees it gain in value. Confidence - once shaken by the loans given out to Brésil and possibility of a failed expedition to Zaire - is brought to heel as the Belkan Stock Market in Sofiya shows moderate but noticeable gains and public spending in the economy shows a small rise as confidence in the Belkan ruble remains solid. While the rest of Europe's economies remain in a free fall or almost depression levels the Belkan nosedive has been averted for the time being and current levels of spending remain until tax revenue in the next few years can make up for the spending. Another method for getting out of the recession, the mining and production or procuring of more gold and silver has led to the inflation of the rruble to halt as gold and silver influx begins the process of meeting in the middle with the semi-inflated and devalued currency. In order to put the unemployed to work, a government program is put in place to build more railways and get the unemployed section of the workforce 'to begin gaining wealth and also put money back into the economy. There is some resistance that the increase in spending due to the necessity of paying these men is over the top. However, in agreement with the Syndicalists who say that as many people as possible need to be employed labor syndicate or not, prompts recruitment drives for the unemployed to work on Belka's railway network in upgrading or bringing new railways to more rural parts of the country and also sees the employment of the unskilled into these positions as well as the developing of natural resource deposits across the country. The fixing of agricultural prices also sees confidence in the agricultural sector as farmers are able to sell their crops for relatively the same price as they would have before the economic dip and hence do not go broke. Industrial growth as a result of the anti-expansion laws is halted as work to keep everyone employed is kept as the highest priority. As per the agreement with China, the first concession is taken control of with the Belkan Crown Colony of Hong Kong coming under Belkan administration. 
 * ​​​​​​​Maghrebi Dependency: The Dependency this year sees notable growth of its cotton industries as it exports its first crop to Belka's textile factories. Marked as a Crown Colony, the Belkan colonial government remains fully in respect of traditional customs that do not violate common law of the homeland. A new wave of settlers, people not able to make a full living in the homeland reach Algiers this year setting up the Belkan quarter in the city.
 * ​​​​​​​Zaire Dependency: Under its own government, essentially, the Belkan colonial government of Zaire establishes full control over the country now having recruited many minorities against the Bantu majorities which are used in a temporary divide and conquer strategy. Knowing the fiscal situation at home, the Belkan colonial force of 5000 still sitting in the capital known Zairiya City and now home to the Belkan colonial government begins an intense campaign to fully pacify the country. A patrol force of 1000 is sent out into the jungle with native auxilaries paid out of the still functional seized treasury of the country. Their auxilaries lead them to many of interior settlements and villages which are pacified with only a few notable examples in which the colonial forces use heavy handed force to pacify. After roughly six months of pacification and only light casualties the force returns to the capital delivering a slew of treaties to the colonial government which now begins to show a profit from the economic productivity of the country. Belkan trade ships, showing up a full two to three years earlier than expected are greeted with shipments of rubber, cotton, sugar and other cash crops including a surprising amount of fruit which is purported to take off in Belka for its novelty as well as taste and appeal to the masses.
 * ​​​​​​​Hong Kong Concession: The Belkan concession in Hong Kong (Macau can't be occupied as long as Russia is there) is assumed under the auspicies of the Legation city, a diplomatic and trade city to sit at the mouth of a major Chinese river for trade and economic activity. The city is small and noted to only have roughly 65,000 people between the city and the Kowloon peninsula. However, the arrival of a Belkan squadron of 15 ships including two Belkan iron-sheathed upgraded first-rate battleships draws crowds amazed at the sight of the Belkan warships. An assessment of the islands and Kowloon brings surprise to the Belkans noting that this region will be perfect to headquarters not only a fleet but potentially an entire East Asian colonial administration. The first movement of Chinese goods through makeshift modern ports is shipped back to Belka with intent on Resale to the rest of Europe and even a few factories are opened this year purchasing domestic Chinese goods opening up a few textile mills and attracting Chinese workers hoping to capitalise on the Belkan industrial involvement in the city. City planners arrive in short order looking to turn Hong Kong into a shining example of Belkan culture, industrialism, and power abroad in the globe - and particularly Asia. The first things to be put under construction are a series of modern port facilities and barracks for the eventuality of a large Belkan garrison to be stationed in Hong Kong.
 * Empire of Brésil: With the loans from Belkan banks, Theodore funds a massive infrastructure project. Canals spring up connecting various rivers, roads get paved for miles upon miles. Even the rural communities now have steady access to urban centers, and many people choose to migrate to the blooming urban communities of Saint-Denis and New Valois. These urban centers, however, also attract unsavory types. As European immigration essentially quadruples, minority communities become commonplace in many cities. Homicides double. Anti-immigration rhetoric becomes more widespread, with slurs against the French and Iberian communities becoming ever present. Regardless, hundreds of Europeans still travel to Brésil, seeking a new life in the cash crop fields of the Amazon, or amongst the rattling machinery that is gradually cropping up in various hubs. In other news, Theodore hires a new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johan Frederikson, which is controversial due to his Scandinavian lineage. Johan does prove to be skilled, however, as he manages to assure Belkan bankers about the soundness of their investment. He also travels to London, offering a sum of money to be negotiated, for the acquisition of three ships-of-the-line, as well as ten frigates (PERSON RESPONSE NEEDED). Requests are sent to Mapuche, New Grenada and Peru, for the negotiation of a treaty pertaining to trade amongst them, as well as mutual defense against outside threats (MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE). Brésil also proposes the Trans-Atlantic Trade Compact, to nations such as the Arcadian states, and European states (MOD AND PLAYER RESPONSES NEEDED).
 * Empire of Brésil: With the loans from Belkan banks, Theodore funds a massive infrastructure project. Canals spring up connecting various rivers, roads get paved for miles upon miles. Even the rural communities now have steady access to urban centers, and many people choose to migrate to the blooming urban communities of Saint-Denis and New Valois. These urban centers, however, also attract unsavory types. As European immigration essentially quadruples, minority communities become commonplace in many cities. Homicides double. Anti-immigration rhetoric becomes more widespread, with slurs against the French and Iberian communities becoming ever present. Regardless, hundreds of Europeans still travel to Brésil, seeking a new life in the cash crop fields of the Amazon, or amongst the rattling machinery that is gradually cropping up in various hubs. In other news, Theodore hires a new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johan Frederikson, which is controversial due to his Scandinavian lineage. Johan does prove to be skilled, however, as he manages to assure Belkan bankers about the soundness of their investment. He also travels to London, offering a sum of money to be negotiated, for the acquisition of three ships-of-the-line, as well as ten frigates (PERSON RESPONSE NEEDED). Requests are sent to Mapuche, New Grenada and Peru, for the negotiation of a treaty pertaining to trade amongst them, as well as mutual defense against outside threats (MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE). Brésil also proposes the Trans-Atlantic Trade Compact, to nations such as the Arcadian states, and European states (MOD AND PLAYER RESPONSES NEEDED).
 * French Diplomacy: Sure, why not?
 * Aztec Diplomacy: Of course, we accept.
 * Brésilian Diplomacy: The alliance or the trade treaty?
 * Both
 * Burgundian Dip: Burgundy expresses interest in the trade compact.
 * Iberian Dip: Iberia will attend any preliminary meetings.
 * Belkan Dip: We take interest in the deal. (Make a page, Falcon)
 * British Dip: Not interested in free trade but we will sell you those ships.
 * Kingdom of Burgundy: The talks with the New Netherlands separatists near a head. The Burgundian Crown Committee puts forward what it sees as the best proposal, the New Netherlands territory will be turned into the Kingdom of New Netherlands, which, while King Robert will remain their head-of-state, will have complete internal autonomy and the ability to form separate trade agreements with other countries (although Burgundy will receive preferential deals), New Netherlands' foreign policy will be tied to Burgundy's, though it will be allowed to have consulates in other countries, and Burgundy will reserve the right to ask for New Netherlands military assistance in the defense of Burgundy or the other Arcadian territories, though New Netherlands will hold say over how much - if any - support they will contribute (essentially the deal Canada got when it became a dominion OTL). The discovery of a new source of gold in southern Patagonië is received as a welcome surprise, as its expected to help with the economic crisis. Much of Burgundy's gold, however, is kept in reserve as a way to combat inflation. The treasury also orders interest rates raise to discourage borrowing. The States-General also authorizes a raising of taxes, as well as a new round of budget cuts. Although the Navy was slated to receive more cuts of its own, they were voted against by much of the ruling coalition. The deputy leader of the Conservatives in the House of Commons, Coenraad Snijder, said during the debates on the matter, ”The prosperity of the Kingdom is directly conditional on the state of our forces at sea. The garrison of a fortress would not weaken themselves by undermining the foundation of their wall, why would we do the same to ours?” Despite this, Naval shipbuilding largely grounds to a halt, the exceptions being the launch of the armored frigates Kinnik Rogier, Holland, and Kearsarge. The remaining two of the class Orkaan and Donneren are planned to be launched next year, their construction drawn out in an effort to keep up employment. The only other naval ship under construction, the experimental SMS Monitor, is launched, armed with two 15” rifled guns housed in a rotating turret designed by inventor Johan Erkensen. It is made clear that any attempt to overthrow the government by radical forces will not be taken lightly, and conspirators will be tried for treason when any plots are discovered. On the subject of trade unions, King Robert orders a royal commission to study the matter, taking under consideration from corporations and these unions alike, to make recommendations to the States-General as a result. Engineer Karel Simonis files a patent for an open hearth furnace.
 * Belkan Dip: Belka offers Burgundy the opportunity to be the first nation to list its businesses internationally on the Sofyia Stock Market to better display the raw economic, industrial, trading, and finances of its own nation as well as for any other nations listing on this stock market. This will allow a more codified process for free enterprise as well as facilitate much higher trade potential between the two countries as well as any other countries which decide to list on the Sofiya market.
 * Burgundian Dip: Burgundy agrees and gives its businesses permission to list themselves on the Sofyia Stock Market.


 * China: Government-sponsored economic modernization commences within China, with prime emerging centers being in the areas surrounding the Pearl, Yangtze and Yellow River Deltas alongside the Korean peninsula. The government continues to grant a greater financial role to the nationalized Bank of China, which reinforces the standardization of promissory banknotes (now officially referred to as "cash") while beginning a five-year phasing period for taels. As per the Belgrad-Beijing Co-Operation Treaty, the former leased ports Macau and Hong Kong are formally ceded to Belka as designated permanent colonies. Meanwhile, enclaves in Shanghai and Qingdao are also leased for trading purposes with a skeleton garrison of Belkan troops permitted for defense and administration. Facilities are constructed as part of the foreign government advisor program. With heavy support from Belkan advisors, constructions of four arsenals (in Seoul, Nanjing, Guangzhou, and Tianjin) start, all four would be approx. 40 acres (160,000m2) and would have the capacity to produce medium-calibre cannons and rifled muskets. Scholars are sent overseas to Belkan universities. Several institutional reforms begin: the transportation, energy, mining and other key sectors are nationalized, along with emergency and postal services. A universal income tax of ~ 5% is implemented. Major road segments are paved. Gold continues being mined, in order to stabilize the economy. Guano fertilizer is used in the cultivation of grain to further heighten agricultural productivity, while the usage of glans condoms and abortifacient medicine to prevent unwanted births is used to curb run-off population growth. Several chaebols receive government subsidies in exchange for accepting Belkan advisors and implementing the factory model (while phasing the putting-out model). The first experimental factories are established dealing with the mass production of light industrial luxury goods such as porcelain, jewelry and silk textiles. A modern plantation model is implemented in ginseng, cotton and tea cultivation.


 * Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. With foreign support, the army pushes farther South. Foreign veterans are recruited to train the army, especially those from the British and Belkan expeditionary forces. Foreign support units are also paid. With the economic downturn in Europe, European technical marvels are purchased and foreign engineers, businessman and scientists are hired with gold bullion. The influx of foreign interests had led to the exploration and excavation of numerous minerals in Swahili.
 * Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
 * Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
 * Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
 * There are things called patents. You don't just walk into a shop and buy state of the art equipment. Person.
 * Hiring engineers and businessman doesn't require patents and was done by Japan OTL (oyatoi gaikokujin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_government_advisors_in_Meiji_Japan ) and the Qing dynasty (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiping_Mines, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiangnan_Shipyard, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosper_Giquel, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Léonce_Verny). Multiple foreign machinery was also bought historically by these and other nations during OTL. Furthermore, I was not implying the purchase of "state of the art", but common machinery for sale, thus not under consideration of patent law. Fallacy
 * Yeah, alright. Thanks for clarifying. Person.


 * Kingdom of Prussia: As the financial crisis continues, we begin to remove a modest amount of currency from circulation. Banks outside of the Central Bank are given limits of currency production. As this goes on, we begin to take imports of goods from the colonies in Angola and Hussein due to more farmland and crop growth capabilities in those regions. Notes begin to be replaced with silver and other precious metal based coins. With us trying to keep our same level of spending for our armed forces, we speed of the decommissioning of old ships and the scrapping continues. The Deutsche Front pushes the ideals that if the German people were to ever rise to glory, unification is the only way. Many people join the Deutsche Front which begins to compete with the Liberals and Conservative parties in the Landtag. Hesse is placed as Foreign Minister of Prussia in the fall. People leave their homes in areas still recovering from war to go to the colonies in seek of better work. Veterans find jobs from where they made their living to begin working in dockyards and also seeing government and political positions. Subsidies and funding for education face cuts to ensure that there is enough money to go around. Some 20,000 troops are moved into the reserves while another 10,000 join the armed forces and to save on money, are trained several times during the year. To save money from government factory production. Some government contracts are signed for private businesses to produce weapons. We offer the Germans weapon designs such as the Dreyse Needle Gun and artillery in exchange, we hold joint military practices which could help not only better the training of our armies but cut costs. Rationing begins in the “soup kitchens” as there is only but so much to go around. All over the newspapers from Hannover to Königsberg, people discuss the referendum with polls being in favor of the change so far and the United Deautsche Front holding rallies in support.
 * Prussian Angola: As newcomers from a nation facing crisis like Prussia flood in, new communities in and along the coast are established. Small Prussian villages are established inland as well. In the meantime, German begins being taught to the native populace with them getting to learn broken German. At least, although with us ruling over them with an iron fist, they start to lose their grudge over us as we teach them ways to grow crops which unlocks something even greater - a source of labor. Sugar cane and wheat are introduced and with the help of Prussian farmers get to know how to grow better. Things like bread begin being provided as well. Quinine is brought in larger quantities to help people that unfortunately encounter Malaria. With the help of locals, we are able to expand 13 px inland in Northern Angola.
 * Greater Hussein: With a wave of new migrants coming in, new homes are built. More farms are established in newly claimed territory and New Berlin is seen as a center for business in the colony. Prussians and Saxons who arrive find the Colony as a Tropical Haven. We expand another 14 px.
 * The Germans agree. ~ Wolves.


 * Kingdom of Egypt: We continue to build up our infrastructure, such as roads along the Nile, building schools, and expanding our major population centers such as Giza and Alexandria. The king continues to encourage an Islamic lifestyle for all Egyptian Muslims and their families, along with supporting and funding studying of Islamic sciences and researching of Islamic sciences. The king, in order to please Belka, publicly denounces Ethiopia’s collaboration with Burgundy. The Egyptian army continues to train using Belkan shock tactics and European weapons. The cult of personality surrounding the Mohammed Ali dynasty continues. We continue to grow cotton and sell cotton to Belka, we also export gold to Belka.
 * United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: While there is a recession the government decides to continue with its counter-inflationary policies of maintain a high budget surplus by a low military budget and other conservative spending as well as high taxes uniformly spread out to hit everyone which allows the government to take money out of circulation. The cash from Brésil is also taken out of circulation while interest rates are kept high at 10% to discourage borrowing. All of this results in an economic recession as demand decreases leading to a growth in unemployment. Pressure is put on the government to find an extra-economic solution to Britain's recession with talk of war in the form of colonialism for plunder. In response to the recession nothing is done to help those in poverty although fear of militant revolution leads to the creation of the Special Political Branch at the Metropolitan Police formed of 50 members of the Metropolitan police. This unit is tasked with infiltrating militant groups by going undercover, finding informants, performing sting operations and arresting members for interrogation. The urban firearms areas ordinance act is passed making it so all those living in a city and owning a weapon must register with the police force if there is one. This unit is also equipped for riot control and being given equipment such as entry tools, batons, riot shields, helmets, sawed down shotguns and carriages. England has a population of 18.7 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 20,000 professionals and 30,000 men in Ireland, 50,000 European soldiers and 300,000 Indian Sepoys in India spread out across the continent, 10,000 British soldiers, 10,000 Sepoys and 40,000 African soldiers in Swahili. 10,000 in Uluru, 1000 in West Africa. There are two fleets: one at Hull and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 22 second-rate ships-of-the-line and 45 frigates.
 * ​​​​​​​India: Having taken the Western Rajput States and Punjab the British set about occupying them. The Indian army has 150,000 Indians and 25,000 British working on defences on the border with China while the rest of the forces are distributed across the country with 5000 British at the British strategic fort on the West Indian coast.
 * ​​​​​​​Uluru: A steady flow of people from Britain - many of them unemployed and Indian (convicts) - is maintained and a militia is maintained. Gold is mined and sent back to Britain due to the high prices demanded for it.

1863
''' As all European countries manage to achieve significant budget cuts this allows money to be taken out of circulation. The reduced spending leads to recession with issues such as higher unemployment but at the very least the rate of inflation sees a fall in European countries. '''

''' New Netherlands accepts its new status as an independent but connected country to Burgundy. '''

''' Napoleon and his followers travel to the far northern reaches of Aztlan, which are sparsely populated and highly autonomous due to their remoteness. '''


 * Russia: Tsar Vladimir VI feels he has done all he could to the economy and falls into depression for a month. After he recovers from some suicidal thoughts the tsar announces the formation of a parliament called the Duma and the appointing of a Prime Minister. Committees are set up in most towns across the nation about voting for their representative. However, the voting is mostly done by hand as the peasants can't read. The tsar appoints Dimitri Kerensky as the Prime Minister. Although not part of any party, he associates himself with the United Russia Party, the conservative party in the Duma allied with the Kadets. Compared to the radical Bolsheviks in the house and the center-left Trudoviks, Kerensky was seen as the next domino in Russian democratization. However, the tsar's wishes of democracy are not seen in light by many of the nobility, especially the generals. The cabal of general-led loyal officers and men numbering 5000 into Novgorod outside the palace of St Rurik where they demanded the tsar abdicate and disband the Duma. The city's police and soldiers loyal to the state stood opposing the rebels behind barricades. The standoff eventually led to a gunfight. No one knows who fired first. However, the loyalists with their superior positions, easily massacred the rebels. The rebel generals and whatever survivors were left were deported to the Chukotsk Oblast in Siberia. Local troops in Russian Gabon cross the Gabon River and claim any land between the river and Belkan Zaire. The first String-Baroque Accords are held in Minsk. Those first inducted are Stephen Mueller and Cheslav Chistayavoda Vozrozhdeniya. However, frontman of the former band, Josif Fydorovich refuses to play with his old band mates and instead plays with upcoming star Sasha Brusilov who just had a hit song called "Born to Run". Whatever remnants of the Guuti civilization are slaughtered or taken prisoner by the Far East Cossacks of Novorossiya. The Duma begins to form the Reorganization Act of 1866 which would categorize two areas or governable territory in Russia as Oblasts (which are provinces), and Krais (which are territories needing admittance as a province). Diplomats are sent to Britain to discuss the possible Russian purchase of Salish due to the influx of some Russian gold miners who have set up some communities in the colony. Novorossiyan native Captain Vasili Mikhailovich plans to set sail for Russian Papua, and begin his exploration of the South Pacific. In response to Chinese intimidation, a force of 30,000 soldiers are dispatched to Siberia. These troops are told to dig in around major population centers. A diplomat is sent to the Forbidden City guaranteeing Russian neutrality in the war.
 * Aztlan: We have decided to industrialize the country, building railroads and using a new invention, the telegraph, as a way to easily communicate with the rest of the country.


 * You need to get mod approval before you industrialize. -Orwell
 * Strike one. Person. 
 * France: Two top tier ironclad-level battleships are produced, titled Archangel and Hellfire.
 * French Nigeria: Expansion is made 50 px.


 * Belkan Empire: Coming out of the crisis in terms have established Belka as a rock solid economy albeit having suffered at the hands of the crisis. The reigns of the economy are somewhat loosened as the attempts at a more competitive free market approach begin and the industrial expansion austerity measures are revoked allowing industry to grow competitively and naturally. As Belka becomes increasingly the main financial and stock center around the globe, it is becoming apparent that global economies are becoming much more interconnected and that a crisis for one could mean a crisis for all. Interestingly enough, while many expected the tsar and his Supreme Soviet to reneg on their agreements with the Syndicates, the Belkan government signed into law the Education Act of 1863 giving universal and compulsary education to the populace and implements multiple checks to make sure the schools are up to a high national standard. On top of this, the education system in poorer districts is subsidized to maintain a high standard. Literature and arts flourish as many post war arts push through and become much more prominent with the poem "The Siege of Vienna" becoming the most famous as it chronicles both sides of the conflict in concise yet great detail. While Heavy Industry grows and remains a mainstay in the Belkan nation, the growth of the Machine and Textile Industry due to preferential agreements from Egypt and the colonial exports from the colonies brings these to the forefront. It is estimated by the end of the decade the national income per person will have grown by half according to economists as they look at the current positive projections. While previously having been neutral or slumping, the stock market in Sofiya shows notable growth this year as many middle- and upper-class get involved in many more moneymaking and investment schemes in order to grow their own personal wealth. However, with the budget under control and a huge surplus under way, there are calls to lower the tax code to pre-war levels. However, the Vozhd and the Supreme Soviet refuse and only draw down taxes slightly. With the industrial magnates, and upper-class more or less under control, the taxes are only bumped down 5% for the upper-class capping it at 20%. The arguments remain but the prominence of the Syndicates as well as a large part the military who see the tax dodging or lowering, see it as the Belkan aristocracy attempting to get out of "paying their fair share". The issue remains, however, for now, under control as the upper-class cannot argue the fact that their taxes were instrumental in ending the horrible crisis which had hit the country's economic system recently. It is also known that most political parties were insulated from the lobbying present in other democratic institutions. Corruption, while obviously present, is noted to be relatively low as the threat of reprisals and government supported groups which make exploitative industrialization nearly impossible have kept the levels low. With the threat of the economic strain significantly lower, the Belkan tsar and his Supreme Soviet reorganize the multiple acquired colonies and Dependencies into Crown Colonies, with a directly appointed governor by the state being sent to handle the matters of the colony. The Crown Colonies of Maghreb, Zaire, Gabon, and Hong Kong are all established and highly talented governors sent to each as well as nearly 5000 more troops to Zaire to establish a domineering presence in the recently conquered state. As a result of a nearby powerbase with which to project from,  the Belkan outposts in North and South Gabon are connected following a quietly marshalled expedition which solidifies control of the Gabon coast in its entirety. The usage of Belka's new multi-firing gun also known as a "machine gun" of the hand-cranked and fired variety makes this an easy task as native resistance to the expansion is crushed easily. The population of Belka crests 67 million as a baby boom occurs.
 * Crown Colony of Maghreb: The new name of the colony is put out as the Crown Colony of Maghreb as it falls under control of a new governor who continues many of the same practices by the old governors. The amount of cotton grows as the expansion of canals continues specifically to reclaim and irrigate desert land. The Maghrebi Colony boasts a population of 6.2 million as crop yields and availability of goods begin allowing for a higher population in the Region. The number of Belkan settlers in Maghreb increases as roughly 4000 settle this year.
 * Crown Colony of Zaire: The Crown Colony of Zaire begins exporting materials to the homeland in greater numbers and quantity. Against the advice of his advisors the governor refuses to rip up farmland for more cash crops and allows many farmers to continue their normal farming methods, only appropriating unused or underused land for the growing of cash crops like tobacco, sugar and more importantly cotton. Rubber harvesting becomes more prominent as the necessity of rubber becomes more and more apparent. The population is finally put to number as the census shows it at 9.1 million.
 * Crown Colony of Gabon: Being a newly developed Crown Colony, Gabon is put under a military governorship and is given orders to request troops from Zaire if needed. Port Volda becomes the capital of the new Crown Colony and some expeditions into the interior are conducted but more importantly control is established all over the coast.
 * Crown Colony of Durestov: As the push of Belkan administration becomes apparent more construction - specifically of dockyards and barracks - happens. With the declaration of war on China, the admistration is extremely concerned. However, as no overt moves have been made toward Durestov, the Belkan administration declares it a haven city and offers any displaced by the war to make their homes in the city and surrounding Belkan administered land. Being in no position to challenge the larger colonial empires of Burgundy and Britain, the city is put on high alert and the 1000 strong Garrison fortifies the region heavily. As a result of the haven declaration almost 40,000 Chinese arrive in a surprising number and the Belkan administration is forced to construct housing for the people. Loans taken from the bank ensure that the administration could house hundreds of thousands of Chinese refugees if needed.
 * United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: The recession is still an issue. Wary of cutting high taxes or increasing spending which has kept inflation low. Still determined to fix the economy, Belka's agreement with China is looked upon in envy and in fear. The deal leads to a debate in the House of Parliament about the government's response to it. The British PM travels to Burgundy and to with all possible secrecy ask Burgundy for help invading China. A force of some 13,000 British soldiers and marines comprising cavalry and artillery regiments is assembled ostensibly to go to India to reinforce the position their and to be followed by two first-rate ships-of-the-line, three second-rate ships-of-the-line, five river monitors, 12 frigates, and 21 corvettes. This force sails to Burgundian Singapore which has all merchant ships and traffic impounded while the allied force moves through where it meets up with 7000 European troops from the Indian army who join up with the British and Burgundian force. The British and Burgundian forces continue on from Singapore going to Macau where with the permission of Russia (Orwell agreed, he can contradict me, otherwise) we resupply our forces again and move down the Pearl River and declare war on China. The reasoning for this war is largely to get Britain out of its recession. The allied fleet moves through and engages whatever the Chinese send to block it. A force of 40,000 allied soldiers supported by fleet, artillery and cavalry launch an attack to take Guangzhou repeatedly trying to storm it until it falls trying to land troops right on the wharf while the Allies move monitors up the Dong/East River blowing bridges where possible and interfering with the passage of troops by rivercraft. The Allied fleet sits in the Pearl River Delta waiting for a counterattack with corvettes and frigates going out to raid Chinese flagged vessels. England has a population of 19.1 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 15,000 professionals and 250,000 men in Ireland, 50,000 European soldiers and 300,000 Indian Sepoys in India spread out across the continent, 10,000 British soldiers, 10,000 Sepoys and 40,000 African soldiers in Swahili. 10,000 in Uluru, 1000 in West Africa. There are two fleets: one at Hull and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 22 second-rate ships-of-the-line, 45 frigates, and 62 corvettes.
 * India: On the border of China, Myitkyina, Mansi, Hseni, Mongton, Kawkareik and Keng Tung each have 10,000 Indian forces at them while another 80,000 Indian forces and 25,000 British forces the forces are held in reserve at Mandalay and fortify the city. distributed across the country with 5000 British at the British strategic fort on the West Indian coast. India has 220 million people.
 * Uluru: A steady flow of people from Britain - many of them unemployed and Indian (convicts) - is maintained and a militia is maintained. Gold is mined and sent back to Britain due to the high prices demanded for it.


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: Agreeing to Britain’s request for help against China, a force of 7000 troops are sent to Singapur. As naval support, the steam-powered ships-of-the-line Elisabeth de Eisen, Karel de Grousse (first-rates), Medway, Elba, Ostend, Rotterdam, and Somme (second-rates) are sent, along with the 40-gun ironclad frigates Kinnik Wëllem II, Kinnik Robert III, Kearsarge, Orkaan, and Holland, as well as 14 wooden-hulled frigates, and 20 corvettes as support. The Monitor, along with three recently-completed sister ships, are taken along via tow. Arriving in Singapur, 13,000 Malayan Troops are embarked to assist in the campaign, while another 30,000 are sent to the Malayan border and fortify themselves. Another 27,000 Malayans, and 50,000 Aceh-Sumatran troops are kept in reserve. Resupplying in Macau, the allies launch their attack on Chinese territory (see Britain post for details).
 * Kingdom of Ostdeutsche: The results are in. With a high turnout in the referendum, our kingdom will be changed from its old name to a more suiting name. The United Deutsche Front rejoice for victory for the German People. Although this is seen as something great and Heinrich accepts the name change with open arms, the economy is still being hammered. The former economics advisor is fired over his flaws with trying to contain unemployment which leaves someone else to fill the vacuum by the name of Olivier Von Celle. He proposes to the Büro für Wirtschaft that what is needed is modernization of German industry and must become also far more competitive. He notes that in the short term this will lead to a rise of unemployment. But in his memorandum, he explains how we could contain and even reduce this unemployment through a large scale program of Road Construction and Public Works. It passes on seeing negative views from conservatives but positive views from the Neutrals and Liberals who are open to new ideas that could help improve the nation and lead progress. Encouragement of modernization is made and wages are raised by law to One Zehntel Marke every hour to ensure that all workers are making enough money to at least ensure ends meet. The yearly budget is altered to add on to public works with most of the money being divided into the development of infrastructure and education with a small cutback to the military resulting in a temporary cut in funds which furthermore leads to a new decommissioning of old muskets and flintlock weapons with more old ships being mothballed. With that being said, the military only recruits 10,000 and another 12,000 are put into reserves while government factories continue using the budget to further produce weaponry mainly. Artillery also is squeezed in. Polish people continue to abandon their old homes and are allowed for return back to Poland safely which leads to a decrease in the Polish population by 10%. Joint military operations are done leading to each of the German commanders getting to know one another and a letter is sent by the king to Muller to discuss plans in private in his estate in Potsdam over further military operations with one another such as a unified military council for joint military manuevers (Mod Response). With the programs of public works kicking in, new government schools and buildings are built which add to jobs for veterans and citizens in need of work. The government also pushes companies that it has close relations with to modernize and become more competitive which seems to be the case. Only time will tell if Olivier's proposal shows a light within the darkness. A new private non-government funded venture is made along the mouth of OTL Nigeria River with the assistance of only 800 volunteer soldiers from our reserves. They establish a camp and expedition site. Jungles are ventured and by fall, the first paid construction workers come over by sea from nearby German Colonies to help build a settlement named Anforderungen. It is planned to attract the rich. In the meantime, natives are taught to not be afraid and are given gifts and taught new things such as how to grow things properly and better hunting skills. They enjoy the soldiers and have attraction to them as time to time, they would allow them to come for dinner with a well maintained food supply from the colonies to sustain them. All is well.


 * Prussian Angola: Housing and huts are expanded outward for the natives with farther expansion Eastward in the Southern Kongo being made with an expansion of 14 px.


 * Greater Hussein: Colonists continue to make ends meet with no growth up the wealth ladder being made with the recession being felt afar. Native farmers begin to have a presence with expansion farther north and westward. This leads to expansion of 6 px. More roads and the idea of public works are also given the spotlight. The natives are allowed to purchase homes outside the colonial hubs of New Berlin and Elfenbein and the first Native/German families are established as colonists become closer attached to their native counterparts.
 * Belkan Dip: We offer a loan to the Kingdom of Ostdeustchland hoping to subsidize their own efforts at home as well as further strengthen confidence in the Belkan ruble as the growing World Anchor Currency.


 * Republica Iberia: The recession hits Catalonia particularly hard and union membership skyrockets as companies try to lower wages. The government, once again steps in to try to mediate, but negotiations breakdown and riots occur in Barcelona. Fortunately, efforts to ensure food stability are successful and food riots are avoided. The south is generally unaffected by the recession thanks to re-stabilizing food prices. A stock exchange is opened in Seville and begins to attract stocks. Offers to join the exchange are sent to the Papal State, Belka and France. While the markets remain depressed and somewhat volatile, the exchange begins to attract Catalonian and Andalucian companies. With government spending greatly depressed by austerity measures there is little to alleviate the economic woes. What little money there is to relieve the struggling economy is spent on a public works program building more roads and railroads especially between Castile and Catalonia.
 * Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. The practice of using decaying vegetation as a moisture trap and as cover for the insects and other organisms required for the growth of more water intensive plants continues to spread. The practice is, of course, still minor, but has increased slightly the production of certain orchard crops.
 * Antillas Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of sugar production and as a stopover for ships headed out into the Atlantic. The Colonial Garrison is maintained at 1000.
 * Indias Orientales Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of spice production. The Colonial garrison is maintained at 1000.
 * África Occidental Ibérica: The colony grows rapidly into the now more accessible sahel to the north of the Conquistador’s state. An effort is made to bring the Conquistadors directly under the colony.
 * Cortezia: Efforts to establish direct rule over Cortezia face firm resistance from the Conquistadors, who have begun setting up a system self government. The Conquistadors continue profiting from the land and thousands of native Africans are forced from their homes to make way for new farms and ranches. These migrants are forced south and east away from the more firmly held regions. Gold mines open throughout the western regions of the state and revenue from these mines allows the regional government to continue purchasing arms and equipment to fight the natives and secure the autonomous colony. The value of the gold contributes to plans to build a rail line from Dakar to the mining regions in the interior, but it is deemed too expensive.


 * China: With the Anglo-Burgundian invasion of the Pearl River Delta, a total of 200,000 troops (with light cavalry and light artillery support), all of which wielding firearms (albeit outdated) are dispatched south to attack Anglo-Burgundian advances along the Pearl River Delta. The outdated state of the Chinese military is compensated by its sheer size. Another 20,000 troops are sent to monitor the border surrounding the Shan States (which are under British suzerainty) and 100,000 are sent north, due to fears of a Russian attack. Construction on the Guangzhou Arsenal ceases, and resources allocated to it are quickly diverted to the construction of the Tianjin arsenal, which will be poised to be completed by 1865 (slightly ahead of its previously determined construction time). The universal income tax is raised to 10%, and many peasants voluntarily donate their excess grain to the national government, in order to fund the campaign. Major road segments continue being paved. Foreign government advisors and other Belkan nationals aiding Chinese modernization are advised to evacuate northward, and will be accommodated in the Summer Palace in Dalyeon. Factories dealing with the mass production of luxury goods for export, such as porcelain, jewelry and silk textiles, are built. More plantations are constructed.

Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. '''With foreign support, the army pushes farther South. Foreign veterans are recruited to train the army, especially those from the British and Belkan expeditionary forces. The first private foreign school is opened in Zanzibar, taught by Belkan teachers with a Belkan education curricula.''' Hungarian Republic: Begins work toward modernizing the country and opening new diplomatic actions with Russia and Prussia by sending them diplomats to create a strong alliance in fear of other powers. Would also like to extend a hand to any and all wanting to trade with Hungary.
 * Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
 * Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
 * Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.

Hungarian Dip: Looking to Prussia or Russian architects to help Hungary industrialize and turn into a new ally for them.

1864
''' May I remind people to ask for approval before industrialising or they will receive strikes. '''

''' The Great Sheffield flood occurs killing 250. '''

''' Further social unrest by the lower-class in cities grows. There is increasing formal unionisation with demands for government recognition in the largest cities of said union's rights. '''

''' China is at war with Britain and Burgundy and the fall of Guangzhou is damaging to them. '''

''' The recessions across Europe come under control as most nations return to growth and a sustainable inflation rate. The rise in gold supply is leading to fall in gold prices. '''

''' In Austria, Prince Werner Kruger (AM chose the name), by birth an Austrian noble returns to the country having been a commander under Napoleon in the war for a while. Supplied secretly in weapons by Rhineland he returns to Austria before recruiting some veterans from the war and begins a guerrilla campaign in the Alps with the goal of an independent Austria, targeting government officials working with Belka. Such as tax men and those accepting Belkan rebuilding help. '''
 * Persia: Shah Ali Amirsaleh welcomes the Belkan deal, and modern rifled muskets have been produced for the military . A carbine version is used by royal cavalrymen. Textile production is nationalized, along with mining which caused a recession in 1861-1862 but it is paying off and the economy is learning. Saffron production is given a national tax. (DIP TO BELKA - we offer part of our saffron tax if you help us produce saffron faster). (PLAYER) The shah is neutral in the China debacle. Meanwhile, 45,000 professional troops are stationed on the Arab border, the shah warning the Arabs that with Belkan help the Persian military is stronger. Also, the Royal Navy is stationed in the Persian Gulf, ready to liberate Oman should Arab aggression lead to war. Education is more standardized now, with more western ideas being taught. Architecture mostly remains that of the Muslim baroque, but it has evolved from the Rashidun type. While trying to prove his kingdom will reach into modernity and enlightenment, the shah decides to still give administration an Islamic type. The “Grand Vizier” remains a title, while each province is divided into Wilayets ruled by Wali. These Wilayets include Iran, Khuzestan, Turkestan, Khorosan (Caspian area) and Medes (Iran Kurdistan). Each is ruled by a Wali. The shah himself is of Turkic Kurdish heritage, but due to efforts a long time ago, all ethnicities consider themselves “Persian” due to cultural similarity.
 * No industrialising without approval. Person.
 * I mis-wrote nationalized as ‘industrialized’. But can you uncross the first? I got rifled muskets with Belkan help. The second was a typing mistake, because I was thinking about typing my industrialization potential on the talk page.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree and also request that Belka be allowed to operate out of one of Persia's smaller ports as a concession to be returned in the future.
 * Hungarian Republic: The new ruler has been elected Miklos and the military is fortifying its borders and continues to hope to ally and up its presence in the world and is no longer just limiting its diplomats to Russia and Prussia. A new Radical Party has been formed by a young group of nobles and ran but failed to gain power in this election and will be trying again in four years to get both congress seats and gain power in the country. The inaugural speech of Prime Minister Miklós stated we must fear those who does not fear us. Hungary will remain neutral during this Austrian rebellion assuming prince Werner Kruger doesn't be a risk to Hungarian sovereignty in which case Hungary will take action. As well as a process of minor industrializations and iron ore beginning to be mined. The radicals earn a couple of seats and begin campaigning in saying that the decision for neutrality was a mistake. The Republic of Hungary leader Miklos also vocally condemns the Marsinist Republic of France stating it is not a republic but rather a dictatorship - and a dangerous dictatorship at that - and declares them an enemy of Hungary's. We also begin to send diplomats to the Russian Duma for looks into a possible alliance as well as diplomats to Iberia in fear of marsinism.
 * Franz Ferdinand is an Austrian name, you should use something more Hungarian. Also, how can you have a monarch in a republican country? 
 * Whoops, my bad! I misunderstood the county's politics.
 * Iberian Diplomacy: The Strait of Gibraltar is open for the world to use.
 * OOC: Hungary doesnt have a port. I, as Belka, took the whole region and have owned it for centuries. You do not have any major steel production, nor is oil even produced at all yet. Slovenia - barring the very small enclaves you have is - also entirely owned by Belka. -Feud
 * I apologize but the small parts of Slovenia are technically according to the map connecting to coast line. Also, I could build up in the Black Sea which is why I was requesting access to the Bosporus. And once again, I apologize as I'm very used to hoi4 and must adapt to map games so I'll fix it. Also, the map had me confused.
 * Better?
 * Yeah, you got it. Sorry to rain on your parade or anything. Just trying to get facts straight so they don't get out of hand like 20 years down the line because it got ignored. -Feud
 * Marsanist Republic of France: With this year's election occurring, the Communist Party is able to take hold in the position of presidency and substantially gain a majority within the National Congress. With this, Alexandre Marsan becomes the President, and now having an undeniable authority over the country with the help of the National Congress, is able to introduce a number of intense reforms meant to give the standard factory worker reasonable benefits, such as a base minimum pay for standard workers, set at a reasonable $0.20 francs. Additional reforms, meant to improve working conditions and the movement of child laborers back into the schooling and education department, begin. The military is reduced to an active combatant count of 75,000, while the reserve military is initiated to allow for soldiers to be called into combat, but otherwise can continue regular life ordinances. These reforms are meant to tackle the unemployment sector, as a means of putting money back into the people's pockets and introducing the government more into the lives of its citizens. In addition to these, women are encouraged to move into the work sector, with counter-culture movements meant to standardize a "strong and independent female" being sponsored nationwide. Outside of exporting and importing, isolation becomes a key policy as a means of un-involving France in European politics and better improving its relations worldwide, as well as to emphasize its consolidation worldwide. As a means of selling old weaponry produced during the Great European War and turning a profit, diplomatic missions to Brésil, Argentine, Peru, Gran Panama, and Aztlan offer to sell these weapons for a modest amount of money (Player/Mod). The navy, consisting of two ironclad-level battleships, ten second-rate battleships, and 13 frigates, begin monthly military exercises to better prepare for any case of war, although these only occur in French waters. Many politicians begin vying for the removal of France from the Mediterannean Concord, but President Marsan sees no reason to do so now. The Gauthier Gun begins to be produced at high levels in the hopes of equipping it as a standard weapon among the French army.
 * Marsanist Republic of Nigeria: With numerous reforms being introduced and the large linguistically French population in Nigeria, many of these reforms are put to a smaller degree as the "common farmer" movement is started - as a means of encouraging the expansion of farms, which would, in theory, allow for more agricultural goods to be produced, thus allowing for more to be bought, putting more money into the pockets of men in the farming sector and allowing for more exports to mainland France and worldwide, thus balancing the economy of Nigeria. Expansion is expected to increase by 25 px because of this. Exports continue.
 * Republic of Mali: Still in a state of exploitation, a few reforms are put into place alleviating the use of force as a means of forcing production, but while the force is reduced, some amount of force is used as a means of regularly continuing the means of production. This will hopefully increase the means of production.
 * Aztlan, Peru and Gran Panama all agree to buy small quantities of weapons off France. Person


 * Kingdom of Egypt: In the dead of night, King Muhammed Ali II is raced into the royal hospital, where the best doctors and medics in the kingdom are called in, and use some of the best medical tools built in the kingdom. The king suffered from a stroke, which his personal doctor warned him a couple months ago that if His Majesty is not careful, and doesn’t attend to himself correctly, he could suffer severe health issues, such as a stroke. The king did not listen, as he was too busy running the nation to be worried about monitoring his health, and didn’t bother to tell any of his personal staff or family about it, as he was worried of a possible coup or rebellion, as the king has numerous enemies in the kingdom, who oppose his reforms and friendliness toward Europe. The doctors, despite their work, are not able to save the King, and he dies at 7:24 AM on Sunday. The next day, it is announced to the world of the King’s death, and the rest of the year is made a mourning period. The king’s last requests were, “don’t let my son, Hafez, take the throne, have my sweet daughter, Farah, succeed me, my son is not to be trusted.” Upon the request for his daughter to succeed the king, Crown Prince Hafez I of Egypt was told not to leave his room, and was basically put under “house arrest” in his own quarters, while his sister Farah I, Princess of Egypt, is crowned the new Queen of Egypt. Immediately this causes an outrage with the crown prince and clergy, who say it’s European propaganda and pure lies of what the former king said, and that is outrageous for a woman to take the throne! Apparently, the king knew that Hafez was less educated in western beliefs, and less liberal, always spending time with his conservative grandfather, and conservative clergymen, along with the caliph of Cairo, the king was always suspicious. Though the people of Egypt, especially in the port city of Alexandria, support the new queen, and see her succession as legitimate, the king should choose his heir. She was always as liberal as her father. The military is also very supportive of Queen Farah, as she is a staunch militarist, and wishes to keep the Egyptian army relatively modernized, though many, especially in the more radicalized lower ranks, are opposed and disgusted with the new queen’s views, and some even say the lower ranks are planning a coup against her, with possible support from Crown Prince Hafez and the caliph in Cairo. This year was a major turning point in Egyptian politics, and the world shall see how things turn out.
 * Persia Dip: Persia reminds forces in Egypt to act reasonable, for a coup could spell the end of Egypt as a stable state.
 * Belkan Dip: Belka offers to support the new Egyptian queen in her time of need as she attempts to wrangle control of the nation. **The queen immediately accepts the Belkan offer. 
 * Burgundian Dip: Burgundy offers assistance to Queen Farah should she need it.
 * Queen Farah accepts the Burgundian offer of assistance, seeing as threats our all around us.
 * Ethiopian Dip: We offer Prince Theodore as a worthy husband.
 * Queen Farah, still single but proud of it, takes the Ethiopian offer into serious consideration, thinking about the reaction of the nation if she married a Christian, and decides to respectfully reject the offer. 


 * Russia: The Unions are recognized by a slight majority in the Duma with the only real opposition coming from the Lords in the Duma led by Sergei Bellingshausen. Meanwhile, members of the Kadets begin plotting with Zapad Railways for a political and economic plan to truly unite All Russia's and Novorossiya. The early plans for the Trans-Siberian Railway are drawn up and plans are set for construction to begin in 1868. The Hungarians are initially told to screw off but are accepted by the Duma and Prime Minister Kerensky to reinvigorate relations between Russia and Hungary seeing as Russia now shares a border with Hungary in Eastern Galicia and Bukovina. Meanwhile, to rid the nation of the economic crisis despite the possible threat of a Chinese invasion, many representatives of the Siberian border provinces with the Khanate give speeches of the "atrocities" committed by Khanate tribesmen on Russian citizens living on the border. The warhawk senator Joseph Malanov delivers a speech to the Duma which convinces a simple majority and puts some thoughts in the head of Kerensky of war with the Khanate. Already the threat of border security has the governors order militiamen to the frontier. However, the lack of inactivity in any skirmishes are put as that the militia scares off the Turks from attacking. The phonautograph is used to record the number one band in the country, Bronstein-Tymoshenko Superpower. This band records their hit songs "Hey You" and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet". The popularity of the distorted guitar due to the priceless records leads to the construction of a phonautograph record factory in Minsk. In the South Pacific Captain Vasili Mickhailovich goes on his exploratory course. He discovers the a cluster of islands close to Papua he terms the Green Aleutians (OTL Solomon Islands), and enroute to Neuiw Brabant he stumbles across a large island with a nice natural harbor, he later calls the island New Danila (OTL New Caledonia).
 * Belkan Dip: We offer to buy Macau from Russia.
 * Russia: We agree after the Sino-Anglo-Burgundian War has concluded.


 * Republica Iberia: The Republic is greatly concerned by the rise of the “Marsanistas” in France, and their radical views. In Congress, the Prime Minister Leão decries their disregard for the family as outrageous. He demands that ”We, the government of Iberia, we must pursue aggressive reforms to the economy and military. We have fought the French countless times, and we must remain ready to defend ourselves from their new and unholy ideology. We must adapt so that we might defend ourselves from the unholy devils who would see our wives and daughters work in the factory.” Congress then begins work on a series of reform bills designed to recreate the Iberian economy and society. Stipends are given to married couples to increase their ability to care for children, in effect this incentivises having children which leads to greater population growth. Meanwhile, to prevent a glut of farmers and to provide labor to the now rapidly growing industrial base, resources are provided to second and onward sons of rural farmers to move to the cities. Education reform also occurs in the Belkan model, focusing on grammar and mathematics as well as history and geography. The flurry of reforms revitalizes the economy, which rapidly expands as companies regain confidence in future growth. Unionist activities continue, but government brokering prevents the unions from starving out the labor supply and encourages economic stability. The political changes in France are not the only worry for Iberia, having heard of the Gauthier Gun, the army approaches the Vento Rifleworks to create a more militarized version of the Enrique Rifle to improve Iberian firepower. The resulting weapon, the Model 1864 Vento Lever Action (OTL Winchester Rifle), proves very reliable, effective and accurate. Production begins late in the year, but picks up at a fast clip. The navy also faces concerns and begins the production of a central battery ironclad armed with eight 200mm muzzle-loaders in the casement and with two Haussman breech-loaders of 150mm mounted in a turret at the fore of the ship.
 * Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. The practice of using decaying vegetation as a moisture trap and as cover for the insects and other organisms required for the growth of more water intensive plants continues to spread. Implementation of the new agricultural practice finally catches the attention of the government which immediately sees the economic possibilities. Its adoption is encouraged and farmers across Morocco begin to use the technique. Exploration of coal and iron deposits in Morocco resumes and a suspected coal deposit is found in the northeast. European immigration to Morocco is restricted to the Algeria region. This immigration begins to displace the Algerian population in parts of the coast.
 * Antillas Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of sugar production and as a stopover for ships headed out into the Atlantic. The Colonial Garrison is maintained at 1000.
 * Indias Orientales Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of spice production. The Colonial Garrison is maintained at 1000.
 * Macaçar Ibérica: The recent effects of the recession had been somewhat reduced due to the profits of the spice trade in Oceania, which was further linked around the globe. Unfortunately, the colony sold back most of the rented ships earlier than usual to reduce the deficit/expenditures. Meaning they would have to rely their smaller rented "merchant" ships that passes by to help move along products. To help with settlers and to strengthen their claim in southern Sulawesi, several other forts/trading posts were planned in the peninsula for the forseeable future. The trading post that was initially started had its construction of basic buildings completed, including the local "government/trading" house for the Makassar company. Construction for five merchant ships were planned and expected to be completed by late 1865 or early 1866.
 * África Occidental Ibérica: The colony grows rapidly into the now more accessible sahel to the north of the Conquistador’s state. An effort is made to bring the Conquistadors directly under the colony.
 * Cortezia: The disputes between the Conquistadors and the Colonial Government of África Occidental finally reach a boiling point. The 20,000 men of the Iberian Foreign Legion are deployed to restore order and prevent the Conquistadors from establishing independence as they had sought. After four months of sporadic fighting the Conquistadors surrender, except for a small group of 500 under Cortez who flee to the African state of Sine.
 * Hungarian Dip: We would like access to the Strait of Gibraltar. Please post a price or requirement in exchange.
 * Hungarian Dip: We would like your help in speeding up industrialization.


 * China: The effort to recapture Guangzhou fails, despite Chinese troops outnumbering Anglo-Burgundian troops by a factor of four. Despite this failure, the sheer size of the troops prevent the punitive force to penetrate deep into China. The evacuation of the surrounding metropolitan area commences, and trade around the Pearl River delta is shifted to Fujian for the time being. The humiliation caused by the disastrous defeat emphasizes the urgent need for military modernization, and strengthen the desires for a closer diplomatic relationship with Belka and Russia. Due to large numbers of evacuees and refugees fleeing to Belkan Hong Kong, its image among Chinese intellectuals continues to consolidate as a positive one. Diplomats are sent to Russia to formally establish several provisions for an amicable relationship similar with that which has been established already with Belka. In addition, isolationist elements ingrain itself into Chinese politics, and the idea of the reestablishment of the concept of Chinese suzerainty and the tributary system are crushed. With the war campaign having the potential to drain the National Treasury, budget cuts and abolition of outdated government offices are kept to maintain the current surplus of ~ 70 million silver taels (equivalent to approximately five million gold taels). The income tax rate is raised slightly to a universal level of 12.5%. Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang, both of whom being former military officials, continue to lead the military-industrial reform. As a part of institutional reforms, a more centralized form of administration is implemented, with twenty first-level subdivisions (provinces) establishing corresponding to those of the historical Eighteen Provinces plus Mongolia, and Upper and Lower Korea. Meanwhile, a bicameral legislative body known as the Grand Secretariat is promulgated: the lower Secretariat drafts/revises laws, the higher Chancellory approves of them. Both function as de facto advisory bodies for the monarch. Similar to the Joseon period, the Huifu Emperor establishes the People's Office to hear cases in which aggrieved subjects felt that they had been exploited or treated unjustly by government officials or aristocrats. The systematic four-tier class system is abolished. Construction on the three major arsenals/industrial facilities (Tianjin, Beijing, Seoul) are poised to be completed by 1866 (within three years), each having a maximum production capacity of 37,500 firearms annually, and an area of 40 acres. The activities of foreign government advisors continue, but shift their operations mainly north. Gas lighting, and modern papermaking and glassmaking methods are introduced. Major road segments are paved with concrete, and preexisting waterways and canals are improved. Machinery and coal power is introduced to increasingly labor-intensive industrial facilities (which replace the small-scale workshops), with textile mills being constructed en masse with a few government subsidies. Due to a rise in demand, the mining industry (particularly gold, copper and iron ores and coal) see a boom.
 * British Dip: Before offering peace allied forces loot the city for anything of worth. Once done doing this, we offer to end the war with China and return paying three tons in gold to Britain and Burgundy each for five years to make a sum total of 30 tons of gold to be paid as ransom to the Allies.
 * China agrees.
 * Belkan Empire: Tsar Vladimir sadly dies this year and is mourned in a large state funeral. His son Uliyam takes place as the tsar of the Belkan Empire and supports much of his father's policies including doubling down on the colonial policy which has divided Belka for the last few years following the war. While taxes have been relatively high still on the upper-classes, he decided to introduce a few tax breaks specifically on those starting a business to give them a break to a degree and those with larger families. This does not detract from tax revenue too greatly. The Belkan Empire's stock market, now easily the center of global stock trading and financial deals, sees Sofiya explode in numbers as immigrants, and many Belkan financiers and traders move on the financial capital of the Empire. Spreading out across the country it becomes clear that a more decentralized model of economics has been fielded in the empire with many regions specializing in different things. Belgrad is the heavy industrial capital while Vasiligrad has quickly become the Arsenal of the country. Sarajevo is the primary production of locomotives and railway materials while Trieste has become the absolutely largest shipyard in Belka and possible all of Europe being able to house almost 100 warships at any given time and put nearly 25 warships to construction when engaged to full capacity just at this singular port. Some other cities are known as tertiary builders of many of the same things but in Belka a new trend has started to emerge - textile production. Cotton from Egypt and Maghreb has led to the birth of a competitive albeit medium sized textile industry which has started to take much of Europe by storm. The research into further developments of naval technology in the country sees turrets take on a new force of power as the first ironclad cruiser is laid down. However, without the shells to make up for the difference in armored power, the first two of Belka's armored cruisers are outfitted with Steel pointed Rams akin to ancient naval combat. The situation in Austria while troubling is not entirely hopeless. After some disastrous setbacks against Prince Werner, Kruger - a young Belkan Colonel - takes command of the 50,000 strong Austria garrison force. Grigori Gorbitsov takes command and immediately begins taking reprisals and hostages of known insurgents. Hiding in the Alps, the Colonel - a former mountain division soldier - leverages this and replaces one of his divisions with a highly specialized Mountain Combat Division, known for their operations around Vienna during the great war. They ascend into the Alps, albeit without artillery and only with little cavalry support. However, they do not intend to fight conventionally. They intend to play better at Kruger's game than he can. The Division clears a camp high in the mountains and garrisons it in secret and begins setting ambushes and traps all over the mountains while in the nearby towns and cities obvious targets are left wide open albeit somewhat planted to prevent huge massive damage to targets and to bait Kruger. This allows many of his insurgents to leave the mountains in regular intervals while the Mountain forces from Belka trace directions, the insurgent's secret routes, and even plan out ambushes and finally plan to use explosives to wash an entire rebel encampment off the mountain at some point. After months of baiting the trap is sprung and the Mountain Division unleashes a huge co-ordinated attack when they know most of the rebels are at their bases in the mountains. Patrols are targeted, encampments are washed down the slopes with explosive-caused avalanches, and finally, one of the main camps in the mountains is found and a secret weapon is deployed to which there is currently no defense. The major camp, just one of a few has gas canisters rolled into the encampment or opened above so the gas can flood down the slopes. In just a few moments this camp is flooded with Mustard Gas as gas mask-laden Belkan troops look downward having successfully attacked. After this, the Mountain Division retreats from the mountains awaiting Kruger's next move hoping to have done a very large amount of damage to the manpower and morale of the Rebels. The home front is relatively peaceful and population boom continues with the population hitting 69 million this year. As a result of the issues in Egypt the Suez Garrison is deployed and 40,000 troops are used to secure the canal with another 40,000 being prepared to support the New Egyptian Queen
 * Crown Colony of Maghreb: The new name of the colony is put out as the Crown Colony of Maghreb as it falls under control of a new governor who continues many of the same practices by the old governors. The amount of cotton grows as the expansion of canals continues specifically to reclaim and irrigate desert land. The Maghrebi Colony boasts a population of 6.2 million as crop yields and availability of goods begin allowing for a higher population in the region. The number of Belkan settlers in Maghreb increases as roughly 3000 settle this year. In an attempt to more rigidly organize settlement the Belkan upper-quarters are established in all major cities as Belkan populations in Tunis, Algiers and other major cities hope to separate the poor under-classes from the Belkan richer middle- and upper-classes. Richer Maghrebis are allowed into these quarters and some domestic industry is built mostly textile in order to facilitate some further wealth generation in Maghreb. All the factories are Belkan owned.
 * Crown Colony of Zaire: The Crown Colony of Zaire begins exporting materials to the homeland in greater numbers and quantity. Against the advice of his advisors the governor refuses to rip up farmland for more cash crops and allows many farmers to continue their normal farming methods, only appropriating unused or underused land for the growing of cash crops like tobacco, sugar and more importantly cotton. Rubber harvesting becomes more prominent as the necessity of rubber becomes more and more apparent. The population is finally put to number as the census shows it at 9.1 million. The first wave of roughly 2000 Belkan settlers and administrators arrive and begin setting up a new settler colony and capital at the mouth of the Congo River establishing a fort and moving all administrative control to the new city of New Thessograd.
 * Crown Colony of Gabon: Being a newly developed Crown Colony, Gabon is put under a military governorship and is given orders to request troops from Zaire if needed. Port Volda becomes the capital of the new Crown Colony and some expeditions into the interior are conducted as more treaties and expansion into the Gabonese/Cameroonian interior is conducted. The Russian Colony near Libreville is rounded as the Crown Colony of Gabon links up with Belkan Zaire.
 * Iztochna Aziya: The war between the European coalition and China continues. With Chinese endorsement of Durestov as a haven for Chinese, more housing is constructed as a result. After years of buildup and construction the Belkan Crown Colony officially pays for the stationing of roughly 20,000 Belkan soldiers, roughly two divisions-worth in Durestov which after arrival begin the full construction of a massive strategic fort dead center of the city acting as both a citadel and assurance of Belkan control over the peninsula. The Strategic fortress is slated to take nearly five years to complete. The influx of Chinese goes from thousands to nearly tens of thousands as Chinese refugees supported by the Chinese government show up and take refuge within the borders of the city and its surrounding area. The Regions population as a result has nearly doubled and large amounts of food are bought from abroad in order to clothe the people and clothing is also imported for cheap purchase. All basic needs are provided. However, a choice is made to put the Chinese refugees to work with Belkan benefits allowed if they were to become permanent residents of the Crown Colony now boasting a population of nearly 140,000. This sees the construction of a few textile mills as well as a domestic munitions plan to supply the Belkan Garrison which arrives in the middle of the year. To further solidify control as well as deter any further issues between the coalition, China and Belka, a squadron is sent. This includes Belka's first ironclad cruiser armed with a ram and three 13-inch guns as well as its tertiary arms, one first-rate battleship, three ironclad destroyers and five frigates which take up patrol routes and also begin to set up shop in the new ports. With the purchase of Macau and its impending annexation into Durestov's governmental structure the city is fully designated the headquarters of Belkan Iztochna Aziya (Belkan East Asia).
 * Hungarian Dip: We would like access to the Bosporus Strait.
 * Belkan Dip: We deny citing Hungary does not have a coast nor a navy to make use. -Feud
 * Ethiopian Empire: The Emperor continues to build the trust of his people as well as showing a good image to his son and teaching his son to run the empire. The economy slowly begins to stabilize as people continued to spend regularly. Larger workshops open around Lake Turkana moving even more people into Ezana City. The docks of Adulis continue expansion after a two-year hold. We ask Belka if they will build a railway from Axum to Addas Ababa to demonstrate the modern marvel to the Royal family. Another zoo begins being built in Adulis to show European visitors Ethiopian Ecology. Government funding is sent to all schools around the nation as school is being made compulsory for kids ages five through 12.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree under the auspicious reasoning of claiming a 55% share in the railroad upon its completion.


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: The first of the loot taken from Canton in the expedition arrives in the year. Gold and silver taken from the city is put in reserve, to be used to back up the nations currency. Two ironclads are commissioned this year, designed as proper oceangoing turreted warships. Named Nederland and Bourgogne, they’re actually converted steam frigates with their masts and top decks stripped away, and then armored and equipped with three turrets like those on Monitor and her sisters (the design is similar to the OTL USS Roanoke, although more seaworthy). They were initially intended to receive a hodgepodge of different caliber guns, but were ultimately armed with six 12” rifled muzzle-loaders. In a test of their seaworthiness, they’re sent on a run to Malta under escort by a squadron of steam frigates, and after an inspection in Malta’s docks, are to return to Burgundy. Grand Admiral Cornelis van Roosevelt retires from the navy due to his age, and is as Grand Admiral succeeded by Graf Hendrik vun Lure. Graf Lure continues Roosevelt’s policies, and authorizes the decommissioning of all ships-of-the-line commissioned prior than 1840. This brings the total number of Burgundian ships-of-the-line to 19 first-rates, and 38 second-rates. The Navy plans to use the funding freed up by those decommissionings to fund the expansion of the ironclad force. Since the economic crisis has ended, and the income for the government recovers, Crown Princess Mary pushes through an expansion of the education system, with a new curriculum focusing on math, history, science, and language.
 * Occupied Rhineland: The occupation of the Rhine Left Bank continues. The military governors largely take a hands-off approach, allowing local municipalities autonomy in their local matters so long as it does not undermine the military administration. The cities of Bonn, Koblenz and Mainz receive facilities to allow the ability to base river monitors built in Stroossbuerg as they move along the Rhine.


 * Nepal: Nepal invades the state to the west of it (Uttarakhand + Himachal) using 10,000 troops. Another 4000 troops are kept in reserve. (Population estimates, please). Nepal seeks an alliance with India and is ready to accept a British resident in the capital, Kathmandu.

Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. '''With foreign support, the army pushes farther south and has now reached the Ikwa River (OTL Vaal). Foreign veterans are recruited to train the army, especially those from the British and Belkan expeditionary forces. The first Western-style ship is bought by a prosperous merchant family of Malindi, mainly as a luxury cruise ship. However, the speed and other improvements of this ship have brought along the attention of many traders, merchants and trade companies to adopt the design for trade use.'''
 * Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
 * Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
 * Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
 * United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: Before making peace with China, areas held by allies are looted. Bringing back the gold obtained as part of the peace we use it to back up our currency by removing concerns that the BofE cannot in fact exchange a set amount of gold for money as promised. The army performed well justifying the need for a peacetime army. Expansion is done in Africa with coastal areas between Grand-Bassam to Tema being declared a Crown Colony and subject to taxes and British laws. We don't enforce these rules quite yet but if anyone lands in these areas we plan to repel them. England has a population of 19.1 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 15,000 professionals and 250,000 men in Ireland, 50,000 European soldiers and 300,000 Indian Sepoys in India spread out across the continent, 10,000 soldiers in Suez, 10,000 British soldiers, 10,000 Sepoys and 40,000 African soldiers in Swahili. 10,000 in Uluru, 1000 in West Africa. There are two fleets: one at Hull and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 22 second-rate ships-of-the-line, 45 frigates, and 62 corvettes.
 * India: On the border of China, Myitkyina, Mansi, Hseni, Mongton, Kawkareik and Keng Tung each have 10,000 Indian forces at them while another 80,000 Indian forces and 25,000 British forces the forces are held in reserve at Mandalay and fortify the city distributed across the country with 5000 British at the British strategic fort on the West Indian coast. India has 220 million people.
 * Uluru: A steady flow of people from Britain - many of them unemployed and Indian (convicts) - is maintained and a militia is maintained. Gold is mined and sent back to Britain due to the high prices demanded for it.
 * Kingdom of Ostdeutsche: Celle's policies -although slow at first - have proven to be successful. The unemployment has been contained and some begin to have more jobs mostly in smaller businesses and factories. Celle also has begun to support the ideals of Union Rights and due to his talent after the unfortunate passing of Hesse, he fills in the vacuum once again taking the position of Chancellor after he was elevated by the choice of the king seeing his fresh success in the economic sector is given the opportunity to be Chancellor. He continues ensuring that his policies are maintained with this privileged position. His acceptance by the people remain well too with him helping out the poor within soup kitchens, visiting factory workers, and helping care for children at the orphanage in Wolfsburg. Besides caring for the people, he also helps with further plans of road development and the newly established National Railway Commission to oversee future railway construction across the nation. In the meantime, an alliance offer is made to Germany as current weakened states with stronger nations around them should be allied by national identity, language and culture. Therefore, a unified German Force would greatly increase the chances of our nation's survival and sovereignty. The United Deutsche Front starts expansion outside The Kingdom and begins setting out missions in Germany to rally the people together for nationalism and German ideals. Foundations for public works are raised further. With the unemployment rate at a controllable level, more funding could be added back to the military and welfare for the hungry and jobless. Public Works continue to be expanded as well which continues to help develop the construction and demolition industry while others look toward alternatives like mining. The German language is taught as a compulsory class in the district of Posnan and more families relocate there to fill in the vacuum of a lowered Polish population and locations for development and real estate. Farming is expanded as well in the countryside as well. Chocolate products are seen as a better alternative to desserts and treats and they catch on very rapidly with Gödiv Company becoming a popular brand. Two more ironclads begin being built for the navy with one having 40 guns and the other having 30. 8000 men join the army.
 * Ostdeutsche Angola: Development of dirt roads and trails to the inner plateaus are established and more houses are built with better designs but traditional huts remain. Although the natives are open to the riches we have to offer. We expand 14 px.


 * Greater Hussein: Towns are built farther down the coast - mostly built by merchant families and rich businessman. New Berlin expands its capital district while a new port for naval vessels is built - mainly for and by merchants with cheaper labor from the native populace being a positive. We expand by 18 px.

1865
''' 80,000 people from across the German states leave this year for the New World for a variety of reasons. '''

''' In Austria, Prince Werner Kruger continues his campaign in the Alps but moves deeper and farther away from the plains. Local communications are improved as well as cooperation with local inhabitants and fewer permanent bases are utilised to avoid repeats of last attack. Rather than hitting villages themselves, they target movement through the Alps isolating a number of settlements. Families of guerrillas are encouraged to move out of the country to the Rhineland. '''

''' A small minority in China mistrusts all Europeans and doesn't want the Emperor to expel one group of Europeans only to give up lands to another. They want China to be the best on its own. '''

''' Indonesia gets independence from Japan after years of fighting. '''

''' There is a large influx of Anglo immigrants into Texas and Russian Alyeska who continue to move west to avoid the expanding control of the Arcadian kingdoms. '''
 * Nepal: Nepal invades the state to the west of it (Uttarakhand + Himachal) using 10,000 troops. Another 4000 troops are kept in reserve. (Population estimates, please). Nepal seeks an alliance with Britain and is ready to accept a British resident in the capital, Kathmandu. (RESPONSES, PLEASE)
 * British Dip: Yes, we send a resident to the capital.
 * Hungarian Republic: The campaigns of the radicals continue and are gathering more and more support as the 12 million people of the Republic of Hungary begin their votes for house seats. The radicals win about 50% of seats, the republicans win about 40% and the independents win 10%. The Hungarian Prime Minister declares “All people should fear any non-monarchical dictorial nation as they are easier to be corrupted by power. As well, the rise of the radicals and I declare them an enemy of the state. Three months into his term and already he has begun to be impeached by congress. Most of the 24,000 troops are run by the general who is a radical and if a civil war were to occur it is believed that the radicals would take power. However, many people believe it would be better to give power to the radicals than fight a civil war. ”People of Hungary, we must prove to this man what a mistake he has made by threatening his own citizens and declaring them enemies of the state.” He is convicted and a new leader takes power - Charles von Hapsburg (no known relation to the original Royal House of Hapsburg) - an Austrian immigrant and one of the founders of the Radical Party. He seeks alliance with the Austrian rebels and any other nation who will help. (Mod and player responses, please).
 * Prince Werner Kruger accepts an alliance with Hungary. Person.
 * Russia: The population hits 52 million people despite the recession and the Great War. Diplomats are sent to Britain to discuss the future purchase of the rest of Salish into Novorossiya. Due to overcrowding in the western cities, a second eastward expansion into Siberia occurs prompting the need for better infrastructure. In Vostokgrad, Pacific Railways is founded with the intension of building railways in eastern Siberia and Novorossiya. Immediately Pacific Rail builds a main terminal at Vostokgrad and prepares workers for railway construction to Sakhatsk. Preparations are made for war against the Great Khanate, newspapers publish that the "Final Struggle" is coming.


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: With Egyptian Queen Farah accepting Burgundian assistance in her succession crisis, the ironclads Nederland and Bourgogne are ordered to hold in Malta. Their squadron is reinforced with another detachment of frigates, as well as three monitor ironclads Hardenburg, Borne and Vorden, and united, they set out for Alexandria. The two three-turret ironclads, followed by the three single-turret ironclads, lead the Burgundian task force into the harbor. It is noted to Egyptian commanders that the single-turret ironclads have a shallow enough draft that they can operate on the Nile. In Australia, per an agreement with Britain, the East India Company signs over ownership of the fort of Tasmanstad and all owned and claimed lands to Britain, while Britain will be relinquishing control of Banten (Bengal's territory around the Sunda Strait) to Burgundy. Meanwhile, the ironclad SMS Somme is launched in Dunkirk, the first warship armored in rolled iron instead of wrought iron. It’s also the first warship to concentrate its armament (ten 8” rifles) amidships, and its armor is shrunk from shielding the entire length of the warship to a shortened, but thickened, armored citadel covering the main batteries. It’s the first central battery ironclad afloat. Neiuw Friesland expands 50 px southeast along the coast. Garnaalië expands 50 px south.


 * China: The humiliation caused by the defeat of the Chinese army at the hands of the Anglo-Burgundian coalition further cements the urgent need for military modernization. As a result, traditionalist elements remain disorganized, while reformist elements continue to cement their popularity. The Emperor and many high government officials adopt Western attire, while Western-style uniforms are issued for the military. The Chinese government continues to endorse the development of the Belkan Crown Colony of Hong Kong, and encourages movement of people displaced there. Following the failure of the diplomatic mission sent to Russia to yield positive results, the border remains militarized. Due to the raising of tax rates (thus increasing tax revenue) and tax reforms such as those mandating payment in banknotes, the government remains financially afloat. Gold continues to be mined in vast quantities, in order to underpin the economy. As a result of an influx of foreign capital and trade, Shanghai, Incheon and Tianjin become major ports and centers of overseas trade. The scholars that had been sent to Belka to study in its universities return, and aid the process of reforming Chinese institutions by incorporating learned Western models. The Three Arsenals (Tianjin, Seoul and Nanjing) are completed after three years of intensive construction, resulting in a sudden spurt in domestic arms production: rifled muskets, carbines for calvarymen, and breech-loading rifled cannons (which are reverse-engineered with the aid of Belkan engineers) start to be manufactured. Belkan-manufactured firearms such as bolt-action and Needle Rifles are purchased as well, though only enough to provide for a single army. A campaign is launched, aiming to be able to equip two fully-sized armies (collectively consisting of 400,000 soldiers) with modern weaponry by 1870. The campaign also emphasizes cavalry and artillery, rather than just infantry. Conscription is abolished, and men are encouraged to enlist with financial incentives. Due to heightened demand for steel, Chinese traditional blast-furnaces, while outdated and relatively inefficient, are constructed in a more organized and centralized manner. There are major advances in the light industries (especially within the production of textiles and luxury goods), while agriculture continues to be commercialized as many farmers shift to the cultivation of cash crops and sericulture. Major road segments are paved with concrete and preexisting waterways and canals are improved. Industrial facilities continue to increasingly adopt the usage of coal power and machinery. As a result of rising demand, there is a boom in the mining sector, particularly in the mining of coal, copper and iron ores.
 * Xizang (protectorate): Lhasa, the capital, is expanded and modernized. The Tibetan clergy continues to administer the protectorate, with its leader, the Dalai Lama, being considered a vassal or substitute monarch. Many Tibetans are encouraged (via financial incentives) to become more sedentary, with food instead being supplied from nearby Sichuan (thereby reducing overreliance in inefficient herding).
 * The cannons require sophisticated steel production. You wouldn't be reverse engineering for at least a decade (which is around what I told you personally - seven to ten years for it). -Feud


 * Belkan Empire: The force of the Belkan economy now returns in full force as after years of slowed growth and government attempts to fix the situation, the economy has now returned to full operating capacity. The unemployment rate is extremely low and the average household income now shows signs of increasinging further allowing for the placement of large families. The average number of kids in a family is anywhere between four and five children. Between increasing wages and tax breaks for larger families, the incentives to have more kids is very apparent as the population reaches just under 71 million this year. A population boom specifically focused on Moldavia and Transylvania sees much of the frontier territory beginning to be filled in with the Transylvanian capital specifically standing at nearly 750,000 - a far cry from its 200,000 just 20 years before. With the end of the civil war - roughly 15-20 years ago - the full annexation of Ionia as the Belkan state of Samothrakiya has led to the reunification of the two halves of old Constantinople, now Vasiligrad. With the combination of both halves the city stands as the most populated city in the world boasting nearly 4.5 million people and with the drives of industry ongoing, much of the city begins to experience modernization at an unheard of scale in an effort to keep a massive reserve available in the event of another war. With the war having been over for some years, the Belkan losses have almost completely replaced in the manpower power and on top of the roughly 600,000 regulars and special divisions in operation currently. The reserves are slated at roughly two million and can be mobilized within a period of 100 days. Their arms and equipment are set aside under high priority and maintenance in order to facilitate a quick mobilization. The current buildup of the navy sees primacy over army development as outlined in the budget for the next few years (and because the army is more or less fully outfitted). With the resumption of naval construction the launching of two new ironclad cruisers occurs this year embracing the turret model of construction. Belka, in accordance with some talks with Britain, offers to purchase the British Colony of Burma (Person, respond).
 * Crown Colony of Maghreb: The new name of the colony is put out as the Crown Colony of Maghreb as it falls under control of a new governor who continues many of the same practices by the old governors. The amount of cotton grows as the expansion of canals continues specifically to reclaim and irrigate desert land. The Maghrebi Colony boasts a population of 6.2 million as crop yields and availability of goods begin allowing for a higher population in the region. The number of Belkan settlers in Maghreb increases as roughly 5000 settle this year. In an attempt to more rigidly organize settlement the Belkan upper-quarters are established in all major cities as Belkan populations in Tunis, Algiers and other major cities hope to separate the poor under-classes from the Belkan richer middle- and upper-classes. Richer Maghrebis are allowed into these quarters and some domestic industry is built - mostly textile - in order to facilitate some further wealth generation in Maghreb. All the factories are Belkan owned.
 * Crown Colony of Zaire: The Crown Colony of Zaire begins exporting materials to the homeland in greater numbers and quantity. Against the advice of his advisors, the governor refuses to rip up farmland for more cash crops and allows many farmers to continue their normal farming methods, only appropriating unused or underused land for the growing of cash crops like tobacco, sugar and more importantly, cotton. Rubber harvesting becomes more prominent as the necessity of rubber becomes more and more apparent. The population is finally put to number as the census shows it at 9.3 million. The first wave of roughly 2000 Belkan settlers and administrators arrive and begin setting up a new settler colony and capital at the mouth of the Congo River establishing a fort and moving all administrative control to the new city of New Thessograd.
 * Crown Colony of Gabon: Being a newly developed Crown Colony, Gabon is put under a military governorship and is given orders to request troops from Zaire if needed. Port Volda becomes the capital of the new Crown Colony and some expeditions into the interior are conducted as more treaties and expansion into the Gabonese/Cameroonian interior is conducted. The Russian Colony near Libreville is rounded as the Crown Colony of Gabon links up with Belkan Zaire. The Colony expands lightly into the interior as further agreements with natives are made.
 * Iztochna Aziya: With the end of the war between the European coalition and the Chinese as well as the new occupation of Macau by the Belkan administration of East Asia, the City of Macau is fronted many refugees and displaced persons by the war which bring Macau well within 120,000 people and much housing and military building is erected as well as plans for another strategic fortress to be constructed following the finishing of the Durestov Citadel. Another division is brought from the homeland numbering 10,000 which brings the total troop complement of Macau and Durestov to 30,000. Plans begin being made to begin expansion of the Belkan East Asian Empire. The arrival of another first-rate ship to showcase strength in the region brings the Belkan fleet strength to one of the largest in the area.
 * British Dip: Yes, we accept this deal.


 * Republica Iberia: In Congress, Prime Minister Leão continues to push reform bills through that continually modernize taxation, transportation, legal systems, education, sanitation, and the military. The social reforms of last year continue and thousands of young farm-boys take advantage of the stipends and relocation funds to move to the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Seville, and many others. Rapid industrial growth around Barcelona and Madrid, along with a surge in commercial growth in Lisbon and Seville employ the majority of these young men. Education reform continues, focusing on grammar and mathematics as well as history and geography. In particular, schools teach most classes in the regional language, but all schools are mandated to teach Iberian as a principal class. Having passed a new census bill, the population in Iberia is found to be 29.513 million. This reflects the rapid population growth due to the increasingly advanced agricultural practices and the post-war boom. Additional stipends to new families have encouraged the growth further. However, population growth pressure has begun increasing food prices pushing the industry to increase modernization and production. Adoption of mechanized agriculture has been accelerating over the past few years, and now accelerates still further. Unfortunately, intensive agriculture has led to a disturbing trend in much of Iberia, increasingly, rains not only bring life but also erosion. While little can be done about severely eroded areas, the government and farming communities begin working to prevent the devastation of farmland by erosion. Although not truly conservation, farmers are encouraged to build embankments on sloping fields, and to create terraced walls that prevent erosion. Concerns about reducing the rate of water flow also prompt the government to explore options for building dams across Castilla, Andalucia, Portugal, and Asturias. While erosion continues, efforts to prevent the devastation of Iberian soils are underway. The flurry of reforms revitalizes the economy, which rapidly expands as companies regain confidence in future growth. General confidence in the government and hopes for the future grow due to the rebounding economy and the government’s involvement in preventing and addressing social and economic problems. Unionist activities continue, but mandated brokering prevents the unions from starving out the labor supply and encourages economic stability. The Model 1864 Vento Lever Action (OTL Winchester Rifle), is officially adopted for expeditionary and cavalry service this year, but actual distribution remains limited to veteran Foreign Legion units.
 * Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. The practice of using decaying vegetation as a moisture trap and as cover for the insects and other organisms required for the growth of more water intensive plants continues to spread. Its adoption is encouraged by the government and farmers across Morocco begin to use the technique. Exploration of coal and iron deposits in Morocco continue.
 * Antillas Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of sugar production and as a stopover for ships headed out into the atlantic. The Colonial Garrison is maintained at 1000.
 * Indias Orientales Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of spice production. The Colonial Garrison is increased to 2000 due to fears of Indonesian rebels. In addition a task force of 2500 men of the Iberian Foreign Legion arrive in Makassar under lease by the Iberian Makassar Company.
 * África Occidental Ibérica: The colony grows rapidly into the sahel. The annexation of former Cortezia occurs bringing the gold mines under control of the republic.
 * Conquistador Controlled Sine: Having fled from Iberian Authorities into Sine and capturing the state, Cortez and his 500 - now 400 - soldiers maintain a tenuous grasp on the capital. Through his charismatic appeals, Cortez draws another 500 men from his former kingdom into Sine where they begin another reign of terror. Iberian officials, reach out to Cortez to negotiate terms of peace. They offer the “Conquistadors” full amnesty for their seditious activities if they pledge renewed loyalty to Iberia, and if they pay taxes to the republic. Cortez will also be allowed to carry on as colonial governor of Sine and raise a colonial militia of 500 men to maintain order. Cortez and his men accept the agreement, with a slight revision in that they will be allowed to invade and annex the African state directly to the south and maintain a militia of 750 instead of 500.
 * Marsanist Republic of France: President Alexandre Marsan continues to spread his ideas of communism far and wide, although there appears to be some form of reluctance by the more conservative-branch of citizens. Hyacinthe Pelay returns shortly from war after only serving in two years following him being part of the 1865 Malian Massacre, where over 1000 laborous citizens were killed, by the Gauthier Gun, after they decided to be reluctant toward working in the gold mines. HE returns to France still maintaining a large fortune that he had inherited, and forms his own political faction as a key opposition to the Communist Party, being labeled the National French Foundation, which stands as both a political and cultural organization that has goals for returning France back to the imperial status it had kept during its early colonizational periods in the New World and Laurentia. This rise in nationalism for France has prompted for a rise in political conflicts between the conflicting sides of the Communists and the Nationalists. By the end of this year, the government itself has finally finished gaining ownership over the properties nationwide, and thus the economy begins to become stagnate as the means of production and the market becomes government owned and operated. In the oversea colonies of Nigeria and Mali, exports continue as expansion is made 50 px respectively, with French citizens being encouraged to move into the former while the ladder remains subjugated under a military jurisdiction, with exports being limited to only that of Gold and other valuable resources. A third ironclad-level battleship is produced, tentatively titled Blue Moon, and remains in dock along with the other ironclads, Archangel and Hellfire. Envoys and ambassadors are sent to Cambodia, requesting for the state to French protectorate in exchange for the regional king to receive a portion of the taxes imposed upon the citizens, as well as be placed within the French realm of dependencies, similar to that of Indonesia and Argentine. In addition to these, and due to the collapse of the Chinese tributary system, an offer of large amounts of gold will be given to the king if he accepts these terms (Mod). A similar deal is offered to Siam and Dai Viet (Mod). Regarding the Salish governate, an offer of gold valued at ~ten million USD is offered to the British Crown in exchange for the removal of British protectorate status from Salish and the establishment of a French protectorate over the state (Person).
 * United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: Using money obtained from Belka and China colonialism in Africa steps up with beginning of construction of a strategic fortress comprising construction of a new port with more berths and warehouses followed by a ring of forts outside of the town in Kismayo, Swahili to be manned by 10,000 British soldiers and 10,000 Sepoys and constructed by the African regiments. The ditches become deeper and defended by a scarp as well as blockhouses. Much of the new forts are underground and have a lower profile though artillery are normally placed in open emplacements. To consolidate control over British holdings in West Africa the British dispatch 750 troops to forcefully impress British rule upon the three coastal states around the British forts between Grand Bassam and Tema. Construction of a new fleet is begun to be more modern containing newer ironclads designs but also to garrison Kismayo. The British dispatch some 15,000 men to Egypt in case things go south along with 20 ships. England has a population of 19.4 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 15,000 professionals and 30,000 men in Ireland, 70,000 European soldiers and 300,000 Indian Sepoys in India spread out across the continent, 25,000 soldiers in Suez, 10,000 British soldiers, 10,000 Sepoys and 40,000 African soldiers at Kismayo. 10,000 in Uluru, 4000 in West Africa. There are two fleets: one at Hull and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 22 second-rate ships-of-the-line, 45 frigates, and 62 corvettes.
 * India: On the border of China, Myitkyina, Mansi, Hseni, Mongton, Kawkareik and Keng Tung each have 10,000 Indian forces at them while another 80,000 Indian forces and 25,000 British forces the forces are held in reserve at Mandalay and fortify the city. distributed across the country with 5000 British at the British strategic fort on the West Indian coast. India has 220 million people.
 * Uluru: A steady flow of people from Britain - many of them unemployed and Indian (convicts) - is maintained and a militia is maintained. Gold is mined and sent back to Britain due to the high prices demanded for it.

1866
''' Kruger and his men continue operating their ambushes in the deep Alps aiming to cut off the settlements from Belkan dominance and recruiting more followers. Families hide in Rhineland and Hungary. Sympathies in Prussia exist for the Austrians with some groups wanting to move away from Belka as allies. '''

''' In China a group of reactionaries form into a clear faction making it clear while they want to modernise, China is great on its own and it needs no help from the Europeans or to become European it is trying to expel their barbaric influence. '''

''' Napoleon and his people declare an independent nation centered around the Great Salt Lake. Many of the German immigrants coming to the New World begin trekking across the continent to return to their king. '''
 * Marsanist Republic of France: President Alexandre Marsan continues to spread his ideas of communism far and wide, although there appears to be some form of reluctance by the more conservative-branch of citizens. Hyacinthe Pelay, of the National French Foundation, begins spreading his beliefs in a similar fashion to how Alexandre Marson did during his initial rise. In the oversea colonies of Nigeria and Mali, exports continue as expansion is made 50 px respectively, with French citizens being encouraged to move into the former while the latter remains subjugated under a military jurisdiction, with exports being limited to only that of gold and other valuable resources. Large fortified bases begin being built in their designated locations. Due to the economy being rather healthy, the military rises to an active combatant total of 125,000, while the reserves remains rather high, at a total of 400,000. The fourth ironclad-level battleship, tatted with fresh steel, iron plating, and luxuriously given the first few French-produced breech-loading Avril Guns (OTL Armstrong Gun). The ironclad is given the name of The Impaler, as a nod to the famous Belkan Vasili the Great and as a means of " effectively impaling the enemy from close distance". The Gauthier Gun is rumored to most likely appear on these battleships as a means of a secondary weapon that would raze down any enemies that happen to be on the upper levels of the enemy ship. Envoys and ambassadors are sent to Cambodia, requesting for the state to French protectorate in exchange for the regional king to receive a portion of the taxes imposed upon the citizens, as well as be placed within the French realm of dependencies, similar to that of Indonesia and Argentine. In addition to these, and due to the collapse of the Chinese tributary system, an offer of large amounts of gold will be given to the king if he accepts these terms (Mod), and will receive a lump sum of gold to be exported to his highness. A similar deal is offered to Siam and Dai Viet (Mod). Regarding the Salish governate, an offer of gold valued at ~ ten million USD is offered to the British Crown in exchange for the removal of British protectorate status from Salish and the establishment of a French protectorate over the state (Person). A frigate makes voyage around the Zulu Kingdom.
 * Asian states say no. Person.
 * Belkan Empire: This year the empire continues to see positive economic growth and expansion as the newly rising textile industry proved to be a competitive and worthwhile venture with Belkan textiles being competitive within a range even to British textiles. The Reserves are fully manned with a full two million-strong reserve force with mandatory training on tactics every six months. The Homefront population boom seems to be more on the rise as the noted average for having kids is about four or five per family and the population continues to expand heavily as a result. The Belkan reaction in Austria is heavy-handed as the Garrison army folds into the pacification force as 50,000 more troops are detailed into Austria and begin more heavily combatting the insurgency. Alliances and relationships are built with locals, and with no families to worry about the Belkan counterinsurgency begins to use torture and other tactics to root out the Insurgency. A few small expeditions are sent into the mountains in order to gather more information on the insurgents albeit suffering attacks as they do. Movement between settlements near the Alps is restricted in order to cut down on supplies being given by local populations to the insurgents. In a surprising move a force of 5000 Czech mountain experts, huntsman and such who live in the mountains are given high intensity military training and then armed to the teeth. They are sent into the mountains in secret, with minimal supplies and a mission to go into a mountain war. While cold, the Czech soldiers are given hefty bonuses and possible lands within Belka as payment as well and they use their highly applicable skillset in the mountains. The first few months, nothing is heard, but before long the Czechs have begun a campaign of brutal shock combat in the mountains. Replacements are trained to keep the pressure on as more Belkan and Czechs begin to be formed into these new elite mountain divisions. The combat sees casualties on both sides unusually high for such a low grade campaign but it does cause some fallback in the insurgency as they are forced to combat the Czech mountain forces who give no quarter. The need to melt scrap iron sees a new process with higher quality steel being manufactured out of it as Open Hearth Process sees quick and easy adoption by the industrial firms of the nation.
 * Crown Colony of Maghreb: The new name of the colony is put out as the Crown Colony of Maghreb as it falls under control of a new governor who continues many of the same practices by the old governors. The amount of cotton grows as the expansion of canals continues specifically to reclaim and irrigate desert land. The Maghrebi Colony boasts a population of 6.2 million as crop yields and availability of goods begin allowing for a higher population in the region. The number of Belkan settlers in Maghreb increases as roughly 5000 settle this year. In an attempt to more rigidly organize settlement the Belkan upper-quarters are established in all major cities as Belkan populations in Tunis, Algiers and other major cities hope to separate the poor under-classes from the Belkan richer middle- and upper-classes. Richer Maghrebis are allowed into these quarters and some domestic industry is built - mostly textile - in order to facilitate some further wealth generation in Maghreb. All the factories are Belkan owned.
 * Crown Colony of Zaire: The Crown Colony of Zaire begins exporting materials to the homeland in greater numbers and quantity. Against the advice of his advisors, the governor refuses to rip up farmland for more cash crops and allows many farmers to continue their normal farming methods, only appropriating unused or underused land for the growing of cash crops like tobacco, sugar and more importantly, cotton. Rubber harvesting becomes more prominent as the necessity of rubber becomes more and more apparent. The population is finally put to number as the census shows it at 9.3 million. The first wave of roughly 2000 Belkan settlers and administrators arrive and begin setting up a new settler colony and capital at the mouth of the Congo River establishing a fort and moving all administrative control to the new city of New Thessograd.
 * Crown Colony of Gabon: Being a newly developed Crown Colony, Gabon is put under a military governorship and is given orders to request troops from Zaire if needed. Port Volda becomes the capital of the new Crown Colony and some expeditions into the interior are conducted as more treaties and expansion into the Gabonese/Cameroonian interior is conducted. The Russian Colony near Libreville is rounded as the Crown Colony of Gabon links up with Belkan Zaire. The Colony expands lightly into the interior as further agreements with natives are made.
 * Iztochna Aziya: With the end of the war between the European coalition and the Chinese, as well as the new occupation of Macau by the Belkan administration of East Asia, the City of Macau is fronted many refugees and displaced persons by the war which bring Macau well within 120,000 people and much housing and military building is erected as well as plans for another strategic fortress to be constructed following the finishing of the Durestov Citadel. Another division is brought from the homeland numbering 10,000 which brings the total troop complement of Macau and Durestov to 30,000. Plans begin being made to begin expansion of the Belkan East Asian Empire. The arrival of another first-rate ship to showcase strength in the region brings the Belkan fleet strength to one of the largest in the area. The Belkan acquisition of Burma sees the dawn of the Federal structure of Belka's East Asian colonies. Burma sees 10,000 Belkan troops arrive and take census of the nation and realize that most of it is highly agrarian with a population of 4.2 million. It also sees the fact there are coal deposits which are catalogued and interest in Belkan East Asia, specifically Burma. The Durestov strategic fort continues construction aiming for full completion next year.
 * Chinese Diplomacy: We request to purchase breech-loading cannonry.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree to sell 15,000 artillery pieces as per manufacturing order.
 * Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. With foreign support, the army pushes farther south and has now reached the Ikwa River (OTL Vaal ). Foreign veterans are recruited to train the army, especially those from the British and Belkan expeditionary forces. With the influx of foreign merchants and modernizing of Swahili merchants, the first modern port is constructed near Dar As-Saleem and Zanzibar.
 * Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
 * Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
 * Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
 * I told you before, you need to do an algo. Person.
 * Brésil: After being delayed significantly by bureaucratic inefficiency, the negotiations for the Trans-Atlantic Trade Compact are now underway. People who are interested, please submit your terms soon. First conference will be at Saint-Denis, next conference location will be chosen later. As per the infrastructure program that has been taking place, a canal is built, connecting the waterways surrounding New Valois to the ocean. In examples like this, the infrastructure investments are very successful. However, the government-sponsored industrialization program is failing. It appears that weapons markets are more focused toward Europe. Where the government failed, one man succeeds. On March 5th, a man by the name of Jean Chevalier shows up in the news. Along the Santee River is the largest industrial complex in Laurentia. It mainly produces wooden goods. By the end of the year, it employs about 5000 people. As a result, immigration to New Valois has doubled.
 * Russia: Phonautograph sales are through the roof as so many records are being sold. The constant demand for records has led to just single song records being produced. They are small but can meet the demand. Boris Savinkov hits a "#1" with the song "Rambling Gambling Man". Before Posdka Krovi is encircled by the Belkans an expedition is launched inland to gain as much territory as the local forces could hold before the Belkans claim the rest of inland Gabon. The diplomats to Britain offer 7.2 million rubles in money and gold (same as OTL Alaska purchase) for Salish seeing as the territory is not very valuable in gold after the Gold Rush of 1859. The money is to be paid this year, and the territory transferred the next, as this is to prepare occupying colonial soldiers and infrastructure companies the time to prepare for the journey to the area from the Ukraine through the Atlantic. (Person, Respond). Industrial business tycoon Igor Kirov self-funds an expedition to Africa and sets up an outpost at OTL Abidjan Ivory Coast. The justification? the harvesting of resources from Africa to feul the Russian economy and industry. 150,000 man strong army is raised and gather in Omsk while 50,000 others gather in Irkutsk. The beginnings of Operation: Genghis is formed to prepare for the invasion of the Khanate next year, to finally take what is ours since the days of the 1670s.
 * British Dip: Yes.
 * Königreich von Ostdeutschland: The könig, seeing the situation in Austria being bad for the Germans and the populace not so happy with Belka, lets the Landtag decide further action. It is decided that we will remain neutral in the situation but does wake up the nation to the fact that foreign interests are against the German people and we could only at the time speculate what is going on under the occupied region of the Rhine which the nation and our neighbor loath. Following such, an alliance is offered seeing that one German state on its own cannot take on the greater evils that surround us but a united German Force can (MOD Response). While all this goes down, we begin to recover faster from the economic situation that had plagued Europe and are back in business even though there is still unemployment, the amount of people impoverished have begun to recede. Our borders are opened up to German Asylum seekers and outcry by the German people are heard. We send a message to the Belkan government calling for them to hold a referendum and to let the people decide rather then attack them. This will fairly and democratically decide the fate of the people. In the meantime, the military budget begins to be raised once more and a batch of 18,000 patriotic men join the armed forces for the German people. The Vereinigte Deutsche Front expands its missions more into our German neighbor while some members even leave to join their Austrian brothers by crossing into Germany and heading south at their own risks. Christmas arrives and the king and his new wife, Sofia spend their time in Potsdam to close out the year with joy while the king aids in giving out toys to the impoverished children of the city hosted by a local charity group. WIP.
 * The alliance is reluctantly accepted. ~Wolves.


 * 'Belkan Dip:' Belka declines and Ostdeutschland is told to mind its own business.


 * Kingdom of Egypt: Many clerics and hard core traditional and revolutionary Islamists stand outside a government building and begin to protest, attempting to occupy it, and refuse to leave until the government gives in to their demands. The protest soon turns violent as many military policemen begin dragging people off the streets and arresting major political figures, as protestors clash with the authorities. The skirmish ends in a victory for government troops, as dead bodies lie across the streets and the entrance to the building, and as the remaining protestors retreat in fear. In response to the brutal response of the Egyptian authorities, many people in Giza protest outside the royal palace, where the queen and her advisors, and political allies hide, as the military roles in, shoving protestors, and beating any protestors who defy their authority. The queen decides to play it safe and move to Alexandria, where the majority of the people support her and where little protests take place. In the dead of night, Queen Farah and her staff and other royal family members loyal to her are smuggled out of the city and arrive safely at the royal Alexandria Hotel. The next day, Queen Farah publicly appears and announces Alexandria to be the new capital of Egypt. This would the last public appearance of the queen for the rest of the year. The queen sends an urgent letter to the tsar of Belka, requesting a deployment of a battalion of troops to Alexandria to help protect her and other government institutions, along with requesting to personally hire 100 mercenaries to help keep order and police the city of Giza. (FEUD RESPONSE NEEDED Another letter is sent to all nations in Europe who have active diplomatic relations with Egypt to move their embassies to Alexandria, as she says Giza is no longer safe for their ambassadors, and she can’t guarantee they are safe in Giza (MOD AND PLAYER RESPONSES NEEDED). Cotton continues to be produced in Egypt, and is shipped off to Belka, with a decently sized portion staying in Egypt for the people to use. Egyptian soldiers continue to train with European weapons and Belkan shock tactics. An extra number of troops absolutely loyal to Queen Farah are put on the Egyptian owned island of Bahrain, along with an extra number of ships. Many police in Giza rise up against the government and begin to side with the protestors, and actively fight against loyal government forces, who are seemingly getting overwhelmed.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree.


 * The Great Khanate: We send diplomats out to other countries in order to gain more international recognition and importance. The civilians aren't united and have their own interests. The Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Turkmen all have different cultures and we strive to create one nationalistic state. If all else fails, then we will collapse into smaller Turkic speaking nations. We are also opening up schools to educate our people for the possible opportunity of industrialization.


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: The Burgundian ironclad and frigate taskforce sent to Egypt to support Queen Farah remains in place. In Amsterdam, the keel of a new seagoing turreted ironclad, the SMS Kinnigin Louise, designed to build off the Nederland-class’ experiences, is laid down. Even while that ship is being built, the naval architects begin designing a new ironclad warship, larger and heavier than any other currently built, with heavier guns and thicker armor, under the working name Verwoester. Two weapons patents are filed this year, one for a self-propelled underwater torpedo (OTL Whitehead torpedo), and one filed by inventor Wëllem Paulissen for an armor piercing shell (OTL Palliser shell). Both of them require further experimentation, for which the military orders them to be conducted under the most possible secrecy. Near the town of Karelstad (OTL Willemstad, North Brabant), it is decided to build a bridge across the Hollandsch Diep, but issues with the width of the river, as well as the need to keep river traffic open, cause issues with the design, as some designs would be too weak to support themselves, or too short to allow river traffic. Young aspiring industrialist Andreas Carnegie, son of Scottish immigrants, proposes a design strong enough to support itself, yet with enough clearance to allow shipping. To accomplish this, his design utilizes steel instead of iron or brick. Despite the increased cost of using steel on such a scale, the governments of Holland and Brabant agree to fund the construction, to begin next year. Crown Princess Mary’s education reforms begin to be implemented this year, and new schools begin being opened in many areas. Neiuw Friesland (OTL Liberia) expands 50 px southeast along the coast. Garnaalië expands 50 px south. A new fort is established near the mouth of the Bandama River (OTL Grand-Lahou), which is named Neiuw Maastricht.
 * Occupied Rhineland: The occupation of the Rhine’s Left Bank continues to carry on uneventfully. Deciding to make the most of their time administering the territory, the military governors opt to help improve the local education systems. They secure funding from the States-General and enlist the Royal Army’s garrisons to help in the construction of new schools, and the Rhenish municipalities decide to adopt a curriculum along the lines of that used for the Crown Princess’ reforms, as the Rhineland (seemingly) lacks a universal education system.
 * Iberian Diplomacy: We invite Burgundy to enter into a Burgundo-Iberian Friendship and Cooperation Treaty. Through which the two nations will agree to work together for their mutual good on a variety of issues.


 * Republica Iberia: In Congress, the Prime Minister Leão continues to push reform bills through that continually modernize taxation, transportation, legal systems, education, sanitation, and the military. The social reforms continue and thousands of young farm-boys take advantage of the stipends and relocation funds to move to the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Seville, and many others. Rapid industrial growth around Barcelona and Madrid, along with a surge in commercial growth in Lisbon and Seville employ the majority of these young men. Education reform continues, focusing on grammar and mathematics as well as history and geography. In particular, schools teach most classes in the regional language, but all schools are mandated to teach Iberian as a principal class. The population in Iberia is estimated to be 30.1 million following the census last year. Population growth pressure has begun increasing food prices pushing the industry to increase modernization and production. Adoption of mechanized agriculture has been accelerating over the past few years, and now accelerates still further. Water conservation and erosion prevention projects begin across the Andalucia, Portugal, and Castilla. The flurry of reforms revitalizes the economy, which rapidly expands as companies regain confidence in future growth. General confidence in the government and hopes for the future grow due to the rebounding economy and the government’s involvement in preventing and addressing social and economic problems. Unionist activities continue, but mandated brokering prevents the unions from starving out the labor supply and encourages economic stability. Adoption of the Model 1864 Vento Lever Action continues, but is slow due to relatively low military funding. The Navy commissions A República this year after finish the work which started in 1862. The Navy orders the construction of three more ships in a slightly revised pattern after hearing of the French naval developments.
 * Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. The practice of using decaying vegetation as a moisture trap and as cover for the insects and other organisms required for the growth of more water intensive plants continues to spread. Its adoption is encouraged by the government and farmers across Morocco begin to use the technique. Exploration of coal and iron deposits in Morocco continue.
 * Antillas Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of sugar production and as a stopover for ships headed out into the atlantic. The Colonial Garrison is maintained at 1000.
 * Indias Orientales Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of spice production. The Colonial Garrison is increased to 2000 due to fears of Indonesian rebels. In addition, a task force of 2500 men of the Iberian Foreign Legion arrive in Makassar under lease by the Iberian Makassar Company.
 * Macaçar Ibérica: The construction of five ships has been completed by 1866 as the recession's effects had began to fade thanks for to the rising markets of spice production. However, more orders for ships were called due to recent Indonesian independence, an additional five ships were expected to be completed roughly by the end of 1867 thanks to newer trading ports and expansion of construction/production on the island. After the Iberian Foreign Legion had arrived in Makassar under lease by the company. The IFL of Makassar were ordered to reassert the company's (and thus Iberian) claim over South Sulawesi and to quell any disputes to such claims. (Mod response)
 * África Occidental Ibérica: The colony grows rapidly into the sahel. The annexation of former Cortezia occurs bringing the gold mines under control of the republic.
 * Conquistador Controlled Sine: Cortez and his men launch an invasion of Bissau, the state directly to their south. The invasion proves successful and the country is annexed into the colony.
 * United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: Work continues on the defences at Kismayo. With the transfer of Salish to Russia, Britain has more money for spending, plans to expand in the Bay of Kost are revitalised, the lands surrounding the Bay of Kost are incredibly underpopulated and utilised for good reason in part. Lands are granted to the new British cattle company giving them a permit to settle as much of the lands surrounding the colony as they desire. Using a mix of convict labour and those enticed by the land offer. Several hundred people move to the area this first year with plans to set up large ranches. Having been successful in British West Africa the new states are taxed and brought under crown control this year. England has a population of 19.4 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 15,000 professionals and 30,000 men in Ireland, 70,000 European soldiers and 300,000 Indian Sepoys in India spread out across the continent, 25,000 soldiers in Suez, 10,000 British soldiers, 10,000 Sepoys and 40,000 African soldiers at Kismayo. 10,000 in Uluru, 4000 in West Africa. There are two fleets: one at Hull and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 22 second-rate ships-of-the-line, 45 frigates, and 62 corvettes.
 * India: On the border of China, Myitkyina, Mansi, Hseni, Mongton, Kawkareik and Keng Tung each have 10,000 Indian forces at them while another 80,000 Indian forces and 25,000 British forces the forces are held in reserve at Mandalay and fortify the city. distributed across the country with 5000 British at the British strategic fort on the West Indian coast. India has 220 million people.
 * Uluru: A steady flow of people from Britain - many of them unemployed and Indian (convicts) - is maintained mainly going off to set up their own farms and a militia is maintained.

1867
''' In China, reactionary isolationist groups begin to start recruiting soldiers to form an army feeling ignored by the government. '''

''' In Austria, Czech forces, while fighting for Belka, struggle to motivate themselves to kill their former allies. Kruger and his men keep campaigning hard but make little progress against the strength of Belkan forces. '''

''' In Berlin, wealthy people such as landowners, merchants, industrialists and even middle-class people such as craftsmen and off duty soldiers attack and burn down a soup kitchen sick of the vagrant poor being rewarded for their vagrancy and they feel the king sides with them too much. '''

''' In Burgundy, a political party forms in the eastern regions of Burgundy near France campaigning and winning a seat here and there for recognition of the French language in Burgundy allowing it to be taught in some schools in areas which have high numbers of French speakers. '''
 * Marsanist Republic of France: After making voyage and examining the region, it is decided that the Zulu Kingdom will be the new location for French colonialism and the spread of Marsanism. The ironclad battleship, Hellfire, is sent and is accompanied by 13 frigates and six second-rate battleships and is deployed off the coast of OTL Port Elizabeth. Transporting a total of 10,000 troops, the battleships begin firing artillery shots and cannons at the coastal city, disorganizing and effectively putting the city in hysteria. Following this initial destruction, the 10,000 troops are deployed into the city with the battleship and fleet assisting them in clearing out enemy positions before they begin moving forward. The city of OTL Port Elizabeth is taken within a few days primarily due to the disorganized manner of Zulu Kingdom and the surprise invasion. Within the next couple of weeks, 4000 troops are deployed into the state as an official invasion and soon begin attacking the city of OTL Bhisho, where they are effectively able to occupy the city yet suffer moderate casualties. An additional number of 4000 troops are sent (making the total of troops deployed in the region at 7000) to assist with the remaining troops, and soon the next city of OTL Bloemfontein is razed to the ground in a matter of less than two weeks with the help of the Gauthier Gun, which in turn sees its first official use on the battlefield. The Zulu capital city, Bulawayo, begins to appear across the horizon as five additional frigates carrying a total of 5000 troops make voyage to the Zulu Kingdom in an effort to persistantly prove the French military might over the Zulu people. The Republic of Zulu is established under the militarily-occupied region, with Paul Courtois, the leading military admiral that directed the entire initial invasion, taking up the post as Colonial President of the new republic. The deployed battleships, including the ironclad battleship Hellfire, are expected to stay along the coast of OTL Port Elizabeth, patrolling the waters and effectively blockading the Zulu from any outside help. The British port city and the Burgundy state in Southern Africa are specifically avoided to not start any large scale conflict over the colonization of the state, and even the Swahili forces in Southern Africa are to be avoided at all costs. A few diplomats are sent to the king of the Zulu, specifically advising him to surrender the state to the French and in return, will remain in the position to self-govern the Zulu peoples but will be under the French African Realm (Mod) (the algo will also be posted soon). The response of "no" from the states in Southeastern Asia is ultimately saddening to hear the least, but it is respected. Isolationism as a policy continues, and a "closed border" policy is enacted, reducing the amount of people that immigrate into France, as well as making it more difficult for new immigrants to apply for French citizenship. In the remaining remnants of French Indonesia, infrastructure improves. A few frigates make headway to numerous locations and begin to examine the regions of Arabia, Iran, Papua New Guinea, Dai Viet, Japan, and the remaining former states of Benin that continue to persist. Most of these voyages are sent out at the beginning of the year due to the length that it takes to make travel across three different continents, with many of the frigates taking direct stops in Indonesia to refill on supplies.
 * That is not how we're doing this. Do your research on how it actually happen if you want it recognized. -Feud
 * I'll just delete it. Also, no mod response for the needed mod response? -Sol
 * Sorry, was busy a bit last night. Zulu says no and some elements of the military melt into the countryside. -Feud
 * All the more fun for me, then. -Sol
 * Ethiopian Empire: The Emperor continues his long benevolent reign, seeing education reach new highs as reading becomes a pastime for a large potion of the population. Folk tales: A sport that involves kicking a ball into a net catches the eye of Prince Theodore. He ask for the best of these "Footballers" to be put on a team and play together. Other teams are formed around the capital stating an amateur league in which teams play each other at the end of every week. The emperor brings up a new armed forces plan for the 1870s to modernize them entirely. The regular army will maintain its size of 100,000 while the Imperial Guard will linger around 50,000 troops as elite and front line troops. All fit men also fill out a two-year conscription and decide whether to be a part of their local militia or the regular army. The navy would recruit almost solely from the river and coastal regions to find its recruitment base, naval numbers will be reviewed next year. We ask Belka for 25,000 breech-loading rifles a year over ten years, along with 100 breech-loading artillery for ten years. The best engineers in Ethiopia are chosen to help Belka with the Railway.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree and begin to send Ethiopia the Zastava Needle Guns, and the Arsenal Breech-loading artillery guns.


 * China: The Huifu Emperor reaffirms the prohibition of ownership of private militias, but tries to incorporate them into the legislature (the Grand Secretariat) as an opposition force, and as well as work on mutual interests. To appease them, China severs any sort of official (financial-wise) endorsement of the Belkan Crown Colonies of Hong Kong and Macau, though Belkan activities and fair treatment of its Chinese inhabitants continue to see approval among Chinese intellectuals. Despite this, Westernization policy continues, with high government officials required to adopt Western attire, while Western-style uniforms are issued for the military. Li Hongzhang, however, popularizes the "rice bowl analogy" in which China will be nominally Westernized (constituting the bowl), but China will still stay true to its Confucian roots (constituting the rice within the bowl). Institutional reforms continue. The Six Ministries are replaced with a more comprehensive system of managing state affairs, excesses of civil servants are cut. The newly-created Ministry of Education begins to draft a modern education system, aiming to establish compulsory primary education (Grades 1–8), optional secondary education (Grades 9–12), and a modern European-style tertiary education. More scholars and dignitaries are sent to Belka to examine their education systems and their curriculum. As a compromise with the more conservative elements of the Grand Secretariat, Confucianism and moral education will still play a huge role in Chinese education. The Three Arsenals continue to produce rifled muskets, carbines, melee weapons, and ammunition in addition to being storage facilities for purchased weapons such as bolt-action and Needle Rifles, and now, artillery such as breech-loading rifled artillery. Matchlock rifles, outdated melee weapons, and outdated artillery are destroyed or their contents are used in the production of newer weapons. Men are encouraged to enlist with financial incentives, and a standing army of ~ 400,000 is planned by 1870. There are major advances in the light industries (especially within the production of textiles and luxury goods), while agriculture continues to be commercialized as many farmers shift to the cultivation of cash crops and sericulture. Major road segments are paved with concrete, and preexisting waterways and canals are improved. Industrial facilities continue to increasingly adopt the usage of coal power and machinery. As a result of rising demand, there is a boom in the mining sector, particularly in the mining of coal, copper and iron ores. Gold continues to be mined in vast quantities, in order to underpin the economy and peg Chinese banknotes. The influx of foreign capital and trade has led to Shanghai, Incheon, Tianjin becoming the foremost ports and trading hubs within China. Other minor but still significant port cities are Busan, Mokpo, Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Qingdao. In response to the Russian invasion of the Khanate, about 50,000 troops (with light artillery and medium cavalry support) armed with modern weaponry are sent west to seize the Tarim basin and establish Chinese control over Xinjiang, in order to secure the Gansu Corridor.


 * Xizang (protectorate): Lhasa, the capital, is expanded and modernized. The Tibetan clergy continues to administer the protectorate, with its leader, the Dalai Lama, being considered a vassal or substitute monarch. Many Tibetans are encouraged (via financial incentives) to become more sedentary, with food instead being supplied from nearby Sichuan (thereby reducing overreliance in inefficient herding).
 * Belkan Empire: The Belkan Empire under Tsar Uliyam continues to sees noted economic growth as well as a solid introduction of new industrial techniques specifically with machine tools which makes the construction of various products and military equipments and infrastructural improvements a much easier task. Officially the collection steelworks operating in the south sectors and outskirts of Belgrad become the largest steel producing region in the world. The steel railways are officially mostly completed throughout Belka increasing trade and carrying volume by almost ten times. Belkan steel is exported across the planet and its demand is so high that many firms are having trouble filling orders as the government also takes precedence over the foreign orders. Financial and stock transactions in the Sofiya market also hit an all time high as the market races onward having officially climbed out of the recession. Belka's currency having not been too badly damaged during the recession thanks to the hard austerity measures now sees itself as the World anchor currency as it is seen as a strong and stable currency that nations can peg to for value. The military, standing 600,000 strong, sees a budget authorization to increase as the commitment to a colonial empire begins and 200,000 more troops are added as colonial garrisons become needed. This is easily filled as the Reserved soak up the impact and the soldiers are ready in 100 days as per the mobilization time table. The Colonial garrisons are as follows. 20,000 stand in Macau and Durestov, with 10,000 in Burma. Another 30,000 sit mobilized in Durestov as of this year. 20,000 stand in Maghreb, and 20,000 stand in Zaire and Gabon. The largest garrison by far is the 80,000 strong force which stands as the Guardian of Suez. The remaining 20,000 of the garrison forces stand as a fill-in just in case of a flash point and the majority of the army sits at home. The further development of Belka's hand-cranked multi-fire guns sees a second version this year which is put to great use in Gabon as expansion farther inland occurs in a major fashion. Belka officially proclaims guarantees over Arabia and Persia. The Czechs, seeing less than stellar success, are withdrawn as the Belkan mountain divisions including the crack 3rd Mountain division take to the mountains and begin engaging once again in brutal mountain warfare, using less than conventional tactics they fight the insurgents hoping under all this duress Kruger will back off. The Belkan naval development continues with two new ironclads this year as they begin to replace cruisers and frigates now. A new design is developed as well below a destroyer as an armored frigate also with turrets. A new form of warfare begins to be considered, looking to outdate the concept of a singular field army but more spreading out along the entire line of battle delineated as a "front". It is noted that in an engagement with the outdated concept of marching field armies, the field army would be surrounded in quick succession by a "frontal army" as its been delineated. The Belkan arms delivery of rifled muskets and breech-loading Zastava Guns reaches China this year. The Invasion of Tondo is noted as a success and the Colony of Manila is established with a Belkan appointed governor but taking associated status much like Burma with Belkan East Asia. The Belkan triumph in Tondo, now the Colony of Manila is published in papers by November. Belkan investors officially begin the construction of industrialized lumber mills in Brésil as well as some textile mills (this is per a previous agreement with Brésil) The investment in Brésil is particularly to take advantage of the resources there and the beginnings of a steel based railway from Brésil's southern coal deposits to the budding factories in the Brésilian capital. The population reaches 76 million. As a result of increasing rhetoric from Ostdeutschland and inklings of tacit support for the rebels via Rhineland, the Borders of both Austria and Czechia are sealed. Seeing the threat of rhetoric from the German states and Hungary, the Belkan army brings more men from Reserves with a total of one million men fully mobilized in the Field with both Czechia and Austria now taking full field Armies of 200,000 a piece with 400,000 fully mobilized at home. The Navy even goes on higher readiness. The border passes and roads into Czechia and Austria have forts build on them to deter any attack. The Reserves as well are given a solid top off as a recruitment drive pushes it over the top back to two million strong.
 * Crown Colony of Maghreb: The amount of cotton grows as the expansion of canals continues specifically to reclaim and irrigate desert land. The Maghrebi Colony boasts a population of 6.2 million as crop yields and availability of goods begin allowing for a higher population in the region. The number of Belkan settlers in Maghreb increases as roughly 5000 settle this year. In an attempt to more rigidly organize settlement the Belkan upper-quarters are established in all major cities as Belkan populations in Tunis, Algiers and other major cities hope to separate the poor under-classes from the Belkan richer middle- and upper-classes. Richer Maghrebis are allowed into these quarters and some domestic industry is built - mostly textile - in order to facilitate some further wealth generation in Maghreb. All the factories are Belkan owned. Claims are made into the interior as tribesman are used to explore and stake out claims. As a result of necessity, the Belkan colonial government begins training troops for use in future conflicts training a full Maghrebi Army of 200,000 to be armed when the war begins. The units are paid directly out of Belka so as they know their decent paycheck is coming from the homeland and not from some colonial magistrate.
 * Crown Colony of Zaire: The Crown Colony of Zaire begins exporting materials to the homeland in greater numbers and quantity. Against the advice of his advisors, the governor refuses to rip up farmland for more cash crops and allows many farmers to continue their normal farming methods, only appropriating unused or underused land for the growing of cash crops like tobacco, sugar and more importantly, cotton. Rubber harvesting becomes more prominent as the necessity of rubber becomes more and more apparent. The population is finally put to number as the census shows it at 9.3 million. The first wave of roughly 2000 Belkan settlers and administrators arrive and begin setting up a new settler colony and capital at the mouth of the Congo River establishing a fort and moving all administrative control to the new city of New Thessograd. Interior colonization up the Congo river begins ending in major claims up the Congo River.
 * Crown Colony of Gabon: Being a newly developed Crown Colony, Gabon is put under a military governorship and is given orders to request troops from Zaire if needed. Port Volda becomes the capital of the new Crown Colony and some expeditions into the interior are conducted as more treaties and expansion into the Gabonese/Cameroonian interior is conducted. The Russian Colony near Libreville is rounded as the Crown Colony of Gabon links up with Belkan Zaire. The Colony expands heavily into the Interior using the hand-crank guns and the Belkan garrison.
 * Iztochna Aziya: The Durestov citadel sees setbacks with its completion slated for next year. The Belkan success in the Chinese market leads to a huge influx of capital and sees the new Belkan expeditionary force housed in Hong Kong/Durestov to reveal its purpose with the Belkan fleet supporting initially 20,000 and then 30,000 Belkan soldiers into the invasion of Manila. The invasion goes swimmingly and with two first-rates, two ironclad cruisers, two second-rate cruisers, eight frigates and two ironclad destroyers, and nearly 20 corvettes, the Belkan naval force manages to support the invasion of Manila heavily. The battle goes well as the well-equipped army obliterates the Tondolese army. Initially only about 5000 strong, the army increases to combat to roughly 10,000 before their entire army suffers disastrous casualties, specifically facing the Plovdiv Arsenal's MKII hand-cranked multi-fire gun (it's a Gatling gun). The Belkan army seizes Manila in short order and forces its capitulation as the center of government is cut off. Not entirely convinced the campaign is over, the Belkan army splits into three forces, one to hold Manila, one to go north and one to go south. By the end of the year, however, the Belkan expeditionary force has proven to cowtail or piecemeal wipe out or annex the rest of the noticeably feudal society into the new Colony of Manila. With logic being known to keep the aristocracy intact, albeit under Belkan authority, the Belkan administration effectively operates as the head of government and the aristocrats are kept in power (if they submitted) and opportunists hoping to gain power under the Belkan administration are put into power. The aristocracy essentially pays what it would have to the king, now to the Belkan administration. Manila, Cebu and Zamboana are designated garrison cities and are essentially used to keep control as the Belkan administration of Manila fully takes over. In Burma, the administration notices coal deposits and precious gems and moves to exploit them but also sets up a few Belkan-owned factories to support East Asia in a sort of way specifically in terms of support equipment shortening supply distances. The coal and gems are slated to begin full exploitation within a few years.


 * Hungarian Republic: “People of Hungary, we must grow and conquer as one. We must find a way with the Rhineland and Austria to earn our place on the world stage. People, we must fight hard and we must fight well, as such, I, Charles von Hapsburg, backed by congress, am reinstating a constitutional Monarchy in which our people will be cared for and we will survive, prosper and live forever. Long live House of Hapsburg!” Newly established King Charles von Hapsburg, spoke before congress today. We also get close to industrializing and our first factories are built (industrialization date of 1870 from Scraw). People are beginning to get refilled with their old nationalist pride and the radicals up the conscription laws to 5% - a total troop count of 60,000. We send diplomats to Prussia and Russia looking to them to ally with us, Kruger and the Rhineland against Belka. We request military access from Prussia and Russia as a beginning to relationships as well as from the German states between us and the Rhineland so as to create a coalition against the Belkan state.
 * French Diplomacy: Lmao.
 * Belkan Dip: Are you daft!? LOL
 * East German Dip: We find this very radical but seeing how tensions between the German people and Belka are on the rise, we'll take it into consideration but will not accept any moves of Coalition at this time. Military access is granted.


 * Kingdom of Egypt: Riots break out in Giza, and the Police Station in Giza is overrun by rioters. The Royal Palace is put under siege, with rioters jumping over the gate while being shot at by frightened palace guards and remaining military policemen. The palace is eventually brutally taken by the rioters, now turned rebels, as Crown Prince Hafez I rides in on a camel into Giza, returning from exile in Cairo. He arrives at the newly taken Royal Palace, and is saluted by the rebels. He gets off his horse, and stands on a pedestal inside the palace, and proudly proclaims a “new era” in Egyptian politics, and declaring himself king of Egypt, and the Caliph in Cairo as the new Head of State in Egypt. Hafez announces that he shall expel the European Colonizers and dethrone the so called “Illegitimate” Puppet Government in Alexandria, and announces Giza as the rebel capital. Immediately, rebels from all over the nation, mostly in central Egypt, begin to rise up against local government authority, and declare their allegiance to “King” Hafez, but these uprisings are mostly in small villages and minor cities. Most of the country stays loyal to Queen Farah I, and see her policies with Europe as a step to greater Egypt’s power. In Alia City, a lunatic named “Bashir Al-Muhammed” becomes more religious and radicalized. He has past reports of illusions and other mental disabilities, and this leads to him believing to have had a vision, where Mohammed and God said that he was the Mahdi, as prophesied in the Quran, and that he needs to establish a World Wide Islamic State, ruled by him, and that follows the law of the Quran and God’s wishes. Bashir spreads word about his vision, which allows him to gain a small cult like following by some stupid idiots and other mentally disabled people and allows him to found the “Peregrination for Jihad”, with Bashir’s own private army. Small enclaves of rebel fighters pop up throughout Egypt, all pledging allegiance to Hafez; Queen Farah responds to this by declaring a state of emergency, and announcing martial law nationwide. Crown Prince Hafez, now the new declared king of Egypt, announces to the Egyptian media he has arrested two Belkan citizens on the charge of collaboration and human trafficking. (BELKA RESPONSE NEEDED!)
 * Belkan Response: Unwilling to see the Belkan citizens taken and harmed or taken as hostages, the General of the Suez garrison seeks orders from home. The tsar and the Belkan Central Command agree action must be taken, to prove a point - not just to Hafez - but to all nations worldwide, that Belkan citizens cannot be taken with impunity and those that are will be attempted to be rescued. General Voldomir Taratazov with his 40,000 strong detachment arrives at Giza and spares no time. The Belkan forces, crack divisions, all veterans of the great war hit the city in a precise matter leaving artillery on the outside of the city and leaving the Belkan forces to use the artillery as a screen should they be forced to retreat. In the ensuing chaos only one of the Belkan citizens is rescued and the other hastily executed by Hafez's people. The point is clear, though, Belka will not tolerate its citizens being taken, and multiple groups of Hafez's soldiers taken captive in the early morning raid are brutally and in plain sight impaled in front of the city - a warning of punishment should Hafez try again at Belkan citizens. It is estimated that almost 80 Hafezian supporters are put up like this in full view of the city. Belkan arms and tactics also prove to be more than a match for the Hafezians as they are unable to match the Belkan troops blow-by-blow in any sort of shock combat.
 * Egyptian Response: The entire nation is in shock of what happened in Giza. This action scares many loyal to Queen Farah that she has powerful allies willing to protect their interests and her. On the other hand, this makes many of those supportive of Queen Farah question her true ideals, but mostly are happy at least one of the poor souls was rescued by Belkan troops. The Queen says that what happened in Giza was a brutal event, but must have been done for Belka to protect its people. Hafez is enraged by the impalement, and orders for the head of the executed Belkan citizen to be sent to the Belkan garrison in Damietta. Hafez made a public speech in which he was filled with anger and rage, and was yelling through most of the speech, saying “Belkan Imperialist Murderers Shall not be tolerated! We, the free people of Egypt shall not tolerate such acts of violence and horror, we would have returned. The citizens of Belka agreed to a deal, but this clearly states the Europeans don’t want peace! All they want is to exploit the Egyptian people! Allah shall destroy the infidels! Allah Akbar! Death to Belka!” Even though Hafez said he wouldn’t tolerate Belka whatsoever, he was willing to allow any other Belkan citizens, or anyone in general that wishes to leave rebel territory, to do so. Hafez promising to negotiate with Belka was also most likely propaganda. This attack, though, sparks major uprisings in more government territory, this time in a bit more populated territory then before, and conflict sparks with Egyptian Government Forces fighting against Traditionalist Rebel Forces.
 * Dear EoGuy, Don’t delete this again, or I’ll have to report this to one of the mods.
 * Russia: Soldiers with materials from Zapad Rail are shipped to New Constantinople. Plans by the city council and colonial council are to build a railroad connecting New Constantinople with the town of New Liverpool (OTL San Jose). Further plans call for a possible "Bay Bridge" between New Constantinople and the port city of Oakland. Salish is divided into two oblasts for Novorossiya, the first being Mzerka, it lies north of the Sao Joaquin River across from the Delta. Kaliforniya is what lies south of Mzerka, and is the border region for Novorossiya and Aztlan. In Europe, Prime Minister Kerensky sends a strongly worded letter to King Charles of Hungary, warning him against any anti-Belkan military action. In September the second official election is held with Kerensky keeping the Prime Ministership from Trudovik Vladimir Leonov. The Trudoviks, however, did secure the southern industrial vote. The troops amassed in Siberia are given simple orders, The Irkutsk force of 50,000 will drive into Tuva, the main 150,000 force will drive straight to Samarkand and defeat the Khanate at its capital. By messenger, war is declared upon the Great Khanate, in a imperialist quest to take what has been the goal for many tsars, colonization of Central Asia, and the possibility of an Indian Ocean fleet.


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: With Belka invading Tondo, and that kingdom focusing on the defense of its home islands, it is decided to take advantage of the situation and invade Tondo's Chamic territories. A force of 20,000 men, supported by a Burgundian battlegroup, including the ironclad frigates Dreadnought and Kinnig Wëllem II, support the invasion. First attacking the city of Prey Nokor, they pursue the Tondolese forces north, defeating them decisively at the battle of Panduranga. With the major cities under Burgundian control after the destruction of the local armies, a colonial administration is established and a local noble is installed as a puppet monarch, the first Chamic king since its conquest by Tondo. In Burgundy, the election of a few members of the Alsace Peoples Party (what I’m calling it) doesn’t come as much of a surprise, seeing how the Duchy of Alsace has only recently been admitted as a subject province. The Royal Army, with approval from King Robert IV, begin preparations for what is called Plan: Blue. In response to the minister's request to add French to the standard education curriculum in areas such as Alsace with a sizable French-speaking population, it is taken under consideration by the newly-established Ministry of Education, but given that the education system is still in its nascency, not many are keen to adjusting the curriculum until it’s better established. As such, much debate is shelved until the system has some years of experience under its belt. Andreas Carnegie begins construction is the Karelstad bridge across the Hollandsch Diep. In Guyana, the Rupertstad Works is opened, and a coastal railroad from Lauwensbeurg to Rupertstad to Yaracuystad begins construction. In New Netherlands, ground is broken on a new factory in Ramaaker, as well as an expansion of the New Amsterdam works. A modernization of the shipyards of Havanna, Kuba also begins, all part of a new program to help industrialize the trans-Atlantic territories and (in the case of New Netherlands) dominions. By the end of the year, the Royal Navy has completed 25 monitor-type ironclad warships, of which three are serving in the Mediterranean and two have been stationed in New Amsterdam for colonial defense. The latest of which, SMS Autokraat, mounts 20” smoothbore guns, while another, SMS Verdun, is the first monitor to mount rifled breech loaders, these being 8” caliber. Due to its inland position, the Royal dockyards of Stroussbuerg becomes a favorite construction site for the river-accessible monitors, allowing the coastal shipyards to concentrate on oceangoing warships.
 * Occupied Rhineland: The first round of new schools, built using funding the military governors receive to assist in administration, opens. As the local elected councils chose to base their new curriculum on Burgundys, Crown Princess Mary decides to make a state visit to the Occupied Rhine, meeting the military governors and the local elected leaders as they open the schools. She also sees the events as an opportunity to have the left bank of the Rhine be a bridge for good relations between Burgundy and the Rhineland now that Napoleon is gone. In December, in the name of her father King Robert, Princess Mary holds a meeting with the military governors, outlining the Crowns plan for the Occupied Rhine as they reach the halfway point of the allotted occupation period. By the time Burgundy surrenders administration back to the Rhineland, rail lines from Burgundian cities such as Stroussbuerg, Breda, Maastricht, Limburg, and Metz to Rhenish cities like Bonn, Mainz, and Koblenz are hoped to be completed to help facilitate trade between the countries post-occupation. Burgundy also hopes to secure free movement rights for the river monitors of the Royal Navy up and down the Rhine river.


 * Republica Iberia: In Congress, the Prime Minister Leão continues to push reform bills through that continually modernize taxation, transportation, legal systems, education, sanitation, and the military. The social reforms continue and thousands of young farm boys take advantage of the stipends and relocation funds to move to the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Seville, and many others. Rapid industrial growth around Barcelona and Madrid, along with a surge in commercial growth in Lisbon and Seville employ the majority of these young men. Education reform continues, focusing on grammar and mathematics as well as history and geography. In particular, schools teach most classes in the regional language, but all schools are mandated to teach Iberian as a principal class. The population in Iberia is estimated to be 30.9 million following the census last year. Population growth pressure has begun increasing food prices pushing the industry to increase modernization and production. Adoption of mechanized agriculture has been accelerating over the past few years, and now accelerates still further. Water conservation and erosion prevention projects begin across the Andalucia, Portugal and Castilla. These reforms, although somewhat destabilizing, lead to rapid and extreme industrial and economic growth. General confidence in the government and hopes for the future grow due to the rebounding economy and the government’s involvement in preventing and addressing social and economic problems. Unionist activities continue, but mandated brokering prevents the unions from starving out the labor supply and encourages economic stability. Adoption of the Model 1864 Vento Lever Action continues. The construction of the three ships continues, and they are to be launched next year. Another series of lighter ironclad second-class frigates is initiated with plans for eight ships.
 * Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. The practice of using decaying vegetation as a moisture trap and as cover for the insects and other organisms required for the growth of more water intensive plants continues to spread. Its adoption is encouraged by the government and farmers across Morocco begin to use the technique. Exploration of coal and iron deposits in Morocco continues.
 * Antillas Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of sugar production and as a stopover for ships headed out into the Atlantic. The Colonial Garrison is maintained at 1000.
 * Indias Orientales Ibéricas:The colony continues to enjoy the profits of spice production. The Colonial Garrison is increased to 2000 due to fears of Indonesian rebels. The force of 2500 men of the Iberian Foreign Legion remains under lease by the Iberian Makassar Company.
 * África Central Ibérica: The colony grows rapidly into the sahel. The annexation of former Cortezia occurs bringing the gold mines under control of the republic.
 * Conquistador Controlled Sine-Bissau: Cortez and his men continue exploiting the colony for profit.


 * Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. The army pushes to the River Ikwa. Following the collapse of the Zulu state from French invasion, Swahili forces occupied the region (OTL Transvaal) and declares the Sultanate of Swazi, a Swahili vassal. Following the end of the war, we ask the Swazi states to accept Swahili protection (Tens of thousands of Swahili soldiers are still stationed within these Swazi states). (MOD Response) Foreign veterans are recruited to train the army, especially those from the British and Belkan expeditionary forces. 
 * Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
 * Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
 * Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
 * Swahili Diplomacy to France: We wish that we and France can both recognise the Republic of Zulu and Swazi Sultanate, as separated by the river Ikwa (OTL Vaal).
 * French Diplomacy: As the French see it, the Swahili are attempting to simply seize most of the land that is currently occupied by French troops that have not yet even been accessed by the Swahili at all in their years of conflict with the Zulu. After this case is presented, a new territorial agreement is proposed (France gets the OTL Western Cape, Eastern Cape, the North West, and everything west of OTL Bulawayo that connects with the existing state of Zulu while Swahili gets whatever else remains). If this is accepted, then France will recognize the Swazi Sultanate as a vassal of Swahili and will make no attempts to try to sieze territory from the vassal and the other neighboring Swahili states.
 * Königreich von Ostdeutschland: The könig and his wife celebrate the birth of their first child, Princess Sofia. As the next in line for the throne, Heinrich plans to teach her all that he knows and then some. What happened in Berlin over what is called by the Press, “Night of the Burned Soup”, the culprits have received justice. The könig, seeing it as a sign that the people are not fond of the beggars privilege, cut 30% of the government funded locations. In the meantime, replacements such as showers are put in place to ensure sanitation remains. Job listings by the government are also listed for military factories and public works while mining becomes popular as a job within Saxony and Silesia. The könig orders a plan to be made against Burgundy to push them out of German lands. Generals work night and day to make sure that it would be perfect. After eight months, the plan had been delivered and had 20 copies placed in ten different facilities to ensure that the plan remained secure with one copy kept by the könig. Unemployment continues to go down and it sits at 5% with hopes for it to reach near zero grows. 20,000 men are drafted or join the military with them being trained alongside our German brothers and on certain days and weeks of the year, as the budget recovers but has not grown large enough to sustain full operation of military training with the recessions effects lingering but thankfully diminishing. A new currency is implemented called the Ostdeutsche Marke to replace the currently crippled currency and to cut the private bank's money production once and for all with the government central bank being under full control by the government. Loans are given to couples seeking to purchase or construct homes. If the couple had given birth to one child, 25% of the debt was removed and if they had four children, they would be debt free from the loan. It becomes popular for families near or outside cities which the government hopes to lead to a population boom while 40,000 sign up for the program. Chocolate continues to grow in popularity. For us Germans, we could only sit back and watch in horror as Germans fight for their freedom but make no gain. Families are given the right to stay with the Vereinigte Deutsche Front wanting the government to get involved. As a result, diplomatic relations remain but a possible cut lingers although the Neutrals current split in the vote have avoided such an event over Belka and we continue to request for them to have a referendum to decide the fate of the Austrians after people who went freely to help the Austrians come back with severe scars and injuries. The government does not support the Belkans' way of handling the insurrection but have not much of a voice in Foriegn policy. We encourage investors not to be concerned over the tensions in fear of certain sectors in the textile market falling. Celle plans to visit Belka next year in hopes of easing any tensions over the Austrian Insurrection. People are encouraged not to get involved in Austria as volunteers to aid the insurrection and anyone leaving with such interests that are caught are not allowed to leave the nation for eight months. The colonies expand equally by 18 px.
 * Belkan Dip: We refuse once again. If Prussia continues its hasty and ill-advised diplomatic action, Belka will be forced to isolate Prussia for its aggressive rhetoric. Your attempts to unify Germany are obvious and your necessity for an outside enemy to force unification are even more obvious. Clear your rhetoric and end your violations of a treaty YOU SIGNED. Austria and Czechia are within Belka's sphere and Ostdeutschland will recognize this. You exist and claim victory through Belkan and Russian arms. Do not forget this.

1868
''' This is taking too long. -Sol '''

 An Englishman named  '''Thomas Spence migrates to Scandinavian Vinland, and upon living there for a few weeks, declares the Republic of Vinland in the capital city, after being influenced by the republicanism in France and Iberia. He gains a substantial amount of support.'''
 * Kyauta Empire: The grandson of Mansa Kyauta I, Mansa Rahma I, decides to expand his empire and declares war on France's Colony of Mali, as well as the Nigerian republic. He knows the threat that France is making along his borders, and he refuses the authority of the French republic, being a monarch himself. He requests an alliance between his empire and the Kingdom of Burgundy, knowing France has disputed with Burgundy in the recent past and that they could be of great aid if they wanted to expand into French territory (Burgundian response, please).
 * The Songhai are a landlocked nation and does not currently share a border with any Spanish territory at this point. Assuming you are talking about Kyauta, Nigeria, then the Songhai are more closely bordered by the French and would be easier to attack than the Spanish. I won't cross this out for the time being, but please do your research next time, as well as learn about the history of the region you are currently playing in, and rethink your turn and strategy. Thanks in advance. -Solace
 * Thank you, good sir! - Dale
 * Just to be clear, what country are you and where? - Steph (Iberia)
 * French Diplomacy: Instead of attempting to wage war over a small issue at hand, the French Colonial President offers the Kyauta Empire a term limit of French protectorship, in which the French will help supply the Kyauta Empire with financial, structural and military protection and military structural help and in return, the Kyauta Empire will become a French protectorate for a term of 50 years (1918 is the expiration date) and will aid in French expansion within the African continent (I play France, BTW. -Solace). If the agreement is not properly accepted, then French military action will begin.
 * Steph, I'm virtually a small part of Nigeria. - Dale
 * Kyauta Diplomacy: Rahmah I agrees to it, so long as the French are willing to cede its territory in Nigeria to the empire, and makes sure nobody attempts to colonize the empire further.
 * French Diplomacy: If it weren't clear enough, the Kyauta will remain a separated entity from the Nigerian Republic that is the French State of Nigeria. The Kyautu will remain a protectorate of the French and no other deal that the original French one will be proposed. If the Kyautu continue to try to negotiate, then the French will have no other choice than to take direct and immediate military action and forcibly put the Kyautu under the Nigerian Republic. The French colonial president makes a simple statement regarding the entire situation: "Accept it, or else your 'Empire' will become a pit for soldiers stationed in the region to do as they please to the citizens, no consequences for their actions".
 * Kyauta Diplomacy: Mansa Rahmah I replies by calling a few of his guards. "Arrest this madman for defying the crown. I want his death to be slow and painful and his colonies burned to the ground." They do exactly as he says, placing him under arrest and executing him a few days later.
 * Heh, this will be fun -Sol
 *  Brésil:  In keeping with his father's work, Theodore announces support for Vinland, smuggling weapons via commercial steamboat.
 * Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming had led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. Following the end of the war, we ask the Swazi states to accept Swahili protection (Tens of thousands of Swahili soldiers are still stationed within these Swazi states). (MOD Response) Foreign veterans are recruited to train the army, especially those from the British and Belkan expeditionary forces. 
 * Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
 * Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
 * Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
 * Swazi: Political organisation is being set up and forts are being built.
 * Swahili Diplomacy to France: Bulawayo is part of Rowzi, a Swahili vassal. Swahili proposes to divide the territory by the Northern half of Northwest, OTL Gauteng, OTL Mpuma Langa, Limpopo, Maputo and Gaza to Swazi and the rest to the Republic of the Zulu.
 * French Diplomacy: Accepted. Since the city of Bulawayo is under Swahili control, the capital city for the Republic of Zulu is designated to be OTL Kimberly, where the remaining Zulu forces in the area will be effectively defeated and the French flag will raise over the region.
 * Russia: The Army of West Siberia makes its way to Lake Balkhash to rest from the desert climate. The olive uniforms make soldiers stand out like bushes so many are given white, Arab inspired uniforms to protect from the heat and attempt to keep the soldiers cool. With no real opposition from the Khanates armed forces as it is distracted retreating or fighting the Chinese the Army moves out once again and moves into an open Tashkent in the heat of summer. Due to no Russian experience fighting in the desert, it is decided to wait until Winter to move on Samarkand. That comes in late October when the 150,000 of the Central Asian Expeditionary Force marches on Samarkand to take the damn city and end the Khanate. Meanwhile, Zapad Railways gathers 500,000 unemployed in Kazan and begin to build a railroad both east and west. The western section will go to Novgorod, the eastern section is planned to go to Omsk first. Already Zapad constituents in Siberia have hired those unemployed to start demolishing parts of the Ural Mountains with a new substance called dynamite made in Scandinavia. In Far East Siberia, Pacific Railways begins plans for a railway from Vostokgrad to Sakhatsk. Pacific Railways Novorossiya begin to build parts of the Bay Area Route from New Constantinople. On December 7th Samarkand falls with the winter breeze. The Great Khanate is annexed. However, due to Chinese contribution distracting the Khanate's army even farther east, it is offered the frankly useless land of ( all of OTL) "Xinjiang" for their efforts, and the offer of taking any non-complying Turks, and the creation of a neutral Mongol state in OTL East Mongolia (Candies respond). The band Joseph av Fjell is tragically killed in a train derailment on their way to tour in Archangelsk. In response, a Ukrainian-Belkan named Lev Niklos writes a song called "Russian Pie" about the day of the crash. The unprovoked and unjust invasion of Novorossiya by the Brésilians is immediately met with a declaration of war upon Brésil. The Black Sea fleet of 95 ships (15 ship of line, 35 cruisers, and 50 frigates are dispatched from Sevastopol and Azov to bombard the capital of New Valois. Our old ally of Burgundy is asked for naval access to Ports in Kuba and West Africa for the duration of the war( Guy respond). The 150,000 troops in Siberia are rushed to Irkutsk where 50,000 will march to Vostokgrad and take ships to the Port of Duwamish which will land and take up frontline positions in the town of Shasta to begin a general offensive south. Meanwhile, all diplomatic connections to Brésil are cut. Meanwhile, the total of 45 Pacific Fleet ships (five ships-of-the-line, ten cruisers, 30 frigates) are mobilized following the escape from the Bay Area in Pearl Harbor, and are sent out to blockade the California coast.
 * China: Occupied Xinjiang is divided into two client states: the Dzungar state of Dzungaria and the Uyghur state of Altishahria. The Three Arsenals continue to produce rifled muskets, carbines, melee weapons, and ammunitions; in addition to being storage facilities for purchased weapons such as bolt-action and needle rifles, and now, artillery such as breechloading rifled artillery. Matchlock rifles, outdated melee weapons, and outdated artillery are destroyed or their contents are used in the production of newer weapons. Men are encouraged to enlist with financial incentives, and a standing army of 200,000 is planned by 1870. There are major advances in the light industries (especially within the production of textiles and luxury goods), while agriculture continues to be commercialized as many farmers shift to the cultivation of cash crops and sericulture. Major road segments are paved with concrete, and preexisting waterways and canals are improved. Industrial facilities continue to increasingly adopt the usage of coal power and machinery. As a result of rising demand, there is a boom in the mining sector, particularly in the mining of coal, copper and iron ores. Gold continues to be mined in vast quantities, in order to underpin the economy and peg Chinese banknotes. The influx of foreign capital and trade has led to Shanghai, Incheon, Tianjin becoming the foremost ports and trading hubs within China. Other minor but still significant port cities are Busan, Mokpo, Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Qingdao. ** Xizang (protectorate): Lhasa, the capital, is expanded and modernized. The Tibetan clergy continues to administer the protectorate, with its leader, the Dalai Lama, being considered a vassal or substitute monarch. Many Tibetans are encouraged (via financial incentives) to become more sedentary, with food instead being supplied from nearby Sichuan (thereby reducing overreliance in inefficient herding).
 * Republica Ibéria: In Congress, the Prime Minister Leão continues to push reform bills through that continually modernize taxation, transportation, legal systems, education, sanitation, and the military. The social reforms continue and thousands of young farm-boys take advantage of the stipends and relocation funds to move to the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Seville, and many others. Rapid industrial growth around Barcelona and Madrid, along with a surge in commercial growth in Lisbon and Seville employ the majority of these young men. The population in Iberia is estimated to be 31.78 million following the census. Adoption of mechanized agriculture has been accelerating over the past few years, and now accelerates still further. More and more, water conservation and erosion prevention projects begin across the Andalucia, Portugal and Castilla. These reforms, although somewhat destabilizing, lead to rapid and extreme industrial, financial and agricultural growth. General confidence in the government and hopes for the future grow due to the rebounding economy and the government’s involvement in preventing and addressing social and economic problems. Unionist activities continue, but mandated brokering prevents the unions from starving out the labor supply and encourages economic stability. Adoption of the Model 1864 Vento Lever Action continues. With the commission of the three Ironclads the fleet grows substantially. The ships are named, A Libertad, A Livre, and A Valente. Work begins on the Rápido Class Ironclad Frigates, with all eight hulls under construction.
 * Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. The practice of using decaying vegetation as a moisture trap and as cover for the insects and other organisms required for the growth of more water intensive plants continues to spread. Its adoption is encouraged by the government and farmers across Morocco begin to use the technique. Exploration of coal and iron deposits in Morocco continue. An effort is made to expand south of Algeria into the desert. Contact is made with Tuareg tribesmen, and they are incorporated as citizens of Morocco.
 * Republica de Algeria: The few short years under Morocco come to an end as pressure from Iberia sees those members of the Moroccan congress petition for and win independence. The republic is then placed under a tighter leash than Morocco. Immigration from Southern European countries is encouraged with stipends available for those that come. These stipends are only paid to those who do not come from Iberia. They are settled in the new capital of Mostaganem, east of Oran. The Algerian population suffered tremendously at the hands of the French and has only now reached a comparable level as before with roughly 3.2 million inhabitants. This means there is little early resistance to the Europeans. The majority of migrants are Italians or Iberians.
 * Antillas Occidental Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of sugar production and as a stopover for ships headed out into the atlantic. The Colonial Garrison is maintained at 1000.
 * Indias Orientales Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of spice production. With the border dispute unresolved, the 2500 men of the Foreign Legion, supplemented by another 2500, and, supported by 1000 men of the colonial legion invade Sulawesi. They are supported by the Fleet of the Orient which consists of six frigates, two second-rates, and the A Republica, as well as numerous support and cargo ships.
 * África Occidental Ibérica: The colony grows rapidly into the sahel. In order to secure the coast, a small force of 1000 from the colonial garrison attacks the last of the coastal states in Northwest Africa.
 * Conquistador Controlled Sine-Bissau: Cortez and his men continue exploiting the colony for profit.


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: Following the submission of Champa the previous year, it is decided to make use of the allotted' naval forces while they are still in the region. As such, an invasion of Java - long a goal of expansion in the East Indies - is launched. The invasion is a short affair, culminating in the Sack of Jayakarta by Sumatran and Malayan troops, supported by Burgundian regulars and naval forces. In light of Jayakartas fall, control is established over Javan territory, and a colonial administration is established. With the city of Jayakarta in ruins following its sack, it’s decided to build a new city in the area, to be named Batavia. With the rebellion in Vinland, King Robert and the States-General offer Scandinavia support in quelling the rebels (mod response, please). With Scandinavia accepting assistance, an expeditionary force of 10,000 men, equipped with 15 of the newly adopted Akker gun (otl Agar gun), supported by a squadron of frigates and corvettes, as well as the ironclad monitors Ourthe and Semois, land in Markland, to help suppress Spence’s rebellion. In terms of the Navy, the States-General orders two ironclad warships of what is called the Verwoester-class. The amount of money appropriated for the construction raises eyebrows, leading to speculation about the design, heightened by news that an order has been placed with Royal foundries for a new type of 12” gun. While the newly-ordered warships gather much of the attention on the Navy, the experimental board accepts a finalized for a self-propelled underwater torpedo, called the Woultersen Torpedo after its inventor. Construction of the Karelstad bridge across the Hollandsch Diep continues. Nieuw Friesland expands 50 px southeast down the coast. The newly established Nieuw Maastricht colony expands 50 px west along the coast. Garnaalië expands 50 px up the Sanaga river.
 * Occupied Rhineland: As the halfway point of Burgundy's occupation mandate passes, the military governors begin to implement what Crown Princess Mary calls “Phase Two”, the plan to have bridges in place between Burgundy and the Rhine’s West Bank by the time jurisdiction reverts to the Rhineland in seven years. The first rails on a Nancy-Mainz railway are laid down, as well as those on a Breda-Aachen-Bonn railway.
 * Yeah, Scandi accepts said help. Person.
 * Iroquois proposes a deal to end the border dispute with New Netherland, in which most of the disputed land will be ceded to Iroquois in exchange for New Netherland being able to access Lake Erie with a canal/railroad without fees or tariffs for 100 years. -s
 * The Deal is accepted
 * France: In the year 1868, the political aspect of individuals comes out with the presidential elections underway. As expected, Alexandre Marsan is able to effectively win the popular vote and thus become President for another four years. This angers a lot of conservative-traditional folk and war veterans that believe the work of President Marsan is detrimental to the region of France, and this failure in the presidential election proves extremely detrimental to the National French Foundation. Regardless, a new set of reforms targeting law, education, and other important domestic issues are passed. Textile factories and general industrialization continues with the creation of the mass-production zones. Aluminium begins to make headway as a futuristic material, and thus the first new structures making use of the new resource, while mixing it with other traditional materials, are built around Paris. After seeing an elephant in the Zulu Republic, and after getting his hands on some of the tobacco grown around the Kongo and Argentine, begins lobbying for a patent to create a packageable cigarette brand, which could turn into a large market possibility if fully successful and would end the need to roll cigars and cigarettes independently. Using the image of the Elephant as a sign of legitimacy and gimmicky, the cigarette brand is fittingly named Elephants (OTL Camels, LOL).
 * Malian Republic: The Malian Republic continues to remain under military jurisdiction, with zones of labor and recreational purposes being made. With this, infrastructural and defensive fortifications are made on the coast. The recreational zones becomes home to the first few waves of settlers wishing to live and experience the state for itself, as well as dig for gold. The settlers number 200 by the end of the year.
 * Nigerian Republic: As expected of the violence that the Kyautu Empire has shown toward the Nigerian Republic, military conscription had begun early in the year during which the first diplomatic talks were brought forth from the Kyautu. Most of the troops, fueled by the prize of being able to fully subjugate and do whatever they want with the land that is the Kyautu Empire after they win the war - which includes rape, murder and general violence, by the way - many of them get high morale, and some people have even planned where they plan to divide the territory once it is effectively crushed. With this, and the death of the French Ambassador to the Kyautu, the French Colonial President officially declares war and 55,000 colonial troops, fielding mostly outdated weaponry from the Great European War, invade directly into the heart of the state, and soon the situation turns south relatively quickly after the first city is occupied. With soldiers pillaging and engaging in explicit acts, 10,000 troops remain in the city as the remaining 43,000 continue onward and soon the capital city comes into large view. Due to the Kyautu's tribal warfare tactics and lack of general information about anything in the modern era, it is decided that the Gauthier Gun will make good practice for the citizens in the city, and soon much of the citizens and standing army in the city are slaughtered within hours, with the remaining surrendering within minutes after witnessing the destructive force that is the French military. With this, the capital city is effectively overrun, with soldiers sacking the city for all of its valuable resources and, much like the other occupied city, begin committing explicit acts upon the people that live there, whether it be testing the range of the Gauthier gun 20 times over or simply burning down a house with dozens of people tied onto the structure, the Kyautu Empire effectively collapses and the French Nigerian forces reign supreme in the region (I don't play around. -Sol). The territory is effectively annexed into the Nigerian Republic as an autonomous region for the moment, until the French language is properly established and comes more reasonably spoken as much as it is in the main Nigerian Republic. The victory is rejoiced in the capital city. Exports continue, and the new expansion into the northern region has prompted for the discovery of numerous local tribal states.
 * Zulu Republic: Militarily operated out of the coastal city of Port Louis (OTL Port Elizabeth), the Zulu Republic begins to see a year of drastic reform as the military swings into the region and effectively establishes its ruling within weeks of the state's conquest. The last stronghold for the Zulu in the French-influence area, OTL Kimberly, is effectively besieged and the remaining Zulu garrison effectively surrenders after an additional 10,000 troops are received from the homeland of France are able to help in the siege. A governor is put in place, and soon war effectively is declared over. The people remain low in morale generally, but the classical infrastructure and the updated aspects in the city of Port Louis, including both infrastructural and defensive construction, has prompted the region to become a tourist destination after President Alexandre Marsan visits the region himself during the winter, and soon the first wave of settlers arrives, numbering roughly 500.
 * Argentine State: Argentine continues to experience Nirvana as the victory against Brésil years prior continues to fuel the voices and nationalism of many citizens. Infrastructure develops as the first imported French railway is built, connecting the cities of OTL Mar de Plata and OTL Tandil, putting the Argentine State as one of the most industrial and modern states in Laurentia, with European-like buildings and educational reforms occurring. The first factory, which is contracted and supported by a famous textile company in France, opens along the OTL Salado River.
 * Peruvian Diplomacy: Protector Paquet of Peru politely requests with great fervor that Peru and the Argentine State form together in a union, forming the new Union of Laurentia, for we are both united not only by sharing a border once again, but by a common language and national spirit of being descended from the French. With our powers combined we will have access to ports in both the Pacific and the Atlantic, we will both have access to massive French industrialization efforts to both of our states and have access of rich deposits of untapped saltpeter, our potential endless, our power to expand exponentially forever and ever. Not only will we prosper in a union, but we will also also be able to ensure our protection and survival against Brésil, our Union shall be eternal. The Union of Laurentia is proposed to remain a French protectorate like the Argentine State, but under the leadership of Protector Paquet. Further, we propose that French Nationalists and French veterans immigrate to the new Union to find a new life and new oppturnity, allowing them to restore the French state that they envision.
 * French Diplomacy: Accepted.


 * Brésil: After intense British nose-stuffing, all weapons shipments are redirected. Instead of going to Vinland, they will be going to Napoleon, along with 10,000 Brésilian veterans who volunteered to fight by his side.


 * Belkan Empire: Under the umbrella of diplomacy, the Ostdeutch diplomat Celle is accepted at the Austrian borders with full military parade and regalia. The expertise and precision as well as the discipline shown by the Belkan forces accepted Celle at the border is made paramount and the diplomat is given a tour down Austria on the trip to Belgrad. Many of the benefits of Belkan overlordship of Austria are made apparent as the large amounts of railway networks, telegraphs and even Belkan civil amenities are showcased across the board. However, a town rendered completely abandoned near the Alps is the final stop as Celle is shown many of the buildings destroyed. Some of the refugees from the town living nearby agree to meet with the Ostdeutch diplomat and say that "the insurgency is the reason our town has died, not the Belkan army which has spent most of its time in the mountains keeping the fight away from population centers". Finally, Celle is brought down through to Trieste and put on a first class train to Belgrad passing much of Belka's massive industrial centers on the way, even passing by the largest steelworks in the world, the Belgrad Steel complex which is shown to be not just ahead of much of the rest of Europe, but an abominable giant that exports steel to the entire world. The Rodina remains prosperous and peaceful as population growth remains massive and the average births increase to five or six per family. The census this year shows a massive 77 million people in the country with some of the highest growth being in the frontier regions having been settled by over a million veterans in the last decade. Krete and Samothrakiya show massive Belkan immigration as well and the universal schooling system shows a huge growth in the understanding and universal speaking of Jugoslavic, the unified south slavic language. The Navy continues to experiment around with ironclads and turret designs hoping to make significant breakthroughs in theory and practicality. The Belkan economy shows significant growth with the addition of both Burma and Manila to the Empire. Surprisingly enough, nearly 15,000 people head to Manila hearing of its pristine beaches, and potential to make a new life for themselves. Belkan explorers from Maghreb led by the nomadic tribesman of the deserts officially reach Kanem Bornu via the Trans-Saharan trade routes and effectively carve a pathway to the state as trade is opened officially. It is declared a state of Belkan interest as is much of the Sahara below Maghreb and is offered a protectorship. However, at gunpoint as 1000 Belkan troops march via the Trans-Saharan route using the city Zaouila and the known oasis at the midway point as a resupply point. (mod, please)
 * Crown Colony of Maghreb: The amount of cotton grows as the expansion of canals continues specifically to reclaim and irrigate desert land. The Maghrebi Colony boasts a population of 6.2 million as crop yields and availability of goods begin allowing for a higher population in the region. The number of Belkan settlers in Maghreb increases as roughly 5000 settle this year. In an attempt to more rigidly organize settlement the Belkan upper-quarters are established in all major cities as Belkan populations in Tunis, Algiers and other major cities hope to separate the poor under-classes from the Belkan richer middle- and upper-classes. Richer Maghrebis are allowed into these quarters and some domestic industry is built - mostly textile - in order to facilitate some further wealth generation in Maghreb. All the factories are Belkan owned. Claims are made into the interior as tribesman are used to explore and stake out claims. As a result of necessity, the Belkan colonial government begins training troops for use in future conflicts training a full Maghrebi Army of 200,000 to be armed when the war begins. The units are paid directly out of Belka so as they know their decent paycheck is coming from the homeland and not from some colonial magistrate.
 * Crown Colony of Zaire: The Crown Colony of Zaire begins exporting materials to the homeland in greater numbers and quantity. Against the advice of his advisors, the governor refuses to rip up farmland for more cash crops and allows many farmers to continue their normal farming methods, only appropriating unused or underused land for the growing of cash crops like tobacco, sugar and more importantly, cotton. Rubber harvesting becomes more prominent as the necessity of rubber becomes more and more apparent. The population is finally put to number as the census shows it at 9.3 million. The first wave of roughly 2000 Belkan settlers and administrators arrive and begin setting up a new settler colony and capital at the mouth of the Congo River establishing a fort and moving all administrative control to the new city of New Thessograd. Interior colonization up the Congo river begins ending in major claims up the Congo River.
 * Crown Colony of Gabon: Being a newly developed Crown Colony, Gabon is put under a military governorship and is given orders to request troops from Zaire if needed. Port Volda becomes the capital of the new Crown Colony and some expeditions into the interior are conducted as more treaties and expansion into the Gabonese/Cameroonian interior is conducted. The Russian Colony near Libreville is rounded as the Crown Colony of Gabon links up with Belkan Zaire. The colony expands heavily into the interior using the hand-crank guns and the Belkan garrison.
 * Iztochna Aziya: The Durestov Citadel is officially completed this year (strategic fortress, baby) and the population between both Macau and Hong Kong is known to be nearly 400,000 with more population standing favored in Hong Kong itself. The inclusion of Manila into the Confederal nature of the colony is not surprising and Manila very quickly becomes a production colony as cash crops, food stuffs and, interestingly enough, it becomes notable like Burma for its raw materials which will be used to fuel the homeland industrial economy. Being potentially the most profitable colony in Asia for Belka, it is slated as the poster child of successful Belkan colonialism and investment floods to the colonies. Infrastructure, civic buildings and other everyday improvements begin radiating out from the capital of Manila as Belkan investment floods the colony. In Burma more resource production intensive methods are adopted as precious gems, and more importantly coal being to be extracted and sent home and to the few factories in the Burma region. Combined between all of Belkan East Asia, the population stands at nearly 20 million.
 * Dependency of Kanem: The Dependency of Kanem is established under the direction of the Saharan expedition led by Mikhail Alekovic who builds a reliable supply chain from Maghreb to Kanem via the Trans-Saharan Trade route. While initially only 1000 Belkan troops are in the new colony to begin setting up the government, the relatively feudal status of the society and their willingness to work with the Belkan troops gives them some leeway in terms of their rule. The Kanem emperor is kept in place as are many of his loyal aristocrats and many people in general are left in place as long as the whole system leads into the Belkan market. Interestingly enough, Kanem accepts Belkan goods with open arms, and it becomes extremely noticeable that the nation, discovered and colonized out of a prestige gain and the "because we can" attitude has turned into a gold mine in some cases literally. Kanem is revealed to have gold, salt and other important mining products which shock the Belkan stock market and cause a huge upswing in stocks as the economic potential is revealed by surveyors. With a light population of roughly four million, the vast distances of the country see the necessity in infrastructural investment. Their cooperation with the now 5000 strong Belkan army setting up its administration in the city of Kanem. The agricultural potential is even noted as a source of raw cotton among its mining potentials. The influx of Belkan consumer goods even begins to effectively disseminate into the new territory.
 * Yes, they accept protectorate status. Person.


 * Kingdom of Egypt: The Pyramids and the Sphinx, which were controlled by an encircled force of government troops, has been taken by traditionalist Forces. Hafez, wanting to prove that Egypt can be independent from Europe and self reliant, orders the mass production of domestic arms for his rebel army, instead of relying on raids on Egyptian military bases and weapons from POW's, this results in rushed, badly made early 1800s based guns being made, which don’t fare well against the modern European weaponry of the government army. Bashir and his followers are forced out of Alia City by government authorities there, after this, they begin raids on small military outposts and taking weapons from the outpost. They take over some small villages to the east of Alia City. We request some Belkan troops to help us out (FEUD RESPONSE NEEDED!). Egyptian government forces hold their ground in places where uprisings have taken place. Many village uprisings fail. Traditional forces fail to gain any more ground, at least without any uprisings in government controlled territory.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree.
 * Peru: Michaël Louise Paquet
 * United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: Work continues on the defences at Kismayo. This year the Primary School Education Act of 1868 is passed mandating all children between five and ten must attend primary school. Employers are responsible for making sure they hire no one over the age of 11 and they can receive fines. School runs for nine months a year from September to May allowing kids to still work on farms in summer. In Ireland, Scotland and Wales, native languages can still be spoken in but the core curriculum focuses on the 3R's: reading, writing and arithmetic with the reading and writing being in English. Religion is also taught. This is all paid for by the state and school attendance officers are created. As everyone else is expanding Africa really fast we keep pushing inland with 1000 soldiers each setting out to invade the four African nations bordering the existing British Gold Coast Confederacy which is what it is now called. In the Bay of Kost we expand 25 px to the south along the coast to allow better transport. A lot of cattle growers establish themselves around there. England has a population of 20.3 million, Wales has 1.2 million, Ireland has five million people, and Scotland 2.8 million. In Britain, based in southern England, there are 15,000 professionals and 30,000 men in Ireland, 70,000 European soldiers and 300,000 Indian Sepoys in India spread out across the continent, 25,000 soldiers in Suez, 10,000 British soldiers, 10,000 Sepoys and 40,000 African soldiers at Kismayo. 10,000 in Uluru, 4000 in West Africa. There are two fleets: one at Hull and one at Bristol, each comprise ten first-rate ships-of-the-line, 22 second-rate ships-of-the-line, 45 frigates, and 62 corvettes.
 * India: On the border of China, Myitkyina, Mansi, Hseni, Mongton, Kawkareik and Keng Tung each have 10,000 Indian forces at them while another 80,000 Indian forces and 25,000 British forces the forces are held in reserve at Mandalay and fortify the city. distributed across the country with 5000 British at the British strategic fort on the West Indian coast. India has 220 million people.
 * Uluru: A steady flow of people from Britain - many of them unemployed and Indian (convicts) - is maintained mainly going off to set up their own farms and a militia is maintained.
 * New Netherland: The legislature of New Netherland reaches a majority of the pro-separatist party. The current leader, Michiel Roosevelt Sends diplomats to the UK and France about a possible secret alliance to allow for possible eventual complete severance of ties between New Netherland and Burgundy.
 * French Diplomacy: French President Marsan declines the offer, and the diplomats are properly returned back to New Netherland.
 * ' *Peru: King Jose I dies and with his death, the House of Raygada also dies. The King's death causes Parliament to plunge into pure chaos, allowing for Michaël Louise Paquet, an Argentinian-Peruvian who lived through the horror of the First Argentinian War as a child, fought in the Salado Campaign and the Battle of Rosario from 16-18, and fled Rosario after killing countless Brésilians and Mapuche just before the siege was in full swing as the final act of the war, ending up in the outskirts of Peru where he became a Saltpeter mine worker, and exchanged his paycheck for equity in the mine and room and board. From the small percentage of money he earned, Michaël developed the Paquet method, a method of transporting saltpeter across Peru and later exporting it, eventually owning the means of transportation and exporting, where he made his fortune, and with this fortune, paying off the Army and storming Parliament in the midst of chaos and forcing them to elect him as the Protector of Peru, where he proclaims "From this day forth I shall lead Peru into the glorious future but we must take massive action to preserve Peru and make her achieve the highest amount that humanity has to offer, we must utilize our resources efficiently as a nation if we are to survive and thrive in this cruel dark world, united in love for our people. Our greatest existential threat is the state of Brésil, who has used its power to subdue Laurentia to its dominion. They invaded Argentine when it was weak, invaded it when they had no business invading it but saw an opportunity and feasted upon while it was weak, and ten years later Argentine fought Brésil back when it was weak and won, restored again to its rightful place, and I helped with that restoration. Now I see a new vision as Brésil is industrializating and having renewed strength, so must we have new strength, and we need the strength of Argentine, thus I propose a Union between the great states of Peru and Argentine, and together we shall form the Union of Laurentia." '
 * French-Argentine Diplomacy: Since France has direct protectorate-ship over Argentine and has invested a large number of resources into promoting the state as a leading industrial power in Laurentia, the French and Argentine governments will respectfully accept the deal under the pretense that Peru will also become a French protectorate for a term of 25 years, and in return Argentine's protectorate status under France will cease to exist, allowing for a more peaceful independence to the Laurentian nation with the additional qualities of being technologically, societally, and militarily more advanced than its neighboring states, as well as economically superior (You can post about the Union of Laurentia independently, but if you go to war, I have to help you. Also, if accepted, a proper page will be created about this so we can figure out the terms and details, as France basically has a large monopoly over Argentine when it comes to industrial goods, like railroads and textile products. -Solace, The France Player).
 * Peruvian Dip: Protector Paquet agrees to these terms, forming the Union of Laurentia and embarking on the journey of statecradt with French-Argentine diplomats
 * Scandinavia: All is well, more coming.
 * Brésil: In keeping with his father's work, Theodore announces support for Vinland, smuggling weapons via commercial steamboat. After intense British nose-stuffing, all weapons shipments are redirected. Instead of going to Vinland, they will be going to Napoleon, along with 10,000 Brésilian veterans who volunteered to fight by his side.The 10,000 troops in Napoleonic Utah, along with 10,000 troops from the Brésilian mainland, cross the border into OTL California. They seize everything south of New Constantinople, surrounding the city. However, they cannot breach the walls. An offer is made to Novorossiya. If they declare independence from Russia, peace will be made [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]  Back at home, Theodore makes a state visit to Argentine, saying that Argentine independence is confirmed and shall not be challenged. In addition, the first Brésilian ironclad is launched from New Valois, called the Emperor's pride.
 *  In addition to being implausible as Feud so graciously pointed out, please structure your numerous posts into one single post that can be added onto. This helps a lot in the long run. Thanks in advance. -Solace 
 * Nova Belgica: Pieter Steyn, a former military officer and successful businessman, is elected as the new governor of Nova Belgica, after campaigning on a platform of fiscal conservatism and support for industrialization. Upon taking office in Sint Jan he seeks to overturn the popular spoils system in the nation's government, instead offering federal positions to applicants based on merit, using examinations if necessary. The move is quickly opposed by many, including some within Steyn's own party, and Steyn responds by issuing an executive order forbidding federal office holders from being required to make campaign contributions. For the remainder of the year Steyn battles with other major politicans in an effort to root out corruption, to varying degrees of effectiveness. The building of new railroads is promoted by Steyn's government, with the government-owned Nova Belgica Railway seeing major construction this year. New lines are created in addition to the already existing lines on the peninsula, which connect Sint Jan to Nassau (Windsor), and Sint Jan to Noortwijk (Truro). A new railway is to connect the capital to the city of Kobecstad and the British cities to the far west, as well as to the south of the nation and the many coastal cities there. To date one of the only well established industries in Nova Belgica is the shipbuilding industry, which flourishes well under Steyn's initiative. However, the rest of the peninsula remains largely agrarian, with grain and cattle production being two of the largest industries. There is a noticeable downward trend in agricultural production, which the government attempts to halt by modernizing the agricultural industry and implementing assistance through loans and grants. There is a push also by Secretary of War Louis Lépine to modernize the military of Nova Belgica, in response to the recent instability elsewhere in the colony, including the rebellion in Vinland that our mother kingdom has offered to help quell. Several regiments are raised to join the expeditionary force from the Kingdom of Burgundy, and arrive in Markland awaiting orders from the Burgundian command.

1869
''' The Hungarian monarch, the dreaded Habsburg, is deposed in an extremely violent coup which sees his public beheading and the execution of his radical advisors. The provisional Hungarian government immediately makes amends announcing its intent to repair relations with Belka and Russia, having seen them so obviously damaged by this radical king. '''

''' More German immigration occurs to the Napoleonic state in Arcadia as well as Texas. Texas in particular offers a deal offering a homestead free of charge to immigrants if they agree to develop the land and make it profitable. This sees some surprisingly high initial success. '''

''' Aztlan, after years of disorganization and lacking government control, sees the full implementation of a new economic policy which sees some serious economic successes specifically the building of new railways from its coal deposits to factories near the Capital. '''

''' Novorussiya sees a new wave of immigration from both Anglos and Germans hoping to build new lives and find fortune. They bear little loyalty to the highly underdeveloped colony's mother country and immediately begin forming their own communities while paying minimal lip service to the Russian administration. '''

''' Japan undergoes a traditionalist coup to depose the government which has tried to industrialize and westernize only to become embroiled in a civil war as Japanese aristocrats finance the Creation of a centralized Imperial army. The Imperial army adopts modern weapons and uniforms and immediately creates government contracts to be awarded to many western nations for weapons. Burgundy, Britain, Belka, France, Iberia, and Russia are all given an opportunity to compete for the government contracts and send advisors and equipment for the Empire to purchase and test on its own. '''

''' In Belgrad, Austrian terrorists blow up a bridge by moving a carriage packed with gunpowder and incendiary substances killing several people while the bomber escapes by swimming away. '''

''' In Peru, many see this newly established government as having sold out to the French. A number of army officers launch a coup to restore Parliament which fails directly but escalates into a civil war. '''


 * France: Textile factories and general industrialization continues with the creation of the mass-production zones. Aluminium begins to make headway as a futuristic material, and thus the first new structures making use of the new resource, while mixing it with other traditional materials, are built around Paris. The cigarette product, Elephants, sees large financial success, and soon the Zulu Tobacco Company begins to hold a large monopoly over cigarette production and distribution in Africa, the Americas and Europe. With the Union of Laurentia becoming a reality, many French businesses begin moving and opening up secondary branches in the Peruvian and Argentinian states respectively. The original Hungarian monarchy that had been deposed by Bathory "The Terrible" and sought asylum in France is offered back to the Hungarian provisional government, as a sign of good will between the French and the Hungarian governments (Mod Response Needed). Two new ironclads are produced, and a new line of cruisers are unveiled and commissioned properly. The Impaler ironclad makes voyage to Zulu, eight second-rate battleships and the ironclad battleship Belenus make voyage to Peru, so that the Peruvian-Argentine government may use the design to create their own ironclad battleships. In addition to these developments, a few contractors being inspecting the saltpeter mines, and soon a reduced price for modern, industrial mining equipment is offered to the Union of Laurentia (Player Response Needed). The new success and achievements made across the world brings back national pride for the French people. The French ambassadors in Peru try and reason with those that believe that Peru is "selling out", saying that the Union of Laurentia and France are connecting and collectively attempting to please the lives of the ethnic French throughout Laurentia, as that is the main goal, in addition to making the Union a powerful and superior nation to that of it's neighboring Mapuche and Brésil.
 * Mali: The Malian Republic continues to remain under military jurisdiction, with zones of labor and recreational purposes being made. With this, infrastructural and defensive fortifications are made on the coast. The recreational zones become home to the first few waves of settlers wishing to live and experience the state for itself, as well as dig for gold. The settlers number 500 by the end of the year. Two expeditionary force of 5000 soldiers each are sent to the two northern states that border Mali, Imamate of Futa Jallon and Toucouleur Empire, with the soldiers each bringing along ambassadors that are basically sent to force the two northern states into signing away all of their land (Mod Response Needed). If accepted, then the citizens shall remain unenslaved and the kings shall remain as figureheads and be showered in riches, but if they decline, then the kings will be decapitated and the citizens will be turned into slaves.
 * Nigeria: Exports continue, and the new expansion into the northern region has prompted for the discovery of numerous local tribal states. The first of these, the Mossi Kingdom, is traversed and explored. The French explorer whom discovered the tribe goes back to Nigeria, and soon an army of 2000 men arrive at the gates of the Kingdom, basically forcing the Mossi people into signing over their land to the French (Mod Response Needed). Another neighboring state, Oyo (to the left of Nigeria on the map), see's a similar incident occur, but due to Oyo's close proximity to Nigeria, a force of 10,000 are sent (Mod Response Needed). The small state to the southwest of the nation sees yet the same occurrance, but only 1000 soldiers are sent (Mod Response Needed).
 * Zulu: The ironclad battleship, Hellfire, and the other six second-rate battleships are set to leave Zulu early in the year, and be deployed to Indonesia. The remaining frigates are set to remain for a long durational period. Infrastructure improves, and soon the entire Zulu territory is mapped out. French tourists continue to flood the Zulu state, and some French settlers being settling far into the territory and farming Maize and other grains that are expected to be sold and exported. The coastal city of Port Louis becomes the most populous city in the state, even exceeding the capital city of Mariette (OTL Kimberley), and becomes urbanized. Racial segregation is heavily frowned upon by the local governors and colonial President, with even some French tourists being imprisoned upon the making of racial slurs designated toward the Zulu people. The population is 10.5 million.
 * Indonesia: With the Japanese Civil War underway, the French Indonesian colony see's some new importance. Large exportations of old weponry used between one to two decades ago are sent and sold to Japan, and after getting the quota needed, the arrival of the French ironclad and its accompanying ships prompts for an invasion of the recently independent Papua New Guinea, assuming it is independent anyways. Transporting a total of 2500 troops via the eight frigates, the battleships blockade and bombarding the island, with the troops landing in Port Moresby and sieging the city and collapsing the capital city within weeks. It is expected that the Papua king simply gave up to face further military destruction (Mod Response Needed). While surveying the area looking for Port Moresby, a French frigate stumbles upon the OTL Solomon Islands, and soon a small port is created by the crew after surveying the island and setting up camp in OTL Buka Town.
 * Removed to reduce Clutter. -Feud
 * Laurentian Diplomacy: We accept the sale of modern industrial mining equipment to mine the saltpeter deposits more effectively, we also begin work on an ironclad battleship based on Belenus in earnest and thank France for both.


 * Belkan Empire: Belka doubles down on its attempt to root out the Insurgency in Austria following the bombing in Belgrad and with the increase in available combat forces begins taking the fight deep into the Alps with its highly experienced mountain divisions. It hits Kruger relentlessly ignoring casualties and for the first time utilizing a very unconventional unit, the Turks, supported by Belka's already powerful mountain divisions. The Turks, having mostly settled in the Belkan Mountains following their freedoms, are accustomed to the terrain, the weather, and most importantly their ability to operate for extremely long periods of time away from other centers of civilization and communication. The First Turkish Mountain Division is deployed into the Alps. Fiercely loyal to the Empire that freed them of their horrible treatment from before the civil war, the Turks butcher insurgents in the most gruesome ways, making impalement seem preferred. The Turks take trophies from killed insurgents, and when finding an insurgent camp assault it will relentlessly and with highly unconventional methods. While still suffering from heavy retaliation the methods of the Turks prove to be even more productive than the normal Belkan mountain divisions and the deep assaults into the Alps cause huge disarray within Kruger's insurgency. At home the Belkan economy still thrives and grows as the expansion of the nations industrial capacity now spreading to cities like Visegrad in the north and into townships in Moldavia has effectivly brought the final remnants of agrarian Belka to a close. Most people are employed in industrial work or something related to it and the industrialization of agriculture has brought massive yields of food. Unemployment hits record lows and the influx of materials from the colonies solidifies an already power economy as the undisputed leader of industrial production. With new advances particularly in concrete and engineering construction, the strategic forts in Moldavia and Trieste are modernized. The Population this year grows to 80 million and the government forced to look at issues of population density, There is some noticeable downturn thought as families noticeably look to have smaller families in order to have more personal living space among other personal reasons. Trieste, Sarajevo, Belgrad, Sofiya, Plovdiv, Thessograd, and Vasiligrad all stand as massive urban mongrels stacked to the top with people. This, however, sees private enterprise taking precedence. The first high rise building taking a look at old designs across Europe - specifically tower homes - are modernized. With new materials and engineering, new houses are built, effectively building to build up rather than out and the first of these Tower Blocks is built in Belgrad. They are located in the inner and middle city and fill up quickly. A second bloc is built in Vasiligrad to the same effect and after the success of both, many of these in variations begin zoning around the country in its largest cities as the potential to redevelop urban sprawl into productive parts of the city become apparent. With so many new markets open to Belkan goods, specifically in the colonies, the Belkan consumer goods sector booms. The Needle Gun, first adopted by the Belkan army sees a new model introduced addressed problems of the first gun, particularly its subpar construction and the use now of steel in the many of the guns to reinforce their consturction and durability as well as cut back on weight. The gun proves itself in testing and is adopted quickly as many factories begin to produce the Zastava MKII. Belka declares its support for the Imperial Japanese government seeing potential for great profit and guarentees their territory and begins sending equipment and Officers to advise their army. The Belkan navy lays down a hallmark in naval development, fully steam powered battleships with two 12-inch turrets giving a 280 degree of fire. The BES Asen and the BES Draculesti are laid down this year with a completion date of 1871. It is expected other nations of similar naval capacity have begun their own developments of these ship types as well. Belkan investment into Brésil expands as the opening of two major arms factories outside the capital spur further growth of the Brazilian industry. Railways are also invested in to. Belka begins to tacitly support the Tomás doctrine. In light of this new support for the Brésilian doctrine, the Belkan navy steps up its presence in the New World with a fleet of 30 ships now known as the Philippine squadron taking patrol duties around the Carribbean, and somewhat along the coasts of Arcadia, and heavily along the coasts of Laurentia. The squadron consists of five first-rate ships-of-the-line, updated to take iron sheathing, as well as six second-rate cruisers also updated to ironclad status, ten destroyers and nine frigates.
 * Crown Colony of Maghreb: The Colony, now with a solid Belkan population of nearly 85,000, sees a domestic investment by the local Belkans into the colony. Civic services are brought into the colony and the First Railways connecting Algiers to Tunisia are constructed with their completion expected the next year. The production of food and cash crops is stifled as the necessity of land reclamation becomes apparent. However, ways to do this are unknown. Some ways are considered and in one major case, Algiers sees the planting and establishment of many parks, hoping to increase water retention in the ground and hence reverse desertification. Cotton from the region continues to be sent to Belkan factories in the motherland as the unprofitability of factories in the region are noticed and handled accordingly. The population still bears some small issues with the Belkan government due to the matter of how it was colonized, but generally the tax policies are noted to be more lax under the Belkan administration than they were under the legitimate Maghrebi government and most people are happy to just have more money in their pockets. This shows a legitimate change for the better in the average quality of life for the Maghrebi people. Interestingly enough a good number of Maghrebis are noted to have converted to Belkan orthodoxy albeit nowhere near a majority.
 * Crown Colony of Zaire: Exports to the motherland increase as rubber and other cash crops become staples of the colonial economy. The colony very quickly becomes rich and as per the policy of "uplifting" as it becomes known, Funds are diverted directly into expanding the prosperity of the colony while moving away from the maximization of profit through exploitative methods. Previous experience with full on brutal exploitation in Belkan history as well as the very noticeable lack of highly racist tendencies in the Belkan (not saying it doesnt exist in a smaller form) administrators and colonists sees Zaires previous feudal like system restructured as investment into modern infrastructure and the quality of life for various colonists and middle/upper class Zairean peoples sees public support at a high. The Belkan garrison, initially seen as a force to keep the colony pacified and under the Belkan thumb is very quickly lauded by the Princely states and direct subjects alike as the garrison builds infrastructure, handles tribal disputes diplomatically, and very effectively organizes the interior of the colony into a profitable venture. Plans for railroads in the colony are even put into place hoping to connect various interior cities with the now developming port of Novo Thessograd on the coast.
 * Crown Colony of Gabon: Still under military administration the colony continues to establish more control over the interior pushing directly east as some moderate infrastructure is built along the way. Rubber production is noted here as well as the main profit of the colony.
 * Iztochna Aziya: The colony of Manila quickly becomes the hub of Belkan activity Belkan East Asia as more civic buildings, roads, and services are built across the colony. Its large iron and copper deposits as well as some in gold and other minerals sees Belkan investment baloon out as extraction sites begin to be developed for these materials. Cash crops are also heavily developed and its chief crops such as sugar cane, tobacco, and other food stuffs become the lifeblood of the economy, especially as it becomes clear Manila will be the breadbasket of Belkan East Asia. In Burma exploitation of coal continues to slowly but surely build up as do the precious gems. Seeing the success of Belka's treatment of Manila the same situation is implemented in Burma bringing many of the ruling elite on the side of the Belkans. The rfuling elite deviates to the administration in Yangon which has grown somewhat as the investment by private investors and government investors begins to develop the Burman economy into something much more sophisticated. Trade goods out of China continues to expand Hong Kong and Macau heavily as the cities now comfortably house their inhabitants.
 * Dependency of Kanem: In order to rule the nation more effectively the Belkan rules based on religion are implemented allowing for a freedom of worship. The influx of consumer goods helps the general populace and the colony begins to get a more effective grasp of its resources and territory it controls. A large route between Maghreb and Kanem is planned specifically with plans for a railway to be constructed.
 * Solace, if you have an issue take it to Discord. We mostly agreed to stop doing massive arguments on the page. -Feud


 * Russia: The Novorossiya Bill is passed in the Duma allocating funding for colonial infrastructure. In order to pay for this half of funding for the private yet state sponsored Trans-Siberian Railroad project are cut. Pacific Railways starts building a small line from Duwamish to Resnov while the first part of the Bay Area Route is finished. Construction of the New Liverpool-Oakland Line begins with the hiring of migrant workers. Government aid for the first schools are opened up in Novorossiya. However, the only real government schools are in the Resnov Area. Orthodox schools, however, dominate the countryside. The Duke of Novorossiya Prince Cyril holds a meeting with the governors of the Oblasts and Krais of the colony in Cinigrad. The southern Krai with their new populations bear little loyalty to the governments in Cinigrad and Novgorod. The Prince decides to enforce Russian rule over its territories and begins to for the All New Russia force, a military and police force to govern the colony and enforce Russian laws. The population of seven million and climbing will be enforced with a good police force, good infrastructure, and good communication. Colonial Programs will build telegraph lines from Cinigrad all the way down to Monterrey. In the Krai of Saliya a man named Peter Frampton comes around and does the first Arcadian produced record, recording an instrumental called "1812 Overdrive". Mainly inspired by classic baroque, he will soon change as he starts to write the 14-minute long song "Do You Feel Like We Do". Following the Second Russo-Khanate War a large population boom occurs as people begin to have kids in search for lives away from the slummed industrial cities of Western Russia. Many veterans are driven to jobs in Siberia building the Trans-Siberian Railroad while others are driven to farming in parts of Central Asia and, some go to former Salish lands. However, most end up in Siberia for now. A young army officer named Dimitri Konev creates a new bullet called a "Konev Ball" (OTL Minie Ball) and licenses the design of the bullet temporarily to Japan after testing it himself. Due to the great migration east with some settling in the Far East ports leading to the improvement of the ports of North Shore, Port Sibir, Vostokgrad, and Nivhsk. Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast colony is expanded as imperial soldiers arrive to fully secure the outpost. Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast colony is expanded as imperial soldiers arrive to fully secure the outpost. Prime Minister Kerensky travels to Budapest to reaffirm Russian-Hungarian friendship and curb French influence in Eastern Europe in response to the French offering the descendent of the mad king to which the Russian army overthrew with support of the Hungarian people, Kerensky offers the Hungarians a large arms deal, and industrial investment, along with a guarantee of independence.  Naval modernization continues after its decade long delay due to the economic crisis. The foundation of two ironclads are laid in the Feograd and Azov Naval Yards. They are under the names Tsarevich and Volga River.


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: The two ships of the Verwoester-class ordered last year, Verwoester herself and her sister Donnerwieder, are laid down in Amsterdam on March 12 and Rotterdam on June 26, respectively. The culmination of lessons learned from the previous ironclads, they are designed as the first proper ironclad capital ships to be built, with their main armament held entirely in turrets, and eliminating the use of sails. In other naval news, the design board finalizes the design of a new type of ship, named the Admiral Wacht-class, as an enlarged and more powerful type of armored frigate, to be laid down next year. The design is based on joint development with the Iberian Navy on their Rápido-class, so much that the difference between the two designs is marginal. Crown Princess Mary’s education reforms continue to be implemented. Since being passed, hundreds of new schools have been opened and begun teaching the new curriculum. The language taught in schools is by and large the Burgundian language, though Dutch is taught in the northern Netherlands, and starting this year Alsatian, the German dialect native to Alsace, is approved to be taught as a second language. Nieuw Friesland expands 50 px southeast along the coast. Nieuw Maastricht expands 50 px west along the coast. Garnaalië expands 50 px up the Sanaga River. Burgundy offers the Japanese Imperial Government the opportunity to purchase surplus Haussmann breech-loading artillery at a reduced cost, with Burgundian officers to help train Japanese crews. Japan is also offered to contract Burgundian shipyards to build modern warships for the Imperial Navy (MOD RESPONSE PLS).
 * Occupied Rhineland: The occupation of the Rhine’s West Bank continues. Construction of several railways, such as the Nancy-Mainz, and Brussels-Koblenz routes near completion. A series of forts are built along the Rhine river, namely in the cities of Mainz, Koblenz, Bonn, Krefeld, and Neuss, with the purpose to house the military garrisons, and to service the river monitors. The intention is to transfer the forts to the Rhineland when the occupation end, and its believed that the transfer of modern forts to the Rhineland will further improve relations.
 * Japanese dip: We agree to the weapons but not currently the naval production as we focus on our civil war -Feud


 * Republica Iberia: In Congress, the Prime Minister Leão continues to push reform bills through that continually modernize taxation, transportation, legal systems, education, sanitation, and the military. The social reforms continue and thousands of young farm-boys take advantage of the stipends and relocation funds to move to the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Seville, and many others. Rapid industrial growth around Barcelona and Madrid, along with a surge in commercial growth in Lisbon and Seville employ the majority of these young men. The population in Iberia is estimated to be 32.73 million. Adoption of mechanized agriculture has been accelerating over the past few years, and now accelerates still further. More and more, water conservation and erosion prevention projects begin across the Andalucia, Portugal, and Castilla. These reforms, although somewhat destabilizing, lead to rapid and extreme industrial, financial and agricultural growth. General confidence in the government and hopes for the future grow due to the rebounding economy and the government’s involvement in preventing and addressing social and economic problems. Unionist activities continue, but mandated brokering prevents the unions from starving out the labor supply and encourages economic stability. Adoption of the Model 1864 Vento Lever Action continues. A joint effort to develop more advanced warships with Burgundy sees changes to the Rápido Class Ironclad Frigates. The hulls are redesigned with Burgundian technical assistance so as to include an armored upper and middle deck, as well as armored belt (OTL armored cruiser hull). The redesign on the eight ships forces significant delays to the project, but the ships are expected to be ready by 1872. Furthermore, the frigates will only carry their armament in turrets, abandoning the central case-mate battery of previous classes. Finally, an offer of military equipment is sent to the leaders of the rebels in the Laurentian Civil War.
 * Republica de Morocco: The Moroccan Assembly continues to provide support to Reformist Mosques in an effort to promote attendance and conversion. The government provides these mosques with a stipend to use in charitable works that promote Reformist Islam. The practice of using decaying vegetation as a moisture trap and as cover for the insects and other organisms required for the growth of more water intensive plants continues to spread. Its adoption is encouraged by the government and farmers across Morocco begin to use the technique. Exploration of coal and iron deposits in Morocco continue. An effort is made to expand south of Algeria into the desert. Contact is made with Tuareg tribesmen, and they are incorporated as citizens of Morocco.
 * Republica de Algeria: Expansion into the desert continues along old trade routes with nomads employed as guides. Immigration from Southern European countries is encouraged with stipends available for those that come. These stipends are only paid to those who do not come from Iberia. They are settled in the new capital of Mostaganem, east of Oran. The Algerian population suffered tremendously at the hands of the French and has only now reached a comparable level as before with roughly 3.25 million inhabitants. Of these, 20,000 are European This means there is little early resistance to the Europeans. The Majority of migrants are Italians or Iberians, but there are some French, Belkans, and even Austrians.
 * Antillas Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of sugar production and as a stopover for ships headed out into the Atlantic. The Colonial Garrison is maintained at 1000.
 * Indias Orientales Ibéricas: The colony continues to enjoy the profits of spice production. Rapid integration of Sulawesi occurs as the colonial government brings the kingdom into its control. The Iberian Makassar Company is given free reign over the island of Makassar so long as they pay a substantial duty to the republic.
 * África Occidental Ibérica: The colony grows rapidly into the sahel. Meanwhile, exports of gold from the colony continue and prospectors continue to build mines throughout the region. African labor is used to a great extent, and many are forced off their farms to work.
 * Conquistador Controlled Sine-Bissau: Cortez and his men continue exploiting the colony for profit.
 * Laurentian Rebels: They Agree
 * Nova Belgica: As part of the Burgundian military intervention in Avelskamp/Vinland, to help quell rebellion against the Scandinavian government of the territory, our regiments arrive to join the Burgundian expeditionary force. Approximately 8000 men are sent from the colony, with Jan de Brouckère serving as the highest ranking commander of the detachment from the colony, although under the command of the overall Burgundian command. As per Burgundy's orders, the colonial detachment lands in Prinz Rupert Island (OTL Prince Edward Island) and Anticosti, and sets about fortifying these positions and awaiting further orders. It becomes clear that the majority of the rebel faction's power base is located on the main island, Avelskamp, and both locations are secured with relatively little bloodshed. The main exception is at the main urban center on Prinz Rupert Island (OTL Charlottetown), where a difficult but decisive victory takes place, and the city is occupied. At home the demand brought on by the war effort leads to the creation of a small arms factory in Sint Jan, which begins producing ammunition and Burgundian firearms. The coal, sulfur and lead mines in the central part of the nation (parts of OTL Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) see expansion as a result, and thanks to the newly created railroad lines in that area, the new factories in the capital see a large boom. Industries in southern New Brunswick also begin construction, to catch up with those on the main peninsula, and later in the year planning and construction begin to expand the nation's main railway from Sint Jan to the entire southern coast of the nation.


 * China: The concubinage and eunuch system is abolished. Such reforms, however, result in further animosity and radicalization within the small but influential reactionary faction of the Grand Secretariat. Prominent conservative figures include Cixi Taihou (a former imperial concubine), who has entered politics similar to her father, a low-ranking official; and Duke Heungseon Daewongun. The hasty reorganization of administrative divisions and rapid implementation of institutional reforms also spur minor conflict. Despite this, the majority Reformist factor continue to maintain control over the court, though begin to derive their legitimacy from the public and low-ranking officials, while members of political dynasties begin to distance themselves from their policies. The Ministry of Education continues to draft a modern education system, based on eight compulsory years of education and an additional (optional) four years. Its implementation is set at 1872, with a transitional period up until 1880. An imperial university system is also planned. Scholars and dignitaries continue to be educated in Belka to acquire Western knowledge. The Three Arsenals continue to produce basic firearms (such as rifled muskets and carbines) and ammunitions; in addition to serving as storage facilities for purchased weapons such as bolt-action, needle rifles, and breechloading rifled guns. The standing army is at 320,000 men, almost at the set goal of 400,000 men by 1870. A fourth arsenal in Guangzhou (the site of the original fourth arsenal) is planned, with construction starting in 1870. There are major advances in the light industries (especially within the production of textiles and luxury goods), while agriculture continues to be commercialized as many farmers shift to the cultivation of cash crops and sericulture. Major road segments are paved with concrete, and preexisting waterways and canals are improved. Industrial facilities continue to increasingly adopt the usage of coal power and machinery. As a result of rising demand, there is a boom in the mining sector, particularly in the mining of coal, copper and iron ores. Gold continues to be mined in vast quantities, in order to underpin the economy and peg Chinese banknotes. The influx of foreign capital and trade has led to Shanghai, Incheon, Tianjin, and Shenzhen becoming the foremost ports and trading hubs within China. Other minor but still significant port cities are Busan, Mokpo, Xiamen, Guangzhou, and Qingdao.
 * Xizang (protectorate): Lhasa, the capital, is expanded and modernized. The Tibetan clergy continues to administer the protectorate, with its leader, the Dalai Lama, being considered a vassal or substitute monarch. Many Tibetans are encouraged (via financial incentives) to become more sedentary, with food instead being supplied from nearby Sichuan (thereby reducing overreliance in inefficient herding).
 * Dzungaria: The post-war situation is stabilized. A modern capital is established at the historic city of Ghulja, and is reconstructed with various civic buildings. A garrison of 10,000 troops is maintained there. The census reveals Dzungaria has a total of 700,000 inhabitants. To ease administration, the Dzungar government encourages a sedentary lifestyle, while Chinese emissaries teach the Dzungars about the cultivation of wheat.
 * Altishahria: The post-war situation is stabilized. Various civic buildings are built in the capital, based in Urumqi, with a garrison of 20,000 troops stationed there. The census reveals Altishahria has a total of 1.5 million inhabitants. Irrigation is established in the oasis around which the cities are situated.


 * Swahili: We continue colonial expansion in Northern Somalia, in the South and in the Malindi and Mombasa area. Colonization increases as medicine and weaponry become more widespread. In the Swahili heartland, the profitability of cloth factories and cotton farming has led to a sharp increase in the number of slaves. Following the end of the war, we ask the Swazi states to accept Swahili protection tTens of thousands of Swahili soldiers are still stationed within these Swazi states). (MOD Response) Foreign veterans are recruited to train the army, especially those from the British and Belkan expeditionary forces. The first Western style University Research Department is set up in the Madrassah of Mogadishu, the Department of the Agricultural Sciences, by graduates of the British School of Zanzibar.
 * Sefuwa: All Swahili colonies in Southwest Africa are organized into Sefuwa. Colonisation begins to connect the settlements.
 * Huriya: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes.
 * Rowzi: Political integration continues with Swahili bureaucrats being sent to oversee more political processes. As more soldiers enter Swazi, Rowzi is even more closely integrated to improve logistical efforts.
 * Swazi: Political organisation is being set up and forts are being built. Roads and ports are being constructed to connect it to the mainland.


 * Kingdom of Egypt: Bashir, the crazy insane fundamentalist jihadist arrives with his militia to the city walls of Alia City and demands the government forces surrender. The forces there respond with gun fire and kill 3 militiamen. Bashir’s men begin to besiege the city and surround it, climbing the walls and firing at the walls with stolen artillery. Government forces continue to bash the Hafezian Rebels with major advances into rebel-controlled territory. Crown Prince Hafez announces that all previously owned European land will be seized and given to qualified Egyptian farmers, and that all cotton fields shall be seized by the government and all cotton supplies shall be redirected toward the people.  since the Burgundian government gave us permission to control the ships they sent to aid us, three Vorden class ships enter the Nile and begin to raid the coast of the Nile, with shellings of Hafezian-controled docks and port cities being common, along with one of the vessels deploying Egyptian troops to the coast. A nationwide arrest warrant is issued for the capture and detainment of Crown Prince Hafez the First of Egypt. A pocket of rebels near the western border surrendered today, as Egyptian Government Forces fought without rest and quickly rushed the small pocket of rebel territory. Anti-rebel propaganda has become more and more common in government controlled territory, as propaganda posters compare the Hafezians to pests that must be exterminated, and that the Egyptian Army is fighting for a righteous cause. Queen Farah announces she will continue her father’s policy on Islam, and that she shall encourage an Islamic lifestyle for all Egyptians and their families, along with personally funding research and studying of Islamic sciences. Portraits of Queen Farah hang everywhere in Alexandria, and poems written by her younger self are present everywhere in tablets nailed to the outside of buildings. Many more small pockets of Hafezian rebels is crushed around the end of this year, along with major advancements into rebel territory, which sees the Egyptian Army getting closer and closer to Giza. Queen Farah requests British aid in helping crush this sorry excuse for a rebellion. (PERSON RESPONSE NEEDED!).
 * Ethiopian Dip: Prince Theodore once again offers himself as a husband to the Queen and states that the combined might of three Nile powers will scare away the rebels.
 * Ethiopian Empire: Ioshua sets off for another round of speaking trips around the country. The economy is doing well, and continues to grow as the GDP is reaching levels of small-medium European countries. People begin to mix traditional and African styles on more common levels and reading continues to grow in popularity. More schools are built around the country as the population reaches 35 million. Adulis's dock continues to be expanded. We ask Belka to begin the railroad and if we may send a 5000 men to aid them in Japan. 
 * Belkan Dip: The Belkan investors and the Military Corps of Engineers deploy and begin building a railway from Addis Ababa to Adulis putting it under corporate control of the Abysinnian railray group, a Belkan own colonial enterprise. It allows shares to be bought by both Belkan and Ethiopian investors. 500 men from the offered 5000 are sent to Japan in an advisory context alongside the current Belkan advisory force in Japan.
 * Königreich von Ostdeutschland: Chancellor Celle heads off to Belka to visit the Emperor and discuss recent issues between the states. He notifies him that Prussia will not get involved with the Austrian Insurrections and will even support campaigns to stop violence by posters and volunteering advisors in hopes of German Presence may deter attackers and could restrengthen military bonds between the Belkans. As a token of friendship, Celle even offers him an agreement of a non-aggression Pact that will remain intact for the next decade (Player Response). In the meantime, the plans of removing Burgundians presence on the West Bank are dispatched to the German Government in hopes that we could remove foreign influence and occupation over Core German Land once and for all especially from the plagued of defeat nation of the Rhineland. We have hopes that a unified armed force may work together for German ideals, goals, and identity (Mod Response). The German military budget has recovered and for the first time in several years, we give it a slight 7% boost while undercutting charity organizations as they have been an expense of the state and less needed as people establish new and better lives. Open Hearth Ovens are introduced in several Pig Iron Smelting locations around Liepzig. 23,000 more people are recruited with 3000 put into the reserves while the rest undergo rigorous training and activities with our neighbor which has saved us money and helped bring together military brotherhood. New University Institutions open in Königsberg. The people are happy and German Unity continues to rise within the country. We send a second request to Germany to hold a “German Pride Parade” which would consist of military members, renowned artists, dancers, and singers from both nation's with the parade route just being along the border so both parties may witness the event. We also appeal to them if they accept that if it may be an annual event (Mod Response). The SMS Schneider begins to be constructed (based on the French Redoutable). Colonist hoping for adventure and tropical luxury establish homes in the colonies while the struggling and prisoners are sent off to Africa as well. Grain and Steel Harvesting and Production expands as a better market environment grows. Celle who had studied philosophy and law in the University of Königsberg begins writing his book called “The Alternative Nationalism” expresses far right views and ideals but also discusses unity of the people's of cultures and such which is expressed in the first 80 pages. Both Colonies expand by 16 px while expeditioners are sent to visit a large village nearby in hopes of getting a deal for us to administer their land in Prussian Angola.
 * Belkan Dip: We agree to the non-aggression pact.
 * The Germans agree to a parade but are wary of a joint military.

1870
''' Germanic immigration reaches a major height this year as nearly 500,000 people leave the combined Germanies for the New World. A large influx occurs to Brésil and Aztlan with a minority to other states '''

''' The new policies in Aztlan see more and more success as economic productivity skyrockets and the nation sports intense economic growth this year. The Development of her northern provinces with favorable settlement policy is noted for these successes. '''

''' Brésil, noted for its own industrial development, sees an industrial boom this year as it becomes an attractive target for immigration, investment and development. '''

''' Japan's civil war baloons out as the traditionalist faction hoping to score a serious victory this year suffers a disastrous setback as one of its main armies led by some of Japans largest lords are defeated by the Imperial army outside Okazaki. The Imperial government now legally forcing the rebelling daimyo and other lords out of the Senate pass a multitude of reforms solidifying the governments hold on the loyal parts of the Country. The Imperial armies success is attributed to Burgundian Artillery, and a mix of European weapons delivered to the force. '''

''' The Reactionary Faction within China, unhappy with China's adoption of its European benefactors' styles, systems and custom declares "The Mandate of Heaven is lost upon this Dynasty" and expands its power base significantly as many like-minded Chinese flock to their banners. However, some attempts at legitimate legal stopping of the Chinese Modernization attempts occur through the Grand Secretariat. '''

''' In Novorossiya the settlers this year a predominantly Anglo Frontiersmen who settle in the Santa Cruz Mountains. They avoid much of the Russian authority in the region much for their lifestyle less than their unwillingness to work with the Russians. They do, however, establish an extremely amicable relationship with the natives of the Region. They establish several townships for their 6000 strong in number. '''

''' The French and Swahili, unsuspecting of the extremely warlike nature of the Zulu, are caught off guard by Guerrillas which fully impede administrative efforts into the Interior. Their extreme brutality and hostility to the garrisons are noted, and many troops refuse to challenge the Zulu Guerrillas sticking to the well-controlled coasts. A notable French unit almost mutinies after refusing to march on the Interior before the Colonel in charge agrees it is too dangerous. '''

''' A second major bombing occurs in Trieste killing nearly 40 people as it brings down a theatre in the city. '''

 Swahili may begin industrialization 


 * Belkan Empire: Tsar Uliyam this year officially brings his son Crown Prince Petar Draculesti under his wing. At the age of ten he is taught heavily in many of the same programs that educated Uliyam who envisions the young Crown Prince as the carrier of the legacy of the Draculesti dynasty. This year a heavy debate takes place within the Supreme Soviet. The Aristocratic elements argue that the current administration has given too much investment and potential issues within its colonies and that a more resource exploitative method needs to be brought about. This is, however, argued by the Royalist and Syndicalist parties who argue that their method - colloquially known as the Civilized uplift or Uplift method - should take precedence. Instead of breeding hatred and issues with colonial rule, the Belkan administration should embark on programs much like Egypt, preparing them for industrial society and using the colonies to fill niches the Belkan motherland cannot itself build with its domestic resources. The great debate takes place. However, in a final notice, many of the Aristocrats and upper-class members of the Supreme Soviet are unable to argue against the massive dividends they have received as a result of the economic model and their votes switch effectively bringing a nearly 80% majority in the Supreme Soviet for the full solidification of the current Belkan model. The fall of the Trieste Opera House galvanizes the Belkans against the insurgency in Austria which has many remembering the Great War in recent memory refusing to see their hard won victory squandered by insurgents. The Belkan army, now refusing to back down, takes the fight to Kruger in earnest with 30,000 troops deployed into the Alps in varying patrol routes and supply to effectively inundate Kruger with belkan troops. A series of fierce alpine battles showcase Belka's mountain divisions in full force and many who are captured are summarily executed. Kruger, himself, is threatened as the Turkish Mountaineers a- s they are now known - assault one of Kruger's main camps in the deep Alpine mountains. The Insurgents, led by Kruger, desperate after years of pursuit and brutal combat, take a stand in Kaltenbach in a valley below the Alps and fight the Belkan Mountain divisions to a standstill. He escapes following a second assault which collapses one of his main insurgent armies in the Alps which forces him to reconsider his Insurgency against the Belkans in Austria. The Belkan construction of its two new ironclad battleships continues with the Asen and Draculesti slated to be finished next year. This sees another advance, as the Belkan cruiser force sees its first true armored cruisers entering service. Four new ships replacing six outdated wooden sail ships enter service with armor belts and plates protecting the primary internal components and leaving no armor below the waterline. The Belkan navy welcomes these ships with open arms as it adopts an "Iron navy" policy, a policy which will effectively remove its wooden sail ships by 1880 in favor of an all armorclad navy. The Belkan economy at home continues to expand as it fills its primary niches. Its arms, steel, raw industrial materials (railway components, telegraphs - among other things) as well as its consumer goods industries are open to the entire empire. Its population sees goods and services like never before, and its goods are also exported to the colonies which many buy in great numbers. The Belkan arms industry continues its noted advancement with naval guns making waves in the industry as the Navy continues its expansion. The Belkan army remains supplied with the best equipment that can be manufactured. The tax code begins to be restructured from its austerity level rates as many tax write[-offs are put on those who invest in the economy, effectively allowing an effective tax rate of 10% on the Belkan upper-class and aristocracy to invest and save more personal funds as a result. On top of this, it also lowers taxes to 10% on those upper-class who claim roughly 30% of their fortune in invested funds and hard assets knowing a fair portion of their funding is tied up in these investments.
 * Crown Colony of Maghreb: The colony this year sees further investment into its various profitable economies - specifically light industry - as the new Belkan policy on industry takes shape. With cotton nearby as well as it becoming the hub of Belkan cotton from the colonies in Africa the textile industry takes off quickly challenging even some of Belka's homeland textile companies. The development of them sees an argument to exploit the Maghrebis as cheap labor for the colonial factories, however, with the administration not wanting to give them any more reason to try and revolt. Instead, the industrial magnates take it into their own hands and offer any who work the factories to enjoy the same workers rights and educational benefits as provided in the homeland. This sees many flock to the comparatively few industrial jobs there are and the economy of the region begins a revolution as Belkans bring new opportunity and industry to the colony. Some noticeable changes in religion occur as many Maghrebis of their own volition convert to Belkan Orthodoxy. This is notable as it breaches the almost monolithic presence of Islam in the region.
 * Crown Colony of Zaire: Exports to Belka increase once again. However, the funds derived from them are not diverted solely into the hands of the administration. The Colony champions its first railway this year as infrastructure jobs in particular are in high demand and thousands of Zairean peoples are employed. The Administration, hoping to engender goodwill, pays them relatively well and hopes they will purchase consumer goods and improve their lives significantly. This is further explored as Belkan architect-style housing is constructed in an affordable way for those subjects who can afford it in New Thessograd - as well as in various Zairean cities. They don't fill up dramatically but their purpose is clear, the Zairean people are not to be treated as exploitable subjects, but as valuable members of the empire. This is not entirely seen as positive as many agree that the Belkans are ruthless colonial oppressors but nothing can be done against it. The exploration up the Congo river continues as does expansion.
 * Crown Colony of Gabon: As of this year the Belkan military administration is dismantled in favor of a colonial administration and Gabon sees a proper census this year noting to contain roughly 1.2 million people within the colony. Various infrastructural projects are implemented as it seeks to connect many of the towns and cities. In order to bring some goodwill between the natives and the small Belkan administrative presence, gifts of modern consumer goods are brought to make the peoples' lives easier. Many are even employed with decent pay as they are given heavy incentives to abandon their tribal lifestyles. Exploration along the Interior continues and claims and treaties are made with natives.
 * Dependency of Kanem: The Kanem dependency this year sees further development as a well traveled and developed route through the Sahara is built up. This is notable as it is mostly through the funding of the Kanem emperor. The Kanem emperor, however, suffers an attempted deposement as hard line Muslims not happy with their nation coming under control of a Christian power, take the fight to the minor Belkan garrison in the city of Kanem. However, the army suffers a disastrous defeat as the multi-fire guns cut down the majority of the army not adapted to modern warfare. The attempted coup sees the Kanem emperor and the arriving Belkan administrators perform a quick and successful purge of much of the radicalist elements of Kanem. The Belkan investment and shipping in of some industrial machines increases the relative output which sees its resources exported somewhat and in many other cases used to purchase consumer goods in mass numbers, further fueling the Belkan consumer goods industry at home.
 * Iztochna Aziya: The further development of Manila continues with the colony further developing as more effective road systems begin to connect major cities across the Archipelago. Manila's vast copper reserves become a mainstay of the economy as does its foodstuffs as it exports to the motherland in increasing amounts. Investment into civic infrastructure also continues. Burma sees similar developments as its status as a coal powerhouse brings the Belkan administration, under support from local elites, to expand the coal mining heavily. Funds brought in by the export are used to invest further into the colony as some cash cropping is expanded.
 * Russia: Vissarion Yakov records the first known Russian "Country" song called "Are Your Sure Sash' Done It This Way". The Siberian sound expands Arcadian folk musicians like Joseph Resnov who writes the influential song "Rocky Mountain High". The immigrant community of the west coast of Novorossiya has also been impacted by the addicting bugi-vugi sound. Peter Frampton in his broken Russian signs onto Salish records in Duwamish, the first true phonautograph producers in the New World. Frampton would record a demo six-minute version, then a monster 14-minute long version of his song "Do You Feel Like We Do". Although he records in English the Russian and German citizens of the area love it. Development of the Trans Bay Railroad continues. However, Pacific Railways institutes a Russian language rule and attempts with minor success to implement the Russian language to the new arriving immigrants. Meanwhile, the ports of Duwamish, Resnov, New Constantinople, and Oakland are improved to house even large ships rather than the poor boats rounding the Straits of Bonaparte. The integration of the immigrants are proving a problem for the Krai governors. Meanwhile, the ethnically Russian Alyeskan and St. Gregory areas' governors are limited on resources. However, some Ukrainians who left for the gold rush of '62 do immigrate to California from St. Gregory. However, they are in competition for Great Valley with the English and Germans there. In Siberia local immigration continues as the Zapad section of the Trans-Siberian Railway reaches the city of Krasnoyarsk. Meanwhile, Pacific Railways unfortunately cuts its funding for its section of Trans-Siberia. Without Pacific, estimates go as far as from eight to 12 years until Zapad builds the railroad to Sakhatsk, the farthest Pacific Rail was able to build west. (More To Come)


 * China: Ideological polarization within the Grand Secretariat reaches a critical point, with the radicalization of both traditionalist and reformist factions. The recent Belkan aid of the Japanese has led to the disillusionment of many reformists, some of whom flock to the traditionalist faction – which now forms a plurality within the Grand Secretariat (~33%). Many also raise concern over the current government's agrarian-populist platform; which is seen as a euphemism of disenfranchising the upper scholar class. The lower scholar class comprised of mid or low-level civil servants, and the merchant class continue to support these reforms due to the facilitation of social mobility. Many reformists also justify this as adhering to the meritocratic aspects of Confucianism. The introduction of universal suffrage is debated within the Grand Secretariat. However, while traditionalists want to limit universal suffrage to the scholar-gentry class, the reformists want to extend it to all individuals. As a result, this idea is shelved alongside any reforms deemed "excessively radical". The military program is accomplished, with a standing army of 400,000 troops established. However due to recent political turmoil and disunity, the Huifu Emperor under the influence of the Chancellory (still mainly reformist) establishes the Ministry of Defense, appointing General Li Hongzhang as its head. This places the Jin Imperial Army under the direct jurisdiction of the executive government, keeping them loyal to the current incumbent government. Due to many reactionaries accusing of the loss of the Mandate of Heaven and calling for the replacement of the Huifu Emperor, many reformists see this as an opportunity to replace divine right with a popular monarchy, deriving its legitimacy and support from the masses. As a result, the official title of the Huifu Emperor is changed from the "Emperor of China" to the "Emperor of the Jin Chinese". This further initiates a rapid breakdown of relations between the reformists and the traditionalists, with a group of radical reformists orchestrating a plot to assassinate prominent members of the latter. This plot succeeds in the death of Cixi Taihou (a more moderate member of the traditionalist faction), but fails to kill Kim Haeung. As a result, the reactionaries under Kim Haeung, who fail to muster significant support in Hubei, retreat south to Hangzhou, Zheijiang. However, they manage to attract the support of ~100,000 imperial troops (while the rest remain loyal to the Huifu Emperor), attracted to the prospect of exceedingly high pay. Kim Haeung proclaims himself as the legitimate Emperor (instead of his nephew), and the defectors are organized under the "True Armies of the New Jin". Nanjing is quickly fortified, and ~150,000 troops are mobilized along the Yangtze River. However, the True Armies of the New Jin manage to raid the Nanjing Arsenal, in order to gather additional supplies. There are major advances in the light industries (especially within the production of textiles and luxury goods), while agriculture continues to be commercialized as many farmers shift to the cultivation of cash crops and sericulture. Major road segments are paved with concrete, and preexisting waterways and canals are improved. Industrial facilities continue to increasingly adopt the usage of coal power and machinery. As a result of rising demand, there is a boom in the mining sector, particularly in the mining of coal, copper and iron ores. Gold continues to be mined in vast quantities, in order to underpin the economy and peg Chinese banknotes.
 * Nova Belgica: The expedition to Vinland proves to be a success, and an important learning experience for the military leadership of the colony. We continue to hold the positions that we captured, while at home soldiers continue being trained. The government begins diverting funds to create an updated, locally-produced fleet to help protect the colony, and to supplement Burgundy's naval capabilities in the western hemisphere. The infrastructure for this initiative is already in place, as shipbuilding is one of the largest industries in the colony, with the shipyards of the colony being some of the most productive in Arcadia, but to meet the deadlines placed by the colonial military, the government issues increased funding to improve the shipyards of Sint Jan, Lelystad, Ameland, Borselen, and Rustwyk, and to allow for the creation of steam-propelled, iron/steel plated warships going forward, similar to those built in Burgundy proper, although much more primitively, and on a much smaller scale. Plans are made for the creation of four steam frigates, over the course of the next two years. The ships, called the Haren-class, are to be 64 meters in length and capable of speeds of about ten knots, based on a smaller, modified version of the Burgundian Dreadnought-class, which is over a decade old by this point. The city of Borselen (OTL Sydney), nicknamed "The Steel City", becomes a center of steel production in Arcadia. The abundant coal fields surrounding the city, and throughout northern Nova Belgica, become sites of large mines to supply the cities of the colony. The Westen Staal and Kolen Corporatie (West Steel and Coal Corp), or WESCO, is founded in Borselen to capitalize on the western boon, which is a government-funded corporation responsible for the city's mining operations and steel plants. The government also begins construction of a railroad to the city, to connect northern Nova Belgica with the rest of the colony. Later in the year the new steel plant of Borselen makes its first shipment of steel to Burgundy proper, while experts from Europe are brought in to slowly get the plant's capabilities up to spec with the industrialized cities of the mother nation. Elsewhere the sport of ruby is brought to the colony from Great Britain and the nearby British colonies, and the first friendly match is hosted in Sint Jan in late 1870, sparking interest in the creation of teams across the colony.