The Age of Imperialism

[Scott F]

Berlin, April 6, 1885:
The newly elected Reichstag entered its first session today. A modified version of the 1885 Army Bill was passed the Reichstag by a wide majority. No one in the Reichstag wished to arouse Bismarck's wrath and challenge his threat to dissolve the Reichstag a second time. The Reichstag election results are as follows:

Free Conservatives: 23%
National Liberals: 14%
Catholic Center Party: 27%
German Progressive Party: 11%
Independents: 25%
(OOC: Independents include the outlawed Social Democratic Party. Do not let the lack of a majority or one large party fool you. In real life, Bismarck made coalitions between just about every single party.)

The 1885 Army Bill was modified to include funds and provisions which would more than double the size of the peacetime and mobilized forces of the Landwehr. The total peacetime size of the Landwehr would reach 850,000 men and the full mobilized size of the Landwehr would exceed 1,900,000 men. It will be a year before these figures can be reached. The officer corps is to be expanded to accommodate these increases as well. Several hundred pieces of field and heavy artillery have been ordered from Krupp to equip these new forces.

Berlin, April 8, 1885:
The Reichstag passed the 1885 Navy Bill today. This bill has ordered the construction of 12 new battleships and 30 armored cruisers. Chancellor Bismarck justified this massive naval program as "necessary to maintain and defend Germany's colonial and financial investments abroad." The warships will be built gradually over the next few years.

Dispatches from the Foreign Office:

To Ethiopia:
We will gladly sell you all of the rifles and light artillery that you would need to defeat the Mahdists and the Somalis. For concessions to allow us to invest in your nation, we will send a team of German officers, the finest in the world, to train your men and their leaders.

To Russia:
We are glad to continue our alliance. We will also send a team of engineers to assist in your railroad program.

To Britain:
We are glad that you accepted our alliance proposal. We will join you in this novel concept of yours that you call a League of Nations. We are very skeptical, but all noble ideas deserve a chance.

To the Boers:
We offer you the same arrangement we proposed to the Ethiopians.

To France:
We never dispatched trainers or advisors to help you with your army. Not that even our fine and knowledgeable advice could help an army as pathetic as yours. We are watching this new, militaristic, and hostile government of yours. Be forewarned that we will not sit still for any expansion. It would mean a repeat of 1871.

OOC: I am mod, BTW.

Negus Menelik II accepts all the offered treaties, technology and investment. Our army currently numbers 130.000, but more men are being called up as we speak.

The war with the Somalians and Mahdists were going well. Several Eritrean tribes, who have saw some white men land on their soil, have allied with the Ethiopians to eradicate these unarmed men. (If Polaris is Italy, ignore the part of the Italian landing.). The tribes inhabiting the areas surrounding Massawa and Kassala have taken up arms against the Mahdist threat, and will be very useful in the campaigns. Advisors from several western nations have led to some new technological and tactical ideas, which might give the Ethiopian armies the edge over the Mahdists and Somalians.

For the moment, the Ethiopians have been trying to maintain the status quo on the western front, so that the army can focus on the weaker Somalians first. Some 60.000 troops are currently active on the eastern front, against some 50.000 on the west, while another 100.000 are being called up. Without heavy casualties, the divided Somali tribes had to retreat eastwards, as far east as British Somaliland. Ethiopian generals are still succeeding to push the Somalians back further, and most of the Ogaden is now under Ethiopian control.

The United States has reached her full 100,000 mobilized strength (OOC: Scott said reach mobilized strength takes 1 month). Most of the American forces are being deployed toward the United States' Southern border with Mexico. Training is continuing so that the US may reach full strength of 100,000.

From US:
To Sweeden and Britain:

While we don't mind Punitive actions against the Argentine stater we DO mind any attempt to conquer Argentina.

From US:
To Sweeden and Britain:
TOP SECRET!

We will give our consent and participate and help you- if we are to get the Northern 3/4 of Argentina. The New World is our sphere of the world, remember.

OOC: It seems as though Mao is starting up a "league of nations" or something- for the intrests of peace. While I can't stop you from joining- I don't think peace will help this stroy thread out. This thread is supposed to be about imperialism- and having a leauge in place to attempt to stop imperialism and keep peace may hurt this thread...

[Mao]

To: USA
From: Britain

We are aware of our commitment to the alliance, but we will not allow the Argentines to kill off Europe's royalty. They must be taught a lesson. We do not wish for new territory, but we must teach them a lesson.

To: Zulus
From: Britain

Excellent, we should celebrate our new-found friendship. Our garrisons in South Africa can help to train your great armies. Simply send however many men you wish to train into our colonies and we will make them excellent fighters.

To: Sweden
From: Britain

We do not wish to act too hastily, if Argentina is responsible, this action will be dealt with harshly. We hope that your findings are true.

[Bearcat]

SWEDES CALL FOR RETRIBUTION

Massive crowds of Swedish citizens gathered in Stockholm today demanding retribution against the vile Argentines for the poisoning of good King Oscar. New King Gustaf V Adolf came out of the Palace to visit and discuss with the crowds. After an hour the King withdrew from the Square and the crowds disperssed without violence.

SWEDISH ARMY TO BE EXPANDED

Today King Gustaf and the Riksdag agreed to the expansion of the Swedish military. Premier Mats Persson and King Gustaf both signed the agreement which calls for more soldiers, better training, and modernizing and expanding the navy. Conscriptions are to be held in a month or two.

To Britain - Do you support our campagin against the Argentines?

To USA - We suggest that you allow us to destroy the cowardly Argentines before more of Europe's monarchs fall.

Zulu traders flooded into Transvaal and into the Cape Colonies in Shaka Zulu II plan to develope prosperous relations with his new neighbors. The whole sceme is based on a similar move by the first Shaka Zulu.


To His Majesty, the King of England,

Only a fool would decline such an offer. I look forward to a future of prosperity with your great nation.

[Mao]

Her Majesty thanks the Kingdom of Italy greatly for his interest in peace for the world. There is a seat for all nations of the world in this new council.

[PolarisGL]

To Her Majesty in Britain,

We would like to become part of this "League of Nations" as you call it. If there is a spot open for the Kingdom of Italy, I request a seat in this league. I believe that if many nations come together to discuss various issues to maintain world peace between existing established nations, we will make a more efficient living atmosphere everywhere.

-Victor Emmanuel II

[This message has been edited by PolarisGL (edited April 21, 2000).]

[Mao]

To: Ethiopia
From: Britain

We are more than willing to help out our brothers in Africa. We are willing to send advisors as well as companies to invest in your nation if you wish.

[Mao]

The British government announces a radical plan. Rather than continuing her imperialism, she will help other nations. The first act of this new plan is to contact the Zulus of southern Africa and to arm and train them with modern weaponary so that no one can push them around again.

From: Britain
To: Zulus

We have made an open offer to you, do you wish to accept?

Britain would also like to announce her willingness to discuss disarmament as proposed by the US.

_______________________

The British Empire would like to make an organization dedicated to world peace. An organization where each nation would have equal representation. We are proposing to call this the League of Nations

OOC: Yes, I am trying start a UN...

[PolarisGL]

OOC: Thank you, Black Dragon.

IC:

Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia began his reign in 1861, when the United States was also divided between North and South. His goal was simple: imperialism. But how would he gain colonies with those of north Africa in his way? That is where his fleet would come in, and his army. He knew of the native reports in Africa, but he could care less. He figured his army would make quick note of the native's so-called warriors. Although, Emmanuel was hesistant, still. He thought to himself daily "Where shall I colonize, build, and settle, in the name of the Kingdom of Italy?" Night and day he thought. He then came up with his imperial plans for Italy. He would go into west Africa, between the land of Spain and France. There he would begin his first settlement, gradually making more trailing into mid-west Africa. With this, he would need an escort army and a diplomatic group. The natives were savages in Europe's eyes, and he did not want to come face to face with one through his generals. So in addition to this he would send a few troops, possibly 3 Corps (OOC: Military coming later), along with two warships which will also contain supplies necessary for a colony, i.e. food, wood, tools, brick, cloth, and more. Emmanuel quickly called upon his Colonial Advisor. The advisor looked over the plan and called it brilliant, and he asked Emmanuel when he will begin what they called Il Programma Imperiale Africano Dell' Italia, or the African Imperial Italy Plan. Emmanuel responded with one word, "Soon."

Thus began the continued reign of Emmanuel II of Sardinia, a brilliant and magnificent man that would not be seen without a powerful Italia.

EDIT: Apparently, Scott told Bill over ICQ that I would decide Bill's case. Polaris, your claim is validated.

[This message has been edited by Black Dragon (edited April 21, 2000).]

[PolarisGL]

quote: The Kingdom of Italy Settlers have fully settled in in Eritrea and Somalia. Part of the Italian Army has landed in the two colonies to enforce Italian rule.

I think that pretty much makes me Italy...

Bill you were gone, tough break.

[Swonga]

The emperor pf the Ottoman Empire announced a glorious alliance today, between the Ottoman and the Russian Democratic Union. With the help of the Russian Democratic Union, the Ottoman Empire will once again rise to power. Some major points were also made in this agreement between the nations, such as Russian control over Antalya for ten million Imperial Rubles. Some other points are:

-Russian expansion into the mediterranean

-Turkish protection from Russia, such asany territory, no matter how small being taken

-Increased naval power for both nations

-To create a safer enviroment in the mediterranean

[Mao]

OOC: Who's Mod???

Bill, Africa is not a desolate continent with no people in it. You can't just settle the land as your own, Africa is not the Moon! You're going to meet some resistance. Since you only put settlers there, I propose that Bill's settlers should all be killed by local natives because he made no effort to control those nations. Bill, if you want to conquer it, fine, do so, but don't give us this BS of just colonizing a nation like it's the moon.