Charge of the Steel Elephants is a save converted game, so things may be a bit weird. I'll just start with a brief history and overview of the situation. The game really begins in the next update.
Chapter 1: Siamese Hegemony and an Orderly Asia
The Siamese Empire evolved out of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, which in the 1500s gradually came to dominate southeast Asia. However the burgeoning empire faced its first real challenge in the form of China, which at the time was ruled by the Ming Dynasty. After numerous wars, which became the stuff of legends, Siam managed to break the back of Ming military strength in the 1750s, with the help of Manchurian allies in the north.
The subsequent decades saw the collapse of Ming controlled China into numerous states. It became a cornerstone of Siamese foreign policy to prevent a united China from ever forming again, based on the belief that such a state would always pose a threat to Siam. Over the next century, Siam came to dominate Asia diplomatically and economically. Natural resources from across the continent flooded into Siam to fuel industrialization.
Siam soon had alliances with nearly every country on the continent. Among the few exceptions was the old Ming dynasty which managed to hold on to a few morsels of territory. These alliances managed to create a peaceful and orderly Asia, and most importantly, prevented Chinese states from conquering each other and developing into a threat. The biggest threat to an orderly Asia came from Russia, who was constantly trying to push its way into Manchurian territory.
The outcome of the wars often depended on what allies Russia managed to bring to the fight, and how busy Siam was with other concerns. However, more often than not, Siam and Manchuria would have the upper hand and could beat back the Russian invasion, sometimes even taking territory. However the Great War of 1916 changed things drastically.
The Great War of 1916, or the Second Great War as it was known in Europe, was a territorial dispute between Russia and Scandinavia. Germany backed Russia's claims on Scandinavian territory, while Spain, Netherlands and Savoy backed Scandinavia. Siam usually stayed out of European affairs, but decided to back Scandinavia as well, in the hopes of undermining Russia's expansion.
Although Siam crushed Russian forces in the east, and occupied much territory, Germany and Russia won overwhelming victories in Europe. Near the end of the war, more and more German forces rushed to the east and turned the tide there. The outcome of the war humbled Siam, and forced the Emperor and his ministers to rethink foreign policy, and consider new ways to contain Russian aggression. Germany is the unmatched military and industrial powerhouse of the world, and taking on both Russia and Germany would be no small feat. The situation was made even worse when Britain officially joined the German-Russian axis.
Although the Great War was a defeat, it was the first time tanks had ever been tested in combat. In fact the Siam was the first country in the world to deploy them. Although tanks were not able turn the tide of the war, the Siamese emperor strongly believed that tanks had potential. He called them steel elephants, referencing the animal which had been the country's symbol for centuries.
The emperor's push to make tanks the new military focus was not welcomed by all in the military establishment, and led to almost two decades of fighting within the government. The emperor was not willing to replace all of his experienced and well qualified generals and ministers over this disagreement, but also refused to abandon his belief that armored divisions were the future of warfare.
In late 1935, an anonymous source told major newspapers that the Emperor had finally had enough and was planning to purge dissenting members of the administration. The next week the emperor died under mysterious circumstances, which were officially ruled natural causes. The Emperor's young and inexperienced son Chao Praya Siri has ascended to the throne and now leads the nation in these troubling times.
One of the young emperor's first acts was to conclude negotiations with Spain to bring them into an anti-German alliance. Although Siam historically kept out of European affairs, the rise of the Axis and the threat they posed made it unwise to ignore Europe any longer. Nearly every nation in Europe refused to ally with Siam out of fear, but Spain still had the will to stand up to Germany.
Aside from two major factions lead by Germany and Siam, there was one other faction. Chile, the hegemon of the western hemisphere, had carved out its own empire in South America. Although it still had a long way to go to reach Germany's industrial output, its rapid rise in the past 50 years was impressive. Its army and navy are not too shabby either. Its most important ally is Portugal, with whom it has a strong relationship.
Relations between Siam and Chile are not exactly great. There have been a few wars between the nations in living memory, all due to colonial disputes between Siam and Portugal in Australia. With the rise of the Axis, perhaps Chile will see the wisdom in joining forces against Germany, or at the very least stay neutral. However, its possible the animosity between Siam and Chile will cause it to side with Germany, which could be disastrous.
Chapter 1: Siamese Hegemony and an Orderly Asia
The Siamese Empire evolved out of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, which in the 1500s gradually came to dominate southeast Asia. However the burgeoning empire faced its first real challenge in the form of China, which at the time was ruled by the Ming Dynasty. After numerous wars, which became the stuff of legends, Siam managed to break the back of Ming military strength in the 1750s, with the help of Manchurian allies in the north.
The subsequent decades saw the collapse of Ming controlled China into numerous states. It became a cornerstone of Siamese foreign policy to prevent a united China from ever forming again, based on the belief that such a state would always pose a threat to Siam. Over the next century, Siam came to dominate Asia diplomatically and economically. Natural resources from across the continent flooded into Siam to fuel industrialization.
Siam soon had alliances with nearly every country on the continent. Among the few exceptions was the old Ming dynasty which managed to hold on to a few morsels of territory. These alliances managed to create a peaceful and orderly Asia, and most importantly, prevented Chinese states from conquering each other and developing into a threat. The biggest threat to an orderly Asia came from Russia, who was constantly trying to push its way into Manchurian territory.
The outcome of the wars often depended on what allies Russia managed to bring to the fight, and how busy Siam was with other concerns. However, more often than not, Siam and Manchuria would have the upper hand and could beat back the Russian invasion, sometimes even taking territory. However the Great War of 1916 changed things drastically.
The Great War of 1916, or the Second Great War as it was known in Europe, was a territorial dispute between Russia and Scandinavia. Germany backed Russia's claims on Scandinavian territory, while Spain, Netherlands and Savoy backed Scandinavia. Siam usually stayed out of European affairs, but decided to back Scandinavia as well, in the hopes of undermining Russia's expansion.
Although Siam crushed Russian forces in the east, and occupied much territory, Germany and Russia won overwhelming victories in Europe. Near the end of the war, more and more German forces rushed to the east and turned the tide there. The outcome of the war humbled Siam, and forced the Emperor and his ministers to rethink foreign policy, and consider new ways to contain Russian aggression. Germany is the unmatched military and industrial powerhouse of the world, and taking on both Russia and Germany would be no small feat. The situation was made even worse when Britain officially joined the German-Russian axis.
Although the Great War was a defeat, it was the first time tanks had ever been tested in combat. In fact the Siam was the first country in the world to deploy them. Although tanks were not able turn the tide of the war, the Siamese emperor strongly believed that tanks had potential. He called them steel elephants, referencing the animal which had been the country's symbol for centuries.
The emperor's push to make tanks the new military focus was not welcomed by all in the military establishment, and led to almost two decades of fighting within the government. The emperor was not willing to replace all of his experienced and well qualified generals and ministers over this disagreement, but also refused to abandon his belief that armored divisions were the future of warfare.
In late 1935, an anonymous source told major newspapers that the Emperor had finally had enough and was planning to purge dissenting members of the administration. The next week the emperor died under mysterious circumstances, which were officially ruled natural causes. The Emperor's young and inexperienced son Chao Praya Siri has ascended to the throne and now leads the nation in these troubling times.
One of the young emperor's first acts was to conclude negotiations with Spain to bring them into an anti-German alliance. Although Siam historically kept out of European affairs, the rise of the Axis and the threat they posed made it unwise to ignore Europe any longer. Nearly every nation in Europe refused to ally with Siam out of fear, but Spain still had the will to stand up to Germany.
Aside from two major factions lead by Germany and Siam, there was one other faction. Chile, the hegemon of the western hemisphere, had carved out its own empire in South America. Although it still had a long way to go to reach Germany's industrial output, its rapid rise in the past 50 years was impressive. Its army and navy are not too shabby either. Its most important ally is Portugal, with whom it has a strong relationship.
Relations between Siam and Chile are not exactly great. There have been a few wars between the nations in living memory, all due to colonial disputes between Siam and Portugal in Australia. With the rise of the Axis, perhaps Chile will see the wisdom in joining forces against Germany, or at the very least stay neutral. However, its possible the animosity between Siam and Chile will cause it to side with Germany, which could be disastrous.
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