Chronicles of the Wendish Empire in a Changing World - A CK3 to EU4 to Victoria 2 Megacampaign AAR

[Nikolai]

1821-1831

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The third decade of the 19th century showed the Wendish Empire that nothing would be as before. The world was changing, and in time the Wendish Empire would have to change with it. Surprisingly, the reactionaries that was in power was the ones who had to adapt the Empire to these changes.

The Emperor, who was an absolute monarch, only depending on the party – or at this point rather the clique of people surrounding him – to a certain extent, made his will clear: The country had already some industry going. He expected his government to nurture and expand this, for the betterment of the Empire. Even so, it would not be before the end of 1831 that extensive expansion of industry would commence properly, but all through these ten years, the industry slowly grew. At the start, basic goods like regular clothes, canned food and lumber were prioritized.

By 1822, the first experimental railroads were invented, and the government used a huge amount of funds to build them all over the Empire, depleting the treasury, but greatly aiding the slowly ongoing industrialization. Some parts of the Empire were still too hard to build railroads in, though.

In 1823, a great treshing accident happened, and much to the dismay of the reactionary government, popular demand for trinket pensions were backed by the Emperor, giving a first of what would later be many social reforms in the Empire.

During these ten years, many wars flared up. The Wendish Empire was called in by their ally Castille against Sardinia, but they did not take active part in the war. It would end with Sardinian Aquitaine conquered by Castille.

The 2nd Irish-Scottish War would end in the Scots being annexed by the Irish, while the 6th Greek War for Independence would end in the Greeks finally gaining that independence, after having fought for it five times before, between the 15th and 18th century. The Egyptian-Australian Imperialist War would end in Egyptian failure to conquer any lands, but the Australians would not gain any land either.

 

[Nikolai]

The world in 1821​

The world in 1821 was dominated by Europe, but one saw the rise of North America too at this point. The Wendish Empire, their allies Ireland and Ruthenia, now rechristened Ukraine, was considered Great Powers. As were their longstanding rivals France and the Byzantine Empire. The latter was in the middle of another war with their unruly subject turned Great Power, Greece, as 1821 started.

In North America, California had broken free from their previous overlords France, as they grew so powerful as to be considered a Great Power in their own right. The same happened, briefly, with the Wendish subject of Vermont, which was no longer a dominion by the end of 1821, having replaced California for a while before going down to a 9th place on the power rankings. They kept their alliance with their former overlords and was very much aligned with the Wendish Empire still.

In 1821, the Wendish dominions were Louisiana, Newfoundland, The USA (very small) and Belize, while Vermont as mentioned was an ally.

Three years later Louisiana became so powerful as to become briefly a Great Power, gaining independence and a formal alliance with the Empire. In 1830, Newfoundland would experience the same. The tribes of Navajo, Isleta, Apache and Cascadia was satelites of the Wendish Empire.

Further south, in California and Mexico, France governed, with Florida being a subject of Castille and Alaska in the north being a subject of the Wendish ally of Andalusia.

South America was divided between France and Andalusia, with some minor independent indigenous states dotting around and the Byzantines having a foothold all the way south.

Africa was mostly inhabited by indigenous states, albeit European powers had made some headway. Egypt reigned over a vast Empire. Kongo, Kikonda and Maravi reigned the middle of the continent. Down south the Andalusians were in power, as they were closer to home. But up north countries like Jenne, Marwanids and Kaabu were strong local powers. In the middle of these and Egypt, the Byzantines had a lot of land.

In Asia, the country of Ü were dominating the Tibetan plateau, while China was divided in several rivalling states, like the Shun, the Xia, the Dali and Liang.

Further east, Japan was dominating, while Kara Khoja had recently put Bjarmaland out of their misery.

Down in Oceania, the indigenous Aboriginal and Maori tribes had long ago united Australia and New Zealand under a central government, where Egypt and France might have taken some slices recently but were still barely holding onto their recent conquests.

 

[Nikolai]

1832-1842

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The ten years spanning from 1832 to 18421 was dominated by one thing, namely the Iberian War.


The Iberian War

When the Iberian War started in 1833, the Wendish Empire was in a difficult position. Both allied to Andalusia and Castille, the Empire had to choose one ally to support – supporting neither would have meant both losing two allies as opposed to one as well as a tremendous loss of prestige.

In the end, the Empire chose to support their longest standing ally, Andalusia, who also on paper was the strongest country. It would soon prove Andalusia was a paper tiger though, quickly losing ground to the Castillan forces, which soon stood on Andalusian ground and occupied at the height of the war half of Andalusian Iberia.

The Wendish Empire could do nothing to help at the start, as their navy was a mess after years of neglect and overextension. It would take years of downsizing, moving and repairs before it would be in fighting condition and be able to ferry over the enormous amounts of troops the Empire fielded.

Instead, a massive charm offensive was made towards France, the age-old rival who had slowly warmed to the Empire over the last decade. In 1835, France finally agreed to let a number of Wendish troops pass through their country, to aid Andalusia who by now was losing badly.

As soon as the Wendish troops had passed and begun occupying enemy land, France decided to join in in a separate war against Castille, who now saw her many advances in an almost won war melt away. The year after, Castille caved in and agreed to cede one of their northern provinces to France, leaving Andalusia and the Wendish Empire alone in the war against a beaten Castille.

Finally, in 1837, Castille gave up and released their old North American colony of Florida as an independent country, in the sphere of the Wendish Empire. She also ceded Galicia to Andalusia. In total, Castille lost a valuable colony and two provinces to their Iberian adventure.

The need for reform

As the decade ended, the Wendish Empire was again at peace. But her government, the reactionary National Party, which had governed since the ascension of the ailing Emperor Janislaw II, now closing in on 70 years of age, was struggling. As the discontent grew, some – lead by Crown prince Pelka – suggested it was time for a new government. One that was willing to give some degree of reform. Perhaps not too liberal, but conservative, willing to reform a little to protect the common good?

 

[Nikolai]

1843-1853

Times they are a’changing

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The year 1843 would mark a decided change in the Wendish Empire. Discontent had been growing for a long time in the Empire, and the old Emperor Janislaw II, wary of change after the revolutionary years of his childhood, had held the reactionary National Party in power all his life.

His life was now over. The monarch, over 70 years of age did not wake from his sleep a cold January day of 1843. His son Pelka V, a more reform minded man approaching his 50s, was now in power. Pelka V was not by any means a liberal man, but he was more liberal than his father.

He was regarded as a conservative who saw the need for change to preserve. What he wanted to preserve was his throne, but also his power. He did not, if he could avoid it, relinquish his absolute power.

His new Conservative Party government was thus tasked with careful reform, and the first reform, which came in 1844, was the outlawing of slavery. Slavery was not a very prevalent thing in the Wendish Empire by any means, but it was a powerful sign that change was needed and in motion, following up on the lessening on serfdom restrictions of his father’s young years. It was a popular change too, and throughout 1844, militancy lowered a lot, giving the Emperor and his government breathing space. It would not, however, be the last reform under his watchful eye.

In 1845, revolution happened in the tiny Wendish dominion of the United States of America. A military coup by the Democratic Party ended democracy and the dominion status of the small country, who quickly became under the protection of the Great Power of Vermont, an ally of the Wendish Empire and once a dominion of the Empire herself.

Next up in the Empire was the question of the status of the Gypsy people. Many resented the travellers, but the Emperor decreed they were not only protected by His Grace himself, but also an integral part of the Empire and an accepted culture of the realm. Some radical Gypsies would later misuse his protection to proclaim parts of the Empire was in fact Gypsy homeland and claimed these areas as national cores for the Gypsy people. But most was most thankful for the Emperor’s protection and the privileges they were given as an accepted culture.

The last reform of this time period would come after the Bohemian war of 1847-1848, when a basic public school system would be instituted, again greatly lowering militancy of the Empire after the costly war and securing absolute Imperial rule for some time further.

International crisis and European war

In 1846, Europe was closing in on war. In the Wendish Empire, “the Bohemian menace” was the topic of news papers and popular discourse, and the Empire and the Bohemians were closing in on war.

Before it could come to this, however, another war almost broke out. France declared their support of the Algerian people’s right to self-rule in an independent country, something the owner of said lands Andalusia and her Wendish and Irish allies were vehemently against. It got close to a war, but at the last minute France backed down. It would not be the last time this issue was raised, however.

War would break out the year after, though, when the Wendish Empire declared war on Bohemia- Moravia, claiming their right to ancient Polish lands close to the Imperial capital. The war would prove to be tough and costly for the Wendish Empire, as the Bohemia-Moravian army was better equipped and at a higher technology level.

But in the end the Empire had more troops – much more of them – and this decided the outcome. Already a year after, in 1848, peace was established, with two border states annexed to the Wendish Empire.

The international situation in 1853

In 1853, the top powers of the world were like this, with France at the top, closely followed by the Wendish Empire. The most industrialized country was Bohemia-Moravia, a position greatly covered by both France and the Wendish Empire. The Ukraine was stronger than ever military wise but lagging behind in industry. She was also expanding eastwards at breakneck speed.

Ireland and Andalusia was still allied to the Wendish Empire, while France and Ukraine were both on friendly terms with the Empire. Bohemia-Moravia was decidedly hostile and further war could not be ruled out, while the long-term rivals of the Empire, the Byzantine Empire, was rather indifferent to her at this time.

In China, the many kingdoms were constantly warring, all while Japan was slowly expanding into the area. Japan was as of 1853 at war with the Heavenly Kingdom and winning.

All over the world reactionary rebellions were winning, most notably in Fars, Malwa and Ü. In Newfoundland such a rebellion was also doing well, and the fresh dictatorship in the USA under the Democratic Party was also about to be overwhelmed by would-be monarchist reactionary rebels.

In South Asia, Hyderabad was in control over much of the Indian peninsula, while on the Indonesian islands Sambas and Pagarruyung was the strongest powers.

Further south, the Aboriginal-Maori led Australia was still holding its own against the French and Egyptian colonizers, with neither foreign power able to expand further into the region.

 

[Nikolai]

1854-1864

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The ten years spanning 1854 to 1864 was a time dominated by war both for the Wendish Empire and her neighbors. The recent war had proven that the military of the Empire was not up to speed in technological development, but the Emperor decided that focus had to be on the further industrialization and economic buildup. Since the economy was booming, he instead ordered a further 60 divisions raised for the Wendish military and hope the gap didn’t get too wide.

In Europe at this time a big war was ongoing between the Byzantine empire, Bohemia-Moravia and France on one side, with the Greeks and Ukraine on the other, trying to defend the Greeks from being reincorporated into the Byzantine Empire. It would end in a white peace in 1855, as the many wars before it.

In 1857 France for the third time raised the question of Algerian independence from Andalusia. Again, Ireland and the Wendish Empire backed their Andalusian ally, and again France would back down.

The same year the Empire got an offer from Egypt to ally, something the Emperor gladly accepted, as it secured his southern borders if the Byzantines were to move against the Empire.

The year 1857 was also notable for the invention of better railway systems, and the Emperor ordered the entire treasury, consisting of over 2 million, to be spent on improving the infrastructure of the entire Empire.

The Second Bohemian War

Then came the year 1858, the year the Empire would move against its relatively small, but still strong enemy Bohemia-Moravia. This rival was very strong economically and had great potential for further growing its world leading industry. And she had to be stopped. The Emperor demanded that Venetia was given to the Empire, and the Bohemians refused. Thus, war was once more upon Central Europe.

The war was quickly showing to be very costly, as the technological gap in military technology was widening. But mainly due to the Empire’s great manpower reserves and large military size, the war slowly went in the Empire’s favor. By 1859 the Bohemians were decidedly on the defensive and as November came, the Wendish Empire was advancing on all fronts.

On November 26th, 1859 Bohemia-Moravia gave up and ceded both the originally demanded Venetia as well as Bohemian Sachsen. Peace was once again ruling Europe.

Further reform, a new war and the end of an era

By 1861 the demand for reform once again made the Wendish Empire a powder keg, and the ageing Emperor Pelka V, by now into his 70s, saw the need to give his people something to keep calm. He was not about to give them any voting rights or other political rights, but his previous reforms of the school system had been met with much approval and thus, he declared a school reform again, greatly improving the quality of the Imperial school system.

The year after, Louisiana, once an Imperial colony and dominion, now a faithful ally, called the Empire into their war against Mexico. Unfortunately, this also brought the Empire into war with their previous dominion Newfoundland, but the Emperor warily agreed to honor his alliance with Louisiana, while secretly informing his old subjects of Newfoundland that he would not take an active part of the war other than sending a few volunteers and some resources, publicly to the Louisianians blaming his ailing navy for the lack of support. The war would soon go badly for the Louisianians.

During this time, another crisis regarding Algeria surfaced as France once again demanded their independence from Andalusia. And Andalusia, wrongfully thinking the Wendish Empire was too occupied in America to help, this time gave in.

As the war in America descended into chaos and Andalusia gave in to her northern neighbor, change would soon sweep the Wendish Empire too. On December 16th, 1864 Emperor Pelka V breathed his last. His grandson, the 24 year-old Janislaw was now Emperor Janislaw III. As the new year dawned, he would do some big changes in the realm.

 

[Nikolai]

1865-1875​

The Polish National Revitalization

As 1865 dawned, the newly crowned Emperor Janislaw III proclaimed a momentous change in Imperial policy. The Wendish Empire was historically a realm founded on Polish language and culture. Only, as the renaissance dawned centuries before, an Emperor deeply steeped in Greek culture, the infamous Emperor Wojciech III, had promoted his Greek heritage to a point all successive Emperors, the entire aristocracy and realm had been thoroughly Hellenized, although the Greek speaking communities in the Empire at wide was few and far inbetween. In short, since the mid-1400s the Empire had been governed by Greek culture and language, but almost all subjects were of various other nationalities and languages. Of them the biggest by far was Polish themselves.

And on January 1st, 1865 this all changed. The new Emperor decreed that he ruled a realm that belonged to all, but first among them the Polish. Thus, Polish now being the biggest culture and also the rightfully dominant one, Greek was out. Polish was in, and now the primary culture. In school, all should learn Polish, in court all should speak Polish. Greek remained an accepted culture though, and also the lingua franca of international diplomacy.

Soon, further decrees came. Cities, roads, whole regions, were renamed to fit the Polish dominance that now was on the rise. It was no way that people in the Empire should not know that change was coming. It would not be long before the national economy would follow suit.

A changing world

A year after gaining the throne, the new Emperor tired of his ally’s war in America, which were going nowhere good. He sent out peace feelers to the combattants and managed to broker a white peace between the old Imperial colonies.

Closer to home, in 1867, the Byzantines had started another war on Greece and their allies Ukraine, to reannex Greece into the Imperial fold. While allied to France and Bohemia-Moravia, who was weakened themselves, the Byzantines were already weakened by their recent bankruptcy. It did not go well for them. Soon, Ukrainian forces were swarming their lands. But the war was costly for both sides, and Greece barely held on. Thus, in mid-1868, a white peace was signed between the contestants, again.

Seeking to remain at peace, and not without friends, the Emperor started on a PR campaign on the international scene. One after another, new allies were gained for the Wendish Empire. In 1868, Egypt offered an alliance, and thus the Middle East was secured in case of war with the Byzantines, however unlikely it may have seemed.

In 1869, Andalusia, who had broken their alliance with the Empire years prior, was again a signed-on ally. The same year, Louisiana approached to renew their alliance, after having been let lose following the war just years prior. Hesistantly, the Emperor agreed.

The year after, the Kingdom of America agreed to an alliance too, but this was broken the year after as the Democratic Party once again successfully couped the tiny nation, installing a puppet king of their own. Three years after Sardinia and the Persian nation of Daylam offered alliances as well. Even Bengal wanted a part of the alliance with the top dog of the world, joining in 1874

But perhaps the biggest change during these years, was the rise of Communism as an idea, originating in Friesland, and the start of the many rebellions that would rise, and be squashed, the next few years. The first was the Jacobin rebellion of 1871, which would take almost a year to successfully beat. This would be followed by another Jacobin rebellion in 1875, but that rebellion was squashed rather quickly. Still, the Emperor ordered in 1873 a massive buildup of the national army, which would soon increase almost 80% in size.

The economy of the Empire continued to grow at breakneck pace all through these changes, though. Already by mid-1869, the Imperial industrial score was over double that of Bohemia-Moravia, which only a short time before was the leading industrial country by far. Over the next years, the speed of industrialization would only increase. By 1875, it would be about four times the size of Bohemia-Moravia’s – or any competitor in the world:

Of course, the composition of the populace changed too, with laborers in the factories now numbering over one quarter of the total population in the Wendish Empire. And while the Empire was still an absolute monarchy with a 100% Conservative government and parliament, handpicked by the Emperor himself, the ideology of the people were changing. Thankfully for the Emperor, however, the vast majority of the country was looking at him as a Father of the Nation, and consciousness around politics were generally quite low.

In other news, the Imperial expeditions to find the source of the Nile finally found success in 1871, when Pelka Jabanitzky returned from his second expedition with the glorious news. Wendish prestige soared.

 

[Nikolai]

1876-1886

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With militancy slowly rising, the Emperor ordered the continuation of military buildup in the realm, which was a good thing, for in late 1876, another rebellion happened. This time it was the anarcho-liberals who demanded change at the point of a gun, but again the rebellion was shortlived – by March 1887 it was all over.

The feud between the Wendish Empire and Bohemia-Moravia was far from over and for the next two years relations broke down again, leading to renewed war between the two countries on December 27th, 1878.

The Wendish Empire still lagged behind in military technology, but she had vast amounts of troops and manpower. The fight was a hard one, with many losses on both sides, but slowly the Empire advanced. By September 17th, 1879, Rome had fallen, and the Emperor decreed the Eternal City would be his for perpetuity. Not long after, on October 5th, 1879, a peace agreement was reached, where the Wendish Empire annexed both Romagna and Lazio, the latter containing Rome itself. Now, a third of Italy was Wendish property.

In 1882, another major revolt happened, this time a Communist one – and it would not be the last the Communist attempted. But however big, the Imperial armies were bigger, and within three months the rebellion was over.

The same year, Louisiana dragged the Empire into another American war with Mexico and Newfoundland. Again, the Empire would send no troops, but Louisiana got offered war subsidies, and soon it would turn out this war was going to go very well. Not the least thanks to the Great Power of Vermont starting their own war with Newfoundland. In mid-1883, a peace agreement was reached, and Louisiana annexed Minnesota.

Over in the Far East, the Korean people asked the international community for help and recognition of their right to their own homeland and freedom from the Shun Dynasty. The Wendish Empire was all too happy to put pressure on the Chinese, and thus gain an ally on the Korean peninsula.

Meanwhile up north in Siberia, the riches of the tundra was slowly taken by Ukraine, who was snaking their way in the unclaimed wastes far north. This would immensely profit their budding industry, which was now the second biggest in the world after the Wendish Empire.

Ukraine and the Wendish Empire was at peaceful terms and had been so for the longest time. Ukraine was weak military and had the Empire wanted, they could easily have overrun them. But France was rapidly growing in strength, and there was no wish to alienate the big neighbor on the Eastern border. It was also the matter of international outcry over the recent belligerent actions of the Empire in Italy and around the world to take into account.

Thus, when the Wendish ally of Daylam asked for the Empire to fullfill their alliance and go to war with Ukraine and their underling Khuttal, the Empire flatly refused, abandoning their Persian ally to their fate.

As 1886 dawned, two new rebellions occurred, one against reactionaries and one against the anarcho-liberals. Both were big, especially the latter, but the Imperial army was by far bigger. And again, the result was bloody, but one sided. As the 19th century was approaching its last decade, the absolute monarchy in the Wendish Empire was as secure as always, held up by the twin powers of military might and the popular Father of the Nation mythology.

 

[Nikolai]

1887-1897

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The year 1887 started with a huge war. The Wendish ally Andalusia called the Empire into a war against the Great Power and once also Wendish ally Ireland. Ireland was demanding Andalusia to become a sphereling of theirs, and this would not do!



Ireland was powerful in her own right, also military wise, and although she was no match with the totality of Wendish troops, most of the troops were on the continent, with a slightly outmatched force in England. The Wendish navy were big, but old, outdated and poorly led. The entirety of the navy was much bigger than the Irish fleets though, so all were assembled, and troops made ready to ship over from the coast of Denmark and Northern Germany.

Meanwhile, Irish troops from the Emerald Island and their Scottish possessions were swarming England, and the Wendish troops were losing ground. When reinforcements came, however, the Irish were soon sent in retreat, while Irish reinforcements were stopped by the dated, but big Wendish navy patrolling the strait between the two islands of Britannia. By 1888, the writing was on the wall, Scotland was under occupation and soon the entirely of Scotland was ceded to the Wendish Empire as reparations. After centuries, Britannia was one step closer to being entirely reunified with the Empire.

As the 1890s started, the world got slightly more dangerous, as the concept of all out war became closer to a possibility with the constant march of industrial might paired with military innovations. France and the Byzantines were again at it warring against Greece and Ukraine with the goal of annexing Greece into the Byzantine Empire. This time it almost succeeded, as Greece and Ukraine was almost overrun, but in the end war exhaustion gave the attackers pause and a white peace was again agreed upon.

In 1892, the Wendish ally Shanghai called the Empire into a war with Sambas in Indonesia, a war they won just fine by themselves. Their next war was tougher, though, as they took on the Heavenly Kingdom, a Chinese state on the rise, and – it would turn out – stronger than what Shanghai could bear. Even with economic help from the Empire – no futher help was given due to the long distance and poor Imperial navy – mainland Shanghai would fall quickly.

The Heavenly Kingdom did not raise any territorial claims, though and in 1896 a peace was agreed upon where no land switched hands. This proved that the Empire needed a new and modern navy, though. Resources were given to inventors everywhere, with big prizes for those who made new innovations that would benefit the realm.

The same year, in 1896, another war between the Greek and Byzantine alliances started, but again it would end in a white peace after the Byzantines were overrun.

As of New Year’s Eve 1897, the world was dominated by the Wendish Empire both in industry and military, albeit not navally. France was rapidly climbing in power, while Ukraine also did well in industry, but not military. Both were dwarfed by the one superpower of the world, though. India was a newcomer at the scene, originating from Ü, and now spreading across the continent. At the time she and Delhi was locked in a long war for domination, one that Delhi was slowly winning. If Delhi was to lose, she would most probably be annexed, which would mean Northern India would be unified if that happened.

The Wendish Empire was getting more and more populated, and the Polish identity of the realm was stronger than ever. Polish culture was the biggest in the realm, numbering 21.5% of the population, but Polish influences were felt everywhere and in most cultures inside the Empire, after centuries of rule. An overwhelming amount of the population was also Catholic.

The government of the realm was absolute monarchist as it had been for centuries, and while the liberal and socialist thoughts were prevalent in the population at large, the monarchy as it stood had strong roots. Any dissent going into rebellion was sure to be put down with a strong hand.

Technology was advancing at a breakneck speed, and naval technology was also catching up, faster and faster.

Lastly, the economy was as sound as ever, with a huge surplus even with most expenses maxed out.

 

[Nikolai]

1897-1907

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The last years of the 19th century saw the rise of international sports, as the idea of the Olympics of old was revived. The Wendish Empire was as the foremost power in the world naturally offered a founding role in the International Olympic Committee when it was suggested in 1898.

These last years of the 19th century also saw the enlargement of the naval bases of the Empire, as well as the building of a new and modern navy. First out was monitors, built en masse from 1898 and onwards.

As the 20th century dawned, renewed war erupted in the Balkans as the declining Byzantines together with France again declared war on the Greeks and their Ukrainian allies. At the start, the war was a disaster for the Greeks. Most of Anatolia was under Ukrainian occupation within short time.

However, by 1902 the tide had turned and Ukraine and Greece were on the verge of collapse. The worst was yet to come, though. Desperate to not be annexed by the equally exhausted Byzantines, Greece agreed to a separate peace, keeping their independence, and abandoning their long-time ally and friend Ukraine to the combined Byzantine-Franco alliance. Luckily for the Ukrainians, their enemies were tired of war and agreed to a light peace not long after. The long-standing friendship between Greece and Ukraine was ruined, however. From now on, Ukraine – a great power in their own right – and Greece, soon to experience an economic miracle catapulting them to great power status themselves, would be fierce competitors.

Over in Asia, the country of Ü had grown considerably at the tail end of the century and emerged as a new great power under the name of India. Pursuing an intense unification campaign, half of the Indian subcontinent was by 1907 under the control of India, with Delhi in a several year long struggle to withstand their might, and actually barely holding them off. Rebellions had begun to start around in the Indian state.

The big change on the world scene was connected to the Wendish Empire, however. After Emperor Janislaw III ascended the throne in 1865, merely 24 years old, Polish culture had been at the forefront and in ascendance. Polish language, culture and history was taught exclusively in school. More and more people thought of the Wendish Empire as Poland. Still and Empire, but Polish through and through.

The now 60 year old Emperor finally took the next logical step and on December 3rd, 1901 declared that while retaining the title of Emperor of the Wendish Empire, Scandinavia, Carpathia and Britannia, he would now be known first and foremost as the Emperor of Poland, leading the Polish Empire – or Poland for short.

In another big change the old Conservative party, having led the governance of the Wendish Empire since the early 1800s, were reorganized into the Royal Faction. The main difference was that the official economic policy was no longer interventionist, but rather state capitalist. The economy of Poland would continue to soar.

 

[Nikolai]

1908-1918

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Coming into 1908, Poland was getting unrestfull. People got ideas that the Emperor thought unreasonable, but with a better school system introduced, things calmed down again – for now. The average consciousness in the Empire was getting higher, and in some areas it was whispered that the time of absolutism could soon be over. Not if the Emperor got the final word, though.

In 1910 the Imperial ally of Andalusia called for help with the war she warred with the now tiny Castille. It was in reality not needed, and the Empire’s help was minimal, but in any case the war was over before Christmas.

The year 1911 would see the largest rebellion ever in Poland, as the Communists rose in very large numbers all over the continent. The fight was especially hard in Germany, but after about a year the last remnants were beaten and the country returned to peace.

The Emperor was scared though, and ordered an enlargement of the standing army that when it was finished would increase the troops numbers by approximately 70%. With this, the Empire was more and more militarized, as rebelliousness were seeding.

With 1912 came much international prestige, as Polish adventurers were the first to reach the South Pole – and come back to tell anyone, at any rate. This glorious accomplishment made the world in awe of Polish magnificence – or so the Emperor told the adventurers upon return in an audience.

Four years later, in 1916, Poland declared war on Ireland again. The war on the Emerald Island went exceedingly well, but a rogue army of Irish got through the blockage and wrecked havoc in England for months before chased down by returning Polish troops.

With that, the entirety of the Irish army was gone, and their country under total occupation. It would cost too much infamy for even the Polish to stomach to subdue the entire country and annex it wholeright, though. As such only two states were annexed to the Empire.

With the war had come an increase in militancy, and the Emperor again satisfied the populace with social reforms. This time, a minimum wage was introduced to the country, to jubilation for the poorest.

The Emperor also encouraged forces in the country working for pension raise, as he then assumed he could keep his absolute power even longer.

In 1918 another war erupted, as the Emperor decreed that Bohemia-Moravia had to be brought low again. As we know, the Emperor did not give political rights of any kind lightly, but during the war he allowed non-socialist unions to be formed, under tight survilance, of course.

The war would end by July 1918, with Toscana ceded to the Polish Empire.

In 1918 the great powers of the wotld was diverse. In Europe, Poland reigned supreme, but militarily France was not far behind anymore. Ukraine was a pushover military wise, but her economy was soaring. Greece had replaced the Byzantine Empire as a great power in the south of Europe, with Vormont the sole great power in the New World. In Asia India and Delhi competed for dominance on the Indian subcontinent, with the Heavenly Kingdom in China getting stronger each day.

The Polish Empire by 1918 constituted of 66.02 million men, not counting women and children. Almost 30% of her populace worked in the industry and a ever bigger amount of the populace identified as Polish.

Still an absolute monarchy, the Emperor was a father figure to most, but many were discontent with the status quo.

Poland was world leading in technologies:

And even with the immense increase in a standing military, still operating at a great profit.

 

[Nikolai]

1919-1935

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In 1920, fascism was increasingly becoming a problem in Poland. These radicals were growing in strength and the Emperor saw his absolute power threatened. Communism had proven to be dangerous as well and both employed armed bullies. As such he outlawed paramilitary organizations, both Communist and Fascist. This backfired when the Fascists rebelled days after the proclamation in January 1920, but the huge Polish military again stepped in and squashed them. By late February, all rebel cells were eliminated.

The military was strong, as it had showed time and time again, but the Emperor craved more security and a more modern army still and ordered the construction of over 260 tank units. The industry to build these were lacking, as were the aeroplanes he also wished to employ and as such a large scale industrial buildup of tank and aeroplane factories were started.

The Emperor also saw the need to appease the people and employed new laws for better safety in the workplace, greatly reducing the militancy in the country – for a while.

In 1923 the Emperor’s plan to subdue Ireland meant another war with the country. This time, it was a total overrun of the Emerald Island and by June the entire country were under occupation. However, annexing the island entirely was impossible due to the diplomatic uproar it would cause, and by the end of September a treaty was signed between Poland and Ireland, resulting in the puppeting of Ireland and the ceding of the Isle of Man to the Empire.

The year after, the Communists struck. All over the Empire the cells sprung into action, and although the outcome was never doubted, the number of rebels were bigger than ever. The whole thing ended in a big showdown in Bayreuth in Germany, where 170k Commies stood against the Imperial army after securing control over Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Regensburg. In the end, the Communists was thoroughly defeated in the Battle of Nuremberg on March 10th, 1924.

Capitalizing on the victory, Fascist trade unions were declared illegal in May 1924 and a massive buildup of the air force was started the same spring. The country were simmering, but new revolts did not happen that year or the following.

In 1926 the Byzantines continued their downward spiral when the Ukraine forced the decaying country to release Armenia as an independent country under Ukrainian supervision, effectively almost halving the ancient Empire’s Asian holdings.

The balance of power would shift even more the same year, when France outright annexed Bohemia-Moravia in a diplomatic coup, both strengthening themselves quite a lot against their Polish rival, as well as removing an old enemy of the Polish realm in one fell stroke.

Radicalization and consciousness in the Empire was at this time growing at alarming rate. The people showed over 15% support for censored press vs the current state press only law. The Emperor decided to appease the second biggest demand, better minimum pay, still unwilling to give political rights to his subjects.

In the end, he had to give in, though. After a medium Communist rebellion and a huge Jacobin rebellion both happening in 1927, the latter hard fought, the Emperor on May 3rd, 1927 signed the law allowing a censored press replacing the state press.

The next two years were silent, but on December 7th, 1929 the Suez Canal was built by Polish engineers, giving Poland a much stronger position in Egypt.

Following this coup, the Emperor signed a declaration stating that Jews all over the world had the right to settle in ancient Israel. The move upset the Middle East.

In early 1930, the peace was over as a major Communist rebellion rose, almost overwhelming the country. For a while, the Emperor’s life was at stake as he was close to be captured by rebels descending on the capital. It would take one and a half years to finally beat the Communists, and the Emperor reluctantly allowed the establishment of a free press, although still refusing to entertain the thought of voting rights for anyone.

In 1933 he instituted better minimum wages for the workers, hoping to calm the people.

As the end of 1935 neared, the aging Emperor was having increased health issues, and the crown prince Pelka – soon to be Emperor Pelka VI – took over more and more day to day responsibilities. Almost 20% of the population wanted landed voting it was estimated. The crown prince did not want to give them that outright, but he confided to his inner circle that some change needed to happen, soon. In the meantime, a law allowing all trade unions were instituted to appease the people.

As the world entered 1936, tensions in the world was at an all-time high. Pelka VI rose to the throne on January 5th, 1936 when his grandfather breathed his last. His reign would see many of the issues of his forebear fixed, but at a heavy price. In 1936, Poland was the premier world power, as seen underneath:

The Middle East and Africa:

Asia and Oceania:

America:

The economy of Poland:

The political situation: