@henryjai: I could but I'm refraining significant territorial purchases. If Poland is to have a coast I'll fight for it. I feel it gives the game an extra challenge.
Anyway here's part one of update 5, I'll upload the rest later.
Empire or Death: Update no. 5, years 1851-1856 Part 1
Excerpt from Poland in the 19th Century:
The years of 1851-1856 were a time of massive changes on economic, diplomatic, and military fronts in Poland. This would begin with the completion of the Warsaw-Radom railway which linked the Radom coal mines to the cement factory, significantly reducing the associated transport costs.
Later in 1851 Polish commercial researchers completed their work on ad hoc money bill printing, and funding was granted to the PAF to begin research into more effective cannons. The PAF argued that while no major artillery attachments were present in the army, it would be an important stepping stone to a more powerful military, and through that, eventual Polish independence.
A month later a second part of the British Empire would vie for independence, this time in Europe. Irish nationalist rage against the ruling British came to a boiling point, and the revolting Irish in the south of the island, with their government centered in Sligo. This revolt by a minority against a European great power captured the hearts and minds of much of the urban population in Poland, who saw their own past in Ireland’s present. Several weeks after Ireland’s declaration of independence there would be a demonstration against the British Empire in Warsaw by those sympathizing with the Irish.
This surge of national consciousness however, would not increase the amount of Poles volunteering for the burgeoning Polish Army. In late 1851 the PAF petitioned the king for the funds for raise a 9th, which necessitated an increase in the defense budget to fund more intense recruitment drives. By mid 1852 the necessary manpower would be amassed, and training of the division would begin.
In October of 1852 the length of rail in Poland would be double what it was in 1851, but the laying of railway would cease for a number of years due to a variety of issues that will be discussed later in the chapter.
On January 7th 1853, four years and one day after Russian granted Poland limited independence, Poland would takes it first flagrant anti-Russian action since the formation of its new government. King Puzniak announced to approving, yet tense, crowds that Poland was no longer bound to supporting Russia if it launched a war of aggression. This effectively broke Russia’s last vestige of control over Poland, however the king did not cut all ties with Russia, and was not recognized as independent by the great nations of Europe, or of Russia. Poland was still diplomatically isolated, with only the French treating it as de facto, if not de jure, independent as they had for years. The Russian Tsar was furious, describing King Puzniak as a traitor, and ordering Russian divisions to the Polish border. Military advisors to the Tsar however recommended a war against Poland at this time. Such a war would be costly and time-consuming, due to the somewhat large Polish standing army and reserves, and French military support. Such a war could not be afforded at a time with increasing tension on the Ottoman border.
Fifteen days later, Russian doubts about their capability to deal with the PAF quickly were reinforced with the upgrading of Polish artillery with new muzzle loaded cannon. Research into cheap iron followed. Although Poland at this time did not possess iron mines, the MotE reasoned that it would still be necessary to catch up to industrial nations.
In response to Russian saber-rattling, the army would be reorganized into three corps of three divisions each, and deployed to the Russian border to show the Poland would not easily be re-conquered.
At the same time as Polish military deployments, the Irish revolt ended. Ireland was now a free and independent nation, although perhaps calling it the city-state of Sligo would be a more fitting name for it. In return for peace, the Irish rebels would have to cede control of all territory except for Sligo and its environs. Polish nationalism already being on the increase with the slap in the face delivered to Russia a month before, the government disseminated propaganda among the population praising the Irish rebellion and citing it as an example of how if people worked hard enough, they could successfully rebel against a great power and attain independence.
The following June the second Franco-Polish military alliance expired, following by another guarantee of independence by the French the next month. Polish diplomats wished to renew the alliance, but France stated that they would not renew it again until Russia recognized Poland’s independence.
Anyway here's part one of update 5, I'll upload the rest later.
Empire or Death: Update no. 5, years 1851-1856 Part 1
Excerpt from Poland in the 19th Century:
The years of 1851-1856 were a time of massive changes on economic, diplomatic, and military fronts in Poland. This would begin with the completion of the Warsaw-Radom railway which linked the Radom coal mines to the cement factory, significantly reducing the associated transport costs.
Later in 1851 Polish commercial researchers completed their work on ad hoc money bill printing, and funding was granted to the PAF to begin research into more effective cannons. The PAF argued that while no major artillery attachments were present in the army, it would be an important stepping stone to a more powerful military, and through that, eventual Polish independence.
A month later a second part of the British Empire would vie for independence, this time in Europe. Irish nationalist rage against the ruling British came to a boiling point, and the revolting Irish in the south of the island, with their government centered in Sligo. This revolt by a minority against a European great power captured the hearts and minds of much of the urban population in Poland, who saw their own past in Ireland’s present. Several weeks after Ireland’s declaration of independence there would be a demonstration against the British Empire in Warsaw by those sympathizing with the Irish.
This surge of national consciousness however, would not increase the amount of Poles volunteering for the burgeoning Polish Army. In late 1851 the PAF petitioned the king for the funds for raise a 9th, which necessitated an increase in the defense budget to fund more intense recruitment drives. By mid 1852 the necessary manpower would be amassed, and training of the division would begin.
In October of 1852 the length of rail in Poland would be double what it was in 1851, but the laying of railway would cease for a number of years due to a variety of issues that will be discussed later in the chapter.
On January 7th 1853, four years and one day after Russian granted Poland limited independence, Poland would takes it first flagrant anti-Russian action since the formation of its new government. King Puzniak announced to approving, yet tense, crowds that Poland was no longer bound to supporting Russia if it launched a war of aggression. This effectively broke Russia’s last vestige of control over Poland, however the king did not cut all ties with Russia, and was not recognized as independent by the great nations of Europe, or of Russia. Poland was still diplomatically isolated, with only the French treating it as de facto, if not de jure, independent as they had for years. The Russian Tsar was furious, describing King Puzniak as a traitor, and ordering Russian divisions to the Polish border. Military advisors to the Tsar however recommended a war against Poland at this time. Such a war would be costly and time-consuming, due to the somewhat large Polish standing army and reserves, and French military support. Such a war could not be afforded at a time with increasing tension on the Ottoman border.
Fifteen days later, Russian doubts about their capability to deal with the PAF quickly were reinforced with the upgrading of Polish artillery with new muzzle loaded cannon. Research into cheap iron followed. Although Poland at this time did not possess iron mines, the MotE reasoned that it would still be necessary to catch up to industrial nations.
In response to Russian saber-rattling, the army would be reorganized into three corps of three divisions each, and deployed to the Russian border to show the Poland would not easily be re-conquered.
At the same time as Polish military deployments, the Irish revolt ended. Ireland was now a free and independent nation, although perhaps calling it the city-state of Sligo would be a more fitting name for it. In return for peace, the Irish rebels would have to cede control of all territory except for Sligo and its environs. Polish nationalism already being on the increase with the slap in the face delivered to Russia a month before, the government disseminated propaganda among the population praising the Irish rebellion and citing it as an example of how if people worked hard enough, they could successfully rebel against a great power and attain independence.
The following June the second Franco-Polish military alliance expired, following by another guarantee of independence by the French the next month. Polish diplomats wished to renew the alliance, but France stated that they would not renew it again until Russia recognized Poland’s independence.
