[Forum Game] - Crisis in the Reichstag

[Frymonmon]

Hello! And welcome to yet another forum game presented by myself, Frymonmon. This forum game take place right before the 1912 Federal Elections, and the election, along with who controls the Reichstag, is decided by who signs up at the beginning of the game. However, this does not mean that sign-ups are closed after the first election. You may jump in at anytime. Signups are ALWAYS open.

Unlike my previous forum games, namely World in Revolution, this does not have a persons playing limit. As many people may sign up as they wish.

Rules and Procedures
The game is rather simple. Everyone roleplays their own, made-up character, while you get to create a background, birth date, location, and political party of their choosing. Later on in this post there will be a list of available political parties for you to join. Now, while most people will play as politicians, there is one person who will sign up to be the leader of the nation. From the game start, that will be Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Now, updates are rather simple in this game. There will be Crisis Updates, which will give the Reichstag something to debate over and pass laws for. The next type would a War Update, which gives the Kaiser and the Reichstag something to debate over, if funds should be opened up for war, or what the Reichstag can do for the war effort, building railroads, hiring more soldiers, and so on. The Kaiser, however, must give the GM (That would be me) instructions on what to do in case of a war. He will be solely responsible for the rise (or downfall) of the German Nation should his orders not prove sufficient enough. The final type of update is the Election Update. Although the first Reichstag is determined by the players signing up, all the rest are decided by elections, in which how well the current ruling part handled the country the past election. When this happens, even though there may be more players from Party X, Party Y is the ruling party.

There are three types of players, the Leader of the Nation, the Chancellor, and the Reichstag members. The Leader of the Nation is whoever is the Head of State, at the start that is the Kaiser, and he has the power to run the Military, Veto Bills he does not seem favorable, dissolve the Reichstag and call for an election, and appoint a Chancellor. The Chancellor's job is to try to run the Reichstag and get bills and legislation passed to help the German Reich. The Reichstag members are the average politicions, who will debate their cause, try to help the German people, and ultimately try to keep their party in power.

Sister Games
Crisis in the Senate

Available Parties

German Democratic Party (DDP)
Social Democratic Party (SPD)
Zentrum Party (Zentrum)
National Liberal Party (NL)
German Conservative Party (DKP)
German Reich Party (FKP)
Independents (I)

---

Government of the German Empire

Kaiser: Wilhelm III (Vacant)
Chief of the General Staff: Erich von Falkenhayn (Vacant)
Chancellor:
Vice Chancellor:
Justice Minister:
Colonial Minister:
Post Master General:
Naval Minister:
War Minister:
Interior Minister:
Treasury Minister:
Foreign Minister:

Current Government: 0/199 Seats Needed for Majority

German Conservative Party (? Seats)


German Democratic Party (? Seats)


German Communist Party (? Seats)


Zentrum Party (? Seats)


Social Democratic Party (? Seats)


National Liberal Party (? Seats)


German Reich Party (? Seats)


Independents (? Seats)


---

The Great War: 1914 - 1918
France Declares War
United Kingdom Supports Germany

---
Elections
Election of 1912
Election of 1914
Election of 1916 (April)
Election of 1916 (June)
Election of 1918

Polls
17 May 1912
4 January 1913
9 February 1914
17 March 1914
24 October 1914
21 November 1914
1 September 1915
29 February 1916
30 March 1916
15 April 1916
3 August 1917

Newspaper Articles
28 October 1912
1 December 1912
8 May 1913
15 December 1913
28 June 1914
27 July 1914
2 August 1914
15 August 1914
24 September 1914
26 September 1914
12 October 1914
26 October 1914
20 November 1914
23 November 1914
26 November 1914
27 November 1914
2 May 1915
4 May 1915
20 June 1915
18 July 1915
22 July 1915
30 December 1915
31 December 1915
15 January 1916
14 March 1916
16 March 1916
20 March 1916
26 March 1916
3 April 1916
17 July 1916
29 July 1916
10 August 1916
8 October 1916
21 November 1916
3 December 1916
5 January 1917
18 January 1917
11 March 1917
19 April 1917
12 August 1918

Updates
1919

Legislation
The Polish Dominion Law FAILED
German 1913-1914 Budget PASSED
German Armed Forces Bill 1913 FAILED
Militarism Amendment to the Constitution I FAILED
Naval Marine Unit Bill of 1914 FAILED
Militarism Amendment to the Constitution II PASSED
German 1914-1915 Budget PASSED
The Colonial Act of 1914 PASSED
The Reich's Infrastructure Bill of 1914 PASSED
Colonial Infrastructure Bill PASSED
The Higher Education Act of 1914 PASSED
The Berlin to Basra Railway Act PASSED
Anti-Espionage Act of 1914 FAILED
Veteran Scholarship Act PASSED
German Armed Forces Pension Bill 1914 FAILED
Farmers Bill of 1914 FAILED
German 1915-1916 Budget PASSED
The Victory Bond Issuance of 1915 PASSED
German Reich 1916-1917 Budget PASSED
German Reich 1916-1917 Emergency Budget PASSED
The Poland Act of 1918 FAILED
The Official Parliamentary Opposition Act of 1918 PASSED VETOED
The Reconstruction Act PASSED
The War Atrocities Compensation Program PASSED
The German Electoral Reform Act of 1918 PASSED
German Reich 1918-1919 Budget PASSED
The Economic Revitalization Act PASSED
The National Bank Act PASSED
Law to Settle the Affairs of the Polish People and Nation, 1918 FAILED
The War Memorials Act FAILED

 

[KeldoniaSkylar]

I would like to play as Reinhart von und zu Birkenfeld, Zentrums Partei.

Aged: 45 born, August 22, 1867

Reinhart is staunch catholic and is disinclined to political extremes. He has built his political career over the past twenty years by being a negotiator and a mediator. His political views always remained obscure to outsiders, though he is known as an ardent support of Kaiser and the German Empire. The von und zu Birkenfelds, in addition to its holdings around Birkenfeld and the Mosel River valley, owns several publishing houses specializing in medical and scientific materials and a growing medical equipment manufactury that specializes in high grade medical instruments.

 

[Suirantes]

Name: Gebhard Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen
Age: 33 (born 1879)
Political affiliation: Social Democratic Party
Biography: Gebhard was born in 1879 in the city of Koenigsburg in East Prussia to a prominent aristocratic family, his father became a politician in the Reichstag soon after the German Conservative party was formed, serving under the Conservative party, thus Gebhard leaned towards conservatism throughout most of his early life. This all changed however when his father died in 1898, Gebhard started to become disillusioned about Conservatism and started to lean towards to left, after researching heavily on all the political ideologies which existed at the time . Thus at the age of 25, he joined the Social Democratic party in 1904, and after long years of a promising career, after winning a position in the Reichstag in 1907, he is now one of the most prominent members of the Social Democratic Party in 1912. His ideology includes large social reform and more equality across the whole population of the Empire, an economy in which the government controls several key industries and lets the capitalists control the rest.

 

[Seek75]

Name: Eric Thaumen
Age: 41 (born 1871)
Political affiliation: National Liberal Party
Short bio: Born the same year as the unification of Germany in Straßburg, Elsass-Lothringen, Eric Thaumen was raised by a pro-German businessman who owned a shoe factory. Being taught the ways of business from an early age, Eric was taught to value laissez-faire style capitalism. When his father died in 1890, Eric inherited the shoe factory and has been responsible for its success. Recently turning his eye towards politics, he ran for the Reichstag and won in 1907. Though highly pro-Empire and pro-Kaiser, he believes that there is still much work to be done if Germany is truly to be a prosperous nation.

 

[tyriet]

Theodor Franz von Lauendorf​

Born in December of 1871, as a son of a family originating from nobles in Austria-Hungary. His father served in the Army of Baden as officer, during the Wars Leading to the foundation of our glorious Reich. Wishing to continue the legacy of his family, he was member of the Baden officer corps as well, rising quickly within their ranks, making it to the rank of a Major General. Now having resigned active duty, he still is considered one of the leading military men of the Area and in case of war most likely will be called into the General Staff, in case of a war breaking out. His political career begun after a friend of his told him that he was a quite capable speaker, easily being able to support the Strength of the Reich he loved so much, but not with Strength of Arms, but with the Might of the Pen. Valuing the Unity of the Reich upon all, he is a member of the FKP, favoring imperialism and the final equality the Reich should get compared to the other great powers. Social reform enactment is an unnecessary step, just for the "sake of the workers", but if a general profit will be achieved for the greater good of the Empire, he might not be so heavily declining as some other members of the FKP.

 

[Thandros]

I'll be (after much difficult thinking) Hermann Schmidt (I'm really bad at this) In the SPD (only one Left wing enough for now) and from somewhere between Memel and Mulhouse.

 

[Muskeato]

Hans Christian Andersen, standing for the SPD (Clearly the party of crazies at the minute. If any SPD members take offence, they aren't crazy enough).

Backstory? The chap likes to writes a lot, and in a previous life was a Dane. As such, he likes to "play the Dane" in his local theatre. (Kudos to whoever gets the reference, double kudos to whoever gets the real reference)

Hans also strongly supports the consumption of Bratwurst.

 

[DoomBunny]

Name: The Count Manfred Von Drachenstien
Age: 59 (born 1853)
Political affiliation: German Reich Party (FKP)
Short bio: Count Manfred Von Drachenstien served in the Franco-Prussian war as a young officer in the Death's Head Hussars. Leading a troop of cavalry, he fought bravely, and took several wounds, losing his left eye to a piece of shrapnel. He wears his uniform with pride, and is a diehard supporter of the Kaiser and the old ways. He originates from East Prussia, where his family hold a small castle, which has been in the family since the late 14th century. He has a fierce dislike of Russians, Poles and, since the Franco-Prussian war, of Frenchmen. After losing his eye, he was initially to be discharged, but through family connections managed to gain a desk job at a colonial posting, where he frequently disguised himself in order to take part in combats against the natives. Now fully retired from the army in order to combat the threat to the Kaiser, Germany and her people that is formed by the triple threats of Liberalism, Socialism and foreigners, he is a member of the German Reich Party. He advocates a highly militaristic, aggressive and conservative set of policies.

 

[Spectre17]

Name: Wilhelm II
Age: 53 (born 1859)
Occupation: Kaiser

 

[Hearth]

Name: Oberst Tiberius von Ramstein, (Please, call me Oberst, Tiberius, or Oberst Tiberius.)
Age: 37 (Born 1875)
Political affiliation: National Liberal Party (NL)
Short bio: Oberst Tiberius von Ramstein was born into a Prussian warrior family. Having served as Aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great, they had been made nobles, although without any significant land holdings. His father served personally under Wilhelm I in the Army, and thus was close to Bismarck and the high levels of the German government during the unification process. Having gained the title "von Ramstein" in recognition of this honor, as a small estate in the town had been given to the family, the boy Tiberius was born in 1875. Growing up, he played with the princes of the nation, as his father worked endless hours in his job at the General Staff. Having had this privileged upbringing, he quickly gained notoriety as a young man silent, observing and listening, before saying his carefully chosen words, always to be heeded. Continuing his education, he would study a year each in Berlin, Wien, Moscow, Paris and London, before entering into service in the Imperial Army, serving in the elite Guards Corps, eventually rising to the command of the Guards Jäger Battalion. Having served in the Corps, but also the General staff, he was well known as a sound tactician and a good strategist. During the last years of his active duty career, he would have risen to the rank of Oberstleutnant, and at the age of 35 he transferred into the Guards Reserve Jäger Battalion, a billet lower than his rank of Oberst, as part of a rotating command unique to this unit, but also serving as an adviser to the Chief of Staff, von Moltke the Younger. Trusted by the military and the nobility, he supports a strong military, but also strong ties to Austria, the British Empire, and the rising power of the USA.

 

[Frymonmon]

Name: Otto von Rheinhart
Born: 1853 (Age 59)
Bio: Born of a wealthy family in Eastern Prussia, Otto von Rheinhart has had a long and distinguished past of serving the Kingdom of Prussia as a Generalmajor. During the Wars of Unification, he personally oversaw the Army that entered into Paris as the French surrendered to the might of the German Army. He first entered the Reichstag in 1890, serving with the German Conservative Party. He has been a loyal member and re-elected ever since. While his loyalties lay to the German Empire, his overall desire to protect his native Prussia.

 

[unmerged(54970)]

OOC: Can i be Chancellor? (and be butchered by almost everyone?)

If i am, i will be member of the Reich Party

 

[Mr. Santiago]

OOC: i'll give life to the Progressive People's Party (FVP), will make a character tomorrow

Name: Albert Rudolf Frahm
Age: 37 (b. 1875)
Political affiliation: Progressive People's Party
Backstory: Born into a middle class family in Köln, after graduating as a phisician in University Albert began established his private practice. An ardent liberal, his everyday contact with the ill and disabld workers of the area's industry has led him to believe that there is yet more reform needed in order to save Germany's future from the risks of revolution and authoritarism. Improoving the parliamentary system is the first step in that direction, Albert claims.

 

[MastahCheef117]

Name: Friedrich von Weiss
Age: 36 (b. 1876)
Political affiliation: German Conservative Party (joined 1900, age 24)
Biography: Born into a Junker aristocratic family in Königsberg with prominent conservative lineage, Friedrich received the highest education his father could get him. Friedrich served in the Kaiserliche Marine from 1900 until 1907, when he turned to politics after reaching the rank of Captain. Now a prominent Conservative politician in the Reichstag, having won a position in 1907, Friedrich hopes to keep Germany's old ways in this time of rapid geopolitical change as tensions rise in continental Europe between the major powers. Friedrich is a staunch pro-militarist, prefers laissez-faire policies, social equality (but not massive legislature and reform to achieve it), and believes capitalism is one of the driving forces of Germany's meteoric economic rise. His chief concern is Germany's Imperial Navy.

 

[Shock3r]

Name: Siegfried von Wolf
Age: 69 (b. 1843)
Political affiliation: German Conservative Party
Biography: Siegfried Von Wolf hails from the city of Danzig in West Prussia. In 1865 Siegfried joined German Army and served in both the Austro-Prussian War and Franco-Prussian War were he received the Iron Cross 2nd Class and 1st Class. After being discharged in 1880, Siegfried was committed to a mental institution. He was released in 1890 and joined the German Conservative Party in 1891, where he quickly became a prominent member and won a seat in the Reichstag in 1893. Siegfried is die-hard militarist and has a fanatical hatred of the French and Belgians.

 

[MastahCheef117]

OOC: May I ask what the general position of the Reich party is? I'm guessing it's some sort of extreme right/nationalistic party?

 

[Muskeato]

OOC: May I ask what the general position of the Reich party is? I'm guessing it's some sort of extreme right/nationalistic party?

Basically yes.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Name: Konrad Otto Weber
Age: 37
Party: Social Democratic Party

Konrad Otto Weber was born as fifth of seven children in Hamburg. His father, Ernst Weber, was an conservative official in the local customs. Konrad went to school and finally studied to become a teacher. During his student days he came in contact with Social Democratic ideas and he vowed to engage himself politically in order to improve the situation of the workers. Since the election 1907 he is member of the Reichstag.

Among the SPD, he is nonetheless counted to the moderate reformist wing of the party, since he rejects the revolutionary ideals of some members as too radical and dangerous.

 

[Hearth]

OOC: The National Liberal Party is National liberals (duh), but also German Nationalists, pro monarchy and Otto Von Bismarcks main support.
Wikipedia has good pages on all.

 

[Spectre17]

I, Kaiser Wilhelm II, announce that the elections are hereby finished. All elected members please make your way to the Reichstag as quickly as you can. I also appoint Reinhart von und zu Birkenfeld (Keldonia Skylar) as Chancellor of the Reich.