Or we can pretend that it never had a crown on it in the first place
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OR we can assume the monarch decided to change the flag and liked the new one better.Or we can pretend that it never had a crown on it in the first place
So I have been super remiss in keeping up with this, I took an absence from AARland around the EU4 portion and got caught up a few weeks ago.
That being said I always feel like I`m cheering for the antagonists in mega campaigns because I cheer for the revolution. So there is at least one readAAR rooting for the tricolor.
More practically, rooting for the country and not the dynasty does feel more like something one can do in Victoria 2 since it`s so barebones when it comes to character mechanics. In EU4 the monarchy still has personality and actual monarchs who can affect things, while in Vic 2 there`s just kind of nothing. (Victoria 3 with characters when?)
Excited for what Cathay has to face in the future.
That being said I always feel like I`m cheering for the antagonists in mega campaigns because I cheer for the revolution. So there is at least one readAAR rooting for the tricolor.
More practically, rooting for the country and not the dynasty does feel more like something one can do in Victoria 2 since it`s so barebones when it comes to character mechanics. In EU4 the monarchy still has personality and actual monarchs who can affect things, while in Vic 2 there`s just kind of nothing. (Victoria 3 with characters when?)
Excited for what Cathay has to face in the future.
Yeah, plus it's realistic that a long standing monarchy would eventually be overthrown or at least give up some power in a Republic or Conditional Monarchy rather than continue ruling and becoming being god monarchs. I mean, there is a reason why most countries in OTL are republics, even authoritarian ones.
Commies, Democrats, Monarchs, man this timeline sure is shaping up to be quite a world. I love the irony of America, founded by men with democratic ideals ends up as one of the last bastions of Monarchism.
Everyone seems to be forgetting about the Japanese. Monarchy isn't dead, guys; this Europe is just the one after WWI 50 years early, not that long in the scheme of history.
I’m also sure Spain is still a monarchy, albeit a constitutional one. So I guess pockets of monarchy, like Spain, America, California and Japan are still around.
Also @dragoon9105 , I’ve been confused about Venezuela since for awhile it just was just a part of Khitan’s Cuba colony, but in the World Update it has its own color and name tag which makes me wonder; Is Venezuela independent or an autonomous colony like Cuba?
Chapter 18: Of Choice and Consequence
Chapter 18: Of Choice and Consequence
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The Major event of the late 1880's would be yet another revolution, This time in the bastion of Monarchy in Europe, Prague. Inspired by Revolution in the Khitan Republic and Italy the People had taken to the streets of the Bohemian Capital in a great Riot. While this initial uprising was dispersed the seeds of instability had been sown. In the Following Years petitions grew, demonstrations started and bombings and sabotage had become more frequent until ultimately Emperor Wenceslaus III died during a visit to Danzig and the opportunity had struck.
Those to blame were a anarchist group within the city, The so called Red Eagle Society which had previously killed several important officials in the region prior. With the group's exposure came a significant Krakow from Crown Prince Boleslaw. The Government Crackdown however would have the opposite effect as high profile individual in government and business demanded the Crown Prince reform the Sjem and reorganize the country under a constitutional monarchy. Fearing the worst Prince Boleslaw agreed but popular opinion had been soured against the Young Monarch. In Short order the Sjem had removed many of the Monarch's powers while empowering itself. When the Prince now Emperor Boleslaw was caught writing letters to Friends in the Lithuanian and Spanish Goverments for a return to power, the King and his Wife the fair Diane Anniona, Empress Julianna's sister were put to death. The Infant Child of Emperor Boleslaw, Lyra was lost to history in the event, with the fate of the lost Bohemian Empress becoming a popular topic for speculation practically overnight.
News of the Bohemian Royal family's death was met with mixed response in Cathay. Between the Khitan Empire, Italy and now Bohemia three of the established monarchies of Europe had evaporated within a few decades but the Khitan Empire was unique in that its Monarchy was still healthy and simply divorced away from the apparatus of state. In this respect voices once quiet about the fate of the monarchy within Cathay should be exterminated in Kind or reinforced in the face of events in Bohemia had become a topic of controversy only cooling somewhat when the the issue was addressed directly by President Delanor who affirmed and reminded many that with the Socialists taking power in Italy and the Bohemian Monarchy gone, The Empress in Ventralis was now the unopposed head of the Zunist Faith. Furthermore President Delanor condemned the Czech republic for the execution of the monarchy instead of opting for a simple exile though many expected Delanor had mearly took the first excuse available to condemn the Bohemians to force a similar response from the Greeks to reaffirm the Khitan Status Quo.
With the Monarchy gone the Bohemians now had to address the Demographic Crisis directly. Bohemia, Germany, Lithuania, Ruthenia, Avaria all member states all under a Bohemian Monarchy for almost a millennia. Now if a new government could not be formed there would be no reason for nationalist groups not to simply declare independence and for the entire house of cards to come tumbling down.
The Great Constitution of 1886 would see the end of the short lived Czech Republic and Empire of Bohemia and the formation of a Great Federal Republic similar to that of the United States in America with each nation holding representation in a Pan Slavic state. To this end the Capital would be moved to Krakow a central position and significantly in Poland, a nation which would now be first among equals rather than Bohemia's firm dominion over all.
In the Khitan Empire, election campaigns were underway. President Delanor had stepped down and supported the Conservative Candidate William Lyons as his preferred man. Lyons was an experienced politician and in the years since the Revolution had been a common sight in headlines and in the Senate pushing for a 'New Conservatism' that emphasized Social Welfare as a means to combat Socialism.
The issue however was Italy an actual communist state sat across the Alps that had emboldened most of the Conservative Party to take a hardline stance against any and all Social reforms as well as the Liberal parties. President Delanor had been sent at least three votes to go to war with Italy with Greece to end the Socialist Monstrosity and each one in turn. Lyons had a similar opinion that the Khitan Republic could not be a Crusader against Communism, his party however was in stern disagreement.
Enter The Liberal Candidate John Franc, a Liberal Revolutionary known to have been wounded in Battle several times and had been a particularly loud opponent of the Italian Socialist Republic. John Franc and his Liberal supporters demanded a complete dismantlement of the Italian Government and its reconstruction as a Republic despite the fact that doing so would permanently upset the balance of Power in Europe. With the Liberal party split on the Monarchy and facing heat for the lack of any planned labor reform a war seemed like the perfect means to unite a fractured senate against a common enemy.
The Election and its progression ultimately came to a head with President Delanor's signing of the Veterans and Government Worker's Healthcare act. Otherwise known as the Civil Rewards Act, which granted Government paid medical treatment to currently serving and retired personnel. Passed by a slim majority in the senate the Bill was grilled in the press as communist to monarchist to simply corrupt nepotism, All the same it passed and President Delanor's gambit of winning the Socialist vote to Lyon's instead of their own candidate was ultimately the best he could do.
When the results were counted, Franc had received the Presidency. The Socialists fearful of getting into bed with reformed Monarchists refused back the Conservatives and instead continued to run their own candidate. With the Vote split three ways the Liberals ultimately had their president, The People had spoken. The Liberal Party however had run into a problem. The Issue of the war had put several new Conservative senators into office who were Anti War, mainly due to appointments made by the Rural border countries near Italy. When Franc's proposal for war with Italy was asked, The Vote failed With 54% Against and 45% in Favor as the Socialists and more Social Minded Conservatives never going to vote for conflict against the Italians under any circumstances. So long as the old guard within the Conservative party continued to tow the line of Delanor and Lyons, there would be no war in Europe.
In the Colonies a different fever was sweeping the country entirely. Oil was being found across the Empire and the world at large in quantity capable of supporting industry. Cheaper than Whale Oil and a possible ideal fuel for Locomotives, and Generators the so called Fuel of the Future had many capitalists within the country scrambling to match the success of similar Tycoons popping up in America.
While Oil was Rare in Europe, it was abundant in America and in both the Middle East and Indonesia. For the British in particular who happened to have Colonies in places oil was now being discovered this had been a small miracle for the country's industry. With Three Major Oil producing provinces already the British Commonwealth now held control over the most important strategic resource since the widespread adoption of Coal.
Back in Europe the Hawkish President ultimately was about to have his way. Unable to get the Senate to support war directly he worked with diplomacy, sending the Hellenic Republic expeditionary forces number in the thousands and promising support in the event of a conflict over Slovenia. When this conflict broke out the Issue was once again brought to the Senate floor where the Old-Guard Conservatives ultimately voted against the party and voted for war with Italy.
As expected the War was swift and Brutal, Italy was a pariah diplomatically in Europe, and with no allies to turn to save a reluctant Spain. The British however also involved themselves in the war quite quickly tieing up the Spanish and allowing the Khitan and Italian forces to intervene in Italy relatively unimpeded.
The Italian Intervention lasted little over a year and resulted in the complete capitulation of the Country. The Spanish, Poles and Scandinavians however would never allow a partition to happen and instead demanded Italy's communist Government be removed at all costs and only rightful Greek lands be taken.
With those restrictions in place, Slovenia was ceded to Greece and the Italians were allowed to set up a New Republic backed by many of the Powers of Europe but quickly fell under the influence of the Bohemians to the North as the italians rather pick a former ally for aid in reconstruction rather than its enemies across the Alps and Adriatic.
With peace returned the work of Governing the country returned. The Liberals had thier victory but it was a short war and ultimately nothing was Gained save some meager reparations and access to Italian markets in Asia. All the same despite victory there were many still upset about the lack of Social reforms within the Empire or the roundabout way President Franc ignored the Constitution to go to war with the Italians.
In hopes of quelling these fears a series of minor Labor laws were passed banning Child Labour and instituting mandatory minimums of public schooling for Children to keep them out of factories. The Liberal party could accept that Children ultimately did not have true freedom due to thier parents choices anyway and so allowing for a more equal adult playing field would help exemplify the Ideals of capitalism and Liberalism. It also would be a popular reform and ultimately that would be important.
Elsewhere in the Empire, particularly in Vietnam an ideal spot the budding Rubber Industry had been found. Rubber was an absolutely essential part of newer technologies which relied upon electricity and wiring. It was also notoriously difficult to grow in colder climates such as Europe. Southeast Asia however finally seemed like it might have a purpose within the Empire outside of Prestige, it would supply the wire that could cover the Empire one day.
In other News in the world, the Japanese had once again found themselves in a crisis over the Philippines. With Oil and Rubber top on many priorities for the Great Powers in Europe the Islands and their fate would be a topic of some interest. However the Main interest in the region was now America, particularly the USCA who saw Japan as a Natural ally in the pacific able to project power in a place the Americans ultimately had been late to arrive.
At home another development had happened. Because of the Conscription policy a major court case in regards to Flu treatment had finally been ruled on. President Delanor's healthcare act had promised Government funded healthcare subsidies to any working or former soldiers and civil servants however many civilians fought in the revolution and afterwards served in the war to defend against the Kingdom of Italy. The Court ruling ultimately stated that these citizens did fight within the army and thus under the wording of the law were eligible for healthcare coverage.
For the Liberal led Senate and Presidency this was nothing short of abhorant but the Socialists had been quick to control the narrative, using the loss of life from the 1888 Flu to Galvanize the population in favor of the ruling. When the Liberals tried to repeat the act the Conservative-Socialist coalition refused to back anything brought to a motion.
On the Issue of Women's suffrage things had similarly turned into a quagmire. Local laws had been passed to sabotage Khitan suffragette tactics of using hunger strikes and the like to garner sympathy and support. The Liberal Party which had publicly come down on the side of supporting these movements had a serious issue to contend with however as Women predominantly were known to vote when allowed more Socialist, they also by in large supported more government intervention and were by in large anti war and anti military.
Giving Women the vote nationwide would thus completely sabotage the Liberal party in the next election if they did not vote out of gratitude. So ultimately despite the issue continuing to crop up on a national stage nothing was done and the Liberal party continued to work against the Healthcare reform to give the appearance of something being done.
While Politics was now being played on a national scale in the Empire, Professors at Antwerp University had noticed something different about how Nations themselves were conducting themselves. The Italian intervention had been ultimately a war without a proper ending against a faceless and evil foe for much of the world. Rising Nationalism and the proven tendency for Republics to easily be swayed into war was already worrying but moreso was that the Status Quo in Europe had been irrecoverably shattered.
There were no more monarchies in Europe, In place there were Republics save Spain, subject to the whims of a War Hungry Population across much of Europe fed tales of Nationalism, Social Darwinism and Tales of wars and conquests long since past. Machine Guns had made it into standard issue across the continent with new weapons of war being invented by the day, all the while greater communication made it possible to control vast empires of land half a world away.
If there would be another war between the Great Powers, a True war the scale would be greater than ever seen and could be fought not just on Europe but across the Colonies and Seas of the world. A War that truly had never been seen before.
A War where only one side would only accept Total Victory.
A War to End All Wars.
Sorry about the Delay, New Computer, Had to transfer some files. Were back though, smells like Nationalism today.
That'd probably be the best comparison.
I'm sure its stable, The Khitan Lead Europe after all, Why would anyone want to upset such a Balance.
They are doing alright compared to most games to be honest, Even divergences seems to have been shafting them over as of late. Though if its any consolidation the Czechs are on my Short lift for potential Grand Campaigns in the future. I Like playing Bohemia quite a bit.
Lets go with this one. Clearly King John liked it better.
Dont worry I'm Rooting for the Country too!
That sounds like commie talk. Better Dead then Red.
I'm still waiting for someone to do a megacampaign with an Immortal Ruler from Ck2, God Emperoring it up all the way to Stellaris 40k Style. Sadly I dont think it exists yet.
Dont Forget the Inca! They still own a few mountains!
As for Venezuela, Like Cuba, its independent but a Puppet. Aquitaine was a Puppet but is now free.
That'd probably be the best comparison.
I get the feeling California won't be on the map in the next world update. Same goes to Ligor, but they've already outdone what was expected of them.
Seems Asia and Australia are going to continue to be big issues for consolidating power. Too many players vying for the same territory. Also, if you consider South America too much bordergore to show but Africa is okay, I can't imagine how messy it looks.
And then we've got Europe... There's so many powers rising, so many teetering on decline. Dangerous times.
I'm sure its stable, The Khitan Lead Europe after all, Why would anyone want to upset such a Balance.
They are doing alright compared to most games to be honest, Even divergences seems to have been shafting them over as of late. Though if its any consolidation the Czechs are on my Short lift for potential Grand Campaigns in the future. I Like playing Bohemia quite a bit.
OR we can assume the monarch decided to change the flag and liked the new one better.
Lets go with this one. Clearly King John liked it better.
Dont worry I'm Rooting for the Country too!
That sounds like commie talk. Better Dead then Red.
I'm still waiting for someone to do a megacampaign with an Immortal Ruler from Ck2, God Emperoring it up all the way to Stellaris 40k Style. Sadly I dont think it exists yet.
Dont Forget the Inca! They still own a few mountains!
As for Venezuela, Like Cuba, its independent but a Puppet. Aquitaine was a Puppet but is now free.
Hmmm interesting, did you create the Krakow event or is that something weird that converted over from Victoria 2?
I'm guessing Italy will continue to be Europe's powder keg, they might have gone back to democracy but if they were unstable enough to have a revolution in the first place, chances are it'll happen again. The AI doesn't really stabilize itself unless you prop it up, in my experience at least.
The fire of freedom burns brightly in Cathay, let's where the wind carries it.
Btw, what kind of language would the contemperary Cathayan speak? I think in one of the previous AARs you mentioned that Cathayan converted over as English? So is modern Cathayan/Khitan some mutt language of Khitan/Latin/German influences?
I'm guessing Italy will continue to be Europe's powder keg, they might have gone back to democracy but if they were unstable enough to have a revolution in the first place, chances are it'll happen again. The AI doesn't really stabilize itself unless you prop it up, in my experience at least.
The fire of freedom burns brightly in Cathay, let's where the wind carries it.
Btw, what kind of language would the contemperary Cathayan speak? I think in one of the previous AARs you mentioned that Cathayan converted over as English? So is modern Cathayan/Khitan some mutt language of Khitan/Latin/German influences?
Storm clouds gather over Europe as the citizens of their respective countries hold their breath as the world stands on a brink of total war. Fasten your seat belts my fellow readers, it's all downhill from here. The shadow of a weltkrieg looms on the horizon.
