Aussey
July 23rd, 2005, 12:34 AM
Offical Name: Habsburg-Reich Mittleleuropas
Leader(s): Emperor Louis Joseph Habsburg-Lorraine-Bourbon
Capital: Vienna
Current Boundaries: the Hereditary Lands, the Lands of the Bohemian Crown, the Kingdom of Hungary, the Kingdom of Bavaria, Kingdom of Naples, Kingdom of Sicily, Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, Bukovina, Western Galicia-Cracow, Venetia, Dalmatia, Tsardom of Bulgaria, Ancient Lands of Albania, Macedon, Lower Egypt, Coastal Libya, and the Spratley Islands (Habsburg Philippenes)
Population: 70,000,000
History: With the end of the First Franco-Prussian War, with Prussia victorious, mad at Austria for not joining, and France upset withII abdicated the throne in favor of her sister, Archduchess Maria Christina. Christina took the throne as Christina I and declared herself Empress-intern, until her son, Louis Joseph, could take the throne. A few weeks later, Archduke Louis Joseph Habsburg-Lorraine-Bourbon took the Throne as Louis I.
In the beginning months of his reign, Emperor Louis went quick to work on what his mother had started: undoing the policies of Maria Theresa II. The Provincial Armies were abolished, and a National Army was created. Instead of dealing with the revolting Belgians, he exchanged the Austrian Netherlands with France, for French Egypt, giving Austria the monopoly over the Eastern Mediterranean. The tiny Kingdom of Lower Savoy and Duchy of Milan, which Maria Theresa had claimed, Emperor Louis gave to France as a part of the Austro-French alliance.
At the Congress of African Affairs, Emperor Louis dealt with problem left to him by his aunt: The exchange of the good colonies in Somaliland and South Arabia, for the Ethiopian highlands. With aid from his good friend, and Imperial Secretary, Prince Johann von Luunberg, Austria was able to walk away with Upper and Lower Egypt, the entire Sudan, Ethiopia, lower Somalia, the Sahel, and some Saharan territory.
With an Empire almost double the size it was when he took the Throne, Emperor Louis and Prince von Luunberg concocted a plan. Early one morning the Emperor officially abolished the United Austrian Empire. In its place was the Imperial Austrian Confederation, though more federated in sense of government. Three Parliaments now stood in the three countries of the Confederation: The Empire of Austria, the Federation of Libya and Austrian Egypt, and the Imperial Crown of Abyssinia. However many nationalities within Austria proper have announced their dislike of the plan, and other may soon follow.
Emperor Louis Joseph weds Princess Maria of China & the Phillipines in March of 1887. As part of the marriage treaty, the Imperial Confederation recognizes Emperor Carlos I and his nation and claims. Further relations and summits held between Emperor Louis Joseph and King Alexander of the Hellenes. The Emperor's cousin, Archduke Charles Habsburg-Lorraine-Hohenzollern is sent as Imperial Ambassador to the court of the Shah in Persia.
The Imperial Confederation stays on good terms with their African neighbors, those being Mauribrasil, Draka, and Great Britain.
Of course, the Emperor being a Frenchmen himself, tries (successfully?) to further relations with the French Republic, while not trying to offend the exiled Crown Prince. The Emperor was against claiming the title "King of the French" when it was offered, sometime in July of 1887, and the proposition was shot down.
1887 brought more of the reforms. With the the Governor-Generals and Viceroys firmly planted in Africa (some talk from the international community for the appointment of a female Governor-General), the African lands were ready for their own parliaments.
The Parliament Act of 1887 provided a Parliament in Addis Ababa, Tripoli, and the continuation of the one in Vienna. It also made the parliament in Vienna the Federal Capital, of the entire confederation. In the Act it made the Austrian Empire "first among equals" of the consituent parts of the confederation, with the responsibility of foreign affairs, military, etc.&etc. The Imperial Power Act provided for the hirearchy and designated powers of the Emperor, Governor-General, and Regional viceroys. Also, the Mass Immigration, as it was called, brought in 10,000 Skandistanis, Jews, and other unwanted minorities into the Nile region, which was reason for the Nile Plantation Act which set up each plantation woud be 300 acres by 300 acres.
The Empress gave birth to a son in October, who was christened Joseph Louis Ferdinand Charles Leopold von Habsburg-Lorraine-Bourbon, which was part of the Imperial Surname Act, establishing the Imperial Family's surname officially changed from Habsburg-Lothringen-Bourbon, to the more French Habsburg-Lorraine-Bourbon. It also stated all archdukes born of Habsburg women that had been replanted in Austria upon the Great Event, were to take the surname of Habsburg- then their paternal surnames.
Taking ideas from the neighbor nation of Greece, the first armoured trains were put on the tracks in the Summer of 1887. The Parliament Act of 1887, under the Military Articles, again backed up the Universal enlistment age. More propaganda (targeted at 16-25 year olds) was used to enlist young men into the African Legion.
The Mohamedean Rebellions of 1887 (from April to August) were multiple unsuccesful attempts by the local Muslims to throw off Austrian rule. At the Khartoum Massacre, over 7,000 native African men were shot down by Imperial Guards at the Regional Parliament building. Many semi-succesful attempts were made to hide this from the international community.
The year 1887 saw the final construction of three capital ships and the beginning of two more. The HIMS Dauphine, HIMS Alexandria, and HIMS Libya II, (all named according to the Confederate Naval Act, styling all ships HIs Imperial Majesty's Ship, or HIMS) were finnished. The construction of the planned HIMS Empress Maria and HIMS Christina Imperatrix (named ofr the emperor's wife, and the empress's mother, the Empress-Mother Christina) began construction.
With the establishment of the Governor-General, two liutenants-governors and the numerous regional viceroys, the Federation of Libya & Egypt was set for government. Under the Parliament Act of 1887, the National Capital was placed in Tripoli. A Provincial Parliament was also erected in Alexandria, as the home for the Lieutenate-Governor of Egypt and government building for the province of Egypt.
The Act of Succession of Libya & Egypt formally banned females from inheriting the Viceregal Throne of the Governor-General. It also abolished hereditary succession to the Office of Liutenate-Governor, and Office of African Viceroys.
In comparison to Abyssinia, and even Austria, Libya & Egypt was the least successful of the three consituent parts of the empire. It was said "There is no federation. Libya has merely annexed more lands" implying that the entire federation was centered over the needs of Libya and the Libyan peoples. The Governor-General has yet to pass the Succession Act, and after not passing it withn the given 30 days, the Viceregal power was temporarily suspended, and placed all of Africa under the jurisdiction of the Abyssinian governor until the Governor-General of Libya & Egypt passes the act. The HIMS Star of North Africa was made, and was launched, of course, in the Port of Tripolia.
The year 1886 closed with the almost coronation of the Princess-General as she was referred to, as Governor-General of Abyssinia. Without the need for two provinces, the Governor-General of Abyssinia was in direct control over the entire "nation." To stress unity, the Ethiopian Act of 1887 changed the crown's name from "Union of Abyssinia" to "Crown of Abyssinia" under the act, it was again stressed that the power of the Governor-General was second only to that of the Emperor Louis Joseph. The Succession Act, which was required to be passed, recognized the newborn son as Heir to the Ethiopian Throne, also the Austrian. To earn more of the emperor's good will, the Governor-General and Parliament of Abyssinia declared the archduke "Crown Prince of Ethiopia."
The Mass Immigration greatly increased population, and with seeing the Islamic Skandistanis, th native African (muslims) became more cooperative with the Abyssinian (and in turn, Austrian) government. The Religious Settlement of 1887 allowed the building of mosques, under the condition a Church must be built within 5 miles.
The Imperial Austrian Confederation continues peaceful talks with the Kingdom of Spain & Brazil. Further alliances and treaties with the Empire of China were also head. The Emperor publiclly announced the Imperial Confederation's recogniztion of the joint sovereigns King Carlos VII and Queen Catalina III of Spain and Brazil. However, he also recognized Carlos as Emperor of China and the Phillipines.
The Church Act of 1888 disestablished the Roman Catholic Church as the official religion and placed it as the Christian Communion. The Austro-Catholic church merged with the Austrian branch of the Christian Communion. A complicated denomination, the Austrian-Christian Church was established with two rites: The Papist Rite and the Monarchist Rite. One recognizing the Pope and the other, the Emperor.
The Imperial Confederation and the Kingdom of Greece, held, again, a traditional summit between the Emperor Louis and the King Joseph. Many Roman Catholics who didn't wish to see the dis-establishment of the Roman Catholic Religion, emmigrated to the Germanified Republic of the Rio Grande.
Tensions in the Sudan remained high, resulting in further control over the Khartoum region. Much of the region still follows the Mahdist leaders. The Imperial Confederation abolished the titles belonging to the African viceroys appointed to the Sudan, in order to save funds, instead of pouring them into viceroys who don't rule.
The Empress gave birth to fraternal twins in August of that year: Archduke Francois and Archduchess Marie, the Princess-Imperial. The very French names of these two royals shocked the Imperial Austrian Confederation. Talks with the French ceased when word was found that a a resoration with the disliked Crown Prince as king was to happen in France.
The Hungarian Crown Act made Hungary completely separate from the Empire of Austria, and incorporated as the fourth constituent part of the Confederation as "Kingdom of the Lands under the Crown of Saint Stephen." The Emperor was crowned Apostolic-King of Hungary (again) and given the title Emperor-King. His wife was made Empress-Queen, and the Archduke made Archduke & Crown Prince.
Finally, the Province Act provided for formal provinces to be made throughout the Austrian Empire and Kingdom of Hungary, with each recieving a Governor. More rail-lines were made, and armoured trains produced this year.
A total of 434,937 new troops were enlisted that year, with out many military reforms or happening. 5 torpedo boats were made in Austria and Hungary (in the next years, they'll have separate sections): HIMS Austrianna, HIMS Confederation, HIMS Princess-Imperial, HIMS Habsburg-Lorraine-Bourbon, and the HIMS Vieanese.
In January, the Governor-General Passed the Act of Succession, and was given power of Libya again. From the Sudanese Emmigration, the population of Libya was greatly increased. The Ethnic Rights Act provided that any native African or immigrant that swore loyalty to the Emperor, and could read the Literacy Test, could vote for regional viceroy. Women were excluded from this. The HIMS Alexandria Regina was produced. The Imperial Sailor Union was formed.
The Princess-General passed the Ethiopian Rights Act shortly after Libya's Civil Rights act. It made voting legal by all European born men and women over the age of 18. It also let any Ethiopian (not other African) over the age of 21 and with a stable income to be allowed to vote for all election throughout the Crown lands.
The marriage of the Governor-General to the Emperor's cousin, Archduke Charles, made the Governor an Archduchess of the Empire. An heir to Viceregal Throne of Abyssinia was born, the Archduke Leopold Johann. The Emperor arrived in Addis Ababa in December of that year, and was shocked to see the developmental growth in Ethiopia. The population had tripled from the previous year, with a booming economy.
The National Church of Saint Mary the Virgin was built in Addis Ababa, the first small Cathedral made under the new Austro-Christian Church. On the church note, the Religious Settlement of Ethiopia was passed, establishing a third rite for the Austro-Christian church- The Coptic Rite. The Coptic Rite was declared the Provincial Established Church. The Governor-General was declared Head of the Coptic Church, the successor of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church within the Austro-Christian Church and the Christian Communion.
Austro-Drakan relation were chilled this year. Luckily the British Central African colony served a border between the two nations. Talks with Spain and Brazil went traditionally well. Increased relations with Armenia-Trebizond were resulted after the attempt of assasination of the Greek king. More troops were sent to the Austro-Greek border, exspecially around the Albanian, Macedonian, and Bulgarian provinces that Austria so long had wanted. The Imperial Army dispateched over 50,000 troops to their Swedish allies. In return, Sviergestani serfs, peasants, and criminals were sent to work the lands of Ethiopia.
The Archduchess Leopoldina was born this year. The Confederate Customs Union Act provided for free, taxless trade between the four crowns of Austria, Hungary, Libya-Egypt, and Ethiopia. Many of the German and Russian settlers in Bulgaria began petitioning the government for an established 5th crown, which was rejected, and resulted in a Constitutional Ammendment banning any further creations of equal parts within the Empire until referendum to be held in 1899.
The Education Act passed control over education from the Roman Catholic Church to the state controlled Austro-Christian Church. Many Austro-Catholics went to Ethiopia. The Act also provided free education for any European children between the ages of 5 and 16.
An Act of Neutrility was passed for the remainder of the year, when British relations chilled. Overall, a good year was expirenced by the Imperial Austrian Confederation. Two armoured trains produced. The Military Reform Acts kept on passing, and kept on be introduced. The Naval Blockade of the Adriantic was established. No ship was allowed to pass into Austrian waters past Naples. This raised some heads from the international community. Two cruisers were built: the HIMS Naples II and the HIMS Marina
The Magyar Act established the Magyars as the favorite, though officially it states that it is the Magyars duties to take government positions, and provide and be responsible for the other minor nationalities within the crownlands. The County Act divided the ethnic provinces into counties with established County Councils. The first Hungarian built, and launched ship was built and launched, the HIMS Stephen III
Egypt and Libya were divided, Egypt becoming a province of Hungary and administered from Budapest, under the supervision of Vieanna. The Libyan Nationals Act established an apartheid in Libya. The HIMS Alexander the Great and the HIMS Ptolemy were produced before the Egyptian transfer to Hungary. Libya built the HIMS Tunisia Unions were declared illegal in the crownlands of Libya & Egypt.Two forts were completed in one year, Fort Habsburg and Fort Leopoldina.
Chilled British relations in Greece. Recognition of the Hellenic Kingdom of Macedonia also. Austrian granted exclusive rights to Thesalonika by the Macedonian government. Treaty of Salonika sells the port to the Austrians.
8,000 more troops were sent to Sviergestan, along with the Emperor's cousin, Archduke Charles, who was to be installed as Austrian High Commissioner. Meanwhile, Austrian and Sviergestani troops fought side by side to reunite Skandistan.
The Emperor's brother was betrothed to Queen Marie of Greece in January, and married in June. As of December the Queen is in her 5th month of pregnancy.
Multiple minority uprisings resulted in the dissolution of the Confederation and establishment of an empire again. All provinces were represented in the new Parliament. Former Confederation leaders remained in power.
Empress-Queen Maria gives birth to a son in January, and a daughter in November: Archduke Carlos Ferdinand and Archduchess Isabella-Louise.
Construction begins on proposed Albanian Canal, plans the Austrians have been planning since 1886. It is proposed to be done around between 1900-1905.
Army:
An all time low of 30,000 people inlisted, with 45,000 retirees. The Austro-Drakan war is very unpopular.
Navy and Air: (for the entire empire)
A great importation of African materials resulted in the building of seven assorted military ships, currently unregistered and unnamed.
Became a province of the empire. A greater autonomy movement was rejected leading to a rebellion in Transylvania. An unrecognized repubic was established. As of December, Imperial troops are marching to crush the rebellion.
20,000 Hungarian troops refuse to join the army, or retire. They are broken up, and deported to Austria, Libya, Egypt, and Rio Grande.
Under the Act of Union, Egypt and Libya became separate province of the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe. The former Princess-General fled Ethiopia were she was welcomed, and placed as Governor of the Kingdom of Libya and Egypt.
Now province of the empire. Navy is the responsibility of the Empire.
The HIMS Abyssinia II built.
War with Draka begins and continues....
The year 1891 was the first good year out of the past few for the Central European Empire, which began being referred to as the "Habsburg Empire" and the adjective "Austrian" was being replaced by "Habsburg" to the appeasement of all minorities in the empire.
The Habsburg Empire of Central Europe and the German Confederation signed the Imperial Alliance, re-allying themselves and holding first talks since the middle of the Franco-Prussian Wars. A personal meeting between HIM Kaiser Wilhelm and HI&RM Emperor Louis Joseph added to the good feelings between the two nations. These actions weren't exactly looked upon positively by the French and the Oldenburg Germans.
The Dynastic Alliance of 1891 between the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe and the Empire of China and the Phillippenes officially allied the Imperial & Royal Government of the Habsburg Empire and the Imperial Chinese-Filipino Government. In it, it provided for the lease of a Filipino island to the Habsburg Empire, which was to be dealt with in a separate treaty. In it, the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe under Emperor-King Louis Joseph recognized Felipe II as rightful Emperor of the Chinese and King of the Phillippenes. Further military alliances were also part of the treaty.
Habsburg-British relations, if there were any before, were completely dropped after it was discovered the British had previous secret deals with the Drakans before the Austro-Drakan War. As one politician would say years later. "Ethiopia became the Habsburg Empire's Silesia of the 19th Century" and mutual dislike for each other turned into pure Habsburg hatred of the British. More so than that of the Drakans, though they were the ones who actually captured it first.
The Empress-Queen Maria and her son, Archduke Crown Prince Joseph represented the Habsburg Empire at the New Granadan Carnaval. When the Empress-Queen and Archduke returned, they told of the great tales, entertainment, and food and activities they expireneced. In years to come, Central European attendance at the Carnaval would always be one of the higher ones. The Empress-Queen also noted how the New Granadan kingdom ruled over many different Hispanic races, yet they were comfortable with their monarchy. The next few carnavals, the Empress-Queen also went, however in the future years she also took notes (indeed in 1892 she brought back 5 journals worth of notes) on New Granadan government, and its peoples.
Talks of marriage of His Imperial and Royal Highness Joseph Louis, Crown Prince, Archduke of Austria, Crown Prince of Hungary and Bohemia, came up this year. Firs talks were with the new born daughter of HI&RH Archduke Charles Francois (the Emperor's brother) and HM Queen Marie of Macedonia, the Princess of Greece. However, when Parliament banned marriage between first and second cousins, talks of dynastic marriage to Macedon quit, only to be followed by another idea. Talks soon began between the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe and the Kingdom of Spain-Brazil. The discussions included marriage between Her Royal Highness the Infanta and Archduke Joseph, or marriage between His Royal Highness the Infante and Archduchess Marie the Princess-Imperial. A conversation at one point brought up the idea of a double marriage.
However, around the same time Spain-Brazil issued a similar statement, Parliament declared that no Imperial family member may leave the nation to be married or betrothed before the age of 14. This slowed down talks between Spain-Brazil and the Habsburg Empire, but they didn't completely stop.
The Greek Civil War saw the assasination of His Majesty King Alexander, and the brief reign of his sister, Her Majesty Queen Marie. With rival Balkan powers influencing certain areas, Queen Marie fled to Austria, were she was offerred the newly created Crown of Macedonia of the newly created Hellenic Kingdom of Macedon which include the newly Habshburg acquired territories of Macedonia and Thrace. Meanwhile, the Treaty of Thesalonika sold the port city to the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe, allowed the Albanian and Bulgarian provinces annexed into the Central European Empire, and the annexation of Macedonia to be a choice in an 1899 referendum.
The Filipino Lease Act passed by HIM Emperor Felipe II of China and HI&RM Emperor Louis Joseph placed Spratley Island under lease of the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe until 1957 when further treaties would be held.
The first full year after the dissolution of the Imperial Austrian Confederation and the establishment of the more liked Habsburg Empire of Central Europe proved to be more succesful than planned. True it started off with the Austro-Drakan war. By April, the Habsburg Empire decided enough was enough and demanded terms with the Free Republic of Draka. The Treaty of Harrar ceded the entire Habsburg province of Ethiopia to the Drakans. However it also demanded 45% of non-European peoples wishing to return to Habsburg lands, all government officials, and all Europeans. The Drakans agreed, and the treaty was signed. It was also decided that the Sudan region, should it not be "civilized" as the government called it, be put up for sale in the year 1899.
The Empire of Austria, though ceased to exist by the establishment of the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe, retained the Imperial style "Empire of Austria" but was put along with Emperor of Ethiopia, Holy Roman Emperor, and Sultan of Egypt under the Category II Imperial Styles, which were not to be used in reference to the Monarch unless in a Constitutional change, or when deemed neccessary.
Though officially the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe declared succession of the monarchy as agnatic pimogeniture (with Pragmatic Sanctions being placed when an Emperor had no sons) the 1891 Act of Succession to the Imperial and Royal Throne of the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe as eldest son and his children, male-preference, in the case of no sons, eldest daughter, and back to male-preference, or, Cognatic Primogeniture. This was certainly a shock to Prussia, Oldenburg, and German princedoms within the German Confederation, as the Habsburg Empire was still considered a German state, and all German nations had a traditonal of Salic Law, with no Pragmatic Sanctions.
Military Reforms continued at a growing pace as they had since their issue in 1886. The proposed port of Christinaople was built, but on the last moment renamed Marianople, in honor of the Empress-Queen and the Princess-Imperial. The Styles Act of 1891 also provided that the heir be styled Crown Prince(ess) and the eldest daughter be styled Princess-Imperial before the title Archduke(duchess), that Archduke(duchess) be retained as a minor title, and used as a major style for minor princes and princesses of the Habsburg Empire.
As part of the pre-planned Military Reforms in 1891, military production was ofoced on tanks, in which the Habsburg Empire lagged far-behind other well developed powers of the day.
The Archduke Joseph Railway was began in January and ended before the end of the year. It stretched from Marianople of the Blakc Sea, to the future site of the Albanian Canal, another plan which began in 1891. An armoured train styled the "Princess-Imperial" was built to transfer anything on a ship from the Black Sea to the Adriantic Sea as the Austrian Directorship in the International Naval District of Constantinople ended when Austria took the Albanian, Macedonian, Thracian, and Bulgarian provinces from Greece upon civil war. However, the Habsburg Empire still holds and owns the Port of Thesalonika from the Hellenic Kingdom of Macedonia.
The Albanian Canal began contruction, when the first blows of dynomite by Imperial troops could be heard far away on the chilly morning of March 7. The Imperial Army, militiamen, peasants, and middle-class men all began digging and blowing the canal, which was schduled to be done in either 1899, or 1900.
The Naval Blockade was again re-enforced, though the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe publically declared to all the European nations this was merely a safety pre-caution, as it was. However, extra ships were sent to the Blockade Area, in case Britain decided to invade and liberate Crete, which the Habsburg Empire didn't want the British recieving all the credit for.
3,000 troops were called back from Sviergestan, after a treaty had all of Europe recognize Imperial Secretary von Luunberg's Proposed Division of Skandistan. Combined Sviergesrani-Habsburg troops continued putting down rebellions, rebuilding and modernizing the area, and continued the pursuit against the Karelians and Lappstanis in the Territory of Lappstan. Meanwhile, the Austrian (renamed Imperial) High Commissoner and the Vizier successfully continued the renovation of the Sviergestani government, and plans for the reunification of Skandistan. In October the number of Habsburg troops in the region was around 55,000.
A certain 65,000 men enlisted to join the Imperial and Royal Army of the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe, while 13,400 men retired. the Retiree Act of 1891 provided the standard enlistmebnt age be 17, and lowered the Standard Retiree age to 60 years old. Special circumstances allowed certain people to retire later.
When expelled from Ethiopia, the Central Europeans might have seen too much. Indeed plans on building ships like the Imperial Shisp used by the Drakans were drafted. Over 10 ships were built this year, and 2 submarines built. Though without knowledge of submarines, the Habsburg Empire petioned the Prussians to come in and supervise over the new Imperial and Royal Submarinal Department.
The year 1892, the Empire's second year, saw many celebrations, both of birth, marriage, and death. The year kicked off with the marriage of Archduchess Mary and King Vaino II of Karelia. A marriage which was soon blessed by fraternal twins, in the Habsburg Empire referred to as Archduke John of Karelia and Archduchess Emma of Finland. Discussions with Finland placed the two in line for succession to the Habsburg Throne, below their mother, making Archduchess Emma the youngest and last heir of the immediate family.
HM Queen Marie of Macedonia and her husband Archduke Charles Francois, cousin of the Emperor-King, were also blessed with another healthy daughter: Princess Alexandra, after her godmother the Empress of Armenia-Trebizond. Continued Habsburg protection of Macedonia and ownership of the demilitarized port of Thesalonika continued throughout the year.
With the assasination of King Carlos VII and Queen Catherine III of Spain-Brazil, the Habsburg Empire saw itself torn between a woman's rights to succession, or they acceptance of provinces rights to secede from a union. As would be expected, most of the Senators voting in favor of supporting the Navarran claims were Austrians, while most of the Senators voting in favor of the Castillian-Portugese claims were Hungary. However, both sides spoke of their dis-agreement with the Brazillians becoming a republic, and could both agree republicinism had not place in Central European society. In the end, the Habsburg Empire voted in favor of supporting Navarre, and the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe was the first to recognize Navarre's Proclomation of Sovereignty. The former Infanta-Crown Princess Constance was declared and recognized as Queen of Navarre. Talks of marriage of Queen Constance and Crown Prince Archduke Joseph continued. Hungarians favoring a marriage of Kng Carlos VIII and Princess-Imperial Archduchess Marie.
The Empire backed and supported the Pope's declaration of the Church's stance to "Drakism" and also added that "Modern peoples of any race should not be subjected to semi-Satanic occultist governments" while still the general Habsburg hatred was directed at the "British Bastards" King Edward VII and King Edmund of Greece. Of course protest arose in the empire when word got out of Habsburg demands King Edmund wed Archduchess Maria Fransica, Claimant Queen Mother of Great Britain.
On the British note, the offer of selling the Sudan was first responded too by Mauriafrica. Terms agreed to by both sides also included to marriage of a Habsburg archduchess to the highest possible noblemen in the Mauri Realm. A treaty was about to be signed when the British offered 4 million pounds. Many wanted to accept, but their pride was what stopped them. As of December 1893, Sudan remains unsold, current bidders being the Kingdom of Mauriafrica and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
Empress-Queen Maria went to the New Granadan Carnaval with the Princess-Imperial, Archduchess Marie. This time, however, she took notes on the government and way of life more in depth. She returned to Vienna with over 5 journals worth of notes.
The Treaty of Naples between the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe and the Papal States allowed for a free and open border, and allowance of the Habsburg Empire to build inside the papal states. The Grand Rome-Salzburg Railway began construction.
Canadian electrification of the Empire continued. By the end of the year the entire provinces of Upper and Lower Austria, Venice, Sicily, and Albania was complete. Plans for Hungary were scheduled for 1894-1895, and other provinces the years afterward.
This year, Empress-Queen Maria delivered a healthy boy, Archduke Franz Joseph, in March. He became fourth inline to the throne, bumping the Princess Imperial to fifth, and the other archduchesses to sixth and seventh. The railway connecting the Black and Adriantic Sea was finnished, and constuction of the Albanian Canal well ahead of schedule. Soon ships arrived from Libva with everything neccessary for the port city of Marianople. The first refugees from the Austro-Drakan War arrived in mid-June, and sending of refugees to colonize the Habsburg Balkans began in July via the railway.
Military reform acts kept on truckin at a normal pace. Not a very eventful year at all for the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe.
10 tanks had been built between 1891 and 1892.
With the arrival of the Navarran Naval officials, plans began on the Habsburg Submarinal Department.
The Albanian Canal continued contruction, when more blows of dynomite by Imperial troops could be heard far away on the mornings of 1892. The Imperial Army, militiamen, peasants, and middle-class men all continued digging and blowing the canal, which was schduled to be done in either 1899, or 1900.
The Naval Blockade was again re-enforced, though the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe publically declared to all the European nations this was merely a safety pre-caution, as it was. However, extra ships were sent to the Blockade Area, in case Britain decided to invade and liberate Crete, which the Habsburg Empire didn't want the British recieving all the credit for.
1,000 troops were sent to Sviergestan. Both Sviergestani and Lappstani, and Habsburg and Karelian officials declared a cease-fire witht the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe recognizing the Territory of Lappstan, alng with the Caliphate of Sviergestan.
A certain 45,000 men enlisted to join the Imperial and Royal Army of the Habsburg Empire of Central Europe, while 23,400 men retired.
Over 15 ships were built this year, and 4 submarines built. Though without knowledge of submarines, the Habsburg Empire successfully launched their Imperial and Royal Submarinal Department, under supervision of Navarran Naval officers.
The Habsburg Empire of Central Europe had its most prosperous year yet. More and more communication and fortification of Libya and Egypt was faster and easier with the use of new ships, thank the Navarran naval officials. Soo the Egyptian counties would have as much as the Libyan ones, though they were currently all together as the province of Libya.
Talks of an alliance with France under the possibility of the Crown Prince's restoration brought general protest to the nation. A National Poll showed that 89% of the Central Europeans preferred the French Republic to any restoration of the monarchy. A separate poll showed that 93% of the Central Europeans would prefer another French royal take the throne in event of restoration. Either way, general talks were held, though the French hatred to the Habsburg Empire was as strong as the Habsburg hate for the Crown Prince.
The Habsburg Empire held some talks with the Persian Empire, which proved unnecessary as the Persians made it clear they were no longer under the need of Austrian teaching of their military. The Habsburg Empire refused to let go of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and continued sending Zionists that wanted to go there, there.
The Sudan was finally sold, to the appleasement of the Austrians AND Hungarians, for *an undisclosed amount* resulting in the British cold shouled. Why would the Habsburg Empire care if they closed they Corinth Canal? We have our own being built.
Habsburg and Navarran diplomats met formally in Pampalona to discuss the propsects, positives, and negatives of the marriage of Queen Constance and Archduke-Crown Prince Joseph. The delegation then went to Madrid where their task was staying on Castile-Portugal's good side, recognizing them. However both trips didn't end so well, as Carlos VIII continued to claim to be King of Navarre, and Constance continued to claim to be Queen of Castile and Queen of Portugal, or, atleast, their Regent's did.
Sadly, the Empress-Queen was sick this year and unable to have children or attend the New Granadan Festival. The tradition of a close female relative of the Emperor continued, and his aunt, Archduchess Maria Caroline, represented the Habshburg Empire. She brought with her the Archduke who had not been in New Granada for two years. As usual, he loved it, and even began picking up on Spanish, the locals taught him. They returned with the craziest stories yet...and plenty of notes.
With the general likeness of the selling of Sudan to Mauriafrica, tensions in Parliament were lowered, especially between the Austrians and Hungarians. A new group was more and more each day gaining more seats and more say in parliament however. The Czechs, Bohemians, and Moravians- referred to in Parliament as the North Slavs. With the arising of the North Slavs, soon the other Slavs in the South began to look foward to and work harder to get to the day when they too would have say and power in Court and Parliament.
A relatively down year for the Army. Another 1,000 troops were sent to Skandistan upon request of the Caliph. 1,000 men and over 4,000 horses were sent to Sviergestan. Reinforcement of the Sviergestani-Norgestani border with more troops, and enforcing Sviergestani and Habsburg rule in the conquered Lappstani areas. The Imperial High Commissioner petioned the Emperor-King for funds to build a suitable new capital city on the Baltic. The Emeperor agreed and the plans for Louisberg were put into action (near OTL Stockholm)
Habsburg and Navarrans put their minds together and continued plans for the Navy. As soon as the plans were done, they were produced at a minimum of triplicated. The Year kicked off with a Triple Feast, on January 1 the New Year began, Egypt was created a separate province, as the Province of the Kingdom of Alexandria, with the Emperor being being crowned king. While the entire Imperial-Royal Court was in Alexandria City, the Empress-Consort Maria gave birth to a daughter, the first born outside of the continental empire. She was christened at the Cathedral as "Her Imperial and Royal Highness Alexandria Maria Christina Theresa Johanna, Archduchess of Austria, Princess of Hungary and Bohemia, etc." The Provincial Parliament voted on giving the single princess the title "Princess of the Nile" an ancient title, which now is used for a selected daughter of the monarch.
While in Alexandria, the Emperor officially signed the Treaty of Alexandria which pulled out all Habsburg troops from Palestine, and recognized Persian sovereignty. The Emperor retained his title "King of Egypt”
Elsewhere, the Empire concentrated on improving it's relations with Germany, and with Navarre. The Grey Gentlemen discovered the Secret Treaty between Russia and Draka. And while it shook up the Royals, to have another stab from the Draka, as it was aimed only at perfidious Albion, it was let slide. If fact Emperor Louis Joseph started exploring options of a similar treaty with Russia.
Milatarily as well as improving the training and equipment of the troops. The Habsburg Empire concentrated on building it's strings of forts, in the mountain passes, and along the coast. In Egypt the string of forts was along the Med and Red Sea coasts, with special attention being paid to the Nile Canal Area. They Also Contracted for several hundred of Dickerson/Stills Machine gun Turtles.
The Navy announced the design of several new Coastal Monitors, as the Habsburg Empire doesn't need long range ships, it has no great overseas territory to defend, it needs coastal defense in it's home waters.
Internally the Agreements with Canada's Electric Companies paid off as Vienna is now completely Electrified, down to the Trolleys, and Upper Austria just opened Europe's biggest Aluminum plant.
German Confederation: The alliance with the German Confederation was, again, proved not necessary but calming for the past three years. Tensions and racial hatred between Austrians, Silesians, and Prussians had evolved into a more "German Brotherhood" type of deal, and many festivals and feats were held in the region. The Emperor traveled to Berlin in 1896 and met with Kaiser Wilhelm. Having the German Confederation as an ally gave the Habsburg Empire more time to focus on things more important than the iffy-border with Prussia, and the German Confederation as a whole.
Continued Habsburg influence in the Papal States happened between 1895 and 1898. With the Habsburg rail-ways beign put in everywhere, the Habsburg Empire was still the nation with the most railways (as it was in our time lines.) The Emperor traveled to Rome in 1897 and signed a Treaty with the Pope which allowed the Habsburg Empire its rights within the Papal States for another 10 years.
Relations with the Empire of China and the Phillippenese were also improved greatly throughout the past three years. Though the Emperor was not able to travel to Benjing, Emperor Philip sent top Chinese-Filipino officials to serve as the Imperial delegation. With a hold in the Pacific, the Habsburg Navy now had more area to patrol and defend,
The very friendly relationship between the Kingdom of Macedonia and Habsburg Empire contnued throughout the past three years. Various treaties and agreemenets had, by 1898, established Macedonia as a province of the Empire in all but name. The Habsburg Empire sent an Imperial High Commissioner to "advise" Queen Marie on her rulings. It was only obvious that the Habsburg Empire would annex the kingdom in 1899.
The Habsburg-Sviergestani Alliance was re-inforced with a total of 11,000 new troops being sent to the region (15,000 were sent, however, 4,000 others were brought home). The position of "Imperial High Commissioner" was replaced by that of the Prime Minister. And in 1898 Sviergestan was declared a kingdom. The Sviergestanis soon were granted access to free education (under control of the King and Church), and continued stability, that they had become acquired too. The Caliph, now King, visited Vienna in 1897.
Contiued relations between the two nations. Queen Constance was invited to Vienna for her 13th birthday where she met Crown Prince Archduke Joseph. Once home, the Queen began to complain of stomach pains. The doctors diagnosed her pregnant. All quietly, Navarre repealed their laws of the Queens marriage, contacted the Habsburg Empire, and sent her back to Vienna to get married to Archduke Joseph before anyone found out. By December 1898, she is not yet quiete obviously pregnant, but still unusually large for a petite woman of her size.
Between 1895 and 1898 the political reforms passed by the Emperor continued. Granting the Imperial subjects more rights, trial by jury, and basic democratic standards were put into effect. The most shocking of these reforms was the 1897 Political Suffrage Act, which allowed women born into or married into the aristocracy to vote in local, provincial, and national elections. Soon, many common women were beginning to wonder whether they could be able to bote. Child Labor under 12 was forbidden by the Child Labor Laws of 1898.
The Economy of the Empire expireneced a boom in sales, exspecially to the Skandistani nations, China, and Germany. The meats from the Habsburg Empire began to have a reputation as "clean meats." Citrus growing was introduced in the southern region by a Rio Grandean man, and by 1898 thousands of the farmers were growing them.
Empress Maria gave birth to another son, Archduke Giuseppe Ferdinand in 1895, Archduke Albert Leopold in 1896, Archduchess Elisabeth Maria (died days later) in 1897, and Archduchess Marie Caroline in 1898. The Imperial Family became the "Ideal Family" of the era, and indeed, without Victoria and Albert, became the "Ideal Family" not only in the Empire but around the world. Family ideals such as "Father knows best", and "Children should be seen and not heard" were stressed, and this was obvious when the Habsburg-Lorraine-Bourbons went out.
Three years of peace, where centuries to the great industries, who now had the time to double production of the industries of the Empire. More rail-ways were laid between 1895 and 1898, than had been laid in the unstable times of 1884-1894, at which time the Habsburg Empire had still been able to remain number one.
Between 1895 and 1898 over 50,000 men were enlisted and joined the Imperial Army, with an all-time low of only 7,000 retiring. Insurance was introduced to the Empire in 1897, and to the Military in 1898. The Military Reform Acts of 1896, increased pay for all military personel, which brough the sudden flood of enlistees. Plans of tanks from neighboring countries were smuggled into the Empire, and relicated as best could be, with a few modifications.
30 ships were produced and laucnhed between 1895 and 1898. With the introduction of the Grand Imperial Class (most modern ship, that everyone seems to be building), from plans given to the Habsburg Empire from suggled plans in Navarre from France and Britain, the Habsburg Empire was able to produce and launch five of these ships: HIMS Kaiserlich und Königlich, HIMS Erzherzog, HIMS Königin-Kaiserin Maria, HIMS Imperial, and the HIMS Caesar
Submarinal Department: With the Navarran Naval officiers aid, over 25 submarines were produced, to act as escorts for ships traveling between Triest, the Albanian Canal, Alexandria, and Libya.
Naval Blockade: Continued; Extended to stretch from Sicily to Albania, and Rome to Sicily.
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Imperial Army of the Austrian Empire:
The Imperial Army of the Habsburg Empire is a sole army under central command, divided into regiments, each regiment is named after a province of the empire. Divisions are under command of the regiments. For sake of simplicity, the number of reserves are added into these.
1st Bohemian Regiment~ 14,500 men
Division of Bohemia- 4,833
Division of Moravia- 4,833
Division of Silesia- 4,800
1st Bulgarian Regiment~ 16,000 men
Division of Upper Bulgaria- 5,000
Division of Middle Bulgaria- 5,000
2nd Bulgarian Regiment~ 10,000 men
Division of Lower Bulgaria- 5,000
Division of Hellenic Bulgaria- 5,000
1st Albanian Regiment~ 5,000 men
Division of Habsburg Albania~ 2,500
Division of Hellenic Albania~ 2,500
1st Hungarian Regiment~ 6,500 men
Division of Transylvania- 1500 men
Divsion of Burgenland- 1400 men
Division of Croatia- 1700 men
2nd Hungarian Regiment~ 1,800 men
Division of Slovakia- 900 men
Division of Western Croatio- 1800 men
1st Dalmatian Regiment~ 12,000 men
Division of Pagania- 1000 men
Division of Zahumlje- 600 men
Division of Travunia- 790 men
Division of Duklja- 700 men
1st Galician and Londomerian Regiment~ 11,000 men
Division of Galicia- 1800 men
Division of Londomeria- 900 men
2nd Galician and Londomerian Regiment~ 900 men
Division of Western Galicia- 1550 men
3rd Londomerian Division- 1150 men
1st Croatian and Slavonian Regiment~ 2,000 men
Division of Slavic Croatia- 200 men
Division of Slavonia- 900 men
1st Regiment of Lombardy~ 2,000 men
Division of Lombardy- 2,500 men
Division of Venetia- 1,300 men
2nd Regiment of Venetia~ 1,800 men
Divsision of Royal Venetia- 900 men
Division of Venice- 1400 men
1st Regiment of Upper Austria~ 2,000 men
Division of Vienna- 1500 men
Division of Salzburg- 1500 men
2nd Regiment of Lower Austria~ 2,500 men
Divsion of the Empire- 900 men
Divsion of Lower Austria- 600 men
1st Carinthian Regiment~ 1,800 men
Division of Tarvisio- 950 men
Carinthian Mens Divison-7350 men
1st Carniolan Regiment~ 700 men
Pannonian Divsion- 1400 men
Illyrian Division- 800 men
1st Silesian Regiment~ 1900 men
Division of Voidvodship- 1750 men
Division of Silesia- 1250 men
1st Bavarian Regiment~ 1,000 men
Division of Hesse- 700 men
Division of Munich- 1300 men
Division of Augsburg- 900 men
2nd Bavarian Regiment~ 1,000 men
Division of Franconia- 700 men
Division of Swabia- 400 men
Division of Lower Bavaria- 900 men
3rd Bavarian Regiment~ 1000 men
Division of Miltenburg-750 men
Passau Town Free Division- 800 men
Naples Regiment~ 3,000 men
Division of Upper Naples- 800 men
Division of Middle Naples- 200 men
Division of Lower Naples- 800 men
Italian Division- 500 men
1st Sicilian Regiment~ 2,000 min
1st Sicilian Divison- 800 men
2nd Sicilian Divison- 700 men
Titles Claimed and Held by Head of State/Government: His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Louis Joseph, By the Grace of God, Emperor of Austria, Tsar of Bulgaria, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, King of Dalmatia, King of Croatia, King of Slavonia, King of Lodomeria, King of Illyria, King of Jerusalem, King-Elector of Bavaria, and so fourth, King of Albania, King of Macedonia, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Salzburg, Duke of Styria, Duke of Carinthia, Dukeof Carniola, Duke of the Bukovina, Grand Duke of Traansylvania, Count of Moravia, Duke of Upper Silesia, Duke of Lower Silesia, Duke of Auschwitz and Zator, Princely-Count of Habsburg & Tyrol, Princely-Count of Kyburg, Princely-Count of Goritz, Princely-Count of Grandisca, Prince of Trient & Brixen, Count of Upper & Lower Lusatia and in Istria, Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch ,Bregenz, Sonnenberg, Sonnenberg and so forth, Lord of Triest, Lord of Catarro, Lord of the Wendish Mark, and Sovreign of the Order of the Golden Fleece,
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