1898
1898:
In France the world’s first cinema appears and is immensely popular, two months later anther cinema opens in Berlin.
In Asia competition between American and Japanese companies to gain control over the lucrative rubber industry. In Japan think tanks come up with ideas for how to secure their investment in China, which has now expanded beyond the Ito loan. The result is the “Saviour Kinmochi plan to save Japan from Ito”, in which Japan placed operatives across China, linked with many re-formers in order to try and instigate a regime change if necessary. In Japan Ito had become an un-popular man, he had allowed the rise of political parties and tangled Japan in complicated foreign relations with China. There is speculation in the West that Japanese agents assassinated Ito when he is found dead in his home.
President Watsons attempt to get America off gold standard is blocked by the House; the result is a massive dip in value of the U.S dollar. Watson orders an increase in taxation to pour money into the Federal Reserve to buy up gold to take the strain off the dollar. The Populist Party makes speeches on getting America off gold standard, increasing the lifestyle of poor white and black farmers to tolerable and not increases taxation to spend on folly. The Higgs report is ordered about government spending due to be completed the next year.
In Russia several anti-reformists are arrested for plotting to send troops to “secure” the Tsar , to make sure he doesn’t give in to reformists. A less extreme (anti-reformists principles) political party is formed, to counter balance any power the RDSP may have; called the Nationalist Party of Russia (NPR). Political party membership becomes a de facto crime, though some stay in politics it is a dangerous position to be in; this is seen as the end of ‘Michaels liberal revolution’; though it will continue to be celebrated as if going on strong in media.
In France Henri Brisson begins his “socialist dream” several ‘agricultural trusts’ are set up, these buy up vast farmlands and turn them into collectivized farms. There is mass protest at this with many feeling they are losing their livelihood, plans for an Industrial trusts also begin (these trusts don’t own more than 20% of farmland in France.)Work also begins on the Campenon fortifications, a string of trench’s barbed wire, walls, towers, artillery batteries and bunkers completely surrounding Paris; with over 179,000 men to be working the fortification.
The U.S.S Maine blows up in Havana harbor, the U.S and Cuba begin an investigation into the explosion, many US papers print anti-Spanish articles; Watson orders a media blackout. His popularity declines sharply for not making a move against Spain; however President Watson also fears the British Empire and France who back Spain.
In Germany a Jewish man is accused of raping a German girl, the resulting incident created a vast anti-semantic mob. Kaiser Wilhelm calls upon the mob to stop its attacks on Jewish housing, business and people. Eventually the violence stops when German troops are sent in to calm the situation, however in good faith to a promise made to the mob the Jewish boy is hung for his crime.
A French military expedition reaches Fashoda in Sudan, which is claimed for France. Britain immediately claims the territory for Britain, and threaten to break away from the free trade agreement signed the previous year; Henri Brisson and the world begin to see British isolation meaning they have few friends on the board, and decided to chance not ordering his troops withdrawal. The resulting battle is said to be have been even fiercer than waterloo, 3 British Battalions attack the French position with support from a flotilla of gunships. The small French garrison but up a brave fight but was forced to surrender within minutes because of overwhelming British force.
The un-declared war lead to Henri Brisson’s famous statement “The British have attacked, get a warship to set sail for the channel; to give ‘em one for the last 300 years!”. In the channel there is a ship dual between the HMS Shah (a frigate) and the French battleship Marceau, which resulted in the Shahs hull being blown open. Many feel it is the one of the last ‘honorable ship duels’ and a tit for tact battle.
In Algeria many see the crisis as a chance to move against their French masters, rioting breaks out across the country; with several members of the Algerian council of governors being executed. The Algerian council of governors are able to re-take Algiers imposing martial law, but the rest of the country remains in anarchy; loosely run by the Anarchist group Flensia. A German taskforce lands in the country with 3 weeks to restore order (whilst tensions between the French and British remain high), and promise to restore the territory to French rule.
Supplying the taskforce becomes an immediate problem, and stocks quickly run short. The famine of 93-94 still had the country on its knees recovering, this episode truly cripples it. News of German troops slaughtering Algerians gains them the nickname “the Huns”, more than 2 in 3 Algerians starve and the country falls into a deep depression. Henri Brisson is called upon by the party to end tensions with Britain (who’s Mediterranean fleet is stopping the French from sorting the problem in Algeria out) for the sake of the colony.
In Berlin the British and French sign an agreement, the British will gain the benefit of the doubt in Fashoda in exchange for help in Algeria.
Kaiser Wilhelm sees the tensions as an opportunity to break the Dresden naval accord, expanding his navy beyond that agreed. Archibald Primrose promises to allow Germany to maintain a small colonial empire; in exchange Britain will gain Germany as an un-official ally. This is seen as a move towards friendship, and away from the mutual agreement of non intervention that there was before. In contrast Britain also stays in a free trade agreement with France and Spain, seeing this as a counter balance to Germany’s power on the continent.
1898:
In France the world’s first cinema appears and is immensely popular, two months later anther cinema opens in Berlin.
In Asia competition between American and Japanese companies to gain control over the lucrative rubber industry. In Japan think tanks come up with ideas for how to secure their investment in China, which has now expanded beyond the Ito loan. The result is the “Saviour Kinmochi plan to save Japan from Ito”, in which Japan placed operatives across China, linked with many re-formers in order to try and instigate a regime change if necessary. In Japan Ito had become an un-popular man, he had allowed the rise of political parties and tangled Japan in complicated foreign relations with China. There is speculation in the West that Japanese agents assassinated Ito when he is found dead in his home.
President Watsons attempt to get America off gold standard is blocked by the House; the result is a massive dip in value of the U.S dollar. Watson orders an increase in taxation to pour money into the Federal Reserve to buy up gold to take the strain off the dollar. The Populist Party makes speeches on getting America off gold standard, increasing the lifestyle of poor white and black farmers to tolerable and not increases taxation to spend on folly. The Higgs report is ordered about government spending due to be completed the next year.
In Russia several anti-reformists are arrested for plotting to send troops to “secure” the Tsar , to make sure he doesn’t give in to reformists. A less extreme (anti-reformists principles) political party is formed, to counter balance any power the RDSP may have; called the Nationalist Party of Russia (NPR). Political party membership becomes a de facto crime, though some stay in politics it is a dangerous position to be in; this is seen as the end of ‘Michaels liberal revolution’; though it will continue to be celebrated as if going on strong in media.
In France Henri Brisson begins his “socialist dream” several ‘agricultural trusts’ are set up, these buy up vast farmlands and turn them into collectivized farms. There is mass protest at this with many feeling they are losing their livelihood, plans for an Industrial trusts also begin (these trusts don’t own more than 20% of farmland in France.)Work also begins on the Campenon fortifications, a string of trench’s barbed wire, walls, towers, artillery batteries and bunkers completely surrounding Paris; with over 179,000 men to be working the fortification.
The U.S.S Maine blows up in Havana harbor, the U.S and Cuba begin an investigation into the explosion, many US papers print anti-Spanish articles; Watson orders a media blackout. His popularity declines sharply for not making a move against Spain; however President Watson also fears the British Empire and France who back Spain.
In Germany a Jewish man is accused of raping a German girl, the resulting incident created a vast anti-semantic mob. Kaiser Wilhelm calls upon the mob to stop its attacks on Jewish housing, business and people. Eventually the violence stops when German troops are sent in to calm the situation, however in good faith to a promise made to the mob the Jewish boy is hung for his crime.
A French military expedition reaches Fashoda in Sudan, which is claimed for France. Britain immediately claims the territory for Britain, and threaten to break away from the free trade agreement signed the previous year; Henri Brisson and the world begin to see British isolation meaning they have few friends on the board, and decided to chance not ordering his troops withdrawal. The resulting battle is said to be have been even fiercer than waterloo, 3 British Battalions attack the French position with support from a flotilla of gunships. The small French garrison but up a brave fight but was forced to surrender within minutes because of overwhelming British force.
The un-declared war lead to Henri Brisson’s famous statement “The British have attacked, get a warship to set sail for the channel; to give ‘em one for the last 300 years!”. In the channel there is a ship dual between the HMS Shah (a frigate) and the French battleship Marceau, which resulted in the Shahs hull being blown open. Many feel it is the one of the last ‘honorable ship duels’ and a tit for tact battle.
In Algeria many see the crisis as a chance to move against their French masters, rioting breaks out across the country; with several members of the Algerian council of governors being executed. The Algerian council of governors are able to re-take Algiers imposing martial law, but the rest of the country remains in anarchy; loosely run by the Anarchist group Flensia. A German taskforce lands in the country with 3 weeks to restore order (whilst tensions between the French and British remain high), and promise to restore the territory to French rule.
Supplying the taskforce becomes an immediate problem, and stocks quickly run short. The famine of 93-94 still had the country on its knees recovering, this episode truly cripples it. News of German troops slaughtering Algerians gains them the nickname “the Huns”, more than 2 in 3 Algerians starve and the country falls into a deep depression. Henri Brisson is called upon by the party to end tensions with Britain (who’s Mediterranean fleet is stopping the French from sorting the problem in Algeria out) for the sake of the colony.
In Berlin the British and French sign an agreement, the British will gain the benefit of the doubt in Fashoda in exchange for help in Algeria.
Kaiser Wilhelm sees the tensions as an opportunity to break the Dresden naval accord, expanding his navy beyond that agreed. Archibald Primrose promises to allow Germany to maintain a small colonial empire; in exchange Britain will gain Germany as an un-official ally. This is seen as a move towards friendship, and away from the mutual agreement of non intervention that there was before. In contrast Britain also stays in a free trade agreement with France and Spain, seeing this as a counter balance to Germany’s power on the continent.
Last edited: