this is another wonderful timeline from http://www.othertimelines.com/ that though I didn't make it I'm recording this one for posterity and hope people are interested in this maybe even be able to continue this since it wasn't finished so here it is
Alamo Samurai - Timeline # 1255
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-23-1836
Event Description: In Texas,a Japanese immigrant of Samurai lineage named Eto Kuragawa is among the volunteers to hold the old mission known as the Alamo.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-2-1836
Event Description: Eto Kuragawa is named a colonel in the Texas state militia by Texan president Sam Houston.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-3-1836
Event Description: The letter confirming Kuragawa's rank was misread due to hasty and poor penmanship, he is actually deemed a captain.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-6-1836
Event Description: Kuragawa composes two letters, one in Japanese and one in English, and cuts his fingernails, placing the cuttings into a small box with Japanese lettering. He then drops over the wall after an argument over whether to hold the fort or take the fight to the enemy. With him he carries a matching katana and wakazashi the Texan defenders name "Alamo Knives". Going over the south wall, he uses his superior swordsmanship techniques to kill over 150 Mexican soldiers (including a general) who are unable to reload quickly or effectively use bayonets in such close formations. Kuragawa only dies after cutting a deep wound in Santa Anna's left leg. The Mexicans name him "Viento del Diablo" and worry that there are more like him deeper in Texas.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-8-1836
Event Description: Santa Anna's leg is amputated after infection begins to set in.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-14-1836
Event Description: Word of Kuragawa's bravery and valor reach Sam Houston, who promotes him posthumously to the rank of Colonel. Several of Kuragawa's samurai relatives arrive in Texas and offer their services to the fledgling Republic. Houston asks them to train the Texans to fight with the unorthodox sword and knife fighting techniques.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-21-1836
Event Description: At the Battle of San Jacinto, the Texan milita wipes out a much larger contingent of Mexican soldiers almost to the man. Santa Anna is left alive only when Sam Houston prevents over a dozen Kuragawa relatives from retribution. His deformity of having only one leg and shame of having lost to a much smaller force are only barely excusable in the eyes of this samurai family, and they swear that his death will be by their hands. Santa Anna signs over control of "Texas" to the colonists but does not specify the boundaries.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-26-1836
Event Description: When word of Santa Anna's humiliating defeat reaches Mexico City, civil war erupts between Santa Anna's supporters (mostly in the northern areas and the capital) and various other factions: one in Oaxaca, one in the Yucutan, and one in VeraCruz.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-16-1836
Event Description: Texan militiamen claim everything east and north of the Rio Grande, west of the Sabine, and inside of the old Mexican border. Their military establishes a formal calvary unit while the Kuragawa family establishes a large ranch near Brownwood known as "Little Nara" after their home province in Nippon.
Kuragawa family members that decide to emigrate to Texas begin building a large yet traditional Japanese castle as the main building on their ranch after their paper homes are blown away. They are also asked by the Texas government to make samurai swords for the Texan officers and train cavalrymen in the ways of Samurai swordsmanship, bushido, and hand-to-hand fighting techniques.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-17-1837
Event Description: "Little Nara" is now home to over 500 people who mostly live in log or mud-brick homes. The completed section of the main part of the castle is home to the leaders of the Kuragawa family and home to the cattle in their ranch, estimated at 30,000 acres total but with different sections officially held by multiple members of the clan. A class of 30 Texan officers arrives to begin training in Samurai swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and other Eastern disciplines. Multiple forms of hand-to-hand combat are practiced in the Combat School, and a strange chimeric form of bar-fighting, several different forms of martial arts, street combat, African tribal fighting techniques, and boxing begins to arise.
An accupuncture specialist sets up a clinic at Little Nara and begins a local Health Department that builds sewers for the burgeoning town. Water is boiled and traditional sanitation techniques are practiced. A large rice crop is planted in the nearby fields alongside wheat, corn, and other products.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-9-1837
Event Description: After a beating on the head, a Texan officer at the Combat School draws up plans for a rudimentary repeating rifle. However, due to the lack of machine tools and manufacturing equipment in Texas, it will be some time before his plans can be converted into a working prototype. Little Nara now has over 600 people, complete with a Shinto shrine, a Buddhist temple, and a small Sohei monastery. The Kuragawa castle is large enough that over half of the town now lives there and an outer wall is begun around the outermost perimeter of the proposed outer limit if the building. When completed, the projected castle and town built inside the wall would theoretically hold just over 50,000 people.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-6-1838
Event Description: Kuragawa cattle and farming operations do unexpectedly well. The clan shares resources and work together to continue construction on their castle and town. Almost all Texan officers carry a Katana, Wakazashi, or both. Eto Kuragawa's letter from the Alamo is finally recieved by his family, among other things it notes that Jim Bowie had figured out the means for making Damascus steel and shared it just before falling unconscious. A request in the letter is to follow the process provided and try making a set of Samurai swords out of Damascus steel and see hoe they perform. It also notes that Texans are quite honorable, and that outside of Japan they are the most honorable people he has ever known.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-14-1838
Event Description: A Lipan-Apache Chief makes a visit to Little Nara to settle a territorial dispute with Texan settlers. Because of the honor and non-white heritage of the Japanese in that settlement, the native Americans do not attack the settlement and instead use the town for trade and political purposes.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-6-1839
Event Description: Shimazu Narinobu proposes to the Tokugawa shogunate that their study of international diplomacy be put to use by making contact with the new Republic of Texas. Because of the novelty of the Republic and need for international contact, Tokugawa Ienari reluctantly agrees.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-17-1839
Event Description: After unique cultural items from Texas arrive in Kuragawa homelands (including science textbooks, black powder revolvers, various kinds of peppers, cowboy hats, and a Bowie knife), word of this Japanese colony spreads quickly throughout Japan. It is described as everything from an enigmatic fortress to the best hope for an overcrowded Japan. Shimazu Narinobu, daimyo of Satsuma province, orders several of his retainers to Little Nara after seeing some of the military technology for himself. He hopes that they will be able to learn modern combat skills and experience in technology and engineering to bring back to Satsuma.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-10-1839
Event Description: Representatives from the court of Tokugawa Ieyoshi arrive in Austin and establish an embassy. Their diplomatic inexperience is obvious, but the good reputation of Little Nara and the fact that they are the first nation to officially recognize the soverignety of the Republic of Texas make them a welcome sight.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1839
Event Description: Acupuncture, rice, and sewage systems are now prevalent in all larger Texan towns. Japanese ambassadors are surprised at the level of awareness the Texans have of Nipponese culture, and begin writing back to their Shogun to request a treaty of trade.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-16-1840
Event Description: Tokugawa Ieyoshi decides that Texan ships may have trading rights at Nagasaki *if* they will share naval technologies and allow Shogun-approved students to study at Texan schools. Tokugawa Ieyoshi also offers to pay for the foundation of a university if it is based at Little Nara or Austin and if Japanese students are allowed to attend at any time.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-27-1840
Event Description: The University of Texas is started at Little Nara with the provision that additional funding will be acquired soon and that Japanese students will be allowed to study there alongside native Texans. With a Japanese population now just exceeding 3,000 statewide (including over 900 at Little Nara itself), this initially seems a curious condition to the faculty.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-16-1841
Event Description: Santa Anna dies a mysterious death. His hands are grasping his sword, which is plunged through his own abdomen. They know it is not a suicide because his head is found nearby, seperated from his body as if by a guillotine. Panic ensues as rival warlords and governors begin to hear about Santa Anna's demise.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-4-1841
Event Description: A ship carrying almost $300,000 in trade items from the Empire of Japan arrives at Galveston with the message that the profits from the sale of these items be used to help the native Texan government, fund the university, and cement relations between the Republic of Texas and Empire of Japan.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1841
Event Description: Manuel Micheltoreno gains power over Alta California. He has loyalty to Mexico City though his personal dislike of the various people vying for office is making him wonder if an independent California would not be a better option.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-6-1842
Event Description: In a surprising move, Texas amends its constitution to recognize Indians as people eligible for land grants equal to those of colonists *if* they pledge to do equal military service. President Houston and others recognize that the need to defend Texas from foreign enemies will require all manpower possible and that if the Indians were made citizens they might not attack white settlements of their fellow Texans. This move creates de facto reservations as large tribes organize their land grants to be made next to each other, in many cases these tribes legally gain landholdings that exceed 200,000 acres.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-14-1842
Event Description: Japanese authorities negotiate a treaty of trade with the Lipan-Apache tribes, agreeing to an exchange of officials. The Empire will not fully recognize the tribe as a nation due to their ties to Texas. General Adrian Woll gains control of most of southern and central Mexico, only the Californias, New Mexico, Sonora, and Chihuahua are out of his hands. He begins formulating an invasion of Texas as a means of reuniting the country.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-3-1842
Event Description: General Adrian Woll begins an invasion of Texas by crossing the Rio Grande river. He offers amnesty and safety for all Texans who declare neutrality, specifically by flying a Mexican tricolor flag from their homes. Kuragawa family members band together with Texas infantry and Apache mounted warriors to defend their frontiers. Fearing an invasion of California, Manuel Micheltoreno dispatches a letter to the Texans them Sonora, Chihuahua, New Mexico, and all of northern Mexico east of Alta and Baja California. Micheltoreno has no faith in the frenchman Woll, instead declaring that "I would rather die a Mexican without a state than live a Frenchman in a conquered land".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-16-1842
Event Description: Brownwood is attacked by Mexican forces, the inhabitants flee to Little Nara and the recently completed Kuragawa Castle. Mexican forces who see the building are impressed: it fits the entire population of Brownwood inside with ease. When they try and approach, the Mexicans within range are killed by arrows and bullets. An Apache warrior notes immediately afterward that a method of twisting bullets might be a way to get more accuracy out of them since it seems to work with arrows.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-18-1842
Event Description: The three governors of the Mexican states in the Yucutan peninsula proclaim independence as the Federation of Nativist States. Sympathizers in Tabasco, Chiapas, and Guatemala are numerous but not in a position to actually break those states away from Mexico at that time.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-12-1842
Event Description: At the Combat School in Little Nara, two distinct fighting styles begin to emerge: "Ryu" style, which involves aggressive close-contact fighting with emphasis on strength and points-of-contact, and "Kaze" style, which involves long-range attacks, dexterity, and stealth. This latter form embraces elements of ninjitsu and sharpshooting, and begins to become more popularly known as "the art of the gun", especially when the newer Colt revolvers begin to make their appearence in Texas.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-10-1842
Event Description: A small Kuragawa-led band of Samurai, Apache warriors, Brownwood sheriff's deputies (made more numerous than usual by circumstances), and Texican/Tejano milita marches into Woll's camp from the rear and begin killing massive numbers of Mexican conscripts before withdrawing into a nearby series of woods. Woll orders his troops to mass and sends almost 800 after them to search the woods, only three return from the "arboles de muerto". Over half of the bodies later found died because of melee weapons of one sort or another, and few of the Kurugawa-led band get back to the castle alive.
One of the townspeople note that "Those sons of ******* killed those Mexicans like rangers killing prarie dogs". The term "Ranger" sticks and begins to be used for the various companies of men who organize to fight for military or civil purposes on short notice as necessary.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-16-1842
Event Description: Between the Kurugawa attacks by Ranger/raiding parties and the new problems in the Yucatan, Woll withdraws his men to prepare for a campaign there. His numbers are much reduced and his supply lines are not secure enough to mount a winter campaign, especially now that California has proclaimed independence.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-28-1842
Event Description: An envoy from the United Kingdom arrives in Mexico with a dispatch proclaiming the recognition of the independent governments in Texas and California. Micheltoreno has carefully maneuvered into allowing the British a coaling station at the village of San Diego and leasing rights to a small piece of land just north of Monterrey on which to build a full base in exchange for recognition of his nation and certain trading rights. Woll recognizes the gravity of the situation (and wants to keep as much as possible, he can still take back the Yucatan and probably New Mexico) so he agrees to begin peace negotiations with Texas and California.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-28-1843
Event Description: Treaty of Aguacalientes - After several months of negotiations, Texas, California, and Mexico make a final peace. California will consist of Alta California, Baja California, and all lands previously under Mexican control north of the Colorado River. Texas gains everything north of the 30 degree line between at the Pacific and the Rio Grande and everything north of that river thereafter. Woll is infuriated but has enough of his military tied down in the Yucatan that he is unable to rally enough men to reconquer New Mexico from the Texans or Baja California from Micheltoreno's forces. Immediately thereafter the Empire of Japan, who has observed the proceedings carefully, opens embassies in Mexico City, Monterrey, and London. Texas and California are now being pushed into the British sphere of influence while Mexico is moving to align with France.
Several servants and warriors of Shimazu Narinobu, daimyo of Satsuma province, approach General (now President) Woll in Mexico and arrange to exchange military technologies, training techniques, and resources. Narinobu has secured control (either officially or by less legitimate means) of Okinawa and the whole of Kyushu. Tokugawa informants worry that Shimazu may be preparing to try and place themselves in the Shogunate, especially after hearing that Satsuma is now among the very few provinces able to cast its own cannonry and make its own gunpowder.
The Empire of Japan begins to trade with the Kingdom of Hawaii and opens up its first coaling station off of Japanese soil at Pearl Harbor. They immediately begin constructing a drydock to handle all but the largest ships and plan to use the facility both for themselves and for income (by repairing vessels of any nation they are not at war with).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-16-1843
Event Description: President Tyler dispatches ambassadors to the Republic of Texas and California. These ambassadors secure trading rights and establish frontiers, especially in California where the border with Oregon is disputed. California abolishes slavery and becomes a destination of choice for runaway slaves from the American South and Republic of Texas. Immigrants from Europe begin pouring into the Republic of Texas and expanding the population there.
Plans are drawn up for a railroad running from San Antonio to Austin but neither city is yet large enough to support railway traffic. Little Nara is a proposed stop once the railway grow large enough because of the sheer volume of agricultural products in that part of the country moving through that town. Foundation of Liberty, Texas just south of the mouth of the Colorado River. Texas hopes to develop this as an eventual Pacific port and if nothing else as a coaling station for their trading ships on the Asia circuit.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-17-1843
Event Description: The Republic of Texas, the Republic of California, the Kingdom of Hawaii, and the Empire of Japan sign the Honolulu Accords (aka Pacific Treaty of Trade and Non-aggression). These nations agree not to aid any country at war with any co-signatories, to freely trade materials and commercial goods, and allow each other's ships to refuel at each other's bases. Limited technology transfer is also arranged, especially between Texas and the Empire of Japan. The treaty is not a military alliance as there are no obligation to aid co-signatories against invasions but does bind these newcomers to the international stage together. One of the more interesting clauses of the Accords is recognition of Taiwan as part of the Empire of Japan. Tokugawa government officials begin sending military forces and settlers from larger cities there to settle the island in flagrant disregard of the halfhearted Chinese attempts for control of the island.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-1-1843
Event Description: Spain, France, Russia, and Prussia extend full diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Texas, Republic of California, the Empire of Japan, and the Kingdom of Hawaii. The United Kingdom sends ambassadors to the Empire of Japan and Kingdom of Hawaii after wondering whether to take over Hawaii for itself but worry that Japan could attack Hong Kong and other important Asian interests. Their diplomatic corps is charged with trying to make California and Hawaii into either British satellites or outright possessions.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-28-1844
Event Description: Based on the expeditions of Matsuda Denjiro and Mamiya Rinzo, the Empire of Japan lays claim to the island of Sakhalin and most of the Kuriles. A few Russians from the Russian-American company object, but they are unable to overcome the sheer number of settlers. Imperial officials at the new Kitakyushu shipyards begin fitting metal armor over their newer steam-powered warships after looking at old Korean turtle ships.
Shimazu Narinobu signs a secret treaty of friendship with Mexico under General Woll, both agreeing to share technology and combat techniques. In this document, Shimazu recognizes Woll as legitimate governor of Mexico, California, Texas, and Central America north of Panama. Woll recognizes Shimazu as legitimate ruler of Imperial Japan and Korea. Immediately they exchange "military advisors" and begin to work towards improving theri militaries.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-24-1844
Event Description: California officially bans slavery to the applause of the Europeans. Texas agrees to eliminate it by 1894 after economic pressure from the rest of the world, especially Britain and Imperial Japan. Telegraph invented in Baltimore, MD.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-8-1844
Event Description: Mormons in Illinois ask the Church if they should head to Texas or California. Those who follow Brigham Young will eventually found Salt Lake City, California. Other branches of the Church, led by those who fail to win the leadership battle, form a "federated" church called the Church of Christ and head for northern Texas.
At the Combat School in Little Nara, the first competition between advocates of the "Ryu" and "Kaze" takes place. This year, Josef Alda of the Ryu school is able to edge out his Kaze opponent in what will later be called the Pinnacle Competition. Texas now has a European population exceeding half a million and an overall population exceeding one million, this will rapidly increase as many Irishmen head for Texas (and the US and California). The United States takes careful notice of the Honolulu Accord nations on its southeastern flanks and begins drawing up contingency plans for war with each nation. Many Southerners begin to wonder if they might use this fear to guarantee the continuation of slavery, either by the Texan model or in perpetuity. Without room to expand, they also begin badgering the government to take Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-15-1844
Event Description: Surprisingly, the Texas Congress votes not to join the United States despite the heavy lobbying of many of its citizens. Though the vote is very narrow in favor of independence, Texas will continue to remain a seperate country.
Later the same day, the Texas Rangers are officially created. They are based on the raiding bands of Kuragawa fame and all must get primary training at the Little Nara Combat School, now made an official arm of the Texas Military. These forces are charged with building outposts throughout the Republic, defending the country from raiders, and protecting the whole of the country as a reserve cavalry force. Every member is responsible for a horse, a set of Daisho, a .50 caliber carbine, and two .44 caliber revolvers. The lack of precision machinery in Texas creates a problem since their industrial production is very limited, so they begin seeking German and British machines and mechanics to begin industrialization.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-1-1845
Event Description: Ireland begins to feel the crippling effect of The Great Potato Famine as their crops literally rot in the ground. James Power, a representive in the Texas House and of Irish descent, feels for the Irish and their hunger. He goes to Ireland on a trip of mercy to offer them new homes in the Republic of Texas.
Power offers to pay for those who can not afford the trip. British Prime Minister Peel sees the beginning of an epidemic that could crush the Irish and feels move by the efforts of Power. He backs Power's efforts with his own money and what money he can secure from the British Government. By May 01, 250,000 Irishmen have traveled to the shores of Texas and began a new life. This was just the beginning of what was called the Irish Migration.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-26-1845
Event Description: The first steel mill in Texas opens in San Antonio less than half a mile from the Alamo. In the Empire of Japan, the Shogun learns of the plans of Shimazu Narinobu and forwards them to the Republic of Texas and California.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-15-1845
Event Description: A British team of surveyors mysteriously disappears in California in the Salt Lake Valley not long after making contact with the Mormon settlement there. A band of Ute killed them after someone in the British party panicked and began firing at them, but the firepower of the white men is exceedingly large for anything short of a military force. One of the Ute decides that maybe they can sell the items recovered from the Brits camp, including a large locked chest.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-12-1845
Event Description: After receiving a large locked chest courtesy of the Mormon settlers in Salt Lake City, Micheltoreno opens it to discover British plans for conquering California and turning the Republic of Texas into a client state. They also find that there are mentions of a plan to use the slavery and land issues to fracture the United States into two or three nations and arm the factions with British weapons at above-market prices. Also included inside are offers of peace with Mexico, returning most of southern California and New Mexico to them in exchange for helping the British out, and various Native American nations. Immediately, representatives from all Honolulu Accord nations and the United States are invited to view the documents and make their own decisions.
As a result of the information and recent discovery of gold in the northern part of the country, California decides to tax all gold finds and land claims at 10% while importing machinery and technicians from the United States and Europe, mostly Prussia and the Netherlands.
In the Empire of Japan, negotiations are begun with Spain over the potential purchase of the Philippines; these are eventually unsuccessful but do put the Spanish on guard. Russia looks at the situation and wonders if they should not sell their claims to Sakhalin, the Kuriles, and the territory south of the Amur River to Japan and get a treaty confirming Russian control of the remainder.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-1-1846
Event Description: Southerners begin rallying for an invasion of Cuba and Puerto Rico after the Dominican area applies for statehood in the United States and speaks of the atrocities of life under the Spaniards. White Southerners do not like the idea of accepting a government under the potential leadership of a black man like Juan Ethninius Mamby, but their desire to take territory from Spain and thought that they might secure these as pro-slave territories quell their interests. Some of the old pro-Andrew Jackson faction of the South are also uwilling to allow the slavery issue to divide the Union in the face of British imperialism and decide that even if one territory is under the (temporary) control of a non-white then the opportunity to expand the South is too good to resist.
Negotiations between the Republic of Texas and the United States over the purchase of the Indian Territory break down, but Texas makes a standing offer to purchase the territory if the United States ever decides to sell it.
California opens its first steel mill at Monterrey and begins building a railroad between the new port of San Francisco and the Sacramento gold fields.
Shimazu Narinobu begins making contacts and acquiring loyalties on Shikoku. Tokugawa Ieyoshi quickly learns of this and begins waging a shadow war against Shimazu by encouraging his daimyo to seek Tokugawa assistance and financial aid along with ninja to "mysteriously" sabotage his plans.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-5-1846
Event Description: A small group of Mexican soldiers "accidentally" crosses the 30th parallel and attacks the town of El Paso, Texas after "bandits" are thought to have fled there. Only one of the Mexican patrol survives the incident after a band of Rangers enters the city on routine patrol.
Little Nara begins construction of a precision machine tools facility to allow them to manufacture firearms (among other items) onsite and en masse. With the industrialization of Texas still in its infancy, this proves difficult and time-consuming.
An American ship on patrol to defend "American interests" in Dominican waters is fired upon by the Spanish government as they attempt to retake the island. As soon as this reaches Washington, the Spanish ambassador is called into the White House.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-8-1846
Event Description: Mexico issues an official apology to the Republic of Texas over the "El Paso Incident". Officially, President Woll states that the border "should be surveyed" and "clearly demarcated to prevent a repeat of this horrible tragedy". Unofficially, a rogue Mexican general is killed after trying to use military forces to do a reconaissance-in-force against obviously superior Texan forces.
Shimazu Narinobu orders the construction of a training center and castle like that of Little Nara just east of Aguascalientes in order to promote military training and technological development. No new styles of fighting are developed here, but several samurai are ordered to teach martial arts techniques to every willing Mexican soldier.
Californians re-elect Micheltoreno to the Presidency of that state, and his concerns grow as Americans flood the country in search of gold. However, with the "Spanish incident" causing such a commotion in Washington, official support for a rebellion is almost non-existant.
Hawaiians deploy their first modern warship after the British sell them three outdated sail-based models. The Empire of Japan proceeds to install steam engines and armors the first one at their Pearl Harbor facility.
In the United States, most of the population calls for war with Spain, especially in the South and West. Britain continues to negotiate for its northern section of the Oregon Territory but because of the inability to secure California and Texas, the Americans are negotiating harder than ever.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-10-1846
Event Description: Spain declares war against the United States after refusing to issue an apology for what they deem "American interference in a clearly internal matter of the Spanish Empire". Eager Southern militia groups and US military forces have already flocked to the naval docks and a large naval force is rallied at New Orleans with another one at Charleston to prepare for invasions of Cuba and Puerto Rico.
News of the conflict sends Cuba into open revolt, with the governing inhabitants (i.e. the rich planters) petitioning for US statehood. The state of Dominica is brought into the Union with the cheers of the Senate while Puerto Rico and Cuba deemed "territories of importance".
All Honolulu Accord nations are on guard, they worry that the war will spread to their home nations. Japanese officials again approach Spain with an offer to buy the Phillipines from them in order to fund their war chest, the Spanish immediately offer the Japanese an indefinite lease on three tracts of land with harbors for naval facilities but negotiations continue for both sides.
Mexico offers re-incorporation for any Central American nation that seeks it and offers to take on their debts. Several of these nations consider this offer seriously if only for financial reasons.
Britain offer to buy out the Oregon Territory above the 46th parallel but is rebuked. The British decide that the "dang Yankees" are just plain crazy and do not know whether to go to war over the region or just let the Yanks buy it all outright.
Hawaii lays claim to Midway Island and all points east to Hawaii itself. Japan requests and gains permission to build a large naval base on Catalina Island near the small city of Los Angeles, much to the applause of the people who live there.
In Texas, the government offers the Columbian government $5 million for the right to build a railroad across the isthmus of Panama, which they accept. This state-owned railway will be one of the largest sources of income for the Republic over the next several decades.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-5-1846
Event Description: Americans land in force at Cardenas, Pinar Del Rio, and Cienflores. Local Cubans immediately aid the Americans in numerous ways, giving them food, directions, shelter, and even recruits. Spanish commanders believe that they would not hold the western end of the island and decided to reorganize their defense around Santiago anyway.
Britain decides to sell the whole of the Oregon Territory to the United States for $28 million and recognition of property held by various companies after the transfer. As a result, the Hudson Bay company is allowed to maintain its private settlements on vast tracts of its own land.
Japan and Russia conclude the Treaty of Edo: Russia gets all of mainland Asia north of the Amur River, Japan gets all of the offshore islands including the Kuriles, Sakhalin, etc. Japan is also to get the Aluetians and first chance of purchase should the Russians ever decide to sell their claims to Alaska or the Amur River Valley, all for a total of $12 million.
Mormon settlers in Texas finish building their Temple at Zion Prime, about 120 miles north of Lubbock. This burgeoning city is slightly larger than the Salt Lake settlement in California but less organized and much less unified. The two settlements consider themselves rivals though they use that energy to outcompete each other in contests, including a series of field competitions based on the ancient Olympics scheduled for every other year starting in 1848.
Irish immigration to the New World reaches its zenith though it will not decline sharply for another two years.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-17-1846
Event Description: With the Americans now in control of Puerto Rico and most of Cuba east of Santiago, Spain decides to sell the Phillippines to the Empire of Japan for an undisclosed sum. Though the Spaniards will be able to retain certain special rights there, they realize that if Japan decided to invade the island they would be unable to defend it. Immediately, Spain hires several mercenary companies and begins equipping them for an oceanic trip to retake Cuba, Dominica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Florida (perhaps other coastal areas as well).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-4-1846
Event Description: Just in time for Independence Day, the American complete their conquest of Cuba. All Spanish territories in the Caribbean are now under American control and the ambassador to Spain is approached with an offer to "purchase" those territories at $20 million. Spain refuses and the Americans begin making plans for invasions elsewhere.
In Texas, researchers develop a new kind of cartridge that has a percussion cap, powder, and bullet itself all in one package. It is hoped that this might be used to develop a practical repeating firearm of some kind. Japanese officials begin installing governors in the Phillippines and consolidating their hold on their newly acquired territories. Education programs are planned throughout the Empire for most citizens to identify talented minds to help develop the country. Hawaii implements a universal educational program for children ages 5-10 and begins plans to build a secondary school at Honolulu. They also allow a Texan company to build a hotel on Waikiki beach. California begins strict immigration controls to prevent the majority of inhabitants from being American-born. Micheltoreno fears what he calls, "conquest by Democracy" and would rather not be merged with the United States, nor would most of the native Californian population. Spain begins organizing a force of almost 50,000 mercanaries and regular soldiers to retake its Carribean possessions and hopefully seize a few American territories as well. American soldiers in the Caribbean enjoy their time, and a few officers like Robert E. Lee and William T Sherman get a bad reputation among ther men for repeatedly drilling their troops even in the summer heat with no enemy to fight. Meanwhile, an American naval force leaves Baltimore intent on seizing the Canary Islands.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-1-1846
Event Description: In stifling summer heat the Spanish expeditionary force lands at Guantanamo Bay and begins to hit the Americans there relentlessly. Fortunately, a few divisions of the American Army prevent the invasion from becoming a complete rout. Within hours it is found that those under Lee, Sherman, and others who continually trained are the ones holding the line intact.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-9-1846
Event Description: More of the Spanish expeditionary force is now dead from disease than combat due to a rapid outbreak of cholera among their forces. Guantanamo is largely retaken and Cuba appears to be secure for the time being.
A small squadron of American ships on patrol in the central Atlantic encounters a larger number of Spanish ships, apparently the Cuban force was a very large diversion. Only one American ship escapes but it heads straight for Norfolk and the huge naval base there, guessing that the Spaniards are heading for Charleston or Savannah. The Empire of Japan assumes full control of the Philippines with a capital at Manila. Naval bases are under construction at Davao, Manila, and Palewan. In California and Texas, various new "exotic" crops are planted as trade and commerce take off. Oranges and pineapples are a more common sight in southeastern Texas while ginseng is grown in California. Salt Lake communities grow corn, rice, and wheat while western Texas begins raising cattle and chickens en masee. Hawaiians begin growing pineapples on its own under the supervision of the Aloha Fruit Company.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-15-1846
Event Description: American marines land just before sunrise and seize most of Tenerife and Gran Canaria before noon. The Canary Islands are effectively under American control.
A huge Spanish force of almost 45,000 soldiers and mercenaries lands near Amelia Island, Florida after being blown off course by a large storm. They sieze the island and begin fortifying it as a base of operations. They also begin offering freedom, arms, and land to any slave that will fight for them.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-1-1846
Event Description: Spanish forces take St. Augustine and begin laying siege to the nearly-complete Fort Pulaski. Loyal Southerners bring in armaments from militia groups and other sources and prepare for an indefinite siege.
In nearby Savannah, the townspeople border on panic at word of approaching Spanish soldiers. In Milledgeville, the governor activates every available element of the Georgia militia and defense of the railroads is deemed an immediate priority. Any slaves found in revolt or trying to escape are not captured but instead hung from the nearest tree.
A Spanish envoy approaches the Republic of Texas and offers Oklahoma and Louisiana to the Republic in exchange for their joining the war, the Texans not only refuse but order that particular envoy to leave Austin and not come back until the war is over. Micheltoreno declares neutrality though it means little, the Spanish navy would have difficulty getting significant forces over to California anyway. Regardless, the first arms factory in California is slated to open at year's end near Monterrey.
In Mexico, Woll's government declares neutrality in this Spanish-American war though they sell supplies and repair ships belonging to both sides for a stiff fee. Japanese soldiers from the Shimazu clan continue training Mexican forces in earnst, and they begin forming a unique calvary force of samurai-horsemen that move very quickly and focus on hard attacks. Even the teachers realize the weakness and limited defensive skills of the Mexican pseudo-samurai, but they figure that a strong offense will more than offset a strong defense.
The Kuragawa family begins building three more traditional Japanese castles with walled cities, one on the west side of Proctor Lake, one on the Concho River near Goldwaithe, and another about 75 miles NWW of Little Nara. These castles will be approximately the same size as Little Nara except for the one on Proctor Lake, which is slated to be about 25% larger because of the abundance of nearby water.
Shimazu reaches a deal with the Empire of China to secure aid in case of war with the Tokugawa government.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-27-1846
Event Description: Spanish forces bog down after failing to take Fort Pulaski and are reluctant to move farther north until their numbers grow substantially. Captains Sherman, and Lee, heroes of the Cuba campaign, are now helping to coordinate the containment of the Spaniards. Lee is among the commanders coming in from the north, using Charleston as a base now that Savannah is in Spanish hands. Now that telegraph communications reach this far down, he is able to communicate with Washington easily. His destruction of the railroad leaving Savannah is seen as the only thing that stopped Spanish raids throughout the South. Sherman is coming from the South with a base at Tampa, containing the Spanish attempts to raid and take the rest of the peninsula. From Tallahassee, Lt. Colonel John Y Brown, an abolitionist who would rather see the changes needed for that goal done voluntarily by the US government to absolve them from the sins of slavery, is working to contain any westward expansion of Spanish influence. Though he did not attend West Point, his early actions in organizing volunteer forces across the nation to fight the "heathen heretics of the Spanish crown" earned him high accolades and an officer's commission. His near-suicidal actions in three minor battles near Lake City, FL are credited with saving north-central Florida and southern Georgia from Spanish domination.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-31-1846
Event Description: Battle of All Hallow's Eve: Savannah is retaken by US forces from Charleston after intense naval bombardment and amphibious landings by the US Navy combined with relentless attack from the US army. Telegraph lines are slated for construction to the city immediately as are new rail lines, this time from the north and the west.
US officials realize that their internal rail network has very few north-south branches and begin a program to increase the total number of rail miles and north-south links.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-17-1846
Event Description: Last remnants of the Spanish forces in Georgia surrender, only those at Amelia Island and surrounding environs remain intact. Telegraph lines now reach from DC to Savannah and Lake City, FL. In the Northeast, several inventors are working to develop repeating rifles and have developed rifle-muskets alongside cylinder-loaded rifles using massive cartidges. A lone inventor in Kentucky submits a patent for an improved round with a conical head and hollow back, this "Wallace" cartidge has an effective range and spin greater than any previous bullet concieved.
Texan diplomats send a copy of the recent Spanish proposal to the United States to get their thoughts.
Shimzau forces control almost all of Shikoku outside of Tosa province, which they are unable to get by diplomacy. They threaten war if the provincial daimyo will not submit willingly, and he stands firmly with the bakufu and Tokugawa family.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-10-1846
Event Description: Surrender of the last Spanish forces in Florida to General Scott commences with minimal difficulty. Colonel Brown, Major Sherman and Lt. Colonel Lee are on hand to witness the ceremony, and they are among the people posed together in a Daguerreotype made to mark the ceremony.
Spain begins negotiations as soon as news of the Amelia Island surrender reaches Madrid.
In the United States, various politicans propose that the US join the Honolulu Accords at some point following the conclusion of the war. If Europe is going to prove a threat to the US, maybe allies should be found to the East.
In Mexico, President Woll recieves a message from Shimazu Narinobu: he expects civil war to erupt in Nippon within the next year and is counting on Woll to support his faction. Guatemala and El Salvador apply to readmission into Mexico after crushing debts are becoming difficult to resolve and "rebel" factions begin appearing with Mexican support.
Texas again offers to purchase Oklahoma from the United States, this time for $15 million. Fremont, the US ambassador to Texas, is excited at the offer and happily passes it along.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-1-1847
Event Description: Treaty of Charleston: Spain signs over Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Canary Islands to the United States in exchange for $35 million. Spain must also compensate the loss of slaves from any plantation in the South at market rates as long as the owners turn in the proper paperwork.
In the South people begin to wonder if slaves could pose a national security risk. Another invasion by France or the UK might have caused a massive slave revolt and the capture of much more territory. With a copy of British intentions in writing to do exactly this, they wonder if there might be a way to gradually eliminate slavery from the Southern landscape.
Shimazu forces attack the province of Tosa in the early morning hours, causing a small battle to erupt near the town of Takamatsu. Though Shimazu forces carry the day, they know they must act quickly if they are to defeat the Tokugawa household and take over the Shogunate.
Hawaiian students who excel at the secondary schools and sends them abroad to the best universities on condition that they return and help build a university in Hawaii itself.
The first major Texan railway is completed between San Antonio and Austin with subsidies from the Texan government.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-4-1847
Event Description: Shimazu dispatches a message to Mexico to attack Texas and California to prevent them from aiding the Tokugawa government in any way possible. Both those nations are rapidly increasing in population due to immigration and Texas especially is deemed a threat.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-16-1847
Event Description: In Mexico, Woll declares war on all Honolulu Accord nations. As long as the US stays neutral he thinks that he might be able to take both down and with any luck reclaim some territory as well. Immediately he dispatches his pseudo-samurai to El Paso where his reconaissance force was humiliated so many years ago.
A Texan spy rides hard for Austin after overhearing two Mexican soldiers talk about "retaking the dam* Tejano plains" and "getting some payback for the Alamo".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-26-1847
Event Description: Word reaches Austin that the Mexicans are mobilizing. Raids are reported from El Paso, Del Rio, and other settlements in central Texas. Rangers are sent out from Austin to deal with the problem while many of the civilians in the area head for Little Nara.
Barely any of the newer Kurugawa castles are finished yet, but enough is in place to build solid outposts on their foundations. These outposts maintain over 200 Rangers and supplies each while serving as watchposts for Little Nara itself. Woll gives Mariano Arista command of a large expeditionary force with three objectives: Austin, San Antonio, and Little Nara. Arista decides to try for Little Nara first. Shimazu forces conquer over half of Tosa and are close to complete control of Shikoku. What they do not know is that the Mori clan is preparing to invade Kyushu with the biggest non-Tokugawa force seen in over two centuries and the Tokugawa government is amassing a huge force to take Shikoku then Kyushu.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-6-1847
Event Description: Battle of Del Rio: In what will be called the first battle of the Tex-Mex Conflict, pseudo-samurai from Mexico engage Texan cavalry led by a Kurugawa elder. The 85 Texans are outnumbered almost 10 to 1 and only three survive the battle, but they kill slightly less than half the Mexicans in the process. The now-legendary "viento del Diablo" of the Daisho begins to take a psychological impact on the Mexican force.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-8-1847
Event Description: Mexican General Arista reaches Del Rio behind his advanced force and recieves word about the previous day's battle. Though he knows that most of the members of that unit had little combat experience, he hardens his resolve to take Little Nara as quickly as possible even though the road to San Antonio lays open. His advisors are unable to convince him to go for the site of the Alamo as Arista is convinced that once Little Nara falls all resistance east of Austin itself will stop.
Citizens of Del Rio are made to swear loyalty to the Woll regime or face torture, imprisonment, or outright execution as traitors. City Hall is turned into a giant prison.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-26-1847
Event Description: While Mexican General Arista reaches Litle Nara after several days of hit-and-run raids on his supply lines by Lipan-Apache, Navajo, and other AmerIndians, Californian irregulars seize control of Guyamas and the last island in the Gulf of California not under their control. California also begins issuing letters of Marque against Mexican shipping, reviving the ancient tradition of privateering among many poor Pacific shipgoers.
Forces under Daimyo Mori land near Kitakyushu and begin taking over poorly-held Shimazu lands. Narinobu is holding most of his army in reserve until the Mori forces hit the mountains where he intends to slaughter them.
Tokugawa forces arrive at Nagoya to prepare for a landing on eastern Shikoku.
Hawaii offers to send its "special auxiliaries" over to the Tokugawa government for use against the Shimazu forces. Hawaii has been secretly training a large force (1,000) snipers with Wentworth rifles to assassinate enemy officers that would be commanding naval vessels entering their harbors. The Tokugawa government readily accepts.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-1-1847
Event Description: The United States declares neutrality in the Tex-Mex Conflict though it will readily trade with Honolulu Accord nations.
First battle of Little Nara: Arista attempts to take the giant fortress after spending a week studying its layout. Irish settlers and Kentucky/Tennessee frontiersmen display remarkable accuracy with rifle fire, including a handful of prototype rifled muskets (putting more spin on the bullets) made per the recommendations of Apache and other AmerIndian warriors. Arista loses part of his left ear near nightfall when he gets within 1100 feet of the walls of the fortress city and gets shot. Dorr Purdy Curtis, the Mormon shooter from North Texas, wins a minor place in the history books when the phrase "a Curtis shot" is used to describe near misses from then on.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-21-1847
Event Description: Shimazu forces lose Takamatsu to a dawn landing by Tokugawa elements. Meanwhile, Mori's forces are taking only the coastal areas of the island and are careful to avoid most of the mountainous interior. Shimazu begins to lose face among his allies and immediate subordinates and must quickly redeem himself with a victory in the field.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-3-1847
Event Description: Nagasaki Horror: Shimazu uses ninja to lighten up the Mori invasion force by assassinating many of the mid-ranking commanders and a few of the superior samurai. Mori Shinata captures one ninja and prevents him from killing himself, giving him over to the lower samurai to "interrogate".
Later that day, Shimazu forces annhilate most of the Mori force in open combat. Only about a third of the original force is able to withdraw, these flee to Kitakyushu which has become the Tokugawa stronghold on Kyushu.
Tokugawa forces lay claim to almost two-thirds of Shikoku and Shimazu orders his army to retreat from that island. He now hopes to lure the Tokugawa army into the same trap that wiped out the Mori forces.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-2-1847
Event Description: Second Battle of Little Nara: Mexican soldiers under General Arista try a direct assault under the front gate after building a large, well protected ram for use in trying to destroy the main gate of the complex. Both sides complain that the warfare has been reduced to medieval standards, but neither has a solution. Mexican casualties are heavy after liquified animal waste is poured over their ram followed by some sort of heavy, viscous fluid that easily catches fire.
General Arista thinks that the Texans at Little Nara might have a tunnel system to aid in resupply as the defenders are still holding out with such a large population. With defending rifles able to hit targets the size of human heads at almost 400 yards and continual guerilla raiding of their supply lines, the Mexican cannonry is almost useless at that range except as a weapon of terror. Though several shots have hit the stone walls, their unusual (for America) thickness defies the best Mexican attempts to bring it down.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-7-1847
Event Description: Tokugawa forces finish their securing of Shikoku and begin reinforcing the beseiged garrison at Kitakyushu along with over 600 Hawaiian auxiliaries.
Californian privateers sink the last heavy Mexican warship operating north of Punta Ixtapa on the Pacific coast. Their Atlantic forces are already in trouble after a botched raid at Galveston cost them a quarter of their ships, not counting the additional loss of officers from sniper fire.
A large group of Rangers slip south of the Mexican defenses and makes a deal with the Yucatan insurgents that survived the last purge: make trouble for Mexico and independence will be granted after the war.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-3-1847
Event Description: Final Battle of Little Nara: Arista discovers the elusive tunnel leading into Little Nara itself and sends in over two thirds of his army. The "Ryu" practicioners rely on heavy man-to-man fighting in the tunnel while the "Kame" practicioners and Irish/American/Mormon sharpshooters lay waste to the enemy at a distance. Almost 500 Mexicans actually manage to enter the city itself, but these are killed to the man except for 117 that surrender, the Chief of Staff who is merely following his commander and unarmed, and Arista himself. Arista begs for a chance to die with honor, and Kurugawa Naito fights him in a memorable swordfight. Both men kill each other, and Arista is given the burial of a samurai on Little Nara ground. The Chief of Staff is sent back with a message to General Woll: Arrange peace before the new month begins or we bring to your lands fourfold what you brought to ours.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1847
Event Description: While Woll prepares another expedition into Texas, Kurugawa forces overrun the town of Hermosillo, Mexico. The town is evacuated, every building excpet for the church is destroyed to the last stone, and every other possible trace of the city is removed. All nearby farmland is burned but none of the people nor their possessions are touched.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-7-1847
Event Description: Woll receives word of the near-vanishing of Hermosillo along with reports that the Kurugawa force is thought to be approaching Aguacalientes, possibly en route to Mexico City. Woll contacts the British Embassy and asks for open negotiations with the Republic of Texas.
California privateers seize Acapulco for themselves while in the Yucatan, Merida and Valladolid proclaim independence from Mexico. They proceed to proclaim their country called the "Federated States of Central America".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-12-1847
Event Description: Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras apply for membership in the FSCA in order to turn over their current debts. In Mexico, General Woll calls out the personal guard to protect Mexico City from the approaching Kurugawa forces. Texan Rangers rout the last of the Mexicans from Republic borders while the regular Texas militia takes control of Ciudad Victoria. The Mexican army falls back to Torreon.
In the Empire of Japan, Tokugawa forces are still unable to gain control of more than the Kitakyushu area. Hawaiian snipers perform incredibly, hitting human targets as far as 1000 meters away and consistently getting head shots at 730 meters. No one quite knows how these island warriors are doing this, but it is enough to convince Shimazu to order the immediate execution of any snipers caught by his forces.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-18-1847
Event Description: Kurugawa-led forces arrive at the outskirts of Mexico City and move to take over the city. Mexican Presidential Guard forces counterattack and manage to hold off the Samurai long enough to smuggle out Woll out of the city to Oaxaca.
Hawaiian snipers are credited with saving the Tokugawa position in Kitakyushu after a mad rush attack by Shimazu forces. Several of the Shimazu commanders suffered lethal or near-lethal gunshot woulds from over 600 meters away, sending their forces into disarray.
British diplomats offer to negotiate a truce between the Honolulu Accord nations and Mexico.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-1-1847
Event Description: In the United States, Wallace rounds are used with moderate success in a military laboratory in Springfield, NY. This secret weapon is being continually refined by US forces in case some nation like the UK invades and firepower is needed in greatest quantity possible.
Kurugawa-led forces sack Mexico City but are unable to find Woll, learning that he has fled to Oaxaca. They also learn that he is trying to negotiate with Texas but are determined to get a hold of him first.
Both sides in Kitakyushu lick their wounds and bring in reinforcements. Tokugawa forces are simply more numerous and have the numbers to win any war of attrition, which is exactly what Shimazu doesn't want. Shimazu begins formulating a plan for how to take out the Kitakyushu enclave after recieveing word that Mexico will not hold out for long. Should Texas and California be available to help the Tokugawa forces, Shimazu knows he is dead.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-7-1847
Event Description: General Woll is caught by the Kurugawa family in Oaxaca. He does not beg nor does he ask for anything. Surprisingly, the Kurugawa family do not kill him nor even challenge him. They have him sign a document making him essentially an equal to their clan, claiming that their real enemies are Shimazu and the Europeans who would invade Mexico, Texas, California, and perhaps everyone else in the West and Far East for their own purposes. As Texan negotiators arrive later in the day, they have Woll sign a formal declaration of surrender. Woll agrees to join the Honolulu Accords in exchange for retention of all lands in Northern Mexico *status quo antebellum*, granting of independence to the Yucatan, Tabasco, and Chiapas (both latter states are largely under FSCA control and laden with sympathizers), and a 50-year guarantee of all borders. Acapulco and Vera Cruz are to become free ports to Honolulu Accord nations only, and Mexico will get preferential trade status with all Accord nations as well.
In Kyushu, Shimazu is learning how to manufacture exceptionally long-range rifles of his own. Apparently the Hawaiians have taken a gun with a 6-foot rifled barrel and added conical bullet technology to their sniping array, making them the longest distance shooters on the planet.
Britain's offer of diplomatic intervention in Mexico is politely rejected.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-15-1847
Event Description: Celebrations throughout Texas and Califoria hail the end of the Tex-Mex conflict. General Woll is despondant for several days but realizes that he should have probably lost much more territory and prestige. Mexicans do not know what to think but many are angry at the failure of their government to maintain their borders.
Europe is starting to become engulfed in revolutions and civil disorder, it looks like the new year could be bloody indeed.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-25-1847
Event Description: The Kitakyushu salient of the Tokugawa government is holding well beyond the expectations of both sides, largely thanks to the Hawaiian snipers. Shimazu begins talks with Russia, Spain, France, UK, and even the Dutch over potential alliances using Formosa and the Phillippines as potential rewards for installing him as ruler of Japan.
Costa Rica decides to join the FSCA though it reserves the right to secede if it wishes to do so later.
Texas engineers completes the railway across the Panama Isthmus, dramatically cutting travel time between the two sides of the jungle and reaping the Texans a small fortune. Many begin dreaming of a canal across the territory but none know how they could build it.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-12-1848
Event Description: The last of the Texans leave Mexico and that country becomes a full member of the Honolulu Accords. Mexican embassies are ready to open or being set up in all Accord nations.
American politician Henry Clay looks at the international situation and begins discreetly contacting Honolulu Accord nations. Clay thinks that the US needs international allies and that trouble in Europe could eventually spread to the US. He notes that while the US is now happily unified, the issues of slavery could be used as the British had proposed years before.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-27-1848
Event Description: France decides to publically side with Shimazu in exchange for the Phillipines and a base on Formosa, declaring war on all Honolulu Accord nations. Prime minister Francois Guizot and King Phillippe believe that they will win easily and be able to gain territory in both the Far East and maybe even the New World. They also need something to distract their populace from the horrific state of domestic affairs. Privately they will also gain most favored nation status with the new Japanese government as well.
Meanwhile, Hawaiian engineers deploy their secret "Aloha Rifle" at Kitakyushu. They have taken a Congaree rocket design from the UK. shrunken it down to fit a huge rifle, and opened the back of the gun to prevent excessive wear. The rocket rifle succeed in destorying artillery pieces and fortifications as far as a mile away, scaring the Shimazu forces enough to allow Tokugawa soldiers to expand their domain slightly. Unfortunately the rockets are gone within 30 minutes but Tokugawa agents are looking to make more and every foreign observer present is writing word about this development back to their respective governments.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-3-1848
Event Description: French naval forces begin seizing Honolulu Accord merchant marine ships on the high seas, claiming that they are "pirates" and "privateers". France also begins negotiations with Woll in Mexico, hoping to use his nationality as a means of setting up bases in order to conquer Texas.
Texas brings its fifth steel mill online and begins churning out materials for the new war effort. Across the Republic people are growing weary of conflict and begin wondering when they will see peace.
Northern Texas is experiencing a population boom, over 200,000 people now live in and within 50 miles of Zion.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-12-1848
Event Description: Two French warships from Montserrat shell Galveston and send a raiding party into the island town. Though they think about actually capturing the town, they realize that their supply line is extended too far to hold the city if the people rebel. The Texans are appalled and the French overconfident when the warships leave. Laden with stolen goods, the French commander promises to return and build a home here...as its colonial governor.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-17-1848
Event Description: General Woll turns down a French offer to allow him governance over Texas, California, the FSCA, and Mexico as a colonial viceroy for France. He knows that France has a good shot of winning, but he sticks to his honor in signing the Honolulu Accords.
The UK declares neutrality, they figure they can make a fortune selling equipment and supplies to all sides. If both sides are really beating the tar out of each other, they plan to jump in and take over California and Hawaii outright and leave Japan, Mexico, and Texas as either satellite nations or protectorates.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-25-1848
Event Description: Using Aloha rifles, the Tokugawa forces break out of the Kitakyushu salient and begin taking areas around the town. Shimazu's forces are simply unable to compete with hand-held weapons that do as much damage as a moderate cannon.
In the United States the Springfield armory successfully tests a rifle using Wallace rounds operated by lever. This 10-round rifle has better range than almost anything in the US arsenal.
Micheltoreno begins feeling violently ill and suspects he has been poisoned. He calls in his most trusted advisor, John C. Fremont, to help him compose his will and testament. Hawaiian scholars begin returning from French schools and establish the University of Hawaii at Hilo. This keeps the students away from any distractions they might have and it is hoped that laboratories established here will allow greater secrecy in testing new military equipment.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-8-1848
Event Description: Shimazu spies note that much of the steel production under the Tokugawa regime is going to a facility in Sendai but they can not discern why. What is known is that Shimazu's forces are now confined to the eastern and southern parts of Kyushu. He plans one grand, final battle at Minamata in hopes of forcing a treaty.
Another pair of French warships attack Galveston, this time landing over 1,000 marines to take and hold the city. A group of 500 Rangers greets them with martial arts, samurai swords, and gunfire in a street battle that lasts over 4 hours. The Texans eventually win, and although they lose over 250 men in the process, only 4 Frenchmen remain alive. As the French warships depart, one of the Rangers remembers that their Hawaiian allies have given them three of the new Aloha Rifle (known locally as Texas Candles). One of the Rangers decides to fire one of these new devices at a French warship, hits the armory, and literally blows it out of the water. The next shot hits the other French warship and though it misses the armory does manage to put the ship in flames, sinking it in less than 35 minutes and yielding several dozen prisoners, including the captain. The third rifle is sent back to Austin with the message "We want more!"
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-14-1848
Event Description: After turning the French captain over to an interrogation crew of Apache-Lipan, Japanese, Mexican, and Texas "inquisitors", the Frenchman is only too happy to reveal everything he knows. A huge French fleet is on its way to Hawaii to take control of the islands and annex them to the French crown then head to California to annex the whole of that country. They have already set sail and are expected to arrive in less than a month.
California manages to acquire a few of the Wallace rounds and sets its best minds into both back-engineering them and designing a gun to make use of them. Oddly enough, Micheltoreno begins to recover, much to Fremont's disappointment.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-29-1848
Event Description: A large French fleet is sighted off of Oahu early in the morning, the Hawaiians have been preparing for this for some time and are ready to fight. Twenty-one French arrive off the mouth of Pearl Harbor and are greeted by fire from Aloha Rifles, sinking eight ships and their marines before the rest can pull back to about two miles back. French commanders send in the remaining marines by smaller boats, only to realize that the Hawaiians have improved on an old European technology. They have built huge trebuchets out of fire-treated wood on rotating platforms that chuck 100-lb rocks at the incoming boats, sinking ove a third of them before they reach shore. Over 1,000 French marines still manage to land on the beach only to be greeted by wild-eyed natives wielding armor made from treated whale hide backed by Japanese steel plates. They are also trained in Samurai swordsmanship, ducking under much of the French fire and slaughtering the Frenchmen on the beach.
Hawaiian soldiers force the surrender of the remaining French marines then steal their uniforms and scavange the uniforms of the dead. They then proceed to fly a huge captured French flag to see if the warships react, the French fleet pulls close enough to allow their ships to see Hawaiians in French uniforms. Once seven of the French pull close enough to see "the whites of their eyes", they realize that they have fallen into a trap. Two of the seven try to fire on the Hawaiians only to be sunk by Aloha Rifles, causing the rest to surrender and the six ships farther out at sea to flee (the Admiral in charge will subsequently face court-martial and be acquited after the French figure out that he actually saved the rest of the fleet). The crews of all seven ships are taken hostage, their fates for the short-term are unknown to all but the Hawaiians. The other five ships are captured largely intact.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-6-1848
Event Description: Hawaii begins refitting the French ships and testing their function out at sea. Many of the native warriors already have experience in the water, they only need to adopt to the sailing technologies of the Europeans. A Naval Academy is opened in Waikiki specifically to teach the finer points of Western naval technology to the local military forces.
In the United States, a prototype Wallace lever-action rifle is able to fire 14 rounds in less than 40 seconds in the hands of a rifleman who has never used the weapon before. The immediate problems are clear: the rounds do not have the penetration of heavier rifle-musket bullets and the bullets are difficult to initially load, but the range is easily 750 yards and the incredible rate of fire is awesome. One Alabama machinist notes that it is "a fine American rifle you can load on Sunday and shoot all week".
Kyushu is now almost entirely under Tokugawa control except for a few areas in the mountains that have not heard of Shimazu Narinobu's death. Tokugawa also announces the formation of a more permanent government: local fiefs will be cut down and made of regular size (older established families get the richest territories and cities while Tokugawa leaders without land get the spoils from the Shimazu supporters) and each will send a permanent representative to Edo to form a Council, or Diet. The Imperial family will also give their next heir over to the Shogun for training in how to run a government and for a more accelerated education, both in traditional Japanese culture and in "Dutch Learning" as well.
Mexico begins construction of a trans-Mexican railway running from VeraCruz to Tenochitlan (formerly Mexico City) to Acapluco, with spurs intended to head to Oaxaca and Aguascalientes. Woll hopes that this will force industrialization upon the shattered nation that it might grow strong again, besides people with jobs and money are less likely to attack the sitting government.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-14-1848
Event Description: French king Louis Phillipe recieves word that his entire Hawaii/California invasion fleet is either captured, sunk, or no closer than Singapore. He also recieves word that the Texans have been developing a true offensive navy of their own now that the French are a threat to their shoreline.
FSCA officials re-organize the debt so they can hopefully pay it off in 25 years. The Bank of England is the primary debtholder, and the export capability of the FSCA is sufficient that they will be able to pay something into the loan even in bad economic times.
The Empire of Brazil and Argentina sign a treaty of non-aggression, they both see multiple nations around the world on the fringe of war and want to keep their nations out of it. Both nations also begin sending students to universities around the world in hopes of furthering diplomatic relations and bringing home some modern technology.
Argentina and Texas discover that they have much in common and begin discussing trade agreements since both export many of the same products.
Columbia begins to worry about its FSCA and Venezuelan neighbors and plans a crash-industrialization program, however, the government is so unstable that the "3-step industrial plan" plan is put on hold.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-20-1848
Event Description: As the largest French fleet assembled since Trafalgar amasses at Singapore to invade Japan, an internal rebellion against the monarchy begins just south of Tryoes. Led by Charles-Louis-Napoléon, the rebellion gains speed very quickly as dissatisfaction with the king before the war meets with fury over the loss of so much of the French fleet to "islanders", "barbarians", and "tribesmen". Napoléon proclaims its disdain with the French monarchy and calls are loud for a Second Republic.
Over three thousand Texan soldier/marines board five large vessels intent on conquering every island in the Caribbean that the French hold. Their navy has little experience but they hope that their Aloha Rifles and weaponry will be enough to carry the day.
Arthur McDonnell of Galveston pens "O Mighty Fighting Rangers" (to the music of OTL's "John Brown's Body" with many of the same words) after his diary notes from the Battle of Galveston. It will become the Texas National Anthem within 10 years.
Californian and Texan diplomats meet to discuss the future use of the Colorado river waterway: California wants the water for a burgeoning town/base called Santa Barbara and Texas wants to use it for desert farming. They also discuss a joint project to dam the river and create a huge lake somewhere along its path.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-25-1848
Event Description: Reims falls to the French rebels while Paris holds rebellion within the city. Most of France south of Lyon is now in rebel hands and the rebels seem to defer to Napoleon for leadership.
French soldiers overun the Japanese garrison at Manila and claim the Phillipines as theirs while others from the same fleet land at Saigon and capture the Vietnamese royal family. Their king is forced to declare Vietnam a French protectorate while almost all of the people in the Imperial government at Manila commit hara-kiri rather than submit to French control. English spies in the Tokugawa government note that the Japanese are sending much of their limited steel production to Hiroshima and Sendai. They also note that Tokugawa Ienari is quite a fan of European literature since one similar report mentions Shakespeare, Maupassant, Cervantes, Voltaire, and Machiavelli along with Sun Tsu and Miyami repeatedly. They also note that there have been greatly increased shipments of materials from Sendai to Hiroshima in the form of machined parts, something that the Japanese have been buying off of the English for the last few years. This surprises the English because they did not think the entire nation of Japan could produce such parts in the quantities listed. Taiwanese officials recieve word that a French fleet is headed their way and send word onto Kyushu.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-6-1848
Event Description: After refueling and resupplying at Pusan, Korea, French forces attempt an invasion near Kure only to be greeted with several strange Japanese vessels. Shakespeare, Maupassant, Cervantes, Voltaire, Machiavelli, Sun Tsu, and Miyami are actually variations of the same design: large wooden ships sheathed in metal and powered not by sails but armored paddlewheels, one on each side of the vessel. The Shakespeare and Machiavelli have traditional cannonry on each side of the ship and must rotate to fire them at the enemy. The Maupassant and Miyami use eight well-armored Aloha Rifles on rotating turrets that make it effectively a missile ship. The Cervantes and Voltaire use six large-bore cannons on rotating platforms that have an effective range of over half a mile. The Sun Tzu is larger than the rest: loaded with four engines, three rotating cannons, and three rotating Aloha Rifles, it is obviously designed to be a heavy battleship of some sort. The French fleet never stood a chance: several times officers and sailors alike watch as French cannonshot dents the Japanese armor but never penetrates it. The royal fleet is totally annhilated to the ship, very few prisoners are taken and the only ones who make landfall are in Japanese custody.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-30-1848
Event Description: Japanese vessels under the command of the new ships land at Taiwan and retake the entire island. Word of a horrible French defeat spreads throughout southeast Asia while Texan naval infantry lands at French Guiana, taking Cayenne quickly. It is the first time French soil has been lost to a non-European nation in living memory.
Hawaiian sailors begin figuring out the French naval technology and a limited number of mercenaries head for French Polynesia to put Queen Pomare IV back in power. She has agreed to become the governor of an extended Hawaiian province and to marry the crown prince "Waimea", or "Red Water" after his bloody victory over the attempted French marine landing. Not coincidentally, he is the leader of the Hawaiian First Fleet.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-28-1848
Event Description: Kiribati is now in Hawaiian hands while Texans begin moving north to claim every French possession they can in the Caribbean, creating a government for the newly conquered "Texas West Indies". Japan's First Fleet overruns the Philippines while the Second Fleet liberates Hanoi and signs a treaty of trade and non-aggression with the Kingdom of Vietnam. Korea also approaches the Japanese for a treaty of trade, they recognize that they are far behind the rest of the world and that if they do not quickly catch up then the Europeans will claim them too.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-18-1848
Event Description: Rikitea falls to the Hawaiians, effectively completing their conquest of the French Polynesian chain.
With news of the Battle of Kure reaching France, the citizens begin losing the little faith they had left in their government. Paris is under siege from Napoleanic forces while King Louis is told to flee the city. He refuses, saying he will stay to the last. Most of north and eastern France is now in Napoleonic hands and they control over 75% of French industry. Paris is expected to fall in less than two months.
UK ambassadors offer to broker a peace, King Louis refuses. They are naturally concerned about a major European power being even more defeated by a nation deemed "inferior" as it might imspire other peoples like India or South Africa to revolt. They are also considering stepping in on the sides of the Honolulu Accord nations to make their victory look like "it was inevitable once we joined".
Texans wrap up their conquest of the last French colony in the Caribbean. The planners in Austin send orders for the fleet to hold at Martinique to be joined by the California Navy: Austin and Monterry have written up plans to invade and hold France itself. The plan is to take Bordeaux in the wine country and hold it for as long as possible.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-20-1848
Event Description: Paris falls to Napoleanic forces though King Louis has fled to Marseilles. UK forces recieve intelligence that a 15-ship fleet is passing the Azores but because the flags are thought to be Texan and the weather was poor, the report is dissmissed.
Hawaiian forces wonder where to go next, so they leave a large contingency in Polynesia and head for Honolulu.
American forces develop an improved Wallace rifle, though the main engineer would rather it be called the Henry rifle after himself. This gun uses an improved .44 caliber round and holds 15 shots each with an effective range of over 1000 feet. More work is needed but the plans are sent to the Springfield armory so that production could begin whenever needed.
American observers also begin getting every piece of intelligence they can about the Battle of Kure to see if they can duplicate the Japanese naval technology.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-8-1848
Event Description: To the total surprise of the Frenchmen defending the city of Bordeaux, a Texan-Californian fleet arrives and begins landing troops. With their limited supplies of Aloha rockets, they take out most of the fortifications around the city and have most of it under control by nightfall.
Louis recieves the news less than 24 hours later and immediately agrees to negotiations.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-16-1848
Event Description: Louis XVIII flees France for Sardinia while Napolean takes control of the government of France. Immediately, Napolean starts to negotiates a treaty with Texas and the other Honolulu accord nations.
Japanese government officials are approached by the United Kingdom about forming a seperate alliance with the UK but Ieyasu refuses. Instead he turns over the written contract to the other Honolulu Accord nations.
Several musical groups in Texas begin combining elements of Eastern music with guitars and harmonicas, including a ballad called "Everybody was Ryu Fighting". This cacaphonic blend of music actually proves very popular. Texans also begin manfacturing knockoffs of Colt revolvers.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-8-1848
Event Description: Treaty of Versailles: At the traditional Royal palace of France, Napolean negotiates and end to what is later known as the Coconut Revolution (because France changes governments due to war with Hawaii and allied nations). Texas gains all French islands in the Caribbean other than those immediately offshore of newly-named Texan Guyana. Hawaii gains control over French Polynesia in exchange for $10 million and may keep three of the five ships taken during the doomed invasion of Honolulu. California gains two steel factories which are totally disassembled and shipped to Santa Barbara and Redding, respectively. Japan gains recognition of its holdings in the Philippines, Taiwan, Sakhalin Island, various Pacific Islands including Wake and Guam, and conformation of Indochina, Manchuria, and Korea as Japanese spheres of influence. Mexico gains $5 million in indemnities and repair costs for some French shelling of Veracruz. In exchange, all Honolulu accord nations immediately recognize the Second Republic of France with Napolean as head of state. Louis XVIII hides in Austria, a traditional enemy of the Napolean family, in hopes of gaining support for a return to power.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-19-1848
Event Description: Waimea and Pomare arrive in Honolulu and announce that they will marry on Christmas Eve. Hawaii also announces the unification of Polynesia under the rule of the Honolulu government along with a scholarship program to cultivate the best talent the islands have to offer.
California begins preparations to begin classes at the University of Monterrey while studying the pieces and parts of the factory equipment sent over by the French.
In Pennsylvania, the 4-4-0 American locomotive is refined and begins to see production in large numbers. Capable of speeds of over 40 MPH, this train will become the most widely produced locomotive of all time. It will also be one of the first that most people will get a chance to see.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-23-1848
Event Description: A British diplomat writes a report titled "State of Affairs in the World Today", coded to indicate what he thinks are the rising players on the world stage. Japan and Texas are noted as the two most rapidly growing powers relative to their positions over the last five years while the United States is still deemed the most powerful of the "unannounced" powers. This report will soon become a popular guide among the British political community to decide which nations are worthy of diplomacy and caution and which are not.
Japanese engineers begin returning from foreign universities and begin teaching in Japanese universities. One key advisor notes that Japan should try to concentrate on the emerging field of chemistry and refining in hopes of making synthetic materials and super-efficient processes for metalworking since the Empire's resources are so limited.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-7-1848
Event Description: American diplomats under President Polk begin negotiations with Japan, Hawaii, California, Texas, and the FSCA to look at joining the Honolulu Accords. With the UK on their north and the HA nations to their South, the Americans are worried that if they do not join an international alliance that they run the risk of being overrun by one of them at some point.
Texans begin recieveing even more immigrants fleeing from the various European revolutions and from overpopulated countries just looking to form a new life out on the Texan frontier, total popuation is now over one and a half million for the entire country, almost a third of them from Ireland alone.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-25-1848
Event Description: Prince Waimea and Queen Pomare are wed late in the evening having delayed their ceremony for one day due to inclement weather. The President of Texas and Crown Prince of Japan attend the ceremony, the first time either governments have sent notable heads of state out of the country. Winfield Scott represents the Americans while William Gladstone, enjoying a year in the tropics before returning to the UK, represents Her Majesty's Government. Micheltoreno is unable to attend so Fremont represents the Californians. Adrian Woll's son represents Mexico while Francisco Morazan represents the FSCA. After the ceremony, the Queen of Hawaii suggests that a permanent group of representatives from each nation could be arranged involving one diplomat from each nation, they will begin meeting the following year on Janurary 27th, one year to the day after the French declaration of war.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-11-1849
Event Description: The Republic of France ambassador arrives in Austin and present diplomatic credentials. Texans are weary but glad to see him there under a banner of peace.
Japan begins looking at building a true steel industry to both produce the railroads and manfacturing capacity to match European countries. They enter into negotiations with the Chinese Empire about exploiting minerals from Manchuria, piquing the interests of the Emperor there who seeks to modernize his country as well.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-1-1849
Event Description: California completes a railway from San Francisco to Monterrey with plans to build one all the way down to Santa Barbara.
American isolationists win out and decide that the United States should go its own way for the time being. Honolulu Accord nations are regarded with friendship but unless some dire need arises that forces the US to align itself with "darker peoples and the heathen Asians" as Calhoun puts it, they'll remain isolated.
Texas begins negotiations with California about building a transcontinental railway from Galveston to San Francisco by way of Austin and Salt Lake City. Though the Colorado River is an official border, it is lax and almost unguarded. Some people even wonder if California should not join Texas and form a larger nation, though the politicians in Austin and Monterrey have not been particularly receptive towards any idea that does not preserve their power bases.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-29-1849
Event Description: A prototype Wallace II Rifle, also known as the "Lightning", is produced by hand at the Springfield Armory in upstate NY. It is capable of loading fifteen .50 bullets in a completely sealed tube beneath the rifled barrel and can empty the entire load in just under 25 seconds when fired in rapid succession. Engineers and military officials are impressed, especially since it is quite accurate at ranges of up to 500 yards.
Texans build a heavy "pistol" that is basically a five-shot shotgun with a crack-open barrel that can be totally replaced with a fresh one, even in the heat of combat. A Japanese inventor begins trying to develop its first natively-designed firearm, a smallbore black powder pistol with ten barrels at .30 caliber surrounding a heavier barrel with .50 caliber. While heavy, it does give its wielder an unusual amount of firepower before having to reload. China still considers the question of mineral rights in Manchuria. With a Japanese presence in Sakhalin, the Ryukyus, Taiwan, Philippines, and now Indochina, the Chinese feel threatened actually allowing such a rapidly-expanding nation into their lands without security guarentees, especially when they have just opened negotiations with the Koryo Kingdom over the rights to establish bases and companies within the borders of that reclusive government.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-10-1849
Event Description: Mexico, California, and Texas sign the Triple Railway act, essentially agreeing to integrate their nations railways to one standard and allowing for Chihuahua to become a tri-national free trade center.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-3-1849
Event Description: France signs a "technological trade and developement" treaty with the Honolulu Accord nations. In essence, this allows the students of those nations to educate their students at French universities with no interference unless France finds itself at war with those nations, and even then students will be allowed to finish their immediate degrees. Prussia hears this and immediately proposes a similar treaty, which is granted within a month.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1849
Event Description: Hawaiian scientists build a crude submarine based on the Turtle design of the American Revolutionary War.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-31-1849
Event Description: Semicenturian treaty: Honolulu Accord nations agree on a unified naval training institute to last for one decade at Honolulu itself. Instructors from Texas, California, Japan, Mexico, and Hawaii itself send their best to this naval academy. The act is totally unprecedented but only shows to demostrate the solidarity of the Honolulu Accord nations.
In China, the Manchu emperor begins plans to industrialize three areas: Manchuria itself, the Chongking area, and Shanghai itself. Students are sent to the best universities the government can pay for.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-23-1850
Event Description: Britain warns China over its attempts to slow opium production and distribution, angering the Emperor and tempting him to a fight. Be he hesitates, knowing that without an industrialized infrastructure or massive navy behind him that his country will lose. He does decide that China can not be made to rely on that upstart nation calling itself "Nippon" or the wild-eyes barbarians who take the name "Texan". In the end he decides to trade key mineral rights in Manchuria for technical assistance and educational exchanges with Japan. Queen Pomara reveals her pregnancy to the general populace, all of Hawaii begins celebration. At Sendai the first major chemical refinery in Japan is slated for construction. The University of Tokyo will use this partly-state-owned facility to train students in chemical engineering courtesy of European and American teachers.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-7-1850
Event Description: Prussia proposes a treaty with France to diplomatically isolate the United Kingdom and end her global domination of trade and foreign lands. President Napolean recognizes that most of her empire is now dissolute, and that outside of Africa and a few sites in India she has no other colonies. This is kept quiet because the announcement of an anti-British alliance will cause a reaction, if only to cause Britain to rally her allies or make new ones.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-25-1850
Event Description: In the United States, the Congress begins working to solve "the African problem" and "the Indian question". Congressman Calhoun of South Carolina proposes to do both in one fell swoop: gradual manumission of slavery, move as many Africans and Indians as possible to the Indian territory, then sell it off to Texas once and for all. Few are willing to go to this extreme but the idea is kept available. A new type of Aloha Rifle is developed with a slightly smaller round but a five-shot gravity magazine that allows for firing of one round every ten seconds instead of the clumsy reloading that now has to occur between shots. Californians celebrate the opening of the Bakersfield section of the Trans-Californian Railway, linking that outpost to Sacramento and San Francisco. It is hoped that by 1855 they will link to Los Angeles and eventually Chihuahua.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-12-1850
Event Description: FCAS government officials begin laying track for their own national railway, starting at San Jose and running east to Puerto Limon and north to Campeche. Mexico makes rapid progress with its industrialization and near Monte Alban there is a strike of petroleum, which the locals contain and begin using for heating oil. Little Nara now grows to house it target population of 50,000 people. Just outside the walls there are some smaller houses and the three nearby castles are approaching completion. Central Texas is now a truly cosmopolitan zone of AmerIndians, Irishmen, Japanese, Americans, and various Europeans. Mexico officially develops the Policia Federal based on the pseudo-Samurai from the previous war. These hard-driving patrolling agents guard the northern deserts, protect the populace from bandits, and act as a reserve military unit. Californian technicians successfully develop a rifle to use the Wallace rounds, although without copper spinning technology it will prove difficult make more bullets. They share their developments with the other Honolulu Accord nations to see if the issue can be resolved.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-25-1850
Event Description: A railway reaches Little Nara from Austin, signalling the completion of Phase I of the Galveston-San Francisco railway. A branch is then moved north to head for Zion Prime, which now boasts over 300,000 residents and is growing by the day. Japan sets up a mint at Osaka along with an "experimental metallurgical facility" to work with new alloys and develop new techniques for working metals. Hawaiian officials decline the offer of the Dole and Chatham families to purchase the richest agricultural lands on the island of Oahu. They do allow them to use those lands in exchange for half of their net profits, and the fruit business is so brisk that no one seems to mind. In Paris, President Napolean begins looking at ways to resurrect the ancient Empire and looks to take hold of various territories that France has claimed at one time or another, from Barcelona to Belgium, from Brest to Bologna. Texas begins investigating the possibility of building a canal across the Isthmus of Panama after reaping the tremendous rewards of owning the only railway to cross that stretch of land. They also conclude that using the technology of the day it will be impossible to accomplish.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-7-1850
Event Description: Following the death of Sir Robert Peel, Earl Russell tries to implement a new Reform Bill into Parliament in the UK. Russell also looks to the Honolulu Accord nations for innovations in governmental structure. Settlers arrive en masse to the Oregon Territory from the US, but many also immigrate north from California. Micheltoreno wonders if "annexation by Democracy" might not work for the Californians, and Fremont actually proposes seizing Oregon City and laying claim to all of Oregon up to Russian North America. Russia begins badgering the Ottoman Empire for territorial concessions and a "guarentee of the rights of Slavic peoples". Alexander II thinks he can bully Istanbul into granting him concessions. This causes Sultan 'Abdül-Mejîd I to seek friends from the East, realizing that the Japanese have no love for the Russians. Japan expands her trade relationship with the Dutch and signs a non-aggression pact with Amsterdam. Though they would like to gain access to bases in or outright ownership of the Dutch East Indies, they see no need to start a war for no reason. China and Japan sign the Manchurian Candidacy, which allows for Japanese economic development and promotion of the region in exchange for use and development of infrastructure in the area. Their obligations also include building a railway from Pusan to Mudken, from Mudken to Beijing, form Beijing to Shanghai, Shanghai to Canton, and Shanghai to Chungking.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-4-1850
Event Description: Several ambassadors from Honolulu Accord nations arrive at Bangkok and Beijing to open relations with the Kingdom Of Siam and the Empire of China. Several attaches from these nations also reciprocate to those nations, including a handful of Thai kickboxers who show off their devastating art to the Ryu followers at Little Nara. Sufficiently impressed, they ask permission to train their best at Thai martial arts schools. Rumor also has it that another set of legendary martial artists inhabit a remote monastery in China known only as the Shaolin Temple. Unfortunately a massive rebellion begins, and this "Taiping rebellion" shows no signs of slowing down. Ottoman contacts offer to give Tokyo claim to the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Amur River valley. No one disputes that the country would grow stronger if these areas were incorporated but many wonder if this would bring dishonor to the country or if the other Accord nations would be affected. Queen Pomare gives birth to twins, a daughter named Liliuokalani and a son named Kalakaua. The entirety of Hawaii celebrates while the Accord nations send gifts to commemorate the birth. Japanese officials begi exploring the possibility of building ships entirely out of metal after their tremendous success at the Battle of Kure. Already there is a great buzz in the international naval community about the "ironclad" ships wiping out the French fleet, and many of the world's most prominent nations are looking into building experimental prototypes. Texas and Argentina sign the Reciprocal Trade and Education Agreement, also know as the "Cattlemen's Constitution". It dictates a basic set of trade rules and educational/technological exchanges along the lines of the Honolulu Accords themselves but refines the terms and extends the agreements even further.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-26-1850
Event Description: The first full class of graduates arrives at Honolulu for Academy training, 10 from Japan, 10 from Texas, 10 from Hawaii, 10 from California, and 10 from Mexico. These 50 officers will prove the founding class to begin and complete their training at this institution, largely on French warships from the previous war. Russia also continues agitation of Slavic "rights" in the Balkans, hoping to endear Romania and Bulgaria to St Petersburg and perhaps make them satellites or outright provinces. They also continue to offer Japan key lands on the Pacific coast, though now that offer includes Russian North America. Tokyo is impressed but wonders if the offer is not a ruse of the Ottomans. In response to what they see as a growing problem, Japan calls a meeting of the Accord nations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for 05.01.1851 along with ambassadors from both Russia and the Ottoman Empire. A bright Texan engineering student by name of Peter James Bracken looks at the "Panama Canal Question" while looking into the feasibility of building a canal across the Suez isthmus. Both would yield incredible profits for Texas and great wealth/reputation for the engineer that builds them, *if* they can complete the Herculean task.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-17-1851
Event Description: In Montreal, a local recession causes many merchants to look to the United States for leadership. After the debacle of so many Corn Laws, benefits for Upper Canada, and the lack of hostilities for over a gerneration, many in Upper Canada would rather be ruled by Washington than London. Japanese technical researchers build half-a-dozen machine shops for precision parts after considering the recent increases in machine technology. They also note that their need to import specialized machinery is an extreme weakness. Tokugawa Iesada adopts his distant relative Tokugawa Keiki as his son, renaming him Yoshinobu and grooming him for the role of Shogun. Though only 13, the boy shows exceptional talents at manipulating people into doing what he wants, and Iseada wants a stable Shogun to succeed him and provide consistent leadership to Japan for the coming decades. The Tokugawa also shock the remainder of the Japanese bakufu establishment by allowing a branch of the ancient Scottish Mornay family to build a castle on the ruins of Azuchi Castle in Shiga province. Many Scotsman are still furious about British rule of their island and because they are the only family in Scotland allowed to maintain a private army, the Shogunate sees them as both honorable and a potential source of information concerning British culture.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-4-1851
Event Description: On the 75th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence there is much celebration and concernation: Southerners are wondering if it would be better to go it alone instead of staying part of the US, though this vocal minority is mostly confined to the Gulf States and South Carolina. Little Nara proposes an Ultimate Fighting Championship between every martial arts style that cares to send a representative. They also recieve an entire ninja clan that wants to expand their scope of operations from just Japan to North America and Europe.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-4-1851
Event Description: On the 75th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence there is much celebration and concernation: Southerners are wondering if it would be better to go it alone instead of staying part of the US, though this vocal minority is mostly confined to the Gulf States and South Carolina. Little Nara proposes an Ultimate Fighting Championship between every martial arts style that cares to send a representative. They also recieve an entire ninja clan that wants to expand their scope of operations from just Japan to North America and Europe.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-7-1851
Event Description: Mornay stewards are unable to build a true golf course at Azuchi, and instead construct one 400-yard-long "Driving Field" and use some of the ruins as practicing grounds for putting. This latter mini-golf course will soon be replicated to include a total of 21 holes. Oddly enough, local Samurai families are fascinated by the game of golf, and it begins catching on quickly. In New York, the newest derivative of the Wallace Rifle (now known officially as Project Orange) uses a refined lever-action device to spit out 15 rounds in 30 seconds using a 50-caliber bullet that has better punch to it and a minimal range of 450 yards. Sharpshooters using the weapon modify it slightly and are able to hit targets in excess of 800 yards. This is largely due to the rifling of the barrel, and the machinery needed for this and to spin the copper for bullets is still in its infancy. Though the technology is deemed too expensive for mass production at the time being, work and funding continue to develop better rifles. Liberty, Texas now exceeds 5000 people and begins petitioning for a railway to connect it with Austin and the "heavily populated" Eastern part of the state. Japanese engineers begin working on technologies needed for mass-producing precision machinery within the country, but it will take some time. They also being looking at new ways of deriving chemicals and commercial/scientific products from plants. In Montreal the local government has failed to alleviate the concerns of the merchants who are straining under the yolk of a recession and tax situation, and one town goes so far as to request the government for a plebescite on secession to the US.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-20-1851
Event Description: The U.S. shocks the world by not just annexing parts of Canada and abolishing slavery, but joined the Honolulu Accords.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-16-1852
Event Description: Bullets for "Project Orange" prove very difficult to manufacture because of limited copper-spinning technology and facilities, causing the US government to re-evaluate its options for the new rifle. Meanwhile, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis authorizes the purchase of rifle-muskets as standard issue weaponry for the Army. California builds its first "mini-golf" courses, where they quickly become all the rage among families and dating couples looking for socially acceptable means of having fun without having to be clandestine about their activities. California also completes its first railway to Fresno while the University of California consolidates the Monterrey, Sacramento, and Los Angeles campuses into one statewide system. Texas Congressman Louis Wigfall begins asking friends and close allies what they think of a possible split in the US between their southeast and the rest of that country. He writes a letter to Sam Houston about the idea but this is viewed as far-fetched, so it gets shelved. In Tokyo, Charles Babbage arrives at the request of the University there when they decide to build a full-scale Analytical Engine. He is hired as a full-time professor of Mechanical Engineering and his ideas are quickly incorporated into the new Engines, or Computers, being built there. A railway linking Osaka to Tokyo is also completed and quickly comes into widespread use.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-8-1852
Event Description: Pro-Quebec merchants in Montreal blame anti-French elements for the fire that burns 20% of their city down and again raise demands to secede and join the USA. British North American authorities are worried because french-speaking areas dominate the passageways to the Atlantic are all lined by French-speakers, and if they leave it means that everything west of Montreal is cut off and likely to fall to the Americans. As Tokugawa Iesada lays dying in bed, he relays one last code that the Emperor signs into law: Half of the existing Samurai are to train in the art of firearms and train as Dragoons. The Texans are among the few to recognize the potential of what the Europeans mock as "Cavurai" or "Cavalrai", and the native development of primitive carbine weapons is soon superceded by imported German and French models. Iesada also makes quite sure that Yoshinobu understands his tasks and responsibilities as he realizes he will not likely live to see the boy's 15th birthday.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-6-1852
Event Description: American politicians work out the Compromise of 1852: no slavery north of the Mason-Dixon, Ohio river, and Missouri but a federal guarentee on its existance south of that line. Cuba officially gains statehood with great pomp and circumstance in downtown Havana but Puerto Rico will have to wait until another free state is available, until then it remains a territory. Fireeaters in the South are the only thing keeping the issue alive but their power and influence is sufficient to threaten a schism of the nation, so their demands are met. Londer D Phillips convinces the US Navy to purchase his submarine design and prototype, after the recent war with the Spanish the entire country fears what the English might be able to achieve. Andrew Carnegie begins working for the Pennsylvania railroad. In politics, this compromise allows William Graham of North Carolina to take the Presidency against the unknown and moderately alcoholic Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire. Graham is a big fan of the US Navy and technological innovation, as well as an accomplished diplomat (he is one of the key architects of the Treaty of Charleston among other things). In Russia, the Czar again looks to his South and begins wondering how to best enforce his claim on Romania. At the same time, Russian Orthodox monks in the region of Jerusalem begin arguing with French Catholics over who had precedence at both Jerusalem and Nazareth. Texans celebrate the connection of Zion Prime and Galveston to Austin by rail lines while Californian trains move very slowly westward towards Salt Lake City. Texans move one line west towards Santa Fe and hope to meet the Califorians on their mutual border to create a transcontinental line no later than 1858 while Texas also hopes to bring Liberty into direct connection with Austin by 1860. In Honolulu the Hawaiian government imposes a tax on tourism in the burgeoning port city of Honolulu after three hotels there begin reaping in massive profits. The leader of the pack if the Dole Plaza, and its efficiently run but luxurious style allows them to begin looking at opening up hotels in other cities. Micheltoreno dies unexpectedly while at his home in Monterrey, suddenly collapsing to the floor and gasping wildly for air just before dying. Rumors begin to fly that someone put a curse out on the man, but before any political turmoil can come of it Fremont assumes the Presidency. California's constitution will soon be altered to bring about a unique political system: a Senate made up of the 50 wealthiest citizens and a House made of democratically elected representatives (approx. 50 as well) will nominate a President with a lifelong term whose title may not go to anyone of the same bloodline for two generations. In Mexico, a railway links Veracruz to Mexico City while Woll begins to mentor an up-and-coming Congressman by the name of Benito Juarez. Mexico's recent inauguration of mandatory public education for all children age 6-14 has proven difficult to implement but Juarez is doing well as a key political ally to Woll. Woll also realizes that the Mexican populace would support someone of mixed blood more readily than another peninsulare like himself.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-18-1853
Event Description: US Naval engineers put a modified Grasshopper locomotive engine in the back of a large prototype submarine and achieve an impressive 6 kt underwater and 14 kt while surfaced. They also devise a flexible tube that extends up to 30 feet to allow fresh air in and another tube flanking it to allow gaseous CO2 and coal by-product to leave. Using the cleanest coal available, the steam exhaust is minimal, though some means of removing it must be made available to prevent enemy detection of the weapon. Meanwhile, Japanese sushi masters begin making their way to major American cities, including New York, Boston, Charleston, and Philadelphia. Hawaiian engineers and researchers begin a dedicated program of agronomics, looking to synthesize industrial chemicals and useful products from common argicultural plants and easily grown natural resources. They know that their industrial limitations will prevent them from becoming an economic powerhouse (even if the tourist trade is booming) so they seek industrial technology from elsewhere. Japanese railway engineers applaud the completion of a railway linking Tokyo tand Kyoto, heralding the first of many Japanese railways to come. Their development of a true engine shop has also caught the notice of Chinese and Korean industrial expansionists who fear that a strong Japan might seek expansion at their expense. Japan is also the first nation to achieve true mechanical computing power as Babbage completes his first Analytical Engine, simply nicknamed the "Mark I Computing Apparatus" or Computer. Texans go wild over "mini-golf" and export the game to Europe and the US, providing a novel industry that can fit in very small spaces and be played for very little money. They also note that between 1848 and 1852, their population has risen by over 2 million people, and that at the rate they are growing they could be as populous as Mexico by 1895. Lower Canadian dissent is handled poorly by the English-speaking government, who responds to calls for greater autonomy of the French-speaking people with laws towards a unification of education under the English language. American sympathizers in Vermont, New Hampshire, and upstate New York begin increasing their trade with Lower Canada accordingly, and soon the rate of tax income from commerce in Quebec City alone is dropping by 4% per month. British officials are unsure about how to react to the crisis, especially as the United States has become somewhat closer to the Honolulu Accord nations over the last 5 years. Russian Orthodox monks beg Czar Alexander to step in over the dispute over their faith's precedence over that of the Catholics in Jerusalem and Nazareth. The Czar consults his advisors about how to proceed, he'd like to tie the issue to lands in the Black Sea area and diplomatically enter into "aggressive negotiations" over how to resolve their land disputes. When told that his armies are not yet ready for a war against the Ottomans if other powers should join in, he decides to strengthen his forces and advise the priests that though he supports them he will not back them with force until the time is right. He also looks at a map of Russia and wonders if Japan or the United States could be made Russian allies in exchange for lands (or if he could raise funds for said lands by selling them in a bidding war with other nations).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-17-1853
Event Description: Frustrated with the failure of emancipation to procede at a "timely pace", Colonel John Y. Brown takes over a federal armory in Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Federak troops under Lt Colonel Robert E Lee are sent to dispatch the "terrorists" but take three days to arrive. Many Southerners interpret the tardiness as a sign that the Federal officials do not mind the incident all that much.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-26-1853
Event Description: Somehow, copies of the Wallace Rifle are found at the Harper's Ferry Armory and have been used with great effect, keeping Brown and his growing army of ex-slaves free for over nine days. But the Southern extremists in South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama are quick to blame "covert federal assistance" in place of new weaponry, causing a sectional crisis as people who are not aware of the new rifles easily believe this.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-1-1853
Event Description: After aiming cannons at the Harper's Ferry armory, Brown is killed in the crossfire and the rebellious forces are either shot or lynched by the local populace. In Washington an immediate Congressional meeting takes place to save the Union from a probable schism. All told, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, and all states south of there are sympathetic to the Southern cause and all increase measure to keep their slaves under control. Honolulu Accord nations look on with concern, especially Texas whose people are often sympathetic to the South but knowing how dangerous the Northerners can be when they're angry. In Montreal, British overconfidence gets out of hand as the local garrison thinks civil war in the US is imminent and decides to take a heavy hand against a food riot. This drives Lower Canada to openly seek aid and statehood from the US, saying that it would be better to have lax overlordship from Washington than an iron fist from London.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-15-1853
Event Description: The Louisville Accords prevent immediate secession by maintaining a balance between slave and free states, with slave states numbering 16 and 3 territories with enough free states to balance that out. Slavery is guarenteed until after the 1860 elections, at which time there will be another conference to set up a permanent solution. In Montreal and Riviere du Loup outright rebellion begins with Americans sympathetic to the rebellious factions leaping over the border and taking shots at the British. British retaliation is swift, with at least 300 Redcoats crossing at the St Johns river in Maine. America immediately calls on Lord Lyons, the UK diplomat, and demands an immediate apology, which he refuses to give unless there is a written guarentee of neutrality for all people on American territory (which is not possible).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-22-1853
Event Description: British forces shell Champlain, New York after chasing rebel forces across the border. When the British refuse to leave until they "find those responsible and try them", Washington issues an ultimatum: total British withdrawl from all US territory *or* face war with the United States. When informed of this, the commander of British forces in Canada decides that the US is still too divided to mount an effective response and that when they tried this 40 years ago it came to naught. British forces in Canada, now numbering over 30,000 and mostly fixed in Quebec, begin moving towards the border.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-24-1853
Event Description: Word has spread of the "Champlain Incident" and nationwide anger mounts as the US declares war on Britain. They move forces south from Champlain to Chazy and prepare another two thrusts: one moving from Halifax to Portsmouth, NH (to seize Boston and maybe New York City) and another from Lower Ontario to work on seizing Chicago (and hopefully take the whole of Michigan and much of the Great Lakes area). Militia forces move en masse to the north and American military forces begin mass producing Wallace II rifles for the their troops. American planners under General Scott meet at Arlington with Col. Lee and begin plotting their strategy. Three proposals come to mind: *Scenario Leo: Attack like a lion and head straight for Toronto, then turn east to Quebec, Montreal, then Halifax, and secure the major British bases in North America. The British are then forced to fight a sea-based war and have little/no bases capable of drydocking ships on this continent. *Scenario Saggitarius: Bring new cannon technology to bear and crush Halifax and keep the sea lanes clear. Then contain Lower Canada and let it die on the vine while defending North America. Also promote rebellion in Ireland and India to distract the British and force them to divide their forces. *Scenario Gemini: Split the major US forces in two and move one into Lower Canada to take that region then move farther east and sweep to Halifax. Use the other to defend the Northeast from attack from bases at Philadelphia, Hartford CT, and West Point NY. Naval forces scramble as they get messages by telegraph and immediately begin a strategy of massed firepower against British shipping, especially supplies heading to the island to feed it.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-30-1853
Event Description: With the fall of Plattsburg to the British, American forces move secure Albany and milita groups begin pouring into the city preparing for a pitched battle. It seems clear that the British are moving down the Hudson again, and local militia groups begin fortifying Ticonderoga against a British force numbering over 10,000. British marines take off from Halifax and begin moving south to Portsmouth after getting their orders while word of the declaration of war reaches London, causing elation among the locals and inspiring hopes of payback for the American Rebellion two generations ago. As word spreads through Europe, there is both concern and elation that *someone* has finally decided to take on the British. Honolulu accord nations meet and ponder the situation. With Britain playing the role of global superpower for over thirty years, they welcome a chance to offset their power. They are also very leery of the United States which they see as a potential superpower in its own right. They decide on a course of guarded neutrality in this war, but send a warning to the British that *any* non-diplomatic activity in their territories will see a declaration of war from all nations involved. Most of the British embassies lose 25% of their staff overnight.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-7-1853
Event Description: Americans and British forces amass at Ticonderoga, though the major effort of American defenses is being poured into the new earthworks around Albany. The recent landing of British troops at Portsmouth NH sends shockwaves through the US as does the siege of Detroit, which is being rapidly resupplied by railway. American raiding parties are successfully jumping over the border and back, burning part of the British barracks at the city of Windsor. Honolulu Accord agents watch the war courtesy of "technical attachees" at their American and British embassies. They note that the British navy is being massed at Portsmouth, but it will take two more weeks to assemble. American naval forces are capturing British ships on the high seas and are able to deploy three Minnow-class submarines with modified Norris engines in them at a top speed of 14 knots. Type III torpedoes on board are also able to make a range of 200 yds, though they only explode 90% of the time. With 8 torpedoes on board and a 300-mile range, they have the capacity to damage the British in unexpected ways. Intelligence from Russia also indicates that they are starting to eye the Ottoman Empire, with the intent to claim Romania, Bulgaria, Armenia, and the Dardanelles. If they declare war, Britain and France will be forced to respond or watch Russia position itself as the dominant power on the Continent with the ability to build a true navy.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-14-1853
Event Description: After five days, the British take Ticonderoga and begin a move on Albany. American forces retreat to Albany with an operation knowledge of British tactics and heavily damage their supply trains in upstate New York to deprive them of ammunition. Nonetheless, Major General James Brundenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, begins formuatling his attack plans. From his recently acquired base at Saratoga Springs, Brudenell intends to fortify his position and supply lines first then bring in a three-prong strike using 21,000 troops in 3 groups of 7,000 each: one will head for Lock Nine of the Erie Canal to deprive New York City of foodstuffs, one will head for Troy then onto Albany in order to soften up the defenses, and the last will wait until the division at Troy encounters significant resistance then suddenly double the number of troops in the field and take Albany. He is gambling the bulk of his army on this and decides to wait until June 4, with the hopes of being able to take West Point on the 4th of July. American forces, both militia and regular army, begin to organize under General Scott and Cols. Lee and Sherman, by now old friends and veterans of the Spanish campaign.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-1-1853
Event Description: First Battle of Albany: British forces are surprised by a midnight raid by over 10,000 militia and regular American army troops who fail to dislodge the British but do manage to make them irate and disorganized. Brundenell's offensive plans must be delayed for at least two weeks to allow for reinforcements to arrive from Canada, giving him an army of over 25,000. He also awaits the landing of his brother-in-law and commander George Bingham at Portsmouth, NH to help try and create a pincer movement to both cut New England off from the rest of the nation (perhaps annexing most of it to Canada or making it a puppet government) and focus all British attention on New York City to force the Americans to the peace table. American forces begin receiving both Wallace II Rifles and the "Patriot" Heavy Rifle - a direct knock-off of the Aloha Rifle. The latter immediately has Honolulu Accord nations on high alert as it seems someone has compromised one of their greatest military secrets. Russian Orthodox officials demand Czarist intervention to support their rights to protect pilgrims en route to Jerusalem, the Czar takes his time to weigh the issue since it would likely mean war with France. Honolulu Accord nations begin to wonder if they are not witnessing the verge of a new war, and Senator Wigfall of the Texas Senate writes an ominous letter to American ambassador Jefferson Davis that "we are on the verge of a global war that might make the fall of Jericho and Babylon seem like children playing with wooden forts".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-9-1853
Event Description: With the landing of General Bingham at Portsmouth, the British seem to have little resistance to face in the Northeast. What few people know is that Bingham and Brundenell, despite being brothers-in-law, absolutely hate each other. Bingham begins to move south to Boston instead of west to join his subordinate at Albany, insisting that "by taking the city that spit in our eye 80 years ago and kicked off the Colonial Insurrection, we should be able to knock the legs out from under these damn Yankees". Maine is cut off but holding out well as a center for guerilla resistance, raiding everything in the area and occasionally sinking lone British ships that get too close to their ports. British forces ignore Maine because it holds little immediate strategic value and is thought to be safe. Texan officials arrest William Bevis, a researcher working on improving the Aloha Rifle, for treason. He admits selling the plans for the rifle to the US over a year ago for $10,000 and is beheaded at Little Nara shortly after his trial. California Senators meet at Monterrey to discuss the progress of industrialization. With a railway now moving east from Sacramento to Salt Lake City and another one headed for San Diego, it is thought that total industrial production and railway milage should rival that of Spain by 1865 (not bad considering they had nothing less than five years ago).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-27-1853
Event Description: Second Battle of Albany: British reinforcements fail to arrive to help Brundell and his forces crash against the defenses of the New York capital like a wave against the cliffs of Dover. British officers die en masse as sharpshooters with Kentucky and Wallace rifles turning the tide of the battle. Patriot Heavy Rifles blast British cannons right out of their emplacements and leave Brundell with half of his artillery by the end of the day. It is not a total rout, and indeed a small counter-attack by the Americans is easily repulsed as a tactical retreat to Fort Ticonderoga is begun. But upon recieving the news at his camp near Westchester, MA, General Bingham is heard to say, "The Americans have responded to us in merely nine weeks and gone from ragtag militamen to being able to blast our cannonry and infantry from their cities, dear God what will they be able to do by winter?!"
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-4-1853
Event Description: Having not heard of the Second Battle of Albany, a British fleet attempts a raid on Washington DC using 11 heavy wooden frigates. They are greeted by a mix of American ironclad frigates and a trio of true iron ships barely emerging from the water. All bear Patriot Heavy Rifles while one of the iron ships bears breech-loaded cannonry on rotatable turrets. Not a single British vessel leaves the Chesapeake afloat, and London does not learn their fate until the end of the war.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-20-1853
Event Description: General Brundenell's defensive plan is simple: take Fort Ticonderoga's already formidable defenses, place a small force inside, and make the Americans pay dearly if they hope to retake the installation. Meanwhile, he moves the bulk of his force to flank and surround the Americans against their own defenses. He intends to destroy the only army north of Philadelphia and east of Boston in one fell swoop, then move to join Bingham to take Boston and New York City. American forces begin to seriously organize under Lt General Robert E Lee, while an unorthodox unit of sharpshooters, Western mountain men, and three former Texas Rangers start training under Brigader General W.T. Sherman. FCAS officials offer to buy the British colonies at Belize and claims at the Mosquito Coast out for 20 million pounds, they readily accept the offer and simply continue the payment plan of their debts to the Bank of London for a further 15 years. Texans enter a period of profound debate. They see a chance to seize several British colonies and maybe give the Brits a black eye for not helping them out ten years ago, never mind that almost one in four white Texans is now Irish. The Texas Congress votes 20-15 to stay neutral and not risk the ire of the other Accord nations, who are all wondering what the US might be able to do against the British.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-4-1853
Event Description: Ambassador Wigfall of Texas meets with officials from the other Honolulu Accord nations at a Japanese-influenced, Texan-owned coffeehouse in Washington DC. Together with Japanese ambassador Matsukasha Masaoyoshi and others, the band of fifteen pose for a picture at their enlarged table where they eat Tuna sushi fresh from the Cheseapeake along with pineapple juice from Hawaii while wearing "ten-gallon" Texan hats. Onlookers stare in a sort of curiosity, only a few knowing that the course of the war could be altered by the odd-looking men sitting at the table.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-21-1853
Event Description: British naval forces block an attempt by US forces to shell and disable Halifax, the large naval guns on the British frigates taking out the regular American ships at two-to-one odds. With the defeat near Portland ME, American naval strength above Boston is non-existant and almost ineffective anywhere north of Wilmington, DE. American naval planners begin marshalling their forces on hearing rumors the British intend to end the war in one bold stroke with a landing near DC itself in a repeat of 1814. They do not know that these rumors are simply overblown leftovers from the small raiding force that has already been decimated.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-29-1853
Event Description: Ticonderoga Massacre: Brundenell's forces are trapped inside the fort and his reserves begin a brilliantly-executed counterattack. The battle appears to be going entirely in favor of the British before a Kentuckian Major named Simon Bolivar Buckner rallys his troops and stages a successful, if near-suicidal, counteroffensive at the appropriately named Mount Defiance. Buckner, shot in the left arm and barely able to take the sword out of his scabbard with it, finds Brundenell himself observing the results of the massacre his troops had just caused. Buckner tosses his sword into his right hand and flings it at Brundenell full strength from less than 40 paces, skewering him through the chest and knocking him off his horse. Shocked at the American's behavior, several British officers flee from the scene, beginning a local chain reaction that stalls the British offensive just long enough for the American line to stabilize. Rumors of Brundenell's death reach the troops, flamed by rumors that an American has done the act with numbers of soldiers that increase with each hour. In fear of being isolated by this mystery American rear guard, the British Brigadier General in charge orders a general retreat, not knowing that his forces have in fact inflicted casualties at greater than 3:1 and that his force was within minutes of destroying the last American force between himself and New York City. Forever known as the Ticonderoga Massacre, it will be the last time that state militias will be sent into battle without total command integration with the Army itself. It will also be the first time the Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded, as Buckner will survive the battle thanks to quick medical care.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-16-1853
Event Description: An American detachment under command of Colonel Ulysses Grant moves north to engage the British at Andover as the British have proven difficult to dislodge from Vermont and New Hampshire. Bingham, having gotten reinforcements from the major British base at Halifax, is preparing to take Boston and secure New England for the UK. A British spy is captured at Austin with documents implicating a plan to bring the Honolulu Accords into the war by staging certain "accidents" within Texas, California, Japan, and Mexico with blame going to the US. Texan authorities decide to immediately share it with their allies and meet in a month to discuss strategy. For the time being they decide to take a "wait and see" outlook with the evidence in hand and increased guards at the sites described.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-3-1853
Event Description: Grant takes command of the artillery after being relieved by his superior General Scott, who clashes with Bingham at Lowell after reconaissance forces at Andover ward each other's army away from there. Over 100,000 troops are involved in the greatest battle of the western hemisphere but neither side can claim a decisive victory. Grant's fearless use of artillery prevents Bingham from crossing the Merrimack in any significant numbers, and Scott decides to reassign him to infantry command. Reinforcements for the Americans arrive from bases around Boston and bring the number of Americans in this theater to over 70,000. American forces begin amassing in Plattsburg for a full invasion of Canada under the command of Lt General Sherman while a seperate force begins organizing at Detroit under Major General Lee , this one with almost 40,000 troops. The idea is to take York, move on Quebec City to link up with Sherman's forces, then move the combined army to Halifax and knock the British out of Canada once and for all. American naval forces organize at Boston for the unthinkable: A diversionary raid on Portsmouth, England to convince the British that they are not safe on their own island. They have also formented an Irish revolt by supplying arms and tactical data to the Irishmen.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-17-1853
Event Description: Honolulu Accord nations meet to discuss the information gleaned from the captured British spy. Although the members do not necessarily want war, they see no other alternative, Texas and its allies were insulted by this dishonorable tactic. Britain must pay. A massive buildup of naval ships and ground troops begins in Texas with the rest of the Honolulu nations providing monetary and personnel aid, while not actually entering into combat themselves.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-15-1853
Event Description: Russian Czar Alexander II demands that the French allow the Russian the right to guard pilgrims into the Holy Lands, deeming the region unsafe after several "incidents" have occured to Russian Ortohodox clergy. He demands justice or will "use all means necessary to secure our people's safety in the Ottoman realms" on Janurary 1st.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-28-1853
Event Description: Despite the ongoing war, someone in Philadelphia decides to replaces the raw fish in sushi with cooked pork, creating the first "Philadelphia Special" that, for some reason, only becomes popular in the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States. Soon after, someone in Chicago tries the same with cooked and later raw beef, creating "Sushi Tartar" and "Chicago Chunks", repsectively. Both prove more popular than the pork variety.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-7-1853
Event Description: Rebel forces in Montreal sack and burn the British HQ there, forcing the recall of most forces currently in the United States to secure Quebec. When word of this reaches London, the British are appalled, and decide that the Russian situation combined with the American problem might be too much for them to handle.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-25-1853
Event Description: Signature of the "Christmas Treaty", or Treaty of Madrid. The UK sells all of Canada to the US save Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Vancouver Island for $100 million and a 25-year nonagression pact. Though the Americans will trumpet this as a major victory, the British have in fact done better in the war militarily, but can not sell out Lower Canada alone while having a prayer of maintaining contact with the Upper Canada. Upper Canadians will refer to this as "The Great Betrayal" and later wonder exactly where their hatred should go first, London or Washington.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-1-1854
Event Description: Russia declares war on France while British engineers begin copying Wallace II Rifles en masse thanks to captured examples from the Americans. Quebec is admitted as a State of the Union while Upper Canada popularly rejects statehood, instead being asked to maintain some sort of autonomy greater than any individual state as a "special status area". This is softly rejected and becomes the first in a series of negotiations to bring Upper Canada into the Union.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-10-1854
Event Description: A farmer from Campbell County, Tennessee patents a mix of carbonic acid with cola nuts imported from Hawaii, some sugar, molasses, and a pinch of cocaine to create the first registered soft drink.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-26-1854
Event Description: Despite several rounds of negotiations, Britain and France declare war on Russia in retaliation for her declaration of war on the Ottomans. North American nations declare neutrality within hours of hearing about the incidents, and though Japan has sent military consultants to Russia, only observers and merchants will be sent from US or Honolulu Accord nations.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-10-1854
Event Description: Japanese mercenaries under the employ of the Russian fare well against the British position near Sevestopol in the Crimean after the British and French land troops there to cut the Czar out of the Black Sea. By the end of the day, the 6th Light Brigade is almost totally wiped out and much of their artillery is destroyed thanks to the effectiveness of samurai swords on horseback, Colt-Walker revolvers, and fast-moving small unit tactics.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-29-1854
Event Description: Russia pulls much of her fleet from the Black and Baltic seas to Moscow in order to use the Volga as an internal highway for shipping troops to Rostov. Though this effectively ends her chances of defeating the "Paradoxical Allies" as (or Allies or the Paradoxical Axis as Britain and France are becoming known) in the water, the rate of troop deployment triples thanks partially to the new railroads using Moscow as a hub.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-1-1854
Event Description: Thomas Nast gains almost instant fame after publishing a cartoon of an aristocratic British man in a tophat and his barebreasted French mistress drinking wine in bed with a Russian bear rug on the floor next to them. In the room next door is a sickly old Turk writing checks for Algeria and Egypt. The cartoon will sour relations with the UK and France, but immediately these figures become the unofficial mascots of those nations for years to come.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-1-1854
Event Description: Thomas Nast gains almost instant fame after publishing a cartoon of an aristocratic British man in a tophat and his barebreasted French mistress drinking wine in bed with a Russian bear rug on the floor next to them. In the room next door is a sickly old Turk writing checks for Algeria and Egypt. The cartoon will sour relations with the UK and France, but immediately these figures become the unofficial mascots of those nations for years to come.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-8-1854
Event Description: Britain finally puts down the Irish Revolution, even using starvation tactics to end the final siege at Galway. Over 15,000 Irish have died for military reasons while the potato famine has killed millions, and many migrate to Texas and the US. Texas purchases the "savage-ridden desert" known as the Indian Territory for $20 million. Each of the Five Civilized Tribes there is allowed to form a "supercounty" complete with their own laws and semi-autonomous governments provided they swear loyalty to and become citizens of Texas. This attitude immediately binds many Native Americans to the Austin government as it is among the first times that a white government has not sought their scalps.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-18-1854
Event Description: As the Russians begin their offensive to retake Kerch and force the Allies out of the Crimean once and for all, a new offensive is also begun by the Russians through Romania into Bulgaria, quickly moving on Varna and threatening Istanbul itself. Rumors spread like wildfire that the city will be incorporated directly into the Czarist kingdom (as will the whole of Anatolia, with Bulgaria and Romania as satellite states if the Czar gets his way). Texas Railway officials mark the halfway point between El Paso and Austin in near record time by moving close to the Rio Grande as to supply water to their workers. With California officials moving to connect Monterry to Los Angeles, it looks as though a transcontinental railway is in the works.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-7-1854
Event Description: Congress begins contemplating a move of the American capital after the recent wars against the British and Spanish make the capital seem difficult to defend against naval powers. Interestingly enough, five sites are chosen as potential new seats of government: Cleveland, Detroit, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis. Washingtonians plead with the government not to move and begin a "Stay Here" campaign, although the mosquitos and autumn heat do not help their case. Upper Canadian nationalists move forward with their own "special status" campaign, forming another significant regional accent in the polyglot American nation. Rallying around the maple leaf as a symbol of national autonomy, they seek some sort of greater autonomy and some even dream of independence.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-30-1854
Event Description: A headline in the London Times reads, "Sun shines on Russian Empire even as Moscow freezes", noting the last withdrawl of Allied forces from the Crimean Peninsula. Russian Cossacks also score a notable victory at Trebizond, returning the city to Orthodox control for the first time in almost 4 centuries while routing the last major army between the Czarists and Ankara. Panic sets in at Iskendrun and Taurus while fear grips Istanbul, where the Sultan recieves terms from the Russians demanding their capital and the whole of the Dardanelles. Strangely, after what seems to be a fit of catatonic depression lasting three days, Sultan Abd-ul-Mejid walks out of his chambers and calls his generals together for a conference. British, French, and Prussian military advisors all write back home claiming to see a different look in the man's eyes and wonder exactly what is going on.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-8-1855
Event Description: A new Ottoman army of almost 40,000 trained for over two months in hand-to-hand, melee weapon, and sniper combat by Texan and Japanese mercenaries meets, greets, and narrowly beats a Russian army over twice their size at Yozgat. Though the Russian army survives intact and are able to refortify their position, this is a huge moral victory for the Ottomans, who have not defeated an opposing army in the field on their own for over two generations. Russian forces withdraw to Sivas and begin to reorganize under the recently dispatched Field Marshal Mikhail Dmitrievich Gorchakov. A club of firearms enthusiasts in Corpus Christi, Texas, introduces the world's first "shooting gallery" with fake buildings and thick wooden targets that pull up and down depending on what levers are pulled at what time. Children and women are also pulled up by some levers, and the resemblance of the whole set up to a common backstreet earns the place the nickname, "Hogan's Alley".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-27-1855
Event Description: After months of posturing and resupply, the Ottoman army defeats the Gorchakov's force at the Battle of Batman. With each side suffering almost 80% casualties, the victory is phyrric, but given the 4:1 numerical advantage held by the Russians at the start of the day, the Ottomans are overjoyed. As the Russians retreat to Trebizond, most of Anatolia save the easternmost Black Sea Coast is now in Ottoman hands again. A Russian army uses recently-captured Varna as its supply base as the bulk of the otherwise poorly trained Ottoman army prepares a defense at Adrinople, the last major defensive point before Constantinople itself comes under threat of Russian attack. British and French troops aid in the planning and construction of defensive works, and British copies of the infamous Aloha Rifle are distributed in very limited quantities. Southerners rally around John C Calhoun as he lays dying in South Carolina, still calling for independence of his home state if slavery should ever be threatened. With the recent incorporation/annexation of so many anti-slavery settlements in Canada, there seems to be cause for worry about the continued existence of the most repugnant institution. Texas begins moving towards gradual manumission under the San Antonio Plan (gradual manumission and a total end of slavery by 1880), the New Zion plan (total manumission by 1870 with all slaves over the age of 21 becoming free on that birthday), and the more conservative San Jacinto plan (all slaves born after 1870 are free on their 21st birthday, all other slaves free as of the stroke of midnight on January 1, 1900).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-30-1855
Event Description: Battle of Adrinople: Russian forces are fought to a standstill by British, French, and Ottoman troops who hold the city and secure supply lines from the east and south. Czarist troops manage to take out the southern supply line but only at severe expense (thanks largely to the British Model 55 Enfield, a knock-off of the American Wallace II rifle) and to prevent their force from being wiped out they simply contain the fortress on three sides. California ambassador to Britain Captain John Sutter begins negotiating a peace treaty between the Russians and Ottomans that will lead to the Trebizond Accords: status quo antebellum in the Caucasus, Romania becomes a Russian protectorate, and Ottoman forces keep Bulgaria and much of the central Balkans. Jerusalem becomes an open city but still under Ottoman military protection. Russia gains guarenteed access through the Dardanelles, period. Britain and France with their other allies return home while the Ottomans begin employing Japanese military advisors to rebuild their army after the impressive results at Batman.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1855
Event Description: Russia sells Alaska and the area north of 60 degrees latitude while west of the Kolyma River to the US for $25 million. Japan purchases the Kurile Island, Sakhalin Island, and the Kamtchakta Peninsula south of 60 degrees latitude for Y20 million. Southerners object to the US purchase because they see no use for the barren wastes, though it does unite the entire northern half of North America under American control.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-25-1855
Event Description: Congress announces that as of January 1, 1860, the US capital will relocate to Detroit, Michigan except for the Supreme Court, which will remain in Washington DC. This will both secure the capital from immediate naval attack while reflecting the movement of the population farther west. Southerners and Northeasterners alike are furious, both because they did not get the capital and because it looks like a move to break the old covenant about where to place the capital after the start of the US in the 1780s.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-27-1856
Event Description: While 4-4-0 class American locomotives dominate the railways of North America, trials of a new Tuna-class submarine begin in the Chesapeake. With a refiend Norris engines in them and a crude sulfuric acid-lead battery, they move at a top speed of 15 knots surfaced and 3 knots submerged on batteries. Each of the 12 Type V torpedoes are also able to make a range of 300 yds. Given its new 450-mile range, these "iron fish" pose new dangers to international navies. The first of six copper-spinning plants to manufacture Wallace II rifle bullets is finished in Albany NY, with two more slated to come online soon at Birmingham, AL and Cleveland, OH. Texans reject Philadelphia pork-sushi outright but take quickly to the Chicago equivalent. "Mongolian beef" is created when Japanese sushi experts try their hand at the new craze, and the idea will soon be recieved warmly in Japan as well.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-22-1861
Event Description: An international ceremony celebrates the arrival of the first train at Los Angeles directly from New York City, allowing transcontinental train travel over 9 days via Memphis, Dallas, El Paso, and Albuquerque. Sushi, steak, and wine are served all around at the lavish party afterwards.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-4-1861
Event Description: Continued threats to slavery convince South Carolina to secede after citing the Nullifcation incident of 1832 and other examples of expansive government and failure to protect slavery. Within the week Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and a wavering Louisiana will follow.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-28-1861
Event Description: With Congress debating the future of the nation, Fort Sumter surrenders to South Carolina just as Secretary of State Abraham Lincoln begins calling for troops. However, President Douglas begins negotiations to allow the states to leave with the condition that he will sign three new Constitutional amendments: to ban slavery in all remaining US territories, to prevent any secession of states after 1863, and universal male citizenship for those remaining in US borders in 1865. Within the week, secession referendums are proposed in most other southern states.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-29-1861
Event Description: Virginia, Tennessee, Cuba, Hispanola, Puerto Rico, and Missouri vote to secede while North Carolina begins trying to negotiate with the newly formed Confederate States of America, which issues the "Spitfire" (a Southern knockoff of the Wallace III) rifle to its troops. Kentucky is deadlocked between its governor and state house while Key West secedes from Florida and declares itself loyal to the Union.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-1-1861
Event Description: The Canary Islands vote to secede to the Confederacy while the Virginia government balks at the Confederate establishment of a provisional state in West Virginia, bringing up the total number of Confederate states to 11 after legal challenges force many of the secession referendums to the popular vote box, including Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and Louisiana. President Douglas signs the Constitutional Amendments clearly forbidding secession after 1863 and granting citizenship to all people within US boundaries after January 01, 1865.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-20-1861
Event Description: After Richmond is deemed indefensible, the 16-state strong Confederate States votes to move its capital to Atlanta with the failure of a Virginia threat to rejoin the US (keeping the slaves overrided the value of having the national capital). Diplomats immediately begin arriving and relations with the US are normalized after citizens in Maryland are allowed to move to the CSA after that state's failure to pass secession referendum at the ballot box. St Louis is deemed a duty-free zone as are Louisville, Cinncinnati, Kansas City, and Washington DC.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-10-1862
Event Description: US Navy officials begin designing an entirely new series of ships after the secession leaves a potentially hostile nation in charge of identical ships. Confederate officials decide to do the same, although while northern officials concentrate on a surface fleet, the southerners focus on submarines. Texas officials purchase three Minnow-class submarines from the Confederacy and Japan purchases five from the United States. Hawaii buys the Solomons for $5 million and the right to maintain a major international coaling station in the islands.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-21-1864
Event Description: Thanksgiving is made an official United States holiday while the Confederates officially proclaim December 20 as Independence Day. Confederate officials, spurred on by Texas bretheren, sign onto the Honolulu Accords. Japan begins construction of the first all-metal warship outside of the Monitor class and equivalents, the Satsuma. At 325 feet and set with 6 14-inch guns and 8 5-inch guns, this "pocket battleship" is a radical ship for several reasons: the first to have an Analytical Engine onboard for targeting purposes, the first to have twin-screw propulsion, and the first to have rifled breech-loaded guns aboard. This ship proves incredibly expensive but deemed worth the cost and seven are ordered.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-23-1870
Event Description: Conclusion of Franco-Prussian War with the surrender of Paris after the British intervene on behalf of their German allies. France gives up Alsace-Lorraine, Madagascar, and much of the Sudan to Germany while Britain gets a stretch of French coast from Cherbourg to Calais, a claim on French Guiana, and recognition of British control of the English Channel in perpetuity. The new French government is also allied to London and Berlin in what becomes the "Paradoxical Axis" or Axis. Honolulu accord nations move to strengthen ties among themselves as the prospect of three of the world's strongest nations working that closely together can only mean trouble.
this is as as far as it got unfortunately so please comment and give suggestions for how to continue
Alamo Samurai - Timeline # 1255
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-23-1836
Event Description: In Texas,a Japanese immigrant of Samurai lineage named Eto Kuragawa is among the volunteers to hold the old mission known as the Alamo.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-2-1836
Event Description: Eto Kuragawa is named a colonel in the Texas state militia by Texan president Sam Houston.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-3-1836
Event Description: The letter confirming Kuragawa's rank was misread due to hasty and poor penmanship, he is actually deemed a captain.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-6-1836
Event Description: Kuragawa composes two letters, one in Japanese and one in English, and cuts his fingernails, placing the cuttings into a small box with Japanese lettering. He then drops over the wall after an argument over whether to hold the fort or take the fight to the enemy. With him he carries a matching katana and wakazashi the Texan defenders name "Alamo Knives". Going over the south wall, he uses his superior swordsmanship techniques to kill over 150 Mexican soldiers (including a general) who are unable to reload quickly or effectively use bayonets in such close formations. Kuragawa only dies after cutting a deep wound in Santa Anna's left leg. The Mexicans name him "Viento del Diablo" and worry that there are more like him deeper in Texas.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-8-1836
Event Description: Santa Anna's leg is amputated after infection begins to set in.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-14-1836
Event Description: Word of Kuragawa's bravery and valor reach Sam Houston, who promotes him posthumously to the rank of Colonel. Several of Kuragawa's samurai relatives arrive in Texas and offer their services to the fledgling Republic. Houston asks them to train the Texans to fight with the unorthodox sword and knife fighting techniques.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-21-1836
Event Description: At the Battle of San Jacinto, the Texan milita wipes out a much larger contingent of Mexican soldiers almost to the man. Santa Anna is left alive only when Sam Houston prevents over a dozen Kuragawa relatives from retribution. His deformity of having only one leg and shame of having lost to a much smaller force are only barely excusable in the eyes of this samurai family, and they swear that his death will be by their hands. Santa Anna signs over control of "Texas" to the colonists but does not specify the boundaries.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-26-1836
Event Description: When word of Santa Anna's humiliating defeat reaches Mexico City, civil war erupts between Santa Anna's supporters (mostly in the northern areas and the capital) and various other factions: one in Oaxaca, one in the Yucutan, and one in VeraCruz.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-16-1836
Event Description: Texan militiamen claim everything east and north of the Rio Grande, west of the Sabine, and inside of the old Mexican border. Their military establishes a formal calvary unit while the Kuragawa family establishes a large ranch near Brownwood known as "Little Nara" after their home province in Nippon.
Kuragawa family members that decide to emigrate to Texas begin building a large yet traditional Japanese castle as the main building on their ranch after their paper homes are blown away. They are also asked by the Texas government to make samurai swords for the Texan officers and train cavalrymen in the ways of Samurai swordsmanship, bushido, and hand-to-hand fighting techniques.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-17-1837
Event Description: "Little Nara" is now home to over 500 people who mostly live in log or mud-brick homes. The completed section of the main part of the castle is home to the leaders of the Kuragawa family and home to the cattle in their ranch, estimated at 30,000 acres total but with different sections officially held by multiple members of the clan. A class of 30 Texan officers arrives to begin training in Samurai swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and other Eastern disciplines. Multiple forms of hand-to-hand combat are practiced in the Combat School, and a strange chimeric form of bar-fighting, several different forms of martial arts, street combat, African tribal fighting techniques, and boxing begins to arise.
An accupuncture specialist sets up a clinic at Little Nara and begins a local Health Department that builds sewers for the burgeoning town. Water is boiled and traditional sanitation techniques are practiced. A large rice crop is planted in the nearby fields alongside wheat, corn, and other products.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-9-1837
Event Description: After a beating on the head, a Texan officer at the Combat School draws up plans for a rudimentary repeating rifle. However, due to the lack of machine tools and manufacturing equipment in Texas, it will be some time before his plans can be converted into a working prototype. Little Nara now has over 600 people, complete with a Shinto shrine, a Buddhist temple, and a small Sohei monastery. The Kuragawa castle is large enough that over half of the town now lives there and an outer wall is begun around the outermost perimeter of the proposed outer limit if the building. When completed, the projected castle and town built inside the wall would theoretically hold just over 50,000 people.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-6-1838
Event Description: Kuragawa cattle and farming operations do unexpectedly well. The clan shares resources and work together to continue construction on their castle and town. Almost all Texan officers carry a Katana, Wakazashi, or both. Eto Kuragawa's letter from the Alamo is finally recieved by his family, among other things it notes that Jim Bowie had figured out the means for making Damascus steel and shared it just before falling unconscious. A request in the letter is to follow the process provided and try making a set of Samurai swords out of Damascus steel and see hoe they perform. It also notes that Texans are quite honorable, and that outside of Japan they are the most honorable people he has ever known.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-14-1838
Event Description: A Lipan-Apache Chief makes a visit to Little Nara to settle a territorial dispute with Texan settlers. Because of the honor and non-white heritage of the Japanese in that settlement, the native Americans do not attack the settlement and instead use the town for trade and political purposes.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-6-1839
Event Description: Shimazu Narinobu proposes to the Tokugawa shogunate that their study of international diplomacy be put to use by making contact with the new Republic of Texas. Because of the novelty of the Republic and need for international contact, Tokugawa Ienari reluctantly agrees.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-17-1839
Event Description: After unique cultural items from Texas arrive in Kuragawa homelands (including science textbooks, black powder revolvers, various kinds of peppers, cowboy hats, and a Bowie knife), word of this Japanese colony spreads quickly throughout Japan. It is described as everything from an enigmatic fortress to the best hope for an overcrowded Japan. Shimazu Narinobu, daimyo of Satsuma province, orders several of his retainers to Little Nara after seeing some of the military technology for himself. He hopes that they will be able to learn modern combat skills and experience in technology and engineering to bring back to Satsuma.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-10-1839
Event Description: Representatives from the court of Tokugawa Ieyoshi arrive in Austin and establish an embassy. Their diplomatic inexperience is obvious, but the good reputation of Little Nara and the fact that they are the first nation to officially recognize the soverignety of the Republic of Texas make them a welcome sight.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1839
Event Description: Acupuncture, rice, and sewage systems are now prevalent in all larger Texan towns. Japanese ambassadors are surprised at the level of awareness the Texans have of Nipponese culture, and begin writing back to their Shogun to request a treaty of trade.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-16-1840
Event Description: Tokugawa Ieyoshi decides that Texan ships may have trading rights at Nagasaki *if* they will share naval technologies and allow Shogun-approved students to study at Texan schools. Tokugawa Ieyoshi also offers to pay for the foundation of a university if it is based at Little Nara or Austin and if Japanese students are allowed to attend at any time.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-27-1840
Event Description: The University of Texas is started at Little Nara with the provision that additional funding will be acquired soon and that Japanese students will be allowed to study there alongside native Texans. With a Japanese population now just exceeding 3,000 statewide (including over 900 at Little Nara itself), this initially seems a curious condition to the faculty.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-16-1841
Event Description: Santa Anna dies a mysterious death. His hands are grasping his sword, which is plunged through his own abdomen. They know it is not a suicide because his head is found nearby, seperated from his body as if by a guillotine. Panic ensues as rival warlords and governors begin to hear about Santa Anna's demise.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-4-1841
Event Description: A ship carrying almost $300,000 in trade items from the Empire of Japan arrives at Galveston with the message that the profits from the sale of these items be used to help the native Texan government, fund the university, and cement relations between the Republic of Texas and Empire of Japan.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1841
Event Description: Manuel Micheltoreno gains power over Alta California. He has loyalty to Mexico City though his personal dislike of the various people vying for office is making him wonder if an independent California would not be a better option.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-6-1842
Event Description: In a surprising move, Texas amends its constitution to recognize Indians as people eligible for land grants equal to those of colonists *if* they pledge to do equal military service. President Houston and others recognize that the need to defend Texas from foreign enemies will require all manpower possible and that if the Indians were made citizens they might not attack white settlements of their fellow Texans. This move creates de facto reservations as large tribes organize their land grants to be made next to each other, in many cases these tribes legally gain landholdings that exceed 200,000 acres.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-14-1842
Event Description: Japanese authorities negotiate a treaty of trade with the Lipan-Apache tribes, agreeing to an exchange of officials. The Empire will not fully recognize the tribe as a nation due to their ties to Texas. General Adrian Woll gains control of most of southern and central Mexico, only the Californias, New Mexico, Sonora, and Chihuahua are out of his hands. He begins formulating an invasion of Texas as a means of reuniting the country.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-3-1842
Event Description: General Adrian Woll begins an invasion of Texas by crossing the Rio Grande river. He offers amnesty and safety for all Texans who declare neutrality, specifically by flying a Mexican tricolor flag from their homes. Kuragawa family members band together with Texas infantry and Apache mounted warriors to defend their frontiers. Fearing an invasion of California, Manuel Micheltoreno dispatches a letter to the Texans them Sonora, Chihuahua, New Mexico, and all of northern Mexico east of Alta and Baja California. Micheltoreno has no faith in the frenchman Woll, instead declaring that "I would rather die a Mexican without a state than live a Frenchman in a conquered land".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-16-1842
Event Description: Brownwood is attacked by Mexican forces, the inhabitants flee to Little Nara and the recently completed Kuragawa Castle. Mexican forces who see the building are impressed: it fits the entire population of Brownwood inside with ease. When they try and approach, the Mexicans within range are killed by arrows and bullets. An Apache warrior notes immediately afterward that a method of twisting bullets might be a way to get more accuracy out of them since it seems to work with arrows.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-18-1842
Event Description: The three governors of the Mexican states in the Yucutan peninsula proclaim independence as the Federation of Nativist States. Sympathizers in Tabasco, Chiapas, and Guatemala are numerous but not in a position to actually break those states away from Mexico at that time.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-12-1842
Event Description: At the Combat School in Little Nara, two distinct fighting styles begin to emerge: "Ryu" style, which involves aggressive close-contact fighting with emphasis on strength and points-of-contact, and "Kaze" style, which involves long-range attacks, dexterity, and stealth. This latter form embraces elements of ninjitsu and sharpshooting, and begins to become more popularly known as "the art of the gun", especially when the newer Colt revolvers begin to make their appearence in Texas.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-10-1842
Event Description: A small Kuragawa-led band of Samurai, Apache warriors, Brownwood sheriff's deputies (made more numerous than usual by circumstances), and Texican/Tejano milita marches into Woll's camp from the rear and begin killing massive numbers of Mexican conscripts before withdrawing into a nearby series of woods. Woll orders his troops to mass and sends almost 800 after them to search the woods, only three return from the "arboles de muerto". Over half of the bodies later found died because of melee weapons of one sort or another, and few of the Kurugawa-led band get back to the castle alive.
One of the townspeople note that "Those sons of ******* killed those Mexicans like rangers killing prarie dogs". The term "Ranger" sticks and begins to be used for the various companies of men who organize to fight for military or civil purposes on short notice as necessary.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-16-1842
Event Description: Between the Kurugawa attacks by Ranger/raiding parties and the new problems in the Yucatan, Woll withdraws his men to prepare for a campaign there. His numbers are much reduced and his supply lines are not secure enough to mount a winter campaign, especially now that California has proclaimed independence.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-28-1842
Event Description: An envoy from the United Kingdom arrives in Mexico with a dispatch proclaiming the recognition of the independent governments in Texas and California. Micheltoreno has carefully maneuvered into allowing the British a coaling station at the village of San Diego and leasing rights to a small piece of land just north of Monterrey on which to build a full base in exchange for recognition of his nation and certain trading rights. Woll recognizes the gravity of the situation (and wants to keep as much as possible, he can still take back the Yucatan and probably New Mexico) so he agrees to begin peace negotiations with Texas and California.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-28-1843
Event Description: Treaty of Aguacalientes - After several months of negotiations, Texas, California, and Mexico make a final peace. California will consist of Alta California, Baja California, and all lands previously under Mexican control north of the Colorado River. Texas gains everything north of the 30 degree line between at the Pacific and the Rio Grande and everything north of that river thereafter. Woll is infuriated but has enough of his military tied down in the Yucatan that he is unable to rally enough men to reconquer New Mexico from the Texans or Baja California from Micheltoreno's forces. Immediately thereafter the Empire of Japan, who has observed the proceedings carefully, opens embassies in Mexico City, Monterrey, and London. Texas and California are now being pushed into the British sphere of influence while Mexico is moving to align with France.
Several servants and warriors of Shimazu Narinobu, daimyo of Satsuma province, approach General (now President) Woll in Mexico and arrange to exchange military technologies, training techniques, and resources. Narinobu has secured control (either officially or by less legitimate means) of Okinawa and the whole of Kyushu. Tokugawa informants worry that Shimazu may be preparing to try and place themselves in the Shogunate, especially after hearing that Satsuma is now among the very few provinces able to cast its own cannonry and make its own gunpowder.
The Empire of Japan begins to trade with the Kingdom of Hawaii and opens up its first coaling station off of Japanese soil at Pearl Harbor. They immediately begin constructing a drydock to handle all but the largest ships and plan to use the facility both for themselves and for income (by repairing vessels of any nation they are not at war with).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-16-1843
Event Description: President Tyler dispatches ambassadors to the Republic of Texas and California. These ambassadors secure trading rights and establish frontiers, especially in California where the border with Oregon is disputed. California abolishes slavery and becomes a destination of choice for runaway slaves from the American South and Republic of Texas. Immigrants from Europe begin pouring into the Republic of Texas and expanding the population there.
Plans are drawn up for a railroad running from San Antonio to Austin but neither city is yet large enough to support railway traffic. Little Nara is a proposed stop once the railway grow large enough because of the sheer volume of agricultural products in that part of the country moving through that town. Foundation of Liberty, Texas just south of the mouth of the Colorado River. Texas hopes to develop this as an eventual Pacific port and if nothing else as a coaling station for their trading ships on the Asia circuit.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-17-1843
Event Description: The Republic of Texas, the Republic of California, the Kingdom of Hawaii, and the Empire of Japan sign the Honolulu Accords (aka Pacific Treaty of Trade and Non-aggression). These nations agree not to aid any country at war with any co-signatories, to freely trade materials and commercial goods, and allow each other's ships to refuel at each other's bases. Limited technology transfer is also arranged, especially between Texas and the Empire of Japan. The treaty is not a military alliance as there are no obligation to aid co-signatories against invasions but does bind these newcomers to the international stage together. One of the more interesting clauses of the Accords is recognition of Taiwan as part of the Empire of Japan. Tokugawa government officials begin sending military forces and settlers from larger cities there to settle the island in flagrant disregard of the halfhearted Chinese attempts for control of the island.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-1-1843
Event Description: Spain, France, Russia, and Prussia extend full diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Texas, Republic of California, the Empire of Japan, and the Kingdom of Hawaii. The United Kingdom sends ambassadors to the Empire of Japan and Kingdom of Hawaii after wondering whether to take over Hawaii for itself but worry that Japan could attack Hong Kong and other important Asian interests. Their diplomatic corps is charged with trying to make California and Hawaii into either British satellites or outright possessions.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-28-1844
Event Description: Based on the expeditions of Matsuda Denjiro and Mamiya Rinzo, the Empire of Japan lays claim to the island of Sakhalin and most of the Kuriles. A few Russians from the Russian-American company object, but they are unable to overcome the sheer number of settlers. Imperial officials at the new Kitakyushu shipyards begin fitting metal armor over their newer steam-powered warships after looking at old Korean turtle ships.
Shimazu Narinobu signs a secret treaty of friendship with Mexico under General Woll, both agreeing to share technology and combat techniques. In this document, Shimazu recognizes Woll as legitimate governor of Mexico, California, Texas, and Central America north of Panama. Woll recognizes Shimazu as legitimate ruler of Imperial Japan and Korea. Immediately they exchange "military advisors" and begin to work towards improving theri militaries.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-24-1844
Event Description: California officially bans slavery to the applause of the Europeans. Texas agrees to eliminate it by 1894 after economic pressure from the rest of the world, especially Britain and Imperial Japan. Telegraph invented in Baltimore, MD.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-8-1844
Event Description: Mormons in Illinois ask the Church if they should head to Texas or California. Those who follow Brigham Young will eventually found Salt Lake City, California. Other branches of the Church, led by those who fail to win the leadership battle, form a "federated" church called the Church of Christ and head for northern Texas.
At the Combat School in Little Nara, the first competition between advocates of the "Ryu" and "Kaze" takes place. This year, Josef Alda of the Ryu school is able to edge out his Kaze opponent in what will later be called the Pinnacle Competition. Texas now has a European population exceeding half a million and an overall population exceeding one million, this will rapidly increase as many Irishmen head for Texas (and the US and California). The United States takes careful notice of the Honolulu Accord nations on its southeastern flanks and begins drawing up contingency plans for war with each nation. Many Southerners begin to wonder if they might use this fear to guarantee the continuation of slavery, either by the Texan model or in perpetuity. Without room to expand, they also begin badgering the government to take Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-15-1844
Event Description: Surprisingly, the Texas Congress votes not to join the United States despite the heavy lobbying of many of its citizens. Though the vote is very narrow in favor of independence, Texas will continue to remain a seperate country.
Later the same day, the Texas Rangers are officially created. They are based on the raiding bands of Kuragawa fame and all must get primary training at the Little Nara Combat School, now made an official arm of the Texas Military. These forces are charged with building outposts throughout the Republic, defending the country from raiders, and protecting the whole of the country as a reserve cavalry force. Every member is responsible for a horse, a set of Daisho, a .50 caliber carbine, and two .44 caliber revolvers. The lack of precision machinery in Texas creates a problem since their industrial production is very limited, so they begin seeking German and British machines and mechanics to begin industrialization.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-1-1845
Event Description: Ireland begins to feel the crippling effect of The Great Potato Famine as their crops literally rot in the ground. James Power, a representive in the Texas House and of Irish descent, feels for the Irish and their hunger. He goes to Ireland on a trip of mercy to offer them new homes in the Republic of Texas.
Power offers to pay for those who can not afford the trip. British Prime Minister Peel sees the beginning of an epidemic that could crush the Irish and feels move by the efforts of Power. He backs Power's efforts with his own money and what money he can secure from the British Government. By May 01, 250,000 Irishmen have traveled to the shores of Texas and began a new life. This was just the beginning of what was called the Irish Migration.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-26-1845
Event Description: The first steel mill in Texas opens in San Antonio less than half a mile from the Alamo. In the Empire of Japan, the Shogun learns of the plans of Shimazu Narinobu and forwards them to the Republic of Texas and California.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-15-1845
Event Description: A British team of surveyors mysteriously disappears in California in the Salt Lake Valley not long after making contact with the Mormon settlement there. A band of Ute killed them after someone in the British party panicked and began firing at them, but the firepower of the white men is exceedingly large for anything short of a military force. One of the Ute decides that maybe they can sell the items recovered from the Brits camp, including a large locked chest.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-12-1845
Event Description: After receiving a large locked chest courtesy of the Mormon settlers in Salt Lake City, Micheltoreno opens it to discover British plans for conquering California and turning the Republic of Texas into a client state. They also find that there are mentions of a plan to use the slavery and land issues to fracture the United States into two or three nations and arm the factions with British weapons at above-market prices. Also included inside are offers of peace with Mexico, returning most of southern California and New Mexico to them in exchange for helping the British out, and various Native American nations. Immediately, representatives from all Honolulu Accord nations and the United States are invited to view the documents and make their own decisions.
As a result of the information and recent discovery of gold in the northern part of the country, California decides to tax all gold finds and land claims at 10% while importing machinery and technicians from the United States and Europe, mostly Prussia and the Netherlands.
In the Empire of Japan, negotiations are begun with Spain over the potential purchase of the Philippines; these are eventually unsuccessful but do put the Spanish on guard. Russia looks at the situation and wonders if they should not sell their claims to Sakhalin, the Kuriles, and the territory south of the Amur River to Japan and get a treaty confirming Russian control of the remainder.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-1-1846
Event Description: Southerners begin rallying for an invasion of Cuba and Puerto Rico after the Dominican area applies for statehood in the United States and speaks of the atrocities of life under the Spaniards. White Southerners do not like the idea of accepting a government under the potential leadership of a black man like Juan Ethninius Mamby, but their desire to take territory from Spain and thought that they might secure these as pro-slave territories quell their interests. Some of the old pro-Andrew Jackson faction of the South are also uwilling to allow the slavery issue to divide the Union in the face of British imperialism and decide that even if one territory is under the (temporary) control of a non-white then the opportunity to expand the South is too good to resist.
Negotiations between the Republic of Texas and the United States over the purchase of the Indian Territory break down, but Texas makes a standing offer to purchase the territory if the United States ever decides to sell it.
California opens its first steel mill at Monterrey and begins building a railroad between the new port of San Francisco and the Sacramento gold fields.
Shimazu Narinobu begins making contacts and acquiring loyalties on Shikoku. Tokugawa Ieyoshi quickly learns of this and begins waging a shadow war against Shimazu by encouraging his daimyo to seek Tokugawa assistance and financial aid along with ninja to "mysteriously" sabotage his plans.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-5-1846
Event Description: A small group of Mexican soldiers "accidentally" crosses the 30th parallel and attacks the town of El Paso, Texas after "bandits" are thought to have fled there. Only one of the Mexican patrol survives the incident after a band of Rangers enters the city on routine patrol.
Little Nara begins construction of a precision machine tools facility to allow them to manufacture firearms (among other items) onsite and en masse. With the industrialization of Texas still in its infancy, this proves difficult and time-consuming.
An American ship on patrol to defend "American interests" in Dominican waters is fired upon by the Spanish government as they attempt to retake the island. As soon as this reaches Washington, the Spanish ambassador is called into the White House.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-8-1846
Event Description: Mexico issues an official apology to the Republic of Texas over the "El Paso Incident". Officially, President Woll states that the border "should be surveyed" and "clearly demarcated to prevent a repeat of this horrible tragedy". Unofficially, a rogue Mexican general is killed after trying to use military forces to do a reconaissance-in-force against obviously superior Texan forces.
Shimazu Narinobu orders the construction of a training center and castle like that of Little Nara just east of Aguascalientes in order to promote military training and technological development. No new styles of fighting are developed here, but several samurai are ordered to teach martial arts techniques to every willing Mexican soldier.
Californians re-elect Micheltoreno to the Presidency of that state, and his concerns grow as Americans flood the country in search of gold. However, with the "Spanish incident" causing such a commotion in Washington, official support for a rebellion is almost non-existant.
Hawaiians deploy their first modern warship after the British sell them three outdated sail-based models. The Empire of Japan proceeds to install steam engines and armors the first one at their Pearl Harbor facility.
In the United States, most of the population calls for war with Spain, especially in the South and West. Britain continues to negotiate for its northern section of the Oregon Territory but because of the inability to secure California and Texas, the Americans are negotiating harder than ever.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-10-1846
Event Description: Spain declares war against the United States after refusing to issue an apology for what they deem "American interference in a clearly internal matter of the Spanish Empire". Eager Southern militia groups and US military forces have already flocked to the naval docks and a large naval force is rallied at New Orleans with another one at Charleston to prepare for invasions of Cuba and Puerto Rico.
News of the conflict sends Cuba into open revolt, with the governing inhabitants (i.e. the rich planters) petitioning for US statehood. The state of Dominica is brought into the Union with the cheers of the Senate while Puerto Rico and Cuba deemed "territories of importance".
All Honolulu Accord nations are on guard, they worry that the war will spread to their home nations. Japanese officials again approach Spain with an offer to buy the Phillipines from them in order to fund their war chest, the Spanish immediately offer the Japanese an indefinite lease on three tracts of land with harbors for naval facilities but negotiations continue for both sides.
Mexico offers re-incorporation for any Central American nation that seeks it and offers to take on their debts. Several of these nations consider this offer seriously if only for financial reasons.
Britain offer to buy out the Oregon Territory above the 46th parallel but is rebuked. The British decide that the "dang Yankees" are just plain crazy and do not know whether to go to war over the region or just let the Yanks buy it all outright.
Hawaii lays claim to Midway Island and all points east to Hawaii itself. Japan requests and gains permission to build a large naval base on Catalina Island near the small city of Los Angeles, much to the applause of the people who live there.
In Texas, the government offers the Columbian government $5 million for the right to build a railroad across the isthmus of Panama, which they accept. This state-owned railway will be one of the largest sources of income for the Republic over the next several decades.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-5-1846
Event Description: Americans land in force at Cardenas, Pinar Del Rio, and Cienflores. Local Cubans immediately aid the Americans in numerous ways, giving them food, directions, shelter, and even recruits. Spanish commanders believe that they would not hold the western end of the island and decided to reorganize their defense around Santiago anyway.
Britain decides to sell the whole of the Oregon Territory to the United States for $28 million and recognition of property held by various companies after the transfer. As a result, the Hudson Bay company is allowed to maintain its private settlements on vast tracts of its own land.
Japan and Russia conclude the Treaty of Edo: Russia gets all of mainland Asia north of the Amur River, Japan gets all of the offshore islands including the Kuriles, Sakhalin, etc. Japan is also to get the Aluetians and first chance of purchase should the Russians ever decide to sell their claims to Alaska or the Amur River Valley, all for a total of $12 million.
Mormon settlers in Texas finish building their Temple at Zion Prime, about 120 miles north of Lubbock. This burgeoning city is slightly larger than the Salt Lake settlement in California but less organized and much less unified. The two settlements consider themselves rivals though they use that energy to outcompete each other in contests, including a series of field competitions based on the ancient Olympics scheduled for every other year starting in 1848.
Irish immigration to the New World reaches its zenith though it will not decline sharply for another two years.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-17-1846
Event Description: With the Americans now in control of Puerto Rico and most of Cuba east of Santiago, Spain decides to sell the Phillippines to the Empire of Japan for an undisclosed sum. Though the Spaniards will be able to retain certain special rights there, they realize that if Japan decided to invade the island they would be unable to defend it. Immediately, Spain hires several mercenary companies and begins equipping them for an oceanic trip to retake Cuba, Dominica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Florida (perhaps other coastal areas as well).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-4-1846
Event Description: Just in time for Independence Day, the American complete their conquest of Cuba. All Spanish territories in the Caribbean are now under American control and the ambassador to Spain is approached with an offer to "purchase" those territories at $20 million. Spain refuses and the Americans begin making plans for invasions elsewhere.
In Texas, researchers develop a new kind of cartridge that has a percussion cap, powder, and bullet itself all in one package. It is hoped that this might be used to develop a practical repeating firearm of some kind. Japanese officials begin installing governors in the Phillippines and consolidating their hold on their newly acquired territories. Education programs are planned throughout the Empire for most citizens to identify talented minds to help develop the country. Hawaii implements a universal educational program for children ages 5-10 and begins plans to build a secondary school at Honolulu. They also allow a Texan company to build a hotel on Waikiki beach. California begins strict immigration controls to prevent the majority of inhabitants from being American-born. Micheltoreno fears what he calls, "conquest by Democracy" and would rather not be merged with the United States, nor would most of the native Californian population. Spain begins organizing a force of almost 50,000 mercanaries and regular soldiers to retake its Carribean possessions and hopefully seize a few American territories as well. American soldiers in the Caribbean enjoy their time, and a few officers like Robert E. Lee and William T Sherman get a bad reputation among ther men for repeatedly drilling their troops even in the summer heat with no enemy to fight. Meanwhile, an American naval force leaves Baltimore intent on seizing the Canary Islands.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-1-1846
Event Description: In stifling summer heat the Spanish expeditionary force lands at Guantanamo Bay and begins to hit the Americans there relentlessly. Fortunately, a few divisions of the American Army prevent the invasion from becoming a complete rout. Within hours it is found that those under Lee, Sherman, and others who continually trained are the ones holding the line intact.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-9-1846
Event Description: More of the Spanish expeditionary force is now dead from disease than combat due to a rapid outbreak of cholera among their forces. Guantanamo is largely retaken and Cuba appears to be secure for the time being.
A small squadron of American ships on patrol in the central Atlantic encounters a larger number of Spanish ships, apparently the Cuban force was a very large diversion. Only one American ship escapes but it heads straight for Norfolk and the huge naval base there, guessing that the Spaniards are heading for Charleston or Savannah. The Empire of Japan assumes full control of the Philippines with a capital at Manila. Naval bases are under construction at Davao, Manila, and Palewan. In California and Texas, various new "exotic" crops are planted as trade and commerce take off. Oranges and pineapples are a more common sight in southeastern Texas while ginseng is grown in California. Salt Lake communities grow corn, rice, and wheat while western Texas begins raising cattle and chickens en masee. Hawaiians begin growing pineapples on its own under the supervision of the Aloha Fruit Company.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-15-1846
Event Description: American marines land just before sunrise and seize most of Tenerife and Gran Canaria before noon. The Canary Islands are effectively under American control.
A huge Spanish force of almost 45,000 soldiers and mercenaries lands near Amelia Island, Florida after being blown off course by a large storm. They sieze the island and begin fortifying it as a base of operations. They also begin offering freedom, arms, and land to any slave that will fight for them.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-1-1846
Event Description: Spanish forces take St. Augustine and begin laying siege to the nearly-complete Fort Pulaski. Loyal Southerners bring in armaments from militia groups and other sources and prepare for an indefinite siege.
In nearby Savannah, the townspeople border on panic at word of approaching Spanish soldiers. In Milledgeville, the governor activates every available element of the Georgia militia and defense of the railroads is deemed an immediate priority. Any slaves found in revolt or trying to escape are not captured but instead hung from the nearest tree.
A Spanish envoy approaches the Republic of Texas and offers Oklahoma and Louisiana to the Republic in exchange for their joining the war, the Texans not only refuse but order that particular envoy to leave Austin and not come back until the war is over. Micheltoreno declares neutrality though it means little, the Spanish navy would have difficulty getting significant forces over to California anyway. Regardless, the first arms factory in California is slated to open at year's end near Monterrey.
In Mexico, Woll's government declares neutrality in this Spanish-American war though they sell supplies and repair ships belonging to both sides for a stiff fee. Japanese soldiers from the Shimazu clan continue training Mexican forces in earnst, and they begin forming a unique calvary force of samurai-horsemen that move very quickly and focus on hard attacks. Even the teachers realize the weakness and limited defensive skills of the Mexican pseudo-samurai, but they figure that a strong offense will more than offset a strong defense.
The Kuragawa family begins building three more traditional Japanese castles with walled cities, one on the west side of Proctor Lake, one on the Concho River near Goldwaithe, and another about 75 miles NWW of Little Nara. These castles will be approximately the same size as Little Nara except for the one on Proctor Lake, which is slated to be about 25% larger because of the abundance of nearby water.
Shimazu reaches a deal with the Empire of China to secure aid in case of war with the Tokugawa government.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-27-1846
Event Description: Spanish forces bog down after failing to take Fort Pulaski and are reluctant to move farther north until their numbers grow substantially. Captains Sherman, and Lee, heroes of the Cuba campaign, are now helping to coordinate the containment of the Spaniards. Lee is among the commanders coming in from the north, using Charleston as a base now that Savannah is in Spanish hands. Now that telegraph communications reach this far down, he is able to communicate with Washington easily. His destruction of the railroad leaving Savannah is seen as the only thing that stopped Spanish raids throughout the South. Sherman is coming from the South with a base at Tampa, containing the Spanish attempts to raid and take the rest of the peninsula. From Tallahassee, Lt. Colonel John Y Brown, an abolitionist who would rather see the changes needed for that goal done voluntarily by the US government to absolve them from the sins of slavery, is working to contain any westward expansion of Spanish influence. Though he did not attend West Point, his early actions in organizing volunteer forces across the nation to fight the "heathen heretics of the Spanish crown" earned him high accolades and an officer's commission. His near-suicidal actions in three minor battles near Lake City, FL are credited with saving north-central Florida and southern Georgia from Spanish domination.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-31-1846
Event Description: Battle of All Hallow's Eve: Savannah is retaken by US forces from Charleston after intense naval bombardment and amphibious landings by the US Navy combined with relentless attack from the US army. Telegraph lines are slated for construction to the city immediately as are new rail lines, this time from the north and the west.
US officials realize that their internal rail network has very few north-south branches and begin a program to increase the total number of rail miles and north-south links.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-17-1846
Event Description: Last remnants of the Spanish forces in Georgia surrender, only those at Amelia Island and surrounding environs remain intact. Telegraph lines now reach from DC to Savannah and Lake City, FL. In the Northeast, several inventors are working to develop repeating rifles and have developed rifle-muskets alongside cylinder-loaded rifles using massive cartidges. A lone inventor in Kentucky submits a patent for an improved round with a conical head and hollow back, this "Wallace" cartidge has an effective range and spin greater than any previous bullet concieved.
Texan diplomats send a copy of the recent Spanish proposal to the United States to get their thoughts.
Shimzau forces control almost all of Shikoku outside of Tosa province, which they are unable to get by diplomacy. They threaten war if the provincial daimyo will not submit willingly, and he stands firmly with the bakufu and Tokugawa family.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-10-1846
Event Description: Surrender of the last Spanish forces in Florida to General Scott commences with minimal difficulty. Colonel Brown, Major Sherman and Lt. Colonel Lee are on hand to witness the ceremony, and they are among the people posed together in a Daguerreotype made to mark the ceremony.
Spain begins negotiations as soon as news of the Amelia Island surrender reaches Madrid.
In the United States, various politicans propose that the US join the Honolulu Accords at some point following the conclusion of the war. If Europe is going to prove a threat to the US, maybe allies should be found to the East.
In Mexico, President Woll recieves a message from Shimazu Narinobu: he expects civil war to erupt in Nippon within the next year and is counting on Woll to support his faction. Guatemala and El Salvador apply to readmission into Mexico after crushing debts are becoming difficult to resolve and "rebel" factions begin appearing with Mexican support.
Texas again offers to purchase Oklahoma from the United States, this time for $15 million. Fremont, the US ambassador to Texas, is excited at the offer and happily passes it along.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-1-1847
Event Description: Treaty of Charleston: Spain signs over Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Canary Islands to the United States in exchange for $35 million. Spain must also compensate the loss of slaves from any plantation in the South at market rates as long as the owners turn in the proper paperwork.
In the South people begin to wonder if slaves could pose a national security risk. Another invasion by France or the UK might have caused a massive slave revolt and the capture of much more territory. With a copy of British intentions in writing to do exactly this, they wonder if there might be a way to gradually eliminate slavery from the Southern landscape.
Shimazu forces attack the province of Tosa in the early morning hours, causing a small battle to erupt near the town of Takamatsu. Though Shimazu forces carry the day, they know they must act quickly if they are to defeat the Tokugawa household and take over the Shogunate.
Hawaiian students who excel at the secondary schools and sends them abroad to the best universities on condition that they return and help build a university in Hawaii itself.
The first major Texan railway is completed between San Antonio and Austin with subsidies from the Texan government.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-4-1847
Event Description: Shimazu dispatches a message to Mexico to attack Texas and California to prevent them from aiding the Tokugawa government in any way possible. Both those nations are rapidly increasing in population due to immigration and Texas especially is deemed a threat.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-16-1847
Event Description: In Mexico, Woll declares war on all Honolulu Accord nations. As long as the US stays neutral he thinks that he might be able to take both down and with any luck reclaim some territory as well. Immediately he dispatches his pseudo-samurai to El Paso where his reconaissance force was humiliated so many years ago.
A Texan spy rides hard for Austin after overhearing two Mexican soldiers talk about "retaking the dam* Tejano plains" and "getting some payback for the Alamo".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-26-1847
Event Description: Word reaches Austin that the Mexicans are mobilizing. Raids are reported from El Paso, Del Rio, and other settlements in central Texas. Rangers are sent out from Austin to deal with the problem while many of the civilians in the area head for Little Nara.
Barely any of the newer Kurugawa castles are finished yet, but enough is in place to build solid outposts on their foundations. These outposts maintain over 200 Rangers and supplies each while serving as watchposts for Little Nara itself. Woll gives Mariano Arista command of a large expeditionary force with three objectives: Austin, San Antonio, and Little Nara. Arista decides to try for Little Nara first. Shimazu forces conquer over half of Tosa and are close to complete control of Shikoku. What they do not know is that the Mori clan is preparing to invade Kyushu with the biggest non-Tokugawa force seen in over two centuries and the Tokugawa government is amassing a huge force to take Shikoku then Kyushu.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-6-1847
Event Description: Battle of Del Rio: In what will be called the first battle of the Tex-Mex Conflict, pseudo-samurai from Mexico engage Texan cavalry led by a Kurugawa elder. The 85 Texans are outnumbered almost 10 to 1 and only three survive the battle, but they kill slightly less than half the Mexicans in the process. The now-legendary "viento del Diablo" of the Daisho begins to take a psychological impact on the Mexican force.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-8-1847
Event Description: Mexican General Arista reaches Del Rio behind his advanced force and recieves word about the previous day's battle. Though he knows that most of the members of that unit had little combat experience, he hardens his resolve to take Little Nara as quickly as possible even though the road to San Antonio lays open. His advisors are unable to convince him to go for the site of the Alamo as Arista is convinced that once Little Nara falls all resistance east of Austin itself will stop.
Citizens of Del Rio are made to swear loyalty to the Woll regime or face torture, imprisonment, or outright execution as traitors. City Hall is turned into a giant prison.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-26-1847
Event Description: While Mexican General Arista reaches Litle Nara after several days of hit-and-run raids on his supply lines by Lipan-Apache, Navajo, and other AmerIndians, Californian irregulars seize control of Guyamas and the last island in the Gulf of California not under their control. California also begins issuing letters of Marque against Mexican shipping, reviving the ancient tradition of privateering among many poor Pacific shipgoers.
Forces under Daimyo Mori land near Kitakyushu and begin taking over poorly-held Shimazu lands. Narinobu is holding most of his army in reserve until the Mori forces hit the mountains where he intends to slaughter them.
Tokugawa forces arrive at Nagoya to prepare for a landing on eastern Shikoku.
Hawaii offers to send its "special auxiliaries" over to the Tokugawa government for use against the Shimazu forces. Hawaii has been secretly training a large force (1,000) snipers with Wentworth rifles to assassinate enemy officers that would be commanding naval vessels entering their harbors. The Tokugawa government readily accepts.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-1-1847
Event Description: The United States declares neutrality in the Tex-Mex Conflict though it will readily trade with Honolulu Accord nations.
First battle of Little Nara: Arista attempts to take the giant fortress after spending a week studying its layout. Irish settlers and Kentucky/Tennessee frontiersmen display remarkable accuracy with rifle fire, including a handful of prototype rifled muskets (putting more spin on the bullets) made per the recommendations of Apache and other AmerIndian warriors. Arista loses part of his left ear near nightfall when he gets within 1100 feet of the walls of the fortress city and gets shot. Dorr Purdy Curtis, the Mormon shooter from North Texas, wins a minor place in the history books when the phrase "a Curtis shot" is used to describe near misses from then on.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-21-1847
Event Description: Shimazu forces lose Takamatsu to a dawn landing by Tokugawa elements. Meanwhile, Mori's forces are taking only the coastal areas of the island and are careful to avoid most of the mountainous interior. Shimazu begins to lose face among his allies and immediate subordinates and must quickly redeem himself with a victory in the field.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-3-1847
Event Description: Nagasaki Horror: Shimazu uses ninja to lighten up the Mori invasion force by assassinating many of the mid-ranking commanders and a few of the superior samurai. Mori Shinata captures one ninja and prevents him from killing himself, giving him over to the lower samurai to "interrogate".
Later that day, Shimazu forces annhilate most of the Mori force in open combat. Only about a third of the original force is able to withdraw, these flee to Kitakyushu which has become the Tokugawa stronghold on Kyushu.
Tokugawa forces lay claim to almost two-thirds of Shikoku and Shimazu orders his army to retreat from that island. He now hopes to lure the Tokugawa army into the same trap that wiped out the Mori forces.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-2-1847
Event Description: Second Battle of Little Nara: Mexican soldiers under General Arista try a direct assault under the front gate after building a large, well protected ram for use in trying to destroy the main gate of the complex. Both sides complain that the warfare has been reduced to medieval standards, but neither has a solution. Mexican casualties are heavy after liquified animal waste is poured over their ram followed by some sort of heavy, viscous fluid that easily catches fire.
General Arista thinks that the Texans at Little Nara might have a tunnel system to aid in resupply as the defenders are still holding out with such a large population. With defending rifles able to hit targets the size of human heads at almost 400 yards and continual guerilla raiding of their supply lines, the Mexican cannonry is almost useless at that range except as a weapon of terror. Though several shots have hit the stone walls, their unusual (for America) thickness defies the best Mexican attempts to bring it down.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-7-1847
Event Description: Tokugawa forces finish their securing of Shikoku and begin reinforcing the beseiged garrison at Kitakyushu along with over 600 Hawaiian auxiliaries.
Californian privateers sink the last heavy Mexican warship operating north of Punta Ixtapa on the Pacific coast. Their Atlantic forces are already in trouble after a botched raid at Galveston cost them a quarter of their ships, not counting the additional loss of officers from sniper fire.
A large group of Rangers slip south of the Mexican defenses and makes a deal with the Yucatan insurgents that survived the last purge: make trouble for Mexico and independence will be granted after the war.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-3-1847
Event Description: Final Battle of Little Nara: Arista discovers the elusive tunnel leading into Little Nara itself and sends in over two thirds of his army. The "Ryu" practicioners rely on heavy man-to-man fighting in the tunnel while the "Kame" practicioners and Irish/American/Mormon sharpshooters lay waste to the enemy at a distance. Almost 500 Mexicans actually manage to enter the city itself, but these are killed to the man except for 117 that surrender, the Chief of Staff who is merely following his commander and unarmed, and Arista himself. Arista begs for a chance to die with honor, and Kurugawa Naito fights him in a memorable swordfight. Both men kill each other, and Arista is given the burial of a samurai on Little Nara ground. The Chief of Staff is sent back with a message to General Woll: Arrange peace before the new month begins or we bring to your lands fourfold what you brought to ours.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1847
Event Description: While Woll prepares another expedition into Texas, Kurugawa forces overrun the town of Hermosillo, Mexico. The town is evacuated, every building excpet for the church is destroyed to the last stone, and every other possible trace of the city is removed. All nearby farmland is burned but none of the people nor their possessions are touched.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-7-1847
Event Description: Woll receives word of the near-vanishing of Hermosillo along with reports that the Kurugawa force is thought to be approaching Aguacalientes, possibly en route to Mexico City. Woll contacts the British Embassy and asks for open negotiations with the Republic of Texas.
California privateers seize Acapulco for themselves while in the Yucatan, Merida and Valladolid proclaim independence from Mexico. They proceed to proclaim their country called the "Federated States of Central America".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-12-1847
Event Description: Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras apply for membership in the FSCA in order to turn over their current debts. In Mexico, General Woll calls out the personal guard to protect Mexico City from the approaching Kurugawa forces. Texan Rangers rout the last of the Mexicans from Republic borders while the regular Texas militia takes control of Ciudad Victoria. The Mexican army falls back to Torreon.
In the Empire of Japan, Tokugawa forces are still unable to gain control of more than the Kitakyushu area. Hawaiian snipers perform incredibly, hitting human targets as far as 1000 meters away and consistently getting head shots at 730 meters. No one quite knows how these island warriors are doing this, but it is enough to convince Shimazu to order the immediate execution of any snipers caught by his forces.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-18-1847
Event Description: Kurugawa-led forces arrive at the outskirts of Mexico City and move to take over the city. Mexican Presidential Guard forces counterattack and manage to hold off the Samurai long enough to smuggle out Woll out of the city to Oaxaca.
Hawaiian snipers are credited with saving the Tokugawa position in Kitakyushu after a mad rush attack by Shimazu forces. Several of the Shimazu commanders suffered lethal or near-lethal gunshot woulds from over 600 meters away, sending their forces into disarray.
British diplomats offer to negotiate a truce between the Honolulu Accord nations and Mexico.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-1-1847
Event Description: In the United States, Wallace rounds are used with moderate success in a military laboratory in Springfield, NY. This secret weapon is being continually refined by US forces in case some nation like the UK invades and firepower is needed in greatest quantity possible.
Kurugawa-led forces sack Mexico City but are unable to find Woll, learning that he has fled to Oaxaca. They also learn that he is trying to negotiate with Texas but are determined to get a hold of him first.
Both sides in Kitakyushu lick their wounds and bring in reinforcements. Tokugawa forces are simply more numerous and have the numbers to win any war of attrition, which is exactly what Shimazu doesn't want. Shimazu begins formulating a plan for how to take out the Kitakyushu enclave after recieveing word that Mexico will not hold out for long. Should Texas and California be available to help the Tokugawa forces, Shimazu knows he is dead.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-7-1847
Event Description: General Woll is caught by the Kurugawa family in Oaxaca. He does not beg nor does he ask for anything. Surprisingly, the Kurugawa family do not kill him nor even challenge him. They have him sign a document making him essentially an equal to their clan, claiming that their real enemies are Shimazu and the Europeans who would invade Mexico, Texas, California, and perhaps everyone else in the West and Far East for their own purposes. As Texan negotiators arrive later in the day, they have Woll sign a formal declaration of surrender. Woll agrees to join the Honolulu Accords in exchange for retention of all lands in Northern Mexico *status quo antebellum*, granting of independence to the Yucatan, Tabasco, and Chiapas (both latter states are largely under FSCA control and laden with sympathizers), and a 50-year guarantee of all borders. Acapulco and Vera Cruz are to become free ports to Honolulu Accord nations only, and Mexico will get preferential trade status with all Accord nations as well.
In Kyushu, Shimazu is learning how to manufacture exceptionally long-range rifles of his own. Apparently the Hawaiians have taken a gun with a 6-foot rifled barrel and added conical bullet technology to their sniping array, making them the longest distance shooters on the planet.
Britain's offer of diplomatic intervention in Mexico is politely rejected.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-15-1847
Event Description: Celebrations throughout Texas and Califoria hail the end of the Tex-Mex conflict. General Woll is despondant for several days but realizes that he should have probably lost much more territory and prestige. Mexicans do not know what to think but many are angry at the failure of their government to maintain their borders.
Europe is starting to become engulfed in revolutions and civil disorder, it looks like the new year could be bloody indeed.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-25-1847
Event Description: The Kitakyushu salient of the Tokugawa government is holding well beyond the expectations of both sides, largely thanks to the Hawaiian snipers. Shimazu begins talks with Russia, Spain, France, UK, and even the Dutch over potential alliances using Formosa and the Phillippines as potential rewards for installing him as ruler of Japan.
Costa Rica decides to join the FSCA though it reserves the right to secede if it wishes to do so later.
Texas engineers completes the railway across the Panama Isthmus, dramatically cutting travel time between the two sides of the jungle and reaping the Texans a small fortune. Many begin dreaming of a canal across the territory but none know how they could build it.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-12-1848
Event Description: The last of the Texans leave Mexico and that country becomes a full member of the Honolulu Accords. Mexican embassies are ready to open or being set up in all Accord nations.
American politician Henry Clay looks at the international situation and begins discreetly contacting Honolulu Accord nations. Clay thinks that the US needs international allies and that trouble in Europe could eventually spread to the US. He notes that while the US is now happily unified, the issues of slavery could be used as the British had proposed years before.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-27-1848
Event Description: France decides to publically side with Shimazu in exchange for the Phillipines and a base on Formosa, declaring war on all Honolulu Accord nations. Prime minister Francois Guizot and King Phillippe believe that they will win easily and be able to gain territory in both the Far East and maybe even the New World. They also need something to distract their populace from the horrific state of domestic affairs. Privately they will also gain most favored nation status with the new Japanese government as well.
Meanwhile, Hawaiian engineers deploy their secret "Aloha Rifle" at Kitakyushu. They have taken a Congaree rocket design from the UK. shrunken it down to fit a huge rifle, and opened the back of the gun to prevent excessive wear. The rocket rifle succeed in destorying artillery pieces and fortifications as far as a mile away, scaring the Shimazu forces enough to allow Tokugawa soldiers to expand their domain slightly. Unfortunately the rockets are gone within 30 minutes but Tokugawa agents are looking to make more and every foreign observer present is writing word about this development back to their respective governments.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-3-1848
Event Description: French naval forces begin seizing Honolulu Accord merchant marine ships on the high seas, claiming that they are "pirates" and "privateers". France also begins negotiations with Woll in Mexico, hoping to use his nationality as a means of setting up bases in order to conquer Texas.
Texas brings its fifth steel mill online and begins churning out materials for the new war effort. Across the Republic people are growing weary of conflict and begin wondering when they will see peace.
Northern Texas is experiencing a population boom, over 200,000 people now live in and within 50 miles of Zion.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-12-1848
Event Description: Two French warships from Montserrat shell Galveston and send a raiding party into the island town. Though they think about actually capturing the town, they realize that their supply line is extended too far to hold the city if the people rebel. The Texans are appalled and the French overconfident when the warships leave. Laden with stolen goods, the French commander promises to return and build a home here...as its colonial governor.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-17-1848
Event Description: General Woll turns down a French offer to allow him governance over Texas, California, the FSCA, and Mexico as a colonial viceroy for France. He knows that France has a good shot of winning, but he sticks to his honor in signing the Honolulu Accords.
The UK declares neutrality, they figure they can make a fortune selling equipment and supplies to all sides. If both sides are really beating the tar out of each other, they plan to jump in and take over California and Hawaii outright and leave Japan, Mexico, and Texas as either satellite nations or protectorates.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-25-1848
Event Description: Using Aloha rifles, the Tokugawa forces break out of the Kitakyushu salient and begin taking areas around the town. Shimazu's forces are simply unable to compete with hand-held weapons that do as much damage as a moderate cannon.
In the United States the Springfield armory successfully tests a rifle using Wallace rounds operated by lever. This 10-round rifle has better range than almost anything in the US arsenal.
Micheltoreno begins feeling violently ill and suspects he has been poisoned. He calls in his most trusted advisor, John C. Fremont, to help him compose his will and testament. Hawaiian scholars begin returning from French schools and establish the University of Hawaii at Hilo. This keeps the students away from any distractions they might have and it is hoped that laboratories established here will allow greater secrecy in testing new military equipment.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-8-1848
Event Description: Shimazu spies note that much of the steel production under the Tokugawa regime is going to a facility in Sendai but they can not discern why. What is known is that Shimazu's forces are now confined to the eastern and southern parts of Kyushu. He plans one grand, final battle at Minamata in hopes of forcing a treaty.
Another pair of French warships attack Galveston, this time landing over 1,000 marines to take and hold the city. A group of 500 Rangers greets them with martial arts, samurai swords, and gunfire in a street battle that lasts over 4 hours. The Texans eventually win, and although they lose over 250 men in the process, only 4 Frenchmen remain alive. As the French warships depart, one of the Rangers remembers that their Hawaiian allies have given them three of the new Aloha Rifle (known locally as Texas Candles). One of the Rangers decides to fire one of these new devices at a French warship, hits the armory, and literally blows it out of the water. The next shot hits the other French warship and though it misses the armory does manage to put the ship in flames, sinking it in less than 35 minutes and yielding several dozen prisoners, including the captain. The third rifle is sent back to Austin with the message "We want more!"
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-14-1848
Event Description: After turning the French captain over to an interrogation crew of Apache-Lipan, Japanese, Mexican, and Texas "inquisitors", the Frenchman is only too happy to reveal everything he knows. A huge French fleet is on its way to Hawaii to take control of the islands and annex them to the French crown then head to California to annex the whole of that country. They have already set sail and are expected to arrive in less than a month.
California manages to acquire a few of the Wallace rounds and sets its best minds into both back-engineering them and designing a gun to make use of them. Oddly enough, Micheltoreno begins to recover, much to Fremont's disappointment.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-29-1848
Event Description: A large French fleet is sighted off of Oahu early in the morning, the Hawaiians have been preparing for this for some time and are ready to fight. Twenty-one French arrive off the mouth of Pearl Harbor and are greeted by fire from Aloha Rifles, sinking eight ships and their marines before the rest can pull back to about two miles back. French commanders send in the remaining marines by smaller boats, only to realize that the Hawaiians have improved on an old European technology. They have built huge trebuchets out of fire-treated wood on rotating platforms that chuck 100-lb rocks at the incoming boats, sinking ove a third of them before they reach shore. Over 1,000 French marines still manage to land on the beach only to be greeted by wild-eyed natives wielding armor made from treated whale hide backed by Japanese steel plates. They are also trained in Samurai swordsmanship, ducking under much of the French fire and slaughtering the Frenchmen on the beach.
Hawaiian soldiers force the surrender of the remaining French marines then steal their uniforms and scavange the uniforms of the dead. They then proceed to fly a huge captured French flag to see if the warships react, the French fleet pulls close enough to allow their ships to see Hawaiians in French uniforms. Once seven of the French pull close enough to see "the whites of their eyes", they realize that they have fallen into a trap. Two of the seven try to fire on the Hawaiians only to be sunk by Aloha Rifles, causing the rest to surrender and the six ships farther out at sea to flee (the Admiral in charge will subsequently face court-martial and be acquited after the French figure out that he actually saved the rest of the fleet). The crews of all seven ships are taken hostage, their fates for the short-term are unknown to all but the Hawaiians. The other five ships are captured largely intact.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-6-1848
Event Description: Hawaii begins refitting the French ships and testing their function out at sea. Many of the native warriors already have experience in the water, they only need to adopt to the sailing technologies of the Europeans. A Naval Academy is opened in Waikiki specifically to teach the finer points of Western naval technology to the local military forces.
In the United States, a prototype Wallace lever-action rifle is able to fire 14 rounds in less than 40 seconds in the hands of a rifleman who has never used the weapon before. The immediate problems are clear: the rounds do not have the penetration of heavier rifle-musket bullets and the bullets are difficult to initially load, but the range is easily 750 yards and the incredible rate of fire is awesome. One Alabama machinist notes that it is "a fine American rifle you can load on Sunday and shoot all week".
Kyushu is now almost entirely under Tokugawa control except for a few areas in the mountains that have not heard of Shimazu Narinobu's death. Tokugawa also announces the formation of a more permanent government: local fiefs will be cut down and made of regular size (older established families get the richest territories and cities while Tokugawa leaders without land get the spoils from the Shimazu supporters) and each will send a permanent representative to Edo to form a Council, or Diet. The Imperial family will also give their next heir over to the Shogun for training in how to run a government and for a more accelerated education, both in traditional Japanese culture and in "Dutch Learning" as well.
Mexico begins construction of a trans-Mexican railway running from VeraCruz to Tenochitlan (formerly Mexico City) to Acapluco, with spurs intended to head to Oaxaca and Aguascalientes. Woll hopes that this will force industrialization upon the shattered nation that it might grow strong again, besides people with jobs and money are less likely to attack the sitting government.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-14-1848
Event Description: French king Louis Phillipe recieves word that his entire Hawaii/California invasion fleet is either captured, sunk, or no closer than Singapore. He also recieves word that the Texans have been developing a true offensive navy of their own now that the French are a threat to their shoreline.
FSCA officials re-organize the debt so they can hopefully pay it off in 25 years. The Bank of England is the primary debtholder, and the export capability of the FSCA is sufficient that they will be able to pay something into the loan even in bad economic times.
The Empire of Brazil and Argentina sign a treaty of non-aggression, they both see multiple nations around the world on the fringe of war and want to keep their nations out of it. Both nations also begin sending students to universities around the world in hopes of furthering diplomatic relations and bringing home some modern technology.
Argentina and Texas discover that they have much in common and begin discussing trade agreements since both export many of the same products.
Columbia begins to worry about its FSCA and Venezuelan neighbors and plans a crash-industrialization program, however, the government is so unstable that the "3-step industrial plan" plan is put on hold.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-20-1848
Event Description: As the largest French fleet assembled since Trafalgar amasses at Singapore to invade Japan, an internal rebellion against the monarchy begins just south of Tryoes. Led by Charles-Louis-Napoléon, the rebellion gains speed very quickly as dissatisfaction with the king before the war meets with fury over the loss of so much of the French fleet to "islanders", "barbarians", and "tribesmen". Napoléon proclaims its disdain with the French monarchy and calls are loud for a Second Republic.
Over three thousand Texan soldier/marines board five large vessels intent on conquering every island in the Caribbean that the French hold. Their navy has little experience but they hope that their Aloha Rifles and weaponry will be enough to carry the day.
Arthur McDonnell of Galveston pens "O Mighty Fighting Rangers" (to the music of OTL's "John Brown's Body" with many of the same words) after his diary notes from the Battle of Galveston. It will become the Texas National Anthem within 10 years.
Californian and Texan diplomats meet to discuss the future use of the Colorado river waterway: California wants the water for a burgeoning town/base called Santa Barbara and Texas wants to use it for desert farming. They also discuss a joint project to dam the river and create a huge lake somewhere along its path.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-25-1848
Event Description: Reims falls to the French rebels while Paris holds rebellion within the city. Most of France south of Lyon is now in rebel hands and the rebels seem to defer to Napoleon for leadership.
French soldiers overun the Japanese garrison at Manila and claim the Phillipines as theirs while others from the same fleet land at Saigon and capture the Vietnamese royal family. Their king is forced to declare Vietnam a French protectorate while almost all of the people in the Imperial government at Manila commit hara-kiri rather than submit to French control. English spies in the Tokugawa government note that the Japanese are sending much of their limited steel production to Hiroshima and Sendai. They also note that Tokugawa Ienari is quite a fan of European literature since one similar report mentions Shakespeare, Maupassant, Cervantes, Voltaire, and Machiavelli along with Sun Tsu and Miyami repeatedly. They also note that there have been greatly increased shipments of materials from Sendai to Hiroshima in the form of machined parts, something that the Japanese have been buying off of the English for the last few years. This surprises the English because they did not think the entire nation of Japan could produce such parts in the quantities listed. Taiwanese officials recieve word that a French fleet is headed their way and send word onto Kyushu.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-6-1848
Event Description: After refueling and resupplying at Pusan, Korea, French forces attempt an invasion near Kure only to be greeted with several strange Japanese vessels. Shakespeare, Maupassant, Cervantes, Voltaire, Machiavelli, Sun Tsu, and Miyami are actually variations of the same design: large wooden ships sheathed in metal and powered not by sails but armored paddlewheels, one on each side of the vessel. The Shakespeare and Machiavelli have traditional cannonry on each side of the ship and must rotate to fire them at the enemy. The Maupassant and Miyami use eight well-armored Aloha Rifles on rotating turrets that make it effectively a missile ship. The Cervantes and Voltaire use six large-bore cannons on rotating platforms that have an effective range of over half a mile. The Sun Tzu is larger than the rest: loaded with four engines, three rotating cannons, and three rotating Aloha Rifles, it is obviously designed to be a heavy battleship of some sort. The French fleet never stood a chance: several times officers and sailors alike watch as French cannonshot dents the Japanese armor but never penetrates it. The royal fleet is totally annhilated to the ship, very few prisoners are taken and the only ones who make landfall are in Japanese custody.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-30-1848
Event Description: Japanese vessels under the command of the new ships land at Taiwan and retake the entire island. Word of a horrible French defeat spreads throughout southeast Asia while Texan naval infantry lands at French Guiana, taking Cayenne quickly. It is the first time French soil has been lost to a non-European nation in living memory.
Hawaiian sailors begin figuring out the French naval technology and a limited number of mercenaries head for French Polynesia to put Queen Pomare IV back in power. She has agreed to become the governor of an extended Hawaiian province and to marry the crown prince "Waimea", or "Red Water" after his bloody victory over the attempted French marine landing. Not coincidentally, he is the leader of the Hawaiian First Fleet.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-28-1848
Event Description: Kiribati is now in Hawaiian hands while Texans begin moving north to claim every French possession they can in the Caribbean, creating a government for the newly conquered "Texas West Indies". Japan's First Fleet overruns the Philippines while the Second Fleet liberates Hanoi and signs a treaty of trade and non-aggression with the Kingdom of Vietnam. Korea also approaches the Japanese for a treaty of trade, they recognize that they are far behind the rest of the world and that if they do not quickly catch up then the Europeans will claim them too.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-18-1848
Event Description: Rikitea falls to the Hawaiians, effectively completing their conquest of the French Polynesian chain.
With news of the Battle of Kure reaching France, the citizens begin losing the little faith they had left in their government. Paris is under siege from Napoleanic forces while King Louis is told to flee the city. He refuses, saying he will stay to the last. Most of north and eastern France is now in Napoleonic hands and they control over 75% of French industry. Paris is expected to fall in less than two months.
UK ambassadors offer to broker a peace, King Louis refuses. They are naturally concerned about a major European power being even more defeated by a nation deemed "inferior" as it might imspire other peoples like India or South Africa to revolt. They are also considering stepping in on the sides of the Honolulu Accord nations to make their victory look like "it was inevitable once we joined".
Texans wrap up their conquest of the last French colony in the Caribbean. The planners in Austin send orders for the fleet to hold at Martinique to be joined by the California Navy: Austin and Monterry have written up plans to invade and hold France itself. The plan is to take Bordeaux in the wine country and hold it for as long as possible.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-20-1848
Event Description: Paris falls to Napoleanic forces though King Louis has fled to Marseilles. UK forces recieve intelligence that a 15-ship fleet is passing the Azores but because the flags are thought to be Texan and the weather was poor, the report is dissmissed.
Hawaiian forces wonder where to go next, so they leave a large contingency in Polynesia and head for Honolulu.
American forces develop an improved Wallace rifle, though the main engineer would rather it be called the Henry rifle after himself. This gun uses an improved .44 caliber round and holds 15 shots each with an effective range of over 1000 feet. More work is needed but the plans are sent to the Springfield armory so that production could begin whenever needed.
American observers also begin getting every piece of intelligence they can about the Battle of Kure to see if they can duplicate the Japanese naval technology.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-8-1848
Event Description: To the total surprise of the Frenchmen defending the city of Bordeaux, a Texan-Californian fleet arrives and begins landing troops. With their limited supplies of Aloha rockets, they take out most of the fortifications around the city and have most of it under control by nightfall.
Louis recieves the news less than 24 hours later and immediately agrees to negotiations.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-16-1848
Event Description: Louis XVIII flees France for Sardinia while Napolean takes control of the government of France. Immediately, Napolean starts to negotiates a treaty with Texas and the other Honolulu accord nations.
Japanese government officials are approached by the United Kingdom about forming a seperate alliance with the UK but Ieyasu refuses. Instead he turns over the written contract to the other Honolulu Accord nations.
Several musical groups in Texas begin combining elements of Eastern music with guitars and harmonicas, including a ballad called "Everybody was Ryu Fighting". This cacaphonic blend of music actually proves very popular. Texans also begin manfacturing knockoffs of Colt revolvers.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-8-1848
Event Description: Treaty of Versailles: At the traditional Royal palace of France, Napolean negotiates and end to what is later known as the Coconut Revolution (because France changes governments due to war with Hawaii and allied nations). Texas gains all French islands in the Caribbean other than those immediately offshore of newly-named Texan Guyana. Hawaii gains control over French Polynesia in exchange for $10 million and may keep three of the five ships taken during the doomed invasion of Honolulu. California gains two steel factories which are totally disassembled and shipped to Santa Barbara and Redding, respectively. Japan gains recognition of its holdings in the Philippines, Taiwan, Sakhalin Island, various Pacific Islands including Wake and Guam, and conformation of Indochina, Manchuria, and Korea as Japanese spheres of influence. Mexico gains $5 million in indemnities and repair costs for some French shelling of Veracruz. In exchange, all Honolulu accord nations immediately recognize the Second Republic of France with Napolean as head of state. Louis XVIII hides in Austria, a traditional enemy of the Napolean family, in hopes of gaining support for a return to power.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-19-1848
Event Description: Waimea and Pomare arrive in Honolulu and announce that they will marry on Christmas Eve. Hawaii also announces the unification of Polynesia under the rule of the Honolulu government along with a scholarship program to cultivate the best talent the islands have to offer.
California begins preparations to begin classes at the University of Monterrey while studying the pieces and parts of the factory equipment sent over by the French.
In Pennsylvania, the 4-4-0 American locomotive is refined and begins to see production in large numbers. Capable of speeds of over 40 MPH, this train will become the most widely produced locomotive of all time. It will also be one of the first that most people will get a chance to see.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-23-1848
Event Description: A British diplomat writes a report titled "State of Affairs in the World Today", coded to indicate what he thinks are the rising players on the world stage. Japan and Texas are noted as the two most rapidly growing powers relative to their positions over the last five years while the United States is still deemed the most powerful of the "unannounced" powers. This report will soon become a popular guide among the British political community to decide which nations are worthy of diplomacy and caution and which are not.
Japanese engineers begin returning from foreign universities and begin teaching in Japanese universities. One key advisor notes that Japan should try to concentrate on the emerging field of chemistry and refining in hopes of making synthetic materials and super-efficient processes for metalworking since the Empire's resources are so limited.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-7-1848
Event Description: American diplomats under President Polk begin negotiations with Japan, Hawaii, California, Texas, and the FSCA to look at joining the Honolulu Accords. With the UK on their north and the HA nations to their South, the Americans are worried that if they do not join an international alliance that they run the risk of being overrun by one of them at some point.
Texans begin recieveing even more immigrants fleeing from the various European revolutions and from overpopulated countries just looking to form a new life out on the Texan frontier, total popuation is now over one and a half million for the entire country, almost a third of them from Ireland alone.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-25-1848
Event Description: Prince Waimea and Queen Pomare are wed late in the evening having delayed their ceremony for one day due to inclement weather. The President of Texas and Crown Prince of Japan attend the ceremony, the first time either governments have sent notable heads of state out of the country. Winfield Scott represents the Americans while William Gladstone, enjoying a year in the tropics before returning to the UK, represents Her Majesty's Government. Micheltoreno is unable to attend so Fremont represents the Californians. Adrian Woll's son represents Mexico while Francisco Morazan represents the FSCA. After the ceremony, the Queen of Hawaii suggests that a permanent group of representatives from each nation could be arranged involving one diplomat from each nation, they will begin meeting the following year on Janurary 27th, one year to the day after the French declaration of war.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-11-1849
Event Description: The Republic of France ambassador arrives in Austin and present diplomatic credentials. Texans are weary but glad to see him there under a banner of peace.
Japan begins looking at building a true steel industry to both produce the railroads and manfacturing capacity to match European countries. They enter into negotiations with the Chinese Empire about exploiting minerals from Manchuria, piquing the interests of the Emperor there who seeks to modernize his country as well.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-1-1849
Event Description: California completes a railway from San Francisco to Monterrey with plans to build one all the way down to Santa Barbara.
American isolationists win out and decide that the United States should go its own way for the time being. Honolulu Accord nations are regarded with friendship but unless some dire need arises that forces the US to align itself with "darker peoples and the heathen Asians" as Calhoun puts it, they'll remain isolated.
Texas begins negotiations with California about building a transcontinental railway from Galveston to San Francisco by way of Austin and Salt Lake City. Though the Colorado River is an official border, it is lax and almost unguarded. Some people even wonder if California should not join Texas and form a larger nation, though the politicians in Austin and Monterrey have not been particularly receptive towards any idea that does not preserve their power bases.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-29-1849
Event Description: A prototype Wallace II Rifle, also known as the "Lightning", is produced by hand at the Springfield Armory in upstate NY. It is capable of loading fifteen .50 bullets in a completely sealed tube beneath the rifled barrel and can empty the entire load in just under 25 seconds when fired in rapid succession. Engineers and military officials are impressed, especially since it is quite accurate at ranges of up to 500 yards.
Texans build a heavy "pistol" that is basically a five-shot shotgun with a crack-open barrel that can be totally replaced with a fresh one, even in the heat of combat. A Japanese inventor begins trying to develop its first natively-designed firearm, a smallbore black powder pistol with ten barrels at .30 caliber surrounding a heavier barrel with .50 caliber. While heavy, it does give its wielder an unusual amount of firepower before having to reload. China still considers the question of mineral rights in Manchuria. With a Japanese presence in Sakhalin, the Ryukyus, Taiwan, Philippines, and now Indochina, the Chinese feel threatened actually allowing such a rapidly-expanding nation into their lands without security guarentees, especially when they have just opened negotiations with the Koryo Kingdom over the rights to establish bases and companies within the borders of that reclusive government.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-10-1849
Event Description: Mexico, California, and Texas sign the Triple Railway act, essentially agreeing to integrate their nations railways to one standard and allowing for Chihuahua to become a tri-national free trade center.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-3-1849
Event Description: France signs a "technological trade and developement" treaty with the Honolulu Accord nations. In essence, this allows the students of those nations to educate their students at French universities with no interference unless France finds itself at war with those nations, and even then students will be allowed to finish their immediate degrees. Prussia hears this and immediately proposes a similar treaty, which is granted within a month.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1849
Event Description: Hawaiian scientists build a crude submarine based on the Turtle design of the American Revolutionary War.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-31-1849
Event Description: Semicenturian treaty: Honolulu Accord nations agree on a unified naval training institute to last for one decade at Honolulu itself. Instructors from Texas, California, Japan, Mexico, and Hawaii itself send their best to this naval academy. The act is totally unprecedented but only shows to demostrate the solidarity of the Honolulu Accord nations.
In China, the Manchu emperor begins plans to industrialize three areas: Manchuria itself, the Chongking area, and Shanghai itself. Students are sent to the best universities the government can pay for.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-23-1850
Event Description: Britain warns China over its attempts to slow opium production and distribution, angering the Emperor and tempting him to a fight. Be he hesitates, knowing that without an industrialized infrastructure or massive navy behind him that his country will lose. He does decide that China can not be made to rely on that upstart nation calling itself "Nippon" or the wild-eyes barbarians who take the name "Texan". In the end he decides to trade key mineral rights in Manchuria for technical assistance and educational exchanges with Japan. Queen Pomara reveals her pregnancy to the general populace, all of Hawaii begins celebration. At Sendai the first major chemical refinery in Japan is slated for construction. The University of Tokyo will use this partly-state-owned facility to train students in chemical engineering courtesy of European and American teachers.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-7-1850
Event Description: Prussia proposes a treaty with France to diplomatically isolate the United Kingdom and end her global domination of trade and foreign lands. President Napolean recognizes that most of her empire is now dissolute, and that outside of Africa and a few sites in India she has no other colonies. This is kept quiet because the announcement of an anti-British alliance will cause a reaction, if only to cause Britain to rally her allies or make new ones.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-25-1850
Event Description: In the United States, the Congress begins working to solve "the African problem" and "the Indian question". Congressman Calhoun of South Carolina proposes to do both in one fell swoop: gradual manumission of slavery, move as many Africans and Indians as possible to the Indian territory, then sell it off to Texas once and for all. Few are willing to go to this extreme but the idea is kept available. A new type of Aloha Rifle is developed with a slightly smaller round but a five-shot gravity magazine that allows for firing of one round every ten seconds instead of the clumsy reloading that now has to occur between shots. Californians celebrate the opening of the Bakersfield section of the Trans-Californian Railway, linking that outpost to Sacramento and San Francisco. It is hoped that by 1855 they will link to Los Angeles and eventually Chihuahua.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-12-1850
Event Description: FCAS government officials begin laying track for their own national railway, starting at San Jose and running east to Puerto Limon and north to Campeche. Mexico makes rapid progress with its industrialization and near Monte Alban there is a strike of petroleum, which the locals contain and begin using for heating oil. Little Nara now grows to house it target population of 50,000 people. Just outside the walls there are some smaller houses and the three nearby castles are approaching completion. Central Texas is now a truly cosmopolitan zone of AmerIndians, Irishmen, Japanese, Americans, and various Europeans. Mexico officially develops the Policia Federal based on the pseudo-Samurai from the previous war. These hard-driving patrolling agents guard the northern deserts, protect the populace from bandits, and act as a reserve military unit. Californian technicians successfully develop a rifle to use the Wallace rounds, although without copper spinning technology it will prove difficult make more bullets. They share their developments with the other Honolulu Accord nations to see if the issue can be resolved.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-25-1850
Event Description: A railway reaches Little Nara from Austin, signalling the completion of Phase I of the Galveston-San Francisco railway. A branch is then moved north to head for Zion Prime, which now boasts over 300,000 residents and is growing by the day. Japan sets up a mint at Osaka along with an "experimental metallurgical facility" to work with new alloys and develop new techniques for working metals. Hawaiian officials decline the offer of the Dole and Chatham families to purchase the richest agricultural lands on the island of Oahu. They do allow them to use those lands in exchange for half of their net profits, and the fruit business is so brisk that no one seems to mind. In Paris, President Napolean begins looking at ways to resurrect the ancient Empire and looks to take hold of various territories that France has claimed at one time or another, from Barcelona to Belgium, from Brest to Bologna. Texas begins investigating the possibility of building a canal across the Isthmus of Panama after reaping the tremendous rewards of owning the only railway to cross that stretch of land. They also conclude that using the technology of the day it will be impossible to accomplish.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-7-1850
Event Description: Following the death of Sir Robert Peel, Earl Russell tries to implement a new Reform Bill into Parliament in the UK. Russell also looks to the Honolulu Accord nations for innovations in governmental structure. Settlers arrive en masse to the Oregon Territory from the US, but many also immigrate north from California. Micheltoreno wonders if "annexation by Democracy" might not work for the Californians, and Fremont actually proposes seizing Oregon City and laying claim to all of Oregon up to Russian North America. Russia begins badgering the Ottoman Empire for territorial concessions and a "guarentee of the rights of Slavic peoples". Alexander II thinks he can bully Istanbul into granting him concessions. This causes Sultan 'Abdül-Mejîd I to seek friends from the East, realizing that the Japanese have no love for the Russians. Japan expands her trade relationship with the Dutch and signs a non-aggression pact with Amsterdam. Though they would like to gain access to bases in or outright ownership of the Dutch East Indies, they see no need to start a war for no reason. China and Japan sign the Manchurian Candidacy, which allows for Japanese economic development and promotion of the region in exchange for use and development of infrastructure in the area. Their obligations also include building a railway from Pusan to Mudken, from Mudken to Beijing, form Beijing to Shanghai, Shanghai to Canton, and Shanghai to Chungking.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-4-1850
Event Description: Several ambassadors from Honolulu Accord nations arrive at Bangkok and Beijing to open relations with the Kingdom Of Siam and the Empire of China. Several attaches from these nations also reciprocate to those nations, including a handful of Thai kickboxers who show off their devastating art to the Ryu followers at Little Nara. Sufficiently impressed, they ask permission to train their best at Thai martial arts schools. Rumor also has it that another set of legendary martial artists inhabit a remote monastery in China known only as the Shaolin Temple. Unfortunately a massive rebellion begins, and this "Taiping rebellion" shows no signs of slowing down. Ottoman contacts offer to give Tokyo claim to the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Amur River valley. No one disputes that the country would grow stronger if these areas were incorporated but many wonder if this would bring dishonor to the country or if the other Accord nations would be affected. Queen Pomare gives birth to twins, a daughter named Liliuokalani and a son named Kalakaua. The entirety of Hawaii celebrates while the Accord nations send gifts to commemorate the birth. Japanese officials begi exploring the possibility of building ships entirely out of metal after their tremendous success at the Battle of Kure. Already there is a great buzz in the international naval community about the "ironclad" ships wiping out the French fleet, and many of the world's most prominent nations are looking into building experimental prototypes. Texas and Argentina sign the Reciprocal Trade and Education Agreement, also know as the "Cattlemen's Constitution". It dictates a basic set of trade rules and educational/technological exchanges along the lines of the Honolulu Accords themselves but refines the terms and extends the agreements even further.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-26-1850
Event Description: The first full class of graduates arrives at Honolulu for Academy training, 10 from Japan, 10 from Texas, 10 from Hawaii, 10 from California, and 10 from Mexico. These 50 officers will prove the founding class to begin and complete their training at this institution, largely on French warships from the previous war. Russia also continues agitation of Slavic "rights" in the Balkans, hoping to endear Romania and Bulgaria to St Petersburg and perhaps make them satellites or outright provinces. They also continue to offer Japan key lands on the Pacific coast, though now that offer includes Russian North America. Tokyo is impressed but wonders if the offer is not a ruse of the Ottomans. In response to what they see as a growing problem, Japan calls a meeting of the Accord nations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for 05.01.1851 along with ambassadors from both Russia and the Ottoman Empire. A bright Texan engineering student by name of Peter James Bracken looks at the "Panama Canal Question" while looking into the feasibility of building a canal across the Suez isthmus. Both would yield incredible profits for Texas and great wealth/reputation for the engineer that builds them, *if* they can complete the Herculean task.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-17-1851
Event Description: In Montreal, a local recession causes many merchants to look to the United States for leadership. After the debacle of so many Corn Laws, benefits for Upper Canada, and the lack of hostilities for over a gerneration, many in Upper Canada would rather be ruled by Washington than London. Japanese technical researchers build half-a-dozen machine shops for precision parts after considering the recent increases in machine technology. They also note that their need to import specialized machinery is an extreme weakness. Tokugawa Iesada adopts his distant relative Tokugawa Keiki as his son, renaming him Yoshinobu and grooming him for the role of Shogun. Though only 13, the boy shows exceptional talents at manipulating people into doing what he wants, and Iseada wants a stable Shogun to succeed him and provide consistent leadership to Japan for the coming decades. The Tokugawa also shock the remainder of the Japanese bakufu establishment by allowing a branch of the ancient Scottish Mornay family to build a castle on the ruins of Azuchi Castle in Shiga province. Many Scotsman are still furious about British rule of their island and because they are the only family in Scotland allowed to maintain a private army, the Shogunate sees them as both honorable and a potential source of information concerning British culture.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-4-1851
Event Description: On the 75th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence there is much celebration and concernation: Southerners are wondering if it would be better to go it alone instead of staying part of the US, though this vocal minority is mostly confined to the Gulf States and South Carolina. Little Nara proposes an Ultimate Fighting Championship between every martial arts style that cares to send a representative. They also recieve an entire ninja clan that wants to expand their scope of operations from just Japan to North America and Europe.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-4-1851
Event Description: On the 75th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence there is much celebration and concernation: Southerners are wondering if it would be better to go it alone instead of staying part of the US, though this vocal minority is mostly confined to the Gulf States and South Carolina. Little Nara proposes an Ultimate Fighting Championship between every martial arts style that cares to send a representative. They also recieve an entire ninja clan that wants to expand their scope of operations from just Japan to North America and Europe.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-7-1851
Event Description: Mornay stewards are unable to build a true golf course at Azuchi, and instead construct one 400-yard-long "Driving Field" and use some of the ruins as practicing grounds for putting. This latter mini-golf course will soon be replicated to include a total of 21 holes. Oddly enough, local Samurai families are fascinated by the game of golf, and it begins catching on quickly. In New York, the newest derivative of the Wallace Rifle (now known officially as Project Orange) uses a refined lever-action device to spit out 15 rounds in 30 seconds using a 50-caliber bullet that has better punch to it and a minimal range of 450 yards. Sharpshooters using the weapon modify it slightly and are able to hit targets in excess of 800 yards. This is largely due to the rifling of the barrel, and the machinery needed for this and to spin the copper for bullets is still in its infancy. Though the technology is deemed too expensive for mass production at the time being, work and funding continue to develop better rifles. Liberty, Texas now exceeds 5000 people and begins petitioning for a railway to connect it with Austin and the "heavily populated" Eastern part of the state. Japanese engineers begin working on technologies needed for mass-producing precision machinery within the country, but it will take some time. They also being looking at new ways of deriving chemicals and commercial/scientific products from plants. In Montreal the local government has failed to alleviate the concerns of the merchants who are straining under the yolk of a recession and tax situation, and one town goes so far as to request the government for a plebescite on secession to the US.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-20-1851
Event Description: The U.S. shocks the world by not just annexing parts of Canada and abolishing slavery, but joined the Honolulu Accords.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-16-1852
Event Description: Bullets for "Project Orange" prove very difficult to manufacture because of limited copper-spinning technology and facilities, causing the US government to re-evaluate its options for the new rifle. Meanwhile, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis authorizes the purchase of rifle-muskets as standard issue weaponry for the Army. California builds its first "mini-golf" courses, where they quickly become all the rage among families and dating couples looking for socially acceptable means of having fun without having to be clandestine about their activities. California also completes its first railway to Fresno while the University of California consolidates the Monterrey, Sacramento, and Los Angeles campuses into one statewide system. Texas Congressman Louis Wigfall begins asking friends and close allies what they think of a possible split in the US between their southeast and the rest of that country. He writes a letter to Sam Houston about the idea but this is viewed as far-fetched, so it gets shelved. In Tokyo, Charles Babbage arrives at the request of the University there when they decide to build a full-scale Analytical Engine. He is hired as a full-time professor of Mechanical Engineering and his ideas are quickly incorporated into the new Engines, or Computers, being built there. A railway linking Osaka to Tokyo is also completed and quickly comes into widespread use.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-8-1852
Event Description: Pro-Quebec merchants in Montreal blame anti-French elements for the fire that burns 20% of their city down and again raise demands to secede and join the USA. British North American authorities are worried because french-speaking areas dominate the passageways to the Atlantic are all lined by French-speakers, and if they leave it means that everything west of Montreal is cut off and likely to fall to the Americans. As Tokugawa Iesada lays dying in bed, he relays one last code that the Emperor signs into law: Half of the existing Samurai are to train in the art of firearms and train as Dragoons. The Texans are among the few to recognize the potential of what the Europeans mock as "Cavurai" or "Cavalrai", and the native development of primitive carbine weapons is soon superceded by imported German and French models. Iesada also makes quite sure that Yoshinobu understands his tasks and responsibilities as he realizes he will not likely live to see the boy's 15th birthday.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-6-1852
Event Description: American politicians work out the Compromise of 1852: no slavery north of the Mason-Dixon, Ohio river, and Missouri but a federal guarentee on its existance south of that line. Cuba officially gains statehood with great pomp and circumstance in downtown Havana but Puerto Rico will have to wait until another free state is available, until then it remains a territory. Fireeaters in the South are the only thing keeping the issue alive but their power and influence is sufficient to threaten a schism of the nation, so their demands are met. Londer D Phillips convinces the US Navy to purchase his submarine design and prototype, after the recent war with the Spanish the entire country fears what the English might be able to achieve. Andrew Carnegie begins working for the Pennsylvania railroad. In politics, this compromise allows William Graham of North Carolina to take the Presidency against the unknown and moderately alcoholic Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire. Graham is a big fan of the US Navy and technological innovation, as well as an accomplished diplomat (he is one of the key architects of the Treaty of Charleston among other things). In Russia, the Czar again looks to his South and begins wondering how to best enforce his claim on Romania. At the same time, Russian Orthodox monks in the region of Jerusalem begin arguing with French Catholics over who had precedence at both Jerusalem and Nazareth. Texans celebrate the connection of Zion Prime and Galveston to Austin by rail lines while Californian trains move very slowly westward towards Salt Lake City. Texans move one line west towards Santa Fe and hope to meet the Califorians on their mutual border to create a transcontinental line no later than 1858 while Texas also hopes to bring Liberty into direct connection with Austin by 1860. In Honolulu the Hawaiian government imposes a tax on tourism in the burgeoning port city of Honolulu after three hotels there begin reaping in massive profits. The leader of the pack if the Dole Plaza, and its efficiently run but luxurious style allows them to begin looking at opening up hotels in other cities. Micheltoreno dies unexpectedly while at his home in Monterrey, suddenly collapsing to the floor and gasping wildly for air just before dying. Rumors begin to fly that someone put a curse out on the man, but before any political turmoil can come of it Fremont assumes the Presidency. California's constitution will soon be altered to bring about a unique political system: a Senate made up of the 50 wealthiest citizens and a House made of democratically elected representatives (approx. 50 as well) will nominate a President with a lifelong term whose title may not go to anyone of the same bloodline for two generations. In Mexico, a railway links Veracruz to Mexico City while Woll begins to mentor an up-and-coming Congressman by the name of Benito Juarez. Mexico's recent inauguration of mandatory public education for all children age 6-14 has proven difficult to implement but Juarez is doing well as a key political ally to Woll. Woll also realizes that the Mexican populace would support someone of mixed blood more readily than another peninsulare like himself.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-18-1853
Event Description: US Naval engineers put a modified Grasshopper locomotive engine in the back of a large prototype submarine and achieve an impressive 6 kt underwater and 14 kt while surfaced. They also devise a flexible tube that extends up to 30 feet to allow fresh air in and another tube flanking it to allow gaseous CO2 and coal by-product to leave. Using the cleanest coal available, the steam exhaust is minimal, though some means of removing it must be made available to prevent enemy detection of the weapon. Meanwhile, Japanese sushi masters begin making their way to major American cities, including New York, Boston, Charleston, and Philadelphia. Hawaiian engineers and researchers begin a dedicated program of agronomics, looking to synthesize industrial chemicals and useful products from common argicultural plants and easily grown natural resources. They know that their industrial limitations will prevent them from becoming an economic powerhouse (even if the tourist trade is booming) so they seek industrial technology from elsewhere. Japanese railway engineers applaud the completion of a railway linking Tokyo tand Kyoto, heralding the first of many Japanese railways to come. Their development of a true engine shop has also caught the notice of Chinese and Korean industrial expansionists who fear that a strong Japan might seek expansion at their expense. Japan is also the first nation to achieve true mechanical computing power as Babbage completes his first Analytical Engine, simply nicknamed the "Mark I Computing Apparatus" or Computer. Texans go wild over "mini-golf" and export the game to Europe and the US, providing a novel industry that can fit in very small spaces and be played for very little money. They also note that between 1848 and 1852, their population has risen by over 2 million people, and that at the rate they are growing they could be as populous as Mexico by 1895. Lower Canadian dissent is handled poorly by the English-speaking government, who responds to calls for greater autonomy of the French-speaking people with laws towards a unification of education under the English language. American sympathizers in Vermont, New Hampshire, and upstate New York begin increasing their trade with Lower Canada accordingly, and soon the rate of tax income from commerce in Quebec City alone is dropping by 4% per month. British officials are unsure about how to react to the crisis, especially as the United States has become somewhat closer to the Honolulu Accord nations over the last 5 years. Russian Orthodox monks beg Czar Alexander to step in over the dispute over their faith's precedence over that of the Catholics in Jerusalem and Nazareth. The Czar consults his advisors about how to proceed, he'd like to tie the issue to lands in the Black Sea area and diplomatically enter into "aggressive negotiations" over how to resolve their land disputes. When told that his armies are not yet ready for a war against the Ottomans if other powers should join in, he decides to strengthen his forces and advise the priests that though he supports them he will not back them with force until the time is right. He also looks at a map of Russia and wonders if Japan or the United States could be made Russian allies in exchange for lands (or if he could raise funds for said lands by selling them in a bidding war with other nations).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-17-1853
Event Description: Frustrated with the failure of emancipation to procede at a "timely pace", Colonel John Y. Brown takes over a federal armory in Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Federak troops under Lt Colonel Robert E Lee are sent to dispatch the "terrorists" but take three days to arrive. Many Southerners interpret the tardiness as a sign that the Federal officials do not mind the incident all that much.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-26-1853
Event Description: Somehow, copies of the Wallace Rifle are found at the Harper's Ferry Armory and have been used with great effect, keeping Brown and his growing army of ex-slaves free for over nine days. But the Southern extremists in South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama are quick to blame "covert federal assistance" in place of new weaponry, causing a sectional crisis as people who are not aware of the new rifles easily believe this.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-1-1853
Event Description: After aiming cannons at the Harper's Ferry armory, Brown is killed in the crossfire and the rebellious forces are either shot or lynched by the local populace. In Washington an immediate Congressional meeting takes place to save the Union from a probable schism. All told, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, and all states south of there are sympathetic to the Southern cause and all increase measure to keep their slaves under control. Honolulu Accord nations look on with concern, especially Texas whose people are often sympathetic to the South but knowing how dangerous the Northerners can be when they're angry. In Montreal, British overconfidence gets out of hand as the local garrison thinks civil war in the US is imminent and decides to take a heavy hand against a food riot. This drives Lower Canada to openly seek aid and statehood from the US, saying that it would be better to have lax overlordship from Washington than an iron fist from London.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-15-1853
Event Description: The Louisville Accords prevent immediate secession by maintaining a balance between slave and free states, with slave states numbering 16 and 3 territories with enough free states to balance that out. Slavery is guarenteed until after the 1860 elections, at which time there will be another conference to set up a permanent solution. In Montreal and Riviere du Loup outright rebellion begins with Americans sympathetic to the rebellious factions leaping over the border and taking shots at the British. British retaliation is swift, with at least 300 Redcoats crossing at the St Johns river in Maine. America immediately calls on Lord Lyons, the UK diplomat, and demands an immediate apology, which he refuses to give unless there is a written guarentee of neutrality for all people on American territory (which is not possible).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-22-1853
Event Description: British forces shell Champlain, New York after chasing rebel forces across the border. When the British refuse to leave until they "find those responsible and try them", Washington issues an ultimatum: total British withdrawl from all US territory *or* face war with the United States. When informed of this, the commander of British forces in Canada decides that the US is still too divided to mount an effective response and that when they tried this 40 years ago it came to naught. British forces in Canada, now numbering over 30,000 and mostly fixed in Quebec, begin moving towards the border.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-24-1853
Event Description: Word has spread of the "Champlain Incident" and nationwide anger mounts as the US declares war on Britain. They move forces south from Champlain to Chazy and prepare another two thrusts: one moving from Halifax to Portsmouth, NH (to seize Boston and maybe New York City) and another from Lower Ontario to work on seizing Chicago (and hopefully take the whole of Michigan and much of the Great Lakes area). Militia forces move en masse to the north and American military forces begin mass producing Wallace II rifles for the their troops. American planners under General Scott meet at Arlington with Col. Lee and begin plotting their strategy. Three proposals come to mind: *Scenario Leo: Attack like a lion and head straight for Toronto, then turn east to Quebec, Montreal, then Halifax, and secure the major British bases in North America. The British are then forced to fight a sea-based war and have little/no bases capable of drydocking ships on this continent. *Scenario Saggitarius: Bring new cannon technology to bear and crush Halifax and keep the sea lanes clear. Then contain Lower Canada and let it die on the vine while defending North America. Also promote rebellion in Ireland and India to distract the British and force them to divide their forces. *Scenario Gemini: Split the major US forces in two and move one into Lower Canada to take that region then move farther east and sweep to Halifax. Use the other to defend the Northeast from attack from bases at Philadelphia, Hartford CT, and West Point NY. Naval forces scramble as they get messages by telegraph and immediately begin a strategy of massed firepower against British shipping, especially supplies heading to the island to feed it.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-30-1853
Event Description: With the fall of Plattsburg to the British, American forces move secure Albany and milita groups begin pouring into the city preparing for a pitched battle. It seems clear that the British are moving down the Hudson again, and local militia groups begin fortifying Ticonderoga against a British force numbering over 10,000. British marines take off from Halifax and begin moving south to Portsmouth after getting their orders while word of the declaration of war reaches London, causing elation among the locals and inspiring hopes of payback for the American Rebellion two generations ago. As word spreads through Europe, there is both concern and elation that *someone* has finally decided to take on the British. Honolulu accord nations meet and ponder the situation. With Britain playing the role of global superpower for over thirty years, they welcome a chance to offset their power. They are also very leery of the United States which they see as a potential superpower in its own right. They decide on a course of guarded neutrality in this war, but send a warning to the British that *any* non-diplomatic activity in their territories will see a declaration of war from all nations involved. Most of the British embassies lose 25% of their staff overnight.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-7-1853
Event Description: Americans and British forces amass at Ticonderoga, though the major effort of American defenses is being poured into the new earthworks around Albany. The recent landing of British troops at Portsmouth NH sends shockwaves through the US as does the siege of Detroit, which is being rapidly resupplied by railway. American raiding parties are successfully jumping over the border and back, burning part of the British barracks at the city of Windsor. Honolulu Accord agents watch the war courtesy of "technical attachees" at their American and British embassies. They note that the British navy is being massed at Portsmouth, but it will take two more weeks to assemble. American naval forces are capturing British ships on the high seas and are able to deploy three Minnow-class submarines with modified Norris engines in them at a top speed of 14 knots. Type III torpedoes on board are also able to make a range of 200 yds, though they only explode 90% of the time. With 8 torpedoes on board and a 300-mile range, they have the capacity to damage the British in unexpected ways. Intelligence from Russia also indicates that they are starting to eye the Ottoman Empire, with the intent to claim Romania, Bulgaria, Armenia, and the Dardanelles. If they declare war, Britain and France will be forced to respond or watch Russia position itself as the dominant power on the Continent with the ability to build a true navy.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-14-1853
Event Description: After five days, the British take Ticonderoga and begin a move on Albany. American forces retreat to Albany with an operation knowledge of British tactics and heavily damage their supply trains in upstate New York to deprive them of ammunition. Nonetheless, Major General James Brundenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, begins formuatling his attack plans. From his recently acquired base at Saratoga Springs, Brudenell intends to fortify his position and supply lines first then bring in a three-prong strike using 21,000 troops in 3 groups of 7,000 each: one will head for Lock Nine of the Erie Canal to deprive New York City of foodstuffs, one will head for Troy then onto Albany in order to soften up the defenses, and the last will wait until the division at Troy encounters significant resistance then suddenly double the number of troops in the field and take Albany. He is gambling the bulk of his army on this and decides to wait until June 4, with the hopes of being able to take West Point on the 4th of July. American forces, both militia and regular army, begin to organize under General Scott and Cols. Lee and Sherman, by now old friends and veterans of the Spanish campaign.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-1-1853
Event Description: First Battle of Albany: British forces are surprised by a midnight raid by over 10,000 militia and regular American army troops who fail to dislodge the British but do manage to make them irate and disorganized. Brundenell's offensive plans must be delayed for at least two weeks to allow for reinforcements to arrive from Canada, giving him an army of over 25,000. He also awaits the landing of his brother-in-law and commander George Bingham at Portsmouth, NH to help try and create a pincer movement to both cut New England off from the rest of the nation (perhaps annexing most of it to Canada or making it a puppet government) and focus all British attention on New York City to force the Americans to the peace table. American forces begin receiving both Wallace II Rifles and the "Patriot" Heavy Rifle - a direct knock-off of the Aloha Rifle. The latter immediately has Honolulu Accord nations on high alert as it seems someone has compromised one of their greatest military secrets. Russian Orthodox officials demand Czarist intervention to support their rights to protect pilgrims en route to Jerusalem, the Czar takes his time to weigh the issue since it would likely mean war with France. Honolulu Accord nations begin to wonder if they are not witnessing the verge of a new war, and Senator Wigfall of the Texas Senate writes an ominous letter to American ambassador Jefferson Davis that "we are on the verge of a global war that might make the fall of Jericho and Babylon seem like children playing with wooden forts".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-9-1853
Event Description: With the landing of General Bingham at Portsmouth, the British seem to have little resistance to face in the Northeast. What few people know is that Bingham and Brundenell, despite being brothers-in-law, absolutely hate each other. Bingham begins to move south to Boston instead of west to join his subordinate at Albany, insisting that "by taking the city that spit in our eye 80 years ago and kicked off the Colonial Insurrection, we should be able to knock the legs out from under these damn Yankees". Maine is cut off but holding out well as a center for guerilla resistance, raiding everything in the area and occasionally sinking lone British ships that get too close to their ports. British forces ignore Maine because it holds little immediate strategic value and is thought to be safe. Texan officials arrest William Bevis, a researcher working on improving the Aloha Rifle, for treason. He admits selling the plans for the rifle to the US over a year ago for $10,000 and is beheaded at Little Nara shortly after his trial. California Senators meet at Monterrey to discuss the progress of industrialization. With a railway now moving east from Sacramento to Salt Lake City and another one headed for San Diego, it is thought that total industrial production and railway milage should rival that of Spain by 1865 (not bad considering they had nothing less than five years ago).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-27-1853
Event Description: Second Battle of Albany: British reinforcements fail to arrive to help Brundell and his forces crash against the defenses of the New York capital like a wave against the cliffs of Dover. British officers die en masse as sharpshooters with Kentucky and Wallace rifles turning the tide of the battle. Patriot Heavy Rifles blast British cannons right out of their emplacements and leave Brundell with half of his artillery by the end of the day. It is not a total rout, and indeed a small counter-attack by the Americans is easily repulsed as a tactical retreat to Fort Ticonderoga is begun. But upon recieving the news at his camp near Westchester, MA, General Bingham is heard to say, "The Americans have responded to us in merely nine weeks and gone from ragtag militamen to being able to blast our cannonry and infantry from their cities, dear God what will they be able to do by winter?!"
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-4-1853
Event Description: Having not heard of the Second Battle of Albany, a British fleet attempts a raid on Washington DC using 11 heavy wooden frigates. They are greeted by a mix of American ironclad frigates and a trio of true iron ships barely emerging from the water. All bear Patriot Heavy Rifles while one of the iron ships bears breech-loaded cannonry on rotatable turrets. Not a single British vessel leaves the Chesapeake afloat, and London does not learn their fate until the end of the war.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-20-1853
Event Description: General Brundenell's defensive plan is simple: take Fort Ticonderoga's already formidable defenses, place a small force inside, and make the Americans pay dearly if they hope to retake the installation. Meanwhile, he moves the bulk of his force to flank and surround the Americans against their own defenses. He intends to destroy the only army north of Philadelphia and east of Boston in one fell swoop, then move to join Bingham to take Boston and New York City. American forces begin to seriously organize under Lt General Robert E Lee, while an unorthodox unit of sharpshooters, Western mountain men, and three former Texas Rangers start training under Brigader General W.T. Sherman. FCAS officials offer to buy the British colonies at Belize and claims at the Mosquito Coast out for 20 million pounds, they readily accept the offer and simply continue the payment plan of their debts to the Bank of London for a further 15 years. Texans enter a period of profound debate. They see a chance to seize several British colonies and maybe give the Brits a black eye for not helping them out ten years ago, never mind that almost one in four white Texans is now Irish. The Texas Congress votes 20-15 to stay neutral and not risk the ire of the other Accord nations, who are all wondering what the US might be able to do against the British.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-4-1853
Event Description: Ambassador Wigfall of Texas meets with officials from the other Honolulu Accord nations at a Japanese-influenced, Texan-owned coffeehouse in Washington DC. Together with Japanese ambassador Matsukasha Masaoyoshi and others, the band of fifteen pose for a picture at their enlarged table where they eat Tuna sushi fresh from the Cheseapeake along with pineapple juice from Hawaii while wearing "ten-gallon" Texan hats. Onlookers stare in a sort of curiosity, only a few knowing that the course of the war could be altered by the odd-looking men sitting at the table.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-21-1853
Event Description: British naval forces block an attempt by US forces to shell and disable Halifax, the large naval guns on the British frigates taking out the regular American ships at two-to-one odds. With the defeat near Portland ME, American naval strength above Boston is non-existant and almost ineffective anywhere north of Wilmington, DE. American naval planners begin marshalling their forces on hearing rumors the British intend to end the war in one bold stroke with a landing near DC itself in a repeat of 1814. They do not know that these rumors are simply overblown leftovers from the small raiding force that has already been decimated.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-29-1853
Event Description: Ticonderoga Massacre: Brundenell's forces are trapped inside the fort and his reserves begin a brilliantly-executed counterattack. The battle appears to be going entirely in favor of the British before a Kentuckian Major named Simon Bolivar Buckner rallys his troops and stages a successful, if near-suicidal, counteroffensive at the appropriately named Mount Defiance. Buckner, shot in the left arm and barely able to take the sword out of his scabbard with it, finds Brundenell himself observing the results of the massacre his troops had just caused. Buckner tosses his sword into his right hand and flings it at Brundenell full strength from less than 40 paces, skewering him through the chest and knocking him off his horse. Shocked at the American's behavior, several British officers flee from the scene, beginning a local chain reaction that stalls the British offensive just long enough for the American line to stabilize. Rumors of Brundenell's death reach the troops, flamed by rumors that an American has done the act with numbers of soldiers that increase with each hour. In fear of being isolated by this mystery American rear guard, the British Brigadier General in charge orders a general retreat, not knowing that his forces have in fact inflicted casualties at greater than 3:1 and that his force was within minutes of destroying the last American force between himself and New York City. Forever known as the Ticonderoga Massacre, it will be the last time that state militias will be sent into battle without total command integration with the Army itself. It will also be the first time the Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded, as Buckner will survive the battle thanks to quick medical care.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 9-16-1853
Event Description: An American detachment under command of Colonel Ulysses Grant moves north to engage the British at Andover as the British have proven difficult to dislodge from Vermont and New Hampshire. Bingham, having gotten reinforcements from the major British base at Halifax, is preparing to take Boston and secure New England for the UK. A British spy is captured at Austin with documents implicating a plan to bring the Honolulu Accords into the war by staging certain "accidents" within Texas, California, Japan, and Mexico with blame going to the US. Texan authorities decide to immediately share it with their allies and meet in a month to discuss strategy. For the time being they decide to take a "wait and see" outlook with the evidence in hand and increased guards at the sites described.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-3-1853
Event Description: Grant takes command of the artillery after being relieved by his superior General Scott, who clashes with Bingham at Lowell after reconaissance forces at Andover ward each other's army away from there. Over 100,000 troops are involved in the greatest battle of the western hemisphere but neither side can claim a decisive victory. Grant's fearless use of artillery prevents Bingham from crossing the Merrimack in any significant numbers, and Scott decides to reassign him to infantry command. Reinforcements for the Americans arrive from bases around Boston and bring the number of Americans in this theater to over 70,000. American forces begin amassing in Plattsburg for a full invasion of Canada under the command of Lt General Sherman while a seperate force begins organizing at Detroit under Major General Lee , this one with almost 40,000 troops. The idea is to take York, move on Quebec City to link up with Sherman's forces, then move the combined army to Halifax and knock the British out of Canada once and for all. American naval forces organize at Boston for the unthinkable: A diversionary raid on Portsmouth, England to convince the British that they are not safe on their own island. They have also formented an Irish revolt by supplying arms and tactical data to the Irishmen.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-17-1853
Event Description: Honolulu Accord nations meet to discuss the information gleaned from the captured British spy. Although the members do not necessarily want war, they see no other alternative, Texas and its allies were insulted by this dishonorable tactic. Britain must pay. A massive buildup of naval ships and ground troops begins in Texas with the rest of the Honolulu nations providing monetary and personnel aid, while not actually entering into combat themselves.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-15-1853
Event Description: Russian Czar Alexander II demands that the French allow the Russian the right to guard pilgrims into the Holy Lands, deeming the region unsafe after several "incidents" have occured to Russian Ortohodox clergy. He demands justice or will "use all means necessary to secure our people's safety in the Ottoman realms" on Janurary 1st.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-28-1853
Event Description: Despite the ongoing war, someone in Philadelphia decides to replaces the raw fish in sushi with cooked pork, creating the first "Philadelphia Special" that, for some reason, only becomes popular in the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States. Soon after, someone in Chicago tries the same with cooked and later raw beef, creating "Sushi Tartar" and "Chicago Chunks", repsectively. Both prove more popular than the pork variety.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-7-1853
Event Description: Rebel forces in Montreal sack and burn the British HQ there, forcing the recall of most forces currently in the United States to secure Quebec. When word of this reaches London, the British are appalled, and decide that the Russian situation combined with the American problem might be too much for them to handle.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-25-1853
Event Description: Signature of the "Christmas Treaty", or Treaty of Madrid. The UK sells all of Canada to the US save Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Vancouver Island for $100 million and a 25-year nonagression pact. Though the Americans will trumpet this as a major victory, the British have in fact done better in the war militarily, but can not sell out Lower Canada alone while having a prayer of maintaining contact with the Upper Canada. Upper Canadians will refer to this as "The Great Betrayal" and later wonder exactly where their hatred should go first, London or Washington.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 1-1-1854
Event Description: Russia declares war on France while British engineers begin copying Wallace II Rifles en masse thanks to captured examples from the Americans. Quebec is admitted as a State of the Union while Upper Canada popularly rejects statehood, instead being asked to maintain some sort of autonomy greater than any individual state as a "special status area". This is softly rejected and becomes the first in a series of negotiations to bring Upper Canada into the Union.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-10-1854
Event Description: A farmer from Campbell County, Tennessee patents a mix of carbonic acid with cola nuts imported from Hawaii, some sugar, molasses, and a pinch of cocaine to create the first registered soft drink.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-26-1854
Event Description: Despite several rounds of negotiations, Britain and France declare war on Russia in retaliation for her declaration of war on the Ottomans. North American nations declare neutrality within hours of hearing about the incidents, and though Japan has sent military consultants to Russia, only observers and merchants will be sent from US or Honolulu Accord nations.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-10-1854
Event Description: Japanese mercenaries under the employ of the Russian fare well against the British position near Sevestopol in the Crimean after the British and French land troops there to cut the Czar out of the Black Sea. By the end of the day, the 6th Light Brigade is almost totally wiped out and much of their artillery is destroyed thanks to the effectiveness of samurai swords on horseback, Colt-Walker revolvers, and fast-moving small unit tactics.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-29-1854
Event Description: Russia pulls much of her fleet from the Black and Baltic seas to Moscow in order to use the Volga as an internal highway for shipping troops to Rostov. Though this effectively ends her chances of defeating the "Paradoxical Allies" as (or Allies or the Paradoxical Axis as Britain and France are becoming known) in the water, the rate of troop deployment triples thanks partially to the new railroads using Moscow as a hub.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-1-1854
Event Description: Thomas Nast gains almost instant fame after publishing a cartoon of an aristocratic British man in a tophat and his barebreasted French mistress drinking wine in bed with a Russian bear rug on the floor next to them. In the room next door is a sickly old Turk writing checks for Algeria and Egypt. The cartoon will sour relations with the UK and France, but immediately these figures become the unofficial mascots of those nations for years to come.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-1-1854
Event Description: Thomas Nast gains almost instant fame after publishing a cartoon of an aristocratic British man in a tophat and his barebreasted French mistress drinking wine in bed with a Russian bear rug on the floor next to them. In the room next door is a sickly old Turk writing checks for Algeria and Egypt. The cartoon will sour relations with the UK and France, but immediately these figures become the unofficial mascots of those nations for years to come.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 6-8-1854
Event Description: Britain finally puts down the Irish Revolution, even using starvation tactics to end the final siege at Galway. Over 15,000 Irish have died for military reasons while the potato famine has killed millions, and many migrate to Texas and the US. Texas purchases the "savage-ridden desert" known as the Indian Territory for $20 million. Each of the Five Civilized Tribes there is allowed to form a "supercounty" complete with their own laws and semi-autonomous governments provided they swear loyalty to and become citizens of Texas. This attitude immediately binds many Native Americans to the Austin government as it is among the first times that a white government has not sought their scalps.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-18-1854
Event Description: As the Russians begin their offensive to retake Kerch and force the Allies out of the Crimean once and for all, a new offensive is also begun by the Russians through Romania into Bulgaria, quickly moving on Varna and threatening Istanbul itself. Rumors spread like wildfire that the city will be incorporated directly into the Czarist kingdom (as will the whole of Anatolia, with Bulgaria and Romania as satellite states if the Czar gets his way). Texas Railway officials mark the halfway point between El Paso and Austin in near record time by moving close to the Rio Grande as to supply water to their workers. With California officials moving to connect Monterry to Los Angeles, it looks as though a transcontinental railway is in the works.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 10-7-1854
Event Description: Congress begins contemplating a move of the American capital after the recent wars against the British and Spanish make the capital seem difficult to defend against naval powers. Interestingly enough, five sites are chosen as potential new seats of government: Cleveland, Detroit, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis. Washingtonians plead with the government not to move and begin a "Stay Here" campaign, although the mosquitos and autumn heat do not help their case. Upper Canadian nationalists move forward with their own "special status" campaign, forming another significant regional accent in the polyglot American nation. Rallying around the maple leaf as a symbol of national autonomy, they seek some sort of greater autonomy and some even dream of independence.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-30-1854
Event Description: A headline in the London Times reads, "Sun shines on Russian Empire even as Moscow freezes", noting the last withdrawl of Allied forces from the Crimean Peninsula. Russian Cossacks also score a notable victory at Trebizond, returning the city to Orthodox control for the first time in almost 4 centuries while routing the last major army between the Czarists and Ankara. Panic sets in at Iskendrun and Taurus while fear grips Istanbul, where the Sultan recieves terms from the Russians demanding their capital and the whole of the Dardanelles. Strangely, after what seems to be a fit of catatonic depression lasting three days, Sultan Abd-ul-Mejid walks out of his chambers and calls his generals together for a conference. British, French, and Prussian military advisors all write back home claiming to see a different look in the man's eyes and wonder exactly what is going on.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-8-1855
Event Description: A new Ottoman army of almost 40,000 trained for over two months in hand-to-hand, melee weapon, and sniper combat by Texan and Japanese mercenaries meets, greets, and narrowly beats a Russian army over twice their size at Yozgat. Though the Russian army survives intact and are able to refortify their position, this is a huge moral victory for the Ottomans, who have not defeated an opposing army in the field on their own for over two generations. Russian forces withdraw to Sivas and begin to reorganize under the recently dispatched Field Marshal Mikhail Dmitrievich Gorchakov. A club of firearms enthusiasts in Corpus Christi, Texas, introduces the world's first "shooting gallery" with fake buildings and thick wooden targets that pull up and down depending on what levers are pulled at what time. Children and women are also pulled up by some levers, and the resemblance of the whole set up to a common backstreet earns the place the nickname, "Hogan's Alley".
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-27-1855
Event Description: After months of posturing and resupply, the Ottoman army defeats the Gorchakov's force at the Battle of Batman. With each side suffering almost 80% casualties, the victory is phyrric, but given the 4:1 numerical advantage held by the Russians at the start of the day, the Ottomans are overjoyed. As the Russians retreat to Trebizond, most of Anatolia save the easternmost Black Sea Coast is now in Ottoman hands again. A Russian army uses recently-captured Varna as its supply base as the bulk of the otherwise poorly trained Ottoman army prepares a defense at Adrinople, the last major defensive point before Constantinople itself comes under threat of Russian attack. British and French troops aid in the planning and construction of defensive works, and British copies of the infamous Aloha Rifle are distributed in very limited quantities. Southerners rally around John C Calhoun as he lays dying in South Carolina, still calling for independence of his home state if slavery should ever be threatened. With the recent incorporation/annexation of so many anti-slavery settlements in Canada, there seems to be cause for worry about the continued existence of the most repugnant institution. Texas begins moving towards gradual manumission under the San Antonio Plan (gradual manumission and a total end of slavery by 1880), the New Zion plan (total manumission by 1870 with all slaves over the age of 21 becoming free on that birthday), and the more conservative San Jacinto plan (all slaves born after 1870 are free on their 21st birthday, all other slaves free as of the stroke of midnight on January 1, 1900).
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-30-1855
Event Description: Battle of Adrinople: Russian forces are fought to a standstill by British, French, and Ottoman troops who hold the city and secure supply lines from the east and south. Czarist troops manage to take out the southern supply line but only at severe expense (thanks largely to the British Model 55 Enfield, a knock-off of the American Wallace II rifle) and to prevent their force from being wiped out they simply contain the fortress on three sides. California ambassador to Britain Captain John Sutter begins negotiating a peace treaty between the Russians and Ottomans that will lead to the Trebizond Accords: status quo antebellum in the Caucasus, Romania becomes a Russian protectorate, and Ottoman forces keep Bulgaria and much of the central Balkans. Jerusalem becomes an open city but still under Ottoman military protection. Russia gains guarenteed access through the Dardanelles, period. Britain and France with their other allies return home while the Ottomans begin employing Japanese military advisors to rebuild their army after the impressive results at Batman.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-1-1855
Event Description: Russia sells Alaska and the area north of 60 degrees latitude while west of the Kolyma River to the US for $25 million. Japan purchases the Kurile Island, Sakhalin Island, and the Kamtchakta Peninsula south of 60 degrees latitude for Y20 million. Southerners object to the US purchase because they see no use for the barren wastes, though it does unite the entire northern half of North America under American control.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 12-25-1855
Event Description: Congress announces that as of January 1, 1860, the US capital will relocate to Detroit, Michigan except for the Supreme Court, which will remain in Washington DC. This will both secure the capital from immediate naval attack while reflecting the movement of the population farther west. Southerners and Northeasterners alike are furious, both because they did not get the capital and because it looks like a move to break the old covenant about where to place the capital after the start of the US in the 1780s.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-27-1856
Event Description: While 4-4-0 class American locomotives dominate the railways of North America, trials of a new Tuna-class submarine begin in the Chesapeake. With a refiend Norris engines in them and a crude sulfuric acid-lead battery, they move at a top speed of 15 knots surfaced and 3 knots submerged on batteries. Each of the 12 Type V torpedoes are also able to make a range of 300 yds. Given its new 450-mile range, these "iron fish" pose new dangers to international navies. The first of six copper-spinning plants to manufacture Wallace II rifle bullets is finished in Albany NY, with two more slated to come online soon at Birmingham, AL and Cleveland, OH. Texans reject Philadelphia pork-sushi outright but take quickly to the Chicago equivalent. "Mongolian beef" is created when Japanese sushi experts try their hand at the new craze, and the idea will soon be recieved warmly in Japan as well.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 2-22-1861
Event Description: An international ceremony celebrates the arrival of the first train at Los Angeles directly from New York City, allowing transcontinental train travel over 9 days via Memphis, Dallas, El Paso, and Albuquerque. Sushi, steak, and wine are served all around at the lavish party afterwards.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-4-1861
Event Description: Continued threats to slavery convince South Carolina to secede after citing the Nullifcation incident of 1832 and other examples of expansive government and failure to protect slavery. Within the week Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and a wavering Louisiana will follow.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 3-28-1861
Event Description: With Congress debating the future of the nation, Fort Sumter surrenders to South Carolina just as Secretary of State Abraham Lincoln begins calling for troops. However, President Douglas begins negotiations to allow the states to leave with the condition that he will sign three new Constitutional amendments: to ban slavery in all remaining US territories, to prevent any secession of states after 1863, and universal male citizenship for those remaining in US borders in 1865. Within the week, secession referendums are proposed in most other southern states.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 4-29-1861
Event Description: Virginia, Tennessee, Cuba, Hispanola, Puerto Rico, and Missouri vote to secede while North Carolina begins trying to negotiate with the newly formed Confederate States of America, which issues the "Spitfire" (a Southern knockoff of the Wallace III) rifle to its troops. Kentucky is deadlocked between its governor and state house while Key West secedes from Florida and declares itself loyal to the Union.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 7-1-1861
Event Description: The Canary Islands vote to secede to the Confederacy while the Virginia government balks at the Confederate establishment of a provisional state in West Virginia, bringing up the total number of Confederate states to 11 after legal challenges force many of the secession referendums to the popular vote box, including Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and Louisiana. President Douglas signs the Constitutional Amendments clearly forbidding secession after 1863 and granting citizenship to all people within US boundaries after January 01, 1865.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-20-1861
Event Description: After Richmond is deemed indefensible, the 16-state strong Confederate States votes to move its capital to Atlanta with the failure of a Virginia threat to rejoin the US (keeping the slaves overrided the value of having the national capital). Diplomats immediately begin arriving and relations with the US are normalized after citizens in Maryland are allowed to move to the CSA after that state's failure to pass secession referendum at the ballot box. St Louis is deemed a duty-free zone as are Louisville, Cinncinnati, Kansas City, and Washington DC.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 8-10-1862
Event Description: US Navy officials begin designing an entirely new series of ships after the secession leaves a potentially hostile nation in charge of identical ships. Confederate officials decide to do the same, although while northern officials concentrate on a surface fleet, the southerners focus on submarines. Texas officials purchase three Minnow-class submarines from the Confederacy and Japan purchases five from the United States. Hawaii buys the Solomons for $5 million and the right to maintain a major international coaling station in the islands.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 11-21-1864
Event Description: Thanksgiving is made an official United States holiday while the Confederates officially proclaim December 20 as Independence Day. Confederate officials, spurred on by Texas bretheren, sign onto the Honolulu Accords. Japan begins construction of the first all-metal warship outside of the Monitor class and equivalents, the Satsuma. At 325 feet and set with 6 14-inch guns and 8 5-inch guns, this "pocket battleship" is a radical ship for several reasons: the first to have an Analytical Engine onboard for targeting purposes, the first to have twin-screw propulsion, and the first to have rifled breech-loaded guns aboard. This ship proves incredibly expensive but deemed worth the cost and seven are ordered.
Timeline Number: 1255
Event Date: 5-23-1870
Event Description: Conclusion of Franco-Prussian War with the surrender of Paris after the British intervene on behalf of their German allies. France gives up Alsace-Lorraine, Madagascar, and much of the Sudan to Germany while Britain gets a stretch of French coast from Cherbourg to Calais, a claim on French Guiana, and recognition of British control of the English Channel in perpetuity. The new French government is also allied to London and Berlin in what becomes the "Paradoxical Axis" or Axis. Honolulu accord nations move to strengthen ties among themselves as the prospect of three of the world's strongest nations working that closely together can only mean trouble.
this is as as far as it got unfortunately so please comment and give suggestions for how to continue