America - Albion's Orphan - A history of the conquest of Britain - 1760
- Thread starter Alt History Buff
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Would you be able of listing the populations of all the major countries in Europe?
Particularly France, Russia, that large Habsburg mess, Poland, and Romania.
Particularly France, Russia, that large Habsburg mess, Poland, and Romania.
Is there any marriage alliance with Peshwa with Sikh to assimilate or unify crowns?
Is Peshwa's northeast expansion ongoing? In Assam, Meghalaya, naval and, Manipur and arakan, etc
Are Sikhs trying to expand in Afghanistan?
Is Peshwa's northeast expansion ongoing? In Assam, Meghalaya, naval and, Manipur and arakan, etc
Are Sikhs trying to expand in Afghanistan?
Chapter 395
1912
Wroclaw, Silesia, Habsburg Empire
While the Northern Confederation tore itself apart, the same factionalism was being experienced in the Habsburg Empire. Surprisingly, Silesia was the latest source of vexation to the Emperor.
Silesia had long been a cross-roads between Poland and Germany, between Protestant and Catholic (with some Jews as well). Centuries ago, this region was mainly Polish Catholic, then experienced waves of German Lutheran immigration. After the brief occupation of Silesia in the early 18th century (1742 to 1760) by the House of Hohenzollern, it returned to Habsburg control. While the Habsburgs did not expel the German Protestants which made up a large portion of the population (and virtually ALL of the German residents were Lutheran at this point), the Habsburgs DID encourage German Catholic migration to the region (mostly from Habsburg Bavaria/Austria but also Catholics from other parts of Germany unhappy with Protestant rule) as well as Polish, Bohemian, Ruthenian and other Catholics. The Habsburgs even allowed a large Jewish population in hopes of diluting the Protestants further (thus the 7% Jewish population), at least until the mid 19th century when too many Jews were crossing the border from suddenly hostile Poland.
In the end, Silesia in 1912 was a diverse mish-mash of religion and ethnicity comprising roughly 31% German Catholic, 25% German Protestant, 24% Polish Catholic, 7% Jewish and the remaining 13% a mix of Bohemian, Moravian, Ruthenian, Hungarian, Croat, etc (the heavy majority of these Catholic)) whom had settled the region to work in the flourishing mining and industrial sectors.
Even when other regions of the Empire had been simmering with political discontent, Silesia had generally been passive. However, the recent years had seen a massive change in sentiment towards further autonomy. Initially, this was supported by all factions with the intent for cooperation in governing themselves. However, the Protestant Northern Confederation had been attempting to entice Silesian annexation just as the Habsburgs encouraged loyalism.
The Poles and Jews were largely neutral but the Habsburgs had long looked nervously northwards as the prospering Kingdom of Poland may seek to influence some of northeastern regions of Silesia with large Polish populations.
By 1912, riots were routinely experienced in Wroclaw and revolutionary groups ranging by religious affiliation, ethnic boundaries, separatists wanting their own crown, republicans, anarchists, etc, etc. Silesia appeared destined for chaos.
Rome, Italy, Habsburg Empire
Of all the assorted Kingdoms in the Habsburg Empire, Italy was the largest, most recently added and, most importantly, politically unified in their demand for autonomy. While there remained great gaps between northern and southern Italian economies, both regions had long advocated ever increasing levels of local political power.
In truth, the Habsburgs had quite steadily ceded ever greater power to the Italian Parliament over the past decades. Indeed, Italy's Parliament maintained greater levels of authority than even Austria's.
But the Habsburg influence on Italy was limited due to the short nature of the Habsburg rule, the geographic isolation of Italy and the large population. Here, Imperial force could not command Italian fealty, only compromise and dedication to Italian public concerns.
However, resentment against the Habsburg Viceroy ran deep despite his good intentions. It seemed only a matter of time until some event tipped the peninsula into outright rebellion.
The nature of this event would come as somewhat of a surprise.
Vienna, Arch-Duchy of Austria, Habsburg Empire
The year 1912 was particularly hard on Vienna. The economy of Austria as a whole had fallen into recession. Several large employers had been shut down. Worse, a dismally cold winter had resulted in the damage to several train tracks at the same time which cut off the Habsburg Capital to shipments of coal and firewood.
Bizarrely, the capital had become a center of the recent "Anarchist" and "Socialist" factions in the Empire, largely due to the presence of several Universities. These two groups often collaborated in protests, a somewhat confusing state of affairs as the two groups seemed to be, by definition, on the opposite ends of the political spectrum.
"Anarchists" were largely dismissed as drunken idiots who didn't want to work.
"Socialists" were constantly speaking of "oppressed workers" though few of the "Socialists" were working class or had even gotten their hands dirty in their lives. They tended to be upper to middle class students who viewed a Socialist society with them at the top as "leaders" or what have you. Certainly, should the Socialist Revolution come, they did not intend to work in the fields or factories but would act as some sort of "Socialist Priesthood" spreading the gospel of Socialism to the grateful people who naturally gave them all that they wanted.
Both groups were roundly ignored by most facets of society as bored students who should get jobs before they spouted political slogans. Typically, the only time they would get any attention is when a handful of these "Radicals" would get caught plotting some idiot terrorist attack or assassination attempt.
In Vienna in particular, the "Socialist Leadership" as the students tended to call themselves were kept at distance by the actual workers. On one occasion during a strike at a local coal mining facility, the students walked into the Union meeting hall decked in their finery and spouted their slogans. The hard-faced miners took one look at the boys who'd never worked a day in their lives and beat the students to a bloody pulp. After that, the Unions and Student Radicals tended not to affiliate.
1912 would see the actions of these two groups, taken entirely in without the knowledge of the other, result in unexpected and far-reaching ways.
The coal miners, hearing that coal was being delivered from the west by rail, would cut the railroad in several points with the intention of halting the coal shipments. This succeeded beyond expectation as the cold weather, ice and snow prevented easy access to army units to brush aside the miners and repair the track.
At the same time, a faction of Anarchists would sink several boats along the Danube, blocking the rivers for weeks....just long enough for the River to freeze.
A group of 200 "Socialist" students plotted a takeover of Vienna with the aid of some textile factory workers. While this sort of "revolution" tended to be halted quickly, the problems elsewhere blinded the government to the point that the students managed to cut the telegraph lines into the city as well as burn several Marconi Radio towers.
By December of 1912, the city was cut off and facing a heating crisis by Christmas during the coldest winter on record. It would take the government months to settle the problems. By the time, the students were arrested, the miners were offered a compromise to get back to work (and a pardon for their crimes), it seemed half the Habsburg Empire was in the flame of outright rebellion.
Wroclaw, Silesia, Habsburg Empire
While the Northern Confederation tore itself apart, the same factionalism was being experienced in the Habsburg Empire. Surprisingly, Silesia was the latest source of vexation to the Emperor.
Silesia had long been a cross-roads between Poland and Germany, between Protestant and Catholic (with some Jews as well). Centuries ago, this region was mainly Polish Catholic, then experienced waves of German Lutheran immigration. After the brief occupation of Silesia in the early 18th century (1742 to 1760) by the House of Hohenzollern, it returned to Habsburg control. While the Habsburgs did not expel the German Protestants which made up a large portion of the population (and virtually ALL of the German residents were Lutheran at this point), the Habsburgs DID encourage German Catholic migration to the region (mostly from Habsburg Bavaria/Austria but also Catholics from other parts of Germany unhappy with Protestant rule) as well as Polish, Bohemian, Ruthenian and other Catholics. The Habsburgs even allowed a large Jewish population in hopes of diluting the Protestants further (thus the 7% Jewish population), at least until the mid 19th century when too many Jews were crossing the border from suddenly hostile Poland.
In the end, Silesia in 1912 was a diverse mish-mash of religion and ethnicity comprising roughly 31% German Catholic, 25% German Protestant, 24% Polish Catholic, 7% Jewish and the remaining 13% a mix of Bohemian, Moravian, Ruthenian, Hungarian, Croat, etc (the heavy majority of these Catholic)) whom had settled the region to work in the flourishing mining and industrial sectors.
Even when other regions of the Empire had been simmering with political discontent, Silesia had generally been passive. However, the recent years had seen a massive change in sentiment towards further autonomy. Initially, this was supported by all factions with the intent for cooperation in governing themselves. However, the Protestant Northern Confederation had been attempting to entice Silesian annexation just as the Habsburgs encouraged loyalism.
The Poles and Jews were largely neutral but the Habsburgs had long looked nervously northwards as the prospering Kingdom of Poland may seek to influence some of northeastern regions of Silesia with large Polish populations.
By 1912, riots were routinely experienced in Wroclaw and revolutionary groups ranging by religious affiliation, ethnic boundaries, separatists wanting their own crown, republicans, anarchists, etc, etc. Silesia appeared destined for chaos.
Rome, Italy, Habsburg Empire
Of all the assorted Kingdoms in the Habsburg Empire, Italy was the largest, most recently added and, most importantly, politically unified in their demand for autonomy. While there remained great gaps between northern and southern Italian economies, both regions had long advocated ever increasing levels of local political power.
In truth, the Habsburgs had quite steadily ceded ever greater power to the Italian Parliament over the past decades. Indeed, Italy's Parliament maintained greater levels of authority than even Austria's.
But the Habsburg influence on Italy was limited due to the short nature of the Habsburg rule, the geographic isolation of Italy and the large population. Here, Imperial force could not command Italian fealty, only compromise and dedication to Italian public concerns.
However, resentment against the Habsburg Viceroy ran deep despite his good intentions. It seemed only a matter of time until some event tipped the peninsula into outright rebellion.
The nature of this event would come as somewhat of a surprise.
Vienna, Arch-Duchy of Austria, Habsburg Empire
The year 1912 was particularly hard on Vienna. The economy of Austria as a whole had fallen into recession. Several large employers had been shut down. Worse, a dismally cold winter had resulted in the damage to several train tracks at the same time which cut off the Habsburg Capital to shipments of coal and firewood.
Bizarrely, the capital had become a center of the recent "Anarchist" and "Socialist" factions in the Empire, largely due to the presence of several Universities. These two groups often collaborated in protests, a somewhat confusing state of affairs as the two groups seemed to be, by definition, on the opposite ends of the political spectrum.
"Anarchists" were largely dismissed as drunken idiots who didn't want to work.
"Socialists" were constantly speaking of "oppressed workers" though few of the "Socialists" were working class or had even gotten their hands dirty in their lives. They tended to be upper to middle class students who viewed a Socialist society with them at the top as "leaders" or what have you. Certainly, should the Socialist Revolution come, they did not intend to work in the fields or factories but would act as some sort of "Socialist Priesthood" spreading the gospel of Socialism to the grateful people who naturally gave them all that they wanted.
Both groups were roundly ignored by most facets of society as bored students who should get jobs before they spouted political slogans. Typically, the only time they would get any attention is when a handful of these "Radicals" would get caught plotting some idiot terrorist attack or assassination attempt.
In Vienna in particular, the "Socialist Leadership" as the students tended to call themselves were kept at distance by the actual workers. On one occasion during a strike at a local coal mining facility, the students walked into the Union meeting hall decked in their finery and spouted their slogans. The hard-faced miners took one look at the boys who'd never worked a day in their lives and beat the students to a bloody pulp. After that, the Unions and Student Radicals tended not to affiliate.
1912 would see the actions of these two groups, taken entirely in without the knowledge of the other, result in unexpected and far-reaching ways.
The coal miners, hearing that coal was being delivered from the west by rail, would cut the railroad in several points with the intention of halting the coal shipments. This succeeded beyond expectation as the cold weather, ice and snow prevented easy access to army units to brush aside the miners and repair the track.
At the same time, a faction of Anarchists would sink several boats along the Danube, blocking the rivers for weeks....just long enough for the River to freeze.
A group of 200 "Socialist" students plotted a takeover of Vienna with the aid of some textile factory workers. While this sort of "revolution" tended to be halted quickly, the problems elsewhere blinded the government to the point that the students managed to cut the telegraph lines into the city as well as burn several Marconi Radio towers.
By December of 1912, the city was cut off and facing a heating crisis by Christmas during the coldest winter on record. It would take the government months to settle the problems. By the time, the students were arrested, the miners were offered a compromise to get back to work (and a pardon for their crimes), it seemed half the Habsburg Empire was in the flame of outright rebellion.
I didn't have any plans for a Sikh marriage. The Sikh Kingdom is a very autonomous vassal Kingdom of the Marathas.
I don't have the Sikhs expanding into Afghanistan.
The Peshwa has nominally taken OTL eastern India but under appointed local Kings.
Population of European Countries - 1912
France - 58,000,000
Russia - 85,000,000
Italy - 35,000,000
Poland - 25,000,000
Romania - 8,000,000
Spain - 21,000,000
Assorted German states (including all Habsburg, Danish, etc subjects of German extraction like Austria, Bavaria, Schleswig, Holstein and Hanover) - 64,000,000
Russia - 85,000,000
Italy - 35,000,000
Poland - 25,000,000
Romania - 8,000,000
Spain - 21,000,000
Assorted German states (including all Habsburg, Danish, etc subjects of German extraction like Austria, Bavaria, Schleswig, Holstein and Hanover) - 64,000,000
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What is the position of the Chhatrapati like now ?
Chapter 396
1913
Madrid
Though it took several years, the final unified Spanish Constitution was solidified in 1913. While largely popular the length of Spain, there remained pockets of resistance among the former constituent Kingdoms of Spain, particularly the independent-minded Basque country.
Violence would remain in effect for years despite Spanish concessions like making Basque an official language of the nation and the King's promise to personally patronize Basque cultural institutions.
France
The French Parliament, facing demands by the Ministry for funding for assorted legislation, dug in their heels and refused, instead demanding that the King replace his Ministers. While this was not unheard of in France, this was perhaps the first time Parliament formally declared that they could not support an entire Minstry and openly dared demand that the King replace his chosen Ministers.
The deadlock would continue throughout most of 1913 as taxes collected were not allocated to the government. Soldiers and bureaucrats went unpaid for weeks, then months.
The internal turmoil would so upset the government that France took no part of the European warfare occurring throughout the continent.
Rome
The "Revolutionary Council" would formally declare Italy as having seceded from the "Imperial Council" and assume all local powers regarding Italy. Technically, Italy had not overthrown the Emperor, the nominal and popular Viceroy, Duke Charles, remaining in Rome to negotiate with the Italian Parliament's new appointed Ministers.
Duke Charles hoped to negotiate a peace which would ensure his brother's legacy.
But the Italian forces being mustered were intended to defend the Peninsula from the inevitable Imperial onslaught.
By this point, of course, both the Hungarians and Bohemians had already followed the example of Italy and Silesia and pronounced their nation's independent of the Imperial throne.
Saxony
Over the course of the past few months, the Brandenburg-Saxon alliance had started to fray as much of the Brandenburg forces were redirected from Hanover (the agreed upon target) to Pomerania where a four-way battle was being waged for domination.
The Saxon King, facing the Danish-German forces almost alone, would see several northwestern German nations, like Munster and even the Hohenzollern petty states of the Northwest. Tired of his ally's lack of support against Hanover, the King of Saxony withdrew from the war with Denmark and retreated his forces back into Saxony.
Given that apparent lack of traction among the German unificationists, many being disenfranchised by the Brandenburg-Saxon aggression and obvious duplicity, the King believed that German unification was dead for the moment.
Swedish Pomerania
In a single, great battle, the Swedish forces were crushed by the Brandenburgers, thousands captured and the rest forced to flee back to the coast. For a year, the Pomeranian independence faction had been fighting the Brandenburgers with more effectiveness than the Swedes. The Mecklenbergers had already been ejected from Pomeranian soil.
Feeling assured of victory, the Brandenburg army would prepared to finish off the local Pomeranians...only to be stopped by an invading Polish Army. For the length of the war, the King of Poland had looked in in concern, certain that a unified northern Germany would be far more of a threat to Poland long term. It was even possible that some theoretical German state may try to link with Prussia, currently surrounded by Poland.
The King of Poland would pronounce that he formally recognized the former Swedish Pomerania as an independent state and promptly invaded Brandenburg from the east, 70,000 men crossing the border into Brandenburger Pomerania (to the east of Swedish Pomerania and the only outlet to the sea available to Brandenburg).
The move was apparently a complete surprise to the King of Brandenburg, whose low-lying Kingdom was ill-suited for defense. The Poles swiftly pushed through most of Pomerania and crushed the Brandenburg Army.
Brandenburg
Though it took nearly a year, the Danish King would forge an army of Danes and Germans large enough to evict the remnant of the Brandenburg forces from Hanover (the Saxons had already retreated). The King of Denmark would, like the King of Poland, personally lead the Danish forces into Brandenburg territory.
With astonishing speed, the Brandenburg army collapsed as both Danish and Polish forces turned towards Berlin.
By late summer of 1913, the armies had reached Berlin and forced the King of Brandenburg to the negotiating table.
Their terms for peace would not be merciful.
Ignoring the protests of Sweden, Mecklenburg and any other regional power, the King of Poland and King of Denmark would formally recognize Swedish Pomerania as an independent nation....and proceeded to add most of Brandenburger Pomerania as well, cutting off Brandenburg from the sea.
As Poland and Denmark possessed moderately powerful Parliaments, they would recognize the hastily assembled Pomeranian Parliament and propose that a Constitution based on Denmark's system be adapted. For King, the King of Denmark would recommend his younger brother, Duke Hans, who spoke fluent German, had a German wife and had spent the past ten years as the popular Viceroy of Hanover. This was acceptable to the King of Poland who only cared that Protestant Germany was being splintered further and that the ambitions of Brandenburg were permanently stymied. An independent Pomerania would further these goals.
Saxony, which was NOT occupied, was allowed off the hook for their actions by paying a series of modest reparations to Hanover for their trespass.
Both Brandenburg and Saxony had hoped one of the other major powers of Europe, be it Russia, Austria or France, would intervene on their behalf. However, even if any of these nations were interested in aiding Brandenburg/Saxony, they had their problems to deal with. In the case of Russia, the Czar simply didn't give a damn as long as no European power was augmented in the peace (neither Poland nor Denmark was adding any territories).
The peace of 1913 was harsh but few sympathized with Brandenburg after his open aggression.
Madrid
Though it took several years, the final unified Spanish Constitution was solidified in 1913. While largely popular the length of Spain, there remained pockets of resistance among the former constituent Kingdoms of Spain, particularly the independent-minded Basque country.
Violence would remain in effect for years despite Spanish concessions like making Basque an official language of the nation and the King's promise to personally patronize Basque cultural institutions.
France
The French Parliament, facing demands by the Ministry for funding for assorted legislation, dug in their heels and refused, instead demanding that the King replace his Ministers. While this was not unheard of in France, this was perhaps the first time Parliament formally declared that they could not support an entire Minstry and openly dared demand that the King replace his chosen Ministers.
The deadlock would continue throughout most of 1913 as taxes collected were not allocated to the government. Soldiers and bureaucrats went unpaid for weeks, then months.
The internal turmoil would so upset the government that France took no part of the European warfare occurring throughout the continent.
Rome
The "Revolutionary Council" would formally declare Italy as having seceded from the "Imperial Council" and assume all local powers regarding Italy. Technically, Italy had not overthrown the Emperor, the nominal and popular Viceroy, Duke Charles, remaining in Rome to negotiate with the Italian Parliament's new appointed Ministers.
Duke Charles hoped to negotiate a peace which would ensure his brother's legacy.
But the Italian forces being mustered were intended to defend the Peninsula from the inevitable Imperial onslaught.
By this point, of course, both the Hungarians and Bohemians had already followed the example of Italy and Silesia and pronounced their nation's independent of the Imperial throne.
Saxony
Over the course of the past few months, the Brandenburg-Saxon alliance had started to fray as much of the Brandenburg forces were redirected from Hanover (the agreed upon target) to Pomerania where a four-way battle was being waged for domination.
The Saxon King, facing the Danish-German forces almost alone, would see several northwestern German nations, like Munster and even the Hohenzollern petty states of the Northwest. Tired of his ally's lack of support against Hanover, the King of Saxony withdrew from the war with Denmark and retreated his forces back into Saxony.
Given that apparent lack of traction among the German unificationists, many being disenfranchised by the Brandenburg-Saxon aggression and obvious duplicity, the King believed that German unification was dead for the moment.
Swedish Pomerania
In a single, great battle, the Swedish forces were crushed by the Brandenburgers, thousands captured and the rest forced to flee back to the coast. For a year, the Pomeranian independence faction had been fighting the Brandenburgers with more effectiveness than the Swedes. The Mecklenbergers had already been ejected from Pomeranian soil.
Feeling assured of victory, the Brandenburg army would prepared to finish off the local Pomeranians...only to be stopped by an invading Polish Army. For the length of the war, the King of Poland had looked in in concern, certain that a unified northern Germany would be far more of a threat to Poland long term. It was even possible that some theoretical German state may try to link with Prussia, currently surrounded by Poland.
The King of Poland would pronounce that he formally recognized the former Swedish Pomerania as an independent state and promptly invaded Brandenburg from the east, 70,000 men crossing the border into Brandenburger Pomerania (to the east of Swedish Pomerania and the only outlet to the sea available to Brandenburg).
The move was apparently a complete surprise to the King of Brandenburg, whose low-lying Kingdom was ill-suited for defense. The Poles swiftly pushed through most of Pomerania and crushed the Brandenburg Army.
Brandenburg
Though it took nearly a year, the Danish King would forge an army of Danes and Germans large enough to evict the remnant of the Brandenburg forces from Hanover (the Saxons had already retreated). The King of Denmark would, like the King of Poland, personally lead the Danish forces into Brandenburg territory.
With astonishing speed, the Brandenburg army collapsed as both Danish and Polish forces turned towards Berlin.
By late summer of 1913, the armies had reached Berlin and forced the King of Brandenburg to the negotiating table.
Their terms for peace would not be merciful.
Ignoring the protests of Sweden, Mecklenburg and any other regional power, the King of Poland and King of Denmark would formally recognize Swedish Pomerania as an independent nation....and proceeded to add most of Brandenburger Pomerania as well, cutting off Brandenburg from the sea.
As Poland and Denmark possessed moderately powerful Parliaments, they would recognize the hastily assembled Pomeranian Parliament and propose that a Constitution based on Denmark's system be adapted. For King, the King of Denmark would recommend his younger brother, Duke Hans, who spoke fluent German, had a German wife and had spent the past ten years as the popular Viceroy of Hanover. This was acceptable to the King of Poland who only cared that Protestant Germany was being splintered further and that the ambitions of Brandenburg were permanently stymied. An independent Pomerania would further these goals.
Saxony, which was NOT occupied, was allowed off the hook for their actions by paying a series of modest reparations to Hanover for their trespass.
Both Brandenburg and Saxony had hoped one of the other major powers of Europe, be it Russia, Austria or France, would intervene on their behalf. However, even if any of these nations were interested in aiding Brandenburg/Saxony, they had their problems to deal with. In the case of Russia, the Czar simply didn't give a damn as long as no European power was augmented in the peace (neither Poland nor Denmark was adding any territories).
The peace of 1913 was harsh but few sympathized with Brandenburg after his open aggression.
It's really hard to judge whether this means peace on more liberal terms, or a slide into more and more intensive war.
Certainly, having had to mobilize on an emergency basis, being caught flatfooted, the Danish consolidation (Hanover is still distinct, if clearly subordinated, is it not?) would pretty much have to sustain and probably further expand this mobilization. An army, however ragtag and ill equipped and trained that has prevailed in war is a sound basis to build a solidly professional force to reckon with; for the next half generation or so Denmark has seasoned, experienced soldiers to draw on to train up and stiffen younger ones.
In the postwar situation, I think the mood would be to sustain the army at a higher level and with more attention to staying current than before at any rate.
Meanwhile the Danish Navy also needs some serious attention; as it played little role in the recent war it might not get it, but the Danish system clearly needs to keep its sea access to Norway (and I would guess, Iceland, and Greenland for what little that is worth) open at the very least, repel possible landing attempts, and even a modest investment in modern sea power coupled with some heavy shore artillery can close the strait to the Baltic. Not as well as controlling the southern Swedish coast would of course. So a lot depends on how contented or otherwise southern Swedish subjects are with their regime, how much they identify as Swedes, how much animosity they have toward Danes, etc.
Meanwhile of course Denmark is not alone in the world; other powers will have interests and views about their choices--whether they strive to expand into southern Sweden to get a lock on the straits say, that would be most alarming to many powers. (I don't suppose it is a wise policy actually, just something a Dane provoked into high degrees of chauvinism and defensive-mindedness verging on or here tipping over into aggrandizing aggression in the name of defense or just for the sheer glory and profit of it might think of doing).
Certainly, having had to mobilize on an emergency basis, being caught flatfooted, the Danish consolidation (Hanover is still distinct, if clearly subordinated, is it not?) would pretty much have to sustain and probably further expand this mobilization. An army, however ragtag and ill equipped and trained that has prevailed in war is a sound basis to build a solidly professional force to reckon with; for the next half generation or so Denmark has seasoned, experienced soldiers to draw on to train up and stiffen younger ones.
In the postwar situation, I think the mood would be to sustain the army at a higher level and with more attention to staying current than before at any rate.
Meanwhile the Danish Navy also needs some serious attention; as it played little role in the recent war it might not get it, but the Danish system clearly needs to keep its sea access to Norway (and I would guess, Iceland, and Greenland for what little that is worth) open at the very least, repel possible landing attempts, and even a modest investment in modern sea power coupled with some heavy shore artillery can close the strait to the Baltic. Not as well as controlling the southern Swedish coast would of course. So a lot depends on how contented or otherwise southern Swedish subjects are with their regime, how much they identify as Swedes, how much animosity they have toward Danes, etc.
Meanwhile of course Denmark is not alone in the world; other powers will have interests and views about their choices--whether they strive to expand into southern Sweden to get a lock on the straits say, that would be most alarming to many powers. (I don't suppose it is a wise policy actually, just something a Dane provoked into high degrees of chauvinism and defensive-mindedness verging on or here tipping over into aggrandizing aggression in the name of defense or just for the sheer glory and profit of it might think of doing).
Interesting, your post actually reminds of the timeline "In this Country, it is good to kill an admiral from time to time", particularly how the Kingdom of Denmark (which by the end of the 19th century is a Great Power that controls Denmark, southern Sweden, and Schleswig-Holstein and has around 5.6 million people) has one of the world's largest navies, which it uses for the majority of the Great War to guard the Baltic Sea and keep a large part of the French and English navies distracted.
However, when they realize they might lose the war against France's alliance (since England is invading Norway), they send their entire navy to fight a bigger French-English joint navy. Both sides are huge in size, with France and England having a combined 24 battleships while Denmark has 11. The fight lasts through the night and has horrific losses, with each side losing 10 battleships and countless other ships. It is so awful that both sides have a week of mourning for all the sailors who died. That said, the Danish cannot replace their losses, and since their ally Norway is about to fall, they surrender. Fortunately, this means that they get only a light punishment when the Great War ends, with their only costs being payments to the English and French, Spanish annexation of their few African colonies, and a serious cut on their navy (they still are allowed to have 1 battleship, but that's the max).
In short, Denmark in an Ah timeline can become a Great Power, they just need to be careful not to push it, and that seems to be the case here.
I wonder if this Denmark would not suffer a serious case of "tail wagging the dog", as by my estimates the German population should be just about less than half the total population of the empire.
Yeah, unless a sizable minority of the people in Hanover can properly integrate into the Danish culture and learn the Danish language, then Denmark is going to have major issues hanging on to it. Not to mention that they're surrounded by German nations that could try taking it for themselves and the Danish 'mainland' doesn't have a large population/army to start.
Right, I hope no one gets victory disease enough to think they can go pick a fight with France just for the hell of it. The Danes have to worry about worried and revanchist Sweden and Brandenburg and opportunist Poland, also the Russians might have some objections to being pent up. (OTL in the Great War period, intermarriage between the Danish and Romanov families, and perhaps other factors, made the Danes at least sentimentally fairly well disposed toward Russia, and hostile to the Bolsheviks; I don't know if that relates to a general tendency of Russians and Danes to see shared mutual interests or not).
I'm mainly stressing they should prepare for someone else to try to force another war on them and to win that war--not go starting it!
I'm mainly stressing they should prepare for someone else to try to force another war on them and to win that war--not go starting it!
I think perhaps the pattern of nationalism framed largely by Napoleonic schemes and post-Napoleonic romanticism and the fusion of liberal/radical agitation with nationalism all tend to bias us agains the possibility of a feasible multi-national regime being stable, with different ethnic and linguistic groups quite understanding they are different from one another but all reasonably satisfied with the state that governs them all anyway.
Again an OTL example might be the more or less Germanized peoples of the Baltics under the Tsars; as I understand it in the Great War period they were not particularly resentful of the Romanov regime as they knew it nor welcoming of the Germans as liberators. Society was (if I am to believe Carlton Bach's research into his own timeline anyway) stratified so that Russian rule was thin on the ground, a matter of a few governors and some bureaucracy, but mostly Germanized but Romanov-loyalists, atop a stratum of semi-Germanized and very apolitical peasants.
Multiculturalism does seem to be a hard trick to pull off OTL, but hardly impossible.
It is a question of whether the Danish monarchy thinks it is important the Germans should Danify, versus bilingual and bi-cultural institutions working well enough and the Hanoverians and other Germans thinking they have a good thing going with the Danish connection and therefore supporting it. The monarchy would do well to actively cultivate this balance if that were the case.
Chapter 397
1914
Constantinople, Kingdom of Bulgaria
Hagia Sophia
Against the protests of many Eastern Orthodox (Bulgarian) clergy, the King of Bulgaria determined that the ancient Hagia Sofia (nearly 1400 years old) would be turned to a museum rather than an active place of worship.
In truth, few people came to the Hagia Sophia to pray by the time of the 20th century. While many Eastern Orthodox people of the 18th and 19th century, after the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire, had gone out of their way to worship at the symbol of Christian/Muslim dissent, fewer and fewer were doing so in the 20th century. Thus, the building was de-sanctified after 14 hundred years and turned to a non-religious, secular purpose.
While there was some religious resentment, the tourists pouring into the region would swiftly become a primary revenue source for the Kingdom of Bulgaria. Eventually, efforts were made to bring tourists further north into Bulgaria proper. Like Greece, Bulgaria would become a MUST on the European tour as much for her historical stops at Constantinople and Adrianople as for her beaches on the Black Sea.
The Balkans remained something of an economic backwater in Europe but perhaps less so culturally as Greece and Bulgaria became central towards the "historical" focus of Europe.
Germany
While many people in the German Kingdoms had been pacified by negotiation or force throughout the absolutist Kingdoms of the south, the resistance would not end. While Brandenburg, Saxony and other German nations found that the democratic movements were crushed via Royal Secret Police, the people greatly resented this INCREASE in repression when other nations, even in Germany (like those of the Danish Kingdoms within Germany), continued reforming more towards a Democratic process like France, America and other nations), seemed perfectly stabile under Parliamentary Democracies.
As it turned out, the true losers of the previous war would turn out to be Brandenburg (which had lost Pomerania) and Saxony (which nominally lost nothing other than treasure and blood). Despite the most ardent attempts by the assorted Kings, the rebellious movements had only expanded after the losses of the previous war.
Berlin was overrun by the radical Socialist movement. Already truncated by losing Pomerania, the Crown was less than popular in 1914.
Dresden was conquered by Anarchists (an odd political movement given that they cast aside any actual GOVERNANCE.
In short order, the aggressive nations of the previous war found their crowned heads overthrown by obscure political movements supported by unemployable university students claiming intellectual superiority.
Vienna
An old man, the Emperor would summon the assorted "representatives" of the various new governments of his now rebellious Kingdoms under the Habsburg Crown, and offer what he considered a reasonable compromise.
Exhausted after a lifetime of attempts to keep the diverse Kingdoms of the Habsburg Empire together, he offered to grant independence to the various nations....under a HABSBURG monarch.
Though reports of the annexation of Italy to the Habsburg realms to the general polity to be dangerous to the Empire had been bandied about for generations, the truth was that few believed this. However, the marriage of the Queen of Italy to the Emperor of Austria had indeed led to the forced delegation of authority to regional governments at a level some historians would claim would never have occurred if Italy had been allowed to go their own way. Instead, the Emperor, forced by Italy to grant autonomy, swiftly was forced to grant the same to other regions. While some stated that the other nations of the Habsburg Empire would no doubt press for the same privileges in time, there was the opinion that it may take decades, if not centuries, for this to occur.
Instead, the acquisition of a massive population of Italians had led to the disintegration of the Habsburg Empire.
Now, Silesia, Bohemia, Hungary (the Crown of St. Stephan which included Slovenia and the Croat lands) and, of course, Italy, had declared independence. Rebellion in the German lands of the Habsburg Empire had prevented any significant attempt to achieve control over the regional Diets/Parliaments.
The Emperor had a choice:
1. Accept this.
2. Fight it.
The Emperor chose to accept this as he believed that any attempt to repress this activity was destined to fail...even without German, Polish, Russian, French, etc... interference.
Instead, he offered a compromise:
Independence....under a Habsburg Monarch.
As it turned out, the Emperor had six sons and three daughters via his two marriages. This would provide plenty of heirs.
To his surprise, there was relatively little resistance to this idea in the assorted Kingdoms. Hungary, Silesia, Bohemia and Italy accepted youngers sons to their thrones.
Later, Moravia (Slovakia) and Carniola (Slovenia) would throw out the Bohemian and Hungarian Crowns (respectively) and demand their own monarchs. The Habsburg Emperor would promptly offer his final son (a weakling in his mind) and a nephew to these new thrones.
To the astonishment of Europe, these nations also accepted the Emperor's recommendation as they feared an invasion if they refused, either by Austria or Bohemia/Hungary. Also, the Emperor, despite the rebellions, was often popular among local populations and the idea of a Habsburg King was viewed as a positive among the local peoples in hopes that this would promote peace with their neighbors.
Thus, within two years the ancient Habsburg Empire had fragmented beyond recommendation, much to the glee of France, Poland and Russia, who had long suffered at the Habsburg hands over the centuries.
Moscow
The Czar, having personally witnessed the disorders (i.e. riots) of the past few months in Moscow, would exile hundreds of rioters to Western Siberia. Fearing the disorders of Germany and the Habsburg Empire would spread, the Czar would order a review of the latest reforms, demanding to know which could be expedited to suppress dissatifaction...and which had to be withdrawn.
The Czar was uncertain how to continue. While the Duma had been embodied, it remained largely an "advisory" body.
Constantinople, Kingdom of Bulgaria
Hagia Sophia
Against the protests of many Eastern Orthodox (Bulgarian) clergy, the King of Bulgaria determined that the ancient Hagia Sofia (nearly 1400 years old) would be turned to a museum rather than an active place of worship.
In truth, few people came to the Hagia Sophia to pray by the time of the 20th century. While many Eastern Orthodox people of the 18th and 19th century, after the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire, had gone out of their way to worship at the symbol of Christian/Muslim dissent, fewer and fewer were doing so in the 20th century. Thus, the building was de-sanctified after 14 hundred years and turned to a non-religious, secular purpose.
While there was some religious resentment, the tourists pouring into the region would swiftly become a primary revenue source for the Kingdom of Bulgaria. Eventually, efforts were made to bring tourists further north into Bulgaria proper. Like Greece, Bulgaria would become a MUST on the European tour as much for her historical stops at Constantinople and Adrianople as for her beaches on the Black Sea.
The Balkans remained something of an economic backwater in Europe but perhaps less so culturally as Greece and Bulgaria became central towards the "historical" focus of Europe.
Germany
While many people in the German Kingdoms had been pacified by negotiation or force throughout the absolutist Kingdoms of the south, the resistance would not end. While Brandenburg, Saxony and other German nations found that the democratic movements were crushed via Royal Secret Police, the people greatly resented this INCREASE in repression when other nations, even in Germany (like those of the Danish Kingdoms within Germany), continued reforming more towards a Democratic process like France, America and other nations), seemed perfectly stabile under Parliamentary Democracies.
As it turned out, the true losers of the previous war would turn out to be Brandenburg (which had lost Pomerania) and Saxony (which nominally lost nothing other than treasure and blood). Despite the most ardent attempts by the assorted Kings, the rebellious movements had only expanded after the losses of the previous war.
Berlin was overrun by the radical Socialist movement. Already truncated by losing Pomerania, the Crown was less than popular in 1914.
Dresden was conquered by Anarchists (an odd political movement given that they cast aside any actual GOVERNANCE.
In short order, the aggressive nations of the previous war found their crowned heads overthrown by obscure political movements supported by unemployable university students claiming intellectual superiority.
Vienna
An old man, the Emperor would summon the assorted "representatives" of the various new governments of his now rebellious Kingdoms under the Habsburg Crown, and offer what he considered a reasonable compromise.
Exhausted after a lifetime of attempts to keep the diverse Kingdoms of the Habsburg Empire together, he offered to grant independence to the various nations....under a HABSBURG monarch.
Though reports of the annexation of Italy to the Habsburg realms to the general polity to be dangerous to the Empire had been bandied about for generations, the truth was that few believed this. However, the marriage of the Queen of Italy to the Emperor of Austria had indeed led to the forced delegation of authority to regional governments at a level some historians would claim would never have occurred if Italy had been allowed to go their own way. Instead, the Emperor, forced by Italy to grant autonomy, swiftly was forced to grant the same to other regions. While some stated that the other nations of the Habsburg Empire would no doubt press for the same privileges in time, there was the opinion that it may take decades, if not centuries, for this to occur.
Instead, the acquisition of a massive population of Italians had led to the disintegration of the Habsburg Empire.
Now, Silesia, Bohemia, Hungary (the Crown of St. Stephan which included Slovenia and the Croat lands) and, of course, Italy, had declared independence. Rebellion in the German lands of the Habsburg Empire had prevented any significant attempt to achieve control over the regional Diets/Parliaments.
The Emperor had a choice:
1. Accept this.
2. Fight it.
The Emperor chose to accept this as he believed that any attempt to repress this activity was destined to fail...even without German, Polish, Russian, French, etc... interference.
Instead, he offered a compromise:
Independence....under a Habsburg Monarch.
As it turned out, the Emperor had six sons and three daughters via his two marriages. This would provide plenty of heirs.
To his surprise, there was relatively little resistance to this idea in the assorted Kingdoms. Hungary, Silesia, Bohemia and Italy accepted youngers sons to their thrones.
Later, Moravia (Slovakia) and Carniola (Slovenia) would throw out the Bohemian and Hungarian Crowns (respectively) and demand their own monarchs. The Habsburg Emperor would promptly offer his final son (a weakling in his mind) and a nephew to these new thrones.
To the astonishment of Europe, these nations also accepted the Emperor's recommendation as they feared an invasion if they refused, either by Austria or Bohemia/Hungary. Also, the Emperor, despite the rebellions, was often popular among local populations and the idea of a Habsburg King was viewed as a positive among the local peoples in hopes that this would promote peace with their neighbors.
Thus, within two years the ancient Habsburg Empire had fragmented beyond recommendation, much to the glee of France, Poland and Russia, who had long suffered at the Habsburg hands over the centuries.
Moscow
The Czar, having personally witnessed the disorders (i.e. riots) of the past few months in Moscow, would exile hundreds of rioters to Western Siberia. Fearing the disorders of Germany and the Habsburg Empire would spread, the Czar would order a review of the latest reforms, demanding to know which could be expedited to suppress dissatifaction...and which had to be withdrawn.
The Czar was uncertain how to continue. While the Duma had been embodied, it remained largely an "advisory" body.