Empire of New Castille

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1. War of Independence (1823)
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    • Namayan

    coatofarmsmanilav2.png


    War of Independence

    In July 1 of 1823, Captain Novales, Lieutenant Ruiz and Sergeant Mateo, 30 sergeants and 1000 soldiers mostly of Mexican or South American origins, declared Novales as Emperor of the Philippines.

    As Novales marched his men through Manila’s Camino Real, they were all shouting “Viva la independencia”, “Viva el Emperador Novales”. The people of the city shouted in support of Emperor Novales. They seized Palacio del Gobernador(Governor’s Palace) and captured both the Governor General Juan Antonio Martinez and Lieutenant Governor general Mariano Fernandez de Folgeuras.

    The rebels continued to march to Fort Santiago when the gates were opened by Andres' brother Mariano Novales. All soldiers and officers were given a chance to declare loyalty to the Emperor while those who remained loyal to Spain were all imprisoned in Fort Santiago.

    The next day Emperor Novales sent a decree to all Spanish East indies declaring independence from Spain, capture of the Spanish colonial government and him as emperor. Anyone who declared loyalty to the Emperor and the Empire will be treated equally regardless of place of birth, color and ethnicity.

    Among the first to receive the decree was Cavite Nuevo, location of multiple forts, shipyard and arsenal. A few loyal peninsular Spanish officers tore the decree up and shouted “Viva Espana!” after the announcement. But they were mobbed by fellow officers and soldiers, who were of Mexican, South American or Creole origins. The loyal Spanish soldiers who tried to fight were killed by a bayonet, bullet or beaten thru blunt force trauma. All the forts in Cavite Nuevo, the shipyard, arsenal, the docked ships are now in rebel control.

    The Cavite Nuevo incident was well known throughout the islands since the news of Spanish officers being mauled by fellow Spanish officers arrived simultaneously with Novales Decree. The incident made peninsular Spanish officers think twice before declaring any loyalty to Spain publicly.

    One by one, most of the forts and towns in the Spanish East Indies declared their loyalty to Emperor Novales and the empire.

    ************************************************

    Point of Departure is delay of the original timelines revolt by a month, to give way for more recruitment, planning. This resulted into Andres Novales brother helping the rebel cause and Governor General’s presence in Manila which resulted in his immediate capture.
     
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    • Nivek

    Amazing Scenario, now spain only tenuos hold Cuba and Puerto Rico as their remainder colonies and Phillipines if good butterflies could preempt japan as the Empire of East Asia
     

    Namayan

    Nivek said:
    Amazing Scenario, now spain only tenuos hold Cuba and Puerto Rico as their remainder colonies and Phillipines if good butterflies could preempt japan as the Empire of East Asia
    Click to expand...
    Thanks. I hope you enjoy the timeline.
     
    2. Voyage of Count Varela (1823-25)
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    • Namayan

    georgeivravelav2.jpg

    Count Valera at King George IV’s court​

    Voyage of Count Varela

    Emperor Novales was expecting a Spanish reconquest of the islands. Due to his experience as part of Spanish Royalists armies(being aware of British aid to Spanish American colonies), this made him determined to ask for British help and recognition of independence. He sent, the newly returned from exile, Count Luis Rodriguez Varela as Imperial envoy to London.

    Count Luis Varela was chosen to represent Philippine interests since he is a recognized person in Europe. He was given a choice to pick a title by Carlos IV in 1795, and he chose the Filipino Count. He has known published works, called for equal rights for all residents in Spanish East Indies, representation in the Cortes making him the most qualified, loyal to represent Philippine interests in Europe.

    In Singapore, Count Varela met Governor John Crawfurd to purchase of weaponry and promises of favoring British business over any foreign power. Crawfurd also gave advise on how to proceed in London both the recruitment of soldiers/mercenaries, purchase of weaponry and ships.

    The Voyage of Count Varela, which lasted almost two years, was certainly pivotal to the Empire’s infant stage. On top of recruiting thousands of troops ranging from British, Irish, Indian, etc., the voyage produced a 5-year span imports ranging from 35,000 muskets, 5,000 pistols, 1,500,000-gun flints, 500 Cannon balls, to 10,000 sabres. There were also 250 warships available due to British demobilization after the Napoleonic wars. The Empire’s first naval squadron, besides the captured warships in Spanish Philippines, ships being built at the Imperial shipyard in Cavite, purchased ships from London, Singapore or British India. These purchased ships were mixed ranging from East Indiamen to sloop of war.

    Besides soldiers, Count Varela recruited willing people or families of skill, not limited to teachers for his public education plans, gunsmiths and weaponsmiths, shipbuilders capable of making arms for the shipyard in Cavite and weapons to arm soldiers. They were offered gold or land or both, transports financed by the empire. These were eventually known as the first wave of European colonists in the newly independent empire.
     
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    • ramones1986

    ramones1986

    Namayan said:
    The coat of arms of Manila? We probably need a graphic artist for that.

    There seems to be a pattern with revolting Empires in OTL same time period. All seem to use the Eagle, First French Empire, First Empire of Haiti, First Mexican Empire.
    Click to expand...
    I thought of the sun beside either the eagle or the sealion.

    EDIT:
    Novales Philippines.png
     
    Last edited:
    3. Treaty of Manila (1823-24)
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    • Namayan

    Treaty of Manila

    Emperor Novales sent his brother, now General Mariano, along with 100 soldiers and two armed Galleons to Cebu where 40 Spanish loyalists occupied Fort San Pedro, surrounded by hundreds of Creole soldiers and thousands of Indios/natives. Fort San Pedro in Cebu was one of the few places that did not declare loyalty to the Emperor and the empire. The Novales first decree arrived in Cebu while most soldiers of Creole, American origins were not inside the fort. This gave the Spanish time to close down the fort, gathering provisions and securing artillery pieces.

    Upon hearing of General Mariano’s success in Cebu by the end of 1823, Emperor Andres Novales was able to convince both Governor General Juan Antonio Martinez and Lieutenant Governor General Mariano Fernandez de Folgeuras to sign a treaty recognizing the Independence of the Philippines.

    After the treaty was signed, all loyal Spanish soldiers were sent back to Spain along with Folgeuras, Martinez and a copy of the Treaty of Manila. Returning to Spain, Martinez faced total humiliation. Instead of the Cortes now he faced King Ferdinand VII, reinstalled by the Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis. With the state of Spain’s treasury, the constant war from the Napoleonic wars, Spanish American independence wars, the war between the Cortes and Bourbons, and the distance to the Philippines, Spain did not pursue any immediate reconquest.

    General Mariano was also tasked to quell the rebellion in Bohol. Although Dagohoy was dead, his rebellion still continued. Envoys were sent to convince the rebels to come down from the mountains, news about Philippine Independence, treatment of equality, the capture of the Spanish authorities.

    While recruiting and training the recruits in Cebu for the Bohol expedition, Mariano was asked by the Visayan authorities, who arrived in Cebu to appeal to Mariano, to take action versus the Moros. Mariano sent multiple letters to his brother in Manila for reinforcement. Mariano never got a positive reply until Manila got the news about Butuan raids, burning of towns, villages in Surigao near the gold mines. The Emperor had valid reason to hold back. Despite the Treaty of Manila, everyone was expecting a reconquest by Spain. However, the threat on Surigao changed all this and seen as the most immediate threat. Thus, most of the imperial fleet was dispatched, the Emperor had cancelled/delayed any attempts to subdue Bohol and authorized the invasion of Moro Sultanates, securing Visayas, more importantly protecting Surigao.

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    Moro Pirate Warship/Lanong​

    All coastal areas in Northern Mindanao controlled by Sultanate of Maguindanao were taken, followed by coastal areas controlled by Sultanate of Sulu. The army, mostly recruits from Visayas islands, were most passionate in Basilan at Datu Ipoypo’s fort. All of the Visayan soldiers had family members, friends, neighbors who were taken by Datu Ipoypo as slaves annually. After the death of Datu Ipoypo and conquest of Basilan island, all major coastal towns of Sultanate of Sulu and Maguindanao were bombarded by the fleet. Both of the Sultanates sues for peace by September of 1824. Maguindanao recognizes Imperial control of Northern Mindanao, while Sultanate of Sulu surrenders control of Northern Mindanao and Basilan island.
     
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    • 4. Deed of Sale (1825)
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    • Namayan

    manilacathedral.png

    Manila Cathedral, Plaza Mayor​
    Deed of Sale

    Palace of the Governor Manila April 25, 1825

    General Ruiz marched towards the Emperor’s office. General Ruiz informed the Emperor that there was a mob in front of Manila Cathedral.

    General Ruiz and the Emperor rushed outside of the Palace accompanied by some of his Guards. As they exit the Palace, they can see the mob congregating in front of Manila Cathedral, most of them Filipino Indio farmers, facing the Manila Cathedral. Some of the Indios appeared from Cathedral entrance holding the neck of several Caucasian priests and the Archbishop of Manila, Juan Antonio Zulaibar bloodied but still alive.

    The mob leader showed great anger accusing the priests and the church as the cause of the farmers suffering. He accused that the Archbishop and the priests were loyal to Spain, planned a coup to restore Spanish colonial power. He even further accused that one of the priests raped his sister, who is now with child. When the mob leader was about to slit the throat with a knife, Emperor Andres, who had positioned himself on higher ground near the marble pedestal of his own statue, shouted to stop. He tried to calm the mob with his words. The Emperor asked the mob leader’s name. The leader answered: Pedro Ambrosio. While this was happening, Imperial troops were lining up behind the mob.

    Andres asked Pedro to release the priests and the Archbishop unharmed. Pedro demanded that all the farmers be given the lands owned by the friars. He further demanded to punish the Archbishop and priests for all the wrongdoings including the rape of his sister. In the midst of their conversation, a stone grazed the Emperor which originated from the mob. General Ruiz pulled the Emperor back to safety. Pedro raised his arms directed to the mob in Tagalog language from further harming the Emperor.

    After making sure the Emperor was safe, General Ruiz gave the order to fire at the mob. Everyone within the firing line of the palace guards and Imperial troops died including Pedro Ambrosio, all the priests and the Archbishop. Those who escaped Plaza Mayor were caught before they left the walled city of Intramuros.

    The next day, Emperor Andres announced the death of Archbishop Zulaibar, killed by an angry mob. He announced a temporary replacement to Archbishop Zulaibar, Hilarion Diaz. Hilarion Diaz will be the Archbishop until a replacement from Rome arrives or Rome accepts Hilarion Diaz’s appointment.

    Hilarion Diaz was fortunate enough not to be present inside the Cathedral when the angry mob arrived.

    Along with the announcement was the decree stating the purchase of all friar lands by the imperial government both signed by the Emperor and the new Archbishop Diaz.
    Each town-crier within the empire announced in Spanish the redistribution of friar own lands, proceed to the Palace of Governor in Manila if they are interested to purchase these lands. This was also posted in all town boards, distributed in paper around the Empire written in Spanish.
     
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    • 5. Shipyards of the East (1825)
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    • Namayan

    smallportcavitewithgalleon.jpg

    Port of Cavite​

    Shipyards of the East

    The arrival of the Count Varela’s London expedition by the end of 1825 was welcomed personally by Emperor Andres at the Port of Cavite. The Count arrived with the second batch of weaponry, soldiers, and many different supplies, trade goods. The journey from London went via Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Mauritius, British India, Singapore and finally Cavite. The route was the modified route of Buen Consejo voyage in 1766 from Cadiz to Cavite.

    The Emperor was the first one to greet the 58-year-old Count. He sees the Count being accompanied by two men disembarking the ship. The Emperor embraces the Count and welcomes him back to the islands. Andres was very excited to hear the stories of the Count’s long voyage. Andres began the conversation by informing the Count of the southern situation, Cebu and Moros.

    Then, Count Varela introduces the Emperor to one of the two men accompanying him, Enrique Palmero, who had shown exemplary skill in diplomacy during the European voyage. Enrique, who was in his 30s, had a very confident stature. Enrique was wearing blue tailcoat and brown fall-front trousers over a white waistcoat, shirt, and cravat. The second man saluted to the Andres, the Count said, “You are familiar with Captain Joaquin.”

    Joaquin Bayot was one of the three brothers released by the Emperor. The Bayot brothers were imprisoned by the Spanish colonial authorities back in 1822 as rebels, plot to overthrow the Spanish colonial government.

    Count Varela waves his hand to Enrique and Joaquin. Joaquin gives some documents to Varela. Varela unveils the documents to Andres. You can see the large smile of the Emperor. These documents were plans, details on new shipbuilding techniques from Europe purchased by the Count. While looking at the designs, Andres continued talking to the Count. The separate voyage to Americas arrived a year ago, that the Mexican Government agreed on reestablishing trade. He already sent a second voyage back to Acapulco, months back. He also said the colonists, some of the ships and goods which Varela sent ahead to Manila while the Count went to India, arrived also three months ago. He had already sent some of the shipbuilders ahead with Captain Matteo, who was assigned to build a shipyard in Butuan, Mariano in Zamboanga, and Joaquin’s brother Manuel Bayot in northern Palawan. Andres rolled the designs back and said he will make copies of the designs and send them to all the shipyards.

    Joaquin asks the Emperor more information about the situation in Cebu and the Moros. The Emperor stated that Mariano had dealt with them last year. Further intrigue with Joaquin’s interest, Andres asks if he had faced a Moro warrior. Joaquin expressed eagerness to fight the Moros. Andres promises to send him to the next pirate patrol against the Moros.

    The Count asks if Andres had reactivated all the old shipyards. Andres: “Former Spanish shipyards in Mindoro, Masbate, Marinduque, Camarines (Donsol and Pilar), Bagatao Island, Biliran (Leyte), and Cebu were all reactivated or expanded.”

    Andres and Joaquin assist the Count entering the carriage. Before entering the carriage, Andres invites both Enrique and Joaquin for dinner later this evening at the Palace in Manila.
     
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    • 6. Novales Reforms (1826-27)
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    • Namayan

    Novales Reforms

    The independence of the Philippines was triggered by Spanish discrimination. The Spanish Peninsulars treated other Spanish, those who are were born in the islands differently. Merits and qualification were set aside for place of birth. A soldier like the emperor and those who rebelled will never get the same promotion as a Spanish Peninsular despite proving themselves more than their peers had they remained loyal to Spain. Novales reforms were to change this. The army and the navy will never look at race nor geography as a qualification but merit.

    Andres Novales was influenced by Count Varela’s writings “Philippine Parnasus” and “Historic Proclamation” as well as several conversations and advice from the count. Among these were improvement of education system, free primary education for all, and promotion of local economic development.

    Novales was also influenced by the Basco Reforms (reforms made by the former Governor general Basco) and recommendations of former Governor General Simon de Anda to Spain. Emperor Novales continued the monopoly of Tobacco and Coconuts. He gave more incentives and improved the production of cash crops like Cotton, Sugar, Coffee and Abaca (Manila Hemp).

    He also improved mining and hire/imported Chinese workers to increase production of iron mines in Mambulao, Sta Ines, Angat, Surigao. There were also gold and silver mines in Surigao, Parcale and Mambulao. Before 1823, mining was limited to stone age techniques given as tribute by pagan miners, or small-scale mining done by the Spanish. While the Gold mines in Cordilleras were not under the control of either the Spanish before 1823 nor the Imperial government in 1826.

    These cash crops and mines were a few years old or a few decades old. The oldest and largest industry that Philippines or Spanish East Indies was shipbuilding. Even before the Spanish arrived, the natives were capable shipbuilders. The Spanish have chosen the islands as the main galleon builders instead of Acapulco due to availability of tropical wood. The Spanish also built several instead of one shipyard across the islands to be near the wood resources. The expansion of the old shipyards and creation of shipyards created jobs for locals. It also created ships necessary for foreign trade, inter island trade and protection.

    In 1827, the British were particularly interested in black rocks discovered in the island of Cebu. They were allowed to invest, control and mine these stones as long as they paid certain royalties.

    The Emperor expanded the textile industry in Ilocos which provided the sails for the ships or sold for export. While all the arsenal, gunsmiths were also expanded to make weapons for ships and soldiers.

    Trade was the most profitable venture of the islands. Each galleon can profit as much $1-2 million during the colonial trade with Manila and Acapulco. The Manila-Acapulco trade route was reopened in 1824. But this time trade wasn’t being limited by Spain in number of ships nor is trade limited to only Acapulco or Cadiz. With the independence war with Spain ongoing, London was the main European trading port for goods coming from Manila or importation of goods from Europe.

    The main economic advantage of independence was not the improvement of industries or agriculture, expansion of trade but reinvestment of money. During colonial times, money earned thru trade by the colony was either sent to Acapulco or Spain. Thus, leaving the islands with very little money to improve anything. By independence, most of the money earned thru trade, agriculture or industry is being spent to improve the islands.
     
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    • Nivek

    Namayan said:
    By independence, most of the money earned thru trade, agriculture or industry is being spent to improve the islands.
    Click to expand...
    Nice the Savvy investments of the Emperor, reinvesting and letting the money flow in circles, slowly creating a real economy thanks to primary and terciary sectors. It might take a while when industries are feasible but now the capital is ripe to be picked up for those
     

    Namayan

    Nivek said:
    Nice the Savvy investments of the Emperor, reinvesting and letting the money flow in circles, slowly creating a real economy thanks to primary and terciary sectors. It might take a while when industries are feasible but now the capital is ripe to be picked up for those
    Click to expand...

    For the improvement industries of whatever is available/left by the Spanish pre Independence, it is following advice and the correct decision of the emperor. I did not create any new industries that was not available pre 1815. More of improvement of whatever the islands had pre 1815.

    The one you quoted was inevitable since both Spanish government and Spanish who worked in the Philippines but did not stay siphoned the money that was earned by the islands either going back to Spain or Spanish Americas. While Philippines had to wait for galleons carrying the Silver from Spanish Americas for any semblance of payment, financing the islands.
     
    Slime_blob

    Slime_blob

    Namayan said:
    For the improvement industries of whatever is available/left by the Spanish pre Independence, it is following advice and the correct decision of the emperor. I did not create any new industries that was not available pre 1815. More of improvement of whatever the islands had pre 1815.

    The one you quoted was inevitable since both Spanish government and Spanish who worked in the Philippines but did not stay siphoned the money that was earned by the islands either going back to Spain or Spanish Americas. While Philippines had to wait for galleons carrying the Silver from Spanish Americas for any semblance of payment, financing the islands.
    Click to expand...
    So they just went for more free and deregulated trade and while protecting their main industries?
     

    Namayan

    Slime_blob said:
    So they just went for more free and deregulated trade and while protecting their main industries?
    Click to expand...
    freer vs that under Spain. But still regulated. Novales still had a state monopoly over Tobacco and Coconuts. Under Spain as a colony, trading is only for Spain/Spanish Americas or China/or Chinese going inside Manila, now can trade with anyone. While galleon ships going to Acapulco were limited 2 per year, now no limitation between Philippines and Mexico.

    There are certain special treatment to certain countries most important being the British who indirectly supported the independence war. e.g. Coal mining control in Cebu given to the British last update.

    The local industries are more or less protected but that is due to distance with Britain. Importation is allowed but time getting those ships from London to Manila takes a long time. If Empire or a local needs guns, ships now, the local gunsmiths and shipyards are a faster option. Or people, local industries need iron, wood, food or textiles, you cannot wait for a year to get it from London or months from British India.
     
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