Due to their religion they are rather discriminatory towards them, however they tend to just leave them in peace.
For the Want of a King TL: Prussia loses the War of Austrian Succession
- Thread starter Gwrtheyrn Annwn
- Start date
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- Tags
- 1700s tl austrian tl
Mrstrategy
Banned
they should be careful they don't push then into open revolt specially if austria is involved in a major war
Indeed they do. They might try some Stalin-esque forced migration.
DOn't know- when the Austrians took over Bosnia (with a high Muslim pop) they were trying to "include" them in their state. THere was even a "Islamgesetz" that provided for the "religious needs" of Habsburgs Muslim subjects. Including "militry" Imams - special rules for dietary needs for Muslims...
An expanded and updated version of the last update to kick off the TL's return:
Part 9: The Age of Colonialism 1826-1876: Section 2: The Exploration of Africa 1831-1841 Part 3:
Shortly after the end of the First Holy War, the British began serious colonisation attempts in West Africa. They followed up the purchase of the French colonies with the trade of their remaining East Asian territories (on Sumatra) for the Dutch outposts in Ghana. From there, they sent colonists into the surrounding countryside.
Back on at home, the British government discussed what they should do with their African colonies, some felt that they should be used a great outdoor prison as Australia was, whilst others though they should make into a genuine colony and encourage, rather than force, people to emigrate to them. It was eventually agree that they latter option should be followed. However, in turned out that people didn’t want to go an live in some obscure, unknown and unsafe land and the operation was a failure. Thus, the Britons began their military take over of much of west Africa.
This began with war on the Malian Empire in early 1836. The British decided that they would invade Mali with the help of local dissidents and then, following Stauffenburgist principles, set up a puppet state of the dissidents. Their campaign began well, with the British army, largely made up of loyal natives, routed a ill-equip Malian force just across the border and proceeded to seize control of large swathes of western Mali as villages surrendered without a fight. Despite this, however, the heat and disease of the area took their toll the British officers and the native soldiers a like. The British because of their un-familiarity with such conditions and the natives because they overheated in the unsuitable British uniforms. They looked in great danger of losing the war becasue of the weather, rather than the fighting, until the Malians‘ rival the Songhai joined the British side. They did so on the promise of Malian land and European technology. Armed with British guns and knowledge of the area, the Songhai were far superior to the toiling British soldiers and made great strides into Malian territory. Seeing this General James Campbell, realised that it was necessary for the British soldiers to lose their traditional heavy red uniforms in favour of something lighter. Thus, the Campbell uniform was introduced for units in Africa. The Campbell uniform was made of lighter cotton, remained red, was looser-fitting and featured proper sun hats to protect the soldiers from the glaring sun. After the introduction of the Campbell uniforms to the British soldiers they made better progress against the Malians and by late 1837 Mali had fallen to the British and, their allies, the Songhai. The British mapmakers promptly added Mali to the British Empire, but in reality the control was nominal and much of the power remained in the hands of the Malians. Soon after victory in the Malian War, the Songhai launched their own campaign against several of the native states around them with British blessing. They struck hard and fast, utilising the guns provided by the British and within the year had stormed down the Volta River Valley and now stretched halfway to the coast.
British focus now moved to Australia, where progress had been rather bogged down by the wars of late in Europe. These distractions had allowed the Dutch, in 1827, and the Prussians, in 1829, to set up their own colonies on the Australian West Coast. Thus, in February 1838 the British, Dutch and Prussians met in Venice to agree a partition of Australia. After the Congress of Venice, Australia was partitioned in, approximately, half. Half was British, 3/8 was Dutch and 1/8 was Prussian. With each colonial power doing their best to populate their area. Unfortunately for the Prussians and the Dutch, the British had secured the best land for themselves. Thus, New Wales flourished and grew in population whilst New Brandenburg and Australis struggled. By 1841 it was clear that Britain was the dominant force on the Australian continent.
It should now be noted that the colonisation of the Americas had, at long last, been completed the various powers. The Russians, the only true colonial power remaining on the continent, had taken advantage of the lack of powerful allies to dominate the northwest. Both Louisiana and Canada have also expanded slightly. Even the Ohio River Valley, whose colonisation had been stopped for so long by the Louisianan-URN rivalry, had been colonised, though was now a source of great tension between Louisiana and the URN. Meanwhile, in South America the Amazon rainforest and the Andes had been conquered, at least officially.
World in 1841
Part 9: The Age of Colonialism 1826-1876: Section 2: The Exploration of Africa 1831-1841 Part 3:
Shortly after the end of the First Holy War, the British began serious colonisation attempts in West Africa. They followed up the purchase of the French colonies with the trade of their remaining East Asian territories (on Sumatra) for the Dutch outposts in Ghana. From there, they sent colonists into the surrounding countryside.
Back on at home, the British government discussed what they should do with their African colonies, some felt that they should be used a great outdoor prison as Australia was, whilst others though they should make into a genuine colony and encourage, rather than force, people to emigrate to them. It was eventually agree that they latter option should be followed. However, in turned out that people didn’t want to go an live in some obscure, unknown and unsafe land and the operation was a failure. Thus, the Britons began their military take over of much of west Africa.
This began with war on the Malian Empire in early 1836. The British decided that they would invade Mali with the help of local dissidents and then, following Stauffenburgist principles, set up a puppet state of the dissidents. Their campaign began well, with the British army, largely made up of loyal natives, routed a ill-equip Malian force just across the border and proceeded to seize control of large swathes of western Mali as villages surrendered without a fight. Despite this, however, the heat and disease of the area took their toll the British officers and the native soldiers a like. The British because of their un-familiarity with such conditions and the natives because they overheated in the unsuitable British uniforms. They looked in great danger of losing the war becasue of the weather, rather than the fighting, until the Malians‘ rival the Songhai joined the British side. They did so on the promise of Malian land and European technology. Armed with British guns and knowledge of the area, the Songhai were far superior to the toiling British soldiers and made great strides into Malian territory. Seeing this General James Campbell, realised that it was necessary for the British soldiers to lose their traditional heavy red uniforms in favour of something lighter. Thus, the Campbell uniform was introduced for units in Africa. The Campbell uniform was made of lighter cotton, remained red, was looser-fitting and featured proper sun hats to protect the soldiers from the glaring sun. After the introduction of the Campbell uniforms to the British soldiers they made better progress against the Malians and by late 1837 Mali had fallen to the British and, their allies, the Songhai. The British mapmakers promptly added Mali to the British Empire, but in reality the control was nominal and much of the power remained in the hands of the Malians. Soon after victory in the Malian War, the Songhai launched their own campaign against several of the native states around them with British blessing. They struck hard and fast, utilising the guns provided by the British and within the year had stormed down the Volta River Valley and now stretched halfway to the coast.
British focus now moved to Australia, where progress had been rather bogged down by the wars of late in Europe. These distractions had allowed the Dutch, in 1827, and the Prussians, in 1829, to set up their own colonies on the Australian West Coast. Thus, in February 1838 the British, Dutch and Prussians met in Venice to agree a partition of Australia. After the Congress of Venice, Australia was partitioned in, approximately, half. Half was British, 3/8 was Dutch and 1/8 was Prussian. With each colonial power doing their best to populate their area. Unfortunately for the Prussians and the Dutch, the British had secured the best land for themselves. Thus, New Wales flourished and grew in population whilst New Brandenburg and Australis struggled. By 1841 it was clear that Britain was the dominant force on the Australian continent.
It should now be noted that the colonisation of the Americas had, at long last, been completed the various powers. The Russians, the only true colonial power remaining on the continent, had taken advantage of the lack of powerful allies to dominate the northwest. Both Louisiana and Canada have also expanded slightly. Even the Ohio River Valley, whose colonisation had been stopped for so long by the Louisianan-URN rivalry, had been colonised, though was now a source of great tension between Louisiana and the URN. Meanwhile, in South America the Amazon rainforest and the Andes had been conquered, at least officially.
World in 1841
Good to see you after a long time Ankh. Seems like Africa as a whole wouldn't be screwed as much as it was OTL. Good to see the Africans modernizing their armies in the perfect time. Well I will be PMing you some ideas regarding my ideas about my next contribution. Will it suffice?
Anyways hope that you continue this awesome work and have less difficulties doing so. Hoping to contribute as much as possible.
And again welcome back friend.
Anyways hope that you continue this awesome work and have less difficulties doing so. Hoping to contribute as much as possible.
And again welcome back friend.
Thanks for the welcome back!
My intention is to create a 'better' and more interesting Africa, with lots of native powers remaining (albeit under European influence).
I'll be glad to receive your ideas for your next contribution and hope it comes soon.
Thanks, again.
So I noticed that on the map where Kazakhstan is in real life apparently There isn't any country at all and I was just wondering what are you planning to have happen in that region during this timeline?
Looking at the map I think - OY VEY, That won't end happily...
I don't have the history here memorized, but In se apossible Russian-Austrian alliance opposed to a Polish-????? one - It seems only those three natioons can be considered "great" Powers atm, there are several candidates who MIGHT join the club...
I don't have the history here memorized
, but In se apossible Russian-Austrian alliance opposed to a Polish-????? one - It seems only those three natioons can be considered "great" Powers atm, there are several candidates who MIGHT join the club...That's Terra Nullis, so there are nomads etc. but no formal nation system. Most likely Russia will colonise (as per OTL) it soon enough.
Which bit won't end happily?Looking at the map I think - OY VEY, That won't end happily...
I don't have the history here memorized
Well, actually Austria, Poland and Spain are all ruled by Habsburgs and thus are a Habsburg block. As such, a Austro-Polish alliance against a Anglo-Russian alliance is more likely.
BTW, the Great Powers in ITTL (at least by my reckoning) are:
1. Austria-Hungary
2. Spain (by virtue of their South American holdings)
3. Poland-Lithuania
4. Russia (lower down the rankings because they've had to recover from a devastating defeat in the Third War of Polish Succession)
5. Britain/Hanover
And a new update:
Part 9: The Age of Colonialism 1826-1876: Section 3: The Great Habsburg War 1842:
Whilst European explorers were gallivanting across the globe, trouble was brewing at home. In France, which had been forcibly divided by the Treaty of Vienna 36 years ago, the first major rumblings of discontentment were beginning. In Occitania and the Republic of France there had been widespread protests campaigning for a re-unification plebiscite and in early 1842 a nationwide plebiscite was held in, both, the Republic of France and Occitania. This plebiscite resulted in 55% voting in favour of re-unification and thus the United Republics of France was declared on the 15th March 1842. However, Austria did not want a united France that could pose a threat to the Habsburg dominance of Europe. Thus, in May 1842 Austria, Poland-Lithuania, Spain and North Italy declared war on the United Republics of France. Unfortunately for the Habsburg Alliance, Britain, Prussia and Russia all supposedly Austrian allies refused Austria’s call to war and formed their own alliance with the French, the Coalition. The resulting conflict, known as the War of French Unification, the Great Colony War and, simply, the Great Habsburg War, on account of the war being largely the fault of the Habsburgs, was terrible and covered much of the globe.
The European Theatre 1842:
French Theatre:
The fighting began in June 1842 with the invasion of south-eastern France by a Habsburg Alliance army led by General Girolamo Ramorino. They successfully reached the Papal enclave of Avignon, before fighting a major French force. At the Battle of Avignon, however, they fought the French ‘Army of the South’ under Colonel Hercule Corbineau. The North Italian army was out numbered, but had more artillery than their French counterparts. The result was a Pyrrhic victory for the French as the French numbers overwhelmed countered the North Italian artillery. Unfortunately for the French, the North Italians managed to inflict heavy casualties upon the army and they were forced to camp outside the walls of Avignon and wait for reinforcements before they could advance.
German Theatre:
In the meantime, the Prussians and their ally, Saxony-Wurzburg, invaded Wurttemberg in the hope of knocking them out of the war. The Prussian army, under Franz Blucher, son of the former Regent, crushed a Wurttemberg force outside Nuremburg and marched south to Stuttgart, the capital of Wurttemberg. It was here that they met an Austrian army, under the command of Count Viktor Dankl von Krasnik. The Battle of Stuttgart, also known as the Battle of Germany, was long and protracted, leading to heavy casualties for both sides. The Prussian and Saxon army eventually won the battle after 3 days of fighting, with a cavalry charge that smashed through the weakened Austrian right flank. Following the battle, the Austrian army retreated in disarray and the city of Stuttgart was besieged by the Prussians. The Austrian followed this defeat by calling upon the Kingdom of the Rhine to ally with them to ‘protect Germany from Prussian domination’. The Rhenish agreed to do so and launched an invasion of Saxony-Wurzburg, Prussia’s ally, in July 1842. What with the majority of the Saxon army fighting down south in Wurttemberg, the Rhenish did well and reached Gottingen in early August 1842. The British (or Hanoverians to be precise) now invaded the Rhineland on the side of the Prussians. This added the final touch to the messiest theatre of this war, as the Hanoverian force marched south-west to Munster and Cologne. The Rhenish put up a spirited resistance but with their main force in Saxony-Wurzburg they were defeated outside Dortmund and the city besieged in September 1842. Later that month, Austria and Poland-Lithuania launched a counter-attack against Prussia. The Poles marched into East Prussia, whilst the Austrian invaded Saxony (the Prussian province not Saxony-Wurzburg). The Poles achieved some success, taking Tannenberg in early October, but then become bogged down in the extensive network of lakes as they advance north. The Austrians, meanwhile, marched on Leipzig from Silesia. The Austrian army, led by Siegfried von Kospoth, defeated a Prussian army at the Battle of Riesa, but failed to reach Leipzig by the turn of the year, thanks to prolonged Prussian resistance in Torgau, Wurzen and Grimma. The final action of the year in the German theatre was a second British attack, this time against Cologne. Thus, by the end of the year the British were occupying all of the Rhineland east of the Rhine.
The Battle of Riesa
The Eastern Europe Theatre:
The Russians, hoping to gain land from Poland-Lithuania, launched an invasion of said nation in March 1842. Three Russian armies crossed the Dnieper River, one at Dnipropetrovsk, another atZaporizhia and the final one at Kamianske. Their target was the Fort of St Elizabeth and the surrounding town of Elizabethgrad. They made quick progress, overwhelming the garrisons of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia and Kamianske and marching on Elizabethgrad. Said town was reached in late May 1842, after the defeat of Polish forces atOleksandriia and Krivoi Rog. The Battle of Elizabethgrad was long, but ultimately the Russian forces, far outnumbering the Polish army, won out and the fort was captured. The Russians then began the long march north towards Kiev. However, by the turn of the year they had only reached Myronivka, in the Rosava valley, having been harassed by Polish Cossacks and heavy resistance by the Ukrainians, who were unwilling to return to being under Russian rule.
The Battle of Krivoi Rog
To the north, in Karelia, the Swedish had entered the war against the Russians, hoping to expand their control of Finland. They decided to strike whilst the Russian army was invading eastern Poland and thus invaded Karelia in early April 1842. One army, under Count Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt, marched on Pskov and another under the command of Nils Magnus Brahe marched on Novgorod. The Pskov army only reached the town of Viru, before being repulsed by Russian forces and, though they didn’t suffer heavy casualties, forced to retreat. The Novgorod army, meanwhile, reached the small village of Konechki where they fought, and defeated, a small Russian force. However, the Swedish forces halted their advance in the village to wait for the Pskov army to launch its second attack.
Swedish forces marching into Russia
Part 9: The Age of Colonialism 1826-1876: Section 3: The Great Habsburg War 1842:
Whilst European explorers were gallivanting across the globe, trouble was brewing at home. In France, which had been forcibly divided by the Treaty of Vienna 36 years ago, the first major rumblings of discontentment were beginning. In Occitania and the Republic of France there had been widespread protests campaigning for a re-unification plebiscite and in early 1842 a nationwide plebiscite was held in, both, the Republic of France and Occitania. This plebiscite resulted in 55% voting in favour of re-unification and thus the United Republics of France was declared on the 15th March 1842. However, Austria did not want a united France that could pose a threat to the Habsburg dominance of Europe. Thus, in May 1842 Austria, Poland-Lithuania, Spain and North Italy declared war on the United Republics of France. Unfortunately for the Habsburg Alliance, Britain, Prussia and Russia all supposedly Austrian allies refused Austria’s call to war and formed their own alliance with the French, the Coalition. The resulting conflict, known as the War of French Unification, the Great Colony War and, simply, the Great Habsburg War, on account of the war being largely the fault of the Habsburgs, was terrible and covered much of the globe.
The European Theatre 1842:
French Theatre:
The fighting began in June 1842 with the invasion of south-eastern France by a Habsburg Alliance army led by General Girolamo Ramorino. They successfully reached the Papal enclave of Avignon, before fighting a major French force. At the Battle of Avignon, however, they fought the French ‘Army of the South’ under Colonel Hercule Corbineau. The North Italian army was out numbered, but had more artillery than their French counterparts. The result was a Pyrrhic victory for the French as the French numbers overwhelmed countered the North Italian artillery. Unfortunately for the French, the North Italians managed to inflict heavy casualties upon the army and they were forced to camp outside the walls of Avignon and wait for reinforcements before they could advance.
German Theatre:
In the meantime, the Prussians and their ally, Saxony-Wurzburg, invaded Wurttemberg in the hope of knocking them out of the war. The Prussian army, under Franz Blucher, son of the former Regent, crushed a Wurttemberg force outside Nuremburg and marched south to Stuttgart, the capital of Wurttemberg. It was here that they met an Austrian army, under the command of Count Viktor Dankl von Krasnik. The Battle of Stuttgart, also known as the Battle of Germany, was long and protracted, leading to heavy casualties for both sides. The Prussian and Saxon army eventually won the battle after 3 days of fighting, with a cavalry charge that smashed through the weakened Austrian right flank. Following the battle, the Austrian army retreated in disarray and the city of Stuttgart was besieged by the Prussians. The Austrian followed this defeat by calling upon the Kingdom of the Rhine to ally with them to ‘protect Germany from Prussian domination’. The Rhenish agreed to do so and launched an invasion of Saxony-Wurzburg, Prussia’s ally, in July 1842. What with the majority of the Saxon army fighting down south in Wurttemberg, the Rhenish did well and reached Gottingen in early August 1842. The British (or Hanoverians to be precise) now invaded the Rhineland on the side of the Prussians. This added the final touch to the messiest theatre of this war, as the Hanoverian force marched south-west to Munster and Cologne. The Rhenish put up a spirited resistance but with their main force in Saxony-Wurzburg they were defeated outside Dortmund and the city besieged in September 1842. Later that month, Austria and Poland-Lithuania launched a counter-attack against Prussia. The Poles marched into East Prussia, whilst the Austrian invaded Saxony (the Prussian province not Saxony-Wurzburg). The Poles achieved some success, taking Tannenberg in early October, but then become bogged down in the extensive network of lakes as they advance north. The Austrians, meanwhile, marched on Leipzig from Silesia. The Austrian army, led by Siegfried von Kospoth, defeated a Prussian army at the Battle of Riesa, but failed to reach Leipzig by the turn of the year, thanks to prolonged Prussian resistance in Torgau, Wurzen and Grimma. The final action of the year in the German theatre was a second British attack, this time against Cologne. Thus, by the end of the year the British were occupying all of the Rhineland east of the Rhine.
The Battle of Riesa
The Eastern Europe Theatre:
The Russians, hoping to gain land from Poland-Lithuania, launched an invasion of said nation in March 1842. Three Russian armies crossed the Dnieper River, one at Dnipropetrovsk, another atZaporizhia and the final one at Kamianske. Their target was the Fort of St Elizabeth and the surrounding town of Elizabethgrad. They made quick progress, overwhelming the garrisons of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia and Kamianske and marching on Elizabethgrad. Said town was reached in late May 1842, after the defeat of Polish forces atOleksandriia and Krivoi Rog. The Battle of Elizabethgrad was long, but ultimately the Russian forces, far outnumbering the Polish army, won out and the fort was captured. The Russians then began the long march north towards Kiev. However, by the turn of the year they had only reached Myronivka, in the Rosava valley, having been harassed by Polish Cossacks and heavy resistance by the Ukrainians, who were unwilling to return to being under Russian rule.
The Battle of Krivoi Rog
To the north, in Karelia, the Swedish had entered the war against the Russians, hoping to expand their control of Finland. They decided to strike whilst the Russian army was invading eastern Poland and thus invaded Karelia in early April 1842. One army, under Count Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt, marched on Pskov and another under the command of Nils Magnus Brahe marched on Novgorod. The Pskov army only reached the town of Viru, before being repulsed by Russian forces and, though they didn’t suffer heavy casualties, forced to retreat. The Novgorod army, meanwhile, reached the small village of Konechki where they fought, and defeated, a small Russian force. However, the Swedish forces halted their advance in the village to wait for the Pskov army to launch its second attack.
Swedish forces marching into Russia
A new update:
Part 9: The Age of Colonialism 1826-1876: Section 3: The Great Habsburg War 1843:
1843 saw the war spread much further afield than the previous year had. Fighting began in the Americas as Louisianan and the URA went to war over the Ohio River Valley, the Mexicans proceeded to enter the war on the side of the URA, in hope of regaining California. 1843 was also the first time that there was major conflict between European powers in Africa.
The European Theatre:
French Theatre:
The North Italians, bolstered by reinforcements, outflanked and surrounded the French force outside Avignon which lead to the “Massacre of Avignon” as hundreds of French soldiers were slaughtered. This crushing victory for the North Italians allowed them to advance to the banks of the Rhone River, defeating a second French force at Valence to cement their control of the area. The Dutch now entered the war, on the Habsburg side, and invaded France from the north. The Dutch army, under Willem Frederik van Bylandt, reached Calais with relative ease, defeating a small French force near Dunkirk.
German Theatre:
The German Theatre remained in chaos, as the Austrians and British continued their advances. The Austrians, still under Siegfried von Kospoth, occupied most of the old Electorate of Saxony, whilst the British drove the Rhenish out of Saxony Wurzburg. Things went from bad to worse for Prussia, as the Poles broke through Prussian defences in East Prussia in April 1843 and besieged Konigsberg. Austria and Wurttemberg now launched a counter attack on Prussisn forces in Wurttemberg. With the ‘homeland’ under attack, much of the Prussian army was already being pulled back to Prussia, but a sizable force still remained in Stuttgart. This army, under Reimar Constantin von Alvensleben, deciding that they would die of starvation if they were holed up in Stuttgart resolved to march to fight the Austrian army. The two armies met at Ulm and a lengthy battle ensued. The army of Austria and Wurttemberg eventually won out, but the Prussians fought valiantly and inflicted heavy casualties. Unfortunately for Prussia, however, the defeat at the Battle of Ulm allowed the Austrians to liberate much of Wurttemberg and left the gates open to Saxony-Wurzburg. In August 1843, the Austrians took advantage of their victory at Ulm with an offensive into Saxony-Wurzburg. The Austrian army, under the re-assigned Siegfried von Kospoth, marched into Saxony-Wurzburg, relatively unopposed thanks to the Prussian withdrawal. They reached Eisenach before encountering a Hanoverian (British) army, under James Abbott. The Austrians did, eventually, emerge victorious but it was not an easy victory. The Austrian cavalry proved to be instrumental in the fight, with the British right wing being smashed by the Austrian Hussars. This allowed the Austrian infantry to advance and drive back their British counterparts who, upon the death of James Abbott, turned and fled to field.
Prussian cavalry retreating from Ulm
The Eastern Europe Theatre:
In Eastern Europe, meanwhile, the Russians continued to advance into Poland-Lithuania. What with the Poles fighting a two front war the Russians made staggering advances in early 1843 and reached the city of Równe in late June. Poland looked on the verge of oblivion, only to be saved by a major Swedish offensive which force large numbers to Russian troops to be diverted to Karelia. This Swedish offensive smashed through Russian defensive lines and reached the city of Rybinsk in August 1843. After this swift advance by the Swedish, the Russians launched a counter-attack on the occupied territory. Unfortunately, for the Russians, the Swedish resistance was heavy and they quickly became bogged down around Rybinsk and the fighting soon became a siege. At the same time as this was going on, the Swedes launched a second offensive into the Pskov area. The Swedish captured Pskov itself before marching meet up with army at Rybinsk. Seeing the town under siege, however, they camped in the nearby village of Glebovo to await reinforcements to try and lift the siege. In the meantime the Poles mounted a counterattack against the Russian occupiers and successfully recaptured some towns, unfortunately for them the situation in Poland (at least) was very much going Russia’s way.
Swedish soldiers in Glebovo
The North American Theatre:
For the first time since the Great American Revolution, war now broke out in North America. This conflict was over the Ohio River Valley, an area that had been disputed since the days of French Louisiana and the British 13 Colonies. The two nations now contesting the land were Louisiana and the URA. Louisiana launched the first attack of the conflict with an offensive against the URA town of Charleston. The Louisianan army, under General André Masséna, broke the URA resistance in the Battle of Charleston and proceeded to capture the town. Shortly afterwards, the URA launched a counter attack on Louisville, aiming to surrounded the Louisianans in Charleston. However, the URA attack failed and they forced to retreat. The inhabitants of Charleston, meanwhile, continue to resist the Louisianans in hope of the siege being lifted. This hope was in vain and in early August 1843 Charleston fell. Unfortunately for Louisiana, however, the Mexicans entered the fighting later that month, on the side of the URA. Hoping to return California to the empire, they launched an offensive into said area in early September. The two pronged attack saw Mexican soldiers swiftly occupy Baja California and march on Santa Fe. The Santa Fe army initially scored significant success, but became bogged down in fighting the Californians near Los Lunas. Nevertheless, the ease at which the Mexicans had advanced did not bode well for California.
Part 9: The Age of Colonialism 1826-1876: Section 3: The Great Habsburg War 1843:
1843 saw the war spread much further afield than the previous year had. Fighting began in the Americas as Louisianan and the URA went to war over the Ohio River Valley, the Mexicans proceeded to enter the war on the side of the URA, in hope of regaining California. 1843 was also the first time that there was major conflict between European powers in Africa.
The European Theatre:
French Theatre:
The North Italians, bolstered by reinforcements, outflanked and surrounded the French force outside Avignon which lead to the “Massacre of Avignon” as hundreds of French soldiers were slaughtered. This crushing victory for the North Italians allowed them to advance to the banks of the Rhone River, defeating a second French force at Valence to cement their control of the area. The Dutch now entered the war, on the Habsburg side, and invaded France from the north. The Dutch army, under Willem Frederik van Bylandt, reached Calais with relative ease, defeating a small French force near Dunkirk.
German Theatre:
The German Theatre remained in chaos, as the Austrians and British continued their advances. The Austrians, still under Siegfried von Kospoth, occupied most of the old Electorate of Saxony, whilst the British drove the Rhenish out of Saxony Wurzburg. Things went from bad to worse for Prussia, as the Poles broke through Prussian defences in East Prussia in April 1843 and besieged Konigsberg. Austria and Wurttemberg now launched a counter attack on Prussisn forces in Wurttemberg. With the ‘homeland’ under attack, much of the Prussian army was already being pulled back to Prussia, but a sizable force still remained in Stuttgart. This army, under Reimar Constantin von Alvensleben, deciding that they would die of starvation if they were holed up in Stuttgart resolved to march to fight the Austrian army. The two armies met at Ulm and a lengthy battle ensued. The army of Austria and Wurttemberg eventually won out, but the Prussians fought valiantly and inflicted heavy casualties. Unfortunately for Prussia, however, the defeat at the Battle of Ulm allowed the Austrians to liberate much of Wurttemberg and left the gates open to Saxony-Wurzburg. In August 1843, the Austrians took advantage of their victory at Ulm with an offensive into Saxony-Wurzburg. The Austrian army, under the re-assigned Siegfried von Kospoth, marched into Saxony-Wurzburg, relatively unopposed thanks to the Prussian withdrawal. They reached Eisenach before encountering a Hanoverian (British) army, under James Abbott. The Austrians did, eventually, emerge victorious but it was not an easy victory. The Austrian cavalry proved to be instrumental in the fight, with the British right wing being smashed by the Austrian Hussars. This allowed the Austrian infantry to advance and drive back their British counterparts who, upon the death of James Abbott, turned and fled to field.
Prussian cavalry retreating from Ulm
The Eastern Europe Theatre:
In Eastern Europe, meanwhile, the Russians continued to advance into Poland-Lithuania. What with the Poles fighting a two front war the Russians made staggering advances in early 1843 and reached the city of Równe in late June. Poland looked on the verge of oblivion, only to be saved by a major Swedish offensive which force large numbers to Russian troops to be diverted to Karelia. This Swedish offensive smashed through Russian defensive lines and reached the city of Rybinsk in August 1843. After this swift advance by the Swedish, the Russians launched a counter-attack on the occupied territory. Unfortunately, for the Russians, the Swedish resistance was heavy and they quickly became bogged down around Rybinsk and the fighting soon became a siege. At the same time as this was going on, the Swedes launched a second offensive into the Pskov area. The Swedish captured Pskov itself before marching meet up with army at Rybinsk. Seeing the town under siege, however, they camped in the nearby village of Glebovo to await reinforcements to try and lift the siege. In the meantime the Poles mounted a counterattack against the Russian occupiers and successfully recaptured some towns, unfortunately for them the situation in Poland (at least) was very much going Russia’s way.
Swedish soldiers in Glebovo
The North American Theatre:
For the first time since the Great American Revolution, war now broke out in North America. This conflict was over the Ohio River Valley, an area that had been disputed since the days of French Louisiana and the British 13 Colonies. The two nations now contesting the land were Louisiana and the URA. Louisiana launched the first attack of the conflict with an offensive against the URA town of Charleston. The Louisianan army, under General André Masséna, broke the URA resistance in the Battle of Charleston and proceeded to capture the town. Shortly afterwards, the URA launched a counter attack on Louisville, aiming to surrounded the Louisianans in Charleston. However, the URA attack failed and they forced to retreat. The inhabitants of Charleston, meanwhile, continue to resist the Louisianans in hope of the siege being lifted. This hope was in vain and in early August 1843 Charleston fell. Unfortunately for Louisiana, however, the Mexicans entered the fighting later that month, on the side of the URA. Hoping to return California to the empire, they launched an offensive into said area in early September. The two pronged attack saw Mexican soldiers swiftly occupy Baja California and march on Santa Fe. The Santa Fe army initially scored significant success, but became bogged down in fighting the Californians near Los Lunas. Nevertheless, the ease at which the Mexicans had advanced did not bode well for California.