Inspired by some of the more pro-American TLs which come our way, as well as the recent flush of similar pro-British ones in the post-1900 forum, I present this half (quarter? eighth?) finished TL. adapted from a seed I put on the map thread:
Same PoD as Decades of Darkness. The Embargo Acts don't get repealed, and secessionist sentiment reaches a fever pitch. By late 1810 the Act is being habitually violated with the connivance of the New England state authorities, and relations within the Congress and Senate are at breaking point.
North America
At this point, a north eastern convention demands the repeal of the Act, and threatens secession. The Federal government tries to fudge the incident, but it all goes wrong when Federal troops attempting to enforce the act clash with the New York militia and a prominent New York personality who attempted to mediate gets caught in the crossfire.
It all goes downhill from there. The North Eastern states declare independence in January 1813 – including New York and New Jersey, and Philadelphia declares itself neutral. Britain recognises the new Commonwealth of New England.
An uneasy peace persists for several months, and it looks like a peaceful separation will be possible. The War of the Sixth Coalition kicks off on schedule, and Napolean has greater than historical initial successes. With the British seemingly busy in Europe, and after a series of incidents between the New England militias and Federal troops who have stationed themselves in Philidelphia (to the displeasure of the locals), the US government finds a cassus beli and invades in September 1813..
Federal troops meet stiff militia resistance and it turns ugly in places, with troops bogged down defending their supply lines. Unfortunately for the US, Napolean is defeated in May 1814, and the British feel able to send significant forces across the Atlantic. Even before this had occurred, New Orleans had fallen to a British expeditionary force, and when the main Federal army was decisively defeated outside New York in September 1814, and the Philadelphia state government, still furious that their wish for neutrality had been ignored switched sides a month later, the Feds admit defeat, and ask for terms.
Before this news can reach American commanders in the field, and American armies attempts to retake New Orleans and Detroit. The attacks are repulsed, but British forces suffer heavy casualties.
The initial terms offered by the British and New Englanders are not kind, and when news reaches the Americans that Napolean has escaped from imprisonment and raised a new army, negotiations breakdown and fighting resumes during April 1815. This proves to have been a misjudgement on the Americans part.
Napolean is defeated for a second time in September 1815, and the US government requests a second ceasefire in that November.
The terms of the treaty involve:
The independence of New England, New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia., with the border set at 40,30 in Ohio and parts West.
The renunciation of the Louisiana purchase as invalid, and its return to Spanish sovereignty.
The next interesting event that occurs in this timeline is the assassination of Ferdinand VII during 1818, and the accession his brother Carlos to the Spanish throne. Thanks to this, the Mexican conservatives remain loyal to the Spanish Crown, and the Mexican independence movement is crushed in 1820.
We now fast forwards a few years. Fewer settlers have gone to America, due to continuing tensions in the north east between New England and the United States and Britain.
In 1831, New England bans slavery.
In 1833 Spain dissolves into civil war, as liberal factions attempt to overthrow the King. This sparks chaos in the Americas, as independence movements see the chance they have been waiting for.
In Mexico, the conservatives invite the expelled King Carlos into power.
In Texas, the locals, both Hispanic and Anglo, rise up to proclaim the Republic of Texas.
In Florida, the locals proclaim the Republic of Florida and petition for access to the United States.
In the area of the old Louisiana purchase, the situation is more confused. Many call for annexation by the United States, but the region has been ungoverned (in the North), and under British control (in the South) for the best part of 20 years, so many are basically unconcerned.
The US is lead by a very hawkish president, anxious to remove the stain on the US' record brought by earlier defeat, and he feels confident in provoking Britain by demanding cessation of the purchase area and recognition of the annexation of Florida.
In short, war breaks out. The US invades New England and Louisiana, and the Texan rebels fight against Royalist forces.
Once again the US is brought to the negotiating table, although it is a much closer thing than the previous war. The US receives Florida and a guarantee of free navigation along the Mississippi. Texas is recognised as an independent state.
In 1844. Gold is found in California, and colonists begin to move there in large numbers. This means trouble. In 1850 California rises up in rebellion, again with substantial Hispanic (liberal) support. The US offers to purchase the Louisiana territory again, the liberal Spanish government accepts. But Britain vetoes the deal. Another war looks possible, but a deal is reached – the area is split between Texas (leant the money by Britain), the US, and Britain, with Britain getting everything above the 42nd parallel, Texas the East and the US the West..
The California rebellion ends with California, including all of Baja, independent, and them agreeing the 42nd parallel as the border with British North America as well.
In 1848, Texas and the US fight a brief but bloody war over their mutual borders and the rule of the lands they have gained
In 1858 the Governor of Sonora (a closet liberal) is the only survivor of an abortive coup against the new King of New Spain, who has been busy consuming the central American countries. Despite being unusually competent, the new King can do nothing when the governor invites Californian forces in.
In 1861, forces from New Spain based in Cuba take Haiti, at the invitation of the Dominicans.
In 1865 the New Spanish government begins construction of the Nicaraua Canal, backed by Californian and British companies.
In 1869, the Texans invade northern Mexico. After careful consideration, the Californians stay neutral, and in a series of hard fought battles, the Texan invaders crumble in the face of the New Spanish defenses, under British made guns. The war lasts three years before the Texans admit defeat. In the aftermath of the victory, limited liberal reforms are put in place in New Spain.
In 1870 the British grant the Kingdom of Canada home rule within the British Empire. Several of the Maritimes vote to join New England. In the same year the British purcahse Alsaska from the Russians.
In 1873, the New Spanish government grants rights over the part constructed Nicaraguan canal to a consortium backed by the British in return for the cancellation of debts incurred during the Texan war.
During 1875, a series of border incidents between Texas and California are resolved via British mediation.
In 1878, further small liberal reforms are put in place. Land reforms are on the back burner, thanks to industrialisation begining to soak up some of the surplus labour, mollifying the conservatives.
In 1880 the US declares that there will be no new slaves in the US, anyone born from this date will be free.
In 1892 the Kingdom of Pacifica is established, containing the remaining territories in British North America, not forming part of Canada or the Caribbean.
In 1894 the New Spanish create a constitutional monarchy, although very few limits on its powers are established, after the celebrations that follow the construction of the Nicaragua Canal.
Britain
British emigration to North America is significantly reduced compared to OTL. With the continent a much more tense place, and with better protection for the natives in BNA as compared to the US, it is less attractive. Only about 2/3 of OTL's numbers go there.
1816: At the *Congress of Vienna, the British deal a slightly different hand. They gain a very slightly larger Hanover, and refuse to return the Dutch East Indies, in additon to the Cape and Ceylon, given that the Dutch had managed to offend more people in the slightly longer War of the 7th Coalition.
1819: Alexander Victor is born to Adelaide of Saxe-Meiingen, as the 2nd in line to the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and to the Kingdom Of Hanover, the day before George III died. George IV assumes the throne. He maintains support for the Tories.
1828: In collaboration with the French, the British East India Company intervene in support of Le Van Duyet, from their bases in Java. Buyet was rebelling against Emperor Minh Mang of Vietnam, and his xenophobic anti-progress, anti-missionary policies. By the end of the year Javanese company and French troops have placed Le Van Duyet's son, Le Vah Khoi on the Vietnamese throne. They have received guarantees of free trade and extra-territorial treaty ports. Le Van Khoi will follow his father's policy of Westernisation.
1829: George IV dies. William IV assumes the throne. He is a noted liberal. In the elections held after his coronation, the Liberals gain a strong majority, led by Lord Grey. (Better than OTL, as there hasn't been a recent French liberal coup)
1830: A Reform Bill is passed by the House of Commons, but rejected by the Lords. A tense stand off ensues. The Lords remains obdurate. Lord Grey tries to persuade the King to create new Peers, but (as his private papers later reveal) he vacillates about interfering so blatantly with Parliament. London gossip, however, suggests that the King has decided to do so. When the Tories put out feelers to the Royal Household, they misinterpret the result. The Tory opponents of the Bill in the Lords agree to abstain based on this erroneous impression, and the bill passes into law in 1831.
1832: The British bans slavery within its colonies. Abolitionist sentiment is at an all time high. The British East India company is reformed during this year.
1833: The Spanish Expulsion occurs. The US attempts to retake the former Louisiana Purchase (which had been under the administration of a British company) and Florida. The public are outraged, by amongst other things, the expansion of slavery. Something must be Done. The crisis escalates into war, with the US attacking New England, in defiance of the British guarantee of its security. The war ends within the year, with the US being kicked out of New England and Lousiana, but being permitted to annex Florida. The British support an independent Texas.
1837-1840: The First opium Wars - In 1837 the British force's from Java open the port of Macao to the opium trade, after their envoy is turned away by the local governor. Later in the year Chinese forces return in numbers and forcibly close the port, destroying considerable stocks and killing several merchants. The local British authorities send warships, and forces from the East Indies, arriving early 1838, and a large army from India and Burma, late in 1838. The Chinese are humiliated and are forced to agree to the Treaty of Hanoi.
1839: William IV dies. He was one of the best beloved Kings of the age, and many turn out for his funeral, thanks to what is seen as his skillfull handling of the Reform Crisis. At the age of 19 his son, the new King Alexander accedes to the throne. He proves to be liberal, like his father, by the standards of the day. He is crowned in Hanover later in the year.
1840: The Chinese Imperial government accede to the treaty of Hanoi. Hong Kong, Canton, Amoy, and Shanghai are ceded to British administration, and several other ports are opened to trade
1841: Lord Grey, who has served as Prime Minister for 12 years, retires. The Liberals still control Parliament.
1842: Gold is discovered in Australia. Over 750,000 people emmigrate there during the next decade. It somewhat takes the wind from the sales of the Californian cold rush.
1847: Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Empire dies. His heir signs a favourable treaty with the British, who are worried about the Russian influence in Afghanistan.
1850 Britain adopts a policy of co-existence and patronage with the Sikh Empire after a failed attempt to conquer Afghanistan backfires badly. In time the Sikhs will become key British allies in the face of Russian expansion to the North. The gradually become a British client state, but never loose self-government. It maintains a strong military, and remains a local power.
1851: The increased number of settlers leads to the discovery of diamonds in Kimberly (South Africa). This leads to a diamond rush. Over the next decade there are 200,000 immigrants. The Tories return to power for the first time in over twenty years.
1852: The British East-India company conquers Burma.
1853-1859: A series of rebellions occur across British northern India, thanks to the increasing number of kingdoms being incorporated by the Company. Although they are all put down, this increasing requires the use of Javanese sepoys, and even the support of Sikh soldiers.
1860: After a corruption scandal, and in light of the turmoil, the British government takes direct responsibility for the government of British India and Burma, and reorganise the administration.
1862: Gold is discovered in Witwatersrand. Over 400,000 Europeans arrive during the gold rush in the next five years.
1870: Canada is granted home rule and is established as a Kingdom within the United Kingdom. The Governor is made a Viceoy.
1882: South Africa is granted limited home rule and is established as a Kingdom within the United Kingdom. The Governor is made a Viceoy.
1888: The Australia + New Zealand are granted limited home rule and is established as a Kingdom within the United Kingdom. The Governor is made a Viceoy.
France
1816: Louis XVIII dismisses the French elected house, and packs the house of Peers, in order to permit the election of a Liberal government (as OTL). Unlike OTL Henri Grégoire is assassinated during the election.
1819: Maria-Thereas, wife of Louis-Antoinne, 2nd in line to the throne of France, gives birth to a son, Louis-Charles.
1821: With the Liberals proving as unmanageable as the Ultra-royalists, Louis' ministers dismiss the elected chamber again, returning a divided assembly.
1822: Charles, Duc d'Artois, leader of the ultra-royalist party, is assassinated. France hovers of the edge of civil war, and the other European powers threaten to intervene. Against the odds, a fragile compromise is established.
1824: Louis XVIII dies. Fearing Louis-Antoinne's Liberal tendencies, the Ultra-Royalists launch a coup attempt to force him to abdicate in favour of his brother, Charles-Ferdinand. A counter-coup succeeds, and his brother is exiled. Louis XIX is crowned, and cracks down on the aristocracy. He liberalises the constitution.
1828: Louis' government intervenes in Indochina in support of a pro-French rebellion. Later in the year it is forced to put down another Charlist coup, after he slashed tariffs on grain in response to a large rise in the price of gain and had intervened to protect merchant interests abroad.
1833: The French decline to intervene in the Spanish revolution, and no one else can muster the logistics.
1844: Louis XIX dies. His son, Louis XX assumes the throne, at the age of 25. Louis is a significantly more Conservative than his father, and begins to try to claw back much of the power he thinks his father squandered. This proves difficult, as the constitution is well bedded in, and most of the levers of power are unavailable to him.
1850: Tired of Louis XX's continual meddling, the Liberal French parliament take advantage of the Chaos sweeping Europe to force him to resign, installing his 7 year old son as King, and establishing a Regency Council.
Spain:
1818: Ferdinand is assassinated, and his brother Carlos accedes to the throne. Carlos is very reactionary, and rules completely arbitrarily.
1833: Spanish Liberals revolt against King Carlos. The Spanish government had made few friends on the European scene, with its spectacularly arbitrary rule. Carlos goes first to Vienna, but his bad reputation leads to him going to New Spain, at the invitation of the conservatives there. The Spanish loose control of all their American colonial possessions. After a series of threats from the other European Powers, the new Spanish government announces that they still consider Carlos, King of Spain, but that his refusal to accept the constitution of 1814 leaves him unable to fulfil his functions. They eagerly await him accepting his responsibilities.
1838-1844: A power struggle within the Spanish government escalates into civil war. Many refugees seek to leave Spain in this era. By the end of the war conservative factions end up predominant, but do not feel secure enough to immediately invite a King to return.
1850: The Spanish government invites the King of New Spain to take up his unoccupied throne, even without signing the Constitution. Liberals rise up in revolt and depose the government, kicking off the year of revolutions.
The Netherlands:
1832: The southern provinces rise in revolt against the King, partially in response to the removal of the tariff on grain. The French waver about intervening, but Louis XIIX doesn't feel secure enough to provoke the other Powers with his brother waiting in exile in Vienna. By the end of the year the rebellion has been put down.
1839: William II accedes the the throne of the United Netherlands, and grants local administration to the southern provinces. He is personally mildly conservative, but mainly uninterested in politics.
1849: William II dies, William III accedes to the throne.
1850: The Walloons stage significant protests in the southern provinces, fearing that their privileges will be removed by the new King. Haunted by the spectre of revolution rising across Europe, and fearing that the burgers of Antwerp will rise as well, the new King agrees to a broadly liberal constitution.
Germany
1826: The Zollverin is established between Prussia and the Grand Ducky of Hesse
1828: Hesse-Cassel joins the Zollverin, the Prussian dominated customs union.
1829: Encouraged by the accession to the throne of a King known for his liberal views, the Liberals in Hanover petition for an improved constitution. William encourages his brother Adolphus, his Viceroy to Hanover, to come to an accommodation with the Liberals, as trouble is brewing in London over the proposed Reform Bill. He settles into negotiations.
1832: A Liberal constitution is established in Hanover, giving more rights to the middle class, and some limited gains for the peasantry, paired with stronger Parliamentary control of the Royal finances. The parliament is reformed on the British model.
1833: A Liberal pro-democracy meeting in Dresden is suppressed by conservative forces. There are limited risings across Prussia and the minor northern German states, but they are quickly crushed. Many liberals flee to Hanover, where they are tolerated more than welcomed.
1834 Württemberg, Saxony, Thuringia etc join the Zollverin
1836 Bavaria joins the Zollverin.
1842 onwards: Very significant numbers of Germans emigrate, seeking their fortunes in the gold rushes that occur over the next decades, and in simple settlement, going to Australia, South Africa, California, and Canada. This was particularly true in 1846 and 1847, when the harvest failed, and some 500,000 Germans departed. This is associated with the Formation of the Royal Hanoverian Colonial Society in
1842, and its subsidy of transportation.
1850: Year of Rebellions: A wave of revolt surges across Europe. Germany is in the forefront of this movement, with no state entirely unaffected. Demonstrations range from generally peaceful and localised, in Bavaria and Hanover, to violent and widespread, in Prussia and Austria. Meterrnick resigns, and a German parliament assembles in Frankfurt. The parliament deadlocks. Austria rejects its unification plans outright, the Hanoverian (British) delegates suggest the formation of an Imperial Council. In the end, after much fruitless discussion, the Austrians withdraw their co-operation, and the Prussian King reject the offer of an Imperial Crown paired with a Hanoverian style constitution. Both the Austrians and the Prussians vigorously suppress Liberals, and many flee, once again, into Hanover, and to New England and the British colonies.
The British deploy several British regiments into Hanover, and transfer several Hanoverian regiments considered unreliable to the Dutch border, although nothing comes of it. With the break down of the parliament several small uprisings up radicals have to be put down, but most moderate Liberals support the British. The revolution succeeds in Oldenburg and Braunschweigh, and the moderates invite in British Hanoverian forces to maintain order. The Dukes of these regions eventually join the Hanoverian House of Lords.
I'm considering how the rest of the century goes outside North America. Perhaps a tense stand off over the status of the Holy Land from so, 1856 onwards, with Russia and Prussia sitting on one side of the fence, and the British (+Hanover), Austrians, and French on the other, with Bavaria and the southern German states trying to play off all sides to retain their independance. Also, who should the various figures in the TL marry, and should should be the unmentioned alt-rulers.
Same PoD as Decades of Darkness. The Embargo Acts don't get repealed, and secessionist sentiment reaches a fever pitch. By late 1810 the Act is being habitually violated with the connivance of the New England state authorities, and relations within the Congress and Senate are at breaking point.
North America
At this point, a north eastern convention demands the repeal of the Act, and threatens secession. The Federal government tries to fudge the incident, but it all goes wrong when Federal troops attempting to enforce the act clash with the New York militia and a prominent New York personality who attempted to mediate gets caught in the crossfire.
It all goes downhill from there. The North Eastern states declare independence in January 1813 – including New York and New Jersey, and Philadelphia declares itself neutral. Britain recognises the new Commonwealth of New England.
An uneasy peace persists for several months, and it looks like a peaceful separation will be possible. The War of the Sixth Coalition kicks off on schedule, and Napolean has greater than historical initial successes. With the British seemingly busy in Europe, and after a series of incidents between the New England militias and Federal troops who have stationed themselves in Philidelphia (to the displeasure of the locals), the US government finds a cassus beli and invades in September 1813..
Federal troops meet stiff militia resistance and it turns ugly in places, with troops bogged down defending their supply lines. Unfortunately for the US, Napolean is defeated in May 1814, and the British feel able to send significant forces across the Atlantic. Even before this had occurred, New Orleans had fallen to a British expeditionary force, and when the main Federal army was decisively defeated outside New York in September 1814, and the Philadelphia state government, still furious that their wish for neutrality had been ignored switched sides a month later, the Feds admit defeat, and ask for terms.
Before this news can reach American commanders in the field, and American armies attempts to retake New Orleans and Detroit. The attacks are repulsed, but British forces suffer heavy casualties.
The initial terms offered by the British and New Englanders are not kind, and when news reaches the Americans that Napolean has escaped from imprisonment and raised a new army, negotiations breakdown and fighting resumes during April 1815. This proves to have been a misjudgement on the Americans part.
Napolean is defeated for a second time in September 1815, and the US government requests a second ceasefire in that November.
The terms of the treaty involve:
The independence of New England, New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia., with the border set at 40,30 in Ohio and parts West.
The renunciation of the Louisiana purchase as invalid, and its return to Spanish sovereignty.
The next interesting event that occurs in this timeline is the assassination of Ferdinand VII during 1818, and the accession his brother Carlos to the Spanish throne. Thanks to this, the Mexican conservatives remain loyal to the Spanish Crown, and the Mexican independence movement is crushed in 1820.
We now fast forwards a few years. Fewer settlers have gone to America, due to continuing tensions in the north east between New England and the United States and Britain.
In 1831, New England bans slavery.
In 1833 Spain dissolves into civil war, as liberal factions attempt to overthrow the King. This sparks chaos in the Americas, as independence movements see the chance they have been waiting for.
In Mexico, the conservatives invite the expelled King Carlos into power.
In Texas, the locals, both Hispanic and Anglo, rise up to proclaim the Republic of Texas.
In Florida, the locals proclaim the Republic of Florida and petition for access to the United States.
In the area of the old Louisiana purchase, the situation is more confused. Many call for annexation by the United States, but the region has been ungoverned (in the North), and under British control (in the South) for the best part of 20 years, so many are basically unconcerned.
The US is lead by a very hawkish president, anxious to remove the stain on the US' record brought by earlier defeat, and he feels confident in provoking Britain by demanding cessation of the purchase area and recognition of the annexation of Florida.
In short, war breaks out. The US invades New England and Louisiana, and the Texan rebels fight against Royalist forces.
Once again the US is brought to the negotiating table, although it is a much closer thing than the previous war. The US receives Florida and a guarantee of free navigation along the Mississippi. Texas is recognised as an independent state.
In 1844. Gold is found in California, and colonists begin to move there in large numbers. This means trouble. In 1850 California rises up in rebellion, again with substantial Hispanic (liberal) support. The US offers to purchase the Louisiana territory again, the liberal Spanish government accepts. But Britain vetoes the deal. Another war looks possible, but a deal is reached – the area is split between Texas (leant the money by Britain), the US, and Britain, with Britain getting everything above the 42nd parallel, Texas the East and the US the West..
The California rebellion ends with California, including all of Baja, independent, and them agreeing the 42nd parallel as the border with British North America as well.
In 1848, Texas and the US fight a brief but bloody war over their mutual borders and the rule of the lands they have gained
In 1858 the Governor of Sonora (a closet liberal) is the only survivor of an abortive coup against the new King of New Spain, who has been busy consuming the central American countries. Despite being unusually competent, the new King can do nothing when the governor invites Californian forces in.
In 1861, forces from New Spain based in Cuba take Haiti, at the invitation of the Dominicans.
In 1865 the New Spanish government begins construction of the Nicaraua Canal, backed by Californian and British companies.
In 1869, the Texans invade northern Mexico. After careful consideration, the Californians stay neutral, and in a series of hard fought battles, the Texan invaders crumble in the face of the New Spanish defenses, under British made guns. The war lasts three years before the Texans admit defeat. In the aftermath of the victory, limited liberal reforms are put in place in New Spain.
In 1870 the British grant the Kingdom of Canada home rule within the British Empire. Several of the Maritimes vote to join New England. In the same year the British purcahse Alsaska from the Russians.
In 1873, the New Spanish government grants rights over the part constructed Nicaraguan canal to a consortium backed by the British in return for the cancellation of debts incurred during the Texan war.
During 1875, a series of border incidents between Texas and California are resolved via British mediation.
In 1878, further small liberal reforms are put in place. Land reforms are on the back burner, thanks to industrialisation begining to soak up some of the surplus labour, mollifying the conservatives.
In 1880 the US declares that there will be no new slaves in the US, anyone born from this date will be free.
In 1892 the Kingdom of Pacifica is established, containing the remaining territories in British North America, not forming part of Canada or the Caribbean.
In 1894 the New Spanish create a constitutional monarchy, although very few limits on its powers are established, after the celebrations that follow the construction of the Nicaragua Canal.
Britain
British emigration to North America is significantly reduced compared to OTL. With the continent a much more tense place, and with better protection for the natives in BNA as compared to the US, it is less attractive. Only about 2/3 of OTL's numbers go there.
1816: At the *Congress of Vienna, the British deal a slightly different hand. They gain a very slightly larger Hanover, and refuse to return the Dutch East Indies, in additon to the Cape and Ceylon, given that the Dutch had managed to offend more people in the slightly longer War of the 7th Coalition.
1819: Alexander Victor is born to Adelaide of Saxe-Meiingen, as the 2nd in line to the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and to the Kingdom Of Hanover, the day before George III died. George IV assumes the throne. He maintains support for the Tories.
1828: In collaboration with the French, the British East India Company intervene in support of Le Van Duyet, from their bases in Java. Buyet was rebelling against Emperor Minh Mang of Vietnam, and his xenophobic anti-progress, anti-missionary policies. By the end of the year Javanese company and French troops have placed Le Van Duyet's son, Le Vah Khoi on the Vietnamese throne. They have received guarantees of free trade and extra-territorial treaty ports. Le Van Khoi will follow his father's policy of Westernisation.
1829: George IV dies. William IV assumes the throne. He is a noted liberal. In the elections held after his coronation, the Liberals gain a strong majority, led by Lord Grey. (Better than OTL, as there hasn't been a recent French liberal coup)
1830: A Reform Bill is passed by the House of Commons, but rejected by the Lords. A tense stand off ensues. The Lords remains obdurate. Lord Grey tries to persuade the King to create new Peers, but (as his private papers later reveal) he vacillates about interfering so blatantly with Parliament. London gossip, however, suggests that the King has decided to do so. When the Tories put out feelers to the Royal Household, they misinterpret the result. The Tory opponents of the Bill in the Lords agree to abstain based on this erroneous impression, and the bill passes into law in 1831.
1832: The British bans slavery within its colonies. Abolitionist sentiment is at an all time high. The British East India company is reformed during this year.
1833: The Spanish Expulsion occurs. The US attempts to retake the former Louisiana Purchase (which had been under the administration of a British company) and Florida. The public are outraged, by amongst other things, the expansion of slavery. Something must be Done. The crisis escalates into war, with the US attacking New England, in defiance of the British guarantee of its security. The war ends within the year, with the US being kicked out of New England and Lousiana, but being permitted to annex Florida. The British support an independent Texas.
1837-1840: The First opium Wars - In 1837 the British force's from Java open the port of Macao to the opium trade, after their envoy is turned away by the local governor. Later in the year Chinese forces return in numbers and forcibly close the port, destroying considerable stocks and killing several merchants. The local British authorities send warships, and forces from the East Indies, arriving early 1838, and a large army from India and Burma, late in 1838. The Chinese are humiliated and are forced to agree to the Treaty of Hanoi.
1839: William IV dies. He was one of the best beloved Kings of the age, and many turn out for his funeral, thanks to what is seen as his skillfull handling of the Reform Crisis. At the age of 19 his son, the new King Alexander accedes to the throne. He proves to be liberal, like his father, by the standards of the day. He is crowned in Hanover later in the year.
1840: The Chinese Imperial government accede to the treaty of Hanoi. Hong Kong, Canton, Amoy, and Shanghai are ceded to British administration, and several other ports are opened to trade
1841: Lord Grey, who has served as Prime Minister for 12 years, retires. The Liberals still control Parliament.
1842: Gold is discovered in Australia. Over 750,000 people emmigrate there during the next decade. It somewhat takes the wind from the sales of the Californian cold rush.
1847: Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Empire dies. His heir signs a favourable treaty with the British, who are worried about the Russian influence in Afghanistan.
1850 Britain adopts a policy of co-existence and patronage with the Sikh Empire after a failed attempt to conquer Afghanistan backfires badly. In time the Sikhs will become key British allies in the face of Russian expansion to the North. The gradually become a British client state, but never loose self-government. It maintains a strong military, and remains a local power.
1851: The increased number of settlers leads to the discovery of diamonds in Kimberly (South Africa). This leads to a diamond rush. Over the next decade there are 200,000 immigrants. The Tories return to power for the first time in over twenty years.
1852: The British East-India company conquers Burma.
1853-1859: A series of rebellions occur across British northern India, thanks to the increasing number of kingdoms being incorporated by the Company. Although they are all put down, this increasing requires the use of Javanese sepoys, and even the support of Sikh soldiers.
1860: After a corruption scandal, and in light of the turmoil, the British government takes direct responsibility for the government of British India and Burma, and reorganise the administration.
1862: Gold is discovered in Witwatersrand. Over 400,000 Europeans arrive during the gold rush in the next five years.
1870: Canada is granted home rule and is established as a Kingdom within the United Kingdom. The Governor is made a Viceoy.
1882: South Africa is granted limited home rule and is established as a Kingdom within the United Kingdom. The Governor is made a Viceoy.
1888: The Australia + New Zealand are granted limited home rule and is established as a Kingdom within the United Kingdom. The Governor is made a Viceoy.
France
1816: Louis XVIII dismisses the French elected house, and packs the house of Peers, in order to permit the election of a Liberal government (as OTL). Unlike OTL Henri Grégoire is assassinated during the election.
1819: Maria-Thereas, wife of Louis-Antoinne, 2nd in line to the throne of France, gives birth to a son, Louis-Charles.
1821: With the Liberals proving as unmanageable as the Ultra-royalists, Louis' ministers dismiss the elected chamber again, returning a divided assembly.
1822: Charles, Duc d'Artois, leader of the ultra-royalist party, is assassinated. France hovers of the edge of civil war, and the other European powers threaten to intervene. Against the odds, a fragile compromise is established.
1824: Louis XVIII dies. Fearing Louis-Antoinne's Liberal tendencies, the Ultra-Royalists launch a coup attempt to force him to abdicate in favour of his brother, Charles-Ferdinand. A counter-coup succeeds, and his brother is exiled. Louis XIX is crowned, and cracks down on the aristocracy. He liberalises the constitution.
1828: Louis' government intervenes in Indochina in support of a pro-French rebellion. Later in the year it is forced to put down another Charlist coup, after he slashed tariffs on grain in response to a large rise in the price of gain and had intervened to protect merchant interests abroad.
1833: The French decline to intervene in the Spanish revolution, and no one else can muster the logistics.
1844: Louis XIX dies. His son, Louis XX assumes the throne, at the age of 25. Louis is a significantly more Conservative than his father, and begins to try to claw back much of the power he thinks his father squandered. This proves difficult, as the constitution is well bedded in, and most of the levers of power are unavailable to him.
1850: Tired of Louis XX's continual meddling, the Liberal French parliament take advantage of the Chaos sweeping Europe to force him to resign, installing his 7 year old son as King, and establishing a Regency Council.
Spain:
1818: Ferdinand is assassinated, and his brother Carlos accedes to the throne. Carlos is very reactionary, and rules completely arbitrarily.
1833: Spanish Liberals revolt against King Carlos. The Spanish government had made few friends on the European scene, with its spectacularly arbitrary rule. Carlos goes first to Vienna, but his bad reputation leads to him going to New Spain, at the invitation of the conservatives there. The Spanish loose control of all their American colonial possessions. After a series of threats from the other European Powers, the new Spanish government announces that they still consider Carlos, King of Spain, but that his refusal to accept the constitution of 1814 leaves him unable to fulfil his functions. They eagerly await him accepting his responsibilities.
1838-1844: A power struggle within the Spanish government escalates into civil war. Many refugees seek to leave Spain in this era. By the end of the war conservative factions end up predominant, but do not feel secure enough to immediately invite a King to return.
1850: The Spanish government invites the King of New Spain to take up his unoccupied throne, even without signing the Constitution. Liberals rise up in revolt and depose the government, kicking off the year of revolutions.
The Netherlands:
1832: The southern provinces rise in revolt against the King, partially in response to the removal of the tariff on grain. The French waver about intervening, but Louis XIIX doesn't feel secure enough to provoke the other Powers with his brother waiting in exile in Vienna. By the end of the year the rebellion has been put down.
1839: William II accedes the the throne of the United Netherlands, and grants local administration to the southern provinces. He is personally mildly conservative, but mainly uninterested in politics.
1849: William II dies, William III accedes to the throne.
1850: The Walloons stage significant protests in the southern provinces, fearing that their privileges will be removed by the new King. Haunted by the spectre of revolution rising across Europe, and fearing that the burgers of Antwerp will rise as well, the new King agrees to a broadly liberal constitution.
Germany
1826: The Zollverin is established between Prussia and the Grand Ducky of Hesse
1828: Hesse-Cassel joins the Zollverin, the Prussian dominated customs union.
1829: Encouraged by the accession to the throne of a King known for his liberal views, the Liberals in Hanover petition for an improved constitution. William encourages his brother Adolphus, his Viceroy to Hanover, to come to an accommodation with the Liberals, as trouble is brewing in London over the proposed Reform Bill. He settles into negotiations.
1832: A Liberal constitution is established in Hanover, giving more rights to the middle class, and some limited gains for the peasantry, paired with stronger Parliamentary control of the Royal finances. The parliament is reformed on the British model.
1833: A Liberal pro-democracy meeting in Dresden is suppressed by conservative forces. There are limited risings across Prussia and the minor northern German states, but they are quickly crushed. Many liberals flee to Hanover, where they are tolerated more than welcomed.
1834 Württemberg, Saxony, Thuringia etc join the Zollverin
1836 Bavaria joins the Zollverin.
1842 onwards: Very significant numbers of Germans emigrate, seeking their fortunes in the gold rushes that occur over the next decades, and in simple settlement, going to Australia, South Africa, California, and Canada. This was particularly true in 1846 and 1847, when the harvest failed, and some 500,000 Germans departed. This is associated with the Formation of the Royal Hanoverian Colonial Society in
1842, and its subsidy of transportation.
1850: Year of Rebellions: A wave of revolt surges across Europe. Germany is in the forefront of this movement, with no state entirely unaffected. Demonstrations range from generally peaceful and localised, in Bavaria and Hanover, to violent and widespread, in Prussia and Austria. Meterrnick resigns, and a German parliament assembles in Frankfurt. The parliament deadlocks. Austria rejects its unification plans outright, the Hanoverian (British) delegates suggest the formation of an Imperial Council. In the end, after much fruitless discussion, the Austrians withdraw their co-operation, and the Prussian King reject the offer of an Imperial Crown paired with a Hanoverian style constitution. Both the Austrians and the Prussians vigorously suppress Liberals, and many flee, once again, into Hanover, and to New England and the British colonies.
The British deploy several British regiments into Hanover, and transfer several Hanoverian regiments considered unreliable to the Dutch border, although nothing comes of it. With the break down of the parliament several small uprisings up radicals have to be put down, but most moderate Liberals support the British. The revolution succeeds in Oldenburg and Braunschweigh, and the moderates invite in British Hanoverian forces to maintain order. The Dukes of these regions eventually join the Hanoverian House of Lords.
I'm considering how the rest of the century goes outside North America. Perhaps a tense stand off over the status of the Holy Land from so, 1856 onwards, with Russia and Prussia sitting on one side of the fence, and the British (+Hanover), Austrians, and French on the other, with Bavaria and the southern German states trying to play off all sides to retain their independance. Also, who should the various figures in the TL marry, and should should be the unmentioned alt-rulers.
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