Thank you.
You are quite right about the fire, and from my original notes it was put in that Covington and Dayton received some serious damage as well.
Im going to say pretty comfortably that Grant wont be a greatly remembered President
The Discord That Follows
- Thread starter SilverSwimmer
- Start date
Thank you.
You are quite right about the fire, and from my original notes it was put in that Covington and Dayton received some serious damage as well.
Im going to say pretty comfortably that Grant wont be a greatly remembered President
My, oh my, oh my. The Tsar seems to have pulled off a near ideal conquest. The Ottoman power in the Balkans is broken and the Caucaus frontier belongs to the Romanovs now.
I was surprised that little Montenergro was able make a land grab. The pan Serbians will not be happy since the nationalists viwed the Montgrins as Mountain Serbs or some such.
So how are matters settling in Macedonia?
We canexpect a majopr committement to Istabul by ther British Empire. This war represents a severe setback to London in the Great Game. Keeping Russia from getting any closer to the straits will now be even more of a red letter priority.
I was surprised that little Montenergro was able make a land grab. The pan Serbians will not be happy since the nationalists viwed the Montgrins as Mountain Serbs or some such.
So how are matters settling in Macedonia?
We canexpect a majopr committement to Istabul by ther British Empire. This war represents a severe setback to London in the Great Game. Keeping Russia from getting any closer to the straits will now be even more of a red letter priority.
Hmm, the big question here is why Russia was permitted to do what the Crimean War was fought to prevent?
France is obviously preoccupied by its internal troubles and the last thing the Emperor needs is an expemsive war on the other side of Europe. A.H. is likely having trouble as the source of the crash, and perhaps is more concerned with Germans than Slavs at the moment. Prussia has no real motive since their aspirations are towards panGermainism at the moment.
So why was Britain unable to assist the Ottomans? Preoccupied in another region? Unwilling to oppose the Bear without additional European support?
Hmm, with the Greater Serbia not being held in part by Vienna we could see some interesting divergences inthe Balkans.
France is obviously preoccupied by its internal troubles and the last thing the Emperor needs is an expemsive war on the other side of Europe. A.H. is likely having trouble as the source of the crash, and perhaps is more concerned with Germans than Slavs at the moment. Prussia has no real motive since their aspirations are towards panGermainism at the moment.
So why was Britain unable to assist the Ottomans? Preoccupied in another region? Unwilling to oppose the Bear without additional European support?
Hmm, with the Greater Serbia not being held in part by Vienna we could see some interesting divergences inthe Balkans.
Yes, the British werent quite ready to threaten war alone id say. But the Great game and imperialism will take a front seat in British politics very quickly. The Balkans will have a few divergences, especially now that we have independent nations, alongside with still Ottoman territory in the Balkans. Much like 1908, just 30 years earlier. Maybe a 1912 will follow
. No promises though. Macedonia was given to Bulgaria for the most part, the area in OTL known as Greek Macedonia is Ottoman still. Thanks! I love hearing feedback, especially positive
. PS: Ive been trying to upload maps, but the KB is WAYYY to big. I know that others have uploaded bigger maps to the site. Whats the secret?
Jean-Claude Girard walked home alone on a chilly June night. Paris these days was a very scary place to walk alone in these days, and his eyes darted back and forth as he tried to avoid tripping over the remains of barricades and houses. Nothing had really been cleaned up since the battles of last month, except for a few now homeless Parisians hopelessly picking up the rubble that used to be their homes. Not even the air had healed,and every whiff he took of the night air was burned by the still powerful scent of gunpowder and death. He tripped over something soft, and as he fell to the floor let out a yell of surprise. When he realized what it was, he was suddenly overcome by the powerful odor, and vomited. He had tripped over the body of a dead soldier. He got up from sitting, and inspected the body for anything of value. It had probably already been gone over dozens of times, but tonight Jean-Claude was in luck. He pocketed the soldier's expensive-looking dagger into his pocket, and kept on his way.
He walked across a local square, and could faintly see the outlines of the gallows the Army had set up there. No one knew how many people had been convicted of sympathizing or fighting with the Worker's Republic, but he knew every day there were dozens of people hanged here, whether they be men, women, or children. The Government had cracked down hard. If the Army even heard you whisper the word Socialism here, the bet was you were now labeled an enemy of the state. Some of his neighbors had been taken, but he did not know to where. Some rumors said they were being sent to work camps in French territories around the world. Jean-Claude guessed it was better than an end at the gallows. Or at least he hoped.
And what of he and his family? So far they were able to stay low. As long as he didn't cause trouble, he thought they might be able to make it through this. No hell could last this long, could it?
As he neared the house, he saw that the door was open, and began to feel his stomach turn. Something was terribly wrong. Rushing in, he looked into the kitchen, where he finally saw them. Two French soldiers standing, hands on their holsters, with his wife, Eloise, and his two little children sitting at the kitchen table, crying.
"What is the meaning of this?" gasped Jean-Claude, trying to fend of a heart attack.
"Ah, Monsieur, you are home." The French soldier said. He looked like he was an officer. "I am Lieutenant Colbert, and this is Private DuPont. We are part of the Army's intelligence unit. We are investigating a supposed hospital for Socialist sympathizers during the final days of the insurrection, and based on some intelligence, eh, gathered from some other investigators, we have been led to your home Monsieur Girard." Colbert explained. Jean-Claude glanced at the private. DuPont said nothing. He didn't even have an expression on his face, which made him all the more frightening. He was stocky, cleanly shaven and tall, with menacing eyes that tore into him. He was most likely just the Lieutenants bodyguard, but he did his job well, and his presence only enhanced Colbert's cold persona.
"Lieutenant, I really have no idea what your talking abou-"
"We know the hospital was here Jean-Claude. We have testimonials from many men who were treated here. And the description of one of the men helping the wounded pefectly matches your own." The Lieutenant stared at Jean-Claude.
"Sir, I really did not have anything to do with this." Jean's heart was racing. He didn't know what they did to people who were labeled as sympathizers, but he knew they had names for them now. The Parisians called them les disparus. The name sent shivers down his spine. The disappeared? What fate could be worse?
"Monsieur Girard, we know that it was here. You cannot prove otherwise. And if you really aren't going to make my job easy, your family will have to come with me...for, eh questioning.." His voice trailed off purposefully. Jean-Pierre's wife gasped and began to break into tears. Colbert looked at the wife, and back at Girard. "Have I made myself clear?"
Jean-Pierre stared at the table where Eloise and the children sat. He looked back at the officers. "When the Army came into Paris, a man came to me with a wounded child. He was a doctor, and he asked whether I could use my house, because it was the only one still standing on our street. I could not say no. Over the next day or so, more people came in with wounded loved ones, and finally, soldiers began to be brought in. I was not in support of this, but I could not watch these people die. I helped the doctor with medial tasks, I brought them water, and brought the doctor supplies. We did not just treat the Socialists Lieutenant, the doctor saved the lives of countless soldiers who fought with the Army. Now please, I beg of you. Do not harm my family."
Colbert gestured to Private DuPont. "Thank you for your cooperation Monsieur. Private DuPont, arrest this man for treason, and aiding and housing enemies of the state. Take the woman and children for questioning."
"NO!! Lieutenant! They did nothing! Leave them be I beg of you!" Jean-Claude cried out. He tried to run to them, but was stopped by the brute strength of the Private, who threw him against the wall with a surprising force. As he lay there, dazed by the impact against the wall, he saw hazily the sight of the officers moving towards his family, forcing them up from their seats. At that moment, his hand went over the hilt of the dagger he had picked up not too long ago. As the Private turns away from the family back to him, Jean-Claude, using the last of his energy to jump at the Private, drives the dagger into DuPont's chest, toppling the huge soldier to the ground. The Lieutenant, seeing the commotion happening only a few feet away, took out his pistol and shot it in the air, then pointed it at Girard's wife.
"Monsieur, you are going to drop the knife. You are going to come with me. And your wife may see tomorrow yet." Colbert was serious. Jean-Claude could see it in his cold face. He dropped the knife. As he got up from the lifeless, bloodstained body of the Private, another flash of movement came, not from the Lieutenant or Girard, but from Eloise, as she swung the small kitchen knife she had apparently hidden under her apron into Colbert's abdomen. As he winced in pain, Girard jumped again, this time into Colbert, and tackled him to the ground.
"You bitch!" the Lieutenant screamed in agony.
The fight was an age old fight for survival. Both were tired, and both used any trick they could to finally come out on top. As the two men struggled to get the upper hand, Eloise finally had the chance to kick the pistol from the Lieutenants hands. As she picked it up and aimed it at the Lieutenant, Jean-Claude rolled off him, and stood next to his wife. The Lieutenant, clutching his severely bleeding waist, gradually got up. His demeanor had completely changed. He was scared.
"Monsieur, and Madame, I think that-"
The pistol that was still in Eloise's hands fired three times, all three bullets smashing into the chest of Lieutenant Colbert. He fell almost in slow motion, his eyes were wide open, his face full of surprise. Eloise spit on the ground.
"Bâtard"
As the family looked at the scene that had just occurred in their kitchen, only one thought crossed Jean-Claude Girard's mind.
"We need to get out of France."
He walked across a local square, and could faintly see the outlines of the gallows the Army had set up there. No one knew how many people had been convicted of sympathizing or fighting with the Worker's Republic, but he knew every day there were dozens of people hanged here, whether they be men, women, or children. The Government had cracked down hard. If the Army even heard you whisper the word Socialism here, the bet was you were now labeled an enemy of the state. Some of his neighbors had been taken, but he did not know to where. Some rumors said they were being sent to work camps in French territories around the world. Jean-Claude guessed it was better than an end at the gallows. Or at least he hoped.
And what of he and his family? So far they were able to stay low. As long as he didn't cause trouble, he thought they might be able to make it through this. No hell could last this long, could it?
As he neared the house, he saw that the door was open, and began to feel his stomach turn. Something was terribly wrong. Rushing in, he looked into the kitchen, where he finally saw them. Two French soldiers standing, hands on their holsters, with his wife, Eloise, and his two little children sitting at the kitchen table, crying.
"What is the meaning of this?" gasped Jean-Claude, trying to fend of a heart attack.
"Ah, Monsieur, you are home." The French soldier said. He looked like he was an officer. "I am Lieutenant Colbert, and this is Private DuPont. We are part of the Army's intelligence unit. We are investigating a supposed hospital for Socialist sympathizers during the final days of the insurrection, and based on some intelligence, eh, gathered from some other investigators, we have been led to your home Monsieur Girard." Colbert explained. Jean-Claude glanced at the private. DuPont said nothing. He didn't even have an expression on his face, which made him all the more frightening. He was stocky, cleanly shaven and tall, with menacing eyes that tore into him. He was most likely just the Lieutenants bodyguard, but he did his job well, and his presence only enhanced Colbert's cold persona.
"Lieutenant, I really have no idea what your talking abou-"
"We know the hospital was here Jean-Claude. We have testimonials from many men who were treated here. And the description of one of the men helping the wounded pefectly matches your own." The Lieutenant stared at Jean-Claude.
"Sir, I really did not have anything to do with this." Jean's heart was racing. He didn't know what they did to people who were labeled as sympathizers, but he knew they had names for them now. The Parisians called them les disparus. The name sent shivers down his spine. The disappeared? What fate could be worse?
"Monsieur Girard, we know that it was here. You cannot prove otherwise. And if you really aren't going to make my job easy, your family will have to come with me...for, eh questioning.." His voice trailed off purposefully. Jean-Pierre's wife gasped and began to break into tears. Colbert looked at the wife, and back at Girard. "Have I made myself clear?"
Jean-Pierre stared at the table where Eloise and the children sat. He looked back at the officers. "When the Army came into Paris, a man came to me with a wounded child. He was a doctor, and he asked whether I could use my house, because it was the only one still standing on our street. I could not say no. Over the next day or so, more people came in with wounded loved ones, and finally, soldiers began to be brought in. I was not in support of this, but I could not watch these people die. I helped the doctor with medial tasks, I brought them water, and brought the doctor supplies. We did not just treat the Socialists Lieutenant, the doctor saved the lives of countless soldiers who fought with the Army. Now please, I beg of you. Do not harm my family."
Colbert gestured to Private DuPont. "Thank you for your cooperation Monsieur. Private DuPont, arrest this man for treason, and aiding and housing enemies of the state. Take the woman and children for questioning."
"NO!! Lieutenant! They did nothing! Leave them be I beg of you!" Jean-Claude cried out. He tried to run to them, but was stopped by the brute strength of the Private, who threw him against the wall with a surprising force. As he lay there, dazed by the impact against the wall, he saw hazily the sight of the officers moving towards his family, forcing them up from their seats. At that moment, his hand went over the hilt of the dagger he had picked up not too long ago. As the Private turns away from the family back to him, Jean-Claude, using the last of his energy to jump at the Private, drives the dagger into DuPont's chest, toppling the huge soldier to the ground. The Lieutenant, seeing the commotion happening only a few feet away, took out his pistol and shot it in the air, then pointed it at Girard's wife.
"Monsieur, you are going to drop the knife. You are going to come with me. And your wife may see tomorrow yet." Colbert was serious. Jean-Claude could see it in his cold face. He dropped the knife. As he got up from the lifeless, bloodstained body of the Private, another flash of movement came, not from the Lieutenant or Girard, but from Eloise, as she swung the small kitchen knife she had apparently hidden under her apron into Colbert's abdomen. As he winced in pain, Girard jumped again, this time into Colbert, and tackled him to the ground.
"You bitch!" the Lieutenant screamed in agony.
The fight was an age old fight for survival. Both were tired, and both used any trick they could to finally come out on top. As the two men struggled to get the upper hand, Eloise finally had the chance to kick the pistol from the Lieutenants hands. As she picked it up and aimed it at the Lieutenant, Jean-Claude rolled off him, and stood next to his wife. The Lieutenant, clutching his severely bleeding waist, gradually got up. His demeanor had completely changed. He was scared.
"Monsieur, and Madame, I think that-"
The pistol that was still in Eloise's hands fired three times, all three bullets smashing into the chest of Lieutenant Colbert. He fell almost in slow motion, his eyes were wide open, his face full of surprise. Eloise spit on the ground.
"Bâtard"
As the family looked at the scene that had just occurred in their kitchen, only one thought crossed Jean-Claude Girard's mind.
"We need to get out of France."
Why thank you sir, always nice to see compliments.
Figured I would post a map as well, its of the Balkans roughly after the Treaty of Podgorica and some small land deals between Greece and the Ottomans that I will cover in later updates.
Circa 1880:
Keep up the good work, I've been a fan of this timeline for quite some time.
Oh, and the map seems broken for me as well by the way.
Oh, and the map seems broken for me as well by the way.
ARGH
Can someone tell me how they upload pictures? I uploaded it to g-mail, then used the insert image button. When I use the attach image button it doesnt work because it is too big. Its like 490 KB and the limit is 293 or something.
Sory
Can someone tell me how they upload pictures? I uploaded it to g-mail, then used the insert image button. When I use the attach image button it doesnt work because it is too big. Its like 490 KB and the limit is 293 or something.
Sory
This does not look good.
Not your writing! Rather the way matters are developing in France. The Imperial government is keeping the wounds open rather than healing them. At this rate another revolt is inevitable.
If I had to guess the next revolt will be in 1880. Mainly because that is where you cut off in Mexico's history.
Speaking of Habsburgs will we be fining out about their activites soon? Aside from getting Bosnia we kow nothing about how they weathered the crash. Also how are relations between the brother Emperors(Maximilian and Franz Josef)?
Not your writing! Rather the way matters are developing in France. The Imperial government is keeping the wounds open rather than healing them. At this rate another revolt is inevitable.
If I had to guess the next revolt will be in 1880. Mainly because that is where you cut off in Mexico's history.
Speaking of Habsburgs will we be fining out about their activites soon? Aside from getting Bosnia we kow nothing about how they weathered the crash. Also how are relations between the brother Emperors(Maximilian and Franz Josef)?
ARGH
Can someone tell me how they upload pictures? I uploaded it to g-mail, then used the insert image button. When I use the attach image button it doesnt work because it is too big. Its like 490 KB and the limit is 293 or something. Sorry
You'll have to reduce the size of the image. I know it can be frustrating.
Mmm I didnt really choose 1880 for any purpose other then it was the end of that decade. However, by the turn of the century, the probability of a more widespread and popular revolt is really high.
Concerning the Austrians, they will be included in the next segment, which is about both the German states and the Austrian empire.
Hm that is quite frustrating. But how do other people get them so big?!
An Excerpt from: Livingston, Margaret. Blood and Iron: The Story of the Long Struggle for German Unification. London: Oxford University Press, 1986. Print
"The 1870's, for some Germans, was a decade of "close, but no cigar", a time where the dream of a united German-speaking nation was almost realized, but was defeated for the second time in fifty years. For other Germans, the goal was a pipe-dream, something that one could wish for, but realistically couldn't achieve. The latter idea was the one that took hold in much of the German-speaking areas after the Spanish Succession Crisis, a pessimistic view on the issue, but one that was popular nonetheless. It was the most common opinion of Germans at this time; the German-speaking men and women of Europe were never fated to unite, to join in any kind of union, nor should any attempt be made."
In the North German Confederation, Bismarck, the man who had been defeated at Vienna in 1871, was still the most influential man in Prussia as Federal Chancellor. Although believing in free trade, the Crash had convinced him that in this period it was every man for himself. From the period of 1873 until the effects of the Crash finally disappeared at the turn of the decade, the NGC had extremely protectionist tariffs. In hindsight, whether that actually prolonged the depression or helped the North German Confederation remains a topic of debate in many history circles. The most influential actions of the NGC during this period however was its transformation into a pseudo-welfare state under Bismarck and Wilhelm I. Bismarck had observed the chaos of France in 1875, and even in the United States, and wasn't blind to the fact that the same trends were happening on this side of the border as well. To propel the situation further, that same year, the Social Democratic Party was formed, and gained a lot of popularity. The other established parties at the time, the Conservative, National Liberal, and the smaller Centre Party, looked on uneasily, although only a very small proportion of the Social Democrats were really radical Socialists, many just wanted basic reform. Even when, in 1875, a law outlawing the Socialist party was passed, the Social Democrats popularity grew still, by former members of the party running for seats as independent candidates.
In 1877, Bismarck took a new path. Instead of trying to crush the Socialists, the new strategy was to try and appease them, that way warding off demands for reforms deemed to radical by Bismarck and his supporters. The first of these reforms was passed that same year reinstating the Social Democrats as a legal political party. Over the next few years, called the Verbesserungjahre, or "Improvement years", several pieces of legislation were passed that turned Germany into basically a welfare state, with the government, by 1882, providing pensions, setting up labor laws regarding women and children, and even beginning to give health insurance to many low-wage workers and government employees. Whether or not this succeeded in stopping the SDP from demanded more radical changes, it most certainly was the first legislation of its kind, and improved the lives of a good percentage of the population.
With the fad of unification dying away, many of the South German monarchs were quite relieved. They were never comfortable with the idea of a Protestant Prussia being the dominant power in a unified Germany, and many South Germans saw Austria as its closer cousin then the neighbor to the North. The South German states of Baden, Bavaria, and Württemberg, would see the paths between them and their northern cousin departing as the 1870's trudged along. They were highly affected and infuriated by the high protectionist taxes they were subject to by the North German Confederation, and since it was their largest partner in trade, the pockets of these nations became increasingly empty. It could easily be said that South Germany was one of the hardest hit areas during the Crash, along with Austria and France, and it seemed that nothing could be done to stop the hole that was being dug around them. In 1876, Ludwig II of Bavaria called the leaders of the other two states to Munich for a meeting on the future of the states. In the meeting, he suggested a reformation of the Catholic League, a military alliance during the 17th century to counteract the Protestant Union. However, he not only suggested a mutual defense, but a economic union as well, in which there would be no tariffs or anything impeding the flow of trade between the South German nations. On September 24th, 1876, Bavaria, Baden, and Württemberg signed the Treaty of Munich, creating the Catholic League.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Austria-Hungary, the epicenter of the crash itself, ironically may have been the one nation who recovered the fastest. Now, to be fair, the nation was still one of the hardest hit by the crisis, but it quite close to the bottom anyway. The defeat in 1866 left it in chaos, and in 1867 were forced to concede a huge amount of power to the Magyars in an effort to keep the crumbling nation together. The government, or really governments, of Austria-Hungary began a rebuilding campaign, trying to modernize the nation's infrastructure, and it was done poorly. Although it achieved some success, the two governments could never fully organize the program, and corruption throughout the rebuilding, railroad production especially, was rampant. This in combination with the booms experienced in France, was one of the major reasons for the Crash, which finally struck in the year of 1873. The aftermath of those fateful weeks in Vienna left Austria-Hungary crippled for months, with unemployment reaching monstrous levels. Men who had been large brokers before, were on the street within months. But, Austria picked itself up, as it had time and time again. It adopted the same protectionist policies of the North German Confederation, although in 1878 reached a deal with the Catholic League to become almost a minor member in its Economic Zone.
Austria was lucky for the reason that it did not see widespread terror or violence like France and the United States did. Although some small ethnic groups started some trouble in areas like Transylvania and Croatia, it was to be expected. It also began to flex its diplomatic muscle again, reaching a backroom deal with the Russians, agreeing to not intervene in their upcoming conflict with the Ottoman Empire in exchange for Bosnia. This flared tensions with Serbia, which considered Bosnia in its region of influence, but nothing came of it. The deal with Russia, although not fully extinguishing the rivalry between the two, did help the historically tense relationship a large deal. In addition, Austria became close to the South German states, exemplified by its economic deals with the small nations. For the first time in a long time, Austria-Hungary could see a very small light at the end of a very long tunnel. Whether they would ever reach it was the real question.
"The 1870's, for some Germans, was a decade of "close, but no cigar", a time where the dream of a united German-speaking nation was almost realized, but was defeated for the second time in fifty years. For other Germans, the goal was a pipe-dream, something that one could wish for, but realistically couldn't achieve. The latter idea was the one that took hold in much of the German-speaking areas after the Spanish Succession Crisis, a pessimistic view on the issue, but one that was popular nonetheless. It was the most common opinion of Germans at this time; the German-speaking men and women of Europe were never fated to unite, to join in any kind of union, nor should any attempt be made."
The Germanies and Austria-Hungary During the Crash
The effects of the Crash were immediately felt, seeing that the epicenter was in Vienna. Like in many other places across the western world, the German states were hard hit. There had already been a little bit of stagnation in the economies of the German nations after the Spanish Succession Crisis, mostly in the North German Confederation, but the Crash had really brought the nations to their knees. The Germanies, as the area was most commonly called, took different approaches to the issue.
In the North German Confederation, Bismarck, the man who had been defeated at Vienna in 1871, was still the most influential man in Prussia as Federal Chancellor. Although believing in free trade, the Crash had convinced him that in this period it was every man for himself. From the period of 1873 until the effects of the Crash finally disappeared at the turn of the decade, the NGC had extremely protectionist tariffs. In hindsight, whether that actually prolonged the depression or helped the North German Confederation remains a topic of debate in many history circles. The most influential actions of the NGC during this period however was its transformation into a pseudo-welfare state under Bismarck and Wilhelm I. Bismarck had observed the chaos of France in 1875, and even in the United States, and wasn't blind to the fact that the same trends were happening on this side of the border as well. To propel the situation further, that same year, the Social Democratic Party was formed, and gained a lot of popularity. The other established parties at the time, the Conservative, National Liberal, and the smaller Centre Party, looked on uneasily, although only a very small proportion of the Social Democrats were really radical Socialists, many just wanted basic reform. Even when, in 1875, a law outlawing the Socialist party was passed, the Social Democrats popularity grew still, by former members of the party running for seats as independent candidates.
In 1877, Bismarck took a new path. Instead of trying to crush the Socialists, the new strategy was to try and appease them, that way warding off demands for reforms deemed to radical by Bismarck and his supporters. The first of these reforms was passed that same year reinstating the Social Democrats as a legal political party. Over the next few years, called the Verbesserungjahre, or "Improvement years", several pieces of legislation were passed that turned Germany into basically a welfare state, with the government, by 1882, providing pensions, setting up labor laws regarding women and children, and even beginning to give health insurance to many low-wage workers and government employees. Whether or not this succeeded in stopping the SDP from demanded more radical changes, it most certainly was the first legislation of its kind, and improved the lives of a good percentage of the population.
With the fad of unification dying away, many of the South German monarchs were quite relieved. They were never comfortable with the idea of a Protestant Prussia being the dominant power in a unified Germany, and many South Germans saw Austria as its closer cousin then the neighbor to the North. The South German states of Baden, Bavaria, and Württemberg, would see the paths between them and their northern cousin departing as the 1870's trudged along. They were highly affected and infuriated by the high protectionist taxes they were subject to by the North German Confederation, and since it was their largest partner in trade, the pockets of these nations became increasingly empty. It could easily be said that South Germany was one of the hardest hit areas during the Crash, along with Austria and France, and it seemed that nothing could be done to stop the hole that was being dug around them. In 1876, Ludwig II of Bavaria called the leaders of the other two states to Munich for a meeting on the future of the states. In the meeting, he suggested a reformation of the Catholic League, a military alliance during the 17th century to counteract the Protestant Union. However, he not only suggested a mutual defense, but a economic union as well, in which there would be no tariffs or anything impeding the flow of trade between the South German nations. On September 24th, 1876, Bavaria, Baden, and Württemberg signed the Treaty of Munich, creating the Catholic League.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Austria-Hungary, the epicenter of the crash itself, ironically may have been the one nation who recovered the fastest. Now, to be fair, the nation was still one of the hardest hit by the crisis, but it quite close to the bottom anyway. The defeat in 1866 left it in chaos, and in 1867 were forced to concede a huge amount of power to the Magyars in an effort to keep the crumbling nation together. The government, or really governments, of Austria-Hungary began a rebuilding campaign, trying to modernize the nation's infrastructure, and it was done poorly. Although it achieved some success, the two governments could never fully organize the program, and corruption throughout the rebuilding, railroad production especially, was rampant. This in combination with the booms experienced in France, was one of the major reasons for the Crash, which finally struck in the year of 1873. The aftermath of those fateful weeks in Vienna left Austria-Hungary crippled for months, with unemployment reaching monstrous levels. Men who had been large brokers before, were on the street within months. But, Austria picked itself up, as it had time and time again. It adopted the same protectionist policies of the North German Confederation, although in 1878 reached a deal with the Catholic League to become almost a minor member in its Economic Zone.
Austria was lucky for the reason that it did not see widespread terror or violence like France and the United States did. Although some small ethnic groups started some trouble in areas like Transylvania and Croatia, it was to be expected. It also began to flex its diplomatic muscle again, reaching a backroom deal with the Russians, agreeing to not intervene in their upcoming conflict with the Ottoman Empire in exchange for Bosnia. This flared tensions with Serbia, which considered Bosnia in its region of influence, but nothing came of it. The deal with Russia, although not fully extinguishing the rivalry between the two, did help the historically tense relationship a large deal. In addition, Austria became close to the South German states, exemplified by its economic deals with the small nations. For the first time in a long time, Austria-Hungary could see a very small light at the end of a very long tunnel. Whether they would ever reach it was the real question.
Hmm, interesting. I have been waiting to see this data for quite some time and it does not disapoint.
The NGC and the Iron Chancellor have faced a pair of major setbacks but remain a great power with enormous potential. Also Berlin is learning from the troubles in France and America. This enhanced paternalism will help keep the socialist diluted and marginalize the radicals.
PAn Germanism still seems to be in th future, but looks more a 20th century issue. Three Germanies seem to be emerging.
This Catholic League could be the seeds of a new entinty. Perhaps a Union that esxtends to politics in the future? Either way with the nationalist momentum receding it looks like denomination will become a prime divider.
Are you going with Ludwig II's madness being exaggerated, or that with no absorption of his Kingdom he does not breakdown?
The venerable Habsburg Empire is doing well. This crash might create some opprtunity for house cleaning. Also just gaining Bosnia rather than Herzegovina as well should make the annexation easer to digest. Not to mention the Serbians next target is likely Montenegro to satisfy their Greater Sebia visions. And relations with Russia improving is quite useful.
With the formation of the Catholic League and the Tsar's new sphere in the Balkans, perhaps Vienna is shifting its focus north now?
You seem to have forgotten another bright spot. Maximilian was a popular Archduke and was called in some circles the People's Prince. In addition to his role in governing the Italian Lands he was very prominent in reforming the Habsburg Navy. Supppsedly the Emperor-King let him go to Mexico for fear his brother would replace him on the throne, thus his death was mak against the dynasty.
But in this TL the popular Prince rather than dying has prevailed and brought a new crown to the Dynasty. I could see this boost to presteige bein well recieved and perhaps a period of increased immigration to Mexico. It is the diffference between total failure and validating success.
The NGC and the Iron Chancellor have faced a pair of major setbacks but remain a great power with enormous potential. Also Berlin is learning from the troubles in France and America. This enhanced paternalism will help keep the socialist diluted and marginalize the radicals.
PAn Germanism still seems to be in th future, but looks more a 20th century issue. Three Germanies seem to be emerging.
This Catholic League could be the seeds of a new entinty. Perhaps a Union that esxtends to politics in the future? Either way with the nationalist momentum receding it looks like denomination will become a prime divider.
Are you going with Ludwig II's madness being exaggerated, or that with no absorption of his Kingdom he does not breakdown?
The venerable Habsburg Empire is doing well. This crash might create some opprtunity for house cleaning. Also just gaining Bosnia rather than Herzegovina as well should make the annexation easer to digest. Not to mention the Serbians next target is likely Montenegro to satisfy their Greater Sebia visions. And relations with Russia improving is quite useful.
With the formation of the Catholic League and the Tsar's new sphere in the Balkans, perhaps Vienna is shifting its focus north now?
You seem to have forgotten another bright spot. Maximilian was a popular Archduke and was called in some circles the People's Prince. In addition to his role in governing the Italian Lands he was very prominent in reforming the Habsburg Navy. Supppsedly the Emperor-King let him go to Mexico for fear his brother would replace him on the throne, thus his death was mak against the dynasty.
But in this TL the popular Prince rather than dying has prevailed and brought a new crown to the Dynasty. I could see this boost to presteige bein well recieved and perhaps a period of increased immigration to Mexico. It is the diffference between total failure and validating success.
Yes, the hopes for a united Germany are being put off into the future for many, and although there are multiple Germanies forming, really it is back to the old rivalry between Austria and Germany. As far as Ludwig is concerned, with him still on the throne, I am going with he does not have a breakdown, although I kind of thought it was exaggerated to begin with.
In regards to Mexico, in the last update there was an increase in immigration from mainly Austria and France, but other states too, creating a small but evolving middle class. Whether that and the success in the Civil War brought more prestige to Austria is not in question, but I dont know how huge an effect it would have, especially in the Magyar controlled section. Mexico on the other hand is growing, but what that means for the world I dont want to share
.Also, tried the map again by making it smaller and uploading it. Please dear God work.
View attachment balkans.bmp