The Pig War: A TL
- Thread starter Veranius
- Start date
23 - Part 1
My apologies for the long wait. I'm still not sure if I like this.
23- The End of Slavery and Reunification (finished)
Though the American Civil War was fought to restore the Union, the reason it all began was due to slavery and its expansion. Despite the fact that the North won, the question of slavery was still largely undecided. It was for this question that Lincoln decided to not allow any states to be readmitted to the Union until the matter was settled forever. With a wave of radical Republicans elected to Congress in 1862, more and more people clamored for more harsher actions to be dealt on those who caused the war in the first place. Lincoln had established his position in his Reunification and Emancipation Proclamations, announced after the Fall of Richmond, in which he advocated for a peaceful re-admittance for the seceded states with his 10% plan of citizens swearing loyalty and the gradual abolition of slavery via state laws. However, when the idea of a Constitutional amendment to immediately abolish slavery was introduced to Congress, it slowly gained momentum, especially when Secretary of State William Seward actively supported it. Many radical Republicans didn’t want to have the problem of slavery continue, and potentially cause the South the secede again. However, with the war ending quickly, some felt that a Constitutional amendment would be too harsh, since the war had been fought to preserve the Union, not to kill slavery.
Yet slavery was on its last legs, as during the final invasions of the war many slaves flocked to the Union armies, preferring to take their chance for freedom as soon as they could. Union commanders confronted the problem of growing refugees by establishing camps guarded by able bodied refugees with antique weapons, so to not waste their army’s manpower. Many Union commanders failed to retrieve the weapons they gave out, most claiming it was due to the idea that those weapons would have been destroyed anyways as they were obsolete. Many southerners were enraged at this, as they felt it was a cheap cover for abolitionism. Tensions throughout the rest of 1863 simmered on the edge of another rebellion. Everything exploded in the “Battle of Bentonville”, when former Confederate troops tried to disband a refugee camp and return the slaves to their owners. The refugees fought back, and, with the assistance of Federal troops, pushed the former Confederates back. However, the Southerners were determined, and three days later snuck into the camp and massacred over two hundred refugees, mainly women and children. With reports of similar atrocities happening all over the South, Lincoln declared martial law and deployed more troops to quell the danger. Since the Southern states hadn’t been readmitted yet, Congress proposed the Thirteenth Amendment to be ratified, banning slavery in the United States forever. Radical Southerners promptly declared the League of Southern States, attempting to secede again. With many Southern States under martial law, however, the second rebellion quickly stalled and failed.
Lincoln saw that radical abolitionism wasn’t really working out, so he worked to get a deal to fix everything. He brokered a deal with military and civilian governors to, in exchange for re admittance into the Union, get rid of any mention of slavery in their state constitution, in effect ratifying the Thirteenth Amendment. His deal effectively bypassed the need for a state’s population to vote to rejoin. And so on January 1st, 1864, all eleven states of the former Confederate States of America reunited with the Union. At the same time, nearly four million slaves suddenly found themselves free. However, the larger issues surrounding the true status of these freedmen were unresolved, preparing the United States for difficult and different war to wage.
23- The End of Slavery and Reunification (finished)
Though the American Civil War was fought to restore the Union, the reason it all began was due to slavery and its expansion. Despite the fact that the North won, the question of slavery was still largely undecided. It was for this question that Lincoln decided to not allow any states to be readmitted to the Union until the matter was settled forever. With a wave of radical Republicans elected to Congress in 1862, more and more people clamored for more harsher actions to be dealt on those who caused the war in the first place. Lincoln had established his position in his Reunification and Emancipation Proclamations, announced after the Fall of Richmond, in which he advocated for a peaceful re-admittance for the seceded states with his 10% plan of citizens swearing loyalty and the gradual abolition of slavery via state laws. However, when the idea of a Constitutional amendment to immediately abolish slavery was introduced to Congress, it slowly gained momentum, especially when Secretary of State William Seward actively supported it. Many radical Republicans didn’t want to have the problem of slavery continue, and potentially cause the South the secede again. However, with the war ending quickly, some felt that a Constitutional amendment would be too harsh, since the war had been fought to preserve the Union, not to kill slavery.
Yet slavery was on its last legs, as during the final invasions of the war many slaves flocked to the Union armies, preferring to take their chance for freedom as soon as they could. Union commanders confronted the problem of growing refugees by establishing camps guarded by able bodied refugees with antique weapons, so to not waste their army’s manpower. Many Union commanders failed to retrieve the weapons they gave out, most claiming it was due to the idea that those weapons would have been destroyed anyways as they were obsolete. Many southerners were enraged at this, as they felt it was a cheap cover for abolitionism. Tensions throughout the rest of 1863 simmered on the edge of another rebellion. Everything exploded in the “Battle of Bentonville”, when former Confederate troops tried to disband a refugee camp and return the slaves to their owners. The refugees fought back, and, with the assistance of Federal troops, pushed the former Confederates back. However, the Southerners were determined, and three days later snuck into the camp and massacred over two hundred refugees, mainly women and children. With reports of similar atrocities happening all over the South, Lincoln declared martial law and deployed more troops to quell the danger. Since the Southern states hadn’t been readmitted yet, Congress proposed the Thirteenth Amendment to be ratified, banning slavery in the United States forever. Radical Southerners promptly declared the League of Southern States, attempting to secede again. With many Southern States under martial law, however, the second rebellion quickly stalled and failed.
Lincoln saw that radical abolitionism wasn’t really working out, so he worked to get a deal to fix everything. He brokered a deal with military and civilian governors to, in exchange for re admittance into the Union, get rid of any mention of slavery in their state constitution, in effect ratifying the Thirteenth Amendment. His deal effectively bypassed the need for a state’s population to vote to rejoin. And so on January 1st, 1864, all eleven states of the former Confederate States of America reunited with the Union. At the same time, nearly four million slaves suddenly found themselves free. However, the larger issues surrounding the true status of these freedmen were unresolved, preparing the United States for difficult and different war to wage.
24 - Part 1
And now for a look outside of the US.
24- The Ascendance of China
While the United States fought Southern secessionists, so was China. China was in the midst of a great war between the Qing government and a secessionist movement known as the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The Taipings gained a significant victory in 1861 when they captured the city of Shanghai, destroying the Qing Ever Victorious Army as well as many British and French troops. The Taiping were impressed by the power of the Western militaries, and tried to model their armies after the Europeans. Despite victories, the Taipings were on the verge of being crushed under massive Chinese armies when an unexpected ally arrived: Russia. Russia had been beaten in the Great Polish War, yet had mobilized its vast armies in vain. Therefore, they needed another target, and saw Qing China as it. Russian forces therefore stormed into Manchuria and Mongolia. The Qing had to redeploy their own vast armies to defend their suddenly exposed capital. Despite horrendous conditions on the route to China, Russian troops pierced their way into China, capturing Beijing. So, in 1865, Russia brokered an end to the fighting in China. The Russians carved out more territory from China than they had in two previous treaties in 1858 and 1860. Outer Mongolia and Manchuria were ceded to Russia, under two new states, the Khanate of Mongolia and the Empire of Manchuria, puppets to the Russians in all but name. The Qing were forced to recognize the Taiping in the south as a sovereign state, as well as an independent Korea. The Qing in China were severely discredited, as they were originally from Manchuria. Therefore, massive rebellions against Qing rule spawned everywhere in China, culminating in their overthrow in 1871.
The new dynasty called themselves the Feng Dynasty, meaning “wind”, based on the two previous names of dynasties, Ming and Qing, which were associated with the fire and water elements (1). The Feng realized the real reason the Qing fell, which was inferiority to the Western powers. So, the Feng began a mass industrialization plan, trying to turn their country into an unstoppable powerhouse. This led to competition with Japan, who was similarly industrializing. While Japan gained help from Britain and France, the Feng gained help from the Prussians, who looked to get revenge on the British and the French. Japan got involved with mainland Asia when it took over the Korean Empire in 1875, benefiting from Russian ignorance and the Chinese inability to respond.
However, many conservative elements of the Feng government were still distrustful of the West. To prove that Feng China was the best China, the Feng launched a massive invasion of the Taiping Kingdom in 1886. The Taiping over the last twenty years had fallen into a pit of corruption and negligence, as the British and French could and would exact any demand. With the commoners revolting against the Taiping leadership, the Feng seized the opportunity. Within months, most of the Taiping Kingdom was under Feng control, with Feng rifles greatly outclassing Taiping muskets. But the decisive outcome was at sea. A squadron of Feng ironclads soundly thrashed a Franco-British fleet trying to supply the Taiping in the Yellow Sea. This defeat prompted the French and British to full out attack the Feng, as the Taiping were a useful buffer between the Feng and French Indochina and British India. By the end of 1887, the Feng were in control over the former Taiping Kingdom, and began preparing themselves to oust the French and British from Asia. Then the Russians and Japanese attacked the Feng, as they were extremely worried about what the Feng could do to their possessions (Russian Manchuria and Mongolia, Japanese Korea). The Feng navy rapidly swung northward, crushed a Japanese fleet at Tsushima, then sacked Vladivostok and destroyed the Russian Pacific Fleet at port, at the same time as Feng army units successfully defended Beijing from Russo-Japanese forces.
The Treaty of Tianjin ended the Great Chinese War. Feng China was acknowledged as the undisputed controller of China, with the annexation of the Taiping. The borders of British India, French Indochina, Russian Mongolia, Russian Manchuria, and Japanese Korea, were finalized and agreed upon with China. Extraterritoriality was removed, and the unequal treaties were stopped in their tracks. Following the treaty, France and Britain allied themselves to Japan, while China found allies in Austria and the Ottomans, after Russia threatened to dissolve their alliance with Prussia over Prussian support for China.
(1)- I don’t know Chinese, so if this is the wrong name to use, please let me know.
24- The Ascendance of China
While the United States fought Southern secessionists, so was China. China was in the midst of a great war between the Qing government and a secessionist movement known as the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The Taipings gained a significant victory in 1861 when they captured the city of Shanghai, destroying the Qing Ever Victorious Army as well as many British and French troops. The Taiping were impressed by the power of the Western militaries, and tried to model their armies after the Europeans. Despite victories, the Taipings were on the verge of being crushed under massive Chinese armies when an unexpected ally arrived: Russia. Russia had been beaten in the Great Polish War, yet had mobilized its vast armies in vain. Therefore, they needed another target, and saw Qing China as it. Russian forces therefore stormed into Manchuria and Mongolia. The Qing had to redeploy their own vast armies to defend their suddenly exposed capital. Despite horrendous conditions on the route to China, Russian troops pierced their way into China, capturing Beijing. So, in 1865, Russia brokered an end to the fighting in China. The Russians carved out more territory from China than they had in two previous treaties in 1858 and 1860. Outer Mongolia and Manchuria were ceded to Russia, under two new states, the Khanate of Mongolia and the Empire of Manchuria, puppets to the Russians in all but name. The Qing were forced to recognize the Taiping in the south as a sovereign state, as well as an independent Korea. The Qing in China were severely discredited, as they were originally from Manchuria. Therefore, massive rebellions against Qing rule spawned everywhere in China, culminating in their overthrow in 1871.
The new dynasty called themselves the Feng Dynasty, meaning “wind”, based on the two previous names of dynasties, Ming and Qing, which were associated with the fire and water elements (1). The Feng realized the real reason the Qing fell, which was inferiority to the Western powers. So, the Feng began a mass industrialization plan, trying to turn their country into an unstoppable powerhouse. This led to competition with Japan, who was similarly industrializing. While Japan gained help from Britain and France, the Feng gained help from the Prussians, who looked to get revenge on the British and the French. Japan got involved with mainland Asia when it took over the Korean Empire in 1875, benefiting from Russian ignorance and the Chinese inability to respond.
However, many conservative elements of the Feng government were still distrustful of the West. To prove that Feng China was the best China, the Feng launched a massive invasion of the Taiping Kingdom in 1886. The Taiping over the last twenty years had fallen into a pit of corruption and negligence, as the British and French could and would exact any demand. With the commoners revolting against the Taiping leadership, the Feng seized the opportunity. Within months, most of the Taiping Kingdom was under Feng control, with Feng rifles greatly outclassing Taiping muskets. But the decisive outcome was at sea. A squadron of Feng ironclads soundly thrashed a Franco-British fleet trying to supply the Taiping in the Yellow Sea. This defeat prompted the French and British to full out attack the Feng, as the Taiping were a useful buffer between the Feng and French Indochina and British India. By the end of 1887, the Feng were in control over the former Taiping Kingdom, and began preparing themselves to oust the French and British from Asia. Then the Russians and Japanese attacked the Feng, as they were extremely worried about what the Feng could do to their possessions (Russian Manchuria and Mongolia, Japanese Korea). The Feng navy rapidly swung northward, crushed a Japanese fleet at Tsushima, then sacked Vladivostok and destroyed the Russian Pacific Fleet at port, at the same time as Feng army units successfully defended Beijing from Russo-Japanese forces.
The Treaty of Tianjin ended the Great Chinese War. Feng China was acknowledged as the undisputed controller of China, with the annexation of the Taiping. The borders of British India, French Indochina, Russian Mongolia, Russian Manchuria, and Japanese Korea, were finalized and agreed upon with China. Extraterritoriality was removed, and the unequal treaties were stopped in their tracks. Following the treaty, France and Britain allied themselves to Japan, while China found allies in Austria and the Ottomans, after Russia threatened to dissolve their alliance with Prussia over Prussian support for China.
(1)- I don’t know Chinese, so if this is the wrong name to use, please let me know.
Thank you for telling me that. Would Feng still work? Perhaps a typhoon helped them rise to power?
I'm kind of finding the Fengs quick rise to power, being able to industrialize, supress a 'rebellion' in form of the Taiping, form a modern army and build a fleet of Ironclads that can beat a combined British-French fleet, the Japanese fleet and destroy the Russian Pacific fleet in port in quick succession within a period of 15-17 years a bit unrealistic. In a longer period of time i could see this being realistic but with how fast its happening? Doesn't really seem realistic
Especially since the only power helping them industrialize are the Prussians who should have very little influence in East Asia if i'm remembering correctly
Especially since the only power helping them industrialize are the Prussians who should have very little influence in East Asia if i'm remembering correctly
I was going to have the American help the Feng. Their industrialization is similar to OTL and the Self-Strengthening Movement, in which both only modernized the military, nothing else. Also, the Prussians/Germans in OTL were big supporters of China. Finally, The forces of Britain/France/Russia are not top tier, as they consider the Far East less important than Europe. Beating the Japanese was a stretch on my part, sorry.
25 - Part 1
Another update, this time back in the Americas. By the way, Lincoln won in 1864.
25- The Cuban Revolution
In 1867, amidst economic downturns and social unrest over the silencing of opposition, Cuba erupted into revolt. Led by Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, the revolutionaries declared their independence from Spain and, most importantly, called upon the United States to help them. Lincoln responded with an offer of mediation between the Cubans and the Spanish. However, that offer fell through once it was discovered Spain had sent an army of 30,000 to retake the island and enforce Spanish rule. Therefore, when the Spanish landed in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba on July 4th, 1867, they encountered a strong force of native Cubans and American Civil War veterans. An American fleet, composed of ironclads, crushed the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Santiago, while the Cubans and Americans pushed the Spanish back to the sea. The Spanish surrendered when the command ship, the Santa Maria, violently exploded after being hit near point blank with a shell from the USS Passaic. Throughout the conflict, Lincoln maintained he was merely enforcing the Monroe Doctrine, guaranteeing independence to colonial nations in the Americas. Spain was close to declaring war on the United States when William Seward offered to buy Cuba for $10 million dollars. In the Treaty of Seville, Cuba became a protectorate of the United States. Seward had wanted to go further and purchase Puerto Rico, however Lincoln forbade him from exceeding $15 million, and the Spanish were not willing to settle for that.
The status of Cuba was also harshly debated after the Treaty of Seville was approved by Congress. Some wanted to outright annex the island, to eventually turn it into a state. However, Lincoln decided to, with Cespedes’ help, form the Republic of Cuba, a nation modeled after the United States in its style of government. This action would prove to be a marker for future American imperialism, where virtual puppet states were set up in nations to ensure their compliance with the American value of free trade.
25- The Cuban Revolution
In 1867, amidst economic downturns and social unrest over the silencing of opposition, Cuba erupted into revolt. Led by Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, the revolutionaries declared their independence from Spain and, most importantly, called upon the United States to help them. Lincoln responded with an offer of mediation between the Cubans and the Spanish. However, that offer fell through once it was discovered Spain had sent an army of 30,000 to retake the island and enforce Spanish rule. Therefore, when the Spanish landed in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba on July 4th, 1867, they encountered a strong force of native Cubans and American Civil War veterans. An American fleet, composed of ironclads, crushed the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Santiago, while the Cubans and Americans pushed the Spanish back to the sea. The Spanish surrendered when the command ship, the Santa Maria, violently exploded after being hit near point blank with a shell from the USS Passaic. Throughout the conflict, Lincoln maintained he was merely enforcing the Monroe Doctrine, guaranteeing independence to colonial nations in the Americas. Spain was close to declaring war on the United States when William Seward offered to buy Cuba for $10 million dollars. In the Treaty of Seville, Cuba became a protectorate of the United States. Seward had wanted to go further and purchase Puerto Rico, however Lincoln forbade him from exceeding $15 million, and the Spanish were not willing to settle for that.
The status of Cuba was also harshly debated after the Treaty of Seville was approved by Congress. Some wanted to outright annex the island, to eventually turn it into a state. However, Lincoln decided to, with Cespedes’ help, form the Republic of Cuba, a nation modeled after the United States in its style of government. This action would prove to be a marker for future American imperialism, where virtual puppet states were set up in nations to ensure their compliance with the American value of free trade.
26 - Part 1
26- Postwar United States
As the victor of the Civil War, Lincoln was easily reelected to the Presidency in 1864, defeating token resistance by William Seward, who represented the more radical elements of the Republican Party. The Election of 1864 was similar to the Election of 1824, in which the candidates hailed from the same parties. The Whig party had collapsed before the Civil War to allow for the rise of the Republicans, and the Democrats had fractured based on geography when the Civil War broke out. Thus, when the Civil War ended, the Republicans were the only real party to exist. The Election of 1864 showed the first signs of cracks in the Republicans, as radicals wanted to promote more radical policies that moderates were unwilling to support. The split would be formalized at the end of Lincoln’s presidency in 1868. Radicals wanted further support for African-Americans, while the moderates wanted to reconcile the country. The National Union Party, formed from the moderates and everyone else who didn’t like the radicals, nominated John Reynolds to be President, while the radicals, the American Radical Party, nominated John Fremont.
Reynolds coasted to an easy victory, pointing out his successful record in the war as well as the support of Lincoln, who had not only beaten the South but also Spain. Southerners had mobilized to support the National Democratic Party, and quarreled frequently with the American Radicals. However, the vast influx of new African-American voters had turned the tide in the South, as well as the Ironclad Oath, which prevented high ranking Confederates from voting. The Ironclad Oath was so named because Lincoln thought of it on the USS Monitor as he went from Washington to the recently fallen Richmond during the Civil War. Reynolds began the difficult task of organizing the West, allowing tens of thousands of African-Americans to migrate westward to start a new life rather than persist in the racism of the South. During his two term tenure, the historic ruling of South Carolina vs. the United States ended the thought of secession by ruling that the Union was eternal and perpetual. This ruling was due to the elevation of Salmon Chase to the Supreme Court as Chief Justice. Reynolds also divided the West into several territories, paving the way for their future statehood. Reynolds even hammered in the golden spike at Salt Lake City, joining two competing railroads that formed the first transcontinental railroad.
The West was as such by 1870:
Territories-
Arizona, the southern half of the old New Mexico territory, with its capital at Tucson and the border with New Mexico situated at the 32nd Meridian.
New Mexico, the northern half of the old New Mexico territory, with its capital at Santa Fe.
Utah, north of New Mexico and east of Nevada, with its capital at Salt Lake City.
Washington, north of Oregon, with its capital at Olympia (same borders as the state).
Colorado, north of New Mexico and east of Utah, with its capital at Denver.
Pembina, the eastern portion of the old Dakota territory, with the border at the Missouri River, with its capital at Yankton.
Dakota, the western portion of the old Dakota territory, with the border at the Missouri River with Pembina, with its capital at Swift Water City (Rapid City).
Absaroka, covering most of the Canadian border, with its capital at Helena.
Jefferson, east of Washington and Oregon, with its capital at Boise.
Laramie, north of Colorado and Utah and south of Absaroka, with its capital at Cheyenne.
Oklahoma, north of Texas, with its capital at Tulsa.
States-
Pre POD: California, Oregon, Kansas, Texas
Post POD with no changes: Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada (borders when it was admitted OTL in 1864)
Reynolds was elected again in 1872, and saw the near destruction of the National Democratic Party after the Birmingham Riots forced him to call in federal troops. The riots were a massive series of race riots instigated by the National Democrats to oust African-Americans who were turning the vote towards the National Union. This action severely discredited the National Democrats, and set a precedent for the Federal Government intervening on issues of race. This led to the ratification of the 14th Amendment, which outlawed discrimination based on race.
The National Unionists won again in 1876 and 1880, electing and reelecting Winfield Scott Hancock. During this time, with solid National Union control over the country, the nation prospered. Gold and silver were being mined with extraordinary amounts in the west. The United States was unchallenged in the Americas, with American influence gaining everywhere. The country was industrializing, with vast reserves of coal, iron, and oil being discovered and exploited. American manufacturing was at an all time high, as our trade went unimpeded throughout the world. Despite the cheery outlook, many social problems were building pressure, ready to explode at a moment’s notice. This happened in the 1883 Great Chicago Strike, when workers all over Chicago went on strike, demanding higher wages and better working conditions. After negotiations fell through, Hancock sent in the military, reasoning that the strikers were blocking mail. Several bloody fights later, the strike was broken up. The Great Chicago Strike showed a shift in political thinking, as more and more focus went on promoting and supporting American business.
As the victor of the Civil War, Lincoln was easily reelected to the Presidency in 1864, defeating token resistance by William Seward, who represented the more radical elements of the Republican Party. The Election of 1864 was similar to the Election of 1824, in which the candidates hailed from the same parties. The Whig party had collapsed before the Civil War to allow for the rise of the Republicans, and the Democrats had fractured based on geography when the Civil War broke out. Thus, when the Civil War ended, the Republicans were the only real party to exist. The Election of 1864 showed the first signs of cracks in the Republicans, as radicals wanted to promote more radical policies that moderates were unwilling to support. The split would be formalized at the end of Lincoln’s presidency in 1868. Radicals wanted further support for African-Americans, while the moderates wanted to reconcile the country. The National Union Party, formed from the moderates and everyone else who didn’t like the radicals, nominated John Reynolds to be President, while the radicals, the American Radical Party, nominated John Fremont.
Reynolds coasted to an easy victory, pointing out his successful record in the war as well as the support of Lincoln, who had not only beaten the South but also Spain. Southerners had mobilized to support the National Democratic Party, and quarreled frequently with the American Radicals. However, the vast influx of new African-American voters had turned the tide in the South, as well as the Ironclad Oath, which prevented high ranking Confederates from voting. The Ironclad Oath was so named because Lincoln thought of it on the USS Monitor as he went from Washington to the recently fallen Richmond during the Civil War. Reynolds began the difficult task of organizing the West, allowing tens of thousands of African-Americans to migrate westward to start a new life rather than persist in the racism of the South. During his two term tenure, the historic ruling of South Carolina vs. the United States ended the thought of secession by ruling that the Union was eternal and perpetual. This ruling was due to the elevation of Salmon Chase to the Supreme Court as Chief Justice. Reynolds also divided the West into several territories, paving the way for their future statehood. Reynolds even hammered in the golden spike at Salt Lake City, joining two competing railroads that formed the first transcontinental railroad.
The West was as such by 1870:
Territories-
Arizona, the southern half of the old New Mexico territory, with its capital at Tucson and the border with New Mexico situated at the 32nd Meridian.
New Mexico, the northern half of the old New Mexico territory, with its capital at Santa Fe.
Utah, north of New Mexico and east of Nevada, with its capital at Salt Lake City.
Washington, north of Oregon, with its capital at Olympia (same borders as the state).
Colorado, north of New Mexico and east of Utah, with its capital at Denver.
Pembina, the eastern portion of the old Dakota territory, with the border at the Missouri River, with its capital at Yankton.
Dakota, the western portion of the old Dakota territory, with the border at the Missouri River with Pembina, with its capital at Swift Water City (Rapid City).
Absaroka, covering most of the Canadian border, with its capital at Helena.
Jefferson, east of Washington and Oregon, with its capital at Boise.
Laramie, north of Colorado and Utah and south of Absaroka, with its capital at Cheyenne.
Oklahoma, north of Texas, with its capital at Tulsa.
States-
Pre POD: California, Oregon, Kansas, Texas
Post POD with no changes: Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada (borders when it was admitted OTL in 1864)
Reynolds was elected again in 1872, and saw the near destruction of the National Democratic Party after the Birmingham Riots forced him to call in federal troops. The riots were a massive series of race riots instigated by the National Democrats to oust African-Americans who were turning the vote towards the National Union. This action severely discredited the National Democrats, and set a precedent for the Federal Government intervening on issues of race. This led to the ratification of the 14th Amendment, which outlawed discrimination based on race.
The National Unionists won again in 1876 and 1880, electing and reelecting Winfield Scott Hancock. During this time, with solid National Union control over the country, the nation prospered. Gold and silver were being mined with extraordinary amounts in the west. The United States was unchallenged in the Americas, with American influence gaining everywhere. The country was industrializing, with vast reserves of coal, iron, and oil being discovered and exploited. American manufacturing was at an all time high, as our trade went unimpeded throughout the world. Despite the cheery outlook, many social problems were building pressure, ready to explode at a moment’s notice. This happened in the 1883 Great Chicago Strike, when workers all over Chicago went on strike, demanding higher wages and better working conditions. After negotiations fell through, Hancock sent in the military, reasoning that the strikers were blocking mail. Several bloody fights later, the strike was broken up. The Great Chicago Strike showed a shift in political thinking, as more and more focus went on promoting and supporting American business.
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27 - Part 1
27- German Troubles
With Prussia’s defeat in the War of the Great Powers, Bismarck's goal for a unified Germany under Prussian control seemed to be defeated. Germany had indeed been unified, just under a third party, excluding both the Prussians and Austrians. The United Federation of Germany wasn’t very united though: large swaths were cut off due to Prussian holdings. Also, many of the former princes, kings, dukes, counts, and margraves still retained some of their old alliances with Austria or Prussia. The opposition within allowed for King George V of Hanover to be chosen as the de facto leader of Germany. Despite the fact that George was blind and in the line for the succession of the British throne, George greatly strengthened the country and swore to be the alternative to Prussia and Austria for German unification. George supported total unification of all the German lands, and wanted to form a “Germany for Germans”, while excluding from the country lands that did not have Germans. George got support from Napoleon III, who wished to have a friendly German state across the Rhine.
Austria was also bleeding. It was a multi-ethnic empire, comprised of Germans, Slovenes, Italians, Czechs, Slavs, Romanians, Hungarians, and a host of other peoples. Most were annoyed with the ruling Austrian aristocracy, who seemed more interested in German affairs than internal affairs. Emperor Franz Joseph I had long longed to see a revival of the Holy Roman Empire under Hapsburg control, and the rise of Prussia had been seen as straight out of a nightmare. The peace after the War of the Great Powers led to a loss, as Austria was forced to give up Krakow to the new Polish State. Also, Germany had indeed been united, this time without Prussian or Austrian dominance. Poland’s rise turned out to be worse to the Austrians, as it gave hope to the various minorities within Austria that a nationalistic state could be established. In 1870, after holding out for as long as he could, Franz Joseph declared the Triple Monarchy of Austria-Hungary-Moravia. The Triple Monarchy put to rest some arguments about the fate of Austria, yet it just proved to be a stepping stone for larger problems. With hostile states surrounding the country (Prussia/Russia for defeating them, Italy wanting Venetia, Poland wanting Galicia, Romania wanting Transylvania, and the Serbs wanting any territory associated with Slavs), the Triple Monarchy was in a tough spot. It lost its only main ally, the Ottomans, after they got defeated in the Cretan War, while France was preferring to prop up the United Federation of Germany as its own puppet. If it wasn’t for the Long Peace, the Triple Monarchy surely would have crumbled.
With Prussia’s defeat in the War of the Great Powers, Bismarck's goal for a unified Germany under Prussian control seemed to be defeated. Germany had indeed been unified, just under a third party, excluding both the Prussians and Austrians. The United Federation of Germany wasn’t very united though: large swaths were cut off due to Prussian holdings. Also, many of the former princes, kings, dukes, counts, and margraves still retained some of their old alliances with Austria or Prussia. The opposition within allowed for King George V of Hanover to be chosen as the de facto leader of Germany. Despite the fact that George was blind and in the line for the succession of the British throne, George greatly strengthened the country and swore to be the alternative to Prussia and Austria for German unification. George supported total unification of all the German lands, and wanted to form a “Germany for Germans”, while excluding from the country lands that did not have Germans. George got support from Napoleon III, who wished to have a friendly German state across the Rhine.
Austria was also bleeding. It was a multi-ethnic empire, comprised of Germans, Slovenes, Italians, Czechs, Slavs, Romanians, Hungarians, and a host of other peoples. Most were annoyed with the ruling Austrian aristocracy, who seemed more interested in German affairs than internal affairs. Emperor Franz Joseph I had long longed to see a revival of the Holy Roman Empire under Hapsburg control, and the rise of Prussia had been seen as straight out of a nightmare. The peace after the War of the Great Powers led to a loss, as Austria was forced to give up Krakow to the new Polish State. Also, Germany had indeed been united, this time without Prussian or Austrian dominance. Poland’s rise turned out to be worse to the Austrians, as it gave hope to the various minorities within Austria that a nationalistic state could be established. In 1870, after holding out for as long as he could, Franz Joseph declared the Triple Monarchy of Austria-Hungary-Moravia. The Triple Monarchy put to rest some arguments about the fate of Austria, yet it just proved to be a stepping stone for larger problems. With hostile states surrounding the country (Prussia/Russia for defeating them, Italy wanting Venetia, Poland wanting Galicia, Romania wanting Transylvania, and the Serbs wanting any territory associated with Slavs), the Triple Monarchy was in a tough spot. It lost its only main ally, the Ottomans, after they got defeated in the Cretan War, while France was preferring to prop up the United Federation of Germany as its own puppet. If it wasn’t for the Long Peace, the Triple Monarchy surely would have crumbled.
28 - Part 1
28- The Fall of Rome
The creation of a unified Italian state was the dream of many Italians. However, with Savoy and Nice held by France, Venetia by the Austrians, and Rome by the Pope, Italy wasn’t very close to achieving its goal. They were prevented from marching on Rome immediately after the integration of the Two Sicilies due to the presence of French soldiers in the city, whom Napoleon III had sent to protect the Pope to appease Catholics in France. However, slowly but surely, the Italians moved closer to Rome, eventually swooping in to take Ostia in 1866, cutting Rome off from the sea. This prompted Napoleon III to withdraw his troops, citing the impossibilities of defending Rome. The Papal States had been reduced to the city of Rome, yet despite Italian entreaties the Pope did not want to give up, wishing to retain some temporal power instead of becoming a prisoner in the Vatican. A deal was eventually struck, in which the Pope would retain control over about a quarter of a square mile of Rome, yet remain a separate state (1). The deal was accepted in January of 1867, just as Italian forces were preparing to bombard Rome into submission.
After Rome, the next target for the Italians was Venetia, held by the Austrians. Negotiations kept stalling until after the Cretan War, when the Austrians gave Venetia to Italy in exchange for being allowed to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina. A truly unified Italy wasn’t achieved until much later, when Italy took advantage of the chaos of the European Civil War to seize the territory it dreamed of, catapulting Italy into dominance of the Mediterranean, just like the Ancient Romans.
(1)- This is larger than OTL Vatican City, which is .17 square miles.
The creation of a unified Italian state was the dream of many Italians. However, with Savoy and Nice held by France, Venetia by the Austrians, and Rome by the Pope, Italy wasn’t very close to achieving its goal. They were prevented from marching on Rome immediately after the integration of the Two Sicilies due to the presence of French soldiers in the city, whom Napoleon III had sent to protect the Pope to appease Catholics in France. However, slowly but surely, the Italians moved closer to Rome, eventually swooping in to take Ostia in 1866, cutting Rome off from the sea. This prompted Napoleon III to withdraw his troops, citing the impossibilities of defending Rome. The Papal States had been reduced to the city of Rome, yet despite Italian entreaties the Pope did not want to give up, wishing to retain some temporal power instead of becoming a prisoner in the Vatican. A deal was eventually struck, in which the Pope would retain control over about a quarter of a square mile of Rome, yet remain a separate state (1). The deal was accepted in January of 1867, just as Italian forces were preparing to bombard Rome into submission.
After Rome, the next target for the Italians was Venetia, held by the Austrians. Negotiations kept stalling until after the Cretan War, when the Austrians gave Venetia to Italy in exchange for being allowed to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina. A truly unified Italy wasn’t achieved until much later, when Italy took advantage of the chaos of the European Civil War to seize the territory it dreamed of, catapulting Italy into dominance of the Mediterranean, just like the Ancient Romans.
(1)- This is larger than OTL Vatican City, which is .17 square miles.
29 + 30 - Part 1
29- The Cretan War
The Cretan War began with a dog. In 1873, a Greek civilian claimed his dog was shot out of hand, while a Turkish soldier said that the dog tried to attack him. The court, being predominantly Muslim as a Turkish soldier was on trial, defended the soldier, and imposed a penalty on the civilian. This caused tensions in Crete between the Turks and the Greeks to reach a boiling point, even more so than in 1866, when several protests almost caused a full scale revolt. As the island was historically notorious to control, Ottoman officials decided that this revolt would be the last. Over 12,000 Ottoman troops landed in Crete to begin a harsh crackdown on the Cretans. The Greeks were outraged, and sent thousands of volunteers to Crete to help aid in Crete’s liberation. The Ottomans then declared war on Greece, hoping to solve its Greek issue once and more all. Russia then entered the fray, declaring war over issues unresolved from the Crimean War. As the Russians advanced across the Danube, the Balkans exploded. Bulgarians, Serbians, Romanians, Montenegrins, Albanians, Macedonians, and Greeks all rose in revolt, paralyzing Ottoman forces and paving the way for the massive Russian armies. The Greek navy, built from nothing with British and Italian aid, smashed a small Ottoman squadron at the Bosporus, while the Russian Black Sea Fleet, secretly rebuilt, blockaded Istanbul from the north.
With the Ottomans on the verge of collapse, the international community stepped in. Britain, France, and the Triple Monarchy all wanted to preserve the Ottomans as a counterweight to the Russians. However, events were moving too fast. Greek forces landed outside Istanbul and cut it off from the rest of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman armies lost all cohesion as the Russians, Greeks, and rebels tore them apart. The Kurds rose in rebellion, wishing to form their own state before the Great Powers picked the borders themselves. The Russians stopped their advance after the twin capture of Edirne and Trabzon, as they wanted to force the Ottomans into submission to gain access through the Bosporus. However, the Greeks, with Istanbul in their grasp, assaulted the city and took it, killing the majority of the Ottoman government present during the post capture consolidations. With that, the Ottoman Empire virtually disappeared. The Russians quickly moved in, and established puppet regimes like the Kingdom of Armenia and the revived Empire of Trebizond. The King of Greece, George I, with the backing of the Greek aristocracy and the Greek people, proclaimed the revival of the Empire of Byzantium. The former Ottoman Europe was divided between Romania, Serbia, Albania, and the new state of Bulgaria. With Russian influence in the Mediterranean skyrocketing, Napoleon III called a conference at Paris to discuss the future of the Near East, and to prevent total Russian domination.
30- The Congress of Paris
The Congress of Paris signalled the true end of the Ottoman Empire. France and Britain elected to deny their support to the failed state, instead trying to form a compromise with the Russians to fix the balance of power. In attendance were: Britain, France, the Triple Monarchy, Prussia, the United Federation of Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, and Russia. The Ottomans were not in attendance as there was no international consensus on which government claiming to be the Ottomans was the real one. Very quickly the Congress became divided between two power blocks: the Franco-British and the Russians. Despite the split, an agreement was formed.
In the Treaty of Paris, the Cretan War came to an end. Greece was recognized as Byzantium, with control over the renamed Constantinople as well as Crete, Thessaly, Epirus, southern Macedonia, and Thrace. Their gains was partly due to the fact that George, King of Greece, was related to Queen Victoria of Britain. However, Greece did not gain any territory in Anatolia, due to fears of total Greek control over the Bosporus. The Kingdom of Bulgaria was formed, yet it was sandwiched between Romania and Greece. Romania gained Dobruja, Albania was formed, and Serbia gained significant portions of northern Macedonia as well as Kosovo. The Russian puppets of Armenia and Trebizond were recognized, while Kurdistan was recognized in northern Mesopotamia. The Sultanate of Turkey was formed in Anatolia, while southern Mesopotamia and Cyprus were granted to the British. The Levant was granted to France, and joint Franco-British control was agreed upon for Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Arabia. Italy was furious, as it wanted to take control of Tunisia, however Italy gained Venetia in exchange for Triple Monarchy control over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which then angered Serbia.
The Treaty of Paris began a time known as the Long Peace, during which European powers would regularly meet, usually in Paris, to discuss international relations. The system broke down in 1921, but by then European domination of the world had been secured.
THE END OF PART 1
The Cretan War began with a dog. In 1873, a Greek civilian claimed his dog was shot out of hand, while a Turkish soldier said that the dog tried to attack him. The court, being predominantly Muslim as a Turkish soldier was on trial, defended the soldier, and imposed a penalty on the civilian. This caused tensions in Crete between the Turks and the Greeks to reach a boiling point, even more so than in 1866, when several protests almost caused a full scale revolt. As the island was historically notorious to control, Ottoman officials decided that this revolt would be the last. Over 12,000 Ottoman troops landed in Crete to begin a harsh crackdown on the Cretans. The Greeks were outraged, and sent thousands of volunteers to Crete to help aid in Crete’s liberation. The Ottomans then declared war on Greece, hoping to solve its Greek issue once and more all. Russia then entered the fray, declaring war over issues unresolved from the Crimean War. As the Russians advanced across the Danube, the Balkans exploded. Bulgarians, Serbians, Romanians, Montenegrins, Albanians, Macedonians, and Greeks all rose in revolt, paralyzing Ottoman forces and paving the way for the massive Russian armies. The Greek navy, built from nothing with British and Italian aid, smashed a small Ottoman squadron at the Bosporus, while the Russian Black Sea Fleet, secretly rebuilt, blockaded Istanbul from the north.
With the Ottomans on the verge of collapse, the international community stepped in. Britain, France, and the Triple Monarchy all wanted to preserve the Ottomans as a counterweight to the Russians. However, events were moving too fast. Greek forces landed outside Istanbul and cut it off from the rest of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman armies lost all cohesion as the Russians, Greeks, and rebels tore them apart. The Kurds rose in rebellion, wishing to form their own state before the Great Powers picked the borders themselves. The Russians stopped their advance after the twin capture of Edirne and Trabzon, as they wanted to force the Ottomans into submission to gain access through the Bosporus. However, the Greeks, with Istanbul in their grasp, assaulted the city and took it, killing the majority of the Ottoman government present during the post capture consolidations. With that, the Ottoman Empire virtually disappeared. The Russians quickly moved in, and established puppet regimes like the Kingdom of Armenia and the revived Empire of Trebizond. The King of Greece, George I, with the backing of the Greek aristocracy and the Greek people, proclaimed the revival of the Empire of Byzantium. The former Ottoman Europe was divided between Romania, Serbia, Albania, and the new state of Bulgaria. With Russian influence in the Mediterranean skyrocketing, Napoleon III called a conference at Paris to discuss the future of the Near East, and to prevent total Russian domination.
30- The Congress of Paris
The Congress of Paris signalled the true end of the Ottoman Empire. France and Britain elected to deny their support to the failed state, instead trying to form a compromise with the Russians to fix the balance of power. In attendance were: Britain, France, the Triple Monarchy, Prussia, the United Federation of Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, and Russia. The Ottomans were not in attendance as there was no international consensus on which government claiming to be the Ottomans was the real one. Very quickly the Congress became divided between two power blocks: the Franco-British and the Russians. Despite the split, an agreement was formed.
In the Treaty of Paris, the Cretan War came to an end. Greece was recognized as Byzantium, with control over the renamed Constantinople as well as Crete, Thessaly, Epirus, southern Macedonia, and Thrace. Their gains was partly due to the fact that George, King of Greece, was related to Queen Victoria of Britain. However, Greece did not gain any territory in Anatolia, due to fears of total Greek control over the Bosporus. The Kingdom of Bulgaria was formed, yet it was sandwiched between Romania and Greece. Romania gained Dobruja, Albania was formed, and Serbia gained significant portions of northern Macedonia as well as Kosovo. The Russian puppets of Armenia and Trebizond were recognized, while Kurdistan was recognized in northern Mesopotamia. The Sultanate of Turkey was formed in Anatolia, while southern Mesopotamia and Cyprus were granted to the British. The Levant was granted to France, and joint Franco-British control was agreed upon for Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Arabia. Italy was furious, as it wanted to take control of Tunisia, however Italy gained Venetia in exchange for Triple Monarchy control over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which then angered Serbia.
The Treaty of Paris began a time known as the Long Peace, during which European powers would regularly meet, usually in Paris, to discuss international relations. The system broke down in 1921, but by then European domination of the world had been secured.
THE END OF PART 1