A World Without America II [Closed / IC]

[Unicario]

Ali Bey rebutted by saying that the northern tip and Casablanca as a "mini-colony" were unacceptable. Egypt had it's own trade interests to deal with, and surrendering pieces of land to Spain was not what the state wanted. Casablanca's deal would only mean Spanish right to refuel and resupply in Casablanca's docks, they would be subject to the same rules as any other state seeking port in their lands, other than a few minor concessions.

He expressed that Spain would have a hard time administering Moroccan lands as their own colony, as the "Arabic people are formidable and very fiercely familiar with each other."

[The Vaktovian Empire]

Capello accepted the terms already presented to him in that regard and asked if taking the 10,000 Moroccan soldiers that had been training with the Spaniards back to Spain would be acceptable as it would limit how many would remain to sabotage efforts by the Egyptians. In the meantime, he asked the Sultan to continue to help talk the French out of a potential war and thanked him for his gratitude and cooperation.

[Unicario]

Ali Bey came to good terms with the Spaniards, let go of the mercants, took a small percentage of those merchants goods and money, and sent them home, and said they were welcome back. A treaty to ratify was sent to both sides, and Egypt occupied Morocco with barely any effort as the majority of soldiers had either defected, gone to Spain, or surrendered their arms.

Egypt had united the Maghreb, finally, and thus, Ali Bey could go into his next stage of plans.

[The Vaktovian Empire]

Capello was satisfied with the deal he had made with the Egyptians, even if it meant losing Tangier. He now needed to focus on his main focal point; France. He continued to hail Louis XVI, but with no solid reply, he took a lot of guts to do what he did after that.
He demanded Charles III be released and his Court, and transported to where the French were beginning to attack. A white flag was hung from the wagon that carried the former King and his Court, as well as a few Spanish soldiers, armed with light muskets.
The white flag allowed them to get right to the front line. They did not know if the French would fire on them or not. For the sake of Spanish-French negotiations, the Commander of the Wagon; Lieutenant Ignatius, prayed that they would not.

[Unicario]

Capello was satisfied with the deal he had made with the Egyptians, even if it meant losing Tangier. He now needed to focus on his main focal point; France. He continued to hail Louis XVI, but with no solid reply, he took a lot of guts to do what he did after that.
He demanded Charles III be released and his Court, and transported to where the French were beginning to attack. A white flag was hung from the wagon that carried the former King and his Court, as well as a few Spanish soldiers, armed with light muskets.
The white flag allowed them to get right to the front line. They did not know if the French would fire on them or not. For the sake of Spanish-French negotiations, the Commander of the Wagon; Lieutenant Ignatius, prayed that they would not.

(Once again, France and Spain never went to war... and you don't have Charles III, m8. )

Charles III remained in Bordeaux, wondering why the Spanish King was talking of having him transported to France's border.

[Unicario]

9 May 1775

"By the assembled delegation of the First Reichstag, we hereby decree this Constitution valid and ratified. Do I hear any objections?" Thomas Jefferson stated to the small hall where the First Reichstag was being held. There was no response from the Mecklenburg, Prussian or Braunschweig-Luneburg delegations, as well as the city representatives of Hamburg. Jefferson nodded and said, "Then, therefore, by the power invested in me as the First sovereign Chancellor of the German Empire, I hereby declare this constitution ratified. Heil, Kaiserin."

There was clapping as the Constitution was signed by the newly minted Empress of Germany. The entire meeting and ratification was an entirely secret affair, and would be public on 20 July 1775 in Catherine's coronation as Queen of Prussia. Public opinion in the regions had trended toward union as the idea of countering Austria became more palpable.

The new Constitution outlined a few things.

A; that the privilege of voting would be extended to persons of a certain literacy level. Illiterate citizens were not permitted to vote. To off-set the problematic nature of illiteracy, Catherine and Thomas agreed to begin funding public education programs on a primary and secondary level for children and young adults, as well as putting funding into Universities. The University of Rostock remained the oldest university in the German Empire, but Catherine began to organize the opening of universities in Hannover and Berlin, as well Hamburg (which had elected to join under a Free City agreement). This system of establishing a proper education system would drastically benefit Germany.

B; The Empress would remain the most powerful woman in the country, and have full right to veto and dismiss legislature and government should she feel it necessary -- her heirs would have to be trained extensively to follow these rules. Constitutional provisions would allow for the Kaiser's power to be limited under situations of "obvious incapacity to lead either mentally, emotionally or physically". However, the Reichstag remained a strong power, able to pass legislation and mandates.

C; The College of Princes would be a thing, and it would summarize of appointed representatives from each province, and they would be able to submit suggestions to the Reichstag and Kaiser(in) to suggest changes that may benefit their specific region. They have no power to veto or influence voting, and are entirely mostly rubber-stamp.

The College of Princes was assembled, with one prince per region. The Kingdom of Prussia appointed the Kaiserin's cousin, Friedrich Wilhelm von Hohenzollern, to be the Prinz.
Braunschweig-Luneburg, with British backing, appointed Prince Henry, Duke of Cumberland as their representative. Henry was at odds with his family over his marriage to a commoner some four years prior.
Mecklenburg appointed their last standing Duke to the College of Princes, so that he may retain some power as both governor and Prinz.
Hamburg appointed a city representative to the College of Princes.

The Reichstag ratified a statement supporting Catherine's ascention on July 20.

[The Vaktovian Empire]

Capello was satisfied with the deal he had made with the Egyptians, even if it meant losing Tangier. He now needed to focus on his main focal point; France. He continued to hail Louis XVI, but with no solid reply, he took a lot of guts to do what he did after that.
He demanded Charles III be released and his Court, and transported to where the French were beginning to attack. A white flag was hung from the wagon that carried the former King and his Court, as well as a few Spanish soldiers, armed with light muskets.
The white flag allowed them to get right to the front line. They did not know if the French would fire on them or not. For the sake of Spanish-French negotiations, the Commander of the Wagon; Lieutenant Ignatius, prayed that they would not.

(Once again, France and Spain never went to war... and you don't have Charles III, m8. )

Charles III remained in Bordeaux, wondering why the Spanish King was talking of having him transported to France's border.

The wagon, which reached the front where Spanish troops were still mobilizing in, was totally bare of French soldiers, at least in the demilitarized zone. France had threatened war. Never gone threw with it. Capello also realized that it was Charles Maxwell; lead anti-reformist and anti-Capello demonstrator locked up in his prison, along with his strongest ring leaders. After the wagon had been there for a day waiting on the border, and word got back no war was actually happened, Capello blamed poor communication on the part of the Army to keep Spanish morale and trust of the government and administration in check. He had the supporters of Maxwell and himself stood up on the border to the demilitarized zone, and shot by firing squad. It was an ironic thing; the Charles who they thought was Charles III; the reason this supposed war could have happened was actually Charles Maxwell, the last surviving demonstrator and symbol of French influence in Spain, although he was not directly connected to the French crown.

[Bojikami]

13-17th of June, 1775

In the recent weeks Boston had been under siege from colonial forces, in an effort to bring an end to the siege, Thomas Gage sent a force of around 3,000 to capture the unoccupied hills nearby, effectively giving Britain control of the Boston harbour.

However, news of the sortie reached the Colonist command, and they sent forth William Prescott and a force of 1,200 to occupy and fortify the nearby hills on the eve of June 13th. Prescott and his forces had decided to take the hills so that they may get artillery to use on Boston, hoping to force a British surrender of the city, however Gage had other plans. Howe and his army of 3,000 reached the peninsula and had already confirmed earlier reports of Colonist redoubts holding on the hills.

Howe was to lead the major assault, drive around the colonial left flank, and take them from the rear. Brigadier General Pigot on the British left flank would lead the direct assault on the redoubt, and Major John Pitcairn led the flank or reserve force. After numerous trips from boat, Howe's force of 1,500 landed at Multon's Point, hoping to resume with the attack. However, Howe had noticed a large amount of Colonist troops on Bunker hill, and believed these to be reinforcements. He had a messenger go to Boston to inform Gage of his situation, and his request for reinforcements. He sent out his light infantry to go on the left flank, this informed the colonists of his position. Prescott sent out for reinforcements as well, and got them in the form of more militiamen, among them Joseph Warren and Seth Pomeroy. Prescott ordered the men to further reinforce the colonist position, and from there the scene remained mostly still until the British reinforcements arrived.

At around late noon, the British 47th Foot and 1st Marines had arrived, and at last the British were ready to assault the position. Pigot's force, just near Charleston village were under sniper fire, and Howe asked Admiral Graves to fire upon the sniper positions. Graves, who predicted such a situation, ordered an incendiary shelling on the village, and afterward sent a force to set fire to what remained.

Howe lead his force on the American left flank, expecting an easy battle from the newly arrived soldiers. The troops lined up, four deep and several hundred across, and they readied to fire. Among the Colonist troops, one soldier shot prematurely, causing a return volley from the British forces. When the Regulars finally reached firing range, fighting broke out. The colonist troops however managed to hold their ground, as they had used the fences to balance their muskets, as well as for cover. With the devastating barrage of Musket fire, the Regulars retreated, leaving the Colonists temporarily victorious. Pigot, who was to feint an attack on the Colonist position was still being sniped from Charleston, and from seeing Howe's retreat, he too retreated.

From the retreat, the Regulars had formed up on the field and marched forth again. Pigot this time was to assault the redoubt instead of simply feigning an attack, Howe, instead of marching against Stark's position along the beach, marched instead against Knowlton's position along the fence. This second assault had ended with similar results of the first, the British were forced to withdraw again, and Howe, knowing he had been running low on soldiers, asked General Clinton for assistance.

Clinton, who had observed the first two assaults on the Colonist positions decided to throw his lot in and assist Howe with his third assault. This third assault was focused mainly on the colonist redoubt, with a feint on the flank. This assault seemed to be the one to break the colonists, as they had run out of ammunition and were forced into close-combat. They had resisted bravely until they withdrew to Cambridge on the other side of the peninsula. Britain had won, but at such a great cost that many referred to the ancient victories of Pyrrhis.

Hanoi, Dai Viet

As per usual, Hanoi was encircled in chaos under the Le dynasty. Le Hien Tong, the current Emperor of Dai Viet was nearly deposed by a recent peasant revolt that had encircled the city of Hanoi but was swiftly defeated by the Dai Nam army appearinf just in time, and in response Hien Tong had his wife act as temporary regent as he made a personal travel to Beijing to confer with the ruler of all under heaven himself over the possibility of Chinese assistance in putting down future revolts, and with the modernisation of Dai Viet.

[Unicario]

20 July 1775

The entire city of Berlin was alight with joyous celebration. Bells and people reveling in the holiday for today's festivities. Foreign dignitaries from many states were in attendance; the Habsburgs, Russia, Cossackia, Britain, France, Netherlands, were all in attendance for the marriage of Catherine von Hohenzollern to Henri Bourbon. While Henri, dressed in French military uniform, stood at the altar awaiting his bride, his brother, the King of France, came to him and gave him advice on consummation and a gentle reminder that his religion and her religion were not necessarily compatible, but that they could make it work out.

Some time later, the guard opened the door and announced, "Presenting Her Majesty, Queen Catherine of Prussia!" They stood aside and Catherine, now sixteen years old, walked down the aisle to the altar. After the standard wedding procedure, presided over by the Bishop of Lorraine and the sitting Lutheran Bishop of Berlin, Catherine and Henri shared a kiss before the Bishop of Lorraine coughed, and spoke. "We are not done, lords and ladies. Please remain seated."

Henri took a seat next to his brother while Catherine kneeled to the two religious figures. The Bishop of Berlin smiled and unsheafed a scroll of paper, and began to recite the coronation of the monarch of Prussia.

"...By grace of God in heaven, I hereby name you Queen of Prussia, fully entitled to reign as she sees fit. Long live!" There was an echo of Long live from everyone except for a few -- namely the Habsburgs, one could only tell how apoplectic they'd be after this next part.

The Catholic priest rejoined the Protestant one and began.

"Under the mutual agreement between the Three States of the North; Prussia, Braunschweig-Luneburg and Mecklenburg, Catherine von Hohenzollern, you are hereby offered the crown of the Deutsches Reich, with all rights and titles that associate with it. Under the Constitution of the German Reich, you are entitled, as with your descendants, to reign as German Empress for your lifetime, and all of your descendants shall be entitled to style themselves Their Imperial Majesty. Do you accept this crown?"

"I accept this crown."

"Do you promise to respect the God-given rights and powers of the people of Germany, and swear to protect them from harm?"

"I do."

"Then by the power invested in me by God, and by the Constitution of the German Reich, I hereby name you German Empress."

A newly constructed Imperial Crown was lowered onto Catherine's head, and she turned around and faced everyone. The woman looked critically toward the assembled Prussians and the assembled foreign dignitaries. There was a large roar from the Prussian people -- "Heil dir im Siegerkranz! Herrsch'rin des Vaterlands! Heil Kaiserin!" She marched out of the church with her husband in tow, getting into the carriage and returning to Sanssouci. The Empress knew there was going to be a strong response, but she relaxed in the carriage and gave a sly smile to her husband. "Things are going to be interesting, for sure."

[Pimps Inc]

Chronicle 3:Father of a Nation
^{Twentieth(XX) day of February, in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and seventy-five, and of the Establishment of the Viceroyalty of New Spain the two hundred and fifty-third.
The Viceroyalty of New Spain}

ON the eighth of May in the year 1743, there was born to Don Cristobal Hidalgo y Costilla and Dona Ana Maria Gallaga, his wife, on the ranch of San Vicente, belonging to the estate of San Diego Corralejo in the jurisdiction of Penjamo, Guanajuato, a son who was destined a little less than half a century later, by a public career extending over but a few months, to become preeminent among the national heroes of Mexico, and to acquire the title of "the Father of Mexican Independence." Eight days later he was baptized in the parish church of Cuitzeo de los Naranjos, and received the name of Miguel. In accordance with Mexican custom derived from Spain, his name would have been Miguel Hidalgo y Gallaga, thus showing who was his mother as well as who was his father. But for some reason which does not readily appear, he elected, upon coming to mature years, to retain his father's name, Hidalgo y Costilla, Costilla being the family name of Don Cristobal's mother. This does not imply that Don Miguel's mother's family name was unworthy of perpetuation. Dona Ana Maria Gallaga was a native of the region which is now included in the Mexican State of Michoacan, and it is claimed that she was descended from some of the most distinguished families in Spain. The names of families through which she claimed descent, Villasenor and Silva as well as Gallaga, were well known in that region, where they possessed large estates. Dona Ana Maria was left an orphan at an early age, and it was probably when she was about twenty years of age that she found a home in the family of a paternal uncle on the ranch of San Vicente. Don Cristobal Hidalgo was a native of the pueblo of San Pedro Tejuipilco, in the jurisdiction of Real y Minas de Temescaltepec, in the Intendancy of Mexico. He was of good family, as may be inferred from his patronymic, Hidalgo hijo de algo (son of somebody X which is applied to the lesser nobility of Spain. Costilla, his mother's name, was also that of a family of distinction. Don Cristobal had come from the City of Mexico as the administrador (manager) of the estate of Corralejo, to which the San Vicente ranch belonged. On that ranch he met Dona Ana Maria Gallaga soon after she came to live there,and they were married some time in the year 1741. Miguel was their firstborn child. The chief significance of the time of the birth of Miguel Hidalgo would appear to be this: 16 years later, that is to say, in 1759, Carlos III succeeded to the throne of Spain and began what proved to be a beneficent rule, not only for the Peninsular Kingdom but also for New Spain. The viceroys of that period were men of probity and energy; and a visitor-general was also sent out from Spain with full power to investigate and reform all parts of the colonial Government. Special privileges which had before been withheld from the Creoles were granted to them ; and some opportunities were accorded them for self-government, at least in the ayuntamientos or municipal governing boards. At all events, they were for the first time since the Con- quest admitted to the colleges and universities, and rendered eligible to careers at the bar, in the Church, or in the Government. Hence there was scarcely a creole father who was not inspired with a sudden ambition that his son should enter upon a distinguished career. There were subsequently born to Don Cristobal Hidalgo and Dona Ana Maria his wife, three other sons, named respectively, Jose Joaquin, Manuel Mariano, and Jose Maria, all previous to the beginning of the beneficent reign of Carlos III. Don Cristobal desired that his two elder sons should have a career in the church. He was of sufficient means, and so he provided for all four of his sons the best education that the times and the region afforded.

After being prepared by private instruction in the household (probably by the priest of the
neighboring parish), Miguel and Joaquin were sent to the "Royal and Primitive" college of
San Nicolas Obispo, in Valladolid. The college was founded by the Jesuits in 1540, but upon the expulsion of the Company of Jesus from New Spain, in 1767, probably soon after Hidalgo matriculated therein, it passed into the hands of the secular clergy. In the colleges that were managed by the secular clergy to prepare students for the priesthood or for the law (the only professions requiring college training), Baron von Htimboldt, who visited New Spain in 1803, found a curriculum deplorably lacking in scientific courses, and very antiquated as to its classical and literary branches. He bewailed what must be the inevitable result of the creation of an oligarchy of letters, which made all the educated men of Mexico either priests or lawyers, and widened the breach between the leaders and those who were to be subject to their leadership.

It must be remarked, however, that the schools and colleges of New Spain, while they were under the control of the Jesuits, had the reputation of equalling if not surpassing, in the number and range of studies and the standard of attainments by their officers, anything then existing in English-speaking America; and Mexican scholars had up to that time made distinguished achievements in several branches of science. No doubt the name of Hidalgo would have found a place in the list of the savants of Mexico, had it not been ordained that his fame as a man of action should overshadow the reputation to which he was entitled as a man of thought and learning. All this must be borne in mind by those who wish to comprehend the meagre accounts
given in Mexican history of Don Miguel's career at college. We are told that he studied philosophy and theology at Valladolid, and that he excelled by reason of his talent, and received from his college companions the nickname of "el Zorro" (the Fox), implying superior sagacity and shrewdness rather than low cunning. A statement was made in the formal accusation during his trial before the Holy Office in 1760, that he was finally expelled from college because of a scandalous adventure, in the course of which he was obliged to escape at night through a window
of the college chapel; but this is clearly incorrect in view of the fact that the record of his graduation is extant, and of other facts subsequently stated herein. It is certain that he was studious, and acquired a taste for learning far beyond the ability of the College of San Nicolas to gratify; he pursued his studies in subjects which it would have been heretical for that or any other college in New Spain to include in its curriculum.

In 1760, when Don Miguel was twenty-three years of age, he and his brother Joaquin went up to the City of Mexico, where both received from the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Both returned to Valladolid for further study. Miguel lectured in Latin, Philosophy, and the principles of Theology in the College of San Nicolas, and also held the office of treasurer of the college. Both went up again to the City of Mexico in May, 1773 (Miguel then being thirty years of age), and received the degree of Bachelor in Theology. Joaquin subsequently took the degree of Licenciado and that of Doctor of theology, and became in 1744 curate of the church of Dolores, in which town he died in 1803.

To receive the degree of Bachelor of Arts at the age of seventeen and that of Bachelor of Theology at the age of twenty does not necessarily imply unusual precocity on the part of Don Miguel Hidalgo. The youths of Mexico in general mature earlier than those of more northerly regions. And in those years there were numbers of instances of youths of that age taking their degrees in New England colleges. The Latin taught in San Nicolas College was the mediaeval ecclesiastical Latin, not difficult to one whose native tongue was Spanish ; the Philosophy was probably the dialectics of the medieval schoolmen; and the Theology probably comprised the compendium of dogmatic theology, such as was then in vogue in training the clergy, and whatever else was necessary to enable a priest to say the mass, and to perform the other offices of the Church, particularly in the confession and discipline of penitents. The relation of the college in Valladolid to the University in
Mexico is implied in the statement that the former sent up to the latter four thousand dollars in payment for the degrees conferred. This was probably the tuition fees of the college less the expenses, and had to be paid to the University before the latter would confer degrees.

DON MIGUEL left the College of San Nicolas, in Valladolid, some time after 1769, and was engaged in parochial work in Colima, directly west of Valladolid and not far from the Pacific coast. In the middle of the nineteenth century it was a town of be- tween fifteen thousand and twenty thousand
inhabitants. That a man of Hidalgo's broad learning should have been relegated by the
ecclesiastical authorities to a place so remote from the capital was due partly to the constant friction between the secular and the regular clergy. In 1793 he became curate of the parish church in San Felipe, probably the town which now goes by the name of Gonzalez and is in the Mexican State of Guanajuato. Here he spent seven years. In 1770 he abandoned parochial work, and he
spent the next three years in wandering about the Provincias Internas in the neighborhood of his native town. During these years he frequently performed services for his brother Don Jose Joaquin, who as we have seen, was curate of the church at Dolores. Such is the meagre record of his biographers. These three years of apparently aimless wandering were due to his coming under the suspicion of the Inquisition. And it is from records made at that time, though concealed from the public until a comparatively recent date, that we are permitted to gain some knowledge of this period of his life. At the same time we are put on our guard against too ready an acceptance of any record made by the Holy Office, for that body was not overconscientious in its regard for the laws of evidence.

The Inquisition had been established in New Spain in 1571, under the supervision of the Dominicans, for the express purpose of keeping the foreigners in order and advancing the spiritual interests of the Church. It had a career of considerable activity during the first century and a half of its existence, and celebrated numerous autos da fe in the City of Mexico, where a brasero or qnemadero occupied a public place until removed in 1771. In the reign of Carlos III there was manifested a tendency to reduce the privileges of the Holy Office and to restrain its audacity;
consequently, it lost some of the popular awe and respect which it had formerly inspired.

TO the disappointment of the most astute prophet of the latter part of the eighteenth century, whose attention might have been called to the conditions in Mexico at that time, and who might have attempted to foretell how the problems then presented were to be solved, the opportunity for the irrepressible conflict pending in New Spain was actually afforded by events in Spain ; and to these our attention must now be turned. Spain had for many years been under the influence of
the tensions between American colonists and their British homeland, and had been making
audacious moves, each one more dangerous and capable of sparking a full military campaign, in a sort of escalating political chess game. Finally, in 1775, the shot heard 'round the world was fired in Lexington and Concord. The British colonies were thrown into chaos. De Bucareli who had succeeded to the viceroyal throne five years before. Upon the breaking out of the war between the Colonies and England he had, in accordance with orders from Spain, displayed considerable energy in putting the country in a state of defence; and had gathered the militia of New Spain in Mexico, Puebla, Perote, Jalapa, and Vera Cruz. His defensive measures were further stimulated by fears of a military expedition from the French. The troops thus garrisoned for the defence of the country were to a considerable extent, officered by Creoles, and as subsequently came to light, harbored not a few who were dreaming of instituting a new order of things in New Spain.

de Bucareli as time went on, was accused of being avaricious and of rapidly accumulating a fortune in a manner that was reprobated even by the lax consciences of his time. He was suspected of misappropriating the public funds. The demands of the expensive viceregal court and of the Spanish Government were no doubt responsible for much of his extortionate financial policy, and he was probably, all things considered, a moderate man compared with his predecessors of the
reactionary reign of Carlos IV. The people of New Spain had no interest in the war which the mother country was waging at the time all over the globe.There was great excitement in the City of Mexico extending to all classes of society when news of the events taking place in Spain was received.Various classes to decide at once upon the merits of the several claimants to their allegiance. It would have taken some one better skilled in political science than any one then living in Mexico to disentangle the maze of Spanish politics then presented to them. It seems, however, that the Creoles were exceedingly happy in siding almost instinctively with the legitimate Government of Spain, which they thought resided in Charles III.

THE GRITO DE DOLORES.

THE spirit of independence manifested in the City of Mexico found little chance for expansion and growth there. But when it spread to the Provincias Internas it encountered conditions especially favorable to its reception and nurture. One reason for this was that there was a greater number of
Creoles in proportion to Old Spaniards in the Provincias than in the capital, and they were less directly influenced by the Audiencia and the Inquisition. There was a larger proportion of thoughtful men in the towns of the Provincias, who, not permitting their judgment to be clouded by self-interest, were studying the political situation and seeking
the means by which they might free their country from bad government, just like the British colonists attempted. They determined that the tie which bound them to the Spanish Crown for nearly three centuries. What they sought was not independence of the monarch, but independence of the Europeans, French or Spanish, who were usurping his throne.

The desire for the dawn of a better day in New Spain, a day in which the various classes would have equal rights under a better and more equable government, took immediate hold upon three leading classes of professional men among the Creoles of the Provincias: those of the law, the Church and the army. It was to these that careers had been offered under the beneficent policy of Carlos III ; and after having taken advantage of this opportunity to rise in the world and gain positions of influence and leadership, the policy of Carlos IV, reactionary as it was, had been
unable to reduce them to their former status. They were the thoughtful men of their time. They were inclined to watch the trend of events and to deduce from what they saw, theories of government. Hidalgo was not alone among the Creole priests in New Spain whose minds were turned to the political conditions, and who were developing plans for independence. It is authoritatively stated that four-fifths of the native clergy espoused the cause of independence in New Spain. And the list of the names of those who attained to some prominence in the struggles
of the next decade, including Jose Maria Morelos, Mariano Matamoros, and Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana, was by no means an inconsiderable one. And this was in spite of the censures of the Church. These were of the secular clergy who were always the objects of the jealousy of the regulars. Hidalgo doubtless towered above them all in intellectual attainments yet there were many who were influenced by him and not a few who had by independent processes of reasoning reached the same conclusions that he had reached.

Bucareli likewise was but a type of the Creole military officer of his time ; and so there were in the various centres of population, in the Provincias Internas, wherever the Creoles were numerous, militares who had entered politics through the Ayuntamientos and had been thinking over the political situation and forming plans for the liberation of their country from bad and oppressive government. And those of the profession of arms were likewise asking themselves what they had
been called upon to fight for. They had responded cheerfully to Bucareli's call for troops to protect New Spain from the incursions of the English and from the aggressions of the French. But with the wars of Spain with other European nations they were not concerned ; and when the danger of English or French invasion had passed, and there was pending a possibility of their being drawn upon to replenish the diminishing armies of Spain, or that they might be employed to support the Government of New Spain and fight on behalf of the Old Spaniards, against their own people, they too were prepared to ask what constituted their coun
try, and if they might not adopt the cry of

"Mexico for the Mexicans."

While the army which Iturrigaray had raised was encamped at Jalapa, there were several young officers who were discussing the questions of the day and the relations which they sustained to those questions. The visits of Iturrigaray to their garrison had taught them many things. And when his downfall came, they found that they were forced to transfer their allegiance to the party which had caused his overthrow, deposition, and deportation. They began to dream of and plan for independence. Among them was a young man, Ignacio Allende by name, who had just obtained his captaincy. He manifested such an ardent desire for independence that it is a mooted question whether he or Hidalgo was the originator of the revolutionary plan in which both were heroes and
martyrs. It would seem from all that can be gathered that each had knowledge of the other's plans, and that they were in some sort of indirect and secret communication soon after the downfall of Bucareli.

Allende was born in the beautiful town of San Miguel el Grande, near Guanajuato, in the year 1759. In his honor the town is now called San Miguel de Allende. His family and his social position were of such character that he was admitted to the army of New Spain and obtained his captaincy in the regiment of dragoons known as the Queen's regiment. He served in San Luis Potosi under General Felix Maria Calleja del Rey, against whom he was subsequently to be opposed on several bloody battle-fields.

The idea of independence was being fostered throughout the Provincias by means of local clubs professedly of a social and literary character, in which, however, revolutionary plans were being freely discussed and sturdy patriotism was being inculcated. When and how these originated, or how they were maintained without earlier attracting the attention of the civil authorities or of the Inquisition does not readily appear. Such a club existed in Queretaro; and in 1773 Hidalgo became
a member of it, and thenceforth he was its acknowledged leader, and sought to unify the clubs of like character existing in other towns of the Provincias with the purpose of completing his plans for a revolution. This was in September, 1774. Allende escaped detection and arrest,
though he was by no means frightened by his perilous position or deterred from connecting
himself with the club in Queretaro. At this time, if not earlier, he came into direct communication with Hidalgo; and thus was enlisted in the plans of Hidalgo a young man of enthusiasm, of attractive personality and of a good knowledge of military affairs. It is certain that at this time there existed in the mind of Hidalgo a distinct and definite plan for proclaiming the Independence of Mexico at the great fair held annually in December in San Juan de Lagos, which drew together a large concourse of people of all classes and furnished an admirable opportunity for inciting- a popular uprising.

The club in Queretaro had three lawyers and four army officers among 1 its members, which is further suggestive of the appeal which independence was making to these two classes. The corregidor of the town, Miguel Dominguez, if not a member of the club, secretly favored it; and his wife, Josef a Maria Ortiz de Dominguez, was in such sympathy with its purposes that she saved it from complete destruction at a critical moment, suffered imprisonment in consequence and is accounted the great heroine of the revolutionary period. The grateful Republic has erected a statue to her memory in the City of Mexico.

Perez and Aldama met Allende as the three reached the town of Dolores shortly before midnight on the fifteenth. Everyone in the little town was sleeping. The three went directly to the bedchamber of Hidalgo and awakened him. He received the message they brought him with his characteristic coolness, showing neither fear nor surprise.

"Senor Cura" declared Allende, "we are
caught in a trap. No human power can save
us."

With great presence of mind, Hidalgo replied that the situation called for no prolonged discussion, but for decisive action. "I see that we are lost," he said, "and no other course remains to us but to go out and seize the Gachupines." And so it was determined to proclaim at once the revolution.

It was a heroic act on the part of Hidalgo, a few minutes before midnight, to ring the bell in his church tower. It was the Liberty Bell of the Mexican Revolution. It called Don Mariano Hidalgo, the domestic servants of the cura, and others who were near at hand, to the number of thirty in all, who evidently recognized the purpose of the signal and to whom the situation was quickly explained. At the head of the men thus gathered and armed with such rude weapons as were readily at hand, Hidalgo and Allende and Aldama marched to the public prison, where they found certain poor men imprisoned, not for atrocious crimes, but for misdemeanors more particularly of a political character. These they released from their prison on condition that they should join them
in their enterprise. Next a visit was made to the barracks of a small detachment of Allende's regiment. The soldiers promptly obeyed their officer and were made, almost before they realized the situation, members of a band of insurgents. The next move was to seize and imprison the prominent Spaniards of the pueblo, and the public employes.

It was all done so quickly in the waning hours of the night that there was little or no resistance; and before the break of day the surprised citizens of Dolores found themselves at the mercy of the insurgents. At five o'clock on Sunday, the sixteenth of July, Hidalgo gathered his host in the
patio of the parish church of Dolores and rang again his Liberty Bell. The priest said mass, the worshippers being a motley crowd of men armed with lances, machetes, pikes, and the few weapons secured from the soldiers of the Queen's regiment. He then ad- dressed his congregation in words well calculated to incite them to insurrection. He drew a picture of the evils which rested over them ; the iniquities of the Government to which they were subject and the advantages of independence. His venerable appearance, his voice and manner, and his attractive words aroused in them the greatest enthusiasm, and they gave a great shout, "Viva Independencia! Viva America! Muera el mal gobierno!"
(Long live Independence! Long live America! Death to bad government!)
[OCC:America is a continent, btw]
IC:
It was in accordance with the time-honored custom of Latin peoples (originating in times long antecedent to the printing press, and when few of the people could read) that every revolution should begin with a viva voce proclamation. Therefore this shout, this battle-cry, was accepted as the proclamation of the popular demands for a new order of things. It has ever since been known as the Grito de Dolores.

At the head of six hundred men. Hidalgo set out at eleven o'clock that day, taking the road to San Miguel el Grande, twenty miles distant. Passing on the way the little town of Atotonilco, he took from the parish church there a banner containing a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the special guardian saint of the Indians of Mexico ; and taking from one of his soldiers a pike, he affixed it
thereto and adopted it as the standard of his insurgent army. Yell he knew the temper of his men. He was appealing to the religious feeling of his six hundred emotional people. The effect was instantaneous. The enthusiasm of his followers increased. The battle-cry became, "Viva Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe! Muera mal gobierno!" (Long
live Our Lady of Guadalupe! Death to bad
government !)
and a new element was added to the crusade, a bitter race-hatred. This dislike of the Spaniards was shared by the Indians, who now flocked to the standard of Hidalgo, and who were destined to become at once the strength and the weakness of the great movement for the Independence of Mexico which had been launched from Dolores, with dolor.

At San Miguel the insurgent army enlisted Allende's company in the Queen's regiment stationed there and which was ready to follow its captain in any enterprise. Hidalgo was recognized as the chief of the insurrection. On the eighteenth of the month, the army set out for Celaya, where Hidalgo experienced no little difficulty in restraining the tendencies of his rabble army to excesses.
The houses of Europeans were pillaged by the army, which now numbered, as is usually asserted, fifty thousand men. Some attempt at military organization "was made, and to Hidalgo was given the rank and title of Captain-General. Allende was made Lieutenant-General. It was decided to capture the wealthy city of Guanajuato before advancing upon the City of Mexico. From Celaya the army marched about fiftv miles to the northwest and, on the twenty-eighth of September, occupied the hacienda of Burras. From this spot Don Mariano Abasalo and Don Ignacio Comargo were sent as commissioners to the Intendente Riano to demand the surrender of the city and to offer humane terms if he would accede. With ail our sympathies enlisted in the cause in which the insurgent army was engaged, we must yet admire the brave conduct of the Intendente of Guanajuato. He
realized the desperate situation in which he was placed. He could not appeal to the citizens at large to defend their city, for he had found that there was a growing popular sentiment in favor of independence, and he knew not whom he might trust. Yet he bravely returned answer to the insurgent army that he would defend the city with his life.

He gathered the Spaniards with their wives, families, and movable property into the Alhondiga de Granaditas, and prepared as well as was possible to defend this build- ing by hastily barricading the streets leading to it. The Alhondiga was a large building used for the storing of merchandise under
the Spanish colonial system of commerce. It was therefore both warehouse and board of trade, and was the most readily defensible building in the city. The Intendente had placed there public treasure amounting to five million dollars.

Against an army recognizing the rules of war of civilized nations the defence of the Alhondiga might not have been altogether impossible; but against the savage hordes whom Hidalgo had gathered into his army, who were moved by a bloodthirsty hatred of their Spanish oppressors, and who were now frenzied by the prospects held out to them of plunder in one of the richest cities
in the New World, a city whose wealth had been amassed through centuries of their toil in the mines, the defence was an impossible task.

Upon the return of the commissioners with the refusal of Riano to surrender, Hidalgo brought up his forces and at one o'clock raided the city. The war had begun.

¡Mexicanos!
¡Vivan los héroes que nos dieron la patria y libertad!
¡Viva Hidalgo!
¡Viva Morelos!
¡Viva Josefa Ortíz de Dominguez!
¡Viva Allende!
¡Viva Galeana y los Bravo!
¡Viva Aldama y Matamoros!
¡Viva la Independencia Nacional!
¡Viva México! ¡Viva México! ¡Viva México!

[The Vaktovian Empire]

Austrian Response

Joseph II was no fool. His mother; Maria Theresa had been one of the smartest, proudest rulers of Austria during its history. He was terribly enraged at this instance, of which his Ambassadors to the wedding had discussed with him. He himself had not attended. He was too busy dealing with other such details, including largely the Nationalistic tendencies sprawling from both Northeastern and Southeastern Austria. They were too large to ignore. However, Joseph could not allow these to distract him. At once he sent a letter to Catherine challenging this claim as Empress of Germany. He knew this was a huge slap in the face to Austria and that the Holy Roman Empire now would be dysfunctional. Who would side with who and follow who?

A Message To Queen Catherine I of Prussia, Self-Proclaimed Empress of Germany

To: Queen Catherine
From: Emperor Joseph II, Archduke of Austria, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
I realize that you are young, and that others are able to manipulate what your choices are. But surely you must realize that we will not accept such a blatant and stupid claim as yourself as the Empress of the Holy Roman Empire! I am the proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Did you negotiate with the other electors in your quest for this self-proclaimed crowning? I'm sure Bavaria and Bohemia will not back you. Neither will Mainz. You have already lost before you have even started. We are a powerful nation.
I will not attack a brother, a Germanic brother such as Prussia. But surely an agreement has to be made. You can't feel entitled to do such a thing as this. This is the straw that hence break the camels back. I'm afraid a diplomatic solution must be made. We will not allow you to continue this claim.

Signed,

Joseph II

[Unicario]

From Her Imperial Majesty, Catherine, Empress of Germany

---

To: His Majesty, Archduke Joseph II of Austria

---

We receive your letter with the utmost importance in the majestic city of Berlin. However, I believe you have fatally misunderstood my coronation, Your Highness. I was proclaimed before the assembly of people, and before a Constitutional Convention, the Empress of Germany. I am not, nor have I ever been the Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire is a relic of a by-gone era of Papal supremacy and quarreling princedoms. I am the Empress of Germany; a unified entity of German speakers, from the Adige to the Belt, and from the Maas to Memel. This is your fatal misunderstanding, good sir.

I do not require the assent of the Imperial Electors, nor do I require your assent either -- I was named Empress of Germany by the Constitutional Convention, and by His Excellency, Freiherr Thomas Jefferson von Monticello; my Reichskanzler. I will not renounce my right to title myself in this manner, and I will not bow to your demands.

Gott mit uns,
Catherine
Empress of Germany

[The Vaktovian Empire]

A Message To Queen Catherine I of Prussia, Empress of Germany

To: Queen Catherine, Empress of Germany
From: Emperor Joseph II, Archduke of Austria, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
I apologize for this uttermost foolish mistake. If anything can be done to make up for it, it shall be done. However, I remind you that Austria is here to stay so do not believe that with this new Empire of Germany you can slowly diminish our influence or power within the Germanic states between us. As for this new "Germany" you speak of, perhaps Austria should start working closer with Prussia and yourself instead of distancing ourselves through disagreements over our separate allies and such. There is always the pressing issue of the pesky Spanish who are becoming somewhat of a nuisance in Europe.

Signed,

Joseph II

[Bojikami]

20th of July, 1775

Hetman Ivan arrived at the coronation and found himself interested in the entire process. When he was made Hetman, it was not nearly as formal, nor as widely celebrated. When he was elected Hetman of the Cossacks it was not more than a public announcement and a vulgar bar party with he and his comrades from the military as well as the leaders of the Cossack revolution. Nonetheless, when it was over he approached Catherine to congratulate her and to wish her well. "Congratulations, your majesty." He uttered. "Apologies if I seem out of place in military dress, fancy events like this are not all too common down in Kyiv."

Beijing, China

The travel to Beijing had been mostly pleasant for Emperor Hien Tong, despite the amount of setbacks. The sea route that was decidedly taken was to yield a faster travel, yet was set back by weak or no winds on the sails along with other complications. Regardless, the Emperor and his aides arrived in the Northern Capital on the 20th of July, a few days later than he had hoped. When he and his entourage arrived in the Forbidden Palace, they were let in by the Chinese emperor's personal guard, dressed in ceremonial armour. Upon reaching the Emperor's throne room, Hien Tong immediately preformed the kow-tow along with his delegation. "You may rise." The Longdi Emperor said evenly from his throne.

Hien Tong rose. "Your Highness, the instability that has risen in Dai Viet has grown to severe levels! The revolts, either by angry peasants, angry Trung warlords, or whatever else the day brings seem to be worsening by the moment. I fear that when I return, I will not have a nation to rule!" The alarmed words of the man resonated within the Emperor. He nodded and rested his chin on his hand and thought of the solution and it had reached him. "My son, I shall send Chinese soldiers into Dai Viet to assist in stabilising the empire and protecting your family, for I value regional harmony and peace. I feel changing times lying ahead of us, and in such a time Asia must remain united." Hien Tong nodded. The two conversed for the remainder of an hour, after which the Longdi Emperor invited Hien Tong to stay in the City for the remainder of the week, to which he accepted.

[Unicario]

20 July 1775

"Oh, sir, no, it's okay, military dress is far from out of place here. Feel free to enjoy yourself at your leisure, Germany is bountiful indeed." She smiled and continued at the reception with her husband.

[Ruridova]

August 3, 1775
Napoli, Two Sicilies

It was Alexandros Apsvorgoi's first meeting with a foreign leader as King of the Hellenes. He'd left Greece and named Giorgios Angelopolous his regent- a nod to the Greek elected leadership and to Eastern Orthodoxy, as Angelopolous had once been Patriarch Gregory V. It was also wise politically; Angelopolous was an ally of Mavrikios and the monarchists, meaning that the anti-monarchists led by Korais would not pose a threat to him while he was gone. After the triumph at Corinth, though, Korais had lost prestige because of his attempts to block the ultimately victorious plans laid out by Alexandros. Alexandros was here to meet with Luigi di Zahringen, King of the Two Sicilies. King Luigi had risen to power after a regency in Naples and the collapse of Spanish control on the isle of Sicily. The two countries had both agreed to name him king, unifying them into the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Together, they were the two boy-kings of Southern Europe. Luigi was 12, born in 1763 and made king in 1770, with the nobles who had invited him to replace the Spanish still ruling as a regency council. Alexandros was 18, born in 1756, made king in 1773; he ruled without regent and had stood up to pretentious adults before. The two had never met before, but they quickly became close. "In a sense," di Zahringen told Apsvorgoi as they walked through the halls of the royal palace in Naples, "we are not so different, you and I. We were born to ancient noble houses that themselves began on the Rhine, the red eagle of the von Zähringens and the red lion of the von Habsburgs. Our parents still rule the lands we come from, the Grand Duchy of Baden run by my father Karl Friedrich, the Archduchy of Austria run by your mother Maria Theresia. We are in line for this title behind our brothers, and as such have been sent to rule distant lands inhabited by foreign people. We speak German, we are Roman Catholic." Alexandros nodded. "Indeed, but I do note that we have both, to an extent, become like the locals." Luigi nodded. "As evidenced by the fact that I greeted you as Alexandros, not Maximilian Franz, and that you greeted me as Luigi, not Ludwig, yes. But we must never forget our homes." Alexandros nodded. "No, we must not. I nearly stayed. Some wanted me as Elector for Trier and Köln. But after becoming King of the Hellenes, that was no longer feasible."

Luigi nodded, but his face was now grave. "I take it, then, you know that this meeting is not entirely over Sicilian support for the Greek cause?" He and Alexandros stopped in the middle of the passageway. "I'm king of Greece, not Malaya," Alexandros jested. "Of course I know what happened." Then he too turned serious. "I heard the news at Patra. A letter from my brother, the Holy Roman Emperor. Katharina von Hohenzollern, Queen of Prussia, declaring herself Empress of the Germans. A direct challenge to the ancient and blessed institution of the Holy Roman Emperor, a challenge to Vienna. Protestant defiance to the Pope." Luigi sighed. "It is also a threat to the lesser princes of Germany. They rule their lands directly, as I know it, with little regard for the traditional rights of those nobles. They have forced a British cessation of Hannover and made several princes surrender, as I understand it. What will happen to my father and brothers when Prussian armies march on Baden?" Alexandros nodded in sympathy. "And I doubt she will stop there. One day, I am confident that Prussian armies will march to invade and occupy Austria too. They already stole Silesia from us."

Being adolescents, though, the conversation soon strayed. "How old is she?" Luigi asked. Alexandros looked dumbfounded. "What?" Luigi looked down briefly before repeating, "How old is the Queen of Prussia?" Alexandros laughed. "The funny thing, I think she's about as old as us. I think she's 16?" Luigi laughed. "Three countries, ruled by a 12-year-old, a 16-year-old, and an 18-year-old." Alexandros smiled. "The future belongs to the youth, doesn't it?" Luigi nodded and smiled. Alexandros smiled too, but then looked up and noticed a familiar face. "Sister!" He said, running to meet his older sister Maria Antonia. "What are you doing here?" Maria Antonia smiled and responded, saying, "After the unfortunate death of Crown Prince Louis of France, I was betrothed to Luigi." Alexandros smiled. "It is a great pleasure to see you here," he said. "Please, sir with us."

"Now, back to the serious topic," Alexandros told Luigi as they walked into a well-furnished room overlooking the ocean. "How do we respond to an attack on our families, our home, our religion? What do we do?" Luigi sat quietly for a few seconds before saying, "What can we do? You have a war, I have regents. We're far away from Austria and Baden and Prussia. I hear she's allied to the French-" Alexandros bit his tongue to not curse. "The perfidious French," he muttered. "Luigi, they never change. You can't trust the French. My sister was betrothed to their heir," he said looking at Maria Antonia. "When he died mysteriously hunting, they didn't betrothe her to the new heir. Instead, they sent her back to Vienna and had their heir wed to that Protestant Prussian." Maria Antonia smiled sadly. "Do not be so harsh, brother. Louis was a kind man and a good man. It is sad that the world lost him." Alexandros grimaced. "He was the exception, not the rule, sister." Luigi waited for Alexandros to gesture for him to continue before saying, "Even together, what can we do? What can we do against France and Prussia and maybe even Britain?"

The two sat in silence before Maria Antonia laughed. "What?" Luigi asked. "What is it, Maria?" She continued to chuckle and said, "Call her names." Luigi paused in confusion. "What?" Alexandros realized what she was saying and broke into laughter himself. "Listen, Luigi, when I was a young child, I would play with my brothers and sisters. Sometimes, when we played, we would mock each other by making up nasty nicknames and refusing to call them by their name." Luigi smiled and said, "Me, Karl Friedrich, and Leopold did that too!" Alexandros nodded. "And names are important," the elder boy king told the younger boy king. "That's why you're Luigi and I'm Alexandros, and why we're not Ludwig and Maximilian Franz. One of the Greek rebels doesn't like me, a man named Adamantios, he refuses to call me Alexandros if at all possible. He only calls me Maximilian Franz, to say that he doesn't view me as Greek enough to be King of the Hellenes." Luigi nodded, then paused and said, "Where are you heading with this?"

Maria Antonia smiled, a smile of cunning and pride, as she picked up where her brother had left off. "Katharina von Hohenzollern wants us to call her Empress of Germany. So let's not. Let's call her Queen of Prussia, because she is, but refuse to call her Empress of Germany. Let's call her a name she doesn't want to be called. She wants to be called Empress, so let's call her Queen." Luigi nodded and laughed. "Maria Antonia, you're a genius! Besides, what can she do? Surely she won't go to war over some words!" The two boy kings and the young woman with them laughed and laughed at what they saw as their cleverness and defiance.

After several minutes congratulating each other and mockingly calling Katharina different, less palatable names that would most assuredly not be said behind closed doors, the three walked into a different room, led by Maria Antonia. "Anyways," Alexandros said, "you also wanted to talk about the Two Sicilies helping Greece against the heathen Turk?" Luigi smiled and nodded. "Yes, yes," he said. "The regency council helped me come up with some ideas for how we can help you..."

[The Vaktovian Empire]

August 4, 1775
Budapest, Austrian Empire

It was but a quiet morning in the Austrian Empire, more specifically, the Province of Hungary. The winds were calm and soothing, the church bells ringing after an early morning mass. But to a greater standpoint; it was much worse than it did appear. The Austrians had been fooled and insulted by this "Empress of Germany" shenanigan. Though the Holy Roman Emperor still was official, it was but a slap in the face to the Monarchy, and to Maria Theresa, still seated Monarch of the Austrian Empire, although ruling in cooperation with her son, Joseph II, who was also elected as Holy Roman Emperor in 1765 by the Electors. As such, Maria Theresa had instructed Joseph, representing her officially when writing to Catherine, to write with caution and diplomacy. She did not wish to start a war with the Prussians. But before she even had not started a war, she had already provoked another. In the quietness of the church of Saint Vincent von Budapest, a man with a plan formulated his ideals, to Christ in the name of Catholicism, and in the name of a true Austrian Empire.
That man, Tobias Maximus, a Latin, ultra Roman man of descent, and also a second cousin of Joseph II. Joseph II's first cousin was the father of Tobias Maximus. Now Tobias Maximus was a smart man. Well educated in a College in Vienna, as well as a Catholic School in Tuscany. His list of accomplishments included his family's business; the vast wine market as well as the banking industry in terms of his father's business in Tuscany, and the influence it had as well in Genoa. Tobias was also a nationalistic man. He wanted Austria to continue its reign as the dominant power in Europe. He believed that this new coronation of Catherine was both a slap in the face of the Monarchy and himself. Despite this, he despised the decision by the Royalty to serve Catherine with diplomacy instead of death by invasion. He saw Prussians as disgusting and vile filth. Now, after speaking at the mass with the help of his Pastor; Father Marco, he devised his plan.
Father Marco allowed his quarters in the back of his church for the grand meeting. Several important people arrived to the meeting. Tobias himself was the top of the list. As well, Albert Druse, the Duke of Slovenia, and most powerful man of the realm was in attendance. Philippe Manson, a French man born into the House of Krakow, a wealthy family in Krakow, Northeastern Austria attended, showing his monetary support for the cause. As well, General Christian Beltz, a hardened 53 year old General tired of the anti-war sentiment following the Seven Years' War, Colonel Alwin Elberts, a young 23 year old up-and-coming officer from the Austrian Expeditionary Branch, and Major Wolfgang Hartmann, a semi-experienced officer of 35 years, who fought in the Seven Years War as a reserve soldier, in Silesia, all attended to pledge their respective commands to the cause, and promised to recruit for support as well. Diedrich Von Saslow, a well known Bosnian Revolutionary, also attended agreeing to help although he wished primarily for Bosnian voices in government, at the very least, with the idea of an independent Bosnia.
He welcomed the men to the meeting.
"Gentlemen, I realize calling you all here on short notice is a hassle. We've been discussing the issue for the longest of time. A change of leadership in Austria, and the end to the House of Hapsburg." He said. The men in the room smiled sharply. "Well I have good news as such. With the new pledge of Monsieur Manson's financial aide, which is a substantial amount to aid in warfare production and propaganda support, we can move ahead with our plans." He said, motioning to Philippe Manson. "Now, the statement will need to be made to show the people that the traditional regime is weak and ill-minded." He turned to General Beltz. "Can you organize an assault on Vienna?" He said. "My jurisdiction and sphere of influence is mostly in Baden. But the government does have facilities and a Royal Mansion in the city. There are various soldiers in the fortress too. It would be a... substantial statement at the least." He said. "Good." Tobias said. He turned to Saslow. "Diedrich, on the same day you will start the war in the South with your revolutionaries. The Austrians heads will be spinning." He continued, now turning to Albert Druse. "And Albert, the anti-Hapsburg militants you unofficially support will take to the soft underbelly of the Southern homeland, the Austrian province itself, yes?" Tobias asked. Saslow nodded and said "They will, and I've already proposed a grand scheme with the leader in Koper to begin an assault on the Naval Yards there. There are three main Austrian port cities in that sector; Koper, Izola, and Piran. Izola will be the hardest to take, because it is harder to get to and the shipyards are well defended on land. However, if we can take Koper from the East, and then use the ships taken to encircle the vessels in Izola while we also take Piran, we will have the fleets in Izola cornered. However, the fleets there are still well outnumbered by those in Izola. It will all depend on the cowardice or honor of the Izolan Commander." He finished. "Alright. We move ahead in those plans. General Beltz, when you feel the time is right, go ahead with your raid on the Mansion in Baden. The others' offensives will move on your sending of your date of the raid." He said. "Is everyone's responsibilities understood?" Tobias asked. "Yes." The various supporters said, getting up as Tobias did and pushing in their chairs. Tobias continued. "Good then, I will continue to recruit high officials, wealthy men, and especially military officers to our cause. In the meantime, Father Marco here will continue to help recruiting in the Hungarian Province, and try to persuade the Hungarian royalty here to our cause.

[Pimps Inc]

Chronicle IV:Master and Commander
^{Texas,The Viceroyalty of New Spain}

The dust was heavy and concentrated in the afternoon Texas air which, after mixing with the gun powder of polished M1752 Muskets, their bayonets glinting like quicksilver, turned the air opaque, then further heated by the golden scorching sun of midday. The Spanish men, in their specialized leather coats uniforms for the climate, were starting to suffer the effects of extreme weather, with some already experiencing heat stroke. The regiment under the command of Colonel Bernardo de Gálvez, numbering 1,200 of His Majesty's Finest troops with another 315 from the Irish Hibernia Regiment, occupied a small makeshift fort in a small, insignificant mission known as the Alamo. Currents of white with black entered and exited as Colonel Galvez ordered the men to perform never-ending target practice and field training almost as harsh as the desert. Tired as the men were, however, they did not dare show it in their actions, executing each command from their officers flawlessly, emulated by their uniformed physiques. Polished gold buttons, each one meticulously designed with the red sword and eagle of the Spanish Army. Their white coats, without a ripple in sight, complemented with two intersecting blood red stripes going across the mens' chests, woven in such a way to appear like the Cross of Burgundy. Their cream boots stainless, even after marching for hours in the dirt storms of the land. Black trousers and beaver-felt cocked hats black as ink, yet not a single speck of impurity from the brown filthy air, impurity from the gunpowder, dust, and inappropriate language of the officers. Lined in large squares of disciplined marching soldiers, row after row , going to patrol, target practice, or to simply show off to the occasional travelers, residents, or fellow forces using the Alamo as a resting place before deploying to another area in New Spain's northern territory, from neighboring towns in Texas to recent establishments in the Pacific Northwest. Inside the mission, past the brick walls and one-man sentries, inside the chapel building, lay the personal headquarters of Colonel Bernardo de Gálvez. A pale, rounded man, quick and sharp attitude, with a hunger for glory and luxury, not only of food, proof of which could be found by taking a quick glance around his quarters. Walls lined with velvet, expensive rugs, exotic fruits and wines, anything that would be beyond luxurious, in this simple room, set up for him at moment's notice. Yet, as important as de Gálvez may seem, or think he may seem, there was a grander man in the room with him. Viceroy Antonio Maria de Bucareli, was master and commander, not only in the room or state, but in the entire viceroyalty, from Alta California to Central America. He had the power to command the entirety of the 20,000 large ground forces and 80 vessel navy(7,000 sailors), especially since his notable military background in the Motherland's European wars means he would be a competent military leader. After winning military engagements in land and sea, the Spanish Crown had named him Master and Commander. The title's meaning had eventually been altered to fit his new position in politics. Master of a nation, commander of its army. With age came wisdom for the 56 year old, and where age and wisdom appear, its disabilities are never far behind. Today, he left the rush and "the uncivilized" to younger, more determined kind.

Anyhow, the two lounged in the cushion seats of their chairs, enjoying a cup of [insert fancy wine], discussing the recent topic of the uprising in British North America.

"Don Bernardo, I thank you for your hospitality on your part. That meal was much needed after my journey from Veracruz. And the red wine? Exquisite and chilled to perfection on this terribly hot day. As well as for your service here in the front lines against the British threat along with your men.," the viceroy charmed, swirling his cup of red before placing it on the ivory armrests of his chair.

"Do not mention it, your majesty. After all, I've always preferred the front lines rather than the city life in la Cuidad de Mexico and after all this, I'm sure the Viceregal Palace will consider me for the position once you retire, my liege.," Bernardo responded, chuckling.

"Haha, always looking for glory. I'm sure you'll be right for the job, my dear Bernardo. But now, for the matter at hand. The colonists in the British thirteen colonies have risen against the British monarchy. Their demands for American independence seem to have the goal of stirring up emotional patriotism in an attempt at rallying support for their cause, even though they fail to recollect that they are foreigners to the continent. I do not desire and will not send Spanish men to die in a fruitless and ludicrous conflict, unless the Crown demands it. The rightful crown that is," Bucareli states as he signals in the direction of a decorative banner displaying the personal coat of arms of King Charles III hung on the wall, "although I will have to obey the Capellos in Madrid should they insist in Spanish intervention, if I wish to retain my position of Viceroy."

De Gálvez, taking a small sip of his own, pondered on his superior's commands.
"I do believe the that should the Capellos find of our loyalty to King Charles, we would be relieved of our position for treason. However, I might add that Spanish intervention in the colonies would help diminish British power, and could potentially lead to the collapse of the British Empire itself, your majesty.," the colonel suggested.

"Bernardo, have some sense. The chances of the success of colonist independence are almost none. Parliament and King George III will do anything to retain them. No amount of foreign aid will save them from the Redcoats. Lexington and Concord was a one time thing, the British where not expecting such opposition. But, in the most recent encounter, Boston Harbor, the Patriot militia was brushed aside. No, my dear colonel, Britain will win that war, and even if they do not, even if those colonies manage to gain liberty, that could arouse further rebellions around the world, especially in New Spain. Though I believe a Mexican rebellion would have less chance of success than the 13 colonies.,"

Both men burst into a round of small laughter, therefore ignoring the young aide who had arrived at the door. He neared the viceroy and whispered into his ear. After several seconds, which seemed like hours to the viceroy, he began to laugh harder. The aide, awfully confused by the man's reactions stepped off to the side.

"What is it, your majesty?,"the colonel asked, still slightly chuckling.

"It appears I must return to Mexico City, colonel. It seems our worst nightmare has come true......."

[The Vaktovian Empire]

August 8, 1775
Cuerpo Cristo, New Spain (Corpus Christi)

The beaches of New Spain had never been bad. They had always had a certain majestic glow to them. They were always very pleasant, and welcoming. Cuerpo Cristo was a smaller, but massively expanding port city. Named Corpus Christi in English, the city was not readily occupied by many Spanish Foreign soldiers.
However, it was common of Capello to insert informants among the ranks of the great Antonio Maria de Bucareli's men. Bucareli had been Viceroy since before the Capellos had taken power. King Ferdinand was highly unaware of Bucareli's true loyalty to Charles III, currently residing in France. Capello, however, was aware that Bucareli was a very loyal man to he who kept him in his position.
Currently the Spanish Viceroy and a regiment were in the Alamo mission currently. Cuerpo Cristo was not the capital of New Spain either, but the city was only 143.5 miles South of Alamo approximate. However, in Mexico City, informants had also escaped and gotten word to Capello I. Now, a Spanish Legion, the Roman-style grouping for a large force was embarking upon the beaches of Cuerpo Cristo. The 212th Legion, composed of around 5,000 strong men was a very small Legion. Normally numbering in the 10,000 number mark and on, the 212th had been slimmed down for this instance. Another Legion, of around 10,000 had been coming after them, and was expected to arrive within a week.
The commander of the Legion and the large Spanish warships that came with it, that numbered around 8-9 was General Mario de Esposito, a half Italian-half Spanish man who was very loyal to the new Capellos. If he ever was able to sniff out Bucareli's treason, he would stab him from where he stood. Esposito was also a great General, and fantastic strategist. He was known as the "New World Man" for successful campaigns against Indian tribes in the areas of New Spain before the Capellos in the mid 1760's. Now, Esposito was returning to New Spain, to smother out the rebellion that occurred in Mexico City, and he was not happy to be doing the deed. He had no regard for human life, and would follow his orders to the letter. However, he saw this as a misuse of his valuable time. He much rather would have wanted to start working with the other Generals back in Madrid about the "Africa Question" in which Spain was planning getting land on Africa's Northwestern Coastline, instead of dealing with the Egyptians.
Now, Esposito sent a squadron of 25 men to the Alamo to try to catch the Viceroy, and whatever officers he had with him, to report either in Cuerpo Cristo or halfway between to coordinate with Esposito.

[Unicario]

August 1775

The Sultan of Egypt ordered expeditionaries to look into establishing settlements or military installations in Northwest and Western Africa. Primarily, Egypt made communications with the dominant powers in Mali to negotiate the establishment of trade compacts to ensure Egyptian hegemony over West Africa, pre-empting European colonization of the region. He knew that settlement into the arid desert was unlikely to take place at the present time, but Egypt's claim being ratified would do wonders to justify them taking any wayward European colonies trying to set up in the region, especially if the West African tribes backed Egypt.

[The Vaktovian Empire]

*

[Unicario]

August 1775

When news was relayed from West Africa to Egypt of the attempts by Spain to influence West African tribes to their favor, especially through religious conversion, Egypt's allied tribes began to raid the villages of the tribes "associating" with Spain with the goal of driving Christian influence out of West Africa. Egypt had suspected Spanish attempts to meddle after Spanish ships were sighted off of the coast of West Africa during the Expedition.

[Bojikami]

July 4th, 1776
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

It seems the tensions in the colonies have reached a breaking point. With recent rebellions growing ever the more organised and the publishing of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, delegates from the American colonies met together in Philadelphia and, after the rejection of the possible terms of peace to Britian, they soon wrote a Declaration of Independence.

IN CONGRESS, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness of his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these states

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

---

Signed,

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: George Read, Caesar Rodney, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

With this, the American Revolution had officially began. The congress voted to have George Washington head the continental army, and the letter was promptly sent to Britiain. Orders were delivered across the 13 Colonies to Americans to ready themselves, for war was coming.

[Unicario]

August 15, 1776

The sound of a piano echoed through the halls of the Imperial Palace. A few palace workers perked their ears up at the sweet melodies come from the Kaiserin's private study. While they enjoyed the consistent segues of piano music, there was a brief pause and some muttering in German before a young woman's voice began to float down the hallway, in English, accompanied with melancholy piano music. A few of the servants in the palace had studied English as children, and stopped working to listen.

"...All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it.
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them, you know, not me.
Father, stay stay stay, why must you go and
Make this decision alone?"

A few older souls in the palace remembered the old King, and how much he had loved his infant daughter, and how much the girl cried in her youth about her father, who would never come home. It was a depressing moment for the palace, as often, they occurred. Today, in fact, marked that anniversary. On August 15, 1761, King Frederick II was killed in battle.

"...From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go."

[United Marxist Nations]

Throughout July & August 1776, St. Petersburg

The Naval Minister and his staff had been, for the past two months, refining a plan for what was to be done with the newly acquired Crimean Peninsula. Their plans were to build a massive base in the harbor to contain the new ships of the Russian Navy. This base would be the largest of any harbor which Russia controlled. They had already approved one proposal for the new Sevastopol base; it would be a monumental effort, and the required resources and labor would not be gathered until the following year for work to begin.


Addis Abeba

With the ushering out of the Ottomans from North Africa, the Solomonids saw their chance. They could truly establish themselves as a power if they were willing to work out a mutual deal with the Egyptians. They were quite confident that the Egyptians would happily accept their offer -- after all, the Ottomans were the next possible offer. The offer was simple, allow the Coptic Papacy into Addis Abeba as a token of goodwill, and then agree to further negotiations in the coming months. It would take four weeks for the offer to reach the Egyptians down the River Nile, but the Emperor hoped they would take kindly to the suggestions.