Age of Imperialism: A Colonization RP (Reboot, OOC, Open)

[Bruke]

Would the British be open to trade with and investment in Ethiopia?

Yes.

Oh wonderful. As long as it's not subtle colonization, we're good.

I've been spending the whole last RP trying to get countries to build Ethiopia a railroad network.

Perhaps Britain would be interested, it could connect their East African colonies.

[Krugmar]

NS Name: Krugmar
Nation Name: Officially the Italian Federation, usually known as the North Italian Federation, North Italy, or just Italy. Sometimes called Padania, Lombardia, Langobardia or Alta Italia, usually in romanticist contexts
Capital City: Rotates every four years, currently Milan
Territory: The Federation and its territories - Constituent Republics
Government type (Republic, Monarchy etc): Parliamentary Republic
Head of State: Rotates between the Council of State members, currently President Arminio Casali of Rome
Head of Government: Prime Minister Agostino Depretis
Population: Federation: 20,831,700 | Territories: 6,953,000 | Protectorates: 5,845,000
Religion: The Federation is officially secular with freedom of religion, though Catholicism has a constitutional special status as the majority religion. Greek Orthodoxy is largely practised in the Ioanian Islands, while Islam is the dominant religion in Algeria-Tunisia, and largely in its West African territories along with folk religion and minorities of Catholics and Protestants. In the east Theravada Buddhism is the main religion, with Malay Islam, Christian converts, Chinese folk religion, and others as minorities.
Army: The Grand Army of the Federation (Grande Armata della Federazione) was formed from a merger of the Army of the Republic of Venice, the Italian Revolutionary Army, and the Italian Legion. The army is centralised, with the divisions between the various republic's armies being purely ceremonial. It numbers around 220,000, including reserves, and is mostly on par with the other European powers if not a tad weaker.
Navy: The Marina Militare is modest compared to other great nations, but a power in itself. It has two of the most advanced battleships currently in production, the Caio Duilio and the Enrico Dandolo, and has put a substantial part of its budget towards maintaining the naval arms race.
History (choose a point of origin to start from): ~1600s (roughly: Venice decline not as bad, Venice undergoes a revolution in the early 19th century, Risorgimento thinkers group in Venice, Risorgimento is largely republican in nature and by 1884 has been successful in Northern Italy)
Though Venice declined after the 16th and 17th centuries in which it eclipsed all other Mediterranean powers, it was not to fall. Trade with Egypt and the Byzantines kept it afloat, and though it lost many territories it managed to keep a hold on its Dalmatian possessions and with the acquisition of Ragusa even expand them. The turbulence of the late 18th and early 19th century saw Venice and many other Italian states collapse, with new states being formed and anarchy beginning a process known as the Risorgimento.

The Serene Republic reformed itself, revolutionaries declaring a republic, at first for Venetians but soon their cry came for Italy. Venice invaded Milan, and soon found itself at war with every Italian power in the north. Though initially outgunned, the raising of the Italian Revolutionary Army from militant republican volunteers and the return of Giuseppe Garibaldi from the New World with his Italian Legion allowed for victory in 1845. The conquered states were not outright annexed, being reorganised into sister republics, before officially unifying in 1847 as the Italian Federation. Garibaldi's failed expedition to the south in late 1847, in which he barely escaped with his life, coupled with threats from neighbouring states, prevented any invasion of the south.

Since 1853 the Federation has undergone a serious romanticisation of its Roman past, seen as the unifier behind the Italian people. In its quest to prove itself a power, and reclaim the glory of Rome, it first conquered North Africa in the 1860s, followed by several wars and subsequent treaties with the Kingdom of Siam in the 70s which has given it control over the region. Recently it has begun expanding into West Africa from its initial forts, some constructed and some purchased, though these endeavours gain relatively little of the overall budget.
Additional Info:

[Caltarania]

NS Name: Caltarania
Nation Name: Egyptian Empire (Egyptian: ⲕϩⲏⲙⲓ ⲏⲉⲓ, Khēmi Ēei)
Capital City: Memphis (Royal) and Alexandria (Religious)
Territory: Territory of the New Dynasty
Government type (Republic, Monarchy etc): Absolute monarchy operating under a diarchy
Head of State: Pharaohs Cleopatra XI and Shenouta III of the Senefer Dynasty
Head of Government: Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria Cyril V, Hand of the Pharaohs
Population: 15,091,000
Religion: The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria acts as the most prominent and sole official religious organisation. Members of the Coptic Catholic Church form the largest minority, alongside followers of Islam, Judaism and other Christian sects.
Army: 300,000 moderately well trained and equipped soldiers, half of which remain under the personal command of each Pharaoh, though the command often delegated to a subordinate.
Navy: A measly bunch of lower-ranking ships; largely riverboats designed to navigate the Nile, in addition to a few sloops to maintain control over the Mediterranean.
History (choose a point of origin to start from): The Seventh Crusade is somewhat successful; although Jerusalem is not captured by the Crusaders, Muslim rule over Egypt is ended. Louis IX of France persuades the Pope to crown him King of Egypt, although the title is disputed by many of the other Crusader states. Louis compromises with the native Copts and some holy orders, essentially allowing them to rule in his stead as he returned to France. Following Louis' death, his successors would also continue to be crowned Kings of Egypt, although French territorial control over the area would gradually diminish throughout the middle ages, as further Muslim incursions were fended off.

By 1562, Egypt had already been de facto independent of France for close to two hundred years; it was only now that they finally crowned their own monarch, however, taking advantage of the French Wars of Religion. Senefer, a Coptic noble of import, was crowned Pharaoh of Egypt by Pope Gabriel VII of Alexandria, and soon married one of the few remaining Greek-Egyptians, Cleopatra the Black. In old Egyptian tradition, the two were technically equal Pharaohs; in truth, this would not become the case until after Senefer's death.

The modern Pharaohs, Cleopatra XI and Shenouta III, are siblings of the Senefer Dynasty. Unlike according to ancient tradition, and thankfully in-line with Christian thought, they do not maintain an incestuous relationship, instead maintaining their own families and ruling jointly as Pharaoh. The two appointed Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria Cyril V to the position of Hand of the Pharaohs.
Additional Info: Nah

[Bruke]

WIP

NS Name: Caltarania
Nation Name: Egyptian Empire (Egyptian: ⲕϩⲏⲙⲓ ⲏⲉⲓ, Khēmi Ēei)
Capital City: Memphis (Royal) and Alexandria (Religious)
Territory: Territory of the New Dynasty
Government type (Republic, Monarchy etc):
Head of State: Pharaohs Cleopatra XI and Shenouda III of the Senefer Dynasty
Head of Government: Pope and Bishop of Alexandria Cyril V, Hand of the Pharaohs
Population: 15,091,000
Religion: The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria acts as the most prominent and sole official religious organisation. Members of the Coptic Catholic Church form the largest minority, alongside followers of Islam, Judaism and other Christian sects.
Army:
Navy:
History (choose a point of origin to start from): 1253: Seventh Crusade is marginally successful, (eventually) leading to an independent Coptic Christian state
Additional Info:

Oooooh an ally!

[Parcia]

NS Name: Parcia
IC Nation Name: República Federal de Cuba/Federal Republic of Cuba
Territory: The archipelago of Cuba

[Novas Arcanum]

Yes.

Oh wonderful. As long as it's not subtle colonization, we're good.

I've been spending the whole last RP trying to get countries to build Ethiopia a railroad network.

Perhaps Britain would be interested, it could connect their East African colonies.

Cool, we'll invest in that railroad network. Has long as Britain is given favorable trade rights over other European nations then we'll get along swimmingly.

[Bruke]

Oh wonderful. As long as it's not subtle colonization, we're good.

I've been spending the whole last RP trying to get countries to build Ethiopia a railroad network.

Perhaps Britain would be interested, it could connect their East African colonies.

Cool, we'll invest in that railroad network. Has long as Britain is given favorable trade rights over other European nations then we'll get along swimmingly.

sounds good to me.

[Novas Arcanum]

WIP

NS Name: Caltarania
Nation Name: Egyptian Empire (Egyptian: ⲕϩⲏⲙⲓ ⲏⲉⲓ, Khēmi Ēei)
Capital City: Memphis (Royal) and Alexandria (Religious)
Territory: Territory of the New Dynasty
Government type (Republic, Monarchy etc):
Head of State: Pharaohs Cleopatra XI and Shenouda III of the Senefer Dynasty
Head of Government: Pope and Bishop of Alexandria Cyril V, Hand of the Pharaohs
Population: 15,091,000
Religion: The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria acts as the most prominent and sole official religious organisation. Members of the Coptic Catholic Church form the largest minority, alongside followers of Islam, Judaism and other Christian sects.
Army:
Navy:
History (choose a point of origin to start from): 1253: Seventh Crusade is marginally successful, (eventually) leading to an independent Coptic Christian state
Additional Info:

Would you be willing to give Britain free access to the Suez Canal?

[Caltarania]

WIP

NS Name: Caltarania
Nation Name: Egyptian Empire (Egyptian: ⲕϩⲏⲙⲓ ⲏⲉⲓ, Khēmi Ēei)
Capital City: Memphis (Royal) and Alexandria (Religious)
Territory: Territory of the New Dynasty
Government type (Republic, Monarchy etc):
Head of State: Pharaohs Cleopatra XI and Shenouda III of the Senefer Dynasty
Head of Government: Pope and Bishop of Alexandria Cyril V, Hand of the Pharaohs
Population: 15,091,000
Religion: The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria acts as the most prominent and sole official religious organisation. Members of the Coptic Catholic Church form the largest minority, alongside followers of Islam, Judaism and other Christian sects.
Army:
Navy:
History (choose a point of origin to start from): 1253: Seventh Crusade is marginally successful, (eventually) leading to an independent Coptic Christian state
Additional Info:

Would you be willing to give Britain free access to the Suez Canal?

Wouldn't have been constructed as of yet ITTL.

[Bruke]

NS Name: Bruke
Nation Name: Ethiopian Empire
Capital City: Mek'ele
Territory:
Government type (Republic, Monarchy etc): Absolute monarchy
Head of State: Emperor Yohannes IV
Head of Government: Emperor Yohannes IV
Population: 3,750,000
Religion: Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Army: 100,000 (number taken from "Ethiopia and Somaliland 1700-1950" by Sanderson Beck)
Navy: n/a
History (choose a point of origin to start from): 1270 (history is identical to the historical Ethiopian Empire, except for the fact that the country has ties with the Egyptian Empire to the north, and the Muslim invasions from Egypt do not occur after the founding of the Egyptian Empire.)

In 1270, Yekuno Amlak defeated the last Emperor of the Zagwe dynasty and founded his own dynasty, the Solomonic Dynasty. His descendants, claiming descent from the kings of Axum, and from Menelik the 1st (son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba), have ruled Ethiopia with absolute control ever since.

The first contacts with Europe were made in 1529, when the Emperor Lebna Dengel appealed to the Portuguese for help against the invading Adal Sultanate. Help was given, and Catholicism was introduced to Ethiopia. Although the Catholic faith was eventually suppressed, Western firearms were most appreciated, and with this Ethiopia and its ally Portugal were able to drive away the invading forces. Also in the 1500s, Ethiopia, or rather its Church, made contact with Protestants in Europe. In 1534, none other than Martin Luther himself declared that the Lutheran churches were in full communion with the Orthodox Church after a visit by an Ethiopian priest, Michael the Deacon.

This fascination with Ethiopia by medieval Europe, would fade over the next two centuries, however, and as European powers build their colonial empires, Ethiopia descended into chaos. The Zemene Mesafint ("Era of Princes"), starting in the year 1769, left Ethiopia divided and weak, as the Emperors became little more than figureheads and the country's wealth and prestige declined.

When Tewodros II took the throne in 1855, he brought the Era of Princes to an end by re-unifiying the traditional lands of the Empire. His drive to modernize the country and re-connect it with Europe would be his downfall however. During his reign, Ethiopia reached out to Britain, then and now ruled by Queen Victoria, for assistance. Being spurned by the British enraged Tewodros, who took British residents of Ethiopia hostage, leading to the British Expedition to Abyssinia. The Emperor made his last stand at the fortress of Magdala in 1868, being defeated in a British attack, which freed the prisoners and left Tewodros dead at his own hands. The British looted the area surrounding
the fort, taking precious religious artifacts.

30 years after this defeat, Ethiopia, under the Emperor Yohannes IV, seeks to complete the process of re-unification, gain full control over its territories, and modernize with the help of friendly countries.

https://divinity.uchicago.edu/sightings/martin-luther-and-ethiopian-christianity-historical-traces
http://www.san.beck.org/16-11-Ethiopia,Somaliland.html#a1
Wikipedia articles

Additional Info:

[Novas Arcanum]

Would you be willing to give Britain free access to the Suez Canal?

Wouldn't have been constructed as of yet ITTL.

Yes here's a deal, the British will construct the Suez Canal and in exchange, the British get free access to it.

We have no interest in colonizing Eygpt, only interest in that strategic point, for trade and a speedier route to India.

[Parcia]

NS Name: Parcia
Nation Name: República Federal de Cuba
Capital City: Havana
Territory: https://imgur.com/bCWxZqH
Government type: Revolutionary Federal Republic, with a Constitution to come soon.
Head of State: El Presidente Fredrico Carlo
Head of Government: El Presidente Fredrico Carlo / Vice president Ramond Maestre.
Population: 1,570,004
Religion: Catholicism with small remnants of native religion.
Army: 10,000 standing troops, mostly deployed across the island in smaller units. (Load out and uniform to come soon.)
Your standard Cuban Heavy Infantry largely resembles the Union civil war regular, armed with After market Martini-Henry rifles, and recently acquired Single action Army revolvers being common along the troops. The single difference is the dying of the Old union Blues Green to help them to better blend in with the mostly Green island landscape around them. Small number of older troops still carry their Springfield Model 1861s and Lee navy revolvers. Nearly 3,000 of these troops act as the standing army and can be seen actively guarding military posts, forts, and harbors.

Light infantry resemble frontier troops, with out a standard uniform, and lacking Large scale cohesion and organization. Armed mostly with Winchester style lever action rifles, the Model 1876 in 45-75 express cartridge. Most of these serve in the role of reservists and rear guard troops, as well as Forest rangers and mountaineers. 10,000 or so are officially recorded.

Navy: 5,700 total Sailors (1000 of which are trained as boarding troops and marines) Fitting 6 armored, screwed gunboats.
These boats are all Gaft rigged cutters, modified to fit a single, low powered screw meant for slow going, port and river travel. Each ship fits a modifed French Made 95mm breech loading gun.

History: 1882 - A revolution, driven bynoted anti-Imperial revolutionary Armado Castro, over throws the Spanish Government and kicks off a 2 year long war between Cuban natives (Spanish and Actual natives) and Imperial Spanish troops. Noted during this time is the rather large contribution by EX-US civil war Veterans, mostly Irish Catholics* and freed Slaves. (Primarily surviving members of the "Fighting 69th" as well as freedmen from the 1st Arkansas, as well as smaller units formed from regiments of the "Iron Brigade", mostly of the 19th Indiana Regiment)

These Veteran Troops formed the core of the "Federal Army" and were used as heavy infantry to directly counter Colonial Spanish troops and subsequent reinforcements. Serving along side them was between 5-7,000 Cuban light riflemen (mostly armed with Winchester rifles) that fought in the heavily forested areas of the island and combated Loyalist Native tribes.

As of the current date (1884, no?) the Majority of the Imperial Spanish Forces have been destroyed or routed off the island and back across the Atlantic, and now the country looks to steel it self with better arms and aid from Neighboring countries.
Additional Info:
*(Primarily surviving members of the "Fighting 69th" as well as freedmen from the 1st Arkansas, as well as smaller units formed from regiments of the "Iron Brigade", mostly of the 19th Indiana Regiment)

[Caltarania]

Wouldn't have been constructed as of yet ITTL.

Yes here's a deal, the British will construct the Suez Canal and in exchange, the British get free access to it.

We have no interest in colonizing Eygpt, only interest in that strategic point, for trade and a speedier route to India.

No.

[Novas Arcanum]

Yes here's a deal, the British will construct the Suez Canal and in exchange, the British get free access to it.

We have no interest in colonizing Eygpt, only interest in that strategic point, for trade and a speedier route to India.

No.

Oh dear, anything to change your mind ole chap?

[Bruke]

WIP

NS Name: Caltarania
Nation Name: Egyptian Empire (Egyptian: ⲕϩⲏⲙⲓ ⲏⲉⲓ, Khēmi Ēei)
Capital City: Memphis (Royal) and Alexandria (Religious)
Territory: Territory of the New Dynasty
Government type (Republic, Monarchy etc):
Head of State: Pharaohs Cleopatra XI and Shenouda III of the Senefer Dynasty
Head of Government: Pope and Bishop of Alexandria Cyril V, Hand of the Pharaohs
Population: 15,091,000
Religion: The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria acts as the most prominent and sole official religious organisation. Members of the Coptic Catholic Church form the largest minority, alongside followers of Islam, Judaism and other Christian sects.
Army:
Navy:
History (choose a point of origin to start from): 1253: Seventh Crusade is marginally successful, (eventually) leading to an independent Coptic Christian state
Additional Info:

would the Egyptians be interested in an alliance with the Ethiopians? We share a common Oriental Orthodox faith, and the Coptic and Tehwado Churches have had ties for centuries.

[Caltarania]

No.

Oh dear, anything to change your mind ole chap?

You can invest in a canal project that will be wholly-owned by the Two Pharaohs, and so long as no transgressions are performed towards Egypt or her people - and provided a toll is paid - navigation for British ships will be assured.

WIP

NS Name: Caltarania
Nation Name: Egyptian Empire (Egyptian: ⲕϩⲏⲙⲓ ⲏⲉⲓ, Khēmi Ēei)
Capital City: Memphis (Royal) and Alexandria (Religious)
Territory: Territory of the New Dynasty
Government type (Republic, Monarchy etc):
Head of State: Pharaohs Cleopatra XI and Shenouda III of the Senefer Dynasty
Head of Government: Pope and Bishop of Alexandria Cyril V, Hand of the Pharaohs
Population: 15,091,000
Religion: The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria acts as the most prominent and sole official religious organisation. Members of the Coptic Catholic Church form the largest minority, alongside followers of Islam, Judaism and other Christian sects.
Army:
Navy:
History (choose a point of origin to start from): 1253: Seventh Crusade is marginally successful, (eventually) leading to an independent Coptic Christian state
Additional Info:

would the Egyptians be interested in an alliance with the Ethiopians? We share a common Oriental Orthodox faith, and the Coptic and Tehwado Churches have had ties for centuries.

The Emperor's ties to Perfidious Albion complicates such a proposal.

[Bruke]

Oh dear, anything to change your mind ole chap?

You can invest in a canal project that will be wholly-owned by the Two Pharaohs, and so long as no transgressions are performed towards Egypt or her people - and provided a toll is paid - navigation for British ships will be assured.

would the Egyptians be interested in an alliance with the Ethiopians? We share a common Oriental Orthodox faith, and the Coptic and Tehwado Churches have had ties for centuries.

The Emperor's ties to Perfidious Albion complicates such a proposal.

True... but.... who else would be a natural ally. We're the only two Oriental Orthodox countries in africa, we ought to stick together.

[Novas Arcanum]

You can invest in a canal project that will be wholly-owned by the Two Pharaohs, and so long as no transgressions are performed towards Egypt or her people - and provided a toll is paid - navigation for British ships will be assured.

I'm afraid not the Suez is of too much strategic importance.

[Caltarania]

You can invest in a canal project that will be wholly-owned by the Two Pharaohs, and so long as no transgressions are performed towards Egypt or her people - and provided a toll is paid - navigation for British ships will be assured.



The Emperor's ties to Perfidious Albion complicates such a proposal.

True... but.... who else would be a natural ally. We're the only two Oriental Orthodox countries in africa, we ought to stick together.

The Pharaohs would be willing to reconsider if prior agreements with Britain were to be terminated.

You can invest in a canal project that will be wholly-owned by the Two Pharaohs, and so long as no transgressions are performed towards Egypt or her people - and provided a toll is paid - navigation for British ships will be assured.

I'm afraid not the Suez is of too much strategic importance.

As such the Empire remains intent on maintaining it.

[Bruke]

You can invest in a canal project that will be wholly-owned by the Two Pharaohs, and so long as no transgressions are performed towards Egypt or her people - and provided a toll is paid - navigation for British ships will be assured.

I'm afraid not the Suez is of too much strategic importance.

you two could always split the difference, and give each country a 50% stake in the canal

[Caltarania]

I'm afraid not the Suez is of too much strategic importance.

you two could always split the difference, and give each country a 50% stake in the canal

If the Pharaohs were to suggest, or rather to mirror the situation more completely demand, 50% Egyptian ownership of the Thames bank, there would be popular outrage in Westminster.

[Bruke]

True... but.... who else would be a natural ally. We're the only two Oriental Orthodox countries in africa, we ought to stick together.

The Pharaohs would be willing to reconsider if prior agreements with Britain were to be terminated.

I'm afraid not the Suez is of too much strategic importance.

As such the Empire remains intent on maintaining it.

technically there are no agreements, no post in the IC has been made. It's all speculative at this point.

[Novas Arcanum]

you two could always split the difference, and give each country a 50% stake in the canal

If the Pharaohs were to suggest, or rather to mirror the situation more completely demand, 50% Egyptian ownership of the Thames bank, there would be popular outrage in Westminster.

The British Empire is always open to diplomacy but as Her Majesty would state "A compromise must be founded".

[Absolon-7]

Hey Bruke, could I ask you to find an alternative map of Ethiopia cause I can't make heads or tails of where your nation's borders are. Also I'm not sure if both you and Egypt have claims on Eritrea.

[Novas Arcanum]

Or has John Antony stated, "Send a gunboat!" as we've done plenty of times before.