1906: Alternative Divergence [AH][OOC-DEAD]

[Tracian Empire]

The ERE would like to enter the "keep France away from attacking random islands in the Mediterranean"

Also, in terms of nomenclature, the proper short name for the ERE would be Romania, but I feel weird using it, for obvious reasons

I would be surprised if Spain, Zentraleuropa, and the WRE didn’t have some sort of loose association aimed at containing France. But I’d also be surprised if Brittany were a member - since it’s still conceivable that France might beat all three, which would definitely be the end of Brittany. Better for a small country to play it safe and try to play both sides off against each other.

Well, depending on whether Kai keeps the WRE's army as it was in the previous iterations, the ERE might have to actively keep forces in the West, which would make things more complicated.

The one thing that I do know is that the Italian Alps have traditionally been very well fortified, so I doubt that the French could quickly push through them.

[Finland SSR]

I would like to officially found the "screw France" alliance. Who's in?

The ERE would like to enter the "keep France away from attacking random islands in the Mediterranean"

Also, in terms of nomenclature, the proper short name for the ERE would be Romania, but I feel weird using it, for obvious reasons

I've seen people use Rhomania to avoid confusion with the other Romania (which I guess is still Rumania, if it's even a thing in this timeline).

[Tracian Empire]

The ERE would like to enter the "keep France away from attacking random islands in the Mediterranean"

Also, in terms of nomenclature, the proper short name for the ERE would be Romania, but I feel weird using it, for obvious reasons

I've seen people use Rhomania to avoid confusion with the other Romania (which I guess is still Rumania, if it's even a thing in this timeline).

I doubt that it would be a thing, with the Avars around. Although it depends. The Romanians in Transylvania did survive more than 1000 years of Hungarian occupation, so it depends on the Avar player.

But yeah actually, Rhomania would be a great idea! I don't know how I didn't think about that, thanks xD

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Case in which Brittany could potentially have alliances with most of France's neighbors, ensuring that any Breton-French War could have bigger repercussions for France

I would like to officially found the "screw France" alliance. Who's in?

Ugh, the choices.

How can I be in both the "screw Rome" Alliance and the "screw France" Alliance?

[Finland SSR]

I would like to officially found the "screw France" alliance. Who's in?

Ugh, the choices.

How can I be in both the "screw Rome" Alliance and the "screw France" Alliance?

Join the screw France alliance. You can screw Rome any day of the week, France is a screwing which needs teamwork.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Ugh, the choices.

How can I be in both the "screw Rome" Alliance and the "screw France" Alliance?

Join the screw France alliance. You can screw Rome any day of the week, France is a screwing which needs teamwork.

Have you seen the German Army(s)?

I can't screw Rome no more!

[Kazarogkai]

Reservation

Nation Name: Free Commonwealth of Greater Guyana
Territory: British Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana, Brazilian Amapá, Eastern Venezuala
#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)
*Note: Reservations will last for 72 hours. The OP board reserves the right to be subjective in regards to accepting reservations.

Haven't been in an RP in a while. It would be nice to get the old noggin working again. Love these types of things so it's especially cool.

I'm still trying to realize what is happening in South America, but I am fairly certain that at least one of the Guyanas and Suriname are reserved, and we seem to have a WIP app that takes over Venezuela I'm afraid.

Wah, I was trying to set up a continental Haiti in this world. Massive slave revolt starting in one of the lesser Antilles in part led by an old African-Indian Maroon from Dutch Guyana who departs with a hundred or so when the thing comes crashing down. He then proceeds to infiltrate and bypass the costal regions makes his way onto the interior and leads his Maroon bretherin to begin a war with the white colonialist and along the way incites the slaves to rebel and fight alongside him.

The guy in question who I named Solomon was sorta meant as a weird cross between John Brown(came off like a prophet), Sequoyah(served as a teacher and a chronicaller of the maroons culture), and finally José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia(was a bit of a totalitarian dictator).

Maybe I could negotiate with the guys in question, I'm willing to drop eastern Valenzuela since I only wanted it to have access to the Antilles which are already claimed. The Guyanas aren't exactly prime real estate, they might be willing to acquiescence.

[Kazarogkai]

I'm still trying to realize what is happening in South America, but I am fairly certain that at least one of the Guyanas and Suriname are reserved, and we seem to have a WIP app that takes over Venezuela I'm afraid.

I looked around the recent reservation list and it appears only one of the Guyana is taken, specifically Suriname, and finally Brazil is largely untouched which is nice. So actually the only guy I got to talk to is Tyrrhenis over the aforementioned Suriname and Ill be good. Yay!

[Kamchakta]

The ERE would like to enter the "keep France away from attacking random islands in the Mediterranean"

Also, in terms of nomenclature, the proper short name for the ERE would be Romania, but I feel weird using it, for obvious reasons

I would be surprised if Spain, Zentraleuropa, and the WRE didn’t have some sort of loose association aimed at containing France. But I’d also be surprised if Brittany were a member - since it’s still conceivable that France might beat all three, which would definitely be the end of Brittany. Better for a small country to play it safe and try to play both sides off against each other.

Don't forget me ^_^ Portugal

[Reverend Norv]

I would be surprised if Spain, Zentraleuropa, and the WRE didn’t have some sort of loose association aimed at containing France. But I’d also be surprised if Brittany were a member - since it’s still conceivable that France might beat all three, which would definitely be the end of Brittany. Better for a small country to play it safe and try to play both sides off against each other.

Don't forget me ^_^ Portugal

Portugal isn’t as immediately threatened by France as the countries that border it, so it would have more discretion about whether or not to join such an alliance. It might very well choose to do so anyway, though, considering how a Reformed republic might ideologically threaten any Chalcedonian monarchy.

France’s only real potential allies are likely to lie outside of Europe proper: Ethiopia, the Rus, the New World republics, maybe East Asia. But it’s probably alone in Western Europe against all the surrounding monarchies, which helps to explain its world-benchmark army: it wouldn’t survive otherwise.

[Pasong Tirad]

Feels nice to be non-Chalcedonian. A lot of the divergent history can be waved off as having little effect on your people.

I see opportunities for strategic cooperation between France and Ethiopia. Ethiopia can threaten the ERE's exposed southern flank in a way that France cannot. Meanwhile, if Breton colonialists cause any problems, France can likely roll over their homeland in a month. Ethiopia also needs military modernization, and France probably has the most modern army in the world; meanwhile, France needs export markets for its manufactured goods, since a lot of Europe is presumably very cautious about trading with the Commonwealth, and Ethiopia has millions of people ready to buy sewing machines and cast-iron kitchen stoves and whatnot.

A very interesting proposal indeed, seeing as how Ethiopia has claims in currently Breton-held East Africa. I suppose my people could use several million more pots and pans.

Alright. I'll make necessary edits. Ethiopia losing a war with the ERE sounds fine.

Not that it has to lose the war, it's just that in the previous iteration, I had no plan to take any territory from you.

So we could make it so that the ERE requested or took over that territory while during the war, which would create some tensions that we can play with

Made some edits. What I currently have put down is that the emperor was losing and desperate, and pleaded with the Romans for military support in exchange for expanding the empire and several imperial marriages.

[The Felan Federation]

My application is ready and finished.

[The Felan Federation]

Full Nation Name : Swedish Kingdom
Majority/Official Culture : Swedish
Territorial Core : Sweden, Norway, Denmark; Ghana-Togo/Gustavia, Venezuela/New Sweden(colonies).
Territorial Claim : Finland
Capital City : Stockholm
Population : ~12 million (core), ~4 million (colonies)

Government Type : Semi-Constitutional Monarchy
Government Ideology/Policies : Protectionist, Conservative
Government Focus : The policy of the Swedish Empire is to expand both the possibility of trade and potential markets.
Head of State : King Adolph V, House Vasa



Head of Government : Speaker Albert Martinson



Government Description :The Riksdag is the national legislature and the decision-making body of the Swedish Empire - divided between two chambers, the House of Nobility and the House of Commons. The House of Nobility is in charge of scrutinizing the bills that have been approved by the House of Commons - while also regulating and amending Bills written by the House of Commons. It also acts as an advisory body to the Emperor, whom has the power to appoint members into the House of Nobility and the power to veto the House of Commons and also dismiss the House of Commons into a new election. The House of Commons is in charge of the day-to-day acts of the Empire.

The House of Commons itself has several political committees that handle to aspects of the Empire, key of them being - the Committee of Trade and Finance, the Committee of War, the Committee of Civil Affairs, the Committee of Foreign Affairs, the Committee of Colonial Affairs and so on.

Majority/State Religion : Catholicism (Franciscan/Capuchin)
Religious Description : Catholicism is the main religion of the Empire, although one heavily influenced and dominated by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin sect. Most lands operated by the Church are owned by the state, as are the responsibilities for maintaining and repairing them - while the appointment of the various bishops and archbishops are under the authority of the Vatican. Most priests are provided an 'official' state alms to help maintain their congregation and provide support for the community and themselves.

Economic Ideologies : Swedish Mercantilism.
Major Production : Iron ore, steel, agriculture, manufactured goods (core); colonies: oil, mining(phosphate, gold, diamond, aluminum), agriculture(cocoa, coffee, tobacco, sugar, rubber).
Economic Description : Sweden has maintained the old theory of mercantilism, although adapted over the years to add a few characteristics and ideas to it - culminating in the idea of Swedish Mercantilism/New Mercantilism or Neo-Mercantilism. As the Swedish Empire couldn't compete either in manpower or resources - it has been advocated, that Sweden strengthens it's own position on the home-front and in the colonies, trading only in goods and services that it is dominant in. This has resulted in a mixed system of free market, protectionist tariffs and government investment/intervention in certain areas of the economy. While it doesn't maintain the high tariffs on the olden mercantilist ideals - it does make sure, that they are enough to ensure domestic dominance at home and in the colonies.

Development: Modern(core); semi-primitive/semi-industrial(colonies)
Development Description : While not an industrial giant like the American Empire, the Romans or the French - the Swedish Kingdom has kept up domestic progress ever since the reforms started by Gustavus Adolphus the Great. The Swedish Mercantilism has especially emphasized making use of every meter of Swedish soil in agriculture or manufacturing - leaving Sweden with a decent level of industrial strength able to match other growing industrial powers.

The Swedish Colonial System is unique - in the regard, that while the Empire maintains lucrative trade-agreements with the local natives - it has also built numerous centers of learning, built roads and also brought over machinery to aid in developing their colonial holdings. The idea a mixture of 'White Man' Burden' and a sense of a happy and educated local being a loyal and productive one at that.

Army Description : The Royal Army maintains a strong presence - as the main defenders of the Empire, thus they have been always granted the expenses necessary to keep-up and match the other European powers. A strong officers corps mixed in with numerous lessons learned from studying the French tactics and formations. The Empire' strategy is of 'superior firepower' - meant to emphasize both quality and a defensive nature; while providing the individual soldier the best equipment available, as well as ensuring regiments have both artillery, medical, recon and engineer support built into them itself. The Royal Army has around 80,000 active members with around 300,000 people ready in reserve. While in case of total war, they are prepared to enact mandatory conscription across the Empire.
Army Weakness : Despite being well-funded and crewed by both competent officers and eager volunteers - they lack experience and have mostly engaged in border conflicts and policing actions in the colonies.

Naval Description : Similar to the Royal Army, the Royal Navy has for awhile worried and trained against a naval invasion of Sweden and thus have been trained around a more defensive nature - emphasizing both coastal artillery support and also mining potential routes into the homeland. While also making sure to protect maritime trade with the homeland and the colonies. This combined has meant the Royal Navy operates two battleships, four light cruisers, twenty destroyers half of them operating as minelayers.
Naval Weakness : Similar to the Royal Army, the naval force has mostly engaged in patrolling their own trade routes and running naval exercises in the Baltic Sea - although beyond that they don't have many Admirals or officers much experienced in any combat in Atlantic Theater.
Further Military Description : The Royal Navy has started experimenting with the idea of submarines - in an effort to gain some sort of advantage of their Rus and French rivals.

National Goals : Maintain the status quo, continue developing colonial holdings, increase exports.
National Issues : Increase population, increase domestic production.
National Figures of Interest : Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, Gustav I of Sweden.
National Ambition/Aspirations : Have Sweden return to a position as Great Power in Europe and the Baltic Sea.

History : Gustav's election as King on 6 June 1523 and his triumphant entry into Stockholm eleven days later marked Sweden's final secession from the Kalmar Union and the start of the Kingdom of Sweden - being responsible for starting many of the early reformations and the head of House Vasa that turned Sweden from an elective monarchy into a hereditary one. Reworking the taxes and bring about a reformation in Sweden, replacing the prerogatives of local landowners and noblemen with centrally appointed governors. One of the biggest issue that arose was the Catholic Church' position in Sweden - as the King had issues with the impractical organisation, perceived stagnation within the Church, a will toward independence from Rome, the financial needs of the state, as well as new ideas. As well as the King' personal grudge against the previous Archbishop, Gustav Trolle, who at the time held the post of a sort of chancellor and had been considered aiding Denmark against Sweden.

While numerous letters were exchanged between the Vatican and Stockholm - growing more heated, the Reformation was stopped before it was begun in Sweden. As the then Pope agreed to certain positions, in fear of having a secondary Protestant nation forming in the North and providing the French an ally against Catholic supremacy. Concessions were made an in the end, Sweden remained a Catholic state under the Stockholm Agreements: the Vatican was allowed to maintain the self-appointment of archbishops although most of them would hail from the Franciscan or Capuchin sect, most of the Church lands were 'turned over' to the control of the Crown, the Crown would maintain and provide state alms to the Church officials and be in-charge of maintaining Church property.

Following these events - the Kingdom of Sweden would focus on building itself up as a regional power in the Baltic Sea. It would be during the reign of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden that Sweden would become a regional power. During his reign, Sweden rose from the status of a Baltic Sea basin regional power to one of the great powers of Europe and a model of early modern era government, easily matching the Protestant French. Under his tutelage, Sweden and the Catholic cause developed a number of excellent commanders, called "The Golden King" and "The Lion of the North", he made Sweden one of the great powers of Europe, in part by reforming the administrative structure. In addition to his numerous other achievements in the field of economic reform, trade, modernization, and the creation of the modern bureaucratic autocracy. His domestic reforms, which transformed a backward, almost medieval economy and society, setting the foundations for his victories in Norway, but also absolutely crucial for the creation and survival of the Kingdom of Sweden.

Sweden would expand it's territory by annexing Norway from Denmark and putting an end to the Kalmar Union - conquer Denmark completely, following the latter' humiliating defeat against the French and through some bribery and promises completely turned the tables on Danish dominance in the Baltic Sea. Queen Christina would aid the Germans and the Catholic cause against the Protestants - ensuring that the French wouldn't be able to expand and completely conquer the Central Empire although, following the few victories they would eventually loose Finland to the Rus - a territory that has been the cause of numerous border conflicts and several failed attempts at reconquest.

Following the rule of Queen Christina in the 17th Century and the victory of stopping the French Protestant Wars in Germany, the Sweden Army attempted to try this with the Rus Commonwealth as well - initiating several border conflicts in an attempt to justify a war against them. While Sweden had expected victory over the 'barbarian horde' - granted the Swedish Army had been exhausted and the coffers dry after the campaigns in Germany and with the much larger manpower and with most of Swedens best leaders retired, the Rus Commonwealth was able to completely push the Kingdom back, occupying several towns and cities in Finland, before the Peace of Helsinki was forced to be signed. A national humiliation that would foster a sense of bitterness within the Queen, and one she would pass onto her own son and his heirs. Sweden would attempt to reassert it's authority in the Baltic Sea during the 18th Century - when during the division of the Rus Commonwealth, Sweden would attempt to muster another invasion to re-take Finland and regain their glory. However this would put them into conflict with the Polish-Lithuanian union - due to the tense situation in the Baltic between the three powers at the time, as many had remembered the times when Sweden lost control of the Baltic region to the PLC.

A short diplomatic skirmish would result in war between the two Kingdoms when Sweden attempted to 'restore sovereignty' over Dagö and Ösel - both to increase Swedish dominance over the Baltic yet also serve as a potential launch for future skirmishes into Estonia. Although what had been assumed as a quick victory turned into a rout - as the Battle of the Baltic Sea had ended with in stalemate, with Swedish soldiers upon the islands, while the Polish-Lithuanians had occupied Gotland in return. Sweden dominating the sea later in the war, while the Polish had the military advantage. Although Sweden would break first, as the state was on the verge of bankruptcy through years of incompetent absolutist rule and corruption. Thus what followed was the Treaty of Reval - where Sweden was forced to return the islands it took in the war, including the island of Gotland - which was to act as a trip-wire in case of any future wars with the Polish-Lithuanian union. Although Sweden was spared the cost of being war reparations in return.

Following these events, the Kingdom eventually turned inward, both to prevent the collapse of the state and also economic exhaustion - as following the disaster that was the Baltic War - the reigning King was forced to relinquish authority in the newly drafted Constitution of 1720 - that would turn the Kingdom of Sweden more into a parlamentarian monarchy, putting an end to the Absolutist rule in Sweden and giving the rise to the Age of Liberty. This would eventually develop into the Swedish Neutrality - as the Empire focused more on internal than foreign matters, many times refusing to engage into combat with the French - a situation that saved them from complete destruction and ensured their economy could take advantage of the numerous reconstructions and arms exports necessary to combat the French Commonwealth. Following the failure of Europe against Guerrin - these ideals were cemented and Sweden maintained this policy for the next upcoming years.

The Kingdom would end up purchasing Venezuela from the Spanish, when the Spanish Crown started infighting between those in America and those in Europe - and renaming it to New Sweden, granted conflicts with Guyana would be a major thorn for their development. Ensuring the Swedes had also a slice of pie in the New World, despite the troubles in addition to their newly-founded colony of Gustavia, in light of the Scramble for Africa that had begun at around ten years before the turn of the 20th Century. For most of their history, the Swedes has maintained their policy of armed neutrality - remaining favorable to the Catholic cause, although decades of French supremacy, Rus determination and Polish cunning having demonstrated the need to avoid stepping into any unnecessary conflict with the French or any other European powers. Still this has been tempered by the noted pragmatism - that the Swedish wouldn't mind an alliance against any side if victory or great prizes are ensured - as many still yearn for the return of the times of Gustav the Great when Sweden dominated the Baltic Sea and was considered a Great Power alongside Rome and the French Commonwealth.

RP Sample: https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=461342

#AltDiv (do not delete this, it's for keeping track of the apps)

[Theyra]

I find now that I do not have the time to do the rp so I withdraw my reservation.

[Krugmar]

Not fantastic but it's done

@Norv: I hope Guerin taking Brittany in 1801 is alright with you. Whether he actually annexed it, set up a sister-republic or just occupied I leave up to you since I don't mind any.

[Reverend Norv]

Not fantastic but it's done

@Norv: I hope Guerin taking Brittany in 1801 is alright with you. Whether he actually annexed it, set up a sister-republic or just occupied I leave up to you since I don't mind any.

No problem with me - it would be weird if he didn’t. He probably just occupied it, since Guerin’s conquering spree only lasted about 4-5 years. Great job on the app, by the way - I enjoy the funky Breton spellings.

[Reverend Norv]

A bit of fun worldbuilding: since the Guerin era, the battlecry of French troops has been a distinctive rhythmic, disciplined chant, used originally to keep marching cadence under fire: "Soit! Fait! Sa vo-lon-TÉ!", with a sort of BUM! BUM! Ba-dum-dum BUM! rhythm. The image of French troops chanting "His Will Be Done" as they advance would be viscerally recognizable for most of Europe.

[Tyrrhenis]

Hello, i want to apologize but I have to rescind my reservation that I had made. I simply overextended myself with my other obligations to other rp's and fanfiction stories not to mention real life taking precendence as I am in the middle of those when just starting out here. Again sorry for the trouble, but I aim to keep watching I have seen a few incarnations of this on the site and it always struck me as an interesting and fun roleplay. Thanks again for your time.

[Reverend Norv]

Hello, i want to apologize but I have to rescind my reservation that I had made. I simply overextended myself with my other obligations to other rp's and fanfiction stories not to mention real life taking precendence as I am in the middle of those when just starting out here. Again sorry for the trouble, but I aim to keep watching I have seen a few incarnations of this on the site and it always struck me as an interesting and fun roleplay. Thanks again for your time.

I'm still trying to realize what is happening in South America, but I am fairly certain that at least one of the Guyanas and Suriname are reserved, and we seem to have a WIP app that takes over Venezuela I'm afraid.

I looked around the recent reservation list and it appears only one of the Guyana is taken, specifically Suriname, and finally Brazil is largely untouched which is nice. So actually the only guy I got to talk to is Tyrrhenis over the aforementioned Suriname and Ill be good. Yay!

Looks like you're on, then.

[Jade Confederacy]

Been looking over the naval descriptions of most of the apps and I think it would a good idea have everyone's naval strengths be in line with each others. Most of everyone is keeping it reasonable with only a few battleships. I think a hard cap on the number of vessels should be at 30 as the British navy had 38 prior to the construction of the dreadnaught and since no one has that kind of globe-spanning empire no should that kind of navy either. Large nations with a strong naval focus should have between 10-16 battleships while smaller nations have under 10.

[Pasong Tirad]

Been looking over the naval descriptions of most of the apps and I think it would a good idea have everyone's naval strengths be in line with each others. Most of everyone is keeping it reasonable with only a few battleships. I think a hard cap on the number of vessels should be at 30 as the British navy had 38 prior to the construction of the dreadnaught and since no one has that kind of globe-spanning empire no should that kind of navy either. Large nations with a strong naval focus should have between 10-16 battleships while smaller nations have under 10.

Zero is also a possible answer.

[Jade Confederacy]

Zero is also a possible answer.

Battleships are quite vital to a nation's security. They are like the nukes of the 19th century with few weapons capable of bringing them down. In theory, they can sweep the oceans of all other surface combatants and so threaten the shipping lanes with impunity. Even one can be a great deterrent against aggression from overseas powers. Plus not having even one makes your nation look weak and is bad for national prestige so i think most will try to have some.

[Reverend Norv]

Zero is also a possible answer.

Battleships are quite vital to a nation's security. They are like the nukes of the 19th century with few weapons capable of bringing them down. In theory, they can sweep the oceans of all other surface combatants and so threaten the shipping lanes with impunity. Even one can be a great deterrent against aggression from overseas powers. Plus not having even one makes your nation look weak and is bad for national prestige so i think most will try to have some.

I mean, yes, but if you're Ethiopia there's only so much you can afford.

In general, I think the French Navy is good as it stands. It's powerful enough to take on any single Mediterranean navy on equal or superior terms, but not strong enough to stand up to all of them, which is enough to ensure that France remains primarily a land power.

[Elerian]

Battleships are quite vital to a nation's security. They are like the nukes of the 19th century with few weapons capable of bringing them down. In theory, they can sweep the oceans of all other surface combatants and so threaten the shipping lanes with impunity. Even one can be a great deterrent against aggression from overseas powers. Plus not having even one makes your nation look weak and is bad for national prestige so i think most will try to have some.

I mean, yes, but if you're Ethiopia there's only so much you can afford.

In general, I think the French Navy is good as it stands. It's powerful enough to take on any single Mediterranean navy on equal or superior terms, but not strong enough to stand up to all of them, which is enough to ensure that France remains primarily a land power.

If we don't get a French-Zentraleuropean naval race during this rp, I'll be very disappointed.

[Pasong Tirad]

Zero is also a possible answer.

Battleships are quite vital to a nation's security. They are like the nukes of the 19th century with few weapons capable of bringing them down. In theory, they can sweep the oceans of all other surface combatants and so threaten the shipping lanes with impunity. Even one can be a great deterrent against aggression from overseas powers. Plus not having even one makes your nation look weak and is bad for national prestige so i think most will try to have some.

Of course, but in my own country's history the acquisition of coastline was only recent. In real life, Ethiopia took ten years from its federation with Eritrea (thus removing Ethiopia's status as landlocked) before they were able to get one ship. Plans are underway in my own little world for the creation of a navy, there's no doubt about that as the biggest fear of Ethiopia is foreign invasion, but it's going to take a lot of time and a lot of money and, possibly, foreign aid before the Imperial Navy can actually set sail, as Norv has pointed out.