The Dark Century (TWI ONLY)

[Athara Magarat]

Hello TWI!

So you might have heard of the Argean Seas Treaty in the past. It was first OOCly created by Dormill and Stiura as an idea where the great powers aka empires of TWI set their own spheres of influence. And promised they would not interfere in each other's spheres. DS is no longer here with us in TWI but the Argean Seas Treaty is an idea worth reviving.

The Argean Seas Treaty would probably last from 1750 till the advent of the 19th Century (dates are still not fixed but it can be anywhere but not before the Late Modern Period).

The advent of the 19th Century is really important (mostly because many former colony nations start their history at this time). This thread is also to promote self-sufficiency, but we won't harass you or anything for sticking to having Spain or other European powers (plus Japan...it's always Japan) as your overlord.

For me, the 19th Century marks the fall of the few remaining "outer hangates". The Sunuwar Hangate in northern Gael, the Xiangu Hangate in Wellsia (they are isolationists but still an outer hangate). the Kachee Sultanate and others(???my history is never fixed and there might be more hangates ). It is indicative of how other civilizations, in particular Noronica, have now caught up. The same Noronnican kingdom, that once used to be a tributary state of the Khas-Kirat Empire, now conquered and colonized territories of all these three former outer hangates. And it's not just the Nyssic Colonial Empire that the "mainland hangates and their Mahang" have to worry about. Gone are the days when the Khas-Kirati hangates used to be the guys introducing horses and gunpowder weapons to other regions. And Noronica is the best case scenario (it is still allied to one of the hangates); there are many other (some new) empires around the Isles that have serious issues with the Khas-Kirat Empire.

So the Mahangs and his vassal hangs resorted to their last weapon as the 19th Century started: diplomacy. They invited all other nations to the Congress of Temal (capital city of Second Tamsaling Hangate) to ensure that there is baalnce of power in the Isles. Not all hangates were on the same page though and definitely not all powers that arrived at Temal were (some were even iffed that the meeting was not in neutral International District). But many monarchs liked the idea. You see, nationalism was on rise; especially in multi-national empires. Not to mention the revolutionary ideals. It was thus agreed that the Congress of Temal (and many other such congress) were necessary to weaken growing revolutionary and nationalist movements and to maintain the balance of power in the Isles.

The hangs were worried that "Magarati nationalism" was on the rise; not just nationalist movements among minorities in the empire. These Magarati nationalists wanted all these bickering little hangates gone and the puppet Mahang replaced by an all-powerful Mahang or Emperor (only folks of Mgar dynasty or its cadet branches can be called Mahang; so if someone else replaced the Mahang, he or she would be Emperor...like Temur Buduja later in Imperial War period who called himself Emperor of Magarat for this reason). Some even wanted the empire to be replaced by a federation of republics. And they were all angry that these hangs had done nothing while Noronica and other powers swallowed up outer hangates around the Isles.

So, the stage is set. This Congress of Temal could take place either before or after the First Central Argus War (which will now be a republics vs monarchies reboot). Aside from aforementioned nationalist and revolutionary issues and the balance of power, colonial independence and other "international issues" are to be discussed in the congress (I assume it to be annual rather than one time thing).

Maybe the Congress did manage to bring balance of power in the Isles for some time? Maybe it is the reason why we have such super straight borders that British and French politicians would have loved? Maybe it is the reason why we have those canals? Maybe it helped to sign TWI versions of Geneva Conventions and helped end slavery? Maybe.

But we do know that the Congress eventually failed. Partly because of the aforementioned nationalist and revolutionary movements across the Isles. Partly because of the Magarati diplomats acting superior (not a new thing); as every little hangate was allowed to send their representative while other empires and nations could only send one diplomat. Partly because of the vested self-interests that every power had. Partly because of the confusing web of alliances. Partly because it continued interfering in even small conflicts between members in the name of balance of power. Partly because the Great Argus Wars and other conflicts like Great Gael War still happened anyway. Partly because...of the so many other reasons.

So, would you mind helping us by mentioning the scenario of your nation during this time period?

[New Aapelistan]

During the 1750-1800s, Aprosia was not an independent nation but under Noronican control as a colony. Either directly under Noronican rule or under an Aprosian puppet ruler and a Noronican governor-general, the detail is still to be deternined between me and Noronica. My current history is pretty much like that so take this with a grain of salt.

Aprosia was colonised by Noronica during the late 1600s and early 1700s through waging war against individual states at first and a coalition of states in the end. The individual states ceased to exist as the entirety of Aprosia was unified under one of the systems of governance said above and was an important step in creating a pan-Aprosian national consciousness. Overall, the entire Noronican colonial period of Aprosia was an important thing in the formation of pan-Aprosian nationalism and by extension, the modern ideology of Aprosian socialism.

[Almorea]

Almorea in 1800 was barely a decade into its current republican system, and was teetering on the edge of dictatorship as the first president, Robert William Howard, ran for a fourth term in office.

By c. 1810, the domestic situation was stabilized, but Almorea was drifting into a violent naval war with Noronica. Noronica had, of course, colonized Almorea during the 17th century and independence was not achieved until 1763.

Almorea, as a young nation, would have sent delegates to this Congress with the aim of ensuring that the colonial empires of the Isles would respect its sovereignty, and also keep their markets open to Almorean goods. The outlook would have been generally anti-Noronnican.

[Athara Magarat]

During the 1750-1800s, Aprosia was not an independent nation but under Noronican control as a colony. Either directly under Noronican rule or under an Aprosian puppet ruler and a Noronican governor-general, the detail is still to be deternined between me and Noronica. My current history is pretty much like that so take this with a grain of salt.

Aprosia was colonised by Noronica during the late 1600s and early 1700s through waging war against individual states at first and a coalition of states in the end. The individual states ceased to exist as the entirety of Aprosia was unified under one of the systems of governance said above and was an important step in creating a pan-Aprosian national consciousness. Overall, the entire Noronican colonial period of Aprosia was an important thing in the formation of pan-Aprosian nationalism and by extension, the modern ideology of Aprosian socialism.

Almorea in 1800 was barely a decade into its current republican system, and was teetering on the edge of dictatorship as the first president, Robert William Howard, ran for a fourth term in office.

By c. 1810, the domestic situation was stabilized, but Almorea was drifting into a violent naval war with Noronica. Noronica had, of course, colonized Almorea during the 17th century and independence was not achieved until 1763.

Almorea, as a young nation, would have sent delegates to this Congress with the aim of ensuring that the colonial empires of the Isles would respect its sovereignty, and also keep their markets open to Almorean goods. The outlook would have been generally anti-Noronnican.

Great information from both of you. Thanks.

BTW, any chance other powers could have been involved in your independence wars (not necessarily me)? By that I mean like how France, Spain and others were involved in the American Independence War.

Also, I assume you guys would be republics and fight against monarchists during the First (and possibly Second) Central Argus War?

[Athara Magarat]

We also need to discuss an appropriate time period for these events and the great wars.

This was what DS had initially planned

1. The First Central Argus War of 1859-1871
2. The Keveari Expedition of 1879 and 1880
3. The Second Central Argus War of 1894-1901
4. The Canal War of 1905
5. The Third Central Argus War/Great Gael War/War of the Contested Throne in Raedlon of 1914-1918

Is this time period okay or should we be dialling the clock back to as early as 1836, 1821, 1818 or even 1815?

You know, 1818-1918 (a Dark Century).

[New Aapelistan]

During the 1750-1800s, Aprosia was not an independent nation but under Noronican control as a colony. Either directly under Noronican rule or under an Aprosian puppet ruler and a Noronican governor-general, the detail is still to be deternined between me and Noronica. My current history is pretty much like that so take this with a grain of salt.

Aprosia was colonised by Noronica during the late 1600s and early 1700s through waging war against individual states at first and a coalition of states in the end. The individual states ceased to exist as the entirety of Aprosia was unified under one of the systems of governance said above and was an important step in creating a pan-Aprosian national consciousness. Overall, the entire Noronican colonial period of Aprosia was an important thing in the formation of pan-Aprosian nationalism and by extension, the modern ideology of Aprosian socialism.

Almorea in 1800 was barely a decade into its current republican system, and was teetering on the edge of dictatorship as the first president, Robert William Howard, ran for a fourth term in office.

By c. 1810, the domestic situation was stabilized, but Almorea was drifting into a violent naval war with Noronica. Noronica had, of course, colonized Almorea during the 17th century and independence was not achieved until 1763.

Almorea, as a young nation, would have sent delegates to this Congress with the aim of ensuring that the colonial empires of the Isles would respect its sovereignty, and also keep their markets open to Almorean goods. The outlook would have been generally anti-Noronnican.

Great information from both of you. Thanks.

BTW, any chance other powers could have been involved in your independence wars (not necessarily me)? By that I mean like how France, Spain and others were involved in the American Independence War.

Also, I assume you guys would be republics and fight against monarchists during the First (and possibly Second) Central Argus War?

1. On the war of independence, possibly, although I thought about that being during 1940s or early 1950s, with links to the First Imperial War.

2. Not as an independent state, Aprosia wasn't independent in the 1800s. You'd have to ask Noronica on that.

[Townside]

Spoiler contains irrelevant information I wrote but don’t have the heart to delete

Pre-1707 background for those who are not AM

The Chhantyal Hangate has ruled over the island for six centuries since 1066, either directly or indirectly in some parts through its tributary state - Wianamatta, which was nominally ruled over by the Ainur (Ipachi) minority. By the late 1600s, there was conflict between Wianamatta and Chhantyal, with the former struggling for freedom from the latter. Meanwhile, a swushbuckling adventuring English soldier Francis Light, comes along and decides to help the Ipachi in their fight, and they defeat the Chhantyal. Francis Light annexes some land from the Chhantyal Hangate and receives a grant of land from the grateful Wianamatta, and forms his own country - the Kingdom of Townisde. Rather than destroy the Chhantyal Hangate, they decide to let the Hangate continue in order to minimise unrest and unhappiness, on the condition that the Chhantyal Hangate enter into a confederation with Wianamatta and Townisde for the purposes of mutual defence and foreign policy. Thus by 1707, the island has three sovereign countries, although united in the realm of foreign policy and defence.

Post-1707 and the treaty and congress

The reason why I give this long and rather irrelevant background is because this is all I have for the history of Townisde.

Nothing interesting happens to Townisde after 1707 up until the late 1900s (other than the usual nerdy things I like such as infrastructure development, farming, economic growth etc). It’s a clean canvas you all can help me dirty between 1750 and 1800s in regards to the treaty and congress,

Some other potentially relevant facts (I’m making some of these up as I go, based on what has already been said):

• By 1750, the confederation is 43 years old. By 1800, the confederation is already 93 years old, enough time for it to grow stable.
• The confederation consists of three sovereign countries: Townisde, Chhantyal Hangate, and Wianamatta, united for the purposes of mutual defence and foreign policy.
• Although Francis Light was English, Townisde was a sovereign country and was never part of the British Empire.
• The Chhantyal Hangate still exists and is pretty much sovereign except in the realm of foreign policy and defence. Also, they now no longer recognise the authority of the Mahang, and the majority of Chhantyals associate less with Vendriothos (mainland Athara Magarat)
• Nevertheless, the Hangma of Chhantyal is a descendant of the Mgar dynasty.
• All three countries in the confederation are monarchies.
• Peace and stability since 1707, and mutual interests and work between the three countries solidified their trust as well as reliance on one another. Marriages between the Whites, Chhantyals, and Ainur create a more cohesive society. While the three people groups maintain distinct identities it becomes easier for them to mutually associate with a pan-island identity and a form of Insular Nationalism is born, prioritising the interests of all three countries equally, and protecting them from other countries outside the confederation.
• Delegates to the Congress would thus try to protect the sovereignty of all three countries against the colonial empires of TWI.
• Townisde does not have any special relationship with any particular TWI nation, so it’ll act without fear or favour towards any particular nation.
• Nevertheless, extreme sectors of each country existed. White Nationalists wanted to expel and massacre the Chhantyals and Ainur to create a white Christian island. Ainur Nationalists believed the islands were originally Ainur and should return to that.
• Chhantyal Nationalists wanted to dominate the Ainur and Whites and install the Mgar Hangma of Chhantyal as the all powerful Mahang. As the other hangates fell, the Chhantyal Hangate endured, making these extreme Chhantyal nationalists believe that they are somehow superior to the other hangates and thus their Hangma deserved to be Mahang (not least because of her Mgar bloodj

[Athara Magarat]

1. On the war of independence, possibly, although I thought about that being during 1940s or early 1950s, with links to the First Imperial War.

2. Not as an independent state, Aprosia wasn't independent in the 1800s. You'd have to ask Noronica on that.[/quote]
Got it.

[Athara Magarat]

Spoiler contains irrelevant information I wrote but don’t have the heart to delete

Pre-1707 background for those who are not AM

The Chhantyal Hangate has ruled over the island for six centuries since 1066, either directly or indirectly in some parts through its tributary state - Wianamatta, which was nominally ruled over by the Ainur (Ipachi) minority. By the late 1600s, there was conflict between Wianamatta and Chhantyal, with the former struggling for freedom from the latter. Meanwhile, a swushbuckling adventuring English soldier Francis Light, comes along and decides to help the Ipachi in their fight, and they defeat the Chhantyal. Francis Light annexes some land from the Chhantyal Hangate and receives a grant of land from the grateful Wianamatta, and forms his own country - the Kingdom of Townisde. Rather than destroy the Chhantyal Hangate, they decide to let the Hangate continue in order to minimise unrest and unhappiness, on the condition that the Chhantyal Hangate enter into a confederation with Wianamatta and Townisde for the purposes of mutual defence and foreign policy. Thus by 1707, the island has three sovereign countries, although united in the realm of foreign policy and defence.

Post-1707 and the treaty and congress

The reason why I give this long and rather irrelevant background is because this is all I have for the history of Townisde.

Nothing interesting happens to Townisde after 1707 up until the late 1900s (other than the usual nerdy things I like such as infrastructure development, farming, economic growth etc). It’s a clean canvas you all can help me dirty between 1750 and 1800s in regards to the treaty and congress,

Some other potentially relevant facts (I’m making some of these up as I go, based on what has already been said):

• By 1750, the confederation is 43 years old. By 1800, the confederation is already 93 years old, enough time for it to grow stable.
• The confederation consists of three sovereign countries: Townisde, Chhantyal Hangate, and Wianamatta, united for the purposes of mutual defence and foreign policy.
• Although Francis Light was English, Townisde was a sovereign country and was never part of the British Empire.
• The Chhantyal Hangate still exists and is pretty much sovereign except in the realm of foreign policy and defence. Also, they now no longer recognise the authority of the Mahang, and the majority of Chhantyals associate less with Vendriothos (mainland Athara Magarat)
• Nevertheless, the Hangma of Chhantyal is a descendant of the Mgar dynasty.
• All three countries in the confederation are monarchies.
• Peace and stability since 1707, and mutual interests and work between the three countries solidified their trust as well as reliance on one another. Marriages between the Whites, Chhantyals, and Ainur create a more cohesive society. While the three people groups maintain distinct identities it becomes easier for them to mutually associate with a pan-island identity and a form of Insular Nationalism is born, prioritising the interests of all three countries equally, and protecting them from other countries outside the confederation.
• Delegates to the Congress would thus try to protect the sovereignty of all three countries against the colonial empires of TWI.
• Townisde does not have any special relationship with any particular TWI nation, so it’ll act without fear or favour towards any particular nation.
• Nevertheless, extreme sectors of each country existed. White Nationalists wanted to expel and massacre the Chhantyals and Ainur to create a white Christian island. Ainur Nationalists believed the islands were originally Ainur and should return to that.
• Chhantyal Nationalists wanted to dominate the Ainur and Whites and install the Mgar Hangma of Chhantyal as the all powerful Mahang. As the other hangates fell, the Chhantyal Hangate endured, making these extreme Chhantyal nationalists believe that they are somehow superior to the other hangates and thus their Hangma deserved to be Mahang (not least because of her Mgar bloodj

Monarchist buddies! It does make sense for these Chhantyal nationalists to see themselves as superiors. The only other hangate that has much longer past than it is Xiangu Hangate and they are Noronnican colonies now.

Behold the Three Kingdoms

[Athara Magarat]

Here is a rundown of the Dark Century (1818 - 1918) conflicts and international crises this Congress might get involved in? Putting these here so we all can discuss?

• The Marian Revolution (1818 - 1822): Led by Rafael Santiago and widely supported by the masses of farmers, miners, free slaves, serfs and bourgeois against the nobility and the clergy. The five years of conflicts, revolts, and riots resulted in the establishment of Dragao do Mar as a constitutional monarchy (despite many wanting a republic, Santiago had a cult following and was made king). Slavery abolished in Dragao do Mar???
  
• Tea War of 1821: Between Noronican Colonial Empire and the three northwestern hangates (Liba Hangate, Second Tamuwan Hangate and Hangate of Tiwe Sivn). The Congress of Temal is most likely established in the aftermath (and possible intervention in Marian Revolution???).
  
• TBD Coalition War (1826 - 1836): Between Razzgriz and mainland hangates. (perhaps this becomes the First Central Argus War???)
  
• Cantonosian Civil War (1829 - 1831): A three-way war between various traditionalist, republican and royalist factions in Cantonos.
  
• Second Trade War (1831 - 1833): Between Almorea and Noronican Colonial Empire.
  
• Second Central Argus War (1839 - 1844): Also known as the Ipachi Nationalist War. Failed Ipachi uprisings in the Khas-Kirat Empire and intervention by Razzgriz.
  
• Oster Independence Wars (1851 - 1888): Years of turmoil, political instability, and violence in Ostehaar as the Brutals (militia formed by the nobility and supporters of the Theistic Pact) and the people's militia known as Oster Defence Army; with the latter eventually emerging victorious.
  
• Third Central Argus War (1853 - 1857): Also known as the Canal War. A war to explain why the Central Canal Authority (and possibly ID) are as large as North Korea or Nicaragua in terms of territory. TBD participants needed!
  
• Almorean Civil War (1861 - 1864):
  
• Vysnian Civil War (1865 - 1870): The Eastern Archipelago attempts to secede from the Vysnian Empire but fails even after five years of war.
  
• Vaenlander Civil War (1870 - 1872): The Vaen Guard engages in a two years conflict against rival gangs in Vaenland (Vancouvia).
  
• War of the Mandrake (1873 - 1874): Originally a conflict between monarchists and republicans, it became a war between the Roendavarian states after Grand Duke Alecsander Ithariel Avarești of Andavar declared war upon Sudever, Tillianan, and Vastaros; leading to eventual unification of Roendavar.
  
• Sextant Revolution of 1880: Scientists and workers led by Augustus Scantar overthrow (modern-day) Scantarbia's monarchy and install a democratic republic with socialist flavor with a heavy emphasis on meritocracy and technocratic ideals.
  
• Third Central Argus War (1888 - 1894): Between an alliance of republics and "counter-revolutionary" monarchies.
  
• First Oster War (1893 - 1895): Turning his eyes northward to the productive lands of Ostehaar, King Gregori I begins the first major campaign in Verdonian expansion. Capitalizing on the neighboring country's vulnerability under a new government and lack of a formal military, Verdonian forces launched a successful assault of southern Ostehaar (with permission of passage through Ainslie by permission of the Wellington governance); pushing as far north as the Bas River, where the conflict eventually ground out to a stalemate. The Treaty of Sertomir negotiated for the Verdonian occupation of the lands south of the Khiser River and east of the Barhord Mountains.
  
• Nezaeva's Independence in 1899: Nezaeva secedes from the Empire of the Eastern Isles (Razzgriz).
  
• Fourth Central Argus War (1899 - 1900): Also known as the Keverai Expedition. Possibly involve San Javier and the canal in Wellsia???
  
• The Great Isles War (1911 - 1918): Known as Great Gael War in Gael, War of the Contested Throne in Raedlon, Fifth Central Argus War in Argus, the War of Khas-Kirati Succession in the Khas-Kirat Empire and her allies and so on. Essentially TWI's WW1.

[The Aziran Islands]

I'm thinking that by the mid 19th century, the Aziran Empire would be weak and stagnant, and many nation's would be carving up imperial territory into spheres of influence, and using various royal houses and military factions as proxies. This would break out into a civil war in the 1860s-1870s, which would essentially be a proxy war between several nations. The war would end with an Austrovya-backed faction winning, and would lead to Aziria becoming an Austrovyan colony

[Austrovik-Germania]

I'm thinking that by the mid 19th century, the Aziran Empire would be weak and stagnant, and many nation's would be carving up imperial territory into spheres of influence, and using various royal houses and military factions as proxies. This would break out into a civil war in the 1860s-1870s, which would essentially be a proxy war between several nations. The war would end with an Austrovya-backed faction winning, and would lead to Aziria becoming an Austrovyan colony

I think this could also be incorporated into a war in which Austrovya (then referred to as the Alaqam or Alattan Empire losing territory in Raedlon.

[Almorea]

Aha, thank you for noticing my civil war from 1861 to 1864. Any foreign intervention is welcomed.

[Athara Magarat]

Aha, thank you for noticing my civil war from 1861 to 1864. Any foreign intervention is welcomed.

Ze cool. Your Second Trade War is also there

[Scantarbia]

I still don't have much in terms of history in this period. However, I envisioned the Apramada Dynasty as the time which we attempted to do colonialism and joining in foreign wars, which we have refrained from since the dynasties prior. Left with a substantial fleet and a widespread trade outpost network left by the Mahendra Dynasty, it is in the Apramadas best interest to maintain and protect them. Although the Imikalanis have a principle to not engage first in a conflict, they have to get provoked first before joining in, but this might change as the idea of "aiding other nation/allies" as a justification to join a conflict acts as a way to bypass the principle.

The way for us to be able to participate in foreign wars if that if we're invited or we got attacked first.
For colonialism, well, honestly I haven't thought much about that.

[Dragao do Mar]

For some reason I didn't see this thread before. It was a great idea to link some of the most important happenings of 1818-1918, and I find it very nice the Dark Century beggins with the start of the Marian Revolution heheh

[Segentova]

Only just getting into this since I saw Athara Magarat's post in the RMB.

Segentova would have been historically coming into its own during this period. Gaining independence in the 1790s, as a result of the french revolution and the reign of terror.
During this time the extent of authority exerted by Toulon would be mainly limited to the southern lowlands of modern-day Segentova, and most of the 19th and even some of the early 20th century would have gone towards conquering and settling new areas (starting sometime in the 1820s/1830s). Now, this "expansion phase" would ofc. be running concurrently to industrialization, Segnetova probably would have a good basis for industrialization; lots of raw-materials and plenty of access to energy (i imagine some of the rivers can be used to generate energy for foundries and factories, similar to how they were used early in the industrial revolution in Britain and France, or all-the-way through here in Norway). One issue would be manpower, but i guess i can just import a bunch of poor people from Europe to do that. :P