Paradox Part #79 - Victoria: Chapter 13 - Reconstruction: 1856

Part 79: Victoria: Chapter 13 - Reconstruction: 1856 - 1860

1856 - 1860: Reconstruction

As the war ends and the fighting dies down, the troops slowly begin to return home - many units are unrecognizable from those that were mobilized four years ago. Entire divisions have simply ceased to exist. The reserves and the majority of the standing troops are demobilized, and the economy is reformed, with the heavy war taxes lifted and tariffs drastically cut in order to keep the impoverished families of the fallen or invalid fed - and more importantly - pacified. The army is reorganized into thirteen army corps, each consisting of five divisions and each equipped with its own field artillery.

In the colonies, the string of revolts continues unabated in lieu of the new taxes. The revolts are particularily intense on Java, where a large rebel force succeeds in defeating the colonial guard and occupying half the island before being defeated by reinforcements from Sumatra.

In the east, Lithuania makes its ancient claims to the Lithuanian parts of the Teutonic Order known to the new owner of the lands, the NGF. Rather than get into a conflict with Lithuania, the NGF chooses to cede Libava and Shavli.

In August, the four-power alliance is renewed and a new ally - Russia - brought in, as the newly independent republic signs an alliance with Byzantium.

Continued resentment over the war among the already militant population of factory workers leads to a number riots and revolts in the Swabian homeland. They are brutally surpressed by the military.

The Militarists invest the technological budget into a modernization of the fleet. The army is also given a significant investment with the addition of new, breech-loaded rifles to the Swabian army corps.

A significant state investment is made into improving the neglected railroads in Alsace-Lorraine, though the reason is militaristic rather than industrial - to allow for faster deployment of reinforcements and redeployment of troops to threatened provinces.

In October, Russia declares war on Lithuania, bringing in its allies Byzantium and Georgia. The war is short and brutal, ending in a minor Lithuanian defeat and a few territories swapping hands.

The next Militarist project begins in February of 1858 with the construction of a line of forts on the eastern border to provide better defense against Austrian invasions.

To further shore up Swabia's defenses, the Swabian Army Engineer Corps is created, with one division in each of Swabia's thirteen standing armies assigned an engineer brigade.

The new rail in Alsace-Lorraine stands ready in May, and construction of a second line of forts is begun along the western border.

Byzantium launches an invasion of the tiny mountain kingdom of Nepal in June. Nepal falls quickly, becoming a part of Byzantine India.

In August, both lines of fortifications stand complete, and the new engineer corps have been trained and deployed. Swabia is now far more ready to fight a two-front war than she was at the beginning of the decade.

Emboldened by victory, France attacks the Netherlands in September, bringing in Austria, Byzantium, Iberia and Russia to the war against the Dutch and their British allies.

In the interest of breaking Russia away from the four-power coalition, Bismarck orders the establishment of a Swabian consulate in Moscow and begins creating close diplomatic ties.

The Netherlands prove unable to offer much resistance against the French armies, and are forced to cede yet another stretch of territory.

The British, secure in the protection of their massive new fleet, launch a naval invasion of France, succeding in winning a few minor victories before a French counter-attack drives them off the shores.

In March of 1859, the first Swabian steamboat designs are drawn up - light commerce raiders to harrass the merchant shipping of its enemies, steamer transports to replace the sluggish clippers and small gunboats to act as screens for its line ships.

Construction of a steamer shipyard begins in Mecklenburg in order to make these designs into reality.

To increase Swabia's self-reliance, a steel factory is also built in Switzerland, and the canned food factory in Baden is expended.

In October, Bismarck's russian diplomacy bears fruit as Russia signs a defense pact with Swabia and vows not to participate in any wars of aggression against her.

As the decade nears its close, Swabia continues to be plagued by revolts at home and aboard, with regular risings in Switzerland, Hessen and on Java.

Reconstruction has begun, and the ambitious industrial and building programs begun by the Militarists have done well to offer jobs to a starving population. Since 1859, Swabia's population has begun to ever so slightly grow again. Still, Swabia has far from recovered, and which faction of the Reichstag gains control over the next twenty years will prove crucial. The Unifiers are eager for another attempt at a final unification this Reichstag, while the Modernizers, having somewhat reformed their platform and booted out their old leadership, are desperate for a chance to redeem their standing in the eyes of the Empire. The Militarists campaign on the platform of their honorable peace against a far superior foe and the necessity for a continued policy of no compromising with Swabia's defense, while the Liberals are emboldened by the rising liberal sentiments in Swabia.