2 Chapter 21

Chapter 21 - 1776 to 1799: The Wichita War

The United Stats is 15 years old, and the leaders of the nation, not just the President and his cabinet, have seen the faults within the government. Already things have shifted around, but there are still many problems to be solved.

To the west, American settlers push further and further into the Great Plains, encountering the Sioux, Mexique, Adentria, and the Teutons. Already their progress has blocked Adentria and Mexique from continued expansion.

But all is not so well with America, for Britain, bitter at the embarrassing loss that was the American Revolution, has been harassing American sailors since the peace treaty, pressing them into service of the Royal Navy by force. Despite each president's denouncement and demand that Britain stops, the Empire continues to this day, and the presidents each do nothing about it.

In April of 1776, President Douglas signs for the order of construction of the 3rd American Army. By 1777, the armies total 74 thousand troops.

In October, there is another election, and John Douglas is voted back into office.

On March 7th, 1778, the American Philosophical Society, founded even before independence by Benjamin Franklin (a signer of the Declaration) and John Bartram, approaches the government with a proposal and a request. They propose that the Society give rewards for outstanding achievements in the field of Science, and they would like the US government to help pay for it. John Douglas, a science enthusiast himself, accepts.

In September, the Teutonic Colonies, like the Castilian ones several years before, accept white peace with their overlord, remaining as colonies.

In December, the Teutonic Order sends a request for an alliance between the two nations. Congress accepts, happy to have a powerful ally to help against possible wars with Britain.

In 1780, one of the problems of the new nation, its currency, is solved with a few monetary reforms and a new Master of Mint.

Shortly after that the Americans Invaded the Sioux. The first battle is easy, and the rest of the war passes uneventfully as all of their land is taken.

Funj declares its independence in October of 1780, throwing off the Marehan.

In 1781, Congress met to discuss the current form of government. When they had gained independence 20 years before, the Congress had agreed to meet in 1781 to discuss any changes that needed to be made. Since war debt was no longer relevant, the discussion turned to slavery and admission of states.

Since the founding, several new states have been added, Florida and the Acadias for example, but as expansion progressed westward, a lot of the original states simply gained territory. This would not do, as one could easily become too powerful and dominate the others. The Northwest Ordinance provided the Federal Government the ability to declare or accept new states. As for slavery, Congress decided to let the new states decide for themselves

the Sioux are annexed in October after a long siege of their capital.

The election of 1781 sees Alexander Spencer, son of 2nd president William Spencer, voted into office. Like his father, he too was a diplomat, this time ambassador to the Teutonic Order.

In 1783, the Castilian colonies try once again to gain independence, pitting Castile and its allies against large colonies around the world. Short on cash, Castile offers to sell the USA their Adentrian colonies for a very reasonable price. President Spencer accepts, although several loans are taken out to help pay for it.

Alexander Spencer is voted back into office in 1785.

In 1787, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, like the Philosophical Society a few years previously, approaches the US government seeking sponsorship. Spencer accepts.

In 1788, the Teutonic Colonies of Canada, Brazil, Peru, and La Plata declare independence. The Teutonic Order calls in the USA to help put down the revolt. However, the nation of Freedom and Liberty cannot assist in suppressing those rights, and the USA rejects the call and breaks their alliance with the Teutons.

In 1789, Congress met to discuss the Committee of Safety, which helped rule the colonies under the Empire, and which have been controlling local militia since independence. Congress decides to allow them to carry on in their duty, provided they continue to respond timely in the event of an emergency.

In October, former General Cyrus Kempton is voted in as 5th president of the United States. He is the first general since Cadwal to lead the nation.

In July of 1790, Congress attempts to pass the Nonintercourse Act, which would regulate commerce between the USA and the natives. Kempton, who fought in the Indian wars of the 1770's and has gained a respect for his former enemies, disagrees and he vetoes the act.

In fact, he then puts through an executive order to allow cultural assimilation of the natives through education and good treatment.

On August 15th, 1791, Cyrus Kempton is assassinated while walking from his home to the White House. The assassin is a Georgian man who despises the natives. Angry at Kempton's tolerance, he stabs him with a saber. The man escapes only to be captured on his way back south. Kempton's death puts his vice President Luke Arnott as the 6th president of the USA, and it prompts new security measures to be taken when it comes to the president's safety.

Arnott, who was the runnerup in Kempton's election, immediately shows his dislike for Kempton's policies by declaring war on Wichita. Wichita's ally Castile comes to their aid, and soon the USA is at war with many colonies around the world.

Wichita falls within months, but that does not stop Castile. Several Castilian advances are beaten back in Mexique.

In June of 1793, Brazil, La Plata, Peru, and Canada win independence from the Teutonic Order. They become the first since the USA to accomplish this.

Very quickly they establish their own rule of law and officially form Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Canada. Brazil and Peru form republics similar to that of the USA, while Chile and Canada are despotically led by enlightened monarchs.

The war continues into 1795, when the next election arrives. Arnott is given a second term and his war goes on.

Wichita is retaken by Castilian forces in 1796, only to be retaken after the defeat of those same forces. At the same time, Britain and Aquitaine, along with their colonies, declare war on Castile and her colonies.

Wichita and Castile finally accept peace in 1799, just a few months before the next election. Other than the two provinces annexed from Wichita, a Castilian colony in the Rocky Mountains was also seized partway through the war.

The war, much longer and more brutal than anticipated, has put public opinion against Arnott. In August, Americans vote in Benjamin Ashton the 7th president.