2 Chapter 22

Chapter 22 - 1799 to 1823: Come the 19th Century

The 19th century comes uneventfully in the USA. In other parts of the world, change is quick and savage. The biggest change in the last 2 decades is the increase of production of goods, especially that of cotton. Thousands of slaves are still present in the USA; some plantations have hundreds of slaves, since the picking of cotton is so time consuming.

In Ethiopia, the Kingdom of Marehan has deteriorated even further, and the region is now a patchwork of small nations. In India, yet another invasion by Europeans has left the Karnatan Kingdom in a similar state. Europe sees Brandenburg nearly entirely disappear as most of its land is taken by Lithuania, Lotharingia, and Carinthia. In Central Asia, Russia has control of almost the entire region.

Despite President Ashton's promise to end the British's crimes, he does not declare war for his first year. Instead, in 1801, the US currency undergoes yet another reform.

To prepare for the coming war, Ashton approves the construction of more dockyards to expand the US navy. He also silently has his administration prepare justification for war against the Iroquois.

Another policy he implements is the protection of the Blackfoot tribe from Canadian expansion. In 1801 his administration begins to push funds to the tribe to improve their living standards, as well as guarantee their independence. An alliance is signed in 1802, and the tribe is officially made a vassal of the USA in February.

In May, Mexique and her sister colony Terres du Nord declare independence. Aquitaine calls its allies, which include Haiti and Galicia.

De Nederlandse Antillen, once a rival to the USA, is offered an alliance in 1803, anything to add some naval power to the alliance. It accepts, and now the USA is allied with the entire Caribbean (other than Jamaica).

The election approaches in August, and the US is restless at Ashton's lack of action, and a total of 15 thousand US sailors have been impressed. Months before the polls, he declares war on the Iroquois. He sees this as a unique chance to hit two birds with one stone. In this way, the British protectorate and potential threat could be taken out and the British could be stopped from impressing American soldiers.

What with a war so recently begun, Ashton is given a second term, and the enemy capital is taken in January of the next year.

In March, the US suffers a terrible naval defeat from nearly 30 British threedeckers, losing most of the American navy.

By 1805, the war is definitely in the US's favor, and several British and Breton attacks have been beaten back, and the entire Radekzian army is obliterated after several battles.

Eventually all of British North America is taken.

In December of 1805, Mexique and Terres du Nord make peace with Aquitaine. They agree to remain as colonies in exchange for financial support from their overlord.

Haiti joins the war at this point, as it seems victory is imminent. But perhaps Haiti has rushed into it. The British seem undeterred by the loss of Radekzia, and they instead blocking Acadia. Soon, the people are crying for help after shortages of luxury goods. Ashton, to keep up morale, diverts goods from other states to aid in the situation.

Life goes on in the states during the war, and the matter of a government funded Fire Brigade is discussed. What with the British blockading much of the American goods going to Europe, the USA is a little short on cash, and a moderate grant is given to the Brigade.

Another election arrives in 1807. What with the war going so well, people are happy with the administration, and Benjamin Ashton becomes the first President to have a third term.

In 1808, discussion begins on reforms to the national army. Lately, it has been a more militia thing, with them mostly out of action during peace times, and things have mostly been handled state by state wise unless a major war is declared. Now, however, the Congress decides to professionalize the army.

In May of 1808, Britain finally concedes defeat. The Iroquois are fully annexed into the US, and the Empire agrees to pay reparations for the impressing of US sailors.

After the victory, President Ashton declares the USA an Empire in its own right, able to stand up to the likes of the British, proving that the Revolution was not a fluke but a full fledged victory of Freedom of Liberty!

Not only that, but the USA soon becomes a hotbed of artists, philosophers, and poets, and the economy does better than ever.

Ashton finally leaves office in the 1811 elections, replaced by former Governor of New York Andre Massena Dylan, the 8th president.

The 4th Army is created in 1812, bring the total to 100 thousand troops.

Mexique declares independence once again in September, and the USA sends supplies and money to the revolutionaries instead of military support.

In 1814, the Cotton Gin is invented. The machine allows for much quicker and less strenuous picking of cotton, meaning fewer workers (slaves) can produce much more of the product. Soon production skyrockets, and the USA makes more from trade and production than ever before.

A few months after the invention, a Convention is called for Congress. Despite early victories and plenty of money, the USA has some fundamental problems that need addressing. The first is the government and the strength of the central governing body.

A few congressmen suggest converting the government into a constitutional monarchy, since the lack of a strong central body could lead to collapse, pitting state against state. However, nearly all vote in favor of keeping the existing body with some reforms. For now, the congress adjourns, and they set their next convention in a year's time.

The Castilian colonies finally gain independence in December of 1814, and they quickly reorganize themselves into Mexico and Colombia (Occidentalia decides to keep its colonial name). They each adopt a Republican government similar to the other independent nations of the New World.

In 1815, the second Constitutional Convention begins. This time, they discuss slavery. Not the outlawing of it, but simply the abolishing of the slave trade. Despite fierce opposition to it from the southern delegates, the slave trade is abolished.

Dylan's term is up in 1815, and Magraev Dylan, his cousin, is voted into office as the 9th president.

The third Convention begins in 1816, and the matter discussed was impeachable offensives and laws/punishments in each state. Congress votes on letting each state decide for themselves the laws and punishments.

The third convention saw the enactment of the new, official constitution of the United States of America. Finally, the 3 branches of power are set.

Terres du Nord and Mexique win their independence in 1818 (each forming a republic), making the New World almost entirely free of European overlords. All that remain are Radekzia and Doharia (Britain), an a few scattered parts owned by Haiti, Galicia, the Teutonic Order, or Britain.

The election of 1819 is a close race between current president Dylan, whose presidency was fairly uneventful, and Verigan Sheldon. Sheldon wins and becomes the 10th president of the USA.

In 1820, the USA is looking good. In the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico itself is stirring up problems through occasional merchant raids on convoys. Eventually, the USA embargoes the nation until they agree to stop this foolishness.

In 1821, Blackfoot citizens poll to join the United State as the state of North Dakota. They vote overwhelmingly to join, and their territory is added to the ever expanding nation.

In 1823, Europe is split in half by the Carinthian Empire. As Brandenburg is at last annexed, Carinthia controls a realm that stretches from Central Italy in the south to the Baltic Sea in the north.