2 Chapter 17

Chapter 17 - 1725 to 1747: Verigan Cadwal

Nearly the entirety of the eastern coast of North America is colonized by Great Britain.  The Thirteen Colonies, which now actually comprises thirteen colonies, stretches from Georgia in the south, bordering Florida, to New Hampshire in the north. Over a hundred years ago, when British settlers first arrived, they found the lands teeming with fauna and flora. Nowhere in Europe was the same abundance of ore, crop, and wildlife found. It was soon discovered that Eastern America was the perfect place for European settlement: the climate was similar to that of their homeland, 'Indian Corn' or maize grows much faster and more easily than the crops back in Europe, and timber was as far as the eyes could see.

The first settlers quickly learned not to expect quick riches. In fact, the first British settlers were not the first in the area. The Brunswickians had tried and failed to run a colony, New Brunswick, in what is now New York. The British took what their German counterparts learned and made the effort slowly. It soon became more than a way to bring in money to the Empire. Soon, entire families were sent to the colonies, children were born and raised there, entire generations gone from the Motherland.

Living in a colony is not the same as in the Motherland. Colonists (or are they just Americans now?) stopped thinking of themselves as British. After all, the only real connections they have with their so called homeland are their taxes and their language. There language, although the same letter for letter, does not even sound the same to British or American ears, despite only a few generations of being separated. As for their taxes, even that was not strictly the same. The Americans pay the same taxes the British pay, but they also have to deal with taxes on the products they export and those they import. Even worse, the Colonies are not represented in the Empire. There is no American say in British politics.

The American people will not stand for this injustice, this Taxation without Representation, forever.

In September of 1726, the Thirteen Colonies declares war on the tribe of Pequot without consulting the Empire. In response, tariffs are upped on all shipments of manufactured goods coming from Britain.

The war ends a year later. They take 2 of the enemy provinces, leaving the last one which is considered to be in Radekzian territory.

In 1728, the Empire appears to be back on top. Trade is back to outstanding levels, the military now has 124 thousand troops and 123 ships, and there is next to no dissent in the homeland. The only issue is the allies. Brittany is in a fragile position, with Picardy bordering 4 of its 6 provinces, and Aquitaine and Galicia are shells are their former selves. Denmark remains fairly powerful, with a navy of over 80 ships and an army of 45 thousand.

To make matters worse, Breton Revolutionaries rise up in 1730, demanding human rights and other crazy things. 31 thousand troops led by the new General DKM Cynehild are sent to help calm the situation. It does not take long.

War is declared on Mikmaq in June, and a short siege follows, then annexation and incorporation into Radekzia.

In 1731, the forts in India are put on alert, the troops are made ready, and Delhi is told to prepare for war. In December, war is declared on Karnata.

South Karnata falls in 1732. Meanwhile Delhi is busy dealing with Sind to the north and the main part of the Karnata main army. It seems Karnata knows it cannot defeat British technology, so it is going after the more evenly matched opponent.

Delhi easily holds its own, and Karnata and Sind are victim to brutal battles where Delhi always comes out on top.

The Australian Penal colony becomes large enough to have its own administrative government in 1733. By now, it is not just a penal colony but also a proper settlement.

Madurai is occupied and annexed in November. The war is much in Britain's favor.

Peace is made in September of 1734. 4 Karnatan provinces are taken for Britain and 1 is given to Delhi in thanks.

Far away, the Thirteen Colonies are unaffected by Britain's gains. In the Colonies, life is going well, albeit pestered by the Empire's bureaucracy. There are an impressive number of forts, 8, in the states, most of them in the south.

The navy consists of a Main Fleet of 19 ships, and 2 smaller fleets of 5 ships each protecting American trade. The army is 40 thousand strong, organized in 2 separate groups.

The diplomats of the Colony are currently busy making ties with the Teutons and the Carinthians. Despite the Colony's subservient position, the governor Tcman Osric still thinks that good relations with the great powers of Europe are important.

In 1737, the Empire raises tariffs on fur, one of the most profitable exports from the Colonies.

3 yaers later, Galicia declares war on Antillens. The Empire answers the call, and with it are the Colonies. Almost immediately Antillen invaders land in Frederick, Georgia.

Tcman Osric leads 1st Army down to meet the enemy. Frederick falls before 1st Army reaches Georgia, and another Antillen army lands in Savanna. Now there are nearly 30 thousand enemies.

Once the 2nd army arrives just in time as the 30 thousand enemies engage 1st army. The enemy is thrown back. They are destroyed in Frederick after Savanna is retaken.

A change of governor occurs in the middle of the war, and ZZZ Seisyll is chosen by the new Empress Blitz the Dragon I.

The war ends in 1741. Galicia takes the small group of islands call Nue Kurland. They rename them to Trinidad.

In 1742, without so much as a letter to the Empress, ZZZ Seisyll declares war on the Cherokee.

It is a short war, and the Cherokee are entirely annexed by the Colonies. Another territory is added to the quickly growing colony.

Not long after that, the Empire declares war on the tribe of Creek bordering the southern Colonies.

It does not take long. By June of 1744, 6 months after the start of the war, Creek in annexed.

A young man proves himself a fierce leader of men. In the first battle of the Creek war, he and his division met a significantly larger and more angry batch of native warriors. This man kept his cool and led his troops through, losing only a dozen while the enemy lost hundreds. This young man is promoted to General. His name is General Verigan Cadwal.

In 1747, October 18th, the Empire passes the Townshend act. It appears that the Empire knows no bounds when it comes to exploiting their citizens in the colonies... The people grumble angrily, but nothing can be done. It seems this extra set of taxes will pass without incident. For now...