NationStates Jolt Archive

Disclaimer

This thread is dealing with the United States of America for the Imperial Age RP which starts in 1872. This RP is closed to all those who do not first sign themselves up and wait for approval at the main thread (location comming soon). Do not post here looking to join, or RP with your non-Imperial Age nation.

Background

The United States of 1872 is in recovery. President U. S. Grant is hoping for re-election, however questions about his administration's involvment in several scandals have been asked. All States have been readmitted into the Union, and President Grant is pondering the passage of an Amnesty Act. Yet the South itself remains bitter at the rights they see as being given to their former slaves by the Federal Government, and lynchings of former slaves that have become "uppity" are common.

Within the South, a group of Democrats known as the Redemers have gained ground, promissing economic restoration and growth. In the North, people have lost interest in punishing the Southerners. Reconstruction continues in most Southern states.

Important Persons

President - Ulysses S. Grant
Vice Preident - Shuyler Colfax
Secretary of State - Hamilton Fish
Secretary of Treasury - Benjamin Bristow
Secretary of War - William W. Belknap
Speaker of the House (Party) - James G. Blaine (Republican)

Diplomacy (Updated: Early 1872)

Player Nations:

The British Empire: Neutral Diplomatic slights, and switch to Silver standard disconcerting. Especially annoyed at closing of Japanese markets.
German Empire: Neutral
Japan: Poor Closed to Trade by British
Kingdom of Spain: Friendly Sold territory of Carribia
Russian Empire: Neutral
Austrian Empire: Neutral
Italy: Neutral
Romania: Neutral
Argentina: Neutral
Persia: Neutral
Transvaal: Neutral
China: Neutral Worries of Chinese immigration in the West.
Canada: Neutral
Mexico: Friendly - Non Aggression Pact The ousting of the Hapsburgs has improved US/Mexican relations somewhat.
France: Friendly Historical US / French cooperation keeps relations high.
Brazil: Neutral

Major Non Player Nations:

Military

U.S. Army Reconstruction Force:

1st District - Virginia
Unoccupied and Reintegrated into the Nation.

2nd District - North Carolina, South Carolina
U.S. 1st Cavalry
U.S. 4th Infantry
U.S. 7th Infantry

3rd District - Georgia, Alabama, Florida
U.S. 5th Infantry
U.S. 8th Infantry

4th District - Arkansas, Mississippi
U.S. 3rd Cavalry
U.S. 2nd Infantry

5th District - Louisiana, Texas
U.S. 6th Infantry
U.S. 4th Cavalry
U.S. 1st Infantry

U.S. Army - Indian Detachment

Ft. Randall - Dakota Territory
U.S. 6th Cavalry
U.S. 5th Cavalry

Ft. Buchanan - New Mexico Territory
U.S. 2nd Cavalry

Ft. Independance - Missouri
U.S. 3rd Infantry

Ft. Havana - Carribia
U.S. 10th Infantry

U.S. Army - Mexican Expeditionary Force
U.S. 7th Cavalry
U.S. 9th Infantry

U.S. Army - Militia

{Size of Militia varry by state. No national program for calling up these militias is currently in place. About 40 regiments of Militia exist, and likely much more could be drafted.}

{Note on Size - The U.S. Army has increased in size due to the demands to reconstruct the South. It is expected by the people to go back to pre-war levels once the Reconstruction is over.}

U.S. Navy - Ships

Commissioned:

Coastal monitors:

Passaic Class:
Passaic - Based out of Carribia
Catskill - Based out of Carribia
Lehigh
Camanche

Canonicus Class:
Canonicus
Saugus
Mahopac

Deep Draft Coastal Monitors

Roanoke Class:
Roanoke

Built / Not Commissioned:

Wooden Hulled Frigates:

Potomac
St. Lawrence

Coastal monitors:

Miantonomoh Class:
Miantonomoh

Shallow Draft Coastal Monitors

Milwaukee Class:
Winnebago
Chickasaw
Kickapoo

U.S. Navy - Infantry

U.S. 1st Marines
Other unattached Marines based on ships/installations.

Economy

Population: 43,006,000

Agriculture - Good (South), Moderate (Interior), Moderate/Poor (North)
Industry - Moderate/Good (North-East, Midwest), Poor (South), Horrible (Interior)
Natural Resources - Very Good (Entire Country)
Infrastructure - Very Good (East Coast, Midwest), Poor (Interior, West Coast)
Trade - Moderate (w/ Great Britain, France, Germany)
Currency Stability - Moderate/Poor (About to hit Crisis of 1873)
Labor Relations - Moderate

tag

Bump for amazingly abyssmal Navy.

Edit: If anyone wants some cheap as dirt moniters for their navy... The US government is probubly about to have a clearence sale. Everything Must Go!

Edit 2: I wonder how quickly I could give an IC reason to begin a massive naval building program that ISN'T Moniters.

Bump for amazingly abyssmal Navy.

Edit: If anyone wants some cheap as dirt moniters for their navy... The US government is probubly about to have a clearence sale. Everything Must Go!

Edit 2: I wonder how quickly I could give an IC reason to begin a massive naval building program that ISN'T Moniters.
OOC: Russia will buy over half your moniters, and because...we're Russian...we want Cannonfolders damn it...but really we want...so just make a IC post about it and I'll buy half of them. Wait nm...these are Moniters...they can't go in the deep blue sea....they will sink in bad weather...blast..oh nevermind then..

Touted by President Grant as a method for resolving the problem of a large number of traitors still being held in the South, the Amnesty Act has been placed before the House of Representatives. Congress, though tired of the violence taking place in the South, and desireing a peace, is whipped up into a frenzy by the rhetoric of James G. Blaine, a Republican from Maine, who argued that while returning control of Southern governments to their people, it must only be done after the certain conditions are met, and that furthermore it was important for the US government to enforce those conditions.

His counter proposal, the Blaine-Samuels Justice Act, created an additional 2% tax on land used for cotton plantations in order to hire 400 additional Federal Judges on a temporary basis, and to appropriate an area of land within Oklahoma for a series of permanent Federal prisons for those convicted of treason. The tax would lower to 1% after

Northern Republicans jump on the bill, seeing it as a way to solve the problem with little cost to themselves. The bill passes the Senate narrowly, and Grant is forced to sign the bill into law.

From: King George I of Denmark and Greece
To: His Excellency President Grant


IC Very secret

As i am sure you have heard war has been declared between Denmark and England. We now seek help from all nations in holding back the tide that is England opressing our kingdom. If we are not able to obtain full support could we persuade you to lend us the use of a few Ironclad monitors and other vessels. They shall of course be operated by a Danish crew from the Virgin islands, America shall be payed for the risk of it's ships of course.

The Netherlands wish to purchase several coastal monitors for use in the navy. They would provide much use in protecting our Island colonies in the East Indies.

The US government, professing it's neutrality in the conflict, decides to sell the Montauk, Nantucket and Wyandotte to the Danish crown, provided that they take possession of them in a Mexican port.

The US government also decides to sell the Nahant, Sangamon, Manhattan and Ajax to the Dutch.

Edit: With the war over, the US is still pushing for the sale of their ships, but are willing to accept a smaller price, and turn them over in an American Port. They suggest the vessels be used to defend Greenland.

Argentina would like to buy 3 monitors, if any are left over.

Argentina would like to buy 3 monitors, if any are left over.

The US offers Argentina the following ships:

Monadnock
Agamenticus
Tonawanda

The US offers Argentina the following ships:

Monadnock
Agamenticus
Tonawanda
Thank you, we will make sure these ships serve with distinction

OOC: You all are buying worthless coastal Monitors? from like the 15th ranked navy in the world.


Just so you know, any rough seas and these things have a bad habit of sinking.

OOC: I have NO navy (well, I have really small ships, but ots practically nothing, so anythign is better than that)

OOC: I have NO navy (well, I have really small ships, but ots practically nothing, so anythign is better than that)


Good luck in the Atlantic at the start of Hurricane season.....

Good luck in the Atlantic at the start of Hurricane season.....
Argentina is quite far from any Hurricane areas, and they will do just nicely sailing up and down the Parana. We wont be sailing acroos any oceans

You have to sail through the Hurricane areas to get them to Argentina. AKA the Carribean or Atlantic.

OOC: Shouldn't be too hard if they sail along the coastline.

OOC: Shouldn't be too hard if they sail along the coastline.
OOC: That depends if the other Latin American nations have issues with that..

They'd better not, or I'll start creating colonies early. Besides, the other Latin American nations don't have navies to speak of, so they can't say boo.

They'd better not, or I'll start creating colonies early. Besides, the other Latin American nations don't have navies to speak of, so they can't say boo.
Aye, we shall see..

Even though the war is over Denmark is willing to purchase the Monitors, they shall be greeted by the escaping citizens of the Virgin Islands in whatever port you see fit. What do you ask for the ships?

OOC: I don't have a clue how much they are worth... Let's say I'm selling them for 3/4ths cost... Whatever that is.

Greetings,

The republic of Mexico would like to extend our best wishes to our friends from the north, our relationship may not have been the best of one throughout the century but thankfully that has now been resolved with stabillity finally coming to Mexico.

Nevertheless, we would like a chance to confirm our mutual friendship with the United States and invite a representative of your government to Mexico City to sign a treaty of friendship and cooperation.

The Mexican North American Office

One of President Grant's diplomats meets with the Mexican Embassador in Washington to discuss the treaty.

((What sort of treaty exactly? I don't think Grant or the Senate would approve anything along the lines of "The US and Mexico agree to be friends." Of cource, if you want to give us... say... half your country in exchange for us making you our economic protectorate, that would be acceptable. ::shifty eyes:: Seriously though, what exactly do you want out of this?))

((What sort of treaty exactly? I don't think Grant or the Senate would approve anything along the lines of "The US and Mexico agree to be friends." Of cource, if you want to give us... say... half your country in exchange for us making you our economic protectorate, that would be acceptable. ::shifty eyes:: Seriously though, what exactly do you want out of this?))
Bah why be economic protectorate of Yankee...be one of Russias...we are better and plus we get drunk all the time...a prefect match for our two people..

((Hey now... Prohibition hasn't become a national law *YET*.))

Hey now, the brits would be even better to establish a protectorate over Mexico.


And plus our Beer is better than the Americans, and you can't beat our Whiskey either. And Lets not forget Gin.

((Now, now... WWII hasn't happened yet, so we've still got legitimate German beers in the USA. And all sorts of whisky stuff. Hell, we're about to have the Whisky Ring Scandal! Booze for the masses I say!))

((Now, now... WWII hasn't happened yet, so we've still got legitimate German beers in the USA. And all sorts of whisky stuff. Hell, we're about to have the Whisky Ring Scandal! Booze for the masses I say!))

Yes, but your lacking Bushmills, Jameson, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich.

Oh and who can forget GUINESS

Oh sure... You've got Ireland... for now!

Oh sure... You've got Ireland... for now!
Aye, they got Ireland for now....but most of the Irish have move to USA, therefore the Yankees have some Irish beer too..and don't forget the Scots...

Oh sure... You've got Ireland... for now!


I'll still have Scotland, and Scotch.

Pssh... be Dutch! We all know how much Mexicans love their cannabis...

Cannabis, beer, vodka? Forget those... we have something better for you;

Join FRANCE, eat FROGS!

That's it! Stop cluttering my news thread with OOC junk or I'll declair war on you all! Recent civil war be DAMNED!

And the US is a melting pot... all the ethnic food you can eat, and a poorly packaged industrial meat industry making sure it's inferior to the original.

Denmark shall pay 65,000 Pounds for the ships.

Sounds good to me.

Cannabis, beer, vodka? Forget those... we have something better for you;

Join FRANCE, eat FROGS!



I'll eat the female frogs....Or were we talking about the Amphibians?

I'll eat the female frogs....Or were we talking about the Amphibians?
Now now ...we must keep this clean for the kids...Clan..

One of President Grant's diplomats meets with the Mexican Embassador in Washington to discuss the treaty.

((What sort of treaty exactly? I don't think Grant or the Senate would approve anything along the lines of "The US and Mexico agree to be friends." Of cource, if you want to give us... say... half your country in exchange for us making you our economic protectorate, that would be acceptable. ::shifty eyes:: Seriously though, what exactly do you want out of this?))

Why not? good ol' Lincoln was a big pal of the late Mexican Presidente Juraz, why it is even said tht Lincoln arranged for some supplies to be lost "near" the Mexican border during the war with Maximillian...

Anyway the Mexicans are hoping that the US might increase investment in Mexico's infrastructure, after all now that the pollitical sitution is stablising it's a good place to start investing in.

As for a treaty, how about a non-aggression treaty or a trade agreement.

Either of those are acceptable...

How about a treaty limiting the maximum amount of tarriffs placed on Mexican / American imports. About 2% for Industrial goods, 3% for refined/unrefined ore, 6.5% for foodstuffs (beef set to 2%). Sound good?

The Netherlands purchases the 4 monitors for the same price as Denmark. They will be used for patrol in the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname.

Both your patronages are much appreciated.

Grant looks to be elected in a landslide over his his Democratic opponent Horace Greeley.

He also signs into law the creation of the Federal Post Office.

So far, the year of 1872 has been one of the most peaceful of Grants career. Even the Southern states aren't resisting as much as they were, though there have been grumblings as to the "White Trail of Tears" as the recent deportations to Oklahoma of Southerners guilty of lynchings or "war crimes" during the civil war are being called.

The US Navy is quickly returning to a peace footing, having sold most of its vessels; they are even considering decommissioning several of their other active duty ships.

Only the Army remains at the strength they began at, and only, as Grant himself calls it, "[A]t only the smallest number necessary to keep the peace."

Very well, There shall exist a treaty of non-aggression between our nation, a trade agreement (Coffee and Cotton exported to he US?) and a limit on maximum tarifs. A representative frm the mexican government shall travel to Washington to formalise these.

We are also thinking of expanding the railroad system in Mexico, perhaps you might be intrested in participating with this?

The US suggests that the Mexican government expand their railroads using the US standard rail size. The US government will not participate, however, it will expidite any processes with private corporations in order to allow them to invenst in the Mexican infrastructure.

The tarriff bill is also ammended to include Coffee at 1.5% and Cotton at 1.5% in a one way gesture of friendship. Tarriffs on Coffee and Cotton imports to Mexico remain at foodstuffs levels of 6.5%.

((This should help Mexican aggriculture, as they can produce Coffee (which the US has a hard time doing) and Cotton (which will piss off the South to no end). The Beef provision will likely benefit the US, which exports a lot of it's cattle already, or have no effect.

Industry and Ore are likely to be beneficial to the US, who have an advantage in Industry and thus consume more ore.))

President Grant has won reelection in a landslide, though Democrats in the South have been crying that their states shouldn't have voted Republican. Protests have begun in Burmingham, Atlanta, New Orleans, Savannah, Charleston and Colombia. While most have been quickly broken up by police and colored regiments, the ones in Colombia and Atlanta continued for three days resulting in several lynchings, including one of a white officer commanding the 14th South Carolina Colored Infantry which was called up to supress the rebellion.

The Governors of South Carolina and Georgia as well as the military commanders of the US 2nd and 3rd Districts have requested additional federal aid from Grant, who has declined to provide it yet.

The new Speaker of the House, James G. Blaine, has stated that no Republican can vote to end reconstruction in "a State that still engages in the barbarous practice of lynchings and revolutions against the established and lawful government in favor of chaos and tyrany."

Very well we shall use the American standard as it may prove to be benificial in the future. Although we are dissapointed that the United States government is not planning on investing we welcome any assistance given. We hope this may change in the future.

As for the Trade tarrifs, we agree to the ammendments and for a prosperous future of trade and friendship between our nation.

(OOC: so do I change anything in my economy?)

((Net result: Increase over time in Agriculture. Immediate increase in Trade. Smaller Increase over time in Industry, as you are now importing more from American companies.))

The Mexican government would like to inform you that millitary activities are to be performed by the Mexican Army against Bandit Groups and Hostile Apache Tribes. These activities may come close to your border and we would like inform that there is no hostile intent by us.

If you are intrested you may want to participate in these activities as we have learned that these hostiles have been troubling you aswell.

We wish you well,

The Mexican Forign Office

Message To: the Colt Firearm Company
From: The Government of Denmark

We are extremely interested in your colt repeating rifles. The Danish Government would be grateful if it could purchase 10,000 of these rifles for $35.00. Along with this we should like to purchase 175 Gatling Guns, as we understand you manufactor these weapons for Dr. Gatling. Finally to this ordere we should like to add 5,000 of your famed Colt Revolvers. The Danish Government is willing to pay $600,000 for these items and another $50,000 for ammunition. If this is unacceptable please contact us and we shall discuss terms.

Signed:
King Frederick VII

The Colt Firearm Company is always willing to fill orders. Expect four to six months for your order to be filled, and an additional two for delivery.

The purchase of Cuba and Puerto Rico is placed before the Senate for ratification, with Grants backing. It passes by a large majority, drawing support from both Southerner Democrats and Republicans.

The United States instructs 20 million pounds worth of gold backed U.S. dollars to be transfered to the Spanish.

Two moniters very carefully make their way to Cuba, accompanied by passenger ships containing the U.S. appointed temporary governers for the Territory of Carribia (Cuba and Puerto Rico) and one regiment of U.S. Soldiers (not sure which yet).

Great Britain would like to know if the United States would be interested in the sale of Wake Island from the United States.

I'll sell it for 5 million of that gold you've got laying around doing nothing. Hehe.

1 Million Pounds in Gold.


5 Million in Gold is WAYYY to much for a Volcanic Rock.

But how much for a very strategic Volcanic Rock?

1 Million in Gold, 2 Armored Crusiers, 2.5 in Silver Notes, and you've got yourself a deal.

But how much for a very strategic Volcanic Rock?

1 Million in Gold, 2 Armored Crusiers, 2.5 in Silver Notes, and you've got yourself a deal.

1 Million in Silver notes and 1 Million in Gold. (still haven't built any cruisers yet, your a year early)

OOC: Damn.

IC: Your proposal is acceptable.

The Mexican Government approaches leading Railroad Tycoons operating near the Mexican Border for the improvement of the Mexican Railroads. The offer is the following: the Mexican government will provide two companies with exclusive Transportation rights in Mexico, one for Fright and one for express cargo, Cheap labour, Cheap materials and various other subsidies.

The goal is to improve Mexico's Infrastructure from POOR to GOOD within Ten Years. Failure to do so will lead to penalisation of the company. Sucess would mean exclusive rights for Five more years following with some subsidies.

If any company chooses to take on this challange then they must take part in a race to determine which two companies are to be chosen, The race is to ship as much cotton, coffee and ore out of the country as possible and imported goods into the country. A minimum must be passed first and the company that ships the most and the second most are chosen to attempt the challange.

The Brazilian government begins quietly buying up large quantities of American and Mexican cotton.

Henry Flagler, a major investor in Standard Oil, personally oversees the construction of a railroad through Texas, Chihuahua, Senora, and into Baja California ports. This large undertaking is expected to last for at least 8 years. Smaller tracks linking major trading cities as well as other existing tracks within the US are also planned. Flagler is especially keen on the profitability of a Mexico City-Huston railroad, once the current tracks are laid down.

The US corporations, seeing a large increase in the demand for cotton, raise their prices accordingly.

The British Government Contacts Winchester Firearms and inquires about purchasing 5,000 of their Lever action repeating rifles and also 200,000 Rounds in Ammunition.


These are for evaluation and possible use by British Colonial Cavalry Forces.

President Grant, in an effort to free up Indian fighters for Mexican combat, reorganizes the army, moving the U.S. 7th Cavalry and U.S. 9th Infantry into the newly formed "Mexican Expeditionary Force" and dissolving the First U.S. Military District, declairing that Virginia is sufficiently able to maintain it's current status without a large troop presence.

The 1st and 3rd Infantry Regiments are instead sent to Texas and Missouri, respectively, freeing up the 5th Cavalry to replace the 7th in the Dakotas. The Cheyenne have been increasing their raids, against the locals, and refuse to stay on the reservation, and a conflict is likely.

The U.S. Force in the 5th Military District are told to be ready to move through Mexico should the Mexican rebels appear too sucessful, and even the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Districts are given vague orders to be "ready for maneuvers".

The British Government Contacts Winchester Firearms and inquires about purchasing 5,000 of their Lever action repeating rifles and also 200,000 Rounds in Ammunition.


These are for evaluation and possible use by British Colonial Cavalry Forces.


*cough*

The US firm has recieved an explicit note from President Grant himself not to sell guns to the rebels in Mexico. That being said, the firm sees no harm in selling them to British merchants, who are not at war with the US in any way.

The order is confirmed, and an additional line is planned to handle the order. The British are told to pay in U.S. Dollars or Gold specie.

Mexcican Trade has recently been ordered and advised to take place through third party (US) shipping, deals are hastly made with American major companies.