NationStates Jolt Archive

Form of Government: Empire
Head of State: Emperor Pedro II
Population: 10.9 million

Background: Since Brazil declared independence from Portugal, it has been ruled by the Emperor of Brazil, currently Pedro II. The Brazilian economy is largely coffee-based, with coffee accounting for over 50% of exports. The railways are minimal, and mainly focused on bringing exports from the inner areas to the coastal ports. However, Brazil is still scarred from the bloody War of the Triple Alliance.

Royal Brazilian Army:
80,000 men (30,000 active duty, 50,000 militia/reserves)

The Brazilian Army has only recently come into prominence. After the War of the Triple Alliance, the army has a number of veterans and battle-tested officers, but it lacks the discipline, moral, and equipment, of the great armies of Europe. Recently, the standing army was cut almost in half, freeing up money to buy more modern weaponry and attract a better class of career officer.

Royal Brazilian Navy:
10 coastal defense battleships
Various wooden ships

The navy has recently gained several ships bought from Britain and France during the War of the Triple Alliance.

Brazilian Humanitarian Corps
2000 men (1000 in the Balkans, 500 in Pula, 200 training in Sweden)

The Emperor has declared that the Medical Corps of the Brazilian army shall henceforth be doubled. Various envoys from Brazil ask about hiring some of the most respected European doctors to lead the new military medical school. It is hoped that this move will improve the Army's chances of survival against diseases. This move will be financed with a new tax on slaves, and it is declared that any slave owner who frees the slave will receive a small sum of cash.

In other news, the military budget is increased, with the goal of attracting a higher class of recruits and providing higher salaries.

From: King George I of Denmark and Greece
To: His Most Supreme Imperial Emperor Pedro II

We deeply appreciate the help you have sent us. If there is anything we may do in return at anytime please let us know, although nothing will probably happen now. Brazil has possibly saved Denmark, and we thank you for it.

tag

From: King George I of Denmark and Greece
To: His Most Supreme Imperial Emperor Pedro II

We deeply appreciate the help you have sent us. If there is anything we may do in return at anytime please let us know, although nothing will probably happen now. Brazil has possibly saved Denmark, and we thank you for it.

From: His Most Supreme Imperial Emperor Pedro II
To: King George I of Greece and Denmark

Brazil has no wish to fight either the Kingdom of Great Britain or the Russian Empire, both great nations that simply wish to protect their interests. We only wish to alleviate some of the civilian casualties of war. While our soldiers will attempt to save civilian lives, they will not take up arms nor help the Danish or Greek military in any way.

OOC: it was more brown nosing then needing a reply but...

IC:
We Understand you are not partcipating in active combat. Still you have our thanks.

Backed by Dutch loans, the construction of new railroads and roads begins. These are built by private companies, overseen by the Brazilian government. A new tax on slaves is also put into effect, though the landowners generally feel that cheaper and faster transportation will far outweigh the tax. However, this makes slave-owning more expensive, so a few landowners try simply hiring cheap labor instead.

A new campaign against corruption also begins, with large posters bearing anti-corruption slogans posted everywhere. So far, this seems to have little effect.

Febuary 16, 1876

Another tax is put on slavery. At this point, the costs are becoming prohibitive. Many more landowners "free" their slaves, then re-employ them at low wages and charge them prohibitive prices for their room and board. Other landowners grow angry that the government is imposing taxes on the wealthy, but this is somewhat offset by new infrastructure, which makes it easier to export crops.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire, in the interest of spreading peace and by special request of Empress Zsófia, wishes Brazilian help in expanding the Austro-Hungarian Medical Corps and working with the Brazilian group to offer aid to peoples across the world.

The Brazilian Empire would be happy to assist the Austro-Hungarian Empire with the creation of a body similar to the Brazilian Humanitarian Corps. In fact, Emperor Pedro II proposes that the two groups have frequent joint exercises and work together in the field for increased efficacy. Austro-Hungarian medical aid forces are hereby welcomed in Brazilian ports.

Meanwhile, on the home front...
The Brazilian Parliament, angry that the Emperor has taken such an active role in world events, demands that he cease to act in such a cavalier manner. The Emperor agrees to stop such activist foreign policy if the government does not seek to undo what he has accomplished.

The Brazilian Humanitarian Corps are formally incorporated as a branch of the army under the direct control of the emperor.

With slavery rapidly disappearing from Brazil as a result of high taxes, other plans to bring labor in are debated. In the end, Parliament agrees to subsidize immigration in order to bring cheap labor into Brazil in substitute for the antiquated slave system.

The Duke of Caxais, the prime minister, also puts forward a new plan to modernize the army by forbidding army officers to hold civilian positions. He also advocates reducing the standing army from 50,000 to 30,000 men, and put the saved funds into attracting a higher class of career soldier. Parliament throws out the first proposal, but ratifies the second. Three military academies are established to encourage well-educated career officers.

The Austro-Hungarian government is willing to assist the Brazilian Armed Forces in establishing military acadamies in return for their assistance with the Austro-Hungarian Humanitarian Force.

Brazil greatfully accepts this offer.

The Brazilian Empire would be happy to assist the Austro-Hungarian Empire with the creation of a body similar to the Brazilian Humanitarian Corps. In fact, Emperor Pedro II proposes that the two groups have frequent joint exercises and work together in the field for increased efficacy. Austro-Hungarian medical aid forces are hereby welcomed in Brazilian ports.

Meanwhile, on the home front...
The Brazilian Parliament, angry that the Emperor has taken such an active role in world events, demands that he cease to act in such a cavalier manner. The Emperor agrees to stop such activist foreign policy if the government does not seek to undo what he has accomplished.

The Brazilian Humanitarian Corps are formally incorporated as a branch of the army under the direct control of the emperor.

With slavery rapidly disappearing from Brazil as a result of high taxes, other plans to bring labor in are debated. In the end, Parliament agrees to subsidize immigration in order to bring cheap labor into Brazil in substitute for the antiquated slave system.

The Duke of Caxais, the prime minister, also puts forward a new plan to modernize the army by forbidding army officers to hold civilian positions. He also advocates reducing the standing army from 50,000 to 30,000 men, and put the saved funds into attracting a higher class of career soldier. Parliament throws out the first proposal, but ratifies the second. Three military academies are established to encourage well-educated career officers.

OOC: Now now... There are easier ways to generate cheap labor. Free-men, banned from taking other jobs due to education or descrimination can easily be fored to do their old job... AND PAY THEIR FORMER MASTERS FOR ROOM AND BOARD! Just ban them from voting (in real life, until the mid to late 1900s only 2% of Brazil could actually vote) and you have a guarenteed labor pool irreguardless of "technical" status of free or slave.

Hurray for creative uses of descrimination and economic servitude!

In response to the number of military men recently dismissed from the Armed Forces, Brazil's parliament passes a measure to create new post-military schools, suited to adapting soldiers to civilian life. However, due to a small budget, these schools are open only to those who have served at least 10 years.

Gregory Truman, an Englishman serving the Brazilian army, has been assigned to scout out the interior of Brazil. A competent commander, Truman is especially noted for his ability to dramatize anything until it becomes of paramount importance.

OOC: Now now... There are easier ways to generate cheap labor. Free-men, banned from taking other jobs due to education or descrimination can easily be fored to do their old job... AND PAY THEIR FORMER MASTERS FOR ROOM AND BOARD! Just ban them from voting (in real life, until the mid to late 1900s only 2% of Brazil could actually vote) and you have a guarenteed labor pool irreguardless of "technical" status of free or slave.

Hurray for creative uses of descrimination and economic servitude!

Ahem.


Another tax is put on slavery. At this point, the costs are becoming prohibitive. Many more landowners "free" their slaves, then re-employ them at low wages and charge them prohibitive prices for their room and board. Other landowners grow angry that the government is imposing taxes on the wealthy, but this is somewhat offset by new infrastructure, which makes it easier to export crops.

Great minds think alike, eh?

Ahem.



Great minds think alike, eh?
No Great Minds think alike...they think the same thing a few hours later..so bah