NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is the Argentine factbook for the E20 roleplay. As such, this thread is closed to non-E20 people. Also, consider this thread under construction until further notice.

La Republica de la Argentina
The Argentine Republic

Political Overview

Government Type: Republic
Federal Capital: Buenos Aires
Head of State: President José Figueroa Alcorta
Official Language: Spanish
Official Religion: Roman Catholicism

Population (1908 est): 5,988,000
European 90%
Mestizo 6%
Amerindian 2%
Other 2%

Note: The “Conquest of the Desert,” a war to extend federal control to southern Patagonia, ended some two decades ago with the extermination or subjugation of the native peoples of the region. While proponents of the war maintain that the ultimate objective was to extend civilization to the area and to protect isolated farms and villages from hostile Indian tribes, it remains a fact that the conquest bore a striking similarity to the “Indian Wars” in North America around the same time period.

Religions:
Roman Catholic 92%
Protestant 2%
Jewish 2%
Other 4%

Major Cities:
Buenos Aires
Córdoba
Rosario

Major Political Parties:
National Autonomist Party
Federalist Union Party
Republican Proposal
Radical Civic Union

Foreign Relations:

Friendly
Britain
United States
Germany
Italy
Uruguay
France
Spain

Neutral
Brazil
Paraguay
Ottoman Empire
Russia
Chile

Wary

Hostile
None

Economic Overview
Currency: Argentine Peso
Production Centers: 2 (Buenos Aires)
Resources: 5 (Buenos Aires)
Energy: 1 Coal
Misc. Points: 3 (from Bolivia)
Food Production: 24
Total Purchasing Power (Normal Spending): 16

Military Overview:
Total Available Manpower: 598,000
Army Frontline Strength: 124,640
Army Reserve Strength: 419,160
Naval Personnel: 55,000

Argentine Army [Conscript Troops]:
1x Garrison Unit-Buenos Aires
1x Garrison Unit-Córdoba
1x Garrison Unit-La Quiaca
1x Mountain Division
2x Cavalry Division
1x Marine Brigade

Reserve Army
3x Infantry Corp
1x Cavalry Division
1x Mountain Division

Argentine Navy:
Tech Level 5
1x Battlecruiser (built by Britain, complete end of 1908)
1x Destroyer Flotilla
4x Light Cruiser (built by United States, complete end of 1908)
Tech level 4.5
Protected Cruisers: Patagonia*, Veinticinco De Mayo*, Nueve De Julio*, Buenos Aires*, General Garibaldi, General San Martin, General Belgrano, General Pueyrredon
1x Torpedo Boat Flotilla
Naval Base: Bahia Blanca
Other major port: Buenes Aires
No repair facilities (use US or British)

Protected cruisers marked with are to be scrapped at the end of 1908 and replaced with modern American-built light crusiers.

Argentine Budget 1908:
Population: 5,988,000
Tech Level: 4
Income [Market Economy, budget cuts]: 28
Production: 4 (2 prod. center Buenos Aires)
Resources: 5 (Buenos Aires)
Food: 4
Commerce: n/a
Miscellaneous: 3 (from Bolivia)
Foreign Aid: 12 points, plus additional non-monetary assistance (from US, see below)
Annual Growth: 5%

Constant Costs:
Military Maintenance-3.5 points
Level II Social Services-1 point

Government Spending:
1x Battle Cruiser (tech level 5, built by Britain)-4 points (year 3 of 3)
Naval Yard-12 points (complete)
4x Light Cruiser (tech level 5, built in America)-4 points* (year 2 of 2)
1x Reserve Infantry Corp-2 points
1x Fortress (Aconcagua)-1 point (complete in in 1913)

Surplus: .5 points

Energy Calculations:
Energy Needed:
--Production: 1

Energy Available (Domestic):
-- 1 Coal
Energy Used:
-- 1 Coal
Energy Surplus:
-- None

Energy Used Breakdown:
-- 1 Coal for Production

Estimated 1909 Income: 29 (+1 prod. center from growth replaces 1 resource point) assuming US aid continues, 17 if not

A group of Argentine Army officers has been dispatched to North America to act as observers attached to various units of the American Army. It is hoped that the officers will be able to bring back useful ideas concerning training and tactics from their North American counterparts. The Ministry of Defense also wishes to observe the standards to which the United State's all-volunteer force is held too, and compare the average yanquis to the average Argentine conscript.

In other military related news, the Ministry of Defense has announced the purchase of a modern battlecruiser and a flotilla of destroyers from Great Britain, in order to replace the aging battleship Almirante Brown, and to bring the Argentine Navy up to modern standards. Those who question whether this purchase was motivated by fears of Chilean naval superiority were dismissed, and President Quintana has stated that relations with Santiago are as close as ever.

March 12, 1906
President Manueal A. Quintana died in office today, of unknown causes. He was succeeded by his Vice President, José Figueroa Alcorta. President Alcorta has stated that he will continue the policies of President Quintana; specifically the naval modernization program and the increase in social services throughout Argentina. President Alcorta has also stated that he will discuss with his Cabinet plans to continue the industrialization of Argentina, in order to strengthen the economy and to end Argentina's dependence on foreign aid. Alcorta made it clear, however, that he would continue to consider both the United States and Great Britain to be "close allies, and close friends."

As a friendly gesture in 1906 (and more pragmatically, to assure that South America remains friendly to American interests) Congress passes a bill for foriegn aid to that region. Included are funds for Argentina (totalling in game terms 12 points). The implication with the gift is that should the money be used to invest in a merchant marine fleet, American shipbuilders would be happy to have the dollars flow right back to them (I can build those if you want).

With the gift of substantial economic aid from the United States, the Alcorta Administration begins work on increasing Argentina's ability to trade independently, and to that end construction is started on a naval yard in Buenos Aires, so that merchant ships can be constructed at home at a lower cost, and in the future warships can be built as well, so that the Republic will not be forced to rely on foreign powers.

Many of the Argentine observers who were attached to the US military earlier in the year were sent to Cuba with the US Marines, and reports from these officers emphasize the effectiveness of the yanquis military. These reports, coming in soon after the world witnessed the destructive power of cavalry against infantry in the Moroccan desert, has led many in the Ministry of Defense to push for the incorporation of more cavalry and light forces into the Argentine Army. While the 1906 budget leaves no room for expansion of the armed forces, it can reasonably be expected that 1907 will see changes made in the Army of the Republic.

Greece would like to extend diplomatic relations to Argentina.

Greece would like to extend diplomatic relations to Argentina.

since both of your nations have already existed, you already have relations (diplomats, etc.)

Treaty of Mutual Defense and Friendship between the United States of America and the Republic of Argentina

Recognizing that it is the long term interests of both nations that the Northern and Southern Hemispheres of America should work in concert to further peace and development in their continents,

Affirming that both nations have varying strategic and economic interests can be greatly furthered by friendly understanding,

Resolved that the United States and Argentine Republic promise to assist one another in all situations under the following criteria:

Article I
The Republic of Argentina recognizes the Monroe Doctrine as legitimate, and will act within these bounds to assist the United States in ensuring that the Doctrine is upheld.

The United States recognizes that the Argentine government has an obligation to provide for the security of its people, and will not prevent financial loans from foreign powers or the sale of weapons or military technology to Argentina from any state not currently at war with the United States.

Article II
The United States and the Argentine Republic pledge to assist one another in any military conflict if so requested, but both reserve to right to deny assistance to the other in the event that the signatory in question instigated unprovoked hostilities without a justifiable casus belli.

Article III
Either signatory may propose additional articles, which shall take effect upon agreement by both signatories.

Be it known that upon ratification of this treaty by both parties, both nations shall consider it just and binding law.

The government of President Alcorta remains silent on the issue of the coup d'etat in Haiti, and subsequent American intervention. However, newspapers across the country state a variety of opinions, ranging from pro-intervention to support for the rebels under Dr. Bobo [ooc...that just makes me laugh]. However, many Argentines do not bother to concern themselves with the business of negritos thousands of miles away.

Intellectuals in universities and coffeeshops debate the possibility of Russian aggression against China, and wonder if a Russian invasion would stimulate the unification of China by providing a common enemy for the warlords. Similarly, men of learning discuss the ramifications of the Second Italio-Abbysinian War, which is now seen as an Italian victory, or near enough as to not matter.