[center][b][u]Events of the World: 1862[/u][/b][/center]

[b]Europe[/b]
The English are famed for their intolerance of change, so Albert Edward faced difficulties even at home as he tried and set up his new republic. Fortunately, a strong propaganda campaign - the increasingly popular weapon of the modern ruler – managed to calm and assuage the majority of people in the home islands, who decided to sit quietly and wait to see what happened. However, most did not mean all. The strongest political group in rebellion was the Marxists, but as tensions rose, any group that had a bone to pick with the government took the opportunity to protest against Edward. The Empire was not safe either. The more developed colonies of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand stayed loyal, but in India, barely four years after the end of the last Indian Rebellion, an uprising in the north quickly escalated into a full-scale countrywide uprising. In Ireland, too, separatist groups took advantage of the chaos to try and take control of the Emerald Isle. Fighting between the rebels in India/Ireland and the army caused the deaths of thousands on both sides, and there were risks that the army itself would turn against the government.
(-£79, -20% public support, uprisings in progress, -4000 regulars to the RGB)

[center][img] http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/3723/britishcivilwar.png[/img]
[i]Rough map of the uprisings on the Home Isles[/i][/center]

The new government ordered the construction of churches all through Britain, in the hopes that the British people would become more religious, and hopefully turn against the godless Marxists. It had some success, but people were already fairly religious in Britain, and did not take kindly to having the government involved in their religion.
(-£132, +4% public support)

Thinking that perhaps an economical boom would help the situation, the government built factories throughout the land. The plan was successful; the new factories had a huge output, and the economy thrived.
(-£450, +1 industry sublevel)

Hoping to implement a more military culture in Britain, the government implemented a National Military School that taught the basics of military life alongside the regular curriculum to boys aged 10-18. The school had results, but it was expensive, and unfortunately at this school education took a back seat to discipline.
(-£788, -5% education rate, +1 army sublevel in 2 turns)

France attempted to put more manpower into the construction of the Suez Canal. However, the only available source was the local Egyptians, who were being used as forced labourers. More workers were added, but it caused uproar both at home and abroad.
(-£230, -15 prestige, -5% public support, -1 year expected completion date)

Always at the forefront of weapon design, French companies began researching new models of rifles. A few companies had breakthroughs.
(-£422, +5% equipment)

Factories in France began researching methods to improve efficiency and reduce waste. There was some success.
(-£92, increased income)

French merchants began trading heavily with traders in the Great Qing. Driven by a desire to be more successful than the failed British merchants the previous year, the merchants made a large profit.
(-£220, increased income in 1 turn, +5% public support)

Von Roon’s reforms were continued, with the King authorising Von Roon an increased budget to see the reforms out. Some bureaucrats took advantage of this to skim some money off the top for themselves, but there was an increase in troop numbers and fewer people managed to dodge the draft.
(-£788, +22 000 regulars, -1 year off increased army level)

Otto von Bismarck was appointed Minister-President of the Prussian Kingdom. He appealed to both liberals and conservatives, and was loved by the people for his diplomatic success at the Conference of Constantinople.
(+5% public support)

[center][img] http://media-1.web.britannica.com/eb-media/74/81674-004-1F328DE1.jpg[/img]
[i]Otto von Bismarck[/i][/center]

The Prussian military set out to purchase breach-loading artillery. However, a factory error left the new artillery with a severe design flaw, putting the operators at risk. The military was forced to abandon the new purchases.
(-£650)

Helmuth Von Moltke implemented a wargame to the Prussian High Command known as the Kriegsspiel. They had some success amongst younger officers, but the older ones snubbed it as a game for children.
(No effect)

Austria also set out to improve its military equipment. They were more successful than the Prussians.
(-£350, +5% equipment)

Factories in Austria were modernised and had their efficiency improved to encourage economic growth. It was somewhat successful.
(-£141, increased income)

The Austrian government attempted to reform the education system. It was a complete disaster, with high costs and large numbers of errors and mistakes.
(-£102, -3% education rate)

Kaiser Franz Joseph I took a tour of the Empire to try and improve his public support. He had some success, but his demands to travel in high style meant it was an expensive trip, and did not endear him to his poorer citizens much.
(-£100, +4% public support)

In Sweden, factories were constructed to try and make use of the abundant natural resources. It was mostly successful.
(-£600, +1 industry sublevel)

Railroads were planned to better connect Sweden with Norway. It was difficult terrain to cross and there were many delays, but the plan was still underway.
(-£489, +1 infrastructure sublevel in 1 turns)

A propaganda campaign intended to promote pan-Scandinavism went ahead. It was successful, but costs were higher than expected.
(-£190, +5% public support)

The situation in 1862 seemed dire for the Kingdom of Denmark, as huge Prussian armies converged south of the border and invaded. It seemed a strange decision for the Danes to not accept the Prussian ultimatum, and even stranger that Denmark seemed to be making no preparations for war. However, as the Prussian soldiers crossed the border, it quickly became clear why. The initial Prussian advance was met with sporadic fire as the smaller Danish army withdrew north. The Prussian commanders advanced slowly, half expecting a trap, and casualties were low. After three hours of fighting, almost on the dot, firing from the Danish lines ceased and white flags of parley went up. Danish commanders agreed to cede the lands Prussia had demanded – the three hours of fighting had been symbolic, showing that the Danes would not give in without a fight.
(-326 regulars to Denmark, -744 regulars to Prussia, Schleswig-Holstein ceded to Prussia)

[center][img] http://images.wikia.com/althistory/images/b/bd/Lignedefeu16August.jpg[/img]
[i]Fighting between Denmark and Prussia[/i][/center]

Russia’s industrial capacity was far behind the other Great Powers. In order to rectify this, the Russian government ordered an increase of industrial output. 
(-£490, +1 industry sublevel)

It was decided to streamline the government to try and cut down on redundant and wasteful systems. However, bureaucrats always manage to slip through the cracks.
(-£200, increased income)

A centralised system of taxes was implemented to try and reduce corruption and overspending. However, it struggled to deal with the huge amount of territory it had to cover, so many of the far-eastern citizens did not see any advantages.
(-£102, increased income)

A prospecting expedition in Alaska was funded by the government. It was enormously successful, striking a rich deposit of gold within a few weeks. This encouraged migration to the area, and many other governments of the world looked jealously at Alaska.
(-£310, increased income)

The Romanian government attempted to increase the number of factories built. They poured funding into the project, but the factories were slow to become operational.
(-£550, +1 industry sublevel in 3 turns)

Education was also reformed, as the government made a primary level education compulsory for all citizens.
(-£100, +7% education rate)

A propaganda program attempted to encourage enrolment in the army. This one was directed a bit better, and managed to recruit only Romanians.
(-£91, +9000 regulars)

A railway was built from Bucharest to Giurgiu. The plan was well executed and the railway was efficiently built well before the expected deadline.
(-£541, +1 infrastructure sublevel)

Italian officers once more travelled to Prussia to receive training. Going on the theory that, as they had tried to go to Prussia and ended up in Sicily, they should try and head for Sicily and perhaps they would end up in Prussia. So they boarded a train for Sicily, and to everyone’s surprise, ended up in Stockholm. A short but expensive boat ride got them safe and sound to Prussia, where they underwent training under Prussian supervision.
(-£480, +1 army sublevel in 3 turns)

Factories were built in northern Italy to increase industrial output and provide jobs for the unemployed. There were some successes, however it raised an uproar in the southern Italy as they wanted job opportunities as well.
(-£620, +1 industry sublevel in 1 turn, -5% public support)

Italian shipbuilders received a huge order from the government. Hoping to make the Regina Marina the strongest navy in the Med, they went to work with gusto. However, perhaps they had not considered the high costs of vessels.
(-£6,100, +3 ironclads, +2 ships-of-the-line, +8 transport ships, all in 3 turns)

Education was tackled by the Ottoman government to try and combat the low literacy rate amongst their citizens. Attempts were made to try and distance education from religion, which had some success, but made some more devout subjects angry.
(-£190, +6% education rate)

Agriculture was also considered, with reformations taking place all over the Empire. Ottoman National farms were set up, taking advantage of the highly arable land.
(-£220, increased income)

Propaganda was released all through the empire celebrating Ottoman identity and emphasising the importance of the Sultan as Caliph over all Muslims.
(-£105, +9% public support)

Propaganda was also utilized by the Spanish government in order to increase the legitimacy of Queen Isabella II. Costs were high, but most people responded positively.
(-£173, +5% public support)

A meeting was held of Spanish economists to discuss how to improve Spain’s standing on the international market. The meeting was successful, and the better ideas were implemented.
(-£99, increased income)

The rate of exploitation of resources from Cuba was increased, with some success for the Spaniards.
(-£101, increased income)

The Greek government attempted to improve the education system by offering a range of classes to all ages and social standing. It was an expensive process, however.
(-£168, +5% education rate)

Military equipment was purchased from all over Europe by the Greek military. They almost purchased some nearly-new breach-loading artillery from Prussia, but decided that the Prussians were a little too eager to sell them, and refused.
(-£298, +6% equipment)

Railroads, which were beginning to look a little old and weathered, were refurbished and improved by the government. It was a highly successful move.
(-£399, +1 infrastructure sublevel)

The Greek government offered tax incentives to any farmer willing to test new inventions on their farms. Some braver souls took the risk, and for a few, the risk paid off.
(-£222, increased income)

[b]The Americas[/b]
The USA, naturally, sought to improve the quality and size of the military. Reforms into training yielded good results. The size was no problem, as new recruits were still lining around the block to join.
(-£381, +1 army level, +130 000 conscripts)

The importance of the roll that ships had played in the battle for Vicksburg had not been lost on Union leaders. A fleet of new ironclad vessels was ordered, with the first expected to arrive within the year.
(-£4,000, +1 ironclad, +3 ironclads in 1 turn)

[center][img] http://steamboattimes.com/images/civil_war/ironclad_ussstlouis_firsteadsironclad_cityclass_renamed_baron_de_kalb_oct1862_1581x971.jpg[/img]
[i]New US ironclad on its maiden voyage[/i][/center]

The new Spencer repeating rifles had been tested by Union soldiers to great effect, and the army had ordered thousands in order to outfit as much of the army as possible. War factories got to work, but the order outstripped their capacity, so the order was slow to be filled.
(-£961, +1% equipment, +5% equipment in 1 turn, +5% equipment in 2 turns)

War bonds had not sold well at the start of the war. But with recent Union victories, more buyers had faith in a Union victory, so bonds began to sell far better.
(+£1,000)

To aid in the failing economy, taxes were raised in the CSA. The Confederate people recognised that it was a necessity of being at war, and it did not stop them from supporting their government. The news of the loss of Virginia galvanised many into signing up for the military.
(raised income, +90 000 conscripts)

The Confederacy recognised how important the navy was in saving Vicksburg from falling, and moved to improve the naval facilities in New Orleans, as well as training the Confederate fleet.
(-£345, +1 naval sublevel)

New vessels were constructed in New Orleans to replace the one lost and to add to the fleet.
(-£2,400, +2 screw frigates, +3 sail frigates)

A number of suspicious men were captured behind Union lines near Washington, and when interrogated, revealed that they were members of the Confederate Secret Service. The men refused to divulge their plan, and were shot as spies. Rumour has it they were planning on kidnapping or assassinating the President of the United States.
(No effect)

The process of modernisation continued in Mexico, with fairly decent results, as factories were built and mining operations improved.
(-£508, +1 industrial sublevel)

The Mexican government offered incentives to European investors to construct the planned railway that fell flat the previous year. Prussian investors took the offer, and construction was soon underway, this time under greater supervision.
(-£490, +1 infrastructure sublevel in 1 turn)

Schools were built all over Mexico in order to promote education and improve the literacy of the Mexican people. The results were outstanding.
(-£300, +8% education rate)

Brazil sought to improve the standing of freed slaves. There was some success, but the results were far from satisfactory.
(-£220, +3% education rate, +3% public support)

With the war in North America becoming increasingly bloody, more refugees took advantage of the Brazilian offer to escape the fighting. The Brazilian government kindly offered the refugees full citizenship and constructed housing in Rio.
(-£109, +6000 population, +5 prestige)

Attempts to build better quality roads along the coastline went ahead, but a fierce heatwave meant lazy workers and slow progress was made.
(-£460, +1 infrastructure level in 2 turns)

Having retaken Bogotá, the Colombian government sought to encourage migration to the city. It was a successful move as a surge of people moved to the city hoping to find work, and this led to a boom in the population.
(-£135, +0.19 population growth)

Construction of a railway was attempted to link Bogotá with more northern cities. Unfortunately, the heatwave that struck Brazil also hit Colombia, and the untreated metal rails expanded in the heat and became useless.
(-£380)

Seeds for coffee beans and bananas were provided by the government to try and promote farming, and the nation saw an increase in agricultural output.
(-£100, increased income)

Hoping to finally end the civil war, Colombian troops descended on known rebel strongholds. After some short battles, these were rapidly overtaken. The rebels were facing serious food and supply shortages, and many surrendered at the sight of government soldiers. Within a few months, the last rebels were captured, and the civil war officially ended.
(-100 regulars, -320 conscripts to Colombia)

[b]Asia[/b]
In the wake of the civil war, the government of the Great Qing undertook a grand reconstruction effort to restore the damage done by the rebels. It was expensive, but homes were quickly rebuilt and the lands flourished.
(-£530, increased income)

The westerners that served the Great Qing were requested to help train the officers of the army. They accepted, and the quality of the Qing army was raised.
(-£370, +1 army sublevel)

[center][img] http://www.lasalle.edu/~mcinneshin/325/wk08/images/QingvsTaiping.jpg[/img]
[i]Qing troops training[/i][/center]

The training also extended to the officers of the navy, who benefited hugely from the training and advice.
(-£310, +1 navy sublevel)

After signing the Treaty of Friendship and Trade, French teachers entered the Great Qing and taught in schools, greatly improving education.
(-£170, +9% education rate)

An audit into national spending in Siam had huge results, uncovering corruption and reducing the nation’s deficit immensely. Those responsible for the corruption were promptly arrested.
(reduced nation deficit)

Siam’s education rate was one of the lowest in the world, with just 3% being literate. An attempt to tackle this was undertaken with some results, although people were a little slow to learn.
(-£120, +7% education rate in 2 turns)

Subsidies attracted foreign investment into the construction of factories throughout the kingdom. Factories sprung up all over the place, and industrial output increased.
(-£460, +1 industrial sublevel)