Subject: Napoleon's continued empire - afftereffects
From: DOUGFOWLER@news.delphi.com (DOUGFOWLER@DELPHI.COM)
Date: 1996/08/11
Message-ID: <4um4bc$18q@news2.delphi.com>
Newsgroups: soc.history.what-if
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Thanks to all those who have posted an e-mailed ideas. Here are
some aftereffects of my timeline's Napoleon's actions, based on what's
been said - there's some parts I've left open, but others can discuss -
namely, after the French colonize more of Africa, they have to go to
Asia, I would assume - what would they do there?
A recap on whats transpired - Napoleon pushed through the Ottoman
Empire in the hope of reaching India. After the Great War, as its
called, goes from 1810 or so to 1816, the Ottomans are decimated,
Portugal controls Arabia, Britain and France are very war weary, the
British control the rest of the ex-Ottoman Empire in Asia, with France
starting to acquire African colonies, such as those held by the Ottomans
save for Egypt, which is British.
The Napoleonic puppet France installs as Sultan controls only Asian
Turkey.
Hapsburgs own all the Balkans save for Greece. Britain has sold all
of Oregon to the U.S. to pay for the war. Russia owns the Dardenelles,
but Britain would like to see the Ottomans or Hapsburgs get them, now
that N. is cowed. N. still owns the Low Countries, Germany west of the
Rhine, and Switzerland, as well as France, in 1817.
1820: Whig reforms working in Britain. France starts to set its eyes
on the Ruhr Valley. Meanwhile, thanks to the formation, together with
the Hungarians and the Orthodox Balkans, of the Tri-Monarchy, the
Austrian Empire is bigger & stronger than OTL, and they begin to dicker
with the Russians over the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea. Russia
wants it and Moldavia to link it with the Dardenelles, Austria wants to
keep it and also control the Dardenelles. Britain agrees to support
Austria. (They only let Russia get the Dardenelles because they knew
other nations would be there to control the, since theres no land
connection.)
1821: The British look uneasy as the French start to mass troops on
their side of the Rhine, looking ready to overrun the Ruhr Valley. (Im
assuming it was the British who poisoned Napoleon. If not, substitute
a relative.) They wait for the nations of the Ruhr to make the 1st move,
as France is still rebuilding..
Britain declines to fight France unless its necessary, as they are
still jittery about entering a lengthy war that could easily be a
stalemate again.
1824: Russia, having acquired the Caucasus, decides they want more
of Turkey. Having not been damaged nearly as much by N.s forces, they
attack from Odessa and Constantinople, as well as on land. The Ottomans
receive much needed help from the Austrians.
1825: As the United States thanks the Lord they havent become
involved in European affairs, the more powerful Russians find the
French jumping into the fray. Britain watches as the continents two
major powers duke it out, deciding that if one becomes too weak, they
will jump in to support the loser, even if its the French, to preserve the
balance of power.
1827: The Treaty of Washington, sponsored by John Quincy Adams
and by the British, gives the Dardenelles to Austria as part of a quasi
independent nation of Macedonia. It is hoped that, by placing the region
under the auspecies of the more powerful Hapsburgs, the Russians will
not be able to make the Black Sea a Russian Lake anymore.
1829: The Turks attempt to create a new Constitution as in OTLs
1870s, hoping that this will solve their problems. However, having
been treated to N.s anti-Muslim ruler for so long, a revolt occurs in
Ankara. Britain, Prussia, and Portugal rush to settle what could
be a civil war by carving out spheres of influence. Turkey is carved into
colonies despite French attempts to control the entire nation. N. quickly
backs out when Prussian forces attack across the Ruhr, and a bloody
stalemate occurs as the powerful French push the Prussians back.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., John Quincy Adams begins a 2nd term, without
Andrew Jacksons big win at New Orleans thrusting him into the national
spotlight. Hes captured Florida from the Spanish, and won more Indian
battles, but thats about it.
Political parties are re-forming, here around whether the U.S. should
keep expanding or not.
1835: Macedonias place as a puppet state still smacks of freedom for
them, and the desire for independence starts to spread to other national-
ities in the Hapsburg Empire. France and Russia compete here, France
trying to help the empire stay together, Russia trying to break it apart
so they can grab some lands. Britain, meanwhile, starts intrigue in
China as in OTL.
1837: Texan forces win big a few months after the Alamo, wherein
some U.S. fighters are killed. Once elections are over, re-elected Daniel
Webster sends Jackson and several other generals down to help Texas
achieve independence, and at the same time sparks a war with Mexico.
1838: Revolts break out in Budapest, Bucharest, and Belgrade. Berlin
even sees some demonstrations, as does Paris, as Enlightenment Europe
sees more demand for liberalism. Austrian Empire breaks into a
confederation like the British Empire of OTLs early 1900s. One empress
controls them, but the eight nations have autonomy in domestic matters.
Knowing that Russia and France could both covet these quasi-nations, the
nations sign a mutual defense pact with the British. The Prussian
Emperor, whose relative, Queen Victoria, hss just assumed the British
throne, also agrees to protect them from Russian desires.
1840: This could be around the time Napoleon - or his son, if the
British didnt poison N. - dies, leaving Louis Napoleon as emperor. L.N.
is more focused on acquiring colonies than he is on conquering EUrope.
He also bears less animosity toward the British. Hence, he starts to add
to Indonesia, which was Dutch and fell into Frances hands after the Great
War, by taking some small islands,. One of his first acts is to order
French ships into Japan to open their trade markets, hopefully bringing
Japan into their sphere of influence.
Meanwhile, early in the year, the U.S. completes its war with Mexico
and adds all that they did in our timeline, plus some points south that
werent as heavily populated by Mexicans 10 years earlier than OTLs war.
An America weary of war elects Lewis Cass President. Cass promptly
admits Texas to the Union as per their request, but he begins a string
of anti-slavery, anti-expansion Presidents.
1852: Martin Van Buren elects to serve only one term and not run
again at 70, fortunate as the South had been threatening to secede over his
hard-line abolitionist policies. While several states have been added as
slave states below Texas, it is becoming apparent that the Compromise
of 1820 is not working, partly because the anti-expansion party is also
composed mostly of Northerners. James Bucnanan win election with the
expansionist Democrats.
1855: Prussia, having defeated Austria in a minor engagement over
the Sudetland, takes Warsaw in a surprise move against Russian forces
trying to re-acquire the Dardenelles. Russia is too focused on the south.
They lose the war, and must give Germany Poland in the peace, while at
the same time the conflict divided their forces and kept them from
re-taking the Dardenelles.
1857: Because several northern, anti-slavery Presidents have
appointed justices the Dred Scot decision goes against the slaveholder.
The South demands an immediate Constitutional Amendment protecting
slavery in the territories, but President Seward, knowing it couldnt
gain the 3/4 necessary states, refuses. After having defeated Buchanan
for re-election, Seward finds himself in a civil war by June of 1858, as
states begin to secede. Amid pressure, he uses this as an opportunity to
push through anti-slavery measures, including an EMancipation
Proclamation in 1860.
1858: The Russians surrender Alaska to the British as part of the
peace treaty ending the war against them. Britain makes it part of
Canada, and grants the nation dominion status.
Meanwhile, the French Empire fights Germany to a draw when the
Germans attack. The fighting solidifies German control of the Ruhr
Valley, however, and allow Germany to take parts of Belgium and the
Netherlands. Later that year, German unification occurs.
1861: Very late in the year, the U.S. ends their war. When John
Wilkes Booth decides to shoot the President for allowing the South to
fall, the new President, Charles Sumner, outlaws slavery altogether and
begins to push through massive integration measures.
And where does Napoleon III look? Well, stay tuned, because with
the U.S. united, he cant support Maximillian as easily. Therefore, the
French send their navy en masse to China, push up from Southeast
Asia, and hope to influence the Taipeng Rebellion, or at least grab
some territory. They have the northern half of Africa, except for a bit
of Nigeria which is British. Britain controls the southern half, except
for a couple Portugese colonies. So, Asia becomes a hot spot for
colony grabbing. Would China be able to be split into colonies? With
a more powerful Germany help...well,what do you think?
