Platine Federation 1848-GovernmentWith the Platine Federation's takeover of Paraguay, Unitary factions, or Blancos, plan to rise and establish an independent Uruguay. Despite a weakened Argentina and thus very little support, the Blancos still have some modicum of power, especially in the rural regions. They have also joined with the League of Paraguayan Purity, a group on the rise ever since the mass immigration into Paraguay. Though both groups hate each other, they have a common goal: disband the Platine Federation, then separate Paraguay and Uruguay. They have not posed a major threat now, but Strategic Intelligence keeps a watchful eye on them.
The Platine Federation continues urbanization policies and development of cities, now cooperating with Gran Columbia, sharing innovations in infrastructure and city development. Sister city programs, that being sharing of city plans and services along with general cooperation between cities are implemented. The cities have developed "parks", recreational spaces of empty land used for the public. Fire hydrants, allowing easier suppression of fires by the Fire Brigade are positioned all around cities. Existing city development programs continue, along with experimentation with steam trams. Literacy rises in the Platine Federation as education continues to be subsidized. The number of hospitals rise and expert physicians in Platineans and immigrants are found.
Presidente Lopez and St. Cyr declares that Platine cattle must be the best cattle and creates an Agricultural Ministry along with a Food Administration. They ensure Platine cattle keep up with standards and prevents disease from infected cattle. The Agricultural Ministry, after hearing of John Bennet Lawes, an Englishman who invented an artificial manure mix, researches possible fertillizers. Research into selective breeding and manipulating seeds is underway.
An ice-breaking ship, the
Ciudad, is built. The Platine government plans an expedition south, to the believed South Pole of the world.
Telegraph lines continue to be installed throughout the country. The Rio de La Plata Basin Waterway is expanded to the Pilcomayo and Bermejo Rivers, running from Chaco to Sucre in the PBC, shortening Platine-PBC transport lines. Steamships navigating the rivers are built.
Foreign investment trickles to Asuncion. In a joint venture with the Ottoman Empire (
Jean-Luc Picard ), a Saladin factory is built in Asuncion. The Platine Federation is expected to obtain 50% of the Saladins built in this factory. In Montevideo, naval cooperation with Chile (
Frederick the Great ) begins. Though the exact mechanism of the proposal is unclear, Chilean cruisers have been spotted docked in Montevideo. The Platine Federation has access to US (
Napoleon Bonaparte ) formulas of not-Bessemer Steel and incendiary bullets through treaty. Foundries continue to develop the steel. Compound armor, made from a mix of iron and steel is planned. A Gatling factory is planned to open next year in Asuncion.
Industry continues to prosper. Mining is on the rise as the military-industrial complex along with foreign investments continue to grow. Textile trade from Chile fosters a rise in the cloth industry, especially after the demand for textiles rise for soldiers' uniforms and Saladins. Canned food industries continue to prosper as always.
The Platine Academy of Sciences offers a position to Joseph Petzval and Petrol Baltazar Petzval, two Austro-Hungarian mathematicians of note. Joseph especially is credited with inventing a lens substantially improving the daguerreotype camera, shortening exposure time from 30 minutes to 10-15 seconds. Opera glasses, binoculars, telescopes, and microscopes were perfected by Joseph, but most importantly he planned the construction of new floodlights just a year before. It seems he has also planned lighting systems for ships.
The offer is appealing, but he has settled in Vienna, which means his laboratory facilities need to be moved. Still, waves of successful immigration to the Platine Federation gives hope to Petzval.
jkc0cksv<4 to get Petzval
Petzval is recruited into the Academy of Sciences!
Another international joint research is proposed, this time to Great Britain, proposing a design of a rotating cupola protecting a ship's guns and increasing its versatility (since it would be able to shoot on more sides).
>6 for proposal to be accepted
The proposal is refused, but the Platine Federation offers mutual development of this proposal to Naval Powers.
City development projects with Petzval's help starts, starting with floodlights and proliferation of parks. Integration policies, including abolishment of ghettoes. In Asuncion, a system of lights in the Paraguay river is constructed. Huge development of ports in Montevideo continue. 400 merchantmen, including river steamships, as per quota is made and leased to the public. 30,000 AT-30 repeaters and 70,000 AT-13 rifles from the PBC arrive at Asuncion via the Rio de La Plata Basin Waterway.
Term limits are amended into the Constitution. After the recent occupation of many CSA States by the USA, The Platine Federation invites nations to convene on Treatment of Occupied People, to prevent violations on civilians which had surrendered.
The National Bank issues a new currency, the Platinean Guarani. With recent economic growth, the currency is valued to $20 2017, as with the New Lira. The Platine Federation urges countries to form a monetary body to keep the supply of money and exchange rates stable. Along with that, formal trade agreements between nations are suggested.
The government reveals the number of rifled Caballero Guns: 600. These have fully replaced normal field guns, and bring superior artillery to bear. Platine Marines rise to 15,000 well-trained men. The army, 150,000 strong with a veteran core and continuous training. A reserve Corps of 250,000 men is made, coming from regulars not employed in war and conscripts.
The Platine Navy is stated to have 8 ironclads and 12 cruisers. Experimental designs using cheap Steel and rotating turrets are planned. All stand ready to attack Brazil.The Platine government begins to design submarines of their own. 3 Saladins with 3,000 troops are prepared.
The Platine Federation declares War on Brazil.
The Lottery is implemented this year and for the future. The Platinean Government issues War Bonds to fund the current war.
(to be continued)
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