Rise of the Sun of May - Part 13: The Turn of the Century  (1899-1904)

The Argentine Parliament of 1900 is assembled.

As Argentina breaks into the new century, Prime Minister Barro follows through with his promise- no Communists in Parliament until at least 1902. The absence of the party just sees the growth and continued dominance of the Partido Socialista. Also, both Autonomista Nacional and Partido Liberal see growth as people begin to go more 'mainstream' and shy away from the alternate choices of the respective ideologies.

The army is planned to be expanded after request from General Plaza.

As the troops are recruited back home, Admiral Pedernera heads to Madagascar to pick up the newly recruited Malagasy units there. The Argentine army is now truly reminiscent of our fellow monarchies in Europe with all of their imperialism and what not!

New ships for the navy are also planned to be built. The ships, of the steam variety, are meant to slowly replace the old style transport ships in the future.

Meanwhile, up in the State of La Paz, rubber trees are discovered in abundance in the forests! Perhaps rubber will be the nation's next big export!

Speaking of exports, let me give you a little summary of the current factory situation:

Total Factories: 16 (7 profitable, 3 unprofitable, 5 closed, 1 in construction)

Wineries - 4 (3 profitable, 1 unprofitable)
Regular Clothes Factories - 4 (2 closed, 1 in construction, 1 unprofitable)
Liquor Distilleries - 3 (2 profitable, 1 unprofitable)
Lumber Mills - 1 (1 profitable)
Canned Food Factories - 1 (1 profitable)
Small Arms Factories - 1 (1 closed)
Ammunition Factories - 1 (1 closed)
Cement Factories - 1 (1 closed)

After the expanded rights of the last session of Parliament in which legislation on public meetings was hastily passed, many citizens enjoy the new rights but crave even more. Barro allows chartist rallies to be held in support of expanded voting rights- which he supports himself.

In order to cut down on the hostilities in the newly acquired and formerly Bolivian lands, Parliament unveils an initiative to further push a national curriculum on the native Aimaran population (pictured in red).

In America, a new extreme far right movement is born. Fascism, like many other things, crawl out of the deplorable country to go international.

Many members of Partido Reaccionario answer the international call of Fascism by breaking off and creating a new party- Partido Fascista.

Barro doesn't comment on the party yet, but he joins much of Parliament in viewing the newcoming Fascists with suspicious eyes.

By May, the Prime Minister elections have finally begun.

After almost 9 years in office, the now 43 year old willingly declines to run again. This sets a precedent of two term Prime Ministers in the future, as Barro is the first to decide on not running without interference from his party.

Partido Liberal run 32 year old Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear.

Alvear agrees with most of Barros policy but is very much softer on Communist situation, making him a good choice for a party intending on garnering more leftist support.

One of Alvear's most controversial ideas is a future invasion and liberating of the entirety of the remaining Bolivian lands. In fact, the candidate pushes this issue strongly, sometimes being accused of being a single issue man, as he argues that the people of Bolivia should be eligible to reunite with their brethren in Argentine democracy.

Partido Socialista intends on re-running the young Lisandro de la Torre but he declines and intends on furthering his education. Instead, current party leader, 35 year old Juan Bautista Justo, is chosen.

Justo runs on a slightly controversial anti alcoholism platform, but also backs expanding social welfare and the educational budget.

The National Front back 69 year old José Evaristo de Uriburu.

Uriburu runs on a simple platform of mostly status quo along with the quelling of rebellions not only after they rise, but before they even have a chance to. The candidate is questioned on the possibility of this without infringing on democracy, but doesn't give any solid answers.

As the new Malagasy troops move for the mainland, yet another colonial incident occurs with the French in Madagascar. Barro once again plays down the situation, arguing that it wasn't worth starting a war over.

Since last we saw Austria, the Italians have taken a Swiss-sized chunk of their land in the West. Austria, still a Communist nation, shows the world the effectiveness of Communism as it gets torn apart in the abyss of the Balkans.

s t e a m

Speaking of Communists, some of the misled masses have risen in La Paz right now!

Interestingly, Barro takes an opposing position to many of his predecessors on the alcohol situation, backing an initiative for a temperance league.

Justo wins in a war debate, consolidating the public against Alvear's pro-war policy by arguing the 'needless cost of life' in such a situation.

Socialist demagogues speak in Parliament, strongly opposing the proposed war.

The speeches gain so much left support and momentum that they are able to pass a social reform backing Justo's education position.

~Meanwhile in Europe~

Austria is under attack yet again- this time by Serbia and their allies.

That war ends within a few weeks. Austria continues it's shrinkage as a shell of it's former non-Communist self.

By October, the Brazilian border forts in La Paz are completed.

Barro also implements a new fort policy- any city with a population of 50,000+ shall be protected by the highest level fort Argentina has to offer. This sets off expansion in Corrientes and two cities in La Paz.

On December 16th, the results flood in. Uriburu sees strong support in the capital state with a population fearful of revolts, but Alvear manages to capture La Paz, now strongly Liberal in support of Barro's policy to allow them representational electoral votes and seats.

However, Alvear has failed to receive a majority of the votes. Parliament goes the democratic route and just allows him the seat- after all, he received the most votes.

Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear is thus sworn in as the 5th Prime Minister of Argentina.

Believe it or not, Alvear steps into office during one of the most calm and peaceful times in Argentine history.

As the unrest map shows, not the mainland nor Madagascar have any substantial risks for revolt!

More unrest in the Patagonian lands show more of the potential unstable situation in Chilean politics. Alvear, a war hawk himself, sees this as a possible boon for future recapturing of rightful Argentine clay.

As if Austria hasn't had enough (they haven't, the damn commies), Bohemia-Moravia has taken a sizable chunk of their Northern land.

More rubber in several Northern provinces!

As Alvear prepares for a future war, Europe is entangled in a possible future war of their own.

Greeks dispute the 'stolen' Macedonian land that the Turks captured in a previous crisis several decades ago. The situation appears to ramp up as the Ottomans see support from the Far East and the Greeks capture the support of the Brits.

More war= more soldiers.

Commerce techhcet ecremmoC

The Argentine Parliament of 1902 is assembled.

Alvear allows the Communists back into Parliament where they rejoin the Red Bloc with the Socialists. Also, Partido Fascista makes their debut, forming a coalition, 'The Right Direction', with the Reactionaries. Both parties simply seek power out of the relationship.

By March, the British comply with the Ottoman status quo after Russia backs their side.

It looks like maybe Europe will finally be free from war for awhile!

Nah.

Two days later, France declares war on Germany once again in the "2nd French Liberation of Elsaß-Lothringen".

International support pours on France and it appears Germany might be overwhelmed.

Meanwhile in Argentina, Alvear begins to draft demands for the Bolivian government behind closed doors.

Brazil, entangled in the French mess, asks Argentina for military access. Continuing the strong anti Brazilian precedent set by his predecessors, Alvear happily declines.

Plaza heads for the border in anticipation.

~Meanwhile in Europe~

The Western front between Germany and France appears to be grounded to a halt, while Germany's Eastern front with Russia appears to be going swimmingly somehow.

In fact, the Germans are kicking ass.

In September, Alvear sends an ultimatum to the Bolivian government, threatening war if they don't follow the demands. After reading demands such as "relinquishing governmental control" and a "willful exile", the Bolivians decline.

So, on September 18th, Alvear declares war on Bolivia, intending it to be the final time Argentina would have to do so.

The troops immediately begin to move for the 6,000 Bolivians in Sucre.

Something interesting I discovered- none of the railroads between provinces in the entire State of Tucumán actually connect to each other within the state.

Anyway, Plaza sees an easy victory, though both sides meet equal losses in the rough mountain terrain.

By October 29th, Sucre is captured.

After days of pressure from both the Argentine troops and the Bolivian peoples, the pansy government of Bolivia agrees to the terms of the deal.

"Bolivia" is now reunited under the democracy of Argentina and Her Majesty! No longer are the people of Bolivia subject to the whim of Communist and veiled Communist leaders, they are now free!

Now the border is lookin' more like it!

~Meanwhile in Africa~

The Swedes have integrated the Free Congo State into a directly controlled territory.

The Germans succeed in a hard fought victory for status quo.

Nave tek

In a new plan of future naval superiority, Alvear orders the construction of an upgraded Naval Base in both Paraná and Bahía Blanca.

A look at influence in our continent shows only us and Venezuela stand completely independent of Great Power influence.

Enjoying these signs of instability in Chile.

By August 28th 1903, Uruguay is finally fully integrated in every way with Argentina. The now inseparable relationship began all the way back in 1848 with Rosas' conquest of the country.

Now for Bolivian integration...

In October, the army is officially split into two separate units, one led by General Plaza, and the other by rising General Bernardino Mitre, son of the late politician Bartolomé Mitre who last ran for Prime Minister in 1879 under Partido Liberal.

Furthering his naval program, Alvear also orders construction of 4 new steam ships. Again, these ships are meant to phase out the old transport ship technology.

The Argentine Parliament of 1904 is assembled.

For the first time in many years, the Left Coalition falls below 2nd place in Parliamentary power, though only by one seat. Also, worrying growth is seen with the Fascists- many MPs thought the party would just gradually decline in power (a la Comunista) but that seems far from happening.

function junction

Peru is absolutely dominating with immigration, on par with Mexico and only being beaten by the US. If only some of them came down here!

At this point, I made a little map to illustrate the ruling parties of the Americas- just thought it was interesting information to get an overlook on the times.

Alvear shows the same support as his predecessors in the handling of voting rights rallies; a good sign for democracy.

By May 1904, after a French conquest in Western Africa, all native lands on the continent, other than Calabar, are under direct colonial control. Calabareans hold newfound appreciation for the Argentine government and the protection of the satellite state.

~Meanwhile in Europe~

Serbia has formed into the Kingdom of 'Yugoslavia'. They claim it is their destiny to control most of the Western Balkans.

In October, small squabbles of 'South Andean' Nationalists arise in La Paz.

As Plaza moves in to handle them, more rebels pop up. For the first time, Partido Socialista now has rebellions in their name. The party denies any connection, however, and are given much more breathing room in the situation compared to the Communist and Reactionary revolts in the years before.

Obviously a two army job.

As Plata and Mitre crush the weak rabble, the elections start on December 16th 1904.