Rise of the Sun of May - Part 8: Constitutionality  (1877-1882)

The current situations pit around 69,000 angry Reactionaries against General Balcarce and his 15,000 man army. The reserves are raised but things are not looking good on the very first day of Queen Manuela's reign.

Problems arise as the reserves are unexpectedly attacked by rebels when attempting to unite with Balcarce's forces. Slaughters of thousands of untrained and unprepared reserves occur in both Paraná and Buenos Aires as brother is forced against brother.

Balcarce and his fellow generals attempt to alleviate the situations but they arrive too late. The streets of Paraná are filled with blood and ruthless rebel groups. Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, pressure is placed on the palace as the Queen luckily escapes in the night by boat to Montevideo.

Meanwhile, the science guys, far away from the conflict in undisclosed locations, are put to the task of upgrading our rifles.

More reserves are caught in a slaughter in Córdoba and Santos quickly diverts in an attempt to assist them.

Fireworks between the UK and the US as they duke it out as cobelligerents in a long awaited Brazilian war for Panamanian independence.

Several victories and several defeats across the nation. Though it seemed to Balcarce that he was pitted up against an expert military force led by the Reactionary party itself, the truth was that these were just fellow citizens and normal people. Normal people thrown into a rage by leftist Radical actions

By May 24th, Reactionaries have managed to take complete control of the capital. Days later, the elections begin. Rebel commander Justo Viamonte offers to 'oversee' the elections after leading his men to murder the entire upper administration of Partido Radical. This will be an interesting election.

Autonomista Nacional renominate Prime Minister Adolfo Alsina, who has his own objections to the Reactionary violence but he keeps quiet for now.

The Liberals also renominate Bartolomé Mitre, who is infuriated by the Reactionary actions. Mitre now takes a more friendly relation to Autonomista Nacional so as to not incite any sane Conservatives into the mix of Reactionary violence.

Seeing his success in the first election, the Socialists also renominate their previous pick, Leandro N. Alem. Alem, even more so than the other 2 major party candidates, strongly opposes the Reactionaries.

The Reactionary rebels throw their leader, 'gaucho' Justo Viamonte. Though he wasn't actually nominated by the real party and has no political experience, Viamonte promises a 'fair' election to the other competitors in exchange for being put on the ticket.

The armies, now successful in their quest to wipe out the smaller rebel forces, move in towards Buenos Aires.

By August, the city is surrounded. Balcarce simply can't throw his troops at the massive, violent, and mostly guerrilla lot.

On August 21st 1877, Justo Viamonte storms into Parliament, after surrounding it with thousands of his men, and takes over. Viamonte's rage was induced after his spies in the city discovered the other three PM candidates working together in opposition to himself and his men. Both Socialist candidate Leandro Alem and Prime Minister Alsina are hanged in a public execution 'ceremony'. Other politicians, including Mitre, are either banished or escape to safety. Queen Manuela, disgusted but determined, returns to the Unification Palace surrounded by a small army of royal guards.

Prime Minister Viamonte's first actions included resuming the alliance with Peru after being approached by Peruvian leader Tomás Gutiérrez. The handling of the meeting highlights Viamonte's complete ineptness and lack of interest in his office.

The new Reactionary propaganda paper sings of successful revolution.

After a long meeting with Queen Manuela in the Palace, Viamonte, pressured by the very apparent military force of the Queen's guards, decides to relinquish his office as long as whomever takes over is not a leftist. The Queen's first successful deal shows her loyalty to the people in getting them a representative that actually listens to them rather than a revolutionary cowboy who knew nothing of government.

And later that same day, after being advised by General Balcarce, the Queen personally chooses the third Prime Minister. Balcarce's second-in-command and member of Autonomista Nacional, Julio Argentino Roca, is sworn into office.

Small pockets of Reactionaries rise up against the change (and quickly disappear), but many are content with Prime Minister Roca.

c o l o n i z e .

The Argentine Parliament of 1878 is assembled. For the time being, to ensure peace and a successful transition back, the Queen handles/picks single ruling parties under her selected Prime Minister. The problem arises that the Queen is bound by law, however, and not allowed to give the vote back to the people herself. She must pick Prime Ministers and parties whom she believes will, by relinquishing their own sweet power, bring back the vote through reforms. (by the way, the number of seats stays the same until official Prime Minister elections where they are reallocated- so we're going to be at 96 for a good bit)

The Brazilians are still at war with Colombia as the US (backing Colombia) seems to be successful in a full on invasion of Canada.

Meanwhile, on the homefront, Colombia is not holding up well against Brazil.

Though the war looks much more complicated on the map, here it is in numbers and percentages.

Many Parliament members are hard to convince regarding reform. Why would they just throw their own power away?

Portugal grabbed Kongo, officially taking any plans for Argentine conquest there out of the realm of possibility.

Remember those troops that were ordered to be built a long time ago? Well the one infantry and one dragoon units finally finished.

choo.

By January 1879, the Brazilian border forts are fully completed and prepared for any future defense.

In March, Parliament finally passes voting reform. Prime Ministers will once again be elected but for now, the Parliament will stay the same.

Prime Minister Roca follows the late Rosas' footsteps in support of alcoholism.

In April, the Colombians buckle to the Brazilians and release the 'Kingdom of Panama' as an independent state.

The March reforms officially come to law by May. Argentina is now halfway back to Constitutional! As elections once again proceed, the people cry out in support of the Queen and Roca- the Restorers of Rights!

Autonomista Nacional easily falls in line behind Prime Minister Roca. Strong public support is shown for his reforms, which brought the option to have this election up in the first place.

Partido Liberal backs the now even older Mitre once again. His sharp opposition to the Reactionary regime were seemingly predictive of the removal of the people's rights, making the public believe in him for knowing what he's doing.

Partido Socialista runs Tomasa de San Martín, the aged and only son of the late Argentine revolutionary, José de San Martín.

The damn Americans are putting their grubby hands everywhere.

I mean look at this influence!

Roca easily wins practically every debate held. The people seem keen to elect the champion of voting rights.

An artillery unit finished also.

By December the election is held and the results flood in. Roca has easily dominated and won his second term as Prime Minister. Also, the seats in the Parliament have been reallocated through this election, giving a new total of 104.

The Argentine Parliament of 1880 is assembled. Due to Roca's win, Autonomista Nacional remains in full control of Parliament and has full control of passing future voting reforms.

Apparently shits going down in Spain.

Ravioli Ravioli give me the Marketoli.

We must build bigger!

:nize

Following a conference in London, the Great Powers begin a scramble for Africa. Noting the need for a larger army (i.e. more people), and also noting the current political climate on the borders (i.e. we can't do shit right now cuz US), Roca believes the best choice is to follow in the Power's footsteps. A special commission of Parliament begins drafting formal reasons to declare war on the small, one province Kingdom of Calabar.

Calabar would be a much easier African land to manage and benefit from, as unlike Kongo, the population didn't exceed our own on the mainland.

Also, Loango was no longer viable as the French have managed to swipe it under their wing.

Ready for war, the entire 24,000 man army sets sail. Not only does this riskily place both our entire fleet and army at the whim of the ocean, but also both our head general and admiral. Roca is confident in the invasion, however, and allows it to carry on anyway.

Just to the Argentine luck however, only 10 days into the voyage and some Uruguayan Nationalists have decided it's their time to shine.

The ships return to land in order to handle the rabble.

And with this, the Conquest of the Desert is complete!

Following the finalization of Patagonian colonization, Roca meets with Chilean President Aníbal Pinto to discuss finalizing the border. Pinto accepts the deal and both countries gain their respective colonies as their right to hold.

After the short detour, the invasion forces continue.

More drunken riots. (Don't know if you noticed, but almost all the drunk events are from the same province which I assume is quite the fun province)

The fresh infantry is positioned in the capital in the wake of the rest of the troops.

On January 16th 1881, with invasion forces incoming, Prime Minister Roca and the Parliament officially declare war upon Calabar.

We face the 15,000 strong Calabar army as well as Benin (but they are obviously being taken care of by the British in their own scramble).

Feeling guilty about not having the highest upgraded ships the world has to offer when sending the entire army out on them, Roca orders some naval research.

On the first Argentine battle taking place on African soil, Balcarce absolutely crushes.

By April, Calabar is captured and 'Obong' (King) Ntete signs a treaty to give Argentina control of his lands. Roca gives Ntete some room in the bargain by allowing him to still 'rule' the province as long as he answers to Argentine authority. The Argentine African colony is now founded!

Also, Benin accepts white peace after their British tribulations.

In May, it is discovered that the Chileans are planning an invasion of Lady Argentina. With no strong allies in sight, Roca begins to panic a bit.

As the troops leave Calabar, ground is broken for a naval base for future use.

In July, Queen Manuela, frustrated after months of Conservative status quo, strikes a deal with Partido Liberal. Autonomista Nacional is removed from Parliament (peacefully) for now as the Liberals have a turn to make things right. Roca still holds his position, however, until the next set election.

As the troops return, Uruguay finally begins the process of official integration in specific paperwork and bureaucracy shit.

In October, the Queen sees that her decision was the right one. Once again, the Parliament will be voted on!

The Argentine Parliament of 1882 is assembled. To eliminate the polarization and also because their administrations are in complete crisis, both the Reactionaries and Radicals are placed under a 4 year ban. Their seats are given to the Conservatives and the Liberals respectively for now. The parties are not set to return to Parliament until 1886. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister election is decided to begin on January 16th. (I held the elections earlier so they happen on even years now since it was bugging me)

Following an announcement that Prime Minister Roca would not seek reelection, Autonomista Nacional scrambles for a candidate and offers 38 year old Miguel Juárez Celman to the voters. Celman had served as Governor of Buenos Aires following King Rosas' ascension and was known for not really handling the economy of the province well.

The Liberals nominate 69 year old former Rosas critic Domingo Faustino Sarmiento. You may remember him from such works as 'Facundo' which criticized Rosas during his presidential dictatorship. Sarmiento champions democracy, as he led the reform movement to return to Parliamentary voting.

The Socialists nominate 40 year old newspaper owner José Clemente Paz. Paz has a history of great journalism and charity. Paz continues to run several charities including some benefiting victims of Yellow Fever and Cholera after the previous breakouts of the diseases in Buenos Aires.

Navy Navy Researchavy.

Celman is off to a great start after a debate in Buenos Aires. The people, comfortable with the economy under Roca, go with the flow of Autonomista Nacional.

Dastardly news on March 24th 1882. Chilean President Aníbal Pinto's successor, Domingo Santa María, immediately flips position on the Chilean-Argentine Border Treaty. Claiming rightful ownership of Patagonia Septentrional, Santa Maria declares war on us with American support.

The Paraguayans and Peruvians happily jump at the chance to protect their friend. Bolivians are a whole nother topic. With that, the war has begun.