Rise of the Sun of May - Part 14: The United Provinces (1904-1908)
Game: Victoria 2
Published: 2017-02-21, edited: 1970-01-01
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Part of the campaign:
Rise of the Sun of May
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Coming back to Argentina, the latest Prime Minister elections have begun!
The Left Coalition runs 52 year old Hipólito Yrigoyen.
Where is Prime Minister Alvear, you might ask. Alvear surprisingly announced he would not seek reelection, claiming he had fulfilled his main goal in liberating Bolivia and is now seeking a quieter life as a lawyer. Another question you might have is- Where is Partido Liberal? Well, since the last Parliamentary election where they saw a fairly substantial loss, the Left Coalition has decided to work closer together and find strength in unity. Their chosen candidate this round is symbolic of that, as he comes from Unión Cívica Radical.
Yrigoyen, nephew of 1873 Socialist candidate Leandro Alem, has been hailed as a champion of the people in Parliament. His goals include social reform, continuation of restoring voting rights, and even integrating Paraguay directly in order to further expand the rights of their people.
Interestingly and controversially, Partido Socialista agrees with Yrigoyen so much that they decide on not running a candidate. Though not formally backing Yrigoyen, there is obvious support in the party of Alem.
The Left Coalition runs 52 year old Hipólito Yrigoyen.
Where is Prime Minister Alvear, you might ask. Alvear surprisingly announced he would not seek reelection, claiming he had fulfilled his main goal in liberating Bolivia and is now seeking a quieter life as a lawyer. Another question you might have is- Where is Partido Liberal? Well, since the last Parliamentary election where they saw a fairly substantial loss, the Left Coalition has decided to work closer together and find strength in unity. Their chosen candidate this round is symbolic of that, as he comes from Unión Cívica Radical.
Yrigoyen, nephew of 1873 Socialist candidate Leandro Alem, has been hailed as a champion of the people in Parliament. His goals include social reform, continuation of restoring voting rights, and even integrating Paraguay directly in order to further expand the rights of their people.
Interestingly and controversially, Partido Socialista agrees with Yrigoyen so much that they decide on not running a candidate. Though not formally backing Yrigoyen, there is obvious support in the party of Alem.
The National Front runs their previous candidate, now 73 year old José Evaristo de Uriburu.
Uriburu sticks to his guns, supporting a social and political status quo. One of the main items on his platform urges the immediate invasion of Chile to regain Argentine land regardless of whether or not the US stands up to back them in a war.
Uriburu sticks to his guns, supporting a social and political status quo. One of the main items on his platform urges the immediate invasion of Chile to regain Argentine land regardless of whether or not the US stands up to back them in a war.
The Right Direction, seeing an opportunity for the first time in their exsistance, throw the combined might of Partido Reaccionario and Partido Fascista to support a single candidate, running 37 year old Mario Tomás Perón.
Perón is a populist native to the Córdoba province. Though not fully mannered or prepared for the position he was running for, he had direct access to gain the backing of his native province through unwavered populism.
Perón is a populist native to the Córdoba province. Though not fully mannered or prepared for the position he was running for, he had direct access to gain the backing of his native province through unwavered populism.
Meanwhile, General Plaza and General Mitre make advances on the 'South Andean' Nationalist rebels in the North, only to be faced with even more rebels of the Communist variety.
The Generals are not to be underestimated, as Mitre manages to wipe out an entire army of 6,000 rebels whilst only taking on casualties numbering 54.
La Paz is captured as the armies move into Cochabamba to engage the large force there.
Pacifism grows with a weary population fresh out of a war that many considered pointless and several rebellions to go with it.
Boom.
Bam.
Bang.
By March, only 3,000 rebels remain as well as the rebel occupation of La Paz.
On March 14th, Admiral Pedernera officially decommissions all 8 pre steam transport ships in the Navy, ushering in a new age of modernization in Argentine sea affairs.
Philip Banks.
Controversially, only 4 months before he is replaced, Alvear signs Argentina into a military alliance with the Netherlands. Though many people support the endeavor as both protection and support for a fellow monarchy, critics argue that Alvear should have left the decision to his predecessor.
Either way, with the Netherlands as a Great Power, Argentina is now effectively under the influence of the Dutch.
In May, Partido Fascista attempts to use the military as platform for more support. Alvear, disgusted by the idea, bans fascist so-called 'Free Corps' from recruiting on barracks grounds.
At this point, a combination of trade and administration costs are soaring, leading a reduction in administration budget by half.
Fresh from rebel conquest, the troops move back to the heartland.
A month and 15 days late, Alvear, under pressure from the left, supports the May Day celebrations taking place in the name of workers across the world.
Apparently Peru fears us, but Alvear assures our ally we mean no harm to Peru and definitely meaning harm to Bolivia (well, at least the government).
In July, the election results roll in.
Perón successfully manages to capture the attention of his home state as well as La Pampa with his populist far right ideals, gaining the Right Direction their first electoral votes in history.
Meanwhile, Uriburu easily loses support in major recruitment provinces and on the Chilean border with his Chilean war strategy and a population wary of losing their young men again.
Regarding electoral votes and Parliament seats, La Paz has lost 2 to diminishing population, several provinces gain single votes, and Atacama is welcomed into the process with 10 votes and seats in Parliament, giving the former Bolivian area 43 votes and seats total.
Perón successfully manages to capture the attention of his home state as well as La Pampa with his populist far right ideals, gaining the Right Direction their first electoral votes in history.
Meanwhile, Uriburu easily loses support in major recruitment provinces and on the Chilean border with his Chilean war strategy and a population wary of losing their young men again.
Regarding electoral votes and Parliament seats, La Paz has lost 2 to diminishing population, several provinces gain single votes, and Atacama is welcomed into the process with 10 votes and seats in Parliament, giving the former Bolivian area 43 votes and seats total.
Anyway, the results show a clear winner.
With 83 electoral votes, Hipólito Yrigoyen, representing the Left Coalition (as first Prime Minister of Unión Cívica Radical specifically), is sworn in as the 6th Prime Minister of Argentina.
With 83 electoral votes, Hipólito Yrigoyen, representing the Left Coalition (as first Prime Minister of Unión Cívica Radical specifically), is sworn in as the 6th Prime Minister of Argentina.
One of Yrigoyen's (let's call him Yrigo for short) first major actions is to decommission two brand new steam transport ships, citing them as an extreme unneeded cost in the recent weakened economy.
Yrigo's policy manages to pick Argentina out of the gutter for the first time in recent years, though it doesn't last too long.
Critics blame the recent economic downturn on the enhanced association with the Dutch, but Yrigo disagrees and maintains the relation regardless of the opposition.
Critics blame the recent economic downturn on the enhanced association with the Dutch, but Yrigo disagrees and maintains the relation regardless of the opposition.
More info on the development of massive wars.
Speaking of wars, the Austrian Commune faces the combined might of Yugoslavia and Russia.
By December, upgrades to the naval bases in Paraná and Bahía Blanca are finalized.
The Argentine Parliament of 1906 is assembled.
The Reds and Lefts come up with an ultimately successful plan to gain more power in Parliament. They announce that if their coalitions would hold at least half of the seats, they would immediately push political reform.
The Reds and Lefts come up with an ultimately successful plan to gain more power in Parliament. They announce that if their coalitions would hold at least half of the seats, they would immediately push political reform.
They follow through, though probably not at the scale the public expected. The passed reform only formalizes the already used process of seat calculations per province for Parliament. The system isn't new, but the public sees newfound security and protection from any threats on the assembly of the people's Parliament.
In March, Yrigo forces repeal of state licensing acts in Buenos Aires that he felt would potentially harm the especially lucrative business of liquor there.
More voting rallies are held letting Parliament know the already realized and supported truth- this isn't over until full suffrage!
Another loss for Austria as the crumbling Communist regime is forced to hand their portion of Dalmatia over to the Yugoslavs.
In this day and age, even Ecuador faces the wrath of the Communist disease facing the world.
Some social reformists in the North go overboard with their protests, organizing and rising as a threat to the peace.
Artillery, boys
On January 5th, Parliament passes an act expanding the industrialization of South Madagascar by allowing bigger plantations and mines using the latest government subsidized technologies.
Administration budget rises as military spending falls a bit.
Threat no more.
More signs of instability in Chile. Yrigo has a passing thought but...no, not yet.
Another crisis begins in Europe, and guess who it involves.
That's right! Austria faces instability in their central regions as Hungarians call for a return to their independence.
That's right! Austria faces instability in their central regions as Hungarians call for a return to their independence.
Within days, Germany backs the Hungarians.
Without international support, Austria can't do anything but relinquish their rule. At this same time, I'm fairly certain that the Communist regime collapses, leading to a weak 'democracy' in the dried up nation.
Without international support, Austria can't do anything but relinquish their rule. At this same time, I'm fairly certain that the Communist regime collapses, leading to a weak 'democracy' in the dried up nation.
Even international tension is growing in Chile at this point. A good sign.
In May, Yrigo allows and supports a 'recruitment drive' for South Madagascar, giving incentive for more movement in the interior of Argentina.
At this point I glanced at Chile and noticed something really big changed that I legitimately didn't expect despite the instability- the US has backed off their alliance with the nation. (I guess this might be due to a 'regime change' or something with the rebels?)
Yrigo is reluctant to carry out what is on everyone's minds, but pressure from Parliament informs him that this is in fact the greatest chance and possibly the only chance in the coming future for Argentina to regain her glory as a whole and complete nation, with her lost territory back in safe hands.
Yrigo is reluctant to carry out what is on everyone's minds, but pressure from Parliament informs him that this is in fact the greatest chance and possibly the only chance in the coming future for Argentina to regain her glory as a whole and complete nation, with her lost territory back in safe hands.
4 days later, Yrigo makes an official decision.
The troops are sent to the Chilean border near Santiago.
The troops are sent to the Chilean border near Santiago.
On July 17th 1907, Yrigo officially declares war on Chile with the intent to regain the region of Patagonia Septentrional.
The combined force of Plaza, Mitre and 42,000 men advance towards Santiago and it's 20,000 troops.
The battle may look easy number wise, but both the generals and Yrigo worry about the potential effect of the terrain.
The battle may look easy number wise, but both the generals and Yrigo worry about the potential effect of the terrain.
As the Chileans begin pulling out their reserves, Yrigo invites the Dutch to the war who happily accept.
With their superior power and organization, the Dutch take initiative in the war as the 'leader'.
The battle isn't looking too good.
As the troops retreat, the numbers of the battle are staggering. With support from their gathered reserves, almost every single Chilean killed leads to 10 Argentine casualties.
The battle becomes one of the most infamous in Argentine history, seen as an example of too much haste leading to too many lives lost.
The battle becomes one of the most infamous in Argentine history, seen as an example of too much haste leading to too many lives lost.
The Peruvians are also in deep trouble, with thousands of Communists carrying out a coup. Yrigo can't supply support to our dear ally, as now he must focus on the war effort and ensuring a victory to ensure his own stable public perception.
The troops are mobilized for the first time in decades.
30,000 fresh reserves team up with the remaining army forces move southward this time, away from the mountains and towards the goal of the war.
Landing Dutch troops join several thousand rebels and Paraguayans in the North to capture that territory.
Argentine reserves move to join them.
But they are diverted and move in to help when the remaining Chilean Santiago force engages the Paraguayans.
Somehow the combined Argentine help and expertise of Paraguayan General Roque Latorre manage to even out the battle.
Eventually, after over a month of fighting, a dramatic win is pulled off!
The Chilean government begins to debate the importance of Patagonia Septentrional and if it is worth thousands of lives.
Meanwhile, Argentine troops in the South have managed to siege the whole territory in weeks anyway.
The Chilean government begins to debate the importance of Patagonia Septentrional and if it is worth thousands of lives.
Meanwhile, Argentine troops in the South have managed to siege the whole territory in weeks anyway.
The Argentine Parliament of 1908 is assembled.
The only major change witnessed is the rise of Unión Cívica Radical, under the guidance of Yrigo, as the dominant party of the Left Coalition.
The only major change witnessed is the rise of Unión Cívica Radical, under the guidance of Yrigo, as the dominant party of the Left Coalition.
10 days after the New Year, the Chilean government formally requests peace with Yrigo on the stipulation that only Patagonia Septentrional is exchanged as well as an at least 20 year peace agreement.
Argentina is now whole again!
Argentina is now whole again!
The Dutch, however, do not receive word of the surrender in time due to their distance and relative lack of strong communication between themselves and Argentina.
As more Dutch troops land on the Northern shore of Chile, the dirty Chilean bastards begin screaming "Monroe! Monroe!"
American President Henry Gassaway Davis answers the call, formally declaring war on the Netherlands in January without even so much as looking over the whole situation. All the Americans saw was European imperialism.
As more Dutch troops land on the Northern shore of Chile, the dirty Chilean bastards begin screaming "Monroe! Monroe!"
American President Henry Gassaway Davis answers the call, formally declaring war on the Netherlands in January without even so much as looking over the whole situation. All the Americans saw was European imperialism.
The reserves are lowered and the tattered army moves back to their bases.
In celebration of the victory and with a surge of Patriotism, Parliament passes more voting reform.
As the Dutch, who make it clear once they know what has occurred that they do not blame it on Argentina, face off against the Americans, Europe has a new war.
Well I say Europe, but it's really over African colonies. The British, along with a stack of allies, face off against the Germans for control of the Southern African region of Namaqualand.
Well I say Europe, but it's really over African colonies. The British, along with a stack of allies, face off against the Germans for control of the Southern African region of Namaqualand.
On February 2nd 1908, Prime Minister Yrigo carries out the greatest promise of his campaign.
Taking a completed Argentina united wholly with the Bolivian region and an eager Kingdom of Paraguay (with King Roque I, in his very old age, still at the helm), Yrigo effectively pieces them together.
Taking a completed Argentina united wholly with the Bolivian region and an eager Kingdom of Paraguay (with King Roque I, in his very old age, still at the helm), Yrigo effectively pieces them together.
And with the consent of those pieces (including the backing of ready-to-retire-and-die Roque I), Yrigo, along with Queen Manuela, creates the 'United Provinces of Rio de la Plata'.
Also referred to as the 'United Provinces of La Plata', and 'La Plata', Queen Manuela takes to the name 'United Provinces' with it's citizens being officially referred to as 'Platense'!
Also referred to as the 'United Provinces of La Plata', and 'La Plata', Queen Manuela takes to the name 'United Provinces' with it's citizens being officially referred to as 'Platense'!
