DescriptionIt is 1870 but for students well acquainted with this world from history will be startled to look at what has happened over the past forty years. A divided North America where four republics challenge for political and military supremacy and European based monarchies attempting it seems to turn the colonial clock back - at least in the Americas. There is a Habsburg still on the throne of Mexico - and another Empire in Brazil believes it too can dominate the southern continent. And in the centre - an eccentric American mercenary army believe they can re-unite Central America under the military banners of an eccentric American soldier of fortune William Walker. Across the Atlantic - Otto Von Bismarck perhaps regrets resigning as Prussian Prime Minister in 1862. Until then it seemed he had been a growing force but despite his confidence that Prussia could beat anyone - in the right circumstances, his King decided he could not challenge the old dominance of the Habsburgs. Perhaps in the future a France under a new emperor when an unwell Napoleon feels it is time to abdicate in favour of his son will help Bismarck get even with the Austrians. As you can see - we at the 1870 Game have been `tinkering' with history at this game site. In some cases you will see the differences - a United Netherlands, a fractured Italian unity and the infamous Schleswig-Holstein issue still as yet unsolved. For the USA - it now faces a state it tried to crush in a war of re-unification but now can only see the Confederate States of America challenge it for the as yet unsettled West - and even perhaps persuade more of the `Northern states' to join them in Dixie. Perhaps it is just as well Abraham Lincoln did not live to see this - his after the defeat of General Grant at Gettysburg in 1863 was the last blow. Despite a brave political speech on the issues the USA was fighting for - Lincoln died from heart failure a few months later. By then the CSA had got the political recognition it wanted from Great Britain and the other Great Powers. The challenge for players in this game is run a country and turn it into a success where its economic and political prestige make it a state to be respected - and perhaps feared as well. Some players will no doubt wish to seek a military solution to `winning' the game but it will become apparent that very often that you can lose the war before a battle has been fought. It was a lesson many were to learn during this period. We hope you can enjoy this game - it is certainly the aim of all those involved in setting this up and devising the general rules want . And if you have your own ideas - we always welcome a discussion here on the game's bbs to discuss matters. Have fun, Bob |
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Greg Lindahl