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The German Empire is one of the playable factions in Leviathans.
History[]
Franco-Prussian War[]
In 1870-71, the predecessors to the modern German Empire fought the French Republic in the Franco-Prussian War. This left Germany in possession of Alsace-Lorraine, and did much to shape thinking and elevate tensions on both sides.[1][2]
First Berlin Conference[]
In 1884, German hosted the First Berlin Conference, which divided Africa among the European Powers and began the Colonial Land Grab.[3] This set the stage for another, later conference in the same city.
Researching Electroid[]
With Vladimir Shukhov's research notes in hand, Kaiser Wilhelm I ordered Ernst Werner von Siemens to explore the possibilities inherent in electroid, particularly Fedor Oblimovsky's work toward an electroid-based explosive. Instead, Siemens demonstrated that electroid could, given the proper voltages, produce lift. The Empire could have been first to produce a leviathan but for what happened next.[4][5]
Three Emperors[]
1888 saw three men sit the throne of the German Empire: Wilhelm I died and was succeeded by his son Friedrich III, who was already in poor health. The French Republic offered medical assistance to the new Emperor in exchange for the German electroid research. This proved a fruitless trade for Frederick: while the French profited greatly, the medical aid did not arrive in time to save him.
Wilhelm II was next to sit the German throne. He rekindled the research begun by his grandfather, though too late to gain advantage over the French or the British Empire.[6][7]
Death of the Heir[]
The Kaiserliche Lüftmarine was born, and the Kaiser Friedrich III was raised. Its armament hearkened back to the Franco-Prussian War: twin 1000lb. breechloading guns that, on the ground, had threatened Paris itself. When the day came for test-firing, Kronprinz Wilhelm, young son and heir of the Kaiser, held honorary command of the vessel. He gave the order to fire, and the massive recoil was too much for an early-generation leviathan to handle: it capsized and crashed, killing the heir along with many of the crew. In his grief, Kaiser Wilhelm II ordered the Luftmarine disbanded.[8][9]
Observers in the East[]
General Jakob Meckel was sent to Japan as an observer, and he became good friends with Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō. As such, he had a first-hand view of the Russo-Japanese War. When the Russian berkuts devastated Japanese artillery and infantry at the Battle of Port Arthur, Meckel sent a stark warning to Alfred von Schlieffen, but was largely ignored. After the Battle of Tsushima, Meckel and the Germans--who had provided both logistical and advisory support--shared in the blame from the Japanese, and Meckel was ordered to leave.[10][11][12][13]
Luftmarine again[]
In 1899, the Kaiser attended the 1899 Fleet Review of the Royal Navy, including the Royal Sky Fleet. There he saw the disparity between the British and his own Empire in the skies. He ordered Alfred von Tirpitz to reconstitute the Kaiserliche Lüftmarine. Within two years, production had begun on new skyships.[14][15]
Meddling in Australia[]
After the Federated States of Australia seceded (albeit temporarily) from the British Empire, the SMS Westfalen made a call at Port Moresby. Germany formally recognized the new nation, and the Westfalen was to remain there for three years to provide security assistance. Even after Australia was coaxed back under British jurisdiction, Germany continued to offer support if it should decide to depart once more.[16][17]
The Baltic Sea[]
As a counter to the Russian Empire and also the Neo-Kalmar Union that was being formed, the Empire issued the Kiel Declaration in 1902, guaranteeing the sovereignty of vessels operating in the Baltic Sea. This caused Denmark to abandon its plans for a closer relationship with the Scandinavian Union.[18][19]
Tensions between the Empire and the British grew over the next few years, and the British, along with the Scandinavians, attempted to prevent the Empire from using the Skagerrak to venture outside the Baltic in 1909. The Battle of the Skagerrak was a major victory for the Germans, with their flagship the Friedrich der Grosse blasting the HML Suffolk from the sky with but a single broadside.[20][21]
Entente with the British[]
After the conflict in the Baltic and the failure of their own attempt at peace with France, the British Empire entered into negotiations with Germany to reduce tensions. This concluded with British-German Non-Aggression Pact.[22]
Switzerland[]
The Midnight War, in 1911, heralded a new age of nations competing for eteroid supplies. Germany did not have large reserves of its own, and began looking at other sources nearby, with Norway being a tempting but difficult target. Then no less than six deposits of eteroid ore were found in Switzerland. Tensions escalated, and Germany and France both began to mobilize for war. To avert this, the Second Berlin Conference on Switzerland was held. The nation of Switzerland was partitioned among some of its neighbors, and other small nations in Europe were placed under threat.[23][24]
The Great War[]
When Germany's allies the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, events escalated quickly. Germany entered the war on the side of Austria-Hungary, and France and the Russian Empire sided with Serbia. Germany invaded Belgium to bypass French defenses along the border of Alsace-Lorraine. Germany showed skill in combined-arms, coordinating their leviathans with their ground troops. This lasted until the Battle of the Marne where the German leadership took a serious blow, losing both their on-scene air and ground commanders aboard the Friedrich der Grosse. Germany was forced to withdraw, taking heavy losses, and took a defensive stance on that front.[25][26]
Seeking a new front, and to control eteroid resources, Germany sought to push further into the Swiss Alps.[23]
Historical Notes[]
The German colonial empire has not been much discussed in the canon as compared to that of the French and British, but they did have some colonies in Africa and in the Pacific.
References[]
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, pp. 8, 13, 34, 37, 51, 90
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, pp. 67, 69, 109, 112, 119, 121
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, p. 67
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, pp. 8, 11, 48
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook pp. 67, 107
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, pp. 48-50
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, p. 107
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, pp. 50-51
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, pp. 109-110
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, pp. 51-52
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, pp. 110-111
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, pp. 43-44
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, pp. 126-128
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, p. 54
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, p. 111
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, pp. 20, 30, 56
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, pp. 71-72, 91
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, p. 19
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, p. 71
- ↑ Leviathans Gazetteer, pp. 21, 56
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, p. 73
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, pp. 91-92
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Leviathans Core Rulebook, p. 112
- ↑ General Act of the Second Berlin Conference on Switzerland
- ↑ Leviathans Core Rulebook, p. 75
- ↑ Miracle de la Tactique, entire work