Timelines and Divergences
Conscious action by sentient beings creates bifurcations in reality, an ongoing creation of alternate realities. The process for the creation of multiple realities is described in “The Later Works of Arthur Gordon Pym:”
Chapter 1: The Expansion of the Spheres
Dr. Poe showed unusual insight for a man of his time in the prose poem “Eureka”. His speculations on the origin of the universe, particularly in reference to the Primordial Particle as the primal spark expanding to produce our current universe, were astounding at a time when many great minds still considered the Earth and all of Creation only 6000 years old and created by God’s hand in six literal days. Like Dr. Poe, I am no scientist, but we both enjoy the company of scientists, and have found great pleasure in translating their arcane discoveries into language accessible by the common man. This current essay is my own feeble attempt to describe the current models favored by our most brilliant Savants on the creation of the Universe, the evolution of time and the existence of parallel worlds.
As Mr. Poe foresaw, the Universe burst into existence from a singularity of unimaginable density and energy some six billion years ago, and has been expanding ever since. Like most mere humans, I find it nearly impossible to imagine how three dimensional space expands, since it appears to already occupy all of creation. However, a very patient and solicitous Savant helped me to understand these mysteries by reducing all the dimensionalities by one. Thus, imagine the universe as a great balloon, and we live as two dimensional creatures on its outer skin. Now further imagine that the balloon is static, neither expanding or contracting. The creature living on its skin would be frozen in place, as we would be if locked in a fixed moment in time. The expansion of this two dimensional world through an unknowable and un-experienced third dimension would be the evolution of time. We live in a fixed moment in time, the skin of the balloon, that is expanding through a higher dimension, of which we only experience one sliver, but one that moves ever onward from the original impetus of first creation.
The observations of our astronomers confirms that are own three dimensional space is in fact expanding, and that quite amazingly, the rate of expansion is increasing, rather than slowing down after six billion years of growth. The Savants still debate the reason for this apparent paradox, but men that I trust have described it thus: there is more than one balloon expanding through the manifold of time. With each choice made by a conscious mind, a new reality is created, so that over time, there is dense palimpsest of realities slowly expanding through the manifold of time.
No analogy is perfect and there are some difficulties here. The continuous bifurcations of reality do not create new matter, as in the creation of new balloons in our reduced dimension analogy. There is but one material creation that we occupy, but our realities and the related ones that branch off of it are but one sampling of the many possible organizations of matter that the whole of creation may take…
The stories of the Tarsan Worlds are based on three major divergences, and a number of minor divergences, which produce parallel worlds and peoples that come to contact the base Myrrhian world. Because one of the main mechanisms for moving between realities is to travel into translunar space, where it becomes very easy to become decoupled from one’s home reality, many of the alternate worlds are biased to ones that developed space flight relatively early.
First Major Divergence – The Thomas Christian Branch, the emergence of the Myrrhian worlds vs. the Apostolic worlds (ours)
AD 50: Paul of Tarsus is stoned to death at Lystra
The early Christian church suffers its first schism, as Peter’s and the major apostles mission moves exclusively to the Jews, and Apostolic Christianity becomes a minor Jewish sect.
The Myrrh-Bearers, soon known as Myrrhians, are Mary Magdelene, Joseph of Aramathea, Nocodemus, and the Apostle Thomas. They preach mainly to the Gentiles, but their mission is also narrow. They focus on and grow the secret teachings of Christ, and gain great power and knowledge of the multiple realities of the universe, and the Power of the Spheres, the ability to entangle remote objects to move, heal, feed and transfer energy.
Paul was nearly stoned to death before the first Council of Jerusalem. In the Myrrhian world, he did die. As a result, Peter and Barnabas accepted with the Council that while Christianity was open to all, they had to accept Jewish custom as well, such as circumcision. There would be no apostle to the Gentiles. A gentile Christian church would arise, led by the Myrrhians and the apostles of Thomas. It would accept personal revelation, and would propagate the secret teachings of Christ. Valentinius would be their first great leader, and establish the first canon, rules for knowing true revelation and exponent of the collegia that would expand and deepen the knowledge and power of God in the world.
The Myrrhians are persecuted by the Romans. They move further to the fringes of the empire, and by the third century, are becoming established in Britannia, Germany and Persia. The Myrrhian Fire will move East, as the converted Germanic tribes and Persian priests seek new converts, revelation and power from the pagans of the East.
Second Major Divergence – The Zachary Taylor Branch of the Apostolic worlds, the Mundane Branch is our world
AD 1849, Sept. 27: Edgar Allan Poe returns and Zachary Taylor survives
Edgar Poe was being observed by a team of researchers from one of the many Myrrhian realities, in which Paul of Tarsus dies before the Council of Jerusalem, and the apostolic Christian church never forms. These realities are retrograde to our Apostolic realities, but developed technically much faster than ours, so there is relatively great interaction amongst the Tarsan Worlds, as the Myrrhians call them. They are in a position to study our Apostolic realities, and there is occasionally unintended transfer of information or advanced technology, such as coupled matter.
The researchers studying Poe are literary and historical scholars. Through Congress (their Exchange) they gain permission to extended the lives of dying artists to see what they will produce. They cannot see Poe’s future, but they know he is ill, and gain permission to intervene when Poe is accosted in Baltimore in September 1849. One of the researchers bears a great resemblance to Poe, whom they have been watching with a tiny coupled sensor called a Mote. The researcher assumes the identity of Arthur Gordon Pym. They are in biological isolation in an orbital station, and Pym and the medical team have been exposing themselves to Baltimore biota to prevent contamination from our world to theirs. They are in isolation to prevent an outbreak in their world, but there are still occasional pandemics from other-reality germs.
Using the Mote’s connection, Pym is able to exchange with Poe at the Washington University Hospital on October 4, after which time he is kept in isolation from others by Dr. Moran due to his strange behavior. By October 7, the medical team has been able to restore Poe to health, and he is exchanged back to Baltimore, with no memory of his adventure. In order to exchange, both parties much be in touch coupled matter and must be of the same weight. Pym has an internal homing Sprite, which will decay after 30 days if he can’t return home. Poe is fully dressed, standing on a coupled menhir with a dry ice sublimator. As the gas boils off, they achieve equal weight and exchange begins. But a cat leaps on Pym’s chest at the last minute, and Poe returns with two chunks of menhir under his boots.
The menhir is coupled matter made from an iron nickel asteroid from a primal differentiated world formed in the inner solar system. This world was shattered billions of years ago in the Myrrhian world, and is the source of many M-class asteroids and iron-nickel meteorites. It is the primal world from which the menhir fragments came, still intact and deep in the asteroid belt. As will be seen later with the discovery of Neith and Nerine, there is an element of chance in the worlds observed from Earth and to which our world becomes connected. The fragments are now in the same reality as their primal world, and coupled to it, as is the entire core of Utopia.
In the spring of 1850, Poe is invited to the White House to speak on his new writings. He also wants to redeem an earlier visit to the White House when he was sloppily drunk. He speaks on the need to avoid complete polarization of American politics, and has a private meeting with Zachary Taylor afterwards. As two Southerners, they both recognize the potential for slavery to tear the Union apart, and come to the conclusion that the brewing secessionism in the Deep South and aggression of the Texans toward claiming New Mexican territory must be squashed quickly. Better a smaller Civil War in 1850, than a larger one after a decade of drift and polarization. Taylor personally travels West in June 1850 to lead the mustering of Federal forces, should they be needed to confront the Texans.
Third Major Divergence – The J. E. Carter Branch of the Apostolic Worlds
AD 1980, Desert One succeeds
Mission Eagle Claw to rescue the US hostages held in Iran in 1980 succeeds. President Carter is reelected in 1980, and begins a new era of Democratic dominance in presidential politics, but the start is not auspicious. The Carter détente gives the Soviets some breathing space, and they consolidate their position in Afghanistan and the Warsaw pact. Even with the economic upturn in the early 80’s, Reagan leads Mondale in the polls going into the 1984 election, and wins in a close one. Reagan takes a more confrontational stance with the Soviets, but his administration becomes distracted with side conflicts against the Contras, Cubans, etc. Going into the reelection campaign in 1988, there are growing questions about Reagan’s mental health and his confused behavior in the second debate with Mondale and the cancellation of the third contributes to the narrow Mondale victory in 1988. Mondale engages in a more muscular détente with the Soviets, joint space missions, but greater military confrontation. War breaks out in Korea in 1991 as North Korea collapses. Colin Powell is the hero of the ultimate SEATO victory. The obsolescence of Soviet arms is revealed, and by 1992, the Soviet Union is collapsing. Mondale and Bentsen are reelected in 1992, and when Bentsen dies in 1993, Powell is appointed Vice President. The peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union, comprehensive Israeli/Palestinian settlement, and economic boom of the mid 90’s ensures that Powell/Nunn ticket wins in a landslide in 1996. The Republican Party, having lost under Dole and Gingrich in the last two elections is in disarray. As the 2000 election cycle approaches, a move is underway to repeal the 25th amendment, which would allow Powell to run for a third term in 2004. The radicals in the Moslem world, despite a number of terrorists attack in the West, are being contained, after the strategy used with the Soviets.
Another outcome of this branch is the acceleration of the Shuttle program and the beginning of a manned mission to Mars program, starting in 1985, shortly after the loss of Space Shuttle Columbia. President Reagan pledges to send a man to Mars by the next favorable opposition in 2001. Shuttle flights will continue, but new space-plane is developed for Titan III to provide crew-only access to orbit, and series of shuttle-derived cargo vehicles developed for space station construction and orbital assembly of first Mars mission. The first successful landing on Mars is in July, 2001. The first indications of space madness are observed: several crew report hearing voices, strange radio messages, one disappears on Martian surface. Mission Control begins receiving transmission from probes and missions they never launched. Manned missions to Mars continued with minimal success, until the disastrous mission of 2015.
The Timeline of the Tarsan Worlds
AD 50: Paul of Tarsus is stoned to death at Lystra
The early Christian church suffers its first schism, as Peter’s and the major apostle’s mission moves exclusively to the Jews, and Apostolic Christianity becomes a minor Jewish sect.
The Myrrhians, Mary Magdelene, Joseph of Aramathea, Nocodemus, Thomas and company, preach mainly to the Gentiles, but their mission is also narrow. They focus on and grow the secret teachings of Christ, and gain great power and knowledge of the multiple realities of the universe, and the Power of the Spheres, the ability to entangle remote objects to move, heal, feed and transfer energy.
AD 52: The Myrrhians go to Rome
Most of the 70 Disciples privy to the secret teachings of Christ go to Rome.
AD 54: Mary Magdalene meets Simon Magus. Barnabas converts Pudens, a Roman Senator, and becomes a student of Seneca, who he also converts secretly
AD 56: Seneca convinces Nero to redefine the Pontifex Maximus as the Protector of all Romans. The Ara Pacis is rededicated, Nero declares a new Pax Romana. His popularity soars, and persecution of the early Christians declines.
AD 59: Nero murders his mother Agripinna
AD 62: Nero marries Poppaea, Seneca has Mary Magdelene made part of her household
AD 64: Great Roman Fire. Seneca advices Nero to rebuild Rome, and dedicate a new Temple to Jehovah in recognition of Christian sacrifices fighting the fire. Nero again revels in popular acclaim
AD 65: Nero’s son Germanicus is born
AD 70: Jewish Uprising in Jerusalem. Rebels are captured and executed, but the Temple is spared. Nero is now known as the Merciful
AD 72: Jealous of his influence, Poppaea has Seneca murdered. Barnabas and Pudens become Nero’s main advisers, Mary and Simon Magus return to preaching in Rome under their protection
AD 80: Nero is at the height of his popularity, but the Senate worries that his lenience with rebels and Christians is encouraging rebellion in the provinces. Conspiring with Poppaea, the Senators have Nero murdered
AD 81: At age 16, Nero’s son Germanicus is hailed as the new Augustus
AD 82: Persecution of Christians increases, leading to another schism. Mary, Simon magus and the Myrrh-bearers flee to Germany to become the Myrrhians. The Christians remaining in Rome become the Gnostic Christians. Nero’s daughter, Julia, age 15, also flees Rome for fear of her brother
AD 86: Germainicus’ rule has been disastrous for Rome. He is murdered, and Nerva is appointed Caesar by the Senate
The Next Roman Emperors
Nerva: 86-98
Hadrian: 98-117
Antonius Pius: 117-138
Marcus Aurelius: 138-171
Commodus: 171-192. Commodus’ rule has been as disastrous as Germanicus’. The Senate seeks to end direct succession, and re-establishes the Julio-Claudian dynasty based on commitments to re-establish adopted successors.
AD 192: Claudius II, age 42, great-grandson of Nero’s daughter Julia is named as Augustus
AD 200: Claudius II is overthrown by Septimus Severus
AD 211: Caracalla succeeds his father as Emperor. For the third time, direct succession leads to a disastrous reign
AD 217: Claudius II’s son Julius II, age 42, has curried the favor of the Praetorian Guard. They overthrow Caracalla in his favor, and Julius II becomes the first Gnostic Christian Emperor.
AD 219: Peace breaks out with the Germans, who are now Myrrhian Christians. The Germans and Romans turn their Armies east.
AD 318: After 100 years of successful, non-hereditary successions, the Neronian Dynasty has completely crushed the Parthian Empire, and is continuing to move East. The Myrrhians have vanquished Scandanavia and the Sarmatian Tribes. The Empire is secure, but a series of weak Emperors threatens political stability.
AD 364: Valentian I installed as Augustus by the Praetorian Guard. The Valentian Dynasty is heathen, and war breaks out on the northern border with Germany again
AD 392: The Senate and the Praetorian Guard commit to securing a stable, non-hereditary succession of Gnostic Emperors with direct decent from the Neronian dynasty. Romulus I, an heir to the Neronian, Severan and Valentinian dynasties is installed as Augustus. Peace with Germany is re-established. The Romulan Dynasty remains in power for 300 years.
AD 700: The Muhammadan Crisis
AD 1849, Sept. 27: Edgar Allen Poe returns and Zachary Taylor survives
In the spring of 1850, Poe is invited to the White House to speak on his new writings. He also wants to redeem an earlier visit to the White House when he was sloppily drunk. He speaks on the need to avoid complete polarization of American politics, and has a private meeting with Zachary Taylor afterwards. As two Southerners, they both recognize the potential for slavery to tear the Union apart, and come to the conclusion that the brewing secessionism in the Deep South and aggression of the Texans toward claiming New Mexican territory must be squashed quickly. Better a smaller Civil War in 1850, than a larger one after a decade of drift and polarization. Taylor personally travels West in June 1850 to lead the mustering of Federal forces, should they be needed to confront the Texans.
President Taylor and his allies win passage of legislation allowing California to enter the Union as a free state, which is opposed by Deep South, supported by North and Upper South. Texans decide to press claim for New Mexico, move on Federal forces in Santa Fe. Taylor reinforces Col. McCall and Federals promptly push Texans out of West Texas. The Deep South responds aggressively to Federal repulse of Texans at Santa Fe. Deep Southern troops reinforce the Texans, and the states of Texas,Louisiana,Mississippi,Alabama,Georgia,Florida and South Carolina would secede in September, 1850. Conflict widened as southern states begin to sieze federal installations, and President Taylor responds aggressively. Three Federal armies are assembled, but do not enter the field until the Spring of 1851. The Army of Texas under Gen. Wool move to seize Austin and relieve the Federal garrison in Santa Fe. The Army of the Mississippi under Gen. Joe Johnston marches on Vicksburg, and will ultimately move on the Confederal capital at Montgomery, AL. The Army of the Carolinas under Gen. Winfield Scott moves to regain federal forts at Charleston and Savannah. Adm. Farragut successfully regains New Orleans and Mobile in the opening months of the war.
President Tylor sends troops under Albert Sidney Johnston to Salt Lake City after Mormons refuse to cooperate with territorial governor during the prosecution of the Secession War. Conflict with the Nauvoo Brigade escalates, and Brigham Young evacuates most of his followers south to Mexico. A small band that remains in Salt Lake renounces formal plural marriage and accepts a secular government under state of Utah. (in a secret part of the settlement, Plural Unions are to be recognized by the States, but only for men of considerable property). The Reformed Latter Day Saints are influenced by the later writings of Edgar Allen Poe, become students of the Myrrhians and the secret teachings of Christ.
President Taylor declares that anyone participating in setting up a rival government is guilty of treason and will be hanged. The Confederal States are set up in defiance in Dec. 1850 with John Quitman of Mississippi as President. Jefferson Davis is named Commander of the Confederal Armies. Gen. Scott is killed outside of Charleston. Robert E. Lee takes command of the Army of the Carolinas in Dec. 1851 and rapidly takes Charleston,Savannah and relieves the Federal garrison at Pensacola. By April 1852, Johnston and Lee begin to have converge on Montgomery. Davis and the Conferderal government decamp to Texas where Generals Wool and Abraham Lincoln are running down several Southern Armies. Vicksburg continues to hold through 1852. The Federal Armies renew their offensives in the Spring of 1853, Confederal resistance ends by July 1853.
Settlement of the Secession War
President Taylor commutes the death sentence of most Confederal leaders but imprisons them. The western counties of Texas and eastern counties of New Mexico are merged to form the free state of West Texas. Fugitive slave laws are weakened, and eventually eliminated. Delaware is the only state that abolishes slavery. New Mexico enters as a free state, and the territories of Arizona and Utah are organized. The Brighamites have been driven out of Salt Lake, and a new reformed Mormon leadership, which has publically renounced polygamy, is now cooperating with the Gentile territorial government.
Martial law continues in the Deep South until 1854. Congress passes the Reparation and Repatriation Act. Anyone who payed taxes to the Confederal government has to pay an equal amount to the Federal government to regain their franchise. Many planters have to free their slaves through manumission to pay their reparation. Some planters sell their plantations, which will become the basis of the State Farm system. Many poor whites in the South never regain their franchise.
Congress also passes the Franchise Reform Act, which begins to roll back some pillars of Jacksonian democracy. Beginning in the 1854 elections, all new voters, free blacks and whites, must have at least $500 in money or property. No current voters are disenfranchised, but the Act begins to shift the electorate to the propertied, who are more numerous in the Whiggish states.
The Freedman’s Bureau is established to manage the new federal manumission and transportation programs. Runaway slaves can apply for manumission, but must accept transportation to Liberia or eventually Dominica, Panama, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hawaii and the Philippines. Masters who apply for manumission give their former slaves the choice of staying on as contract workers, relocation to a State Farm or transportation to the Insulars..
The end of the war and establishment of the Freedman’s Bureau also invigorates the American Colonization Society (ACS) under the leadership of Abraham Lincoln. Government sponsored manumission is initially limited because of the small size of the Liberia colony, but the ACS becomes one of the major proponents for US acquisition of more tropical colonies to accept freed slaves. Abraham Lincoln became leader of the ACS in 1850 after the death of Henry Clay. Other important ACS leaders include Charles Mercer and Robert Stockton.
The pace of manumission and transportation picks up pace in 1854 when Robert Purvis and Frederick Douglass are put in charge of the Freedman’s Bureau. An increasing number of slaves runaway and accept transportation to Dominica, and the Upper South frees most of its remaining slaves, most of who go to State farms in the Deep South, within 10 years. Purvis and Douglass are fierce advocates for humane living and working conditions on the Farms, and particularly for schools and training to allow the poor blacks (and whites) on the Farms to finally gain their franchise.
Their success establishing humane Farms that allow a realistic path to full citizenship leads to the next round of franchise reform. Starting in 1858, all children are given a savings bond at birth that should be of ~$500 by the time they turn 21. Also beginning in 1879, all voters must have at least an eighth grade education. The requirement is eventually increased to high school diploma as part of the Emancipation Act of 1900 that formally ends slavery in the U.S. There is a boom in school construction during the second half of the 19th century.
The issues of slave expansion into the territories, fugitive slave laws and the gradual abolition of slavery are largely settled. The threat of secession to further political ends is dead. But the fate of blacks in North America is far from settled. As the 1850’s proceed, there is gradual consensus between the Whigs and Democrats that freed blacks need to be transported off-shore. Liberia is just not practical. The first steps towards creation of an American Empire in the Caribbean are taken in 1853. Buenaventura Baez Mendez of Santo Domingo approaches US proposing annexation of his country, and President Taylor accepts. Dominica becomes the first US Commonwealth. While slavery is technically illegal, many planters move to the island and exploit the labor of poor natives and recently manumissed blacks from the mainland. Manumission and transportation become the standard formula for many Whigs and Democrats to solve the colored problem in the US. Chattel labor continues in most of the Deep South, the Upper South and Central Whig Tier begin rapid industrialization along Whig National Works plan. The efforts to purchase Cuba will blow up in 1860, leading to a gradual expansion of War with Spain, France and the UK in the Great Western War.
All emancipated slaves become wards of the state in 1900. Most are found not qualified for full citizenship, and are transported or sent to black state farms. Conditions in the colonies are not as good as on the State Farms, and on some Insulars like Cuba are almost indistinguishable from slavery. The State Farms are one of several areas of Whig and Democrat cooperation. Wages are paid, codes for housing and education are established. Alcohol, marijuana and prostitution are common, and remain legal and regulated in the US as a means to keep black and white farm workers pacified. Similar conditions obtain on the large private farms.
Zachary Taylor was re-elected in 1852 with William Seward as his running mate, and Taylor dies in 1854 (cholera or gastroenteritis) from the pestilence of the Tiber River cutting through central DC. Expansion of the Capitol wings was scheduled to begin in 1854, but a debate erupts after the 1854 election (which brings Lincoln to the Senate) about moving the Capitol outside of DC. Renovation of the Capitol slows, and the Capitol building in burned by the British in 1862. After the election of the Lee/Lincoln ticket in 1864, the Whigs begin to advocate for a national contest to design a new national Capitol. Lincoln is a strong advocate for Havre de Grace, based on his time in Maryland during the First Western War, and the fact that HdG lost the Capitol by a single vote in the 1790’s. Lincoln’s untimely death in 1866 is again blamed on Washington swamps and canals, and Lee announces a national contest for the new capitol, to be decided at the Centennial in 1876. In the meantime, DC is rebuilt on the Downing plan, and the Capitol completed with new wings and moderately updated new dome.
An important element in the Zachary Taylor Branch is the founding of Commonwealth Chemicals. Josiah Gorgas first comes to Fortress Monroe and Richmond with the Ordnance Branch in 1850 during the Secession War. He helps establish the niter beds, lead works and sulfuric acid plants in Petersburg and Hopewell. He returned to Richmond in 1861 during the Great Western War and with Dr. John Mallet established the U.S. Chemical Laboratory in Richmond. Most black powder production was at the Dupont Co.; Gorgas and Mallet focused on nitric and sulfuric acid production. They want to do more than just produce saltpeter for Dupont black powder. So, Mallet made early advances in collodion and nitrocellulose, eventually perfecting a practical guncotton. Gorgas and Mallet formed Commonwealth Chemicals in Richmond after the war.
The First Western War, 1861-1863:
War begins with the attempted purchase of Cuba in 1861, as part of Stephen Douglas’ Democratic election campaign platform. He defeated the unpopular William Seward, who was seen as too abolitionist by many Southern Whigs and Conscience Democrats who would otherwise have supported the Whig candidate. The unexpected result of the war is that while new territories, Cuba, Dominica and Puerto Rico, for the expansion of the plantation economy, nominally with free contract employees (recently manumissed slaves) slave state are gained, territory that will eventually become five new free states are won from Britain after the occupation of southern Canada.
Anticipate a fun scene with President Douglas meeting with his generals to plan prosecution of the war after full hostilities have broken out in summer 1861 (Aftermath of Mexican debt cancellation crisis and execution of several US filibusters in Cuba by the Spanish). Generals Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln jointly propose a land-based attack on the British port of Halifax. The other major ports at Bermuda and Jamaica to be attacked by majority of US naval forces. Their rationale is that the US is likely to gain Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico as new slave holding territories (the Dominica annexation was made with the specific understanding that the new acquisitions would be commonwealth territories and would not be eligible for statehood as long as slavery was practiced), and Mexico as a protectorate to shield her from her European creditors. Without new free territories to balance the new slave territories, disunion could again break out. Davis and Lincoln propose that Commander in Chief Robert E. Lee and General Davis lead the attack on Canada, first targeting Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, with Generals JEB Stuart and Phil Sheridan leading a first wave of cavalry to attack Halifax by land. The US will then annex Upper Canada, Acadia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Their thrust is to be coordinated with a feint by Admiral Farragut to keep British attention out to sea, while the main US naval forces converge on Bermuda and Jamaica. General Lincoln and General McClellan will move South, to counter an expected invasion from Mexico by a combined British, French and Spanish army. Southern generals in the North, Northern generals in the south. Generals Fremont and Pope are to attack and occupy British Columbia in the West.
1853- Santo Domingo annexed by US at request of its President, Buenaventura Baez Mendez
1858 – U.S. encouragement of independence movements in Cuba alarm Spain and Britain about continued US expansion in the Caribbean.
Nov. 1860- Stephen Douglas elected on platform including the purchase of Cuba and annexation of Panama, to be free territories for transportation of manumissed slaves. Many planters plan to establish “contract” plantations in the new territories
Dec. 1860 – Filibuster activity in Cuba escalates
March 1861 – Prior to inauguration of Douglas, Spain, France, UK announce plans to occupy Mexico if it defaults on its European loans
April 1861 – Democratic Congress approves purchase of Cuba, but Spain demurs. US issues ultimatum on transfer of Cuba. Spain refuses, US begins landing Marines
May 1861- First shots fired between U.S. and Spanish naval forces
June 1861 – First major land engagements between U.S. and Spain on Cuba
July 1861 – Mexico defaults on loans, Britain begins blockade. US demands end to blockade, UK refuses, first shots fired between US and British vessels
July 24, 1861 – Wilhelm I of Prussia assassinated, Frederick III becomes Kaiser
August 1861 – U.S. counter attacks Spanish forces in Cuba, reinforces troops in Santo Domingo.
September 1861 – Prince Albert in Prussia for inauguration, Palmerston issues intemperate ultimatum to U.S. to remove naval forces from Caribbean
October 1861 – U.S. rejects ultimatum, open warfare between British and U.S. shipping begins as Mexican occupation fleet enters Gulf of Mexico
November 1861 – After months of debate in Congress, the US declares war on Britain and Spain, warns France not to land troops in Mexico
December 1861 – US troops invade Jamaica and Bermuda, are thrown back at Halifax. Britain and Spain begin landing troops in Mexico. France remains neutral at Prussia’s behest. . Russia supports US in Pacific, though formally neutral. Ambrose Mann is US envoy to Prussia, Caleb Huse US agent in Holland to purchase arms.
January 1862 – British and Spanish naval forces driving back U.S. fleet in Caribbean, expeditionary forces in Cuba and Santo Domingo are cut off. Armies of the Hudson and Niagara encamped for the winter. President Douglas meets with his generals (above).
February 1862 – First U.S. ironclads enter Caribbean, break Anglo-Spanish blockade
March 1862- Britain lands major expeditionary force at Vancouver. US troops under Generals Pope and Fremont assume defensive positions in Oregon. Army under Generals Lincoln and McClellan moves into Northern Mexico to deter invasion by UK, British and French armies
April 1862 – Britain lands large expeditionary force in Ontario, Maritimes before US ironclads are able to establish blockade. British attack and burn Washington; house to house battle continues for months, and the city is reduced to rubble. British attack and burn Wilmington, DE, and destroy most of the local industry, including the Dupont complex. Dupont relocates most of its plants inland and south. most vulnerable of the major East Coast ports. “For Washington and Wilmington!” becomes the US rallying cry of the war.
May 1862 – US troops under Generals Lee and Davis invade Upper Canada.
Summer 1862 – US forces repel British, take Toronto, Montreal and Quebec; occupy Ontario, S. Quebec, Acadia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. Troops on Bermuda and Jamaica relieved. Farragut, Sheridan and Stuart attack and take Halifax. Lincoln and McClellan engage the European coalition at Monterrey, fight to a draw.
Fall 1862 – European coalition forces retire to Vera Cruz. US consolidates its position in Canada and Carribean. US forces regain San Fransisco.
Winter 1862-1863 – Land actions end, last of British forces cleared from Caribbean. Increasingly hostile action between US and Russian naval forces in the Pacific.
March 1863 – With fighting at lull and Britain contemplating a major escalation of hostilities to break the American blockade, and possibility of a general Anglo-Russian war, Frederick III calls parties to Berlin for negotiated end to war.
Terms of the Treaty of Berlin, 1863
Upper Canada, Acadia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ceded to US
Spain cedes Cuba to US
US formalizes annexation of Dominica
US retains possession of Jamaica
US agrees to purchases Alaska from Russia in secret negotiations; US will sell Alaska to Britain in 1888.
Britain ceded rights to isthmian canal in Nicaragua, US gain rights to Panamanian canal
US takes on Mexico as protectorate and honors its European debts
1866: Austro-Prussian War and Junker Coup – Kaiser Frederick III is wounded in the final battle with the Austrians at Sadowa, shortly after which the Austrians surrender to the Prussians. By the spring of 1866, Frederick is still suffering from the effects of his chest wound, and von Borcke summons Dr. McCaw from the Medical College of Virginia. Also joining the delegation are Caleb Huse, who served as Chief US Purchasing Agent to Prussia during the Great Western War and is now one of the founding partners in the struggling Commonwealth Chemical Company; Dr. John Mallet, a chemist and top surgical student of McCaw’s at the Medical College of Virginia (he will later serve as tutor to the royal family); and Ambrose Mann, a career consul and ambassador who has represented the U.S. to many of the German courts.
After the Junker Coup is defeated, the American delegation is rewarded for their support of Frederick and his family. The impressionable Prince Wilhelm is seven years old, idolizes the Americans, and Dr. Mallet is retained as his royal tutor. Empress Victoria hopes that an American presence in the court will purge the last of the conservative influence of the purged Junkers and the Frederick’s older relations. She is right, and Wilhelm will also be profoundly influenced by his father’s unification of the smaller German states with Prussia in a relatively liberal German Empire.
By the summer of 1866, Prussia has concluded a final peace treaty with Austria. Bismarck is in prison, the Junkers are broken, and much of the conservative Prussian court has fled to Russia. Frederick takes the initiative, and the Congress of German Princes is convened. He is crowned Emperor of the new German Empire, a Kleinedeutch union similar to the First German Reich of our reality.
The local princes retain their thrones and control of local affairs in their states. The Army and foreign affairs are under the direct control of the Emperor. Trade and taxation are the prerogative of a new Reichstag, elected with a limited franchise to ensure liberal majorities. A new Herrenhaus (House of Lords), composed of the German princes, has veto power of the Reichstag, and Prussian princes have a majority in the Herrenhaus. Frederick has set Germany on the course of incremental parliamentarianism.
The Southern states that allied with Austria (Baden, Wurttemberg, Bavaria and Saxony) are allowed in the Empire, with one codicil. If their thrones become vacant in the Salic Line, a Hohenzollern will succeed to the throne.
Ambrose Mann becomes the first American Ambassador to the German Empire. Von Borcke becomes the Commander of the Kaiser’s Life Guard. Caleb Huse wins critical contracts for Commonwealth with the German Army and Navy for explosives, ammunition and naval stores. The future of Commonwealth Chemicals is assured.
1867, the Partition of Italy and Belgium: France, Holland and Austria collude in a new war to regain some of their power and position lost after the formation of the German Empire. Their targets are Belgium and Italy.
(In 1850, Giuseppe Garibaldi travelled to America and during his service to the Federal Armies, was killed during the Seccession War. As a result, there is no charismatic leader to join with the House of Savoy in 1860, and the unification of Italy fails. Francis II of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies refuses Cavour’s offer to join a unified Kingdom of Italy, and the Pope retains his sovereignty over the Papal States.)
In 1867, France withdraws its garrison from Rome. The Italians pressure the Pope for the incorporation of the Patrimony into Italy. He refuses, and calls on other nations to defend the church. France and Austria invade Italy, which Belgium condemns. Holland and France then invade and partition Belgium. The British are furious, but Frederick III of Germany convinces them not to intervene. The Papal States are restored to Rome. The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies is re-established under Francis II. The House of Savoy is confined to Greater Piedmont.
Germany takes up interest in the Congo Basin, where Belgium had made some early colonial moves. Germany is granted rights to the Basin by France and Holland, in exchange for French control over Cameroon and Gabon, and German support for Dutch unification of South Africa. England is not happy, but organizes with Germany joint purchases of the old Portuguese colonies: Mozambique to England and Angola to Germany. England is allowed to organize a south central belt from Namibia to Mozambique, and complete control of the Nile Valley to Uganda in the East. Britain also claims the Horn of Africa and Nigeria, France consolidates control of the Sahara and Madagascar. German and Austrian investment in the Ottoman Empire has reinvigorated them, and they consolidate control of Libya and Ethiopia.
1874: Josiah Gorgas founds the Virginia Institute of Arts and Sciences (The VI) in 1874 with James Dooley and Joseph Reid Anderson, another element in the Virginia Renaissance movement, and part of the preparations for the US Centennial celebrations. Another major Whiggish initiative to celebrate the Centennial was a competition for a new US Capitol. Washington was burned by the British in 1861, and rebuilt after the war in its old configuration. The Whigs want a more modern, defensible site with room and prospect for great national buildings and monuments. The finalists are Philadelphia, Washington, Havre de Grace, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis. After much civic showmanship, St. Louis and Havre de Grace are chosen as the new western and eastern Capitols. Spring Congressional sessions are in HdG, fall sessions in St. Louis. Permanent headquarters for the Departments of State, Treasury, War and Navy are in the Eastern District of Columbia. Interior, Postmaster and Attorney General are in the Western District of Columbia. The President has residences in both. Old Washington becomes a museum and battleground memorial to the First Western War. The Lee estate, Arlington House, remains a private mansion, and the Lee’s are still the cultural leaders of the US into the 1970’s.
1876, The Centenary: Prior to the 1876 Centenary selection of the new Capitol, a coalition of Whigs from PA, DE, MD and VA financed the building of the first stages of New Washington at Havre de Grace. New train stations are built in Havre de Grace and Perryville, and the rail lines are relocated in a series of tunnels under the Susquehanna. The old rail bridge is converted to a suspension bridge for surface transport. The new capitol building is mainly completed on the Craigtown Heights, and the new National Boulevard from the new Union Station at Perryville to the Capitol is completed. Roads are cut for the Executive District and Executive Mansion in the heights north of Havre de Grace, and raillines are relocated south and a new district created at Principio Furnace for the new Supreme Court Building. Construction is also begun for Ft. Taylor on Garrett’s Island.
The Eastern Coalition also joined forces with the Missouri Whigs, to ensure that both Havre de Grace and St.Louis were chosen as sites for the new East and West Capitols. The Western Capitol was built on the grounds of Forest Park, used in our reality for the 1904 World’s Fair.
Tredagar Iron Works (Anderson) and Commonwealth Chemicals (Gorgas) were major Richmond industries in 1879, and the VI was founded with Hiram Maxim in 1880, after he was lured away from Edison, with whom he was engaged in lengthy legal actions over the invention of the light bulb. Hudson Maxim later joined Commonwealth as an explosives chemist. The VI was established to provide a Southern institute for “…the application of the electrical and physical sciences to the betterment of mankind.”
Nikola Tesla joins the VI in 1884, and he and Poe spent many late nights together. it is believed that Poe passed on secrets he had divined from his time with the Myrrhians in 1849. After Poe’s death in 1885, Tesla becomes the next of the Elites that probe the mysteries of the Tarsan Worlds. Tesla is not able gain coupling and transportation between the realities, but his increasingly sophisticated inventions in “coupled” technologies eventually allow for the transfer of electricity, light and gravity between coupled objects.
1877: Russo-Turkish war. Russia attacks Ottoman Empire to gain independence for the Christian Slavs of the Balkans.
1878: Treaty of Berlin. Similar to ours, Serbia and Romania gain independence, Bosnia becomes an Austrian protectorates
1881: Czar Nicholas II is not assassinated. Less anti-semetic and more anti-nationalist activity on the part of the Russian governments. More nationalists and fewer Jews in the Russian underground, which takes on a more nationalist, anti-imperialist tone, and forms more common cause with Chinese and Pan-Islamist rebels in Central Asia.
1883: Turko-Hungarian or Balkan War. Since 1867, Hungary has gained increasing autonomy from its imperial master Austria. In 1883, Hungary invades and occupies Romania and Serbia. Russia invades and occupies Galicia. Turkey and Austria brutally suppress Albanian, Serbian and Bulgarian nationalists within their Balkan territories. Britain is incensed, but remains neutral on Ottoman promises to keep the Bosporus closed to the Russian fleet. France refuses to be drawn in to the conflict with their Russian allies when Germany declares strict neutrality. At the Treaty of Brussels in 1885, Romania, Montenegro and Serbia are ceded to Hungary, Austria gains Bosnia, Russia gains Galicia, and Germany gains rights to a Berlin to Baghdad railway. The Kingdom of Hungary is declared, with subordinate Serbian, Romanian, and Montenegran principalities, along the lines of the Austrian and German Empires. It is completely autonomous in internal matters, though nominally still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire under the Hapsburgs. Germany strongly supports the strengthening and industrial development of the Hungarian and Ottoman empires, for economic opportunity for Germany, to gain access to the Middle East and to block Russian ambitions. Russia is furious at the settlement, but is increasingly isolated. Britain is also dissatisfied, but also lacks strong Continental allies. Begins rapprochement with Japan, supports their ventures in Manchuria and Korea as a check to Russia in the East. While not formally allied to Britain, Germany maintains robust secret diplomacy with Britain. Germany foreswears major fleet developments in return for free hand in developing rail connections into the Middle East and Asia. The agreement holds.
Late 1880’s: The three power blocs amongst the Big Nine Powers take shape. UK and Japan, with smaller clients such as Greece, Portugal and Denmark form the Maritime League. Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire form the Central Powers, and become increasingly aligned with the United States. France, Russia and Holland form the Continental League, as a counterbalance to Britain overseas and the Central Powers in Europe.
1881-1883, Maxim and Tesla arrive in Virginia: Hiram Maxim joins Tredegar Munitions in Virginia and develops his rapid fire Maxim gun. His brother Hudson joins Commonwealth in 1884 to work with Mallet on smokeless powder development, and Hiram starts the Maxim Corporation to pursue his interest in electronics and powered flight. In 1884, Nicola Tesla joins the Maxim Corporation after leaving being hired by Charles Bachelor in Prussia in 1882. He has discovered that conventional remote wireless electrical transmission is not practical, but the coupled matter acquired by Dr. Poe allows efficient, long-distance transmission of electricity. VI discoveries also include the discovery of hyper-fluorescence, a process where illumination of a new developed by Commonwealth yield more power than is added. Tesla discovers that the original batch of dye is entangled, so that under proper conditions, when one portion is illuminated, the other portion emits the energy. He is able to extend this phenomenon to entangled transmitters and receivers for transmission of electrical power over long distances. His new Tesla engine is rapidly adopted by John Joseph Montgomery, who with a newly powered glider makes the first powered flight in 1891.
The Second Western War, 1893-1897: The Second Great Western War between Britain and the U.S. begins in the 1890’s. Relations between the US and Britain deteriorates in 1892 with the election of James MacPherson, who advocates an even more complete implementation of the Monroe doctrine: no European colonies in the Western Hemisphere.
The US and Holland allied with the Boer Republics, and prevented their annexation by Britain in the 1870’s. But the lure of Boer gold and diamonds was too great, and Britain invaded the Republics in 1893. The Dutch and Americans send aid to the Boers, the final straw for Britain, which declares war on the US and Holland. Spain, all trying to regain lost territories from the First Western War, also declares war in 1893. The US and Holland reciprocate; the rest of Europe remains cautiously neutral.
The US suffers major naval losses initially to the European ironclads. Only the introduction of Tesla torpedoes in 1896 begin to turn the tide at sea. Germany prevails upon France to remain neutral in the conflict.
On land, the US and European forces are largely stalemated across the width of the continent until 1896 when the first of the Tesla/Maxim airships appear over the battle field. Tesla electrical land vehicles appear about the same time, replacing the earlier and largely ineffective steam tanks. With the new wonder weapons and the naval blockade broken, the US routs the European forces on land and sea by 1897. Britain is also tied down with Russia in a Northwest Territories conflict, and the parties again turn to Frederick III to broker peace. His health failing, Frederick completes the Second Treaty of Berlin just prior to his death.
Terms of the Second Treaty of Berlin, 1898
Columbia, Franklin Winnipeg and N.Ontario are ceded to US
US gains Bahamas, Belize and British Guiana from Britain; Bermuda returned to UK
Formosa ceded to Japan, Palawan ceded to UK
Panama ceded to US
Hawaii ceded to US
US cedes rights to Samoa and Solomon Islands to UK
Phillipines ceded to US
Iwo Jima, Saipan, Wake, Marshall Islands and Guam ceded to US
1899 – The Permanent Calendar is adopted
The permanent calendar is adopted in 1899. The calendar below is used every year, and starting in 1903, (A Georgian calendar beginning on a Thursday) an extra week is added at the end of December every 5-6 years. These become the years with the biggest Circuit celebrations, a free week out of time, huge celebrations and partying. The Extra week years will be:
1903
1908
1914
1920
1925
1931
1936
1942
1948
1953
1959
1964
1970
1976 – The Bicentenary Year
Some interesting aspects of the new calendar: The 1st never falls on a Monday.
The Emancipation Act of 1900 raises the franchise requirement in the US to $500 in property plus a high school diploma, but also opens the vote to women. The Whigs have effectively built a multi-racial alliance, now including women, of propertied Americans. The Democrats remain the party of the poor and rural, and will work throughout the 20th century to reestablish the universal manhood franchise. However, their reistance to votes for blacks and women will doom their efforts.
1900: Boxer Rebellion. Seven Nation Alliance defeats Boxers, installs Zaifeng, Prince Chung as the new Empereror. The Dowager Empress is exiled from the Imperial City. The Alliance reluctantly props up the Chinese Emperor against numerous internal rebellions, while carving out more legations and treaty ports for themselves. Neither the Chinese nor imperial authtorities exert much control over Sinkiang, which along with Mongolia, Turkestan and Afghanisatn becomes a haven for nationalist rebels.
1900-1914: Tesla technology arms race between the Big Five
1904-1905: First Russian Revolution and the Russo-Japanese War.
1911: After the failed Xinhai Revolution (the Chinese Republic is not established), Mao flees to Mongolia where he joins the Chinese rebel movement in exile.
1912: After being arrested and exiled to Siberia for the fifth time, Stalin escapes to Mongolia and begins to organize the rebels there into
1914-1917 The Great War: The Big Five are on the verge of war as a result of their arms race, when Communist-inspired rebels lead revolts throughout the Asian and African empires of the Big Five.
1917: Russian Revolution. Successful Communist rebellion against the Romanov regime.
1918: The Romanovs are deposed, and rescued by the British at St. Petersburg. The Prince of Wales aids in rescue of the czarinas, and marries Tatiana.
1920: Lenin seizes control of the interim Russian government, a nationalist movement with Communist underpinnings that rapidly loses control of the provinces. Central Asia becomes effectively autonomous while the Red Army attempts to restore centralized control in Finland, Poland, the Baltics and the Caucasus.
1926: Polish Rebellion. Lead by Jews persecuted by the nationalist Lenin regime (nominally communist, but primarily in consolidation of economic means of production under the state, not egalitarian with respect to minorities and women), uprising in Poland begins in 1926, and the Polish Republic is declared in 1927. The Big Nine are shamed into taking more definitive action against the Soviet Union. Tentative invasions on multiple fronts, generally ineffective, but galvanize anti-imperial in Russia and China. Lenin makes common cause with Stalin and Mao, both in exile in Mongolia.
1927: Military Coup in Japan. Hirohito is deposed by a military junta opposed to the Emperor’s tolerance of European colonies in Asia. The Junta promptly allies with Soviet Russia, breaking the international alliance structure and bringing the world closer to war. Britain allies with France and the Ottoman Empire; the U.S. is allied with Holland, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and pledged to defend the new Polish Republic.
1927-1932: The Asian War. Stalin and Mao lead a Peoples’ Army out of Mongolia in 1927, attempt to end European empires in Asia. The Communists are aligned with Japan, which first occupies Manchuria, and then joins the Communists in attacking European possessions in China. In 1928, the Communists overthrow the Qajar Dynasty in Persia, and occupy the nation, which they rename Iran. This is the high point of Communist control in Asia, and over the next three years, the Big Nine Powers attack from East, West and South to re-establish their control of Asia.
1931: Emperor Hirhito is restored after the overthrow of the Japanese military junta. Japan rejoins the Big Nine, and participates in the final attacks on the Communist Powers.
1932: People’s Army finally defeated. China partitioned, a rump Republic of China established. Romanovs re-installed over a re-organized Russian Empire. Follows German, Austrian, Hungarian and Ottoman models. Emperor reigns over a coalition of duchies, principalities and kingdoms represented in the new Russian Herrenhaus. Duma and its Prime minister have expanded powers.
A new Khanate of Bukhara is established as a buffer state between Russia and British India. Afghanistan Sinkiang and Mongolia are also established as Khanates.
The Ancient Empires of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, Tibet and Siam are made Protectorates of the Big Nine Powers (UK, US, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Hungary, Ottomans, Russia and Japan). Along with the Republic of China, the Khanates and Ancient Empires are denied access to Tesla technology. Polish Republic is declared, strongly aligned with Germany and the U.S. Along with the American South, all of Central and South America, Ireland, Portugal, Greece, New Zealand and the American territories of Liberia, Hawaii and the Phillipines, these are the petroleum economy territories of the world.
1937: Admiral Richard Byrd leads the first successful mission to safely enter space and return from geosynchronous orbit (The Big Five do not use Low Earth orbit)
1940: High Ground I station established in geosync orbit above the US. Water is used as primary reaction mass in Tesla eletrodrive rockets, moderate thrust, estimated to require one week for transit to the Moon
1945: Chuck Yeager the second man to land safely on the moon, but the first to return safely
1945-1953: Rapid development of the Big Five Moon bases. Needed as gravity dumps for Earth-bound Tesla airships.
1947: British discover Whitehall effect on the Moon, rapid development of Whitehall drive spacecraft for deep space exploration
1953-1954: First Big Five missions to Mars, most lost due to space madness and unexplained disappearances.
1970: Mars bases barely holding on, but Big Nine governments make major commitment to their continuation; first indications of momentum transfer observed. The Holy Grail of space travel, a reactionless space drive, powered by the virtually unlimited energy of the Whitehall reactors
1972: Evacuation of the US Utopia Planitia base, and the mysterious stranger they return to Earth