French Revolution PBM

Year 4

by Chris Engle

Each year I run a play by mail game through EGG. This game is open to anyone who gets EGG. Generally this game is meant to be fun and to provide a show case for new matrix Ideas. This year that Is especially true.

I had thought to do a naval campaign game this year. Unfortunately the Ideas behind this game are not yet ready to try out in public. Instead, I will run the political MG I plan to run at Peninsula Campaigns, In the fall. Interestingly, the PBMs for the last two years were also the games I took to this convention.

Why the French Revolution?

If you want to put a political game through its paces apply It to a revolution. The French Revolution is one that has greatly affected the political language of our times. It is well documented; and for wargamer interest, it is at the start of the Napoleonic Wars (that are so well loved by miniature gamers everywhere). The characters are colorful, and the action intense. But above all, it is a revolution that most people really don't know a lot about (but might like to). So an MG about this period can show how MGs on the whole can be generalized to fit to a broad range of political situations.

I hope you will be able to join in in the year to come.

JUNE 1791

This is the pre game turn of the PBM. The King has Just been brought back to Paris following his flight from the city. The citizens are angry. There is talk of deposing the King in the Cordillers Club. Who knows what will happen next? The liberals are in power, but can they control the radical mob?

Head of State: Lafayette

Pro Government: Feuillant Club: Liberal Aristocrats 2
Church 1
Total 3

Neutral: Royalist: The King 2
Emigres 0
Total 2

Girondist Club: Middle Class 3
Merchants 3
Total 6

Jacobin Club:
Paris Radicals 2
Total 2

Anti Government: Cordillers Club: San Coullettes 2
Newspapers 2
Total 4

Political Agenda:
1. Constitutional Monarchy
2. Hold elections by fall.

Problems:
1. Financial Crisis
2. "The King is a traitor"

WHAT HAPPENED THIS TURN

The king and his family fled Paris for Belgium.

The King and his family were captured and brought back to Paris. Which causes the mob of Paris to declare that the King is a traitor.

CAMPAIGN MAP

WHERE EVERYONE IS

PARIS:
Political leaders all in Paris
King
Liberal Aristocrats
Liberal Church
Middle Class Running government
San Coullette

    National Guard (loyal to Gov)
    Political Debate
    Work
    Work

Swiss Guard (loyal
Peasants Farm
Farm
Farm

SOUTHERN FRANCE:
Merchants - National Guard
Peasants -

    Political Debate
    Farm
    Farm

ATLANTIC COAST
Merchants - Do Business
Peasants -

    Farm
    Farm

EUROPE:
Emigres
Conservative Church

The French Revolution


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© Copyright 1991 by Chris Engle
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