This is the third turn of this years PBM. It is shaping up to be a turn of decision. All the major factions of the game were represented this turn with very aggressive arguments. The Girondists try to ally with the Feuillants and bring in the Marseille National Guard. The Cordiliers try to overthrow the government by raising the sections. While the Royalists are the bravest of all. They move their "Royal" Army into Northern France and begin recruiting peasants to fight a civil war! No one seems to be worried about solving any of Frances problems. Instead, the parties are vying for control of the state. I guess the mentality is, win the war first then we can worry about feeding the children. Of course whoever wins will have a horrible time maintaining power in the face of whoever is not in power (let alone solve any national problems). If this were a more peaceful game we might all be fighting over which political agenda to act on. But in this game the political debate has moved to the streets, and the mood is ugly. SUMMARY OF EVENTS TO DATE June: The King attempted to flee the country, but was caught. July: The Cordiliers win over the peasants to their faction by accusing the liberal aristocrats of trying to starve them. The Girondists establish a private Bank of France to try to stabilize the economy. (Just two more positive steps like this and the financial crisis will be over). The Emigres form a "Royalist" Army in Germany. August: The Cordiliers subvert the loyalties of the Paris National Guard and pressure the Jacobins to join their faction. (Danton now controls 12 of the 16 figures in Fiance and 7 of the 16 political power points). WHAT HAPPENED THIS TURN The moderates won the battle of 4 competing arguments In Paris. This caused the following to happen... The Government moved the Marseille National Guard (trust worthy merchants all) to Paris. They marched into the city singing the War song of the Army of the Rhine (the Maxseillaise). The Girondists then join in a coalition government with the Feuillants to preserve the constitutional monarchy. Elections are held and with Feuillant help the Girondists take over control of the government (9 votes to the Cordilier's 7). The lines are now clearly drawn between the moderates and the radicals. The Royalists, lead by Charles Comte d'Artois, move the Royal Army (made up of Emigres, 1/2 a figure) into Northern France. Through liberal bribes and a call to traditional government, they win over the loyalty of the 3 peasant figures there. POLITICAL FALL OUT The head of state changed this turn so no one has had time to get angry at the Girondists for not solving any of the countries problems. Next turn the peasants will get angry, followed by the newspapers, etc. With only 3 turns left In the game, this will not be critical. The Royalists turned the loyalty of 3 of the 8 peasant figures this also splits their political power up between the Royalists and the Cordiliers. Just to keep things simple I will say they split the vote 50/50 (after all, how much use is 1/2 a vote?). POLITICAL AGENDA The head of state is now M. Roland. As the leader of state, he gets to set the political agenda. The Girondist agenda consists of 1. Constitutional Monarchy, 2. Capitalism, and 3. Prevent the return of the Emigres. Given the nature of the present situation, being tied too closely with the monarchy (and by extension my royalist army!) so Chris has wisely chosen to set the new government agenda thus ... 1. Prevent the return of the Emigres!!! 2. Laizefare Capitalism (for the Bank of France!) POWER GROUPS: POLITICAL POWER AND MAN Head of State: Roland who controls the Marseille National Guard and set the political agenda 1. Prevent the return of the Emigres. 2. Laizefare Capitalism. Faction Politics Man Power Pro Government: Feuillants Lib Aristocrats 2 1/2 Pro Government: Church 1 1/2 Pro Government: Girondists: Merchants 3 2 Pro Government: Girondists: Middle Class 3 1 . =9 =4 Anti Government: Cordilliers: San Culottes 2 4 Anti Government: Cordilliers: Newspapers 2 0 Anti Government: Cordilliers: Peasants 1 8 Anti Government: Jacobins: Paris Radicals 2 0 Anti Government: Paris National Guard 0 (1) . =6 1/2 =9 Anti Government: Royalists: The King 0 0 Anti Government: Royalists: Emigres 0 1/2 Anti Government: Royalists: Peasants 1/2 3 Anti Government: Royalists: Swiss Guard 0 (1) . =1/2 =3 1/2 WHERE EVERYONE IS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING PARIS Roland, Danton, Lafayette, and Robespierre. The King - probably in secret correspondence with his treasonous brother Charles Comte d'Artois! Lib Aritos - Nervously considering fleeing the city. Middle Class - Running the government. Merchants - National Guard (loyal to gov) San Culottes - National Guard (loyal to the sections) Political Debate Work Work Swiss Guard - Guard the King (loyal to him) NORTHERN FRANCE: Emigres Royal Army (loyal to Comte d'Artois) Peasants Farm (loyal to Royalists) Farm (loyal to Royalists) Farm (loyal to Royalists) SOUTHERN FRANCE: Peasants Political Debate, Farm, Farm ATLANTIC COAST: Merchants Do Business Peasants, Farm, Farm EUROPE: Conservative Church - moan piteously POLITICAL AGENDAS Royalists: 1. Absolute monarchy 2. Restore feudal privledges of aristocrats Feuillants: 1. Constitutional monarchy 2. Hold elections (They did this this turn) Girondists: 1. Constitutional monarchy 2. Laizefare capitalism 3. Prevent the return of the emigres Jacobins: 1. Anti-Azistocratic 2. Anti-Clerical 3. Anti-Business 4. Rouseauian Paradise Cordillers: 1. Constitutional republic 2. "Down with the King!" 3. Social Welfare THE ARGUMENTS FOR THIS TURN Chris ACTION: Move -The Marseille National Guard march into Parts singing the Mar RESULT: Make Friend - The Feuillants and the Girondists join in a new political coalition to prevent the end of the monarchy. REASON: Power - Together we out vote everyone else Social Class - The top of the pyramid vs the bottom Beyond abilities - It is beyond the abilities of the Cordiliers to rule well and... ACTION: Political Agenda - Lafayette calls for n RESULT: Victory - The Girondists, with Feuillant help, win the election. Roland is the new head of sta REAS Advantage - We have the most vot Power - We have the most vote Politics - We have the most votes!!! William Markwell ACTION:The sections rise up and take over the National Assembly RESULT: The revolutionary government imprisons the aristos and high church officials. REASONS: We have to get them before they get us! Down with the King! The revolution must be carried out to its logical conclusion. and... ACTION: The Revolutionary Council "discovers" papers that show that the Comte de Mirabeau and the King are guilty of TREASON! RESULT: The liberal aristos drop to zero political points REASONS: Mirabeau kept good records of his correspondenc The revolutionaries let the people know the tru The people refuse to support a group that has no honor! Chris Engle ACTION: The "Royal" Army moves into Northern France! REASON: They liberally distribute wealth to the people. By tradition, the King is the King. No one can change that. The Royalists are personally lead by the dynamic Personality Charles Comte d'Artois (the King's bxother!) RESULT:The peasants of the north rally to the Royalist cau and... ACTION: 2 peasant figures prepare and join the Royalist cause REASON:This is a clear way to show their loyalty to Charles. They are motivated to defend the crown by money. Charles had developed political contacts in Germany to get more money. RESULT:The Austrian and Prussian governments pledge military and financial support to the "Army of Restoration." Back to Experimental Games Group # 21 Table of Contents Back to Experimental Games Group List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Chris Engle This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com