This is the fifth turn of this years PBM. The Napoleonic wars started last month. This turn the first effects of it will be felt. war does many strange things to a country, most of them not very nice. one thing is certain though, the direction of the revolution is still very much in doubt. The orders you send in to me for the next turn will be the last set of orders in this game. As in real life, the political situation In France is far from resolved. No one player is a 100% winner, or 100% loser. It looks as though the Girondists are going to be in power at the end of the game, but a coup could change that in a minute. And then there is the King. The people still hate him (save those misguided peasants in the north). The guillotine could still be in his future. Who can say? SUMMARY OF EVENTS TO DATEM June: The King attempts to flee the country, but was captured. July: The Cordilliers 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. The Emigres form a "Royalist" Army in Germany August: The Cordilliers 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 France and 7 of the 16 political power points). September: The Feuillant government moves the Marseille National Guard to Paris. The Girondists and Feuillants then form a moderate coalition to preserve the Monarchy. Elections are held which the moderates just barely win (Moderates 9 votes, Cordilliers 7 votes). While all this was going on Charles Comte d'Artois invaded Northern France with the Royal army and gained the loyalty of the 3 peasant figures there. October: The Cordilliers call for war with Austria and Prussia since that is where the "Royal"/counter revolutionary army came from. It is time to export the Revolution! The Paris National Guard marches out to meet the enemy in Northern France and drives them back into Germany without Incident. The Paris National Guard return their loyalties to the middle class government. The Girondist Bank of France succeeds in moderating the financial crisis from a severe problem to a moderate one. WHAT HAPPENED THIS TURN St. Just gives another speech in the National Assembly, in which he calls for an expansion of the war against the "enemies of France". Since these are the enemies of the Revolution, the generals leading the army should be "of the proper revolutionary mind set." Politically reliable (if mediocre men are found). Unfortunately this ill-managed expansion of the war effort forces the economy back into a severe crisis! The Girondist do succeed in winning the assembly over to forming a single professional army rather than raising a large levy of undisciplined peasants. A peasant figure in Southern France is converted into a professional army loyal to the government. The Royal army returns to Northern France from Germany, when 2 of the peasant units in the north form into a partisan army loyal to the Absolute Monarchy. No fights occur between the Royalists and the Paris National Guard. POLITICAL FALL OUT Todd Fisher succeeded in destroying the economic gains of the Girondist by crashing the economy back into a crisis. This was a tough fight since 4 people sent in arguments about the economy. Two said that the economy moderated further, the other 2 said it got worse. Todd's argument won the 4 way roll off. The Military forces of France are being lead by politically loyal but uninspired leaders. France now has a standing army again. They are trained and are trying to develop a professional standing. They are loyal to the government. The Royalists are showing that is difficult to destroy an insurgency easily. They can cross back and forth over the Germar frontier at will (just like the Vietnamese did with Cambodia). St Just may be right. The war will probably have to be expanded tc stop such constant invasions. POLITICAL AGENDA The Girondist are in power so the agenda is ... 1. Prevent the return of the Emigres!!! 2. Laizefaire Capitalism. POWER GROUPS: POLITICAL POWER AND MANPOWER Head of State: Roland - controls both National Guards and the Army, sets the political agenda. Faction Politics Man Power Pro Government: Feuillants Lib Aristocrats 2 1/2 Pro Government: Feuillants Church 1 1/2 Pro Government: Girondists: Merchants 3 2 Pro Government: Girondists: Middle Class 3 1 Pro Government: Girondists: National Guard 0 (2) Pro Government: Girondists: Army (Peasants) 0 (1) . =9 =5 Anti Government: Cordilliers: San Culottes 2 3 (4) Anti Government: Cordilliers: Newspapers 2 0 Anti Government: Cordilliers: Peasants 1/2 4 (5) Anti Government: Jacobins: Paris Radicals 2 0 . =6 1/2 =7 (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) Anti Government: Royalists: Royal Army 0 (1/2) Anti Government: Royalists: Royal Partisans 0 (2) . =1/2 =3 1/2 WHERE EVERYONE IS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING PARIS: Roland, Danton, Lafayette, and Robespierre. The King Lib Aristocrats - sporting military fashions and talking joining the military (but not doing so) Middle Class - running the government. Merchants - National Guard (loyal to Gov). San Culottes Political Debate, Work, Work Swiss Guard Guarding the King (loyal to him). NORTHERN FRANCE: San Culottes - National Guard (loyal to Gov). Peasant - Partisan Army (loyal to Emigres). Peasant - Partisan Army (loyal to Emigres). Peasant - Farm (loyal to Emigres) Emigres - Royal SOUTHERN FRANCE: Peasant - Political debat Peasant - Professional Army Peasant - Farm ATLANTIC COAST: Merchants - Do Business Peasant - Farm Peasant - Farm Europe Conservative Church - cheer news of Charles' return to Northern Austrian Army - Still preparing to invade France (maybe next spring or so!) Prussian Army - Still preparing to Invade France. POLITICAL AGENDAS Royalists: 1. Absolute Monarchy 2. Restore feudal priveledges of aristocrats Feuillants: 1. Constitutional Monarchy Girondists: 1. Constitutional Monarchy 2. Laizefaire Capitalism 3. Prevent the return of the Emigres Jacobins: 1. Anti-Aristocratic 2. Anti-Clerical 3. Anti-Business 4. Rouseauian Paradise Cordilliers: 1. Constitutional Republic 2. "Down with the King!" 3. Social Welfare POLITICAL PROBLEMS OF FRANCE Down with the King! No one really likes him, but several groups are tied to him by their political agendas. Severe problem. Financial Crisis. It was moderating but has now returned to being a severe problem. THE MATRIX Talk/Bargain Heroic Action Work/Prepare Cowardly Action Do Business Wicked Action Move Fight Have Fun Love/Hate Sad/Happy Fear/Fearless Shame Envy Make a Friend/Enemy Advantage Reputation Kill Victory/Defeat Political Agenda Natural Disaster Religion Social Class Politics Justice Tradition Wealth/Power Motivation Loyalty/Honor Personality Beyond your abilities Knowledge Logic "Magic" "Miracle" "Monster" "Adventure" wild Card Wild Card wild card THE ARGUMENTS THAT WERE TURNED IN THIS TURN This turn there were two major battles. Would the economy grow better or worse, and what kind of army would France have. The results were split. The Cordilliers succeeded in crashing the economy. But the Girondists got a professional army loyal to them. All in all a fair trade, since a healthy economy won't help you when the coup happens! Todd Fisher In a stirring speech before the National assembly St. Just calls for the expansion of the war against the enemies of France. Further a call is made for the generals leading the army to be of the proper revolutionary mind set. The result is that men are placed in command of the armies that are mediocre, at best, but loyal to the government. The expansion of the war deepens the economic crisis and wide spread unrest develops. Reasons: 1. To be against the Revolution is to be against France! 2.Only those who believe in the Revolution can do what is required to achieve it's goals. 3. The magnetic personality of St. Just sways over the assembly. Herbert calls for increased pay for the National guard and for the defenders of France to rally to the revolution (Revolutionary Government) The bankrupt government is unable to increase the pay and with the famine once more hitting Paris, a large crowd of peasants and disgruntle national Guard units meet outside the National Assembly. Danton rises on the floor and calls for sweeping reforms, among which is the establishment of a ruling committee, (which he and hand picked men will lead.) Under pressure from the crowd outside M. Roland resigns and the Committee for Public Safety is formed. Reasons 1. The near poverty threat the soldiers live in has them very worried 2. The fear of the people has never been higher amongst the masses 3. The "Marais" (the Plain), which is the silent majority now knows that their political, and possibly own self preservation requires that they follow the lead of Danton. Chris Morris The Government begins to train and equip an effective army of professionals. L0GIC If France has to fight a war it needs an army. Advantage if France has an army, it is better if it is competent Knowledge Trained men are competent Business begins to pick up, as contracts for equipment of the army are issued (Whatever the composition of the army is) Wealth The wealth of the country is used to produce goods needed. Motivation Knowing that work is available, businessmen and artisans can plan ahead. Do Business The economy is in a better position to do business with Inflation curbed. William Markwell Action: The need to mobilize the nation for war strains the economy beyond endurance. Result: The economy slides back into a severe problem. Reasons: Heroic actions divert attention from business. The business at hand is war and not commerce. It is only just that the rich give more than the poor to the effort. Action: The radicals rally to raise armies to defend the revolution. Result: 3 armies are raised (1 san culotte, 2 peasant) in Paris, Atlantic Coast, and Southern France, that are loyal to the Cordilliers! Reasons: The peasants and san culottes are part of the anti government faction. Defending the revolution is vital to achieving their political goals. They are the majority of the people - it makes sense they will be the majority of the army. Chris Blair Action: Do Business Business booms as the economy recovers. Result: Advantage The economic crisis moderates to a mild problem. Reason: Wealth/Power The wealth of the nation is being harnessed by the National Bank to solve the nations financial crisis. Reputation The present government has demonstrated ability to get things done (moderated the financial crisis, drove out the Royal army, etc). Miracle An economic miracle has begun! Action: Victory - The Paris National Guard cheer their Girondist/ Feuillant officers for leading them in the field with such distinction. Result: Make Friend - The Paris National Guard shifts Its loyalties to the government. Reason: Heroic Action The moderate officers proved their loyalty to the revolution by so quickly driving out the counter revolutionaries. Reputation The moderates are establishing a reputation as winners. Advantage Once outside of that pit of political radicalism -Paris- the Parisian guard are more easily swayed by military discipline. Chris Engle Action: Wild Card: 2 peasants in Northern France form a Royal Partisan Army! Result: Move: The Royal Army returns to Northern France to continue the fight. Reasons 1. Tradition: The King is the King no matter how many times he loses a battle. 2. Fear: We must fight back or be oppressed by the revolutionary army. 3. Motivation: Charles Comte d'Artols personally leads his men back to France! Action: Fight: The Royal Army (+2 peasants) fight the Paris National Guard in Northern France and win. Result: Move: The Parisians retreat to Paris to regroup. Reasons 1. Logic: We out number you 2 to 1. 2. Cowardly Action: The National Guard is made up of cowards and black guards! 3. Loyalty: The National Guards loyalties are divided so they do not fight as well. Back to Experimental Games Group # 23 Table of Contents Back to Experimental Games Group List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1993 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