- Read ALL of the player briefings so you are familiar with each factions strengths and weaknesses (and goals!)
- Make sure you have read the Player Instructions
- Read the previous blog posts for examples
These are located HERE: https://sites.google.com/view/tinmanwargaming/matrix-games?authuser=0
Then... Write up your first argument for the 1763-64 Turn and email it to me and SEND IT AS A COMMENT TO THIS BLOG POST. I have set it up so that I approve all comments so you do not have to worry about the other players seeing your arguments ahead of time
Get your first arguments to me by Midnight EST on Sunday so I can adjudicate and post reults
Do not overthink it and just dive in!
If you really want background reading though, you cannot do better than The Road to Guilford Courthouse.
Here are the assignments:
Royal Governor (and Lt Governor)
- Guy Farrish
- Whirlwind
Parliament
- Julie
Back Country Farmers
- Kyoteblue
Low Country Planters:
- Shawn
- Daniel
Cherokee:
- Just Jack
8 comments:
I think the way west will br blocked more effectively by any central power along the coast, be it the low country planter led colonial government or Crown than the Cherokee themselves. Although they are our proximate rivals, the Indians can also be our best cronies... IF we can work together to reduce tensions on the frontier.
What I want to do is deal with the slave-holding Cherokee elite to the detriment of low country planters. I will send my oldest son and daughter with a wagon of iron tools, cloth bolts, needles and beads to whomever seem to be the most tractable and powerful Cherokee planter leaders — particularly their wives and elder daughters — in order to convince them to parlay with me. I would like to suggest to them that, if they were to make their controls over their slaves a bit less onerous than those imposed by the lowland planters, we could conspire to cause slave revolts on the coast and channel the inevitable refugees towards Cherokee lands. They’ll get an indentured peasant class; the lowland slaves will get a slightly better deal than they have; the lowland planters will get shafted.
What we would like in exchange is a treaty road THROUGH Cherokee territory out into the Mississippi valley, where we can establish new farms at the cost of the Cherokee’s enemies.
Meanwhile, I will start sending my other sons and daughters around to local families, suggesting that they start setting aside whatever preservable foods they can and buying up powder, arms and munitions. I know I have freemen in my lands. I will invite the most prosperous and charismatic of them to a big hog and whiskey feast on my property. I will use the opportunity to sound them out as to whether they have any slave contacts in the lowlands who might be moved to revolt, given arms and a chance. I will also sound them out as to what they think re: slavery on the coast versus slavery among the Cherokee.
My plan with the Cherokee women will work because, at this point in history, chattel slavery has not completely established itself among them as it will in the 19th century. Notable women still decide captive’s fates and are increasingly coming into conflict wih Cherokee men as the gender power balance in the tribe changes with men gaining power due to increasing contact with more patriarchal colonial culture. I aim to reverse this trend, supporting the Cherokee women by reinforcing their traditional powers, gaining the Cherokees captives, and moving land conflict away from their lands and into their enemies lands.
The Cherokee secure their territorial integrity and gain Colonial and Royal assistance in their war against the Creek. This was done via the following:
-The Cherokee mounted a deep, violent raid into South Carolina.
-The raiding party infiltrated Creek territory in Georgia, dressed as Creeks, crossing the river Savanna River into South Carolina 'Backcountry' south of Augusta.
-The raid struck settlements in the Backcountry to inflame tensions between the Creek and Back Country Farmer.
-The raid then struck east into 'Low Country,' where the numerous plantations were attacked and slaves freed.
-The Cherokee raiders then retired back across the Savanna River and made their way to Cherokee lands without incident.
-The Cherokee then sent envoys to the Back Country Farmers, the Low Country Elites, and the Royal Governor.
-The Cherokees agreed to a cessation of hostilities at the frontier (in vicinity of the "Fall Line" and north to Cherokee lands), to include northwestern expansion by the Over the Mountain Men. The Back Country Farmers agreed to this because the Cherokees:
1) Convinced them they couldn't fight the Cherokees to the northwest and the Creek to the southwest simultaneously;
2) Convinced them they could never have a stronger role in the governing process/court system with the instability of Indian raids into their lands and lines of communication.
3) Convinced them they could satisfy their lust for expansion by pushing west into Creek territory rather then northwest through Cherokee territory.
-The Cherokees received support for the cessation of hostilities and stoppage of northwestern expansion from Low Country Elites because the Cherokees:
1) Convinced them the Creek were planning to continue raids into the Low Country attacking plantations and freeing slaves.
2) Convinced them that eventually enough slaves would be freed to cause an uprising.
3) Convinced them that a slave uprising as well as war with the Cherokees and Creek would harm rice and indigo trade.
4) Convinced them that a slave uprising as well as war with the Cherokees and Creek would cause major supply chain issues, that ships brining in necessary imported goods would no longer put in at Charleston because of the threat.
5) Convinced them that the Creek were in league with the French, and so further Creek incursions would lead draw more attention from Parliament, which would lead to the levy of further taxes and duties to defray the costs of the deteriorating security situation in South Carolina.
-The Cherokees received support for the cessation of hostilities and stoppage of northwestern expansion from Royal Governor because the Cherokees:
1) Announced their commitment to the Proclamation of 1763, and their expectations that the Kings subjects do the same.
2) Pointed out the inability to of the South Carolina militias to deal with the Creek and Cherokee simultaneously, to the point of total loss of control within the colony due to a collapse of the South Carolina economy, leading to the inability collect taxes or prevent smuggling.
3) Played to nationalistic feelings by convincing the Royal Governor the Creek were in league with the French, and furthermore, that if good order and discipline is not maintained the Parliament would not look favorably on the Royal Governor's stewardship of the colony and would likely have him replaced.
Alright, let's see how this goes.
V/R,
Jack
Here you go Tin Man. Thanks.
Guy Farrish
Royal Governor Turn 1
We will increase tax revenues significantly and bring those engaged in smuggling to heel by increasing the activities of the existing Customs Officers who will have the support of many newly recruited Customs Volunteers.
This will succeed because:
1) The main recruiting effort for Volunteers will be among the Back Country Farmers who are economically deprived, are experienced with weapons and their young men will join for excitement and pay.
2) Volunteers will be paid from the proceeds of goods seized and the Customs Officers will keep 25 percent as a bonus, thus incentivising both the existing customs officers and the volunteers to be rigorous in their duty.
3) Alongside the recruitment of Back country men we will offer rewards for information from among the low country rapscallions who aid the smugglers, recruiting spies among their ranks to identify smuggling routes and key Planters involved in the organisation and distribution.
4) Parliament will support this as increased revenue flows and Back Country enthusiasm for excitement currently finding an outlet in cross mountain expansion is channelled to controlling smuggling (and the Lowcountry Planters)
Whirlwind, Deputy Governor:
Parliament will provide a small amount of the surplus SYW munitions, some officers and some NCOs to the Cherokee to strengthen them against the Creek Americans; they will also proved a couple of companies to guard the munitions and transport them. They will also assist the Cherokee in resisting incursions by the overmountain men and respects the Peace and Proclamation line; the Cherokees can be guided to not raid the back country.
This will succeed because:
1 - The financial cost to Paliament is trivial.
2 - Everyone wants the recently made peace and proclamation to succeed.
3 - The material and conceptual (ideas, language, moral support) aid to the Cherokees will enable them to resist the overmountainmen.
4 - The aid to the Cherokees will connvince them that HMG is its trusted friend.
The foundation of the Low country economy is the labor that provides the raw materials we produce, and the best way to keep those workers doing their jobs is to stop slavery. Obviously simply making it illegal or telling people to stop using slaves isn't going to work, but making an effort to improve their lives and give them some rights and protection will stop men who own farms from treating them badly and keep them from revolting and attacking those men. Removing the risk of a revolution by attempting to quietly change slavery into more of an employment will ensure that the backbone of the economy keeps working and that will save lives now and in the future, as well as money.
The goal in this phase is to establish favor with members of the British parliament by arranging to trade goods with those members of Parliament that need items produced on my plantation. This will be beneficial for the following reasons:
1. Aligning with members of Parliament will secure favor with British lawmakers and give greater ability to influence future policy.
2. It will ensure access to needed British goods.
3. It will also allow input into appointment of future colonial officials.
Parliament is deeply in need of funds to replenish their empty coffers left barren from the war. Members of Parliament begin debating the virtues of ending their salutary neglect of the colonies in an effort of restore their wealth and strengthen their control of the colonies. They pass regulations to send additional tax collectors to aid the Royal Governors at all their major trading ports - including Georgetown, Charleston, and Beaufort. This is successful because:
1) These are always young British men who are anxious for adventure and prestige. For a few years service and a title (which can be given with no initial cost to the government or crown), the young men can provide their service to King and Country and then earn the reward once they return in 5 years or receive a gift of land out west in the new world.
2) With trade routes already running to major ports, the small amount of money invested in these young, idealistic lords will provide worthwhile if Parliament is able to increase their financial collections.
3) This will also strengthen the loyalty of the Royal Governors, who are short-handed.
4) God shines his favor on the King and his royal subjects. Huzzah!
Parliament is deeply in need of funds to replenish their empty coffers left barren from the war. Members of Parliament begin debating the virtues of ending their salutary neglect of the colonies in an effort of restore their wealth and strengthen their control of the colonies. They pass regulations to send additional tax collectors to aid the Royal Governors at all their major trading ports - including Georgetown, Charleston, and Beaufort. This is successful because:
1) These are always young British men who are anxious for adventure and prestige. For a few years service and a title (which can be given with no initial cost to the government or crown), the young men can provide their service to King and Country and then earn the reward once they return in 5 years or receive a gift of land out west in the new world.
2) With trade routes already running to major ports, the small amount of money invested in these young, idealistic lords will provide worthwhile if Parliament is able to increase their financial collections.
3) This will also strengthen the loyalty of the Royal Governors, who are short-handed.
4) God shines his favor on the King and his royal subjects. Huzzah!
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