Re: [DL] The Big Picture- Tying it all together

[Soothsprayer <hercubadger@yahoo.com>]

>>>
Actually, no. Having an outlet to sell your country's
agricultural products is not a burden, it's a
necessity. Then as now, American farms yield an
agricultural abundance that must be sold or left to
rot, with the farmers' continued livelihood in the
balance. 
>>>

I was thinking that after such an extended war the
manpower to farm these fields is somewhat lacking,
that many of these fields have been rendered impotent
by the Reckoning and thus the harvest is far less than
staggering, that dangerous wildlife abounds, and that
conflict has stretched to deny such resources to the
enemy. If it took but a long range patrol over the
border to torch your enemies winter supplies, would
not a true patriot do so? If such a vast surplus
exists that may be shipping internationally, why
hasn’t some of it turned up in Lost Angels?  

>>>
The Union fed its people and the UK's (in considerable
part) 
Throughout The War, and that's not only part of the
historical record it is (IMHO) 
The main reason the British stayed out of the
conflict. Most crucially, it
explains why they waited 17 years before making even a
half-move 
against the Union rather than simply sailing the Royal
Navy up the Potomac.
>>>

In RL yes, in the Deadlands world things are a little
different as you certainly appreciate. As the British
angle as mostly been left alone I have assumed, and I
suspect others have as well, that Europe has its own
set of issues to resolve before they may look directly
back at America. 

The Royal Navy is unable to lend its considerable
weight at this point to the south due to its
commitment with its own concerns. World opinion
wouldn't stand for such actions. Much as mentioned
through the many Turtledove alternate futures along
the same lines - if the British support the south, the
Germans support the north, and basically World War I
begins a little early. 

The American Civil war, I feel, was an internal
matter. Leaping in and interfering (while being
terribly British in behaviour) would not have been
looked upon at all well by the rest of Europe. Also,
sending the grand part of your armed forces off to
foreign parts is a wonderful way to invite invasion
upon yourself. Depending on how the rest of Europe is
doing after the Reckoning, perhaps Britain needs its
Fleet close to home to better protect itself.

With the sudden advent of New Science weapons it would
not be the wisest idea to throw your troops into such
an unknown situation without adding such weapons to
your own arsenal. After witnessing first hand
(advisors from many an European country played tourist
in the Civil war) the effects of these weapons a
direct invasion would never have been recommended
until such a time as the situation changed. Perhaps it
has taken Britain this long to re-equip and retrain
its armed forces. 

>>>	 
British shipping has had unrestricted access to both
Union and Confederate ports since the Hampton Roads
Conference in 1865. No one fires at the Union Jack
because it would be an act of war.
>>>

Still, accidents do happen. There is the matter of
Union and CSA submersibles patrolling the sea lanes in
search of prey. Do they properly identify their
targets before attacking? After Detroit, as you
mention, all deals are off. If there are no witnesses,
there is no crime. The fear of the sea is an
established trait for those who sail across it. The
sea is mysterious, it is dangerous, and it is
certainly unforgiving. Under the Reckoners, all such
fears are greatly magnified. Either through their
actions, or those of their agents, they could enhance
this fear by organising the sinking of vessels. A few
whispers into the ears of submersible captains, a
“Nessie” or five for the Atlantic, a few unnatural
storm fronts 

Not only is there the fear of the mariners themselves,
there is the realisation of those at home that they
may starve unless they find other sources of food.
Hence a greater reliance on the other colonies. All
these feelings play into the hands of the Reckoners.  

>>>
To be sure, this may have changed after the British
incursion into Detroit, but until PEG officially
pronounces otherwise, the above is where we stand.
(*Sigh* We really need to get 'round to advancing this
storyline sooner or later....) 
>>>

Entirely fair enough. My only intent was to remind our
gentle readers that, no offense intended here, America
is not the center of the universe. The Reckoning was a
global event in my eyes with global repercussions.
There's always room to look at the same events and
find different causes for them. 

Cheers.


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