Recaps

Joseph exploited Britain’s sugar and industrial crises while France pursued new alliances and expanded its economic influence. The arc ended with Britain seeking to draw Russia and other powers into an anti-French coalition as Poland faced Russian pressure and Spain eyed Gibraltar.

• Prussia’s refusal to deliver sugar left Petty short, and George III approved sacrificing Robert-Cooper Trading Company as sugar prices soared and riots spread across Britain.
• Joseph profited from Cane Sugar and then helped drive up British grain prices, while British engine failures, protests, and financial troubles weakened the government and Chatham Shipyard.
• British forces crushed London’s protests, and the United Irishmen Association helped stir resistance and arrange grain sales that raised food prices in Britain.
• Marquis Talavera’s advance forced Portugal’s royal family to move its capital to Rio de Janeiro, while Paul I dismissed Suvorov and proposed a Russian alliance with France against England.
• Joseph demonstrated France’s balloon-guided artillery tactics, discussed a joint Franco-Russian expedition to India, and promoted trade, industrial growth, and vaccination at home.
• Polish leaders rejected Russia’s proposal and mobilized against a possible invasion, while Salomon Rothschild arranged an eight-million-pound loan to Britain.
• Pitt the Younger urged Britain to use loans and diplomatic promises to draw Russia into an anti-French alliance, while Britain planned to negotiate with Austria and divert Spain from Gibraltar by courting Morocco.

Joseph countered British-backed unrest in Northern Italy, expanded French influence, and supported Spain’s campaign in Morocco before sending Massena to Egypt. Muhammad Ali took control of Egypt as the French withdrew, while the struggle over Gibraltar continued and Pike’s fleet engaged French warships.

• Lord Elliot helped the Wazzan Tribe provoke Spain into war, and Spain invaded Morocco before Surt’s forces captured Marrakesh and compelled Sultan Suleiman to sign the Treaty of Fez.
• Wilson and Count Costantini backed demonstrations by the Young Italy Organization, but Joseph countered the unrest with reforms, jobs, and training, while French agents exposed Neapolitan support for the rioters.
• Talleyrand helped Lucca defeat Naples in a bloodless confrontation, and Joseph used the resulting settlement to weaken the Young Italy Organization and expand French influence in Northern Italy.
• Joseph secured Ceuta for France and arranged a French-Spanish effort against Gibraltar, while Paul I rejected Britain’s proposals and Joseph prepared an Egyptian expedition.
• Joseph supported new primary schools and allowed Desiree to visit Napoleon on Elba as Massena’s army landed in Egypt and advanced toward Cairo.
• Massena defeated Ibrahim’s Mamluk forces at Embaba, while Muhammad Ali entered Cairo, won local support, and gained effective civil and military authority from Selim III.
• Pike’s British forces resupplied Gibraltar despite losses, then sailed for Egypt and learned the French had withdrawn as Muhammad Ali took control.
• Pike’s fleet encountered French and Spanish warships, and the English Steam Warships pursued the French as Russell ordered ships to block their escape route.

Britain’s steam fleet suffered a disastrous defeat as political scandals and shifting alliances reshaped Europe. Joseph strengthened France’s industry and military while Russia, Persia, and other powers moved toward conflict, leaving France preparing to take the offensive in Germany.

• Russell’s pursuit ended in disaster as French ships destroyed or captured British vessels, and Pike’s fleet retreated to Gibraltar with heavy losses.
• Jervis tried to contain the corruption scandal at Chatham Shipyard, but Duncan pressed for battleships from Portsmouth, and Pitt the Younger became Prime Minister.
• Napoleon welcomed Desiree to Elba and learned of developments in Europe before arranging to leave for Louisiana, while Bakhov’s Russian expedition toward Herat collapsed from hunger and defeat.
• Joseph advanced precision manufacturing, secular schools, and canned-food production, then worked with Louis XVI to develop a revolver and began projects for breech-loading cannons and improved bullets.
• Britain offered aid and arms to Austria and Prussia, while Washington agreed to pursue the Mississippi Basin and João prepared troops for action in the Americas.
• Persia captured Baku and besieged Tbilisi after defeating Russian forces, as Pahlen and other Russian officials organized a plan to force Paul I to abdicate.
• Joseph approved a rapid expansion of French forces and weapons production, then ordered Berthier to revise plans for an invasion of Germany and sent Trevithick to Brest to advance steam warships.

Joseph prepared France for a coming European war while expanding its navy, railways, and military funding. As Poland fell under occupation and the Allies prepared their campaign, Joseph’s new locomotive succeeded, and he departed for the Italian battlefield.

• Joseph warned his officials that war could begin within months, secured emergency powers, and ordered expanded railway, weapons, and canned-food production.
• Joseph raised funds through government bonds and directed the expansion of Brest Shipyard, including new steam warships and training ships.
• Alexander seized the Russian throne after Paul I was killed, while Gudovich’s victories in Persia strengthened Russia’s position and Alexander weighed his options in Europe.
• Joseph learned of Russia’s proposals and supported Poland as its leaders debated concessions, but Poland’s neighbors declared war after the Sejm passed a serf emancipation law.
• Polish resistance and uprisings spread through occupied territories as Regent Poniatowski was shot, urged Stanisław II to lead the nation, and was later succeeded by the king.
• The Allies planned a major campaign through Northern Italy and considered routes through Switzerland while Joseph and Berthier prepared to counter their advance.
• Trevithick’s Future completed a successful trial run in Nancy, drawing investment interest and prompting Joseph to establish a French Railway Company.
• Joseph organized the Guard Grenadier Battalion, which raised funds for the military, then received word that Archduke Karl’s troops had reached Udine and prepared to leave for Italy.