BRUNSWICKA:

THE WAR OF 1905

By Ben Gallant

Click here for an map of 1905 Brunswicka

Welcome to the starting page for the saga of the War of 1905, a fictional conflict between the British Empire and the Republic of Brunswicka. The latter nation is a former British colony that broke away in 1868, with a war for independence being waged for 2 years and culminating in the Second Battle of Fredericton on March 17th, 1870. If you are interested, look below the story part links for "A Short History of Brunswicka."
Story Chapters
Chapter One
Chapter Two (Warning: Contains single "F" word, used for realistic atmosphere)

Please email me with questions, comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc. It will only make the story better
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A Short History of Brunswicka

The major point of divergence is that a young United States suffers a much more catastrophic War of 1812, and a British push down through New England is highly succesful. Redcoats end up as far as Connecticut, and this demoralizes the citizens of the region beyond repair. As some of them historically threatened to do, the states/territories of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachussetts secede from the Union and form the short-lived “Confederation of New England.” This upstart republic allies itself with the British forces, in an agreement that British troops will defend the four states if the Confederation will become a protectorate of the British Empire. The War of 1812 soon ends, with the peace treaty forcing the US to renounce any claims to the seceded states. In short order, Britain unites the colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the Gaspé peninsula of Quebec into one protectorate. The two eastern protectorates are renamed Upper (NB, NB, PEI, GP) and Lower (ME, VE, NH, MA) Brunswicka. This continues for 50 years, until negotiations begin in 1863 for all of British North America to unite into one self governing Dominion. The two Brunswickas are initially enthusiastic about the prospects of Confederation, but as the negotiations wear on and on a deal cannot be reached that the citiznes of the two Brunswickas can vote “Yes” on in a referendum. After four such failed referendums, a separate meeting is held in Halifax, Nova Scotia between political and military figures of Upper and Lower Brunswicka. They decide that severing ties from Britain and forming an independent republic is the only course to take. On March 17th, 1868, the new Republic of Brunswicka declares itself independent of the British Empire. But that Empire is not ready to let them go, as there are just too many assets and resources in the Brunswickas. What follows is the Brunswickan Independence War, which lasts almost exactly 2 years. In 1868, the Rebels have the advantage, with more than 85% of the population and even a third of the British forces stationed in Brunswicka supporting the cause. However, early in 1869 the British land massive amounts of troops on the north shore of New Brunswick and an advance south makes it all the way to Vermont by October. The Rebels still have a trump card to play: the United States. After months of wavering on the brink, America declares war on Great Britain and contributes six divisions of troops to the Brunswickans as well as new weapons to equip the beleaguered rebellion. In the next 5 months, the combined forces of Brunswicka and the United States push the British back north and on March 16th, 1870, almost two years to the day the rebellion started, the Brunswickan First destroys the British Fifth Army in the Second Battle of Fredericton. The British forces soon fall apart everywhere, and the British ask for a ceasefire. The Treaty of Charlottetown is signed on March 21st and ends the war. Britain recognizes the Republic of Brunswicka as a sovreign nation from then on. One issue that came out of Charlottetown not firmly resolved was where the Gaspé peninsula and the British province of Canada (Ontario/Quebec) officially bordered. This issue would not be resolved for more than 35 years. For continuity’s sake, in this timeline the Domionion of Canada was created in 1871 with Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. In 1901, Queen Victoria dies and her oldest son Edward becomes King. Having been head of the military government imposed on Brunswicka at the start of the rebellion, he had been personally distressed and embarassed when it had become independent. As soon as he ascended to the throne, he inquired to his government about the possibilities of invading Brunswicka from the west. This is where the story of the War of 1905 picks up, so I hope you enjoy!

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