Why the Chinese play cricket (an Imperial Federation timeline)

[Miss Construction]

Assuming to quote Congress does not take it outside and beat it with sticks.

In all fairness to the US, the "yes we want a big navy but we don't want to pay for it" is an issue common in many nations.

 

[Miss Construction]

While I've implied extensive social reform has been ongoing in Britain since 1882, perhaps some practical examples would be useful.

====

November 1892: As part of their ongoing program of social reform, the National Health Insurance Act is passed. This act institutes a program of health insurance funded by workers and employers contributions, to ensure widespread access to health care by all sections of society. While the insurance is established nationally, it is left to the five Regional Administration Boards to implement a local insurance scheme within a nationally established minimum framework.

May 1896: Campbell-Bannerman, in his new position as Home Secretary sees the Pensions Act passed into law. The act establishes a national fund to provide pensions for those over the age of 60. This will be funded by a combination of worker and employer contributions along with additional funds from taxation. As with the 1892 Health Insurance Act, these pensions will be administered by the five Regional Administration Boards within a national minimum framework. The nature of these two acts, established nationally but administered locally, will go a long way toward increasing support for the Liberals policy of devolution will prevent the national government, quieting fears it will prevent the central government acting nationally.

=McUpdate=

 

[TwoRivers]

Kasaga class
14,500 tons, 4 x 10", 8 (16) x 6”, 11 (22) x 3”, 2 (4) x 21” TT, 5" belt, 1.5" deck, 22 knots TE WT Coal
- Kasaga, ordered 1903, commissioned 1906, sold to US as Lake Champlain 1905
- Nisshin, ordered 1903, commissioned 1906, sold to Japan as Chippawa 1905
- Kasaga (ex US Lake Champlain), ordered 1902, commissioned 1905, purchased 1905
- Nisshin (ex US Chippawa), ordered 1902, commissioned 1905, purchased 1905

Somehow overlooked this when I read the initial post. As someone who used to live near Lake Champlain on the Vermont side, I wish the best for both Champlains ITTL but would counsel them to not follow the example of our local cryptid/tall tale "Champ" - it's generally best when armored cruisers stay above the waterline, and they're less effective at gunboat diplomacy and "showing the flag" if no one can find them.

Champ (folklore) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Miss Construction]

Somehow overlooked this when I read the initial post. As someone who used to live near Lake Champlain on the Vermont side, I wish the best for both Champlains ITTL but would counsel them to not follow the example of our local cryptid/tall tale "Champ" - it's generally best when armored cruisers stay above the waterline, and they're less effective at gunboat diplomacy and "showing the flag" if no one can find them.

Champ (folklore) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

These ships were designed after the S-A war and incorporate the lessons the US learnt. Right up till the 1st ww in the OTL US design philosophy for armoured ships relied heavily on a very limited belt protecting the machinery only and using the coal bunkers as a form of armour to detonate incoming shells with the armoured deck as the main protection.

This was forced on them by Congress continually imposing limits on displacement to cut costs. Thus they were constantly trying to achieve too much on too little. It's actually not a bad idea in theory. Except during the S-A war, the ships coal bunkers were pretty much empty leaving just air for those shells to go through. Hence several armoured ships ended up firmly anchored to the bottom.

 

[Miss Construction]

South American Navies 1870 to 1904

Argentine Navy

Battleships

Independencia class
2,300 tons, 2 x 9.4” BL barbette, 2 (4) x 4.7", 1 (2) x 18” TT, 8" Steel belt, 1" Steel deck, 14 knots TE FT Coal, shallow draft
- Independencia, ordered 1886, laid down 2/1887, commissioned 7/1889
- Libertad, ordered 1886, laid down 4/1887, commissioned 11/1889

Armoured Cruisers

General San Martin class
6,800 tons, 2 x 8" barbette, 3 (6) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7”, 4" Harvey belt, 1" Harvey deck, 18.5 knots TE FT Coal
- General San Martin, ordered 1891, laid down 3/1892, commissioned 5/1896
- General Belgrano, ordered 1891, laid down 11/1892, commissioned 3/1897

Protected Cruisers

Patagonia class
1,500 tons, 1 x 10” BL barbette, 2 (3) x 3", 1.5" Steel slope, 0.5" Steel deck, 14 knots CE FT Coal, low freeboard
- Patagonia, ordered 1884, laid down 5/1884, commissioned 6/1887

Veinticinco De Mayo class
3,600 tons, 3 (4) x 6", 4 (8) x 4.7", 2 (5) x 14” TT 1 fwd, 4.5" Steel slope, 3.5" Steel deck, 22 knots TE FT Coal
- Veinticinco De Mayo, ordered 1888, laid down 11/1888, commissioned 2/1891
- Nueve De Julio, ordered 1888, laid down 12/1888, commissioned 1/1891

Buenos Aires class
4,800 tons, 2 x 8", 2 (4) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7”, 2 (5) x 18” TT 1 fwd 5" Compound slope, 1.5" Compound deck, 24 knots TE FT Coal
- Buenos Aires, ordered 1891, laid down 3/1892, commissioned 10/1895

Imperial Brazilian Navy

Battleships

Riachuelo class
5,600 tons, 4 x 9.2" BL turret, 3 (6) x 5.5" BL, 2 (5) x 14” TT 1 fwd, 11" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 17 knots CE FT Coal
- Riachuelo, ordered 1881, laid down 8/1881, commissioned 11/1883, sold to Spain 11/1897

Aquidaban class
4,900 tons, 2 x 9.2" BL turret, 2 (4) x 5.5" BL, 2 (5) x 14” TT 1 fwd, 11" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 17 knots CE FT Coal
- Aquidaban, ordered 1883, laid down 6/1883, commissioned 1/1885, sold to Spain 11/1897

Alagoas class
6,900 tons, 3 (4) x 9.4” BL turret, 4 (8) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 18” TT, 12" Steel belt, 2" Steel deck, 18 knots TE FT Coal
- Alagoas, ordered 1886, laid down 9/1886, commissioned 4/1889, sold to Spain 11/1897
- Mato Groso, ordered 1886, laid down 9/1886, commissioned 6/1889, sold to Spain 11/1897

Armoured Cruisers

Imperial Brazilian Navy Pedro II class armoured cruiser
8,200 tons, 5 (6) x 8" BL turrets, 6 (12) x 4", 1 (3) x 14” TT 1 fwd, 4" Nickel belt, 3" Nickel deck, 20 knots CE FT Coal
18.5 knots
- Dom Pedro II, ordered 1891, laid down 1/1892, commissioned 8/1896, renamed Minas Gerias 1906
- Dona Isabel, ordered 1891, laid down 1/1892, commissioned 3/1896, renamed Sao Paulo 1906

Protected Cruisers

Amazonas class
6,900 tons, 3 (4) x 9.4” BL turret, 4 (8) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 18” TT, 2.5" Steel slope, 1.5" Steel deck, 18 knots TE FT Coal
- Amazonas, ordered 1886, laid down 9/1886, commissioned 5/1889, sold to Spain 11/1897
- Almirante Abreu, ordered 1886, laid down 9/1886, commissioned 1/1889, sold to Spain 11/1897

Vital de Olivera class
4,100 tons, 8 (12) x 6", 2 (5) x 18” TT 1 fwd, 2" Nickel slope, 1" Nickel deck, 19 knots TE FT Coal
- Vital de Olivera, ordered 1887, laid down 12/1887, commissioned 5/1892
- Silvado, ordered 1887, laid down 12/1887, commissioned 9/1892

Minas Gerias class
3,800 tons, 3 (6) x 6", 2 (4) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 18” TT 1 fwd, 2” slope, 1" deck, 20 knots TE FT Coal
- Minas Gerias, ordered 1893, laid down 1/1894, sold to US before completion 10/1894
- Sao Paulo, ordered 1893, laid down 1/1894, sold to US before completion 10/1894

Chilean Navy

Battleships

Capitain Pratt class
7,200 tons, 4 x 10" BL turret, 4 (8) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 18” TT, 12" Steel belt, 2" Steel deck, 18 knots CE FT Coal
- Capitain Pratt, ordered 1885, laid down 2/1886, commissioned 1/1888

Armoured Cruisers

O'Higgins class
8,500 tons,3 (4) x 8" turrets, 5 (10) x 4", 2 (4) x 4.7”, 1 (3) x 14” TT 1 fwd, 7" Harvey belt, 3" Harvey deck, 21.5 knots TE WT Coal
- O'Higgins, ordered 1891, laid down 5/1892, commissioned 4/1896
- Santiago, ordered 1892, laid down 1/1893, commissioned 2/1897

Protected Cruisers

Esmeralda class
2,900 tons, 2 x 10” BL, 3 (6) x 6” BL, 2 (5) x 15” TT 1 fwd, 1" Steel slope, 0.5" Steel deck, 18 knots TE WT Coal
- Esmeralda, ordered 1881, laid down 8/1881, commissioned 5/1884, Sold to Japan 9/1894

Presidente Errazuriz class
2,800 tons, 2 (4) x 6", 2 (4) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 14” TT 1 fwd, 2.5" slope, 1.5" Steel deck, 18 knots TE FT Coal
- Presidente Errazuriz, ordered 1885, laid down 5/1886, commissioned 4/1889
- Presidente Pento, ordered 1885, laid down 12/1885, commissioned 6/1889

Angamos class
4,100 tons, 2 x 8”, 5 (10) x 6", 2 (5) x 18” TT 1 fwd 3.5 Nickel slope, 2" Nickel belt, 3.5" Nickel deck, 22 knots TE WT Coal
- Angamos, ordered 1887, laid down 7/1888, commissioned 1/1892
- Blanco Encalada, ordered 1887, laid down 8/1888, commissioned 11/1891

 

[EvilJam]

Interesting

 

[Miss Construction]

~May-Aug 1899: Bird is the word

May 1899: In an effort to codify the rules of war, a conference is opened in the Hague. Called at the suggestion of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the intention is to draw up a convention regulating warfare based on the principles of military necessity, distinction, proportionality and humanity.

May 1899: The New Zealand Parliament passes the Native Forest and Wildlife Protection Act. The act establishes a number of protected wildlife sanctuaries throughout the country. Human access to these areas will be heavily restricted and extensive pest control program instituted in order to exterminate imported predators in the protected areas. The sanctuaries will include a number of off shore islands for the relocation of particularly endangered species such as the Huia and Piopio.

May 1899: With its defeat in the Spanish-American War, the remaining Spanish possessions in the Pacific have become unsustainable. In the Treaty of Berlin Spain sells its few remaining colonies to Germany for the sum of 25 million pesetas {£834.621}. This gives Germany control of Palau along with the Caroline and Northern Mariana Islands.

May 1899: In an effort to resolve ongoing differences over the voting rights of British migrants or Uitlanders in the Boer Republics, Orange Free State President Martinus Steyn organises a conference in Bloemfontein. The British delegate Arthur Milner demands Transvaal immediately grants the Uitlanders voting rights, introduces the language in the Transvaal Volkstaad and that any laws passed by the Volkstaad be subject to confirmation by the British Parliament. Transvaal President Paul Kruger is totally unable to accede to these demands. In an attempt at compromise, he offers the residency period for voting rights be reduced from fourteen to seven years. Milner is unwilling to accept the compromise and the conference collapses with no resolution. Milner then begins calling for war while the Boer Republics increase their purchases of modern weapons from Europe.

June 1899: With the death toll in France over the Dreyfus Affair climbing alarmingly, President Jules Méline orders Dreyfus retried in an effort to calm the situation. While this does go some way toward satisfying the Dreyfusards, it enrages the Anti-Dreyfusards and the violence continues unabated.

June 1899: Despite passing the Commons, the Representation of the People Bill is defeated in the Lords, returning it to the Commons. The bill is immediately reintroduced with Prime Minister Chamberlain making it a matter of confidence.

June 1899: The international commission to settle the Venezuelan border dispute with Britain delivers it report. The commission unanimously recommends the British receive over 95% of the disputed territory. While the report is received with great disappointment in Venezuela, they reluctantly accept its terms and agree to a border based almost entirely on the Schomburgk Line.

June 1899: The seasonal monsoons fail again in Central India, exposing some 58 million people to famine. While not quite as widespread as the 1896 famine which exposed 70 million people, the Famine Relief Commission's funds only stand at £2,300,000 {£2,361,117}, woefully inadequate to the scale of the famine. In order to bolster the available funds, Parliament votes an additional £1,500,000 {£1,539,859} for famine relief, while the Central and Provincial Indian governments contribute £2,500,000 {£2,566,143}. Coupled with some £300,000 {£307,972} worth of charitable donations rapidly raised establish a total cash pool of approximately £6,500,000 {£6,672,271}. While it is accepted further cash may be required, it is hoped this sum will avoid an excessive death toll.

June 1899: The English Regional Assembly, dominated by the Conservative Party extends free compulsory education to 15 years of age and divides education above the age of 11 into three streams. The grammar schools will teach Latin and Greek, focusing on the traditional British education in preparation for entry to the more prestigious universities, whereas the comprehensive schools will focus on the sciences in preparation for university education in the sciences. Finally the technical schools are intended to prepare their students for appropriate education in trades. Entry into the various streams will be determined by performance in an exam in the final year of primary school. Within the next two years the other Regional Assemblies will follow suit to some degree.

July 1899: As with the Representation of the People Bill, the Hours of Work Bill is also defeated in the Lords. Though Home Secretary Campbell-Bannerman presses for it also to be reintroduced as matter of confidence, Chamberlain decides to let the matter lapse to focus on the single issue of women's suffrage.

July 1899: The Port Elizabeth Imperial Conference is dominated by the growing crisis in Southern Africa. All the Dominions express outrage at the treatment of the Uitlanders by the Boer Republics, with common agreement that the Empire must act to prevent mistreatment of its citizens by foreign powers. This will come to be known as the Port Elizabeth Doctrine. With war considered likely the Dominions agree to form a Dominion Brigade for service in South Africa, similar to that which recently served in the Sudan. The Brigade is to consist of one battalion each from Canada and the Pacific Dominions. These will be supported by a composite cavalry battalion drawn from Canada and the Pacific as well as two artillery batteries and a machine gun troop. Chile, again attending as an observer, stuns the conference by also offering to commit troops. While there is reluctance at the idea of a non-Imperial nation participating in an Imperial campaign, it is eventually agreed that Chilean troops should be requested 'if circumstances warrant' with the expectation they will not.

July 1899: Concern is also expressed at the Port Elizabeth Imperial Conference about the situation in China, particularly the seeming anti-British tendencies of the new regime under the Dowager Empress. Foreign Secretary Asquith assures the Conference the government is monitoring the situation in conjunction with the US. Regarding the US there are concerns raised regarding US involvement in the All Red Line. Foreign Secretary Asquith reassures the Conference, pointing out Anglo-US relations have improved markedly since 1889, making any conflict with them unlikely, He also points of the cables linking the US to the All Red Line are controlled by the separate Anglo-American Telegraph Company meaning there is no US involvement in the actual All Red Line and in fact, British involvement in these cables gives the Empire a considerable intelligence advantage. On economic matters, Chamberlain points to the success of the Imperial Preference tariff scheme, suggesting the removal of all tariffs for trade within the Empire, creating an Imperial common market. The Dominions however are only willing to accept a more limited program encompassing just Britain and themselves. Chamberlains efforts to have at least India included are unsuccessful, and he is forced to agree to the reduced plan. At the close of the conference it is agreed the next should be in Melbourne in 1901.

August 1899: The first pair of Royal Canadian Navy destroyers, HMCS St Lawrence and HMCS Skeena are completed. Their sea trials will show a marked improvement in seakeeping over contemporary destroyers in other navies, capable of a far higher sustained speed. The Skeena's turbine engines will also prove to be reliable and an equally significant improvement over the ubiquitous triple expansion engines used in other vessels. They will ultimately lead to a major rethink in worldwide destroyer design philosophy.

August 1899: In wake of the Ruy Barbossa's uprising, Brazilian Prime Minister Joaquim Nabuco is finally able to force through a program of land reform as a further measure to deal with the economy. While more limited than the earlier attempts by Afonso Celso and João Correia de Oliveira, the measures do go some way toward breaking the power of the land holding elites which have dominated Brazilian politics and previously prevented large scale reform.

August 1899: The French military court convened to retry Dreyfus again delivers a guilty verdict. However in a shock decision they reduce his sentence to five years to be followed by permanent banishment from France, resulting in his immediate release. Despite Dreyfus being freed, the chaos in France continues, with the death toll now having reached into the thousands. Dreyfus himself, settles in the US after his release.

August 1899: The Hague conference ends with the first set of major international treaties to regulate the Laws of War. The Hague Convention incorporates the Geneva Convention of 1864 as well as providing protection for prisoners of war and non-combatants, banning the use of poison or asphyxiating gases, expanding bullets and giving protection to medical personnel and hospital ships. It also requires states to attempt arbitration before resorting to war and to this end establishes the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. In response to the article banning expanding bullets, the British withdraw their 0.303” Mk V hollow point round which has superseded the Mk III dum dum, reserving it solely for use against colonial opponents, replacing it in general service with the Mk VI, which is basically a slightly reworked of the older full jacketed Mk II.

 

[Dragonboy]

Pretty interesting developments, glad to See they're putting in the effort in india

 

[Miss Construction]

Pretty interesting developments, glad to See they're putting in the effort in india

Lord Lytton's handling of the 1876 famine created a huge scandal in Britain ITTL. It was the catalyst which started reform in India. Basically the British are kind of sensitive about Indian Famines because of that.

 

[Miss Construction]

I give poor ITTL President James Blaine a hard time far too often. Plus I wanted to save the Sea Mink, but it seemed unrealistic, the species was pretty much done for before 1870. However I am not averse to using an electric cattle prod on history, so something cool by President Blaine.

April 1885: Newly inaugurated US President James Blaine authorises the capture of several breeding pairs of New England Sea Mink in an attempt to preserve the species. Despite an extensive hunt, only two males and three females are found. Nevertheless, this will enable the species to survive in captivity.

=McUpdate=

 

[diestormlie]

I can definitely respect an author who's position is 'I don't care if it's unlikely. I wanted it, so it's happening.'

 

[kelgar04]

August 1899: The French military court convened to retry Dreyfus again delivers a guilty verdict. However in a shock decision they reduce his sentence to five years to be followed by permanent banishment from France, resulting in his immediate release. Despite Dreyfus being freed, the chaos in France continues, with the death toll now having reached into the thousands. Dreyfus himself, settles in the US after his release.

Bloody hell poor Dreyfus is having a worse time of it compared to OTL and France is taking even more of a beating because of the damned anti-semitism going on with the puffed up coats and stuffed shirts.

Heck the bloody FO and the Tabloids are having a field day though at the French governments expense. Though it may probably put off the British from engaging with the continent to a degree hmm wonder if more french Jews will head to Britain.

August 1899: The first pair of Royal Canadian Navy destroyers, HMCS St Lawrence and HMCS Skeena are completed. Their sea trials will show a marked improvement in seakeeping over contemporary destroyers in other navies, capable of a far higher sustained speed. The Skeena's turbine engines will also prove to be reliable and an equally significant improvement over the ubiquitous triple expansion engines used in other vessels. They will ultimately lead to a major rethink in worldwide destroyer design philosophy.

That is intresting steam turbines were damned big leap at time, but you need to have some very good engineers and stoakers to keep them going though we are at the point were oil fired boilers are a thing though that takes the load off in many ways, it's still a pain and destroyers maybe nippy but they don't have the endurance to maintain the speed over great distances.

July 1899: The Port Elizabeth Imperial Conference is dominated by the growing crisis in Southern Africa. All the Dominions express outrage at the treatment of the Uitlanders by the Boer Republics, with common agreement that the Empire must act to prevent mistreatment of its citizens by foreign powers. This will come to be known as the Port Elizabeth Doctrine. With war considered likely the Dominions agree to form a Dominion Brigade for service in South Africa, similar to that which recently served in the Sudan. The Brigade is to consist of one battalion each from Canada and the Pacific Dominions. These will be supported by a composite cavalry battalion drawn from Canada and the Pacific as well as two artillery batteries and a machine gun troop. Chile, again attending as an observer, stuns the conference by also offering to commit troops. While there is reluctance at the idea of a non-Imperial nation participating in an Imperial campaign, it is eventually agreed that Chilean troops should be requested 'if circumstances warrant' with the expectation they will not.

Well that is a bit if a change from OTL and didn't expect Chile to offer troops to the the endeavour though and seems like the Dominions are eager as well.

Still probably won't have much change from OTL will probably lead to a massive reform period for th British Army same as OTL but whether it will be more intense would be something to see.

July 1899: As with the Representation of the People Bill, the Hours of Work Bill is also defeated in the Lords. Though Home Secretary Campbell-Bannerman presses for it also to be reintroduced as matter of confidence, Chamberlain decides to let the matter lapse to focus on the single issue of women's suffrage.

Earlier Womens Suffrage in the the UK would be a big thing.

 

[Miss Construction]

Bloody hell poor Dreyfus is having a worse time of it compared to OTL and France is taking even more of a beating because of the damned anti-semitism going on with the puffed up coats and stuffed shirts.

The Dreyfus Affair has to all intents and purposes killed the 3rd republic ITTL. The military coup in February was the final act, just needs someone to pronounce it dead now.

Heck the bloody FO and the Tabloids are having a field day though at the French governments expense. Though it may probably put off the British from engaging with the continent to a degree hmm wonder if more french Jews will head to Britain.

Nobody will want to engage with France at the moment, and this instability will be a strong factor in British attitudes toward France for years to come.

But Jewish migration is already happening

July 1898: With anti-Jewish violence in France now reaching frightening levels the British Interfaith Jewish Relief Society, established after the Great Eastern War in 1879, begins providing assistance for French Jews to migrate to Britain and the Dominions. Over the next few years nearly two thirds of France's Jewish community will migrate, with more than half relocating to Canada. There they will provide a solidly pro-Imperial voice in the previously overwhelmingly anti-Imperial Francophone community.

That is intresting steam turbines were damned big leap at time, but you need to have some very good engineers and stoakers to keep them going though we are at the point were oil fired boilers are a thing though that takes the load off in many ways, it's still a pain and destroyers maybe nippy but they don't have the endurance to maintain the speed over great distances.

The Canadians will be at the forefront of technical innovation for some time, they will become one of the 'high tech' centres of the Empire. They're able to bring US style efficiency into their industry and combine it with British excellence in marine engineering.

Well that is a bit if a change from OTL and didn't expect Chile to offer troops to the the endeavour though and seems like the Dominions are eager as well.

Still probably won't have much change from OTL will probably lead to a massive reform period for th British Army same as OTL but whether it will be more intense would be something to see.

The Chileans have been steadily trying to move further and further into the British orbit since the Blaine years. While US relations with Britain recovered relatively quickly, US relations with Chile didn't, took well into the 1890s for the economic sanctions to end. Even by this point, the Chileans are worried at the potential of US hostility. Hence the offer of troops.

But the British and Dominions aren't that keen on Chileans joining in. They're convinced it will be another short decisive campaign and 'will all be over by christmas.' (while nobody actually said that about the great war, they did say it about the Boer War). And yes they will learn some very painful lessons, and there will be massive reform because of it.

Earlier Womens Suffrage in the the UK would be a big thing.

This is the second time they've tried and second time blocked by the lords. The issues around this will bring a lot of changes.

 

[Analytical Engine]

This is the second time they've tried and second time blocked by the lords. The issues around this will bring a lot of changes.

I foresee a Parliament Act being enacted earlier ITTL, combined with threats of stuffing the Lords with Liberal Peers.

 

[Miss Construction]

I foresee a Parliament Act being enacted earlier ITTL, combined with threats of stuffing the Lords with Liberal Peers.

Sooner or later, yep and probably sooner.

 

[Miss Construction]

A technical jiggery pokery question. I have one chapter left before I reach 1900. Originally it had been my intention to shift the entire TL to the after 1900 forum at that point and continue it there, since the TL should continue well beyond 1900, I'm hoping eventually to get toward the 1990s if I can, at least until 1970 to give a round century. Do people think this is worthwhile?

 

[SuperZtar64]

There's no reason a pre-1900 tl has to be moved if it goes past 1900 chronologically. Unless you want to change it for indexing purposes in which case that's really your call to make alone.

 

[Pangur]

A technical jiggery pokery question. I have one chapter left before I reach 1900. Originally it had been my intention to shift the entire TL to the after 1900 forum at that point and continue it there, since the TL should continue well beyond 1900, I'm hoping eventually to get toward the 1990s if I can, at least until 1970 to give a round century. Do people think this is worthwhile?

Can't think of a reason not to

 

[UrbanNight]

A technical jiggery pokery question. I have one chapter left before I reach 1900. Originally it had been my intention to shift the entire TL to the after 1900 forum at that point and continue it there, since the TL should continue well beyond 1900, I'm hoping eventually to get toward the 1990s if I can, at least until 1970 to give a round century. Do people think this is worthwhile?

I don't think there's a need to break this into before 1900 and after 1900 parts.

 

[Miss Construction]

There's no reason a pre-1900 tl has to be moved if it goes past 1900 chronologically. Unless you want to change it for indexing purposes in which case that's really your call to make alone.

Can't think of a reason not to

I don't think there's a need to break this into before 1900 and after 1900 parts.

My quick word count tells me a lot. In the third iteration 1870 to 1899 required three chapters, a little under 5,000 words, and maybe two and half months work when I include editing. This time the same period is 52 chapters, over 77,500 words and I've been working on it for almost eight months and I'm not done yet. So in the previous iterations it made sense put this in the post 1900 forum because that's where almost all of the TL development was. That is very definitely not true this time, there is a hell of a lot of development in this period. I tend to think if I break it, anybody coming in would be lost, or at least have to wade through what's approaching a novel length read lol.