Westernization, Part I
Westernization, Part I
The Nineteenth Century: The Saga of Equestria
July 12, 1817
British Embassy to Equestria
“You wish to modernize? Join us on the world stage?” asked Liston, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes. We cannot allow ourselves to be pushed around by the Americans any more. This must end, and we must be the ones to end it.”
“So you foresee conflict coming between the Americans and yourselves?”
Celestia hesitated before saying, “There is a very real chance of that coming to pass.” She was silent for a moment before continuing, “What steps would you recommend that I take?”
“Well, adopting western ways will prove to be a task where you will need to exercise the control and authority necessary in order to force reforms through an unconvinced population. You hold absolute power, as far as I can tell, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to do that.”
“But there are the townships,” Celestia said. “They could prove to be a problem.”
“Perhaps,” agreed the man. “Maybe you could do something to reign in their power. Centralize the government, perhaps.”
“Interesting…” After a moment, Celestia shook her head slightly in an attempt to clear it - meeting with little success - and decided to change the subject. “I have seen that you intend to hold a diplomatic class today.”
“Yes, I do,” he replied. “Your students are fast learners, if somewhat naive. It has been difficult impressing upon them the fact that countries both can and will declare war against this country.”
Celestia sighed. “Well, please continue. Feel free to hammer the point home as much as is necessary. That will be something they need to learn.”
Changing the subject again, Celestia ruffled her wings slightly and wondered out loud: “I wonder how the expedition to America is doing...”
More or less June 3, 1817
[LOCATION UNKNOWN]
“Why don’t you just confess that you have no idea where you are going?” asked Silver Compass wearily. “It’s clear to anypony with half a brain that you have no sense of direction.”
“Be silent,” replied the human, tiredly. “I am not lost.”
As if to prove his point, as they topped the hill, both humans and ponies could see a small village off in the horizon.
“Told you.”
As they approached the village, the human kept squinting at a flag that a center-ish building flew.
“Shit,” he muttered, as it came into view.
“What?” asked Silver Compass, squinting at the flag himself. It flew a standard of with a red border surronding a checkboard of blue and white, with some kind of device in the center.
“That’s the flag of the Mexican revolutionaries,” replied the man. “They speak a different language than us. I know a little of it, thanks to some training before we set out.”
“Well, then, let’s go meet them!”
“I am not sure that’s a good idea...we were ordered to go directly to the United States, after all.”
Silver Compass tossed his head, saying, “I was put in charge of this expedition, not you. And before we departed, Princess Celestia gave me orders to seize the opportunity to explore new nations and new peoples. As a result, I am altering the mission.”
A half hour later…
As the expedition approached the Mexican town, the human got more and more antsy.
“What is wrong?” asked Compass, one part concerned, two parts annoyed.
“These Mexicans are fighting the Spanish for their independence,” came the brittle reply. “I don’t exactly want to get caught in a crossfire between them.”
That gave the ponies pause for a brief moment, but did not stop the expedition. “Well, I haven’t heard any gunfire,” replied Compass, not that he was much of an expert on what guns sounded like. Quite the opposite, in fact.
As they entered the town, the human relaxed somewhat, but remained more than careful.
Silver Compass saw a flurry of activity, and heard whispered mutterings.
“¡Un gringo! Y, ¿unos caballos?”
Slowly, a man approached them. He walked carefully, as if he might scare away their unexpected visitors.
“¡Holá!” called the American settler.
“Holá,” came the reply, still warily.
“¿Hablas inglés?”
The man made a face, but made the language shift and said, “Yes, a little.” He waited for a moment, then, in halting English/Equestrian, said, “That...interesting horse, sir,” obviously referencing Silver Compass.
“Not a horse. Pony,” said Compass, grinning slightly at the reaction that provoked.
“¡Ahh, Dois mío!” the human exclaimed, jumping backwards. After a brief moment, he made a rapid, curious symbol. He used his left hand to touch his head, chest, left shoulder, and right shoulder, in that order. He also whispered “Doís, ten piedad.”
After that interesting sight, the man managed to compose himself, and said, “Perdónme...My apologies. You startled me.”
“My kind tends to have that effect on humans,” remarked the pony dryly. After a moment, he continued, asking, “Now, my guide here said that you are the Mexican revolutionaries. What are you revolting against?”
“That advenedizo who seized the Spanish throne, installed by those French dogs!” exclaimed the revolutionary. “And then, when the French were driven out, and the King restored, he behaved as un loco! We had no choice!”
“No, the Viceroyalty of New Spain can no longer exist as Nueva España. We must be independent!”
September 1, 1817
The Grand Equestria Pony Summit
Canterlot, Equestria
Many ponies from all over Equestria gather to take part in the Grand Summit. Each of the individual townships send their own delegation, with the number of ponies more or less proportional to the population of the township. Each delegation was led by the head of the township, be that a mayor, sheriff, or magistrate. And here, in a twice-yearly format, they would debate, argue, and sometimes (very rarely) even fight over which direction to take Equestria. The longest summit on record had lasted a whopping two years, due to the fact that Celestia did not adjourn it until all business was completed.
That was a rather extreme example; the summit usually only took a month or so to complete. And since the Princesses took turns presiding over it, they were able to retain their sanity in one form or another.
As the Princesses of Equestria stepped forward, a hush fell over the delegations. In the past summits, the Princesses had made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that discusses about the humans were strictly off the table. This time, however, no such prohibition had been mentioned before the summit was called.
“Welcome to the Grand Equestrian Pony Summit,” said Luna, with less enthusiasm than she normally had for the occasion.
“You delegates have traveled far to represent your towns,” said Celestia. She hesitated, took a deep breath, and continued: “But, unfortunately, that is no longer necessary.”
A ripple of unease passed through the delegates below.
“As you know, we have come in closer and closer contact with the species known as humans. They represent a clear and direct threat to the independence of this nation, and to ponykind everywhere.”
“As a result, we, the Princesses of Equestria, have decided there is but one way to retain our independence: We must learn to play the humans' game, and adopt the ideas of the West. And the path to doing so is clear.” Here, Celestia paused for dramatic effect, then spread her wings and proclaimed, with all her royal authority:
“As of this moment, the townships within the Principality of Equestria are abolished. The office of mayor is defunct. The Grand Equestria Pony Summit is abolished. From this moment onwards, local government shall be administered by a royal magistrate, appointed by the Royal Council, and subject to reappointment at any time for any reason, or no reason at all. Such is the decree of the Royal Council.”
With that, the Princesses walked back into Canterlot Castle, leaving the ponies outside in a state of shock.
1) All languages that are not English were fed through Google Translate. Don't hate me...
2) I'm sorry if I way oversimplified the Mexican War of Independence. I couldn't find any good really great reasons why it happened, so...yeah.
3) If you haven't already, be sure to VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Polls close September 20th, 2015
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It took Japan 30 YEARS TO WESTERNIZED!!! Equestria won't/can't take the shorcut Japan did. This was represented in-game by the Meiji Restoration event.
Being aided by pretty much solely by the British, Equestria would spend over SIXTY YEARS to do half the transformation Japan did.
Equestria would face rebellion FROM ALL THE SOCIAL CLASSES! Guns made all groups more influentiap over the state.
Ah, the moment of truth. Well, regarding the Spanish I guess that for single words or short phrases it's something GT can handle well enough. And considering when and where the man explaining is, it can be excused for him to not give a full summary about the Independence War either.
Also, quite fitting, it first shows up in a September update to the story.One thing though, the Mexican tri-color didn't came to be until Itúrbide adapted it from the Three Guarantees Flag, so it's still a few years early for that. If anything, they'd be currently using this one.
Back to the ponies... heh, if that group is shocked for that first step, I'd totally want to see how they'll take everything after.
6406576
Well, I would think Equestria is already at some point of the road, so perhaps it wouldn't really take that long. I think it would be mostly on the political and social spectrum, since technology wise they'd have little they are missing or can't substitue with pony magic already.
Translating it to in-game terms, perhaps something happens equivalent to that Egyptian decision in the Concert of Europe mod, which bumps them 25% in the Westernization Bar. If I remember right, that decision is to represent Mehmet Ali's reforms.
6406576
Bull. Please explain to me what the shortcut was that Japan had and why it can't/won't be taken by the Equestrians.
Rebellions? Against Celestia? Please. I don't know what show you've been watching, but I've been watching one where the ponies are fanatic in their support for Celestia, Luna, and Twilight. I just established that they, while not goddesses, are role models to the entire country, thanks to Celestialism! Where the Princesses go, the ponies will follow. It would take more time for civil unrest to really get anywhere. Nobles getting pissed off? Sure, I can see that. These nobles being able to raise an army? Pfft.
Remember, Great Britain has an investment in this. They are propping Equestria up to be a regional power to rival the United States.
Finally, let us remember that Equestria, in-show, is already within grasping range of westernization. I could cite many examples, but I'll go with just three: Equestria has a school system that appears to open to most of the public, thus high literacy, and the steam powered machinery, thus proving that the ponies have at least a rudimentary grasp of how simple machines of that kind work. Finally, they appear to have a type of proto-capitalistic market structure, without serfs and such.
Our pony nation can do it. It would hardly be the easiest thing they have ever done, but they can do it.
6406723
Yeah...about that flag...I couldn't find two sources that agreed, so I went with the one I knew. I'll change it. Thanks!
A Navy should also be another start.
6406750 The Japanese embrace both Westernization and the technological and industrial mindset of the Europeans. Rather than resist, which is why the Equestrians whom rely on a very static society (controlled by the overspecialized cutie mark) and a mindset of EXTREME (Reminds me of the Jain religion) pacifism and xenophobia, the Japanese not only acquired foreign agents/teachers from MULTIPLE countries but send their people to foreign countries to amass knowledge to improve Japan
First off it is my belief that Equestria's level of technology is unequal in its prigress and distribution. So despite showing evidence in the show I wil still argue why it would take longer for them to Industrialize than other countries and with less success.
Such miraculous and determined assimilation and implementation of Western ideas/knowledge would be something Equestria would not receive for several reasons:
-Do cutie marks make Ponies too overspecializes
-Too much value on pony life: In the Industrial Revolution, workers, including kids are expendable and worked LONG hours under UNSAFE conditions with LITTLE pay and NO benefits or safety net! Imagine the vast majority of Pony families, most of which would be Earth Ponies being forced to work under the same environment! There will be resistance to this new and more inhumane and dangerous method. And NO! You can't just put 21st safety standards on Pony IR!
-Ponies could not just copy the human model of factories, machines, etc due to the difference between human and pony physique which would necesitate huge diverging modification to address these difference (hands vs hooves and two legs vs four are some differences) which would slow down both the efficiency and culsltural and societal acceptance of the new system
-While Unicorns and Pegasi could negate and even surpass human limitations... The fact that Earth Ponies would receive the more grueling and horrific and underpaid work and the division of work and career opportunities would destroy the harmony between the three races. Also should a war cause one of the subspecies to be low on population it would hurt Equestria a LOT!
-Who would work with these Ponies! Lets face it, Ponies and the other Equestrian civilizations would be on the bottom of the social ladder. Being non-human and being Pagan, they would be mistreated more than Blacks, Gays, Jews, Asians and Women Combined! People were being LYNCHED TWICE A WEEK IN AMERICAN TOWNS IN THE MIDWEST (Don't know about other regions) DURING THOSE TIMES!!!! It was a social event with pamplets! Normal people were being sent to asylums to be tortured and experimented upon! Sure the few British and that one American guys the Ponies have met were nice and all but how long 'till the Ponies Plot Shieldi- I MEAN LUCK would last! I've studied American Social Studies/History and World/US History and let me tell you, the Holocaust is nothing new. What is preventing the Equestrians leaving their countries from being LYNCHED OR ENSLAVED!!!! Pirates would tear through the Equestrian with Sheer numbers along!
-British support of Equestria would be limited because they WILL Abandon the backwater country should US declare war. The Brits won't waste men in an opportunity to secure bribes/concessions from Uncle Sam to keep them away from the war?
-The Equestrians would find it very hard to find foreigners whom would train them and give them the tools and machines for their IR. They can do it with their own infanstructure but Equestria would have another hurdle to face.
-War and Imperialism. Its no suprise that Industrial nations feed of the subjugation of other countries or their own colonies. Equestria will have to expand to acquire resources necessarry for continuing IR and new markets to flood their cheap goods! They will turn the Griffon Kingdom into their own COLONY! Ponies now must kill not in self defense but the conquest/enslavement of others! They would have to be like Americans!
-Western education. Could you imagine little fillies such as the CMC having to learn about slavery, and the benefits it would give, among other horrible things being thought to them BY A HUMAN TEACHE- OH WAIT they would be working on the factories, losing limbs and having short lifespans!
-Remember how dickish Canterlot Royalty was in the show! Picture EVERYPONY becoming worse than them!
-Pony IR would trigger nationalism and other anti-Equestrian ideals in the populace. Removing the town councils alone would bring seditious thiughts into Ponies! Especially when lead by radical pony leaders (As seen in Season 5) or human ones! Christianity would spread like wildfire amongst the disastisfied Earth Ponies, creating another rift with Equestrian society
- I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW PONIES WOULD REACT TO CONSCRIPTION AND BEING sent by Celestia to their deaths in 19th century wars!
What is the population of Equestria and other non-human countries categorized by race?
How is Equestria dealing with Native Americans?
Oh Equestria, opening Pandora's Box, the Book of Necrominicon and making Deals with the Devils or in this case become the Devil yourself.
Reminds me of the Fallout NV Honest Hearts
6407262
...ok then. I'll just address your points one at a time.
I see no reason Equestria cannot send ponies to learn about Western ways. In addition, I would call Equestria's stance towards war to be closer to anti military than pacifism, as ponies are shown to both willing and able to fight if it is absolutely necessary (Season 2 and 4 finales?). As for this xenophobia you claim Equestria has, citation needed.
I will concede that Equestria's tech level is...oddly uneven. However, that does not mean that the nation suddenly is doomed to be an agrarian backwater.
As for you point regarding the Industrial Revolution, that would be valid IF EQUESTRIA WAS INDUSTRIALIZING. But it isn't. You'll notice that when the game begins, Equestria does not process even one factory! Instead, Equestria will simply be importing things it needs.
I will also point out that the nation of Equestria starts with the "Restricted" social reform on child labor in Vicky II. While this will not eliminate the practice, it would counter several problems you mentioned.
Obviously they could not just copy the human's models. I thought that was clear. But adapting them for ponies would accelerate the acceptance, in my mind at least.
As for your point regarding Earth Ponies,
1. See above about how those Earth Ponies will not be going into the factories, 'cause they don't exist yet and won't for over fifteen years.
2. Yes. I understand what your getting at, and I do have plans for such a thing. BUT, because of 1, this will take longer to surface than you seem to think it will.
I have already stated that Great Britain will support Equestria while they're westernizing. That alone should discourage the Americans from trying anything funny. (Think of it as Equestria temporarily entering the British sphere of influence, then getting an event when westernization is done removing them.) Whether the British would actually fight the Americans over them is irrelevant, as the Americans will not declare war. After all, Manifest Destiny isn't a thing. At least, not yet. In addition, other nations that feel threatened by the Americans may provide some support, even if it's very small.
I established last chapter that the Equestrians, most of them, at least, ARE NOT PAGAN. I compared them to Buddhism.
As for your claim regarding racism, there is a point when practicality outweighs it. In addition, do you seriously think the Princesses will allow more humans than absolutely necessary into Equestria after the Manetown Incident? If so, lol.
As for Western education: Ever heard of government censorship? I'm not proposing a total blackout, rather, the Princesses could whitewash and gloss over some parts of human history. Or, they could teach it, and use it to justify their attempts to protect Equestria...
Please provide evidence that Equestria will become filled with assholes.
The removal of town councils will start to be questioned. The way I see it, Celestia will saw that it's in the name of protecting Equestria, which the ponies will accept, for a while. After all, ponies in the show are hardly that involved in local politics. However, a few years after the westernization is complete, in ~1840, then the ponies will see a westernized nation, and declare their mission accomplished. Then, they will start to ask for old privileges/rights back. If the Princesses refuse, that could be the trigger to set of the in-game "Political Rights Debate."
THERE ARE NO HUMANS IN EQUESTRIA AT THIS TIME ASIDE FOR THE LIMITED NUMBER OF AMERICAN SETTLERS. I cannot stress this enough! As a result, their are no Native Americans in Equestria!
Conscription? Who said that a war has started?
...Welp, I think I covered everything.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you keep reading. But, please, I know what I'm doing...
6407713 What I MEANT WAS AMERICAN XENOPHOBIA! Any pony going out of the country and going to the US risked being ENSLAVES AND LYNCHED!
Any deals with humans would find ponies on the disadvantage with ponies being charged extra.
As Americans expand and drive out the tribes, THEY WILL settle on Equestria lands. I wonder how that would play out.
Won't child safety laws reduced the profits and effectiveness of factories?
Don't forget the minimum wage or lack thereoff. I will be suprised if Pony businessmen pay their workers well.
What happens if a Pony worker is crippled by working in a factory?
Royal Guard, outdated and overexpensive. I wonder where the humam trainers are coming from? No you can't use Ponies. Japan used foreign instructors to reform their badass military.
How weak is the Pony mentality of war? Could they at least accept the same casualties as Americans (Which are Light by World Standards)?
God forbid Santa Anna's Mexico declares war on the Equestrians!
Does Equestria have a starting outdated navy?
How would Equestria deal with Asian pirates whom have cannon boats. No you can't say magic trumps artillery by summoning weather powers otherwise the three Western branches of Christianity would declare a genocidal Crusade agaisnt the Ponies.
Wouldn't using magic on the battlefield hurt Pony relations with human.nations?
6407974
I don't think I can answer all the points, but I'll give my thoughts on the ones I can.
At this point in time it's not a big deal or present much. Xenophobia in the US only began to take significant roots in the 1840's, when the bulk of immigrants shifted from the English to other European groups, like the Irish and Germans. And the peak wasn't until the late part of the century anyway.
Not necessarily. Many opted more to accept the forced relocations or just plain fight it out. That's why the Indian Wars lasted for so long. It's true many did flee the country, but it also depends on the context. After the War of 1812 those that allied with the UK during the war mainly fled to Canada, while others fled to Florida, though of course these last ones would get into war with the US again once they aquire the land. If Equestria doesn't change the policy of keeping humans out, it's likely they will opt to just head north to Canada or south into Mexico than try to force their way in.
Admitedly, in the mod Equestria starts with no Minumun Wage nor Safety Regulations, and with Trinket Health Care. But well, once you take the game elements out, it would be up to the author if this Equestria is gonna stick with those come 1836 arrives or not. Since what mod!Equestria has at the start is different from what show!Equestria has, and this story's Equestria is likely gonna end up as a hybrid of the two than sticking to one or the other, I'd think.
Well, they already will have the aid of the UK for this. Variety would be needed, but so far Equestria has only met two countries and is barely starting with two more, and more will come eventually. We're still a little over eighteen years from Jan. 1 1836, so plenty of time left.
Hardly. By the time Santa Anna reaches power and even if he were interested in wanting to get into a fight with them, it's the time Mexico will get its hands tied down with land wanting to leave (Texas, the Republic of Rio Grande, the Yucatan peninsula, Zacatecas, etc).
Maybe, but this is still the time where anything goes in war. It can also mean some countries may want to get in good terms with them precisely because their magic could offer many things, not just in war. And besides, the Geneva and Hague Conventions are still far away, although since magic is such an outlier it could speed something up. Who knows.
And thus began The 18 Year Plan.
Hopefully it goes well.
6408355 Good thing the Pony Expedition isn't going to the Southern US states!
I wonder how Equestria would affect American-Russian relations?
I want to read the Ponies reacting to scalping and other niceties of the Wild West!
What actions count as Industrilization/Westernization?
How would trade go with the human nations?
I'm just waiting for humanity to crush the Ponies and put them into slavery. This isn't going to end well
Eliminating local self government and the pony summit makes no sense and does nothing to aid westernization. After the Meiji restoration, the Meiji constitution limited the powers of the Emperor and established a parliament. Having strong local governments didn't prevent Britain and the United States from industrializing. The Township conference serves a useful purpose of allowing Equestrians to bring their local concerns to the Princesses. The Equestrian government seems centralized enough.
Also, why would Equestrians be unconvinced of the need to adopt the ways of the West. The Ponies were very upset about the murder of the Royal Guard and the disruption of the Hearts Warming celebration. It shouldn't be too difficult to convince the Equestrian population of the need to industrialize and build a strong military. The need to have a strong military so as to stop Americans or others from enslaving Equestrians or keeping them as pets shouldn't be a tough sell.
6409608
Eliminating the local governments was a plot device to get this Equestria in line with the mod version of Equestria. In the mod, you get an event saying that during the westernization of Equestria, the Princesses abolished the local governments. Then, you get to choose whether or not to restore them.
Remember, while Ambassador Liston has had many dealings with the Equestrian leadership, he had next-to-none with the common ponies. He was speaking in general terms, describing general trends in human nations.
6409437
Indeed, it is good that the ponies will not be heading to the South. I don't think they would be able to take it...
As for what counts as Westernization...blog entry on that to follow.
6409817
Can't wait to read that blog.
6412007
It's out, FYI. Clicky
6420178
Thank ye.
Well.....that ending was a giant middle finger to everyone involved. Heil Celestia!