A Divided Nation - US Civil War

"If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write." - Martin Luther (1483-1546)

JANUARY 1517, EUROPE

Since Christopher Columbus journey in 1492, the World is another. Instead of finding a direct seaway to India, he discovered a complete new continent. Indigenous people, who are thinking the people from the sea are gods welcomes the conquistadors without suspecting that they are not comming in peace. Rumours of large amounts of gold and other riches allures more and more conquistadors from Europe into the New World and leds into the conquest of the mighty empires of the Aztecs, Mayas and Incas.

Europe itself awakens from its sleeping beauty after the medieval age and enters into a new era. People starts questioning the old world order, the kings realizing that there is much more behind the horizen and the catholic church stands in front of a real threat: The Protestant Movement. Initiated by a young theology professor, this movement will change complete Europe for ever and leading into one of the most devastating wars the continent ever saw.

The Ottomans used them first time during the siege of Constantinople in 1453; giant cannons who demolished the until then undestroyed Theodosian Walls. After the fall of Constantinople the black powder replaced bows, swords and shields on the battlefield. The feudal knights where replacde by modern armoured cavalry and infantry equipped with a pike where accompanied from so called Arquebusiers, men armed with a firearm. Big cannons replaced the catapults and trebuchets and modernizing the whole warfare.

The unrests in the british colonies in North America turns into an open revolution. More and more colonists joining the Continental Army, strong in their will to fight for freedom. Quickened by the events at Boston the year before, the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopts the Declaration of Independence. From now on, the American colonies are severing their political connections to Great Britain and calling themselve the 13 United States of America.

Meanwhile a massive british war fleet arrived on Long Island under command of William Howe and seized New York City, ready to crush American forces.

The Continental Army learns their first major defeat on Manhattan Island. Withdrawn from New York City, the Commander-in-Chief George Washington tries to reorganize his army, making them ready for a counter attack.

The War of Independence has begun...