Magna Mongadizafra, Pregame History Turn 5.
Our economy was similar to that of most other nations. We would naturally influence it with subsidies and ensure that competition between business was fair and break up any sort of monopolies that threatened to form. This naturally lead to a decent growth of the economy fostered by our hand with a few incentives, and business both foreign and domestic would do well in our lands, though with an obvious slight bias. However, even before this was done, an important question came to the government at hand. The military's budget. For other nations forming in South America, specifically on it's western coast, had a number of claims to our nation, claiming that it should be a part of their own. Regardless, with a small bit of debate, it would be decided that...
1. Naval Supremacy was the best course of action. The Navy was our first line of defense, and it had proven itself in our bid for independence. It was clear that the majority of military funding should go directly to the Navy and no other. For the army isn't needed if an invasion can be stopped on the waves, and a army cannot march across water and relies upon the Navy. We are an island nation, and our military should represent that. Of course, that isn't to say we don't need an Army, but it's clear which of the two is more important. Besides, marines are better at taking islands and beach heads than normal soldiers, and fight just as well as any other on land.
2. A balanced budget was best. The army was important after all. Naturally, with the prestige the Navy had, it would be given a slightly larger share, but really, it wasn't too far off from half of the budget going to each. Of course, a number of sailors and captains grumbled, especially considering the Navy single handedly won our independence, and such a budget was won by a slim margin in the legislature. But it passed, and with it both branches of the military were ready to defend against any agressor from east, south, or even west.
3. The Army needed it most. The Navy was important, but it had gained a large number of ships in the war and didn't need expansion. As such, all the funding was decided best put into the army to get it to a standard to be able to force any army off our shores. The passing of this was very controversial, as the army practically didn't exist, and by extension did nothing in our bid for independence. Yet, it was considered necessary and that things would change once the army was at an 'acceptable standard'. Something a number in the navy thought translated to 'never'. Still, we got enough funding for our current fleet, even if we couldn't have expanded it.
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Topic: Refit and Repair 2. Magna Mongadizafra, Spring, 1896, Revision&Refit Phase. (Read 17993 times)