Second Arcandian Revolution

Second Arcandian Revolution
Whispers of Rebellion (1874)
Date December 12, 1873 – October 15, 1875 Location Arcandias (Valora, Ignatia, Thalassia) Result Independence of Valora and Ignatia from foreign colonial powers Partial independence for Arcandias Establishment of the Arcandian Council Thalassia remains under foreign control (until 1922)
Belligerents
Arcandian Revoultionary Forces	Terra Argo
Commanders and leaders
Rafael Vargas Isabella de Soto	Unkown
Strength
10,000 mercenaries and local volunteers	15,000 colonial troops
Casualties and losses
3,500 killed or wounded	4,200 killed or wounded

The Second Arcandian Revolution (1873–1875) was a successful independence movement in Arcandias, fueled by the rise of a new class of wealthy businessmen and backed by influential local elites. The revolution sought to control Arcandias' lucrative trade in luxury goods and rare minerals from Terra Argo colinizers. Unlike the failed First Arcandian Revolution, which had been undermined by a lack of resources and support, the Second Revolution was carefully planned and funded, resulting in the successful liberation of two of Arcandias' three main islands in 1875. The final island remained under colonial control until 1922, when a series of negotiations and financial buyouts brought the islands together under a unified Arcandias for the first time.

Background

By the mid-19th century, Arcandias had undergone significant economic changes. The discovery of new vast deposits of rare earth minerals and the growing demand for luxury goods produced on the islands attracted a new class of wealthy businessmen to the region. These men were tasked with managing and expanding the mining facilities and luxury trade routes, and they soon realized the economic potential of controlling these industries directly, without the interference of the ouside powers. In contrast to the failed First Arcandian Revolution of the 1820s, the Second Revolution was led by this new class of elites, many of whom were recent arrivals to the islands. These businessmen, along with influential local landowners who had long-standing grievances against the colonial government, began to organize a well-funded and well-armed independence movement.

Rising Tensions

By the early 1870s, Arcandias had become a jewel of the colonial empire, thanks to its reserves of rare earth minerals and position along important trade routes. While the colonial powers profited, the local elite—consisting mostly of landowners and merchants—began to feel the burden of heavy taxes and the increasing monopolization of their country’s wealth. At the same time, a new wave of ambitious businessmen had arrived from Amnis, seeking to expand the burgeoning mining and luxury goods industries. Among them were Diego Mendes, a mining magnate with close ties to the aristocracy, and Isabella Ribeiro, a landowner with connections in the imperial capitals. Their ambitions, while primarily economic, soon turned into a vision for Arcandian independence.

A painting done of Diego Mendes (1889), he was a key leader in the Second Arcandian Revolution, played a critical role in organizing the movement

The Revolution

The Outbreak of Hostilities (1873)

The revolution began in the spring of 1873 with a strike against a colonial garrison in the colonial capital of Alvoria. The goal was to seize weapons and send a bold message to the colonial powers. This attack quickly escalated into a full-scale rebellion as revolutionary cells in the mining regions of Valora and Ignatia rose in support. The garrison in Alvoria, who had underestimated the revolutionaries, was caught off guard, and within hours, the rebels controlled much of the city. The strike was swift, bloody, and highly effective.

As news of the revolt spread, colonial governors in Ignatia and Valora scrambled to respond. However, the colonial forces were stretched thin. They lacked the resources to suppress the growing rebellion, and local militias, many of which were made up of miners and agricultural workers, began to form across the islands.

Making Gains (1874)

In the months following the strikes, revolutionaries solidified their control over key regions, most notably the mining towns in Ignatia and the agricultural hubs in Thalassia. The Terra Argo army failed to reinforce their positions in time. The revolutionaries took control of the islands’ most valuable resources and the economic advantage gained by controlling the mining facilities allowed them to fund their military efforts further, mostly to acquire overseas arms. However, on the other side of the island, colonial reinforcements were able to regain the agricultural island of Thalassia. Using unorganized and brutal tactics, they were able to steam roll the revolutionary forces on Thalassia.

The Final Push (1875)

By early 1875, the revolution had reached its peak. Terra Argo was now facing to strong of resistance on two of the three islands and were forced to send more reinforcements. However, these reinforcements arrived too late. The revolutionaries, now well-organized and with the support of the local population, had begun to push into colonial-controlled territories, liberating one key city after another.

The final battle came at Porto Solis, a strategic port city located on the island of Valora. The colonial defenders, hoping to hold the last stronghold, were outnumbered and outgunned. The revolutionaries laid siege to the city, cutting off reinforcements and supply lines. After two weeks of fierce fighting, Porto Solis fell, and with it, the last remnants of colonial power in Valora and Ignatia. The victory at Porto Solis was the culmination of two years of bloodshed and sacrifice. It started the end of colonial rule, and Terra Argo was forced to sign away the islands of Valora and Ignatia.

Legacy

The Second Arcandian Revolution is remembered as a key point in the nation’s history. The revolution solidified the power of the business and local elites. The revolutionary leaders, particularly Diego Mendes and Isabella Ribeiro, are considered national heroes, and their actions are still celebrated every year during Arcandian Independence Day.

While the revolution initially achieved only partial independence, it set the stage for the unification of Arcandias in 1922. The movement is seen not only as a fight for independence but as the birth of modern Arcandias, a nation founded on economic freedom.