Asterian War of Secession

Asterian War of Secession
Part of the Independence Wars in the Asterias
Left-right from top: Ó Cuanáin leads his army on the Long March, the death of Vivien Gérin-Lajoie, the Battle of Larosa, the surrender of Fort Saint, Father Recasens and his banner
Date 11 May 1764 – 21 November 1771 (7 years, 6 months and 10 days) Location Asteria Superior and the Vehemens Result Secessionist victory Treaty of Vicalvi Gaullican recognition of United Colonies independence Collapse of the United Colonies, emergence of Lorcania and Nuxica Gaullican retention of Cassier
Belligerents
United Colonies New Estmere Sheah Nou Remana Patriotes Co-belligerents: Estmerish Empire Kingdom of Etruria Marirana	Gaullican Empire Cassier Sanslumière Mhuire Republic
Commanders and leaders
Fabià Falguras Connor Ó Cuanáin Thomas Rochester Father Recasens Lluc Casafont Vivien Gérin-Lajoie  † Clovis Richard I Adriano Augusto I Guido Causin	Francois III Lord Carré Lord de la Croix Michel Rousselle Iain MacDhubhaig

The Asterian War of Secession (1764–1771), also known as the Asterian War of Independence, was a war between the Gaullican Empire and the secessionist United Colonies, supported by Estmere, Etruria and Marirana.

Unrest in the colonies can be traced as early as Gaullica acquired them, with religious differences in the north and cultural differences in the south leading to a common resentment of the 'Gaullican yoke'. Anger toward Gaullican rule only intensified following the institution of the 'Intolerable Taxes', which taxed fur trading and most exports.

The start of the conflict is generally accepted to have been in 1764, in the aftermath of the Kindalk Massacre, when Gaullican soldiers open fired on Sheahan protesters. News of the massacre spread like wildfire, and encouraged a number of mutinies and rebellions across the coast, most famously that of Fabià Falguras. The Continental Convention in 1765 led to the joint official declaration of secession from the United Colonies, and saw the Gaullican Empire respond by landing a new army.

While the colonies in New Estmere, Sheah and Nou Remana were the most active, there were other attempts at independence across the continent. The Patriote movement in Cassier made initial gains, but was ultimately routed by loyalist forces. The majority catholic Mhuire Republic cooperated with Gaullican forces to maintain its autonomy among the Amendist rebels.

While Gaullica was able to maintain some semblance of control across a great deal of the rebellious colonies, it would ultimately find itself under attack in Euclea. Estmere and Etruria, traditional Gaullican rivals, would come to the support of the colonies, declaring war on Gaullica. Meanwhile, Marirana would launch attacks on Gaullican positions along their border.

Ultimately, the Gaullican Crown would be unable to reestablish direct rule over the west coast, and would be forced to sue for peace. In the subsequent Treaty of Vicalvi, Gaullica recognised the independence of the United Colonies, and was able to retain their loyalist colonies in Cassier. Estmerish and Etrurian involvement had proved decisive, but both states had failed to make any meaningful gains in territory, and had incurred great debts in doing so. The newly independent United Colonies would splinter, with Lorcania and Nuxica emerging from it. The two would prove to be new regional powers on the continent.

Background

By 1729, Gaullica had emerged as the undisputed hegemon in Asteria Superior. Their victory over Estmere and Caldia in the Gilded Wars by 1721 had led to Gaullican control over New Estmere and Sheah, while the ultimate defeat of the Floren Empire in the Pereramonic Wars had led to the Gaullican acquisition of Nou Remana.