Second Morsto-Oan War: Difference between revisions

The '''Morsto-Oan War''' ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_language Oan]: ''Te Pakanga o nga Oa me nga Morohoti'') was a conflict between [[the Oan Isles]] and [[Great Morstaybishlia]] in 1855. Trading of slaves in Oan territory by the Wakatunuye tribe with the Morstaybishlians led to an attack on the MBS Pugilist, a Morst naval vessel. Morstaybishlia declared war in retaliation and took over two-thirds of Oan territory, about half of the captured territories being returned. The war resulted in the cession of Oan territory to the Oan Isles and prohibition of trading in Oan slaves in the Morstaybishlian Empire. The war resulted in the overthrow of the Oan political elites and widespread economic, political and social reforms. Despite the alliance which eventually formed between the two countries, the war is a sensitive political topic in the Oan Isles and a source of continued strain in relations.

InApproximately the 1600s, Morstaybishlian traders and explorers arrived on uninhabited islands to the west30% of the Oan Isles. Theyhad receivedbeen permissionlost fromduring the First Morsto-Oan governmentWar to settlethe and claim those islandsMorstaybishlians. These islands that were ceded became part of the [[Morstaybishlian West Pacific Territories]]. Prior to the war, the MWPT consisted of the Payleian Islands, Lazeria, Greater and Lesser Gemini, Asmo Island and parts of the Southern Antilles. The Morstaybishlians usedestablished theplantations nativeon populationthe forislands slaveand labourtraded andin establishedslaves plantations onwith the islandsOans. Over time, the Oan people gradually became antipathic toward slavery, especially of Polynesians, and outlawed it in their territories. They became resentful of the slave trade in the MWPT. Because of the Morsts' legitimate control over those territories and their superior economic and military power, they were powerless to intervene.

Tribes, landowners and merchants maintained significant autonomy from the central Oan government in [[Tokapa]]. One of these tribes was called the Wakatunuye. Between 1800 and 1850, the growing dependence of the Morstaybishlian economy on labour-intensive industries resulted in an increased demand for slaves which outpaced available supply. The Wakatunuye and Lord Admiral Lugersart (allegedly acting on behalf of the MorstaybishliansMorstaybishlian Crown) entered into an unofficial agreement that the Wakatunuye would supply the Morsts with slaves. Thus, the Wakatunuye used the autonomy they enjoyed to invade surrounding tribes and enslave Oan people, starting with tribes located on the Northern Islands (Nga Motuere Raki).The first recorded attack was on 11 May 1850. The Wakatunuye tribe conducted a night raid on a tribe on Solowasai Island in the Nga Motuere Raki archipelago. The total number of casualties in unclear, but reports suggest that the entire population was either massacred or sold. The string of attacks in this area worried the rulers in Tokapa.

The Oans suspected that the Wakatunuye were selling the slaves to Morstaybishlians, since the Morsts were one of the few major powers able and willing to take slaves. The prevalence of rogue pirates, and divided economic and political interests in the Oan government made taking action difficult. Captain Torohua of the Noapa Merchant Fleet aboard the ''NMFS Akira.'' He attacked the Wakatunuye ''WTNS Pakanganui'' which spies alleged was used a slaving vessel. Aboard the ship, he discovered that his long-lost friend from Solowasai Island was, Captain Tukeranuaie (known as Captain Tuks) was in command of the vessel and working for the Wakatunuye. After torturing him, Captain Torohua discovered that the Morsts were trading Oan slaves.

The Oans planned a trap for the Morsts to catch them in the act. They arranged for a fake sale of slaves (who were in fact spies). A small skirmish on land forced the Morsts to flee with their slaves. Oan warships hidden in the area attacked the ship on which they fled: ''MBS Pugilist''. They raided the ship and discovered the fake slaves aboard the ''Pugilist'' along with their Morst captors. News of this reached the Lord Admiral Lugersart in Montecadre. Before the Oans could expose what was happening, the Lord Admiral lied to the High King of Morstaybishlia that the Oans had attacked the ''Pugilist'' unprovoked, prompting the Morsts to declare war on the Oan Isles.