Second Morsto-Oan War: Difference between revisions

In the 1600s, Morstaybishlian traders and explorers arrived on uninhabited islands to the west of the Oan Isles. They received permission from the Oan government to settle and claim those islands. These islands 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 used the native population for slave labour and established plantations on the islands. 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 the Morstaybishlians entered into an unofficial agreement that the Wakatunuye would supply the Morsts with slaves. Thus, the Wakatunuye used the autonomy they enjoyed to invade 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, 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 ''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. 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 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.