"Top Five 19th colonial conflicts to game" Topic

According to Wikipedia
"Colonial wars differed from "regular" wars (conflicts between neighboring states) in several ways. The first was that they were more political affairs than military ones.[6] In contrast to regular wars, in which the goals of the belligerents were limited, colonial wars were absolute; conquering powers sought to exert total and permanent control over a territory and its population and ensure lasting stability.[7] In spite of this, resources allotted to colonial campaigns were with few exceptions limited.[8] The meanings of defeat and victory were usually more complicated in colonial wars, as in many cases the invading power would face a belligerent that was not encapsulated by a city, government or ruler. There was often less of a distinction between indigenous citizens and the regular armed forces of defending nations.[9] This lack of centralized authority meant that formal peace agreements were rarely made.[7] Without government structures that could be taken over, administration of conquered peoples and territory was more difficult. To counter this colonial armies would establish or rebuild markets, schools and other public entities following a conflict, as the Americans did in the Philippines following the Spanish–American War.[8][Note 1]"
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Listed by geography

India
NW Frontier
Sudan
Transvaal-South Africa
Zululand
Ashanti
Cuba
Philippines
American West
Southeast US – Seminole
China
Persia
Ottoman Empire
Other
Not a colonial gamer

I listed a dozen or so – What would you add?

and what are your top 3?

India has:
Wellington and the expansion of British control over the subcontinent
The Sikh Wars
The Mutiny
China has
Opium Wars
Boxer Rebellion

French Actions in Morocco

The British campaign in Persia has always fascinated me since reading Barbara English's "The War for a Persian Lady"; I don't think anyone does figures for Persians, though.

Gordon's campaign in China and the Belgian fight against the Mahdists probably rank 2 and 3.

As Jlundberg says, India has loads of subcategories!

I would add
-Afghanistan (as distinct from NW Frontier)
-Russian expansion into Central Asia
-Russian Alaska
-Riel Rebellion (1885)
-Add some alternative history and you can have the Pig War (1859-1870) and the other Riel Rebellion (1870)
-Vietnam/Indochine (France)
-French and Spanish in North Africa
-King Leopald's endeavours in Congo
-Italians in Libya and East Africa
-German East Africa and South West Africa
-the unsuccessful British attempt to conquer Nepal

And that's just off the top of my anglo-centric head! I'm sure there are many more French, German, Italian, Swedish, Spanish and Portuguese actions that I'm not aware of.

khanscom –

In 15mm I use Irregular – some from 18th century

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and from 19th century am looking to pick up some from
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in 25mm
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I'd add the Maori wars in New Zealand.
My top three are: the British campaigns in Egypt and the Sudan; the Anglo-Zulu War; and the Boxer Rebellion.

The top 3 are…..
(dramatic pause)
Zulus
Boxer Rebellion
Pony Wars

Two others

1. Slightly earlier than the Zulus are the "Frontier Wars" against the Xhosa, and in some ways more interesting as the British/Europeans have worse weapons (muskets) and the Xhosa proved quite adept at musket skirmishing too – it's mainly about cattle stealing which makes for great skirmish games. The actual Wars are massed spear armed Xhosa vs far fewer musket armed Europeans, it's not so easy to win with a musket in dense terrain!

2. 1848 Balkans – Austria and Turkey trying to impose their will on increasingly rebellious Balkan wannabe-states. Regulars vs Irregulars, again great for skirmish gaming. Fierce mountain men in frilly tutus and slippers vs Austrian Grenz troops – you know you want to :)

Their definition of colonial wars as right "…conquering powers sought to exert total and permanent control over a territory…" For example the Opium Wars were only to force trade upon the Chinese. Many of the wars in India were simply to keep other governments out of the areas of British influence, which is why there are so many 'first' and 'second' wars. The colonial era is far too complicated to encapsulate as territorial aggression by Europeans

It's a fascinating period full of interesting wargaming opportunities, different weapons and tactics, and cool uniforms.

And, of course, attitudes:

"The world is nearly all parcelled out, and what there is left of it is being divided up, conquered and colonised. To think of these stars that you see overhead at night, these vast worlds which we can never reach. I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that. It makes me sad to see them so clear and yet so far.

"Quoted in The Last Will and Testament of Cecil John Rhodes (1902) by William T. Stead (a compilation of Rhodes' legal will and other biographical material)"

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DisasterWargamer--

Thanks for the links: this may become another "project". Definitely 15mm, though; the photos are gorgeous.

There's enough gaming in the Northwest Frontier to keep me going for the rest of my life, though I suppose I could also add the Sudan (and be able to field armored trains!)

I am immersed in a project right now that involves von Wissmann's column versus Abushiri and Bwana Heri. German East Africa has so much flavor. All this was started by a flea market buy of old Wargaming Illustrated magazine. I read a piece written by Chris Peers. Two years later I am down right obsessed. Somali Sailors, German sailors, German Marines, Sudanese Mercanaries, Askaris, Omani Arabs, Baluchi Mercenaries, Swahili, Segurha, Zulus, ….too good. I am adding in Tarzan, Alan Quartermain, and Indiana Jones for pulp flavor.

My Top 3:

Afghan wars
Zulu war
Boer wars

The 2nd Boer War
French North Africa
German East Africa

The Herero War
The Zulu War
The Sudan 1884-85

The new "Men Who Would Be Kings" rules has sparked a revival in my interest in all things colonial.

Despite an interest in all sorts of sideshows, including both the British and Italians in Abyssinia (of course!), Boxer Rebellion, Plains Wars and others, I guess my ‘top 3' would have to be

Zulu War 1879
Sudan 1883-85
Afghanistan and NW Frontier.

The French Intervention in Mexico. We play the Battle of Puebla every May.

With freecloud for the Frontier Wars.

French Indochina, specifically the Phan Đình Phùng rebellion.

Do the Upper and Lower Canada Rebellions count?

French Indochina
French conquest of Algeria
Italo-Ethiopian War
Kazakhstan Uprisings
Caucasian War