Coffee Wars

The Coffee Wars were a series of battles and campaigns on the Abayadi Sea and around the Abayadi basin beginning in 1750 and continuing off and on until 1797. While it is difficult to identify a precipitating event, the mid-18th century political landscape in Haksarad set the conditions for the wars. At the time, the Haksar monarchy was unable to exert substantial central control and various nobles conducted their own foreign policy. Several east Alutran countries, including Edury, Gladomyr, and Salia were attempting to monopolize the coffee trade in the region at the time. In this effort, the Alutrans leased ports in Haksarad and Esharat, among others. These were not recognized by the Haksar crown and the Coffee Wars were as much about the crown's efforts to re-exert control over Haksarad as they were about the coffee trade.

Background
Haksarad's political conditions were complicated during the mid-1700s. The nobility in the country had grown in power and prestige, weakening the authority of the monarch. During this time, the country also lost some of its tributary states, such as Ventora which gained complete independence in 1740. The importance of the coffee trade led several Haksar nobles to make deals with various other countries, particularly those from east Alutra. This process gave rise to agreed to between some nobles and Edury, Gladomyr, and Salia. The Haksar crown saw this as a loss of sovereignty whereas the Alutrans saw it as giving them an advantage in regional trade.

Although the conflict between Haksar nobles and the monarch was a central factor, east Alutran trade dominance was also an issue. In addition, the Jaradar majority population in Haksarad was opposed to the introduction of east Alutran religions such as Ayekism and Stroomism, adding a religious dimension to the discord.

Chronology
The first battles happened in 1750. While Ventora remained officially neutral, many in the favored Haksarad, offering varying degrees of support.

The wars were brought to an end in 1797 when Wasir took the Haksar throne and, in a bid to reestablish sovereignty and the authority of the crown, seized the leased ports for himself.

Aftermath
The religious implications during the wars and a nascent fear of east Alutran in the western Abayadi continued as an undercurrent in the region, especially in Haksarad. These conditions played a role in the rise of Husrak h’Assar Ha-Qayyet in 1900, over a century later.