Turn 14, second half: bashing the British
Jim: Aaaaaaand we are back, loyal fans! Only a hundred years is left until the final battle! Can Japan gain the lead on Germany? Only time will tell. So how's Europe now, Bob?
Bob: Nothing much has changed in Europe, save the defection of the rebellious provinces of Spanish Hungary to the Hungarian kingdom.
Jim: It's amazing how long Spain has managed to hold on to these provinces. Still, I imagine the Spanish king won't like this. Any domestic changes?
Bob: None. No new Ideas or Decisions have been made. It's once again up to our contestants to set the nation into motion. A mere days after their arrival, already a far-reaching decisions has been taken: enacting the act of agricultural cultivation.
Jim: Luckily our contestants provide use with action and excitement. On that note, in February 1670, the last independent German minor, Pommerania, is invaded and annexed.
Bob: Took quite a while for our contestants to unite the German people. To be precise, 122 years.
Jim: True, but what counts is the end result.
Bob: I see that Genua send a spy to Germany before our contestants arrived. It seems that our contestants use this as an excuse for war.
Jim: You're right, Bob. Genua is joined by the various other Italian states to prevent Germany from getting more of a foothold in the Italian peninsula.
Bob: Not only the Italians worry about German ambitions. In April, Spain joins the enemy alliance! Soon after that, the Spanish ally Sweden joins, too.
Jim: Probably because Germany decided to go into this war alone, the other European nations think that they can take on the juggernaut. It's all for naught for Genua, thought, as in June 1670 it's annexed, adding its renowned trade centre to Germany's possessions.
Bob: A bit of a dubious move, as Genua could be vassalised instead with less diplomatic repercussions.
Jim: I think that due to Germany's Infamy loss of 2 points per year, even with the Deutsche Drohung in working, and due to Germany's lack of war opportunities, the contestants chose the harsh option. The construction of a national war college to maintain army traditions is proof to me that the German policy is one of steel and blood.
Bob: Still, diplomacy remains a great weapon. Soon after France joins the war, Spain concedes defeat, ending the war for Genua.
Jim: Only to give room for another war. Perhaps the German contestants have taken notes on what the Japanese team did, as a claim on rivals also gives cores on British territory!
Bob: Speaking of the Japanese, in 1671 emperor Momozona dies and his underage son inherits Manchu.
Jim: Nice, although it would be better if some more countries were inherited as well.
Bob: I agree completely, Jim. Anyhow, Germany continues to ape Japan and declares war on Britain. Ireland joins them and France joins Germany.
Jim: I know which ally I would prefer.
Bob: With a numerically superior army stationed on the British isle before the war, Great Britain has little chance. In February 1672, Great Britain is thoroughly defeated and cedes Lincoln and four other provinces to Germany.
Jim: Germany isn't making it easy for the Japanese, that's for sure. Not only in conquests but also in domestic matters. Germany's legitimacy problems are countered with the construction of a massive royal palace. Yet more monumental is Friedrich's decision to chance Germany's government form to a Constitutional Monarchy!
Bob: That will help compensate the meagre trickle of magistrates. As Constitutional monarchies are well organised and give high priority to the rule of law, administrating the already vast German kingdom will benefit from this.
Jim: What also benefits Germany is another British war.
Bob: Germany remains lucky, I see. Still, Germany has to wait until 1677 to get back into the ring with Great Britain. Meanwhile, the new constitution enables Friedrich to greatly expand German construction efforts. A tax assessor is build in München in December 1673 and a grain depot in Ulm. Furthermore, some customs houses are build. Even with -2 magistrates per year, Germany trains news magistrate at a rate of about 2.3 per year
Jim: However, like his predecessor, Friedrich's family isn't immune to illness. In July 1674, the heir dies, which is a shame as his claim was so strong.
Bob: Sad, indeed. If Friedrich fails to get another heir quickly, we might see another dynasty taking over again. There is some diplomatic news, however. In July 1675, a boundary dispute gives a German core on France.
Jim: Seems the German team is confident of inheriting France soon. They certainly will not use this claim to wage war with. On the contrary, Germany's claim on Derby sparks a new war with Great Britain in March 1677.
Bob: This war goes even smoother. The British isles are soon overrun and in 1678, Great Britain surrenders, ceding Derby, plus four other provinces.
Jim: That will certainly upset the international community! Still, with Germany's cabinet and excellent diplomacy, its Infamy will quickly disappear. Wait, I'm getting some good news: a new heir is born to king Friedrich IV Wilhelm in 1678!
Bob: Good news indeed.
Jim: The rest of the turn is played out quite peaceful. The high points are the construction of an admiralty in Lübeck and an increase in Free Trade in 1679. With Germany now having a slightly Free Trade policy, our contestants declare the Statute of Monopolies, making German trade even freer.
Bob: A very succesful turn for Germany, as usual.
Jim: Quite. Great Britain is now greatly reduced and Spain has lost its Hungarian territory, while Germany has gained Liguria and a lot of British territory. Here's a current satellite image of Europe for our viewers.
Jim: Also, due to popular demand, some images of the Americas.
Jim: All with all a nice and exciting turn. I keep my fingers crossed for the next turn to be even better. See you all next time!