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News Flash: The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy nor an Empire...

....it is an archaic institution supported by the whims of Madrid. Perhaps it was once a nation that had meaning, but now it is nothing more than a Castilian play toy. Louis XIV cannot destroy the Empire for it does not exist, and hasn't ever since the German electors signed their rights away by putting a Spaniard in power. The further corruptness of the system is shown by the abysmal election an infant to lead all of Germany. What Empire in its right mind would put a child in power? This foolish move can only suggest the hollow nature of the title and what it represents.

Austria attacking France's expansion into the lands west of the Rhine humors Louis greatly. Representative of Austria-'Italia', remind the court of how was Italy acquired? Although I, the current French advisor was not present, the archives tell us Austria forcibly vassalized Tuscany. All of the historians of France cast great suspicion on the Austrian methods of uniting Italy. Vienna states that history is mute on this subject. Perhaps it was too unsightly too be told. There is no amount of Spanish gold that could buy a duke's throne. No, Austria had to unite Italy by the sword. France will obtain her Rhine border through similar means.

Vienna acts as if France is not a Christian kingdom. As much as the Austrians would like to mischaracterize this act, Louis XIV is not exterminating and committing genocide unto the people of the Rhine. They will be ruled by a staunch Catholic government, one that is not corrupted by the gold of Madrid.

The French throne is inherited, thus situations where young children become the king is accepted. However the HRE title is not hereditary, thus I sincerely doubt the German electors would vote to put a child in power. They had the choice of electing able men from Austria, Brandenburg, and many of the other German states yet they decided to pick a kid in Madrid to 'lead' them. Something's wrong with that situation. The electors' actions are insane, corrupt, and show the massive degradation of the Empire.
 
Sweden : 1660 - 1679 : War of extinction and a new Beginning

Karl XI
Being the only child, without a father, Karl was treated as one. He received the best education, was spoiled beyond belief by his mother which caused him to grow into a weak persona at first. French advisors presiding at court during the time (When Karl was 19) described him as a weak king, always staggering with decisions and lacking the control to guide such an organized state as Sweden. This changed drastically however. The day Russian, Polish and Danish diplomats arrived to announce their formal declaration of war to counter the Swedish supremacy over the Baltic, Karl seemed to undergo a drastic change in personality.

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The Second Great Northern War
Taking direct control over one of the armies, Karl was ferried over to Finland and together with the extremely able field commander Karl Gustav Wrangel, the Swedish main force was numbering more than sixty thousand men. This was nothing however compared to the awesome hordes of Russia and Poland, sometimes estimated to a number above two hundred thousand!

The Swedish generals had no time to ponder on strategy or numerical superiority, as the first attack wave was launched. Russian troops of about 120k were invading Ingermanland, beginning an assault immediately upon their arrival. At the same time, Danish troops had landed in Skåne, forcing their way up to Småland and possibly the capital.
Splitting his forces, Karl was ferried over to Sweden, to stop the Danish advance (the Swedish motherland was virtually undefended, except for an army under-way, numbering aobut 19k), while Wrangel marched with his 40k on the Russians. Meanwhile, money was being minted like mad and new recruits arrived daily at the training camps.

The Swedish defending forces in Ingermanland, 15k at the start of the battle, had fought with vigour and skill, defending the fortress to the last man. When the first assault was over, the defenders had lost over twelve thousand men! The Russians, beaten back, had withdrawn to a nearby village, exhausted and low on morale.
When Wrangel arrived a few weeks later, it was a slaughterfest. The Russians never had time to form any formations and they retreated after just a few hours of battle, with the swedish army routing and killing as many as the could. Out of the 120k marching into the province, only 80k survived.

Meanwhile, on the western front, the newly recruited soldiers in Svealand had joined forces with Karls army. Together, they attacked and completely annihilated the Danish army stuck on the Swedish mainland. Eager for conquest and finshing the Danes off as fast as possible, so he could center his forces on the eastern front, Karl ordered the fleet (alot larger than the Danish one at the time) to beat up the Danish navy and ship the army over to Copenhagen. After initial failures against the enemy navy (how the hell can a 21 navy beat a navy with over 60 boats!!), the swedish army was positioned outside Copenhagen, immediately starting an assault. Even though the assault failed numerous times and the navy being beaten back again, Copenhagen finally raised Swedish flag (with some thanks to the French, invading Jylland with 50k). Karl prepared to ship the army over to Finland....

Meanwhile in Finland, Wrangel had beaten another Russian assault on Ingermanland, but when he withdrew, the Russians attacked him with full force outside Kexholm. Retreating, severely beaten and low on men, he began the hellish march back to Vaasa, where a new army was being put together, consisting of two mercenary companies and a hell of alot of recruits. Meanwhile, Dutch expedition forces were chasing minor Russian bands around Finland.

Finally arriving in Vaasa, the attritioned Russian army did not stand a chance against the joint Swedish counterpart and they were forced to retreat back to Russia. About now, the Tsar decided to cut the losses and offer peace, only demanding Olonets and Archangelsk (the former taken by Swedes in the first Northern War and the second defecting to the Swedish crown during Russian campaign against Ottomans), vowing to return a few years later and take the rest.

Peace and Economic Prosperity
Grateful for the allied help, Sweden settled down and began rebuilding a partly destroyed trade and rebuilding the defense. In order to strenghthen her position in the Baltics, the military and fortifications were going to be top priority for the next couple of years. In 1662, the project started and now Karl XI proved to be a very able economist too.
Many forts were raised in Finland, to stop any future Russian advances and the army was raised to the highest support limit. When 1668 rolled in, a large fort had been finished in Ingermanland as well as numerous medium ones along the border with Russia.

With the defensive project finished, Karl began focusing on rebuilding the trade. France finally lift her embargo on her ally and soon, Swedish merchants began to flood every major centre of trade in Europe as well as some in the Middle East.
Emerging as a small, but wealthy and able power in Europe, the future of Sweden was hopefully bright.
 
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House Hohenzollern's response to French agression
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The court of Brandenburg is shocked by the tone currently used by the french court.

The thought that France doesn't acknowledge an institution older than a united France, clearly shows the french Kings insanity and megalomania. (Perhaps he has spent far to much time in the sun? - A hat will at once be sent from the Hohenzollern court to the sun-king, to try to reverse the damage to his head...)

The Elector-Prince of Brandenburg can furthermore not understand the problem with the electors electing a non-german as emperor. Foreign emperors have ruled before. Zsigmond of Hungaria was emperor until his death in 1437.
 
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House Hohenzollern and the Polish failure
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The 1660’s was very quiet in Brandeburg, Stability was high, army was well trained and large for such a small country, yet it was hopelessly outnumbered of all but one neighbour. Economical development was ensured through spanish and austrian subsidies. Brandeburgs weapon production increased over the years up to around 1679 where the fourth weapons manufactory was being built. Weapons were stockpiled and Soldiers were trained. The commander of the army, von Derfflinger, worked wonders with improving tactics and various reforms.

Russia approached the Hohezollerns in the middle of the 1660’s regarding a war against their troublesome ally. Frederik Wilhelm was reluctant, but Von Derfflinger pushed for armed conflict, as he assured Frederik Wilhelm that the polish armies were no match for german soldiers. A secret agreement was signed between the House Romanov and the House Hohenzollern, stating that should Poland refuse to cede Belgorod to Russia and Prussia to Brandenburg war should be declared by both parties. Prussia was becoming increasingly important to Frederik Wilhelm. It had been ruled by the family for many generations. In 1615 it had been united the Brandenburg branch, trough the ordinary inherritance rules, it was however quickly lost again when Poland seized it following the chaos after the religious wars in the Holy Roman Empire. The war was swift for Brandenburg. Poland was allied to France, Sweden, Holland and Denmark. And all those forces were to big a mouthfull for the Brandenburg army even with Von Derfflinger’s brilliant leadership. White peace was signed after mere months of fighting and no clash between the Brandenburg and polish armies. For his part in encouraging the war against the mighty polish alliance Von Derfflinger was tried for treason and executed.

Brandenburg once again returned to internal development.
 
Interlude, December 1687

Mikolaj absentmindedly brushed the soot off his forehead, not noticing that the sleeve of his shirt was already blackened from the stuff.
The parchment in his hand was torn and one could barely make out some of the tax figures for Warzawa the previous year.
Looking up, Mikolaj shivered, not from the cold or the falling snow, but from again looking at the ruin that used to be his historical faculty.

The Austrians had finally broken the defenders of Krakow in the end of November, and the plundering the city had faced from the bavarian mercenaries had been a horrible thing to behold.
Not even the venerable Krakow academy had been spared the greedy hands of the germans and when a fight had erupted between two groups of mercenaries over the candleabras in a study, a fire had erupted.

Only the back-breaking work of scholars and students had saved the Academy but nothing could be done for the historical faculty.Some had been saved, but much of the records had been lost to the flames. No respect for the finers arts, these germans...
Mikolaj sighed and put the parchment in a carrying-case. As much as could be, would be restored for when Sobieski returned at the head of an army to retake Krakow. Surely he must...
 
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1679-1700 : All the way to Paris, you're going to be a Bourbon
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It seemed inevitable by now that war would erupt between France and Austria. As Austria has been sufficiently strengthened according to the Emperor he saw no need to intervene and instead kept his focus on the weaker electors. Baden’s independence was guaranteed while Bremen was purchased for Brandenburg from Denmark.

Quite unsurprisingly in 1680 then war erupted. French forces poured over the borders while Austrian ones scrambled. Louis’s lollipops worked wonders though as his leaders, though better they were only marginally better, crushed the Austrian ones. Luxembourg and Vauban seemed unstoppable and pretty soon the Austrian forces surrendered. Artois and Franche-Comté after over 300 years of Burgundian/Habsburg rule were French yet again.

France now turned his greedy eyes towards the smaller electors but the Emperor was adamant he’d not stand by idle again. Bearing in mind what happened in the last war between France and Spain, when France even had the brilliance of Turenne and the Dutch navy under De Ruyter at its disposal, it also came as no surprise France didn’t dare move. Esp after Spanish recruitment was upped way above what the French could afford and several big armies were moved to the French border.

Louis seemed satisfied for now as he didn’t even try to gain more of the Austrian lowlands, despite Spain staying out of those affairs. Internal reorganising seemed to be the key word in France now with lots of improvements being built and protestants being expelled while colonies were expanded.

Meanwhile in Spain Carlos coming of age but not of wisdom thwarted many efforts by Spanish merchants and as a result Spanish trade suffered massively. Some last gasp effort by the merchants managed to salvage some of it in a few years time though but other nations now ruled trade, esp as they also owned the COTs. Spain just had its Andalusia and Zacatecas COT but at least it still had its full monopoly on the American trade. We didn’t see much point in fighting an embargo by the Dutch as we were unable to hold any merchants in their COTs by now anyway.

England and Holland joined together in a personal union and subsequent alliance under William III. Our alliance had shrunk to just the Iberian nations and the Knights by now and Carlos didn’t really have the skill to find any new ones. His efforts to keep electors on his side also failed miserably as even shitloads of gold didn’t do the trick anymore. The Crown looked lost which did not go down well in the Habsburg faction of the court as it was one of their pillars of power. At least we managed to welcome back Denmark as a German prince as they reannexed Holstein.

In the early 1690s as it was becoming clear there would be a succession crisis when the childless moronic Carlos II died, it stayed surprisingly quiet. Local Spanish nobles and merchants wanted first and foremost to keep Spain united, strong and independent however despite all the talk about pretenders and partitions originating from the courts of Paris and Vienna. So with the Elector of Bavaria, the 3rd and most obvious pretender to achieve those goals, dying, a choice had to be made between Louis XIV and Leopold I, or between Felipe V of Bourbon and Carlos III of Habsburg.

However, not wanting to get ruled from Vienna the lesser evil was chosen as despite being heavily under the influence of his grandfather, Louis XIV, Felipe V at least would rule over a united, independent Spain. Felipe V was thus designed sole heir of the complete Spanish Empire in Carlos’s will at the request of the Spanish nobles and merchants. Needless to say this did not go down well in Vienna and was welcomed in Paris, even though no land from Spain was promised to France as it had previously wanted. Leopold I didn’t agree to the will of Carlos, Louis XIV did. As such it was pretty clear where our future lied. We would not accept foreign rule or any partition and France was the nation that agreed to that.

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As such actions were taken. Trade agreements, alliances and military access agreements were cut all over the place. Even Portugal, our long term ally, was cut loose and embargoed. However Carlos, despite having designated a pro French successor, still did not allow to any annexations in the HRE by France while he was still alive and able (well, for his standards anyway) despite the fact that with a French successor Spain did not have a chance in hell to retain the Crown. Well, he was a moron after all. If he had been smart he would have allowed French expansion in the HRE as the French faction wanted.

Then with Carlos on his deathbed Louis XIV opened hostilities against Baden to gain Lorraine and Alsace. Leopold I, knowing he’d get elected soon started delivering on his election promises and DOWed France over the issue. Then Carlos II died and Felipe V of Bourbon rose to the throne to put an end to Habsburg Spain and joined the war against Austria along with France when the Habsburgs decided to contest Carlos II’s will. War is upon Europe ...

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Habsburg Spain is dead, long live Bourbon Spain!
 
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THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE 1679 - 1701


DOMESTIC POLICIES

This period was marked by inferior sultans after the death of Mehmed. The empire was internally put into tumults as local governors and factions bored of the poor domestic policies tried to pull power from the centralized governement of the Sublime Porte. Men deserted from the ranks, and a full army in the Arabian penninsula simply vanished as the men left the barracks. The military was given orders to crush these factions, and a shaky internal peace was brought into the Empire.

The Empire fell into a period of unstability, which hindered many parts of the society and especially trade. Trade had been a vital part of the Empire's income, but during these years trade became non-existent. Some money were acquired from the trading licenses sold to the various European nations, including Sweden who had earlier its license for free.


INTERNATIONAL POLICIES

The period began with very tense relations between Russia and The Empire. Two new armies were called to arms, adding over 100,000 men to the Empire's armed might. Troops were amassed to the border in Caucasus and , and Russia was seen garrisoning almost 70,000 men on their side of the border.

A diplomatic solution was however found, as Russia paid their dues to the Empire. Tensions settled, and Ottomans left just a garrison of 45,000 men to the Caucasus.

The problematic situation of Cyprus, Crete and Corfu ended in open hostilities between the Empire and Venice. Austria intervened to aid its vassal, and most of Ottoman forces were actually overlooking the Austrian border. The war ended swiftly after Ottomans assaulted and took all Venetian provinces including Venice itself (and the Venetian maps fell into Ottoman hands). After the war the islands received missioners to convert the inhabitants to the true faith of Islam.

The situation of Kaffa was solved when Poland agreed to let the sunni population of Kaffa join the Ottoman Empire. Ottomans presented in return to Poland gifts worth some 900d. There was much rejoice as the moslem inhabitants again were under the rule of a moslem nation, even though the price was very heavy indeed for the Ottoman Empire.

The colonisation projects advanced despite the internal problems. Malindi and Muduh were brought to city status, and Somalia will also be a city soon.

Dalmatia had been de facto under Ottoman rule since the Venetian rule, but it was internationally regarded as part of Austria. In 1701 Austria agreed to leave its claim on Dalmatia, and Ottomans paid Austria in return 600d for the lost Austrian investments.


There are some mildly interesting succession problems going on in the heathen parts of Europe, but there remain a few important issues to settle in the neighbourhood of the Ottoman Empire. The Sublime Porte has expressed its concern for the following four possibly problematic areas:

1) The fate of Tripolitania and Tunis.

2) The fate of Algiers.

3) The fate of Bahrain and Socotra.

4) The fate of Georgia.

The Sublime Porte expects to recieve envoys from nations who feel the above matters do concerne them.

The Ottoman Empire also wishes to proclaim the guarantee for a free and independent Crimean Khanate. The Sublime Porte would be pleased if Poland and Russia also would proclaim their will to see a free and independent Crimea remain in the future too.

The Ottoman Empire in 1701
 
some Danish treats :D *

The Danish Navy showing the Swedes how it's done
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6,000 Danes escort some 40k Frenchmen out of Jylland
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* more will be added later if I can find my notes of the period. If not, then just enjoy the pics :p
 
The Sublime Porte has become aware of the problematic situation of Gujarat and Kutch. It is most saddening that good honest true sunni believers are enslaved by French catholics. However, the Sublime Porte understands this might be a problematic issue for France, and thus the Sublime Porte expects the French emissaries to come and discuss the situation.

The Ottomans would regard it a generous sign from the French Sun King if he did let Gujarat and Kutch go free. As the defence forces and international politics of Gujarat is not developed they should be a French vassal, or if France would be unwilling to bear that burden the Ottomans could of course be there to aid the fellow molsem people of Gujarat and Kutch.


A break-through in Ottoman-Portugal negotiation have been acquired after long and intense negotiations. The Ottomans and Portugal have reached an understanding regarding access to holy places. To cement better trading relations the swap of Socotra and Bahrain will happen.
 
So How does the new emperor feel about getting another kingdom within the empire.

While Kurfürst is a nice title it is not in the same league as being king.

Friedrich of Brandenburg therefore wishes to be crowned king of his ancestral land of Prussia while still retaining the title of Kurfürst of Brandenburg.

The emperor will certaily be able understand that the troops currently assigned to helping him against the french frogeating, aggressive invaders, will fight much better if they were troops of a king instead of merely a kurfürst...;)
 
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House Hohenzollern and the kingdom of Prussia
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The emperor from Spain did much to help his electors of the HRE. Prussia, the old Hohenzollern duchy, was bought from Poland for an unknown amount of money. With the last Inherritance secure, FrederikWIlhelm stopped looking for more land and Brandenburg was yet again focused on internal development. This, however, changed quickly. Poland had obiously regretted that it had sold of prime baltic real estate and demanded that Hinterpommern was in return sold to Poland. Pulling out some old now long gone claim that it had belonged to Poland in the 13th century or so. Naturally the polish demand was not met, nad the megolomanical polish king declared war on Brandenburg. Luckily the King of Austria-Italy honoured its alliance and Brandenburg’s odds of survival increased by a lot.

The war went badly for Poland, being beaten by the Austrian forces, it had to surrender Krakow their ancient capital to the Habsurgs. Peace was once again in Brandenburg.

The political scene of Europe was fairly quiet, but all this changed in the first years of the 18th century. The Emperor Carlos died heirless, and instead of continuing the close relationship with the Holy Roman Empire, a bourbon was chosen as Carlos’ follower on the throne of Spain. The elctors of the empire was shocked by the treason of the spanish nobles, and as an answer elected the King of Austria-Italy Emperor. Tension was building. On the 5th of february Baden was invaded by the French. Hectic diplomacy followed between the various electors, and it was agreed upon that in this the darkest hour of the Empire it the elctors would unite to fight for Baden’s independance. On september the 27th Austria-Italy declared war on France. Brandeburg and Saxony joined. The Palitinat fought against its german brothers along the spanish and the french, much to the dismay of the emperor and the electors. The large question remaining for the empire was whether the last large elector of the HRE, the Danish King, would join in the fight for the empire or quietly stand by and watch…

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Friedrich I of Preussen

Friedrich feeling that Brandenburg was becoming large enough to a king of its own, asked for the permission from the emperor to be crowned king and got it. However, the emperor felt uneasy with having another king within the empire, so an agreement was made that the recently aquired Prussia would be what Friedrich woul be king of, and then still remain kurfürst of Brandenburg.

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Preparations for the crowning ceremony in Königsberg was were being made along the preparations for war against the Bourbon’s.
 
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The House of Habsburg 1679-1701
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October 1679: Recruitment "A Passing Fad" Says French Court
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With tensions high after king Louis XIV's "Perpetual State of War" speech, the Austro-Italian court is heartened by continued French claims of peaceful intentions.


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October 1680: Yet Another French Victory Despite Bad Odds
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In yet another battle with equivalent leadership and technology, the French shows themselves superior in the luck department. After a year of battles following the French invasion, this is becoming dreadfully predictable.

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January 1681: Peace In Our Time, With Honour
Though widely critized by contemporary sources for cutting his losses, history vindicated king Leopold I of Austria-Italia's decision to hand over Artois and Franche-Comte.

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May 1682: Ottomans Invade Venice -
Leopold I Kills Even More Muslims
Nowhere near recovered from the losses of the French war of 1679-81, Leopold I nevertheless sends Austro-Italian armies into Hungary when the Sultan of Constantinople invades Venice, a faithless and worthless vassal of Austria-Italia for many decades.

Quickly taking the heavily fortified city of Presburg, the Austrian armies do not possess the force to press the attack - but they possess the strength to hold Presburg.

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March 1686: Death of a Salesman
With the loss of its Mediterranean islands to the Turk, Venice is but a shadow of its old self. Fearing for its very life, the old merchant republic finally joins Austria-Italia as a principality.

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May 1686: Poland Professes Purpose of Plundering Prussia -
King of Austria-Italia Not Amused
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Following the defeat at the hands of the French and the war against the Ottomans, the Austro-Italian armies have regrouped, though they are still stretched in their many commitments. The Polish invasion of Brandenburg, the faithful vassal of Austria-Italia, despite warnings to the contrary, gives the Austrian forces a chance to prove their worth in a target-rich environment.

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January 1689: Poland Depopulated - Krakow War Reparations
Despite considerable incompetence displayed by the Austro-Italian and Brandenburgian forces and the losses of such eminent generals as Von Starhemberg (4/3/4/3), Poland is being brought to its knees. The Polish king apologises for his invasion of Brandenburg and peace is agreed on. Krakow, the old capital of Poland, is turned over to Leopold I as war reparations. He promises to return it in the future, when the Poles have relearned civilized behaviour.

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January 1691: France Still At Peace
In according with his "Perpetual State of War" policies, king Louis XIV of France celebrated the tenth year of peace after his victory over Austria-Italia. "The policy is still in effect, of course, but when I laid claim to everything on my side of the Rhine and vowed to fight and take it all in a perpetual war, I did not intend to fight anybody whom the Spanish Emperor might actually lift a finger to defend. Goes without saying, really. Care for a lollipop?"

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June 1697: Spain Implements "Cutting Edge" Approach to Diplomacy
In a stunning debacle of diplomatic ineptitude, the kingdom of Spain began cutting any and all ties with the great powers of the world, without any words of explanation given or diplomacy undertaken. Mystifying all of Europe, this turned out to be the Bourbon faction of the Spanish Nobles' idea of diplomacy. That says a lot about the Bourbons, really.

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February 1700: France Invades the HRE - Spanish Emperor Applauds!
With the unjustified invasion of Baden by France, February 5th, 1700, the Holy Roman Empire is at war again. The Elector of Baden is naturally surprised, as he was a French ally until December 10th, 1699, when Louis XIV dumped him. But he is not alone. Taking the world by surprise, the ailing Holy Roman Emperor Carlos II, has allied with France 27 days before the attack, and now publicly applauds the French invasion, because, as he publicly states, "the emperor is surprisingly allied to farnceatm".

King Louis XIV is unapologetic: "I told you so in 1676, but arranging these things takes time" - truly a man with superior vision. The world watches, stunned, as France and the Palatinate invade Baden, while Spain watches from the shadows.

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September 1700: The Empire Strikes Back!
Following the death of Carlos II, the Bourbons behind the throne manage finally manage to place their lickspittle on it. Abject revulsion, terror, and desparation sweeps the Holy Roman Empire, and the remaining electors stampede to vote the crown back in Habsburg hands, where it belongs. Leopold I is Holy Roman Emperor and his empire is imperiled.

Despite being grossly outnumbered, he declares war on France, hoping that the Elector of Brandenburg will follow his lead in saving the Empire. Initial battles, unfortunately, turn out much like those of the war of 1680, and the Emperor is heard loudly cursing the RNG (which apart from miserable combat results in 1680, 1686, and 1700, also failed 12 our of 14 conversion attempts, 1680-1700, with 6 at 28%-30% and 8 at 50%-51% :()

  • England loudly proclaims neutrality in this purely continental matter
  • The Netherlands expresses dismay, and safely shielded behind the Austrian front line, cheers on the Imperial Stormtroopers
  • Poland raises the issue of Krakow, which is returned to Poland for much needed money
  • The Turk is amused by the Christian's antics and is likely to support whomever seems weakest at any given moment

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1701: The Man Who Would Be King Points to Prussia as Source of Crown
The Elector of Brandenburg, having proven himself a staunch ally of the Habsburgs, petitions the Emperor to grant him the kingship of Prussia. The following is the answer of Leopold I.

...The King of Austria-Italia, Leopold I, thinks the Elector of Brandenburg is slightly overreaching himself. Nevertheless, as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, he must think of the greater good of the Empire, rather than his personal interests, and he grants recognitioning of the Elector as the rightful King of the new Kingdom of Prussia, whereby the Emperor means the territories of Brandenburg and the province of Prussia. As all men know, none can be king save with the blessing of the Emperor: That blessing is given.

With greater status comes greater responsibilities, and as the new King of Prussia grows into his strength, he must look to forego many of the benefits that accrued to him when he was but a prince, for it is not well for a king to be too beholden to another monarch.

As a sign of his favour, the Emperor grants the King of Prussia the right to carry the small black eagle, signaling devoting to the Imperial cause. The King of Prussia is also appointed Sword of the North with the responsibility of guarding the Northern German states of the HRE from all foreign aggressors. Moreover, for the betrayal of the HRE by the Rhinepfalz Palatinate, the Emperor lays upon the Sword of the North the task of defeating the Palatinate, humbling the prince's armies, and, if necessary, to make a clean sweep of the religious deviants in the name of the Lord our savior.

Thus say Leopold I, Archduke of Austria, King of Italia and of Bohemia, Lord of the Sands, and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.


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1701: Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures...
The Emperor issues fair warning that, despite his peaceful disposition and liberal world view, steps will be taken to dismantle the de-facto Bourbon hegemony, which was brought about by the unconscionable manipulations of King Lous XIV of France, unless the king of the Franks stops his reckless expansionism.

As such, to bring peace to the west, on the suggestion of the Imperial Prince (honourary) Eugen of Savoy, and with the grudging acceptance of the king of Austria-Italia, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire is willing to offer peace in the west on the following conditions:
  1. That Brabrant and Luxembourg are immediately ceded to the Crown of France from Austria-Italia
  2. That Savoie and Piedmonte are immediately ceded to the Crown of Austria-Italia from France
  3. That France is awarded Lorraine from Baden, no more, and no less
  4. That France signs a separate peace with the Imperial forces of Austria-Italia and Brandenburg
  5. That France relinquishes any and all claims on Austrian Flandern and Dutch Zeeland

Though Imperial forces are outnumbered almost two to one, let no one doubt their resolve to carry through even unto the bittersweet end, should France desire war rather than peace on these favourable terms.

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1701: Imperial vs Bourbon manpower, 1701
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[color=white][font=courier new]
              Manp/year base    Manp/year (DP)   Current Armysize   Support Limit
Brandenburg        32.00K            33K              102K              105K
Habsburgs          69.75K           100K              282K              296K
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[color=gold]Imperial          101.75K           133K              384K              401K[/color]


France             81.00K            85K              320K              301K
Spain              50.50K            50K              340K              339K
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[color=skyblue]Bourbon           131.50K           135K              660K              640K[/color]
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As can be seen, the Bourbons are ahead in every single category relevant to manpower and the size and number of armies fielded. Only the fact that the Bourbon troops are of universally high quality brings the actual manpower to approximately the same size for both sides, though the Bourbons have a slight edge. (Which will increase by about 5.0 as soon as France makes peace with Baden for Alsace and Lorraine)

Note: Note to the mathematically inept or incurably pedantic. If the only number you are interested in is the maximum size of the manpower pool, rather than these numbers that actually explain the state of the nation manpower-wise, just multiply the manp/year (DP) figures by two, as the maximum size of the manpower pool is twice the yearly manpower gain adjusted by dp settings
 
Silly Demands Call For Silly Counterdemands...

El Rey Planeta issues fair warning that, despite his peaceful disposition and liberal world view, steps will be taken to dismantle the de-facto anti-Bourbon hegemony, which was brought about by the unconscionable manipulations of the Emperor Leopold I of Austria, unless the king of the Italians stops his reckless expansionism.

As such, to bring peace to the west, on the suggestion of the honourable Marqués de Lede, and with the grudging acceptance of the king of France and the rest of the Solar System, is willing to offer peace in the west on the following conditions:
  1. That the Habsburgs and allies stop interfering in internal affairs, like there are : waging war and losing provinces (lots of 'em) to France, of Baden
  2. That Austria breaks the vassalization ties with Brandenburg from the moment it becomes Prussia, as being a vassal is a king unworthy
  3. That Austria renounces all claims on Spanish Italy
  4. Austria will sign an alliance wide peace ceding a massive 25 ducats in indemnities.
  5. A shrubbery

Though Imperial Stormtroopers have superior leaders like Darth Vader on their side, let no one doubt the Bourbon rebels' resolve to carry through even unto the bittersweet end, should the Empire desire war rather than peace on these favourable terms.
 
Never Give Up, Never Surrender!

Though the entrance of the Knights Who Say Ni on the battlefield under the beastly braggart Bourbon's banner is unexpected and a potentially devastating development, never shall we surrender our shrubberies to the forces of oppression. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and the oceans (1), we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air (2), we shall defend our Island (3), whatever the cost may be (4), we shall fight on the beaches (5), we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields (6) and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills (7); we shall never surrender. (8)



1 Wearing Vaders - Imperial Vaders
2 Once we have copied the secret Dutch aeroplane plans
3 Corsica
4 500K dead and 12,000d wasted
5 They offer a better view
6 Not during harvest time
7 Tyrol
8 Unconditionally
 
The Lost Decades: The Dutch Empire 1679-1701

This was a period of unprecendented instability for the Dutch Republic. In the early 1680s, the people of Zeeland petitioned the Dutch government for reprieve from the harsh laws enacted by the local administration. The petition was accepted and reprieve granted for the people of Zeeland because at the time it was believed that the problems caused by accepting the petition were outweighed by the centralizing effects of the act. However, this was to be the straw that broke the camel's back.

The nobility was extremely hostile to this act and began enacting extra-ordinarily harsh local laws. This caused several of them to be assassinated by enraged peasants, causing more instability. Nobility also took liberties to side with foriegn nations with regard to several important trans-boundary legal disputes. This provoked harsh reprisals from the crown and further destroyed stability. In the late 1680s, another petition of redress was delivered to the government. At this time, the nation was in such disorder that accepting the petition was a more attractive option simply because stability was so low that angry nobility were not as bad as angry peasants revolting in the streets. However, as the period closed stability was slowly recovered until the Spanish Succession galvanized the entire nation behind the crown.

This instability was not without cost. Market share around the world was lost as Dutch traders had their businesses disrupted by social chaos at home. Population growth was slowed and revenue was lost through corruption at the local level taking advantage of the shortened reach of the crown.

On a positive note, many of the dissidents and trouble-makers fled or were forced to leave the Netherlands for the colonies in Indonesia, the Philllipines, and New Zealand. The colonial population rose dramatically during this period and many improvements to the colonies were completed. Inflation was held relatively constant at 12 percent the entire period.
 
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Official Announcement
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Jakub I Sobieski, King of Poland and Lithuania, Sword of the Ruthenians, Protector of Gdansk, Duke of Kurland, proclaims a guarantee to the throne of the Chrimean Khanate. No foreign power shall threaten the existance of Chrimea without due interference by the Commonwealth.

Message end.
 
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The Reckoning
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Jakub paused to pick up a piece of rock from the ground. Previously a part of a gargoyle proudly straddling the roof of the Krakow Academy.
His gaze fell once more upon the city. Still, a decade later, signs were still there of the original ravaging by the invading german troops. More glaring were the more recent signs of the germans' handiwork. Fortifications, official buildings, and even some unfortunate burghers' buildings, burned by the withdrawing Austrian forces.
The less obvious signs of the german visitors were now growing in the bellies of many polish women, low-born aswell as high-born. The german campaign of rapes and ravaging had spared no one.

Sobieski's personal treasury had paid the tribute for the return of Krakow. He would have it no other way, as it was his personal failure that had precipitated its loss in the first place.

He turned as Sapieha muttered another litany of curses. "Calm yourself, Hetman. We will return the favour eventually. Patience."
 
[color=0087]Portugal 1690-1727[/color]


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PORTUGAL, PLUTOCRACY AND POWER

The peaceful development of Portugal was shattered by the crises of the Spanish Succession. The consensus government that had guided the nation for the last two hundred years became polarized between the liberal and conservative interests in the running of the country. Pedro II acting on advice from the Royal Joint Chiefs of Staff and intelligence sources published a dossier to parliament stating that on Carlos II heirless death Spanish forces were on three days notice to strike at Portugal.

This report delivered by the King in person electrified parliament though some notables of the ultra free-trade faction claimed the report had been “sexed up” by conservative elements inside the RJCS and His Majesties Communiqué Office. After the report was delivered the Homeland Defence bill was brought before parliament and on the basis of the previous evidence passed by a great majority.

Prepared in secret years earlier by the General staff plans department it was immediately put into motion, finances were diverted into the defense budget and a crash fortress building plan was instigated within three years all Mainland Portuguese provinces had been up-rated to mighty and key colonial holding had their defences increased to large. Naval and Army units were re-deployed to avoid destruction by initial shock action. With the country prepared the nation waited……..


The passing of Carlos was immediately felt in Europe, countries felt the full weight of the Spanish and French onslaught. The storm thankfully did not break over Portugal. But in central Europe though Austria fought the French to a stalemate and white peace several minor provinces along the Rhine fell to the French oppressors.

With Pedro II passing the glue that had held the rival parliamentary factions together was gone Joao V was not as decisive and followed the majority lead. With peace, the Liberal faction saw their chance to attack the ascendant conservatives not on free-trade or the economy or social reform in general but the Land Technology Gap with France. The latest sketching from the U2 surveillance schooner program off the French coast seemed to reinforce fears that France was rapidly increasing this gap. Even more shattering news came when operation De Soto a covert intelligence operation off the North German coast confirmed every nation in Europe had out stripped Portugal in land Tech the conservative government resigned to be replaced by a more liberal one.

Land Technology shot ahead and quickly caught up with the rest of Europe and the draft was introduced in line with most European nations leading to accusations that the gap never had been as large but when the latest estimates of French capability from the eminent Professor and Head of the Imperial Institute of Strategic Studies in Vienna became known the General staff were immediately summoned to produce and implement a new plan. The figures were astronomical but the careful management of policy and economy had made it possible, plus with Portugal’s limited capability in relation to conscription centres it made sense and the Colonial Defence Initiative ( CDI or star wars as it was nicknamed because it cost the heavens) was implemented. The massive construction of fortresses coupled with a huge increase in naval spending under the Flexible Response war plan seen capability massively increase.

The diplomatic front seen the re establishment of the American Alliance between England Spain and Portugal.
 
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THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE: 1701 - 1727

Domestic policies

This period was marked by totally inept Sultans followed by by enlighted period called the "Tulip" period.

The ruling Sultan was the totally inept Mustafa III who in 1702 became apparently totally insane. It was with great relief thus when Ahmed III stepped to power, but unfortunately he too seemed to suffer from mental instability for a period.

The Tulip era was however an era when many western ideas were brough forwards, but all where not happy, and it resulted in quite a few rebellions around the Empire. At the same time the newly annexed Tripolians attempted to break free. The Christian fanatics in the Empire chose this time to try and oppose the One True Faith, and there were even more rebellions. In the end all rebellers where however put to the sword.

The abrupt treatment of the rebellers made apparently the remaining christians see the enlightment of Islam. During the second half of this period all remaining christians where converted, and the Empire became a totally sunni Empire. In January 1727 three orthodox provinces of Nubia were annexed and they are now the only provinces in the Empire where the True Faith is not reigning yet.

Taxation, legal and administrative functions were upgraded around the Empire. New colonial cities were built in Bahrein, Somalia and Issas. Thus, even though internationally the Empire was viewed with fear and the stability of the society was rather unstable, the income to the Sublime Porte remained steadily rising.

International policies

Ottomans built up new relations with Portugal, Poland and Russia. The Empire, Poland and Russia all proclaimed to see a free Crimean Khanate, which thus remained as a buffer between three nations. At no time did the Empire still not let its garrisons in Balkans and Caucasus fall to below 200,000 men, altough most of them did see (even heavy) action against the different rebellers and not just spending lazy hours in the barracks.

Ottomans and Russia had an agreement on the fate of Georgia, but in the end the Empire did not want to put the agreement into power. The campaign in Georgia was not estimated to be worth the trouble on the conditions that where negotiated.

The Empire and Portugal found out they have common interests. As a sign of these new relations Portugal merchants were allowed to make pilgrim-travels to the cities of Jerusalem and Betlehem. In return Portugal recognised the need of Bahrain and Socotra to be under Ottoman rule.

Tripoli renounced its royal ties with the Empire in July 1704 and became a vassal of Zanj. The response of the Empire was quick and decisive: Tripoli was forcefully annexed.

The Zanji governement however was outraged at the annexation of Tripoli, and their terror-groups invaded the African Horn area. Ottoman colonial forces easily forced the Zanjians back, but Zanji didn't accept a White Peace. In the end siege armies where built in Egypt and in the end almost all of Zanji was overrun. As compensation for the war the Empire annexed the sunni provinces of Kenya, Mombasa and Tanga.

The Nubian governement had refused to give Ottomans access during the Zanji war. This was heavily frowned upon, and demands to settle the issue for once and all were rising in the Sublime Porte. In late Autumn 1725 war was declared upon Nubia.

Ottoman forces began overruning the Nubian desert-settlements. The Nubian ally Ethiopia also declared war upon the Empire, and many forces planned to fight in Nubia were instead diverted to Ethiopia.

In December 1726 all of Nubia was under Ottoman control, and Nubia accepted peace on January 1st 1727. Nubia ceded all of its posessions except Sudan. Meanwhile Ethiopia hasn't been 100% overrun and they refused the peace (even though Ottomans demand no land from Ethiopia, just that they shall become a vassal of the Empire). The war against Ethiopia should be over in a few months.

There remain a few issues to be solved during the coming years:

1) Sudan
2) Algiers
3) Georgia; a negotational agreement was already reached between the Empire and Russia, but neither side was entirely happy with it, so the agreement was scraped
4) Kutch and Gujarat; two sunni provinces that should become free
5) Presburg; a sunni province
6) Tunis

It should be noted that "a problem" does not (necessarily) have be annexed by the Empire, but other solutions are also eagerly looked for. The Sublime Porte awaits the emissaries of the concerned parties.

The Ottoman Empire in 1727
 
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1701-1727 : The Age of Alberoni
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With the Bourbons now firmly on the throne of Spain, Felipe V appointed cardinal Alberoni as his right hand man. A man of great brilliance he set out the path for Spain in the next few decades.

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First order of business however was the ongoing war concerning the Bourbon succession in Spain. In an alliance, led by Louis XIV’s France, Spain faced that other pretender (well, he only started pretending after Carlos II died) the Habsburgs with the newborn Prussia by its side. Prussia, having seemingly forgotten who exactly it was that enabled him to become King (hint : Bourbon Spain).

Time had come for Spain to actually join the fighting according to Alberoni. Wargoals of Austria renouncing all claims on the Spanish throne and Spanish Italy were set. France managed to take Lorraine and Alsace from Baden, enabling it to fully focus on Austria. Troops in Napoli embarked of the coast of Apulia and set sail fro Corsica and Austrian Italy under Marques de Lede.

A siege of Corsica was easily started because of total naval dominance. An attempt by the Austrian fleet to break thru failed miserably and they soon had to retreat into the harbour of Corsica. Meanwhile the Marques de Lede landed in Siena and initiated sieges there.

Spanish overtures for peace were rejected out of hand by the Austrians and an Austrian army was sent to try and see what could be worked out with the Spanish negotiator, de Lede. However the meetings weren’t very amicably and brokering a peace deal proved to be very hard. Thus after sending the Austrian army on its way (or what was left of it), de Lede continued terrorising Austrian Italy.

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The Marques de Lede trying to broker a peace deal in Austrian Italy.

Meanwhile the siege in Corsica was successful and the island was now under Spanish control. This meant the Austrian fleet had to flee the harbour straight into the prepared battle positions of our far superior fleet. It wasn’t pretty. Needless to say no Austrians survived.

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Last known sighting of the Austrian fleet before vanishing.

The war was going well for the Bourbons now that France also had taken control of the low countries and that Prussia was being devastated by Sweden. Austria was now open to accepting the Spanish offer for peace. All claims were dropped and peace was signed. This left France at war with Austria over HRE boundary issues. Spain was at peace again, having been victorious in yet another war.

The Palatinat had been beaten and lost a province to both Prussia and Austria. Köln was annexed by the French for being slightly in the way. War raged on till a white peace broke out several years later between France and Austria, who had managed to keep the HRE crown, despite Louis’s claims.

Spain now set out to re-assemble the American alliance with Portugal and England while maintaining good relations with our family across the Pyrenées who got their own alliance full of German minors. Portugal soon joined back, England a while later.

The Spanish fleet was by far the largest and now was under supreme leadership of Blas de Lezo. Only the Dutch had better naval tech and tradition but that was made up by far superior numbers. And tech can be caught up once the reformation of the army to allow conscripts was over.

Times were good and several exceptional years came to the Spanish kingdom. Small time colonial operations were restarted in the Columbia area. Bourbon Spain prospered but nevertheless Felipe V wanted full control of his kingdom now and the age of Alberoni was over.