"Machiavelli : Europe Arising", an MP RPG AAR

[Jarkko Suvinen]

OTTOMAN EMPIRE 1749-1769

The years of recovery and preparing


Internal policies

The era begun with the horrendous civil war still raging on. The revolting Hekimoglu Ali was indeed dead, but many provinces still where in full revolt, altough Loyal forces held the upper hand.

During 1749 Kirkuk defected to Persia, but that and the independent Hungary where the only provinces Ottomans lost. After a long fight Pest was conquered back, but Magyar remained independent. Then the last rebellions where finally pacified.

The long recovery now begun. Ottoman officials had put forward a plan where it was told the setbacks the civil war had caused would be a thing of the past in five years. Time proved that was overly optimistic. In reality it took the Ottoman Empire 15 years to gain back most of the losses. Many beatiful buildings where ravaged and lost forever. In addition to the horror a devastating fire destroyed the manufactory of Kastamon.

Waves of Obscurism and a political assasinations caused much bloodshed. The stability of the Empire was still low, and those unfortunate happenings saw new rebellions popping up around the Empire.

Sultan Mahmud had certainly not been a diplomatic or an administrator, but he was a soldier. In 1750's the Empire suffered from bad governement policies, and Mahmud lost his support. Mahmud died under shady conditions in 1754. Osman III rose to be the Sultan. It was soon found out he was a horrible monarch, altough he had Mustafa III as de facto ruler from 1756 to 1757 <OOC: Excellent minister -> Osman's values (3-3-2) baceme basically the same as Mustafa III's (4-4-5)> In 1757 Osman III was deposed and Mustafa III became the new Sultan.

Two large tasks was set for the Empire after the Civil War's horrible losses had been partly recovered from. Colonisation projects continued with vigour in Eastern Africa and the Arabian Penninsula, and new Conscription Centers where called for. The civil war had shown that altough th Empire could muster large armies, the conscription was weak if certain key-provinces where not available. Until 1769 14 new CC's had been built (in addition to the one in Thrace) and two more were under building.

A new shipyard was asked to be built so that a massive fleet could set sail on the Indian Ocean if a need arised. An internal debat followed, should the shipyard be built in Basrah or in Nile? In the end Basrah was elected as the site for the new shipyard.

The Ottoman trade center in Muscat encountered a new boon. The hostile-turned Portugal lost their trade center in Zanzibar, and most of its former trade was dirceted towards Muscat. The Persian trade center of Isafhan also lost trading rights to Muscat. Unfortaunately this was not such a boon to Ottomans as would have been hoped for, as Ottoman traders where loathed by basically all nations. Still the belief in the Ottoman economy around the world is strong. Ottoman currency was so strong that it was deflated two times. Ottoman officials has succeeded to fight inflation to 0% even though enormous amounts of money was minted to pay for the new Conscription Centers.


International policies

The Empire began the era with a very weak international political situation. All interest in the nation had been drawn to the Civil War. Unfortunately certain christian nations took this as a sign that the Ottomans can be kicked around as pleased.

Portuagal was put first into line. They stubbornly refused to even discuss an access for Ottoman volunteers wishing to help fellow moslems in India. Ottomans declared Portugal as a hostile nation, and all their trade was banned. Steps where taken to get a land-border with Portugal. One of the new Conscription centers where built in Tanga, and two more are planned to built in the immediate vicinity. Still it is sad that Portugal fell for the Spanish extortion, as the Spaniard well know that if they force somebody to jump across the Ottoman path, the Ottomans will hardly notice the bump.

A few observers (mere 40k) where sent to follow the situation in France. The volunteers also made sure that the Austrians Empress treats her moslem population with decency. Again it was the Spaniard who seemed to fret about the situation, and in return the volunteers staked some (~30k) christian rebels in the German lands just to remind the Spaniards that they can keep their mouth shut at times. The Spaniard should always remember that they should not poke the Ottomans, the Ottomans don't like poking and they start kicking around.

Immediatly when when it was felt that the society was stable enough <OOC. Stab to -2 from -3...> war was declared on Persia and Aden. Kirkuk and Yemen was to be annexed and acces was to be gained through Persia. Suprisingly the Uzbeks also joined the war. All goals where gained and in addition to access was gained throuhh the Uzbek lands.

Next in line was the lands of Zanji. Ottomans needed new lands for colonisation and, more importantly, a land border with Portugal settlements. All the Zanji lands where annexed, and Portugese engineers where seen whipping slaves to death in Lindi as they desperately began building a new fortification there.

In 1763 Magyar was annexed. Thus the Great Ottoman Civil War officially ended 18 years after the war had begun. According to the official records the civil war alone resulted in 750 thousand casualties and in addition 250 artillerypieces where lost. The cost in money can only be guessed as not only recruiting costs, but also rebuilding the lost buildings etc would have to be calculated, but the wild estimate is 75 thousand ducats.

Soon the Empire will have 1 million men marching. The Spaniard and its (sic) puppets should remember that. There are ways for christians and moslems to coexist, but on those ways one does not see the converting of moslem lands or turning friendly nations hostile towards the Ottoman Empire.


A few facts of Ottomans in 1749 to 1769
Land 42 -> 46
Naval 15 -> 16
Infra 7 -> 7
Trade 7 -> 7
Income 242 -> 291.8
Inflation 4.2 -> 0.0
BadBoy 65.6 -> 99.2

[Jarkko Suvinen]

Ottoman Empire in 1769

[BiB]

1749-1769 : From Crush the Infidel to See my Uniform

1749 still saw the war between France and the German Empire raging with Holland all but annihilated in Europe. Spanish observers entered France to see to the populace following the one true faith. Fernando VI’s religious zeal knew no boundaries since the pope agreed to live in the Spanish Empire. Every time a province revolted we knew for certain they weren’t worshipping so they were crushed. With the Emperor an agreement was reached in which for the first time ever foreign troops were allowed in the Spanish realm. 25K Austrian Papal Guards were now on duty in Roma together with an equal amount of Spanish Papal Guards. This allowance of placing troops in our realm xurely is a far greater gesture than the gold shipments to France during the war, Fernando figured. Then again his religious zeal always had been far larger than his intellect.

Then al things escalated with separate peaces everywhere, Poland backstabbing the Prussians again, the Scandinavians attacking Prussia, … In the end somehow Holland’s behind got saved and Austria had collected a fair few provinces of France’s ai allies. Turkish janissaries were seen smashing Prussian rebels. All very chaotic. Too chaotic for Fernando VI and he just decided to stay out of the ending part of the war.

Under the rule of Fernando’s successor, Carlos III, the levée en masse doctrine was invented and put into the field first in Spain and strangely enough was given a French name. Shiny new Spanish uniforms were ruling the military défilés all over Europe. Naval defiles weren’t as popular but if there were any I’m xure Spain would have won those too as pretty soon many nations followed suit after coming over to have a look. Further colonisation continued in Chili by Spain.

Peace reigned in Europe and generals were being kept entertained by the Torino theatre spectacle where a huge fort was being sieged for years for the sheer entertainment of the masses. To keep the Spanish merchants entertained Sweden was embargoed because they don’t read our entertaining intermezzos carefully enough. Tiems were exceptional and the nobility was close to being extinct at last. Careful Bourbon centralising and favouring of merchant classes had seen to that. The American Alliance was somewhat rich.

[Wyvern]

Prussia - an echo of shadows

The shadow had passed from the world, Europe or at least the Germanic portions of it rejoiced for the world was at peace and all was well with the world … or so it seemed. Yet peace is a fragile thing, never to be taken for granted and the shadow does not linger in the light of day, there to shrivel and die. Instead it skulks and scurries through the dark places of the world slowly worming its way into the hearts of even the best of men if but a crack is left open, some minor chink in the armour of their soul. Yes with the rising of the sun the shadow is banished, but all know that the sun will set before the dawning of a new day.

Freidrich, the Great they now called him in his homeland, or The Light Bringer by those wise in the mysteries of the world. He had met his adversaries and triumphed, banishing the darkness and keeping Prussia whole. But for Freidrich this was not enough for he had a weakness that afflicts so many great men. This was not a weakness of courage or even of stamina for Freidrich never balked at a fight and believed there was nothing in the world to be afraid of. In fact many of the people of his age would have declared his weakness a strength, though the wise if they had seen it would have known the truth. Freidrich in his lust for revenge, with his soul crying out in a tormented howl of anguish, vowing from the very core of his being that someone must be punished, that someone must pay for the agony his people had gone through, had opened up a doorway for the shadow to re-enter his world, and from there it multiplied, feeding on and enhancing his desire for vengeance until he could think of little else.

Vengeance. Aye how he now hungered for it, he needed it, it sustained him when all else seemed hopeless and yet left him a hollow shell inside. Most would say he deserved his vengeance, his people had gone through the torment of the damned in the last Great War, and the Poles above all else were long deserving of a reckoning. Yet how far will a man go in the pursuit of his heart? Will he sell his very soul, betraying all that is good in the world, even alligning with the devil himself to secure his day of justice?

When Freidrich promised his first-born son would be married into the French royal line as soon as he came of age it seemed there was no limit on his soul. For Prussia he was gaining a secure western border and an end to the timeless wars with France, wars that had wracked both his Kingdom and Austria. He was gaining nothing more than a breathing space in which to pursue his goals - the true desire of his heart, yet in doing so he had strengthened the hand of the Bourbon Kings and left many of his subjects feeling betrayed. That the Empress followed a similar path was scant comfort for some, for who could tell where such a dark path would eventually lead.

As is the case with all men aye and women too, a multitude of events shape a persons heart and the path one must follow. A simple pebble in the shoe can change the fortune of nations, bringing down Kings and raising up Empires. With Freidrich it was a fixation with Poland that would set him on the road to war and an upheaval of his country that would leave the face of Europe changed for all eternity.

Following the end of the last Great War Freidrich had done much to ease the hardship and burdens of his people. Tolerant of all the major religions of his day he persecuted none and let the people of his kingdom worship who they would. However it was in the field of diplomacy where Freidrich really spent his time and energy in those days of peace. Approaches were made to both the French and Swedish Kings and as his agreement with Louis showed, no stone would be left unturned in Freidrich’s pursuit of his ultimate goal, the one thing that burnt throughout his heart – Revenge!

[Peter Ebbesen]

The House of Habsburg 1749-1769

The Vagaries of War

From the unofficial "He was a good king, and that was a good thing" Students' Notes (Vienna University Press, 1982) dealing with the Franco-Imperial war of 1746-1753, utilising the revolutionary good news/bad news mnemonic technique for easier retention.

1. Good news: The war went better than the Empress feared
2. Bad news: The war went worse than the Empress expected
3. Bad news: What was intended as an alliance peace with the Netherlands became a separate Prussian-Dutch peace giving up Zeeland and Friesen, due to a Prussian diplomatic failure. This was to prove VERY unfortunate.
4. Bad news: Poland invaded Prussia, got beaten badly, and refused peace
5. Bad news: Denmark and Sweden claiming Prussian aggression in not peacing Poland - at a time when Poland was refusing white peace offers, despite Prussia having a 40% warscore on it - invaded Prussia
6. Bad news: France got exceptional amounts of funds from shady foreign financiers
7. Bad news: In a number of epic battles counting upwards of 400K-600K men around Paris, De Saxe saved France
8. Bad news: the Netherlands, shielded by French forces, laid siege to the Austrian lowlands
9. Bad news: Despite having a 41-46% victory score against her, France refused all offers, including white peace, for several years, preferring to stay at -3 stability
10. Bad news: Spanish auxiliary troops went around in France, killing the rebels spawned by the aforementioned stability hits
11. Good news: Despite being defeated in the initial Austrian counterattack by De Saxe and a sudden influx of funds to France, new armies were raised in due course and the war continued unabated - though somewhat more carefully
12. Good news: The Ottoman Empire accepted Military Access so it could station some observers near the front to menace France [See also Downfall of the Ottoman Empire]
13. Bad news: The observers killed a rebel group by mistake. Austria-Italia is the sole force which can legally kill rebels in Austria-Italia and protest this unsporting slaughter [First Criminal Court of War]
14. Bad news: When finally France agreed to an alliance white peace, after the 3rd? (4th? thereabouts, anyway) failed invasion, the Empress realised too late that France did not count that as peace with Prussia, since Prussia had made separate peace with the Netherlands, splitting the wars (see 3 above)
15. Bad news: France promptly invaded Prussia and the Prussian gains against the Netherlands were reversed. Only under threat of Austria-Italia reentering the war did France not claim further gains
16. Bad news: Four manufactories were burned down during the war
17. Bad news: Approximately 2,000,000 Austro-Italian soldiers were killed during the war (what can I say - quality=2 and land=10 gives an awful lot of manpower)
18. Good news: Despite everything, France's war aims were foiled, as she gained nothing
19. Bad news: The Empress was again confirmed in the belief that the powers that be will never allow Austria-Italia and Prussia to win a war against France, even when it is France attacking
20. Best news: The Empress no longer have that awful blue blob of Bavaria spoiling the map. That is something, at least.

The Diplomatic Fallout

The Empress' state of mind was of prime concern in the Imperial Court and the study of Theresianetics was a science in itself. The Court Astrologer, commenting on the mind of the Empress in the wake of the great Franco-Imperial war of 1746-1753, revealed the following results of applied Theresianetics in his memoirs:

1. ....Very pleased with the good and just rulership of King Friedrich II of Prussia. The North of the Empire is well defended
2. ....Concerned with the Portuguese support for the Dutch cause
3. ....Wary of the east, as the Sultan has a large army on his hands after ending the civil war, yet pleased with the religious tolerance shown by the Turk.
4. ....Most displeased with the Spanish support for the French cause during the recent war, but somewhat mollified by the creation of the Catholic Guard consisting of 25,000 Imperials and 25,000 Spanish to guard Rome. With both Spanish and Imperial troops guarding Rome, the Vatican should be safe from aggression. She accepts Spanish control of the Roman countryside so long as the Vatican remains firmly under the Church's control, which the Spanish king has promised.
5. ....Hoping to better relations with France to end the eternal French attacks on the Holy Roman Empire. First steps have been taken with an exchange of gifts, military access in Africa, and the royal marriage of Prince Pomme-de-Terre of France (49th in the line to the throne) and Princess Termagent Flieghafen-an-de-über-unter-vorn-und-hinter-Wittelsbach (one of only three survivors of the unfortunate Wittelsbach mass poisoning of 1750 caused by eating spoiled fish). Unsure whether this is just a French ploy to map West Africa preparatory for yet another attack on the Empire, but willing to take the chance to avoid yet another futile war. She's not demobilizing the Imperial Armies just yet, though.
6. ....Displeased with Sweden for attacking Prussia at a time when the Empire itself was under attack by the French hordes.
7. ....Very Displeased with Denmark for attacking Prussia at a time when the Empire itself was under attack by the French hordes. If the king of Denmark and Duke of Holstein thinks that he can wantonly attack his fellow princes of the Empire whenever he feels like it, he should ponder the fate of Bavaria. The Wittelsbachs were under the same delusion.
8. ....Very angry with Poland for attacking Prussia (again) at a time when the Empire itself was under attack by the French hordes and for dragging that war out for years even after it was lost. Given the repeated attacks of the Polish kings, a border with Russia would be preferable.
9. ....Of the firm belief, that the Dutch are the most annoying nation with which to conduct diplomacy and, quite likely, in league with the devil, as their leaders seem content to commit all seven deadly sins on a regular basis though with special preference for avarice, and she has decided to turn away any and all Dutch envoys until they learn that attempted coercion, manipulation of figures, and bazaar tactics are not accepted in the Imperial Court. Should the Dutch, yet again, attack the Holy Roman Empire, the second priority after the defense of the Empress will be the obliteration of the Dutch nation. She also looks with equanimity on future attempts by any other nation to conquer the Dutch and is willing to extend military access to any nation that needs it to achieve that goal. Only an honest and complete reversal of Dutch goals and diplomacy will now change her mind.

Conclusion: Walk softly and carry a big stick.

The Claim on Poland, 1767

Following the Polish invasion of Brandenburg, 1686, Krakow was occupied by Imperial forces and kept as war reparations. With improving relations over the next few years and a declared intent from the Polish king to lay aside his seemingly eternal invasion plans of the Holy Roman Empire in Brandenburg, Krakow was returned to the Polish crown in 1700. For many years, this seemed a wise solution - but times change. With Poland again invading the Holy Roman Empire at its leisure, killing good imperial citizens as a mercenary bought with Dutch gold, it became obvious to the Empress Maria-Theresia of the Holy Roman Empire that Stanislas II Poniatowski believed friendship and cooperation a thing of the past. As such, she reasserted the Austro-Italian claim to Krakow in an open missive to the Polish King. Many of the Polish-Lithuanian magnates began packing the bare essentials and removed to their winter estates in the far east

The Strategic Decision Regarding Denmark, 1768

The Danish king was, as Duke of Holstein, a prince of the Empire. An old title, and honourable, and one that had been much abused by the Danish kings throughout the years. The sight of Danish armies marching south through Holstein on their way to attack Prussia, at a time when the Empire itself was under threat, had not amused the Empress. A strategic decision was taken regarding Denmark that loyal princes would be encouraged to deprive the Danish king of the duchy.

For Your Eyes Only - Manpower 1769

Following the conclusion of the Franco-Imperial war of 1746-1753 and with the furious 1723-1762 Imperial Conscription Centre Program completed (aka. The Omega Solution), the Imperial War College commissioned a great study of the forces of Europe. The following snippet was obtained at great cost from the secret archives of the Imperial War College, 1769

Nation          Manp.      CCs     Manp(CC) Manp(MaxCC)    DP   Quality   Manp(CC,dp) Manp(MaxCC,dp)
Denmark         23.25      8/10      55.00     57.50      -15%   Low(3)       46.75     48.48
France         108.00     18/36     182.50    261.00        0%   High(9)     182.50    261.00
Habsburgs      100.75     27/33     216.50    235.50      +40%   Low(2)      303.10    329.70
Netherlands     16.00      4/4       36.00     36.00      -50%   High(10)     18.00     18.00
Ottomans       112.75     15/100+   162.25    400.00+       0%   High(10)    162.25    400.00+
Poland          63.25      7/21      96.75    151.50        0%   High(10)     96.75    151.50
Portugal        16.00      4/4       36.00     36.00      -50%   High(10)     18.00     18.00
Prussia         40.50      5/13      65.00     94.00        0%   High(10)     65.00     94.00
Russia          88.25      0/100+    88.25    300.00+     +20%   Medium(6)   105.90    360.00+
Spain           67.25     25/25     168.00    168.00       +5%   High(9)     176.40    176.40
Sweden          30.00      8/30      56.00     92.00        0%   High(10)     56.00     92.00
United Kingdom  34.00      9/20      64.75     88.00      -40%   High(8)      38.85     52.80

Note that figures indicated by italics are very unliked to be reached as the nations concerned are deemed too weak financially to build the required 80-100 Conscription Centres needed in the near future. It should be noted, however, that for both the Ottoman Empire and Russia, manpower is mainly concentrated in a few provinces with an exceedingly large amount of cannon-fodder, and thus they should be able to produce a significant amount of their maximum manpower with relatively few conscription centres

Key:                                                                         
Manp             Manpower adjusted for population in 1769
CC               Conscription centres built/possible
Manp(CC)         Manpower adjusted for conscription centres
Manp(MaxCC)      Manpower should the nation build all conscription centres
DP               Percentage-wise adjustment for current domestic policies
Quality          Quality of troops
Manp(CC, dp)     Current Manpower/year after all adjustments
Manp(MaxCC, dp)  Manpower/year after all adjustments should all CCs be built

[Aldo]

[SIZE=large]The Georgies[/SIZE]
an English AAR of year 1749 to 1769

In the year of 1749 George II was King of the United Kingdom. UK was at the time in the middle of a period of trade and colonial expansion. War was raging all over Europe but while seeing little use in intervening in the war George II decided to stay neutral. Instead Conscription Centers was built all over the country in case of the troubles would spread from the continent. The news of the Dutch breakdown in the Lowlands was received in London with little joy but no blame was cast upon the Preussian offensive and that of two reasons. First of all the Netherlands brought it all upon themselfs through poor diplomacy and secondly King George II was of the Hannover line and therefor the Prussian and Austro-Italian friendship was important for the King.

While the war raged on the UK invested in developing the colonies in the Far East. Colonists arrived, forts was built to protect them and officials was sent there to bring justice and order to the colonies and taxes back to London. The same was done in the colonies of North America.

After a few month of poor health George II died in 1760, leaving his son George III on the throne. George III was much like his father in most aspects but more active on the European political scene. Under George III tighter relationships was created with Holland and Prussia. He also managed to save the fellow protestants in Denmark from the rage of King Friedrich, convincing the Prussian King to look elsewhere for his revenge. While trying to improve the stability in the nearest region UK decided to stay in the American Alliance, together with Spain and Portugal. This arrangement had brought much good to UK in the past and George III hoped for it to continue.

Further diplomatical achievements were the unrestricted trading deal with the Sublime Porte, which was accepted after a larger English donation to the Ottoman Empire, and the transfer of the Manunda Colony from Holland to UK.

Still George III thought he deserves to be remembered as more than the Diplomacy and Merchant King. The word Victorious sounded much better he thought ...

[BiB]

1769-1788 : The Golden Age of Carlos III

Carlos III’s reign continued and Spain thrived. A man by the name of José Monino suggested further reforms to maintain the current levels of prosperity and those were suggested. Spain had over the years moved away from being overly mercantilist to being more free trade oriented in a highly innovative society. The last remnants of the aristocracy were wiped out. The American Alliance stood for free trade all over the world*. Several above average leaders were trained for the army, contrary to the tradition of the last century. Brilliant admirals in the meanwhile kept streaming in. Spain ruled the waves. And Mexican trade but it did have to remind several nations about its only Castillians to trade in Mexico policy.

Meanwhile war loomed on the horizon for Spain and its allies. The Ottoman Turk had long coveted various Indian Ocean COTs under the false pretense of protecting muslims (who actually converted to Catholicism out of free will) and had all but declared war upon Portugal and France. If they were to actually follow thru on their many threats we would not sit by idle. COTs had to be opened in the name of free trade and statements had to be made about threatening American Alliance members.

However with the Turk poised to attack, France, with Holland and Prussia, decided it was time again to try and wrest Luxembourg from Austria and issued a declaration of war. This put the Iberians very much on the spot as the nations who would have to resist the Turkish menace should he attack as France was otherwise occupied. Poland meanwhile joined on the Austrian side. Exceptional times in Spain enabled it to collect a massive amount of resources and spending them wisely.

So, when then the Turk opened hostilities with France in India and in support of Austria in the HRE (they have grown a habit of “observing” throughout Germany) Portugal retaliated with Spain in support. The UK honoured the call but wasn’t expected to do more than give token support. Bourbons had to stick together and whereas France could handle Austria on its own, the Turk entering was pushing it.

So, in the latter days of Carlos III’s glorious reign war raged again for the Spanish people. However we were well prepared and our navy made our own provinces virtually untouchable to the enemy. The initiative was all ours. Large armies were shipped into our many warships and sail was set towards the many Turkish islands in the Mediterranean while Portugal did the same to their islands in the Indian Ocean.

Resistance proved futile and reinforcements would never get past the combined might of the Iberian navies, who numbered over 700 state of the art warships by now. With our armies also being the most advanced, assaults (Spain) and sieges (Portugal) went rapidly in our favour so that by the time Austria forced an end to the war in Europe by mauling Prussia, the enemy alliance leader, a massive warscore was being kept over the Turk.

Very much to the dismay of his allies, the Prussian alliance leader then also concluded peace with the Turk, leaving the Iberians versus the Turk as the only war still ongoing. The angle of helping our cousins was now gone and the war shifted towards other goals as there are opening up the unjustly closed Turkish COTs to Iberian traders.

*batteries and Mexico not included

[Jarkko Suvinen]

OTTOMAN EMPIRE 1769-1788

Preparing for a colonial war and ending in a World War


Internal policies

This period was set for one goal both internally and internationally: The saving of the suffering Indian moslems. All internal policies where put to achieve that goal.

Mustafa III continued as the Sultan until his death at 1774. He was then followed by the able Abdul Hamid I, who without argues can be considered as the best Ottoman administrator after the Tulip period.

The remaning colonies where built up to city status. New Conscription centers where erected around the Empire.

The Empire was favoured by good incidents through this period (only the usual Waves of Obscurinism hit the Empire as usual, and a meteor was sighted that was thought by the populace as a bad omen, and there where two de-centralising events). Exceptional years kept the inflation down. The state received gifts. New mosques and palaces where built. Relations with neighbours where tense but with ridiculously small sums they where settled and the Empires stability grew <OOC: As has been noted several times at several points, the RNG has to be broken, there is each session two or three events that repeat themselves in series>.

The effect of the growing stability was that Ottoman traders where more and more succesfull. The income of the Empire rocketed.

There was another terrible plague in Anatolia, and thousands and thousands of people died. After the wave of obscurism and the meteor sighting there was also a few rebellions, but they where dealed without hesitating.

During the World War the Beys of Egypt thought it was the perfect time to revolt. The rebellion tied 120k of troops fighting the rebels, but they where all put to the sword.

Technology development basically stopped during the World War as the Empire began minting money as fast as possible. Waging war against the six super-powers takes its toll on the poor Ottomans, because as usual nobody is prepared to throw in a single ducat to help (of course such help was never asked for either).

International policies

Immediatly at the beginning of the period Austria and Prussia declared war against Poland. Ottomans had promised to help Poland in such an event, unfortunately the Empire was not stable enough to declare war on the aggressors. Instead Ottomans sent some 30k observers to follow the siege of Krakow to show presence. The Austrian sanitation system was however horrible, and the besiegers was caught with a terrible plague. Unfortunately also the Ottoman observers was smitted with this plague, and only some 20k returned to the Empire.

When the stability got up Ottomans represented Austria a last ultimatum. And indeed Austria made a peace with Poland, and thus the situation in Poland was settled in the view of the Ottomans.

Next the Ottomans began to form a base on the French controlled Indian border. War was declared on the shia-Baluchistan, and suprisingly Persia joined their cause. Baluchistan was annexed and Persia made a vassal of the Empire.

A war against Georgia was also declared and troops sent in. Suprisingly the Georgians took Daghestan. The commander of the Caucasus troops where beheaded, and after that Georgia was promtly annexed <OOC: I totally forgot I had DOW'd Georgia, it was *really* embarassing to be reminded of the war when Daghestan fell...>

Next the Mughals where DOW'd, and they ceded Hindustan and provided access for Ottoman troops. Portugal was given one last chance to provide access but they refused.

Ottomans tried very hard to negotiate a solution with France, but they ignored all communications. A force of 150k was sent to India and another 100k waited in and around the great port of Basrah to be shipped.

Ottomans declared war on France with the intention to drive France out of Kutch and Gujarat. Suprisingly though Holland, Prussia, Portugal, Spain and England declared war on Ottomans. Ottomans had been preparing for a colonial fracass, instead they fell into a World War.

Opening moves went well. The French armies in Gujarat and Palakhmedi where put into flight. The problem was just that the Dutch sunk the whole Indian fleet (some 10 warships, 10 Galleys and 30 Transports) and reinforcements had to start marching towards India.

The commander in India then made the error of assaulting the fort in Gujarat. The assault proceeded well but cost lots of men. The French retaliated and drove Ottomans out. Ottomans regrouped in Baluchistan where the 80k of reinforcements where just arriving. Ottomans then suggested an alliance wide peace to Prussia who was the alliance leader for French and Dutch, and Prussia accepted. Ottomans lost in all some 120k of men and 50 ships, France some 100k men.

Portugal and Spain overrun the Ottoman islands. Ottoman main forces where in the Balkans and Caucasus, and the 100k men in Egypt where fighting the Bey rebellions. Potugese landed troops and took Cyrenaica, but a force of Ottoman auxiliary cavalry and infantry killed this force to the last man.

England made peace with Ottomans. Spain and Portugal began peacenegotiations with the Ottomans. The war has so far gone bad for the Ottomans, but the mainforces have not even moved yet. However if (and is it seems it is indeed) the demands are reasonable Ottomans is prepared to end the war immediatly, even though most likely the Spanish-Portugese expedition is at its peak now.



A few facts of the Ottomans in 1769-1788
Land 46 -> 53
Naval 16 -> 17
Trade 7 -> 8
Infra 7 -> 8
Stability -3 -> 0
Income 291.8 -> 320.9 (Spanish and Portugese troops hold 8 OE provinces currently, not counted for here)
Inflation 0.0 -> 1.1
BadBoy 99.2 -> 117.3

[Jarkko Suvinen]

Ottoman Empire in 1788

[Wyvern]

Prussia – 1769 to 1788 Part 1 of 2


Death-Bringer they called him, the collector of souls, an incarnation of a dark god from pagan past. He left destruction in his wake and all who saw him cursed his name. His silken voice called out a mesmerising tune and those it touched were drawn to him like a siren draws ships to a watery doom. Women would watch from their doorways as he rode by, strangely immune to his calling yet weeping as their men-folk followed in his wake, all to disappear, lost in the morning’s mist. The little ones would peeking around their mothers skirts, hollow eyed and sunken cheeked these soon to be orphans a testament to the hunger and ravages this man brought to a war torn land.

Yet in 1769 hope had shone brightly. Freidrich the Great he was still called then, and great he had seemed for he had assembled the hosts of Europe for his righteous invasion of Poland. Those countries that did not or could not take part yet still gave the invasion their blessing. He marched with the trappings of Justice on his side unaware of the dark shadow seeping into his soul.

The Empress, stalwart defender of the Holy Roman Empire herself expressed keen desire to take part in Freidrich’s holy crusade, to occupy the province of Krakow was her desire as security from the Pole and future treacherous infractions. Even to the Swedish King did Freidrich negotiate to guarantee his success, the province of Prussia promised following his sure success – held as a dukedom it would be with fealty sworn to the Prussian kings. It could be held and taxed by the kings of Sweden, but Prussian land it would be and justly recognised as such by Sweden.

Such was his confidence Freidrich felt none could stand against him, he brushed aside minor defeats as inconsequential – right was on his side after all so how could be lose! Quickly the Poles were worn down, their armies defeated and province after province put under siege. Surrender was not long in coming, the crusaders just demands would be met declared the Polish King. Sweden was the first to peace out, the province of Prussia taken, next followed the Empress to Freidrich’s abject dismay and surprise, Krakow was taken and ceded to the Empress yet Freidrich’s forces were still assaulting Poznan in a bloody battle that would leave his army shattered upon the walls of the great fortress - 90,000 men lost in a fruitless fight that left Prussia pray to the vultures.

Alone now, tricked out of his revenge by the darkness eating his soul and the perfidy of his allies, Freidrich now faced a new and invigorated Poland with barely an army left to help him and no foreign help. Oh he was brave the King and skilled as ever in war, withdrawing his shattered forces back into Prussia fighting a rear guard action against the army of 90,000 Poles advancing on his position. Yet even Freidrich’s skill and courage could not surmount the odds he then faced, caught as he was by the Polish army and in enemy land. His 15,000 Prussians fought bravely enough buying time for their kinsmen, and the King as ever was at their helm always in the thick of the fighting, but courage alone would not save them now. Swords descended, a lance pierced the King’s thigh. Our lord is down cried the soldiers, all is lost! Yet the shadow was not finished with Freidrich’s soul, or perhaps the light itself was seeking a path of redemption, some glimmer of hope for the future. Whatever the reason a man stepped forward, young of years yet stout of heart – a captain of men he was and soon to be much more. Blucher was his name a soul marked out for greatness, touched by the light. Grabbing hold of the King the young man pulled his liege lord up onto his horse, dragging him away from the battlefield and rallying the men for a withdrawal back to Brandenburg.

The King would never fight again yet his anger was not diminished. My allies have abandoned me! he cried and in his torment and anguish the darkness broke the last chink in his armour. France he vowed – Louis will help me! Louis’ price was harsh yet as with all men of evil they see just reasons for their actions and Freidrich was prepared to pay it. Abandoned I have been, betrayed by the Empress. Why should I honour her now? These thoughts and more whispered through his mind as he sat there brooding in his castle. Couriers sped between Berlin and Paris, French aid promised with every message and Freidrich grimly smiled.

Relentless were the Poles and eastern Prussia overrun by the time the French finally intervened. Yet even the armies of France could do no more than hold the Poles at bay upon the Prussian border, and even that much success proved difficult to achieve. Rumours reached Freidrich that the Dutch were funding the Poles but he had no proof and was beholden to King Louis now, his future dependent upon him. The news was just another nail that further deepened his dark malady. He scraped the bottom of the treasury, extracted taxes no person could bear all in a vain effort, a lost effort to defeat the Polish King.

No one could get through to the King in those dark days. Generals who tried, who against all the warnings of the palace courtiers attempted to breach the Kings madness either disappeared or were tried for treason. Even the renowned von Bülow was executed in city square like a common criminal. Reason had no place in the palace of Freidrich’s insanity. It finally took Prince Freidrich Wilhelm, the Kings younger brother to personally intervene and vehemently remonstrate with him before Freidrich would view the situation with even a glimmer of reality. Poland could never be defeated now the prince shouted, the French never send us enough men to tip the balance and Poland’s coffers seem to have no bottom whilst our own treasury is dry. Accept a neutral peace now and stop the suffering of your people whilst you still can! Somehow the King overcame his malady far enough to hear him and agree to peace, yet the King’s anger demanded an outlet, some target to lash out at. The man who had forced him to humble himself could not remain in his presence; he was anathema to him now. The prince his brother would be banished forthwith from the kingdom, never to be allowed to return to Prussian lands on pain of death – You are no brother to me now! Fleeing across the border Prince Freidrich Wilhelm took sanctuary with the new Emperor of Austria whilst fearing for the future of his beloved country.

[ForzaA]

Denmark 1701-1725



Naval expeditions and the second Lingby Expedition

Lingby’s death had been a great blow to Danish colonial aspirations, and from then to 1713, no further expeditions were undertaken. By 1713, naval knowledge had increased so far that even the most coward captains dared venture into the unknown, trusting their ships to get them home safely. The Danish crown saw this opportunity, and acted to it. Various ships were sent out in February to explore the vast unknown regions of the world, mostly west of Europe, and south of the Danish possessions in the new world. These expeditions, however, faced many hardships, mostly pirates bent on capturing the vast riches that flowed from the new world, but unfortunately they did not refrain from attacking Danish vessels. By November 1714, all fleets had received orders to return from their assignments, and set sail for Copenhagen. Unfortunately, many ships never returned.

All hope was not lost however, as in September 1714 a cousin of the famous Lingby, also known as Lingby, had requested funding for a mission into the interior of North America. After a few months of preparation, Lingby headed southwest from Ungava. His expedition faced many hardships, and was also confronted with English traders who claimed the expedition was on their territory, this angered Lingby greatly, as he had received word from the Crown that an agreement with England was in place, allowing for the safe passage of Danish troops through English territory, and of English through Danish territory. When the expedition reached the Caribbean seaboard in 1724, Lingby resigned from active duty.

Naval exploration had halted again due to pirate activity along the coasts Danish captains were trying to explore. In 1721 this situation had changed enough for a brave Captain, Hans Egedes, to request an assignment for exploration. His expedition was thoroughly prepared, and in February 3 ships set sail for South America. After mapping most of the South American coastline, the expedition sailed east again, rounded the Cape Hope, and headed towards the Indian islands. Here they headed north towards Nippon and China. The latest contact with this expedition is now a few months old, and it is not known where the expedition is heading now.

Economic and domestic policy

The years marked another distinct era in Danish domestic and economic policies.
Denmark, being one of the lesser military powers, had little chance to expand abroad in Europe, and thus it was decided that instead of claiming new European territories, the territories already Danish would have to be used more efficiently. Thus great projects were initiated to fell forests and to reclaim swamps and marches. This led to great increases of population and production in Gotland and Sjaelland, and to a lesser extent in Trondelag.

In response to some obscure semi-religious “healing” practices, laws were issued to regulate medical care more efficiently, and to develop trust among the people.

The continuing policies to make the people free led to some unexpected, and not all good, events. The new freedom led to increased threats towards the last few , almost powerless, aristocrats, and someone even dared assassinate one, the crown later decided to compensate the family. Also, the clergy was unhappy with ”those ignorant peasants” getting more and more rights, while the church was powerless, the crown simply ignored this.

Positive effects of this policy, and the continuation of previous policies, were the founding of a colony in Nipigon, purely with volunteers, exceptional harvests and tax-incomes, and a revaluation of the Danish currency.

Diplomacy and Foreign relations

War raged in the Holy Roman Empire, but Denmark would not be able to make a difference on its own, and thus envoys were sent to Holland and Sweden, to see if they would be willing to support the Danes in this affair. Unfortunately, neither was able and/or willing to join in this affair, and thus the opportunity passed. News of this failure somehow reached the Polish embassy, and a scandal erupted, but the case was quickly solved again.

Various other scandals and insults plagued the court in this period, but none had much effect on the flow of events.

The Military, war and peace

These years were largely uneventful for the army and navy, both received their funds, but neither was expanded much, only some structural changes were made. The Navy was officially professionalized in 1705, and the Army received new uniforms in 1717.


note: I’m not writing this at home and thus don’t have access to all the wanted/needed files, thus some details have to be filled in later (most importantly: the King )

[Mulliman]

Sweden : 1749 - 1788 : A story without much detail

Picking up the pieces

After the gangbang of the century, Sweden began rebuilding. Reconciliating with the treacherous Danes earned her a free back and with the aid of her new-old allies, Russia was invaded with the objective to take back Ingermanland. The campaign went swiftly and the province was soon back under the administrative hands of Fredrik of Hessen king of Sweden. Trade had suffered enormously and Denmark even went past her in income (they were somewhere around 130 then, kind of like a record for them, as they are around 80-90 now), but it recovered relatively fast.
When Fredrik died, there was a dispute of who would take over the throne. The choice was between a Danish and a Russian pretendent, both of them enemies but the Danes a little less.

The Danish pretendent, Christian was elected by the Riksråd and he was crowned in a minor ceremony. Christian III was a very bad regent, but luckily he only ruled for a few years and after the Riksråd had forced him to abdicate (allright, im making things up now!), a noble from the family Holstein-Gottorp was chosen as king.

Adolf Fredrik: 1751-1771
Although not a very able king himself, the kingdom was administrated by his more skilled wife Lovisa Ulrika, sister of the Great king of Prussia. Her indirect rule would mean alot in the coming years, as she instated policies that would take back Sweden to her days of richness and catapult her beyond. It was also during her reign that Sweden began her gambling on the European stage yet again.



Lovisa Ulrika´s brother in the south was seeking revenge on the scheming Poles, for their numerous backstabbs and trickery. Sweden, still angry for the Polish part in the gangbang, decided that she would help. Numerous diplomats ferried across the channel and finally an agreement was made. Prussia, Danzig and Poznan would fall in Prussian hands, the province Prussia itself granted as a dukedom to Swedish rulers.

A part of the treaty of Swedish-Prussian cooperation:
….. King Friedrich has [snip] agreed [to] an alliance with Sweden for the duration of hostilities against Poland. For Sweden's help in the war the Swedish King will be allowed to rule the province of Prussia as a dukedom beholden to the Prussian King.

The war went pretty well at start. Prussia was assaulted by Swedish forces and taken after a few months, the Prussian and Austrian armies swarming the south. From there, everything went out of control.
Peace was being worked out and the Poles accepted the united claims of Prussia, Austria and Sweden, but while Swedish forces had withdrawn from Poland, the Poles suddenly thought the treaty was nullified. After all, only some 20k Prussians we left in the land, why should they honour such a crippling treaty then?



After Austrian and Swedish armies had left Poland, Poland got a free hand with Prussia, in this screenshot, the Prussians are aided by the French.

Nevertheless, Sweden, with yet another gain on their hands, sat back to strengthen trade and the infrastructure of the country.

Gustav III : 1771 - ?

Gustav was born during a time when the absolutistic monarchy was stronger than ever in the country (not what happened in real, but I chose hold on the the reins of Absolutism ). He was to be a very able king, skilled in administrative matters, something that was very important in the new age of statesmanship.
In 1788, he had kept the trade on normal levels, despite several stability problems and the major war down in Europe.

The future looked bright, but it always did for Sweden .

NOTE: Suddenly realized that while the western powers ahve been quite peaceful, Sweden has been at war at least once every single session!
Thats not very smart of course, but damn fun!

[Peter Ebbesen]

The House of Habsburg 1769-1788, part 1

The Polish War of 1770

As had been foreseen the Polish invasion of the HRE during the Franco-Imperial war of 1746-1753 did not go unpunished. King Friedrich II of Prussia demanded revenge and the humilitation of Poland, while the Empress required Krakow as hostage against further Polish aggression. The king of Prussia graciously agreed to being co-belligerents, but stated that it was his and, desiring to personally lay waste to Poland, agreed that the Imperial troops should be withdrawn when the Polish armies were broken. The winter 1769-1770 saw hostilities break out. With Prussian armies sieging Danzig, about 400,000 Imperial Stormtroopers overran the Polish defenders in a matter of months, putting south, central, and northern Poland under siege. King Friedrich's web of intrigue was wide as he also drew the Swedish king into the fray against Poland. In August 1770 Poland made peace with Sweden given up Prussia (which Sweden was to hold as a duchy under the Prussian crown) and by November 1770 Austria-Italia's claim on Krakow was acknowledged by Poland. Prussia was now at war with Poland as the sole combatant, as king Friedrich II had so greatly desired and the Polish armies were crushed.

How fleeting is glory, how easily lost is a great reputation, how cheap is the price of a man's soul. The monarchs of Europe had grown used to hearing reports of the victories of Friedrich II "The Great" of Prussia and expected to hear of a short victorious war against the Poles. Thus the world was astonished to hear how the Polish king Stanislas II Poniatowski rallied his countrymen and foot by foot retook his kingdom, finally driving the armies of Prussia back across the border. Despite generous funding from Austria-Italia, Friedrich II was losing the war - and his reputation.

The French Intervention in the Polish War, 1774

Unwilling to concede defeat, king Friedrich II of Prussia abandoned his alliance with Austria-Italia in order to secure French help against the Polish. The imperial court considered it a worrying development, yet relations with France had seldom been better and the king of Prussia was no man's puppet, so it had to be accepted. Now, it was to be expected that the might of France together with the good generalship of the Prussian army would see Poland humbled in a short time, and seing the untold multitudes of French soldiers marching through Prussia reinforced this impression. As such, the defeat, time and time again, of the Prussian-French forces by the Poles revealed at last for all to see that Prussia had lost the favour of God, though it were to be years before the true horrors of depths to which king Friedrich had sunk became known.

For three years the French armies faced defeat upon defeat before king Louis finally admitted failure and the war was ended with a white peace. Even so, the war might have dragged on, yet the courageous Friedrich Wilhelm, younger brother to Friedrich II, prevailed on his brother's clouded mind and made him see, at the last, that peace was the lesser danger. For his efforts Friedrich Wilhelm was banished from Prussia but he soon found a new home at the imperial court as an advisor on the increasingly erratic behaviour of Friedrich II.

The Imperial Cartographers, 1769-1784

The years 1769-1784 saw numerous small imperial expeditions mapping the world. The jealous powers of Spain, France, England, the Netherlands and Portugal had long kept their map knowledge for themselves, and even the Prussian maps - some of the best in the world following the sacking of Holland - were off limits to the Empire, as the king of Prussia displayed a most unseemly possiveness*. Thus, more than a century and a half after the world was fully charted by the Spanish, brave expeditions set forth from Liguria and Ivoria using Portuguese ports to rest between missions. By the early 1780'ies only half the pacific ocean remained uncharted.



* Apparently, an evil spirit named BiB had made him swear never to reveal his maps, lest his soul be torn from his body. Given later developments, this fate would have been preferable.

The Great Betrayal

The perfidy of king Friedrich II of Prussia did not reveal itself until his waning years. Following his defeat by the Poles, he had plotted with king Louis and the Dutch merchants against the Empress, who had never done him anything but good, and following her death in 1780, he continued plotting against Josef II, her successor. The kings of France and Prussia greatly expanded their armies all the while professing continued good relations with the imperial court and thus it came as some surprise when king Louis in the spring of 1784 asked the Emperor if, by the way, he could have Luxembourg as a present. The Emperor, of course, refused. A few months later, in May 1784, the Netherlands declared war on Austria-Italia, and France and Prussia joined immediately, thus handily avoiding the effects of breaking military access, since they were joining another nation's war. Thus do the inescapable laws of the world make opportunists of us all. Though the Netherlands started the war, the hand behind it was clearly that of Friedrich II, leader of the Franco-Dutch-Prussian alliance.

With upwards of one and a half million troops under arms in Europe, the Franco-Dutch-Prussian forces outnumbered the Austro-Italian armies by three to two, and they had the advantage of surprise and superior leadership. The imperial armies, however, were fighting on their home ground and every man-jack of them were outraged by this crass betrayal. The armies defending the borders were outnumbered two to one in the initial attacks and all were crushed or driven back, save the great army of Italy in the south. As success followed success in battle, nearly every border province was overrun by the invaders and the large fortresses succesfully assaulted, while the imperial armies regrouped in the interior of Austria, awaiting new conscripts to fill their ranks.

Meanwhile, diplomatic overtures were made to King Stanislas II Poniatowski, who agreed to enter the war against Prussia in return for Krakow in October 1784. To this the Emperor readily agreed: Many times had he spared the Prussians the wrath of the Poles, but following this great betrayal, that would no longer be the case, and soon Polish armies were pressing into Prussia. The met with little success in battle but they forced king Friedrich II to withdraw his armies from Bohemia. Friedrich Wilhelm, attached to the Northern army as an observer, bravely accepted the ravaging of Prussia and pleaded with captured officers to intercede with his brother to no avail. The king's dark mood was omnipresent and he heeded not advice any longer.

The Invasion

Fighting against France continued in Italy and western Austria with undiminished force with gruesome casualties on both sides. Occasionally, a Dutch corps would get caught up in the melee and perish without notice. But while it is true that both nations bled, France bled most and Austria-Italia had the greater manpower. Thus it came to pass that near midsummer 1785 the French had been contained in the south and a great army of 240,000 infantry had been put together in the north under the command of Von Laudon with the objective of crushing Prussia. While the 2nd army liberated Würzburg and Sachsen and the 3rd and 4th armies kept France occupied in the South, Von Laudon embarked on a lightning campaign, that saw Sudeten and Erz liberated by March 1785, and then proceeded to invade Prussia, destroying all the Prussian forces arrayed against it. Brandenburg itself fell in Aprial 1786, and Vorpommern, Mecklemburg, Hannover, and Anhalt fell soon after, forcing substantial remaining forces of the Dutch and French to hasten to Prussia's aid. They were too late. Traveling with Von Laudon's army had been Friedrich Wilhelm and a band of loyal followers and after the fall of Brandenburg April 11th 1786 he took control of the city and put his brother into protective custody. French relief forces arrived in Brandenburg on August 10th and succeeded in breaking the defenses on August 30th - only to be greeted by the new king Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia, his brother having at long last given up his tortured sould and died on August 17th amidst the music he liked the best, the hue and cry of battle and the thundering of cannon.

The Counterstrike

With Friedrich Wilhelm on the throne of Prussia, peace was quickly arranged and all major fighting was brought to a halt by November. Though king Louis of France was most displeased and the Dutch merchants were yet again twarted in obtaining by force what they could have bought for 18,000d many decades ago, they should in fact praise themselves lucky that king Friedrich Wilhelm II merely desired peace rather than switching sides to the Empire as many of his companions advised, which would surely have seen the Dutch and French defeated at the hands of the Austro-Italians, Prussian, and Polish.

A Fistful of Ducats

For financial aid in the war of the great betrayal, the Emperor Josef II of the Holy Roman Empire is pleased to reaffirm the ancient ties of friendship with the seafaring Portuguese. Additionally, unofficial thanks goes to the unnamed "Greek" diplomat with the Iberian accent who "accidentally" lost a pot of gold while inspecting the Catholic Guard (the only segment of the Austro-Italian European armies not to see combat, as their mission of protecting the Pope took precedence)

----------

At the time when peace was declared in November 1786 between the Good, brave, and honest Imperials, and the backstabbing, treacherous, thoroughly despicable, and, incidentally, rather quaintly dressed, alliance of evil, the disposition of forces in Europe was as follows (armies in Africa, India, or Asia not counted):

Nation              European Armies   Manpower/year   Manpower/year(occ)
Austro-Italia            499K              331K             308K (-23K)
Poland                    73K              100K             100K
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imperial Total           572K              431K             408K


France                   347K              237K             237K
Prussia                  100K               79K              49K (-30K)
Netherlands               84K               19K              19K
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evil Alliance Total      531K              335K             305K

Manpower/year denotes the manpower that would be available each year if no provinces were occupied by enemies
Manpower/year(occ) is that figure modified for provinces that were under enemy control at the time of the peace

[Wyvern]

Prussia – Part 2 – The Taming of the Beast


They were dark and perilous times. Good men fled whilst the evil ones left the shadows and ran ram shod through a dark and bitter land. The King began rebuilding his armies, bolstering them to levels not seen before. First two hundred thousand, then two-fifty, until over three hundred thousand men were under arms and all the resources of the country were directed to this one thing, up-keeping a military that could surround and protect the King from enemies he saw in every dark corner of the world.

And surprisingly the army stayed loyal to the King despite the hardships he asked his kingdom to bear though it tore at the heart of the men of the corps. Men like Blucher, the Kings Marshal he was now, hero of Poznan. He remembered happier times, the gallant days when Freidrich led them to one victory after another and himself nothing more than a lowly lieutenant riding at his side. Now he watched the King bleed the country dry and almost wept at the sadness of it all for he knew war was coming once more, a war that would pit kin against kin, brother against brother, all to pay for a dark and bitter debt.

There was no surprise when the King addressed his generals, all knew King Louis of France demanded his war, yet another attempt would be made to extend French influence across the Rhine. To give it legitimacy though it was Freidrich’s hand that would run the war, Europe would accept a German in charge of the grande alliance in a war against other Germans when they would never countenance King Louis of France in such a role. Now as the King sat there on his throne, blood shot eyes and tangled hair hanging down across his face Blucher saw his skeletal hands gripping the throne as though they were about to break. The King seemed to have aged a decade in those last twelve months and Blucher could barely believe this was his beloved King. It is war! the King hissed, the Empress may be dead but her son will answer for her abandonment of Prussia in our moment of need – You Blucher will lead this fight – to you we look to bring victory to the Prussian people, do not disappoint me!

Armies marched and the crows followed. Whilst keeping the main bulk of the army back in Prussia until the enemies forces had been tested Blucher led an offensive force of one hundred thousand strong across the border into Austria destroying the small Austrian border guard. Through Sachsen he went and on down into Wurzburg before spotting an Austrian force of two hundred thousand men coming his way. Despatching a runner to the nearby French army of ninety thousand, the two allied armies met the Austrians together on the field of battle and taught the emperor a lesson he would not long forget. Never had such a battle been fought before with such numbers involved and casualties inflicted. When it was over not a single Austrian remained standing, the allies had scored an amazing victory and Blucher was the hero of the hour for he had learnt his trade well watching Freidrich in his younger, more gallant days.



Following the victory in 84 all of northern Austria was laid bare and Sachsen soon fell to Prussian forces. Yet this was to be no picnic for now Poland joined the war on the Emperors side. This was too much for Freidrich to bear – Poland again attacked his people? Would there be no end to Poland’s ravaging of Prussian lands? His rage was colossal and the Polish ambassador he tore apart with his own bare hands. Only one thought consumed Freidrich now – Kill the Poles!!

Blucher led his forces back north across Austria, as ever most deranged messaged reached him from the King. He had trained his deputies well and all awaited his return before launching themselves at Poland. Kustrin had fallen by then but Blucher went east and nothing the Poles had could save them. Through Kustrin, Poznan and then Wielkpolska he marched until the Polish army was utterly defeated.



From there he led his army back into Austria destroying another Austrian army of seventy thousand men at Silesia before beginning a series of assaults on Silesia, Erz and Sudeten that would leave all of northern Austria under Prussian control.

The war in the west for the French had not been going so well, Austrian armies were reassembling themselves, converging on Sudeten even as the province fell. With no French army of worth in sight Blucher began to pull back. Poland was on the move again and Freidrich demanded he destroy the Poles this time and stay there until the job was done! With a reluctant heart Blucher obeyed.

And now the ebb and tide of the war changed. Austria had cleared all enemy armies from her border and began retaking provinces one at a time. First Sudetan then Sachsen and Erz fell, only Silesia remained in Prussian hands. Freidrich tried to assemble a defensive force in Brandenburg against the coming tide, for over two hundred thousand Austrians were heading his way. He screamed for Blucher, but his marshal he had sent far away, he screamed for reinforcements, his mouth frothing in his anger yet there were none to be had. And so it was that Freidrich took up the defence of his own castle as the Austrian army marched his way, refusing all calls to withdraw before it was too late. No he stoutly declared that he would dance naked on the battlements before he ever surrendered his palace!

As Prince Freidrich Wilhelm, the Kings brother surveyed the scene he was filled with sadness and regret. So much lost, so many dead. He had come back to his country with an Austrian army yet it brought him no comfort to arrive this way or to watch the last days of his brothers madness play out before him as he sat there drooling before him, his mind totally gone. Sanity is a fleeting thing and Freidrich’s had been lost somewhere in the depths of his psychosis, destroyed little by little as each of his plans had come to naught until at the end nothing was left of the man he had once been. Freidrich II would pass away on August 18th 1786 as Austrian forces and those now loyal to the new King began occupying more and more of the country.

When Blucher returned from Poland and declared himself King Freidrich Wilhelm’s man, the last of the opposition melted away. The King issued a decree that all fighting must stop. Peace would be accepted with all parties currently at war with Prussia. His country had seen enough fighting, it would end now.

[Smirfy]

Portugal 1750-1780







THE ROAD TO WAR

Jose I continued the policy of stable government that had brought Portugal into its golden age, the only cloud on the horizon was the continued expansion and belligerent threats of the Ottoman Empire. A man of peace Jose I tried to find a diplomatic solution to the heavy demands placed upon Portugal by the Ottomans, none could be found. With western Christian interests at stake in India and more importantly the Free trade approach without license that benefits all European powers practiced by Portugal. The King and fellow free traders France reach common purpose to keep Kutch in European hands.
Though a man of peace Jose I never shirked preparations for war and he immediately issued a directive to the General Staff to prepare for the contingency of war. The General Staff immediately set to work developing a blue print for the Defence of the realm and crown colonies. The Colonial Defence Initiative II, CDI II or Son of Star Wars as the broadsheets of the day called it because of its again astronomical costs was prepared and presented by the King to parliament.
The members of parliament whose special interest was in trade were at best lukewarm it was too conservative too static! Their faction’s leader in the House the Marquis Jose Da Pombal demanded a more pro-active plan capable of forcing Mercantilist nations to open markets and a more strategic use of foreign aid. Since it was largely the revenue from trade that financed defence spending this was a strong lobby. Undeterred by expense the General Staff presented a military expansion program to run in tandem with CDI II. The Z plan was not just a massive increase in Naval strength this was a massive increase in strategic potential .
This was more in line with Da Pombal's thinking but in order for these bills to pass he had one special request demonstrating the power that the trading faction now had, He demanded that he would be made regent on Jose’s death due do the doubtful nature of Maria’s ability and ensure that the new found Portuguese ability to power project was in capable hands. Reluctantly the King agreed and with the constitutional agreement in place Portugal embarked on this massive armaments and defence program increasing every fortification in the realm to maximum expanding naval support capacity by 50% increasing Fleet strength by 60% and the Army by 20%

[Slargos]

Stanislaus II Poniatowski, 1769 - 1788

Stanislaus II took the throne in 1764 after Jakub IV Sobieski fell off his horse during military maneuvers and afflicted a withering disease during the winter of '63.
Poland was given a short respite between the wars until the spring of '69 when Prussia declared war along with its intent to fully disembowel Poland. Austria joined the war shortly after and Poland faced a two-pronged assault with the main Prussia thrust coming through Poznan and Gdansk while the Austrians focused their forces on Krakow and the surrounding countryside.

Polish forces fought valiantly, but the numerical superiority and commander quality of the germans finally won the day. While local polish commanders won some stunning victories, the Hetmans largely made a mockery of the polish army.

In December, after a heavy year for Poland, another harsh blow came from the north. The Swedes invaded! The swedish king-wretch demanded the province of Prussia returned to swedish control. Stanislaus readily accepted this peace-offer as the protestants inhabiting the province had been nothing but a headache for years.

The defensive pact signed with the Ottomans did Poland little good as the turks did little but bleat at the Austrians instead of sending armed 'diplomats' as promised.

The ebb and flow of war continued unabated until November of the next year, 1770. Stanislaus finally admitted to himself and the Seym that the war was lost, when the mighty Krakow fortress fell to the Austrian forces.
Through a quirk of fate (or perhaps the divine intervention of our good lord), the Austro-Italian diplomatic overture arrived in Warzawa shortly thereafter and an agreement was again made between Austria-Italia and Poland that Krakow be held hostage by the austrians, much like almost 100 years earlier. On the matter of Prussian claims, the austrian diplomat shrugged and answered, "if they wish to make their separate claims, they may do so."

Stanislaus reputedly let out a great "whoop!" and ordered the troops in the Ukraine to move.
Despite the smug superiority of the german diplomats, there were a few facts that they were unaware of.
Namely, the efforts in the Ukraine to pacify the unruly locals having finally paid off to the point where large untapped populations existed for the needs of the polish army...

The ferocious counter-offensive saw the prussian armies nearly obliterated, and the great Warrior-King Frederik II himself being wounded and nearly killed when the southern prussian army was surrounded and defeated in a series of running battles.
Only the genious of one of the neophyte commanders of the prussian army saved Frederik from certain death, and fifteen thousand returned to Prussia out of the original hundred that had crossed the border 2 years previous...

The next year would see a polish offensive breaking the will of the prussian army and make gains against Prussia proper.
The fighting slowed down in '71 and for the following 2 years, gains were small to either side.
Morale was greatly boosted when the new uniforms arrived for the army in '73 and the will of the fighting man brought new success to the campaign. Berlin was on the verge of falling to the polish armies when Warzaw was reached by the news of French army movements in western Prussia. Some weeks later, in mid-winter, the french declaration of war arrived. Stanislaus spent an entire day brooding in the war-room while reports arrived of french army disposition, and at the end of the day came the order: "We fight!"

And fight they did. The polish army fought numerical superiority, they fought enemy generals of great repute, and they fought an unaturally harsh winter that killed man and horse without regard for the plight the polish army was already in.
Nevertheless, Poland persevered, and Berlin fell.
The royal palace was carpeted with the maps of the world stolen from Berlin, and the loot brought from the prussian capital would feed the fatherless families and refugees from Krakow for years to come.

Despite the gains made against Prussia, the tide was turning, as the Prussians and Frenchmen were also equipping their armies with the new uniforms, with soldiers gaining the subsequent moraleboost of such extravagances...

In Berlin, the scene for numerous battles, the peace was finally agreed upon in 1777. The prussian 7 years war was concluded. Neither side would gain anything from the other, and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of men were ultimately in vain. The resurrection of polish national pride, however, was worth more than any motely assortment of german villages.

Poland had decisively shown that she could hold her own against even the greatest western powers.

[Smirfy]

Portugal 1780-1803







Enter Napoleon


The tension in Europe rose tremendously nearing the turn of the century. The Ottoman Empires Gambit to throw the French out of India was defeated largely due to the intervention of the Iberian Alliance on behalf of France; Portugal used this campaign to reopen Ottoman markets and was successful.


Victory was bitter, for France changed to an anti Iberian course with a new Prime Minister whom had risen from not so much oblivion but had arrived from Corsica disillusioned with the Dual Monarchy of Austro-Italy running of his ancestral lands sought service with the French crown. His rise up administrative ladder was meteoric from lieutenant to Marshal of France and Prime Minister within a couple of years which bucked half a millennium of trend among the Ancien Regime. No social upheaval or epochal event had brought this star to the zenith in Europe. No glittering campaign against the enemies of France had marked this demi-god for high office just the force of destiny that overcame his lowly rank, social position and nationality to propel him to power.

Portugal realized that this was ill omen indeed and rapidly increased preparations for war. Diplomatic communication from the new regime in France insisted on Portuguese neutrality or failing that no offensive action in the colonies in the event of a Franco-Spanish war. Jose da Pombal read the communiqué whilst Portugal’s four hundredth ship made her way down the slip to the Tajo. With courtesy he informed France of the unacceptable nature of their request and immediately put all forces on a war footing.

When the French invaision broke on Spain, Portugal sprang to action. The French coast was blockaded her island colonies taken and her main army in India destroyed. With her oversea bases capitulating the French fleets were one by one destroyed by the waiting Portuguese Men o’ War. Spain bore the brunt of the continental fighting and eventually succumbed and made peace. France demanded Portugal’s immediate end of hostilities with violent threats. Portugal responded to this by making the scale of her victory known to the French public causing the French stock market to crash damaging her economy severely. France did not risk a second demonstration of the strength of the Portuguese negotiating position and ceded Sri Lanka.

The French Commander in chief and Prime minister though propelled by destiny to these dizzy heights found himself though omnipotent on land as helpless as Canute against the powers of the sea and the people who master them. With great rage he ripped up the peace agreement with Spain and once more subjected that nation to the horrors of war "Portugal must Pay" was his cry foregoing the strategic situation over emotion. Portugal could only initially watch as she regrouped her strength as Spain burned. With Spain weakening by the minute Portugal re-entered the war but too late Spain had succumbed and forced to become a vassal granting military access to the French who now destroyed Portugal’s home army though once again the unstoppable destruction of French colonial assets continued.

Then the miracle on the Tajo, with French armies approaching the capital Austria and Prussia declared war and France was forced to sue for peace and Portugal was saved from the ravages of war. As the French departed east to defeat against the central alliance the five hundredth Portuguese ship keel is laid and the Chancellor of the Exchequer reported a healthy balance.

[BiB]

1788-1803 : Fratricide

Carlos IV continued the war against Turkey in support of France with vigour. Turkey was to pay for treating our allies like the way they did. And pay they did. Because the combined Iberian navies were untouchable and with them the armies they carried. In pinpointed blitzkrieg attacks Turkish resistance proved futile and pretty soon not only every Mediterranean and Indian Ocean island was under Iberian control but also parts of East Africa and the whole of Egypt, including the trade center of Alexandria and the great city of Cairo. The victory was devastating and the Turkish people desperately wanted the Sultan to make peace. And after rejecting early mild overtures that’s just what he did when news reached him the Armada was on its way to Istanbul itself. Sadly for him the demands had increased with every Turkish fort that fell. However denying defeat was impossible now and peace was signed, ceding Crete, Cyprus and Alexandria to Spain. Portuguese traders swiftly resumed their positions in remaining Turkish COTs and Alexandria.

However, at the very moment Spanish soldiers were dying for France in the bloody sand of Egypt the Bourbon cousin who occupied the throne of France went insane and started initiating various hostile actions against Spain. “Merci” was scrapped from French dictionaries by royal decree. Spanish soldiers returned home dazed and confused because of the news. They just returned fighting for France in Egypt and this was their reward? The logic totally escaped them for obvious reasons. As not even a single diplomatic positive move was attempted by the French ruler, Louis XVI, in the coming years and news reached Madrid that France was even moving their armies from their borders with Austria to the one with Spain, total bafflement and incomprehension ruled Spain. It soon became obvious that only that the French King was a right ungrateful bastard but now he also was preparing for war against Spain, rationality be damned!

Not a moment after a certain young gifted man by the name of Napoleon came to lead the French army for some obscure reason, France declared war upon Spain. Even though they had seen it coming, the Spanish soldiers still couldn’t believe what happened, there was no justice in the world. However, despite the inferior numbers and far inferior leadership, the Spanish, joined by their most loyal ally Portugal, stood firm. The United Kingdom once again deserted Spain but unlike previous times this time they actually had the means to swing the outcome of the war considerably as a number of skilled generals were present in their ranks and were all the help that Spain required.

Despite knowing that against the new tactics of the gifted young generals of this era, forts didn’t mean much, Spain had still invested in many of them as sadly enough more soldiers and heaven forbid, leaders, were in no way available for good money. The forts now lasted 5 days instead of 4 but sadly the young Napoleon never was hit by a stray brick falling down from the crumbling forts.

However the Spanish army performed admirably against all odds, beating the gifted general on more than one occasion by excellent maneouvering. For king and fatherland they died in droves but they took a lot of frogs with them. Napoleon became more and more mystified as to what possible reasons the king of France could have had for turning on this brave people. Esp with Austria still brooding for revenge after the previous act of utter stupidity performed by the French King not that long ago, this was even more silly.

This was the cue for Napoleon to also aim for political power and his military successes would make that possible. He offered a very benevolent peace to the Iberian warriors, asking only for Roussillon. The Spanish King readily accepted. However, Louis XVI had not yet become better from being a complete and utter idiot and issued a new declaration of war straight after, demanding Napoleon to give him the full subjugation of Spain. Spain, fighting a war they could not win eventually gave in when Madrid fell. They were now a French vassal, who completely hated the French. Portugal had proven to be the only ally worthy of that honourary title. The UK had deserted Spain in his darkest hour and France had done the unspeakable.

However, Louis XVI had unwillingly gotten himself into big trouble as the Austrian quite unpredictably attacked after the French army returned exhausted from the Spanish campaign. Having several million men die in Iberian mountains for no sane reason generally can’t be considered good preparations for a future German invasion. Huge Spanish monetary donations were no stranger to that action either. France would pay. No Napoleontic brilliance could save the day and France was completely defeated. Domestic opposition rose firmly against Louis XVI and pretty soon Napoleon, on the basis of his military successes was named Prime Minister and started dictating policy.

One of his first moves was trying to reconcile himself with the Spanish King. Louis XVI had been proven a moron. Great concessions were promised for a return to the pre war situation. Pending the acceptance of the Spanish demands by Napoleon, Carlos IV, having just got the knives out of his back surgically removed, is prepared to wipe the slate clean even though the war set both our nations back a full decade. Attacking Spain was the biggest blunder in French foreign policy in centuries but at least Napoleon was intelligent enough to recognise that and take measures. He also took notice of the fact that Spain, even when being set ablaze, would not budge in any way to desert their ally Portugal, who got a big win over France in the colonies. Now if the other Spanish so-called allies would only do the same thing.

[Wyvern]

Tides of Valour – Prussia 1786 to 1803

A new King, and a new beginning. That was the cry that swept across Prussia in 1786. Prussia, yes she would be a fulcrum to bring peace between the warring parties of Europe. King Friedrich Wilhelm II had brought the last great conflict to a close by his assumption of the Prussian throne, he intended now to keep things peaceful with both the Habsburgs and French monarchs.

Mindful of his route to the throne Friedrich brought the Prussian kingdom back into the Emperors alliance whilst keeping up good relations with the French and Dutch kings. When the Dutch also joined the Emperors alliance Friedrich greeted them warmly, links with the great trading houses of Holland could only benefit his country so he felt. Everyone in the Emperors alliance seemed to want peace yet all knew France was gearing up for another war, yet this time it would be a war directed elsewhere for all of Europe watched with astonishment as relations between France and Spain began to deteriorate rapidly as King Louis finally tired of the Spanish monopolistic and restrictive trade practices.

A France occupied in Spain, a friendly monarch on the Polish throne. The opportunity was too good to pass up – having ruled for over a decade of peace here now was a chance to complete some old business with little risk of interference, and fulfil the Imperial dictate to rid Denmark of the title Prince of Holstein. Oh Friedrich Wilhelm remembered well Denmark’s invasion of Prussia when his brother before his sad decline had held off the hordes of Europe, here was a chance to strike a small but just blow, a silent tribute to a lost soul.

When King Friedrich mentioned to King Christian of Sweden in the early part of 1796, merely in passing that he intended to occupy Holstein in the near future, the Scandinavian king was quick to take advantage of the situation and begin his own war with Denmark, a course of action that would force Denmark to give in to Prussian demands and allow Holstein to be incorporated into the Prussian kingdom with minimal loss of life before the year had ended, a result that went a long way to raising the stature and wisdom of the Danish king in the eyes of King Friedrich. From start to finish the conflict lasted only a little over 8 months.

The French war against Spain continued unabated and the Emperor launched his own offensive against the Ottomans whilst the other great powers continued to be occupied. Friedrich for his part kept Prussia out of these wars and continued his policy of fortifying key provinces, bringing up the border provinces with France to large fortresses and expanding similar fortifications in the capital with the help of some small but welcome gifts from his allies. When Friedrich died a year later in 1797 he left a strong and peaceful country for his son, Friedrich Wilhelm the III.

In a series of devastating victories the Ottomans were completely overrun in the Balkan with Austrian armies captured Constantinople and pushing on into Anatolia and beyond. Ottoman defeat was complete an irrevocable.

Elsewhere the war in Spain took an interesting turn. Spain was defeated ceding Rousillon to King Louis, yet Portugal continued to fight scoring great victories over France in the colonies prompting France to re-declare war on Spain for vague, though Louis said valid, reasons as France surrendered to Portuguese demands shortly afterwards and ceded Ceylon to the Portuguese Crown. Prussia and Austria were both at peace now, the Emperor having brought his war with the Turk to a close, and both continued to watch amazed as France continued the war against Spain despite the peace with Portugal. Had King Louis gone mad? Did he want more territory from Spain or were his goals entirely different? He had gained Rousillon already after all.

The other member of the Emperor’s alliance, Poland, was at this time fully engaged in a war against Sweden having overrun the Baltic states and occupied much of Finland, yet the Swedish King continued to fight. King Louis of France, in a moment of reckless audacity sent messengers to the Kings of Prussia and Austria suggesting that now would be a good time to stab Poland in the back. Was this the true colour of the French monarch? Friedrich Wilhelm III knew his father had always thoughts fondly of the French King and had tried to follow in his fathers footsteps and maintain cordial relations, as such he would have been willing to let this insult pass. The Emperor however took it as a stain on his honour and was out for blood.

With some reluctance and more than a little trepidation, it was after all the first major foreign policy decision of the young Kings reign, in November of 1799 Prussia joined her liege lord in the war on France and entered her first conflict against the victor of Spain, the now legendary Napoleon Bonaparte.

Prussia was only half prepared for war at the time, with a peace time army numbering about 150,000 strong under the able command of the King’s Marshal Blucher. Quickly the training of another 60,000 soldiers was put into motion and the first army under Blucher of 100,000 infantry and 100 cannons marched on Koln, taking the province in a lightning assault before the defenders knew what hit them. Moving through the lowlands whilst Austrian armies invaded eastern France, Blucher headed directly for Paris and the French capital. The medium fortifications were no match for Bluchers forces, and Paris fell to Prussia not for the first time – no Paris would be hard fought over before this war was done, swapping hands at least 3 times before it was over.

Fall of Paris Take 1


Continuing the campaign more provinces fell, Champaign, Orleans, Caux and Picardie, truly it seemed France had no fight in her, but then the great general himself appeared on the scene fielding an army of over 200,000 strong. The Austrian forces were swept back, Paris recaptured and Blucher played a cat and mouse game retreated to the lowlands until the opportunity to strike once more presented itself.

Not as numerous, and unable to replace casualties with the same reckless abandon Austria and France could employ, Blucher had to pick his engagements carefully and nurture his men, yet he didn’t sit in the lowlands for long before a lightning raid saw Paris fall for the second time to Prussian guile. This time when Napoleon returned he would pursue Blucher all the way back to Koln, capturing all of the Austrian lowland provinces as Blucher was forced to sit in Koln with 90,000 men and a similar force ready to reinforce should Napoleon seek to do battle there.

Yet Napoleon turned down the opportunity – perhaps he feared Blucher’s own growing reputation on the battlefield, undefeated as he was in battle, or perhaps the returning presence of Austrian forces in eastern France commanded his attention more urgently. Whatever the cause the great general withdrew from the north and Blucher launched his third and final offensive, swiftly recapturing the lowlands before taking Paris for the third and final time.

Her resources spent, her men war weary from a decade fighting with Spain and Portugal, France and King Louis finally capitulated in 1802, ceding Koln to Prussia, and two provinces to Austria. Prussia at the end fielded an army of over 200,000 strong, greater than when hostilities first broke out. The French presence in Germany had been curtailed for now and King Friedrich Wilhelm III had scored a second victory for Prussia within a decade! Germany rejoiced but all knew peace would likely be a fleeting thing.

[Aldo]

Ottoman and World Wars
an English AAR 1770-1803

French-Austrian War
Once again France attacked the Emperor. This time followed by Prussia and the Netherlands. George III did see little sense in the French actions and the Anglo-French relations detereorated. British diplomats delivered official complains to the King of France.

Although the French attack was not looked favourably upon by the United Kingdom George II never hesitated when the Ottoman declared war on France and her alliance. The Muslims may not interfere in European affairs! UK and her allies rapidly attacked the Ottoman Empire.

After quick negotiations the Sublime Porte agreed to make peace with France, Prussia and the Netherlands which also did lead to a cease fire in the Anglo-Turk hostilities.

The years went by
The wealth kept streaming into the world spanning British Empire and its magnificant center of London. Closer ties was created with Russia and the Sublime Porte asked for a prolonged trade treaty. A group of British diplomats and merchants was sent to Constantinople to negotiate the new terms.

Surprisingly, the Ottoman Chief negotiator was an old lady, mostly interested in her hair, shoes and other matters not in the British experties. Finally a deal was agreed upon and the first amount was transfered to the OE. The British fulfillment of the deal was answered by the Turks with a request for more shoes and a make-up box in pink*. British merchants was also banned from the trading centres of Thrace and Muscate.

2nd Ottoman War
George III sent warnings to the Sultan that the Ottoman actions will be answered with a declaration of war if they were not taken back. When so wasn't done the United Kingdom struck at the Ottomans. The British allies of Spain and Portugal declared that they were not interested in defending the rights of the merchants of their allied so UK stood alone.

Initial UK raids was mixed successes with big losses but with much looting. Later on the European and Asian armies focused on quick raids in Egypt from great flotillas of British ships. This was faced with much trouble from the Ottoman side and the Sultan finally agreed to lift the trade ban. OE also sent a small sum of ducats to finance the re-construction of the British Trading Houses within the Ottoman Empire.

French-Spanish and other Wars
During the Anglo-Ottoman War France declared war on their co-Bourbon neighbour Spain. Being occupied with OE George III rejected to participate in what he thought would be the destuction of France. Portugal joined their Iberian brothers though. To the British court the news came all too late that the worlds greatest power, Spain, had been utterly defeated by a Italian general called Napoleon. With command of the French forces this general conquered most of Spain and did lead France to victory.

Due to Portugals fierce fighting Spain rejoined the war and was once more defeated. This time Spain was forced into a vassalage under France. This much angered George III and he sworn to again free the Spaniards from French rule. France ruling Iberia and getting access to the great Spanish and Portoguese navies would greatly endanger the world wide British Empire and thus the balance of power in Europe.

General Wellington and Admiral Nelson was ordered to start planning for future operations.

* These are actual events.