"Machiavelli : Europe Arising", an MP RPG AAR

Following the success of the rapid wars against the Palatinate, Hessen, Saxony, Pommerania, and Mecklemburg, it was expected in the courts of Europe that the Austro-Italian forces of Mathias would invade Brandenburg in the summer of 1619. While the armies of the Holy Roman Empire prepared for battle, the Protestants united in common cause. Denmark, Sweden, England, and Brandenburg stood united, and France was known to favour their cause as well. Not with regards to religion, obviously, but the great victories had succeeded in scaring the French king out of his complacency.

Thus it came as a surprise to many that the opening shots of 1619 were fired, not by the Emperor, but by king Christian IV of Denmark. From prepared positions in Holstein, his armies marched into Catholic Bremen on May 3, catching the Emperor off his guard. A full two months passed before the Imperial armies began the invasion of Brandenburg, and by that time the armies of Johann Sigismund had been reinforced by both Danish contingents and a large part of the Swedish army led by the warrior king, Gustav II Adolf himself.

A massive invasion of Küstrin succeeded in capturing that easternmost of Brandenburg's possessions, save Prussia, but meanwhile Gustav II Adolf had led an army into Bohemia itself, besieging Silesia. Hurrying to the relief of Silesia, the Imperial armies were badly beaten, forcing a full two months of regrouping before they could take the offensive again. In the meanwhile the Swedish king had succeeded in capturing the fortresses of Silesia, holding them against the Austrian counterattack.

Meanwhile France, not content to stay out of this purely internal matter of the Empire, had launched an attack into southern Italy, failing miserably in their assault on Milano. As Von Wallensteins main army prepared to evict the unwanted trespassers, Mathias I excerted diplomatic pressure on Louis XIII to withdraw from the war, lest he let the matter of justly punishing heretics become the cause of a widescale European war, from which none of the great powers would stay exempt. Meanwhile, Christian IV annexed Bremen and slaughtered the line of the Elector, a crime against Imperial Law and Divine Providence.

In Vienna the bells tolled for Mathias I, Archduke of Austria, king of Bohemia and Italy, Lord of Sahara, and Holy Roman Emperor, who had died of old age. He was succeeded by Saint Ferdinand II, a passionate Catholic, whose righteous intolerance of other religions was only surpassed by his piety. Willing to destroy non-Catholics root and branch, if it could bring them to our lord the saviour, he was beloved by the mother church.



With France out of the war, Von Wallenstein turned his army northwards and pressed the assault on Brandenburg itself, while a smaller army marched on Küstrin, which had been relieved by the Protestant armies. With the armies of the Elector outnumbered, it seemed likely that Von Wallenstein would be able to occupy the seat of the Electorate itself. The initial skirmishes can only have served to convince him in this belief, and his outlook must have been positive when he arrayed his forces for what has since become known as the "First Battle of Brandenburg". Unfortunately, he had reckoned without the genious of king Gustav II Adolf of Sweden, who first displayed the full extent of his superior tactics in this battle. Come the moment, come the man, they say, and if any man were to save Protestantism in Germany, Gustav II Adolf was that man. Despite having superior numbers and weaponry and being led by the best general of the Holy Roman Empire, the first battle of Brandenburg turned into a slaughter of Austro-Italian forces. Fortunately, the Protestants suffered massive, though lesser, casualties as well, preventing them from following up on their stunning success on the battlefield.



With the campaign season over, the battered Imperial armies withdrew to winter quarters and were fleshed out with new recruits. No hardships were spared in toughening up the troops, and even as the Swedish navy brought reinforcements to Brandenburg and Danish armies were being marshalled in Jylland, the Imperial armies were being driven to a fever pitch of anticipation.

With spring on its way, Von Wallenstein set forth again, striking for the heart of Brandenburg. After brushing aside the Elector's guard and storming the walls, Brandenburg itself fell into the hands of the Emperor on April 5th, 1621. Thus, with a hostile population behind, the army was only barely prepared for the bloody battle that followed... The second battle of Brandenburg.

From all directions the allied Protestants advanced on Von Wallenstein's army, and overall command fell to king Gustav II Adolf again. In a series of confrontations that lasted for two weeks and culminated with the second battle of Brandenburg, the opposing forces both took more than monstrous casualties. Of the 160,000 soldiers who clashed in Brandenburg, fewer than half that remained hale at the end of the battle. The outcome was a result of luck, mainly, as the armies were evenly matched, but on the seventeenth day the Swedes broke and the Austrians did not, and the battle was won. Yet, once again, victory had proved too costly to allow the general to truly exploit the situation.


Fully four months passed as both sides urgently regrouped their survivors and attached recruits to their damaged formations, but at the end of those four months, the Imperial armies were pressing into Magdeburg.


Yet, once again, the Imperial armies were met by a wall of swords and, suffering heavy causalties, were forced back into Brandenburg, and, with the Protestant armies in hot pursuit, forced to regroup in Bohemia. Yet another frontal assault had failed at the hands of Gustav II Adolf and yet again the Imperial forces had to while away the autumn and winter being reinforced in safe quarters, while the Protestants attempted to retake Brandenburg.


In a weary replay of the spring of 1621, the spring of 1622 saw Austro-Italian armies facing the united Protestant armies on the border of Brandenburg. Speculation was rife? Would Von Wallenstein succeed in blasting through their defenses as in the second battle of Brandenburg, and if so, would he again be stalled in Magdeburg? Would he be defeated as in the first battle, possibly opening up for a Protestant counterattack? Could the Emperor keep sustaining the incredible casualties of sustained operations? Would he withdraw the Africa Corps from Africa, sending in fully 70,000 hardened soldiers? None of these, as it turned out. The Africa corps was not weakened but maintained at its peace-time strength since 1605, and Von Wallenstein did not invade Brandenburg directly.

Under the joint command of Von Wallenstein and Pappenheim, the main imperial army of 80,000 swept through Saxony and the Palatinate, driving into the Protestant rear. Meanwhile, at small 15,000 strong second army was sent through Pommerania to relieve Catholic Mecklemburg, which was under attack by Denmark. Only 40,000 men remained to guard Bohemia and Austria-Italia.

It was a smashing success. Following a succesful assault on Hannover, the Imperial army mopped up a number of smaller forces, while the second army relieved Mecklemburg, defeating the Danish attackers. The success was shortlived, however, as the Protestants and their mercenaries hurried their armies to the battlefield. As in years past, initial success was rewarded with heavy casualties. Soon, the survivors of the main army were retreating at haste towards Bohemia, from where they could reinvade Brandenburg with the remainder of the Austro-Italian armies, now that the Protestants had been forced out of position.



Reinforced and confident in their abilities, the Austro-Italian army moved to Brandenburg, awaiting the coming Protestant counterattack. With Holstein under siege by the second army, now reduced to 11,000 men, and with the Elector of Brandenburg attempting to relieve Hannover, the Protestants were expected to attack with fewer soldiers than in the past even given their penchant for mass hiring of mercenaries. For once, luck was with Von Wallenstein. Eager to clash with the Imperial armies again and avenge his defeat in Hannover in February, the battle-wisdom of king Gustav II Adolf of Sweden failed for the first time, as he drove his forces far in advance of the allied armies. When he arrived in Brandenburg, he was outnumbered by three to one, with his allies more than a week behind. Only the spirit is eternal, as flesh is perishable and weak, and Gustav II Adolf proved no exception, as he fell on the field of battle, September 1st, 1622. He lingered, half alive and half dead, and in time he recovered, though he was a ghost of himself and never took the field again.



With the fall and capture of its king, Sweden's involvement in the German Religious War was over, and Denmark and Brandenburg stood no chance alone. Mowing down the allied armies like wheat before the scythe, Von Wallenstein struck west, then north, at which point king Christian IV of Denmark became very interested in a negotiated settlement. While the line of the Elector of Bremen was no more, an alternative could be found for Holstein. Christian IV gave up his claim to Holstein and released it as a vassal, ending the tenure of the monarchs of Denmark as imperial princes. Faced with utter defeat and abandoned by his Protestant allies, the Elector Georg Wilhelm of Brandenburg accepted conversion to the Catholic faith and swore to become a vassal of the Emperor, ending the Northern German strife.

The only Protestant state in the Holy Roman Empire was Holstein, which statelet, created by the decree of the Emperor, was loyal to Ferdinand II. The German Religious War was at an end.


With the victorious imperial armies returning to Bohemia, it was a time for the healing of wounds. The nation suffered from war exhaustion and the few remaining Protestants of Bohemia were still up in arms. As Von Wallenstein prepared to quell the remaining rebels, disturbing news reached the court. The Ottoman Empire, so long quiescent, was making claim to the Venetian colonial holdings in Africa, conquered in the joint Venetian/Papal invasion of 1592. As Venice was utterly incapable of defending her colonial holdings against this threat, Doge Antonio Priulo called on Ferdinand II to defend her colonies, something that the king of Italy had no intention of doing. Over the strenous objections of several generals and members of the AIWATC, who considered this an ideal time to attack Abayossia, Ferdinand II declared that since Venice had embarked on her African adventure without the consent or aid of Austria-Italia, so she would have to defend her colonies. Only if Ottoman forces invaded Venice itself would he intervene. In this he showed that prudence could overcome his hatred of the infidel, as the nation was weary of war. The Ottoman-Venetian war lasted from September 1623 to May 1624, resulting in the loss of the Venetian colonies of Orania and Kabylia at a minimal cost in lives as combat was limited to the African theatre.

At the same time Poland slipped her leash and invaded Brandenburg's possessions in Prussia. Despite being amply funded by Austria-Italia, Brandenburg were not able to hold Prussia. Polish forces stayed out of the HRE, as they were informed that any Polish troop movement within the HRE would lead to an immediate declaration of war with Austria-Italia. The sixty thousand Austrian troops on the border underscored the severity of the threat. Though it briefly looked as if the war luck would change when Poland was attacked by Russia and had to divert her forces at the same time as the Brandenburg army was coming together, it did not come about in the end.* The Polish-Brandenburgian war lasted from September 1623 to November 1625, resulting in the loss of Prussia and Memel to Poland.

Defeated in their goals for now, the merchant princes of the AIWATC began lobbying the Emperor less aggressively yet more persistently, to take an aggressive stance in Africa, pointing out that the gold mines of Bambuk and Buré were nearly incapable of being reinforced by the Sultan and that, additionally, they were schizmatics whom the Sultan barely tolerated. Generously gifted by the prince of Mantua, Von Wallenstein led a section of the officer corps who raised the specter of the dread Turk, once his hold on the North African coast had been consolidated, striking south by land through the Austrian colonies to link up with Abayossia and assert direct control. The Turks attack on Venice surely showed a contempt for other nations colonies, and if Austria did not preempt the Turk, the Turk would be dining in Timbuktu soon enough. To these more calculated arguments, the Emperor listened, and over the years he was swayed. The African peace-time forces of 70,000 men were reinforced by 20,000 men under Von Wallenstein and Von Hatzfeldt, bringing it to a solid 90,000 strong contingent. Based on statements from the Sultan in years past, the Ottoman armies in Abayossia were estimated at around 50,000 men, though intelligence was scarce, leaving the issue in doubt. However, due to the many funds invested in the African holdings, including the succesful conversion of many thousands of muslims and the appointment of tax collectors, legal counsels, and governors, the African recruitment capability was high, estimated at 10,000-12,000 men per two years. Once war broke, if it was deemed that reinforcements were needed, Africa could supply the soldiers. The Emperor considered this of vital importance, as he had his doubts that the Sultan would not use this excuse to invade Austria-Italia itself, despite the princes claiming that this was a minor colonial matter, just like the Venetian-Ottoman war. As a result the bulk of the Imperial armies, 100,000 strong, were distributed in two main armies: One under Pappenheim in a Bohemia in which the rebellion had finally been extinguished and one under Piccolomini in Austria. As 1629 drew to a close the African armies stood poised to invade and the fleet was ordered to the straits of Gibraltar, in order to prevent Ottoman landings by sea on the Austrian African coast.


The tales of the Austro-Ottoman conflict will be posted in a separate AAR entry, commented by one of the foremost military scholars of the day.


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OOC:
* Primarily because the Brandenburg player chose that moment to bugger off**, leaving Brandenburg AI vs Poland. Brandenburg's forces were easily defeated in detail, and I was so annoyed by the player's decision that I saw no reason to attempt to save Prussia from Poland. As another interesting result, the promised vassalage of Brandenburg to Austria-Italia did not come around, despite many state gifts, as the Brandenburg AI did not see fit to honour the player's promise.

** Brandenburg was temporarily out of an alliance when Poland attacked, as it was transferring to the Austro-Italian alliance. As this time out of alliance was absolutely minimal, it was pure bad luck that Poland chose that particular day to attack, as Poland was not watching the Brandenburgian alliance status on a daily basis (and why should he). I had not openly announced that Brandenburg was changing its alliance, which I deeply regret, as it would certainly have forestalled the player crisis that arose. As a result, Brandenburg felt that Poland was exploiting his moment of weakness and said as much, while Poland felt that he was merely attacking Brandenburg as had been his plan all along, regardless of the allies of Brandenburg. Understandable sentiments on both sides, really, causing a very unfortunate mixup that ought to have been resolved amiably, but was not. Since Poland would have been at war with Austria-Italia had the change of alliance gone as planned, I began sending many gifts to Brandenburg while preparing in secret to invade Poland to secure the result that would have happened had the alliance come around (a white peace)*** However, as I consider leaving in a huff while playing an extremely bad act, I reconsidered my decision.

*** Poland would have had good cause to curse this, as king Zygmunt III Wasa had reached an understanding with Emperor Mathias I around 1616, that should Poland take advantage of Protestant Brandenburg, the Emperor would not intervene, so long as Poland did not attempt an incursion in the HRE. However, Mathias I was dead, Ferdinand II was Emperor, the Elector of Brandenburg had converted to Catholicism, and Brandenburg was poised to become an Austrian vassal. Changing circumstances can affect the best laid plans.

The True Story of the Austro-Ottoman War



The Royal Academy of Science and Letters, Austria, December 1634

Joining us tonight is the foremost military scholar of the age, Grand Vizier Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf of the Ottoman Empire, who in a spirit of goodwill has agreed to give us a brief overview of the ongoing Austro-Ottoman war of...

It is not a war. It is the act of the international criminal gang of bastards led by the midget Ferdinand.

Quite. Now, in early 1630, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire stated his intention to attack Abayossia, the ill-defended colony of the Ottoman Empire.

Please, do not tell these lies. They were deceiving their soldiers and their officers that aggressing against Abayossia and invading Abayossia would be like a picnic. This was a very stupid lie they were telling their soldiers, what they were facing was a definite death. And as for any aggression against the peaceful Ottoman Empire, praise the Sultan, let me repeat what I said at the time: The midget Ferdinand and that Von Wallenstein deserve only to be beaten with shoes by freedom loving people everywhere!

Indeed. At the time, I believe that the Sultan claimed that his African armies were invading India?

Liberating India from the louts of colonialism, yes

As a result of which the Emperor gave the Sultan a deadline: The Emperor would attack two years later.

Yes. An attempt at shock and awe by the midget Ferdinand that backfired on the insane dwarf. We expected the aggressors to use anything, we didn't rule out that in their depression at being vanquished, those losers would become hysterical and commit even more folly...

So, you were concerned?

Yes, the glorious Sultan, Allah shelter him, concluded that we would have to behead them all.

An innovative solution, to be sure. Now, let us consider how the war finally started. We have some archive footage here:


After initial successes against the Ottoman armies, I believe you said that "We besieged them and killed most of them, and I think we will finish them soon" ?

Yes. The international gang of criminals had invaded with a huge army, some 120,000-160,000 men, but when they reached Buré, we knew we had won. For though they claimed to be the ones besieging, they were in fact besieged. They wanted to deceive their people first because they were in a very shabby situation.

Such a troop concentration, Grand Vizier, would have left Austria completely without defense. Can it really be true?

<pause>

All their armies were in Africa. You could see it for yourself, they were AAAALLLLL transported to Africa by the Austrian fleet

Your pardon, but that sounds unbelievable.

Lying is forbidden in the Ottoman Empire. The Sublime Porte will tolerate nothing but truthfulness as he is a man of great honor and integrity. Everyone is encouraged to speak freely of the truths evidenced in their eyes and hearts. I triple guarantee you, there were no Austrian soldiers in Austria

<pause>

Riiight. Now, let us continue. Over the next few months, major battles rocked the centre of Africa

The shock has backfired on them. They were shocked because of what they have seen. No one received them with roses. They were received with bombs, shoes and bullets. Now, the game was exposed. Awe was backfiring on them. "This is the boa snake. We will extend it further and cut it the appropriate way", as I said at the time.


Nevertheless, they were besieging Buré, were they not?

I can say, and I am responsible for what I am saying, that they started to commit suicide under the walls of Buré. We encouraged them to commit more suicides quickly.

Indeed. For more than a year afterwards, the armies of the Emperor and the Sultan engaged in skirmishes in central Africa, leading to the eventual defeat of the Turkish armies in theatre and the succesful capture of Buré in March, 1634.

The Turkish armies were not defeated. Buré did not fall. I visited whole Buré city, no invaders found. Anybody could go and see how we had ousted them from this city. They were cying outside and waiting to receive bullets. They were to be killed shortly. We were giving them a real lesson. Heavy doesn't accurately describe the level of casualties we inflicted. And not only were we not defeated, the Sublime Porte, praise his name! sent in African reinforcements.

Reinforcements?

Yes.


Admittedly, it was a most impressive attack, as first 80,000 Turks crossed the border, then another 80,000, and then a third group of 60,000 during the summer and fall of 1634. A most splending view from the battlement. However, it does look as if the imperial armies are regrouping, does it not?

No. Whenever we attack, they retreat. When we pound them with bullets and shoes, they retreat even deeper. But when we stopped pounding, they pushed to Bohemia for propaganda purposes. Yesterday, we slaughtered them and we will continue to slaughter them.

Most intriguing. Sources within the imperial army informs us that the fall has been spent raising a new Italian army, and that the spring fighting will see Montecuccoli fight with a full 140,000 men under his command in Austria.

Lies! They are trapped in Austria. They are trapped near Erz. They are trapped near Steirmarch. They are trapped near Lombardia. They are trapped everywhere. We are winning!

My sources are reliable. They are certain that the Austrians are fielding 140,000 soldiers in Austria this spring

Confidential advice: Recommend embargoing of certain overenthusiastic countries, who, due to favourable trade agreements, run all the trade in the world.

1. Ottoman inflation likely to be edited to 20%, since 5% were gained by mistake in a corruption event.
2. Habsburg and Ottoman income figures are somewhat dubious, as both parties are busy looting and controlling each others' provinces

This has got to be one of the most peaceful games ever. Five nations have ZERO BB, and all but two nations are in the single digits. This in spite of the plutocratic policies followed by most nations that slows down their BB reduction time...


What an innovative world

Sweden 1618-1622


In the last chapter I wrote about the economic reforms in Sweden. After 22 years of peacful development Swedens economy was at its best, our income almost doubled the income of Denmark.
Now it was tim eto rebuild our army, the swedish troops were at about 35 000 men, and everybody knew it is not enough to be secure from our neighbours or to help our allies. Especially as we saw as Denmark tried to abuse the situation and attacked its neighbour Bremen under the obvious goal to integrate this small german kingdom under the rule of Christian IV.
A little after the danish agression against Bremen Austria declared war on our ally Brandenburg. At this time our great king Gustav Adolf II. arrived with about 40 000 men in Brandenburg to defend all the protestants in the world against the rage of the Emperor. This attack came too early for us to be full prepared, the swedish army did not yet reached the numbers it should have.
It was clear that alliance of Denmark, Brandenburg and Sweden can not stand against the austrian overpower, we desperetly needed the heplp of our two other allies the english and the french. Both honored the alliance but after a few years France made a white peace and during the whole war not one english soldiers landed on the continent. This made the situation of the remaining 3 allies almost hopeless. But Gustav Adolf II. was too proud and brave to run away, he swore he will fight for the cause till there is no swedish soldiers alive.
The war started with the succesful austrian assault against Küstrin but Gustav responded with a counterattack and after beating Austria in a land battle he managed to seize Silezia.
It was obvious right from the beginning that the small alliance will have a hard time against the numbers of Austria. The Emperor could afford to assault the fortresses of Brandenburg and loose more thousend men sduring these assaults, but the manpower of the protestant allies was in no time depleted so there was no room for assaults. To make everything worse Denmarks foolish leaders thought after the first succes of Gustav that they can stay back and again tried to abuse to situation to their own goals. Denmark called back their troops and invaded the undefended kingdom of Mecklemburg.
In the following few years Brandenburg and Sweden struggled against the overpower of Austria, Denmark joined the war again as they saw the succesful austrian offensive but it was too late. In the third battle of Brandenburg, Gustav Adolf II. left alone from his allies were heavily wounded and the whole swedish army slaughtered to the last man. The wounds were so heavy that Gustav could never again lead an army to battle and there was no army to lead.
Sweden asked for peace and Austria agreed. After some more years the war was over Brandenburg were lost and Denmark payed for their foolishness.

In 1623 the opportunist dogs from Poland attacked the defeated Brandenburg which after the peace with Austria had no allies left.
Russia responded with counterattack against Poland. By that time the swedisg military tried to heal its wounds and rebuild the army as quickly as possible. At the beggining of the year 1624 sweden had about 40 000 men strong army which were send to Estonia to watch over the situation in this region....

(At that time Mulliman took back Swedenfrom me and finish the last week session)

September 1598: Holland finally free! Half free in fact...but what happened since 1582 debacle?

Spanish never ending tyranny over Lowlands continued, to the outrage and disbelief of the whole Europe. Slowly, VERY slowly, Spanish neighbours (and practically everyone were neighbours of that octopus-like country) started to realise they can either wait for their turn to be subjugated or unite and try to contain Spanish rampaging over Europe.
We all know what happened: it was the best anti-Spanish alliance could put together, I mean they were making preparations for almost 10 years! It was a huge number of forces, both on land and on seas, that confronted Spaniards. But it was not good enough. Spaniards are just too strong, unbeatable than and unbeatable now even more.

Seeing that the goal of the war – free Netherlands - will not be achieved, France and Spain agreed on the terms of peace. Staten Generaal was advised to accept Spanish offer. With William dead and Maurce von Nassau leader of the Dutch resistance Spaniards were ready to ease a bit their oppression. As a sign of goodwill and loyalty to the Spanish crown, a wedding was organised to bound von Nassau and Habsburg family.
Streets of Amsterdam are full with people, crowds going all directions and talking about a spectacle they witnessed – marriage between Spanish Habsburg princess and Orange prince. Mixed feelings on people’s faces. It certainly wasn’t a ‘normal’ wedding because you can hardly see that kind of unrestrained happiness and sincere rejoicing.
It is a political wedding, by which Orange family will finally get some control over Lowlands, after King of Spain dies, because her daughter was promised four northern provinces as a dowry.

It was after the death of Fillip II, in the year 1598 of out Lord, that Holland become an “independent” country formally ruled by Maurice von Nassau, but in the practice great attention was always paid to what Spain had to say about foreign affairs.

So, after all the efforts and extensive funding, van Rijk had to accept the defeat. It was Orange that finally took the power, which was bad enough. But much worse were special trade taxes enforced by the government. It appears this money was mostly used by the Catholic church, because every assessment made by van Rijk’s analysts showed those taxes would not be needed if the country adopted more modest Reformed religion (OOC: trade efficiency).
If one adds the amount of money Netherlands was forced to pay to her vassal overlord Spain every year, it is no wander the country was so poor. Van Rijk feared inflation would make worthless every cent he profited from his trading company. And above everything else the unbelievable ability of Queen Isabella to spend huge amounts of money!

Yes, country was in serious economical problems. Well, in every evil there is something good: people will soon see how bad rulers Orange are…Time will come they will ASK van Rijk to help.

The King of Spain, Felipe IV, was unhappy at the direction Spain had embarked upon under Olivares. Oh yes, things were going quite nicely but it all lacked the spirit of the greatest Spanish King ever, Felipe II. Spain had lost the position of forerunner of the catholic faith to their Austrian family. So far Felipe IV had largely stayed away from state affairs and had concentrated on being a patron of the arts including for greats like Velázquez and Rubens.

But that was about to change. Felipe IV set out to take the reigns himself and promote Olivares away to the newly created position of viceroy of the Sicilies, giving him large autonomy. Unrest in other places however would be quelled and further centralisation would be pursued.

Gone may have been the time of Spanish supremacy and catholic expansion, like under Felipe II, as can be seen from the maps of the glory days of the Spanish Empire.





Every core in was under Spanish rule at the end of Felipe II's reign, he had truly managed to make his rule also the rule of the world, he was El Rey Planeta, it had been the era of Felipe II. A claim however Spain could no longer make. However the Age of Olivares was now over as Felipe IV was about to assert his rule over more than just the arts.

Ottoman Empire - A new hand at the helm

Khalid al-Aziz, the name already sent a shiver down his spine - 'servant of the mighty one'. That was to be his role now, advisor to the Sultan and shaper of destiny for as long as he and his sons should live, and based on the fate of his predecessor, that might not be for so very long. His dried blood still marked the floor in front of the Sultans throne, congealed into pools and slipping amidst the cracks and minor imperfects of the stone floor before it could be cleaned away. Now it would remain a reminder forever more of the delicate path he must tread between life and death in the service of his Sultan. Thinking about this he vowed to let his servent deliver any news of the magnitude of that African debacle if such were to occur again in the future. Contemplating the result that that news had heralded was not pleasant!

Now the war had extended to Europe following this wanton aggression by Austria, and so Ottoman armies marched north through the Balkans leaving a bloody trail of corpses behind, tens of thousands dieing on both sides. The Sultan intended to storm the very walls of Vienna he said, if that was what it took to force Austria to withdraw from Africa. Only time would tell if he could accomplish such a goal, or humble the Emperor's armies sufficiently to force him to the peace table.

Khalid al-Aziz entered the golden court to give the Sultan the latest news from the front and prayed very much that his fate would not be the same as his predecessors.

Netherlands 1598 – 1618: economical development despite of Spaniards draining us more than ever!


September 1598: Constitutionalism

The influence of Orange and his Spanish wife supported by Spain as vassal overlord in Staten Generaal was more or less balanced by Regent’s Party and her influence in towns, where lived most of the Dutch population. Taking also into the account that majority of the rich merchants (as for example van Rijk family), that paid most of the taxes to the treasury, supported Regents Party, it is no wander that the country was organised as a Confederacy with some traces of Monarchism. Choosing that middle way between two extreme possibilities had both positive and negative aspects. Power of the aristocracy was somewhat lowered and people received even more freedom, which also encouraged innovativeness. On the other hand, central state institutions were even further weakened, as well as control over trade. One could say it was a balanced decision.


September 1598: First economic reforms

While people were still celebrating, attending feasts and entertaining events Isabella and Orange party were organising on the streets of all major cities in Netherlands, van Rijk gathered a few most prominent merchants from Amsterdam in his company headquarters. Important decisions had to be made, both for their and country’s wellbeing, for someone had to keep filling the treasury to keep Spaniards happy. And save every additional cent for the future – struggle for independence was all over.

The first decision reached that afternoon was that Spanish centre of trade in Flandres must be boycotted and a new Holland Centre of Trade created. Why would Spaniards collect all those trade tariffs, when they could stay in Dutch hands. Well, at least pass through Dutch hands to Spaniards . And so it was done and Netherlands got her first centre of trade and her first monopoly. And to much secret rejoicing among Dutch merchants, Flandres Centre of Trade soon bankrupted.

The second important decision was the creation of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Strict control over the loan market maintained by the Stock Exchange also gave the country the possibility to proclaim the 5% deflation. Unfortunately, because of Spaniards and their loooooong oppression, that opportunity couldn’t be used, because Netherlands didn’t have and inflation. Imagine what vonders could we have done with for example 5000 d non-inflatory money! DAMNED Spaniards! So instead the state-build factory, the first enterprise funded by issuing stocks on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange was Zeeland Refinery and since than that factory was used as a prototype for a few more throughout the country.


1598 - 1599: Orangen “foreign policy” – further submission to Spain

While Regent’s Party was mainly concerned about the economy, Orange were “busy” waging wars against the remaining rebels, an addition to the Isabella dowry. They also organised Netherlands to enter Spanish alliance. Soon trade agreement was also signed with Spain, that one at least being beneficial for both countries. Although it was a weird kind of an agreement, because Spaniards right in the middle of the Holland Centre of Trade announced their American Centres of Trade are still closed for all but Spanish merchants. One more sign how one can expect to “cooperate” with Spain .


January 1600: Veerinigte Oostindische Companie

OOC: Strictly speaking, this is not too related to the game, so if you are not interested in circumstances that have lead to the foundation of the VOC and it’s organisation, you can skip this part.

FOUNDATION
The VOC - Dutch United East India Company - was born in 1600 (1602*) from a fusion of six small companies. Directly after the eerste schipvaart (first fleet) of (1598-1599) (1595-1597), which had been organized by the Compagnie van Rijk (Verre) of Amsterdam, had demonstrated the possibilities of Asian trade, companies were set up in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and in Zeeland. These companies accumulated capital for one expedition at a time. Nonetheless, there was continuity in the board of directors; the merchants in charge or the bewindhebbers (directors) sponsored successive expeditions. Each time the ships returned from Asia the investors, who included not only the board but also other shareholders or participanten, got back the capital they had subscribed, naturally augmented by a share in the profit. These companies competed fiercely with each other, which put pressure on the profit margins. The dwindling returns threatened to frighten off investors and to endanger the future of the trade with Asia
The directors of the companies were by no means blind to this development and co-operation rapidly took place on a local level. The eventual unification into one company did not happen spontaneously, but was enforced by the government. The Dutch Republic was at war with the king of Spain and Portugal. The existing companies, now mainly referred to as the voorcompagnieën (pre-companies), were unable to play any role in the conflict against Spain and Portugal. One united Company could be a powerful military and economic weapon in the struggle. The States General, under the guidance of Johan van Oldenbarneveldt, the leader of the Regent’s Party and The Raadspensionaris of Holland (counsillor pensionary, the other powerful office next to the stadholder), paved the way for a fusion. Eventually, after the intervention of the stadhouder, Prince Maurits, the Zeelanders were no longer able to hold themselves aloof. On 25th January 1600 (20th March 1602) the States General granted the charter valid for 21 years by which nobody except the VOC could send ships from The Netherlands to or conduct trade in the area east of the Cape of Good Hope and west of the Straits of Magellan.

CHAMBERS AND SHAREHOLDERS (DIRECTORS)
Under the charter the voorcompagnieën became departments or kamers (chambers) in the united Company. There were six of them: Amsterdam, Zeeland (which had its seat in Middelburg), Delft, Rotterdam, Hoorn and Enkhuizen. Agreement about the share of the chambers in the joint shipping and trade to Asia was reached fairly quickly. The Amsterdam Chamber was apportioned half of all operations, Zeeland a quarter and each of the four remaining smaller chambers were allocated one-sixteenth each. The Zeelanders were reassured by this system of distribution which was laid down in the charter; they had feared that, should the capital deposited by the chambers have been taken as the basis for the share in the management of the business, Amsterdam would have won more than half.
The directors of the voorcompagnieën became the directors of the chambers as a matter of course. After the founding of the VOC, the seventy-six directors who had headed the voorcompagnieën were placed in control of the new company. The charter which established the monopoly and the duration of the business, albeit provisionally limited to twenty-one years, altered the position of the directors. They now formed a real board, a managerial group, with its own aims, which were distinct from those of the shareholders. Of course they were themselves important investors and, as such, their position and interests did not differ from those of the other shareholders. But as managers they strove to increase the turnover, and for continuity and consolidation, rather than for any short-term profit which would give the investors a quick return on their investment. The charter fixed the number of directors at sixty: twenty in the Amsterdam Chamber, twelve in that of Zeeland and seven in each of the smaller chambers. Besides the sixty directors mentioned in the initial charter, in the course of time directors from outside the Chamber cities took their places on the boards of directors.

HEREN XVII – GENERAL BOARD
A general board, the Heren XVII, which was to be put in charge of the general management and was to consist of representatives of the directors of the chambers, was placed above the chambers. One great problem was how the proportional relationships between the chambers, which had now been settled, were to be reflected in the general board. Because Zeeland wanted the vote on the general board to be taken according to Chamber - so that each Chamber could have as much say as any other Chamber - agreement initially miscarried. Finally the Zeelanders consented to a head count in a board which was to consist of seventeen members. In it Amsterdam would be represented by eight directors, Zeeland by four and the smaller chambers would have one each, while the seventeenth member would be appointed in turn by one of the chambers other than Amsterdam.
The Heren XVII established a set working procedure. This board usually came together three times a year for meetings which lasted for one or more weeks. Between these sessions there were meetings of committees of directors, which prepared policy planning for the Heren XVII or inspected the management of the chambers. Like the meetings of the Heren XVII these committees, which were not mentioned in the charter and which evolved during the first half of the seventeenth century, were composed of delegates from the boards of directors of the chambers.
The following committees were active:

1. A committee for drawing up the annual balance sheet.
2. A committee for attending and supervising on the auctions of the chambers.
3. A committee for inspecting the books of the chambers.
4. A committee which read through the correspondence and documents received from Asia and then composed a draft letter for the administration in Asia. This committee, which was composed of four directors from Amsterdam, two from Zeeland and one from each of the smaller chambers, met in The Hague and was known as the Haags Besogne.
5. In wartime, the fleet was issued with secret routes and signals. These were compiled by a secrete commissie.

THE CAPITAL
There was yet another aspect on which the charter was a compromise. This was in the matter of capital. Because the charter was to be valid for twenty-one years, the VOC was no makeshift organization which, as had been the custom of the voorcompagnieën, had been set up just for one expedition. Nonetheless, no-one had wanted or dared to tackle the consequences of this for the regulations regarding the accumulation of capital. Even before the founding of the united Company, the voorcompagnieën had collected money to finance the outfitting of ships for Asia. These ships were now amalgamated into one fleet; this vloot van veertien schepen (fleet of fourteen ships) was thus the first that was equipped by the VOC for an expedition to Asia. Hereafter, the charter proclaimed, opportunities would be offered for the depositing of new capital, not just for one expedition, but for a term of ten years, in which period several fleets would be equipped for Asia. The shareholders or participanten would get their money back in 1610 (1612), plus the profit which had accrued up to that moment, and there would be a fresh opportunity to subscribe capital for the next ten years. Moreover, it was laid down that as soon as five per cent of the original investment had been returned to the Company immediately after the return wares brought back from Asia had been sold, there would be a distribution of dividends to the shareholders.
These stipulations made the accumulation of capital impossible. This did not tally with the aim which had featured prominently in the foundation of the VOC: the provision of a firm and solid basis for trade with Asia. Therefore this provision was more honoured in the breach than in the observance by the directors. The shareholders had to wait a very long time for a distribution of dividends and there was no restitution of capital after ten years. The original investment remained unchanged throughout the entire life of the Company. The States General, who had issued the charter, supported the directors in their non-observance of these stipulations.
In 1620/21 (1622/23) the charter was renewed for twenty-one years. After the shareholders had lodged a complaint, they were allowed a little more say, but there were no real changes accomplished. Later renewals of the charter often gave rise to political entanglements: various towns and provinces seized the opportunity to bargain for privileges, such as places for extraordinary directors in one of the chambers, in return for support of the renewal. On these occasions in wartime the States General sometimes asked for money or naval support. It was only late in the eighteenth century that any doubts arose about the methods employed by the Company and the situation in Asia was brought into the discussions held at the time of the renewal. But even then this did not amount to any real criticism: in general the Company enjoyed the support of the States General and the government strictly maintained the monopoly of the VOC.

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE VOC IN ASIA
Although the initial charter of was clear-cut and detailed in the way in which it laid down the organization of the VOC in the Dutch Republic, it was conversely vague about the administrative structure in Asia. The octrooi (charter) allowed the Company far reaching rights in the octrooigebied (trade zone: the area east of the Cape of Good Hope and west of the Straits of Magellan). The VOC could build forts in Asia; employ soldiers; conclude treaties with Asian rulers; and appoint judges. However, these rights were not elaborated on: probably when founded it was yet impossible to foresee in what way the authority of the VOC overseas would expand.
The first fleets sent out by the VOC were much more heavily armed than the ships of the voorcompagnieën had been. The armaments were not so much intended to win territory in Asia, as to inflict as much damage as possible on the Portuguese. To begin with the Company adhered to the practices of pre-VOC: the admiral of the outgoing fleet was given the supreme command in Asia and all the Company's employees were subject to him, whether they were in his immediate vicinity on ships or at some trading post or other. After a few years it became apparent that this way of going about things did not have much to recommend it and that the Portuguese example - a central authority in one fixed place - was worthy of imitation.
The directors decided to place the supreme command in Asia in the hands of a Governor-General, who was to be assisted by a Raad van Indië (Council of the Indies). After a lot of fighting Batavia was founded. This became the seat of the Governor-General and Council or the Hoge Regering (Supreme Government) as the Governor-General and Council were soon designated, and it became the administrative centre and rendez-vous for the Company's shipping traffic.
The Governor-General was not all powerful; he was the first in council, but was not empowered to take any important decisions without the council. The directeur-generaal (director general) was second-in-command; he had supreme control over the entire Company trade in Asia. Initially a certain division of labour had been thought out in the distribution of the other posts, which gave rise to a great number of double functions. As visitateur-generaal (auditor-general) one of the council would supervise the accounts; one would assume the function of president of the Raad van Justitie(Court of Justice); another would be put in charge of military matters; and yet another would concern himself with shipping. In practice it proved difficult to maintain such an organization; there were frequent vacancies caused by departure or death. Eventually the aim was to have six councillors besides the Governor-General in office in Batavia, while there would also be a few extraordinary councillors, who would enjoy only an advisory capacity.
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* Some facts are changed to fir to role-playing and AAR. Real historic data in such cases is marked red


1599-1605: First VOC enterprise – Bengal Disaster

VOC was the second and the most important economical achievement so far in The Netherlands. Along with the modern shipyard in Amsterdam, Friesland Refinery was build. Additionally, 200 d was given to the treasury and new merchants were educated.
Even before VOC was founded, actions in Asia began. A capable conquistador Coen leading 20 000 man was sent to acquire a rich centre of trade Ganges to the Republic. War was declared on Bengal in December 26 1599.
Unfortunately, preparations were poorly done and Bengali defence was underestimated. The fact that declaration of war was send much earlier than forces were ready to act, because some accountant calculated it had to be before the new year (OOC: foundation of VOC and Bank of Amsterdam raises stability), definitely didn’t help.
Nevertheless, capable Coen did have some initial success and even managed to start an assault on the city of Ganges. Unfortunately, the attempt failed and soon our forces were attacked from all directions by large Bengali armies. It was time to accept the defeat and try another time. Not so soon, though, because initial funds provided by various trading companies were mainly directed to establishing strong trading facilities in all important centres of trade.


1599-1605: First VOC enterprise – Bengal Disaster

Another important economical reform was creation of the Bank of Amsterdam. Dutch loan market was more than doubled and large loans were available for the government to take. Fortunately, Raadspensionaris Johan van Oldenbarneveldt succeeded in maintaining balance between income and always increasing demands of the stadtholder and his wife, so loans were not needed.
Nevertheless, flourishing city of Amsterdam took a large loan and invested the money into a new Art Academy, becoming thus one of the European centres of art.


January 1601: Military Reforms

Even the most dedicated critics of Orange and their government (as van Rijk for example) had to admit Stadtholder Maurice von Nassau was a very capable military commander. He was also a very good organiser. Well, one had to admit Netherlands could have really ended up worse.
When military matters were discussed in Staten Generaal, Maurice was always present and gave his contribution, but moreover, he was able and ready to listen a good advice. So in 1601, when the need of a large military reforms was discussed, everyone relatively fast agreed Netherlands really needs a strong navy. Surely, army was important as well, but Dutch wealth and fortune lied on seas. Therefore all efforts were directed to the reform of the navy.
Netherlands become completely naval oriented country, with high quality army. Along with that a more mercantilist and trade policy was adopted and more funds was directed to education and art, because we needed more innovative citizens. Science, technology and quality were the weapons Netherlands should use against her enemies.
Soon it was noted by Spaniards that we were advancing fast:

"BiB (Spain) :The Dutch already have better tech than me."

Noble and (already than) peace loving Scandinavians tried to cool down the tensions:

"Kurtbrian (Denmark) :They had an event BiB...."

…but jealous Spaniards persisted:

"BiB (Spain) :Even then "

We knew perfectly well what that meant: more taxes, more fancy dresses for Isabella, more hunting and tournament for Orange. We needed more funds. Sure, our trade was flourishing, but it seems our dear government can spend more than we can collect even with VOC, that advancing slowly, but steadily.
A more resolute approach was needed…


1615 - 1617: Second Bengal war and Ganges Centre of Trade incorporated into VOC

What was needed for VOC to reach the next step towards to the most efficient company known in the world was it’s own centre of trade. It was time Coen to lead the second expedition against Bengal. The war was declared on April 7 1615. As expected, huge Mughal Empire joined Bengal side, so Coen had to act swiftly and precisely. This time all forces were on the position and Coen landed in Ganges with 30 000 man. The fort was assaulted and taken in the matter of weeks and Coen moved on to Howrah. After a short battle against 20 000 k Bengali army, Howrah was taken as fast as Ganges.
The initial plan was to go on to Bengali capital itself and force them to accept our demand that Ganges centre of trade is handed over to VOC. However, a huge Mughal army made Coen to change his mind. So instead of that he took his army back to the fleet and landed in Orisa, took it by assault and continued to Bengal itself. After a short battle against inferior Bengali army, the city fell to his control.
Evading returning Mughal army, Coen again embarked the ships in Ganges Delta. As expected, soon Bengali government sued for peace. They offered more than really needed: Ganges Centre of Trade, Howrah and Odisa. War still went on against Mughals, but since VOC really didn’t need so much territory in this area, in August 5 1617 Netherlands accepted peace with Mughal Empire giving them Odisa.
So VOC and Netherlands ended up owning Ganges. Naturally, as capable as they were, VOC merchants soon spread Ganges influence in Asia and made it the world largest centre of trade.


1616 - 1618: On the wings of successful VOC campaign Regent’s Party takes control over Staten Generaal – new reforms and enterprises

The first was really van Rijk’s idea how to take some money form Orange. Seeing how lucrative VOC became in less than two decades, and seeing the new opportunities that will come up with Ganges incorporated in VOC, Orange started demanding their share in it.
When they have been given the charter of the company to read, what could them do but to accept entering the company so late was really not an option. Instead they were subtly lead to reach the conclusion they could found their own company. Thus in January 11 1616 Veerinigte Westindische Compagnie, VWE, United West India Company, was founded. Shareholders were mainly members of the Orange party and they were given the territory of The Atlantic and its coasts.
The treasury and Amsterdam Stock Exchange (managed by members of the Regent’s Party) got their taxes and fees. Shareholders of VWC were even persuaded to accept the explanation that they should make some contribution to VOC. So they paid for the new Karroo Goods Manufactory . And with all capital that was left the only thing VWC had to do is take some land and start conducting business. Everyone sincerely wished them a good luck. Everything looked bright, only van Rijk at some occasion noticed “we could wait forever”, whatever that could mean.

The second reform under Regent’s Party was application of Arminianism in the arguments regarding religion, mainly because it opened the door to even more innovativeness in the society. The side effect was total religious freedom in the country. Although in general good, it could lead to some problems in the new Asian colonies, especially Ganges Centre of Trade.

Netherlands 1618 – 1634: Exploit continues – until Dutch finally throw off Spanish yoke!


1618 - 1632: Spaniards continue to exploit Netherlands while public discontent rises

Spain was a clear economical leader in the world, as expected. But that she was so overwhelmingly dominant in the ability to, by pure force of arms, dictate the policy of two great powers – that was simply scary! Spain threatened France and England, and did it publicly and to both “powers” in the same time, making thus the humiliation even worse, to immediately lift the trade embargo or face war. And the embargoes were cancelled and Spanish income become even larger, rising to more than three second highest combined! To put more salt on the wound, Spain “generously” lifted her embargo on England, knowing very well England didn’t know the location of her American centres of trade.

What could have Netherlands hope to achieve in such an atmosphere? Nothing good. We did what we could. In order to secure both our and investments of our allies, we signed a trade agreement with England. France choose not to accept our offer.

It was well known fact that Dutch government was spending too much money. Part of it was unavoidable – that awful tribute to our vassal overlord Spain. But inexcusable large expenses of the Stadtholder Office were simply intolerable! Netherlands was a confederation with strong provincial governments. There was no need for a large central government apparatus. And besides, Stadtholder’s main duties were connected to the state of war and defence of the country. What members of the Regent’s Party pointed out in the Staten Generaal that Netherlands was at peace, maintaining relatively small army and hopefully protected by Spain and vassal overlord, so there was no excuse for such large expenses, the situation escalated and full inquiry and analyses of government expenses was ordered.
The outcome was somewhat disturbing for Stadtholder Maurice of Nassau. Although he tried very much to keep it secret, it become almost public knowledge he was using government money for private expenses. The excuse that his wife Isabella was just used to much higher Spanish standards than available in Netherlands was not received with understanding. What higher standards? It was well known Dutch cities were nice and clean and well organised and ruled. Apparently what was missing was Spanish-type of court life in an imposing palace. Well, that was certainly out of the question in Republic of Netherlands!
Stadtholder was advised to quickly find a way to found his family life separately from his office. Help was offered by van Rijk: if Spain would open her American centres of trade to “Compagnie van Rijk”, part of the profit would be transferred to Maurice of Nassau and his wife. Unfortunately, Isabella didn’t succeed to persuade her brother to allow it.

Without any other way, Maurice of Nassau found the “solution” in the only job he was qualified to do: battle. With religion war culminating in northern Germany, coming as close as across the border to the province of Muenster, Maurice decided Dutch army needed some training and lead 25 000 man to fight rebels there . It was widely spread gossip he also received some money for this “mercenary” service, although no one really saw it. Either his wife spend it ‘in the fly’, or it was only an excuse used to prevent Spanish vassal overlord to question Catholic Netherlands dubious influence in war of religion.
After defeating rebels, Maurice lead his army marching to province of Odenburg. It was besieged by Austrian forces and Maurice intended to check the technology of German refinery there, before Austrian soldiers possible burn it to the ground. However, salt producing province proved itself to be very insufficient to support Maurice’s army, so he returned back to Netherlands, not wanting to loose too many soldiers to starvation. As apparently Austrians did, forced even to abandon the siege of the city .

Maurice of Nassau died in 1625 and Frederik-Hendrik of Nassau become the Stadtholder of The Netherlands. In the same year Portugal cancelled the vassalization she had with Spain. When Netherlands asked what she should do to be treated equally, the answer from Spain was to become good Catholic. Like we were anything else than that! The only thing we didn’t do was burning people because of some backwards middle ages nonsense like witchcraft. It was clear Spaniards intended to keep us enslaved indefinitely…


1632 - 1634: Cancelling of vassalisation and religious freedom

Seeing from day to day how more and more money is thrown away to Spanish treasury, while in the same time Netherlands was deprived some basic rights of a sovereign country, people start first to whisper, than talk loudly on the squares and streets, about the need something to be changed. It was clear where the problem was. Although the vassalisation tribute itself was becoming higher and higher as time passed, the main problem was special trade taxes designated to the Catholic church (OOC: being Catholoc nation meant no Reformed trade bonus). Some estimation show that only without those taxes Netherlands income would rise about 20%. So much money lost while there were even no more marriage ties with the Spanish Royal Family since Maurice of Nassau died in 1625.

Therefore at a secret meeting of the leaders of both Regent’s and Orange Party it was agreed at the first convenient occasion Spanish yoke will be overthrown. Appropriate preparations were conducted. Dutch navy become a relevant force to be counted with. Home Fleet numbered 50 ships. For better mobility, they were loaded with the main European army, commanded by Stadtholder Frederik-Hendrik of Nassau himself. Thus our forces in Netherlands were about the same as Spanish forces in their Lowlands provinces. VOC Asian Fleet numbered 40 ships, and Asian army of 20 000 man was commanded by a capable conquistador Nassau-Siegen (4/5/3/2), ensuring thus safety of Dutch VOC territory.

Before the final step we needed some guarantees that some other powers would intervene in out behalf if needed. Initial talks were promising. However, we were VERY disappointed when in January 1630 Ottoman Empire declared war upon France over Kutch Centre of Trade and French trade embargo. There was Habsburg diabolic duo, unchecked and dominating the world, mainly just because of such quarrels between other powers.
However, this time Habsburg’s intervention worked to Dutch advantage. Austria choose this moment to demand Ottoman African gold mines in Bambuk and Buré for The Austro-Italian West African Trading Company, so Ottoman Empire was forced to sign a white peace with France in April 1631, only to be attacked by Austria a year later, after all negotiations failed. With Austria occupied by war against Ottoman Empire, which quickly spread on European battlefields, Dutch saw their chance and Stadtholder ordered the full maintenance of Dutch armies and navies and preparation for a possible war. The largest part of the Asian Fleet loaded with Nassau-Siegen army started intensive manoeuvres off the coast of Manila, the capital of Spanish Cortesiannes (OOC: Phillipines), where Spanish main Asian forces were stationed.
In January 26 1633 The Netherlands cancelled the vassalization she had with Spain and entered into Military Alliance with France, England, Sweden and Denmark. It was also declared Reformed to be “first between equal” religions in the country, enforcing thus religious tolerance instead of previous privileged position of the Catholic religion.

Our new allies praised our decision, but Spain was not satisfied at all. Trade agreement we had with them was cancelled instantly and instead trade embargo was enforced. Well, it really meant no difference, because we were not allowed to trade in Spanish American centres of trade anyway. Time of pride and economic prosperity, but also time of constant fear of Spanish sudden intervention began. Our highly developed colonies were swiftly transformed to cities and investment in their infrastructure continued immediately, according to the following pattern: fortress-governor-tax collector. Hopefully soon we will have enough money to build courthouses in every city, but as long as Spanish threat was hanging in the air, we had to keep our armies and navies at full readiness, which was naturally expensive. More than 20% of our income was directed to military maintenance, but we had to be ready…

Felipe IV, with Olivares promoted away as virrey in Naples, was now fully in control of Spanish policy. However he did lack the drive of Olivares though he had the necessary intelligence. Not only a patron of the Arts, he also became a patron of the Sciences. Big projects were started concerning weapon and naval tech manufactories. Military academies were started up which were highly successful. Though it did produce very skilled mid level commanders, the highly skilled genius generals no longer found their way thru the Spanish ranks. Protestants and Frogs were fighting each other up in the north relieving Spain of that duty and peace continued to reign in Spain. Rubens and Velázquez immortalised Felipe IV as the most portrayed king ever.

Felipe IV however did like his navy. He set up large expeditions to fight the growing piracy problem in the Caribbean and invested vastly into expanding the Spanish warship fleet. The army was largely left alone though it hardy needed reinforcing as it had a standing strength of 350K+. Our family in Austria endured great times as it beat the Ottoman Empire to the West African goldmines and Brandenburg became its catholic vassal. African and American gold were invested widely into the new Habsburg ally. Amongst others Vorpommern was purchased from Sweden for Brandenburg. Times in Spain were so good they culminated in a year that will go down in the history books as extremely exceptional.

Louis XIV had risen to the throne in France and looked like he could be a right winner, early on aided by Mazarin. Already having easily won the northern war his army kept improving massively, with exceptionally skilled leadership to boot. More populous than Spain, they finally started making use of their numerical advantage. Wealth started pouring in too. France started looking fearsome. When France asked Portugal to lift its embargo, we grudgingly did so. However we will not accept any return embargo.

Domestically however things continued to work out for Felipe IV. Several internal trade ordinances were issued but most of all was the finally putting to rest of all unrest in the Low Countries. This highly added to the centralisation of the nation, so much even that Spain was now as centralised as the model of centralisation, Louis’s France. A policy started in earnest under Felipe II finally was completed. The king ruled supremely as an absolute monarch. The aristocracy and plutocracy was played of each other and his subjects were free, staunchly catholic and utmost loyal to their king and who provided Spain with the best production efficiency in the world. Few people still wanted to leave Spain but the La Plata area was slowly being colonised nevertheless.

However disturbing news reaches us from Paris about a gifted general who goes by the name of Turenne ...

With the zemsky sobor’s unanimous election of Mikhail Romanov as czar in 1613 the Time of Troubles was ended, and the greatest Russian dynasty the world would ever know was begun…


1618-1622 Mikhail Romanov

Mikhail’s real rule of Russia began in 1618 (that when I came in ) . As several czars before him he continued to encourage (or demand) that Russian citizens and traders make the dangerous journey eastwards overland to Siberia, even to the coast of the wide Pacific. Thus, he reasoned, he could send political dissidents and drains on society far away from his prosperous capital, while reaping the benefits of their labors. Though many disenfranchised tradesmen answered the call, few survived the arduous journey and harsh conditions of the east. Mikhail also, against the advice of his father (Philaret, patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church), began hiring western thinking advisors and put into motion several laws relaxing the hold of the feudal system over his people. Russia would still be considered extremely narrow-minded in its policies, but Mikhail was a relatively forward thinking czar. *

Only one year after this prosperous period began, Mikhail decided that it was time to expand the territory of the empire, and to free Russian peoples who labored under the yoke of their heathen masters. To accomplish this, he turned his eyes toward his neighbor to the south, Crimea. At first, Mikhail attempted to free the Russians living there peacefully, and many envoys were sent to Muhammad III. Unfortunately, Muhammad was quite insane, and completely unreasonable. So, with a heavy heart, Mikhail ordered that a declaration of war be sent to Crimea, and for regional troops to begin crossing the border. On April 8th, 1619 Muhammad received the declaration, and (futilely) mobilized his armies to meet the righteous might of the Russian Empire.

Shortly thereafter, Mikhail received envoys from the Turkish Sultan, seemingly incredulous at Russia’s just war with Crimea. Mikhail knew that Turkish troops could make his life very difficult, and, already at war with Crimea, he did not want to have to deal with the Ottomans at the same time. Not to mention, the rulers of Poland and Sweden were as-of-yet unknowns to young Mikhail. In a quick move to prevent disaster the czar arranged for a sizable gift of gold from Siberia to be sent to the sultan on his behalf with the message that the czar desired only to free Russian peoples, and continued peace with the great Ottoman Empire was his greatest wish. It worked like a charm

Prince Dmitri Mikhailovich Pozharski, hero of the Russian people, led the assault on the provinces of Lugansk and Volgograd. Here there lived the subjugated Russians, whom Mikhail had planned to free. Dmitri was given command of some 90,000 Russian soldiers, including several contingents of Cossack horsemen, though the vast majority were conscripted peasant infantrymen. These territories were quickly overrun by the massive imperial forces under the competent leadership of Prince Dmitri. Regrettably, Muhammad III still refused to see reason, and Dmitri was forced to engage the Crimean armies and to conquer the entire realm of Crimea. Only then would Muhammad III accept defeat and release his ill-gotten Russian lands. For his stubbornness and for the cost which he had forced Russia to pay in gaining lands rightfully belonging to the czar, Mikhail also demanded that forevermore Muhammad pay him an annual tribute, and publicly announce himself as a vassal to the Russian Empire. On August 17, 1621, Mikhail received the surrender of King Muhammad III.




After the successful war with Crimea, Mikhail decorated his good friend and staunch ally, Prince Dmitri, with many honors and a glorious banquet in Moscow. The people lauded their hero and savior of many wars past, and Dmitri passed away knowing that his name would forever be among the greatest Russians. With a successful war under his belt and a living hero to support him, Mikhail established cantons around his capital and neighboring provinces, to better provide for future conflicts. He also used the incident with Crimea to usher in a new age of friendship and cooperation with the government of Georgia, a fellow Orthodox state (very few were left by this time). The king of Georgia was only too happy to become a vassal of the mighty Russian Empire, thus gaining its protection and guidance.

It was a happy time for the Empire, but storm clouds loomed on the horizon and old peasants spoke in whispered tones of the menace to the west…







* Almost all the major nations are above 5 Innovativeness...so I decided to up mine a bit from 0 to prevent too big a difference in tech

** Thanks to Bucknell University for the cool crest

The year was 1635. Brandenburg, an electorate in north germany had recently lost the German religious war against the catholic emperor and his imperial stormtroopers. The peace was humiliating. Brandeburg was forced to become a personal vassal of Austria-Italy, and furthermore the prince, a devout protestant, was forced to convert to catholicism in the St. Peter Cathedral in Rome. This was a time were two paths were available toBrandenburg was at a truning point in history. Would it remain the southern bullwark of protestantism or find its way back to the Cathloic faith.

Georg Wilhelm, the prince, was a broken and humiliated man after this defeat, and he left it to various nobles to govern his country. The following years anarchy ruled. Slowly a distant relative of the current elector-prince, Frederik Wilhelm got more and more power. Frederik Wilhelm was a peaceful man, having seen what terrors and poverty the previous war had caused the citizens of Brandeburg. He was a firm believer in peace. His first act as advisor and defacto ruler of Brandenburg was to enter into a alliance with the former enemies from Austria-Italy.



During these years a great war raged among the largest baltic nations. Sweden who for the last century had been very eager to expand at the cost of Denmark, Poland and Russia, had finally gone to far and a temporary allince between the three nations had declared war on Sweden. They had hoped for Swedish allies, France, Holland and England to be occupied elsewhere, but they interferred on behalf on Sweden and ultimately that prove to be the alliance downfall. During th crisis of the Pommern inherritance it looked as if Brandenburg would also be drawn into the conflict as Sweden had claimed the province of Vorpommern as a payment for a loan the Pommern prince had taken in sweden years before. Frederik Wilhelm was furious as he rightly felt that Brandenburg had been cheated out of some fine real estate. The army was immediately sent to occupy the province and negotiations started with the hardpressed swedes.
After 3 years of haggling it was agreed that Vorpommern would be ceded to Brandenburg if the old loan was repayed to the swedish crown. As brandenburg was a poor country it had to turn to its master for the money. On the 18th of january 1640 Vorpommern was officially turned over to Brandenburg. The money used to pay of Sweden was not for free as the emperor wanted rights to send horders of missionaries across the border to preach the catholic faith to the protestant majority. Frederik Wilhelm had gotten Vorpommern but it was not for free.

At the end of 1640 Georg Wilhelm quietly passed away and Frederik Wilhelm was now also the offical ruler of Brandenburg, Hannover, Kleves, and Pommern.
During these years a great army reform was made as the army, was weak and underdevelopped. It was sorely needed to have a great army. Preferably the strongest in the world…

The emperor didn’t waste much time, so over the following years he and his cousin in Spain commisioned a lot of missionary activity, and soon the entire eastern part of the country was back to the one true faith.

Current Manpower & Supply Limits


Notes:

• No matter your manpower, your manpower gain per year will be at least 12,000
• The Turkish, Russia, and Polish support limits are currently depressed due to the loss of parts of their economy from war exhaustion
• That Sweden has the fourth highest naval support limit is because of just about every Swedish province having a port
• The impact of Spanish wealth on the support limit is self-evident and sort of scary
• But then, so is the image of a peace-time army of 290,000 men under King Louis XIV of France

Netherlands 1635 – 1650: slow development in every aspect under the constant threat of Spanish intervention!

It was a peaceful decade for Netherlands, with the only exception being VOC war against China for control over Asian trade. Apart from that single large boost, country developed slowly but steadily. However, Spanish threat was constantly hanging over our heads, as soon Dutch European army was significantly outnumbered by Spanish Lowland army. The only real Dutch weapon was possible trade embargo against Spain. And even that was not nearly good enough, for Spanish economy was very strong. So planes were made to strengthen our position in that aspect and coordinated with some separate planes of our allies.

Things were looking good, because for the first time in the history it looked like Habsburgs were not the one having initiative, but rather having to respond (or decide not to respond) on the events dictated by the other side. And than it all failed! Even before it began! All favourable conditions, like Austrian war against Ottoman Empire and expected rebellions in Spain, all neglected and let to slip away… Netherlands was VERY upset when the first received message from our ally was “All planes are postponed”. Why? Was it really over the duty to help an ally or perhaps Spain was still too scary even for much stronger countries than The Netherlands, so they didn’t want to upset her even indirectly? Nevertheless, an alliance should take care about all it’s members and their goals and try to accomplish optimum. Or something like that… But let’s see it from the Dutch angle step by step…


1535-1542: waiting favourable conditions and danger of Spanish intervention to decrease

It all really started a while ago, with Swedish conquests on the account of Denmark and Russia as well as perhaps even Poland feeling she should have something Sweden took from a third party. So it was to no surprise to anyone when in July 1635 those three countries decided to unite against Sweden.
Sweden was at that time a member of the military alliance with France, England and Netherlands. France and England felt their duty was to defend Sweden. Holland felt the same, but couldn’t allow herself the luxury to be ruled by feelings. Not with 85 000 Spanish soldiers in Brabant. Most likely France and England didn’t expect at all to be forced to intervene with such large forces and for so long time.
Dutch were convinced what little they could contribute to that war wouldn’t be significant at all, so decided to stay out of it completely. To our outrage and fear, there were times when only a few man were defending France, and probably only a few ships sailing around England! Spain must have given them some really firm guarantees she will not intervene…but how could we be sure??

While Northern war was still going on full scale, Austria defeated Ottoman Empire in Africa and Europe and strengthened significantly her position in Africa by acquiring gold mines and provinces of Bambuk and Buré in September 1636. I am sure this was a VERY dangerous situation for French alliance, but fortunately Austria had other planes. First was tying Brandenburg more firmly by itself. And relatively strong Baden as well. They both entered Austrian alliance. Soon it was clear Brandenburg got something out from it, but so did Austria: a strong Catholic vassal in the north. We hope to maintain our relations with them both and resolve all possible conflicts diplomatically.

During 1640 and 1641 peace negotiations finally started in the north. When it all ended in May 1641 it was clear ALL bat Sweden lost something. The most clear looser was Russia, which had to give a province of Olonets to Sweden. Denmark and Poland saw their not so good planes failing, like they were written on the sand of Baltic coast and gone with the first tide . France and England lost some resources, armies and ships. And we all lost valuable time for possible more successful achievements.

Unfavourable circumstances continued in 1642. Russia was the definite looser of the Northern War, not only because she lost a province to Sweden, but also because Ottoman Empire found that to be the perfect time to raise her claims on north coast of the Black Sea. Soon Russia and Poland were at war against Ottoman Empire. Situation was definitely worse than in 1635. The only good thing were French armies, that FINALLY started to look like armies capable of defending against Spanish attack.

And we just heard Spanish navy had 260 ships! Dutch navy grow stronger during past 7 years and numbered about 100 warships and transports, but what was that comparing to Spanish navy? And the news about the civil war in England only meant English navy will be able to offer less support in the case of the war. But we couldn’t wait forever. Having our army and navy just maintained while doing nothing was just too expensive for our small country…


1543-1544: new VOC actions toward the control over Asian trade

No, we couldn’t wait forever. The situation was by no means perfect, it was much worse than in 1635, but our forces in Asia were on their positions for ages already. Two capable conquistadors commanding more than 20 000 man each were loaded on two navies and send towards former Japan and Gulf of Tonkin. The target were Chinese centres of trade, if possible all three of them: Kansai, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Netherlands had to control more trade if she was to maintain some balance against Spain and that’s exactly what was announced to Spain and the world, just before Netherlands in May 1643 declared war on China. Louis XIV rose to the throne in France, showing everyone how decisive he can be during the short “Lollipop diplomacy:

"TheArchduke (France) :Louis XIV rises to the Throne."
"BiB (Spain) :well, how old is he? 9?"
"Peter Ebbesen (Austria) :Well met, young Louis. We wish you a long, full life."
"TheArchduke (France) :Well he seems like an awfully good monarch although so young."
"Kurtbrian (Brandenburg) :”Here kid, have a lollipop"
"TheArchduke (France) on´t you dare, Elector Prince."
"Khal (Denmark) :hehe"
"Kurtbrian (Brandenburg) :"
"Peter Ebbesen (Austria) :Oh, does France want lollipops? That should cut down on the price of PERSONAL GIFTS "
"TheArchduke (France) :The next country offering France lollipops will be dowed."

Nevertheless, we had to act fast, giving Spain no tome for intervention. Although for the first time in the history it seemed Spain was on the receiving side of the stick. When France demanded Portuguese trade embargo to be lifted, Spain grudgingly persuaded her ally Portugal to accept French claims. I wander if she would be ready to do herself wither American centres of trade?

Northern army commanded by Nassau-Siegen landed without any problems in Kansai and the city was taken by assault. Nassau-Siegen ordered instant loading on ships and soon the expedition corps sailed toward Chinese capital Beijing. Southern army had some problems. First a Chinese fleet had to be defeated, but soon city of Guangzhou was taken by assault. Commander Stuyvesant than ordered sailing to Shanghai. Things looked great. If Shanghai and Beijing forts could be taken that fast, we could end it in less than a year. Unfortunately, assaults in both cities failed, Beijing one because it was interrupted by Chinese attack, and Shanghai one because there were stronger fortifications there. So a third army was send to Shanghai, while Nassau-Siegen retreated from Beijing waiting Chinese main armies to pass through on their way south, to lift off Shangai siege. As soon as there was only a medium force in Beijing, Nassau-Siegen landed there, defeated them and this time took the city by assault. In the meantime fresh troops arrived in Shanghai speeded up the siege. Soon another assault would be possible…but than an unfortunate Chinese government collapse happened! Well, I suppose we should be satisfied with only Kansai and Guangzhou centres of trade joined the VOC . It was June 1644 – a nice accomplishment in just more of a year.


1545-1550: Dutch position strengthened but new troubles emerging on the horizon

With the acquisition of two new lucrative centres of trade, 2300 d or more than 20% of the world trade was going through the VOC – a nice figure that will hopefully prove sufficient to keep Netherlands at peace.

Although troubles are never far away. Our allies could be in trouble, judging from the diplomatic exchange between England and Spain. It appears Spain doesn’t approve English most natural claims on their island. So what if some provinces are of the different culture or religion? It’s an island and it should be naturally ruled by one country. After all, we all remember Spanish invasion on England in 16th century, that came through Scotland.

An obvious failure of anti Dutch propaganda!

Originally posted by Emperor of HRE and his propaganda ministry

World Shocked By the Revelation of Dutch Aviation Secrets!​

Unknown to most nations, the Dutch military is taking giant leaps of military progress, with the development and deployment of the first manned planes in response to the Spanish threat, as evidenced by this quote:

However, Spanish threat was constantly hanging over our heads, as soon Dutch European army was significantly outnumbered by Spanish Lowland army. The only real Dutch weapon was possible trade embargo against Spain. And even that was not nearly good enough, for Spanish economy was very strong. So planes were made to strengthen our position in that aspect and coordinated with some separate planes of our allies.

Will the Netherlands now dominate the skies? What sort of weapons can these "planes" carry? Will God strike them down for presuming on the prerogatives of the angels? Only time will tell. Fortunately, it seems that these nebulous allies have abandoned the efforts to depart the ground for the skies:

...Netherlands was VERY upset when the first received message from our ally was “All planes are postponed”.

In an attempt to divert attention, the Netherland's minister of information, Mr. Mikael Saijd van Sahaf, tried pointing fingers at Austria-Italia:

... I am sure this was a VERY dangerous situation for French alliance, but fortunately Austria had other planes.

As usually, propaganda from this Mr. van Sahaf should be taken with a ton of salt. The Austro-Italian Council for the Pursuit of War neither has nor does it pursue aviation plans, and, so we are reliably informed by our network of agents, neither do Denmark or Poland, despite Mr. van Sahaf's claims (in his best oratorical style):

...Denmark and Poland saw their not so good planes failing, like they were written on the sand of Baltic coast and gone with the first tide


The question remains: Have the Dutch learned the secret of flying like the birds or is this just yet another in the endless string of fabrications from the Dutch Propaganda Machine? Time will tell.

Click to expand...

It is, as usually, Habsburgs who are guilty for that obvious mistake .
When one constantly has to keep his head I the dictionary while reading their posts (like for example this “contrite” – very unlikely feeling for an Habsburg ), who could honestly demand the same for writing answers? We have better things to do, knowing how precious time is and how dangerous Habsburgs are.

Dutch are, however, grateful to the Emperor for his second help in the matters of language.
We are also grateful for the efforts of his propaganda ministry, for now we really don’t have to seek and rephrase all above “planes” – the message is with your intervention just more clear: leave the Netherlands at peace, especially you backwards in technology.

For Your Eyes Only – Military Size, Tech, Morale & Maintenance Costs 1650​

Notes:

• Morale is given for 100% maintenance
• Maintenance costs are given for the last year and probably for 100% maintenance during the whole year
• Total Maintenance costs are given as a percentage of the last year total income

Analysis:

• Brandenburg really is an army with the state
• Hmm, Netherlands isn't the only one ruining her economy - a lot of countries are spending fortunes on military maintenance
• Spain REALLY went too far with her army and navy
• While on the other hand Russia could be described as the most pacific nation, even under Tsar Damocles - so much about facts

For Your Eyes Only – Yearly Income Adjusted by Inflation
1650​

Notes:

• “Total manageable income” is the sum of all types of monthly and yearly incomes in EU 2 term of income
• “Intellectual income” is contribution to research form manufactories, where Art Academies are assumed to contribute with 30 d/year, and all other types of manufactories with 60 d/year

Analysis:

• All Dutch accounting division will be fired, because they applied the “inflation adjusted method”, suggested by Professor Ebbesen from Vienna University, while instead they should have used some other approach, that would blur the fact that The Netherlands is doing not so completely bad
• However, nothing can hide the fact that Spain is unbelievable rich, especially relatively to other countries
• As already mentioned in unofficial lobbies, Austria-Italia should really invest some money in her northern vassal. Perhaps after so many domestic complains against her AIWATC the best thing would be to transfer that colonial possession to Brandenburg and pay for conversion of colonies

Now, those data will give you much better picture! Really!

For Your Eyes Only – Yearly Income
1650​

Notes:

• “Total manageable income” is the sum of all types of monthly and yearly incomes in EU 2 term of income
• “Intellectual income” is contribution to research form manufactories, where Art Academies are assumed to contribute with 30 d/year, and all other types of manufactories with 60 d/year

Analysis:

• It is clear Spain is TOO POWERFUL – almost larger income than three her main competitors combined
• Look carefully both effects of Spanish manufactories and draw your own conclusions

For Your Eyes Only - World Trade
1650​

Code:

[font=courier new][color=yellow]Trade                                 BRA    DAN    ENG    FRA    HAB    HOL    POL    POR    RUS    SPA    SWE    TUR[/color][/b]
[color=skyblue]COTs Owned                          [/color][color=white]    0      0      2      3      2      5      1      3      1      3      1      4[/color]
[color=skyblue]Total Trade Through Owned COTs (d)  [/color][color=white]    0      0    558    782    526   1386    125    838    322    588     98    681[/color]
[color=skyblue]Total Trade Through Owned COTs (%)  [/color][color=white]    0      0      8     12      8     21      2     13      5      9      1     10[/color]
[color=skyblue]Merchants                           [/color][color=white]    0      4     15     78     11     84      1     29      2    111     39     15[/color]
[color=skyblue]Total Trade (d)                     [/color][color=white]    0     33    169   1618    116   1326     14    485     23   1659    348    211[/color]
[color=skyblue]Trade/Merchangt                     [/color][color=white]    -      8     11     21     11     16     14     17     12     15      9     14[/color]
[color=skyblue]World Trade %                       [/color][color=white]    0      1      3      25     2     20      0      7      0     25      5      3[/color]
[color=skyblue]Own Trade Through Owned COTs (%)    [/color][color=white]    0      0     13     91      8     36      0     36      7     79     33     15[/color]
[color=skyblue]Trade Efficiency (%)                [/color][color=white]   38     65     61     59     51     74     50     69     41     59     65     58[/color]
[/font]

Analysis:

• While Dutch share in the world trade DROPPED the whole 1% since 1634, Austrian share DOUBLED since than! The only consolation can be that Spanish shate dropped somewhat more than Dutch. But again we can clearly see Habsburgs united just can’t fail
• Figures about the own trade through owned COTs clearly indicate France (91%) and Spain (79%) are the only monopolists. An objective observer can’t but conclude that shares of Netherlands and Portugal are ideal for the free market.

By early 1635, following skirmished during the fall and winter of 1634, the Imperial Armies had gathered under the leadership of Montecuccoli for the purpose of driving the Turk out of Austria and Bohemia. Meanwhile, the Turk was attempting to consolidate his attacking forces for a final push west. After much maneouvering by both armies, they clashed in Austria itself before the gates of Vienna. Though initially of even strength, Montecuccoli's generalship was the better, and when his reserve formations caught the Turk on the flank in mid February, the Turkish army was eliminated. Following such a magnificent victory, that left Hungary undefended, Montecuccoli began marching on Thrace to end the war once and for all...


Meanwhile, the gallant representatives of the Austro-Italian West African Trading Company, stiffened by Imperial Stormtroopers, were taking dreadful attritional casualties in Abayossia, but one by one the provinces fell and local officials were executed. By September, 1636, the Sultan finally admitted that his colonies were undefendable, and peace was made, the gold mines of Bambuk and Buré coming under imperial ownership. In this the AIWATC was frustrated in their goals, but the Emperor was adamant. Given the potential damage to Austria-Italia itself from the AIWATC's actions, it was only right that he who bore the brunt of the Sultan's anger reaped the rewards.


Upon the death of Ferdinand II in 1637, his son and heir took up the crown under the name of Ferdinand III. A more tolerant man than his father, he looked at the wasted countryside of Germany, which had still not recovered from the Religious War, and dedicated himself to the restoration of the Holy Roman Empire. This was primarily done by the sending of many lavish gifts to the states of the Empire in need, and, once the pious Friedrich Wilhelm became Elector of Brandenburg, Brandenburg was gifted beyond all previous known measures. It is estimated that from 1640 to 1650, Ferdinand III gifted Brandenburg with 17% of the income of Austria-Italia while racking up inflation to pay for the foreign aid. Much of the money was spent on proselytising amongst the protestants and the construction of a new weapons manufactory, and it was money well spent: By 1650 Brandenburg had a solid Catholic majority.


Meanwhile, the Emperor began dabbling in trade. The new gold mines in Africa had shown themselves to be immensely profitable, and seized by the image of wealth beyond measure, the Emperor began taking indirect control of the AIWATC via those of the merchant princes who owed personal allegiance to his person. It was Austria-Italia's destiny, he proclaimed, to control all of Western Africa as an Austro-Italian colony, much like the Spanish possessions in the new world. The main difference, he claimed, was that since Africa was so much closer than the Americas, it would be easier and cheaper to administrate, and thus more profitable than the Spanish overseas possessions. This analysis did not stand the test of time.

However, while the analysis was flawed, the dream of Ferdinand III, the "Merchant Emperor", was the direct cause of the West African Purchase Acts of 1650, whereby three trading posts and a small colony were bought from Portugal, while the rest of Abayossia was bought from the Sultan in return for gold, trading rights, and a ten year non-aggression treaty. As this was during the great eastern war between the Turk and the alliance of the commonwealth of Poland-Lithuania and Russia, the deal was seen as mutually beneficial and perhaps an omen of better relations with the Turk in times to come. This proved to be overly optimistic, as the immediate influx of missionaries into Abayossia, though predictable, could not avoid offending certain influential clerics in the Ottoman Empire.