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CONSTITUCIONALISM?!?!!
I don't wanna to live in this world anymore
Too right, a society where everyone has to go for a walk after a decent meal is frankly intolerable.
On the other hand some very nice additional gains there in Persia and Java.
And on the gripping hand - has there been much if any spread of Turkish culture?
So much rarity to be found in this update. A gifted heir dies then is replaced by another one just as good and the vanilla defection event made an appearance. There has been a crippling lack of expansion in Australia though. Conquest there would add drama and interest into the story.
I could not believe my luck with the second heir, I felt certain I was going to get a vegetable. I suppose this means never again can I complain about good heirs dying etc! Yes, Australia was indeed quiet during Selim's reign, although Indonesia got some attention. The next update confirms that it will take some form of player intervention to liven things up.
another fine update and more pic's on the way
Thanks very much, indeed the next update is ready.
CONSTITUCIONALISM?!?!!
I don't wanna to live in this world anymore
Haha, sorry to disappoint, although the constitutionalism has beena theme throughout many of the updates. There will still be plenty of conflict, don't worry!
There hasn't been much at all if you exclude colonies. A few provinces in Asia minor have flipped, but that's about the extent of it. I didn't get a cultural map for the next update, but will grab one this evening.
Thanks for all your comments, next state of the world is on its way.
1763 - The State of the World
Europe remains a tinder box. Spain, France and the United Kingdom are the most wealthy and powerful states, although France continues to struggle with its ongoing revolution. Not much has changed in Germany, while the Netherlands have remained disjointed. Of the smaller states, Holland has acquired a small colonial Empire, and is very wealthy through trade. Novgorod have recently made some progress against Ryazan and may yet emerge as a major power, while Poland and Lithuania have remained a similar size for much of the game. Great Britain maintains is continental enclaves at St. Petersburg, around Riga, Norway, Sweden and on North Africa. Austria has never managed to rebuild, with Bohemia, Austria and Tyrol all vying for power in central Europe.
Asia remains in a fairly volatile state. Ming has lost some ground to Daxia, while the Timurids reach extends from Siberia to the Hindu Kush. Japan remains divided, while Korea has taken control of significant areas of Manchuria and are a regional power. Mewar and the Gupta Empire via for control of India, while the Empire is consolidation its position on the south of the Indian mainland.
Africa has not seen many dramatic changes since our last look. Ethiopia have lost some ground to rebels in the south and in the west, but they appear to have regained control for the time being. There have been a number of conflicts between Ethiopia and Mali, but neither has gained a decisive advantage. Mali and Fez have both generally done a good job of resisting European expansion, although Fez has lost control of Tunis to the Empire. In the south, the now Spanish colony has expanded fairly significantly, and is making inroads up the western coast. There are only five uncolonised coastal provinces remaining.
Large empires have grown in North America. The British have colonised vast swaths of land in Canada and the US, with a number of smaller nations holding northern ports. France have performed relatively poorly, they hold a few scattered provinces in Canada and Mexico, and have developed a medium sized but poor colony in Alaska. The union of Aragon and Castille has merged two of the larger holdings, and their vast territory covers both the east and west coast, as well as some isolated cities in Mexico. Mecklenburg have established a large fur trading empire in the remote north of Canada, but it does not generate a huge amount of wealth.
Arriving very late to the game, the Ottoman Empire has carved a small territory out of the pacific north west, centred on Vancouver island. The provinces are not particularly rich or populous, and much of the land is wasteland claimed in name only.
Some reasonably neat colonial divisions have emerged in South America. The Ottomans have established their dominance along the north coast of the continent, with only a few cities lying outside of their control. Portugal dominates the eastern coast, while to the south France have almost totally replaced Sweden in Argentina. Milan have a smaller holding on the west coast, but Ming continue to dominate this region and have monopolised much of South America’s precious metals.
In Oceania, the Ottomans have become the dominant state. Over two thirds of Australia has now been unified under the Empire, with isolated Swedish, British, Spanish and Genoese colonies located along the northern coast. Holland have a colony centred on New Guinea, and Spain have grabbed a number of coastal provinces on the Spice Islands. Turkish control of Java is almost complete, although this has not yet led to any other islands falling under the Empire’s control.
The expansion of the Sunni faith from Siberia to Casablanca has been largely driven but the Ottoman and Timurid expansion. In Hungary and Croatia a few Christina provinces remain, and there are also a few left in Italy, but most of the Empire has now converted. In Europe, the reformation has lost ground recently, with its most powerful adherent, France, reverting to the catholic faith. Sweden and Lithuania remain the only major European states to follow the Lutheran faith, along with a number of smaller German states. There are currently no states with reformed as the state religion, and the number of provinces has also shrunk. Russian orthodoxy is now squeezed from the east by the Muslim hordes, and the West by Lithuanian Lutheranism. In the south, Ethiopia have largely converted their domain.
Technological progress has continued along the trajectory from the last update. The Ottoman Empire now has a sizable lead over almost every other nation in the world, but western Europe has remained within toughing distance. France, Spain and Great Britain are all very modern states, while much of the HRE are not too far off the pace. Novgorod have made up considerable ground, and hold an advantage over almost all their neighbours. Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa have generally fallen by the wayside, and are now very vulnerable to the superior armies and navies of the west (and the Ottomans.)
This screen really shows the reality of the game now. The Ottoman armies are larger than the next two combined, and our manpower reserves almost are as well. In terms of navies, the gap is far closer, but our decisive lead in technology, big ship numbers and overall ship numbers means realistically it would take a large naval alliance to challenge us on the seas.
This is all underpinned by the lead in income. We have an income that is larger than Spain, France and Great Britain combined. Note that there is very little inflation among the big players. Mali are performing very well in this repsect despite poor technology – the west African gold mines are very useful.
Here we can see the results of the decision to develop specialist provinces for recruitment and production. At the time this was taken, Kostantiniyye, Al Iskandariyya and Konya all have recruitment centres, and produce formidable numbers of soldiers. Dubrovnik, previously one of my wealthiest provinces, has been left behind as new goods such as steel create new centres of wealth. Fez must really be smarting at the loss of Tunis. Our Indian cities, with their generally high populations, are the best source of tariffs, but notice a few Australian provinces have crept up the list. In terms of tax, the list is much as you would expect. Large cities with a Muslim population dominate, led by the capital.
Looking at the latest pie charts, and the result of the conversions is apparent. Over 75% of the empire is Muslim. There have been a few conversions to Wahabism, but not enough to really have an impact on the state. I’m not sure what the ‘noreligion’ province is, possibly a result of the save game issue from earlier. The geographically diverse empire produces most goods in large numbers, so there is little surprise that no good emerges as the dominant form of production. Culturally, over half our provinces are Turkish, although this is perhaps misleading as it does not take into account the relative populations of provinces. Not many provinces have flipped – the large number is mostly accounted for by colonisation. Finally, a sizeable majority of provinces are cored. Expansion has been relatively steady, so we have not had a minority of cored territory for many decades.
Production and trade are our two major sources of income, although tolls and tax do make a noteworthy contribution. Tariffs are a fraction of income – our colonial empire has not really brought all that many benefits in the grand scheme of things.
Notice that our navy is actually more expensive than our army, but more than a third as well. The expensive event is the one off succession cost, while manufactories includes the building of level 4 and level 5 province developments. There are still a reasonable number of missionaries active, although these have generally been active for years with a very low chance of success.
Finally, the world’s wealthiest centres of trade. London leads the way, the development of Britain’s empire has really boosted the number of goods flowing through there, and the same is true for Gharnata in Spain, although to a lesser extent. We have three of the top ten CoT’s, although Dubrovnik and Al Iskandariyya are not a million miles away from those below.
The 'noreligion' is caused by the claimed wasteland provinces. Do you have any stubborn provinces that refuse to core no matter what?
Ah, of course. There are two or three wasteland provinces in North America, so that explains it. I haven't noticed any particularly stubborn provinces, I think generally the coring has followd the conquests at what feels like roughly the right interval, but I havem't really bee tracking it other than whenI've made these overview updates.
Looking good Seelmeister, it appears I have some catching up to do in the tech department.
Dear Mister Seelmeister,
I'm not rushing you since I know your laying down the hammer on some unruly types..... but an update to one of my favorite AAR's would be much appreciated...... Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaase???
I'm not rushing you since I know your laying down the hammer on some unruly types..... but an update to one of my favorite AAR's would be much appreciated...... Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaase???
When I've not managed a single update in the last month I think it's more than fair to call me out on it
I've played ahead a little, and the game has got pretty stale. Only a few powers will declare war, and there is little to stop me winning any conflict. I will finish this AAR, but I'm planning to inject a little more excitement into it. My plan is to switch to a revolutionary government, nuke my stability and declare war against either every neighbouring state, or every other state in the world.
Sorry for such a long wait, but I'm going to start playing again over the next few days and will have a new update out at some point this weekend. Thanks for your patience; this AAR will be finished in some fashion
Good to see that there will be a closure to the AAR that got me started with MEIOU.
The world has changed.
The Turkish Empire had for decades given the outward appearance of strength. While its neighbours struggled with internal divisions and costly wars, the Empire seemed on an unstoppable path as every coalition assembled against her might failed. Autocratic tendencies of earlier Khalifah's were curbed and a remarkable political settlement evolved over many decades, preventing the alienation of growing classes such as the merchants. This settlement had also helped to bind the vast number of nationalities and religions to the Empire, limiting the scope for any factionalism or instability.
The great powers of Europe, cowed by the military and financial clout of the Empire, had long abandoned their dreams of a Christian Europe, and even the capture and conversion of Rome was insufficient to encourage further major attempts at forcing back the influence of Kostantiniyye.
Nevertheless, discontentment had been brewing for many years, and paradoxically the very reforms designed to eliminate internal strife were slowly stoking its fires during the mid 18th century. With the office of Khalifah reduced to a mere ceremonial head of state, and the holders of office increasingly reluctant to lead men on the field of battle, people began to question the divine right of the Osmali family to monopolise power. Janissaries and the Ulema, although vastly weakened in stature, still enjoyed a privileges status which was increasingly questioned.
Kostantiniyye and the Turkish heartland had long enjoyed the steady flow of spoils from the battlefield, which had funding a great number of monuments through the cities. Although some developments were for the common good, such as the extensive road network, most benefited those who already enjoyed positions of privilege in the military, among the religious scholars, and the increasingly wealthy merchants.
The far flung colonial empire, a source of great pride for many among the chattering classes, served to further divide the populations into those who could, and those who could not. Exotic colonial foodstuffs and good were an all too visual reminder of this growing divide.
In the 1760s the agitation began to build, and rioting broke out in wealthier cities. Initially the merchant classes were the focus of this out pouring of anger, and this was incorrectly interpreted as an opportunity. Lobbied into inaction by the religious and military classes, the Empire turned a blind eye to these protests. While the influence of the merchants was undermined, this inaction offered the riots the opportunity to gain currency farther afield, and as its strength grew so did its ambitions. Religious scholars and janissaries sound found themselves the target of ire, and what had initially appeared to be a relatively minor appearance soon took on the character of a general revolt.
Khalifah Murad IV, realising that action must be taken, again misjudged the mood of his people. Assuming that the agitation could be pacified through a new constitutional settlement which curbed the power of Parliament and its favoured classes, at the expense of a proportionate growth in the power of the monarchy, the Sultan imposed martial law and announced the suspension of the Parliament.
Kamar Gazi, Who had become involved with demonstrators in Kostantiniyye, rose up in open revolt. The population flocked to his cause, and Murad soon found himself barricaded in the palace. The armies of the Empire were several weeks from the capital, and the Khalifah's guard were too few in number to hold the masses at bay.
The cowardice of Murad broke the resolve of his bodyguard, who began to slip away. On the 4th July 1772, the palace was stormed, and Kamar Gazi declared himself guardian of Kostantiniyye
I dont know if you did it on purpose or not, but the July the 4th overthrow made me chuckle.
Revolutionary Turkey? I suspect that the empire is going to spin out of control without the divine right to keep all the territories united.
Also, this is why we use the Turkey tag in MEIOU rather than the Ottomans, so it doesn't look bizarre when the dynasty changes.
I suspect that the empire is going to spin out of control without the divine right to keep all the territories united.Also, this is why we use the Turkey tag in MEIOU rather than the Ottomans, so it doesn't look bizarre when the dynasty changes.
Read the very first page (of humble beginnings and all that) and then couldn't help but glance at the most recent developments. I see I have a lot to catch up on. What I've read was interesting and what I've seen on this page is borderline insane, so I hope to work my way through things and see how this medium-sized Anatolian power ended up as a world-spanning Empire-turned-revolutionary-republic.
Read the very first page (of humble beginnings and all that) and then couldn't help but glance at the most recent developments. I see I have a lot to catch up on. What I've read was interesting and what I've seen on this page is borderline insane, so I hope to work my way through things and see how this medium-sized Anatolian power ended up as a world-spanning Empire-turned-revolutionary-republic.
Welcome! Hope you enjoying tracking the progress, you've very much arrived at a 'break' in the path of the game. Hopefully what has come between the start and this point will help place the last post in some kind of context
Yeah, tried to amp up the tension a bit for the readers. Going to play over the next few days and make sure it's difficult, can always dock some stability, manpower and standing armies if things are too routine though.
Revolutionary Turkey?
Also, this is why we use the Turkey tag in MEIOU rather than the Ottomans, so it doesn't look bizarre when the dynasty changes.
That does make a lot of sense. I'm thinking that MEIOU dynamics like war dynamism will make things very interesting, as I susepct there will be large areas I simply cannot hold (especially colonies who have no chance of reinforcement).
It was a total fluke believe it or not! Turkey, bringing freedom to the world two years early...
Thanks for your kind words, hopefully the change of pace will inject some more drama into this AAR
Thank you, again I hope this these developments will keep things interesting for readers.
Thanks to all readers and all those who comment. After having some time off with MotE and Heart of Darkness, as well as a busy life away from the computer, I'm making this a priority again and hope to finish the AAR over the next few weeks. Next update will be tonight or tomorrow, and I'll show you a bit more detail about the state of Turkey's armies, and the volume of enemies.
Chapter 24 - Hostile armies march, May to September 1777
The revolution in Turkey piqued the interest of the numerous rival states who have lost territory as the Empire expanded, but one key factor discouraged any intervention. The army had very quickly recognised that if they wavered, it would present an opportunity for foreign rivals to intervene. The Turkish army leaders quickly declared their support for whoever occupied the palace, and initially no one attacks the empire.
Over the next few years it becomes clear that Kamar's rule is not without opposition. He secures a mandate to lead a second Government, but there are clear indications that the vote in Kostantiniyee has been subject to manipulation and coercion, and it is not clear whether votes vast out with the capital were counted at all. Rebel activity increase, especially in the far flung territories of the Empire. In early 1777 Kamar decides to capitalise on his neighbours weakness, and launches an invasion of Hungary. His gamble pays off, and the instability is temporarily quelled while the armies march.
Hungary, controlling only two scattered territories, call in the support of Austria and Tyrol, but the Christian alliance is soon overwhelmed. It is at this point that Kamar makes a critical error of judgment. Declaring that the European monarchies are discredited, he calls on citizens in the occupied territories to rise up and join the Revolutionary Empire, where they will enjoy the rights of free men and women.
The state of the occupation prior to Kamar's declaration of universal rights.
This rhetoric spreads like wildfire through Europe in April 1777, and the response of the European rulers is both hostile and coordinated. Throughout May ambassadors in Kostantiniyye deliver a great many declarations of war, as almost every kingdom bordering the Empire declares a war against the Revolutionary Empire which poses such a grave threat to European power structures.
Turkish armies at the outset of the war number in excess of 600,000 men, but are dwarfed by the numbers the combined anti-Turkish alliances can bring to the field. Trhe greatest threat is faced in Italy, where it is likely that large numbers of French and Milanese forces will soon be in action. The great invasion not only represents a rare occurance of European and Christian unity, but is also unique in the desire of its participants for a total victory over Turkey. Although most have suffered a personal loss against the Turks, it is the existential threat that the new politics pose which will ensure that no early peaces as signed. (New house rule – no peace treaty before 1780. Not even in the event that a OPM is overrun and occupied)
The most threatening alliance Kamar faces. The threat posed by Turkey succeeded in uniting traditional rivals such as the French and the British.
In addition to the standing army, Kamar has 200k available for recruitment. The decision is made to immediately assign 75,000 to new and expanded armies, largely for the forthcoming battles in Europe. The Empire gains 7,800 men a month, so further recruitment will follow once the treasury permits. Turkish lands in India, Brazil and Australia will have to hold with the forces they currently have as no men or monies can be spared for these theatres until the Turkish heartland is secure.
There are currently 220,000 men under arms in Italy and Austria/ Hungary, which should be enough to offer some stiff resistance at least until the French arrive. However within the first few days of the war a great number of hostile forces are spotted marching. Naples (6,000), Milan (49,000), Bohemia (40,000), Firenze (29,000), Siena (8,000) and Venice (17,000) are all in Turkish lands within the first week of conflict. The first met in battle are the Venetians, who have chosen to attack a poorly led Turkish army. The battle provides few shocks however, and the Venetians are quickly forced back to their island.
The first battle for Italy. The Venetians invade before more numerous forces from Milan and France can arrive, and are soundly beaten.
Fez also invade North Africa but suffer a heavy loss, for the time being this theatre looks secure, at least in relative terms compared to Europe. However the North Italian front looks far less secure. Following the defeat of Venice, our free army marches east to assist in combating the Bohemian invasion. I don't want to lift any sieges, but the Bohemian stack of 40,000 threatens our occupation of Austria and Hungary. The Bohemians choose to strike at Szombathely, a Hungarian province with a huge level 4 fortress which we have had under siege for more than a year. Our progress is 100% and a breach has been formed, but we have not yet attacked due to the garrison numbering in excess of 4,000 men. On the 18th July, before our relief force can arrive, we are forced to retreat from the fort and abandon the siege.
The large Bohemian force inflicted a costly defeat on the besieging Turkish forces
Just after the battle 78,000 Polish soldiers are spotted crossing the border in a three pronged invasion. Shirvanshah, a three province minor, declare was against us. It is a sign of the times that their war capacity is actually greater than ours, admittedly just by 1%. Reflecting this, we are presently unable to spare any soldiers to face their 9,000 men. Meanwhile our relief force has arrived is Szombathely, and we defeat the larger Bohemian force who have not yet been able to recover morale from the first battle. They retreat quickly however, and suffer just 2,500 casualties.
A second army soon throws the Bohemians back, and they are able to withdraw to Moravia.
Our three combat fleets have been sent to block the passage of any ships east of Sicily. Although the total number of enemies fleets is far greater than our own, we set our three fleets in overlapping patrols which should hold the straits for the time being. In early August 9 French ships are sunk over two short battles, and then we intercept a large Spanish transport fleet. No warships are defending the transport fleet, and they are sunk with little damage to our own fleet.
A very large but poorly defended transport fleet is intercepted by the Turkish frigate. Estimates put the numbers of Spanish dead at over 35,000
Elsewhere, 20,000 Swedes have landed on the North East Australian coast. We begin to combiner our smaller armies to repel them. Elsewhere on the subcontinent, there are a total of four hostile settlements. The British have three, defended by a 35,000 stack, while the Spanish have one undefended province. We have a totally of 40,000 men so should be able to tackle the initial forces.
In early September 44,000 Novgordian soldiers advance south and defeat our 30,000 defenders at the battle of Dniepr. Novgorodian casualties are far higher; while we suffered just over 6,500 losses their lost almost 11,000. There are however few forces available to repel the invaders in the north for the time being.
Novgorod arrive with a large force, and throw the Turks back in the Crimea.
As a small 16,000 army marches north to combine with our defeated force in the Crimea, another front is opened against us. The Timurids arrive in the north Caucasus on the 8th Spetember, two large hordes with a total of 66,000 men initially. We have only 20,000 men nearby to face them, not even enough to tackle the forces should they become serperated. The Northern front, although not as critical as Italy, looks grim.
Hordes of Turkic warriors invade from the east, hoping remove the Turkish threat from the Caucasus.
That's one nasty war you've gotten yourself into. I suppose you could turtle in Italy but everywhere else has a massive broad front. I suppose you could get lucky with the opposing coalition spreading themselves too thin. Is this several wars or one massive war thanks to cascading alliances?