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EASTERN EUROPE, 1844-1853
For the past century, Hungary had focused much of its energy on its southern flank, expanding its holdings in the Balkans and weakening the Byzantine Empire by carving out small independent states. The mid-1840's saw a renewal of Hungarian activity in the north, taking advantage of the end of the Holy Roman Empire. For centuries a landlocked nation, they had obtained access to the Black Sea and Mediterranean, but coveted a piece of the Baltic as well. Not only would that provide trade links with the Nordic nations but it would also enable it to keep access to marine trade even when at war with a Mediterranean naval power.
With that in mind, the King of Hungary declared war on Danzig in the fall of 1844, seeking control of Danziger Ostpreussen. With over 100,000 men ready to move on the Danzig frontier, he was unconcerned by Danzig's Bohemian and Polotskian allies.
Eastern Europe in 1845:
Campaigning hard through the winter months, the Hungarians forced Danzig out of Ostpreussen before spring. The conquest whetted the King's appetite for more, and that summer he moved on Ryazan, declaring that Ryazan Orsha should be under Hungary's control. A makeshift alliance between the petty states that had once comprised the Holy Roman Empire in the area, such as Lithuania, Zaparozhie, and Muscovy, attempted to oppose the Hungarian designs. But once again its armies were simply too large and Ryazan Orsha was Hungarian before the year was out.
Under the advice of the liberal Deak-Part faction in court, the King concentrated on developing its industrial base with great success over the next few years. Although it still lagged behind in science and technology and lacked the growing rail network of its western neighbors, its vast workforce combined with the coal and iron resources in the Carpathians enabled it to exceed the gross industrial output of even Frankfurt by 1850. Though Frankfurt still had more efficient industry and more profitable factories, Hungary led the world in production of key industrial commodities such as steel and glass. It had also carved a dominant position in military industries, becoming the leading producer of explosives, artillery, and rifles.
Hungary's successful war against Ryazan and its allies encouraged Nizhny Novgorod to invade Muscovy the following year. With the armies of Muscovy and Ryazan demolished by Hungary, Nizhny Novgorod was soon able to take control of Muscovite Bryansk.
Meanwhile, the Byzantines were eager to take advantage of the hated Hungarians preoccupation with business elsewhere. Although the war with Frankfurt, France and Denmark had gone badly, the Emperor remained convinced that closer ties with the West were critical for the Empire's advancement. With that in mind, he pursued an encirclement strategy, forging ties with Etruria as well as Scandinavia, in order to deter Hungary from interfering with his plans. For there were still many lands that rightfully belonged to the Empire that were currently controlled by petty states that had once been vassals.
Byzantine Diplomatic Map, 1847:
The first of these nations to feel the Emperor's wrath was Achaea. Despite its mastery of the new muzzle-loaded rifles, Achaea fell under Imperial control in the fall of 1848. The following summer, it was the turn of Naxos, whose position on the Dardanelles had long been a thorn in the Empire's side. By this time, many of the Greek states had grown fearful of being picked off one by one. In an attempt to preserve their independence, a league of petty states had formed and all its members--Greece, Georgia, Yemen and Tripoli--swore to fight for Naxos' survival. But while they were able to slow the Empire's progress, they proved ultimately unable to defeat it and paid a heavy price for their insolence. Not only was Naxos annexed in 1851, but northern Yemen and Greek Montenegro also fell under Imperial control. The latter was especially devastating as it broke the Greek Kingdom in two and gave the Empire control of the passes through the Durmitor Massif to the Adriatic.
Next, the Emperor looked North. The Hungarian conquest of Ekaterinodar ten years earlier had left an isolated Byzantine enclave on the Russian steppes. In the summer of 1851, the Emperor delivered an ultimatum to Kazan to surrender the port region of Rostov. Foolishly, Kazan refused but even with the assistance of Zaparozhie, it proved unable to resist the Empire's might. All of southern Kazan fell under imperial control within two years.
It was not clear whether the Empire would be able to continue to pursue the expansionist policy, however. Powerful Hungary had declared itself the protector of the only two remaining petty Balkan states, Greece and Georgia. The Emperor countered by making overtures to its old enemies in Austria. The two leading nations in southeastern Europe appeared a collision course once more. In the past two centuries, their conflicts had been disastrous for Byzantium, but perhaps things might change in the coming years?
Eastern Europe in 1854:
For the past century, Hungary had focused much of its energy on its southern flank, expanding its holdings in the Balkans and weakening the Byzantine Empire by carving out small independent states. The mid-1840's saw a renewal of Hungarian activity in the north, taking advantage of the end of the Holy Roman Empire. For centuries a landlocked nation, they had obtained access to the Black Sea and Mediterranean, but coveted a piece of the Baltic as well. Not only would that provide trade links with the Nordic nations but it would also enable it to keep access to marine trade even when at war with a Mediterranean naval power.
With that in mind, the King of Hungary declared war on Danzig in the fall of 1844, seeking control of Danziger Ostpreussen. With over 100,000 men ready to move on the Danzig frontier, he was unconcerned by Danzig's Bohemian and Polotskian allies.
Eastern Europe in 1845:
Campaigning hard through the winter months, the Hungarians forced Danzig out of Ostpreussen before spring. The conquest whetted the King's appetite for more, and that summer he moved on Ryazan, declaring that Ryazan Orsha should be under Hungary's control. A makeshift alliance between the petty states that had once comprised the Holy Roman Empire in the area, such as Lithuania, Zaparozhie, and Muscovy, attempted to oppose the Hungarian designs. But once again its armies were simply too large and Ryazan Orsha was Hungarian before the year was out.
Under the advice of the liberal Deak-Part faction in court, the King concentrated on developing its industrial base with great success over the next few years. Although it still lagged behind in science and technology and lacked the growing rail network of its western neighbors, its vast workforce combined with the coal and iron resources in the Carpathians enabled it to exceed the gross industrial output of even Frankfurt by 1850. Though Frankfurt still had more efficient industry and more profitable factories, Hungary led the world in production of key industrial commodities such as steel and glass. It had also carved a dominant position in military industries, becoming the leading producer of explosives, artillery, and rifles.
Hungary's successful war against Ryazan and its allies encouraged Nizhny Novgorod to invade Muscovy the following year. With the armies of Muscovy and Ryazan demolished by Hungary, Nizhny Novgorod was soon able to take control of Muscovite Bryansk.
Meanwhile, the Byzantines were eager to take advantage of the hated Hungarians preoccupation with business elsewhere. Although the war with Frankfurt, France and Denmark had gone badly, the Emperor remained convinced that closer ties with the West were critical for the Empire's advancement. With that in mind, he pursued an encirclement strategy, forging ties with Etruria as well as Scandinavia, in order to deter Hungary from interfering with his plans. For there were still many lands that rightfully belonged to the Empire that were currently controlled by petty states that had once been vassals.
Byzantine Diplomatic Map, 1847:
The first of these nations to feel the Emperor's wrath was Achaea. Despite its mastery of the new muzzle-loaded rifles, Achaea fell under Imperial control in the fall of 1848. The following summer, it was the turn of Naxos, whose position on the Dardanelles had long been a thorn in the Empire's side. By this time, many of the Greek states had grown fearful of being picked off one by one. In an attempt to preserve their independence, a league of petty states had formed and all its members--Greece, Georgia, Yemen and Tripoli--swore to fight for Naxos' survival. But while they were able to slow the Empire's progress, they proved ultimately unable to defeat it and paid a heavy price for their insolence. Not only was Naxos annexed in 1851, but northern Yemen and Greek Montenegro also fell under Imperial control. The latter was especially devastating as it broke the Greek Kingdom in two and gave the Empire control of the passes through the Durmitor Massif to the Adriatic.
Next, the Emperor looked North. The Hungarian conquest of Ekaterinodar ten years earlier had left an isolated Byzantine enclave on the Russian steppes. In the summer of 1851, the Emperor delivered an ultimatum to Kazan to surrender the port region of Rostov. Foolishly, Kazan refused but even with the assistance of Zaparozhie, it proved unable to resist the Empire's might. All of southern Kazan fell under imperial control within two years.
It was not clear whether the Empire would be able to continue to pursue the expansionist policy, however. Powerful Hungary had declared itself the protector of the only two remaining petty Balkan states, Greece and Georgia. The Emperor countered by making overtures to its old enemies in Austria. The two leading nations in southeastern Europe appeared a collision course once more. In the past two centuries, their conflicts had been disastrous for Byzantium, but perhaps things might change in the coming years?
Eastern Europe in 1854:
I really wish Byzantium would just clean up the petty states in Anatolia. Are they protected by anyone?
Just each other, so not really. But the Byzantines have so many claims they could pursue and pretty maps aren't an AI priority. It's really just Armenia, Karaman and Syria, since Trebizond and Funj are puppets.
Ah, the map must become pretty!
I guess Byzant and Hungary have both quite high military scores?
I guess Byzant and Hungary have both quite high military scores?
And Frankfurt third? If you'll permit a terribly fragmented sentence.
Looking forward to the Americas, those were some messed up borders, just begging to get further messed up
The eastern showdown...
A smart move would be for Byzantines and Frankfurt to ally.
A smart move would be for Byzantines and Frankfurt to ally.
Actually as of 1854 (the date I'm quoting), Mali is #3 and Frankfurt is well down the list, owing to a setback I haven't talked about yet. I wouldn't attach a lot of significance to military score.
SOUTHERN ASIA AND OCEANIA 1844-1863
European nations had exploded into the Americas and Africa in the 17th century, but their progress had been more limited in Asia and Oceania. Although Albert Suffolk circumnavigated the world in 1694-1696, it was not until the latter half of the 18th century that significant European settlement took place in the East. While the English had been the first to explore the region, by the middle of the 19th century, the Danish were a more significant presence.
The Danes had had colonies in Ceylon, the Philippines and the coast of Western Australia since the early 19th century. During the late 1840's and early 1850's they invested heavily in the region, claiming nearly all of Australia, pacified the fierce Maori people that had bedeviled the attempts of other nations to colonize New Zealand, and settled the Moluccas and western New Guinea. Belatedly, in the late 1850's, the English increased their presence in the area, founding settlements in Micronesia. But by then it was too late. Despite their early start, they had been relegated to a bit player in a Danish-dominated region, much like Leinster, France and Navarra.
Indonesia, 1863:
Australia & New Zealand, 1863:
Thus far, however, the Western nations had failed to obtain a beachhead on the continent except in the far north. As hard as they had tried, the major states of the East--Bastar, Vijayanagar, Wu, and Ming had opposed them at every turn, and despite their superior technology, they had only been able to control offshore islands from which they could dominate the trade of the region. But from those tiny enclaves, they nevertheless exerted significant influence in the region. The Asian monarchs were wary of these newcomers but envied and coveted their technology. Most were unable to resist the lure of foreign advisors who promised they could modernize their nations, but sometimes their reforms provoked popular uprisings. In one nation after another, these backlashes toppled governments: monarchs in Ming, Wu, Makassar, Burma and Atjeh all fell victim to them in the middle years of the 19th century.
Yet some monarchs succeeded in pushing through their agenda against the interests of the traditional landowners. The most successful of these was Malacca, perhaps because of the strong European presence nearby, and not far behind on the continent was Bastar. New weapons, new training methods, changes in administration and land tenure had been adopted by the mid-1840's and more changes were to follow.
Despite the exigency of these reforms, the Raja of Bastar did not focus solely on internal matters and was able to conduct a series of military campaigns. Indeed, it might be argued that the prestige he won on the battlefield helped him to pursue his domestic goals. The first of these forays began in May of 1844, with the invasion of Burma.
Indochina in 1844:
The nations of Indochina were well aware of their precarious position between larger powers and had forged a network of alliances to try to discourage aggression. Bastar's attack was met by a declaration of war from Cambodia, Pegu, Lan Na, and Siam, but the combined strength of the five nations was insufficient, and Bastar had seized control of Burmese Assam before the year was out.
North India in 1849:
In 1849, the Raja looked west, to the fertile tea plantations of Rajputani Panjab and staked its claim, invading shortly after the end of the rainy season. Orissa and Korea sought to defend the Rajputs, but to no avail. Though they held off until the next rainy season, Rajputana was forced to cede the land before the monsoon came again in 1851, and Orissa had suffered a humiliating defeat.
Before the monsoon of 1851 had even finished, the Bastari were at war again, this time seeking the montane forests of Burmese Kachin. By this time, they had allied with Malacca, who had ambitions of their own in southeast Asia. The five nations had become six, with the alliance of Dai Nam. In the early months, Dai Nam proved a problem for Bastar, harrying its easternmost provinces, but by the beginning of 1852, the military power of the larger nations was coming to bear. Kachin was deeded over during the summer of the same year.
Another nation that prospered in the region in the 1850's was Panjab. Though not quite as advanced as Bastar, they succeeded militarily in conquering Kashmir. Despite humiliating failures in 1839 and 1848, they persevered with their claims capturing Kashmiri Baluchistan in 1851 and the remainder of Kashmir in 1859.
Bastar and Malacca would invade Indochina again in 1859. The fall of 1860 saw the Burmese nation nearly annihilated in the west and Malacca in full control of Malay Peninsula, with the capture of Cambodian Bangkok. Furthermore, the ascendant nations had been allowed to establish embassies in Copenhagen and Hull, a sign that, like Mali twenty years before them, they were now seen by the Europeans as powers to be reckoned with.
Southern Asia in 1863:
European nations had exploded into the Americas and Africa in the 17th century, but their progress had been more limited in Asia and Oceania. Although Albert Suffolk circumnavigated the world in 1694-1696, it was not until the latter half of the 18th century that significant European settlement took place in the East. While the English had been the first to explore the region, by the middle of the 19th century, the Danish were a more significant presence.
The Danes had had colonies in Ceylon, the Philippines and the coast of Western Australia since the early 19th century. During the late 1840's and early 1850's they invested heavily in the region, claiming nearly all of Australia, pacified the fierce Maori people that had bedeviled the attempts of other nations to colonize New Zealand, and settled the Moluccas and western New Guinea. Belatedly, in the late 1850's, the English increased their presence in the area, founding settlements in Micronesia. But by then it was too late. Despite their early start, they had been relegated to a bit player in a Danish-dominated region, much like Leinster, France and Navarra.
Indonesia, 1863:
Australia & New Zealand, 1863:
Thus far, however, the Western nations had failed to obtain a beachhead on the continent except in the far north. As hard as they had tried, the major states of the East--Bastar, Vijayanagar, Wu, and Ming had opposed them at every turn, and despite their superior technology, they had only been able to control offshore islands from which they could dominate the trade of the region. But from those tiny enclaves, they nevertheless exerted significant influence in the region. The Asian monarchs were wary of these newcomers but envied and coveted their technology. Most were unable to resist the lure of foreign advisors who promised they could modernize their nations, but sometimes their reforms provoked popular uprisings. In one nation after another, these backlashes toppled governments: monarchs in Ming, Wu, Makassar, Burma and Atjeh all fell victim to them in the middle years of the 19th century.
Yet some monarchs succeeded in pushing through their agenda against the interests of the traditional landowners. The most successful of these was Malacca, perhaps because of the strong European presence nearby, and not far behind on the continent was Bastar. New weapons, new training methods, changes in administration and land tenure had been adopted by the mid-1840's and more changes were to follow.
Despite the exigency of these reforms, the Raja of Bastar did not focus solely on internal matters and was able to conduct a series of military campaigns. Indeed, it might be argued that the prestige he won on the battlefield helped him to pursue his domestic goals. The first of these forays began in May of 1844, with the invasion of Burma.
Indochina in 1844:
The nations of Indochina were well aware of their precarious position between larger powers and had forged a network of alliances to try to discourage aggression. Bastar's attack was met by a declaration of war from Cambodia, Pegu, Lan Na, and Siam, but the combined strength of the five nations was insufficient, and Bastar had seized control of Burmese Assam before the year was out.
North India in 1849:
In 1849, the Raja looked west, to the fertile tea plantations of Rajputani Panjab and staked its claim, invading shortly after the end of the rainy season. Orissa and Korea sought to defend the Rajputs, but to no avail. Though they held off until the next rainy season, Rajputana was forced to cede the land before the monsoon came again in 1851, and Orissa had suffered a humiliating defeat.
Before the monsoon of 1851 had even finished, the Bastari were at war again, this time seeking the montane forests of Burmese Kachin. By this time, they had allied with Malacca, who had ambitions of their own in southeast Asia. The five nations had become six, with the alliance of Dai Nam. In the early months, Dai Nam proved a problem for Bastar, harrying its easternmost provinces, but by the beginning of 1852, the military power of the larger nations was coming to bear. Kachin was deeded over during the summer of the same year.
Another nation that prospered in the region in the 1850's was Panjab. Though not quite as advanced as Bastar, they succeeded militarily in conquering Kashmir. Despite humiliating failures in 1839 and 1848, they persevered with their claims capturing Kashmiri Baluchistan in 1851 and the remainder of Kashmir in 1859.
Bastar and Malacca would invade Indochina again in 1859. The fall of 1860 saw the Burmese nation nearly annihilated in the west and Malacca in full control of Malay Peninsula, with the capture of Cambodian Bangkok. Furthermore, the ascendant nations had been allowed to establish embassies in Copenhagen and Hull, a sign that, like Mali twenty years before them, they were now seen by the Europeans as powers to be reckoned with.
Southern Asia in 1863:
Good riddance to those map colour thieves! Interesting that you could cover a 19 year period without mentioning Vijayanagar, a sleeping giant perhaps?
I haven't checked the numbers lately, but Vijayanagar and Bastar were at war in the 1830's, so I don't imagine they're very friendly. But for whatever reason, Vijayanagar has been very quiet.