Another Austrian AAR, sorry folks

[JScott991]

I won't continue this AAR if people aren't interested, but since I wrote the first part, I thought I might as well share it. I hope to ultimately flesh out this broad outline and write a more interesting story if I ever get the time (I must admit to never doing that with all my Byzantium AAR's from Medieval Lords). My original GC as Austria, my first game as a player, would probably have been far more interesting than this, though it also included a totally inactive Turkey and Russia [until I played it]. Still it was a wild game, though I only lost one war the entire time to France (ceding Bremen, which I should never have had to begin with). Anyway, here is this AAR:

Game Settings: GC, normal/aggressive, Austria, 1.07c US.

Austrian AAR:

1492: Emperor Maximilian I

The first year of our Emperor's reign is spent concentrating on domestic and technological improvements. Austria is an extraordinarily weak country economically, depending on the gold mines of Styria for the bulk of its finances. Austria also is the only nation in central Europe to start with the lowest of land technologies, which is a major problem. Accordingly, our first priorities are to increase our trade, land, and infrastructure research and concentrate on developing some semblance of an economy. Of course, our short term goal is to conquer Bohemia.

A fortress improvement is constructed in Styria, and the remainder of the disposable treasury is poured into a new army of 8,000 men in Pressburg. This army was raised in case we needed to strike at Bohemia quickly. If the Bohemians started to build fortresses, that would put off conquest of them for a long time. It turns out Bohemia spends most of its time promoting bailiffs, proving they are further ahead in technology than we thought.

We establish a military alliance with Hungary and await further diplomats before building a larger group. We mistakenly offer Bavaria a place in the alliance despite her low relations with us and she refuses, wasting a valuable diplomat. By the end of the year, our alliance consists of Austria, Hungary, Wurtemburg (a mistake, as will be seen), Baden and Saxony. This alliance is the basic Austrian alliance. Many in court suggested an alliance with Spain from the beginning, but the Emperor rejected this plan on the basis that we didn't want to be dragged into all of Spain's wars. This was a controversial decision, at odds with many, and with many future repurcussions. The Emperor believed Austria was, at best, a central European power, and that Spain's dreams of European domination were at odds with our available resources. Hungary is a much safer choice. Royal marriages with England, Lorraine, Baden, and Poland finish off the diplomatic efforts of this year and the next.

1493-1495:

Very little happens to report. England engages in a devasting war with Scotland, whereby Scotland, standing alone, takes the Marches and Yorkshire. We can't be certain, but the suspicion is that England poured far too many of its initial investments into navy and left itself open to the Scottish army. England, a friend of Austria in another timeline [my other GC, where England is a longstanding ally of my Austrian Empire] hopes to recover within time. Spain annexes Granada at some point, our diplomats have trouble confirming the date. The Porte manages to lose a war to the Mamelukes, but it costs him only 172 D. Kazan also goes to the war with the Golden Horde, but no one seems to notice this in Moscow and Russia remains inactive.

Austria begins the process of modernizing its economy. Merchants are sent out to Venice by our treasurer [I do not bother with this feature of the game, which I know probably isn't good, but the treasurer served me well in my other game and I don't like to follow all the drastic fluctuations in the relative importance of COT's. Austria is not likely to ever own a COT, though I did take Sulawesi in my last game, and so trade is less a part of the game that it might be for another power.] and bailiffs are raised throughout the land. We discover the secret of metal cannonballs and begin working on field artillery. However, in the middle of 1495, disaster strikes. The Bohemians are building a fortress in Bohemia.

A debate begins in the Crown Council on how to proceed. The Emperor does not wish war at this time. We are hardly ready and preferably we would not like to involve our allies. However, we cannot wait. A fortress in Bohemia will make it impossible to take without cannons, and we do not have any nor do we have the capability of building any. Such a capability will come to us by the end of 1496, but it will take several years just to build enough (20 cannon is about all we can produce a year even after we get them). We will have to go to war and involve our allies. In July, the Bohemian War begins. The declaration of war shocks no one, but other powers seem to hope we will not unite the two kingdoms, despite our rightful claim to the Bohemian crown.

July 1495-February 1496

The reason we did not want our allies involved rests on the fact that our highest officer is a Colonel, while the Wurtemburg Army is personally commanded by its monarch, Eberhard I. This means that any battle that Wurtemburg participates in will be under their command. Furthermore, Saxony can arrive in Sudeten or Erz ahead of us and with 29,000 men. Nevertheless, we commence the war.

Our main army of 45,000 men attacks Bohemia, while 11,000 men attack Moravia to prevent Hungary from taking the province. This proves a useless gesture as the 20,000 man Hungarian army that arrives is almost exclusively cavalry. 9,000 Bohemian troops assist our campaign greatly by deciding to invade Saxony. This halts the advance of the 29,000 Saxon troops and they play no role in the campaign hereafter.

Our assault on Bohemia is successful with only 10,000 losses, which is a miracle. Eberhard has just now entered the Tyrol, so we decide not to take any unnecessary risks and move our 35,000 soldiers into Moravia to join 9,000 more Magyars and the 25,000 men already there. Once the 10,000 soldiers of Wurtemburg arrive, Eberhard will command every siege, so we can't allow them to arrive in time [this part of the game is silly, I shouldn't have to race my allies for control of provinces. I guess the peace system would have to be more complicated, but if Wurtemburg takes a national Austrian province, there should be some way for me to give it to myself at the negotiations and vice versa. In my past game, I liberated much of Lorraine's territory from France in one war, but couldn't give it back to Lorraine because I had commanded the siege. I didnt' want it, so it went back to France and in the next war I tried to manipulate it so Lorraine commanded. I think Paradox should work on this aspect.]

The assault on Moravia is a success and the allied army moves to Silesia, where the process repeats itself. The Emperor is quite pleased, as Austria had no reasonable expectation of winning these assaults so easily without artillery. The main army moves on Erz, where a small Bohemian force is wiped out and Hungary and Austria again succeed in an assault. The army is severely depleted when we advance on Sudeten and Eberhard is now in Bohemia. The Saxons also finally advance out of Saxony and its now a race to Sudeten to claim it. Sadly, the Bohemians decide the day. A small Bohemian force of 2,000 men appears in Sudeten and slows the Austro-Hungarian army enough for Eberhard to arrive. Eberhard immediately orders an assault that succeeds and the war is over. The peace is not pleasant, as Wurtemburg is able to claim Sudeten in the event of an annexation. Still, there is no chance of Bohemia liberating the province without an army and allowing Austria to reclaim it, so we decide on annexation. We will get it back from Wurtemburg later [when they become Protestant]. The war is over, Bohemia is our's, and the Emperor is now King of Bohemia as well as Archduke of Austria.

The situation in Europe is quiet. The war between Kazan and Golden Horde rages on. No further wars are reported and little else other than a general hatred of Austria occurs on the diplomatic front. Europe is upset we have annexed a Catholic country, but it had to be done. Without Bohemia's rich income (the city of Prague is the largest in Austria), little could be accomplished. Austria also needs the provines of Bohemia (and others) to accomplish the hoped for peaceful union between Hungary and Austria. The King of Hungary is our closest ally, but the Emperor secretly hopes to succeed him to the Crown of St. Stephen.

England is currently allied with some minor Italian powers. Spain is allied with Lorraine, Scotland, and some minor states. Poland's alliance is the most frightening to Austria. It includes, the Hansa, Brandenburg, Venice, and Portugal. We won't have a coast anytime soon.

[VP Standings: Spain, Austria, Hansa, Scotland, Turkey, Hungary, Saxony]

The rest of 1496 and beyond to follow when something interesting happens to anchor the story.

 

[unmerged(1200)]

Nice

Certainly whetted my appetite for the game. Thank you

 

[JScott991]

Lots of views no messages, but I'll post the second part anyway. If anyone wants any tips on how to play Austria, probably I'm not the person to ask. I have a concept of Austria's 'natural' boundaries and therefore I'm a little too eager to achieve them. Probably after I reclaim the Sudeten, I'll focus on trying to be peaceful, but who knows.

1496-1506

The next decade passes quickly. Austria seeks to consolidate the Bohemian provinces and increase its research and development. Heavy investment in military science yields field artillery in 1496, artillery suppot in 1501, and the arquebus in 1507. Further investment in trade and infrastructure also pays dividends and Austria discovers the secret to refining liquor in 1498, and a loan and prudent saving produce a refinery in Bohemia in 1506. Bailiffs are promoted in every province of the Empire and tax revenues increase as a result. New fortresses are built in Bohemia and Silesia by 1499. The Austrian economy remains small and its merchants still compete with a disadvantage over the monopolizing interests of Venice, among others, but the Habsburg empire is on its way to establishing itself as one of Europe's major, if not great, powers.

In 1497, Sudeten rises in revolt against Wurtemburg and Eberhard I is killed when the rebels wipe out his 8,000 man army. This force had been trapped in Sudeten by the peace treaty that ended the Bohemian war. The Austrians, upset over Eberhard's seizure of the province, had not allowed the Wurtemburg army to cross its territory after the war and Eberhard wasn't too eager to go anyway, as he wished to set the new province in order. This revolt will ultimately successfully seize the province and Austria will be forced to watch as the rebel flag waves over the Sudeten for over a decade. [the reality is that Eberhard didn't go home after the war and after that couldn't go home, how he lost to Rebels is beyond me]

Europe is a relatively tranquil place during this period as well. The Golden Horde ends its war with Kazan in 1497, paying 211D in reparations, which helps them when in June of 1498, Russia, Denmark, and Pskov declare war on the khanate. Russia is quite successful in its first foreign adventure and this war ends in a peace treaty granting 7D and Lipetsk to Russia in 1500. In 1499, the Polish alliance declares war on Courland, and Poland annexes the single province nation after less than a month of fighting. This provokes consternation in Wien, as the Emperor's ultimate amibtions involve Venice, a member of Poland's alliance. In 1498, the Pope divides the New World between Portugal and Spain, but the eastern branch of the Habsburg family couldn't care less. In 1504, Spain takes advantage of this deal to declare war on an Aztec Empire in the new world, but this war will ultimately end in a white peace, much to the dismay of the Spanish King, who has heard rumors of the extreme wealth of these natives. The final war during this period is a brief war between muslim Khanates, as Astrakhan wins 38D from the Golden Horde in a war from 1503-1505.

Silesia revolts twice during this period and beyond, but each time is put down by Ferdinand's army, which spends most of this time around 35,000 men. Austria is quite dependent on the new fortresses in Silesia and Bohemia to deter attacks from Poland or Brandenburg.

1506-1510

In 1506, the Austrian alliance expires but is renewed quickly. Bavaria reconsiders its earlier decision to remain aloof and drops Thuringen in favor of joining with Wien's bloc. The alliance now consists of Bavaria, Baden, Wurtemburg, Saxony, Hungary, and Austria. In October of that year, the alliance is concerned by the French coalition joining their ally Savoy in a war against Genoa. Fortunately for that decrepit republic, Savoy gets cold feet and signs a white peace with them after only one month, ending the war with no gain. France's alliance at this time consists of itself, Scotland, Savoy, Helvetia, the Papal States, and Lorraine. This is key for later events. In 1510, Henry VIII takes the throne in England. Perhaps he can reverse England's fortunes.

The Habsburg empire is drawn into an abortive war in 1507 when Baden declares war on Lorraine. The French coalition and the Austrian alliance mobilize for battle, but Baden drops out quickly and the war ends with only some brief battles in Helvetia between the Swiss and allied forces. The war lasted only from April to June. In response to this war, the Emperor orders a new fortress to be built in the Tyrol and army reforms which boost our military research [random event].

In 1509, the Venetian alliance expires and Poland looks elsewhere for friends. Venice is briefly completely isolated, leading to the shifting of Austrian forces to the Venetian frontier, before they find the Hanseatic League as an ally. Still, the Emperor realizes the time is at hand for further expansion and begins to make preparations for a war against Venice. The army is expanded to 43,000 men and gains numerous new cannons, giving them four batteries. The war is planned for 1510.

Just prior to Austria's war with Venice, the French King Louis XII decides the time has come for war with Spain. His entire alliance joins him a war against the Spanish bloc, consisting of Naples, the Palatinate, Cologne, Hessen, and the muslim Mameluks [?!]. This war drags on until 1512 and witnesses a mixed bag of results. Lorraine, France's ally, quickly tries to extricate itself from the war as it becomes the scene of heavy fighting between Spain's German allies and France. Lorraine pays indemities to the Palatinate, Mameluks, Spain, and Hessen to secure peace. The later phases of the conflict saw much devastation to Lorraine's two provinces. The Emperor wonders if Lorraine might be brought into Austria's alliance, but is surprised to see Lorraine remains allied with France despite the separate peaces. In fact, this entire war is one of separate peaces. Naples drops out after extracting Romagna and Emilia from His Holiness. Helvetia is annexed by the Spanish in 1511. Peace is finally concluded between Madrid and Paris in 1512, with Spain paying 169D to the French.

Persia also declared war on Crimea in December of 1510, and in August of 1511 they annex Azoz and Koubon.

1510-1512 The Venetian War

In early 1510, Emperor Maximilian decides that the Austrian empire needs Mantua and orders war preparations to be begun. As Venice has lost its alliance with Warsaw, the Austrian government is only too happy to comply. In March, war is declared and Archduke Ferdinand leads the Austrian army into Istria. Austria's allies also enter the war, though they are not nearly so useful as in the Bohemian war. Wurtemburg takes advantage of this conflict to send an army through Bavaria to put down the rebellion in Sudeten. They succeed in this, but a 15,000 man Venetian army decides the Tyrol is too tough to besiege and attacks Wurtemburg instead. In March of 1511, Wurtemburg pays reparations to Venice and drops out. Wurtemburg's popularity in the court of the Holy Roman Emperor is not particularly high.

Austria takes Istria almost instantly, though losses are high, and the Archduke leads the Austrian army into a siege at Mantua, which will take up most of the rest of the year and beyond This siege starts in May of 1510 and lasts until January of 1511. Austria' allies of Hungary and Saxony have lead a huge army into Illyria and lay siege to this province until 1512, when it finally falls to the Saxons. The Austrian army, heavily depleted by its siege at Mantua, deparately attempts to hold onto a siege of Venice starting in June of 1511, but the Venetians show no signs of cracking. Throughout the rest of the year, reinforcements from Austria and Baden flow in, but the Venetians won't crack, and an assault attempt ends in disaster, eliminating all of Austria's army save 300 men and 37 cannons. Fortunately, by the spring of 1512, Illyria has fallen and Hungarian reinforecments arrive. Venice starts to crack, and further assault attempts weaken them further. The Venetian government tries to arrange peace on the basis of ceding Istria alone to the Austrians, but the Emperor refuses. Finally, in October the city of Venice surrenders and Austrian forces enter the Doge's Palace. Austria agrees to return Illyria to Venice and annexes Mantua and Istria. The empire now has a coast. Venice seethes at the agreement and vows revenge. Their allies of the Hanseatic League did not even bother to show up, though this is not surprising since the Hansa shared no border with any of Austria's allies.

The post Venetian war period is spent digesting the spoils of war and attempting to placate Europe and rebuild the army (which stands at 3,000 men). The Emperor spreads some wealth around Germany and Spain, leading to slight improvements in relations with some of the nations [random events helped out here, in actuality my economy is so weak I could afford only one gift to Spain of 100D and a slight payment of 25D to Lorraine, a random event boosted Hanover and Hessen]. The Emperor is concerned that his war with Venice might cost his future successor the Holy Roman Emperorship, as the electorates of Germany are not pleased with Austria's growth. The decline in relations and Austria's new reputation pose future problems, though the reality is that Austria need only be concerned about Poland and the loyalty of Austrian alliance bloc to Wien.

 

[BiB]

We'll just have to live with it, I guess

Anyway, I4m interested in seeing how u did. Even though I made quite a few beginner's mistakes with it being my first game and all but there are many strategies u can follow.

 

[unmerged(1278)]

Austria has been challenging for me. I did almost exactly like you did, opting for an alliance with Hungary, Wurtemburg, Lorraine and someone else, I forget.

We kicked Bohemian butt, I got one province, rinse, wait five years, repeat, I annex Bohemia. Then while I'm merrily attempting to mend fences and watching everyone else slug it out, my ally Hungary declares war on Poland. =(

Helvetia, Poland, France, and Savoy rampage through western Austria. Lorraine loses Alsace, and I am getting raped by the entire enemy alliance. Noone will accept peace, I guess they smell blood. Then suddenly Poland and Hungary declare a white peace. Back to status quo we go.

So now, I'm sitting here licking my wounds, and wondering what the hell to do to get my economy going. I do know one thing, the Helvetian scum will pay one day.

 

[JScott991]

Hungary declared war on someone, eh? That's interesting. In my two GC so far, Hungary is the most peaceful of people. They almost seem like they are waitin g for a Turkish war that never comes.

Economics as Austria sucks. It takes forever to get any kind of an economy. In my first game that went to 1703, the bulk of my income as Austria was based on my trade monopoly in the former Portugese colony of Sulawasi. Prior to that, I never had much income even though I ruled all of present day Austria-Hungary and northern Italy. That is why the badboy value is such a burden on Austria, you just don't have 100 D or 250 D to throw around to everyone.

1512-1531 is being written now. Its mostly the story of Spain's amazing performance against the world, I haven't done much of anything except hope my badboy goes down.

 

[JScott991]

Comment on the AI, Wurtemburg

Sometimes the AI surprises me. As I mention in my AAR, Wurtemburg took Sudeten in my Bohemian war only to see it revolt and they couldn't put it down because they couldn't get it to it. From 1498 to 1511, Sudeten remained in rebel hands. Then in 1511, I declared war on Venice and Wurtemburg honored the alliance. So what did Wurtemburg do? They immediately sent their army to Sudeten and put the rebellion down. I was stunned at the AI's cleverness, using my war for their gain.

Still the AI might do some neat things like that, it lacks some basic competence. My AI opponents are all falling behind me in Land Tech, despite the fact Austria starts at a 1. I think I'm two levels ahead of my nearest major opponents and its only 1531. This REALLY REALLY needs fixed (I was 11 levels ahead in my 1703 Austria game).

Please, please Paradox fix this. Its too much work to modify the save files every 100 years to let the computer catch up.

 

[JScott991]

The next segment. I wish I had been more active, but I made one crucial decision that took Austria out of the game, as you will see.

1513-1519: The Last Years of Maximilian I

The Habsburg empire [note on references: there is no such thing as the Austrian empire until 1806, which is why elections to the Holy Roman Empire should ALWAYS go to the Habsburgs. While it might be cool to have this feature in the game, the Habsburgs should only lose an election to the HRE if they are reduced to some really pathetic status. No non-Habsburg sat on the Imperial throne until Maria Theresa became Queen of Hungary and Archduchess of Austria, then her husband had to nominally be HRE so she could be Empress, he was the Duke of Lorraine I believe] spends most of this period consolidating gains from the Venetian war and building back its army. At the end of the war, Austria's entire military consists of about 5,000 soliders and 37 cannon. It takes a very long time to reestablish Austrian military power, but eventually two armies are established. One under Ferdinand in Bohemia and one in Mantua to put down rebellions and guard against Venetian revanche sentiments. In December of 1517, Austria acquires the ability to establish commercial monopolies, which is a great help as monopolies are established on and off in Andalusia, Tago, and Venice. Habsburg merchants might not know where the new world is, but trade from it benefits the Imperial economy. In 1516 a new fortress is built in Moravia. By 1517, income stands at 566D a year [according to the ledger, I have no idea what that means since money is awarded by the game annually and monthly. I haven't figured that out yet.] In 1519, the Emperor Maximilian dies and succeeded as Archduke and Emperor by Charles of Spain. He rules in Austria as Karl V, though Archduke Ferdinand (the commander of the army) wields considerable power.

1513-1516: Spanish Wars Wrap Up

The rump wars left over by the peace between Spain and France resolve themselves over this period. Naples remained at war with France after Spain's peace by virtue of its separate peace with the Papal States. This hurts them greatly. French armies smash the Neapolitan army and Naples is forced to cede its gains of the last war to France: Emilia and Romagna now fly the French flag. The Emperor is not pleased as France now has become a serious Italian power. The Papal States remains at war with Spain until 1514, when Spanish forces annex the country. The Catholic world is shocked and Spain is immediately branded a warmonger and her relations suffer worldwide. In fact, within a few years the entire Spanish alliance dissolves and Spain is left on her own. Nevertheless, she rules the Eternal City. In 1515, a Turkish led coalition of Iraq and Algiers goes to war with the other muslim power of Morocco. The court at Wien loses track of this war and the results are unkown.

1519-1525: Emperor Karl V (Charles I of Spain)

Austria makes great strides domestically during this period, developing a number of new technologies. By 1531, the imperial forces are wielding early pistols, while the empire enters into the early baroque period in trade and infrastructure. Lawyers soon appear, and some provinces are lucky enough to have them regulated by chief judges, though this transition is extremely expensive and only province a year is lucky enough to benefit from it. In 1520, a new general is appointed to the Italian army. Von Frundsberg is greatly esteemed as one of Austria's best military minds. The army grows to 70,000 men by 1521. The Emperor Karl appoints a minister named Karsfeld to run the state apparatus of Austria in 1520, and he immediately turns out to be an excellent minister [random event boosting royal stats]. Karsfeld's pro-Spanish tendencies, however, soon get Austria into trouble.

Austria's foreign policy is thrown asunder in October of 1520. The Emperor pressures Archduke Ferdinand to allow isolated Spain to join Austria's alliance bloc. Spain's isolation has started to show. A rebellion in Rome in May of 1520 soon becomes a war of independence between the new Papal States and Spain. In October of that year, the French alliance again goes to war with Spain, though this time Spain has no allies to offset their wrath. Tuscany, France, Savoy, Lorraine, Navarra, Portugal, and Scotland declare war on Spain. Spain seems on the brink of disaster and appeals to her Habsburg brethren for help. Karsfeld succeeds in getting Spain in the alliance, but the results are a disaster. Almost as soon as Spain signs the agreement, England, Venice, Hansa, and the Teutonic knights declare war on Spain and Austria's German allies refuse to join the war. Austria and the King of Hungary quickly consult on this new development and they, too, decide not to enter the war. The Emperor is furious, Karsfeld gives up foreign affairs to concentrate on domestic politics, and the Austrian alliance dissolves. Ferdinand is able to recreate parts of it, but excludes Wurtemburg and Baden joins Thuringen. Saxony, Bavaria, Hungary and Austria are left and Spain seems destined for disaster.

 

[JScott991]

Post Was Too Long

1521- The Wurtemburg War
In February, Ferdinand decides to try to placate the Emperor Charles (busy conducting Spain's wars) by retaking the Sudeten from Wurtemburg. This policy is extremely short-sighted (as will be seen), but extremely successful. Von Frundsberg's army of Italy is able to take Wurtemberg with assistance from Hungary and Bavaria, while Ferdinand's Army of Bohemia takes Sudeten. The bitter Wurtemberg elector cedes Sudeten to Austria, but is left angered and resentful towards the Emperor and Archduke. Austria has now liberated all of her natural territories. The entire lasted only two months.

1520-1525 The Spanish Wars
The Habsburg family's other branch fares even better. Besieged by a horrendous coalition of enemies and lacking any allies, Spain is scrambling for resources. Her fleet has been gutted during her last series of wars, but the army grows rapidly and takes on France, currently the largest army in the world. While French forces waste away besieging Spain's province of Helvetia, Spain is apparently engaged in a series of battles in northern France against English and French armies. In July of 1521, Helvetia finally falls to the allied army under Savoy command, but its too late to be significant. At least 20,000 men were lost in the siege. In September of 1522 France drops out, paying 80D to Spain. The next year, a Civil War centered on the Vendee and neighboring provinces consumes French attention. In October of 1522, Spain recognizes the independence of Rome and agrees to a white peace with the Pope. The wars with England and others go on until 1525, when Spain somehow manages to extract Calais from England. This is in the midst of an English and Portugese invasion of Iberia, but something occurs to make Henry VIII drop out of the war. Part of the English alliance remains at war with Spain and Portugal had dropped out when France made peace. The Hansa, Venice and the Knights, however, are not serious threats to Spain's position. Hansa concludes a peace in 1525 for 85D. The massive coalition against Spain has not only dwindled to nothing, it has lost the war to a single nation.

Other wars plague the Muslim world. In September of 1520, Turkey and its allies went to war with the Mameluks, and decisively defeat them. Iraq receives 214 D, Hedjaz gains Lebanon, and Turkey gains Nussaybin and Aleppo as a result of three separate peace agreements in 1523.

The Reformation hits Europe in 1520, and three imperial provines become Protestant, along with most of northern and central Germany. Bohemia, Sudeten, and Silesia are effected by this new heresy. The first nation to turn Protestant is, not surprisingly, Wurtemberg in 1522. Their bitternes towards the Emperor has led them to renounce the true faith. They are not alone for long, however, as Hessen, the Palatine, Hanover, Sweden, Hansa, Prussia, and Thuringen renounce Catholicism by 1531. The Emperor is occupied in Spain, and Archduke Ferdinand is consumed by economic minutiae and the backlash from Austria's many wars, so little is done at present.

1526-1531

Austria remains at peace during this period, with only the rejoining of the alliance by Baden reported as significant foreign policy moves. The empire continued its focus on research, until 1527 when a fire destroyed the refinery in Bohemia. The empire is forced to divert money and take a loan to replace it in 1529. By 1529, the imperial economy is at 628 D, mostly as a result of more trade and the promotion of chief judges. In May of 1530, imperial Churchmen bring Sudeten back into the faith and November of that year sees the early development of pistols.

Spain remains extremely active in the world, however. In 1528, the French alliance decides to make another attempt to break Spanish power. The same coalition now confronts a new Spanish alliance consisting of Naples, Genoa, Tunisia (bloated by a recent annexation of Tripoli in 1529 in a war foolishly started by that nation, who was deserted by their ally of Cyrenaica for 250D), and Spain. In May of 1529, the French annex the state of Milan, who somehow had entered the war despite not being a part of Spain's alliance. It is the last success of French arms in the conflict. Spain's Iberian armies occupy France's ally of Navarra in September and Spain annexes the nation. Venice finally ends its war in Spain in 1530, paying 250 D to Charles' kindgom. In June of 1531, France acknowledges another Spanish victory and cedes Milan to the Spanish. French power remains in Italy through Emilia and Romagna, but Spain is now also back on the peninsula. Only Tuscany remains at war with Spain at this point.

Russia and her allies went to war with Kazan in 1530 and by 1531, Russia has lost Lipetsk to the Kazani, but taken control of their capital. The war rages on, with no peace treaty signed between the states as of the end of 1531.

The verdict on Charles V is a mixed one. The desertion of Spain by Austria has left a bitter taste in Spain's mouth and forced her to take on a coalition of inferior allies. Spain has successfully resisted two of Europe's major power blocs, even to the point of causing the Venice-Hansa-England alliance to dissolve. Furthermore, Spain actually gained a province from France during this period, annexing the rich landlocked nation of Milan, as well as the French ally of Navarra. However, Spanish power must be stretched extremely thin to be confronting so many large coalitions unaided. French power has eroded considerably, her army now is only a fraction of its size in 1525 while Spain has mobilized the most men in Europe. Charles has preserved his inheritance from a host of challengers, but the rift between Austria and Spain might have long lasting implications. Indeed, this period might be looked back upon as the War of Habsburg Succession.

VP Standings: Spain, Austria, Portugal, France, China, Poland, Genoa [they got a lot of points, I think, for their white peace with France's whole alliance. This was the cheap war+peace done by Savoy years ago]

 

[BiB]

Hungary declaring a war, now that's not sommink u see every day.

 

[unmerged(598)]

Excellent AAR, and a wild game. Having Spain hold Milan and Helvetia is very bad news as those targets usually waste away the oppostion armies. And should they take revenge on your desertion....good luck.

I agree about the peace process, it would be nice to reward your allies even if you are credited with the provinces.

 

[JScott991]

1531-1540

The Austrian half of the Habsburg empire continues to focus on its own internal development. The Archduke Ferdinand, oblivious to the plight of his Spanish cousins, is determined to pay off Austria's small debt and improve the bureaucracy in the eastern possessions of the empire. In June of 1531, the King of Hungary agrees to a partial union with Austria, and half of Hungary's finances are made available for the common good. The Emperor Maximilian's goal of a union of crowns is within sight. Saxony declines to participate in such a relationship, and in fact declares itself Protestant in 1539, though she rejoins the Austrian alliance that same year. By 1535, Austria is firmly in the early Baroque age and begins, again, to focus on developing metal bullets. Income by 1541 is over 700D. The real action in Europe is taking place outside of Austria's borders, and outside of its control. Austria's lack of participation in the great wars of the west and east confirms its status as a major, but not great power.

Kazan finally agrees to peace in December of 1531. She pays 250D to Sweden, but is forced to give a further 50D along with Vorones and Ryazan to Russia. Kazan is now only two provinces, and Wien does not expect Russia to be burdened with her existence much longer. In 1533, Boyard becomes Duke of Muscovy and inherits a kingdom on the verge of becoming an empire. The English alliance of Hansa, Venice, and the Teutonic knights recreates itself and is embroiled in a war with Poland, Brandenburg and Moldavia shortly thereafter. During this war, Henry VIII takes advantage of his country's distraction to declare England Protestant. The Hanseatic League briefly dominates this conflict, laying siege successfully to Brandenburg early in 1533 and taking the city of Berlin. The Teutonic Knights drops out of the war in September, paying 78D to Poland and the Commonwealth begins to move forces against the Hanseatic League's provinces. Brandenburg liberates its own capital with an army from Kurstin and withstands a second siege by the Hanseatic army. Without any assistance from England, the Hansa are soon overwhelmed by Poland. In June of 1535, Hansa cedes Western Pomerania to Poland and the war is ended.

A small war breaks out in Germany in 1532 as Kleves foolishly declares war on Hessen. Hessian forces quickly destroy the Kleves army and Hessen annexes the country in August of that year.

The Emperor Charles decides that the time has come to put an end to the French coalition in February of 1533. Along with Naples and Tunisia, Spain declares war on France, who is joined by their own allies. In June, the Spanish alliance declares war on Hanover. These wars proves to be a disaster for the Spanish. Within months of the opening of the war, French and allied forces are besieging Milan and Helvetia and the Spanish army is nowhere to be found. In September of 1533, both provinces fall. France takes Milan and Tuscany takes Helvetia. Wien is surprised to hear in January that Tuscany has dropped out of the war and paid 250D to Spain. Helvetia reverts to Spanish control and is immediately besieged by another allied army. In January of 1534, Spain's alliance forces Lorraine out of the war as that duchy pays 143 D to Naples and 151 D to Spain in exhange for a separate peace. In August, Spain reclaims Milan, but this is Charles' high tide. War exhaustion soon hits the Spanish homeland hard and revolts spring up all over the Spanish empire. A particularly violent revolt occurs in the Spanish Netherlands and aids Hanover in sweeping up most of the provinces in this area. Spain doesn't have the forces to put down the rebellions and keep French forces on the run. Naples soon decides to takes its spoils of war and drop out of the conflict. In exchange for their treachery, France cedes Emilia and Savoy pays 38D to the Neapolitans. Spain is now mostly on its own to face and it simply can't compete in three different theatres of war and deal with rebellion in Iberia. Unable to put down its revolts and stay in the war, Spain agrees to peace with France in April of 1536. France gains Franche Comte and Luxembourg. Spain struggles on against Hanover, but rebel forces wipe out a Spanish army in the Netherlands and in October of 1538, Spain cedes Flanders, Zeeland, and 110D in order to end the war. The Emperor Charles simply overestimated the weakness of France and its allies. Spain is seriously damaged by its cessions and the defeat and its army plummets in size. Wien is only mildly concerned as French power in Italy has suffered.

The muslim world is also covered in conflict. In September of 1534, Turkey and its allies attack Persia and the Mameluks. This war is a startling success for Turkish arms. Hedjaz gains 22D from the Mameluks in exchange for a separate peace in February of 1535. Georgia receives Azoz from Persia in 1537. Wallachia receives 52D from the Mameluks in 1538. Despite the loss of its allies, Turkey still gains Syria from the Mameluks in July of 1539 and Azerbadjazan from Persia in September of 1540. Turkey also fights Poland to a white peace in a war from 1538 to 1540, while annexing the Polish ally of Moldavia. In September of 1540, Morocco receives a declaration of war from Portugal.

1540-1544: Prelude to the Polish War

Spain's resources are soon consumed by attempts to restore some semblance of order to the country. Ongoing revolts in Grenada and the northwestern parts of the Iberian peninsula force Spain to deploy an army of nearly 50,000 men in its home country to reestablish control. By 1543, Spain has put down the revolts in Holland and Iberia, but Helvetia, Sicily, and Milan remain up in arms. In fact, barring a war, Spain has no capacity to get troops to Helvetia and Milan, and those provinces remain firmly in rebel hands. In 1542, Sardinia takes advantage of Spain's weakness to declare its independence. This revolt catches the attention of France, who leads its coalition into a war against Sardinia in 1544. This is nothing more than an attempted landgrab, but French forces are unable to beat Spain to the island nation. In March of 1545, Sardinia is returned to the Spanish fold. The Emperor Charles wisely avoids getting Spain into further conflicts.

Developments in the Baltic have occupied imperial, and especially Austrian, attention. In August of 1541, Poland and its allies of Hanover and Algiers declare war on the Hanseatic alliance (England, Venice, and the Teutonic knights). The Hanseatic League receives some aid from its allies in this war, but the small English expeditionary forces cannot prevent the Hansa from succumbing to northern Germany's most powerful state and the Poles. In September of 1543, the Hanseatic League cedes Bremen and 141D to Hanover for peace, but their armies remain no match for Poland. In July of 1544, the Teutonic League again deserts the Hansa, paying 56D to Poland. In September of that year, Eastern Pommerania falls to the Commonwealth.

Wien, already aware that Poland owns western Pommerania, begins to panic over this development. The Emperor Charles, unable to separate Spanish and Austrian interests, believes that a Habsburg victory is necessary to preserve his position in the Holy Roman Empire. Ferdinand, feeling the effects of age, concludes that further military reforms are not likely to benefit the army in his lifetime and wishes to test Austria's progress. The imperial court concludes that Austria must prevent Polish expansion into the Holy Roman Empire. Austria's war aims are ill-defined and no real plan ever evolves. Ideally, assistance to the Hanseatic League might allow them to reclaim the two Pommeranian provinces. Krakow might also be annexed. Stalled negotiations with Hungary over a union might be helped by a victory in a major war. The Emperor decides the issue in a letter from Madrid, stating 'what this country needs is a short victorious war.' The general idea of limiting Polish power is the only consensus that emerges in Wien.

1544-1546: The Polish War

Von Frundsberg's Army of Italy is transferred to the Polish front to join Archduke Ferdinand's own northern army. Austria's plan is to take Krakow in the initial stages of the war, while the Army of Italy advances on Western Prussia, perhaps even going as far as the Baltic to assist the Hanseatic League. Curiously, the empire does not communicate any of these intentions to the Hansa. After all, Hansa is an enemy of Austria. The Emperor is going to war to preserve the sanctity of the Holy Roman Empire, not save a dying merchant state. In December, the declaration of war is delivered to a surprised Polish ambassador. Poland is quickly joined by its allies, the most significant of which are Hanover and Brandenburg. The entrance of Brandenburg into the war surprises the Emperor, and complicates the war immensely. Austria does not alter its war plans, instead Ferdinand merely hopes Saxony can divert the Brandenburg forces.

46,000 Austrian troops begin a siege of Krakow, while a further 34,000 begin an invasion of Western Prussia. In February, Von Frundsberg destroys a small Polish force of 6,000 men and in March roughly twice that number of Poles are forced into retreat. Still, there seems little chance that he can take the province by assault or siege. Saxony does indeed distract Brandenburg, to the tune of seeing the Saxon capital occupied by Brandenburg forces within three months. In March of 1545, Saxony drops out of the war, paying 142 D to Brandenburg. Needless to say, Brandenburg and Hanoverian forces begin to close on Erz.

In June of 1545, 45,000 Polish forces finally arrive in Silesia and begin a siege of the city. Von Frundsberg has given up the idea of relieving the Hansa and instead joins Ferdinand in a siege of Krakow. At this point, Krakow seems to be the only imperial war aim to survive the first few months. Poland's German allies give up the siege of Erz and disperse, as Bavarian and Hungarian forces have begun to arrive on the scene. Some Brandenburg troops assist the Poles in Silesia, while others fall back on their capital. Krakow finally falls to imperial forces later in the month, and Ferdinand decides to move a decimated combined army on Silesia to decide the war. He very nearly does.

Ferdinand's army is nearly totally destroyed, as Brandenburg reinforcements flow into Silesia constantly to assist the Poles. Ferdinand nearly defeats the Poles, but in turn his army is crippled by the Brandenburg troops who arrive on the field over the course of several days. Ferdinand falls back on Moravia and the siege of Silesia continues, despite Poland's withdrawal from the province. The imperial situation is now desparate, as no army remains to fight. A loan is taken out in Wien and new forces are raised in Moravia and Bohemia to join Ferdinand's remnants. The army in Mantua, 17,000 men begins to march towards the east. 33,000 more Brandenburg soldiers again besiege Erz, briefly.

By the end of July Ferdinand has scaped together 24,000 men. The Mantua army has only made it to the Tyrol and won't play a role in the rest of the war. Poland has besieged Krakow and the government in Austria is eager to end this disasterous war. In October, however, the Polish ambassador arrives in Wien with an offer of peace. The Poles will cede Krakow in order to end the war. Dropping all pretensions of defending the Holy Empire, Ferdinand accepts in Charles' name and Poland drops out. The war with Brandenburg continues. Austria is stunned by this peace offer and concludes that the war against Hansa is taking more Polish resources than it seems. Austria has noticed several English armies operating in northern Germany, though their siege of Western Pommerania has made little headway. The Habsburg empire, with its prewar army destroyed, has received a better peace than it deserved.

Brandenburg is not daunted by the task of facing the Austrian alliance alone and refuses an offer of a white peace. Ferdinand's 25,000 men defeat an 11,000 man Brandenburg force in Silesia and retake the city through siege in January of 1546. Hungary and Bavaria have assembled a 37,000 man army and are besieging Berlin, which falls to allied forces in March. Ferdinand leads his own army into Kustrin to begin a siege there. Despite the fall of Berlin, Brandenburg refuses to accept a peace involving only indemnities. In June, Kustrin falls and Ferdinand's 29,000 man army moves on Magdeburg, just in time to hear of Hungary's separate peace with Brandenburg in exchange for 250D. Berlin reverts to Brandenburg control and Ferdinand begins a siege of it, which lasts the whole of the year. In January of 1547, Berlin falls to Ferdinand and the war ends in exchange for around 100D from Brandenburg. As a postscript to the conflict, the French alliance declares war on the Hanseatic alliance in May of 1546 and Hansa acknowledges the inevitable, caving into Polish demands in August, ceding Eastern Pommerania and 174D to Warsaw.

Austria's army melted away in nearly every engagement, despite having a technlogical edge over its enemies. The entire prewar army was lost and had Poland not made peace precisely when it did, Austria would have been lucky to escape from the war without paying indemnities. Poland's peace offer, in fact, was a very poor move as Krakow would have fallen to them within a few months. It is entirely possible, however, that Wien was saved by a resurgence in the Hanseatic alliance or even war exhaustion in Poland's homeland. Either way, Austria escaped a possible disaster, as her armies struggled to defeat Brandenburg alone and without Hungarian and Bavarian assistance, that small German state might have won an astounding victory. In the end, Poland exchanged Krakow for Pomerania and Austria's war aims were only partially accomplished. Her stability and treasury suffered and her unprovoked attack on Poland, despite Charles' pleas of Imperial defense, cause hostility in Europe that is far greater than the value of Krakow.

Other events in the world consist mostly of peripheral wars by nations outside Austria's interest. Russia and Denmark again go to war with Kazan and the Golden Horde in 1545, but this war seems to be going badly for the Russians by 1548. Persia and the Mameluks extract indeminities from Iraq in a war from 1543. In 1547, Henry VIII is replaced by Edward VI in England and Henry II rises to the throne of France.

 

[Rex Francorum]

A question about Charles V (Charles I). He is monarch of Spain and Austria How it is managed? Could you declare war to Spain?

R.F.

And is the death of king corresponds exactly with their real year death or there is a kind or random factor?

 

[BiB]

They are treated as 2 different persons in the game. So declaring war is just an option like with any other country.

Monarchs come and go like they did historically though there can be random events which causes monarchs to die early, in which case u get the rule of a regent.

 

[JScott991]

Charles V

In fact, I have a real problem with how Charles V and certain Austrian monarchs are handled.

I think that when Charles V comes into the game, Austria and Spain should be automatically allied for the duration of his reign. The monarch is supposedly the supreme authority in your country (which is why his ability stats influence everything), so why would Karl V of Austria order an attack on Charles I of Spain? I tried to play it historically, which is why my AAR focuses so much on Spain, but I foolishly failed to honor the alliance with them, the great mistake of this game.

The sames goes for a few Austrian Emperors who are also Kings of Hungary (I think some Polish kings might also serve in this capacity, remember Hungary's dynasty is SUPPOSED to die out, I've never had it happen).

 

[JScott991]

Question for everyone:

Why does the computer love Helvetia? How many AI armies have you seen wasted besieging this mountainous, low supply country? It seems whoever owns it has a huge advantage, as whenever war breaks out, every AI army makes a beeline to die in the Swiss mountains. It almost seems like this is something hard-coded in the game, but I'd give good money if the computer would stop wasting men in Switzerland (though I'd give even better money if the computer would research technology! I really can't believe more people aren't up in arms about this. Don't people get tired of using muskets on halberds?)

 

[JScott991]

Very Boring Section

1546-1556: The Last Years of Charles V

Broken by the wars against France, the final years of King Charles I in Spain are spent attempting to recuperate from the great wars of his reign. This is not to be, as a new phenomen known as Dutch nationalism begins to spread throughout the Spanish Netherlands. By 1554, 50,000 troops are required to put down the revolt, but still it persists in the Hague, Hainaut, and Artois. Sources in Vienna suggest this might lead to the formation of a new nation in the Netherlands, but this sentiment is brutally suppressed. The Emperor Charles is not about to lose his richest territories.

In 1542, the infant Mary Stuart rises to take the throne of Scotland. This young woman, of mediocre talent and dubious fame, becomes much admired among the court elite at Vienna, but her rise does not keep Scotland Catholic. Scotland becomes Protestant in 1547, but this does not stop the flow of Imperial gold to Scotland [what can I say, I love Mary] The very young queen does, however, lead Scotland to a new spirit of nationalism. Scotland and the French alliance have been at war with England for some time and in July of 1548, Mary scores a decisive success against her southern neighbor. The English King Edward cedes Lancashire, the Midlands, and 137D to Scotland. He dies shortly thereafter and is replaced by Mary I (a much different Mary). Mary I is unable to restore much order to England, and a civil war results in a coup in London. Mary keeps her throne, but England becomes Reformed. Austria, in a weird change of heart owing to Scotland's place in the French alliance, tries to bring England into its own coalition. Thankfully, England takes Austria's money, but declines her hegemony. This spares Austria from being bound to an ally who could not have provided much support in Central Europe. England joins the Polish alliance in 1551 and is drawn into Poland's brief war with Crimea in 1553. This war ends with indemnities from Crimea to Poland. Austria returns to its pro-Scottish policy, but attempts to secure Mary of Scotland's hand fail. Apparently no good Catholic will accept the hand of a Catholic from a Protestant country. [talk about a waste of money, England stands at +67 to me, but is in my enemy's alliance, Scotland is nearly +100 but is in France's alliance and I can't marry them because they are reformed. I should give up my Anglophilia, though I keep thinking one of them would be a good ally against France] *[More notes on Mary: When Mary becomes queen of Scotland, she is less than one year old. Interesting choice of monarchs by Paradox. I believe that they ought to have included a regency here, at least until Mary historically returned to Scotland after the death of Francis II. I've been doing a lot of reading in the savegame files, following the various monarchs, and there is a lot of weirdness. Hungary has several Habsburg kings before they switch to Polish ones if you allow them to survive past King Louis. Scotland starts sharing kings at one point before they divide again and a whole host of strange possibilities are listed as the Scottish king. None stranger than a 1 year old girl, but still its very interesting. The joint monarch concept really out to be explored in more depth. When a country shares a King with another nation, something special should happen. This was a major event in Europe, but in EU you don't even know when its happening unless you check very closely. I have the messages announce all the monarchs of major powers, which is neat, but still I didn't notice Mary was in charge in Scotland until the 1550's. I'd already wasted 8 precious years of her reign. ]

In 1549, Jean Calvin begins to spread the teachings of the Reformed Church. Hessen, England, the Palatinate, and others have converted to the reformed Church. Austria, however, enjoys a Catholic resurgence, and in 1550 Bohemia returns to the Church. The Reformed faith disrupts the alliances of Germany, but by 1556 no German nation lacks an ally. Austria, smiting from the Polish war, is unable to take advantage of the situation and with her money tied up military construction and supporting the two Mary's in Britain, she is unable to expand her own alliance. Calvin's teachings cause a wave of obscurantism to sweep through the empire, but this leads to little. A rebellion in Krakow later in the year owes more to Polish nationalism than a difference in religious opinion with the Emperor.

In February of 1555, Archduke Ferdinand dies, leaving the army leaderless. Austria's army, numbering only some 70,000 men split between Krakow and Mantua, remains pitifully weak. Ferdinand's son, Ferdinand, begins negotiations with the Emperor Charles over succession. Austria has no interest in remaining dynastically united with Spain, and Spain has little interest in remaining united with Austria. Relations between the two nations border on hatred and each side is full of acrimony over the events of Emperor Charles' reign. The Emperor, himself, weary of mediating the two sides and in disbelief of the failed potential of his reign, abdicates in January of 1556. An era is over. Ferdinand succeeds to the Austrian and Bohemian lands, while Philip I takes power in Spain. Ferdinand is confirmed as Holy Roman Emperor. The rift between Madrid and Vienna is now permanent. The two branches of the Habsburg family are united in name only.

 

[BiB]

At least I have seen the Hungarian dynasty die out a few times.

 

[Dunhere]

Before this evening!

Thanks for this AAR JScott991,

it's very entertaining.
BTW i'm waiting for the next part before i leave my office.
So that i can read it in the urban transport....
That way i do not see how long it takes

Keep it on.

 

[JScott991]

Dunhere,

sorry I haven't posted any more updates, but I've only played a few more years to 1560 and its not worth writing about right now. I'm on Spring break, which actually will give me LESS time to play the game (never believe anyone who complains about how much work law school is, at least the first year), but I'll try to have something new up this weekend.

You seem to be the only one reading it anyway.

Jeremy