Well, it looks like I will be the first non-beta tester to write an AAR. Enjoy...
AUSTRIA in the Age of Enlightenment scenario (1700 -)
The fundamental dynamic of European diplomacy at the turn of the century is defined by the joining of the French and Spanish thrones in a common alliance. As a counterweight to this juggernaut, England, Austria, Prussia, Holland and Portugal have joined forces. Secondary alliances include a Venice-Poland-Hansa triangle, the traditional Russia-Denmark alliance and a rather meaningless Turkey-Sweden alliance.
Austria's position is relatively strong, which will give me some weight in determining the flow of events. I have a moderately-sized but well-armed and well-led army. The economy is endowed with sufficient natural resources and decent infrastructure. However, it is clear that any confrontation with the massive French military machine will prove disastrous. This rules out any early move against Milan or Bavaria, both of which are secure under the French aegis. Perhaps if the Dutch, Portuguese and English can deal a serious blow to the French-Spanish alliance, I'll reconsider. More foolish would be a move against Venice or Poland, which would require me to defend two long fronts as the Turks sharpen their knives to the south. So the Turk is going to be on the receiving end of my ambition.
I spend the first several years building up diplomatic contacts, fortifications and infrastructure, leaving an armament campaign for later. I quickly arrange royal marriages with Venice and Poland to secure my flanks, but I avoid an alliance in order to put off war with Turkey a bit longer. Thanks to my neutrality and active Swedish support, by 1704 Turkey is able to annex Ragusa, a major Venetian port facility on the Albanian coast. Meanwhile, my spies bring unsettling reports that the French army is now more than twice the size of my own.
Through 1707, I have been dogged by persistent revolts in Lutheran Silesia and Bohemia, a situation which has kept me from focussing my forces to the south. When the Papal States refuse an offer for a royal marriage, I angrily abandon the counter-reformation and revert to a very tolerant Catholicism. Russia launches a short and successful war against the Ukraine, which prompts me to arrange a royal marriage with Moscow, if only as a means to gather intelligence on the rising power to the northeast.
By 1709, my capable generals have completed a reform of the cavalry corps with the introduction of Hussar units and I decide to finally launch my first war against Turkey. My Prussian ally joins the fight with over 40,000 men, and to my delight annihilates Turkish forces in Croatia for me while I am engaged elsewhere. The war ends in 1711 with my annexation of Croatia and Banat in northern Serbia.
Prussia and I have allowed our alliance with the other anti-French powers to elapse but the other members of the alliance maintain the vigil against France and Spain. Foolishly, the Portuguese declare war against Spain in 1710 without the support of their allies and lose Oporto to the Spanish within 11 months. Two years later, England and Holland declare war on France, which is supported by Spain and its new ally Sweden. The outcome is devastating. The Dutch cede Zeeland and Holland to the French by 1713 and drop out of the war. A year later, England is forced to concede a large indemnity and a north American colony to Paris in exchange for peace.
Meanwhile, the Russian bear is stirring. Instead of expanding into the Turkish vassal states to the south, Russia has cemented a new alliance with Turkey. In 1712, Russia wrests a province from Poland in a quick war as Denmark holds Poland's only ally Hansa at bay. Two years later, Turkey reopens its war with Venice with very active Russian support. In fact, Russia eventually manages to occupy the heavily fortified Croatian coast (Istria) and besieges Venice itself! I once again avoid involvement, but I do provide Venice with extremely generous subsidies. My cowardice is lucrative: Austria becomes Europe's second largest economy after England.
But I do not intend to let others fight all my wars. In 1720, I launch a massive offensive against the Turks, who are still occupied with the plucky Venetians. Russia does not defend its ally and within a year, I am able to annex Bosnia, Wallachia and Moldavia. There is a fairly prohibitive Stability penalty for breaking a peace agreement within five years, however, so I have to bide my time before resuming the crusade. It is not until 1728 that I am finally able to close the corridor from Russia to Venice by annexing Bujak, the only Christian province on the Black Sea coast. I also swallow Serbia into my empire to consolidate the border with Turkey. Unfortunately, Venice is finally forced to make peace with Russia after 14 years of war by ceding Istria. So it comes to pass that Russia's first port is not on the Baltic Sea or the Black Sea but rather the Aegean Sea!
The Dutch are emboldened by England's growing might on land and sea, and in 1730 they declare war on France to reclaim their lost territory. England and Sweden join in the fray and Madrid remains true to its alliance with Paris. But if the Dutch were counting on help on land from the English, they miscalculated. I send them financial aid, but this is hardly enough. France annexes Friesen within 9 months, leaving the Netherlands with only one province in Europe. The Dutch do have a strong colonial empire, however, particularly in the Far East. The Netherlands' weakened position has opened a window of opportunity for me, and I am able to establish a monopoly on trade between Japan and Korea by investing heavily in Dutch occupied Kyoto. I am equally successful with my commercial projects in Portuguese Macao. All of this without a single trading post, colony or even home port of my own!
Meanwhile, the Russians are on a rampage again. They have conquered their way to the Pacific coast and I wish to God they would turn south against the Muslims. Instead, they invade Poland in 1732 and quickly annex another two provinces from the hapless Poles. The unchecked expansion of Russia and France is becoming a serious concern to me. I am satisfied with my expansion at the expense of the Turks, and it would be nice if the Russians would keep them occupied for me while I deal with the French. By the mid-1730's, I have expanded my influence significantly in Germany. By 1733, the Austro-Prussian alliance has drawn in Hessen, Lorraine, and Wuertemburg. When Bavaria's alliance with France expires, I jump on the chance and invade. I am a bit irritated that Wuertemburg is the only member of the alliance to honor its obligations, but my armies make short work of the isolated Bavarians. I annex Bavaria's two rich provinces and two months later the previously uncooperative Pfalz joins my German alliance.
When Maria Theresa ascends the throne in 1740, she finds Austria in an excellent position. My economy is the strongest in Europe thanks to rocketing trade revenues, investments in infrastructure and territorial expansion. Meanwhile, my military is more than a match for any of my neighbors. The French military is still formidable, but the English navy and army are marginally stronger. On the other hand, Europe's alliance system has evolved to my detriment. The alliance with Prussia has expired, and my erstwhile German comrades in arms have formed their own rather impotent alliance with the Hansa, Venice, Hanover and Portugal. As an interesting side note, I have learned that Prussia has founded a colony in West Africa… trading slaves (tsk, tsk). I am hoping that the next time the English-Swedish-Dutch alliance goes into action, it will result in something more productive than the dismemberment of one of its members. True to form, the Danes are still clinging to the Russians for protection against Sweden. What concerns me most is the addition of Poland to the Franco-Spanish alliance. As it stands now, my alliance consists exclusively of German states who at best would serve as cannon fodder in any German war. Plus my allies' relations with both France and Prussia are too good; I doubt I could count on them in a conflict with either the French or Prussian alliance. So I'm feeling strong but slightly isolated.
Stay tuned for part two…
AUSTRIA in the Age of Enlightenment scenario (1700 -)
The fundamental dynamic of European diplomacy at the turn of the century is defined by the joining of the French and Spanish thrones in a common alliance. As a counterweight to this juggernaut, England, Austria, Prussia, Holland and Portugal have joined forces. Secondary alliances include a Venice-Poland-Hansa triangle, the traditional Russia-Denmark alliance and a rather meaningless Turkey-Sweden alliance.
Austria's position is relatively strong, which will give me some weight in determining the flow of events. I have a moderately-sized but well-armed and well-led army. The economy is endowed with sufficient natural resources and decent infrastructure. However, it is clear that any confrontation with the massive French military machine will prove disastrous. This rules out any early move against Milan or Bavaria, both of which are secure under the French aegis. Perhaps if the Dutch, Portuguese and English can deal a serious blow to the French-Spanish alliance, I'll reconsider. More foolish would be a move against Venice or Poland, which would require me to defend two long fronts as the Turks sharpen their knives to the south. So the Turk is going to be on the receiving end of my ambition.
I spend the first several years building up diplomatic contacts, fortifications and infrastructure, leaving an armament campaign for later. I quickly arrange royal marriages with Venice and Poland to secure my flanks, but I avoid an alliance in order to put off war with Turkey a bit longer. Thanks to my neutrality and active Swedish support, by 1704 Turkey is able to annex Ragusa, a major Venetian port facility on the Albanian coast. Meanwhile, my spies bring unsettling reports that the French army is now more than twice the size of my own.
Through 1707, I have been dogged by persistent revolts in Lutheran Silesia and Bohemia, a situation which has kept me from focussing my forces to the south. When the Papal States refuse an offer for a royal marriage, I angrily abandon the counter-reformation and revert to a very tolerant Catholicism. Russia launches a short and successful war against the Ukraine, which prompts me to arrange a royal marriage with Moscow, if only as a means to gather intelligence on the rising power to the northeast.
By 1709, my capable generals have completed a reform of the cavalry corps with the introduction of Hussar units and I decide to finally launch my first war against Turkey. My Prussian ally joins the fight with over 40,000 men, and to my delight annihilates Turkish forces in Croatia for me while I am engaged elsewhere. The war ends in 1711 with my annexation of Croatia and Banat in northern Serbia.
Prussia and I have allowed our alliance with the other anti-French powers to elapse but the other members of the alliance maintain the vigil against France and Spain. Foolishly, the Portuguese declare war against Spain in 1710 without the support of their allies and lose Oporto to the Spanish within 11 months. Two years later, England and Holland declare war on France, which is supported by Spain and its new ally Sweden. The outcome is devastating. The Dutch cede Zeeland and Holland to the French by 1713 and drop out of the war. A year later, England is forced to concede a large indemnity and a north American colony to Paris in exchange for peace.
Meanwhile, the Russian bear is stirring. Instead of expanding into the Turkish vassal states to the south, Russia has cemented a new alliance with Turkey. In 1712, Russia wrests a province from Poland in a quick war as Denmark holds Poland's only ally Hansa at bay. Two years later, Turkey reopens its war with Venice with very active Russian support. In fact, Russia eventually manages to occupy the heavily fortified Croatian coast (Istria) and besieges Venice itself! I once again avoid involvement, but I do provide Venice with extremely generous subsidies. My cowardice is lucrative: Austria becomes Europe's second largest economy after England.
But I do not intend to let others fight all my wars. In 1720, I launch a massive offensive against the Turks, who are still occupied with the plucky Venetians. Russia does not defend its ally and within a year, I am able to annex Bosnia, Wallachia and Moldavia. There is a fairly prohibitive Stability penalty for breaking a peace agreement within five years, however, so I have to bide my time before resuming the crusade. It is not until 1728 that I am finally able to close the corridor from Russia to Venice by annexing Bujak, the only Christian province on the Black Sea coast. I also swallow Serbia into my empire to consolidate the border with Turkey. Unfortunately, Venice is finally forced to make peace with Russia after 14 years of war by ceding Istria. So it comes to pass that Russia's first port is not on the Baltic Sea or the Black Sea but rather the Aegean Sea!
The Dutch are emboldened by England's growing might on land and sea, and in 1730 they declare war on France to reclaim their lost territory. England and Sweden join in the fray and Madrid remains true to its alliance with Paris. But if the Dutch were counting on help on land from the English, they miscalculated. I send them financial aid, but this is hardly enough. France annexes Friesen within 9 months, leaving the Netherlands with only one province in Europe. The Dutch do have a strong colonial empire, however, particularly in the Far East. The Netherlands' weakened position has opened a window of opportunity for me, and I am able to establish a monopoly on trade between Japan and Korea by investing heavily in Dutch occupied Kyoto. I am equally successful with my commercial projects in Portuguese Macao. All of this without a single trading post, colony or even home port of my own!
Meanwhile, the Russians are on a rampage again. They have conquered their way to the Pacific coast and I wish to God they would turn south against the Muslims. Instead, they invade Poland in 1732 and quickly annex another two provinces from the hapless Poles. The unchecked expansion of Russia and France is becoming a serious concern to me. I am satisfied with my expansion at the expense of the Turks, and it would be nice if the Russians would keep them occupied for me while I deal with the French. By the mid-1730's, I have expanded my influence significantly in Germany. By 1733, the Austro-Prussian alliance has drawn in Hessen, Lorraine, and Wuertemburg. When Bavaria's alliance with France expires, I jump on the chance and invade. I am a bit irritated that Wuertemburg is the only member of the alliance to honor its obligations, but my armies make short work of the isolated Bavarians. I annex Bavaria's two rich provinces and two months later the previously uncooperative Pfalz joins my German alliance.
When Maria Theresa ascends the throne in 1740, she finds Austria in an excellent position. My economy is the strongest in Europe thanks to rocketing trade revenues, investments in infrastructure and territorial expansion. Meanwhile, my military is more than a match for any of my neighbors. The French military is still formidable, but the English navy and army are marginally stronger. On the other hand, Europe's alliance system has evolved to my detriment. The alliance with Prussia has expired, and my erstwhile German comrades in arms have formed their own rather impotent alliance with the Hansa, Venice, Hanover and Portugal. As an interesting side note, I have learned that Prussia has founded a colony in West Africa… trading slaves (tsk, tsk). I am hoping that the next time the English-Swedish-Dutch alliance goes into action, it will result in something more productive than the dismemberment of one of its members. True to form, the Danes are still clinging to the Russians for protection against Sweden. What concerns me most is the addition of Poland to the Franco-Spanish alliance. As it stands now, my alliance consists exclusively of German states who at best would serve as cannon fodder in any German war. Plus my allies' relations with both France and Prussia are too good; I doubt I could count on them in a conflict with either the French or Prussian alliance. So I'm feeling strong but slightly isolated.
Stay tuned for part two…
