With the ascention of Frederich I, the policies of the Hohenzollerns changed drastically. No longer was expansion the prime motive. Public image for the elector prince was bad enough, making stability issues somewhat of a problem. With such a new and vast realm to hold under control, love of the people could no longer be ignored. It and naval control in the Baltic. Some changes were definitely in order.
To more specifically describe the naval scene at this time, the Brandenburger fleet consisted of four warships and four galleys. A navy to take pride in in 1330 to be sure, but no longer adequate. From this day forward, shipbuilding companies would make a hefty profit from their industry. Frederich ordered the construction of as many galleys as possible.
Not much could be done for the public image. The wanton annexations of Frederich's father and grandfather had done their damage, and there wasn't much to be done except refrain from further blatant warmongery and let time heal the wounds.
The years passed, and after a decade or so the German navy was strong indeed, with over 100 galleys strong. And no time too soon, for intelligence was recieved revealing a plot by the Danish dogs to tax Baltic trade so excessively it would put several German trading companies in Mecklenburg out of business.
To counter this plan, Frederich decided to attack the Danes. However, the first attack failed. Sweden and Russia defended them, both wanting nothing more than to see German business fall to ruin. The second attack was more successful, much more. It began with a Russian DOW, after years of misrule in Sweden by the Swedish AI. Russia hoped to create a screen for the weak Swedes. The Brandenburger army engaged the Russians and held them off easily, then DOW'd Sweden.
The grand fleet was now almost 300 strong, more than capable of handling both Russia and Sweden. The first engagements went in the favor of the enemy, but finally a victory was won, and a major victory. The enemy had to cede control of the waters the rest of the war.
Jutland was taken, then Sjaellend itself, and in the east Memel fell. The Swedes attempted to reliev the Jutland seige, but ended up running away like little girls leaving a mere 5k Germans holding the field. The Swedes were so crazed with fear that instead of boarding their vessels, they ran right into the sea and tried to swim across. They all drowned, all 30k.
Thus, when the German army landed in Skane, the Swedish defenders who tried to throw them back were not numerous enough, and were nearly wiped out. Of course the Russians who aided them in Skane were knocked around quite a bit too, they ussually are when they fight organized Germans. Thus, Skane was taken after a few months, and stabhits began to be sent to Sweden. Ultimately they knew they couldnt' continue to resist, and decided to give in to demands, agreeing to force Denmark to give up its futile tries to put German businessmen out of business and agreed to cede Memel.
Thus Brandenburg showed the Swedish and Russians that the Germans weren't going to be pushed around.
By this time Frederich was an old man, but a proud one. He said to his son, soon to be Frederich II, "You must pray to God that you get some good generals". And he did so.
After Fred I died, Frederich II prayed to God and his prayer was answered. He got a good general and a good admiral, and with these he fought the Muscovites. They however also had good leaders, but also had more troops, and by claiming DOTF their morale became as good as German morale nearly. He achieved a half success in the war by capturing Kurland, but it wasn't enough to stabhit, so he gave in to a wp, with both sides holding DOTF.
Holland had chosen the time Brandenburg was at war with Russia to attack, but Frederich kept his cool. It was an opportunity to stroke his public image, and get rid of the DOTF title that was slowing down tech developement. Thus, he gave the Dutch 50D for peace.
Austria, the other half of the HRE, had been at war with France off and on, and Venice. It was engaged in a war with England and France shortly after the Russian and Dutch wars ended, but Frederich decided not to aid them because 1) WE was still very high, and 2) he was tired of seeing the French getting the crap beat out of them by Austria.
After some years, Austria was again attacked, this time by RUssia. And then France, a double team. Much too excessive, thus Frederich aided his brethren, sending forces to fight France. But he forgot to pray for his leaders...
The one that was still alive fought well in the west, breaking all French seiges, including those held by Richmonte, uberest general of them all. He also destroyed a 30k cavalry force after some initial losses, but then the Swedes DOW'd, forcing a diversion. The good general went back with a large cavalry force and fought some battles with them, inflicting more losses generally, but then while in camp he tripped on a log and landed in the middle of the camp fire, burning himself so bad he died a few days later. Brandenburg was left without any able leaders.
But it was ok at first. The Brandenburgers could handle Sweden, which they showed in the following battle, annhilating some 25k that were in Holstien. Then Gille de Raise showed up with 30k cav, and totally routed the leaderless army, and proceeded to destroy the reinforcement armies around Berlin. After he left, they were rebuilt, and they went north again and annhilated more Swedes, but it was only a matter of time before the French came back, whom the Germans were nearly helpless against.
But the victories against Sweden at least convinced them to leave the war with a wp. After that, France dropped his demands on Brandenburg. The war ended with Austria losing two provs to France, and I think one to Russia. A bitter loss for them, but it could've been worse.
So now the nation has peace, and Frederich II prays constantly for good leaders. It is close to infra 2 though, which should make up for the recent economic strain somewhat.
