The tide soon begins to turn against the Dutch-Swedish alliance. France invades the lowlands early in the century, inflicting casualties on the once mighty Dutch army that will take a decade to replace. In 1607, Russia declares war on Sweden and deploys an army of some 100,000 men to the theatre. My German garrison has little trouble with the Dutch army. Unfortunately, I am still too weak to wage an offensive against Sweden, but Russia gains two Swedish provinces.
With the Netherlands and Sweden under control, I am essentially satisfied with my position in Europe. Further expansion in central Europe would not necessarily be worth the cost, even if I were successful. I would have to replace losses, build up infrastructure and fortifications and would eventually run afoul of Austria and France. It could take thirty years to recover my costs. Sweden would be worth taking, but I would prefer to wait until the Russians reduce our common enemy further. No, if Denmark is to become a major power, it has to expand outside Europe. The weak position of France, Portugal and England presents a fabulous opportunity that would be foolish to pass up.
For the first 30 years of the 17th century, I concentrate on upgrading infrastructure and I build an Academy of Arts in Copenhagen to pay tribute to Denmark's status as a great European power. I also establish trading posts in Virginia (Roanoke), India and Siam as beachheads for overseas expansion. My first city is established in Louga, a valuable center for ivory production in West Africa.
In this period, Russia begins to expand at an ever greater pace. Moscow gains two Polish provinces in 1611 and completes its annexation of Siberia. The way is clear to the Pacific Ocean, and Russian trading posts begin to pop up like mushrooms in central Asia. In 1624, Russia again attacks Sweden and again takes two provinces. I am much better prepared this time, and I force Stockholm to hand over Vastergotland. In 1641, joint Russo-Danish armies rampage through Sweden. Russia gains two more provinces and I take Smaland and Skane. In 1647, England declares war on Sweden independently and gains a territory in Finland.
In 1645, my tobacco colony in Roanoke becomes a full-fledged city and soon emerges as the center of trade for a large part of North America. This development is puzzling, frankly, since England has several very rich and populous cities in the region. The English are understandably irritated, and our previously friendly relations deteriorate to the point that England imposes a ban on all trade with the Kingdom of Denmark in 1648. In any case, my commercial presence in North America brings in an additional 200 ducats of revenue per year.
For the past fifty years, Poland had held its own against Russia's occasional forays against Polish territory in the Ukraine. Although I had respected my obligations to Russia during its previous wars against Poland, I did not participate actively. Since I no longer had ambitions in central Europe, it was in my interest to ensure that no single state gained a dominant position in the region. Poland was above all useful as a counterweight to Austria, and I didn't want Russia to become too strong either. But in 1652, the balance of power shifts decisively when Turkey, Russia, Austria and Hungary pounce on Poland all at once. Though France had been allied to Poland for decades, the French know a lost cause when they see it and stay aloof. A feeding frenzy ensues that gives three territories to Russia, two to the Crimea, and one to Austria. I decide that Poland's utility as a potential ally is at an end, so I seize one of its provinces for myself. Russia and Austria suddenly discover that they have much in common, and Vienna accepts Moscow's invitation to join our alliance in order to better coordinate Poland's partition.
Meanwhile, England is on the mend. Instead of recapturing its occupied territory, England has invested heavily in manufacturing, fortifications, colonies and shipyards. In fact, England now has two shipyards in its home provinces, one in Finland, one in North America and two in India. Scotland's exertions against its increasingly wealthy rival cause it to declare bankruptcy in 1656. From 1665, England begins to recover territory from the Scots by annexing the Midlands. England's new sense of confidence also leads it to attack my Virginian colony in 1663. I am well-prepared, though, and we settle for a white peace.
After annexing Lorraine in 1628, France struggles to gain the upper hand in a global rivalry with the Dutch. Competition in India and South America leads to a war in 1665 that France eventually wins decisively. The Dutch not only lose their home province of Zeeland, they also see all of their trading posts in India and South America burned and replaced by France. But France suffers catastrophic losses against the Dutch army, and Spain is quick to exploit the opportunity. In 1667, France surrenders Provence, leaving it completely cut off from the Mediterranean Sea.
Meanwhile, a shocking turn of events alters the landscape in the Balkans. Relations between Austria and its Hungarian vassal had deteriorated severely since the glory days when Austro-Hungarian armies vanquished Saxony and Bohemia. Many in Austria wondered why Hungary should be allowed to retain control of some of the German-speaking provinces taken during these wars. And Austria's realignment with Russia had many in Hungary feeling marginalized. Tension between the two states finally induces the King of Hungary to reject the authority of the Austrian crown. A ten-province Hungarian state emerges from the resulting war for independence.
After many years of inconclusive struggle, a consolidation begins in the Eastern Med and Italy. Tuscany annexes both the Papal States and Naples by 1670, giving rise to a powerful six-province state. When Turkey crushes Venice and seizes two provinces on the Adriatic coast in 1671, Tuscany is able to position itself in a leadership role in Italy. Russia sees this as an opportunity to create a counterweight to its Turkish rival, and brings Tuscany, Venice and Genoa into the Russo-Danish alliance. The three Italian states later form an alliance on their own.
In 1669, Russia annexes the last two territories of the Teutonic Order and grabs another two Polish provinces in 1677. With the Austro-Hungarian alliance in tatters, I am becoming increasingly concerned about Russia's unchecked power. In 1681, I feel strong enough to attempt an attack on Sweden without Russia's support. My army is large and well-equipped, but it is extremely poorly led. I suffer huge casualties against numerically inferior armies and eventually have to settle for an indemnity after six inconclusive years of war.
Another wave of invasions in the 1680s and 1690s drives the last nail in the coffin for Poland. Poland loses four provinces to Russia, two to Austria, two to Crimea and even two provinces on the Baltic coast to Turkey! Austria has also been active against the diplomatically isolated Hungarians, capturing four provinces.
Turkey's development as a regional power has been held up by a strong alliance between the Persians and Mamelucks. Nonetheless, Turkey has a large colonial presence in east Africa and a strong vassalized ally in the Crimea. Given the fractured nature of the Balkans, Turkey has the potential to expand quite rapidly there.
England gains a lot of momentum in the last decades of the century. Due to its heavy investments in manufacturing as well as its valuable tobacco, fur and cotton production in North America, England becomes the world's wealthiest nation. England dominates North America with a vast network of trading posts and several heavily fortified cities. But my city is still the hub for the British Empire's North American trade, and England has virtually no colonial presence elsewhere in the world. On the home front, the Scots have been driven back to their original border by 1699.
With the significant exception of Spain, the other colonial powers remain weak. Even with the territory it captured from the Dutch, France is a minor player with its scattered trading posts in markets dominated by foreign merchants. Portuguese trading posts have claimed a lot of land in Brazil and utterly dominate Indonesia, but they do not have a single colony or city overseas. The Dutch are strong only in Argentina, which has few territories of any value.
One gets the impression that Denmark has been relatively inactive in the 17th century. On the contrary, the Danes have diligently built up a powerful commercial empire. Most of Siam is Danish, and a center of trade emerges in Bankok that draws in the extremely lucrative spice trade from Indonesia. The Danish now have four strategically placed cities in India, North America, Indochina and Africa. I have also set up some fisheries and textile manufacturing in my European territory. All of this means that my annual income is now over 2500 ducats per year, about half of this derived from trade revenues. Denmark is the second wealthiest power after England. Now it is time to put this power to some use in the European theater…
With the Netherlands and Sweden under control, I am essentially satisfied with my position in Europe. Further expansion in central Europe would not necessarily be worth the cost, even if I were successful. I would have to replace losses, build up infrastructure and fortifications and would eventually run afoul of Austria and France. It could take thirty years to recover my costs. Sweden would be worth taking, but I would prefer to wait until the Russians reduce our common enemy further. No, if Denmark is to become a major power, it has to expand outside Europe. The weak position of France, Portugal and England presents a fabulous opportunity that would be foolish to pass up.
For the first 30 years of the 17th century, I concentrate on upgrading infrastructure and I build an Academy of Arts in Copenhagen to pay tribute to Denmark's status as a great European power. I also establish trading posts in Virginia (Roanoke), India and Siam as beachheads for overseas expansion. My first city is established in Louga, a valuable center for ivory production in West Africa.
In this period, Russia begins to expand at an ever greater pace. Moscow gains two Polish provinces in 1611 and completes its annexation of Siberia. The way is clear to the Pacific Ocean, and Russian trading posts begin to pop up like mushrooms in central Asia. In 1624, Russia again attacks Sweden and again takes two provinces. I am much better prepared this time, and I force Stockholm to hand over Vastergotland. In 1641, joint Russo-Danish armies rampage through Sweden. Russia gains two more provinces and I take Smaland and Skane. In 1647, England declares war on Sweden independently and gains a territory in Finland.
In 1645, my tobacco colony in Roanoke becomes a full-fledged city and soon emerges as the center of trade for a large part of North America. This development is puzzling, frankly, since England has several very rich and populous cities in the region. The English are understandably irritated, and our previously friendly relations deteriorate to the point that England imposes a ban on all trade with the Kingdom of Denmark in 1648. In any case, my commercial presence in North America brings in an additional 200 ducats of revenue per year.
For the past fifty years, Poland had held its own against Russia's occasional forays against Polish territory in the Ukraine. Although I had respected my obligations to Russia during its previous wars against Poland, I did not participate actively. Since I no longer had ambitions in central Europe, it was in my interest to ensure that no single state gained a dominant position in the region. Poland was above all useful as a counterweight to Austria, and I didn't want Russia to become too strong either. But in 1652, the balance of power shifts decisively when Turkey, Russia, Austria and Hungary pounce on Poland all at once. Though France had been allied to Poland for decades, the French know a lost cause when they see it and stay aloof. A feeding frenzy ensues that gives three territories to Russia, two to the Crimea, and one to Austria. I decide that Poland's utility as a potential ally is at an end, so I seize one of its provinces for myself. Russia and Austria suddenly discover that they have much in common, and Vienna accepts Moscow's invitation to join our alliance in order to better coordinate Poland's partition.
Meanwhile, England is on the mend. Instead of recapturing its occupied territory, England has invested heavily in manufacturing, fortifications, colonies and shipyards. In fact, England now has two shipyards in its home provinces, one in Finland, one in North America and two in India. Scotland's exertions against its increasingly wealthy rival cause it to declare bankruptcy in 1656. From 1665, England begins to recover territory from the Scots by annexing the Midlands. England's new sense of confidence also leads it to attack my Virginian colony in 1663. I am well-prepared, though, and we settle for a white peace.
After annexing Lorraine in 1628, France struggles to gain the upper hand in a global rivalry with the Dutch. Competition in India and South America leads to a war in 1665 that France eventually wins decisively. The Dutch not only lose their home province of Zeeland, they also see all of their trading posts in India and South America burned and replaced by France. But France suffers catastrophic losses against the Dutch army, and Spain is quick to exploit the opportunity. In 1667, France surrenders Provence, leaving it completely cut off from the Mediterranean Sea.
Meanwhile, a shocking turn of events alters the landscape in the Balkans. Relations between Austria and its Hungarian vassal had deteriorated severely since the glory days when Austro-Hungarian armies vanquished Saxony and Bohemia. Many in Austria wondered why Hungary should be allowed to retain control of some of the German-speaking provinces taken during these wars. And Austria's realignment with Russia had many in Hungary feeling marginalized. Tension between the two states finally induces the King of Hungary to reject the authority of the Austrian crown. A ten-province Hungarian state emerges from the resulting war for independence.
After many years of inconclusive struggle, a consolidation begins in the Eastern Med and Italy. Tuscany annexes both the Papal States and Naples by 1670, giving rise to a powerful six-province state. When Turkey crushes Venice and seizes two provinces on the Adriatic coast in 1671, Tuscany is able to position itself in a leadership role in Italy. Russia sees this as an opportunity to create a counterweight to its Turkish rival, and brings Tuscany, Venice and Genoa into the Russo-Danish alliance. The three Italian states later form an alliance on their own.
In 1669, Russia annexes the last two territories of the Teutonic Order and grabs another two Polish provinces in 1677. With the Austro-Hungarian alliance in tatters, I am becoming increasingly concerned about Russia's unchecked power. In 1681, I feel strong enough to attempt an attack on Sweden without Russia's support. My army is large and well-equipped, but it is extremely poorly led. I suffer huge casualties against numerically inferior armies and eventually have to settle for an indemnity after six inconclusive years of war.
Another wave of invasions in the 1680s and 1690s drives the last nail in the coffin for Poland. Poland loses four provinces to Russia, two to Austria, two to Crimea and even two provinces on the Baltic coast to Turkey! Austria has also been active against the diplomatically isolated Hungarians, capturing four provinces.
Turkey's development as a regional power has been held up by a strong alliance between the Persians and Mamelucks. Nonetheless, Turkey has a large colonial presence in east Africa and a strong vassalized ally in the Crimea. Given the fractured nature of the Balkans, Turkey has the potential to expand quite rapidly there.
England gains a lot of momentum in the last decades of the century. Due to its heavy investments in manufacturing as well as its valuable tobacco, fur and cotton production in North America, England becomes the world's wealthiest nation. England dominates North America with a vast network of trading posts and several heavily fortified cities. But my city is still the hub for the British Empire's North American trade, and England has virtually no colonial presence elsewhere in the world. On the home front, the Scots have been driven back to their original border by 1699.
With the significant exception of Spain, the other colonial powers remain weak. Even with the territory it captured from the Dutch, France is a minor player with its scattered trading posts in markets dominated by foreign merchants. Portuguese trading posts have claimed a lot of land in Brazil and utterly dominate Indonesia, but they do not have a single colony or city overseas. The Dutch are strong only in Argentina, which has few territories of any value.
One gets the impression that Denmark has been relatively inactive in the 17th century. On the contrary, the Danes have diligently built up a powerful commercial empire. Most of Siam is Danish, and a center of trade emerges in Bankok that draws in the extremely lucrative spice trade from Indonesia. The Danish now have four strategically placed cities in India, North America, Indochina and Africa. I have also set up some fisheries and textile manufacturing in my European territory. All of this means that my annual income is now over 2500 ducats per year, about half of this derived from trade revenues. Denmark is the second wealthiest power after England. Now it is time to put this power to some use in the European theater…