I absolutely despise taking loans, just b/c you have to pay them back. If I ever take loans, I take a lot, go bankrupt, and never have to repay.
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1627 - 1630 : The Crimean war
The glorious Tzar Mikhail, concerned with the seemingly unstoppable expansion of Turkey in Europe, decided to act against them. But as we had no common frontiers and no "diplomatic" reason to attack, Mikhail choosed to strike an indirect blow to Turkey, by attacking their most faithfull and powerful ally, Crimea, against wich we had a CB since they refused to honor our alliance 35 years ago.
1627 :
Confident enough that he could swipe the Crimeans easily with the help from their oldest enemy, Georgia, the Tzar declared war on them in january, while he asked his other allies, Netherlands and Ethiopia, to harass Turkey, Oman and the Hafsid, Crimea's supporters.
A crimean army attacked Lugansk in january, but was defeated by Vorontsov the 27. Meanwhile, three russian and two georgian armies invaded the crimean provinces, driving their defenders off and laying sieges over the cities.
The following month, Sweden and its allies, Denmark and Hanover, DOW us, but this time, we choosed to stay on defense on the northern front, hoping that the Swedish forces would vanish against our heavily fortified and defended provinces. And that's exactly what happened: Voronctov defeated four swedish attacks on Ingermaland, from march to may.
In march, Pozharsky defeated a rebellion in Estonia, and in april, while Oman burned our outpost in Somalia, we beat a combined turkish/crimean relief army in Azow.
A danish army besieged Far Karelia in june, but we purposefully decided to let them do, as the siege would take them a long time, and attacking them would have weakened our defenses on Ingermaland and Onega.
Oman burned our outpost in Mudugh in august, but we seized Koulan on the 5. Kalmuk fell in september, as did Azow one month later.
In november, Crimea had to pay 36 gold to Naples, and in december, we drove off a Hafsid counter-attack in Azow.
1628 :
A small Crimean army marched through Poland, with wich they were still at war, to attack Bogutjar in january, and we decided to wait before attacking them. In march, We sent a small army in Far Karelia, and defeated the danish besiegers. The same month, Crimea offered us Kalmuk, but we refused, believing that we could crush them completely.
In april, Voronctov beat a sweden army in Ingermaland for the fifth time, and we offered Sweden a truce they rejected.
Vorontsov defeated the crimean besiegers in Bogutjar in may, while Oman burned our outpost in Mogadiscio.
In august we captured Crimea, thus controlling 4 crimean provinces. In october, Moldavia declared its independance from Turkey, and immediately entered war against Turkey and Crimea. They had virtually no chance to resist the turkish armies, but it was a good thing for us, as it would prevent the turks from helping Crimea for several months.
The year ended with another swedish attack on Ingermaland, and the sixth consecutive victory of Voronctov.
1629 :
Estonia tried to rebel in april, but the rebels where soon crushed by Pozarskhy, garrisoned in this province with a powerful army. Crimea offered us Kalmuk, but we refused again, while Turkey annexed Moldavia.
At last, Voronctov was defeated by a 40k swedish army wich immediately besieged Ingermaland. Voronctov tried to counterattack in july, but he was beaten again, and in august, we agreed to pay 6 gold to Sweden, a small price to end a useless war and to avoid Ingermaland falling in enemy hands.
In september, Poland paid 133 gold to Crimea.
Kurgan entered rebellion in august, Ingermaland in november, and Amou Daria in december, but each time they were quickly back under the Tzar's control.
1630 :
Kerch fell on january the 02, and Krementjug the 26. At last we could claim complete control of Crimea. The Tzar might have annexed it entirely had he wished to do so, but instead he only took Kalmuk and Azow for himself, and gave Koulan to Georgia.
He did so to avoid angering the other nations with a total annexion, to improve its relations with Georgia, and to avoid having 6 more rebel provinces. This way, he also avoided having a direct frontier with Turkey, while still gaining an access to the Black sea and the Mediterranean. Furthermore, he secretely hoped that Crimea would declare war on us in the future because of their CB, thus allowing us to attack them and Turkey without loosing stability.
Kazan revolted in may, and the rebels were beaten within a month.
This year ended with a white peace between Crimea, Switzerland and Scotland.
To be continued...............
The glorious Tzar Mikhail, concerned with the seemingly unstoppable expansion of Turkey in Europe, decided to act against them. But as we had no common frontiers and no "diplomatic" reason to attack, Mikhail choosed to strike an indirect blow to Turkey, by attacking their most faithfull and powerful ally, Crimea, against wich we had a CB since they refused to honor our alliance 35 years ago.
1627 :
Confident enough that he could swipe the Crimeans easily with the help from their oldest enemy, Georgia, the Tzar declared war on them in january, while he asked his other allies, Netherlands and Ethiopia, to harass Turkey, Oman and the Hafsid, Crimea's supporters.
A crimean army attacked Lugansk in january, but was defeated by Vorontsov the 27. Meanwhile, three russian and two georgian armies invaded the crimean provinces, driving their defenders off and laying sieges over the cities.
The following month, Sweden and its allies, Denmark and Hanover, DOW us, but this time, we choosed to stay on defense on the northern front, hoping that the Swedish forces would vanish against our heavily fortified and defended provinces. And that's exactly what happened: Voronctov defeated four swedish attacks on Ingermaland, from march to may.
In march, Pozharsky defeated a rebellion in Estonia, and in april, while Oman burned our outpost in Somalia, we beat a combined turkish/crimean relief army in Azow.
A danish army besieged Far Karelia in june, but we purposefully decided to let them do, as the siege would take them a long time, and attacking them would have weakened our defenses on Ingermaland and Onega.
Oman burned our outpost in Mudugh in august, but we seized Koulan on the 5. Kalmuk fell in september, as did Azow one month later.
In november, Crimea had to pay 36 gold to Naples, and in december, we drove off a Hafsid counter-attack in Azow.
1628 :
A small Crimean army marched through Poland, with wich they were still at war, to attack Bogutjar in january, and we decided to wait before attacking them. In march, We sent a small army in Far Karelia, and defeated the danish besiegers. The same month, Crimea offered us Kalmuk, but we refused, believing that we could crush them completely.
In april, Voronctov beat a sweden army in Ingermaland for the fifth time, and we offered Sweden a truce they rejected.
Vorontsov defeated the crimean besiegers in Bogutjar in may, while Oman burned our outpost in Mogadiscio.
In august we captured Crimea, thus controlling 4 crimean provinces. In october, Moldavia declared its independance from Turkey, and immediately entered war against Turkey and Crimea. They had virtually no chance to resist the turkish armies, but it was a good thing for us, as it would prevent the turks from helping Crimea for several months.
The year ended with another swedish attack on Ingermaland, and the sixth consecutive victory of Voronctov.
1629 :
Estonia tried to rebel in april, but the rebels where soon crushed by Pozarskhy, garrisoned in this province with a powerful army. Crimea offered us Kalmuk, but we refused again, while Turkey annexed Moldavia.
At last, Voronctov was defeated by a 40k swedish army wich immediately besieged Ingermaland. Voronctov tried to counterattack in july, but he was beaten again, and in august, we agreed to pay 6 gold to Sweden, a small price to end a useless war and to avoid Ingermaland falling in enemy hands.
In september, Poland paid 133 gold to Crimea.
Kurgan entered rebellion in august, Ingermaland in november, and Amou Daria in december, but each time they were quickly back under the Tzar's control.
1630 :
Kerch fell on january the 02, and Krementjug the 26. At last we could claim complete control of Crimea. The Tzar might have annexed it entirely had he wished to do so, but instead he only took Kalmuk and Azow for himself, and gave Koulan to Georgia.
He did so to avoid angering the other nations with a total annexion, to improve its relations with Georgia, and to avoid having 6 more rebel provinces. This way, he also avoided having a direct frontier with Turkey, while still gaining an access to the Black sea and the Mediterranean. Furthermore, he secretely hoped that Crimea would declare war on us in the future because of their CB, thus allowing us to attack them and Turkey without loosing stability.
Kazan revolted in may, and the rebels were beaten within a month.
This year ended with a white peace between Crimea, Switzerland and Scotland.
To be continued...............
1631 - 1640 : Knowledge, diplomacy and administration
This peaceful period was used by the Tzar to strenghten the empire's administration, to improve its ties with the over courts of Europe, and to prepare for the upcoming war with Persia.
1631 - 1633 :
As always, even at peace, Russia had to cope with several rebellions, Azow in july 1631, Karakum in may 1632 and Kalmuk in september 1633, but each time the rebels were quickly defeated.
The Tzar decided to improve its administration, by building courthouses in Uralsk in january 1631, Orenburg and Kurgan the following year, then Irgiz and Kustanai in february 1633. And in march 1633, the benefits from newly discovered precious minerals, 400 gold, were invested in building other courthouses in Okhotsk, Djugdjur and Khretset.
In january 1631, the Tzar also concluded a royal wedding with Serbia, wich had to pay 234 gold to Turkey in february.
1634 - 1637 :
New rebelions arised in Kalmuk in march 1634 and august 1637, and Kazan in september 1635, but they were crushed like all the previous ones.
The Tzar sent two naval expeditions in april 1635. Rebrov sailed to central Pacific, and Dezhnev sailed to the Ceylan sea, and both vanished due to attrition in the last months of 1637. But their sacrifice allowed Russia to learn of new oceans and islands, previously unknowned to us.
Persia commited a lethal mistake when it declared an embargo against Russia in january 1634, thus giving us a CB we didn't even dreamed of, a perfect reason to attack them without loosing stability. In return, the Tzar ordered an embargo against all over nations in october 1635, convinced that Russia was well enough defended to defeat any invasion attempt.
Ferdinand II of Austria was elected emperor of the HRE in february 1637, and China vassalized Korea in july., while Mikhail sent a letter of credit to Georgia in november.
1638 - 1640 :
Encouraged by their CB against us, the Tzar decided to launch an attack on Persia in 1641, and thus spent these three years preparing the armies and building the artillery needed to capture the persian cities.
As usual, Kalmuk revolted in may and july 1638, and Azow in october, and as always, the rebels were defeated within a month.
The Tzar ordered the improvement of the fortresses in Onega and Ingermaland in september 1638, in case the hated swedish foe would try to attack us as soon as we invade Persia.
In january 1639, Mikhail sent a 100 gold gift to Georgia, knowing that it would be a precious ally against Persia.
In june, our peaceful diplomacy during the past ten years allowed us to improve our relations with all other nations by +10, but the Tzar knew all too well that they still hated and envied us, and that the invasion of Persia would do nothing to change this.
Sweden declared war on its former ally, Denmark, in september 1639, and this pleased Mikhail a lot, as it would assure him that they would be unable to attack us during our war against Persia.
Our preparation was completely done in january 1640, when we signed an alliance with Georgia and Ethiopia (Netherlands refused to ally with us this time, but they were no longer useful to our plans anyway), and with the discovery of the musketeers technology in may 1640, we were ready to cross the borders, only waiting for the end of the coming winter to attack.
The last event of this period was the Venician DOW to Serbia, and soon our expansion to the East would start.
To be continued................
This peaceful period was used by the Tzar to strenghten the empire's administration, to improve its ties with the over courts of Europe, and to prepare for the upcoming war with Persia.
1631 - 1633 :
As always, even at peace, Russia had to cope with several rebellions, Azow in july 1631, Karakum in may 1632 and Kalmuk in september 1633, but each time the rebels were quickly defeated.
The Tzar decided to improve its administration, by building courthouses in Uralsk in january 1631, Orenburg and Kurgan the following year, then Irgiz and Kustanai in february 1633. And in march 1633, the benefits from newly discovered precious minerals, 400 gold, were invested in building other courthouses in Okhotsk, Djugdjur and Khretset.
In january 1631, the Tzar also concluded a royal wedding with Serbia, wich had to pay 234 gold to Turkey in february.
1634 - 1637 :
New rebelions arised in Kalmuk in march 1634 and august 1637, and Kazan in september 1635, but they were crushed like all the previous ones.
The Tzar sent two naval expeditions in april 1635. Rebrov sailed to central Pacific, and Dezhnev sailed to the Ceylan sea, and both vanished due to attrition in the last months of 1637. But their sacrifice allowed Russia to learn of new oceans and islands, previously unknowned to us.
Persia commited a lethal mistake when it declared an embargo against Russia in january 1634, thus giving us a CB we didn't even dreamed of, a perfect reason to attack them without loosing stability. In return, the Tzar ordered an embargo against all over nations in october 1635, convinced that Russia was well enough defended to defeat any invasion attempt.
Ferdinand II of Austria was elected emperor of the HRE in february 1637, and China vassalized Korea in july., while Mikhail sent a letter of credit to Georgia in november.
1638 - 1640 :
Encouraged by their CB against us, the Tzar decided to launch an attack on Persia in 1641, and thus spent these three years preparing the armies and building the artillery needed to capture the persian cities.
As usual, Kalmuk revolted in may and july 1638, and Azow in october, and as always, the rebels were defeated within a month.
The Tzar ordered the improvement of the fortresses in Onega and Ingermaland in september 1638, in case the hated swedish foe would try to attack us as soon as we invade Persia.
In january 1639, Mikhail sent a 100 gold gift to Georgia, knowing that it would be a precious ally against Persia.
In june, our peaceful diplomacy during the past ten years allowed us to improve our relations with all other nations by +10, but the Tzar knew all too well that they still hated and envied us, and that the invasion of Persia would do nothing to change this.
Sweden declared war on its former ally, Denmark, in september 1639, and this pleased Mikhail a lot, as it would assure him that they would be unable to attack us during our war against Persia.
Our preparation was completely done in january 1640, when we signed an alliance with Georgia and Ethiopia (Netherlands refused to ally with us this time, but they were no longer useful to our plans anyway), and with the discovery of the musketeers technology in may 1640, we were ready to cross the borders, only waiting for the end of the coming winter to attack.
The last event of this period was the Venician DOW to Serbia, and soon our expansion to the East would start.
To be continued................
Hmm.... Perhaps you should teach them a lesson by conquering al who oppose you!!!!!!!!
The best punishment is to let them live their loathing hate. And I'm jealous that Persia has embargoed your merchants but not mine: I'd love to have that CB to time the war to my liking.
-Pat
Sure I was very lucky, and when Persia embargoed me, I laughed like a maniac for nearly ten minutes!
But I must admit that I didn't put this CB to its full use, as you will see I didn't aimed at annexing all of Persia (it's too vast, and I don't like fighting for more than a year or two).
As for the other countries, I'll let them live their petty and miserable lives as long as they don't attack me; anyway, they can't do more than annoying me like the petty bugs they are.............Muhahahahahahaha! (oh no, not that hysterical laughing again!)
But I must admit that I didn't put this CB to its full use, as you will see I didn't aimed at annexing all of Persia (it's too vast, and I don't like fighting for more than a year or two).
As for the other countries, I'll let them live their petty and miserable lives as long as they don't attack me; anyway, they can't do more than annoying me like the petty bugs they are.............Muhahahahahahaha! (oh no, not that hysterical laughing again!)
1641 - 1650 : The glory of the Romanovs
The Romanov proved to be one of the greatest dynasty in all russian history, expanding their fame and power over various lands in Europe and the middle-East.
1641 - 1642:
Planning to take advantage of the persian embargo against us, the Tzar Mikhail had massed his armies along the persian border, waiting for the end of winter to cross it.
A COT appeared in Madurai in january 1641, but we already had plenty of money, and the Tzar even offered himself the luxury of paying back a 1000 gold loan in march, just days before declaring war on Persia, with the assistance of Georgia and Ethiopia.
Our armies invaded Azerbaïdjan in april, and despite the defeat of their small garrison, Persia asked us to pay 250 gold, an order Mikhail of course refused, rather laying siege over the city. He would refuse the same persian order one month later, this time ordering the persian ambassador's execution to teach him not to annoy him with ridiculous threats.
Meanwhile, the economic development of Russia continued, and a (free) naval factory appeared in Irgiz in august.
November saw several persian cities surrender to our armies: Khorasan fell the 1, Isfahan the 4 and Azerbaïdjan a week after. This time Persia offered a truce, but Mikhail just laughed at this proposition, and sent more troops to Persia, to sustain a long winter campaign.
January 1642 was more favorable to Persia, as 37k persian troops besieged Azerbaïdjan while a russian army was defeated in Armenia. Nonetheless, Persia offered us Khorasan and Azerbaïdjan, desperate to take back their capital. Again Mikhail refused the offer, aiming at annexing Elbruz instead of Azerbaïdjan.
Despite the persian resistance, our armies were slowly gaining ground. Persis surrendered in march, and Elbruz did the same in may. This time, the tzar asked for Khorasan, Elbruz and 250 gold, and the persians had no other choice than agreeing.
Mikhail immediately promoted bailiffs in the newly conquered provinces, built courthouses in Bouzatchi, Karabogaz, Turkmenistan, Ust Urt, Orsk, Tenghiz and Alga,
and concluded a new royal wedding with Georgia in june.
The year 1642 ended with Turkey giving 150 gold to France in september, and vassalizing Oman in november.
1643 - 1645 :
The year 1643 was rather calm, with Mikhail concentrating his efforts in strengthening the outposts in Siberia. The only events of note were Denmark giving Mecklenburg and 81 gold to Sweden in january, and a revolt in Kalmuk in december, wich would only last 3 months.
The following year, Mikhail decided to expend its possessions in south-east Europe. Without asking for his allies to help, he DOW the weakened Poland and its allies, France, Austria, Switzerland and Scotland in march, confident that they couln't oppose him.
In may, while England, Prussia and Pommerania DOW Spain and Portugal, several russian armies invaded Poland. But at start things didn't turned as easy as expected, when a 12k polish army in Donestk defeated two 40k russian armies in may and june.
But these victories made them become overconfident, and they commited a mistake by invading Belgorod in july. There, they were severely defeated by Dolgorukov, who then invaded Donetsk, while a rebellion in Azow was quickly crushed.
A month later, a 26k austrian army besieged Belgorod, but we let them loose their time and strength there, knowing that the city could resist for months before needing any help.
Instead, Mikhail concentrated in seizing the polish provinces, capturing Donestk in september and Poltava in october. Poland offered him Donetsk, but Mikhail refused, being also interested in Poltava.
Dolgorukov defeated the austrian besiegers in Belgorod in january 1645, and Ukraine surrendered before the end of the month. Then several polish and austrian armies had to be defeated until Poland resolved to offer Donetsk and Poltava in march, wich Mikhail was glad to accept. The same month, we discovered a new naval technology, but as we had no vessels left since our explorations of the oceans, it was rather useless, at least then.
Mikhail promoted bailiffs in Donetsk and Poltava in april, and, satisfied with his achievements, he retired in july, allowing his son Alexeii Romanov to become the new Tzar of Russia. Alexei had to fight rebels in Kalmuk, but these were defeated as all the previous ones, thus showing everyone, both inside and outside the empire, that Alexei was by no means a weak and hesitant ruler.
1646 - 1648 :
The beginning of Alexei ruling was peacefull, as the Tzar spent several years improving his administration. He built courthouses in Elbruz, Khorasan and Polatava in 1646, and Donetsk in january 1647, at the same time improving the forifications in Onega and Ingermaland, having learned from his predecessor that Sweden was the deadliest of its foes.
Ichim became a city in may 1647, and Spain gave Mazatlan and Savannah to England in february 1648. Alexei strenghtened the walls in Khorasan in march, in case Persia would try to recover it.
But Alexei commited a mistake when he decreted a new tax over the lands of the church, thus provoking the anger of the clergy, lowering the country's stability in april.
This provoked rebellions in Poltava, Khorasan and Amou Daria in july, but all the rebels were either dead or in jail by september.
1649 - 1650 :
Now firmly holding the reins of power, Alexei decided it was time to raise his fame to that of his father, and to show the whole world that the Romanovs deserved more respect.
In january 1649, he sent a messenger to Crimea to pretend to the throne, thus wanting to insult the crimean ruler. Of course, he sent a disgraced noble on this diplomatic mission, knowing that the messenger would suffer a slow and painfull death at the hands of the angry crimeans.
Then, backed by Georgia and Ethiopia, Alexei declared war on Crimea, Turkey, Oman, the Hafsid and Algeria in march. As Turkey was plagued by rebellions, it would be easy to beat their armies and invade all of Crimea, even if the Crimean armies were a force to be taken seriously, with more than 100k troops dispersed over their 3 provinces.
The traitorous danes choosed to DOW us in april, while we were invading Crimea. Krementjug fell in 18 days, and the crimeans offered it, but Alexei refused, as he decided to annex all of Crimea.
Then it was Sweden, Netherlands, Hanover and Thuringe turn to declare war on us in may. The following month, while our army in Ingermaland was driven off by swedish forces, we captured Crimea, again refusing to annex only Krementjug.
In july and august, while a truce was signed between Serbia and Venice, a rebellion happened in Ingermaland, Amou Daria and Karakum. At the same time, we captured Kola to the danes, were defeated by Sweden in Far Karelia, and beat Turkey in Bessarabia.
The danes landed a small army in Kola in september, retaking this province, and rejecting our offer of a truce. We defeated the turks in Moldavia the 24, and seized Narvik to Denmark 2 days later, just before Persia DOW us, hopping to take back its former provinces.
In october, a swedish army invaded Ingermaland, but had to fight the rebels there, and the two sides annihilated each other, to our great pleasure. Then we defeated another swedish army in Far Karelia, drove the rebels out of Amou Daria, and captured Moladavia to Turkey.
The following month, Sweden defeated us in Ingermaland, but was beaten in Karelia, and we defeated a persian army in Azerbaïdjan.
In december, the danes drove us out of Narvik, but we captured Kaffa, and Turkey offered to give it to us in a separate peace, wich Alexei accepted.
Then Kerch, the last Crimean province left, surrendered to us in january 1650, and we annexed all of Crimea.
We fought several persian armies in Azerbaïdjan between february and march, until we captured this province. Persia offered it to us, but Alexei refused, to show them what it means to boldly attack us. Alexei also refused to pay a tribute to Algeria, with wich we were still formally at war (as with the Hafsid and Oman). We also seized Karelia to Sweden, and crushed a revolt in Elbruz.
Persia offered 94 gold to Georgia in a separate peace in april. In may, we were defeated by Sweden in Nyland, and accepted the swedish offer of a truce, as it was obvious that this war would have no clear outcome anyway.
The only serious enemy left was Persia. We captured Isfahan in september, and Armenia in november. Then Persia reluctantly agreed to give us Armenia and Azerbaïdjan, as they had no army left to oppose us.
Still in november, Moldavia declared its independance from the now weakened Turkey, and immediately declared war on it and Hafsid.
To be continued................
The Romanov proved to be one of the greatest dynasty in all russian history, expanding their fame and power over various lands in Europe and the middle-East.
1641 - 1642:
Planning to take advantage of the persian embargo against us, the Tzar Mikhail had massed his armies along the persian border, waiting for the end of winter to cross it.
A COT appeared in Madurai in january 1641, but we already had plenty of money, and the Tzar even offered himself the luxury of paying back a 1000 gold loan in march, just days before declaring war on Persia, with the assistance of Georgia and Ethiopia.
Our armies invaded Azerbaïdjan in april, and despite the defeat of their small garrison, Persia asked us to pay 250 gold, an order Mikhail of course refused, rather laying siege over the city. He would refuse the same persian order one month later, this time ordering the persian ambassador's execution to teach him not to annoy him with ridiculous threats.
Meanwhile, the economic development of Russia continued, and a (free) naval factory appeared in Irgiz in august.
November saw several persian cities surrender to our armies: Khorasan fell the 1, Isfahan the 4 and Azerbaïdjan a week after. This time Persia offered a truce, but Mikhail just laughed at this proposition, and sent more troops to Persia, to sustain a long winter campaign.
January 1642 was more favorable to Persia, as 37k persian troops besieged Azerbaïdjan while a russian army was defeated in Armenia. Nonetheless, Persia offered us Khorasan and Azerbaïdjan, desperate to take back their capital. Again Mikhail refused the offer, aiming at annexing Elbruz instead of Azerbaïdjan.
Despite the persian resistance, our armies were slowly gaining ground. Persis surrendered in march, and Elbruz did the same in may. This time, the tzar asked for Khorasan, Elbruz and 250 gold, and the persians had no other choice than agreeing.
Mikhail immediately promoted bailiffs in the newly conquered provinces, built courthouses in Bouzatchi, Karabogaz, Turkmenistan, Ust Urt, Orsk, Tenghiz and Alga,
and concluded a new royal wedding with Georgia in june.
The year 1642 ended with Turkey giving 150 gold to France in september, and vassalizing Oman in november.
1643 - 1645 :
The year 1643 was rather calm, with Mikhail concentrating his efforts in strengthening the outposts in Siberia. The only events of note were Denmark giving Mecklenburg and 81 gold to Sweden in january, and a revolt in Kalmuk in december, wich would only last 3 months.
The following year, Mikhail decided to expend its possessions in south-east Europe. Without asking for his allies to help, he DOW the weakened Poland and its allies, France, Austria, Switzerland and Scotland in march, confident that they couln't oppose him.
In may, while England, Prussia and Pommerania DOW Spain and Portugal, several russian armies invaded Poland. But at start things didn't turned as easy as expected, when a 12k polish army in Donestk defeated two 40k russian armies in may and june.
But these victories made them become overconfident, and they commited a mistake by invading Belgorod in july. There, they were severely defeated by Dolgorukov, who then invaded Donetsk, while a rebellion in Azow was quickly crushed.
A month later, a 26k austrian army besieged Belgorod, but we let them loose their time and strength there, knowing that the city could resist for months before needing any help.
Instead, Mikhail concentrated in seizing the polish provinces, capturing Donestk in september and Poltava in october. Poland offered him Donetsk, but Mikhail refused, being also interested in Poltava.
Dolgorukov defeated the austrian besiegers in Belgorod in january 1645, and Ukraine surrendered before the end of the month. Then several polish and austrian armies had to be defeated until Poland resolved to offer Donetsk and Poltava in march, wich Mikhail was glad to accept. The same month, we discovered a new naval technology, but as we had no vessels left since our explorations of the oceans, it was rather useless, at least then.
Mikhail promoted bailiffs in Donetsk and Poltava in april, and, satisfied with his achievements, he retired in july, allowing his son Alexeii Romanov to become the new Tzar of Russia. Alexei had to fight rebels in Kalmuk, but these were defeated as all the previous ones, thus showing everyone, both inside and outside the empire, that Alexei was by no means a weak and hesitant ruler.
1646 - 1648 :
The beginning of Alexei ruling was peacefull, as the Tzar spent several years improving his administration. He built courthouses in Elbruz, Khorasan and Polatava in 1646, and Donetsk in january 1647, at the same time improving the forifications in Onega and Ingermaland, having learned from his predecessor that Sweden was the deadliest of its foes.
Ichim became a city in may 1647, and Spain gave Mazatlan and Savannah to England in february 1648. Alexei strenghtened the walls in Khorasan in march, in case Persia would try to recover it.
But Alexei commited a mistake when he decreted a new tax over the lands of the church, thus provoking the anger of the clergy, lowering the country's stability in april.
This provoked rebellions in Poltava, Khorasan and Amou Daria in july, but all the rebels were either dead or in jail by september.
1649 - 1650 :
Now firmly holding the reins of power, Alexei decided it was time to raise his fame to that of his father, and to show the whole world that the Romanovs deserved more respect.
In january 1649, he sent a messenger to Crimea to pretend to the throne, thus wanting to insult the crimean ruler. Of course, he sent a disgraced noble on this diplomatic mission, knowing that the messenger would suffer a slow and painfull death at the hands of the angry crimeans.
Then, backed by Georgia and Ethiopia, Alexei declared war on Crimea, Turkey, Oman, the Hafsid and Algeria in march. As Turkey was plagued by rebellions, it would be easy to beat their armies and invade all of Crimea, even if the Crimean armies were a force to be taken seriously, with more than 100k troops dispersed over their 3 provinces.
The traitorous danes choosed to DOW us in april, while we were invading Crimea. Krementjug fell in 18 days, and the crimeans offered it, but Alexei refused, as he decided to annex all of Crimea.
Then it was Sweden, Netherlands, Hanover and Thuringe turn to declare war on us in may. The following month, while our army in Ingermaland was driven off by swedish forces, we captured Crimea, again refusing to annex only Krementjug.
In july and august, while a truce was signed between Serbia and Venice, a rebellion happened in Ingermaland, Amou Daria and Karakum. At the same time, we captured Kola to the danes, were defeated by Sweden in Far Karelia, and beat Turkey in Bessarabia.
The danes landed a small army in Kola in september, retaking this province, and rejecting our offer of a truce. We defeated the turks in Moldavia the 24, and seized Narvik to Denmark 2 days later, just before Persia DOW us, hopping to take back its former provinces.
In october, a swedish army invaded Ingermaland, but had to fight the rebels there, and the two sides annihilated each other, to our great pleasure. Then we defeated another swedish army in Far Karelia, drove the rebels out of Amou Daria, and captured Moladavia to Turkey.
The following month, Sweden defeated us in Ingermaland, but was beaten in Karelia, and we defeated a persian army in Azerbaïdjan.
In december, the danes drove us out of Narvik, but we captured Kaffa, and Turkey offered to give it to us in a separate peace, wich Alexei accepted.
Then Kerch, the last Crimean province left, surrendered to us in january 1650, and we annexed all of Crimea.
We fought several persian armies in Azerbaïdjan between february and march, until we captured this province. Persia offered it to us, but Alexei refused, to show them what it means to boldly attack us. Alexei also refused to pay a tribute to Algeria, with wich we were still formally at war (as with the Hafsid and Oman). We also seized Karelia to Sweden, and crushed a revolt in Elbruz.
Persia offered 94 gold to Georgia in a separate peace in april. In may, we were defeated by Sweden in Nyland, and accepted the swedish offer of a truce, as it was obvious that this war would have no clear outcome anyway.
The only serious enemy left was Persia. We captured Isfahan in september, and Armenia in november. Then Persia reluctantly agreed to give us Armenia and Azerbaïdjan, as they had no army left to oppose us.
Still in november, Moldavia declared its independance from the now weakened Turkey, and immediately declared war on it and Hafsid.
To be continued................
Finish off Turkey and Persia!!! HAHAHA!!! Once they are out of the picture, nothing can stop Russia in its move to the East!!
I could do this, of course, but if I spend years or even decades fighting Turkey and Persia, I might loose all my interest in conquering the East, so I'll proceed as usual, one step at a time.
1651 - 1670 : The Polish wars (part 1)
This period saw Poland commit a political and miltary "suicide" by repeatedly attacking us, each time being beaten and humiliated by our glorious Tzar Alexei. Even if our plans at start were to conquer an eastern empire, it seems that events drags us always farther West.
1651 - 1653 :
Just months after our peace treaty with Persia, in january 1651, Moldavia entered our alliance with Georgia and Ethiopia. They were currently at war with Turkey and its allies, but Alexei thought (with reason) that if they were to survive, they may prove useful allies against both Poland and Turkey.
Kerch, Elbruz and Estonia rebelled during this year, but each time the rebels were quickly defeated.
Meanwhile, both Algeria and Denmark, with whom we were still at war, kept demanding 25-30 gold inn exchange for peace, but Alexei refused, as it was obvious that none had the intention of really continue to fight, and a white peace would soon be signed.
Alas, the king of Poland made the mistake of believing that we were stuck in these wars, and foolishly DOW us in december 1651, with France, Austria, Switzerland, Scotland and Naples.
Our Georgian and Moldavian allies joined us, but Ethiopia refused (anyway we knew for long that our expansion frightened them, and we didn't really needed their help anymore).
The next month, while we crushed a revolt in Khorasan, Algeria asked for 250 gold, hoping we were desperate enough to agree (of course, they were wrong).
A polish army besieged Belgorod in february 1652. We were busy crushing new rebellions in Krementjug and Poltava, but in june, while austrian forces strenghtened the polish siege of Belgorod, we stormed Ukraine and Kurland.
In august, Dolgorukov defeated a rebel army in Azebaïdjan, but the following month he attacked the austrian army in Belgorod (the polish forces returned to their homeland to protect it) and was severely beaten (even if he had 4 russian soldiers to only 1 austrian ). Anyway, even if they were victorious, the austrians were too weak to keep besieging the city, and disbanded. At the same time, a small (5k) polish army besieged Ukraine to take it back.
Dolgorukov, eager to show he was truly a great general, captured Mozyr in october, Belarus in november, and crushed the polish besiegers in Ukraine in december. The polish had reasons to regret their foolishness, and they paid 77 gold to Georgia to weaken our alliance before it was too late.
They also offered us Mozyr and Belarus, but Alexei refused, as his goal was to annex Ukraine and Chernigov.
In january 1653, we signed a truce with Denmark and Brandenburg and defeated rebels in Kurgan, while Romodanovski captured Mazovia. Poland offered Mozyr, Belarus and Ukraine in february, but this new offer was refused by our Tzar.
A rebellion in Azow was crushed in march, and in april Chernigov fell in our hands. This time we asked for Ukraine, Chernigov and Mozyr, but (as usual when you ask for 3 provinces ) our offer was rejected. A month later we discovered a new land tech (14), and in june, we defeated a rebellion in Khorasan, while Romodanovski captured Lithuania.
At last, in july, Poland agreed to give us Ukraine and Chernigov, and in august we signed a white peace with Algeria, Oman and the Hafsid.
The end of the year came with only several revolts in Kurgan, Elbruz, Azow and Kerch, quickly defeated as usual.
1654 - 1660 :
This 6 years period was rather peaceful (if one excepts the usual rebellions in several provinces), and Alexei used this opportunity to strengthen its armies and its empire, in preparation for future wars.
In august 1654, the good politics of Alexei came to fruition, with a raise in stability and investments. In october, Holstein declared its independance from Denmark, only to be annexed again by its former master 8 months later.
In january 1655, Alexei appointed a bailiff to Chernigov (a courthouse would also be built there 12 months later), and in july, he concluded a royal wedding with Moldavia, who had just put its war with Turkey to an end by giving it 12 gold (a rather reasonable price to avoid being swallowed alive! ).
1656 was very active, diplomaticaly speaking. Turkey annexed Oman in july. Kleves and the Palatinate declared war on Austria, Poland, France, Switzerland, Scotland and Naples in august, and were in turn DOWed by England, Pommerania and Prussia in october. The Palatinate, who had initiated all this mess, had no choice but to pay 178 gold to France in november.
A new COT appeared in Gambia in january 1657. Alexei sent a letter of credit to Georgia in february, but their reaction was mild, and it was clear that they would soon betray us (even if they were a very laughable threat with their 6k-strong army).
In march, Hanover, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thuringia and Serbia declared war on England, Prussia and Pommerania.
Leopold I of Austria become the new HRE emperor in january 1658. Meanwhile, Semipalatinsk had grown to a true city, as did Karaganda in november, and fortifications were built in Ukraine and Belgorod (a province the polish armies seems to be truly fond of, as each time we are at war this province has to suffer a polish or austrian siege).
In april, Alexei sent a letter of credit to Moldavia, seing this nation as more reliable than Georgia.
We paid back a 1k gold loan in june 1659, but this provoked a scandal in the court in july, as the origin of these funds were contested. This scandal weakened our image outside our empire, lowering our diplomacy to only 1 dot for 20 months (and diplomacy was already our greatest weakness ).
But this didn't stopped Alexei from following his plans. He appointed a bailiff in Karaganda in january 1660, and built fortifications in Khretset and Nagorje in february, planning to use these two provinces as a base to conquer China in the future.
In march, England paid 250 gold to the Palatinate, and in turn received 234 gold from Kleves (talk about a profitable war for everyone! ).
Then in august, Turkey, now allied with Denmark, Hafsid, Algeria, Savoy and Wurtemberg, declared war against the hopeless and isolated Hungary. This really annoyed Alexei, as the hungarians had no chance to resist their enemies without help, and would quickly be annexed by Turkey. This would have turned Turkey in an unbeatable force, strongly seated in central Europe, and it was a thing that we couldn't tolerate. Still, our stability was rather low, and boldly declaring war on Turkey wouldn't have improved it either. Then a machiavelic plan was forged inside Alexei's head: we still had an old CB against Denmark, since they occupied Kola, and Denmark was now allied with Turkey......
1661 - 1662 :
The Moghols declared war on their former ally, Persia, in january 1661, wich would secure our eastern border for a while.
We declared war on Denmark in february, backed by Moldavia (Georgia had denounced our alliance as we suspected), and the sole ally of Denmark to join was........Turkey (only our two main enemies to fight, without external support, we dared not even dream of it ). Meanwhile, Pommerania paid 250 gold to the Netherlands.
Sheremetev, with a 55k army, crossed the turkish border, his orders were to wipe out the few turkish defenders and storm as much provinces as possible before they were able to reinforce their defenses. In the North, we had absolutely no intention of moving towards the danes, and they, in turn, appeared to have exactly the same plan.
Sheremetev captured Bessarabia in june, Podolia in july, Galicia in august and Pripet in september. We rejected the turkish offers of Podolia, then Pripet, and refused to give 250 gold to Denmark.
Finally, in october, we asked for Bessarabia and Podolia, and Turkey agreed (Denmark rejected our offer of a truce). Turkey also agreed to give us a copy of their maps, thus allowing us to discover a lot of lands and seas all around the world, especially in Asia.
Meanwhile, Pommerania gave Western Pommerania to Hanover, and we defeated a rebel army in Kaffa. Alexei ordered the conversion of Podolia to the orthodox faith in december, and refused to pay 144 gold to the danes.
Fortifications were built in Podolia in march 1662, and a letter of credits was sent to Moldavia in november to thank their contribution to the war (a 64k turkish army occupied one of their provinces while we were free to conquer the northern turkish territories).
To be continued............................
This period saw Poland commit a political and miltary "suicide" by repeatedly attacking us, each time being beaten and humiliated by our glorious Tzar Alexei. Even if our plans at start were to conquer an eastern empire, it seems that events drags us always farther West.
1651 - 1653 :
Just months after our peace treaty with Persia, in january 1651, Moldavia entered our alliance with Georgia and Ethiopia. They were currently at war with Turkey and its allies, but Alexei thought (with reason) that if they were to survive, they may prove useful allies against both Poland and Turkey.
Kerch, Elbruz and Estonia rebelled during this year, but each time the rebels were quickly defeated.
Meanwhile, both Algeria and Denmark, with whom we were still at war, kept demanding 25-30 gold inn exchange for peace, but Alexei refused, as it was obvious that none had the intention of really continue to fight, and a white peace would soon be signed.
Alas, the king of Poland made the mistake of believing that we were stuck in these wars, and foolishly DOW us in december 1651, with France, Austria, Switzerland, Scotland and Naples.
Our Georgian and Moldavian allies joined us, but Ethiopia refused (anyway we knew for long that our expansion frightened them, and we didn't really needed their help anymore).
The next month, while we crushed a revolt in Khorasan, Algeria asked for 250 gold, hoping we were desperate enough to agree (of course, they were wrong).
A polish army besieged Belgorod in february 1652. We were busy crushing new rebellions in Krementjug and Poltava, but in june, while austrian forces strenghtened the polish siege of Belgorod, we stormed Ukraine and Kurland.
In august, Dolgorukov defeated a rebel army in Azebaïdjan, but the following month he attacked the austrian army in Belgorod (the polish forces returned to their homeland to protect it) and was severely beaten (even if he had 4 russian soldiers to only 1 austrian
). Anyway, even if they were victorious, the austrians were too weak to keep besieging the city, and disbanded. At the same time, a small (5k) polish army besieged Ukraine to take it back.Dolgorukov, eager to show he was truly a great general, captured Mozyr in october, Belarus in november, and crushed the polish besiegers in Ukraine in december. The polish had reasons to regret their foolishness, and they paid 77 gold to Georgia to weaken our alliance before it was too late.
They also offered us Mozyr and Belarus, but Alexei refused, as his goal was to annex Ukraine and Chernigov.
In january 1653, we signed a truce with Denmark and Brandenburg and defeated rebels in Kurgan, while Romodanovski captured Mazovia. Poland offered Mozyr, Belarus and Ukraine in february, but this new offer was refused by our Tzar.
A rebellion in Azow was crushed in march, and in april Chernigov fell in our hands. This time we asked for Ukraine, Chernigov and Mozyr, but (as usual when you ask for 3 provinces
) our offer was rejected. A month later we discovered a new land tech (14), and in june, we defeated a rebellion in Khorasan, while Romodanovski captured Lithuania.At last, in july, Poland agreed to give us Ukraine and Chernigov, and in august we signed a white peace with Algeria, Oman and the Hafsid.
The end of the year came with only several revolts in Kurgan, Elbruz, Azow and Kerch, quickly defeated as usual.
1654 - 1660 :
This 6 years period was rather peaceful (if one excepts the usual rebellions in several provinces), and Alexei used this opportunity to strengthen its armies and its empire, in preparation for future wars.
In august 1654, the good politics of Alexei came to fruition, with a raise in stability and investments. In october, Holstein declared its independance from Denmark, only to be annexed again by its former master 8 months later.
In january 1655, Alexei appointed a bailiff to Chernigov (a courthouse would also be built there 12 months later), and in july, he concluded a royal wedding with Moldavia, who had just put its war with Turkey to an end by giving it 12 gold (a rather reasonable price to avoid being swallowed alive!
).1656 was very active, diplomaticaly speaking. Turkey annexed Oman in july. Kleves and the Palatinate declared war on Austria, Poland, France, Switzerland, Scotland and Naples in august, and were in turn DOWed by England, Pommerania and Prussia in october. The Palatinate, who had initiated all this mess, had no choice but to pay 178 gold to France in november.
A new COT appeared in Gambia in january 1657. Alexei sent a letter of credit to Georgia in february, but their reaction was mild, and it was clear that they would soon betray us (even if they were a very laughable threat with their 6k-strong army).
In march, Hanover, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thuringia and Serbia declared war on England, Prussia and Pommerania.
Leopold I of Austria become the new HRE emperor in january 1658. Meanwhile, Semipalatinsk had grown to a true city, as did Karaganda in november, and fortifications were built in Ukraine and Belgorod (a province the polish armies seems to be truly fond of, as each time we are at war this province has to suffer a polish or austrian siege).
In april, Alexei sent a letter of credit to Moldavia, seing this nation as more reliable than Georgia.
We paid back a 1k gold loan in june 1659, but this provoked a scandal in the court in july, as the origin of these funds were contested. This scandal weakened our image outside our empire, lowering our diplomacy to only 1 dot for 20 months (and diplomacy was already our greatest weakness
).But this didn't stopped Alexei from following his plans. He appointed a bailiff in Karaganda in january 1660, and built fortifications in Khretset and Nagorje in february, planning to use these two provinces as a base to conquer China in the future.
In march, England paid 250 gold to the Palatinate, and in turn received 234 gold from Kleves (talk about a profitable war for everyone!
).Then in august, Turkey, now allied with Denmark, Hafsid, Algeria, Savoy and Wurtemberg, declared war against the hopeless and isolated Hungary. This really annoyed Alexei, as the hungarians had no chance to resist their enemies without help, and would quickly be annexed by Turkey. This would have turned Turkey in an unbeatable force, strongly seated in central Europe, and it was a thing that we couldn't tolerate. Still, our stability was rather low, and boldly declaring war on Turkey wouldn't have improved it either. Then a machiavelic plan was forged inside Alexei's head: we still had an old CB against Denmark, since they occupied Kola, and Denmark was now allied with Turkey......
1661 - 1662 :
The Moghols declared war on their former ally, Persia, in january 1661, wich would secure our eastern border for a while.
We declared war on Denmark in february, backed by Moldavia (Georgia had denounced our alliance as we suspected), and the sole ally of Denmark to join was........Turkey (only our two main enemies to fight, without external support, we dared not even dream of it
). Meanwhile, Pommerania paid 250 gold to the Netherlands.Sheremetev, with a 55k army, crossed the turkish border, his orders were to wipe out the few turkish defenders and storm as much provinces as possible before they were able to reinforce their defenses. In the North, we had absolutely no intention of moving towards the danes, and they, in turn, appeared to have exactly the same plan.
Sheremetev captured Bessarabia in june, Podolia in july, Galicia in august and Pripet in september. We rejected the turkish offers of Podolia, then Pripet, and refused to give 250 gold to Denmark.
Finally, in october, we asked for Bessarabia and Podolia, and Turkey agreed (Denmark rejected our offer of a truce). Turkey also agreed to give us a copy of their maps, thus allowing us to discover a lot of lands and seas all around the world, especially in Asia.
Meanwhile, Pommerania gave Western Pommerania to Hanover, and we defeated a rebel army in Kaffa. Alexei ordered the conversion of Podolia to the orthodox faith in december, and refused to pay 144 gold to the danes.
Fortifications were built in Podolia in march 1662, and a letter of credits was sent to Moldavia in november to thank their contribution to the war (a 64k turkish army occupied one of their provinces while we were free to conquer the northern turkish territories).
To be continued............................
Keep up the good work! It is interesting to see the differences in out two Europes: my Russia owns all of Scandinavia, most of the North German Plain (except for the Pommeranias, Danzig, East Prussia, and of course Mazovia), plus Hungary, Wallachia, and Moldavia. My world's Turkey conquered the Levant and then basically stopped fighting (their wars with Poland always ended with either cash or a truce). Persia and 2/3 of India are no more.
Your Russia, however, has the glory of facing and winning multiple Civil Wars, so I still envy your good play.
-Pat
Your Russia, however, has the glory of facing and winning multiple Civil Wars, so I still envy your good play.
-Pat
1651 - 1670 : The Polish wars (part 2)
This period was an age of incessant strife against our old enemies in Europe, especially Sweden, Poland and Turkey.
1663 - 1665 :
In february 1663, while we were busy crushing revolts in Bessarabia and Azebaïdjan, England gave Oldenburg and 250 gold to Hanover, and Alexei refused to pay an equal amount of money to Denmark.
This angered our dreaded swedish enemy, who DOW us and our Moldavian ally in june, backed by Netherlands, Hanover, Thuringe and Serbia. They were encouraged by the fact that they were the only nation to have 18th century-style troops, with an invincible morale, and that alone was sufficient to compensate for their low numbers.
Alexei was perfectly aware of their strength, and decided to stay on defense, hoping that their troops would die from attrition trying to besiege the powerful fortifications in Ingermaland. And that's exactly what happened.
In august, their 51k army totaly destroyed our first defenders in Ingermaland, but we had plenty of reserves around and were confident about the resistance of our walls.
When the danes asked for 11 gold in exchange for peace, Alexei was pleased to agree, and while the swedish armies were slowly diminishing from winter attrition, Cleves paid 250 gold to Switzerland.
We did absolutely nothing during the 6 first months of 1664, except fighting rebels in Podolia and Azebaïdjan. The Palatinate paid 144 gold to Austria in april, and the Mughals gave Agra and 200 gold to Persia in july.
Sweden refused our truce offer, and Romodanovski tried to lift their siege in Ingermaland, but he was defeated in august. Still, this attack was useful, as it greatly weakened the swedish besiegers, who had too few reinforcements available.
Another rebellion was crushed in Kaffa in november, and a few days after, Persia declared war on us, believing it would be as easy to beat us as it was to beat the Mughals.
Hungary gave Transylvania and Banat to Turkey in january 1665. In march, Romodanovski, who had patiently rebuild an army in Novgorod, launched another attack on the besiegers in Ingermaland, and this time he was victorious, immediately pursuing them in Karelia to teach them a lesson.
Alexei ordered a global embargo on every other nation in may, to weaken our foes, and Romodanovski seized Karelia in june. But he had to get back to Ingermaland, were a new swedish army was besieging the city, and he was defeated. But it was a costy victory for Sweden, as their army was too weak to assault the city, and went to Karelia instead. Romodanovski received reinforcements from Novgorod, and attacked Karelia in september, destroying the few swedish forces left there.
He was also victorious one month later in Savolaks, while on the persian front our armies seized Kars (Alexei rejected the persian offer of a truce, and said he would teach a lesson to these foolish persians).
Finally, in december, we had to defeat rebels in Karakum, and Sweden welcomed our offer of a truce, as they had no chance to overcome our staunch defense. Alexei was happy they agreed, as he knew seizing the well-fortified and harsh-climate provinces of Sweden would have cost him thousands of troops whom he needed elsewhere (for example against Poland ).
1666 - 1670 :
The cease fire with Sweden let Persia alone to face Alexei's wrath, and indeed they would suffer, despite the various revolts wich continously plagued our land.
We captured Tabriz in may 1666, and Alexei refused the persian offer of Kars. A persian army defeated our weak troops in Elbruz and besieged the city in september, but Kirkuk fell in our hands in october, and Kernan in december. The persians offered Kernan, Tabriz and Kars, but were again rebuked, as Alexei was more interested in annexing Kernan and Lut (wich we were besieging).
Things get much more complicated when Turkey, Denmark, Hafsid, Algeria, and Wurtemberg DOW us in april 1667, as our southern troops were deep inside the persian territory, and our other armies were busy fighting the rebels in Khorasan and Amou Daria. Anyway Alexei stayed calm and confident, and we seized the persian province of Iraq the same month. Then, while our western armies marched on central Europe, we sent a small force towards the turkish possessions bordering Persia, taking Jordan in may.
Cleves signed a white peace with Austria, Poland, Scotland and Naples in june (a bad new as it would let Poland free to attack our weakened border), but we finally captured Lut in july, and Persia agreed to give us Lut and Kernan; allowing us to turn our troops against Turkey.
Pripet surrendered in september, just before Poland, france, and Switzerland DOW us and our faithful moldavian ally. In october, it was Galicia's turn to fall in our hands, and in november, we defeated a 54k polish army in Polotsk.
Austria was drowned in a civil war in december (one threat less ), and we seized Krakow to Poland, with nearly no opposition in front of us.
Finally, while the turkish armies were marching towards our western border and trying to reconquer Jordan, we captured Arabia. With our armies on their way to Trebizonde, they decided it was time to surrender, and their proposal of annexing Pripet was accepted by Alexei in february 1668.
That left only Poland to oppose us, but it was still a dangerous foe. They defeated Sheremetev in Podolia in april, and immediately reconquered Krakow. Still, their numbers were insuficient, and we had enough money and manpower to replace our losses, especially with the 20k troop-building capacity of Ukraine at our disposal.
We seized Mozyr in may, and even if the polish recovered it in december, at the same time we also captured Belarus, with the help of a new land technology (the pistols).
The polish forces didn't gave up, and defeated us in Belarus in june 1669, while our troops were busy freeing Crimea, Lut, Pripet and Karakum from the rebels. The same month, Austria diplo-annexed Bade.
Several new revolts had to be defeated in Krementjug, Armenia, Elbruz and Lut, from july 1669 to january 1670, before we were able to defeat Poland once and for all. We sized Lithuania in may 1670, Mozyr in june, and Kurland in august. Then we asked for Mozyr and Belarus (the other provinces were not very interesting, as they were catholic and thus would rebel endlessly because of our low tolerance of catholicism), and Poland agreed, thus ending thsi period.
Our western border was expanding quickly, but we had to nearly stop our preparatives against the East. At least Poland was no more a credible threat, and we progressed in the mid-east, weakening both Persia and Turkey.
Our last and most dangerous foe was, as always, the damned swedish.
To be continued..................................
This period was an age of incessant strife against our old enemies in Europe, especially Sweden, Poland and Turkey.
1663 - 1665 :
In february 1663, while we were busy crushing revolts in Bessarabia and Azebaïdjan, England gave Oldenburg and 250 gold to Hanover, and Alexei refused to pay an equal amount of money to Denmark.
This angered our dreaded swedish enemy, who DOW us and our Moldavian ally in june, backed by Netherlands, Hanover, Thuringe and Serbia. They were encouraged by the fact that they were the only nation to have 18th century-style troops, with an invincible morale, and that alone was sufficient to compensate for their low numbers.
Alexei was perfectly aware of their strength, and decided to stay on defense, hoping that their troops would die from attrition trying to besiege the powerful fortifications in Ingermaland. And that's exactly what happened.
In august, their 51k army totaly destroyed our first defenders in Ingermaland, but we had plenty of reserves around and were confident about the resistance of our walls.
When the danes asked for 11 gold in exchange for peace, Alexei was pleased to agree, and while the swedish armies were slowly diminishing from winter attrition, Cleves paid 250 gold to Switzerland.
We did absolutely nothing during the 6 first months of 1664, except fighting rebels in Podolia and Azebaïdjan. The Palatinate paid 144 gold to Austria in april, and the Mughals gave Agra and 200 gold to Persia in july.
Sweden refused our truce offer, and Romodanovski tried to lift their siege in Ingermaland, but he was defeated in august. Still, this attack was useful, as it greatly weakened the swedish besiegers, who had too few reinforcements available.
Another rebellion was crushed in Kaffa in november, and a few days after, Persia declared war on us, believing it would be as easy to beat us as it was to beat the Mughals.
Hungary gave Transylvania and Banat to Turkey in january 1665. In march, Romodanovski, who had patiently rebuild an army in Novgorod, launched another attack on the besiegers in Ingermaland, and this time he was victorious, immediately pursuing them in Karelia to teach them a lesson.
Alexei ordered a global embargo on every other nation in may, to weaken our foes, and Romodanovski seized Karelia in june. But he had to get back to Ingermaland, were a new swedish army was besieging the city, and he was defeated. But it was a costy victory for Sweden, as their army was too weak to assault the city, and went to Karelia instead. Romodanovski received reinforcements from Novgorod, and attacked Karelia in september, destroying the few swedish forces left there.
He was also victorious one month later in Savolaks, while on the persian front our armies seized Kars (Alexei rejected the persian offer of a truce, and said he would teach a lesson to these foolish persians).
Finally, in december, we had to defeat rebels in Karakum, and Sweden welcomed our offer of a truce, as they had no chance to overcome our staunch defense. Alexei was happy they agreed, as he knew seizing the well-fortified and harsh-climate provinces of Sweden would have cost him thousands of troops whom he needed elsewhere (for example against Poland
).1666 - 1670 :
The cease fire with Sweden let Persia alone to face Alexei's wrath, and indeed they would suffer, despite the various revolts wich continously plagued our land.
We captured Tabriz in may 1666, and Alexei refused the persian offer of Kars. A persian army defeated our weak troops in Elbruz and besieged the city in september, but Kirkuk fell in our hands in october, and Kernan in december. The persians offered Kernan, Tabriz and Kars, but were again rebuked, as Alexei was more interested in annexing Kernan and Lut (wich we were besieging).
Things get much more complicated when Turkey, Denmark, Hafsid, Algeria, and Wurtemberg DOW us in april 1667, as our southern troops were deep inside the persian territory, and our other armies were busy fighting the rebels in Khorasan and Amou Daria. Anyway Alexei stayed calm and confident, and we seized the persian province of Iraq the same month. Then, while our western armies marched on central Europe, we sent a small force towards the turkish possessions bordering Persia, taking Jordan in may.
Cleves signed a white peace with Austria, Poland, Scotland and Naples in june (a bad new as it would let Poland free to attack our weakened border), but we finally captured Lut in july, and Persia agreed to give us Lut and Kernan; allowing us to turn our troops against Turkey.
Pripet surrendered in september, just before Poland, france, and Switzerland DOW us and our faithful moldavian ally. In october, it was Galicia's turn to fall in our hands, and in november, we defeated a 54k polish army in Polotsk.
Austria was drowned in a civil war in december (one threat less
), and we seized Krakow to Poland, with nearly no opposition in front of us.Finally, while the turkish armies were marching towards our western border and trying to reconquer Jordan, we captured Arabia. With our armies on their way to Trebizonde, they decided it was time to surrender, and their proposal of annexing Pripet was accepted by Alexei in february 1668.
That left only Poland to oppose us, but it was still a dangerous foe. They defeated Sheremetev in Podolia in april, and immediately reconquered Krakow. Still, their numbers were insuficient, and we had enough money and manpower to replace our losses, especially with the 20k troop-building capacity of Ukraine at our disposal.
We seized Mozyr in may, and even if the polish recovered it in december, at the same time we also captured Belarus, with the help of a new land technology (the pistols).
The polish forces didn't gave up, and defeated us in Belarus in june 1669, while our troops were busy freeing Crimea, Lut, Pripet and Karakum from the rebels. The same month, Austria diplo-annexed Bade.
Several new revolts had to be defeated in Krementjug, Armenia, Elbruz and Lut, from july 1669 to january 1670, before we were able to defeat Poland once and for all. We sized Lithuania in may 1670, Mozyr in june, and Kurland in august. Then we asked for Mozyr and Belarus (the other provinces were not very interesting, as they were catholic and thus would rebel endlessly because of our low tolerance of catholicism), and Poland agreed, thus ending thsi period.
Our western border was expanding quickly, but we had to nearly stop our preparatives against the East. At least Poland was no more a credible threat, and we progressed in the mid-east, weakening both Persia and Turkey.
Our last and most dangerous foe was, as always, the damned swedish.
To be continued..................................
I really don't know, this is where the game is right now, but I guess they will stab me in the back as they always did....