Chapter XXII - A Protestant Empire
Protestantism has triumphed! The Church of Amsterdam has proclaimed the 19 of January as a religious holiday.
Back at peace, Raadpensionaris von Schack finances a modernization project in the Grand Republic. Marketplaces, manufactories and other buildings are being constructed in various provinces in Europe. In Picardie a castle gets torn down because of neighboring fortifications in Paris and Cales.
With Cologne as an Amsterdammer province, the Handelsgilde has gained significant influence in the Rheinland trade node which is reason enough for the Handelsgilde to place a merchant there to steer trade towards Lübeck and from there to the Channel. The route via Champagne is also possible but the Handelsgilde has less influence in Champagne than it has in Lübeck.
Muscovy's debt has increased to 4698 ducats. When will they be bankrupt? In the last assembly of the Raad of Amsterdam, von Schack cast a tie-breaker in favor of annulling the alliance with the Muscovites. Their recent defeat against Sweden has reassured von Schack that he made the right call. The alliance is officially dissolved on 1 February, 1587.
The Colonial Empire of Amsterdam has received little war over the last 10 years, mostly due to the War of the Protestant League. von Schack wants to change that and sendsGeneral Eise von Altmark to Nieuw Brugge in Colonial Colombia.
von Altmark arrives there in mid-March. He has the mission to conquer first Chimo and then Cusco. Chimu belongs to the Colonial Colombia region whereas Cusco is part of Colonial Peru.
On 13 August, Chimu gets annexed by Nieuw Brugge and von Altmark declares war on Cusco. Cusco is said to be the largest and strongest Native American tribe in the Americas. Cusco is joined by her allies Guarani and Mapuche as well as by her vassal Cajamarca. Will 16.000 mercenaries be enough to conquer them?
The military profits from Amsterdam's latest technological advancement. Forced March has been developed which allows armies to march a lot faster at the cost of some monarch power.
Nieuw Antwerpen is an helpful subject and supports her overlord with troops against Cusco. Their combined forces defeat an army of Cusco at the Battle of Piwra.
Ethiopia becomes a target of Amsterdammer aggression in March, 1588. Spies had previously worked tirelessly to fabricate four claims on Ethiopian provinces. These claims are needed to start the war because the overseas expansion casus belli does not apply against the Muslim-tech group.
Ethiopia is ally-less and the war goal is the province of Garoowe. However, the unofficial war goal is to conquer all of Ethiopia's provinces in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia is already embroiled in a war against Medri Bahri and Oman and the Ethiopian's are losing both those wars. Previously they have gotten beaten down by rebels. Life in Ethiopia is tough.
Cajamaraca's capital as well the castle in Chachapoyas are occupied within five months. This, on top of winning a few battles, gives Amsterdam 47% War Score with Cusco - enough or peace.
The peace negotiations are fast. General von Altmark has clear orders on what to demand. Given that the goal is to establish a colonial nation in Peru, he demands on 11 June, 1588, all of Cusco's coastal provinces as well the full annexation of Cajamarca as well as three of Cusco's inland provinces. The administration begins coring them immediately. This is the last step needed to found a colonial nation in Peru.
Next to Colonial Peru, the Grand Republic is also lacking colonial nations in Colonial Brazil, Colonial Louisiana, Colonial California and Colonial Alaska.
Settlers embark from the Low Countries to Biloxi and Natchez in Colonial Louisiana to establish two colonies there. Amsterdam already has three colonies in that colonial region which means once Biloxi and Natchez become self-sustaining, another colonial nation can be founded.
In an effort to fight corruption, the treasurers suggest to use military veterans as servants and quartermasters. Commandant van der Oije and Raadpensionaris von Schack have no objection to the treasurers' plan so it becomes a common practice in November, 1588.
New Ship types, namely the Galleon and the Early Frigate, become available, too. The existing fleet gets slowly upgraded. This process is very money intense though. The first ships that get upgraded are the old caravels which are patrolling the waters of Lübeck and the Channel.
Because Ethiopia's realm is divided into two parts, the navy has to transport the sell-swords from the Horn of Africa to Ethiopia's home territory. Province after province falls without resistance. Oman and Medri Bahri have killed the Ethiopian army and navy already. Resistance is impossible.
But Amsterdam is not greedy and stops the hostilities in July, 1589. The war ends with Ethiopia ceding holdings in the Horn of Africa region as well as the province Assab. Assab? Yes, from Assab Amsterdammer spies will be able to fabricate a claim on Hejaz. In its last assembly, the Raad of Amsterdam has decided with a large majority that the Grand Republic shall conquer the Holy City of Mecca. Having a claim on Hejaz means that this conquest can be done without declaring a non-CB war.
The administration informs von Schack the the integration of the provinces in Colonial Peru is going splendidly. Soon they will be cored and transferred to a colonial nation.
Goud Mond declares a colonial war on Pima in August, 1589. They are strong enough to conquer this one-province-minor without involvement from Amsterdam.
That very same day, Creek becomes the target of Nieuw Antwerp.
Hesse sends a call to arms to Amsterdam, Defender of the Protestant Faith, on 14 November, 1589. The Hessians are being attacked by Nassau. Naturally, the call to arms is accepted. Catholics must die. von Schack mages an army of 13.000 regulars available to fight Nassau. He feels he must protect his Protestant brethren.
Nassau is a weak opponent and therefore Amsterdam continues to focus on her expansion in India. The Grand Republic still has an almost six-year-long truce with Vijayanagar but von Schack would like to continue to conquer them now. This is possible thanks to them guaranteeing the independence of Amsterdam's neighbor Malabar.
On 29 November, 1589, Amsterdam declares war on Malbar and Vijayanagar accepts their defensive call to arms. The truce is bypassed!
The war is slowed down by a 20.000 men strong rebellion in Goa and South Konkan. The rebels have to be dealt with before focusing on Vijayanagar.
Nieuw Europa is founded on April 1, 1590, in Colonial Peru after the provinces that were taken in the war against Cusco have finished the coring process.
Potiguara, a small tribe of Native Americans in Brazil, becomes the target of Amsterdammer expansionism in late April but declaring a colonial conquest war on them is not possible! They completed the westernization process. Unbelievable but true: Potiguara is a Westernized, Animist Duchy in Brazil. Their military technology level is almost on-par with the one of Amsterdam. The only way to conquer them is to fabricate a claim on one of their two provinces and this is exactly what happens next.
Amsterdam signs a separate peace treaty with Nassau in which the one-province-minor is forced to convert to Protestantism. von Schack leaves them to Hessen now.
A national arsenal is also developed in the Low Countries. This increases Amsterdam's naval forcelimit modifier by +25%
Catholic heretics fleet to Kolonie and help turning Urugay and Picunmapu into self-sustaining provinces. It is best when the heretics are in the colonies. This prevents them from causing chaos in Europe.
The East India Trade Company receives control over four new provinces. Two from Vijayanagar and two from Malabar. This is the result of the war with Malabar in which they were annexed and Vijayanagar lost two provinces. The treaty that ensured the swap of ownership of these four provinces is signed on 23 October, 1591.
Religious Unity is still below 70%. The Church of Amsterdam is wondering why the war for the Holy City of Mecca has not yet been declared. The reason is quite simple: von Schack wants more than one claim on Hejaz. The clergy does not understand this. They become more impatient with every day that passes.
By April, 1592, Amsterdam has a claim on Potiguara and it is time to end their miserable lives. Amsterdam cannot tolerate westernized Native American tribes. Imagine all the madness in this world if other primitive countries would also westernized. The thought makes von Schack puke.
Brandenburg calls her ally Amsterdam into the Brandenburgian Conquest of Fünen in June. The Grand Republic accepts the call to arms. Saxony and Saxe-Lauenburg side with the outnumbered enemy.
After Biloxi becomes a self-sustaining colony, von Schack decides to reorganize the colonies in Louisiana into a colonial nation: Zwaard is founded.
Portiguara stands no chance against the invading Amsterdammer. They hold out for four months before getting annexed in August, 1592.
Raadpensionaris von Schack questions the naming of Nieuw Antwerp's latest colony. They named it Nieuw Amsterdam which is also a name of a different colonial nation in Colonial Canada! Oh no!
Scotland activly participates in the name of Amsterdam in Brandenburg's war against Pomerania. Together, they make good progress. Brandenburg has good chances to annex a few Pomeranian provinces if they play their cards well.
Two claims have been fabricated on Hejazi provinces by November, 1592, and documents for a third claim are currently being forged. Enough to declare war. Amsterdam has to conquer the Holy City of Mecca. The Church of Amsterdam has lost its patience with the Grand Republic. Mecca has to be conquered at all costs. As expected, Oman and Warsangali honored the call to arms whereas the Mamluks declined it due to excessive debts.
An army of mercenaries takes care of Warsangali. Regular troops lead by General von Altmark use the navy to land in Jazan.
Trade income is as high as ever. This allows for faster colonial expansionism. Up to eight colonies are being sustained simultaneously. The cost for the colonies increases exponentially. The first colony costs 2.14 ducats to sustain; the eight one costs 36.47 ducats. No problem for the Grand Republic.
Amsterdam relies still in part on sell-swords. About one third of all regiments are mercenaries. So far, so good. The mercenaries are smart men and realize that Amsterdam needs them. They demand 50% higher wages. Commandant van der Oije agrees to pay them more money. Otherwise they would desert.
Half a year later, Warsangali has lost all hope to achieve anything in this war. Their capital has fallen and the majority of their Princedom is occupied but it is not time for peace, says von Schack. He is waiting for their last province, Zeila, to fall first.
The situation for Hejaz does not look any better. Mekka and the coastal provinces are occupied; General von Altmark is marching on Oman.
Zeila falls in late August and in early September peace is made. Warsangali ceded her capital and three other provinces in the Horn of Africa region.
Hejaz and Oman have sent their combined armies to retake Mecca. 32.000 soldiers are besieging the province. The mercenaries which fought against Warsangali are brought via the navy over the Red Sea to Jeddah. From there they march on Mecca to engage the enemy. Both sides suffer a number of causalities but the sell-swords have managed to force Hejaz and Oman to retreat.
Very surprisingly, Brandenburg demanded only monetary reparations from Pomerania after beating them up nicely. How silly of them!
The two provinces which were taken from Poriguara have been cored by April, 1594. The colonies in Brazil form a colonial nation called Kanonskogel. It is anticipated, that Kanonskogel will have to compete with Leon and Scotland for dominance in Brazil. The two Amsterdammer subjects are also colonizing South America.
At the Battle of Sana'a, Amsterdam loses a siege corps that was laying siege on the former Yemenite capital. They were beaten by Omani troops. Always a pity to lose a battle like that.
In Italy, provinces change hands again. Milan conquers northern Tuscany. Lucca, Modena, Parma, Genoa and Albenga become Milanese territory.
In June, 1495, a separate peace agreement is reached with the Omani government. Sultana Lujayn I cedes the island Socotra as well as three coastal provinces in Arabia to Amsterdam. Later that month, Hejaz cedes all her coastal towns, the Holy City of Mecca, and five more provinces to Amsterdam. Victory, at last!
Back at peace, the clergy seems finally pleased that the Grand Republic controls Mecca. With three missionaries, they are still not confident to successfully combat the low religious unity. It is at 63%. The Church of Amsterdam suggests to also conquer a second Holy City. It so happens that Amsterdam holds a claim on Rome thanks to the excellent spy network. The Church of Amsterdam has financed the forgery of the necessary documents. von Schack is unsure though whether war is really the right move.
With now nine simultaneous colonies, the administration is at its limits. Leading bureaucrats suggest to return to a maximum of eight, preferably seven colonies.
The small council's latest addition is Giselert von Sachsen who enjoys a good reputation as Inquisitor. He represents the interests of the Church of Amsterdam. It is believed that David van der Oije might retire soon given his age. It could be that Boudewihn von Heimbach will be his replacement. von Heimbach has served the military well in various positions.
Westernization is spreading like madness through Africa. Morocco has managed to westernize off a Portuguese core in Fez. From Morocco, westernization spread to Timbukto and from there to Mali, Dagbon and Songhai. A disaster.
The Polish and her powerful allies declare war on Bohemia, a Protestant nation. The Polish are Catholic and therefore a call to arms has been sent to Amsterdam. Lithuania, Sweden and The Hansa have joined Poland in this offensive war as well as their subject Moldavia. The Emperor has come to defend Bohemia.
Amsterdam has a few days to decide what to do. van der Oije suggests to dishonor the call to arms. There is little to gain in this war and the attacking forces are quite numerous. He is sure that Poland will beat Bohemia in this war. van Schack does not want to simply decline the call to arms though.
He realizes that this is the opportunity to conquer Lübeck. The Hansa is a free imperial city and usually enjoys protection from the Emperor but the Emperor is at war with the Hansa which has sided with Poland.
48 hours later, a declaration of war is sent to the Hansa. Poland dishonors their alliance with the Hansa; only Danzig sides with them. von Schack then notifies Bohemia that he would love to defend him from Catholic aggressors but that he cannot because the Grand Republic is already at war with the Hansa. One country cannot be in two wars against the same country. How useful!
For more than a century, the Handelsgilde has wanted to own Lübeck. Now is the time to take the city one and for all.
Nieuw Antwerp is a major producer of Tobacco and the profit a lot by the growing popularity of it. Originally, marketed as medicinal plant, Tobacco has come to be increasingly popular in both the Christian and Muslim world for its recreational purposes. From Amsterdam to Alexandria the habit has grown to such an extend that the tobacco business is becoming quite lucrative. The price e of Tobacco increases by 50%!
Commandant van der Oije dies at the age of 76 on 3 December, 1595. A state funeral is held the following day. van der Oije has served the Grand Republic for almost five decades faithfully. He will be missed.
Leading generals suggest to promote Boudewijn von Heimbach as his replacement but at the end von Schack decides against it and picks Robert von Diest as new representative of the military. 30-year-old von Diest has been hired not only to represent the military but also to continue to reform the army.
The Hanseatic navy sinks some Amsterdammer ships at the Battle of Storebaelt. Reinforcements arrive and ultimately the port of Lübeck gets blockaded. No ships may leave the harbor anymore.
As expected, Bohemia is slowly getting beaten by the overwhelming forces of the Polish and her allies. A good decision to not join this war.
Mercenaries and regular forces, led by the Raadpensionaris, breach the walls of Lübeck after about 290 days. The siege continues.
Amsterdam takes a loan worth 1362 ducats from Florentine bankers. A situation in the colonies has required Amsterdam to act immediately. The treasury points out that it needs to be a priority to reduce the number of colonies. This could take another year or two and result in maybe a second loan they expect.
The Portuguese are heavily colonizing the region between Colonial Mexico and Colonial Colombia. This has given Amsterdam the colonialism casus belli against them. It could be the chance to finish them off. But Portugal is allied to Amsterdam's ally Aragon, next to Castile. von Schack wants to leave this issue to the Raad of Amsterdam to decide. The assembly scheduled for December.
In mid-November, administrative, diplomatic and military technology advance to level 16. The chambered demi-canon becomes the military's preferred artillery unit. The better artillery helps in besieging Lübeck. The city falls later that month.
Tobacco is not the only New World good that enjoys an increasing popularity in Europe. Tribal societies have used cocoa for centuries to create hot beverages. Amsterdammer seafarers have brought this habit to Europe. Hot chocolate becomes a popular drink in Antwerp and London. Soon the Handelsgilde realizes that cocoa should be marketed more in order to gain a higher revenue. Fellow Europeans begin to buy Amsterdammer cocoa at up to 40% higher prices!
On 3 December, 1596, the assembly of the Raad of Amsterdam is held in the capital. Delegates from various parts of the world have traveled weeks and months to attend the assembly.
Edit: There were some issues with copying the BB codes of the various images. I hope I fixed all errors now.
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