Early 1800 it looked like the British weren’t having much luck against the Americans. The defections haven’t been kind.
In February I passed Sunday Schools. There’s a national tax reduction but I really needed the increased missionary chance and the reduced revolt risk. Later in the year I’d move a slider +1 free subjects.
Late in 1801 Muscovy declared war on Lithuania. Again I suffered from forgetting to remove the military access. It would’ve been a -6 stability hit so I stayed out of it. It would’ve been nice, and fairly easy, I think, to retake a few Baltic provinces. Lithuania*, Tver and Poland v. Muscovy*, Uzbek, Sweden and Hungary.
I’d soon forget about it though when the US/GB war finally ended. The US returned a few provinces. What worried me most though, was the US being given such a low technology. They’re at 7 land 7 navy.
With the US war concluded I took another look at GB’s stats. They’re looking ripe. (Ships are the same.)
On 12 February 1802 I declared war. Ireland*, Bosnia, L.O., France and Portugal v. GB*, Norway, Sweden and Loango. Funny, these days everyone wants to play war.
Followed by...
Maybe it’s the low income of MM combined with the autosend feature.
Immediately I scorched Susquehanna and moved into Ohio, Mahican and Kanawha. By April a 11/12/2 (or 6503/3277/1612) British Army moved into Susquehanna. I can live with this. Do you know what else I can live with? A siege in London. And look, I’m all alone with no one to celebrate with.
With these successes I took a risk and decided to move my Baltic Army through Muscovy in an attempt to take out Norway. I ought to get there around the winter, does that sound about right?
By the end of June Britain had moved into a few more of my colonial possessions (Onondaga, Oneida and Monacan) but my siege in Ohio was just ending. I imagined the other British forts were soon to fall.
Meanwhile, Sweden had just entered Estland as I discovered Muscovy and Norway didn't connect. More importantly, there’s no easy passage. I ended up changing my mind and decided I wouldn’t go around.
As early as 30 September I received my first offer from Britain.
Soon after I felled Kanawha, forced GB from Monacan and was making my way to Susquehanna. They’ve been soaking long enough. (I’d destroy them in December.) Back in the Baltic, Lithuania and Muscovy agreed to peace with Lithuania ceding Vyazma, Bryansk, Polotsk and 150.
At the start of the year here’s a little map action. As you can see, I have some company near London but I don’t think they’re in the mood for celebrating.
A few days later I signed a white peace with Norway, in February I destroyed GB in Onondaga and in March initiated a plan to send my Italian army 5/14/2 to the British island. Manpower wise, its just over 20,000. By April, all of Britain’s armies in America were destroyed. I guess they’ll have to send more.
Late June I was able to weasel my Italian army onto Britain’s soil so my Irish Proper army wouldn’t be lonely.
A few more months went by and I felled Lenape and Powhatan while my Italian unit went around sharpshooting everything that moved. This war was going to be expensive for Britain. But I didn’t want it to be expensive for me so after London fell in early November, I proposed peace. I’d take Ohio, Kanawha, Powhatan, Mahican, Lenape and 525. BB is 13.84/24.00... I also hoped those other provinces would rebel and defect to either me, France or USA.
I would’ve rather taken provinces but I needed to ensure that I could build a stronger military and that I could repay my loan. Britain, no doubt, is going to be stacking her army and I imagine much of it’ll be on the island.
You’d think my colonists would be happy about these new acquisitions but they still want to be on their own.
In September France declared war on Brittany. I remember swearing revenge earlier in the game so I decided to help although I’m really saving myself for Britain. France*, Ireland and Lithuania v. Lorraine* and Brittany. I’d white peace the following year. The war taxes were nice though!
Have I mentioned how much I hate secret societies? I’ll make them learn eventually.
And then I was thinking about playing the Cardinal game but something told me not to. Call it intuition.
In 1806 the French/Brittany war ended with France taking Armor and 83. They’re so lucky its near the end of the game or I would’ve been in on it too.
Late 1806 OE DoW’d the Mamluks pitting OE against Mamluks, Morocco, Swahili, Tripoli, Hassa, Shirvan and Tunisia. I mention this because in 1807 this set off a chain of events...
30 June: Hungary DoW’d OE: OE v. Hungary, Prussia, Pommerania, Flanders and Muscovy.
30 July: Austria DoW Luxembourg: Luxembourg v. Austrian alliance.
30 October: Spain DoW Tripoli: Tripoli, Tunisia, Morocco, Haasa, Oman, Shirvan, the Mamluks and Swahili.
Since both Spain and OE DoW’d these nations, I have to wonder if its an MM inspired event or if things just happened that way. Either way, I don’t think Spain’s going to get very far with lvl 7 forts in Morocco and Algiers.
2 September: Austria DoW the North African countries.
And near the end of 1808, I found my new leader. After getting a number of bad rulers, things are looking good again.
I should mention I’m now minting at .3
I took care of my MA with Lithuania and re-signed an alliance with Muscovy. If something breaks out again, I’ll go to war.
By the end of the year I reached +3 stability, converted a few more provinces and discovered Pommerania has a lvl 8 fort in Bahamas. Wow.
