The Spanish shall inherit the Earth

[Sabre Man]

In January 1621, we suffered another state bankruptcy. This time, the problem was traced to a monopoly company named La Enroña, whose dubious accountancy procedures wouldn't have been out of place in companies with a much lower trade and infrastructure technology level. This made our whole huge Kingdom rather unstable for a while as panic spread and demonstrations turned to rebellions. Around this time, the remains of France were struck by a war of religion.

In March, Brandenburg and their allies England took advantage of our misery and declared war on us. Courland and Russia thought this too dishonourable and dishonoured the alliance.

In April, we got a new King, Felipe IV, who also took the Portuguese crown and made Portugal our vassal.

By August, The English have lost control over Wessex to us. Sweden allies with Courland. In October, we capture Vorpommern from Brandenburg. By December, we've captured Kent from the English and signed a peace treaty with them, giving us Kent and Wessex.

By September 1622, we had captured Magdeburg from Brandenburg. They tried to stop us, but they had no strength left. This led Austria to declare war on us in January 1623 but a quick visit to Tirol made them change their minds and agree to a peace treaty. And so we could concentrate our full might on Brandenburg again. Hinterpommern fell in April, Brandenburg in June. At this point we were happy to end the war, but Brandenburg weren't so the war went on until August, when we accepted their offer of Vorpommern, Magdeburg and Hinterpommern.

 

[Machiavellian]

La Enrona.. hehe heh. Nice touch

 

[Sabre Man]

Total peace lasted until November 1623, when the Ottoman Empire, Algiers and the Kaliphate declared war on us. We quickly invaded Azow and suggested peace but the Ottomans weren't scared. While they flung themselves at our great garrison on Cyprus we gave them several chances to end the war but they didn't take the bait. Then, in March 1624, Poland too declared war on us. In May, we established a new colony in Ciskei, in South Africa, which angered the neighbouring Zulu nation so much, that they declared war on us shortly afterwards, a move that had been anticipated. A declaration of war from Russia followed within a week of the one from the Zulus. In July, Corland and Sweden declared war on us. Courland immediately started attacking our army in Hinterpommern, beat it, and started besieging our garrison. They had obviously planned this war for some time.

By November, we had taken Transkei from the Zulu and thrown Courland back to their own territory. In the Crimean area luck changed quickly from one side to the other, neither side gaining an advantage.

1625 started with the fall of the Zulu province of Natal. We were sure the year would bring many victories for our country. The Zulus offered us 26d plus Transkei, which was acceptable for now so we accepted. We also managed to get the Russians to sign a peace treaty with us.

By March, the Ottoman Empire had grown weary of the war and accepted a peace treaty. By then we were letting Courland feel our revenge for those stupid declarations of war when we didn't have a land connection to them. Now we did and the time had come to try to use it to our advantage. An attempt to get a peace agreement with Poland failed. But after we beat them in a pitched battle in our Swiss province of Bern, they were ready for peace and a peace treaty was signed in a small Swiss village that summer.

In November, Bohemia, Scotland, France and Venice declared war on us. With Sweden going on the offensive we had enough to keep our troops busy so a daring strategy was suggested. We force-marched an army into Bohemia and asked for peace. The sudden appearance of our troops in Erz so stunned the Bohemians that they readily accepted our treaty.

In February 1626, Denmark declared independence from England. One month later, France again declared war on Congo.

The war against Courland and Sweden wasn't really going anywhere so we tried to get a peace agreement, but Courland didn't want to end the war just yet. An attempt to get Denmark into our alliance failed despite our mutual hatred for the English. The war against Courland and Sweden dragged on until May, when they finally accepted our peace agreement. And so our world was at peace again. It was time to prepare for the next wars. Denmark soon realised that nobody could offer better protection that the mighty armies of Spain and joined our alliance. Great gifts were send to both Portugal and Denmark to celebrate this event. Despite our economic assistance, Denmark soon lost control over Jylland to England, but nevertheless, when Austria declared war on us in March 1628, they joined the war on our side against the enemy. Denmark quickly signed a peace agreement with England, giving them a small sum of money, a couple of African trading posts and military access.

The battles against Austria were fierce and in September, Brandenburg also declared war on us. Again, all our allies joined the battle. So too they did in October, when England and Russia declared war.

By April 1629, Austria had managed to capture Wurzburg from us and an attempt to get Russia out of the war had failed. Central Europe was ablaze with sieges and looting. We recaptured Wurzburg a few months later only to find that the Austrians had plundered and desecrated the province. By then, the Austrian province of Wurttemberg was already in our hands. By August, London was in our hands. This war would cost the English dear.

Brandenburg too would be required to pay dearly for their aggression. In September, we captured Poznan from them.

In November, we received an unexpected but welcome peace proposal from Russia. It seems all their failed attacks in the Crimean area had made them humble and war weary. They offered us Olonets and Arkhangelsk in Northern Russia in exchange for peace. This was more than we had hoped for so we pretended for a while that we had hoped for more before finally accepting the offer before it was withdrawn. Arkhangelsk was still a colony. Despite the climate we found many colonists willing to go. Maybe it was the vodka that lured them.

 

[Sabre Man]

In January 1630, rebels reared their ugly heads on the Iberian Peninsula and also in Italy. We decided to appease the Iberian rebels and crush the Italian ones. Appeasing the Portuguese revolt required us to take two loans but our economy seemed healthy. The same month we captured the English provinces of Lincoln and Holstein and offered them a peace treaty, which was declined. For this they suffered a revolt in Gotland.

In February, the Zulu nation declared war on us again. Did they not learn anything about Spanish superiority last time? A few months later we annexed them.

By mid-April, we had captured Yorkshire and Cornwall from the English. Toward the end of the month, the Ottoman Empire, Algiers, the Kaliphate and Manchu declared war on us.

In May, Zimbabwe, neighbours of the ex-nation of Zulu, declared war on us. We proclaim a trade embargo on England, who in June accepts our peace proposal after losing Sjælland to us. The price of peace is a generous Cornwall, Yorkshire, Holstein and Sjælland. That's a lot more than the French get in their war against Congo. A white peace is signed in early July. We almost feel pity for them for a moment but it's soon forgotten. A few weeks later, we captured Kustrin from Brandenburg and Chibuene from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe accepts our offer of peace and gets Chibuene back for now. We're not strong enough to push on. The heat is killing our soldiers in droves. Before the month is out, Poland declares war on us, bringing the number of wars up to 4 again. This lasted until February 1631, when Venice, France, Bohemia and Scotland made it 5.

In April, Austria decided to offer Tirol and Wurttemberg in exchange for peace, which was quite acceptable and so we signed the Austrian peace treaty.

In May war comes to the Spanish home provinces for the first time in a very long time when Algiers lays waste to Granada and Murcia. We capture Noakchott, a French West African colony. In May, Chisasibi, another undefended French North American colony, falls.

In June, Courland and Sweden declare war on us.

In August, we capture Paris and France hands over Noakchott and Chisasibi. All they have left is Paris! We also capture Brandenburg from Brandenburg and check if they're in the mood for peace, but they're not. After an incursion into Danzig, Courland is, and a peace agreement is signed. Just as well. The Swedes were starting to annoy us in Olonets. By October, Brandenburg too has signed a peace treaty, signing over Poznan and Kustrin. Poland was also quick to sign after we started besieging Wielkopolska.

By November, even the Ottoman Empire had signed a peace treaty. Now only Venice and her allies stood in the way of total peace. By October 1632, total peace was achieved when Venice accepted a return to peace.

In August 1633, Portugal decided to become an indivisible part of the Spanish Empire! This even gave us a foothold in China, in the province of Guangdong, in India, and in West Africa. We also got vast areas in South America.

This led to war in Asia for the first time, when in December 1633, China and Luang Prabang declared war on us. Denmark joined us in our war. Within a week, Vijayanagar and Jodphur had also declared war on us and Denmark had dishonoured our alliance. They soon joined the alliance of Sweden and Courland. For the first time, we stood alone against the rest of the world.

 

[Machiavellian]

Alone against the angry nations of the world. I do not envy the spanish.

 

[Sabre Man]

January 1634
We're at war against the alliances of China and Vijayanagar. Suddenly, Congo declares war on us but China fortunately accepts our offer of peace after losing a sea battle. They may just have missed their biggest opportunity to throw us off their soil. A few weeks later, our former ally Denmark declares war on us. Their allies dishonour the alliance. A declaration from Mail follows within days. We lose Goa to Vijayanagar. We're taken back a bit by all these declarations of war in so many different places. Why didn't Portugal invest more in defences for their colonies? We try to appease Vijayanagar by giving them our trading post in Goa but the offer is rejected. A few days later, we learn that our trading post has been burned and the traders taken as slaves or food. There are still a few days left in the month as Mysore too declares war on us. We're starting to embargo merchants from the Asian warmonger countries.

By May, Congo has burned our coastal trading post in Kribi to the ground. Bengal joins Vijayanagar and Jodphur in their war against us.

By June, we've captured the province of Jenne from Mali and annexed them. Two months later, we had captured Jylland and annexed Denmark too.

By November, we had captured the province of Ngoyo from Congo.

In January 1635, Russia and England declared war on us. With the capture of the province of Congo from Congo, they were ready to talk peace and give us Ngoyo and a peace treaty was signed. We also sent diplomats to Vijayanagar and Mysore but they weren't interested in peace talks yet.

The wars were going well even though we didn't have any captured provinces for our efforts. In August, Brunei declared war on us. After seeing our siege army in Vladimir, Russia signed our peace treaty. The war against the English continued.

In September, Zimbabwe declared war on us. By November, after heavy losses, they've captured and burnt our lightly defended trading post in Nampuia while we've captured Chibuene, also after heavy losses in the inhospitable terrain. Another declaration of war is received from Benin. When will this war madness stop? Brunei captures and burns our trading posts in Flores and Bandjarmasin.

 

[Sabre Man]

In December 1635, Songhai and Fez declare war on us, bringing the number of concurrent wars up to 7, the highest in a long time.

By January 1636, we're besieging Sabah, making it easy for Brunei to accept our peace treaty. Zimbabwe burns our trading post in Inhambane.

In February, Morocco joins Songhai and Fez in their war against us. Vijayanagar and Mysore have finally grown tired of the continued state of hostilities and sign peace treaties with us.

In March, we captured the English province of Lancashire and in April, we captured Begho from Benin. A peace treaty is signed with Songhai after they realise just how superior our land technology is.

In May, Austria declares war on us and we capture Sofala from Zimbabwe.

In June, we lose control over Carolina to England. Austria signs our peace treaty after we invade Bayern.

In July, we capture Lincoln from England and retake Carolina. Zimbabwe annihilates our army in Sofala.

In September, we capture Oye from Benin. Then France declared war on us ... for the very last time! France's allies, Scotland, Venice and Bohemia, also fought against us.

In October, we captured Bergenshus from England, just in time to evacuate before the winter got underway.

In November, Brandenburg declared war on us. We capture Northumberland from England, but still they reject our peace proposal.

After the capture of Kano, Benin accepts annexation. France is granting military access to Scotland and Bohemia.

In January 1637, Poland declared war on us. So do the Ottoman Empire, Algiers, the Kaliphate and Manchu. England rejects one of our peace proposals and suffers a revolt on Mauritius.

In February, Poland quickly signed a peace agreement after we started besieging Wielkopolska. Paris fell and France was annexed! England again rejects a peace treaty and suffers a revolt on Iceland. The peasants are obviously unhappy with their King.

In March, Dakota, the last of the American tribes, declares war on us. England again rejects peace and suffers another revolt, this time in Colombo.

In April, Zimbabwe captures and burns our trading post in Zambezia. Courland and Sweden declare war on us, bringing the number of wars up to 7. The Ottoman Empire starts besieging Apulia.

In May, the war against England comes to an end. They give us Lincoln, Bergenshus, Lancashire and Northumberland in return for peace. Now they only have Anglia left on the British Isles. Only 6 more wars to fight.

In July, Zimbabwe burns our trading post in Inhambane.

By August, we have a peace agreement with the Ottoman Empire. They were taking out their aggression on the lovely Italian countryside.

By October, Brandenburg had lost control over the province of Brandenburg and accepted annexation. One month later, Bohemia also accepted peace.

By January 1638, even Courland had signed a peace treaty. Now only Zimbabwe and Dakota opposed us.

In early July, total peace is achieved once more as our diplomats manage to get peace treaties with both Zimbabwe and Dakota. We start the process of removing Dakota's merchants from the centre of trade in Manhattan by way of competition. Soon their backward merchants are sent packing.

 

[Sabre Man]

In March 1439, China and Luang Prabang declare war on us.

In June, our spies in Algiers tell us that Algiers is granting military access to China. Could they be considering using Algiers as a staging post for an invasion on the Iberian Peninsula? Our Guangdong army starts besieging the neighbouring province of Kowloon. Expanding in China is going to be hard but at least we've started. We face two problems in the Far East. The first problem is a lack of willing recruits. The second is the lack of a strong fleet in the region, resulting in several naval defeats.

China is an unstable country at the moment, with rebellions popping up in many provinces, including Kowloon, but we beat them and get back to our siege.

In January 1640, China suffers an economical crisis and decides to raise taxes, causing even more rebellions. There are rebellions in one or two provinces almost every month.

In March, Congo declared war on us again. They quickly seize and burn our trading post in Kribi. We must make this stupid countries stop declaring war on us, preferably by annexing them, but it's even harder to recruit Africans to fight for our cause, so maybe we just have to send in our European boys with our fleet. Our trading post in Muni suffers the same fate not much later. Better news in June, when we capture Ndongo from them

In August, China burns our trading post in Bandung. A few weeks later their government falls and we're at peace with them again, but not with Luang Prabang, who rejects our attempts to broker a peace deal. The revolts continue in China.

By October, we've captured Teke from Congo and are marching on their capital.

In November, we close our centres of trade to Luang Prabang. Russia and England declare war on us. Our armies in England march on London. Our forces in Congo, tired after months of fighting in the inhospitable terrain, lose a battle just outside Mbanza Kongo, the capital of Congo.

The Russians attack in Olonets, but are beaten back several times. It's so dark we can only fight a few hours a day. Then they change tactics and attack in Arkhangelsk. Again they're beaten back with heavy losses in the cold Russian winter. Our troops in Congo lay siege to their capital. The Russians then try a landing in Bergenshus but again they're driven back. We try to lay siege to England's provinces in southern Sweden, but the English armies are too strong.

By April 1641, we've captured all of Congo and annexed them. We embargo all Russian merchants. Our attack on the Russian positions in Vologda fails.

In May, Songhai, Fez and Morocco declare war on us. Songhai immediately goes for our trading post in Dakar and burns it.

In July, Russia captures Olonets and we lose a battle against England in Bergenshus.

In August, Austria declares war on us. We besiege Skåne (England), Olonets and Crimea. By November, we've signed a peace agreement with Austria. Our siege preparations in Ansbach probably helped sway their minds in a peaceful direction. We needed to get Austria out of the war so we could concentrate on England and Russia. We capture Småland from England. London falls a few weeks later.

In February 1642, we manage to get peace with Luang Prabang, not that they were bothering us.

In February, we lose Arkhangelsk to Russia. It's not looking good in Russia at the moment. England captures Santee in America.

After having captured Zaria from Songhai, we decide to offer them a deal, which is rejected.

In March, Poland declares war on us and we capture Skåne from England. One month later, we lose control over Carolina to England. Another attempt to end the war against Songhai and their allies fails. We need more time to build up our armies in that part of Africa.

In May, we knock Poland out of the war by besieging Wielkopolska.

In September, we decide to embargo Northumberlandish merchants and in October, we capture Østlandet from them and offer them a peace agreement in exchange for Østlandet, Skåne and Småland. The Ottoman Empire, Algiers, the Kaliphate and Manchu declare war on us. We storm into Azow and try to broker a deal with the Ottomans but they stubbornly refuse. Enraged, we force-march to Kouban and assault the fortress. It falls in November.

In December, Venice and Bohemia declare war on us. The Scots decline to take part. We capture Mossi from Songhai but once more they refuse to negotiate.

In January 1643, we sign a peace agreement with Russia, getting back Arkhangelsk and Olonets.

In February, Courland and Sweden declare war on us. The Ottoman armies, after many failed attempts on Cyprus, start pillaging Italy again. We capture Georgia from them.

In March, Scotland decides to declare war on us after all, but alone. Our armies in Bohemia are having fun looting rich towns and villages.

We also let Venice have a taste of this medicine in Veneto and Istria. In May, we capture Sochi from them.

In August, Courland agrees to a peace treaty after our pillaging in Danzig, but we still have 4 more wars to fight and someone else will probably declare war on us before they can all be brought to a conclusion. Indeed, only a few weeks later, Dakota declares war on us. Zimbabwe follows in the beginning of September. But September also sees the end of the war against Songhai, who gives us Zaria. We also try to broker peace with Venice, but the talks break down when they refuse to hand over Sochi.

In October, the Ottoman Empire offers us Macedonia and Georgia in return for peace, which we all agree on. This makes obtaining Sochi from Venice even more important, to connect our provinces. Another peace agreement is signed with Scotland, war weary after much pillaging by our troops. Reinforcements arrive in Natal by sea for use against Zimbabwe. They capture Chibuene by November. By February 1644, Sofala too has fallen, and a peace agreement is signed, giving us Chibuene.

The Dakota tribe rejects any suggestions of peace and burns our trading post in Milwaukee to prove their point.

In June, we're successful in Bohemia. Erz falls and Bohemia offers us Erz and Silesia. The same day, Venice gives in and gives us Sochi in return for peace. Now only the Dakota remains an obstacle to total peace.

In September, we agree to a peace treaty with them, giving them Oskosh and Sault. We don't have the manpower to deal with them at the moment and the war has dragged on for five and a half years. It's time to enjoy total peace until the next declaration of war.

 

[Sabre Man]

The next declaration of war came in October 1645, from China. They must be mad. There are still sporadic revolts in their provinces. Luang Prabang declined an invitation to participate in the hostilities. By November, we were besieging the centre of trade in Guangzhou. They attack our colony in Jakarta, but are beaten back. This time our fleet beats the Chinese fleets time and time again. This war must be fought until they offer us a few provinces.

In March 1646, Guangzhou falls to our troops.

In May, our diplomats in Russia make a breakthrough and a royal marriage is hastily arranged before they change their minds. It's getting almost impossible to marry off the Royal children abroad due to our bad relations with the rest of the world. Instead they usually have to resort to marrying into noble families within our borders or pretend they're not Spanish.

In July, the Chinese government falls but the peasants are still rebelling. We're not sorry to see them go. Total peace again! In December, they join the Ottoman alliance. December also sees Austria declare war on us. We don't really want another war just yet, so we pillage a few Austrian provinces and sue for peace in February 1647. Our peace proposal is accepted. Instead we shower the Austrians with state gifts and by March they regard us as friends. In April, a royal marriage is arranged. In May, they join our alliance. We celebrate by sending them another state gift. By now, they really like us but decline an offer to become our vassals.

In July, Poland declare war on us. We decide to keep the Austrians out of it as punishment for not accepting our most kind offer.

In November, England and Scotland declare war on us. Russia, bound by royal ties, declines to honour the alliance. We let Austria participate. Later that month, we capture Wielkopolska from Poland.

In January 1648, the repatriation of the Netherlands happened to us. As a result the Dutch are more willing to consider themselves Spanish and the revolts die down.

In February, Poland lost control over Krakow to us. This, together with their heavy losses during repeated attacks on Kaffa, should soon see them crawling to the negotiating table.

As soon as the winter snow disappears, we send an army to besiege Trøndelag. We also send an army to Tierra del Fuego. There are actually a few English colonies in South America, mostly undefended. This one is the only one in that region with a fort. By May, Tierra del Fuego is in our hands.

In June, Trøndelag too is captured from the English. In July, the English colony in Les Cayes is in our hands after a short battle.

In August, we capture Podlasia from Poland.

In September, Courland and Sweden declare war on us. Austria is again invited to the war party. We capture the Polish province of Volyn. In October, we capture Narvik from England and in November, we capture undefended Finnmark from them as well.

In November, Songhai and Fez declared war on us. Morocco was wiser and dishonoured the alliance.

In December, the Ottoman Empire, Algiers, the Kaliphate and China declared war on us. Austria begged to be included and we gave in to their incessant whining. They could always wear down the Ottomans for us. We capture Guinea from England after beating the local army.

In January 1649, Oliver Cromwell rose to the forefront in England and changed the state religion to Reformed. That kind of heresy can't be allowed to spread unchallenged. That's exactly the kind of warped thoughts our missionaries are working hard to stamp out. Maybe we should try to force-convert them before they manage to spread this disease to their colonies.

In February, we had several successes. First we captured Niani from Songhai, and then we captured Hellas and Kouban from the Ottomans.

In April, Zimbabwe declared war on us. Then we captured Armenia from the Ottomans and persuaded Poland to give us Wielkopolska, Podlasia and Krakow in exchange for peace. At the end of the month, we also captured Say from Songhai, so all in all it was a very good month.

In July, we captured Buré from Songhai. They then offered us Buré and Say, which we accepted. Later that month, we captured Albania from the Ottomans and Strathclyde from Scotland. We asked the Scots for Strathclyde in exchange for peace but they only laughed at us. We'll see who laughs in the end. We also captured Trabzon from the Ottomans that month. They need bigger fortresses to stop us.

In August, Venice and Bohemia declared war on us. Again Austria stood by us. We captured Sofala from Zimbabwe.

The government of China fell in October, but the rebellions continued anyway.

In November, Malacca refuses our merchants access to their centre of trade. How dare they! We lose control over Macedonia to the Kaliphate.

In December, we capture Nembire from Zimbabwe and Danzig from Courland. We also capture Corfu from Venice.

In January 1650, we capture Azow from the Ottomans. We now have six of their provinces and see no reason to continue this war so we offer them a deal. They refuse. Later that month, England accepts defeat and accepts our offer of Tierra del Fuego, Finnmark, Trøndelag and Narvik in return for peace. The English also gave us the Scottish province of Strathclyde. Serves the Scots right for refusing to negotiate!

February starts with another 'gift' from the English. The South American province of San Matias rebels and joins our Empire. Why wouldn't they? We refuse Ottoman merchants access to our centres of trade. They still accept our peace treaty, handing over Kouban, Armenia and Azow.

In March, Chubut, an English trading post bordering San Matias, also joined our Empire. We captured Prussia from Courland.

In April, the English colonies in Santa Cruz and Magallanes, also in South America, defected to us. Sometimes we really like rebels! In May, Aisen defects as well. We now control all of South America.

In July, Zimbabwe loses Rozwi to us. Only their capital remains and one month later, we had taken Memel from Courland. Their Swedish allies also got to feel the sharp end of our stick, but so far we had not been able to take any provinces. Austria captured Moravia from Bohemia.

In September, Sweden offered is Vastergotland, which was accepted. We also offered a peace treaty to Courland, giving us Danzig and Prussia. They humbly accepted.

In October, we captured Sudeten from Bohemia.

In March 1651, Zimbabwe lost control over their last province and was annexed.

In September, we lose control over Corfu to Venetian rebels.

In January 1652, we captured the province of Bohemia from Bohemia with a little help from our Austrian friends. One month later, they gave us Sudeten in exchange for peace. Venice now gave up the fight and offered us Istria and Dalmatia, which we accepted. It was time to enjoy total peace once more. To cement our friendship with Austria we gave them an impressive stare gift, which made them feel rather lukewarm towards us.

 

[Sabre Man]

Total peace only lasted about 4 months. In April 1652, Russia went to war against us and Austria, breaking a royal marriage. The Edict of Tolerance came into effect.

In July, we captured Kalmuk from Russia and asked for it in return for peace. The Russians declined so we decided to loot them into submission. Our armies and navies beat the Russians every time until December, when they managed to conquer Olonets. We retook it in January 1653.

In May, the Russians too Kouban in their great spring offensive in the south. We also lost Kalmuk to the Russian rebels but retook it in July. Kouban was recaptured in September.

In October, the war came to an end with Russia offering Kalmuk, Kexholm and Vologda. We were slowly eating the Russian Empire. Our technological superiority was making a big difference. We celebrated with a stare gift to our Austrian allies, who by now were beginning to feel very friendly but not enough to make them want to become our vassals.

In May 1654, Sweden annexed Courland.

In June, Poland declared war on us. Austria happily joined us. Our armies are ready and eager.

In August, Songhai, Fez and Morocco declared war on us but we decided we could easily handle these primitive nations alone. One month later, we've captured Timbuktu from Songhai.

In October, we capture Volyn and Mozyr from Poland.

In November, China, though still having severe problems with rebels, in their eastern wisdom decide to declare war on us. Their allies the Ottoman Empire, the Kaliphate and Algiers joins in, as does Austria, who capture Galizien from Poland.

 

[Machiavellian]

Fun reading along, but I am a little confused. Who is Spains ally at the moment? I thought it was Austria, but I am beginning to think I am wrong and they are still your enemy.

Also, how much land has the empire grabbed so far?

 

[Sabre Man]

Sorry if I'm a bit confusing.

Austria is indeed Spain's (only) ally at the moment. Does my BB prevent or make it harder to vassalise/diplo-annex?

 

[Sabre Man]

January 1655 begins well. We capture Mossi from Songhai and Hellas from the Ottomans.

In February, Scotland and England declare war on us and we capture Albania from the Ottomans.

In March, we capture Yaraguay in South America from the English after a short battle. We also capture Bambuk from Songhai and Kosovo from the Ottomans. In April, they lose Moldova to Austria. We concentrate on the English colonies in North America once more. We also capture Guangxi from China. The Chinese government collapses as soon as this becomes known to the public, and Guangxi stays in our hands.

May was a good month for us. We captured Segu from Songhai and Trabzon and Gambia from the Ottomans. We soon capture the Ottoman trading post in Dakar too.

June was even better. We captured the province of Lithuania from Poland with a little Austrian help and accepted the Polish offer of Galizien to Austria and Volyn and Lithuania to us. A few days later, we had captured Gao from Songhai. Meanwhile, our armies in Scotland were pushing the Scots about at will.

In August, we capture Jämtland from England. In September, Songhai loses Niani. The Ottoman Empire loses Serbia and still they refuse a sensible peace offering. How many more provinces must we capture before they give up the pathetic fight? Austria captures the Ottoman province of Bosnia.

By the end of October, we've captured the province of Walata from Songhai. We now control 7 of their provinces.

In November, we lose control over Macedonia to the Kaliphate but we beat them in a huge battle in Wallachia. The Austrians capture Transylvania from the Ottomans.

In early December, Sweden declares war on us. I guess those dark winter nights must have driven them to it. Later that month, we capture Lothian from Scotland.

In March 1656, the Ottomans finally achieve a noteworthy victory in the recapture of their trading post in Dakar. The war against Songhai comes to an end with our capture of Awdaghost. We demand and get Timbuktu, Mossi, Bambuk, Segu, Niani, Walata and Awdaghost.

In April, England accepted our peace offer, giving us Yaraguay. We retake Dakar after a two-week battle. We capture Memel from Sweden.

In May, the Ottomans finally swallowed what little pride they had left and gave us Albania, Trabzon, Kosovo, Dakar, Flores and Gambia. The Austrians get nothing for their efforts but we don't care since it all belongs to Spain anyway.

In September, the government of Songhai falls like an overripe plum.

In November, we capture Grampians from Scotland. The wars against Scotland and Sweden progress too slowly for us but progress is being made.

 

[Sabre Man]

In February 1657, we initiate a siege in the Swedish province of Estland but the Swedes counterattack and rout our army. One month later, we've captured Bergslagen from them and attempted to end the war but they won't listen so we besiege Ingermanland to make them change their minds. Again they attack and rout our army. Towards the end of March, Bohemia and Venice declare war on us. We decide not to ask Austria to join us. We increase the pressure on Scotland by assigning more troops to our siege army in the Highlands, their last province not controlled by us.

In April, we fight the Swedes in Gästrikland and win. As we prepare for a lengthy siege, a peace offer is sent to the Swedish King but it's rejected. By the end of the month, our troops have started entering the Bohemian provinces of Bohemia and Moravia in preparation for a siege.

In May, we start besieging the Swedish province of Savolaks. The Swedes attack but are driven off.

Towards the end of June, Bohemia tries attacking our siege army in the province of Bohemia but are beaten after a short but fierce battle. The same spectacle repeats itself in Moravia a few days later.

In July, we attack Venice in Ragusa, and after a short fight we can get ready for a siege. Bohemia has started besieging Sudeten. One month later, the scum had started besieging Sachsen as well.

In September, we capture Savolaks from Sweden only days after they turned down an offer of peace. Well, the price is only going to rise! We start besieging the Venetian provinces of Veneto, Corfu and Croatia. Corfu falls in October.

In January 1688, we captured Rumelia from Venice and started besieging Krain. We captured Moravia from their allies Bohemia.

In February, we landed troops on the Venetian island of Ionia, beat the local garrison and started besieging the fortress.

In April, the Highlands fell, and Scotland accepted peace with us at last, giving us the Highlands and the Grampians. Next time, however, they would not be so lucky... Shortly afterwards, Venice wisely accepted our peace offer, giving us the island of Corfu. Bohemia resisted our offer and sent us a counter-offer instead, offering Moravia and 155d, which we accepted. Now only Sweden remained openly hostile. We intensify the pressure by looting and besieging Nyland.

In July, we captured the province of Svealand, with the capital, Stockholm, and initiated a siege in Gästrikland. Would this make them more agreeable? Apparently not. They finally gave up in August, giving us Bergslagen and Savolaks.

Total peace was achieved after more than four years of war, during which we had gained many new provinces. It was time to prepare for the inevitable next declaration of war.

 

[Machiavellian]

Wow, could it be that you might actually be the one declaring a war for once? Nah, I bet that you get a war declared on you before you get the chance to start one on your own.

Any chance of getting a map?

 

[unmerged(17693)]

A map would be great.

 

[Sabre Man]

I apologise for the lack of maps. They WILL come later.

 

[Sabre Man]

In December 1658, Russia declared war on us. Their allies England and Scotland, still smarting from their last defeats, declined to assist them against Austria and us. We rushed into Crimea, quickly scattered the local armies and prepared for a siege. This war would definitely not be over by Christmas.

In April 1659, our missionaries scored a double victory. Both Holland and Gelre were converted within a day of each other.

In August, the Russian garrison in Crimea surrendered. Nothing much happened over the winter due to the unusually harsh conditions that year, but in March 1660, we captured Bogutjar from the feeble Russians.

In June, China, despite the continuing rebellious nature of their peasants, declared war on us. The Ottoman Empire declined an offer to participate, but Algiers and the Kaliphate supported a more proactive approach. Austria stood by us. A few days later, Manchu and Ayutthaya declared war on China and her allies.

In July, Poland declared war on us. Again, Austria loyally accepted the call to arms against their hated neighbours.

In August, our assault troops captured Wenshan from China. Less than one month later, the Chinese government fell. The people of Wenshan wisely chose to be a part of glorious Spain rather than the perpetually rebelling China.

In October, we captured Mozyr from Poland after a ferocious assault.

In November, we captured Tassaret from Algiers.

 

[Sabre Man]

In April 1661, after a quiet winter, we began preparations for a siege in the Russian province of Karelia as soon as we had driven off the local army. Songhai, Fez and Morocco also declared war on us that month. Austria refused to honour our alliance and left it, only to rejoin a week later. They probably realised that there was a severe lack of good options in the military alliance department due to the shortage of independent countries left in Europe.

In June, 8 provinces rebelled, and then England declared war on us. This time, Austria stood by us from the beginning. We captured the sandy province of Sahara from Algiers and they accepted our offer of peace in return for Tassaret.

In July, we captured the English trading post on Isle Royale. In August, their trading post in Cuyuni suffered the same fate.

In September, Austria captured Mazovia from Poland. We initiated a siege in Anglia after beating the hopeless army defending the province. The remaining English colonies in North America are undefended and easy prey. The same goes for the English province in Isthmus, dividing the American continent. Songhai is annexed after we capture Gao.

By September, the Russian armies were utterly demoralised and they offered us Novgorod and Crimea, an offer we quickly accepted.

By November, the undefended English colonies and trading posts around Hudson Bay were in our hands. Poland offered Mozyr and Podolia in return for peace, which was good enough for us. Inspired by the good news, our troops captured Jämtland from England shortly afterwards.

In December, England accepted peace, giving us Jämtland.

In April 1662, we tried to end the only war remaining, but Fez would hear no mention of it. In May, however, they accepted our offer and total peace was restored again.

It was at this point that the enormity of our Empire began to sink in. Almost every month we lost a province to rebels, and sometimes during a war, rebellion would rear its ugly head in up to 8 provinces at a time.

In April 1663, the Ottoman Empire had forgotten their last defeat and declared war on us, alone against the mightiest Empire of all time and Austria. It wasn't fair, but then, all's fair in love and war.

 

[Sabre Man]

April 1714
OK, so I've fast-forwarded some 50 years. Basically, what happened during those years was the following:
Austria turned against us and was annexed after a long and bloody struggle against their strong fortresses. England was force-converted to good Catholics from Reformed Protestantism but they have since converted to Protestantism. They have been reduced to their capital. Sweden has been annexed. We have expanded in many places but mainly in the Far East. Our biggest (largest) enemies are China and Delhi. We have no allies, nor do we want any. Never in the history of humankind has one country been hated so much by so many.

Europe:

The Far East:

India:

The Mid East:

North America:

South East Asia:

The current situation is:
Census taxes: 3514d
Army 2.4 million
Navy: 253 warships and 117 transports
Land tech: 43
Naval tech: 33
Trade and infrastructure: 10

We have lost around 20 million men getting this far, approximately half to attrition.

We're at war against Russia and also against Delhi and Hyderabad.

The Kaliphate has just sent us a declaration of war. This means war!

We quickly capture several provinces from Delhi.

In September, the Uzbek Kaganate declared war on us. It doesn't take us long to capture their capital.

In January 1715, Oman and the Mameluks declared war on us. Later that month, Moscow fell to our troops and was thoroughly plundered.

In February, the Ottoman Empire declared war on us. China refused to honour their alliance. We capture the capital of Hyderabad.

By June, we've captured Kerman, Birjand, Awadh and Gondwana from Delhi. By November, we've captured Surkhandarya and Malwa from them as well. We've also captured a few other provinces from other enemies.

In December, we captured Khandesh from Hyderabad and got it in return for peace. We also tried to broker a peace treaty with Delhi, but we failed. In March 1716, they came to their senses and gave us Malwa, Gondwana, Birjand, Surkhandarya and Kerman in return for peace, an offer we found irresistible.

By March, we had captured Damman, Mascate and Masirah from Oman and Tripolitania from their allies the Mameluks. War weary and totally conquered, they accepted our offer of Tripolitania, Damman and Masirah in return for peace.

In April, Jodphur declared war on us and the Ottomans gave us Rhodes and Quattara in return for peace.

In May, the Kaliphate, having suffered may setbacks thanks to our brave troops, offered us Awhaz, Elbruz and Turkmenistan in return for peace, a very wise decision.

By mid-June, we had captured Moscow, Donetsk and Samara from Russia, but still they refused to accept our very generous peace treaty.

Jodphur is about to be erased from the map.

In September, Russia accepted our peace offer of Donetsk and Samara, leaving her with only six provinces. The Uzbeh Khanate also accepted our offer of Samarkand and Mekran, leaving them with only their capital.

All the good news so pleased us that we decided to celebrate by declaring war on Baluchistan, which was conquered in less than one month. By early October, both Jodphur and Baluchistan had been annexed and total peace was restored.