Bolivia in 1836 is faced with two huge problems: internal dissent between Peruvians and Bolivians and the threat of war with her neighbors, envious of her relative size, population, and wealth. In addition, less than a third of her population is considered national, injuring her ability to industrialize and research.
I immediately focus my attention on military technology, as Bolivia needs every advantage she can scrape together to remain victorious.
Luckily, Bolivia is able to access one really good general at the start, Santa Cruz. His big organization and attrition bonuses greatly aid in invading foreign territories, especially if coupled to high-morale cavalry. Beyond merely acquiring generals and technology, I also reinforce my existing divisions, maximize defense and army spending, and, most importantly, train a single Cavalry-Hussar division, which I immediately join to my existing cavalry corps.
The scripted war with Chile breaks out in just one day after the New Year, 1837. With my forces prepositioned, my strategy is simple: Attack to and capture Santiago, Chile's capital, as rapidly as possible, and force them to give me white peace. With Argentina, defend myself as best I can and hope that I can acquire a white peace. Attempting to force meaningful concessions out of either power is overly risky and dangerous, given the difficulty Bolivia has in merely holding itself together (Austria has nothing on them).
All is going splendidly, with Santiago already under siege from my cavalry (who scythed through Chilean forces just like I expected them to), when Argentina joins against me.
One month later, Santiago falls and the war against Chile is ended with no concessions to either side.
In October, the first of several attempts at peace are rejected by Argentina. With Bolivian forces trapped in a tiny out-of-supply pocket in the Argentinan Andes, things are looking poor for Bolivia.
Unfortunatley, multiple events fire raising my POPs Con. and Militancy (by as much as +7!!!) Luckily, the first Cavalry Corps under General Santa Cruz is able to make a daring crossing of the Argentinian backcountry, escaping to Bolivia. Upon being informed of the situation in Peru, they immediatly begin to clear the rebels away.
However, the Infantry division that had accompanied them in the invasion of Chile was not able to escape from the pocket, and fell in defense of that pocket, tying up several Argentinian divisions.
Finally, on June 29, 1839, Argentina accepts a white peace, leaving the Peru-Bolivia Confederation bruised but intact.
The Peruvians, however, still want independence and threaten to rise up against Bolivian rule. Harsh military suppression of any revolts is the rule of the day. (Note that this is with max crime funding!)
With the immediate military threat ended, Bolivia's researchers turn away from the army and toward trade. As a vast amount of Bolivian production comes from various agricultural enterprises, and Freedom of Trade is projected to boost the productivity of most of those enterprises, sometimes quite substantially, effort is directed towards that technology.
In early October 1839, General Santa Cruz, the Hero of Bolivia, dies after an accident while riding to put down another wave of revolts in Peru. At that point, the army was merely days away from its objective, Puno. (And yes, my really good general died literally an instant before reaching the rebel forces).
Luckily, an even more skilled young officer, Ballivian, is found and promoted to command the Bolivian army. (And yes, he is perfect given what Bolivia is currently doing! Its like the game read my mind!).
Between the general and the adooption of Jomian military theory by the Bolivian General Staff, Bolivian forces have an incredible morale, which is very useful given the miltary threat to Bolivia.
By February 1841, Bolivia is in a good position. Between the small but steady profit her treasury commands, her good manpower and powerful army, and her reasonably fast research rate, she is quite capable of aspiring for greatness.
Overview of the Bolivian treasury, February 1841
I immediately focus my attention on military technology, as Bolivia needs every advantage she can scrape together to remain victorious.
Luckily, Bolivia is able to access one really good general at the start, Santa Cruz. His big organization and attrition bonuses greatly aid in invading foreign territories, especially if coupled to high-morale cavalry. Beyond merely acquiring generals and technology, I also reinforce my existing divisions, maximize defense and army spending, and, most importantly, train a single Cavalry-Hussar division, which I immediately join to my existing cavalry corps.
The scripted war with Chile breaks out in just one day after the New Year, 1837. With my forces prepositioned, my strategy is simple: Attack to and capture Santiago, Chile's capital, as rapidly as possible, and force them to give me white peace. With Argentina, defend myself as best I can and hope that I can acquire a white peace. Attempting to force meaningful concessions out of either power is overly risky and dangerous, given the difficulty Bolivia has in merely holding itself together (Austria has nothing on them).
All is going splendidly, with Santiago already under siege from my cavalry (who scythed through Chilean forces just like I expected them to), when Argentina joins against me.
One month later, Santiago falls and the war against Chile is ended with no concessions to either side.
In October, the first of several attempts at peace are rejected by Argentina. With Bolivian forces trapped in a tiny out-of-supply pocket in the Argentinan Andes, things are looking poor for Bolivia.
Unfortunatley, multiple events fire raising my POPs Con. and Militancy (by as much as +7!!!) Luckily, the first Cavalry Corps under General Santa Cruz is able to make a daring crossing of the Argentinian backcountry, escaping to Bolivia. Upon being informed of the situation in Peru, they immediatly begin to clear the rebels away.
However, the Infantry division that had accompanied them in the invasion of Chile was not able to escape from the pocket, and fell in defense of that pocket, tying up several Argentinian divisions.
Finally, on June 29, 1839, Argentina accepts a white peace, leaving the Peru-Bolivia Confederation bruised but intact.
The Peruvians, however, still want independence and threaten to rise up against Bolivian rule. Harsh military suppression of any revolts is the rule of the day. (Note that this is with max crime funding!)
With the immediate military threat ended, Bolivia's researchers turn away from the army and toward trade. As a vast amount of Bolivian production comes from various agricultural enterprises, and Freedom of Trade is projected to boost the productivity of most of those enterprises, sometimes quite substantially, effort is directed towards that technology.
In early October 1839, General Santa Cruz, the Hero of Bolivia, dies after an accident while riding to put down another wave of revolts in Peru. At that point, the army was merely days away from its objective, Puno. (And yes, my really good general died literally an instant before reaching the rebel forces).
Luckily, an even more skilled young officer, Ballivian, is found and promoted to command the Bolivian army. (And yes, he is perfect given what Bolivia is currently doing! Its like the game read my mind!).
Between the general and the adooption of Jomian military theory by the Bolivian General Staff, Bolivian forces have an incredible morale, which is very useful given the miltary threat to Bolivia.
By February 1841, Bolivia is in a good position. Between the small but steady profit her treasury commands, her good manpower and powerful army, and her reasonably fast research rate, she is quite capable of aspiring for greatness.
Overview of the Bolivian treasury, February 1841
