Karl Peter Ulrich's War!

[arctic warrior]

Wow, Sweden getting everything pre-1721 except Bremen and Verden back? Quite the attractive deal! Also breaking permanenly breaking the Danish-Russian alliance and having Denmark as an ally rather than an enemy? The Swedes woudl be stumbling over each other to get to the ink and pen to sign that treaty!

I didn't expect it to be this popular!
There is no longer anybody in Russia to form an alliance with and frankly Bernstorff did it out of necessity and Russian pressure. TTL he will keep going with his British designs. Keeping the Baltic quiet is of course a prime concern of Bernstorffs freeing resources for other needs.

Chydenius is going to abolish the produktplakat of 1724, allowing other ships than Swedish to trade in Swedish products. This is going to increase trade in the Baltic substantially - Danish merchantmen will like it, as will British and to some extent Dutch merchants too. The increase in shipping through the Sound will give the Danes increased income - using some of it to lower the tolls will make the British and Dutch even happier, making a Swedish-Danish alliance seem like a very nice option to them. Without the naval powers intervening, there's no reason such an alliance cannot keep existing for a long time. The Dutch will be wanting Sweden to secure Livonia quickly - it was one of their main sources of grain at the time, and that source allowed the Dutch farmers to grow cash crops. With Russia in turmoil and its ports blockaded by Denmark, there will be little export.

This is very good - I'd like to use it.

I am guessing Chydenius will force though inoculation against smallpox and probably the first skifte 20 or so years early, which will together with his expertise in agriculture increase population growth and agricultural production in Sweden.

Scandinavia just became a more peaceful and prosperous place.

I hope it will, at least its part of the designed spin-off.

Denmark actually had an inoculation committee and Struensee had quite an interest in public health. Much more on this later.

The Swedish gains are interresting. With von Lastinghausen and Chydenius, Sweden will not become mired down in a struggle for the throne of Russia, they know it is beyond the capacity of Sweden, but they can use it (and perhaps holding Novgorod and Pskov) as bargaining chips with the eventual winner of the Russian second times of trouble - acknowledge Swedish control of Nyslott, Kexholm, Ingria, Estonia, Livonia, Kola and Far Karelia and we'll leave Novogord and Pskov and relinquish claims on the throne.

If Russia is embroiled in a civil war, the only real resistance will be from the Guard regiments at St Petersburg, and they are probably depleted from the effort in the Duchies and then in the coups and the following civil wars.

Potemkin will perhaps stand and die in St Petersburg against the Swedes? Or will he return to be a power behind the throne for one of the contenders? He's a bit young at this stage.

The population of St Petersburg proper wont like the Swedes, but the rest will probably welcome the Swedes back, especially considering the recent anarchy.

I hadn't envisioned such large Swedish gains in Russia - might have to give it a second thought.
Also I have to look up Potemkin. You just never knows what starting a TL will bring to light.

 

[arctic warrior]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1766[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As former Polish King Stanislav Leszcynski dies his abode, the Duchy of Lorraine and Bar goes to France.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Stamp Tax is abolished by the British government following merchants complaints of the tax damaging the trade with the colonies.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Swedish preparations for war heavily subsidized by France is concluded and as the rulers of Russia is generally unknown or rather change so often as not to make themselves known to the rulers of Europe no declaration of war is issued. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Swedish army commanded by General Augustin Ehrensvärd march into Old Finland and Kexholm's Len. As the Swedish troops entered Russia King Adolf Frederick is declared heir to the Russian throne being the cousin of the deposed Karl Peter Ulrich. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The war is initially a walkover for the Swedes crossing Kymmenä Elv and rapidly advancing to Vyborg. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Only then did the Russian defences stiffen as the Streshnev's toured Ivan 6. around St. Petersburg to make peoples realize the threat to Russia and managed to have the Assembly of the Land agree to mobilizing some army units to defend the city. A large number of enthusiastic citizens volunteered for armed service to defend St. Petersburg, Russia and the Tsar. In said order.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Guards regiments were immediately dispatched to check the Swedish advance.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Swedes managed to force the Russians back at severe losses and was only halted when approaching Zelenogorsk on the Karelian Isthmus' Finnish Gulf coast where the hastily assembled forces had prepared a defensive position. As usual the Russians excelled in numbers and artillery; some Guards units had been placed behind the front-line to ensure that every warm body stayed facing the Swedes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Russian losses were horrendous but at the right time and moment reinforcements arrived tipping the scales in favour of the Russians. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The sudden though resistance surprised the Swedish troops and the seemingly inexhaustible Russian supply of fresh troops to replace those already dead or dying as well as strong Russian artillery had a devastating effect upon Swedish morale. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Having been hastily marching towards St. Petersburg no adequate fall back lines had been prepared and the Swedes were thrown back to Vyborg.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The saving throw of the Swedish army in Finland was the landing by the Swedish coastal fleet of the main army at Narva cutting off Estonia from Russia. As the Russians feared this to be a pincer movement to encircle St. Petersburg and lacking any reserves the Stresnev's hurriedly made peace ceding Kexholm's Len and Vyborg. Then talks broke down and Sweden de facto kept Estonia.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]War had been won and was duly celebrated in Sweden, but the government knew it had been a close run thing. And settled down for carving out Livonia. Control of the Baltic Duchies and their grain produce would be a boost to Swedish trade with Britain and the United Provinces.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And Ingria could be taken some other day.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The carving out of Livonia proved to be a tricky adventure as Poles, Lithuanians, Saxons, Russians and Livonians all shared an interest here.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Battling back and forth the Swedes became engulfed in their obsession to regain former glory – and lands.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Dagö and Ösel is occupied by Swedish troops ferried across the Finn Bay by the Galley Fleet.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sweden does protest the meddling of Saxons in Livonia but find no support in Bernstorff who is more than pleased in the Swedes being bogged down.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A Danish-Norwegian naval squadron visit Windau in Courland and is greeted by the Duke Carl. After several days of visits and parades and lots of toasts the squadron enters the Bay of Riga. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The squadron pays a visit to the Swedish troops besieging Pernau in Livonia; much to the consternation of the Swedish general who doesn't know how to deal with the situation. After a few toasts the squadron leave the Bay of Riga and heads south east for Danish waters.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Taking advantage of the Swedish invasion as well as internal disturbances the Ottomans invade Ukraine and place the Zaporogian Cossacks under their rule.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Stresnev's had weathered the initial onslaught from the west but they realized that another might spell their downfall and moved Ivan 6. to Novgorod. For the time being the Strasnev's however was neutralized in the ongoing Russian struggles for control of land and power as all their resources had to be allocated to watch the Swedes.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Quartering Act requiring the Colonies to provide barracks and supplies for the British troops stationed on “their” soil is rejected by New York.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Anglo-Mysore War in India. The war continues till 1769.[/FONT]

 

[arctic warrior]

Looked up Potemkin - sorry to say he was killed trying to resist the arrest of Catherine during the 1762 round up of her coup attempt.

 

[von Adler]

The Russian artillery advanced? The Swedish light artillery was among the most adanced of the time - with marching poles, allowing them to redeploy without limbering, and with the muzzle still towards the enemy, shortening the time and effort considerably. Add geschwind-shots, preloaded cartridges allowing the 3pdr regimental guns to shoot 3-4 times as fast as a musketeer could - imagine those with grape shots and shrapnel shells against ranks and ranks of Russian pike-armed Opolocheyne militia.

That is, if the army can bring them with them, and if Chydenius can keep them supplied with horses, powder and keep the permanently employed skilled artillerists paid.

I see the Russians still have something resembling a state, or rather, several. They're doing well to keep the guard and the artillery paid during these times.

 

[arctic warrior]

The Russian artillery advanced? The Swedish light artillery was among the most adanced of the time - with marching poles, allowing them to redeploy without limbering, and with the muzzle still towards the enemy, shortening the time and effort considerably. Add geschwind-shots, preloaded cartridges allowing the 3pdr regimental guns to shoot 3-4 times as fast as a musketeer could - imagine those with grape shots and shrapnel shells against ranks and ranks of Russian pike-armed Opolocheyne militia.

That is, if the army can bring them with them, and if Chydenius can keep them supplied with horses, powder and keep the permanently employed skilled artillerists paid.

I see the Russians still have something resembling a state, or rather, several. They're doing well to keep the guard and the artillery paid during these times.

Not advanced Russian artillery but well supplied with it - having the Cronstat at hand. And the Stresnev's have kept the guards to guard the Tsar Ivan 6. Because of his long captivity a much less able "ruler" than Christian (7) but a figurehead.

Russia is fallen apart in several Princely states with one headed by Ivan another by one of his siblings and still others with false Pauls, independent Cossacs etc.

 

[arctic warrior]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1767 The Grand Tour[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Prince Christian of Denmark-Norway is sent on the Grand Tour of Europe. This is felt by the court and government to be a way of getting rid of his strange behaviour and he actually seems to better during the Tour. The Tour would centre on places of learning, industry and particular or peculiar institutions (lone children's' asylums etc.) as well as theatres, concerts, official dinners, troop revues and visiting royal relations. Nothing has changed in 300 years![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]On the journey a Doctor Struensee, Town Physicus of Altona is able to get the attention of the Prince and follow his entourage to Germany, the United Provinces, England and France, meeting in Paris the philosophers of enlightenment Jean le Rond d'Alembert, Claude Adrien Helvetius, Denis Diderot and Paul Henri Thiry d'Holbach who was to have a profound influence on Doctor Struensee.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Upon arrival in Copenhagen Struensee is taken into the service of the court as the personal Doctor or physicus of the Prince. (OTL happened 1768 Christian being King)[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At Copenhagen Struensee submits the Prince to his regime of physical exercises which serves to slightly better the condition of the Prince's mental illness. At least during time of exercises the Prince doesn't indulge in his pastimes of drinking and whoring and he is only in the company of his medicus.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Struensee discover that the Prince is much more relaxed or at least less prone to his strange and violent behaviour when away from court and tries to get him out of “house” as much as possible.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But Struensee also find time for publishing a magazine “On advancement of science, arts, taste and vices” that he had also done during his living in Altona. Now however his writings was inspired by the philosophers of enlightenment and cautiously he advocated their ideas. But also advances in medicine was a field of Struensee's; midwife work, pox inoculation and precautions against dysentery.[/FONT]

 

[mattep74]

And this timeline has joined with others in the "Scandinavians kick but" alliance.

How soon we see a timeline based on swedish victories in Empire?

 

[arctic warrior]

And this timeline has joined with others in the "Scandinavians kick but" alliance.

How soon we see a timeline based on swedish victories in Empire?

Well we all have a desire to "wank" our country at some degree.
I'm only exploring a window of opportunity.

Swedish victories? I'll already provided some - but for the Empire... someone else have to step in!

 

[arctic warrior]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]War in the East[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Pernau falls to the besieging Swedes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Another Swedish army moved towards Riga but is rebuffed by a Polish force acting on its own.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A few weeks later the Swedes reappear this time thwarting the Poles and laying siege to Riga.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]To secure the communications with Riga the Danish-Norwegian navy occupies the small island of Ruhnu in Riga Bay; much to the annoying of the Swedes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Danes claim Ruhnu hasn't been awarded either party and its being situated in the Bay of Riga and neither claimed nor occupied by the Swedes have left it for the taking.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Riga is another nut to crack than Pernau and after only 2 months siege the gates is opened but only to let a Danish garrison enter. The commander of Riga was frightened at the prospect of letting the Swedes into the city for fear of plunder and had secretly opened negotiations with the Danish commander at Ruhnu. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Swedish commander is furious but to no avail. The Danes cite the treaty of 1764 regarding Riga and have only entered to secure the rights of Danish merchants as stipulated.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Danish contingent remains in place for a few crucial days and then retreats allowing the Swedes to enter the city. Life returns to normal in Riga.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A small Danish contingent of Jägers land on the southern side of the Dvina setting up a port for merchants going to Riga.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Swedish government protest the Danish actions at Riga but are rebuffed by Bernstorff who argue that Denmark-Norway only protects its rights by treaty in the area.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The reforms of the Norwegian army is carried through speedily to show Danish resolve. And the forts on the Swedish border receive more captured Russian artillery.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Having the Swedes on the doorstep was too convincing for Duke Carl and he asked Bernstorff for closer cooperation. With the fluid situation in Livonia and commanders acting on their own as in the Riga case Bernstorff felt compelled to enter negotiations.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Bernstorff didn't mind a preventive war on Sweden but he preferred the current situation and would always try negotiating a crisis.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania would co-sign the treaty dividing the eastern European territories in a Danish and a Swedish sphere of interest along the river Dvina. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Duke Carl was apprehensive as to what would become of Poland but Bernstorff assured him in a separate Danish-Polish addendum that Denmark-Norway had no territorial claims in Poland-Lithuania but wanted the Swedes held to the treaty. Any violations of the secret clauses would be negotiated between the signatories.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]This was better than nothing Duke Carl reasoned; with a hostile Prussia, ailing Emperor and a completely unreliable thrown into anarchy Russia this seemed the lesser evil. Fighting the Polish-Lithuanian nobility on his own was certainly no easy task.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Streshnev's have their rallying point Tsar Ivan 6. marry Anna Streshneva to secure influence as well as succession.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ivan is close to imbecile due to his being imprisoned almost all of his life and only just able to write his own name and read the bible. Marriage is conducted by proxy on Ivan's part.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Being suddenly placed close to Anna however makes for something to stir in Ivan and for a short while he is able to function somewhat better. At least as to make Anna pregnant but then losing interest in her once again.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Anna then live in seclusion until giving birth the following year.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Townsend Act signed for North America putting tax on lead, paint, glass, paper and tea as an indirect means of taxation. It still creates an outrage in the colonies.[/FONT]

 

[Redbeard]

Interesting development in the Baltic.

It is my impression, that once the Baltic areas (i.e. the area between East Prussia and St. Petersburg) in OTL became firmly engulfed in Russia, they became the sleepy backyard of a big estate not that well managed anyway.

That was in contrast to the times when Hansa, the Teutonic Order and/or Kingdoms across the Baltic had ensured a lively trade across and out of the Baltic. This ATL of course has me sense some kind of return of these times. Imagine what a couple of centuries of prosperous trade etc. will do for the Baltic area (and Scandinavia) by 20th century! I guess some areas in USA and Canada will be short of Scandinavians too, they will settle in the Baltic instead.

Regards

Steffen Redbeard

 

[arctic warrior]

My interpretation of the Baltic in a Scandinavian context is that it was regarded as an important area of trade and agriculture.
The lack of population surplus of course limited the Medival Danish impact on the southern shore possessions but this TL will bring some early improvements in Denmark-Norway population wise.
As I understand the Swedes were somewhat better off in this respect and the prospect of a better life on the other side of the Baltic might change the Swedish migration pattern away from the US to Estonia and Livonia and ?

Being a regional exporter of grain to the United Provinces and Britain (as well as other produce) they do have an importance at least during the age of sail.

 

[arctic warrior]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1768 Royal marriage and war looming ahead[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The marriage of 19 year old Prince Christian of Denmark-Norway to Sophia Albertina; just turned 15. The prince is still a regular guest of dubious establishments of Copenhagen and Sophia Albertina set out to change this behaviour. Her success is limited but she is able to keep him from the worst of excesses by establishing a home to them both and keep him there. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The continued government of Bernstorff, Schimmelmann and Saint-Germain help keep the prince in check. Also his fathers continued rule help in this respect and even more so his mother. As his father is still alive the Prince isn't required to spend all his time at court where he feels the most vulnerable.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Another ally is the Doctor Struense, acquaintance of Saint-Germain who the Prince had met during his tour in Altona close to Hamburg and now attached to the Prince as leading physicus.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Aided by the Doctor Sophia Albertina is able to get a country house for the young royal couple outside Copenhagen where she works on keeping the Prince as much as possible.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The only real protest uttered by the Prince is regarding the beauty or lack of it in Sophia Albertina; he is much better used to his beautiful mistresses among these “Boot-Catherine”. But his father instructs him to do his duty to King, kin and country. Which he grumpily does.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And his mother Queen Juliana Marie have “Boot-Catherine” kicked out of court.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]France buys Corsica of Genoa who was never able to bestow peace and order on the unruly Corsicans.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Frederick Augustus 1. Elector of Saxony, King of Poland-Lithuania come of age and take up ruling his countries in person.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The immediate test is by Frederick 2 of Prussia who demand Frederick Augustus cede Royal Prussia.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Frederick Augustus turned to the Emperor Joseph 2. to ask support but Frederick 2. already had put up a scheme for beginning the partitioning of Poland-Lithuania. And Joseph wasn't uninterested in said scheme as he would be gaining Galizia.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Realizing he was in the squeeze Frederick Augustus tried to rally supporters in the Empire. His wife's relatives in the Palatinate were somewhat in a quandry; of course they would support him in the Reich but in war![/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sweden was more than occupied in Livonia; but the prospect of carving out Courland or other parts of the Polish-Lithuanian Empire was sorely tempting. The Danish-Norwegian attitude left nothing to be misunderstood though! Hands off to anything south of the Dvina. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Bernstorff had the armies of both kingdoms and the navy mobilized to make his point.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Britain was soaked up in assessing Parliament's rights in taxing the colonials but Denmark-Norway might be persuaded to join in. As it was able to put the economic squeeze on the Prussians this looked a promising ally.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But the real ally proved to be France; ever anxious of a strong Germany the united action of Prussia and Austria had a frightening potential to any French ruler.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Bernstorff was ready to enter negotiations but only to give naval aid by blocking German ports to Prussian ships and deploy an army into Mecklenburg in a defensive position. Even Saint-Germain didn't want to take on the Prussians head-on. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The resources used to keep the Swedes in check would dictate this. Among these resources was the detachment of a naval squadron to Norway to ensure communications – just in case the Swedes got any silly ideas.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Getting French backup things suddenly looked quite good for Frederick Augustus and he felt ready to say no to Frederick 2.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The French alliance proved to be a bonus as it played the Palatinate into the alliance and lots of livres also made for Denmark-Norway mobilizing army and navy. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The navy to act in blockading German ports and the army to march into Mecklenburg to pose a flank threat to Frederick 2. But Bernstorff insisted on only moving into neutral Mecklenburg in the event of Prussian aggression. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And still the Swedes had to be checked.[/FONT]

 

[mattep74]

Intressting, we might have another european war in 1770ths at the same time as the American colonies rebells.

If France is embroiled in a european war no help for Washington and thus no USA

 

[arctic warrior]

Intressting, we might have another european war in 1770ths at the same time as the American colonies rebells.

If France is embroiled in a european war no help for Washington and thus no USA

You are close, though things are going to spell out a wee bit differently!
There is going to be no Armed Neutrality League led by Russia though...

 

[von Adler]

Under Chydenius and von Lastinghausen, Sweden will probably sit quietly and try to consilidate their gains. Perhaps they'll go for Far Karelia and Kola to make sure they have a buffer for Finland. Both are smart men, they know Russia will be back sooner or later, and they know Sweden is dangerously over-extended right now. Regaining parts of Finland and arranging those parts into indelningsverket will slightly increase the size of the Swedish army, and the tolls from Riga and the grain from Estonia and Livonia will, together with Chydenius' reforms, revitalise the Swedish economy.

Sveaborg might be cancelled under these circumstances, it will be smarter to invest in Viborg or Reval as the base of the Archipelago Navy.

I am guessing Augustin Ehrensvärd has made sure there are some galleys in Ladoga by now, extracting toll from all shipping there.

Sweden is still dangerously over-extended now, and need to quickly gain recognition and establish a permanent presence in Estonia and Livonia. Chydenius, Ehrensvärd and von Lastinghausen are not going to do anything to challenge Denmark-Norway, as it could cause the newfound Swedish position to fall like a house of cards.

The people of Estonia and Livonia probably remember the last Swedish rule with fondness - Sweden ended serfdom, reduced the power of the nobility, allowed printing and schooling in Estonian and Latvian and upheld the law for commoner and nobility alike - the commoners have been freed from serfdom again (as the Russians re-introduced it) and will be enthusiastic. Any nobility (balt-baronen and new Russian) will be less than thrilled, of course.

We'll probably see von Lastinghausen and Ehrensvärd trying to improve the Swedish position for the day when Russia re-emerges (this is a temporary times of trouble, and Sweden will most likely be one fo the first targets when those torubles are over) and Chydenius working his arse off doing economical and agricultural reforms.

 

[arctic warrior]

@vonAdler
This is my pretence in general - will consider the going for Far Karelia and Kola, have some design on the latter.

I am working on how to get Swedish gains recognized as well as Danish-Norwegian. Have an idea but just need the right inspiration on how to do it.
Something about those bloody colonials and a Bavarian Duke.

 

[arctic warrior]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Second War of Polish succession[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As expected the Prussian reaction was by arms. The Prussians moved into Saxony brushing resistance aside.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the Danish blockade was cautious not to trouble any British-Hanover ships but all Prussian ones were taken as prizes to Danish or Norwegian port. Even if only an initial minor impediment for the Prussians as trade was redirected to ships of other nationalities the action did annoy Frederick 2. as to send and army to kick the Danes out of the Reich.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But then the French showed their hand by invading Italy going for Austrian possessions and another French army moved into the Palatinate and continued east towards Saxony.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Frederick 2. decided for redeployment of his army moving the bulk south again and sending a minor detachment into Mecklenburg.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the Prussians advanced Saint-Germain once again deployed in a defensive position in the lake-land. His new almost entirely national Danish army was ready; its officers veterans of the Seven Years War and the battles of Warnau. It had been reorganized to much more infantry, much less cavalry and much more artillery; it was ready for the test.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And the test was passed once again in the lake-land where Danish massed artillery tore holes in the Prussian ranks and stopped the advance. The massive fire power of the Danish army were a chock to the Prussian's used to defeat any foe even if outnumbered.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As Saint-Germain's new model army fought its first successful battle the French and Austrians clashed in North Italy. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Being reinforced by Spanish and Two Sicilies troops the French defeat of the Austrians were an almost sure thing and the Austians were pushed into the Veneto.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In Central Germany the French also pushed the Austrians back and only the belated arrival of the Prussians made it possible for the Austrians to extricate themselves.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Because of the fighting in Italy the French decide to quickly finish off the Corsicans and the army is told to ruthlessly get rid of any obstacle. Because of this a certain lawyer and politician Carlos Buonoparte is regarded as such an obstacle and is duly killed.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Meanwhile in Poland the polish nobility called their men to arms as Prussians and Austrians invaded their lands of Royal Prussia and Galizia. Soon the losses in the east started to mount.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]If French allying to Saxony was a boost it also served to limit the funds going to Sweden. Financing a war in Russia was now of little interest as fighting Prussia and Austria was much higher on the French priority and subsidiaries for Sweden were cut back to only pay for the sustaining of a Swedish army in Pomern to keep Prussian forces in Prussia![/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Tsarina Anna gives birth to a daughter; Anna.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Tsarina is pushed to try to encourage Ivan to produce a son, but he has lost interest in Anna.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Boston and New York cease imports from Britain with Philadelphia joining up.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]James Cook circumnavigate New Zealand.[/FONT]

 

[AuroraBorealis]

hah...no little Corporal...quite satisfying

but you know all that means is someone else gets to be first Consul... assuming of course that France still gets its revolution of course... but hey who says it has to be as bad and terrifying as OTL.

 

[arctic warrior]

but you know all that means is someone else gets to be first Consul... assuming of course that France still gets its revolution of course... but hey who says it has to be as bad and terrifying as OTL.

Somebody yes, but not the Corsican!
And I don't see how to avert the revolution. But I do see change in the revolutionary wars.

Any take on other first Consul will be very much appreaciated.

 

[arctic warrior]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1769 Year of joy![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The first son is delivered by Sophia Albertina. To be named Frederick Adolf. The days spent at the country house pays off.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Swedish government draws a breath of relief! By now the marriage is going to last and the 1765 treaty will be honoured by both parties.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Recovering following birth Sophia Albertina talks the Prince into going to England to visit Bath. Doctor Struensee of course accompany his patient.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At Bath the royal couple is far away from the influences and demands at court. They take part in the easy life attending banquets and visit Frederick William Hershel and buy one of his telescopes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Returning from Bath Sophia Albertina talks Struensee into building a bath just outside Copenhagen called Fredericksberg where an underground source is detected.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Having secured her position at court Sophia Albertina on the return of the royal couple from Bath have “Boot-Catherine” kicked out of Copenhagen and deported to Oldenburg. In this action she finds an unexpected ally in the Queen Juliana Marie.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sophia Albertina also discover the author of “On advancement of science, arts, taste and vices” and inquire Doctor Struensee of his enlightenment ideas. She promise her support of his writings but only if he is going to acknowledge women substantial rights within society. This is quite unexpected and Struensee is in fact kept as a political instrument of the Princess.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]With the succession secure Prince Frederick, younger son of King Frederick 5., is sent off to Norway to take up practical studies of Government as aide to Landgrave Carl.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the French money dried out the Hats would rely on the economic abilities of Anders Chydenius who actually managed to make ends meet even if extravagance were something of the past. But his reforms made for better distribution of income and for the state to meet the needs of areas in need. [/FONT]