If your governing party is business friendly (e.g. laissez-faire or interventionism or state capitalism but not with planned economy), the capitalists will invest in projects like railroads and factories.
Victoria II
- Thread starter Tellus
- Start date
As it is still very early in the Game how long will I have to Wait before One of the Indian Princely States tries to Revolt against me?
Does anybody have any Advice for my Conquest List on my Earlier Comment?
At what Point in the Game should I consider changing this or do you suggest I stick with laissez-faire?
Does anybody have any Advice for my Conquest List on my Earlier Comment?
At what Point in the Game should I consider changing this or do you suggest I stick with laissez-faire?
Emperors of the Russian Empire (1825-1936)
This is a write-up of a very fun campaign I've just completed as the Russians - I know there is a lot to read, but as I took notes all the way through I've just decided to post it here. From the get-go I wanted Russia to challenge the British in India and become predominantly an Asian power. That didn't quite happen, as ultimately the French took control of Korea and the Japanese remained quite stifled until rather late in the game. However, Russia was easily number 1 in all categories by the end of the campaign. By doing a little historical RP as I went along I kept up interest and I'd really recommend it if you find that you struggle to get through a full campaign. One of the most interesting features was the fact that Germany never formed - primarily because neither the NGF or the SGF managed to gain superiority throughout almost the entire playthrough, and secondarily because Russia eventually occupied the Prussian states as far west as Danzig. The British coup, although more common, was a nice touch. The world map is attached. I have a few more close-ups of the situation in Europe and Asia if anybody is interested.
1825-1850: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Nicholas I
The reign of Nicholas I would prove highly-significant for the Russian Empire. Having repressed Polish nationalism by revoking the independence of Congress Poland, Nicholas focused upon further actions against separatists in the Caucasus. At the Thessalian Crisis in 1841 Nicholas did not favour the Greeks, but did throw Russia against the Ottomans in the First Austro-Russian-Turkish War (1841-1842). Russia took Dobrudja, permanently ending Turkish 'great power' status. With the Ottomans temporarily pacified Nicholas turned east, and defeated both Khiva and Kokand in the First Central Asian War. Turkmenia and Akmolinsk were incorporated into the Empire after the fall of the city of Samarkand. Nicholas supported Vienna in the First Brothers' War in the Germanies after the British chose to support Berlin; while the Prussians were massacred on land (especially at the Battle of Suwalki), much of the Russian Baltic Fleet was decimated by the British. Nevertheless, by October 1845 the Prussians were being decisively defeated, and Berlin itself fell on Christmas Day. At the Treaty of Danzig the Russians demanded the restoration of the status quo, throwing a major setback to Prussian hopes of German unification. (Part of the terms also led to the Russians overlooking the Austrian annexation of Krakow in 1847, with both Empires keen to continue the repression against the Poles). In 1848 Nicholas offered only moral support to the Austrians as they quelled the Hungarian Uprising, as the outbreak of the Mongolian War meant many Russian troops were in the east fighting the Qing. Mongolia was brought under Russian control as a puppet state, but Nicholas took ill shortly after the news of the Chinese surrender reached the imperial capital in St. Petersburg. With the Emperor fighting his illness for the best part of a year the reactionaries took control of the State Council, but he died in 1850 - leaving the throne to his more liberal second son.
1850-1858: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Constantine II
Constantine came to the throne due to the earlier assassination of his brother Alexander, and hence had liberal ideas in the hope of encouraging political reform all across the Empire. He established a 'westernizing' majority in the State Council, and pushed for the abolition of serfdom; it actually came rather quickly in 1851. Constantine was less keen to intervene in foreign affairs than his father, and sought to prevent a wider conflagration as Prussia and Austria clashed over Holstein; in this aim he was unsuccessful, and as the conflict mushroomed into the Second Brothers' War Russia defeated the Prussians once again at the bloody Battle of Bromberg in June 1852. The entire war lasted less than a year, but the Prussians proved unable to cope. Forced to disarm, the Prussian sphere in Northern Germany began to fragment. Constantine was forced to turn his attentions quickly to the south, as the Ottomans launched an invasion to recover their territories in Dobrudja. However, with Russian troops stationed in the Caucasus the Empire was able to launch a two-pronged attack as the poorly-prepared Turks. As such, the Second Austro-Russian-Turkish War (1841-1842) was a decisive victory for the Russians, and the Ottomans were crippled for a second time. Constantine tried to focus more on the uncivilized east rather than embroiling Russia in wars against major industrialized powers; the First Peking Convention in 1853 brought Outer Manchuria into Russia control (with the Qing enveloped in political turmoil), and also established the Kurils and Sakhalin as Russian de-jure territory.
1850-1891: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Nicholas II
Nicholas was the younger brother of Constantine, although he had not expected to take the throne. A young militarist, he immediately endorsed those seeking a 'panslavic' tradition and started a massive armaments programme. This was especially necessary after the collapse of the Prussian government in 1858, and major fortification works began in Poland and along the European and Asian borders of southern Russia. The new Emperor had an aggressive foreign policy - while he supported the unification of the Romanian states in 1858, he then sponsored a coup against the government to bring the nation under the control of a pro-Russian government. He brought Korea into the Russian sphere in 1860 (although it nominally remained a Chinese puppet), and further risked war with the Qing by supporting an independent Kashgaria at the Second Peking Convention in 1860. With the first self-identifying 'populists' hoping to gain further political influence, Nicholas strengthened the panslavic faction by enthusiastically launching the First Balkan War in 1861. Hoping to emulate his father Nicholas I by successful military campaigns, Nicholas sought to march south to personally lead his armies against the Turks. Instead, he was forced to remain at court during the massive 1861-1862 Liberal Uprising. By the end of 1862, however, both the Ottomans and the rebels were defeated; Greece and Montenegro received major territorial concessions from their former overlords, and the island of Cyprus declared independence (with Russian support) shortly afterwards. The Sikhs were conquered after the Russo-Lahore War in 1863, and for the first time Russian territory in the Hindu Kush and the western Himalayas directly bordered the British in India (Amritsar). After the British responded by encouraging a pro-British Greek government to take charge in Athens, Nicholas personally ordered further pressure on their territories in India. Sindh was puppeted in 1865, Kalat in 1866, and Makran was annexed. The Great Game was truly in play.
The unification of Japan under the Shogunate in 1867 quickly led to an alliance with Russia, and established Russo-Nipponese co-operation in the Orient. Russia was granted major trade concessions across the Home Islands, and the Empire became well-established in the Japanese economy.
With autocracy consolidated and the armed forces recovering from the November Uprising, Nicholas began the Second Balkan War against the Ottomans in July 1870 - just as Russian explorers discovered the source of the Nile. The Battle of Kirklareli was a costly Russian victory, primarily due to mistakes made by Nicholas in his personal command of the army. Bulgaria was liberated, leaving only small regions of fractious Ottoman control in Europe. The Serbs used the weakness of the Turks to capture the remainder of their claimed territory in 1871, leaving only Albania under control of Istanbul. Nicholas also invaded Turkey for a second time in 1872, and seized reparations by force after the bankruptcy of the Ottoman state. The Russians deliberately withdrew their forces from Kashgaria shortly afterwards, prompting the Qing to launch an invasion to reclaim their frontier west; the Russians did this in a ploy to justify their intentions in Outer Manchuria. Peking fell in 1873, and while the Unequal Treaty returned captured Manchurian territories to the Qing two Treaty Ports (Port Arthur and Jiaxing) were ceded to the Russians. (Kashgaria also was allowed to return to Chinese control).
As Nicholas continued to strengthen his personal role at the head of the state and empowered reactionaries resisting westernization, he brought Russia into the Fourth Brothers' War as the commander-in-chief of the largest fighting force in Eurasia. The Prussians were absolutely crushed - sandwiched between the Austro-Russian Alliance and the French, who began the Franco-Prussian War as the Hapsburgs advanced northwards through Silesia. Prussia was forced to completely disarm and admit Austrian hegemony in many northern German states, and Spain (who had briefly supported Prussia) ceded part of the Philippines to Japan. The war partly triggered another 'liberal' revolt in 1876; this further persuaded many moderates to call for political reform, although the Emperor himself became increasingly reclusive and disinterested in domestic affairs - instead focusing upon his military campaigns and his many affairs. This inadvertently strengthened the role of the State Council, which would ultimately enable the creation of the State Duma several decades later.
The collapse of the NGF to a proletarian dictatorship in 1884 led to the formal restoration of the Austro-Russian Alliance, and the begrudging imperial acceptance to allow Austria to annex Upper Silesia. However, the Third Balkan War in November saw Istanbul captured within a month; the subsequent Treaty of Thrace liberated Albania - unifying the Balkans state within the Russian sphere - but also momentously gave the Russians control of the Straits and the city of Istanbul. The long-term Russian intent to control a formal warm-water port was complete, and led to mass celebrations all across the Empire. It was short-lived, however, as the Sixth Brothers' War (or the Second War of Prussian Partition) captured Westpreussen and led to the deaths of over 150,000 German troops within one week at the Battles of Skierniewice and Tuchel; the Germans were unable to sustain such losses, and capitulated in January 1888.
Nicholas became ill during 1889, and the majorities in the State Council continually jostled between the conservatives and the reactionaries. Nevertheless, Nicholas pledged to support Austria against the newly-formed South German Federation on his deathbed. Russia did so, although played only a small military role in the war due to his death in April 1891. Russia nevertheless secured the outcome by bringing in her French and Balkan allies against the South Germans. The death of Nicholas brought the heights of autocracy to an end, as the subsequent reign of his son Nicholas III would implement the first trappings of Russian constitutionalism.
1891-1929: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Nicholas III
Nicholas III, while sympathetic to the autocratic cause, was a pragmatist. He did not believe that absolute autocracy was sustainable in Russia, and correctly predicted the continuing intensification of revolts and independence movements. Although the economy was now significantly industrialized, he promoted an infrastructure plan to held take the Empire through the minor recession of the early-1890s. He also signed Russia up to the Geneva Convention, limiting the ways in which the modern arsenals of the European powers could be used in war. His first major test for his new 'enlightened autocracy' came in 1892, when he generously partitioned the island of Sakhalin between the Empire and the Shogunate, establishing dual-power sovereignty over the island. This further pushed Japan and Russia together, and resulted in strong relations even into the next century.
Then came the Turkish Intervention in 1893; when the Sultan looked likely to be toppled during a massive uprising in Ankara, Russian troops reinforced that of the Ottomans against the rebellion. The Sultan essentially became a Russian puppet as a means to protect his regime from the discontented Turkish populace. (Libya broke away and was uncontested by either Russia or the Turks). Ironically, the Sultan now became a loyal supporter of the Russian mastery in Eastern Europe - abandoning the Turkish role as a traditional enemy to Romanov ambitions. Emboldened by the Intervention, Nicholas formed an extensive European coalition (the Continental Powers) to remove the 'Arbeiterpartei' dictatorship in the NGF; the Prussian Intervention was devastating for North Germany, as almost all of the country was occupied and her industrial economy - starved of materials - completely collapsed. Despite a major Polish rebellion in March 1895, the Treaty of Berlin restored the German monarchy and once again forced major reparation payments from the NGF. Although the country briefly fell from being a 'great power' it rapidly recovered. Nevertheless, the payments gave the Empire enough financial security to enable to charter the National Bank in 1896. A brief war with the Qing in 1897 was nevertheless devastating for the weak Chinese state, and a second Unequal Treaty handed over the port of Qingdao to the Russians. Tibet was also liberated from Chinese control. The Empire celebrated their victories in the 1900 Empire Exhibition, which showcased everything from her military and technological innovations, sporting prowess, and cultural artifacts from the ethnic majorities and minorities that formed the bulk of the Russian population.
The formation of the State Parliament in 1906 marked the official end of Russian absolutism, although the Duma itself was elected by a highly-limited franchise and could do little in practice to truly take on the autocratic strength of the Emperor. Semi-constitutionalism was nevertheless well-received by the Russian people, and Nicholas III pushed for a Kadet victory in the first election. When the Socialist Revolutionary Party took a majority of the vote, however, the Establishment reacted with horror. Nicholas did not want to dissolve the Parliament outright, but instead called another election to reverse the result. Riots followed, and Nicholas sought to ease the trouble by widening the franchise. Having done so, however, the SRP was returned with a larger majority. The explosion of a large collide at Tunguska in January 1908 only seemed to accentuate the political crisis shaking the Empire. Nicholas accepted the result, but privately intrigued against the SRP. The decision of the latter to declare the Manifesto on Unshakable Democracy irrelevant to modern Russian policy, and saw their dismissal. The Kadets were restored to lead the government, and oversaw the peaceful independence of Galicia-Lodomeria from the Danubian Federation.
Despite the Kadets being elevated to lead the government, they collaborated with the socialist majority in the Duma to push for domestic reforms. A formal school system was established in 1910 (despite literacy now resting at 93%), primarily as a means to facilitate further assimilation efforts in Central Asia. Russia hosted the Third Olympiad in 1910, coinciding with her emergence as the third-largest economy (behind France and Britain). Russia invaded the Qing once more in April 1911, after it was rumoured the French sought to spread out into Manchuria from their strongholds in Korea. The SRP withdrew their 'good-intentioned co-operation' with the Kadets, and in the 1912 elections the Socialists secured a majority. This was unacceptable to Nicholas, and he dismissed them - but this time the Kadets declared they would refuse to serve as well unless new elections were called. Domestic unrest hit the streets of the Empire, but the outbreak of the Great War in 1912 saw the Duma briefly dissolved and autocracy restored.
The struggles to implement democratic representation in Russia defined the final years of the reign of Nicholas III, but posthumously he is well-supported among Russian leftists for his final acceptance of SRP governance. The Duma awarded him several parliamentary medals upon his death in 1929 - his successor would not be so lucky.
1929-1931: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Peter IV
Peter IV, as the second son of Nicholas II, had not expected to take the throne. Indeed, rather like his father he was largely uninterested in political affairs - instead he dabbled with occultism and mysticism, and alienated many of his courtiers very quickly due to his distracted behaviour and lack of common sense. While the SRP had grown accustomed to the pragmatism of his predecessor, they struggled to find any common ground with the 'black family' of the Emperor and his wife. The feeling was mutual; Peter dissolved the Duma, believing that socialism was the work of black magic. However, Peter would not last long on the throne. He survived his brother by only a little over two years, dying a slow death in the middle of January 1931. Many conspiracy theories rose up around his demise, with some speculating his assassination. Nevertheless, while Peter had been a great reactionary his incredibly short reign did not enable too much damage to be made against Russian constitutionalism. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Roman.
1931-1936: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Roman I
By the beginning of the 1930s the Russian Empire had emerged as the world-leader in everything - from military size and innovation, to industrial advancements and medical treatments, the export of high-tech weaponry and airplanes, to the creation to synthetic fibers from oil. Roman had every intention of ensuring that the Empire continued to go from strength to strength. Fortunately, the first years of his rule were quiet. The Russian sphere remained loyal, and many of her client states were undergoing industrial revolutions of their own. Roman proudly supported the constitutionalism of the Empire, and after the State Parliament gave him permission he became the first foreign leader to congratulate the Hungarians upon their secession from Romania in Transylvania. It was clear that the Danubian Federation and other European states were beginning their decline, but as female suffrage passed almost unanimously through the Duma in late-1936 it was clear that another Russian century was just beginning.
This is a write-up of a very fun campaign I've just completed as the Russians - I know there is a lot to read, but as I took notes all the way through I've just decided to post it here. From the get-go I wanted Russia to challenge the British in India and become predominantly an Asian power. That didn't quite happen, as ultimately the French took control of Korea and the Japanese remained quite stifled until rather late in the game. However, Russia was easily number 1 in all categories by the end of the campaign. By doing a little historical RP as I went along I kept up interest and I'd really recommend it if you find that you struggle to get through a full campaign. One of the most interesting features was the fact that Germany never formed - primarily because neither the NGF or the SGF managed to gain superiority throughout almost the entire playthrough, and secondarily because Russia eventually occupied the Prussian states as far west as Danzig. The British coup, although more common, was a nice touch. The world map is attached. I have a few more close-ups of the situation in Europe and Asia if anybody is interested.
---
1825-1850: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Nicholas I
The reign of Nicholas I would prove highly-significant for the Russian Empire. Having repressed Polish nationalism by revoking the independence of Congress Poland, Nicholas focused upon further actions against separatists in the Caucasus. At the Thessalian Crisis in 1841 Nicholas did not favour the Greeks, but did throw Russia against the Ottomans in the First Austro-Russian-Turkish War (1841-1842). Russia took Dobrudja, permanently ending Turkish 'great power' status. With the Ottomans temporarily pacified Nicholas turned east, and defeated both Khiva and Kokand in the First Central Asian War. Turkmenia and Akmolinsk were incorporated into the Empire after the fall of the city of Samarkand. Nicholas supported Vienna in the First Brothers' War in the Germanies after the British chose to support Berlin; while the Prussians were massacred on land (especially at the Battle of Suwalki), much of the Russian Baltic Fleet was decimated by the British. Nevertheless, by October 1845 the Prussians were being decisively defeated, and Berlin itself fell on Christmas Day. At the Treaty of Danzig the Russians demanded the restoration of the status quo, throwing a major setback to Prussian hopes of German unification. (Part of the terms also led to the Russians overlooking the Austrian annexation of Krakow in 1847, with both Empires keen to continue the repression against the Poles). In 1848 Nicholas offered only moral support to the Austrians as they quelled the Hungarian Uprising, as the outbreak of the Mongolian War meant many Russian troops were in the east fighting the Qing. Mongolia was brought under Russian control as a puppet state, but Nicholas took ill shortly after the news of the Chinese surrender reached the imperial capital in St. Petersburg. With the Emperor fighting his illness for the best part of a year the reactionaries took control of the State Council, but he died in 1850 - leaving the throne to his more liberal second son.
1850-1858: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Constantine II
Constantine came to the throne due to the earlier assassination of his brother Alexander, and hence had liberal ideas in the hope of encouraging political reform all across the Empire. He established a 'westernizing' majority in the State Council, and pushed for the abolition of serfdom; it actually came rather quickly in 1851. Constantine was less keen to intervene in foreign affairs than his father, and sought to prevent a wider conflagration as Prussia and Austria clashed over Holstein; in this aim he was unsuccessful, and as the conflict mushroomed into the Second Brothers' War Russia defeated the Prussians once again at the bloody Battle of Bromberg in June 1852. The entire war lasted less than a year, but the Prussians proved unable to cope. Forced to disarm, the Prussian sphere in Northern Germany began to fragment. Constantine was forced to turn his attentions quickly to the south, as the Ottomans launched an invasion to recover their territories in Dobrudja. However, with Russian troops stationed in the Caucasus the Empire was able to launch a two-pronged attack as the poorly-prepared Turks. As such, the Second Austro-Russian-Turkish War (1841-1842) was a decisive victory for the Russians, and the Ottomans were crippled for a second time. Constantine tried to focus more on the uncivilized east rather than embroiling Russia in wars against major industrialized powers; the First Peking Convention in 1853 brought Outer Manchuria into Russia control (with the Qing enveloped in political turmoil), and also established the Kurils and Sakhalin as Russian de-jure territory.
The Westminster Coup in 1854 saw a new Tory movement seize control of the British Parliament, and place Queen Victoria under house arrest at Buckingham Palace. While their reactionary government would only briefly dictate imperial policy (with Parliamentary sovereignty restored in 1856), it did much to damage the British economy and the prestige of the British Empire. Nevertheless, the brief restoration of autocracy in Britain galvanized many conservatives in Russia who hoped to see the restoration of other unconstitutional monarchies across Europe.
Constantine strongly supported the independence of Silesia in 1854 in the hope of pushing Russian foreign policy away from the quarrels of the Germanies and towards France. (Indeed, Silesia emerged under French protection and would only come under Russian control in 1878). The Second Central Asian War conquered Bukkhara, and established absolute Russian control in Central Asia - proposals to encourage cultural assimilation and 'Russification' were enthusiastically supported by the Emperor, who liberally sought to include all of the imperial minorities peoples as 'Russians' in the body politic. When the Third Brothers' War broke out in 1856 Russia refused to formally support the Austrians militarily, but did give major financial assistance to the Hapsburgs; the war itself ended in a tentative stalemate. At the Brussels Conference of 1857 many powers met to debate the major geopolitical issues of the day - most notably the Balkans, where Russia forced the Ottomans (with British and French support) to hand over Thessalia to the developing Greek state. However, by the end of the Conference it was clear that the Emperor was in poor health. He died, quite unexpectedly, shortly afterwards, and consequently the push for more political liberalization in Russia came to an abrupt end.
1850-1891: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Nicholas II
Nicholas was the younger brother of Constantine, although he had not expected to take the throne. A young militarist, he immediately endorsed those seeking a 'panslavic' tradition and started a massive armaments programme. This was especially necessary after the collapse of the Prussian government in 1858, and major fortification works began in Poland and along the European and Asian borders of southern Russia. The new Emperor had an aggressive foreign policy - while he supported the unification of the Romanian states in 1858, he then sponsored a coup against the government to bring the nation under the control of a pro-Russian government. He brought Korea into the Russian sphere in 1860 (although it nominally remained a Chinese puppet), and further risked war with the Qing by supporting an independent Kashgaria at the Second Peking Convention in 1860. With the first self-identifying 'populists' hoping to gain further political influence, Nicholas strengthened the panslavic faction by enthusiastically launching the First Balkan War in 1861. Hoping to emulate his father Nicholas I by successful military campaigns, Nicholas sought to march south to personally lead his armies against the Turks. Instead, he was forced to remain at court during the massive 1861-1862 Liberal Uprising. By the end of 1862, however, both the Ottomans and the rebels were defeated; Greece and Montenegro received major territorial concessions from their former overlords, and the island of Cyprus declared independence (with Russian support) shortly afterwards. The Sikhs were conquered after the Russo-Lahore War in 1863, and for the first time Russian territory in the Hindu Kush and the western Himalayas directly bordered the British in India (Amritsar). After the British responded by encouraging a pro-British Greek government to take charge in Athens, Nicholas personally ordered further pressure on their territories in India. Sindh was puppeted in 1865, Kalat in 1866, and Makran was annexed. The Great Game was truly in play.
The bankruptcy of the United States and several other western powers in the late-1860s was the result of an economic depression that primarily swept through Europe, primarily as a result of the political instability in Britain, Prussia and Austria. While the semi-constitutionalism of the Prussian state was briefly reinstalled in 1866 it was once again revoked by the new Prussian Emperor, leading to continued war-scares in Central Europe. Due to the largely-undeveloped nature of the Russian economy the Empire was spared many of the financial troubles of her European rivals, although the treasury itself remained precariously balanced between high taxation and hefty import tariffs.
The Greek Revolution in October 1866 could not be tolerated by the Russians, and Nicholas responded harshly. Imperial troops landed at Euboea and Dedegatch, and moved quickly to restore Russian control before the British could intervene. It was the final attempt at a truly independent Greek state, and it was utterly crushed; Greece subsequently became one of the most loyal Russian allies in Eastern Europe. Similarly, the hostility of the Russian-installed Afghan government led to the pacification of rebellion and direct annexation in 1868. The November Uprising later that year, however, was the largest national action against autocracy in Russian history; it took several years to be defeated in entirety, and caused chaos within the armed forces as minority regiments rebelled.
The unification of Japan under the Shogunate in 1867 quickly led to an alliance with Russia, and established Russo-Nipponese co-operation in the Orient. Russia was granted major trade concessions across the Home Islands, and the Empire became well-established in the Japanese economy.
With autocracy consolidated and the armed forces recovering from the November Uprising, Nicholas began the Second Balkan War against the Ottomans in July 1870 - just as Russian explorers discovered the source of the Nile. The Battle of Kirklareli was a costly Russian victory, primarily due to mistakes made by Nicholas in his personal command of the army. Bulgaria was liberated, leaving only small regions of fractious Ottoman control in Europe. The Serbs used the weakness of the Turks to capture the remainder of their claimed territory in 1871, leaving only Albania under control of Istanbul. Nicholas also invaded Turkey for a second time in 1872, and seized reparations by force after the bankruptcy of the Ottoman state. The Russians deliberately withdrew their forces from Kashgaria shortly afterwards, prompting the Qing to launch an invasion to reclaim their frontier west; the Russians did this in a ploy to justify their intentions in Outer Manchuria. Peking fell in 1873, and while the Unequal Treaty returned captured Manchurian territories to the Qing two Treaty Ports (Port Arthur and Jiaxing) were ceded to the Russians. (Kashgaria also was allowed to return to Chinese control).
As Nicholas continued to strengthen his personal role at the head of the state and empowered reactionaries resisting westernization, he brought Russia into the Fourth Brothers' War as the commander-in-chief of the largest fighting force in Eurasia. The Prussians were absolutely crushed - sandwiched between the Austro-Russian Alliance and the French, who began the Franco-Prussian War as the Hapsburgs advanced northwards through Silesia. Prussia was forced to completely disarm and admit Austrian hegemony in many northern German states, and Spain (who had briefly supported Prussia) ceded part of the Philippines to Japan. The war partly triggered another 'liberal' revolt in 1876; this further persuaded many moderates to call for political reform, although the Emperor himself became increasingly reclusive and disinterested in domestic affairs - instead focusing upon his military campaigns and his many affairs. This inadvertently strengthened the role of the State Council, which would ultimately enable the creation of the State Duma several decades later.
The late-1870s were tumultuous for Europe, as the Irish Civil War ended in Home Rule and Spain became a democracy after the assassination of King Leopold. Indian nationalism continued to plague the British in India while the Silesians shrugged off the French. However, the Great Prussian Revolution in November defenestrated the Hohenzollern monarchy and became a socialist-run democracy - becoming a rogue state almost overnight. Russian foreign policy shifted to contain the 'anarchic tendencies of democratic states' and to promote monarchism. The 1880 Vienna Conference began the 'Scramble for Africa', and also formalized the unification of Italy under the House of Savoy at long last.
The 'Manifesto on Unshaken Autocracy' was published by the Emperor shortly after the Vienna Conference in 1880, which declared that Russia would oppose socialism and democracy within her 'sphere of interest' - by force if necessary. It consequently invaded Prussia in the Fifth Brothers' War (or the First War of Prussian Partition), and occupied Ostpreussen. Following the end of the war and annexation of the state German nationalist agitation would become a serious problem for the Russian Army. The exasperated Prussian government emerged as the North German Federation in 1883, but was quickly overcome by a string of domestic crises. Nicholas also supported the Pacific Expedition (1880-1890), that would establish a strong Russian presence across the scattered islands of the Pacific - Fiji was annexed in 1882. 1883 saw Russian literacy reach 55% - a remarkable achievement - although much improvement was linked with the rapid acceleration of Russian industrial growth and a strong government commitment to pushing support for autocracy through education.
The collapse of the NGF to a proletarian dictatorship in 1884 led to the formal restoration of the Austro-Russian Alliance, and the begrudging imperial acceptance to allow Austria to annex Upper Silesia. However, the Third Balkan War in November saw Istanbul captured within a month; the subsequent Treaty of Thrace liberated Albania - unifying the Balkans state within the Russian sphere - but also momentously gave the Russians control of the Straits and the city of Istanbul. The long-term Russian intent to control a formal warm-water port was complete, and led to mass celebrations all across the Empire. It was short-lived, however, as the Sixth Brothers' War (or the Second War of Prussian Partition) captured Westpreussen and led to the deaths of over 150,000 German troops within one week at the Battles of Skierniewice and Tuchel; the Germans were unable to sustain such losses, and capitulated in January 1888.
Nicholas became ill during 1889, and the majorities in the State Council continually jostled between the conservatives and the reactionaries. Nevertheless, Nicholas pledged to support Austria against the newly-formed South German Federation on his deathbed. Russia did so, although played only a small military role in the war due to his death in April 1891. Russia nevertheless secured the outcome by bringing in her French and Balkan allies against the South Germans. The death of Nicholas brought the heights of autocracy to an end, as the subsequent reign of his son Nicholas III would implement the first trappings of Russian constitutionalism.
1891-1929: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Nicholas III
Nicholas III, while sympathetic to the autocratic cause, was a pragmatist. He did not believe that absolute autocracy was sustainable in Russia, and correctly predicted the continuing intensification of revolts and independence movements. Although the economy was now significantly industrialized, he promoted an infrastructure plan to held take the Empire through the minor recession of the early-1890s. He also signed Russia up to the Geneva Convention, limiting the ways in which the modern arsenals of the European powers could be used in war. His first major test for his new 'enlightened autocracy' came in 1892, when he generously partitioned the island of Sakhalin between the Empire and the Shogunate, establishing dual-power sovereignty over the island. This further pushed Japan and Russia together, and resulted in strong relations even into the next century.
Then came the Turkish Intervention in 1893; when the Sultan looked likely to be toppled during a massive uprising in Ankara, Russian troops reinforced that of the Ottomans against the rebellion. The Sultan essentially became a Russian puppet as a means to protect his regime from the discontented Turkish populace. (Libya broke away and was uncontested by either Russia or the Turks). Ironically, the Sultan now became a loyal supporter of the Russian mastery in Eastern Europe - abandoning the Turkish role as a traditional enemy to Romanov ambitions. Emboldened by the Intervention, Nicholas formed an extensive European coalition (the Continental Powers) to remove the 'Arbeiterpartei' dictatorship in the NGF; the Prussian Intervention was devastating for North Germany, as almost all of the country was occupied and her industrial economy - starved of materials - completely collapsed. Despite a major Polish rebellion in March 1895, the Treaty of Berlin restored the German monarchy and once again forced major reparation payments from the NGF. Although the country briefly fell from being a 'great power' it rapidly recovered. Nevertheless, the payments gave the Empire enough financial security to enable to charter the National Bank in 1896. A brief war with the Qing in 1897 was nevertheless devastating for the weak Chinese state, and a second Unequal Treaty handed over the port of Qingdao to the Russians. Tibet was also liberated from Chinese control. The Empire celebrated their victories in the 1900 Empire Exhibition, which showcased everything from her military and technological innovations, sporting prowess, and cultural artifacts from the ethnic majorities and minorities that formed the bulk of the Russian population.
After the restoration of monarchism in the North German Federation, the Austrians took major efforts to bring political and cultural reform to their own empire. The Danubian Federation was formed in 1900, bringing in the Hungarians and other Slavic peoples of the Hapsburg south directly into the political decision-making processes of the state. It remained a Russian ally, and some of the modernizing trends continued to make their way into the minds of those in the State Council.
The Continental Powers moved against the upstart leftist regime in Italy at the beginning of 1902, hoping to prevent the latter from taking control of the Tirol from the Danubians. It was an easy victory, and further pushed the alliance together as a means of controlling the peace in Europe. Unfortunately, this was not to last; the Seventh Brothers' War pitched Vienna against the South German Federation once again; the Continental Powers, now minus the SGF, supported the Danubians in the hope of settling the 'German Problem' once and for all. Knowing that the war would consume a significant portion of the imperial military, Nicholas asked members of the Constitutional Democratic Movement (Kadets) to draft up plans for a constitution, hoping to dissuade domestic violence while the country remained at war. The SGF was defeated in June 1905, with Vienna becoming hegemon of South Germany while the NGF - as a grateful non-participant - was permitted to annex troublesome Silesia. (It annexed Hanover shortly afterwards following the success of the Hanoverian unionist movement).
The formation of the State Parliament in 1906 marked the official end of Russian absolutism, although the Duma itself was elected by a highly-limited franchise and could do little in practice to truly take on the autocratic strength of the Emperor. Semi-constitutionalism was nevertheless well-received by the Russian people, and Nicholas III pushed for a Kadet victory in the first election. When the Socialist Revolutionary Party took a majority of the vote, however, the Establishment reacted with horror. Nicholas did not want to dissolve the Parliament outright, but instead called another election to reverse the result. Riots followed, and Nicholas sought to ease the trouble by widening the franchise. Having done so, however, the SRP was returned with a larger majority. The explosion of a large collide at Tunguska in January 1908 only seemed to accentuate the political crisis shaking the Empire. Nicholas accepted the result, but privately intrigued against the SRP. The decision of the latter to declare the Manifesto on Unshakable Democracy irrelevant to modern Russian policy, and saw their dismissal. The Kadets were restored to lead the government, and oversaw the peaceful independence of Galicia-Lodomeria from the Danubian Federation.
Despite the Kadets being elevated to lead the government, they collaborated with the socialist majority in the Duma to push for domestic reforms. A formal school system was established in 1910 (despite literacy now resting at 93%), primarily as a means to facilitate further assimilation efforts in Central Asia. Russia hosted the Third Olympiad in 1910, coinciding with her emergence as the third-largest economy (behind France and Britain). Russia invaded the Qing once more in April 1911, after it was rumoured the French sought to spread out into Manchuria from their strongholds in Korea. The SRP withdrew their 'good-intentioned co-operation' with the Kadets, and in the 1912 elections the Socialists secured a majority. This was unacceptable to Nicholas, and he dismissed them - but this time the Kadets declared they would refuse to serve as well unless new elections were called. Domestic unrest hit the streets of the Empire, but the outbreak of the Great War in 1912 saw the Duma briefly dissolved and autocracy restored.
The Great War was, in fact, no greater than many other of the conflicts that had struck Europe throughout the last century. However, it was significant as it was essentially the War of German Unification - as the NGF and Britain sought to finally crush the South and establish a united German Empire as a counterweight to French and Russian hegemony in Western and Eastern Europe respectively. The Continental Powers became involved after the North attacked the Danubians simultaneously as a means to weaken the economic links of the South; throughout July Russian troops poured into British India during the Mughalistan Campaigns, and pushed westwards to try and capture Berlin. In August the Ottomans occupied Palestine, with Russian support, and empowered the Egyptians to rebel against their British overlords. The war last eight months, but at the Treaty of Magdeburg the British and NGF capitulated. Russia took control of Northwestern India, abolishing the British Raj. Britain would never truly recover, and was neutered as a truly global power. Many of her Commonwealth possessions would sought independence in the aftermath, and by the 1920s the Empire was largely focused upon her African holdings. Astonishingly the NGF would once again recover quickly, and given their defacto annexation of the SGF had resulted in a unified Germany there was a consensus to permit the unification as a means of ending the endless cyclical pattern of German wars. (The NGF remained the official term for the German state).
The State Parliament was restored in 1916 under Kadet control, but after the implementation of the 'universal vote' in December the SRP once again formed a government. The Kadets had actually won a majority for the first time, securing 50% of the vote, but were unable to secure socialist support after a series of embezzlement scandals. Russia was transformed into a constitutional monarchy, but the first truly-representative democracy came in August 1918 with the introduction of secret ballots. At the insistence of the Duma, Nicholas formed his 1919 State Council by taking the factional proportions in the Lower House; after it had been proven that the SRP were committed to democratic and non-revolutionary activity, the Emperor became much more supportive of the actions taken in the Duma. He waited for parliamentary approval before engaging in another Continental Power-led intervention in Italy, removing the proletarian dictatorship, and took several SRP figures to the Imperial Summit with the Danubians in February 1920.
The struggles to implement democratic representation in Russia defined the final years of the reign of Nicholas III, but posthumously he is well-supported among Russian leftists for his final acceptance of SRP governance. The Duma awarded him several parliamentary medals upon his death in 1929 - his successor would not be so lucky.
1929-1931: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Peter IV
Peter IV, as the second son of Nicholas II, had not expected to take the throne. Indeed, rather like his father he was largely uninterested in political affairs - instead he dabbled with occultism and mysticism, and alienated many of his courtiers very quickly due to his distracted behaviour and lack of common sense. While the SRP had grown accustomed to the pragmatism of his predecessor, they struggled to find any common ground with the 'black family' of the Emperor and his wife. The feeling was mutual; Peter dissolved the Duma, believing that socialism was the work of black magic. However, Peter would not last long on the throne. He survived his brother by only a little over two years, dying a slow death in the middle of January 1931. Many conspiracy theories rose up around his demise, with some speculating his assassination. Nevertheless, while Peter had been a great reactionary his incredibly short reign did not enable too much damage to be made against Russian constitutionalism. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Roman.
1931-1936: (Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov) Roman I
By the beginning of the 1930s the Russian Empire had emerged as the world-leader in everything - from military size and innovation, to industrial advancements and medical treatments, the export of high-tech weaponry and airplanes, to the creation to synthetic fibers from oil. Roman had every intention of ensuring that the Empire continued to go from strength to strength. Fortunately, the first years of his rule were quiet. The Russian sphere remained loyal, and many of her client states were undergoing industrial revolutions of their own. Roman proudly supported the constitutionalism of the Empire, and after the State Parliament gave him permission he became the first foreign leader to congratulate the Hungarians upon their secession from Romania in Transylvania. It was clear that the Danubian Federation and other European states were beginning their decline, but as female suffrage passed almost unanimously through the Duma in late-1936 it was clear that another Russian century was just beginning.
Attachments
Almost being the operative word. And the Romania/Hungary situation is pretty horrible in Transylvania. As is Argentina/Paraguay. And the colonial holdings in China. Eesh.
I'm in a pickle.
I'm downloading the Divergences of Darkness mod, and it's taking a long time.
It says the estimated time it'll take is anywhere from 4-12 hours.
Deleting old files only slows it down.
Help?
I'm downloading the Divergences of Darkness mod, and it's taking a long time.
It says the estimated time it'll take is anywhere from 4-12 hours.
Deleting old files only slows it down.
Help?
Wow, this is very Detailed and Interesting! I may do the same upon Completing my UK and CSA Games in which I am Hoping for a Communist Uprising at some Point.
Anybody got any Ideas for Playing as the Chinese or any other Uncivilised Nations? I'd also greatly Appreciate Hints for my UK and CSA Games when I start it.
Koprulu Mustafa Pasha
Gone Fishin'
Victoria II... a really really really nice game. But some stuff bothered me...
- Serbia, Tunisia, Hedjaz and Egypt aren't an Ottoman vassal in 1836 although they were. No Otto cores in Egypt, Crete at least.
- Netherlands could never get a core on Flanders after the Treaty of London although there were some ideas to unite Flanders with the Dutch nation.
- Spain losing Great Power Status before 1845 to... wait for it... BELGIUM?!!! No wait, maybe someone else... BAVARIA?!! Why for God sakes?
- Britain invades useless Tibet and Xinjang to colonise Kazachstan.
- Everybody hates Morocco, for six countries minimum. This includes, the Netherlands (after losing Gelderland), USA. Algeria to weak to defend against Portugal although they almost defeated the French
- Denmark loses Jylland. Quite possible in OTL but it lookes like cancer.
Pro's:
- really challenging as the Ottoman Empire, Spain and the good old Netherlands.
- If you fail at the first try like me, play as Britain and conquer the best parts of Asia. You. Never. Lose.
- Changing history
- Serbia, Tunisia, Hedjaz and Egypt aren't an Ottoman vassal in 1836 although they were. No Otto cores in Egypt, Crete at least.
- Netherlands could never get a core on Flanders after the Treaty of London although there were some ideas to unite Flanders with the Dutch nation.
- Spain losing Great Power Status before 1845 to... wait for it... BELGIUM?!!! No wait, maybe someone else... BAVARIA?!! Why for God sakes?
- Britain invades useless Tibet and Xinjang to colonise Kazachstan.
- Everybody hates Morocco, for six countries minimum. This includes, the Netherlands (after losing Gelderland), USA. Algeria to weak to defend against Portugal although they almost defeated the French
- Denmark loses Jylland. Quite possible in OTL but it lookes like cancer.
Pro's:
- really challenging as the Ottoman Empire, Spain and the good old Netherlands.
- If you fail at the first try like me, play as Britain and conquer the best parts of Asia. You. Never. Lose.
- Changing history
Victoria II... a really really really nice game. But some stuff bothered me...
- Serbia, Tunisia, Hedjaz and Egypt aren't an Ottoman vassal in 1836 although they were. No Otto cores in Egypt, Crete at least.
- Netherlands could never get a core on Flanders after the Treaty of London although there were some ideas to unite Flanders with the Dutch nation.
- Spain losing Great Power Status before 1845 to... wait for it... BELGIUM?!!! No wait, maybe someone else... BAVARIA?!! Why for God sakes?
- Britain invades useless Tibet and Xinjang to colonise Kazachstan.
- Everybody hates Morocco, for six countries minimum. This includes, the Netherlands (after losing Gelderland), USA. Algeria to weak to defend against Portugal although they almost defeated the French
- Denmark loses Jylland. Quite possible in OTL but it lookes like cancer.
Pro's:
- really challenging as the Ottoman Empire, Spain and the good old Netherlands.
- If you fail at the first try like me, play as Britain and conquer the best parts of Asia. You. Never. Lose.
- Changing history
Belgium does often come into being a GP in the early game, it often looks weird.
Most of the other issues can be modded by yourself or by others, with stuff like the Concert of Europe mod etc. Vicky 2 is very modable, so you can fix these things.
I will say most things leave Egypt independent due to lack of ability in Vicky 2 to represent an autonomous principality or one that is so unruly it behaves like this.
The eight great power slot is weird in general. I came close to reaching it as Cracow using cultural research once, which should give you an idea of how low the bar there is.
Wallonia was the first industrialized area of mainland Europe. But BritFranRusAusPru would never give Belgium a seat at the congres tables. I still think it is right gamewise. Otherwise you can't break in at the big boys table as a small country.
Koprulu Mustafa Pasha
Gone Fishin'
I guess so... but considering at the cost of bigger colonial empires, I wouldn't know... it seems weird to me. It would make sense to me if it what Sweden, Denmark, Portugal or even Sardinia.
They never make it as a GP until 1936 with the existence of Italy or the CSA.
I seem to remember them putting in a 'you can't actually become a great power without having at least two states' limitation at some point to make it... slightly more reasonable.
So I had an interesting Victoria 2 Great War scenario recently. Having played with the HFM mod, I ended up playing as a more imperialist USA who owned Cuba and various states in the Pacific and Caribbean as well as colonies the West Coast of Africa. During the playthrough I ended up fighting in the Great War alongside the UK, France, Germany, Romania, Persia, Venezuela, Egypt, Canada, India, Australia, Greece, Korea, Portugal, the Balkans, and Brazil against Russia, a Westernized China, Japan, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Spain, Norway, Mexico, Chile, Ireland, Ottoman Empire, and Columbia.
While my side eventually won, it took 8 years of fighting. It was pretty epic though.
While my side eventually won, it took 8 years of fighting. It was pretty epic though.
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I haven't played Victoria II in a while, so here was a map I amde of a recent game.
This map is based off a game of Victoria II I played several months ago. I tried to play a fair game, and only used a few cheats if I remember correctly. This scenario is not especially plausible, and that is because the game creates some odd situations. I have tried to get rid of the most implausible parts.
The Age of Jackson
This map is based off a game of Victoria II I played several months ago. I tried to play a fair game, and only used a few cheats if I remember correctly. This scenario is not especially plausible, and that is because the game creates some odd situations. I have tried to get rid of the most implausible parts.
- The United States remained under the rule of the Jacksonians in the Democratic Party until the 1860s. Opposition parties like the Whigs never managed to take the White House through that entire period and did not run candidates for the Presidency in a number of elections. In the late 1860s, an agrarian populist faction took power and ruled for twenty years, but was deposed in 1888 by a military-backed faction. Popular general Benjamin Clemens ruled as President and de facto dictator until 1921, when he died. Clemens’ successors (including his son, Lafayette) proved to be less competent and popular and the United States has faced several internal crises since then. The United States continued expanding throughout this entire period and has a much more imperialistic bent than OTL. Additionally, the comparatively larger number of wars has led to a more militarized society, one that is Anglophobic and Francophile.
- United States has a much more volatile domestic situation in this world. The Mormons fled to the northern Great Plains, and despite the efforts of the Protestant government to break their power and convert them, Mormons are still numerous. The South seceded and was defeated in a civil war that ended with the abolition of slavery in the late 1860s. Neo-secessionist thought still lingers throughout the south. A larger United States also provides more opportunities for various groups to be opposed to it. A number of former British subjects in the former maritime provinces and Oregon are staunchly opposed to their current status under the Stars and Stripes. Armed conflict is not exactly uncommon in this United States, and 1936 is no exception, as a Mormon revolt was quickly followed by risings in the south and the Oregon Territory. The army has utilized some new tactics, and has begun interning families of Mormon insurgents in camps until their husbands or sons give up arms.
- Britain had a worse 19th century ITTL. A stronger United States and France created more pressure on it that prevented colonization in Africa, while internal strife was also responsible for a lack of focus on external efforts. As part of the decline of British power, Ireland broke away in 1893, an inconclusive war was fought with the United States in 1908, and South Africa jumped ship just two years later. The 1910s saw the end of constitutional governance as a military junta backed by the capitalist class took power. Surprisingly, the junta still holds sway over Britain and a large swath of the world despite the loss of Oregon and Jamaica (amongst other places) to the United States in 1926. The Britain of today is an army with a nation. Its leadership is focused on one goal: to make Britannia’s enemies pay for what they have done to a once glorious empire.
- France is likely the premier power in 1936. While the United States may have a larger army and Britain more colonies, France is stable, peaceful, and has a booming economy. The Bourbons have long since been deposed, and the Bonapartes sit on the throne again, but are restricted by the bonds of a written constitution and functional Parliament. The French are continuously afraid, and for good reason, of the Prussians or British coming to seek revenge.
- Prussian ascendance in the 19th century continued unabated until the French and Russians decided they’d had enough and slapped Prussia back down in 1912. Prussia lost its pride, the Rhineland, and parts of East Prussia. An attempt to regain the respect of the German states in the form of attacking Austria a decade later backfired as the Austrians defeated the weakened Prussians and took Silesia as payment for their troubles. The Prussia of 1936 is a secondary power and an afterthought on the continent. Austria has used these victories to buy it some stability on the continent and even some colonies abroad. Some in France, historically an ally of Austria to counter Prussian expansion, have begun to fear the power of the Habsburgs and have even proposed reaching out to Russia in an attempt to counter Austria’s growing influence throughout Central Europe.
- Russia managed to modernize more successfully, which, coupled with some opportunities created by wars and weaker states on its borders, has allowed for a larger Russia with a series of satellite states along its borders. Granted, Finland broke off and autonomy was given to Lithuania and Poland after nationalist revolts in 1893.
- With the exception of a few small coastal areas, France is the undisputed master of West Africa. The French have allowed several African kingdoms to exist as protectorates, but most of French Africa is under direct rule. Liberia is slightly larger because of increased immigration from the United States, while Sierra Leone’s population has exploded in the last few decades from Anglophone Afro-Caribbean fleeing the United States’ new conquests.
- The United States and France signed the Brussels Understanding in 1898. The Understanding quite simply draws a line across the African continent, dividing it into two spheres of influence: French in the west and American in the east. This invisible division of the African continent is also known as the Hart-Dumont Line for the American Secretary of State and French Foreign Minister, respectively.
- A weaker British presence in South Africa led to stronger Boer states. The Boer states united shortly after the turn of the century into the American-inspired United States of Southern Africa (USSA). Ironically, the existence of the USSA has created trouble for the Boers, as the threat of invasion from beyond the Oranje River has driven the Cape Republic back into the British fold after just twenty-five years of independence. To the north, the Portuguese have managed to build a large African empire. The metropole has fully embraced a form of proto-Lusotropicalism, and the prevailing view is that the tropics are destined to be fully Portuguese. The relatively small number of colonists available has set any plans for full Portuguese domination of Africa back by decades. For economic reasons, Portugal has close ties to most European states and is more or less absent in continental politics.
- The Ottoman Empire began to break up much earlier but stabilized at a size larger than OTL Turkey. The stabilization, however, only took place after the overthrow of the six-hundred year-old House of Osman by redistributionist republicans. The staunchly nationalist and isolationist republican government has been engaged in massacres of Arabs, Slavs, and Armenians at home while retaining a low international profile. Of course, while the world at large isn’t too focused on what happens in Turkey, states on the Turkish border, including Serbia and Romania (along with Russia, the historic enemy of the Turks) are focused on the eventual defeat of Turkey and reestablishment of Constantinople as a Christian city. The Turks have more or less made peace with the loss of their southern territories – with one exception: Russia. The enmity seen in the Balkans is just as intense in the Middle East, as the Turks still dream of some day recovering the Russian conquests.
- Japan modernized but never became the regional hegemon it was IOTL partly because of a stronger Russia and a general unwillingness by alternate Japanese leaders to get too involved on the Asian continent. In recent years, there has been a move to flex Japans muscle, most noticeable in the recently-minted anti-European alliance with Siam. China has been unable to get out from under the European thumb and the Qing Dynasty is still propped up by the combined weight of the British, French, and Russian armies. There is no official estimate of the number of revolutionary groups in China, but there are monarchist, communist, republican, and regional secessionist groups alive and well if the graffiti and pamphlets can be believed.
- The United States has been much more active outside of North America ITTL. American colonies are governed much as European ones are though with more of an emphasis on settlement by whites.
- In response to opposition to Britain, the Americans and French have signed several treaties building them into a single bloc. Though the original Treaty of New York to protect against British aggression was intended as a one-off, the Franco-American relationship has blossomed since then.
- Britain and Russia are taking steps towards a closer relationship, but that is proving to be a slow process as old prejudices are hard to get rid of.
- Communism never really took off ITTL, and in its place is a form of agrarian populism. There are a few states, however, that follow more industrialized forms of communism like Scandinavia and Uruguay.
Koprulu Mustafa Pasha
Gone Fishin'
I'd once had a game as the Ottoman Empire. Staying as a Great Power is not that hard. Taking the Levant gives you a sh*t ton of prestige, keeping you safe from Spain. This was no issue until I hit the 1850s and my industry faced difficulties as I was behind Bavaria and Two Sicillies. The literacy didn't help with remaining less than 20% by 1860. Encouraging Clergy was sh*tty slow. And then there were recruitment problems which I solved by colonising half of Africa (Thank you Somalia...). Not that hard as I expected. The beginning gave me a headache. But by 1850, things go smoothly.
And then there was Spain... I don't know if I am horrible at playing it but I fell out of Great Power status by 1842. It is even more painful because it was Belgium who I lost it to. I tried to get colonies which didn't help (Brunei, Zulu, Zanzibar, Dai Nam...). France kept attacking Morocco until it had one region left or so which I did not bother with. Regardless, my industry was crappy. It either got bankrupt or didn't make profit at all. The USA somehow lowering the relationship (I don't know if it is possible but I have seen the relationship going down and I was no great power or so). And... "drum sounds"... Communist revolts in mainland Spain. God... Dammit... Easy to beat of course but every once in 10 years they came back. Frickin Commies.
I've also played as China. That was the best. As soon as Westernisation hits... BAM! Drive the British out of India. Fck yeah... And the great march to St. Petersburg (Which I never reached because attrition as well as war with the British.)
And then there was Spain... I don't know if I am horrible at playing it but I fell out of Great Power status by 1842. It is even more painful because it was Belgium who I lost it to. I tried to get colonies which didn't help (Brunei, Zulu, Zanzibar, Dai Nam...). France kept attacking Morocco until it had one region left or so which I did not bother with. Regardless, my industry was crappy. It either got bankrupt or didn't make profit at all. The USA somehow lowering the relationship (I don't know if it is possible but I have seen the relationship going down and I was no great power or so). And... "drum sounds"... Communist revolts in mainland Spain. God... Dammit... Easy to beat of course but every once in 10 years they came back. Frickin Commies.
I've also played as China. That was the best. As soon as Westernisation hits... BAM! Drive the British out of India. Fck yeah... And the great march to St. Petersburg (Which I never reached because attrition as well as war with the British.)
Koprulu Mustafa Pasha
Gone Fishin'
By the way, how can you let your literacy of 8,0% in 1836 rise to 25% by... let say 1860? Because for some reason my literacy is down to 20%. By the end of the game, I'm lucky to reach 50%...
You need to use your National Foci to promote Clergymen in all your provinces. Start with the most populous provinces and go down the list until all of them have 2% Clergymen.
At the same time improve your Education Efficiency with research and socialist reforms, and allocate available budget towards education.
There are a couple of easy ways to increase your literacy over time. 1. Is to increase your clergy pops. You can do this by encouraging clergy with your national focus, and also by fully funding your education budget. Note that unless you have a very even population spread it is worth focusing a few popululous provinces rather than getting everyone to exactly 2%
2. Is technology. The social thought technologies compound over time. More importantly, the biologism tech has an invention that increases your education efficiency by 50%.
That being said, if you plan on having a large colonial empire vis a vis your core country, your average literacy is a bit of a lost cause. A lot of the colonies in game have large pops with low literacy that you have to improve from scratch