Which state existing before 1900 would you like to lead?

From what I remember growing up, Benin was the greater power in the area with the areas around and that would become Lagos being under its control. Also since this is after Europeans discovering the Americas the highly lauded walls have already been established around the city itself. With that in the city would be a number of 'professional' units (mostly the King's and Queen Mother's guard).
 
Another one:

Be Mustafa II(1695-1703) or just replace him. Either turn the War against the Holy League and save whatever I can. Zenta for example could have been avoided. If Transylvania can be saved it would be just right.
 
Realistically though, I would take the opportunity to become a pre-1000 Irish king and attempt to unify the island under my boot. With the support of the church end the kingship of the lower kings (what Brian was trying to do) and become the sole King in and of Ireland and reform the base military system which is fine but could use some work. I don't even need to nerf England though weak England is better England.
 
Realistically though, I would take the opportunity to become a pre-1000 Irish king and attempt to unify the island under my boot. With the support of the church end the kingship of the lower kings (what Brian was trying to do) and become the sole King in and of Ireland and reform the base military system which is fine but could use some work. I don't even need to nerf England though weak England is better England.

And then, oust the Vikings :D

Seems nice though.
 

apollo11

Banned
-- The establishment of elementary schools for all citizens in every city and town. The most talented would we sent on to receive further education (either in a particular craft school, or at a proto-university). At the very least, the entire population should be literate.
Would such a pre-industrial empire even have the resources for such an endeavor?
 
That depends on the period, like @Benevolence said:

Antiquity: The Phoenicians, though managing the Athenian empire would be satisfying as well. China post-unification is interesting, but I wouldn't have enough knowledge to do it.

Early middle-age: The Visigoths, for sure. I'd love to see them survive. The abbasids and Ethiopia are very promising too.

Late middle-ages: The Byzantine empire. Maybe Venice and Majapahit.

Early Modern Period: Portugal. Any other options are invalid.

Late Modern Period: Austria.

Post 1800/industrial era: France or Spain. So much potential with these two...

Edit: Minor auto-corrector corrections, sorry.
 

TruthfulPanda

Gone Fishin'
Oh, there are quite a few that tempt me.
Poland (various eras), Russia (18th/19th cent.), England/UK (various eras), Netherlands (post 1815), Portugal (various eras), Vandals (c.440AD onward), Austria (after 1848 or 1878), USA WWII ...
 
Reconstruction America, trying to make the racial aspects of reconstruction a success and preserving the economically progressive streak in the Republican Party.
 
Not technically a state, but I would really love the challenge of running the Illuminati. Adam Weishaupt was not great, annoying his greatest allies (including Knigge who was far more competent) and super authoritarian. Keeping Knigge on board, Moving in on Charles Theodore whilst he was still liberal (as with Knigge, aristocrats had started to join the order) and moderating the message to be less obviously anti-catholic would do wonders to keeping the movement alive.

The reason I include it, is I would love the challenge of actually making the Illuminati in some part similar to the conspiracy theory nuts beliefs in it. A shadowy supernational organisation that by the modern era does indeed have it's hand in controlling states XD
 
Anywhere that’s quiet will let me do what I want and have no rebellions. Unfortunately such a place probably doesn’t exist so as a substitute to that Bonnie Prince Charlie and trying really hard to f*ck it up.
 

Skallagrim

Banned
Would such a pre-industrial empire even have the resources for such an endeavor?

Well, I'm not talking about modern-day standards of education here. Nor would it be set up overnight. But teaching a person to read and write, at least on some basic level, cannot be so difficult. Some very basic education for all citizens should be something any empire can achieve. Any further education would only be made available to a much smaller number (at least for a considerable time).

The sheer impact of having a largely literate population makes up for any investment many times over. Consider how much easier the transfer of vital knowledge becomes!
 
The First Mexican Empire

Like, almost half the things needed to avoid it collapsing are already done by simply not being Iturbide. The rest should be doable. At the very least, I am confident enough to avoid clashing much with Congress and its supporters to not have a Casa Mata plan pulled against me.
 

oberdada

Gone Fishin'
Prussia after Friedrich the Great.

Modernise, industrialise, spend a bit less on the army and don't fuck with the French.

And maybe keep 1792 borders with Poland, the last division was too much.
 
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