Concert of Europe: Gameplay Thread

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty was deeply saddened upon hearing of Anne of Hanover's sudden and tragic demise. It was only for a brief period of time the United Provinces and the Sublime Porte were joined in a mutual military struggle, but he was always greatly impressed with her strong willed leadership.

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty takes some consolation upon learning the new Dutch government is committed to continue our just struggle.

[Lumine]

From Sanssouci:

On Anne of Hanover:
It is with great sadness that His Majesty the King has learned of the death of Anne of Hanover. We mourn the demise of such a popular, brilliant woman, who always fought for what was best for her son and for the Netherlands. Nothing will be able to replace the void she leaves behind, much as we wish the best of luck to the new regent. All Prussian flags will be a half-mast for a week, and we will mourn the death of Anne as if it was the death of His Majesty himself. May the Regent's memory never be forgotten.

On the Irish Rebellion:
It would seem there is very nearly nothing the King of France will not do, including fostering a violent revolt in the attempts to replacing the rightful monarch of Great Britain with a cowardly pretender. It seems it is on his agenda to fill Europe with puppet monarchs, as it seems clear from his moves regarding Ireland and Poland, and we strongly reject the ambitions of France to become the ruling power of Europe. However, we do not condone the actions of our friend and ally Great Britain. We ask His Majesty the King to reconsider his decision, and take conciliatory moves towards Catholics in Ireland once his rebellion is crushed. As fellow Enlightened Monarchs, we not never stoop to the level of France.

On Religion:
His Majesty the King is most distressed by the shameless, blatant manipulations of facts made by the King of France and the Pope, who in despair for their cause have resorted to the wretched attempt of turning the current conflict into a war of religion. Has Europe not suffered enough because of these wars? Has enough blood not been spilled in something we should have left behind? Are they willing to see Protestants and Catholics bleed each other out if it means that their cause receives a boost? Shame of them, His Majesty says.

The Kingdom of Prussia believes in religious tolerance, and we are not here to fight a war of religion. We are here to put an end to French and Austrian aggression. And so the King pledges to all the Princes of Germany, and all the Monarchs of Europe, that we will not fight a war of religion against Catholics. More to the point, religious tolerance is practiced in Prussia at this very moment, and that will continue to be the case in the future. We ask Europe not to buy into the frenzy of a war-crazed Pope and King, overtly desiring Europe to bleed itself apart for the sake of their victory.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It was King Louis' direct predecessor on the throne that revoked the Edict of Nantes and resumed the persecution of his Protestant subjects. King Louis did absolutely nothing to change that shameful state of affairs.

It is a well-known fact, on the other hand, that nothings prevents His Sacred and Imperial Majesty non-Muslim subjects to rise to the top on their own merit, including the very position of a Grand Vizier.

The Sublime Porte rejects classifying foreign countries as based solely on the majority religion. This very conflict proves there are enlightened and honorable Catholic princes like King Joseph and King Augustus, as well as base and treacherous villains in Louis the Impotent's vein.

[Wikipedia delenda est]

Statement from the Russian Empress concerning recent developments in Poland-Lithuania, the Ottoman Empire, and Ireland:

The Russian Empire is disappointed to see Poland-Lithuania declare war on France. France is one of our greatest allies, and it pains us to see another one of our former allies, Poland-Lithuania, go to war with them. I cannot understand why Poland-Lithuania has chosen to go to war with France while it is also at war with Prussia and her allies. Being at war with both sides, I fear, will simply leave Poland-Lithuania to be crushed between the two sides. Poland-Lithuania must make up its mind and decide which side it is on. However, despite the Polish declaration of war, the Russian Empire does not seek to go to war with Poland-Lithuania. We previously signed a non-aggression pact with Poland-Lithuania, and this pact shall remain in place. We will withdraw all troops from Poland, as the tyrant Augustus has insisted, even though we would've been happy to continue in the fight against the Sejm guerrillas. But if the King of Poland-Lithuania wishes to see the countryside of Poland ravaged by guerrillas, that is his choice.

On the subject of the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire is angered by their wanton aggression in declaring an unprovoked war on France. The rumors about France wanting to divide the Ottoman Empire up and invade were nonsense and were clearly so from the start. We are also appalled at the Ottomans' threat to the good Empress Elizabeth. Their stating that her head should be severed from her body by an executioner's axe is unconscionable. Additionally, they have declared the traitor Ivan IV as the rightful Emperor of Russia. It is thus, considering these circumstances, that the Russian Empire has decided to formally declare war on the Ottoman Empire.

The Russian Empire supports the Irish rebellion against the repressive tyranny of the British Empire. Although the Irish rebels are primarily Catholic, and myself and most of my subjects are primarily Eastern Orthodox, we believe that any internal rebellion against the British, who are allies of the despicable Prussians, deserves our support.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire is not at war with the Russian Empire. Only the rightful Emperor could declare the state of war, and we are at peace with His Imperial Majesty Ivan IV. This is but an empty sabre-rattling by an increasingly sinking usurper, who shall soon be deposed by the rightful monarch.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

All across Europe we are witnessing a worrisome trend of pretenders emerging and challenging the legitimate authority of rightful kings, anointed by God. All law-abiding nations should consider James Stuart and Stanisław Leszczyński public enemies, who must be delivered to the hands of justice in Britain and Poland respectively to suffer their just punishment.

[CMB222]

Statement from the King in Spain on the War:
The Kingdom of Spain will NOT at this moment be joining the war. We have seen conflicting sides of facts on both sides and do not think it is in our interests to choose a side but instead will try to be an instrument of peace in Europe. Both sides are going to be traded with and fighting in Spanish ports and territory will not be tolerated at all.

On New World colonization:
We will immediately be sending expeditions into California for the purpose of colonizing it.

On the Court of the King:
My stepmother, Elisabeth Farnese will have her voice heard by the king but she will not be given more than any other advisor to the King.

[Spamage]

News Part 1

War Spreads to Italy

With the Pope's proclamation, followed by the intense anti-Irish British sabre rattling, the War was bound to expand. Numerous factions have declared their intent to get involved in the conflict going forward, most in Italy. Francis I, the husband of Maria Theresa, announced Tuscany would be joining the conflict on the side of his wife. He was quickly followed by Sardinia-Piedmont, the House of Savoy deciding to join their Catholic counterparts across the continent and hoping to reassume their traditional role as generals for the House of Habsburg. Venice, who was reportedly going to join the pro-British faction, backed off when they heard the Ottomans had entered the war, continuing to hold their wait-and-see attitude.

Prussian and British efforts to reach out to other small, Protestant principalities were sucessful as well. Both Mecklenburg and Oldenburg decided to join the cause.

SECOND RISING IN POLAND, ARMY MUTINIES, AUGUSTUS III ARRESTED!

King August III's attempt to switch sides in the War of the Grand Coalition may have been in his best strategic interest, but it was difficult for the people of the Commonwealth to see it that way. Following news of the side-switching, coming just weeks after the loss of Gdansk and days before the Pope's proclamation, the people of Warsaw rioted. They had placed their trust in Augustus on a whim, but could not stand the idea of allying with the Ottomans and Prussians, two powers which had given Poland so much grief for so long. The military command was likewise furious, upset over the little warning and erratic change to their long-held plans, and so did nothing to quell the unrest despite Augustus' pleas.

These events in Warsaw coincided with the rapid growth in the strength of the Sejmists. Encouraged by the Pope's words, the Church (perhaps the most effective organization in the realm) rallied thousands to the Sejmist cause against the "King who aligns himself with heathens and heretics".
A mob of Polish citizens eventually stormed the residence of Augustus, flanked by members of the Royal Guard who quickly defected (angered by the abandoment of Saxony to the Prussians). The King was placed under arrest and imprisoned, being moved from Warsaw to Lublin. Simultaneously all of the nobles imprisoned and captured in the Father's War were freed by a repentant populace. Denouncing Augustus as a foreigner, they loudly welcomed the leaders of the Sejmist faction to Lublin in order to end the Civil War and bring peace to the Commonwealth. The entire Sejm converged in the important city (where the Commonwealth had first been established) to debate its future.

AUGUSTUS III TRIED AND EXECUTED

Following several months of imprisonment it was universally accepted in Poland that Augustus had to go. He had singlehandely attempted to overthrow the careful balance of powers in Polish-Lithuanian politics and this move had cost the lives of thousands. The King was first placed in wretched conditions, being deprived of food until he reluctantly (and with tears) agreed to abdicate the throne, signing a paper baring him and his descendants forever from holding the title. That was not enough for those who had lost family in the early stages of the war though, and widows of some of the soldiers loudly demanded a formal trial, storming a session of the Sejm in Lublin with their orphaned children in hand. The nobles and delegates, moved by sympathy and fear, agreed.
 
Despite the protestations of some, it was agreed to go through with the trial quickly. Augustus III was given a week to prepare a defense, with his lawyers primarily being volunteers, before the event began. He was placed before a panel consisting of members of several old, prominent noble houses. The King insisted the body had no right to try him, following the example of Charles I of England and refusing to issue a plea, but he was found unanimously guilty for the deaths of his subjects regardless. The penalty, after some deliberation before the entire Sejm, was agreed to be death.

Just two days later the former King was taken from his cell, having visibly lost weight and with a much gaunter appearance, and marched before a crowd. He lamented the results of his reign, apologizing for those he had harmed and comparing his failures to his father's sucesses. The Church, meanwhile, refused to offer him the final rites, leaving him worried for his soul. Augustus then kneeled, before being beheaded with only a single stroke, something widely considered a blessing. The reaction from abroad remains to be seen, though there was little sympathy from his son and heir to the Electorate of Saxony, Frederick Christian. He had been serving as regent in Saxony while his father had fought the Sejm and thus had faced the Prussian surprise attack. Needless to say, being in exile in Prague, he was outraged when his father had attempted to switch sides, knowing full-well his son was in the city of his would-be enemy.

Some are worried this has set a dangerous precedent, with monarchs throughout Europe now having to be worried about angry subjects. Others argue that the situation was unique to Augustus, who had illegally overstepped his constitutional authority, his choices leading to the deaths of thousands. Regardless, it is clear Poland-Lithuania is facing a time of great change.

Great Sejm of 1757: Reformation of the Commonwealth, August Aleksander Czartoryski Named King Alexander II

Seeking to put the bloody events of Augustus III's execution behind them, members of the Sejm then set about deliberating major changes to the structure of the Commonwealth's government. It was agreed by all members that the system from before the Civil War had been unsustainable. In order to prevent similar situations from arising, a wide range of reforms were instituted.

First, the Polish crown would no longer be elected (following the choice of the sucessor of Augustus III, of course). The Sejm agreed Poland was better off with a clear line of succession and executive leadership. Wary of the Crown after Augustus' agression though, it was also decided that the monarchy would be strictly guarded by constitutional rules. The Sejm would be the legislative body for the realm, passing legislation for the King to approve. Their former liberum veto would be given up, replaced with the power of the monarch to veto any legislation they found to be objectionable. The Sejm would be able to override this royal veto with a 2/3rds majority. The Sejm was also given control over taxation, the military, administration of the government, agreeing to treaties, and appointing judges. The King meanwhile, retained the right to veto legislation, conduct day-today foreign policy, appoint ambassadors, and appoint clergy.

In a direct repudiation of Augustus III and his father, it was also decreed that the King of Poland-Lithuania would be barred from holding or ruling any other realms. Any violators would forfeit their right to inherit the Crown.

With these reforms adopted, the Sejm sat down for (what they hoped to be) the last election of a Polish monarch. Rather than appointing Stanisław Leszczyński, the suggestion of France, the Sejm decided to go in a new direction, viewing their former King as a divisive relic of the past. Instead August Aleksander Czartoryski, a respectable Polish noble, was chosen by the majority and agreed to assume the limited title. He was quickly crowned, taking the name Alexander II of Poland instead of Augustus IV.

In his first speech to his new subjects, the King reaffirmed his commitment to the war, admantly taking a pro-Russian and Austrian position. He argued that Prussia had illegally assaulted the borders of the Commonwealth. The pro-Prussia faction in Poland was further tainted by their ties to Augustus III. Alexander II denied any agressive intent though, confirming he would make peace with the Prussians if they restored Poland's rightful territory, emphasizing Danzig in particular.

[Spamage]

News Part 2

"Russia for the Russians", Empress Elizabeth removes foreign artists and musicians from St. Petersburg

In a move clearly designed to placate those who have condemned her rule as foreign, Empress Elizabeth announced that henceforth she would only allow for Russians to serve at her Court. Foreign artists, primarily French and Italian, were politely told that she no longer required their services and their apartments have been quickly filled with native-born subjects. The Russian nobles have been pleased with this, as well as further outreach by the Empress to the Russian Orthodox Church, with Elizabeth formally meeting with the Patriarch of Moscow. Their loyalty was only further reinforced by the withdrawal from Poland.

Elizabeth's move has frustrated some among the reformist faction, who will dearly miss the French influence on their life in St. Petersburg, but the decision has received no widespread pushback. Could she foster a golden age of Russian art and culture?

A VERY PRUSSIAN COUP: COSSACKS REBEL, BACK IVAN VI!

While Elizabeth may have forged new friendships domestically with the nobility and the clergy, she failed to address the needs of some of her other subjects, who were all too willing to listen to the offers of Prussian agents encouraging them to back Ivan VI in return for numerous concessions. Thousands of Cossacks have risen up, demanding Elizabeth's abdication in favor of her predecessor. They've declared themselves friends of Britain, Prussia, and even the much loathed (in Russia) Ottomans. Though their quality of troops may be lower than the standardized forces of Europe, there can be no doubt this disadvantage could be easily overcome by superior numbers. Clearly the Russian peasantry is the target audience of their numerous pronouncements in the name of the absent Ivan VI, which include calls for the immediate end of serfdom and the breaking up of the vast estates of the Church and nobles.

The Cossack rebels have quickly gained land north of the Caspian Sea and around the Volga River. It is clear they have plans to march north, into the heart of the Empire, and perhaps liberate Moscow from her rule. Undoubtedly the city, long neglected, would be receptive to their message.

BATTLE OF SEVILLE! Spanish Neutrality at Risk?

Spain surprised many when Ferdinand VI declared that both sides would be welcome to trade in Spanish ports throughout the course of the War of the Grand Coalition. Such a position was initially praised as sound economic policy, but events would soon prove to be challenging. It is unclear how the scuffle began, but the crews of two Portuguese and French vessels ended up clashing in the harbor of Seville. More than a dozen men on both sides were injured, with the Portuguese ship being set ablaze by the victorious French sailors. Naturally, as the ruler of the port, the Spanish have been put in an uncomfortable position. The French sailors did in fact violate Spanish law by killing the Portuguese and there are calls to arrest and punish them. Could neutral trading put more Spanish ports, ships, and subjects at risk? There is great worry throughout the port cities of the Kingdom.

The Rape of the Netherlands

Following the French victory in the Second Battle of Brussels, chaos gripped the Netherlands. With the collapse of the Dutch war effort and the arrival of the large French armies, the people have largely been forced to deal with the invaders on their own terms. Reports have emerged of particularly brutal treatment of the Protestants in towns that have been captured, with the press in Amsterdam running stories covering the rapes, murders, and sacking of everything from villages to cities. With Arnhem lost, Amsterdam at risk, and the Dikes broken (causing untold economic damage), the people of the Dutch Republic are demanding an immediate exit to the war. The regent Marie Louise has taken notice and, not wanting to risk a Republican coup, has publicly stated her desire to come to a settled agreement with the French, offering Ceylon and perhaps some islands in the Dutch East Indies as compensation. Whether the French will accept, or Marie Louise will keep her title as regent, both remain to be seen.

Martyrs of Cork

King George II was furious about the new Jacobite Rising in Ireland and largely let his soldiers off their leash in the conflict. In Cork, where the British landed, there was widespread slaughter and execution of priests, the burning of schools with the children still inside, the rape of numerous women, and the overall slaughter of the inhabitants, who were branded as the "original traitors" for their roles in instigating the uprising. Pope Benedict XIV took action, immediately declaring the victims as the "Martyrs of Cork" and their following has greatly grown across France, Spain, and Austria throughout this period. The pretender James Stuart even decreed them and their descendants as the "most noble of his subjects", promising to avenge the horrific murders.

Such actions may have backfired on the British, for as word spread, so too did the strength of the rebels. Thousands of Irish Catholics have risen up with indignation over the idea that they may face a "convert or die" scenario, openly stating "death is sweeter than a thousand heretical baptisms".

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sublime Porte had been committed for almost 80 straight years now to maintain peaceful and mutually beneficial relations with the Polish-Luthuanian Commonwealth. Although it would be a lie for His Sacred and Imperial Majesty to claim the swiftness and mercilessness of Augustus III's downfall hadn't shocked him, he firmly believes it was a sovereign decision of the Polish-Lithuanian people that foreign countries must respect. There is no doubt Alexander II’s legitimate rule must be recognized.

[CMB222]

The French and their war partners are hereby banned from trading in Spanish ports after having breached Spanish neutrality. Both sides of the war are being frowned upon by their actions and it is with reluctance that the king makes this declaration but is a necessary one.

[Dereich]

We thank His Catholic Majesty for his quick and decisive action in resolving the injustice caused by French belligerence. 

[Spamage]

The Concert of Europe

June 1757

Nations, Leaders, & Players:
Russian Empire- Empress Elizabeth Petrovna (Henry Wallace)
Kingdom of France- King Louis XV Bourbon (Windjammer)
Kingdom of Prussia- King Fredrick II Hohenzollern (Lumine)
Archduchy of Austria- Empress Maria Theresa Habsburg (TimTurner)
Kingdom of Great Britain- King George II of Hanover (DKrol)
Kingdom of Spain- King Ferdinand VI Bourbon (CMB222)
Ottoman Empire- Sultan Mustafa III Osmanoğlu (Kalwejt)
Kingdom of Sweden- Adolf Frederick (YPestis25)

Kingdom of Portugal- Joseph I Braganza (Dereich)

Kingdom of Denmark-Norway- Frederick V Oldenburg (Kingpoleon)
Republic of Venice- Doge Francesco Loredan (GOTfan)
Papal States- Pope Benedict XIV (X)

Economic Standings:
Kingdom of Prussia- Very Strong
Kingdom of Great Britain- Strong
Kingdom of Spain- Strong
Kingdom of France- Moderate
Archduchy of Austria- Moderate
Kingdom of Denmark-Norway- Moderate
Kingdom of Portugal- Moderate
Republic of Venice- Moderate
Papal States- Moderate
Russian Empire- Moderate
Kingdom of Sweden- Moderate
Ottoman Empire- Moderate

Ongoing Conflicts:
-War of the Grand Coalitions: Kingdom of France, Empire of Russia, Archduchy of Austria, Kingdom of Sweden (and others) v. Kingdom of Great Britain, Kingdom of Prussia, Ottoman Empire, Kingdom of Portugal, Kingdom of Denmark-Norway (and others)

Russian Empire:

-The rebellion of the Cossacks has drawn thousands of your poorest subjects into arms against you and they are calling for the coronation of Ivan VI. Though the territory held by the rebels on the Volga seems far from the heartland of the Empire, the territory fueling your war effort, there remains the constant risk of it spreading. You and your nobles have been looking uneasily at the thousands of serfs on your estates since news of the uprising reached St. Petersburg. They outnumber the nobility and clergy combined and unless actions are taken to placate their unrest, fighting could spread. Yet you must also be cautious, as too much of a reformist or pro-peasant policy could alienate the nobility you just managed to win to your cause. What will your plans be regarding the Cossack Rebellion?

-There are some generals calling for you to withdraw your forces from Crimea or the Danube in order to crush the rebels completely, though this means sacrificing the slight territorial gains for the last few months. This could also leave your allies dangerously vulnerable though, While, undoubtedly, the interests of Russia must be placed before theirs in any circumstance, leaving these fronts, especially Crimea, could leave the homeland vulnerable to threats from the Khanate against Ukraine.

-Others in the military are calling for the recruitment standards in Russia to be relaxed with the war raging all around the Empire. They demand that younger and older men be allowed to serve in the Russian military, greatly increasing the potential number of soldiers to fight for the Crown. This would further damage the skill and quality of the Army though, something which could leave even more Russian men dead. A minority of officials are calling on you to ignore these demands, pointing out that Russia already has far more soldiers than the other powers. What will you do?

Kingdom of France:

-Well done King Louis, your massive assault on the Netherlands proved to be a stunning success. Thousands of Dutch soldiers were killed, leaving the Provinces open to seizure. The road to Amsterdam is clear, as is the path to Hanover (though this means crossing through the neutral powers in the Holy Roman Empire). Marie Louise has sued for peace, offering you Ceylon and Java, but some in Versailles are urging you to hold firm and seize the entire Republic before making terms. The Dutch morale is low and their numbers are even more decreased. Continuing the War would allow you to take more Dutch colonies (they point to the Cape Colony and all of the East Indies), perhaps establish a loyal government in Amsterdam, and further increase the French monetary gains. What will you do?

-You have raised the 5,000 additional men in Quebec, though news of your agreement with them has infuriated the Huron. They may be more reluctant to aid you directly against the British henceforth, spending their time fighting against their Iroquois enemies instead. Also, though the British have been defeated in this theater for the time being, they still outnumber your men and Louisbourg is still lost. Clever tactics will be needed to follow up on your victory in Quebec, though you must decide what they will be. In Ohio, on the other hand, you have the larger army. Despite consistent disappointment here, there are those who believe that if you continue to attack, there could be the potential for real success.

-You have managed to win more allies in Italy, though your annexation of Belgium has caused great unease among many of the small powers in the Holy Roman Empire, who see the seizure of Imperial Territory as setting a dangerous precedent. Even though most of the Germans there are Catholic, they also see France as a far greater threat than distant Prussia. Some in Versailles have even begun to advocate seizing land all they way to the Rhine, seemingly validating the fears of these minor principalities. How will you respond to the concerns of these small duchies and cities? Will you pursue a policy of further annexation, attempt to push through their neutral territory, or perhaps assuage their fears?

Archduchy of Austria:

-Your Empire is now fighting for survival, Maria Theresa. With the entry of your eternal enemy, the Ottoman Empire, into the war Austria now sits surrounded by those who wish to do them harm. Prussia has destroyed your largest ally within the Holy Roman Empire (Bavaria) and their forces sit in your territory, not far from Vienna. The loss of the capital would undoubtedly greatly destabilize your rule and serve to increase the size of the peace faction. Due to this, some advisors are urging you to order a bloody, full-on assault against Frederick II and his “Royal Army”. This could be risky though as any mistake could result in the loss of Austria, not to mention demoralize your forces on the Danube. What will you do now that the knife is at your throat?

-Thousands of refugees are fleeing into the Habsburg lands following bloody fighting on three sides. Saxons are moving into Bohemia seeking refuge, Bavarians are entering Austria, and Poles (especially former Royalists) are crossing the Carpathians into Hungary. While more manpower is often seen as a good thing, there are some of your subjects who resent the new arrivals, who have driven up prices and are squatting on land they do not own. Domestic advisors argue there are several options you could pursue. The refugees could be welcomed and allowed to continue to reside in Austria, expelled back to their homelands, or perhaps be offered residency in exchange for military service (though they may be of dubious loyalty). How will you respond?

-Some of your subjects, and you yourself on occasion, have viewed your Jewish subjects with suspicion in the early years of your rule. Undoubtedly your commitment to the cause of Catholicism, especially in light of the Pope’s decrees backing your war effort, have been the root of this disdain. There are some in Vienna who see the war as an opportunity to expel the Jews from Austria, urging you to order them out of your lands. While doing this would quell unease in some communities throughout your territories, it could also anger other religious minorities in the realm and create resentment from more “Enlightened” powers. How should you proceed?

[Spamage]

Kingdom of Great Britain:

-It appears you may have underestimated the strength of the Irish Rebellion, King George. The Jacobites maintain control over most of the island and your forces in Ulster were humiliated by their defeat. Despite this, Britain is able to raise thousands more men and there are members of Parliament calling on you to do just that. They demand a new force be assembled, larger than either of the others currently fighting, that will sweep through the Kingdom like Cromwell did a century ago. This could backfire though, as your methods against the Catholics have been particularly harsh and put allies such as Portugal in a very awkward position. How will you end the Irish War?

-Your army followed your command and “checked-in” on Catholic Churches throughout England. While there was universal horror over the treatment of their fellow Catholics, some English Catholics were surprisingly willing to offer proposals to your government. There is a movement in England and Scotland calling for you to declare Catholic Emancipation in order to undercut the Pope’s message of a religious war. This would allow them to vote and hold office in Parliament, though could enrage the majority Protestant faction. Others argue that the policy should be pursued, but only in England and Scotland (as Ireland forfeited its rights upon rebelling). Will you pursue tolerance and Catholic Emancipation or continue with the religious status-quo?

-With the Netherlands on the verge of collapse, France could soon very well hold all the continental land facing the British Isles from Brittany to Friesland. While your naval dominance has been cemented following victories in the Baltic and Mediterranean, it could all be for naught if French forces on the Continent overrun your allies and leave you fighting alone. Some want for you to send troops back to the Netherlands, whether they’re welcomed or not, while others argue that the region is already lost and the new British policy should be shielding Hanover from any French attacks. Still a third group states that the blockade of French trade is the only feasible policy, especially with the fighting in Ireland, meaning you should leave your allies to fend for themselves for the time being. What will your continental policy be?

Kingdom of Spain:

-The skirmishing between the Portuguese and the French in Seville has rocked the Kingdom, with many calling for decisive action to be taken to protect Spanish neutrality or even for your realm to take a side in the conflict. With some of the French and Portuguese sailors in custody, what is to be done with them? Should they be tried as any Spanish subject would or will they be allowed to return home, even after causing disorder in one of your most important harbors. Regardless of what you do, it must be remembered your people have been profiting nicely from neutrality over the course of the last year.

-Your beloved wife, Queen Barbara of Portugal, has been communicating with her brother over the last few months, Joseph I urging her to convince you to back their side in the fighting. She has thus become the center of the pro-Portuguese faction in Madrid, with the French ambassadors going so far as to snub her on several occasions as a result. With the events in Seville she has only increased her vocal support for intervention, whatever the cost. Her outspokenness could be dangerous, especially is she angers the French too much. Some are calling for her to be placed under “protection” for the duration of the war, though this may be seen as too drastic.  What makes the situation even more awkward is that your half-brother, the King of the Two Sicilies, seems to have more sympathy for the French faction, especially following the Pope’s proclamation. What is to be done?

-Trade with the Spanish Americas has thus far in Spanish history been a state-sponsored monopoly. Only galleons certified by the Crown have been able to conduct trade, transport goods, and earn money from the territories. Some economic advisors, urging you to abandon the mercantilist practices of the past, argue that there could be much more economic activity and growth in the colonies if you eased the restrictions on trade. A few believe that only Spanish vessels, though more than at present, should have free trade rights with the territories, while others believe opening the ports of the Americas to the ships of all nations could be even more profitable. What should be done?

Kingdom of Prussia:

-Your surprise in Bavaria has forced them out of the war, the Duke and his family captured with the fall of Munich. Despite this, you were unable to follow through on your plan and seize Vienna. Now, a large Austrian force stands in your way. Through your Army is undoubtedly of a higher quality, with more discipline and better weaponry than the enemy, some are worried about pursuing the fight further. Some advisors believe the Royal Army is the core of the Prussian military, risking it could be fatal. How will the war in central Europe continue?

-Despite public sabre-rattling, Alexander II of Poland has approached you with the offer of peace. In return for ceding the city of Danzig back to Poland, he is willing to recognize Prussia’s control over the rest of the land between East Prussia and Pomerania. He argues that neither Poland nor Prussia have more to gain from the spilling of blood. Some in Berlin believe this offer to be insufficient, pointing out that there has long been a German community in Danzig, so giving it back to the Poles would be embarrassing. They also highlight the commercial importance of the port city, which would be lost if it is ceded. Others believe peace with Poland to be the best policy, with one less power involved in the Coalition against you. What will your envoys say to the Polish King?

-Ivan VI has been responding well to tutelage, but it is clear he will never be able to govern on his own. The boy has been permanently damaged from years of neglect. Though he’s been able to learn to communicate, he is also highly erratic. Even with this, some are calling for you to return him to Russia with an expeditionary force to expand the civil conflict there. They believe sending him and an army would force the nobility and traditionalists to back his cause, as they would be surrounded by two formidable forces. Yet, word has also reached you Elizabeth has placed a bounty on the head of the would be Czar, offering millions of rubles. Moving him to Russia could test the loyalty of those around him to an extent that is hard to anticipate. What is to be done with him?

Ottoman Empire:

-Grave news from Greece, Mustafa III, as word has reached Istanbul that several French agents were caught pushing the locals towards rebellion. Spies were found in Athens, Corinth, and Thesalonika, organizing a network of subjects fed up with the jizya and execution of the Orthodox subjects under the reign of your predecessor. Under torture they’ve revealed that the orders came directly from Paris and that their message was quite well received by some Greeks. While no rebellion has broken out thus far, there are some who worry that if you begin to face widespread defeat that the people could show their true colors. How will you handle this religious tinderbox in Greece and what should be done with the French agents?

-You have largely been able to hold off the joint Austro-Russian army attempting to cross the Danube. The fight is not yet over though, and some are urging you to move the conflict into Austrian territory, perhaps Croatia or Hungary. You remain outnumbered however, so others believe that a defensive policy ought to continue to be pursued. What will you do militarily now that your Empire has been drawn into this massive international conflict.

-Perhaps the most astonishing news of the last few months has come from your east. The Shah of Persia has reportedly been entertaining both French and British ambassadors, each attempting to get the newly stabilized power on their side. Should the French succeed, Iraq and Mesopotamia could be at risk of being re-absorbed into the Persian Empire for the first time since Ottoman control was established. Your garrisons there are particularly vulnerable to attack, especially with the bulk of your men engaged in the north. What will you do about Persia? Should you send your own diplomats? Launch a preemptive strike and scare them out of the War? Or perhaps all these rumors are hearsay and it is better to let sleeping dogs lie?

[Spamage]

Kingdom of Sweden:

-Your attempt to seize Copenhagen and put an end to the war with Denmark failed, though not for a lack of trying. Your fleet, as well as that of the Russians, was damaged and there are many who now believe it would be wise to focus on Norway alone for the time being, though the more militarist faction believe if you keep trying to assault Denmark proper, one of these times you will succeed. Regardless, it is clear the fighting in Scandinavia remains inconclusive, which tactics will you use to put an end to it?

-Pietism has been a growing movement in your realm for decades now. It involves members of the Lutheran Church meeting outside of services to discuss the gospels, perform charity, and undertake other religious actions. While some have praised it as good for instilling moral virtue in the populace, religious leaders view it with suspicion, it threatening their monopoly on the faith. They also argue that it can lead to excessive fervor, which leaves souls more at risk to get caught up in other types of heresy (such as the Reformed Church). With your alliance with the Caps, some who are urging you to take action against Pietism by passing laws limiting the gatherings outside of religious ceremonies, you have been put in a strange position. What will you do?

-The Caps have rebuffed attempts by the Royalists to force them to moderate the land redistribution policy, with the first concrete steps being taken and resettlement beginning. If anything, they’ve increased the amount of land taken from the nobles, asserting their right to control domestic policy per your agreement with them. Your wife has privately argued that this insolence is an insult, apparently meting with members of the Hat faction behind your back, taking the side of the nobility. She has even professed support for her brother, Frederick II of Prussia, over your alliance with the Russians. Members of the Caps are outraged by the Queen’s actions and are urging you to take charge of your wife. How will you solve this factionalism at a time when Sweden ought to be forcing on her external foes?

Kingdom of Portugal:

-Good work, King Joseph. Your action against the French at Toulon caught the fleet off-guard and managed to damage their limited numbers. Furthermore, you achieved a great victory at little cost with the capture of French Guiana. Yet, Portugal has taken little military action on land. Some believe that involving yourself further in Europe may be a mistake, but hope that you will pursue a more active policy in India with the help of Mysore. With the French seizing much of British Bengal, and the Marathas still in Mughal territory, your aid in this theater is clearly needed. Even so, this could endanger Portuguese lives and increase the number of fatalities in the war for your Kingdom, which have been minimal so far.

-You are clearly in an awkward position with the Pope’s condemnation of your side and the subsequent British massacres of the Irish Catholics. Though most of your people remain committed to the alliance, there is a number of people in Lisbon who desire for you to condemn British savagery openly. Doing so would risk damaging a long-term friendship for your Kingdom though, and could dissuade them from helping Portugal if, god forbid, the Spanish decided to back the French. How will you respond to the savagery in Cork?

-Portugal possesses the largest bases in Africa of the combatants, except for perhaps the Dutch. Some are urging you to eliminate the French outposts on the Continent in order to expel their influence for good and reinforce your position. There are even those who would have you invade the Cape Colony should the Dutch decide to exit the fighting. Others believe doing this could be a waste of money for very little gain. Military action in Africa is riskier with less known terrain and more dangerous diseases present. Will you take action in this potentially new theater of the war or allow for nothing to change for the time being?

Kingdom of Denmark-Norway:

-There was celebrating among the pro-Danish faction in Christiana when your soldiers landed and liberated the city, but the Swedish problem remains. While you have regained this important area, more land in the north has been lost to your enemy. With naval superiority seemingly affirmed, it is clear that Sweden will have to be battled on land. How will you resolve this conflict King Frederick?

-Denmark has long enjoyed exclusive rights to trade in Iceland, though there are some locals on the island demanding that the policy be reconsidered. Since 1620 Copenhagen has been tied to more than 20 trading posts, with other powers forbidden to enter and Danes only allowed to trade, but some on the island are tired with the state-sponsored monopoly. They desire access to goods from other powers, such as Britain and the Netherlands who could import different goods and could help to lower prices. Many of the mercantile class oppose any changes however, having gotten quite wealthy off of their dealings with the territory in the past. What will your policy be?

-You purchased the several small islands in the Caribbean, the Danish West Indies, from the bankrupt Danish West India Company in 1755. These small territories primarily consist of sugar plantations set up by those hoping to get Denmark involved in the Triangular Trade system. While your Kingdom is not considered a primary colonial power, there are some at Court who see an opportunity with the recent war and are urging you to send expeditions, land them in the colonies, and then use them to seize and harass French colonies in the New World. Others see this as too much risk and cost for potentially gaining a few rocks in a distant sea. Will you outfit troops to join the British and Portuguese in the Americas or leave the region alone for the time being?

Papal States:

-Welcome, Pope Benedict. The conflict in Europe has pitted major powers against each-other, with Catholics (and Protestants) on either side. Despite this, some have begun to view the conflict as a religious war, perhaps on par with the 30 Years War in the last century. While the carnage has not reached this point, there are those who worry that it could very well become that dire. The atrocities committed against Catholics in Ireland are not too far from the ones committed against the Germans in Europe’s most infamous conflict. While you have spoken out against this, some French Cardinals are urging the proclamation of open, outright, and direct support. The Portuguese and Spanish factions, on the other hand, want a greater degree of caution. How will you lead the Church through these next few months of warfare, your Holiness?

-One issue throughout Catholic countries in Europe at present besides the war is that of the Jesuits. Maria Theresa and others have taken hostile actions against the society that was instituted with Papal guidance at the Council of Trent. They see the order as possessing wealth beyond its means and as a potential source of disloyalty and corruption in their realms. Some desire to see the Pope similarly condemn the Jesuits, while other, more devout, members of your administration demand you fully support the Society of Jesus in its hour of need.

-In many European Kingdoms, the Catholic monarchs have seized the right of appointing bishops when vacancies arise. While in the past some of your predecessors have been content with this arrangement, it has allowed for the Papacy to have less direct control over it’s subordinates. France, Poland, Austria, and Spain are among the states that allow for government control over ecclesiastical appointments. Some in the Vatican are calling for you to forcefully assert your right to name successors, while others argue a more delicate hand is required through negotiation. How, if at all, will you reassert your right to name the successors of the apostles?

[Spamage]

Republic of Venice:

-Greetings, Doge Francesco. You lead the oldest republic in Europe, though one surrounded by chaos and conflict at the moment. With the War of the Grand Coalitions raging all around Europe, Venice has thus far remained neutral, waiting to see which side to back. With the last 6 months however, the War has expanded in ways that could not be anticipated. The Ottomans and the numerous Italian States around you have jumped into the conflict. Venice is not the military power it once was, so backing the right side (if you choose one at all) is necessary. What will be your foreign policy?

-Likewise, Venice no longer is the richest power in Europe. Your rival Genoa, the opening of new ports in Italy, and the growth of distant colonial empires have left your once all-powerful economic influence minimized. Though you have been able to earn more by harboring trade ships from both sides in the war, the recent fighting in Seville shows the perilous position this could put you in. Drastic change, and new markets, will be necessary if you hope to regain the economic clout of your forefathers. How will you turn the tide of history in Venice and restore the wealth of the city

-While Venice is often called a Republic, the city is actually far closer to an oligarchy. A ruling class of elites selects the Doge and their opinion is by far the most valued. With the spread of the Enlightenment though, some are calling for a reformation of the ancient system and the creation of a new, more egalitarian Republic. The city is divided about this though, and moving too fast or too far could alienate your fellow nobles. Should stability be maintained at the expense of liberty, or perhaps vice-versa? How will your government respond to changing times in Europe?

Armies & Locations

Kingdom of Prussia
97,460 Royal Army
38,000 Army of Silesia-Saxony
7,500 Army of Norway
10,000 men garrisoned
(Can raise 30,000 more)

Kingdom of France
187,816 Army of the Netherlands
32,000 Army of France
8,640 Army of Quebec
16,935 Army Louisiana + Ohio
4,500 Army of India
(Can raise 8,000 more)

Kingdom of Great Britain
8,400 Army of Ireland North
15,840 Army of Ireland South
16,000 Army of Britain
35,000 Army of Hanover
15,000 Army & Garrison of the 13 Colonies
10,604 Army of Quebec
12,610 Army of Ohio
2,400 Army & Garrison of India
(Can raise 47,000 more)

Kingdom of Sweden
37,632 1st Army of Norway
20,000 2nd Army
10,000 men garrisoned
(Can raise 20,000 more)

Kingdom of Denmark-Norway
49,500 Army of Norway
(Can raise 20,100 more)

Kingdom of Portugal
20,000 men raised and mobile
10,000 men garrisoned
6,850 Army of Brazil
(Can raise 20,000 more)

Kingdom of Spain
60,000 men raised and mobile
25,000 men garrisoned
15,000 Army & Garrison of New Spain
10,000 Army & Garrison of South America
2,000 Army & Garrison of the Philippines
(can raise 30,000 more)

Russian Empire
112,265 1st Army
73,600 2nd Army
20,000 Army of Russia
50,000 men garrisoned
(can raise 5,000 more)

Archduchy of Austria
157,410 Army of Bohemia
32,300 Army of the Danube
(can raise 15,000 more)

Ottoman Empire
95,000 Army of the Danube
60,000 Army of Istanbul
35,000 men garrisoned
(can raise 20,000 more)

Republic of Venice
12,000 men raised and mobile
(can raise 20,000 more)

Papal States
15,000 men raised and mobile
(can raise 30,000 more)

Navies of the World
Kingdom of Great Britain
170 Ships of the Line
123 Frigates

Kingdom of France
107 Ships of the Line
51 Frigates

Kingdom of Spain
57 Ships of the Line
28 Frigates

Kingdom of Portugal
32 Ships of the Line
20 Frigates

Russian Empire
31 Ships of the Line
5 Frigates

Kingdom of Denmark-Norway
22 Ships of the Line
18 Frigates

Kingdom of Sweden
23 Ships of the Line
11 Frigates

Ottoman Empire
18 Ships of the Line
8 Frigates

Republic of Venice
10 Ships of the Line
21 Frigates

[GoTfan]

A Declaration from the Most Serene Republic of Venice

Any clashes between the warring powers in our waters shall be met by the full force of the Venetian navy.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

The following statement is to be distributed in all the nations of Europe, particularly within Catholic communities, regardless of said nation's alignment (flood the streets with as many copies as possible):  

A statement from the Holy See:

My brothers, we find ourselves at a crossroads within the history of European Christiandom.  There can be no middle ground nor any declarations of neutrality during such times as these.  All Catholics throughout Christiandom face a choice: Will they stand with the Lord and their brothers in Christ or do they stand with Satan?  Make no mistake, this is a holy war and we must be the victors.  The very fate of European Christiandom hangs in the balance.  Even here in the Holy See, I can see a thick cloud of sulfur hanging over the city of London.  I hereby charge the false King of England, George II, with anti-Christ.  The foul, loathsome blasphemies of this twisted, bloodthirsty monster are as infamous as his genocidal war upon Irish Christiandom.  Indeed, there are even stories that this cold, reptilian savage hides a forked tail beneath his pants and that his "hair" is in fact a wig designed to hide two small horns.  What's more, it is known that the British soldiers raping the Irish countryside have been feasting upon the blood of Catholic schoolchildren.  The George II himself wears a serpentine smirk every night, as he has an Irish newborn ripped from its mother's breast and baked into a meat pie.  Such evil cannot, must not be permitted to go unanswered.  The good Christians of Ireland have launched a holy war against this tyranny and it is our scared duty – from the richest prince to the poorest beggar – to support our Irish brothers in their war against tyranny.  Though we walk through the darkest valley, let us fear no evil.  Indeed, since we are facing an army of darkness, let us be the warm light of day.

As for George II, this inhuman beast...this Lucifer of London, must be brought to justice.  He has fallen upon the good Christian peoples of Europe with his four horseman: Frederick the False of Prussia, Augustus the Arrogent of Poland, Mustafa the Murderous of the barbarian hordes, and Fickle Frederick V of Denmark.  Already, the good Christian people of Poland have risen up against the tyrant Augustus.  However great a victory this may be, only one serpent has been decapitated.  It falls upon every man in Europe who would call himself a true Christian to fight until the dragon lies dead upon the streets of London.  To those who have seen foreign armies enter your lands, I call upon you to fight these Godless heathens in every street, in every alley, and in every building.  Let the Prussians, English, and the rest know that no place shall be safe for soldiers in Satan's army.  We must give no quarter and show no mercy.  To those Kings who have not chosen a side yet call themselves Catholics, I say to them that now is the time to prove themselves to be true men of faith.  To those who fear death, I say that you have no cause to fear for martyrdom awaits.

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XIV

[Lumine]

ON THE COMMONWEALTH:

From the very beginning of this war we expressed our support for the Sejm against the coup of late King Augustus, and much as we regret the circumstances of his execution we nonetheless recognize the unity of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under the noble Aleksander Czartoryski, now King Alexander II. We respect the right of the Sejm to choose their own monarch and strongly reject any attempt to place Stanisław Leszczyński, the puppet chosen by the King of France, in the Polish throne. We have no desire to see unnecessary bloodshed between Prussia and Poland, nor do we see the Poles as either enemies or rivals, particularly as they have cut their ties to the Electorate of Saxony and any other foreign holding.

We gladly accept the offer of peace made by His Majesty King Alexander II, which will see most if not all of Royal Prussia as part of our most noble Kingdom while restoring the city of Danzig into Polish control, an exchange which we view as just, fair and a powerful and christian gesture of peace from Poland. As a sign of good will, we make a pledge here and now to stand up for the borders of the Commonwealth should they face any aggression from Elizabeth Petrovna, the usurper of the Russian throne. Let this be the start of a new era between the Commonwealth and Prussia of harmony and cooperation, and let us strive to build trust against between our nations.

There is one final thing to note. For decades the Monarchs of our Kingdom have been forced into the farcical title of "King in Prussia", even after the Commonwealth dropped the title of "King of Prussia" fifteen years ago. With the acceptance of this peace deal and the consolidation of Royal Prussia as an integral part of our Kingdom, the time has come to end this lack of clarity. From this day hencefort, His Majesty Frederick II and his successors will style themselves as Kings of Prussia.

ON THE DANGER TO THE EMPIRE:

This war that has engulfed Europe has lasted for several months, months which have seen significant atrocitied perpretated by belligerent powers such as the Kingdom of France, with tales of depravation, murder and horror coming from the Netherlands after harsh, unchristanlike French occupation and rape. Let the record show that although the Kingdom of Prussia might fight unconventionally, we have remained disciplined and respectful, and refused to see any sort of war crimes committed during our campaigns.

Fellow Princes of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire, you face imminent danger.

It is beyond clear from our sources that Louis XV has the clear goal of crossing the Rhine not only to send his armies against Prussia, but with a far more devious intent in mind. There being no land route by which France may attack us, there being no chance for them to do so by sea, a French Army could only find its way into Prussia or Austria by marching across our own states, breaking your neutrality, sacking their way through your principalities, inflicting revenge not only on Protestants but on Catholics, and worse of all, with every intention to stay and expand just as they have done so with Belgium.

My fellow princes and peoples, there are things that may separate us at times. It may be religion, it may be political interests, it may be support for a given power or a given cause. But we are all fellow Germans first and foremost, with a common heritage, a common language, a common history which has seen us again and again face aggression and threat from the bellicose French. And now we stand at a historic moment in which they clearly plan to cross the Rhine and break the neutrality of your own states. Do not allow this. Do not allow this to happen, fellow noble princes, and prepare for the gathering storm that threatens to engulf us all.

Send your ambassadors to Paris to make it clear a French army in Germany cannot and will not be tolerated, and warn the King of France of the consecuences of such an action. Act in unity, recognizing that if a French Army invades one of you then all of your states are under potential threat. Prepare your defenses, bolster your garrisons, beware of foreign agents and spies, and spread the word that you will do what you have to do for the honor of the German peoples, for the safety of your homes, the integrity of your states.

Prussia fights the King of France, the Austrian Empress and the Russian Usurper, but not the neutral states and princes of Germany, against which we have no desire but to see them protected and safe from aggression from Versailles. Open your eyes to the imminent danger of French aggression, my friends, and be prepared.

[Lumine]

ON TSAR IVAN VI:

It is with great encouragement that His Majesty King Frederick II has seen thousans upon thousands of loyal Russian subjects taking a stand for young Tsar Ivan VI and rejecting the tyrannical rule of Elizabeth Petrovna. The young Tsar has been scarred on his mind by years upon years of torture and abuse from the sadistic usurper he once considered part of his family, but he learns fast, and we remain convinced that through his piety and with the Grace of God he will become the great, merciful and kind ruler he is destined to be for the people of Russia.

Travelers, observers and agents alike that return from Russia paint the same picture, a picture of suffering, death, famine and neglect. Thousands of serf suffer from unbelievable exploitation, thousands of soldier go without pay and proper support, thousands of miners and workers starve to death as opportunistic ministers loyal to the usurper exploit Russia for their own private and cynical interests. As a monarch who has worked his entire life to improve the lives of common Prussians, His Majesty is appalled at the treatment of the many peoples that comprise the Russian Empire under the usurper Elizabeth.

His Majesty Tsar Ivan VI has been appalled and distressed at learning the terrible conditions his peoples live due to the oppression coming from St. Petersburg, and once restored to the throne he plans to take immediate action to address these concerns. Relief from recruitment and taxation, extensive reform to end serfdom once and for all, a return to further tolerance and rights for many neglected groups and beliefs abandoned by the state are among many of the necessary reforms the Tsar intends to make, and we will stand with him to see that his dream of a better Russia in which a Tsar proves to be a true father to his peoples becomes a reality.

Arise, men and women of Russia. Arise, soldiers. Arise, peasants and outcasts. A pious, compassionate young Tsar needs your support.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

A Declaration from the Most Serene Republic of Venice

Any clashes between the warring powers in our waters shall be met by the full force of the Venetian navy.

Unlike certain counties that we don't even need to name here, the Ottoman Empire strongly respects neutrality of nonbelligerents and is committed to continue so.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

On Greece

It is clear the French schemers want to use His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's Orthodox subjects as a expedient cannon meat in their intrigues. After what happened in Poland, we all know what French true colors are. Foreign attempts to pit Muslims and Christians against each other will not succeed and, in the light of recent development, we must seriously consider the possibility that the murder of Sultan Osman was Paris doing all along.

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty assured the Patriarch of Constantinople a tax reform will take place once the hostilities, and thus danger to the Empire, are past us, and will keep his word, as long as his subject remains loyal in face of real enemies.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

1. Works shall be commenced in the Straits of Suez to improve already existing waterways and build new ones to facilitate movement of goods between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Similarly land roads are to be constructed.

2. An expedition shall be sent to establish control over Yemen all the way to the southern coast.

3. His Sacred and Imperial Majesty is abhorred with the French breach of the Spanish neutrality. This incident only shows who the main destructive force is and who must be stopped by civilized nations. Thge Ottoman regular forces, as well as vassal forces, are strictly ordered not to violate Spanish or Venetian neutrality under any circumstances.

[Spamage]

Treaties of Gdansk, Brussels: Poland and the Netherlands leave the War!

While he initially took a bellicose tone with the Prussians, King Alexander II of Poland, recognizing the weakness and damage in his Kingdom from the Father's War, proved a willing negotiating partner. Entertaining Prussian ambassadors in Warsaw, he agreed to cede a corridor of land to Prussia in exchange for the return of Gdansk as a Polish city. The Treaty of Gdansk was symbolically signed in that city, with celebration and friendly statements given from representatives of both former enemies. At the end Prussia formally returned the city to the Poles. With this agreement, one power formerly in the French alliance has left the fighting. There was no word about what will happen to the Russian supply shipments through Polish territory, nor how the Russian soldiers in Austria will return to their homeland, but it is clear the Polish monarchy now views Prussia much more favorably.

Across the Continent a second power left the fighting just weeks later. The French approached Marie Louise, willing to negotiate terms. The regent agreed to cede the Dutch provinces of Vlaanderen and Brabant, though the entire Dutch colonial empire was left in tact in a show of French mercy. A core part of the Treaty of Brussels was a Dutch repudiation of their alliance and friendship with Great Britain and lowering of tariffs between France and the United Provinces. The Dutch people, with disaster averted, largely approved of the regent's actions. It appears she may have held off the Republicans for the time being.

Both sides have lost one combatant as peace has been restored to some small parts of Europe.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Despite some advises, His Sacred and Imperial Majesty is not entertaining the idea of simply abolishing the Janissaries. It would be a foolish waste of years of experience and poor reward to those brave soldiers.

Recognizing, however, that military reform is needed, as shown by our contacts with European armies, His Sacred and Imperial Majesty orders that in due time Janissaries will be transformed into elite guard regiments (I mean, hey, Peter the Great did a great job with forming his famed regiments, such as Preobrazhensky), with some of the officers and NCOs being temporally transferred to other army units to provide their experience and skills. In time, new guard regiments shall be inclusive toward soldiers from outside traditional Janissary background, but will carry their traditions and legacy.

Reform and expansion of the Ottoman artillery will be another priority.