Protectorates

[harrappan]

I'm thoroughly enjoying this game, but just had a strange thing happen.
Playing as Prussia in Standard scenario I spent the best part of 4 years diplomatically working on Saxony. I had a relationship of +1000. The attitude chart was completely my colour.
Suddenly it declared itself a protectorate of Spain (who i was at war with along with the rest of Europe). Spain didn't even have a positive relationship with Saxony, or any nearby provinces.
Just wondering if anyone could shed some light on why Saxony might have gone to Spain.

[Ralegh]

Diplomat causing a coup seems most liekly to me.

[kerguelen]

Can this be modified? As far as I know, when a big player attempts a coup in a minor country, this country aks the worst enemy of the aggressiv nation to become its protector. Couldn't that be changed to the nation it has the best relationships with ( as long as it is not allied with the aggressor. Maybe geographical proximity could be taken into account as well.)

[Reiryc]

ORIGINAL: kerguelen

Can this be modified? As far as I know, when a big player attempts a coup in a minor country, this country aks the worst enemy of the aggressiv nation to become its protector. Couldn't that be changed to the nation it has the best relationships with ( as long as it is not allied with the aggressor. Maybe geographical proximity could be taken into account as well.)

I wouldn't think you'd want to change it as it would change what a coup is... ie: the replacement of the government to one that favors a nation that set it up.

[kerguelen]

I wouldn't think you'd want to change it as it would change what a coup is... ie: the replacement of the government to one that favors a nation that set it up.

My misunderstanding, I thought Ralegh was referring to a failed coup.- Usually the attacked country then turns to the aggressors enemies (according to themanual and unfortunately also my experiences.

[Ralegh]

Nah, I figured that if "the harrappan" had sent a diplomat to try a coup and had it blow up in his face (which has certainly happened to me), he would realise what the cause was. I was trying to say maybe it was a successful coup caused by an AI nation.

[harrappan]

There were no diplomats in Saxony, other than my own, so a coup by Spain seems unlikely, unless diplomats have a stealth ability i wasn't aware of.

I had tried a coup 4 to 5 turns earlier, so it seems most likely that this caused my issue despite the delay in the effect. I wasn't aware that a failed coup attempt could force a minor nation into the hands of my enemies.

I marched 250k troops over the top of Saxony and solved my problem with musket and shot.

Thanks for the replies, and I guess I'll be a bit more circumspect in my couping.