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December 1794




Spain edges out Austria to close out another great year. I have reached most of my original objectives and now need to think of some new goals.



Even though Spain is feeling "patriotic" and at 663 NM, some troublemakers have popped up. At least this will give the Spanish army something to do now that they've returned to Madrid. [:)]



Two more factories and a courts development this month.



1794 was another great year for Spain. Here are the end of year charts and graphs:

Hehe, Bill. I can't believe everyone has left you (and Austria) unmolested so far![&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]

Your army must soon be reaching super-power proportions!

Cheers Pete! [:D] So far I can't ask for a better situation for Spain. Peace in Europe really seems to benefit Spain and Austria. Conversely, playing as Russia in a different pbem, they are really starved for Glory Points and really have to be played aggressively.

January 1795




France continues subsidies and Spain takes care of the uprising in Valladolid. Elsewhere, Russia proposes a Royal Wedding and an enforced peace treaty to Turkey. Not sure why they didn't offer an alliance as this is basically just that and an alliance gives Glory Points.






With my original goals met, it's time to think up some new ones. With my growing lead in Glory Points, I am sure to catch some attention. Therefore, my new goals will keep this in mind and I will attempt to secure the gains I have made so far.

(1) I will place a high priority in creating "super-diplomats". Insurrections are allowed in this game, and I would really hate to lose my growing forces in Italy from insurrection. Placing a "super-diplomat" in Naples should increase my chances of kicking out any attempts at insurrection.

(2) Look for expansion territories where possible. My current empire status hangs by a thread at 21/20. This is going to be a tough one since I am already the GP leader and any further expansion will draw even more attention.

(3) Improved relations with Great Britain. I would rather focus resources on improving my land forces. If I can land an alliance with Britain, I feel this would be a great benefit to Spain considering the strategic location of many of her territories.

February 1795




No subsidies from France this month and France, Prussia, and Britain all gain upgrades. Conversely, I am still hoarding my experience points for possibly better upgrades and using them for what I need- and when I need them.

Diplomatic efforts happening all over as two secret deals are proposed and Russia looks for another Royal Wedding and enforced peace with Sweden. Again, oddly no alliance, but all this peace is great for business! [:)]

March 1795




After many tries, Turkey's insurrection attempt in Bavaria is successful. Not really sure of the purpose, but Prussia receives the hammer this month. A sobering reminder to prioritize textile production for a "super-diplomat".

More diplomacy and secret deals this turn.

April 1795




Prussia declares war the neutral minor Hesse and April brings another spring levee in Naples. [8D] A slew of diplomatic activity comes out of Britain.

May 1795




A huge turn for Spain as the Papal States ask for protection. I assume that this is because of the DoW on Hesse from Prussia, but perhaps because of the declarations of war on Bavaria by Britain and Austria this turn... not sure. Either way, the charm campaign by Spain's diplomats has really paid off.







The newly acquired territories. This helps my current goals in so many ways. From previous correspondence, I knew that Britain was interested in Malta. My empire points now have a little cushion at 28/20 as well. I also get a huge boost in culture points and am now in second place there. Eight culture points from Rome alone.

This will really help to give me some leverage in talks with King Mus of Great Britain, which in fact is currently happening. Previously I was a little concerned about his claim on Portugal and was looking at possibly taking it for myself, but I am now in a better position to allow him to take it in exchange for improved relations. A royal Wedding and an extended enforced peace is being discussed, but the deal is not finalized yet.






Forgot to mention from last turn, I have decided to begin reforms of my feudal level. My National Morale is almost maxed, and is a good time to do it I think. This will also increase production, which will help to produce more textiles, and get that first "super-diplomat" sooner.

June 1795




Great Britain and Prussia both take hits losing empire status this month. A flurry of diplomatic activity and correspondence begins as heated talks with Britain leads Spain to purchase a naval upgrade. It seems King Mus was not impressed by Spain's offer of a 10 year enforced peace and Royal Wedding in exchange for Malta and Portugal. Fearing the wrath of the British navy, the Naval Repairs upgrade would give us a +1 defensive bonus. Surely not enough to withstand the mighty British fleet, but better than nothing.




Austria successfully sieges Munich and now controls Bavaria, while Prussia captures Hesse.




Spain's control of the Papacy has not gone unnoticed, and a couple of proposal are sent our way. The British proposal will be refused as Spain looks to get more out of the deal, while Austria's proposal is an absolute gift.

July 1795




Quiet month, the only thing of note were the responses to the treaty proposals as I mentioned last turn and Russia gains an upgrade to bolster their ports.

August 1795




Another quiet month. Spain was able to expel a British diplomat lurking around in Wurzburg, a province of the Papal States. Correspondence remains tense with Britain, but some progress is being made. Elsewhere, some secret deals and an obvious planted rumor by Austria about their total strength. This would be twice the size of Turkey's forces who currently has the largest amount of troops.

September 1795




Time to make good use of Austria's gift of enforced peace. Spain declares war on Venetia now that Austria won't be able to be called on for protection as the treaty prevents this from happening.

October 1795




A crazy month this time. A mixed bag perhaps... some outstanding and some possibly troubling news. Spain forms a protectorate with Italia (Modena) and Turkey DoW's Venetia. Knowing my ally did this from correspodence, I immediately "Charge the Walls" but don't quite get the job done.






Another nice boost as Spain gains the Italian Corps from Modena. Not sure if my or Turkey's DoW on Venice is what had them ask for protection. My guess would be the latter. In any case Spain's forces are off the charts and now have the largest army. [8D]




Next turn will be interesting as I'm not sure if Turkey's DoW on Venetia might not only allow Austria to form a protectorate, but also be a casus belli for Austria to go to war with Turkey. If this happens, Spain will be unable to help because of the enforced peace agreement. From correspondence with Turkey it appears that they did not trust her ally (Spain). It's enough to drive the king of Spain to drinking.

Between this and the constant celebrations, there can be no doubt that...

November 1795




Time to catch up on this AAR again. Luckily for Spain Venice did not end up in Austrian hands during the continued siege, however Lombardy called on France for protection as a consequence of our actions. This will create some possible friction between Spain and France as that is the last territory Spain would need to create the Kingdom of Italy.

Elsewhere, France and Russia are rumored to have secret talks.

December 1795




The siege of Venice is finally over! Prussia's diplomat successfully avenges the previous insurrection caused by Turkey by returning the favor in Lower Egypt.






End of year charts and graphs:

January 1796




From correspondence with King Mus of Great Britain, we have reached an agreement which begins with Spain DoW'ing Portugal in order to have her call for protection. Also part of the agreement is ceding Corfu to Britain. In other correspondence, Prussia is interested in acquiring Wurzburg- which we decide is worth a Royal Wedding and a secret alliance (the second treaty to be made next turn).

February 1796




France is now an empire, and Britain forms a protectorate with Portugal as expected. What wasn't expected was that we are at war with Britain. I had mistakenly thought that turning the aggressive stance off would prevent that. A ceasefire will be signed next month.

March 1796




The news hits Spain hard as word travels that King Mus has passed away. I wonder what will become of the relations with Britain that was worked for and obtained through tough negotiations. At the same time this news arrives, the rest of the agreement is heading to Great Britain. It will all be up to the new King now. This could not have come at a worse time!

April 1796




April is here and that means another spring levee in the Kingdom of Naples! Austria has expressed interest in Salzburg, and once again we decide it is worth the price of peace. [:)] Our first "super diplomat" is produced and gets a great Legal roll. Exactly what Spain needs to help fend off any attempts at mischief in Italy.

May 1796




And so it begins...

The long peace in Europe is now over. Russia's declaration of war sounds off like a cannon across Europe. France is tied by a defensive pact to also declare war on Austria.

The good news for Spain is that the new king, King Kingmaker, seems to have a fairly favorable view of the Spanish. I don't get the extended enforced peace that I wanted, but still a good deal. Minho is worth 2 GP's per turn to the Spanish and I get an alliance at least.