Svea Destiny, the reawakening of Sweden.

[KarlXII]

It is January First of the year Eighten Thirty-Six. In the Low Countries, the Netherlands fights a war against the Belgian rebels. Britain still celebrates it's victory over Napoleon, while France tries to restore itself. Russia and the Ottoman Empire grow in rivalry. Prussia and Austria try to secure dominance in Germany.

And then, there is Sweden.

Once a great empire of the Baltic, she is now considered a major influence in Scandinavia. Having lost most of her territory in the Great Northern and Finnish War, she retains control of her heartland and Norway, acquired by the ruling King, Karl XIV Johan.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/210px-Karl_XIV_Johan2C_king_of_Swed.jpg
A much younger Karl XIV Johan

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe1.jpg
Sverige, 1836.

[Hooahguy]

keep it going!

[KarlXII]

The Kingdom, in 1836, is a Constitutional Monarchy headed by an aging King, King Karl XIV. He holds exclusive executive powers, matters of war, diplomacy and economy. The legislature is composed of the Riksdag of the Estates, a parliament composed of the Four Estates of the Realm, the nobility, the clergy, the burgher, and the peasants. Responsible for domestic and economic issues, the Riksdag is not a simple pawn of the King, it can, if it wishes, oust a Royal from power.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe2.jpg

Though a multi party government, the ruling Konservativa Partiet is the only represented party in the parliament, and the citizens support them to the fullest. Voicing the ideas of state capitalism, religious acceptance and jingoism, the Konservativa are the prime example of a moderate expansionist party.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe3.jpg

[KarlXII]

The economy of Sweden is not in great shape. With education, defence, and army maintenance at full, it is causing a significant strain on the economy. Trying to slow down a large deficit, the Riskdag raised lower class taxes to just under 70%, middle class to under 50%, and high class to 55%. They also cut crime fighting, relying on the Army to maintain order. The Navy's spending was cut in half, and is in the serious prospect of being cut to curb the costs.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe4.jpg

The Riksdag, with the King's support, have decided to wait one month to determine any future choice of spending.

[Hooahguy]

Kudos, Karl. you got me interested in the game...

[Monk]

Kudos, Karl. you got me interested in the game...

Indeed.

Is this Victoria? A fine start for the AAR, in any case.

[KarlXII]

Indeed.

Is this Victoria? A fine start for the AAR, in any case.

This is Victoria played with the expansion Revolutions. All vanilla, no mods.

Now, at what rate should I post an update? How long should an update be?

[KarlXII]

First month, the Army and Navy.

Within the first month, the Swedish economy boosted to a surplus, allowing the riskdag to bring naval maintenance to full spending. It seems the Navy was safe. However, in order to keep the economy running, the Admirality scuttled the 3 transports, as they would not be needed anytime soon.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe5.jpg
The new state of the economy.

The Swedish Army consisted of 2 infantry divisions, one housing the elite Svea Livgarde, and a dragoon division. The Army was under the command of General Dahlberg, a career soldier with a history of service in the Livgardet, with experience in the Napoleonic Wars.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe6.jpg

The Navy had recieved a neglect in funding for years, but with the new economic policy, the Riskdag allowed maximum funding. The main, and only, fleet is based in Stockholm harbor. Composed of 8 Men-o-War and 5 frigates, the fleet is headed by Admiral Nordenskjold, another career sailor who unfortunately has not participated in a major fleet action.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe7.jpg

The first month saw the Belgian people seceding from the Netherlands. Within a couple days of fighting, Belgium became autonomous, but a Dutch satellite. The following London Treaty made this legal, with Britain and France signing it, and Prussia and Austria choosing not to.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe8.jpg

King Karl XIV announced a sudden change the political system. He declared, upon the death of the King, be it in battle or at home, the Parliament will hold an election to determine the new ruling party with the new ruling King. This caused dissatisfaction from the upper classes, who viewed this act as a challenge to their power. The King also created the two new offices of Prime Minister and Speaker of the Riksdag.

The Prime Minister, who was appointed by and only answered to the King, was in charge of day to day affairs and represented the His Majesty. The first man appointed to this position was Sven Frieborg, a retired general and outspoken Russophobe. Sven was a member of the Konservativa, and immediately began consolidating his position, and reforming the country. He also was a notorious power hungry demagogue, contesting Party leadership for years. However, his military experience and political realism appealed to Karl XIV. Sven's first act was to extend universal suffrage, an act met with hostility from his own party.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe9.jpg

The Speaker was elected by the ruling party. Since the Konservativa controlled the Riksdag, they unanimously elected Karl Jacon, member of a noble house. Jacon, typical of noblemen, spoke elequently and had a hot temper, he is known to have challenged at least 5 politicans to a duel.

[KarlXII]

As the reforms set in motion, there were increasing calls for agressive expansionism, primarily by the radical conservatives, known as the "Scandinavist Faction". Their primary philosophy was the conquest of Denmark and Finland to create a united Scandinavia, under Swedish hegemony.

The time came when, according to "anonymous" soldiers and the Scandinavists, Danish agents were found operating in Skåneland, and a "platoon" of Danish soldiers engaged a Swedish cavalry element. The reports were, of course, sketchy, though it created a wide call of conquest and vengeance. That is when, on April the First, Eighteen Thirty Six, a vote was held on the declaration of war.

With the new suffrage rights given, there were protests and counter protests. However, with the Riksdag still held by the Konservativa, the resolution passed. Karl Jacon, speaker of the House, officialy read the declaration in a public meeting:

"It is, with the discovery of this new information regarding hostile acts perpetuated by the Danish government, our position that the Kingdom of Sweden is now in a state of war with the Kingdom of Denmark.

A loud cheer rose in Stockholm of this news. Immediately, the 4 reserve divisions, composed of 4000 young Swedes, were called to mobilize. The Regular Army was quickly filled with new recruits. The navy went to battlestations and sped up the process of repair and maintenance.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe10.jpg
The reserves are mobilized.

A war council was held by Karl XIV Johan. The plan was to, with the Regular Army, hold Malmo and wait for the 4 new divisions to arrive. Then, under the leadership of Dahlberg, the Army will attack and occupy Copenhagen. All the while Nordenskjold's fleet will engage in a decisive battle, and blockade the Danish coast.

https://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/KarlXIVJohan/swe11.jpg
The fleet puts out to sea

With everything in motion, it is now time for the Kingdom to prove itself in battle.

[Hooahguy]

go Sweden! im interested to see how this war unfolds.