The problem with 'dumb diplomacy' in ETW is that trade features so heavily. States like the UP, with very small starting provinces and very minimal tax income, RELY in trade. While it is easy to simply rush Paris, it feels cheesy and like you're breaking some rule. The Netherlands should NOT be able to conquer France in two turns. And then had it over to Savoy because they didn't want it.

I even offered it to Spain in exchange for a peace treaty. Spain told me to bugger off. Ten turns later I'd taken over all of their new world colonies, destroyed their fleets, annihilated their armies and had a full stack set to besiege Madrid. I offered peace and Spain shot back saying "Give us 2800 gold."

Now, that's not a large amount, but the sheer cheek of it made me angry enough that I took over Madrid, destroyed all the buildings and gave it to Morocco.