To Xipe:

Playing as Austria H/H, other than war with Ottomans and Prussia (on and off) it was mostly peaceful in the middle of Europe. I was greatly aided by the fact that Prussia and P-L have been duking it out over 14 years....

The only tech swap I did was with Sweden, give 4 mid-level military (barracks) techs for 2 midlevel industrial upgrades. I did this for a few reasons. 1. I wanted to weaken Russia as it was at war with Sweden. 2. I needed industrial upgrades (and was focusing on military, but not naval upgrades). 3. I wouldn't be fighting Sweden anytime soon, and was hoping they would push Russia back and hopefully weaken P-L.

by 1755, I have a western wall of friendly allies: Bavaria, Wurtemburg, Genoa, and Savoy. Savoy took France, and the Alsatian rebels toppled the Frogs.... P-L is on friendly terms, but Bavaria and P-L are at war... Prussia has 2 territories, but is allied with Bavaria, I have the Balkans, sans Transylvania, plus Crimea, Ukraine, and the boot of Italy. Venice is a protectorate of Bavaria.