Playing As Minor Faction

[Seyavash]

When I play as a minor faction with a 1-slot region, I make sure to invade some obscure 4- or 5-slot settlement in India or the Americas to feed my lust for technology.

I think I am going to have to do that.

The other odd thing I noticed is that the colonial factions, New Spain, 13 Colonies etc. seem to remain independent, is that a side effect of unlocking the minors or just coincidence?