The War of The Spanish Succession/Great Northern War

**Lord Winter** · 08-09-2007, 22:51

Chapter I: The Edge of War

Diplomacy without arms is like music without instruments.
-Fredrick the Great

Tensions remain high in the north after the pact between Denmark, Saxony and Russia to attack Sweden. Each has not declared war, but rumors of future hostilities are making their way around the courts of the Baltic.

However one of members of the pact has its own problems to sort out before it can attack Sweden. Negotiations over a lasting peace with the Ottomans at the eve of the end of a two year cease fire, has at best frustrated the efforts of Russia to join the war. While the Russian fleet could probably break into the black sea and threaten Istanbul, but the more numerous Turkish army could easily overwhelm the Russians.

The Ottomans are not the last of Peter's of Russia’s problems. The previous year 3,000 of the professional core of the Russian army, the Streltsy, revolted and attempt to stop what they saw as the heretical changes of the Tsar's westernization program. Although they where crushed, they gave voice to the resent that much of the rest of Russia feels.

Meanwhile to the south, Europe finds itself once again scrambling to make sure the Spanish crown is not inherited by someone who will throw off the balance of power. The last treaty placed the crown in the hands of the Bavarian elector with Spain's Italian lands divided between Austria and France as a consolation prize. However the Elector has died and once again the throne comes into question.

In the past few weeks events have once again thrown Europe onto the brink of war. Charles II has left his entire empire to the French prince Philip, a move sure to provoke fear that Frances increasing power may be a threat to the rest of Europe.

Embargoes have also been aimed at William III until he abdicates one of his positions of duel ruler ship between the Seapowers.

So the nations of Europe stand ready to go to war. It is a time were nations can easily rise, and empires will tremble. And meanwhile, the Ottoman Empire waits in the east.

Choices:
The following will affect actions between January 1st, 1700 and March 31st, 1700

Austria:

1. The naming of Philippe as heir to the Spanish crown. You have your own claim through the archduke Charles and an relative to Louis XIV as the king of Spain could make France much stronger.
A. Announce that Austria does not recognize the will and march on France.
B. Demand that Italy is handed over to you in payment for France gaining the throne, in addition demand that France and Spain promise to never come into personal union.
C. Let it happen you have other things to deal with.
D. Other?

2. How to place your Troops? You currently have 80,000 men. Keep in mind that you need to garrison cities and boarders (orders here can be vauge, for example 25,000 men as garrisons)

3. In the event of war with France, what will the plans be?

A. Ask permission to march through Saxony or Bavaria and march on the French boarder.
B. Attack through Italy at the French friendly Duchy of Milan.
C. Other?

4. Any plans to increase the relatively poor incomes of Austria?

Bavaria:

1. Spain, Who shall you support?

A. Philippe of France’s Claim
B. Archduke Charles of Austria’s claim
C. Try to press the formers electors claim by arguing you are his heir.

2. Placing of the troops, where shall you concentrate your army? You have about 11,000 men keep in mind that you need garrisons.

Brandenburg

1. The alliance to the north and the impending war. What stance will you take?

A. Join on the side of the pact, this will give you a chance to gain Swedish Pomerania
B. Enter on Sweden's side, both Saxony and Poland are close by and territorial gains could lead to a joining of the now separated Prussian territory.
C. Maintain a stance of neutrality
D. Other?

2. A potential war in the south: As part of the HRE you owe troops to Austria in the event of war although in recent years you have been all but independent.

A. Contribute Troops but only on the condition that the Austrian Emperor declares you a separate kingdom at the end of the war.
B. Refuse citing the need to defend you territory from the war in the north.
C. Other?

Denmark:

1. When to launch the attack?

A. Immediately (January)
B. Wait until February
C. Wait until march
D. Declare War in April or beyond (next turn)

2. The plan: You have about 35,000 men, please keep in mind that you also need to leave garrisons. MAP GOES HERE

A. Attack Bremen and Verden in the west
B. Cross over to Norway and from there, march east towards Stockholm
C. As of B but march south once you have crossed into Sweden on Göteborg.
D. Other?

England:

1. Parliament has demanded that you remove all foreign advisers. What will your response be?

A. Yes, give into their demands
B. Deny them in the interest of maintaining the power of the sovereign
C. Cut a compromise by giving them a few positions of power in return for their support.
D. Other?

2. The Recent naming of Phillipe of France as heir to the Spanish Empire

A. Recognize him as King and don't make any complaints
B. Recognize Phillipe as King but insist that Austria is handed the Italian territories in payment.
C. Gather as many nations as you can and declare war immediately in order to "preserve the balance of power".
D. Make no official statement at this time.
E. Other?

3. In the event of war what shall the plans be?

A. Land an army in the Netherlands to help in their defense for the rest of the winter
B. As of A but take the offensive and march on Riems,
C. Land on the French coast and attack Caen, Brest or Rennes.
D. Other?

4. The embargoes and taxes aimed to hurt you trade, What action will you take?

A. Make an official condemnation but take no other action.
B. Return by using your navy to blockade the ports of the nations imposing these embargos. This could result in war.
C. Take no notice and hope the problem goes away.

5. Colonies, where well you focus your expansion efforts?

A. North Canada in area either unclaimed or disputed by France.
B. Africa
C. India
D. West from the thirteen colonies
E. The Islands of the Caribbean.

France

1. The naming of Phillipe as heir to the Spanish throne: it is likely that many will see this as a threat to their safety. What will do about this?

A. Support Phillipe's claim with the might of the French army.
B. Do not declare war but instead be content through supporting Phillipe's future throne with money and arms.
C. Pressure Phillipe to renounce all claims to the throne in order to maintain peace.

2. Shall you began to mobilize to war time 400,000?

3. Placing of the troops you currently have 250,000. Keep in mine you need garrisons in cities and boarder forts.

4. Plans in the event of war with Austria and the seapowers?

A. March north and attack The Netherlands while maintaining the offensive in the south
B. Seek permission to march through Bavaria and march on Prague or an other city.
C. Maintain the defensive until spring
D. Other

5. Where shall France focus it's colonization efforts?

The Netherlands:

1. The Recent naming of Phillipe of France as heir to the Spanish Empire

A. Recognize him as King and don't make any complaints
B. Recognize Phillipe as King but insist that Austria is handed the Italian territories in payment.
C. Gather as many nations as you can and declare war immediately in order to "preserve the balance of power".
D. Make no official statement at this time.
E. Other?

2. In the event of war what shall your plans be will you stay on the defensive, or attack?

3. The embargo, what should you do? You control key bases on the Cape of Good Hope and could block traffic to India.

A. Make an official condemnation but take no other action.
B. Return by using your navy to blockade the ports of the nations imposing these embargoes. This could result in war.
C. Cut off the access to India of all nations taking place in the embargoes.
D. Take no notice and hope the problem goes away.

Ottoman Empire:

1. The Janissaries have been gaining a large amount of power over the Sultan recently. How will you fix this?

A. Create your competing elite body, this will take time and may anger the Janissaries into action.
B. Gradual shift power away from the Janissaries to the nobles and other parts of the army
C. Disband them all together, this would most certainly draw their wrath.
D. Do nothing

2. Army reforms: Should you switch to the modern Flintlock musket or stay with the old matchlock?

3. The brewing tensions offer a chance to win back the land you lost in the recent war, if hostillities break out this turn will you attack? If yes then who?

4. Potential plans the case of war, where shall you place your 320,000 men. Keep in mind that you need garrisons.

5. Negations with the Russians. You need to renew the ceasefire. Will you accept Russian demands of an entry point to the black sea?(By PM)

Russia:

1. The Streltsy, the rebellious regiments have been disbanded leaving you with 18,000 Streltsy and 5,000 of the western model. While the other Streltsy have not revolted they have all expressed anger at your westernization program and their absence from Moscow.

A. Gradually disband and exile the Streltsy
B. Order them to obey orders anyway and put down any rebellions that result.
C.Keep them as garrison troops in Moscow.

2. The Pact to attack Sweden, When shall you attack?

A. Immediately
B. Wait until a peace treaty is signed with the Ottomans then attack
C. Do not attack this turn

3. Negotiations with the Ottoman Empire to renew the ceasefire. Will you press for a port on the black sea or settle with your entrance to the Sea of Azov.

4. The musket shortfall: Russia only produces 6,000 new muskets a year, what steps should you take to fix this problem?

A. Build factories to try to increase your production to 10,000 muskets a year by the end of the year. This may hurt your ability to carry out other projects for a short time.
B. Set out to buy muskets from nations with a Surplus (By PM or thread)
C. Learn to live with 6,000 muskets a year.

5. Plans for an offensive against Sweden:

A. Attack Narva on the coast of Livonia
B. Strike west into Finland
C. March on the Swedish fortress on Schlusselburg, once it falls it will open the way to the mouth of the Neva.
D. Other?

Saxony/Poland

1. Should the kingdom of Poland declare war with Saxony? The treaty only requires Saxony to declare war and the Polish diet is opposed to entering a major war with Sweden. Doing so would allow you to bring more men into the conflict.

2. What month should you attack in? Or shall you wait until next turn?

3. The offensive:

A. Attack Riga an important fortress for the Swedes
B. Attack the Swedish friendly Duchy of Courland
C. Other?

Spain:

1. The succession, your decision to name Phillipe of France your heir will certainly anger many other countries. What shall you do about this?

A. Give the Italian territories to the Austrian Emperor
B. Insist that the Empire stays as a whole but promise that the two kingdoms will never come into personal union.
C. Give away a few of the colonies in payment
D. Do nothing

2. The Debt how will you deal with it?

A. Cut expenses and raise taxes to slowly pay off the debt.
B. Ask that Louis XIV would pay off some of the debt in payment for you naming his Grandson heir
C. Sell off parts of the Italian possessions to make up the shortfall
D. Other?

Sweden:

1. The Pact to attack you should you wait for them to invade or attack first?

2. In the event of war who should you counterattack first?

A. Denmark
B. Saxony
C. Russia