Chapter 62: Embracing the Revolution (1753-58)
Frisian light infantry drill in Niger, c. 1753 [Leonardo Phoenix 1.0]
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Revolutionary Action
In January 1754, revolutionary rebels still ran amok in Bavaria, in two armies totalling over 60,000 men. The main Bavarian army remained marooned in Friesland with no way home through either Franconia or Austria, while seven new Bavarian regiments had been raised but remained dispersed in the homeland.
By July, Bavaria had 27,000 troops at home but had not yet concentrated to take on the rebels. In Aragon, the revolution was spreading like wildfire, unrest inflamed by the high degree of absolutism there
[105, bringing +25% unrest].
A year later, little had changed in Bavaria, but the revolution was now spreading into Franconia. As 1755 ended, revolutionary spirit was fanning out north and west from the centre of the Franconian theocracy.
By December 1756, Bavaria remained infused with revolutionary spirit but the active rebel armies had all been defeated: the main first Bavarian army remained marooned in Friesland, but over 40 regiments had been amassed in the homeland and had recently defeated the last of the rebels as revolutionary activists continued to spread steadily through Franconia and now in Spain, from Madrid outwards.
Another country declared a revolutionary republic in May 1757: the small state of Regensburg, a one-province power bordered by Franconia to the north and Bavaria to the south.
Next came bombshell news that activists had arrived to spread revolutionary ideas in the great Frisian port city of Hamburg. However, due to the openness and relative liberalism of the Federal Republic, this did not destabilise the government. In fact, local unrest was actually decreased a little from the introduction of this political outlet!
Not so to the east in Pomerania and the small German states to its south, where in August 1758 hotbeds of revolutionary radicalism were now causing trouble. Nor in metropolitan Aragon, where armed revolutionaries had taken to the field in large numbers. And revolution had begun to spread in Denmark and southern Sweden.
Soon afterwards, a renowned philosopher in Brügge published an incendiary treatise. But rather than taking insult and reacting with repression, President Jongstra embraced the moment and tolerated this ‘healthy Republican dissent’. While ever the revolutionary movement remained peaceful and broadly within in the Frisian political mainstream the Federal Republic would deem it no threat to state stability.
This was not the case in the homeland of Frisian ally Aragon, where unrest remained high in the north and the rebels ranged around with seeming impunity as Aragon’s army remained deployed entirely overseas.
Domestic Matters
The new President, Albrecht Jongstra, quickly gained a reputation as an entrepreneur in November 1753, significantly boosting trade efficiency: a great benefit in a trade-dominated economy. This was complemented a few days later by the introduction of the Rotherham Plough throughout the Federal Republic, which permanently boosted productivity.
With over 29,000 ducats in the treasury, in February 1754 President Jongstra decided to spend some of it to speed up the construction of Friesland two great projects. 500 ducats saw the estimated date for the completion of the third stage of the Dutch Polders in Amsterdam brought forward 1,460 days to 17 August 1756. And 250 more was spent on the second stage of the Cologne Cathedral, now due to be finished on 16 September 1761.
Even more money was siphoned out of the coffers in May when national pride demanded that a court painter be hired.
The following February, the national parliament was expanded yet again, Hoya gaining a seat in the now 17 member Landtag. Meaning even more people with whom to ‘Dance the Political Fandango’.
A long-anticipated local revolt broke out in Köln on 2 September 1755. Unfortunately for these separatist rebels, the Leger Neubrandenburg had been stationed there for some time, commanded by Friesland’s best (and most flamboyant) general. The results were predictable and grisly for the separatists, their revolt over within a couple of days.
Productive rains in East Java in January 1756 spurred a development and construction boom there. In Malang, 26 administrative power improved the tax base by one and allowed a new conscription centre to be commenced. In Kediri, administrative power was spent on development
[53 for +2 to the tax base] and another conscription centre was started.
This in turn saw something similar done back in Europe for Oldenburg
[104 admin, +4 tax base], new stock exchange) and Cleve
[52 admin, +2 tax base]. A few months later, the exceptional year was directed by the entrepreneurial President Jongstra into permanently improving base production in Brügge.
This was followed the next month by more building: a stock exchange for Calabar in Frisian Niger and another for Inhambane in south-east Africa. But the month was capped off by another progressive policy initiative from President Jongstra: the abolition of slavery throughout the Federal Republic. The two slave producing provinces in Africa were converted to other resources, allowing a new mill to be built in Zazzau (Niger) to process tropical wood.
Then on August 1756 a huge amount (many thought it grossly wasteful, others a great tribute to Frisian grandeur) was spent on state patronage. In addition to the great up-front outlay tax receipts would be reduced for years to come. But innovativeness and prestige would accrue for the next 15 years.
Within a month of this, the last stage of the Polders was completed in Amsterdam: another tribute to Frisian Greatness. National pride abounded and, by way of an additional boost for the great commercial hub, a counting house upgrade was commenced.
After all this expenditure, there were still around 24,800 ducats in the Republic’s treasury in January 1757, with over 231/month net receipts, with income lead by trade (400), and production (168). Tax (78) was the only other significant source, with tariff and gold income minimal.
The other long-expected revolt erupted in Dortmund on 8 July 1757. This time, the new general Kai Gauma in charge of Leger Amsterdam was camped nearby and on standby to deal with any trouble. He wasn’t even needed: the Bavarian 1st Army (still stranded in Friesland) happened to be passing through from Berg and arrived to crush the rebels as a favour to their allies. By 13 July it was all over, with another separatist bloodbath.
October 1757 brought the end of the ten-year program of extended officer commissions for the army. A new debate was started straight away to provide for the quartering of troops to reduce maintenance and attrition for Friesland’s burgeoning army. There was no waiting around, with the pork barrel rolled out and largesse distributed among the remaining seats need to pass the legislation.
[The standard EU4 parliamentary illustration and Leonardo Phoenix 1.0’s reinterpretation of it from a reference image.]
A range of bribes and inducements had to be offered to take approval from the starting point of 26% up to the number required for approval. Money, Papal disapproval, Republican tradition, corruption, and national prestige were all sacrificed first, with army and naval traditions the last to be sacrificed and as little as possible. The vote was passed by the end of the day.
But President Jongstra would not be so accommodating in mid-1758 when a cabal of merchants tried to engineer a trade war to promote their own commercial interests. With shipbuilding only sporadic by this time, the advantages for taking this course would be few.
The President did not want to be hemmed into fighting some trade war when the opposition Coalition was still growing all around the Homeland. The hit to national prestige and unrest would be absorbed for the next five years in order to retain strategic flexibility.
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Military Developments
Things remained static for the Frisian military until December 1754, when another advance in military doctrine led to a huge expansion in the maximum land force limit
[I don’t believe Friesland has the national characteristics or reforms etc to allow any special units].
The Grand Army of Friesland could now supportably expand from 298 to 340 regiments. And by this point, Frisian manpower reserves had also hit their limits after years of accumulation. This paved the way for the creation of another new European-based army, with 27 regiments immediately put into training.
Another ten regiments (half infantry and half artillery) began training in June 1755 when those were completed. Four more (two infantry, two artillery) were created in Niger. With over 1,900 men recruited each month during this period, the manpower reserve had again reached its maximum of 189,000 by February 1757.
Frisian cavalry effectiveness would be boosted for the next ten years in November 1757 through the introduction of ‘cavalry companions’.
In July 1758, after almost all the new Grand Army recruitment was finished, Friesland’s 346 regiments made it (not counting the colonial armies of the various powers) at 345,000 men the sixth largest army in the world. And Friesland had the largest current manpower reserve (not maximum) of any country.
By October 1758, the Leger had grown from 297 to 347 regiments, with 20 each of infantry and artillery and five cavalry regiments raised in Europe, the four regiments in Niger and one new artillery regiment in East Java. Just five new vessels were built over the five years up to the gradually increasing force limit: two triple-deckers and three great frigates, all in Europe.
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Africa
Africa proved to be a key focal point of Frisian interest and activity for the five years from 1753 to 1758. For a start, there was the continuing Castilian-Kongolese Imperialist War started in September 1753. In November 1754 the Kongo was still slightly ahead (-2%).
Friesland found itself involved in another African campaign in March 1755 when called in by Aragon to take part in its Imperialist war against Songhai and their ally Air. Naturally, Friesland agreed to join but this time they would not be active participants. One of the Niger armies continued to drill, the other moved to a reserve position at Nupa.
With Aragon easily conducting their war themselves, in June 1756 L.v. Calabar relocated back to the Granadan border: Friesland had designs on the last expatriate outpost of the former Spanish enclave. But it transpired that the truce from their last war would not expire until October 1757. Friesland’s rapacious designs would have to wait
[breaking the truce would have cost 3 stability]. Both armies were now set to drilling instead.
The truce duly expired on 3 October 1757, when both armies halted their drilling and began reorganising. By 3 January 1758 this was largely completed and a diplomat was called back from curry favours in New Friesland, which would be a long return voyage.
It would be mid-February before all was ready, but before that Aragon was able to end its war against Songhai with another large annexation of the Nigerian hinterland. On one hand this was useful, getting that war out of the way and meaning Aragon would be available if needed for the Granadan venture. But it also put the pressure on Friesland to expand its own colonial holdings lest they be overshadowed further by both the Spanish colonial powers.
Just two days later, Albrecht Tjerkstra had returned from America and was available for the declaration of war against Granada and its allies and guarantor: Morocco, Kanem Bornu and Air. Friesland called in some favours to bring Aragon in to ensure Morocco and Air would be distracted and give the Frisian alliance significant numerical superiority in the region.
L.v. Calabar and Idah were soon marching into Granada’s last two provinces. Both arrived on the same day: 3 March 1758. L.v. Idah began occupying Bauchi, while L.v. Calabar quickly destroyed the 3,000 men Granada had in their capital Yola for the loss of only 61 fusiliers and began a siege of the small fort the next day.
By 17 March, Frisian manpower was holding, with around 200 more soldiers being recruited as we lost in attrition per month. At the start of April, Yola had been taken (ticking warscore started) and Bauchi occupied.
As the invasion of Granada proceeded routinely, at the end of May Castile prevailed against Kongo, annexing most of its territory in a massive land grab. And boosting its place in the world.
A diplomat was called home from Savoy in July to explore negotiation options once more
[warscore +6%]. But it was discovered the progress was not even at the minimum level required to send a proposal
[+10%] and even then, a demand incorporating the full annexation of Granada and the short length of the war meant even at that minimum level a treaty would have been out of the question
[around -90 reasons].
The war would need to go on for some time yet and the two Frisian armies fanned out to do that, with the manpower reserve still holding at its maximum level making it easy to do so indefinitely. By 14 October 1758, Rano and Marghi in Air had both been occupied and the fortress of Bedde was under siege.
Campaign map, March-October 1758.
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Other Foreign Wars
Vietnamese Purge of Kham Heresy
Da Viet had launched a war to ‘cleanse heresy’ from its neighbour Kham involved back in December 1752. By November 1754 Vietnam and its allies (including the Deccans) were well on top
[+35%] of Kham and its grouping (which included Shu and Delhi). It would take until October 1756 for the war to end in a decisive Vietnamese victory. Kham was converted, Shu ceded one province to Da Viet and Delhi was forced to concede nine to the Deccan Empire. And they remained at war with Persia, which they were also losing.
Lan Na concluded a separate peace in January 1754, which saw it cede three of its four remaining provinces to the Vietnamese.
2nd Russian-Shun Imperialist War
This was declared on the tiny rump Shun state in March 1754, involving Japan and the over-stretched Kham as Shun’s allies. By later that year Russia had begun to exert its dominance, quickly seizing Shun. Kham, already engaged (and losing) against Vietnam, made a separate peace with the Russians in July 1755, forced to cede a large part of their realm in the north.
Russia was then left to invade Japan as their opposition continued on Shun’s behalf.
Franconian-Bohemian Imperialist War
Franconia had attacked the weakened and diminished Bohemia back in December 1752, peeling away Bohemian allies Brunswick and Lusatia in 1753. The conservative Bishopric completed the conquest of the rest of the Bohemian homeland in April 1754, leaving the once significant regional power with just the single expatriate province of Halle in central Germany.
French-Scottish Imperialist War
France had once again pursued the expatriate Scottish in the islands of the South Pacific in October 1753. It was no surprise when the French won the war in February 1755, taking the Marshall Islands and leaving the last Scottish outpost on Wake Is.
Persian-Delhian Imperialist War
Persia declared war on Delhi, who were supported by allies Lan Na, Kham and Sindh, in August 1752 in another major regional war in the region. In November 1754 the Persians had the upper hand
[+19 warscore] and this got worse for the defenders over the next few years. In August 1757 Sindh was forced to capitulate, yielding more than half their territory to the victorious Persia.
By this time, Persia had also made large inroads into Delhi’s western provinces. The war would continue and Delhi remained in big trouble.
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Diplomatic and Colonial Affairs
An assessment of anti-Frisian Coalition opinions in August 1754 showed it would likely be many years before most of them would forget Friesland’s great German land grab. For example, Pomerania’s views of Friesland’s unlawful occupation of HRE territory
[-102, +1.7 yearly] and aggressive expansion
[-79, +3.4 yearly] were dire. Austria not only wanted Frisian provinces
[84 of them, -200] but had even worse views of Frisian expansion
[AE -127, +3.4 p/a; unlawful territory the same at -102, +1.7 yearly]. It was not much better with many other coalition members.
On the diplomatic front, a warning was received in March 1755 that the alliance with Poland may be about to collapse. Action was quickly taken to improve opinion after the spy network in Brunswick secured a claim on Hanover and quickly dashed over to Poland.
In June, the spy network in Franconia was making little headway and the Polish alliance was still on a knife’s edge. The diplomats first traded some old favours to build trust with Poland, then hopped across to build a spy network in Berg: in years to come the small border country may be a target of Frisian expansion and if so, they wanted to develop a claim for it.
The Polish influence mission ran its course in November 1755 and a spy network in Cologne was established, for similar reasons.
By February 1756, three more one-province countries had joined the Coalition (as their truces with Friesland ran out) and none had left, providing a considerable hand-brake on Frisian ambitions in Europe.
When a Frisian diplomat returned from Africa in November 1756 after realising it was too early to negotiate peace there, they were sent to improve relations with Coalition member Saxe-Lauenburg, who were a
bit less opposed to Friesland than many of the other members.
More generally, Friesland was assessed to be the fourth most developed country in the world by August 1757 (not counting the contributions of colonial or subject states). This was considerably more than neighbour France, whose Great Power ranking was boosted by a very large subject’s development contribution. While much of Friesland’s colonial territory was directly rules, except for New Friesland in America and Frisian Australia.
At the same time, Friesland had the third largest national income in the world (665 ducats per month) after Turkey and Russia.
In March 1758, a spare diplomat returned from another African mission was sent back to improve relations with Frisian ally Savoy.
Castile’s great victory over Kongo had seen its position in the world boosted above that of Friesland by July 1758 (those conquered lands going direct to Castile’s development total). This pushed Friesland back down to seventh place in the Great Power rankings by a very narrow margin. Consolidation of states in Europe had advanced, especially by Franconia.
There had also been more consolidation in Asia over the last five years, with two wars still in progress as the aggressors in both cases neared victories.
While the Americas had remained amazingly stable and peaceful for decades under the rule of a handful of colonial powers, the spectre of liberty desire among some of the subject states had arisen by this time. While energetic management by Friesland had kept its powerful colony largely under control, the same could not be said for some other massive colonial states. For France the crown colony of French Canada was at a fever pitch of independence agitation and Floride was not far behind.
For Portugal, things were looking very dangerous in Portuguese Mexico and Carabais, somewhat less so in Portuguese Louisiana and Peru. England’s large British Columbia colony was also quite unruly. The remaining American colonies of France, Castile, Portugal and Friesland seemed
relatively stable by comparison
[ie. under 50% Liberty Desire].
Portuguese Australia was also a hotbed of dissent, while there was no liberty desire apparent in its Frisian colonial neighbour.
At that time, Friesland remained in the top eight of most measures (and 6th in the overall victory point count – up from 7th five years before).
[Note: this chapter goes up to October 1758, but the various July 1758 summary images, including this, were taken from the last save before that.]
