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Russia, of course, had some armies opposite the Golden Horde already. These few did immediately march across the border to Samara, Uralsk, and Volgograd. Battles were lost in Uralsk and Volgograd, and the peasants of Kazan revolted in protest of the entire war effort. They may be heretics, but they're OUR heretics.
In the middle of all this, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia all met to discuss what to do about the Teutonic Order. Poland and Sweden came up with an agreement, spliting the Teutonic Order amongst themselves and creating Courland. Poland, Denmark, and Sweden all accepted this. As Poland was our ally, we found no cause to worry, and also accepted the agreement.
Meanwhile, the Kazan rebellion was put down, and more troops marched upon the Steppes. Volgograd and Uralsk were sieged. Orenburg was sieged. The province of Samara fell to Russia, and the siegers moved on to Irgiz. Volgograd fell. Kalmuk fell to Polish forces. Uralsk and Orenburg fell in January and February 1561, respectively, with Irgiz falling in 1561.
On April 25, 1561, we reformed the treasury and abolished Kormlenije. Lots of great things happened in Russia due to this reformation and abolishment, too numerous to mention. On April 27, 1561, an army from Karelia of all places of 10,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry suddenly formed and stated that the Steppes in their entirety belonged to Russia, and that they were here to make sure of it. But, on May 29, 1561, Golden Horde gave Kalmuk to Poland and Samara to Russia, ending the war. Poland now had a huge hold in the Steppes, as did Russia and Lithuania.
It was now 1562. Courland and Sweden started a war with Lithuania and Georgia. In 1563, the internal problems of Lithuania came to international attention as Ukraine declared independence from them, a single-province revolt. On April 26, 1563, Ukraine joined Poland and Russia's military alliance, and in May Moldavia came back on board as well. Then, war was declared with Lithuania, with everyone honoring the alliance. The fight for Ukrainian independence was about to begin.
Armies surged across the border to Welikia and Kursk, for starters. Belgorod, Donetsk and Poltava were also sieged soon after. By February 1564, Kursk was captured for Russia. Poland captured Lithuania. In May, it was Donetsk. Also in May, Georgia thought better of taking on the dual-flagged juggernaut, accepting a white peace with the Polish-Russian coalition, leaving Lithuania to fend for herself. In July, Bogutjar, one of the least important provinces in the Steppes, also fell. But they're all important to Mother Russia.
Vorones was next on the list of sieges, after it was determined that the rebels did not want to defect to Russia immediately.
In October 1564, Belgorod fell and Lithuania had had enough. The terms were favorable - Welikia, Bogutjar, and Kursk to Russia. For the first time, Russia took provinces in a war without offering her allies anything. But, in her defense, all these provinces were ones that were truly Russian, not Lithuanian, and that fact needed to be established by red lines on a map.
Unfortunately, the war did not end for Ukraine. Russia inconveniently forgot that that was a separate war! Lithuania easily annexed Ukraine again, after dealing with Sweden and Courland, giving Courland Belarus in the treaty of August 18, 1565. It took until December, 1566, though, which further shows Lithuania's internal strife.
Also of note in 1566 was the discovery of how to assault fortresses.
Vladimir: Instead of just standing around, why don't we try to get inside the castles?
Ivan: Brilliant!
The internal strife proved to be far too much for Lithuania, and in January 1567, the entirety of the nobility revolted, allied with Poland, and killed the King of Lithuania. Poland completely annexed Lithuanian's huge tracts of land in one fell swoop. Contrary to popular belief that Russia was pissed that Poland had taken over many of their core provinces, the truth looked more like a giant party in the streets of Russia. The evil empire threat had never come to fruition, and now Lithuania was gone forever, leaving a friend on the border as opposed to the enemy who had once stood at the gate, never knocking, but always there.
In the middle of all this, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia all met to discuss what to do about the Teutonic Order. Poland and Sweden came up with an agreement, spliting the Teutonic Order amongst themselves and creating Courland. Poland, Denmark, and Sweden all accepted this. As Poland was our ally, we found no cause to worry, and also accepted the agreement.
Meanwhile, the Kazan rebellion was put down, and more troops marched upon the Steppes. Volgograd and Uralsk were sieged. Orenburg was sieged. The province of Samara fell to Russia, and the siegers moved on to Irgiz. Volgograd fell. Kalmuk fell to Polish forces. Uralsk and Orenburg fell in January and February 1561, respectively, with Irgiz falling in 1561.
On April 25, 1561, we reformed the treasury and abolished Kormlenije. Lots of great things happened in Russia due to this reformation and abolishment, too numerous to mention. On April 27, 1561, an army from Karelia of all places of 10,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry suddenly formed and stated that the Steppes in their entirety belonged to Russia, and that they were here to make sure of it. But, on May 29, 1561, Golden Horde gave Kalmuk to Poland and Samara to Russia, ending the war. Poland now had a huge hold in the Steppes, as did Russia and Lithuania.
It was now 1562. Courland and Sweden started a war with Lithuania and Georgia. In 1563, the internal problems of Lithuania came to international attention as Ukraine declared independence from them, a single-province revolt. On April 26, 1563, Ukraine joined Poland and Russia's military alliance, and in May Moldavia came back on board as well. Then, war was declared with Lithuania, with everyone honoring the alliance. The fight for Ukrainian independence was about to begin.
Armies surged across the border to Welikia and Kursk, for starters. Belgorod, Donetsk and Poltava were also sieged soon after. By February 1564, Kursk was captured for Russia. Poland captured Lithuania. In May, it was Donetsk. Also in May, Georgia thought better of taking on the dual-flagged juggernaut, accepting a white peace with the Polish-Russian coalition, leaving Lithuania to fend for herself. In July, Bogutjar, one of the least important provinces in the Steppes, also fell. But they're all important to Mother Russia.
Vorones was next on the list of sieges, after it was determined that the rebels did not want to defect to Russia immediately.
In October 1564, Belgorod fell and Lithuania had had enough. The terms were favorable - Welikia, Bogutjar, and Kursk to Russia. For the first time, Russia took provinces in a war without offering her allies anything. But, in her defense, all these provinces were ones that were truly Russian, not Lithuanian, and that fact needed to be established by red lines on a map.
Unfortunately, the war did not end for Ukraine. Russia inconveniently forgot that that was a separate war! Lithuania easily annexed Ukraine again, after dealing with Sweden and Courland, giving Courland Belarus in the treaty of August 18, 1565. It took until December, 1566, though, which further shows Lithuania's internal strife.
Also of note in 1566 was the discovery of how to assault fortresses.
Vladimir: Instead of just standing around, why don't we try to get inside the castles?
Ivan: Brilliant!
The internal strife proved to be far too much for Lithuania, and in January 1567, the entirety of the nobility revolted, allied with Poland, and killed the King of Lithuania. Poland completely annexed Lithuanian's huge tracts of land in one fell swoop. Contrary to popular belief that Russia was pissed that Poland had taken over many of their core provinces, the truth looked more like a giant party in the streets of Russia. The evil empire threat had never come to fruition, and now Lithuania was gone forever, leaving a friend on the border as opposed to the enemy who had once stood at the gate, never knocking, but always there.
Screenshots:
As you can see, England is a one-province minor, having been dismantled by Scotland and France. Poor England.
Cologne is green. Bavaria is blue. Austria is the big white blob, as always. The Knights own Napoli, Modena and Siena are Spanish. Bulgaria is still holding the Ottomans back. Venice is also a big player here, despite being totally shut out of their home provinces. Papal States owns Hellas and Albania.
Denmark has two provinces in Scandinavia, but has a couple more in Greenland of all places. Eire owns Iceland. Norway owns one province here. Poland owns a couple provinces separated from the main body by Courland.
Not much to say about this. Poland has quite a foothold here, as do we, as the Golden Horde is being dismantled from the outside. Won't be much longer. Georgia, Lithuania's long time ally, is also in existance here. Maybe I should get Georgia in on the alliance. Them and Moldavia seem to actually like me, as does Poland due to the spoils I give them in war.
As you can see, England is a one-province minor, having been dismantled by Scotland and France. Poor England.
Cologne is green. Bavaria is blue. Austria is the big white blob, as always. The Knights own Napoli, Modena and Siena are Spanish. Bulgaria is still holding the Ottomans back. Venice is also a big player here, despite being totally shut out of their home provinces. Papal States owns Hellas and Albania.
Denmark has two provinces in Scandinavia, but has a couple more in Greenland of all places. Eire owns Iceland. Norway owns one province here. Poland owns a couple provinces separated from the main body by Courland.
Not much to say about this. Poland has quite a foothold here, as do we, as the Golden Horde is being dismantled from the outside. Won't be much longer. Georgia, Lithuania's long time ally, is also in existance here. Maybe I should get Georgia in on the alliance. Them and Moldavia seem to actually like me, as does Poland due to the spoils I give them in war.
Bavaria's snagged Baden? Shame. 
Some more good gains... and that Astrakhan centre of trade is certainly looking appetizing right now...
Because (say it with me):
It all belongs to Mother Russia!
Some more good gains... and that Astrakhan centre of trade is certainly looking appetizing right now...
Because (say it with me):
It all belongs to Mother Russia!
On April 1, 1567, Vorones finally revolted and came over to Russia's side.
This began a long peace time, at least for Russia. Ryazan had much longer, of course. However, during this time, a new country sprang from Courland, calling herself Lithuania. The new capital was in Belarus.
It was 1579 before the next war. The military alliance with Poland and Modavia had expired, but was quickly reformed without Moldavia. Austria declared war with Moldavia and took Transylvania from her. Then, on September 8, Austria declared war with Poland, with Bremen and Russia joining each side respectively, with Moldavia coming along as well, having rejoined the Axis of the East.
In April, 1580, an inventor named Vladimir came up with a new invention, creating a manufactury in Welikia of the weapons variety.
vladimir: We should make these thing sharp instead of dull like we've been doing.
Weapons Manufacturers: Ooooo, aaaaah....
On July 5, the Axis of the East was finished as Moldavia was annexed in it's entirety by Austria.
Russian and Polish armies marched against the Austrian empire, but to no avail. Austria easily pushed both countries back with their lightning sticks and quickly got peace from Poland. But no quick enough, as Georgia also declared war on Poland while Poland was busy with Austria.
That may have been why, on January 18, 1581, Poland gave away massive amounts of territory to Austria, including Krakow, Kustrin, and Carpathia.
The war with Georgia went much differently. Russian forces marched against a siege Georgians had levied against Polish Azow, and a Russian force of 22,000 completely destroyed a Georgian army of equal number. After that, the war was a formality, with Russia assaulting the capital (Sochi) and Kerch, Poland sacking Georgia. The peace treaty of october 1581 was read off by Polish and Georgian officials, with Kerch going to Russia and Georgia to Poland.
Thus began a rebuilding period for Russia, as the previous peaceful era had actually been filled with internal strife.
This began a long peace time, at least for Russia. Ryazan had much longer, of course. However, during this time, a new country sprang from Courland, calling herself Lithuania. The new capital was in Belarus.
It was 1579 before the next war. The military alliance with Poland and Modavia had expired, but was quickly reformed without Moldavia. Austria declared war with Moldavia and took Transylvania from her. Then, on September 8, Austria declared war with Poland, with Bremen and Russia joining each side respectively, with Moldavia coming along as well, having rejoined the Axis of the East.
In April, 1580, an inventor named Vladimir came up with a new invention, creating a manufactury in Welikia of the weapons variety.
vladimir: We should make these thing sharp instead of dull like we've been doing.
Weapons Manufacturers: Ooooo, aaaaah....
On July 5, the Axis of the East was finished as Moldavia was annexed in it's entirety by Austria.
Russian and Polish armies marched against the Austrian empire, but to no avail. Austria easily pushed both countries back with their lightning sticks and quickly got peace from Poland. But no quick enough, as Georgia also declared war on Poland while Poland was busy with Austria.
That may have been why, on January 18, 1581, Poland gave away massive amounts of territory to Austria, including Krakow, Kustrin, and Carpathia.
The war with Georgia went much differently. Russian forces marched against a siege Georgians had levied against Polish Azow, and a Russian force of 22,000 completely destroyed a Georgian army of equal number. After that, the war was a formality, with Russia assaulting the capital (Sochi) and Kerch, Poland sacking Georgia. The peace treaty of october 1581 was read off by Polish and Georgian officials, with Kerch going to Russia and Georgia to Poland.
Thus began a rebuilding period for Russia, as the previous peaceful era had actually been filled with internal strife.
Damn Austriakians. But now that you have sharp things, they may be less formidable.
I have a feeling there are designs on Poland in its entirety. Diplo-annexations, anyone?
I have a feeling there are designs on Poland in its entirety. Diplo-annexations, anyone?
On November 2, 1591, because of the peace that had been going on for 10 years, the military alliance between Poland, Sweden, and Russia expired. Poland and Georgia immediately extended offers of alliance to Russia, and wanting good relations to continue with Poland, went with Poland's offer.
On February 24, 1593, after much internal debate in Russia, an offer was formally extended to Poland, the honor of becoming our vassals. This offer was boldly rejected by Poland, which caused much loss of face on both sides of the border.
Due to the nature of the border, and the claims levied by each side on the other, the relationship was tenuous at best during normal times. However, the alliance continued unbroken.
In May, 1593, due much in part to the work at the Welikia Weapons Manufactury in the area of new weaponry technology, arquebuses were brought to Russia, adding a much needed bonus to their combat. This would allow them to take on Austria and Poland on a more even level, while giving them a huge advantage over the southeaster Hordes and Kaganates.
But this time of peace was not meant to last. It all belongs to Mother Russia, and the Horde and Kaganate lands were no exception. On January 27, 1595, Russia declared war with the Golden Horde, Uzbek Kaganate, Sibir, and the Chagatai Khanate. Unfortunately, Russia had no idea where the Chagatai Khanate is, and no Chagatai Khanate troops saw any battle during the war.
The war was a grand success for Russia, with the new additional of firepower and the even greater addition of assaults. By April 2, 1596, the Golden Horde had been decimated, losing Uralsk, Irgiz, and Orenburg. But the largest blow to them was the trade center of Astrakhan.
As the Uzbek Kaganate was the leader of the alliance, the war continued with Sibir and the Uzbeks. The war continued in the same vein as before, with Sibir and the Uzbeks getting thoroughly crushed.
During the war, Russian expeditionary forces snuck across the border, through Sibir, into neutral provinces and began exploring eastwards. Koltsov-Mosalski and Ivan Mansurov's expeditions were the first Russian expeditionary forces to ever discover new territory. Unfortunately, Ivan Mansurov did not get far, dying in April 1598, just as peace was signed with Sibir, with Orsk and Kurgan becoming Russian soil. The next month, the Uzbek Kaganate also accepted peace, with Alga and Ust Urk going over to Russia.
It looked like a time of peace had started again, but it was not to be. In December 1598, Poland declared war on Lithunia. The war was quick, with Russian forces occupying and sieging Lithuania, assaulting, and winning the province by June 1599. Poland immediately annexed Lithuania.
Meanwhile, the expedition continued eastward.
In May 1604, a new technology was discovered - Monopolies.
Vladimir: Hmm... so instead of only having five merchants in each trade center, we should have a sixth to drive all of the other merchants out of business... and take their trade, too. Sounds a little unfair...
Merchant Researcher: That's the point.
Vladimir: Brilliant!
Merchant Researcher: Thank you sir!
On March 2, 1605, Koltsov and Mosalski both died in a tragic expeditionary accident. The remaining men in the expeditionary force went onward, however, and did discover China in August 1605, making the deaths even more tragic. The men disbanded the army after radioing the position of China back to the Russian capital.
In June 1606, a new ruler, Vasily IV Shuisky rose to the throne in Russia. Russia also finally became Renaissance, providing them with cool new sprites to represent their armies on their battle maps.
It was a short-lived reign, and Vladislav I Vasa rose to the throne in July 1610.
In the realm of trade, Russia was trying to maintain a mercantilistic outlook on trade while maintaining also two monopolies - Novgorod and Astrakhan. It was actually going quite well, as the monopolies themselves brought more merchants to Russia in order to maintain the monopolies.
The military alliance with Poland expired again, and Russia formed a coalition with Georgia, a one province minor with Sochi as a capital. Extentions of alliance also went out to Bulgaria, but were both turned down. Relations with Poland had dropped a tremendous amount due to events beyond Russia's control, that is, Poland was being a jerk.
By June of 1613, Russia had 45% of the Astrakhan trade. However, internal stability was not favorable. With this new income, Russia decided to put her heart into resolving the internal problems. But war with Poland was now almost a foregone conclusion, as was another war with Sibir, the Golden Horde, and the Uzbek Kaganate. After all, it all belongs to Mother Russia.
On February 24, 1593, after much internal debate in Russia, an offer was formally extended to Poland, the honor of becoming our vassals. This offer was boldly rejected by Poland, which caused much loss of face on both sides of the border.
Due to the nature of the border, and the claims levied by each side on the other, the relationship was tenuous at best during normal times. However, the alliance continued unbroken.
In May, 1593, due much in part to the work at the Welikia Weapons Manufactury in the area of new weaponry technology, arquebuses were brought to Russia, adding a much needed bonus to their combat. This would allow them to take on Austria and Poland on a more even level, while giving them a huge advantage over the southeaster Hordes and Kaganates.
But this time of peace was not meant to last. It all belongs to Mother Russia, and the Horde and Kaganate lands were no exception. On January 27, 1595, Russia declared war with the Golden Horde, Uzbek Kaganate, Sibir, and the Chagatai Khanate. Unfortunately, Russia had no idea where the Chagatai Khanate is, and no Chagatai Khanate troops saw any battle during the war.
The war was a grand success for Russia, with the new additional of firepower and the even greater addition of assaults. By April 2, 1596, the Golden Horde had been decimated, losing Uralsk, Irgiz, and Orenburg. But the largest blow to them was the trade center of Astrakhan.
As the Uzbek Kaganate was the leader of the alliance, the war continued with Sibir and the Uzbeks. The war continued in the same vein as before, with Sibir and the Uzbeks getting thoroughly crushed.
During the war, Russian expeditionary forces snuck across the border, through Sibir, into neutral provinces and began exploring eastwards. Koltsov-Mosalski and Ivan Mansurov's expeditions were the first Russian expeditionary forces to ever discover new territory. Unfortunately, Ivan Mansurov did not get far, dying in April 1598, just as peace was signed with Sibir, with Orsk and Kurgan becoming Russian soil. The next month, the Uzbek Kaganate also accepted peace, with Alga and Ust Urk going over to Russia.
It looked like a time of peace had started again, but it was not to be. In December 1598, Poland declared war on Lithunia. The war was quick, with Russian forces occupying and sieging Lithuania, assaulting, and winning the province by June 1599. Poland immediately annexed Lithuania.
Meanwhile, the expedition continued eastward.
In May 1604, a new technology was discovered - Monopolies.
Vladimir: Hmm... so instead of only having five merchants in each trade center, we should have a sixth to drive all of the other merchants out of business... and take their trade, too. Sounds a little unfair...
Merchant Researcher: That's the point.
Vladimir: Brilliant!
Merchant Researcher: Thank you sir!
On March 2, 1605, Koltsov and Mosalski both died in a tragic expeditionary accident. The remaining men in the expeditionary force went onward, however, and did discover China in August 1605, making the deaths even more tragic. The men disbanded the army after radioing the position of China back to the Russian capital.
In June 1606, a new ruler, Vasily IV Shuisky rose to the throne in Russia. Russia also finally became Renaissance, providing them with cool new sprites to represent their armies on their battle maps.
It was a short-lived reign, and Vladislav I Vasa rose to the throne in July 1610.
In the realm of trade, Russia was trying to maintain a mercantilistic outlook on trade while maintaining also two monopolies - Novgorod and Astrakhan. It was actually going quite well, as the monopolies themselves brought more merchants to Russia in order to maintain the monopolies.
The military alliance with Poland expired again, and Russia formed a coalition with Georgia, a one province minor with Sochi as a capital. Extentions of alliance also went out to Bulgaria, but were both turned down. Relations with Poland had dropped a tremendous amount due to events beyond Russia's control, that is, Poland was being a jerk.
By June of 1613, Russia had 45% of the Astrakhan trade. However, internal stability was not favorable. With this new income, Russia decided to put her heart into resolving the internal problems. But war with Poland was now almost a foregone conclusion, as was another war with Sibir, the Golden Horde, and the Uzbek Kaganate. After all, it all belongs to Mother Russia.
Koltsov-Mosalski was one person.
It's like that joke: a man comes home after a session of party educational activities and tells his wife:
I was wrong this entire time! Karl, Marx and Friedrich, Engels are not husband and wife, they are four completely separate people!
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Too bad about Poland. Your eastwards expansion is also behind schedule, but Ryazan is a tough gig.
It's like that joke: a man comes home after a session of party educational activities and tells his wife:
I was wrong this entire time! Karl, Marx and Friedrich, Engels are not husband and wife, they are four completely separate people!
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Too bad about Poland. Your eastwards expansion is also behind schedule, but Ryazan is a tough gig.
Behind who's schedule? Because it's right on mine!
Good to know about Koltsov-Mosalski. Lewison Clark is my favorite adventurer from US history.
Good to know about Koltsov-Mosalski. Lewison Clark is my favorite adventurer from US history.
Reminds me a bit of one of my favourite composer jokes, actually:
A classical music radio host was a bit new to the job, and, not too far in, said: "This next piece is the 'Ave Maria', by Bach-Gounod". After his shift was over, the manager came over to him and gently corrected him. "So you know for next time, Bach and Gounod were two different people."
The next day, he gets back to work, and at one point: "Coming up, Scheherazade, by Rimsky and Korsakov."
A classical music radio host was a bit new to the job, and, not too far in, said: "This next piece is the 'Ave Maria', by Bach-Gounod". After his shift was over, the manager came over to him and gently corrected him. "So you know for next time, Bach and Gounod were two different people."
The next day, he gets back to work, and at one point: "Coming up, Scheherazade, by Rimsky and Korsakov."
I've never heard any composer jokes before. Unless the punch-line was 'decomposing'
Q: Why did Mozart kill all his chickens?
A: Because they always ran around crying "Baaach! Baaach! Baaach!"
(Actually, I think Mozart was quite a fan of Bach, but... eh.)
EDIT: Oh, right! There's the AAR too.
Looks like Mother Russia is getting well established, but I think you are correct in going about retaking that which belongs to her (which is, of course, it all) in an orderly and methodical fashion.
I'm a little rusty on my EU2 geography, but has the road to Sibiria been opened up with these latest expansions against Sibir and the Horde?
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I'll post some screenies of what the situation is with Siberia, the exploration, and Europe in general. The short answer is no land border yet, but Sibir is ripe for doom, and then there would be!
The Polish Border, 1613:
Situation in the Southeast, 1613:
Eastern Discoveries, 1613:
In 1616, Russia declared war on Nogai and easily took over Bouzatchi and Emba. By March 1618, the war was over, Bouzatchi to Russia. The war is hardly worth reporting on, as it was such a one-sided affair. Directly after this war, Russia declared war on Sibir, with the Uzbeks and the Chagatai Khanate joining in. The Uzbeks sieged Ust Urt, but mostly the war was again one-sided. As Russia did not want war with the Uzbeks or the Khanate, all Russia did was put them in their place and get peace. Sibir, however, was a different story. Russian armies, now untied from the Uzbeks, stormed through Sibir, easily sacking most of its area. By 1620, another 2 year war was over, with Tenghiz, Kustanai, and Sadrinsk to Russia. The east was now open to Russia with no military access needed, and colonization could begin in Turgai and Karaganda.
Russia went forward peacefully from here, and with periodic monopolies forming in both Novgorod and Astrakhan, income was plentiful. Until June 3, 1637, when Russia and Georgia declared war on the Golden Horde. The Golden Horde was a one province nation with a small army, which sieged Astrakhan while Russia sieged Volgograd. Both fell, and the Golden Horde marched off to siege somewhere else, which allowed Russia to sweep back into Astrakhan and retake it. In 1638, the war was over, with the Golden Horde's Volgograd being completely annexed by Russia.
In 1641, war with Nogai confirmed a similar fate, with Emba being annexed by Russia on September 1.
Situation in the Southeast, 1613:
Eastern Discoveries, 1613:
In 1616, Russia declared war on Nogai and easily took over Bouzatchi and Emba. By March 1618, the war was over, Bouzatchi to Russia. The war is hardly worth reporting on, as it was such a one-sided affair. Directly after this war, Russia declared war on Sibir, with the Uzbeks and the Chagatai Khanate joining in. The Uzbeks sieged Ust Urt, but mostly the war was again one-sided. As Russia did not want war with the Uzbeks or the Khanate, all Russia did was put them in their place and get peace. Sibir, however, was a different story. Russian armies, now untied from the Uzbeks, stormed through Sibir, easily sacking most of its area. By 1620, another 2 year war was over, with Tenghiz, Kustanai, and Sadrinsk to Russia. The east was now open to Russia with no military access needed, and colonization could begin in Turgai and Karaganda.
Russia went forward peacefully from here, and with periodic monopolies forming in both Novgorod and Astrakhan, income was plentiful. Until June 3, 1637, when Russia and Georgia declared war on the Golden Horde. The Golden Horde was a one province nation with a small army, which sieged Astrakhan while Russia sieged Volgograd. Both fell, and the Golden Horde marched off to siege somewhere else, which allowed Russia to sweep back into Astrakhan and retake it. In 1638, the war was over, with the Golden Horde's Volgograd being completely annexed by Russia.
In 1641, war with Nogai confirmed a similar fate, with Emba being annexed by Russia on September 1.
As a completely land-based country, I don't get very many colonists... kinda dumb considering all my colonies will be over LAND.
Narrowmindedness is your friend. Who needs all those fancy "technologies" anyway?
(And free trade? Can't remember.)
(And free trade? Can't remember.)