Part 48: Europa Universalis III: Chapter 18 - Colonial Ventures: 1600 - 1620

1600 - 1620: Colonial Ventures

The Declaration of Indulgence Act and Imperial Navy Expansion Proposal both pass with a significant majority in the Reichstag. Much to the dissapointment of the Northern Germans, the Southern German lords refuse to go along with the German Mutual Support Pact, and the motion to request the nullification of the alliance with Great Britain is defeated with a slim margin.


Construction of a line of improved fortifications begins along the French and Hessan borders, in preparation for future conflicts.


A large number of ships are also commissioned in the Italian shipyards, who begin construction everything from armed merchant Flytes to mighty Caravels.


A scottish revolt in the Highlands succeeds in breaking away from a United Kingdom which is already dealing with a number of revolts on Ireland and in the colonies.


War breaks out between Austria and the Byzantine Empire in 1601, with Austria proving itself superior on the battlefield, seizing control of much of Croatia.


Friedrich II passes away in September of 1602. His successor, Waldemar VI, is a bit less inclined for military adventures. However, his education at the University of London has given him a strong interest in the navy and overseas ventures.


The Electoral College continues to support the Hohenzollerns, as its opponents are too divided amongst themselves to consolidate behind a single rival.


Great Britain's forays into the depths of North America continues in 1602 with the annexation of Shawnee territory.


The Scottish rebellion is finally crushed in September of 1603, and some relative order settles over the British Isles.


The war between Byzantium and Austria ends in October with a white peace after getting bogged down into a stalemate in Hum.


The Swabian Cavalry is reorganized into Caracole Cavalry, modelled after Byzantine design, replacing the old feudal cavalry equipment with firearms and lighter armor.


Troops are recruited for a 5th Imperial Army in 1605, bringing the size of Swabia's standing military up to 105,000 troops.


Between the expansion of the military and the expansion of the fleet, Swabia is now a power to be feared.



Exotic goods such as Coffee, Chocolate and Tea are beginning to flow into Europe, and local marketplaces are being established and expanded to sell to these goods, bringing in great wealth for merchants and rulers alike.


In 1608, an incident in distant Eastern Asia results in the murder of a British expedition at the hands of a local warlord of Dai Viet. In response, Britain declares war, sending ships to blockade the Dai Viet ports. The Maghreb, who wish to gain control of Britain's Egyptian possessions, join the war, and King Henry asks for Waldemar's aid against the Maghreb. Wawldemar agrees.


The new Imperial Navy is large enough to transport an entire Imperial Army, and the 5th army is loaded onto the ships and make landfall in Tripoli, defeating the small Maghreb garrison.
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Tripoli and Gabes, both of which are previous possessions of the conquered Crusader Kingdom of Tripoli, are besieged by Swabian troops.


The Imperial Navy, meanwhile, establishes a blockade along the Maghreb coasts.


Several Maghreb counter-attacks fail, and both cities fall within a few weeks of each other in the spring of 1609.


Rather than wait for whatever peace deal King Henry has in mind, Waldemar makes separate peace with the Maghreb, annexing the conquered territories. Tripoli is a center for the profitable Ivory trade, and Swabia now has its first colony.


With his appetite now whetted, Waldemar begins to eye the Loango-Kongo region in Africa. Most of Africa is covered in Malaria-infested jungle, and all previous attempts at colonization of these regions have been failures, but Kongo has a relatively mild climate, and Loango would be an ideal port along the way to the Indian Ocean. Previously a part of the Iberian Caliphate, the area broke away several decades ago, and is now without either overlord or protector since France withdrew its interests there.


Augustin Vogel, a Swabian merchant and adventurer, is given command of a large expedition consisting of 5,000 cavalry, deemed more than enough to deal with any opposition the locals can put up.


The expeditionary force makes landfall in Loango in January of 1612, declaring the region a Swabian protectorate. The King of Loango is not amused, and sends his army against the Swabians, but his spear-wielding troops prove no match for the Swabians.


The Loangans withdraw to the old fort the Iberians built in the region, enduring a lengthy siege before finally surrendering. Loango is annexed to Swabia.


Along with news of Vogel's victory, Waldemar also learns that war has broken out between the former allies Iberia and Morocco.


Vogel advances into Kongo, finding that the Kongolese are not nearly as weak as the Loangans when he is faced with an army of 21,000 natives and 1,000 Iberian mercenaries. After a fierce battle, the Kongolese retreat, both sides having lost a full third of their troops.



Mayobe falls after a short siege and is annexed.


Vogel advances into Kongo itself, defeating its army once more, and then pursuing it into Ndongo where it is run down. One by one, the old Iberian forts are besieged, until no resistance remains.


Kongo is declared a Swabian territory in December of 1614, and missionaries are sent in to begin teaching its population civilized ways and beliefs.



Peace is settled between Iberia and Morocco shortly thereafter, with a large number of Moroccan colonies being transfered to Iberian rule.


In order to be better able to support its growing fleet, Swabia begins construction of a Naval Equipment Manufactory in Modena.


The upset feelings over Alsace's annexation subside in 1619.


The Duchy of Tuscany, a Swabian vassal since some decades back, is becoming a hotbed of rebellion and heresy owing to its ruler's draconican methods. Lacking an army on its own to surpress these revolts, the 4th Imperial Army has been stationed there for a full decade to keep it from falling into the hands of heretics. With the Electors not an immediate threat, Waldemar decides to neatly solve the problem by annexing Tuscany, adding a wealthy province to Swabia's territory and giving him the means to put an end to the revolts.


As the year turns to 1620, Kongo has been mostly pacified, much of its population having taken the cross. Swabia has taken its first steps on the road of colonialism.