Concert of Europe: Gameplay Thread

[Spamage]

Minor Powers Join the War of the Grand Coalitions

To: All Nations

With the outbreak of War in Europe, numerous minor powers have decided to join the conflict, most being lesser princes of the Holy Roman Empire. With the urging of France, both the Archbishop-Electors of Mainz and Trier have decided to join the war, denouncing the "League of Heretics". Bavaria too, following a royal marriage between them and the Habsburgs, entered the War on the side of France and Austria. The British have been able to convince several other powers to join though, with the princes of Brunswick and Hesse-Kassel eagerly entering the conflict on their side following the victories in the Austrian Netherlands and Saxony. It remains to be seen what several other powers will do. The House of Savoy is maintaining an uneasy neutrality, while the Republic of Venice has been recieving envoys from members of both sides, though they too appear to be nearing a final decision. Though these territories alone may not be crucial in the fighting, it is their aid which could put one side over the top. In Europe and the other theaters of the War, their support could be decisive in turning the tide decisively in favor of one side.

[Lumine]

From Sansoucci:

We warmly receive the news that the Kingdom of Portugal is at last rebuilding itself after such a disastrous earthquake, and we look forward to the recovery of a key nation in the European stage. Even in times of war we must show kindness and generosity to those who are in need, and the Kingdom of Prussia will not stay away from this Christian duty. Following the liberation of Saxony and the new resources we have acquired, His Majesty King Frederick II hereby commands that a full quarter of the Saxon treasure to be sent to the Kingdom of Portugal to aid in their efforts for recovery, adding an additional 5% for charity to those who have lost their homes, families or health in the earthquake. We salute the courage of Portugal in rebuilding itself.

His Majesty the King will also be issuing several proclaims regarding the current war later on.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Proclamation:

In recognition to the long and distinguished service of the people of these regions, Eyalets of Algiers, Tunis and Tripolitania are hereby formally recognized as autonomous countries of the Ottoman Empire, remaining under the Sultan’s sovereignty, but with control over their domestic matters, while defense and foreign affairs remains with the Sublime Porte. Taxation will be continued, but on a decreased rate, set up after examination.

Meanwhile, let there be no confusion the Eyalet of Egypt will remain an integral part of the Ottoman Empire with major reforms coming along the way.

[windjammer]

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xLouis XV

[GoTfan]

The Netherlands asks its allies to recognize Belgium (the Austrian Netherlands) as its legal territory.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

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xLouis XV

xEmpressMariaTheresa

[Lumine]

Proclamations from Sanssouci:

CONCERNING THE ANTI-OTTOMAN CONSPIRACY:

As it is the knowledge of the European courts, we offered sanctuary to many former ladies of the French court, including the famous and most esteemed Madame de Pompadour. Madame de Pompadour played a key role in the court for over a decade, becoming so close, so powerful, so important, it is recognized she was the closest thing to a “Chief Minister” of sorts in Versailles, handling appointments, dismissals, favors and intervening often on foreign and domestic matters. No longer willing to be an accomplice to the conspiracies and lies of Louis XV, there is much we have learned from Madame de Pompadour, and a recent, highly concerning piece of knowledge has reached our ears.

It was with much concern and sadness that we heard of the assassination of the mighty Osman III, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. While at the time we cannot state that any foreign power is indeed responsible for this outrageous act, it has become evident that there is a conspiracy in place to undermine the Ottoman Empire with the future goal of splitting it among some European powers, many of them historic enemies and rivals of the Empire. Madame de Pompadour has noted that one of the many webs of intrigue coming from Versailles has devised a nefarious plot to, in the first place, promote a revolt across the Balkans to undermine the Ottomans with the support of Austria and Russia, and second, to ultimately split the Ottoman Empire between the powers allied to France after the end of the war and their proposed split of Prussia.

It would seem that there is nothing our enemies wouldn’t do to undermine other neutral powers and win this war at all costs. We warn the Ottoman Empire to beware the ambitions of the allies from Versailles.

CONCERNING THE EMPIRE AND THE NETHERLANDS:

The Kingdom of Prussia hears the call of his ally, and hereby recognizes the Austrian Netherlands as a land that should belong to the Netherlands. Neither Maria Theresa nor Louis XV have a clear connection with this land and its peoples, and we could think of no better administration than that of Anne of Hanover and the Netherlands's public officers to serve and protect this region.

It is also with grave concern that His Majesty King Frederick II has heard of Austrian courtiers trying to force Empress Maria Theresa to drastically alter the internal balance of the Holy Roman Empire, committing the outrage of depriving Prussia and Hanover from their rightful, lawful states as electors of the Empire in an act that would show unmistakable discrimination and aggression towards Protestants across the land. Our warning is clear to Vienna, should they pursue this course of action we will be forced to take drastic measures.

[DKrol]

January 1757
George II of Great Britain

On the Subject of the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty - It is the great pleasure of His Majesty the King to announce he has agreed to the union of Prince William, the Duke of Cumberland to Her Royal Highness The Princess of Brazil, Duchess of Braganza to cement the bond between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The King is also pleased to announce that the following treaty has been signed. The King is proud to announce the new chapter in a long history of friendship, openess, and comradery between the two kingdoms at this present time of extreme discord and hatred in Europe and the world.

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x George II
By the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Archtreasurer and Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire

On the Subject of Belgium - For many years, it has been clear the the Empress in Austria has had no love for her holdings in Western Europe, for many years known as the Austrian Netherlands. In recent years the Empress has been in making overatures to sell off the holdings to the highest bidder; now it has become clear that she has found that bidder, the King in France. The Kingdom of Great Britain does not recognize this transfer. The King in France is nothing but the Western puppet for the Empress in Austria, and nothing would change for the people of the realm, which has always been the main concern of His Majesty. For the good of the Belgian people, it is obvious that the United Provinces of the Netherlands should govern the realm and they shall do so with the full confidence and support of His Majesty. The Kingdom of Great Britain has committed military arms to support the rights of the United Provinces of the Netherlands in Belgium.

On the Subject of the Colonial Army - Any man of fit moral and physical character who wishes to take up arms for His Majesty, swear an oath of allegiance to His Majesty, and follow the proper commands of His Majesty's officers shall be allowed to do so. No discrepency shall exist between a man of British origin and a man of Colonial origin, so long as he is a loyal, honest, and hardworking man.

On the Subject of Native Relations - His Majesty decrees that no British settelement shall impede on any native settelement West of the Mississippi River. All lands to the West of the Mississippi that are held by natives shall remain in native hands for as long as His Majesty shall reign, and upon the conclusion of the current war, His Majesty's Army will assist any loyal and peaceble natives located East of the Mississippi in relocating to the proclaimed native lands in the West.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sublime Porte warns any foreign power that attempting to capitalize on the dastardly assassination of Osman III by sewing poisonous seeds of dissent will be meet with fire and fury.

The Sublime Porte considers transfer of so-called "Austrian Netherlands" as a very unfortunate precedent. Switching realms back and forth, based on purely temporary need, does not bode well for a longterm stability and peace in Europe. Therefore an official recognition of that act is at the moment being withheld.

[windjammer]

The Sublime Porte considers transfer of so-called "Austrian Netherlands" as a very unfortunate precedent. Switching realms back and forth, based on purely temporary need, does not bode well for a longterm stability and peace in Europe. Therefore an official recognition of that act is at the moment being withheld.

Sultan,
The transfer of Belgium to France isn't about temporary need. Half of the current Belgium population are speaking French and the vast majority of Belgians are catholic.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sublime Porte considers transfer of so-called "Austrian Netherlands" as a very unfortunate precedent. Switching realms back and forth, based on purely temporary need, does not bode well for a longterm stability and peace in Europe. Therefore an official recognition of that act is at the moment being withheld.

Sultan,
The transfer of Belgium to France isn't about temporary need. Half of the current Belgium population are speaking French and the vast majority of Belgians are catholic.

The circumstances over which this hasty transfer happened, we believe, send a bad signal.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Given the silence from both Paris and Vienna, the Ambassadors of France and Austria are hereby summoned to the Seraglio to provide official explanation.

[windjammer]

Given the silence from both Paris and Vienna, the Ambassadors of France and Austria are hereby summoned to the Seraglio to provide official explanation.

I obviously categorically reject the accusations from the Prussian King. I never murdered the previous sultan and I  never conspired to split the Ottoman Empire with Austria.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Sublime Porte received deeply disturbing proof of two outside powers conspiring to attack His Sacred and Imperial Majesty's land, while publicly professing peace.

The message, intercepted by us, had been shared with various capitals.

Martial law is imposed across the Empire and Vassal states, and the full mobilization ordered.

Copies of the intercepted messages are to be shown to high ranking officials, military leaders and local governors across the realm.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The Ottoman Empire recognized lands formerly known as the "Austrian Netherlands" as lawful and integral part of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty Mustafa III, Padishah, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful, etc. etc.

Declares that as of this moment, the state of war exists between the Ottoman State and France/Austria.

Let our enemies feel the fire of fury of the Ottoman might.

[Lumine]

ON THE RUSSIAN THRONE:

There has been a significant degree of interest on the fate of Ivan Antonovich, once the Tsar of All the Russias before the usurpation of his throne by his own cousin Elizabeth Petrovna, who removed the rightful Tsar from his place and sent him into an inhumane exile in which this young boy, barely a year old, was submitted to utterly despicable, unchristian treatment for over fifteen years. Realizing that this young man needed to be saved, loyalists to young Ivan rescued him from his dark prison, and in an act of the outmost bravery spirited him out of Russia and into safety in our Kingdom, asking for sanctuary against the terrible vengeance of the “Tsarina.”

Taking pity on this poor soul, the King in Prussia chose to accept this request after confirming the identity of the most noble Tsar. Despite his plight and his suffering, young Ivan remains a man of great potential to learn and become the great ruler he is destined to be, and he has never lost his faith in the Lord. We see in him the rightful monarch of the great, mighty Empire of Russia, and His Majesty King Frederick hereby recognizes Ivan Antonovich as Ivan VI, the rightful, lawful ruler and Tsar of All the Russias. We declare our belief that Elizabeth Petrovna is an usurper, currently leading the Russian peoples to ruin due to her alliance with the warmongering Louis XV and Maria Theresa.

Across the lands of Russia there are garrisons unpaid, armies badly maintained, peasants starving, noblemen being humiliated and abused, peoples stripped of their way of life, all while changing the the succession to suit her ambitions and needs. The subjects of Russia will find no better ruler in young Ivan VI, a man who has known what is to suffer at the hands of a tyrant for years, a man whose faith kept him alive, a man willing to learn and become a truly Russian ruler. We make an open call to the nations of Europe to recognize Ivan as the rightful Tsar, but make no mistake. We do not intend for him to be or become a Prussian or British puppet.

We make a solemn vow that Ivan VI will be married to a suitable bride from the Russian aristocracy and not to a foreign power, and while we expect to generate a deep, lasting friendship between our peoples from our support for the rightful monarch of Russia, we will not descend into the level of Elizabeth Petrovna by mistreating and manipulating this remarkable young man. He will be a Russian monarch, for the Russian people. And should any powers see to harm his wellbeing we make this fair warning: should anything happen to young Ivan, we will consider King Louis XV and Elizabeth Petrovna as responsible.

Arise, peoples and soldiers of Russia! Arise for your rightful monarch! Let all true men declare their loyalty!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

The entire "rule" of usurper Elizabeth Petrovna was illegitimate. Her head is more deserving to be severed from her body by the executioner's axe, a just punishment for treason, than to wear a stolen crown. The Sublime Porte, having no hidden territorial designs against the Russian Empire, and confirming its intentions to work with Russia once the crisis is over, is happy to recognize Ivan IV as the rightful Emperor.

[Lumine]

On the War of the Grand Coalition:

His Majesty King Frederick is most pleased by the news of many victories in the field, disappointing as the failure of our invasion of Bohemia was. We congratulate Field Marshal Keith on his triumph in Swedish Pomerania and Prince Henry of Prussia on his victory at the Battle of Gdansk, and we congratulate our armies and those of our allies for a most successful invasion of Saxony and a brave campaign fought in Bohemia. Field Marshal Keith and Prince Henry will be suitable rewarded, as our soldiers and officers will be as well.

We welcome the entry of the Ottoman Empire into the war after the outrageous dealings of Austria and France regarding Ottoman territory, a sign that not only Europe, but even nations of different faiths are recognizing the threat posed by Louis XV and Maria Theresa and reacting to it. Lastly, we thank the Most Noble Sultan for being the second monarch to recognize Ivan VI as the righful Tsar.

[Dereich]

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x George II
By the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Archtreasurer and Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire

X Joseph, King of Portugal and the Algarve


In light of the various and sundry misdeeds of both the French King, Austrian Archduchess, and their assorted allies and in accordance with Our sacred promises and agreements, We do hereby Declare War against the French King and his Accomplices.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

While we're yet to complete diplomatic talks with Great Britain, Prussia, Denmark-Norway and the Netherlands regarding joining in a formal alliance, the Ottoman Empire is proud to already consider itself a co-belligerent of these great nations.

[Lumine]

On the War with Poland-Lithuania:

Surprising as it must have been for some in Europe that Saxony and Poland-Lithuania were invaded as part of the War of the Grand Coalition, this was a necessity for the outmost safety of the Kingdom of Prussia. Our agents received information that stated that Saxony would be used as the staging point for an Austro-French invasion into Prussia, a danger we could not ignore to keep our people safe.

What has emerged after further investigation and with the confirmation of the former French royal mistresses, however, is much more concerning. It appears this information was planted to our agents in a surprisingly complex plot from an agent provocateur, an attempt to force us into war with Poland-Lithuania so Russia would be drawn into the conflict and thus expand the might of the French coalition in aggression against Prussia. We regret to be the one to unveil the truth behind this infamous conspiracy as we have been forced to uncover others in the past, including the proposed split of Prussia and the Ottoman Empire.

But we cannot remain silent, not when our war with Poland is not what both sides would have thought it to be. Because sources, agents and French refugees in our court have all confirmed that the source of this false info was ultimately France, devised in Versailles. His Majesty the King has been stunned since learning of this info. While a warrior himself and man well aware of the dangers of intrigue, he simply cannot comprehend how something so dishonest could be prepared to force two nations into war. Is there nothing sacred for the French court? No line they will draw? No measure they will not use to reduce their enemies into ruin?

Prussia will not stand for it. Our quest continues with more resolve than ever, and we wonder whether the nature of our conflict with Poland-Lithuania should change after the discovery of this information.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Statement from Warsaw:

Poland-Lithuania remains as it always has, resolutely devoted to seeing our Lord's peace spread throughout European Christiandom.  It is my sincerest hope that at the end of all this bloodshed, there will yet be a day when that dream will be realized and all the ill-gotten gains of small, wicked men shall be returned to their rightful owners.  However, that day can never come while men such as France's so-called "Holy King" sits upon a golden throne in the monument to Mammon known as Versailles while his own people starve in the streets. 

Before this tragic war began, there were some in my court who advised against entering into an alliance – or indeed even negotiating – with France.  Like most, I'd heard the profane tales about the decadent court of that nation's "holy" King of Sin and yet I did not believe them.  How could such vile infamy be true?  What heathen could be so wicked?  Surely such barbaric acts must be some wretched fiction spread by France's enemies.  Those were simpler days...days when a man could be forgiven for thinking his neighbor's word still meant something.  Mayhaps it was naive to think such a man as the so-called "Holy King" would remember what our Lord says about baring false witness. 

Alas, today I am listening with new ears: the ears of a man who, having seen the truth with his own eyes is left with no other course of action except to accept it.  My court has recently learned that the Prussian attack upon Saxon and Polish lands was the direct result of a black and ruthless scheme to drag the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth into an unnecessary and manufactured war.  Who would commit such a crime against the peace-loving peoples of Europe?  None other than Louis XV of France, a man who has proven himself to be a rank scalawag of the blackest order.  As a result, it is all to clear who the Poland-Lithuanian commonwealth's true enemy is: those French villains who conspired to drag our nation into a senseless war. 

We will not dance like a puppet on the so-called "Holy King's" strings.  The Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth – effective immediately – demands that all Russian troops withdraw from Polish lands.  The Tzar has previously indicated that his men would withdraw upon request and now comes the time for him to prove himself to be a man of his word.  We have received the same assurances from Austria. 

Prussia has proven themselves a most unexpected friend to the Polish people by bringing this infamous scheme to light, but a friend all the same and we are a proud nation...one which stands by its friends.  As for our newfound enemy, that most unholy scoundrel Louis XV, I fear there is no choice but for Poland to declare war upon France.  While we have as yet no proof that Austria was a party to this scheme it raises questions...questions which could easily be laid to rest if Austria will join us in forcefully condemning this wicked scheme.  If not, I fear there will be little choice but to respond accordingly.

Augustus III, King of the Polish-Lithuanian Confederation

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It appears Austria might have been manipulated into this conflict by the French intrigues. Since no blood had been sheed between us yet, we suggest to Vienna they'll abandon their  "ally", the real threat to the peace and stability in Europe.

[Spamage]

Pope Condemns "Alliance of Evil"; Urges Catholics to Stick Together

With the stunning expansion of the war to include Portugal, the Ottomans, and the Polish Royalists on the side of Great Britain and Prussia, the Holy Father has issued a decree condemning the move of powers who seek to "terrorize the faithful of Europe". In a public statement issued from the Vatican he has called on the Catholic leaders of Europe to stand together against the Muslims and Heretics. "There can be no doubt Satan's forces of intrigue and falsehood are behind the recent developments in Europe," Benedict XIV vocally declared to an assembled audience of Cardinals. "The words of a harlot (de Pompadour) have been used to slander one of the most Christian Kings. Only by standing together against the infidels and heretics can true tranquility be restored." The Pope also went on to condemn George II (who he refered to as the "Usurper") and the late Osman III (who he said God's judgement had seen killed). Notably criticism of Portugal and Poland was absent, though the Pope was reportedly furious upon hearing of their war declaration.

While the Pope's temporal power has declined over the past century or so, this decree is likely to have wide-ranging implications and weigh on the neutral powers still picking a side. Spain, Venice, and the south german Princes in particular may have been the intended audience, but Catholics across Europe have taken note of his stunning intervention into political affairs. Already several devout subjects in neutral powers are forming the "Army of Loyola", preparing to aid the French and Austrians.