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May 1785.
The 18th century had been kind to Spain, and to the plans of the DDLFs, the family that provided so many key advisors to the Spanish crown. In the 1720s Spain had successful fought a war with the Netherlands, taking Zeeland and the two dutch colonies in the Carib, thus partially fullfilling the long dormant dream of Phillip II, the reconquest of the Netherlands, and the restoration of the full Burgundian inheritance.
Spain had then returned to peace, engaging in development, lowering inflation, and colonizing intensely. With the rise of a new king, missions got off the ground again, and more pagan provinces were converted. at last Spain reached a point where the then DDLF felt comfortable absorbing more Pagan territory. Spain attacked the Shawnee kingdom, and quickly conquered.
The missions to the shawnees were quickly successful, converting 4 of the 5 provinces a few years after conquest. Spain then turned to the Incas, and finally destroyed that empire, fullfilling another 16th century dream.
With that complete Spain returned to the arts of peace, missionizing, colonizing northwest from Mexico, as far as California, into Uruguay, along the coast of Venezuala, and the highlands of Bogota. Spanish explorers discovered Hawaii, which was promptly colonized and used as a base for the exploration of the Pacific and the east asian littoral.
And Spain more or less caught up in military techs.
Meanwhile Spain had pursued ever evolving diplomatic strategies. For long Spain had used an alliance with Austria and the Papal States to maintain peace with Austria, while maintaining good relations with France. Then Spain went through a period diplomatic isolation, which had concerned the DDLF very much, but had remained in well armed peace. Finally Spain had joined the alliance of France, Poland, and Venice.
And then came the unwanted communique - Austria DOWs Poland.
Faced with the alternative of renewed diplomatic isolation, Don Enrique determined to join the war. This would be a chance to see if Spains military reforms, and economic strength would make possible a victory over Austria.
It should have been an easy win. Spain had kept upto or slightly over the number of troops it could easily maintain, and had caught up in tech, had two strong generals, and shifted its military orientation to the offensive (though its focus on NAVAL matters would hurt in a land war)
But mistakes were made in the beginning of the war, a sign the DDLF was losing his touch, some said.
First it took some time to fully fund military readiness, which undoubtedly contributed to the early defeats. Also the DDLF, thinking he could win with his existing military, didnt drain the treasury and mint in profusion to expand the army,as did his opponents. Also he underestimated the continuing viability of cavalry on plains, and so the armies in Italy were to heavy with infantry, relatively.
and, of course, the positions in Naples and Sienna had been neglected a legacy of the old alliance with the Papal States. Only the militarly backwardness of the Papal troops prevented complete disaster.
The Spanish armies in Italy turned first to the South, mopping up the Papal troops, and allowing the fortress of milan to hold back the Austrian hordes, while the forces in "burgundy" took 3 austrian provinces along the rhine. The papal states asked for peace in exchange for the papal province of Firenze, and a small indemnity. The DDLF, facing the imminent fall of Milan, took it, and sent an army of 60,000 under the best field marshall to relieve the city, besieged by over 80,000. at worst he would weaken the siege and withdraw into Mantua. Unfortunately the Austrians were mainly cavalry, and must have been in excellent shape for a siege, and under good leadership. while tens of thousands of Austrians died, the entire spanish army was surrounded and eliminated, including the Field marshall.
With this disaster, the DDLF hurried troops by sea from spain, and gathered the few remaining troops in italy in emilia, where the Po river would be a defensive line. Mantua was conceded, to be retaken later. (The french were not particularly helpful, focusing on the Papal States, with whom they were still at war, and some raiding into Germany, and the Poles were completely inffective)
The DDLF received a dispatch from the colonel in Emilia, informing him that the Austrians had crossed the river, and the battle was engaged. It looked to be developing into another Spanish defeat, and the colonel was preparing a withdrawl to keep his force in being. How far would he have to withdraw? Sienna was safer terrain than Firenze, but it meant no good port, and a slower time unloading the troops who DDLF could raise in Spain. Indeed the army of 48,000 under a major general that was coming down from Franche Comte might have to go by sea, with Emilia in Austrian hands.
Now Spain COULD attempt to reach a white peace with Austria, which would enable Spain to return to its focus onthe Americas, long the principle concern of the DDLF's family. This would mean France surely being beaten badly by Austria, and a Europe dominated by Austria. But his family would not face the consequences - his son, the young Senor Juan, was infertile. Due to other family problems, and the kings assertion that the lands and titles of the DDLF would not go to a distant relation, but would revert to the crown - Juan would be the LAST DDLF, and the family line would certainly come to an end in 40 or 50 years.
But could Don Enrique leave Castille, all Spain, and, indeed all Europe to this fate? Was it not his duty to redeem his mistakes, and to fight on and contain Austria?
The 18th century had been kind to Spain, and to the plans of the DDLFs, the family that provided so many key advisors to the Spanish crown. In the 1720s Spain had successful fought a war with the Netherlands, taking Zeeland and the two dutch colonies in the Carib, thus partially fullfilling the long dormant dream of Phillip II, the reconquest of the Netherlands, and the restoration of the full Burgundian inheritance.
Spain had then returned to peace, engaging in development, lowering inflation, and colonizing intensely. With the rise of a new king, missions got off the ground again, and more pagan provinces were converted. at last Spain reached a point where the then DDLF felt comfortable absorbing more Pagan territory. Spain attacked the Shawnee kingdom, and quickly conquered.
The missions to the shawnees were quickly successful, converting 4 of the 5 provinces a few years after conquest. Spain then turned to the Incas, and finally destroyed that empire, fullfilling another 16th century dream.
With that complete Spain returned to the arts of peace, missionizing, colonizing northwest from Mexico, as far as California, into Uruguay, along the coast of Venezuala, and the highlands of Bogota. Spanish explorers discovered Hawaii, which was promptly colonized and used as a base for the exploration of the Pacific and the east asian littoral.
And Spain more or less caught up in military techs.
Meanwhile Spain had pursued ever evolving diplomatic strategies. For long Spain had used an alliance with Austria and the Papal States to maintain peace with Austria, while maintaining good relations with France. Then Spain went through a period diplomatic isolation, which had concerned the DDLF very much, but had remained in well armed peace. Finally Spain had joined the alliance of France, Poland, and Venice.
And then came the unwanted communique - Austria DOWs Poland.
Faced with the alternative of renewed diplomatic isolation, Don Enrique determined to join the war. This would be a chance to see if Spains military reforms, and economic strength would make possible a victory over Austria.
It should have been an easy win. Spain had kept upto or slightly over the number of troops it could easily maintain, and had caught up in tech, had two strong generals, and shifted its military orientation to the offensive (though its focus on NAVAL matters would hurt in a land war)
But mistakes were made in the beginning of the war, a sign the DDLF was losing his touch, some said.
First it took some time to fully fund military readiness, which undoubtedly contributed to the early defeats. Also the DDLF, thinking he could win with his existing military, didnt drain the treasury and mint in profusion to expand the army,as did his opponents. Also he underestimated the continuing viability of cavalry on plains, and so the armies in Italy were to heavy with infantry, relatively.
and, of course, the positions in Naples and Sienna had been neglected a legacy of the old alliance with the Papal States. Only the militarly backwardness of the Papal troops prevented complete disaster.
The Spanish armies in Italy turned first to the South, mopping up the Papal troops, and allowing the fortress of milan to hold back the Austrian hordes, while the forces in "burgundy" took 3 austrian provinces along the rhine. The papal states asked for peace in exchange for the papal province of Firenze, and a small indemnity. The DDLF, facing the imminent fall of Milan, took it, and sent an army of 60,000 under the best field marshall to relieve the city, besieged by over 80,000. at worst he would weaken the siege and withdraw into Mantua. Unfortunately the Austrians were mainly cavalry, and must have been in excellent shape for a siege, and under good leadership. while tens of thousands of Austrians died, the entire spanish army was surrounded and eliminated, including the Field marshall.
With this disaster, the DDLF hurried troops by sea from spain, and gathered the few remaining troops in italy in emilia, where the Po river would be a defensive line. Mantua was conceded, to be retaken later. (The french were not particularly helpful, focusing on the Papal States, with whom they were still at war, and some raiding into Germany, and the Poles were completely inffective)
The DDLF received a dispatch from the colonel in Emilia, informing him that the Austrians had crossed the river, and the battle was engaged. It looked to be developing into another Spanish defeat, and the colonel was preparing a withdrawl to keep his force in being. How far would he have to withdraw? Sienna was safer terrain than Firenze, but it meant no good port, and a slower time unloading the troops who DDLF could raise in Spain. Indeed the army of 48,000 under a major general that was coming down from Franche Comte might have to go by sea, with Emilia in Austrian hands.
Now Spain COULD attempt to reach a white peace with Austria, which would enable Spain to return to its focus onthe Americas, long the principle concern of the DDLF's family. This would mean France surely being beaten badly by Austria, and a Europe dominated by Austria. But his family would not face the consequences - his son, the young Senor Juan, was infertile. Due to other family problems, and the kings assertion that the lands and titles of the DDLF would not go to a distant relation, but would revert to the crown - Juan would be the LAST DDLF, and the family line would certainly come to an end in 40 or 50 years.
But could Don Enrique leave Castille, all Spain, and, indeed all Europe to this fate? Was it not his duty to redeem his mistakes, and to fight on and contain Austria?
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