France (ETW Faction)
Overview
France has had fifty years of military and administrative excellence under Louis XIV, and his servants. They achieved this in spite of a backdrop of strife and rebellion sparked by France's involvement in the Thirty Years War. Louis and his able ministers, Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin, were able to steer France away from the feudal struggles that hampered growth, and they created a centralised government where the King's power is absolute.
In 1700, France is the pre-eminent power in Western Europe, with an unrivalled army, vast colonies and a King who is respected and feared by all, both at home and abroad. Few nations pose any real threat to his well-equipped armies and heavily fortified borders.
The French Bourbon dynasty is strong, even though Louis XIV is ageing. There are sons and relations aplenty, with legitimate claims to many titles. To the south, the lack of a Hapsburg heir in Spain - and the feeble-mindedness of Charles II - means that a Bourbon could one day rule in Madrid. A course of action that brings this about has much to recommend it. Of course, not all offshoots of the Hapsburg line are as weak as their Spanish cousins. The Austrian Hapsburgs, and other European nations, may not be entirely willing to see a Frenchman or French nominee as the King of Spain. No matter.
France is surrounded by possibilities, and beyond Europe there are other continents to conquer and colonies: New France in North America, and the riches of India. The untrustworthy British may have to be swept aside or crushed, but what is wrong with that?
Starting Position
France starts the game with regions in both the European and the American theater. In Europe, the French own France and its capital Paris along with Alsace-Lorraine and its capital Strasburg. In America, France controls several regions and also has a protectorate which can become part of the French kingdom after a specific mission. In India the kingdom does not own any settlements.
In Europe, France borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The absolute monarchy is surrounded by the Spanish kingdom in the south and their province Flanders in the north. Furthermore, France borders Wurttemberg in Central Europe and Savoy in the southeast. Across the English Channel lies the British Kingdom. In North America, the French colonies border the Iroquois confederacy and the British 13 colonies.
