Protectorate (ETW)

A protectorate is a nation under the protection of another nation.

Overview

Players may choose to request other nations to become their protectorate in the diplomacy screen. They can only make protectorates out of nations that only control one region and are not already the protectorate of another nation; for example, early-game Portugal cannot be made into a protectorate as it controls two regions (Portugal and Goa), while Saxony cannot be taken as a protectorate as it is already a protectorate of Poland-Lithuania.

Protectorates cede half their income to their protector nations, in exchange for a pledge from the protector faction to ally itself with it and declare war on enemies invading the protectorate. Protectorates also grant, and automatically receive, indefinite military access from and to their protector faction. They also have friendlier relations with their protector nation. The richer a nation is, the more practical it is to make it a protectorate. At the beginning of a campaign, some minor nations are already protectorates of others. If a nation that has protectorates becomes a protectorate, its protectorates will become protectorates of the new parent nation. For example, if Poland-Lithuania becomes a protectorate of Prussia, Saxony and Courland automatically become Prussian protectorates.

When a minor nation has suffered great military defeats and/or lost a considerable amount of land, it may offer to become a protectorate rather than face complete destruction. It usually also demands a huge amount of money in return, though, so it is usually a good idea to ignore this proposition unless the invading faction is spread thin militarily.

Factions with protectorates at the beginning of a campaign

The Ottoman Empire: The Barbary States and The Crimean Khanate

Poland-Lithuania: Saxony and Courland

Great Britain: Thirteen Colonies

France: Louisiana

Spain: New Spain