France — Not random

Will happen on January 2, 1637

Description

The 'Father of Modern Philosophy,' René Descartes led the way from the traditional Aristotelian methods of thought toward the reasoned, empirical philisophical methods that would be employed during the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment. His most famous studies come from his 'Medititations on First Philosophy' (1641), in which he first doubts all, and then reconstructs his knowledge on the basis of rational thought. This includes both his reasoned proof of the existence of God, and the proof of his own existence, the latter of which is famously epitomized with the statement 'I think, therefore I am.'

Actions

A. Ok

• Innovativeness +1

France — Not random

Will happen on January 2, 1681

Description

Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban was the foremost military engineer and fortress architect of his time. Due to his mathematical, rational approach to siege warfare and to innovations such as the ricochet shot, the parallel attack system and the introduction of a miner company, he was immensely successful in commanding sieges and took many strongly fortified cities. He created France's 'enceinte de fer', the 'iron belt' of strong fortifications covering France's borders. Among his most significant designs are the fortifications of Landau in the Palatinate and Neuf-Brisach in Alsace.

Actions

A. Ok

• Land tech investment: +250
• Fortress level in a random province +1
• Fortress level in a different random province +1
• Fortress level in a different random province +1
• Fortress level in a different random province +1

France — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Louis XV is active

Will happen on September 8, 1715

Description

La Régence ('The Regency') was the period between the death of Louis XIV in 1715 and the personal rule of his great-grandson and successor Louis XV in 1723. France during this time was ruled by Philippe d'Orléans, a nephew of Louis XIV, who as the senior member of the Orléans cadet branch of the Bourbon dynasty laid claim to the administration of the realm during the King's minority - a traditionally accepted role within his family. The final codicil of Louis XIV's will had stipulated that two of his bastard sons - who he'd legitimized as 'princes du sang' ('princes of the blood') - share the regency of the five year-old Louis XV, but once the elder Loius died d'Orléans quickly invalidated these instructions and had himself declared sole regent. La Régence was marked by controversial economic reforms under the Scotsman John Law, bureaucratic restructuring by replacing appointed ministers with councils of civil servants, and foreign policy reversals in which France allied with her old enemies Britain and Holland in opposition to Spanish revanchism.

Actions

A. Ok

• Aristocracy -1
• Monarch's diplomatic skill +2 for 120 months
• Monarch's administrative skill +2 for 120 months
• Stability +1

France — Not random

Will happen on January 2, 1732

Description

In 1729 Voltaire returned to France from his exile in England. Determined to present England as a model to his countrymen the great writer of the Enlightenment began writing plays in discrete imitation of Shakespeare. He also commenced work on his biography of the great Swedish King Charles XII. His greatest achievement to date however was published in 1734. 'Philosophical Letters' was an incisive critique of the religious establishment and the Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal. A warrant of arrest was issued in May and Voltaire was once again forced to flee Paris.

Actions

A. Ok

• Innovativeness +1
• Global revolt risk +1 for 12 months

France — Not random

Will happen on January 2, 1750

Description

In 1750 Charles-Louis de Secondat baron de La Montesquieu published the crowning achievement of his literary career - 'The Spirit of Laws'. This monumental 1086 page work was most celebrated for three of its numerous theories: the classification of governments the political influence of climate and the most important one the theory of the separation of powers. Montesquieu argued that in the state that most effectively promotes liberty the Legislative Executive and Judicial powers must be confided to different individuals or bodies acting independently. This idea was soon to become central to the Constitution of the United States.

Actions

A. Ok

• Aristocracy -1
• Infrastructure tech investment: +250

France — Not random

Will happen on January 2, 1762

Description

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a major philosopher of the Enlightenment Era whose political theories be came central to the radical period of the French Revolution in the 1790s. In 'The Social Contract' (1762) Rousseau argues that control of the government should be in the hands of the people, but ultimately favors the ideal of forced equality over individual liberty. Rousseau is considered by some to have provided the philosophical foundation for early Communist theory.

Actions

A. Ok

• Serfdom -1