1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

The Netherlands, such a tiny place with no population or resources, located in the heart of Europe and rife with storms, how could you expect to rise to power and dominate without relocating? Dream on! That era, and the decades to come, were filled with turbulent times and world wars. With such a small frame, you think you can rise to prominence? Not to mention, even the French and German bulls next door aren't blind. I think even the author couldn't keep up the plot.

The Netherlands could never rise to power. How could it rise when surrounded by powerful nations? I feel I could write a book about the history of countries before World War I: Romania, Austria-Hungary, Serbia or Bulgaria, Hungary or Albania before World War II…

The Netherlands could never rise to power. Its domestic resources and population were limited. Relocation was almost impossible, as the Americas had been divided up. Moving to Africa was nearly impossible, and Asia… The people wouldn't allow it, the army wouldn't allow it, the officials wouldn't allow it. If they actually did it, they would be the second Louis XVI!

Population determines the upper limit of a country or an ethnic group; the majority ethnic population of the Netherlands means it could never become a large country.

At that time, the Dutch population was at most around 3 million; France and Britain had ten times that number. If the Netherlands wanted to develop, it either had to flee or follow Prussia's example. However, Germany's strategic environment was tragic. Even after unifying Germany and winning World War I, it was severely weakened. The rise of the United States was inevitable.

The Netherlands is only suitable for developing free ports; there's not much room for further development. Consider the possibility of a European war: the Netherlands would be a strategically vital location, impossible to defend. It was a major center of European smuggling and a crucial transportation hub by land and sea; no country would allow it to develop.

The author should move; staying in Europe won't work. The country is small and lacks resources, making it impossible to rise to prominence. Staying in Europe meant certain death. Being sandwiched between three major powers made it difficult to maintain order, and disobedience would result in a beating. If you obey, you'll be cannon fodder; the three great powers won't give you any face at all.

If we can't compete with population, I think the protagonist's best course of action is to abandon the homeland before World War I breaks out, move the entire country to Southeast Asia to develop slowly, and then annex Australia. That way, no matter how bad things get in the future, they can at least become one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and at least be stronger…

The Netherlands could never become a great power; its population was too small and its territory too small. At this stage, the Netherlands could focus on developing South Africa, where it already had a foothold. South Africa was a very good place, and the Netherlands could actively attract immigrants, especially from the German-speaking regions.

Um, interracial marriage with Black people—is the author trying to exterminate the Dutch bloodline?