PERUVIANS
Another Spanish Revolutionary Nation, that launched many wars against its neighbours (Bolivia, Ecuador, Gran Colombia) almost immediately after obtaining its independence.
Their secret alliance with Bolivia precipitated them into the losers’ camp, during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884).
POLES-LITHUANIANS
The other surprising European favourite often quoted here.
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795) was a unique bi-federation that constituted one of Europe’s largest state. Mostly fighting against its Russian, Swedish and Ottoman neighbours, the Commonwealth was famous as much for their army (the famed winged hussars for example) as for their unprecedented political system asserting tempering of the monarchical power.
Nonetheless, the Union quickly lost control of its multi-ethnic territory (Zaporizhian Cossacks revolt, secession of Sweden) while being eroded by emerging powers (Prussia, Russia, Austria) so much so that already at Sobieski’s death (1695 ), the Commonwealth was considered declining.
This comparatively shorter span and the lack of connotation with the Age of Discovery (with only the indirect attempt by the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia ) do make them look quite unfit for AoE3.
FON
Founders of the long-lasting Kingdom of Dahomey (1600-1904).
A small kingdom that successfully fought to carve out a niche for themselves, against their powerful Oyo neighbours, encountering prosperity by being a major supplier to the Atlantic slave trade, and resisting foreign incursions until the French incorporated them in 1894 .
A thriving candidate, but the Dahomey came to be tributary of the Oyo Empire (1730-1823) and were geographically quite restricted. The presence in AoE3 of the renowned Dahomey Amazon unit might be an enough nod.
ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIANS
An extrapolation for the Oceania category if the Maoris are given a shot.
Originating from the Southeast Asia archipelago, Aboriginals got isolated quickly from the rest of the world, taming and populating the immense Australia, therefore forging the longest continued cultural history.
Divided into hundreds of tribes, with ‘varied cultures but similar in general outlines and character ’ (Edward John Eyre), Aboriginals almost immediately fought British colonization that engendered competition over resources and land appropriation, under the form of localised, violent engagements across the frontiers all over the continent, with Queensland concentrating the highest casualties.
Formidable with their nocturnal, surprise attacks, able at times to field armies to face the British in open fields, Aboriginals did not however adopt European weaponry, contrary to the North America and New Zealand Natives, which lead to constant unequal confrontation against the European horses and firearms, especially with the technical progresses of the 1850s .
The conflicts lasted as far as 1924 but, the major responsible carrying Aboriginals off were diseases, especially smallpox.
Whereas Aboriginal Australians would be a strong candidate if Oceania is tackled, their highly puzzled entity, that did not form any kind of confederation, are serious impediments to their appearance as a main civ.
Finally, a last quick summary of suggestions regarding new revolutions for the European civs. All have a common to be splintered from one of the main European civ, but appears too late or did not have yet enough consistency in the AoE3 time frame to be contemplated as a main civ:
[Revolution] NORWAY (SWEDES)
The subject to strong competition between Denmark (1537-1814) and Sweden (1814-1905).
Besides, Norway would flesh up the so far limited Revolution options for the Swedes. Norway never really revolted against any of them, instead cultivating their national character before peacefully parting way with Sweden in 1905 .
[Revolution] GREECE (OTTOMANS)
Another addition for the Ottomans. The 1st Nation to successfully revolt against the Ottomans (1821 ) in the Balkans, kindling a romantic movement of support in Europe, that eventually sent their troops to the Greek rescue to defeat the Ottomans.
[Revolution] POLAND (GERMANS & RUSSIANS)
Whereas the Commonwealth of Poland-Lithuania makes little sense in the game integration as a main civ, Poland absolutely deserves a slot as a Revolution.
Partitioned between Prussia, Austria and Russia in 1795 , Poles were supported by Napoleon who created the Duchy of Warsaw .
After his defeat, several client states were created and incorporated into the Prussian and Russian territories, until these respective powers formally integrated them as provinces starting from the 1830s . Having thus lacked any sovereign state until WW1, Poles nevertheless launched many, impassioned but unsuccessful uprisings against these 3 empires.
[Revolution] SWITZERLAND (FRENCH & GERMANS)
A confederation of cantons that earned its de facto independence in 1499 by defeating the Holy Roman Empire, and that was formally acknowledged in 1648 under the Treaty of Westphalia , along its famous neutrality .
Invaded by the French in 1798 , their independence and neutrality was once more reaffirmed at the Congress of Vienna following Napoleon’s defeat (1815 ).
[Revolution] CRIMEAN KHANATE (OTTOMANS & RUSSIANS)
A successor of the Golden Horde , itself being one of the Mongol Empire’s heirs.
Owing to the Ottoman-Golden Horde friendship and to the shared Turkic bonds, the Crimean Khanate enjoyed a special under statute under Ottoman nominal suzerainty, to the point of having its ruling dynasty, the House of Giray , being the designated successor of the Empire, should the House of Osman disappear.
The Khanate was eventually annexed by Russia in 1783 . The Crimean Khanate never revolted but share similarities with the Barbary States, in the sense it willingly joined Ottoman patronage .
[Revolution] SERBIA (GERMANS, OTTOMANS & RUSSIANS)
Another Nation that revolted against the Ottomans first, but also against the Austrians later on.
Supported by Russia, through successive uprisings , they gradually obtained their own principality until being formally recognized independent in 1878 .
[Revolution] IRELAND (BRITISH)
An English dependency under the Kingdom of Ireland (1542-1800) that had its own Parliament and Church. Resistance to English rule enforcement led to the Tudor conquest of the island, that in turn launched the Plantations , a process of land confiscation and Protestant settlers colonization.
These discriminations gave birth to several struggles until the Parliaments of both England and Ireland voted for the union of the two Kingdoms to create the United-Kingdom in 1800 . Yet, Irish people revolted only once after that, in 1803 , before the 1912 revolutionary period.
[Revolution] BOLIVIA (SPANISH)
At the epicentre of the Spanish American Wars of Independence , Bolivia united with Peru between 1829-1839 .
This formation of a new power in South America was feared by both Chile and Argentina that declared war against the Confederation.
Defeated, Bolivia endured a long hint of economic and political struggle until a recovery right before the end of the 18th c.
A Revolution state that might be more judiciously associated with its stronger partner Peru however, and besides the Spanish Revolution options are already full.
CONCLUSION
I hope you found that ultimate roundup inspiring, I have tried to mobilize all the knowledge I could gather for each potential civ in regards to AoE3’s time frame and theme. This final selection ultimately is not exhaustive , but I believe the main potential candidates have been defined.
Please feel free to add any Main Civilization , European Revolution , or Minor Nation you would like to see, that I did not cover. I would however ask you to opt for a similar format, that is to say highlighting your chosen civ and adding several sentences supporting your claim along impediments , according to you.
Do not hesitate, likewise, to challenge my reasonings , if you deem several mentioned civs have absolutely not their place in the game, by exposing your views backed by evidence.
This way, we would be able to achieve an objective review of every civ addable to Aoe3, and perhaps one of the developers passing by might find some ideas to keep supplement our favourite game!
Yours Faithfully,
True Grit