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I'm doing a sort of log of my exploits as Finland for Victoria 2. In case any of you haven't played it, It's a grand strategy game from Paradox Interactive, where you play as a country in the Victorian era and guide it to become a World Power.

You start the game in 1836, with the Texan War for Independence in full swing. Here's a political map:


As you can see, I'm squeezed between Russia and Sweden, not good. I could potently expand into the Baltic States, but if I'm not careful the Great Powers will declare war on me in hope of maintaining a useless thing called "status quo". For now I'm content to build the army, and hopefully research some improvements.



Here's a general picture on my progress. Right now the only troops I can field that are Effective are guards, which fortunately are Elites, So I should stand a fighting chance. Industry is non-existent at the moment, so that's a big blow right there. I can only get money by taxing the citizens out their asses. If Russia invades, I'm ******.
Hopefully I can expand and get more resources so I can expand the army or industry. I'm eying Denmark in particular. But right now my immediate concern is whether I should say as an absolute monarchy or change to a republic.