Potential Austria-Czechoslovakia Integration: Exploring Historical Scenarios

The chances of Czechoslovakia integrating with Austria in Hearts of Iron IV are slim, but there are ways to improve the odds. Czechoslovakia is a small democratic country surrounded by powerful enemies, enjoying only token protection from France and the UK, who prioritise peace with Germany. The chances of integration are increased if Germany is doing the Sudetenland focus, and if the player improves relations with Czechoslovakia, has a Non-Aggression Pact with them, and waits until world tension is higher than 60%.

Improving relations with Czechoslovakia to above 65

To improve relations with Czechoslovakia in Hearts of Iron IV, there are several strategies that can be employed. Here are some detailed instructions to enhance your diplomatic relations:

• Fortify the Sudetenland: Focus on fortifying the Sudetenland region, which borders Germany. This will provide you with level 7 land forts along the German border, extending to Bratislava. This strategy not only strengthens your defensive position but also buys you time to build up your army.
• Form Alliances: Czechoslovakia is guaranteed by France and Romania. By forming the "Little Entente" alliance with France, you can strengthen your position. Additionally, you can form the "Czech Entente" via the "An Entente of Our Own" focus, potentially including Yugoslavia, Romania, and Hungary as members.
• Improve Diplomatic Relations: Work on improving your diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia by increasing your reputation with them. This can be achieved through various diplomatic actions, such as signing non-aggression pacts, improving relations, and utilizing spies for diplomatic pressure.
• Reintegrate Railroads: Focus on the "Reintegrate Railroads" focus, which can provide bonuses when convincing Austria and Czechoslovakia to accept annexation.
• Increase World Tension: Higher world tension can increase the chances of Czechoslovakia accepting annexation. Aim for around 15-25% world tension to improve the likelihood of a positive response.
• Timing with Germany: Time your focus to coincide with Germany's "Annex the Sudetenland" focus. This significantly increases the chances of Czechoslovakia accepting annexation, as they often refuse outside of this context.
• Join the Axis: Joining the Axis powers can make Czechoslovakia feel more threatened and inclined to accept annexation.

By following these strategies and maintaining a strong diplomatic approach, you can significantly improve your relations with Czechoslovakia and increase the chances of achieving your desired outcome.

Signing a non-aggression pact with Czechoslovakia

Benefits of Signing a Non-Aggression Pact with Czechoslovakia:

• Protection from Potential Enemies: Czechoslovakia is surrounded by powerful potential enemies, including Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary, and Romania. Signing a non-aggression pact with Czechoslovakia can deter these neighbouring countries from invading and provide you with additional protection.
• Strengthening Your Position: By signing a non-aggression pact, you can buy yourself time to build up your military strength and fortifications. This is especially important for Czechoslovakia, as it has a small army and limited defences.
• Improving Diplomatic Relations: A non-aggression pact can improve diplomatic relations and reduce tensions between your country and Czechoslovakia. This could lead to further alliances or cooperation in the future.
• Preventing Preemptive Strikes: If you are planning to go to war with another country, a non-aggression pact with Czechoslovakia can prevent them from striking first or joining your enemies.

Things to Consider:

• Limited Military Support: While Czechoslovakia can provide additional protection, keep in mind that they have a small army and limited resources. They may not be able to offer significant military support in a conflict.
• Alliances and Guarantees: Be aware of Czechoslovakia's alliances and guarantees with other countries. For example, they guarantee the independence of Romania and Yugoslavia, and are themselves guaranteed by France and Romania. These alliances may come into play if you break the non-aggression pact or attack Czechoslovakia's allies.
• Historical Context: Consider the historical context of the game. In the late 1930s, Czechoslovakia was facing increasing pressure from Germany, which eventually led to the Munich Agreement and the annexation of the Sudetenland. Signing a non-aggression pact may only temporarily delay a potential German invasion.
• Geopolitical Implications: Your decision to sign a non-aggression pact may have repercussions on your relations with other countries, especially those who view Czechoslovakia as an enemy or have conflicting interests in the region.
• Timing and Strategy: Choose the right time to sign the non-aggression pact. For example, if Germany is focusing on the Sudetenland, they may be less likely to invade Czechoslovakia immediately, giving you some breathing room.

In summary, signing a non-aggression pact with Czechoslovakia can provide mutual protection and improve diplomatic relations. However, be mindful of the historical context, Czechoslovakia's limited military strength, and the potential reactions of their allies and neighbouring countries.

Czechoslovakia not being in a faction

In the game Hearts of Iron IV, Czechoslovakia is a landlocked middle power in Central Europe. It is a small democratic country with powerful potential enemies on all sides. It is guaranteed by France and Romania, and can also join the Little Entente via a French event. However, France and the UK prioritise maintaining peace with Germany over guaranteeing Czechoslovakian sovereignty.

Czechoslovakia is not in any alliances or factions but can form its own faction, the Czech Entente, via the focus "An Entente of Our Own". Potential members of this faction are Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania and Hungary.

If Czechoslovakia is attacked, it will join whichever side France is on, usually the Allies or the Little Entente. However, democratic nations need 80% World Tension to be able to join a faction. The 25% World Tension threshold refers to the point at which democratic nations can guarantee other nations.

If Czechoslovakia is annexed by Austria-Hungary, it will become a full core, giving about 12 million more core population to draw from, and 15 million if Germany is not given the Sudetenland. This is preferable to puppet status, which results in colony states.

World tension being higher than 60%

Additionally, world tension can increase war support for every nation, up to 40% at 100% world tension. This means that nations are more likely to have popular support for taking belligerent actions when world tension is high. Certain national focuses and events also require a certain level of world tension to be enacted, and higher world tension can reduce the threshold for these. For example, the "Rhineland Branch" focus for Germany has several focuses that impact world tension, such as "Demand Sudetenland" (+3%) and "Fate of Czechoslovakia" (+5%).

In the context of Czechoslovakia integrating with Austria, higher world tension could make it easier for Austria to justify a war goal against Czechoslovakia or vice versa. It could also increase the likelihood of popular support for such an action and potentially lower the threshold for certain national focuses related to the integration. However, it is important to note that other factors, such as ideology and specific events in the game, will also play a significant role in determining the chances of Czechoslovakia integrating with Austria.

Finishing the 'Protect Czechoslovakia' focus while Germany is doing their 'Sudetenland' focus

To finish the "Protect Czechoslovakia" focus while Germany is doing their Sudetenland focus, it is important to understand the factors that influence Czechoslovakia's decision to accept annexation. These factors include their opinion of Austria-Hungary, relative strength, and the threat posed by Germany. Additionally, the probability of acceptance can be modified by certain events and focuses.

• Time it Right: Complete the "Protect Czechoslovakia" focus while Germany is doing the "Demand Sudetenland" or "Fate of Czechoslovakia" focus. This provides a significant modifier to the chance of acceptance.
• Improve Relations: Boosting relations with Czechoslovakia to 40 or above can increase the likelihood of acceptance. This can be achieved through non-aggression pacts and improving diplomatic relations.
• Strengthen Military: Having a stronger military than Czechoslovakia can influence their decision. Consider training more divisions and exercising your army.
• Monitor German Focuses: Keep a spy network in Germany to monitor their focus choices. This will help you time your "Protect Czechoslovakia" focus appropriately.
• Reintegrate the Railroads Focus: Taking this focus as Hungary can have a positive impact on the chances of annexation.
• World Tension: Increasing world tension above 20% can modify the probability of acceptance.
• Czechoslovakia's Faction Status: If Czechoslovakia is not in a faction, they are more likely to accept annexation.

Even with these strategies, it is important to note that there is still a degree of randomness in Czechoslovakia's decision. If they refuse, you may need to restart or try again with improved relations and stronger military positioning.

Frequently asked questions