Actually Germany should trump England + France which could be considered as sub parts of "Germany" (as in the peoples including Franks, Angles and Saxons)
And by extrapolation also America. And America is in...
I understand that this argument sees Europe as a triple division of "macro" cultures, which I consider somewhat true (Southern, greco-romans; northern germans; and eastern Slavic peoples) specially If we are addressing to the Iron Age ethnic movements. Still, this is not how civilization works.
Germany has a true impact on modern europe, no argue in that. And the region also had a lot of political/diplomatic importance on medieval and post medieval ages. But rarely the german "culture" was united under the same political principle.
Given that, I would like France much more than I would like Germany, and I see them as a perfect civ for a government focused strategy, perhaps with some unique policy cards, covered by Louis XIV.
England MUST be in. I would rather see them as Britain though (and it is considered a new name in the series).
But sincerely, Germany, France, England, Russia, Greece and Rome are in because the game is produced, from it's origin, by a western anglo-saxonic view of the world (which is NOT NECESSARILY BAD!).
Still, there is no empire with more importance on early modern (I.E. XVI/XVII century) than Spain. Worldwide.
Just as an example, The commerce on a true global scale in XVI/XVII centuries was: Spain collects silver/gold, with a value of 1; silver/gold comes to Europe, where it has the value of 5; then silver/gold is introduced in the east where it has a value of 10. This is the embryo of capitalist societies which emerged strongly on the XVIII century.
And I am not talking about the iberian peninsula being the most populous region of Europe in the middle ages, specially by the end of them (1400s), which allowed these states (Portugal and Spain) to expand by ocean reaching new goods supply to trade in Europe. The central/northern european History has an impact on globe after the fall of Spain in the 1600's (the fall of Portugal happened in the mid/late 1500s).
I am not attacking the non peninsular european civs. But I think that, for the discussion, the last 2 pages lacked historical consideration. Of course the popular image of history is the most important (Cleopatra...), but we need some historical consideration also.
Historiography sees the triangle of france/germany/england as the most important empires in central/western post-classical europe. I disagree, with arguments, saying that before these three superpowers (which were increasingly great and defined the modern vision of Europe), we had Portugal (1.5 million people controlling much of globe's oceans, trade routes and coastal cities/settlements) and Spain (controlling almost half the world and even half europe). In the history of Europe, I think that all of these 5 factions were "somewhat equally" important. We remove Portugal because it happened too early and with not much people, and we must have all the other 4. And I am trying not to be biased, otherwise Portugal would be on the top 18, which is arguable.
