R5: Britain has been on a downward slope for the past decade. They were losing the race to Africa against France and ended up at war with them. Seeing their chance, Australia(me) declared independence at the same time that UK started the play against France. Britain loses both wars, and along with some territorial losses, has to pay both nations war reparations. For the next five years, Britain's economy stagnates, and it's debt goes from 14 million to 58 million in ~5 years. Then, Britain ends up at war with Spain over some colonies, Spain wins and the UK gets the punishments above.
R5: Britain has been on a downward slope for the past decade. They were losing the race to Africa against France and ended up at war with them. Seeing their chance, Australia(me) declared independence at the same time that UK started the play against France. Britain loses both wars, and along with some territorial losses, has to pay both nations war reparations. For the next five years, Britain's economy stagnates, and it's debt goes from 14 million to 58 million in ~5 years. Then, Britain ends up at war with Spain over some colonies, Spain wins and the UK gets the punishments above.