"Gunboat Diplomacy" or "Peace through Strength", Mr. Caldwell?.... I propose that its the latter, but your results may vary. However, as I am sure you are aware, you in fact must have resources with which to negotiate with, if you are to negotiate at all. I see that the British Empire has more ports than it started with after the wipe. Am I to believe that every one of those was obtained by the Olive Branch rather than the sword? Or as us "colonial simpletons" might say, the "carrott instead of the stick"?