>>3722
It's easy to keep the Netherlands out. Just maintain relations and the alliance with GB, and the Dutch will lose their cores on Belgium eventually. It's also easy to pick alliances depending on the circumstances, as France, Germany and GB are all in a position to help you out. Just stay clear of the GP politics until you have a decent army, and only side with the strongest in wars, and you're golden.
>Fuck that, choose France OP.With minimal tweaking the economy will hum along nicely, and it's introduces you to warfare quickly and easily
France is a fucking nightmare for a newcomer that needs to learn the mechanics properly. You need to learn the economics early if you want to get the most from the game, and you can't learn economics if you have a million provinces with a billion different pops. Warfare is secondary to economics in this game, and is much easier to learn as you go.
Belgium is perfect, because you may keep all your territory within sight, and easily keep track of your pops and their demands.
I started my first game as France, but only learned the game with Belgium. Yes, France taught me warfare and diplomacy and shit, but Belgium taught me economics and pop management.