Hello!

So I have this setting where a state on a newly settled continent begins modernizing rapidly due to some technological innovations and the discovery of new materials. This allows them to outpace their neighbors in terms of warfare. For example, while the modernizing state's neighbors still use tactics akin to the mid to late 17th century, the state advances to tactics more like that of the Napoleonic wars.

However, I don't think it would be an interesting setting if I just have one faction stomping everyone. So I'm wanting to figure out some reasons why a state that was quickly modernizing would refrain from blitzing across the continent. Obviously the meta reason is because I want to keep the setting fun and interesting. But I'd like to come up with an explanation rooted in reality.

I did come up with a few reasons, although I can't say they're 100% full proof.

• The modern state has a dysfunctional government which keeps it from expanding as much as it would if it had a working government.
• The state is concerned with the death toll from an endeavor such as conquering the entire consentient.
• There's just a lot of territory to cover.
• Conquering the entire known world is too expensive. Even with more modern tech.

Those are just some of the reasons I've come up with. What do you think?

Edit: I appreciate all of the responses! You guys gave me a lot to think about. I think I'll have it so that, instead of the state modernizing while the rest remain stagnant, the state just modernizes quicker than the rest.