I just don't understand how you play Victoria 3 as a minor country and fuck everyone around

1) Start as Mexico, build only infantry to try to win against USA - they outnumber you anyway
2) Start as Mexico, go grow you economy - USA outgrow you and fuck you up taking everything up north

(do no recommend starting as major it's no fun)

Also constant deficit of fucking wheat makes me sick
Also why the fuck I spend so much money on the building shit if I have surplurs of wood and fabric? Game retarded