Unification of Spain question?

[Kovalenko]

As we know the marriage of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II paved the way for Spanish unification, but Isabella had many other potential husbands what if she had married differently?


POD: 1468, Isabella I marries Alfonso V of Portugal (proposed by Isabella's brother Henry but never carried out OTL)

1468 Henry's daughter Joanna marries Alfonso's son John II (planed marriage if Isabella married Alfonso)

1481 Alfonso V Dies, John and Joanna inherit Portugal and Castile


What exactly would the implications of such a POD? Would there still be a Spanish reconquista, War of the Castilian Succession, or opening of the new world (or would a lack of financing for Columbus make the new world open later)? Also what would become of Ferdinand II of Aragon how would he rule an independent aragon, would aragon possibly join in the colonization of the new world (lets say they have Navarre as an Atlantic passage in this case)?


Comments and corrections much appreciated!

[Badshah]

Originally Posted by Kovalenko

As we know the marriage of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II paved the way for Spanish unification, but Isabella had many other potential husbands what if she had married differently?


POD: 1468, Isabella I marries Alfonso V of Portugal (proposed by Isabella's brother Henry but never carried out OTL)

1468 Henry's daughter Joanna marries Alfonso's son John II (planed marriage if Isabella married Alfonso)

1481 Alfonso V Dies, John and Joanna inherit Portugal and Castile


What exactly would the implications of such a POD? Would there still be a Spanish reconquista, War of the Castilian Succession, or opening of the new world (or would a lack of financing for Columbus make the new world open later)? Also what would become of Ferdinand II of Aragon how would he rule an independent aragon, would aragon possibly join in the colonization of the new world?


Comments and corrections much appreciated!

I know if Aragon remained independent it would be left out of the race to the New World. No Atlantic Coast means no passage. And I doubt Spain would want Aragon crossing the Gibraltar Strait.

[Kovalenko]

Originally Posted by trollhole

I know if Aragon remained independent it would be left out of the race to the New World. No Atlantic Coast means no passage. And I doubt Spain would want Aragon crossing the Gibraltar Strait.

In that case lets say they have Navarre somehow and use it as an Atlantic passage, is it possible then?

[BBadolato]

I don't know if Aragon would care for colonization, they had Sardinia and the 2 Sicilies perhaps, Aragon could get far more involved in Italy. If Castle and Portugal are united that Columbus would be considered a quack at best, Portugal by that time had already discovered the way to India, maybe if Columbus makes his way north he could be hired by England or France.

[Kovalenko]

Originally Posted by BBadolato

I don't know if Aragon would care for colonization, they had Sardinia and the 2 Sicilies perhaps, Aragon could get far more involved in Italy. If Castle and Portugal are united that Columbus would be considered a quack at best, Portugal by that time had already discovered the way to India, maybe if Columbus makes his way north he could be hired by England or France.

What would aragon try to do in Italy in your opinion? Also what of columbus if he is hired by england or france, does his employer get more interested in the new world earlier?

[BBadolato]

I don't what Aragon would do exactly nor do I have a good idea, i'm only throwing it out there because Aragon had extensive holdings in Italy that they probably wouldn't want to look the Atlantic. With England and France it all depends on do they have the resources,motivation, and what is their colony system going to look like. If the English or French try to settle the areas, colonies could be seen as waste of money, there is the alternative of trying to look for gold, but it all depends on what happens to Columbus's voyages which it's from England or France could land in North America first.

[Socrates]

Wouldn't a Castillian-Portuguese union become so powerful it would be able to annex Aragon at a later date?

[tonsofun]

Since Aragon controlled a good portion of Italy it is likely they would centre their ambitions there. It was very wealthy at the time so Aragon had no real need to go abroad and establish colonies. Maybe if they really wanted to, they could establish something in North Africa.
If Aragon did survive longer, then chances are it would ally itself with a Spanish rival to ensure it's independance.