A Less Terrible French Empire?

Spain could rely on American Silver to finance its expansionism, a "blessing" which was not available to France at the same time whose economy was inferior compared to Britain and the Netherlands at that time. I don't mean a quantitative inferiority, but rather a qualitative one, since there was no real banking system in France at that time and agricultural productivity was lagging behind.

True, but English productivity didn't catch up to the Dutch until the 18th century. Why can't we focus on getting the French to catch up earlier?

You're correct France is divided. But even in OTL, it was a near run thing. A France with the Low Countries added would be much more powerful than OTL, especially once industrialization begins.
 
Perhaps, but they wouldn't focus on their navy with easy pickings on the continent.

And even if the continental powers were stronger, all that would mean is that France would be forced to focus more on continental matters.

It simply doesn't have the option of Britain to seriously focus on naval expansion.

I disagree, it is just a matter of focus. I must admit it is more likely for the French to focus on the continent, where those easy pickings never proved to be easy. Sure France did manage to expand, but in the end it never got Belgium, the south of the Netherlands or the German Rhineland. In my opinion France can focus on naval expansion, but it simply chose not to. Which, I must admit, is the most likely possibility, but not the only possibility.
 
My possible proposals for a less terrible French Empire would be this:

  • Napoleon III allies with Prussia
  • Napoleon III does not attack Mexico
  • Napoleon I does not invade Spain or Russia
  • The French Bourbons do not get involved in too many wars and are more financial-careful
  • Louis XIV wins the War of Spanish Succession

My possible list of French territories would be this:

  • North Africa
  • West Africa
  • East Africa
  • Central Africa
  • Indochina
  • Thailand
  • Philippines
  • Canada
  • Louisiana Territory
  • Every Spanish and Portuguese American Viceroyalty
  • Spain
  • Portugal
  • The Low Countries
  • Rhineland
  • Kingdom of Sardinia
  • Yemen
  • Oman
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • Bahrain
  • Syria
  • Lebanon
  • Western India
  • Indonesia
  • Southern China
 
Top