AHC: Eastern European colonies

If the Ottomans can b counted as Eastern Europe (their capital was in Europe), then this is OTL because the Ottomans at different times reached well into Africa and, IIRC even made Aceh a protectorate in what is now Indonesia.
 
I was going to include bits of the challenge but it would either be a Balkan unified state or a Polish-Ukrainian dual state that will get a few colonies. Basically, I was thinking about turning Poland-Ukraine in my hypothetical TL into a France of Eastern Europe, with a few colonies.

Other than that, if the Ottoman Empire counts as an Eastern European power, then they can become a bit ambitious and actually conquer Brunei from Aceh and even menace Spanish Philippines.
 
Not counting the Ottomans, you've got Poland-Lithuania, the Hapsburg Empire of Austria, and Russia. Russia is unlikely--they had a vast frontier to colonize on their own border and no viable port from which to launch colonization fleets. Poland-Lithuania also had a frontier and an unfriendly neighbor who controlled the only way out of the Baltic. Hapsburg Austria had a direct money-line to the Spanish colonies, so they've no reason. The Ottomans had no reason to try overseas colonization (they had the Mediterranean and a good amount of the continental Asian trade).

So, of the Eastern European states, Poland-Lithuania is the best bet, and it's not a very good one. One would have to either make the PLC friendly with both Sweden and Denmark (the latter for actually controlling the straits, the former because its Navy was the real power), or neutralize Sweden.

I can see a joint Polish-Lithuanian-Muscovite struggle in Livonia and Finland against the Swedes, cutting them off from the Amber Trade, and maybe one can start a religious war in Sweden between the Lutherans and Catholics, if one can prevent the immediate royal conversion to Lutheranism there and begin a dynastic struggle between a Catholic and Lutheran Vasa branch unconnected to the Polish branch (imagine, spreading the 30 Years War into Scandinavia). Sweden torn up, the PLC becomes the de facto leader of the remaining trading powers in the Baltic (until Russia builds her port). She constructs a fleet to keep the Germans in line, and broadens her horizons to include a fur-extraction colony in Canada as a way of undercutting the Russians' domination of that market.
 
Not counting the Ottomans, you've got Poland-Lithuania, the Hapsburg Empire of Austria, and Russia. Russia is unlikely--they had a vast frontier to colonize on their own border and no viable port from which to launch colonization fleets. Poland-Lithuania also had a frontier and an unfriendly neighbor who controlled the only way out of the Baltic. Hapsburg Austria had a direct money-line to the Spanish colonies, so they've no reason. The Ottomans had no reason to try overseas colonization (they had the Mediterranean and a good amount of the continental Asian trade).

So, of the Eastern European states, Poland-Lithuania is the best bet, and it's not a very good one. One would have to either make the PLC friendly with both Sweden and Denmark (the latter for actually controlling the straits, the former because its Navy was the real power), or neutralize Sweden.

I can see a joint Polish-Lithuanian-Muscovite struggle in Livonia and Finland against the Swedes, cutting them off from the Amber Trade, and maybe one can start a religious war in Sweden between the Lutherans and Catholics, if one can prevent the immediate royal conversion to Lutheranism there and begin a dynastic struggle between a Catholic and Lutheran Vasa branch unconnected to the Polish branch (imagine, spreading the 30 Years War into Scandinavia). Sweden torn up, the PLC becomes the de facto leader of the remaining trading powers in the Baltic (until Russia builds her port). She constructs a fleet to keep the Germans in line, and broadens her horizons to include a fur-extraction colony in Canada as a way of undercutting the Russians' domination of that market.

But in order for the PLC and the Muscovites to ally together, they may have to work out on some sort of a rapproachment, which might mean preventing the Times of Troubles from ever occuring. At the most, Poland-Lithuania might even have to dominate Brandenburg-Prussia if they want some leverage for gaining colonies. Perhaps the PLC expands into the Balkans in order to get access to the Mediterrenean Sea and possibly colonize parts of Africa. I admit that in this case, India could either be ruled by Prussia, Poland-Lithuania, or even China.

So realistically, the only way Poland-Lithuania can realistically get colonies elsewhere would be if Sweden is screwed. So maybe Poland-Lithuania and Russia could become the Eastern European counterparts to Spain and Portugal in terms of exploration and colonization.
 
But in order for the PLC and the Muscovites to ally together, they may have to work out on some sort of a rapproachment, which might mean preventing the Times of Troubles from ever occuring. At the most, Poland-Lithuania might even have to dominate Brandenburg-Prussia if they want some leverage for gaining colonies. Perhaps the PLC expands into the Balkans in order to get access to the Mediterrenean Sea and possibly colonize parts of Africa. I admit that in this case, India could either be ruled by Prussia, Poland-Lithuania, or even China.

So realistically, the only way Poland-Lithuania can realistically get colonies elsewhere would be if Sweden is screwed. So maybe Poland-Lithuania and Russia could become the Eastern European counterparts to Spain and Portugal in terms of exploration and colonization.

I was thinking before the Time of Troubles. Ivan IV of Russia had many admirers among the Polish gentry (not the Lithuanians, though), and there was talk of electing either him or his son King of Poland. They also jointly warred against the Swedes in Livonia in those days. If one can resolve the Ukrainian Issue in a manner satisfactory to each of the four major parties (Poland, Lithuania, the Cossacks, and Moscow), then this relatively good relationship can continue.

As for the Balkans, it seems that the Slavic peoples under Ottoman rule in the Danube basin viewed the PLC as a possible liberator under the reign of Stefan Bathory. Polish adventures that deep into the Balkans, however, were short-lived.
 
I was thinking before the Time of Troubles. Ivan IV of Russia had many admirers among the Polish gentry (not the Lithuanians, though), and there was talk of electing either him or his son King of Poland. They also jointly warred against the Swedes in Livonia in those days. If one can resolve the Ukrainian Issue in a manner satisfactory to each of the four major parties (Poland, Lithuania, the Cossacks, and Moscow), then this relatively good relationship can continue.

As for the Balkans, it seems that the Slavic peoples under Ottoman rule in the Danube basin viewed the PLC as a possible liberator under the reign of Stefan Bathory. Polish adventures that deep into the Balkans, however, were short-lived.

Well, perhaps the Muscovites on Ivan IV's part could do more to alleviate fears of Polonization while the PLC can possibly accomodate their Orthodox partners. After all, the Catholicization of Muscovy is probably the main reason why the Russians are stepping back from joining the PLC. Moreover, the demographical makeup would just literally screw everything up.

A Hungary that also joins the PL-Muscovite Commonwealth could also provide some heavy duty back up against both the Ottomans and the Swedes. There was also a plan to include Hungary in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as well. Oh, and the Teutonic Order has long been destroyed at this point, unless you count Ducal Prussia as one of the Teutonic successors, or even Brandenburg for that matter.
 
A Hungary that also joins the PL-Muscovite Commonwealth could also provide some heavy duty back up against both the Ottomans and the Swedes. There was also a plan to include Hungary in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as well. Oh, and the Teutonic Order has long been destroyed at this point, unless you count Ducal Prussia as one of the Teutonic successors, or even Brandenburg for that matter.

Teutonic order can have colonies with an earlier POD like 14th century, that is what I am pointing.
 
Well, there is some evidence that Croaton in the US was discovered by Croats, but having an actual governed colony is much more difficult. Because of Austro-Hungarian rule, Croatia is out of the question, as is Slovenia. I would classify the Ottomans as Middle Eastern. Due to Turkish rule it can't be Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia or Bulgaria. Hungary is landlocked and not really independent. Romania isn't in a good position due to Ottoman control of the straits. Bohemia-Moravia is Austrian, as is Slovakia. Poland is probably the only contender, but it's still difficult, especially without a sea-faring tradition. I can see a pan-Slavic state successfully colonising though, but this would likely happen to late for it to become a significant colonial power. It would probably be about the same as Germany OTL.
 

PhilippeO

Banned
what about Prussia ? if they never gained western german land after Vienna. they will be considered eastern european nation. They have more resources than Courland, although still blocked by Denmark.
 
what about Prussia ? if they never gained western german land after Vienna. they will be considered eastern european nation. They have more resources than Courland, although still blocked by Denmark.

Although Ducal Prussia could easily be swallowed by Sweden by virtue of Swedish Pomerania.
 
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