So how to make other European nations get one-quarter of both population and lands of Earth, like the British did in OTL...?
Russia, France, or Spain, maybe...?
Russia, France, or Spain, maybe...?
Spanish empire at its height rivalled british empire in size.
Wasn't Russia at it's height around a quarter of the world? If not, then make it even more successful. Maybe the British have a collective brain drain because of the PoD?
Ehhh, Australia and Canada are mostly empty space
UK empire = INDIA + sand desert + snow desert
Yes, India was the linchpin of the 19th century British Empire.
Perhaps. A more interesting question would be can a colonial power exist to the expanses of the British Empire without India?
Ehhh, Australia and Canada are mostly empty space![]()
UK empire = INDIA + sand desert + snow desert
If the Spanish can keep their American territories intact, and develop them properly, that could replace India.
This gives me an idea - one of the reasons why the Spanish Empire was so fragile was not only because of the sheer amount of gold and silver acquired from the New World, but because of the resulting mismanagement by the Habsburg Spanish administration (especially with the corrupt Duke of Lerma dominating the weak Philip III's reign).
So, if you manage to prevent the Habsburgs sitting on the Spanish throne (as well as making sure the family that does remains more or less competent)...
Well, to be fair, the Spanish Bourbons weren't masters of efficiency either...
But you've got a point: a properly handed Spanish colonial Empire could have worked much better for them. Maybe if they attract much more settlers into the Americas, never destroy the Jesuit plantations, develop the Philippines further...