AHC/PC: A Latin American nation joins the British Empire

Isaac Beach

Banned
As far as I'm aware (and I'm not expert) Peru, Uruguay, Argentina and I think Chile, among other Latin American countries, were reliant on Britain for grain imports and in turn exported raw materials. (Or maybe that's the other way around, again I'm hazy on this at best) And I've often heard of South America being referred to as Britain's 'informal empire'. So the challenge is to have this informality become very much formal, and have a Latin American nation join the British Empire proper.

I imagine the POD would have to be before 1823, when the Monroe Doctrine was put into effect. Though it's pretty easy to butterfly away. One of the more obvious ones is to have the British invasion of La Plata actually succeed, but bonus points for having this happen after the Napoleonic Wars and even more if the terms are peaceful, to spur some thought on the subject.
 
I could see this happening if there was a huge political movement in both the British Empire, and South America.

In the British Empire, it needs a movement to decentralise the Empire - essentially massive federalisation, or devolution of powers to regions all over the Empire.

In South America, that movement needs to be seen as beneficial, popular, and a method to ensure the safety and prosperity of the regions. Imperial Preference would help with that.

But for either to work, you need a Bismark-level Stateman crossed with Keynes-level and style Economist. Perhaps in partnership. They'd need to lead the British Empire, and essentially rebuild it from the ground up through reforms.

I'd be a great timeline, but you'd need to figure out how those two come to power, and then how they convince (or are convinced by) Latin American leaders to join the Empire.
 
Maybe some South American country could be really hard pressed by its neighbours, and offer to become a British protectorate in return for military support?
 
Maybe some South American country could be really hard pressed by its neighbours, and offer to become a British protectorate in return for military support?

Uruguay perhaps? It would the height of irony that the country invaded in the Napoleonic Wars became a protectorate of their former invaders.

Perhaps we need to see a belligerent Brazil and/or Argentina?
 
Does Belize not count?

Or Guyana?

Latin is the key word here.
Both are English language countries.

Latin America isn't synonymous with South and Central America, it just has a great deal of overlap.

Though I guess you may mean the territory that now constitutes Belize was taken from the Spanish, but I assume the OP was wanting a whole nation to join rather than have a lump chopped off.
 
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There was an active monarchist sentiment in Ecuador throughout a good portion of the 19th century, particularly amongst the members of the Conservative Party. They idealized Europe and sought to imitate it, especially Spain, for social and political inspiration. Juan Jose Flores had attempted to lobby both the French and Spanish monarchies to support an invasion and establish a local monarchy in Quito - perhaps Flores goes to Britain instead and gets support from Queen Victoria?
 
There was an active monarchist sentiment in Ecuador throughout a good portion of the 19th century, particularly amongst the members of the Conservative Party. They idealized Europe and sought to imitate it, especially Spain, for social and political inspiration. Juan Jose Flores had attempted to lobby both the French and Spanish monarchies to support an invasion and establish a local monarchy in Quito - perhaps Flores goes to Britain instead and gets support from Queen Victoria?
Why so late? It could happen during the reign of George IV, which would be interesting.
 
Maybe some South American country could be really hard pressed by its neighbours, and offer to become a British protectorate in return for military support?
Maybe if Gran Columbia's break up got really messy, Ecuador or Venezuela might consider becoming protectorates of Great Britain in exchange for military protection.
 
Does Jamaica not count?

For more, easiest way is surely to avoid American Revolution. Latin America was the obvious next push for the British, with Cuba and Hispaniola being ripe for the plucking. Without the US xample of outright independence, it is also possible places like the River Plata prefer stand offish British protectorate status than subjugation under Spain.
 
Why so late? It could happen during the reign of George IV, which would be interesting.

Because Ecuador at the time was part of Gran Colombia and it's unlikely Gran Colombia itself would want to become a de jure part of the British Empire. There's also an opportunity for British involvement during the Wars of Latin American Independence. Guayaquil had declared its independence in 1820 and for two years, it was uncertain whether it would've joined Peru, Colombia or even remained a sovereign state. Perhaps if either San Martin or Bolivar (both immensely popular figures) had been killed and replaced by much more unlikeable men, Guayaquil's criollo elite would've sought British protection.
 
Perhaps the Scottish hold onto Panama despite its financial troubles, then the Brits acquire it with the Act of Union. Then after the American War of Independence, they work to expand Caledonia to create the Canal & sail West. This turns the former English outpost into a primarily Latino colony.
 
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