For the past few months I've had an idea floating around in my head where, in a world where Germany wins World War I, an increasingly unstable and nearly bankrupt France deems itself unable to hold onto French Polynesia, and proceeds to sell the islands to Chile in an attempt to raise money.

That got me thinking about other scenarios where Chile established its presence in OTL French Polynesia. One scenario I thought of is where France upholds the 1847 Jarnac Convention (which they later broke in OTL), keeping Raiatea, Huahine and Bora Bora out of both British and French hands. Then, some time in the 1880s or 1890s, Chile, having recently annexed Easter Island, seizes the opportunity to further expand their Pacific presence by establishing protectorates over the neutral islands.

How likely would either scenario be? Would Chile, being no stranger to expanding their borders for resources and strategic locations, have any interest in the islands if they had the opportunity? Discuss.
 
How likely would either scenario be? Would Chile, being no stranger to expanding their borders for resources and strategic locations, have any interest in the islands if they had the opportunity? Discuss.
Given that Chile can be bothered to maintain its current pacific possessions and even maintain a colony in Antarctica, I think it's safe to say that Chile would jump at the opportunity to get overseas territory that is actually somewhat worthwhile.
 
I say you should look into blackbirding, where people invited Pacific Islanders onto their ships, then shipped them to South America where they were paid a fee for bringing them over. It was after slavery was abolished, and when it became public knowledge they countries put their foots down. Maybe also do something with whaling, though it is liable to introduce more Yankees and Marylanders than just Chileans.
Given that Chile can be bothered to maintain its current pacific possessions and even maintain a colony in Antarctica, I think it's safe to say that Chile would jump at the opportunity to get overseas territory that is actually somewhat worthwhile.
Their claims area of Antarctica has less than three hundred people. Most of the claims to land on the continent are frozen, though no one officially gave them up. They have however mostly all agreed to keeping all weapons off the continent, as well as to avoid environmentally hazardous activities. Not really much for them to do there.
 
Maybe a PoD where Spain picks up Polynesia and governs it from Chile would work? After independence Chile retains control there
 
Maybe a PoD where Spain picks up Polynesia and governs it from Chile would work? After independence Chile retains control there
It could work, though I don't think Spain would be able to take Polynesia before losing Chile to an independence war. Maybe if the Napoleonic Wars didn't happen, Spain could have kept their colonies long enough and been able to beat France to the archipelago, though that would create all kinds of other butterflies all over the world.
 
It could work, though I don't think Spain would be able to take Polynesia before losing Chile to an independence war. Maybe if the Napoleonic Wars didn't happen, Spain could have kept their colonies long enough and been able to beat France to the archipelago, though that would create all kinds of other butterflies all over the world.
A viceroy of Peru sent over ships to investigate and stake claims, though I don't know if Child was part of the Viceroyalty at the time. Having them get down the claims on paper is important, and either country can claim it afterwards.
 
A viceroy of Peru sent over ships to investigate and stake claims, though I don't know if Child was part of the Viceroyalty at the time. Having them get down the claims on paper is important, and either country can claim it afterwards.

I believe that modern-day Chile was part of the Vicroyalty at the time. If the Spanish ships somehow reach and claim the Society Islands for the Viceroyalty, we could see the islands later disputed between Chile and Peru; assuming the War of the Pacific still occurs and ends with the same outcome, the dispute is settled in Chile's favor.
 
It certainly does not seem impossible, especially given 19th century Chile's strong naval focus. Why did Chile take so long OTL?
 
Making it the largest town on the continent.

The largest "civil" town in the Continent Villa las Estrellas, and the only one, La Base Esperanza of Argentine, is technically a military endeavor, and smaller than Villa las Estrellas, and the Biggest Human Settlements in the Antarctica is the Mcmurdo Station, that could get some 1.000 humans, but mostly Scientific and Militar personnel, without kids or schools, so from international law point of view don´t count as town.

It certainly does not seem impossible, especially given 19th century Chile's strong naval focus. Why did Chile take so long OTL?
A lot of reason, but it boils down to that our Government Elites, don´t believe in Chile as a great power, or an international actor, and always see themselves, and Chile, as a far away, poor and rustic place from where Escape, with little to none International impact or Influence, outside of South america, and when there where people interested in change that they where Killed,(Portales, Balmaceda) or put in that situation agains their interest(Prieto,Pinto) a real tragedy.
 
I say you should look into blackbirding, where people invited Pacific Islanders onto their ships, then shipped them to South America where they were paid a fee for bringing them over. It was after slavery was abolished, and when it became public knowledge they countries put their foots down. Maybe also do something with whaling, though it is liable to introduce more Yankees and Marylanders than just Chileans.
The principal Reason Chile Annexed the Eastern Island was to put Stop to the blackbirding, doing by Peruvian Ships and crews, as humanitarian reason and to tell the Peru to Fuck off we are the Top dogs here(mainly the later), if the Blakcbirding from Peruvian Ship were extended to the other neutral pacific Island is probable that Chile will annex them also
 
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