Allah, Glory, and Empire: The Tale of an African Empire in the New World
- Thread starter Odinson
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Planet of Hats
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There's a fundamental problem here: The Songhai Empire has no oceangoing ports and lacks the shipbuilding technology to cross the Atlantic in a reliable way.
At this point, most of the oceangoing ports in West Africa are basically under the shadow of Portugal, including the ones in Senegal. Even if they did have a port, the Songhai just aren't in a position to colonize the New World. Oceanic trade is just plain not what they care about. The most important trade routes to them are the trans-Saharan land routes. And while on paper their empire extends to Tekrur, in practice it's very much a peripheral territory - and the settlement on Morfil Island does not seem to have been an oceanic port handling oceangoing ships of West African construction.
If you're going to do this, you need a much earlier POD and a much more coastal starting point - something to give a West African kingdom both the incentive and the means to not only develop a navy, but get to the New World before the Portuguese and the Spanish do. That's a tough row to hoe.
At this point, most of the oceangoing ports in West Africa are basically under the shadow of Portugal, including the ones in Senegal. Even if they did have a port, the Songhai just aren't in a position to colonize the New World. Oceanic trade is just plain not what they care about. The most important trade routes to them are the trans-Saharan land routes. And while on paper their empire extends to Tekrur, in practice it's very much a peripheral territory - and the settlement on Morfil Island does not seem to have been an oceanic port handling oceangoing ships of West African construction.
If you're going to do this, you need a much earlier POD and a much more coastal starting point - something to give a West African kingdom both the incentive and the means to not only develop a navy, but get to the New World before the Portuguese and the Spanish do. That's a tough row to hoe.
Philip
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Something like bookmarks. As the thread creator you should be able to set threadmarks. Most authors use them to create an index to the content posts so readers can find those posts amongst all the comments.
Chapter V: Orun-Rere and it's Neighbors
1617-1640
The Colony of Orun-Rere was in between a rock and a hard place. Spain, due to the fact that it had to maintain a strong force in the Mediterranean Sea to oppose the Ottomans along the North African coast and the lower Italian peninsula, wasn't able to project it's full power into the West.
That didn't stop them from influencing where they did colonize. The English were encroaching from The North. The Colony of Carolina was brushing against them. The Portuguese were expanding control over the southern continent. The French were also trying their hand in the south as well (OTL Argentina). The Moroccans had founded a settlement on a large island (OTL great inagua).
Orun-rere was still an anomaly in the new world. It was an independent state, a colony that outlasted it's home nation. This status, however, came into question when a small fleet of foreign war ships sailed into the harbor of New Timbuktu...
The Colony of Orun-Rere was in between a rock and a hard place. Spain, due to the fact that it had to maintain a strong force in the Mediterranean Sea to oppose the Ottomans along the North African coast and the lower Italian peninsula, wasn't able to project it's full power into the West.
That didn't stop them from influencing where they did colonize. The English were encroaching from The North. The Colony of Carolina was brushing against them. The Portuguese were expanding control over the southern continent. The French were also trying their hand in the south as well (OTL Argentina). The Moroccans had founded a settlement on a large island (OTL great inagua).
Orun-rere was still an anomaly in the new world. It was an independent state, a colony that outlasted it's home nation. This status, however, came into question when a small fleet of foreign war ships sailed into the harbor of New Timbuktu...
Chapter VI: French Annexation
1640-1655
The Colony of Orun-Rere was no longer an idependent entity. It was now the newest territory in the French colonial Empire. The profitable plantations were put to use, creating a new revenue. The Colony was renamed "Louisiana". Despite the expectations of the colonists, the city names were allowed to stay. But a new town was founded across the bay from New Timbuktu called Saint Denis (located in OTL Charleston).
This was proclaimed the new capital of the colony. The French brought two things to the colony: Catholicism and African slaves. The move from the French caused tension between them and the British. This would bring old world conflict to the Americas.
__________________________________________
It's alive! It's alive! The timeline is alive!
.... anybody miss it?
The Colony of Orun-Rere was no longer an idependent entity. It was now the newest territory in the French colonial Empire. The profitable plantations were put to use, creating a new revenue. The Colony was renamed "Louisiana". Despite the expectations of the colonists, the city names were allowed to stay. But a new town was founded across the bay from New Timbuktu called Saint Denis (located in OTL Charleston).
This was proclaimed the new capital of the colony. The French brought two things to the colony: Catholicism and African slaves. The move from the French caused tension between them and the British. This would bring old world conflict to the Americas.
__________________________________________
It's alive! It's alive! The timeline is alive!
.... anybody miss it?
Chapter VII: French Annexation 2
1655-1700
Louisiana, the newest jewl of the French colonial Empire, was coming along nicely. The native African Muslims were adopting well in their new place. Despite the shared skin pigment, many bought slaves from the west coast of africa and put them to work in the fields. The cash crop tobbaco had quickly become popular.
Many of the original settlers learned French and continued to hold their place in society. The Jullas flourished with increased trade with a strong nation like France, able to get more supplies and goods. Another bonus was the promise of security from the new mother country. The main bone of contention was religion.
The native African Muslims were practicing Islamist, while the French brought bishops and clergymen. Most of the Muslims simply accepted Catholicism as the official religion of Louisiana, even a handful converting. But a small minority trekked from the colony to the highlands in the relatively unexplored interior to preserve their heritage far away from French eyes.
Louisiana, the newest jewl of the French colonial Empire, was coming along nicely. The native African Muslims were adopting well in their new place. Despite the shared skin pigment, many bought slaves from the west coast of africa and put them to work in the fields. The cash crop tobbaco had quickly become popular.
Many of the original settlers learned French and continued to hold their place in society. The Jullas flourished with increased trade with a strong nation like France, able to get more supplies and goods. Another bonus was the promise of security from the new mother country. The main bone of contention was religion.
The native African Muslims were practicing Islamist, while the French brought bishops and clergymen. Most of the Muslims simply accepted Catholicism as the official religion of Louisiana, even a handful converting. But a small minority trekked from the colony to the highlands in the relatively unexplored interior to preserve their heritage far away from French eyes.
The British find it odd that a colony survived so long without a mother country. The colonists in Carolina to the north find it very, very strange for a black ruling class to exist in North America. But are willing to treat them with a sense of respect, seeing them as fellow farmers and business owners. The Islamic element is frowned upon by many, but these people are in the minority in the Americas.
Chapter VIII : Morea
Ok, it's not THE pod, but it's one of many. Cheers!
In the 1450s, still in the after glow of the Fall of Constantinople, the Despotate of Morea was quaking, fearful of annexation. The Ottomans instead forced them into the position of a vassal state, dominated by the Muslims. The Palagiologos brothers, Thomas and Demetrios, remained in power.
May, 1460
Demetrios honored the request and met with Sultan Mehmed II when asking for aide against his brother Thomas. Mehmed agrees, crushing Thomas. The two halfs of Morea into a single nation state. Morea firmly placed itself in the ottoman sphere of influence, a loyal vassal state.
In 1470, as the Ottomans entrench themselves in North Africa, Demetrios dies. His daughter Helena takes up the reigns and rules in her father's place. She married a powerful Greco-Byzantine merchant and gave birth to three children: one son and two daughters. Her husband, of lower importance, took her name Palagiologos.
a map of Morea just prior to unification.
Flag/Crest of the Palagiologos family, later the flag of the nation/ vassal state
In the 1450s, still in the after glow of the Fall of Constantinople, the Despotate of Morea was quaking, fearful of annexation. The Ottomans instead forced them into the position of a vassal state, dominated by the Muslims. The Palagiologos brothers, Thomas and Demetrios, remained in power.
May, 1460
Demetrios honored the request and met with Sultan Mehmed II when asking for aide against his brother Thomas. Mehmed agrees, crushing Thomas. The two halfs of Morea into a single nation state. Morea firmly placed itself in the ottoman sphere of influence, a loyal vassal state.
In 1470, as the Ottomans entrench themselves in North Africa, Demetrios dies. His daughter Helena takes up the reigns and rules in her father's place. She married a powerful Greco-Byzantine merchant and gave birth to three children: one son and two daughters. Her husband, of lower importance, took her name Palagiologos.
a map of Morea just prior to unification. Flag/Crest of the Palagiologos family, later the flag of the nation/ vassal state
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Chapter IX: French and Indian War
1660-1760
1663: Louisiana is declared a Royal Colony.
Religion, specifically Catholicism, was not as important in one's life in the New World. It was more lenient, allowing Islam to quietly thrive.
Despite the numerous wars between the French and the English, Louisiana firmly stayed in French orbit.
During the 1720s, Lousianian Militia men went to war with the 'Asli (Muslim trekkers) in the mountains. The skirmishes would last until 1733, when the last remnants of the 'Asli were exterminated or captured. The trekkers had been struggling to survive for the last decades, fighting with axes, swords, and bow and arrows. They were no match for the militia. Many of the prisoners eventually rejoined the population, though with a more independent streak.
Louisiana was drawn into conflict during the French and Indian War in North America. Despite fierce determination, Lousiana was still ceded to Great Britain after the North American British colonists occupied it. Lousiana found itself able to officially trade with the colonies that it had been trading with under the table since the French asserted control.
1663: Louisiana is declared a Royal Colony.
Religion, specifically Catholicism, was not as important in one's life in the New World. It was more lenient, allowing Islam to quietly thrive.
Despite the numerous wars between the French and the English, Louisiana firmly stayed in French orbit.
During the 1720s, Lousianian Militia men went to war with the 'Asli (Muslim trekkers) in the mountains. The skirmishes would last until 1733, when the last remnants of the 'Asli were exterminated or captured. The trekkers had been struggling to survive for the last decades, fighting with axes, swords, and bow and arrows. They were no match for the militia. Many of the prisoners eventually rejoined the population, though with a more independent streak.
Louisiana was drawn into conflict during the French and Indian War in North America. Despite fierce determination, Lousiana was still ceded to Great Britain after the North American British colonists occupied it. Lousiana found itself able to officially trade with the colonies that it had been trading with under the table since the French asserted control.
Chapter X: American Revolution
1760-1776
British North America was simmering. The colonies were unhappy with British rule. And Lousiana was no exception. The formerly French colony was forced to pay taxes to pay off Great Britain's war debts. In 1765, the colonies were furious at the implimation of the Stamp Act. Louisiana sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress later that year, signifying it's growing ties with the other British colonies. The Stamp Act was repealed, but it was not the end of the North American troubles.
In 1774, the First Continental Congress met in responce to the British blockade of Boston and the intolerable acts, twelve of the thirteen colonies sent delegates, including Lousiana.
The following year, a Second Continental Congress met. Louisiana sent Thomas Deschamps (a white Catholic) and Azlan Barakat (a black Muslim) as delegates to Philidelphia in Pennsylvania to discuss the prospects on ending the acts, or at least modifying them. But the Battles of Lexington and Concord put an end to that thought. Congress began moving towards war, constructing a Continental Army. Lousiana sent soldiers to fight alongside Washington. In July, both Deschamps and Barakat signed the Declaration of independence.
In the September of 1776, the colony of Lousiana commissioned François Marwan into the Contiental Army. Marwan, a colonel in the Lousiana militia during the French and Indian War, would be sent south to take action in the colony of Georgia.
British North America was simmering. The colonies were unhappy with British rule. And Lousiana was no exception. The formerly French colony was forced to pay taxes to pay off Great Britain's war debts. In 1765, the colonies were furious at the implimation of the Stamp Act. Louisiana sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress later that year, signifying it's growing ties with the other British colonies. The Stamp Act was repealed, but it was not the end of the North American troubles.
In 1774, the First Continental Congress met in responce to the British blockade of Boston and the intolerable acts, twelve of the thirteen colonies sent delegates, including Lousiana.
The following year, a Second Continental Congress met. Louisiana sent Thomas Deschamps (a white Catholic) and Azlan Barakat (a black Muslim) as delegates to Philidelphia in Pennsylvania to discuss the prospects on ending the acts, or at least modifying them. But the Battles of Lexington and Concord put an end to that thought. Congress began moving towards war, constructing a Continental Army. Lousiana sent soldiers to fight alongside Washington. In July, both Deschamps and Barakat signed the Declaration of independence.
In the September of 1776, the colony of Lousiana commissioned François Marwan into the Contiental Army. Marwan, a colonel in the Lousiana militia during the French and Indian War, would be sent south to take action in the colony of Georgia.
Due to Louisiana's distinct culture and religion I think it would be a good idea that after the revolutionary war that Louisiana support the Articles of confederation and maybe secede if anything stronger is adopted.
Don't worry, their religion will be addressed by the whatever form of national government that forms