So, I'm writing a short story for the Paradox Short Story Contest (dunno where the link is here). I've mostly decided on what the story will be, but I'm looking for some input.
The initial divergence point is in 1486, when Christopher Columbus pitched his idea of reaching Asia by sailing west to the leaders of Genoa (his home nation). While in OTL, he was turned down and ended up getting support from Spain in 1492, here Genoa decides to support him. So rather than Spain, Genoa is the first to the new world. The actual story is set in 1622.
The basic idea for the setting is that the New World is dominated by the secondary powers of Europe rather than the big guys. The main colonial powers are:
Genoa
The first. Columbus didn't go the same exact route, and first discovered Barbados. He ended up charting the northern coast of South America and Central America, which is where the Genoese settled. Their territory stretches from OTL Costa Rica to OTL Guyana.
Venice
Venice came soon after, hiring Amerigo Vespucci. They control the northern Caribbean, primarily the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas). They established contact with the Aztec Empire, and established the trading post of Vera Croce (OTL Vera Cruz). The Aztec Empire is a Venetian client state. More recently, they established the colony of Nova Illyria in the Carolinas. They also claim Florida, but their first colony there failed utterly.
The Hansa
After hearing about the riches discovered by Venice and Genoa, the Hansa decided that an expedition to the New World might be worthwhile. They hired John Cabot and reached New England. They've established three major colonies - Flutburg (OTL Quebec City), Johansstadt (OTL Boston), and Sternhafen (OTL New York), which are considered sovereign members of the Hanseatic League. The Hansa have a close alliance with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (known OTL as the Iroquois), and dominate the fur trade.
Denmark
Denmark supported the Hanseatic expeditions in return for recognizing Danish claims on Greenland and Vinland (OTL Newfoundland). Their presence isn't quite as strong.
Portugal
As in OTL, they went for Brazil. Unlike OTL, they didn't enter a personal union with Spain.
Spain
Not a New World colonial power. Spain has instead spent its energy on Africa. Basically, when they finished off Granada, they just hopped over the Straits of Gibraltar.
In 1622, the Teutonic Order (which never went Protestant, and remains a major power in Eastern Europe) allied with the Holy Roman Emperor in an effort to purge the Protestants from the HRE. Among other things, the Order seized the three Hanseatic cities in Germany (Lubeck, Hamburg, and Bremen). They send a message to the Hanseatic colonies demanding their submission.
The colonists reject any notion of surrender, electing a new Syndic with the initial idea of maintaining the Hanseatic League in the New World. But they soon realize they don't have the numbers to fend off the Order - or, for that matter, anyone else who might try to seize their territory. So they turn to their one strong ally, the Haudenosaunee. But rather than merely asking for help, they ask for admission into the Confederacy. The first part of the actual story is the meeting between the Syndic and the Haudenosaunee Great Council.
My major question is if this is at all plausible. I admit it is not the obvious move, but given the nature of the Confederacy, which was fairly loosely organized and acted primarily as a military alliance, I think that they might consider it.
The initial divergence point is in 1486, when Christopher Columbus pitched his idea of reaching Asia by sailing west to the leaders of Genoa (his home nation). While in OTL, he was turned down and ended up getting support from Spain in 1492, here Genoa decides to support him. So rather than Spain, Genoa is the first to the new world. The actual story is set in 1622.
The basic idea for the setting is that the New World is dominated by the secondary powers of Europe rather than the big guys. The main colonial powers are:
Genoa
The first. Columbus didn't go the same exact route, and first discovered Barbados. He ended up charting the northern coast of South America and Central America, which is where the Genoese settled. Their territory stretches from OTL Costa Rica to OTL Guyana.
Venice
Venice came soon after, hiring Amerigo Vespucci. They control the northern Caribbean, primarily the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas). They established contact with the Aztec Empire, and established the trading post of Vera Croce (OTL Vera Cruz). The Aztec Empire is a Venetian client state. More recently, they established the colony of Nova Illyria in the Carolinas. They also claim Florida, but their first colony there failed utterly.
The Hansa
After hearing about the riches discovered by Venice and Genoa, the Hansa decided that an expedition to the New World might be worthwhile. They hired John Cabot and reached New England. They've established three major colonies - Flutburg (OTL Quebec City), Johansstadt (OTL Boston), and Sternhafen (OTL New York), which are considered sovereign members of the Hanseatic League. The Hansa have a close alliance with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (known OTL as the Iroquois), and dominate the fur trade.
Denmark
Denmark supported the Hanseatic expeditions in return for recognizing Danish claims on Greenland and Vinland (OTL Newfoundland). Their presence isn't quite as strong.
Portugal
As in OTL, they went for Brazil. Unlike OTL, they didn't enter a personal union with Spain.
Spain
Not a New World colonial power. Spain has instead spent its energy on Africa. Basically, when they finished off Granada, they just hopped over the Straits of Gibraltar.
In 1622, the Teutonic Order (which never went Protestant, and remains a major power in Eastern Europe) allied with the Holy Roman Emperor in an effort to purge the Protestants from the HRE. Among other things, the Order seized the three Hanseatic cities in Germany (Lubeck, Hamburg, and Bremen). They send a message to the Hanseatic colonies demanding their submission.
The colonists reject any notion of surrender, electing a new Syndic with the initial idea of maintaining the Hanseatic League in the New World. But they soon realize they don't have the numbers to fend off the Order - or, for that matter, anyone else who might try to seize their territory. So they turn to their one strong ally, the Haudenosaunee. But rather than merely asking for help, they ask for admission into the Confederacy. The first part of the actual story is the meeting between the Syndic and the Haudenosaunee Great Council.
My major question is if this is at all plausible. I admit it is not the obvious move, but given the nature of the Confederacy, which was fairly loosely organized and acted primarily as a military alliance, I think that they might consider it.