America - Albion's Orphan - A history of the conquest of Britain - 1760
- Thread starter Alt History Buff
- Start date
Damn I was really hoping this was going to be like a alternate more 'realistic' take on the Britannian Empire from Code Geass origin - the UK losing a war to france and the home islands being conquered so the royal family, aristocracy, and many many ordinary citizens flee to North America and starting a revanchist expansionist empire. 
Still sort of hoping that's the case, but it seems like a USA with a token figure-head monarch, they don't even seem to be claiming to be the true Britain/UK/British Empire which is a bit disappointing - during the 7 years war period many colonials still saw themselves as British first and foremost.
Oh well, be interesting to where it goes.
Still sort of hoping that's the case, but it seems like a USA with a token figure-head monarch, they don't even seem to be claiming to be the true Britain/UK/British Empire which is a bit disappointing - during the 7 years war period many colonials still saw themselves as British first and foremost.
Oh well, be interesting to where it goes.
Chapter 56: The Americas South
1771
Sao Paulo
With the greatest of effort, the Spanish army, augmented by over ten thousand liberated slaves, would march into Brazil's last major coastal city (well, near the coast), Sao Paulo.
One by one, the Brazilian cities fell until the entire coastline was Spanish. With domination of the coast and mass slave rebellions of the sugar plantations of the north and in the mines of Minas Gerais, the Brazilian gentry had finally had enough. Exhausted after over a decade of war, Spain was willing to make a deal.
The Brazilians would be allowed to retain their property...with the exception of the slaves. Without the huge numbers of slaves to augment their forces, Spain would never had conquered Brazil. With the majority of slaves effectively free and usually well away from their original plantations or mines, this made putting them back problematic to the point of impossible. France had taken the policy of forcing the slaves back into the cane-fields of the West Indies (a policy in which they continued to have enormous problems) but the Spanish commanders in Brazil looked at the vast expanses, the hordes of now-liberated slaves and realized that such a course of action was doomed to fail. They simply lacked the resources or will to rebuild Brazil in its former image.
Over a decade of war had prevented slave shipments from arriving from Africa. Given the high death rates involved in plantation slavery followed by the disease, starvation and battle deaths involved in the brutal civil war over the past seven years, the number of negroes (mostly enslaved) in Brazil at roughly a third of the population at the start of the war, had dropped to less than a quarter.
Estimated Pre-War Brazilian population: 2.5 million total
1.5 million whites
.15 million free blacks or mixed race pardos
.85 million slaves (both black and pardo)
Unknown number of Indians
Estimated Post-War Brazilian population: 1.9 million total
1.1 million whites
.25 million free mixed race pardos
.35 million free blacks
.1 million still enslaved blacks and pardos
Unknown number of Indians
The Spanish conquerors remembered quite well how easily the Portuguese colonists were able to repulse the Spanish armies whom struggled at the end of a very, very long supply line. They also knew how little the rest of the Spanish colonies in America had assisted over the previous decade and doubted that the colonies would be any more help in the future.
If Spain expected to hold onto Brazil, they would need a base of support around which to rally. The only reasonable source for the time being would be the Negroes and the only way Spain could expect unquestioned fealty from the former slaves was to ensure that they would remain former slaves.
Eventually, the Spanish forces (again augmented by freed slaves) would march inland in 1772 and 1773 and assume control over the rest of Brazil. The remaining slaves were freed and, finally, peace was had.
Of course, the loss of the slaves would result in a mass exodus from the sugar plantations and the mines. This would eliminate most of the benefits of Spain possessing Brazil. Eventually, a system of free labor was set up in which former slaves would be hired by the plantation owners and the mines would pay higher wages as well. Many of the Negroes and Pardos would return to work, though the colony of Brazil was not nearly as profitable.
Throughout the Spanish Empire, slavery was still something of a rarity (at least the African kind). Even Cuba and Santo Domingo only had a minority enslaved. No where else did slaves make up more than 1% or 2% of the population. With the end of the Asiento agreement with Britain years before, the flow of slaves into the Spanish Empire fell to a trickle. With the war and the shutdown of the Portuguese slaving stations, the slave trade would collapse almost completely for nearly a decade. As Spain had "conquered" the Portuguese slaving stations, there seemed no prospect for resuscitating this as Spain had yet to even attempt to rebuild the trade which they could, theoretically, now dominate.
Not interested in depending upon the good will of negroes and pardos in perpetuity to maintain Spanish supremacy, the ministers of Carlos III would encourage large-scale migration to Brazil from his Spanish, Italian and even other American possessions. Land was offered cheaply to Spanish settlers (and some even given to the slaves whom fought for the King of Spain) to entice them and, within the next decade, nearly 400,000 new migrants would rush into Brazil. Beyond his own subjects, Carlos III would invite skilled workers from Germany, Poland, France and northern Italy to migrate as well deeming any non-Portuguese more likely to support his rule in Brazil than the stubborn Brazilians. A system of subsidies for transportation, sporadically financially supported, would further encourage this influx of peoples by giving incentives for women and children to accompany their male relatives to the New World.
Though Spain seemed an unlikely candidate for a progressive policy, in 1774, King Carlos would call for a moratorium on the slave trade. Of course, this was not necessarily intended as abolitionism but a reaction to the bloody series of uprisings which continued in the French West Indies. In particular, it flowed across the Hispaniola borders from Saint Domingue to Santo Domingo.
Sao Paulo
With the greatest of effort, the Spanish army, augmented by over ten thousand liberated slaves, would march into Brazil's last major coastal city (well, near the coast), Sao Paulo.
One by one, the Brazilian cities fell until the entire coastline was Spanish. With domination of the coast and mass slave rebellions of the sugar plantations of the north and in the mines of Minas Gerais, the Brazilian gentry had finally had enough. Exhausted after over a decade of war, Spain was willing to make a deal.
The Brazilians would be allowed to retain their property...with the exception of the slaves. Without the huge numbers of slaves to augment their forces, Spain would never had conquered Brazil. With the majority of slaves effectively free and usually well away from their original plantations or mines, this made putting them back problematic to the point of impossible. France had taken the policy of forcing the slaves back into the cane-fields of the West Indies (a policy in which they continued to have enormous problems) but the Spanish commanders in Brazil looked at the vast expanses, the hordes of now-liberated slaves and realized that such a course of action was doomed to fail. They simply lacked the resources or will to rebuild Brazil in its former image.
Over a decade of war had prevented slave shipments from arriving from Africa. Given the high death rates involved in plantation slavery followed by the disease, starvation and battle deaths involved in the brutal civil war over the past seven years, the number of negroes (mostly enslaved) in Brazil at roughly a third of the population at the start of the war, had dropped to less than a quarter.
Estimated Pre-War Brazilian population: 2.5 million total
1.5 million whites
.15 million free blacks or mixed race pardos
.85 million slaves (both black and pardo)
Unknown number of Indians
Estimated Post-War Brazilian population: 1.9 million total
1.1 million whites
.25 million free mixed race pardos
.35 million free blacks
.1 million still enslaved blacks and pardos
Unknown number of Indians
The Spanish conquerors remembered quite well how easily the Portuguese colonists were able to repulse the Spanish armies whom struggled at the end of a very, very long supply line. They also knew how little the rest of the Spanish colonies in America had assisted over the previous decade and doubted that the colonies would be any more help in the future.
If Spain expected to hold onto Brazil, they would need a base of support around which to rally. The only reasonable source for the time being would be the Negroes and the only way Spain could expect unquestioned fealty from the former slaves was to ensure that they would remain former slaves.
Eventually, the Spanish forces (again augmented by freed slaves) would march inland in 1772 and 1773 and assume control over the rest of Brazil. The remaining slaves were freed and, finally, peace was had.
Of course, the loss of the slaves would result in a mass exodus from the sugar plantations and the mines. This would eliminate most of the benefits of Spain possessing Brazil. Eventually, a system of free labor was set up in which former slaves would be hired by the plantation owners and the mines would pay higher wages as well. Many of the Negroes and Pardos would return to work, though the colony of Brazil was not nearly as profitable.
Throughout the Spanish Empire, slavery was still something of a rarity (at least the African kind). Even Cuba and Santo Domingo only had a minority enslaved. No where else did slaves make up more than 1% or 2% of the population. With the end of the Asiento agreement with Britain years before, the flow of slaves into the Spanish Empire fell to a trickle. With the war and the shutdown of the Portuguese slaving stations, the slave trade would collapse almost completely for nearly a decade. As Spain had "conquered" the Portuguese slaving stations, there seemed no prospect for resuscitating this as Spain had yet to even attempt to rebuild the trade which they could, theoretically, now dominate.
Not interested in depending upon the good will of negroes and pardos in perpetuity to maintain Spanish supremacy, the ministers of Carlos III would encourage large-scale migration to Brazil from his Spanish, Italian and even other American possessions. Land was offered cheaply to Spanish settlers (and some even given to the slaves whom fought for the King of Spain) to entice them and, within the next decade, nearly 400,000 new migrants would rush into Brazil. Beyond his own subjects, Carlos III would invite skilled workers from Germany, Poland, France and northern Italy to migrate as well deeming any non-Portuguese more likely to support his rule in Brazil than the stubborn Brazilians. A system of subsidies for transportation, sporadically financially supported, would further encourage this influx of peoples by giving incentives for women and children to accompany their male relatives to the New World.
Though Spain seemed an unlikely candidate for a progressive policy, in 1774, King Carlos would call for a moratorium on the slave trade. Of course, this was not necessarily intended as abolitionism but a reaction to the bloody series of uprisings which continued in the French West Indies. In particular, it flowed across the Hispaniola borders from Saint Domingue to Santo Domingo.
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Deleted member 67076
At this point Santo Domingo would have parity or even outnumber its western neighbor considering the shift in immigration, relaxation of trade, and movement of maroons. Slaves never did make up more than 30% of the population after 1560 anyway. (And thats the absolute most generous count)
By 1780 the colony had 200,000 people IOTL, and I suspect it'd be the same or more by now.
Btw has Carlos III enacted free trade yet? He did historically in 1775, Id suspect with the need to secure more control and make money this might get passed earlier.
By 1780 the colony had 200,000 people IOTL, and I suspect it'd be the same or more by now.
Btw has Carlos III enacted free trade yet? He did historically in 1775, Id suspect with the need to secure more control and make money this might get passed earlier.
Chapter 57: American Independence
1772
America
By 1771, the worst of the self-defeating mutual reprisals between America and England had passed and the two nations had reopened trade again. Still, hard feelings remained between the former mother country and colonies. Being threatened by King William's government would spur the Americans on to an expansion of the American Magna Carta referred to as the Bill of Rights as well as a set of laws intended to centralize many functions formerly left to the colonies.
In another rather belated move, the Americans realized that the divisions within the new Kingdom of North America should no longer be referred to as "colonies" as the nation was now independent. During the Constitutional Convention (in which the expansion of the Magna Carta was determined), the question was posed as to what these bodies should be called. Some suggested states, other provinces. Even more esoteric ideas like shires, bailiwicks, dominions, commonwealths and others were discussed.
In end, the Convention would get so mired in petty nomenclature that the determination was left to the King. King Henry, still doting on this infant son, would be mystified as to why the assorted political leaders could settle greater issues but bog down on an issue as petty as this and, after about ten seconds of consideration, would opt for using the term "dominions" for those settled colonies and "territories" for those still unsettled (and no representation in Parliament).
When a handful of politicians complained, the King would reply that he didn't care what the people called their polities. If they wanted to go on being "colonies", they may call themselves that. Officially, in the central government, they were "dominions". Most of the assorted colonies, realizing that "colony" implied a subordinate role, would quickly come around and formally rename themselves "dominions". Massachusetts opted in local parlance to refer to themselves as a "Commonwealth" while Delaware chose "State"...for some reason no one would remember a decade later. Other than that there were only "dominions" and "territories" wanting to become dominions.
Interestingly, the nation continued to referred to itself as "British" North America in regular parlance but would use the term "British" less and less in official documents.
In the meantime, the exhausted Treasury Minister Franklin (now aging) would spend more time finding funds for the new powder factories and ironworks intended to free the nation from imported military wares. With no navy of importance beyond a few frigates and sloops, America was vulnerable to any of the stronger navies of Europe. The last thing America needed was to be reliant on foreigners for war material. That was a losing proposition.
The threats by King William IV would prove to be baseless given that England didn't have a navy to enforce them but old colonial resentment at the condescension and subordination didn't go away easily. With the constant threat of Papist France and Spain's imminent invasions to take away their liberty and protestant faith present, the Americans seemed locked in a state of fear, a bunker mentality which would be indelibly etched onto the American soul.
The Americans would not only be harassed by the Catholics and their former colonial master but by an old enemy: the pirates of North Africa.
Under French "protection", American ships would sail to western Europe. However, the Mediterranean remained a danger place as several of the potentates of North Africa (Tunis, Algiers, etc) would continue the age-old practice of piracy and white slavery. Only if America offered annual tribute at huge rates would the pirates offer safe passage. Previous generations of American traders enjoyed the protection of the Royal Navy. Humiliated, the Americans paid for several years as they build up their naval forces. Finally, in 1772, they would be preparing for an expedition to the Barbary coast when word of an alliance against the pirates reached New York. The leader was, somewhat unexpectedly, Spain.
America
By 1771, the worst of the self-defeating mutual reprisals between America and England had passed and the two nations had reopened trade again. Still, hard feelings remained between the former mother country and colonies. Being threatened by King William's government would spur the Americans on to an expansion of the American Magna Carta referred to as the Bill of Rights as well as a set of laws intended to centralize many functions formerly left to the colonies.
In another rather belated move, the Americans realized that the divisions within the new Kingdom of North America should no longer be referred to as "colonies" as the nation was now independent. During the Constitutional Convention (in which the expansion of the Magna Carta was determined), the question was posed as to what these bodies should be called. Some suggested states, other provinces. Even more esoteric ideas like shires, bailiwicks, dominions, commonwealths and others were discussed.
In end, the Convention would get so mired in petty nomenclature that the determination was left to the King. King Henry, still doting on this infant son, would be mystified as to why the assorted political leaders could settle greater issues but bog down on an issue as petty as this and, after about ten seconds of consideration, would opt for using the term "dominions" for those settled colonies and "territories" for those still unsettled (and no representation in Parliament).
When a handful of politicians complained, the King would reply that he didn't care what the people called their polities. If they wanted to go on being "colonies", they may call themselves that. Officially, in the central government, they were "dominions". Most of the assorted colonies, realizing that "colony" implied a subordinate role, would quickly come around and formally rename themselves "dominions". Massachusetts opted in local parlance to refer to themselves as a "Commonwealth" while Delaware chose "State"...for some reason no one would remember a decade later. Other than that there were only "dominions" and "territories" wanting to become dominions.
Interestingly, the nation continued to referred to itself as "British" North America in regular parlance but would use the term "British" less and less in official documents.
In the meantime, the exhausted Treasury Minister Franklin (now aging) would spend more time finding funds for the new powder factories and ironworks intended to free the nation from imported military wares. With no navy of importance beyond a few frigates and sloops, America was vulnerable to any of the stronger navies of Europe. The last thing America needed was to be reliant on foreigners for war material. That was a losing proposition.
The threats by King William IV would prove to be baseless given that England didn't have a navy to enforce them but old colonial resentment at the condescension and subordination didn't go away easily. With the constant threat of Papist France and Spain's imminent invasions to take away their liberty and protestant faith present, the Americans seemed locked in a state of fear, a bunker mentality which would be indelibly etched onto the American soul.
The Americans would not only be harassed by the Catholics and their former colonial master but by an old enemy: the pirates of North Africa.
Under French "protection", American ships would sail to western Europe. However, the Mediterranean remained a danger place as several of the potentates of North Africa (Tunis, Algiers, etc) would continue the age-old practice of piracy and white slavery. Only if America offered annual tribute at huge rates would the pirates offer safe passage. Previous generations of American traders enjoyed the protection of the Royal Navy. Humiliated, the Americans paid for several years as they build up their naval forces. Finally, in 1772, they would be preparing for an expedition to the Barbary coast when word of an alliance against the pirates reached New York. The leader was, somewhat unexpectedly, Spain.
I think even with a massive drop in population on Saint Domingue, it would still outnumber the Spanish 2/3's of the island. Per populstat, the first population census was in 1850 at 136,000. This, however, is after the huge amounts of damage caused by the Haitian invasion of the early 19th century so it may very well have been 200,000 in 1760.
Haiti/Saint Domingue was 550,000 in 1850, which I think is similar to the population in 1760 (usually held around 500,000).
With Spain pressing for more Spanish-Italian-"Other" immigration to Brazil than the rest of their colonies, I don't think Santo Domingo would grow quickly.
However, Saint Domingue would certainly fall quickly given the negative 8% population change on a normal year without replenishing slave shipment from Africa. That doesn't even count the costs of the war. There would be an almost immediate plummeting of population due to the gender inequity.
I would suggest that Saint Domingue's population would drop by well over half in the past 10 years, probably below 200,000.
Deleted member 67076
So historians, like Frank Moya Pons for example have been challenging the traditional view of a thinly populated Santo Domingo for the past few decades, and recent estimates put the 1790 population to be 180-200,000+ range. This number was cut more than half by the Haitian Revolution for a number of reasons, and compounded by waves of emigration due to instability, leading to the 1850 figure being so low.
Fun thing, historically it grew not just from immigration from Europe but from other colonies (Cuba and Mexico are the big examples but Venezuela also was a major source of people moving in), as colonials were attracted by the ease of obtaining land.
So roughly almost even at this point. I think the 1750 population of Sto Domingo was around ~150,000. Not sure.
Great stuff!
Though I rather doubt Fox’s willingness to be the puppet leader of a French-backed illiberal dictatorship.
Though I rather doubt Fox’s willingness to be the puppet leader of a French-backed illiberal dictatorship.
Is William Pitt Jr still alive? We know his father died, but is junior is still alive him as the American equivalent of Lord of the Treasury/Prime minister (WHatever) might literally be something amazing.
WIlliam Pitt the US Minister...
WIlliam Pitt the US Minister...
A few thoughts, the collapse of the sugar trade and the fall of UK would lead to European wide recession after the war. It likely have fewer consequences at the day, but we may see mercantilism getting a point of glory.
So a few effect, the Prussians was experimenting with sugar beet production before the war, but in OTL it only became economic competitive in the 19th century, though under the Napoleonic Wars we see a rise in the production. I could very well see sugar beets rising earlier here with the sugar production crisis. The major problem with sugar beet production are the need for fuel in it production. But likely regions where it would be grown would be Saxony, which do have coal field, so we may Saxony being the center of a sugar beet fueled industrialization (reaching into Bohemia, Silesia and Brandenburg). Denmark would likely be a secondary center but they would likely import coal, as the coal prices have likely fallen with much of the British industry in ruins after the war.
In general we will likely see British skilled workers and general know how spread across Europe and North America rather fast, as Britain have seen a collapse in wages and large scale unemployment (something which doesn’t really happen in Europe, as the urban population are too small elsewhere).
A few thoughts about Denmark, with Hanover being given to the Danes, the Danes are where Prussia was after the Austrian Succession War; the least of the great powers. While the Danish army wasn’t as horrible as described here, it was in a bad position, and after this war the Danes are likely reforming the army based on the advice of French expects, this happened in OTL, and the result was the establishment of a conscript army, beside the standing army. Outside that Denmark are likely also getting a influx of Brandenburgian nobles, who seek military service in Denmark with the army of Brandenburg down sizing. In general the Danish crown are likely in full haste integrating and standardizing his new domains and in general reforming. Hanover may not be happy being under a Danish king, but the Danes are more likely messing in internal Hanoverian matters, are also more likely to listen to Hanover over foreign policy adventures and economic integrating Hanover. Fundamental they replace neglect by the British with a more active crown.
So a few effect, the Prussians was experimenting with sugar beet production before the war, but in OTL it only became economic competitive in the 19th century, though under the Napoleonic Wars we see a rise in the production. I could very well see sugar beets rising earlier here with the sugar production crisis. The major problem with sugar beet production are the need for fuel in it production. But likely regions where it would be grown would be Saxony, which do have coal field, so we may Saxony being the center of a sugar beet fueled industrialization (reaching into Bohemia, Silesia and Brandenburg). Denmark would likely be a secondary center but they would likely import coal, as the coal prices have likely fallen with much of the British industry in ruins after the war.
In general we will likely see British skilled workers and general know how spread across Europe and North America rather fast, as Britain have seen a collapse in wages and large scale unemployment (something which doesn’t really happen in Europe, as the urban population are too small elsewhere).
A few thoughts about Denmark, with Hanover being given to the Danes, the Danes are where Prussia was after the Austrian Succession War; the least of the great powers. While the Danish army wasn’t as horrible as described here, it was in a bad position, and after this war the Danes are likely reforming the army based on the advice of French expects, this happened in OTL, and the result was the establishment of a conscript army, beside the standing army. Outside that Denmark are likely also getting a influx of Brandenburgian nobles, who seek military service in Denmark with the army of Brandenburg down sizing. In general the Danish crown are likely in full haste integrating and standardizing his new domains and in general reforming. Hanover may not be happy being under a Danish king, but the Danes are more likely messing in internal Hanoverian matters, are also more likely to listen to Hanover over foreign policy adventures and economic integrating Hanover. Fundamental they replace neglect by the British with a more active crown.
Which could of course mean that they remain Danish for a shorter period than they remained British, British neglect was, after all, relatively benign neglect. Hanover was mainly left to its own devices and its borders guaranteed. Remember the fable of King Log and King Stork!
Some of my point was that the Hanoverians may be somewhat unhappy with a more active crown, but the fact that they have more influence may make for it or not. But a lot depend on how warmongering Denmark was, I would suspect not very, the king is a drunk, the crown prince ended up going insane in OTL (this is not a sure thing, he had a depression in his youth and self medicated with alcohol and likely ended up with a alcohol psychosis, he could be kept as a somewhat moody but sane king, he was intelligent, but he need a different wife than in OTL). In general Denmark will likely just keep running status quo. The major foreign policy things which happened from 1760ties was a attempted invasion of Algiers (which failed, but a stronger Denmark may succeed here) a colonial war in Africa with the Dutch, the ban of the slave trade, attempt to set up plantages in Africa instead of the West Indies (failed in the short term, a success in the long term), a failed attempt to move in on the whaling industry (with UK and Netherlands have other things to deal with, it may happen here), the Hessian states falling into Danish orbit (it will happen here and to much greater extent)
Well, his father was being held responsible for the fall of Britain so I'm not sure if Pitt the Younger would be overly popular anywhere. However, I have been thinking about fitting him in somewhere.
I don't know. Henry Fox was perhaps the greediest man of his age, which is saying something.
On Hanover... I wonder if TTL's Denmark might end up with a pro-German policy and try to take the lead in unifying Germany (similar to the role that OTL Prussia took), be the main alternative to the Catholic Austria in doing so. After all, the Danish king probably has just as many (Low)-German-speaking subjects as Danish ones, what with Schleswig, Holstein, and Hanover being under the Danish monarchy now...
Interesting comments.
I included a subplot regarding sugar beet production in a recent TL.
I agree that certain types of British workers would likely emigrate in mass in this TL's scenario. I mentioned metal workers and textile workers but there would be others.
I brought Denmark into this TL because every other TL on this site referring to this era tends to utterly ignore the Danes. This is reasonable given the neutrality espoused by the government of Denmark in OTL. But still, I like to break things up a bit just for creative reasons.
I find Denmark interesting as I believe the Danish Empire at this time was largely equally split in population between Denmark, Norway and Schleswig-Holstein. Adding Hanover would make the Danish Empire around half-German. As I believe that German was the court language of the era in Copenhagen, this would probably make the crown even more Germano-centric. As Denmark was undergoing great reforms, I have it absorbing immigrants from the rest of Germany of all classes, many going on to America using Denmark as a stepping stone. Recall, in this era, many of the petty princes of Germany were still dictators and peasants could only travel or marry or do anything with permission from the monarch. They would no doubt be going through reform as well but on a prince by prince basis rather than Germany-wide.
You read my mind as I was just commenting that the Danish Empire probably had more Germans by this point than Scandinavians.
I still think they would refer to themselves as 'British', and as the continuation of the British Empire and United Kingdom with the North America former colonies raised as a constituent part given the UK in the British Isles has been torn apart and William is only the King of England - they could rightfully claim Henry as King of Great Britain and North America. Like I said given many colonials still though of themselves as British and given the large amount of British people that have migrated - even if the aristocracy are now disliked and they have no interest in reclaiming their lands for them - they would still be a lot of desire there to reclaim the home islands. And if they manage to do so they would have plenty of power over a reclaimed British Isles so they could easily have the capital and court permanently based in North America - especially if it would took a long time to get back - with London as a Second City/Capital.
Given it took a Rebellion (that took place more than a decade in the future compared to independence here) i.e. literally fighting against the British, and successful Independence (and many British loyalists leaving) for the majority of colonials to even begin to refer to themselves as American (after all the casus belli was literally predicated on them being English) they seem to have adopted 'American' way to easily and quickly here, especially when there's a lot of reasons to continue to refer to refer to themselves as British; prestige, heritage, legitimacy, pissing William off, pissing the French off etc.
As far as they're concerned they should be the British now-based in North America and not a whole new nationality and essentially a Monarchist USA - really this isn't a lot different to a lot of King George Washington stories at the moment, when it makes more sense that it's a Kingdom of Great Britain exiled to America. The majority of the population is either British colonists that came across pre-war or British Exiles that came across post-war and the King is also the rightful King of Great Britain (even ignoring William's treachery he's only King of England and given he's a French puppet he has implicitly given up the title to King of Great Britain given his French masters dissolved it).
I'm just saying, the British in North America (including all the colonials) seem to have given up the Kingdom of Great Britain and a British national identity(s) (English/Welsh/Irish/Scottish etc) way to easily considering the circumstances (i.e. no war against each other, ergo colonial vs British, and actually fighting together against England's eternal Enemy France so they should actually feel even MORE British).
Given it took a Rebellion (that took place more than a decade in the future compared to independence here) i.e. literally fighting against the British, and successful Independence (and many British loyalists leaving) for the majority of colonials to even begin to refer to themselves as American (after all the casus belli was literally predicated on them being English) they seem to have adopted 'American' way to easily and quickly here, especially when there's a lot of reasons to continue to refer to refer to themselves as British; prestige, heritage, legitimacy, pissing William off, pissing the French off etc.
As far as they're concerned they should be the British now-based in North America and not a whole new nationality and essentially a Monarchist USA - really this isn't a lot different to a lot of King George Washington stories at the moment, when it makes more sense that it's a Kingdom of Great Britain exiled to America. The majority of the population is either British colonists that came across pre-war or British Exiles that came across post-war and the King is also the rightful King of Great Britain (even ignoring William's treachery he's only King of England and given he's a French puppet he has implicitly given up the title to King of Great Britain given his French masters dissolved it).
I'm just saying, the British in North America (including all the colonials) seem to have given up the Kingdom of Great Britain and a British national identity(s) (English/Welsh/Irish/Scottish etc) way to easily considering the circumstances (i.e. no war against each other, ergo colonial vs British, and actually fighting together against England's eternal Enemy France so they should actually feel even MORE British).
Chapter 58: Spanish Progress
1773
Spain
Though the recent improvements in the manufacturing process of silver (utilizing mercury) would gain Spain a temporary boost in liquidity, the financial costs of a five year war followed by seven years to conquer Brazil would take their toll on Spain. The Spanish merchantile system was often derided as primitive by the French, British and Dutch in the past as very little beyond precious metal extraction had been removed from the vast Spanish holdings over the past century. Indeed, in the 1740's, Great Britain did more trade by bulk with Barbados, a tiny island only developed a few decades prior, than Spain did with their entire Empire.
Spanish islands like Cuba and the 2/3rds of Hispaniola they still possessed were every bit as fertile for the sugar industry as Jamaica or Saint Domingue but they simply had not been exploited. Lands on the continent like New Granada could produce coffee as readily as Brazil but the industry languished. More timber was harvested in Spanish territory by illegal British squatters on isolated coasts (like Honduras) than by the millions of Spanish colonials from New Spain to the Rio Plata.
Seeing the weakness of his Empire, Carlos III would select ministers intended to improve the capacity and efficiency of the colonies. Trade barriers would gradually be lowered (and had been for years), ill-producing monopolies abolished, fewer positions in government reserved for Peninsulars (as opposed to Criollos), etc. This would not be a fast process and would still be ongoing by the end of the century. But, slowly, the Spanish Empire (now augmented by Brazil) would attempt to diversify its industry in the colonies. Part of this was the lesson learned by Portuguese Brazil and the declining gold fields of Minas Gerais. The loss of such capital on an annual basis had crippled the Portuguese monarchy at an inopportune time. It was more than possible that the temporary improvement in the silver fields of Peru and New Spain would taper off quickly too, without which the Spanish finances would be immediately imperiled.
Attempts to encourage industrialization would prove haphazardly enacted and only intermittently successful in the mother country. Protective barriers remained in place on exterior trade but, even at greater cost due to the tariffs, most Spaniards continued to purchase key goods from abroad. The silk industry stubbornly failed. New universities and military colleges had been inaugurated in recent years and more in the short-term future but these would not have results in the short term.
Spain continued to remain behind France, England (even conquered the English industry was superior), Germany, etc.
Even Naples had a better infrastructure than Spain.
Still, the attempts would continue.
In the meantime, Spain was getting involved in another conflict. During the previous war, the Barbary pirates had returned with a vengeance after years of suppression by the powerful states of Europe. With the Royal Navy out of the way, the pirates even felt confident enough to start raiding assorted Spanish and Italian islands. For centuries, the Arab-Berbers of North Africa had been a plague on Europe, taking perhaps hundreds of thousands of prisoners into slavery. Whole swathes of the southern European coastline would be left barren of people.
No longer focused on Brazil, the King of Spain, Naples, etc would turn his gaze to this pirate cities of the North. He would invite his ally France to partake in an alliance to wipe out the worst of them but poor relations and a financial panic in Paris would prevent this. Oddly, Spain did find allies in the most unlikely places. The recently augmented Papal States would offer funds and ships as would the Danish Empire and, of all peoples, the Americans.
The key to this unlikely alliance was a desire to wipe the pirate states clean from the earth for ALL of the peoples of Europe....and America. Hundreds of ships bearing valuable cargoes were seized every year. Tens of thousands of sailors were sold into slavery or held for ransom.
It was time to put an end to this. Though having little in common with Denmark and America, the Spanish would accept their help in this new coalition.
Spain
Though the recent improvements in the manufacturing process of silver (utilizing mercury) would gain Spain a temporary boost in liquidity, the financial costs of a five year war followed by seven years to conquer Brazil would take their toll on Spain. The Spanish merchantile system was often derided as primitive by the French, British and Dutch in the past as very little beyond precious metal extraction had been removed from the vast Spanish holdings over the past century. Indeed, in the 1740's, Great Britain did more trade by bulk with Barbados, a tiny island only developed a few decades prior, than Spain did with their entire Empire.
Spanish islands like Cuba and the 2/3rds of Hispaniola they still possessed were every bit as fertile for the sugar industry as Jamaica or Saint Domingue but they simply had not been exploited. Lands on the continent like New Granada could produce coffee as readily as Brazil but the industry languished. More timber was harvested in Spanish territory by illegal British squatters on isolated coasts (like Honduras) than by the millions of Spanish colonials from New Spain to the Rio Plata.
Seeing the weakness of his Empire, Carlos III would select ministers intended to improve the capacity and efficiency of the colonies. Trade barriers would gradually be lowered (and had been for years), ill-producing monopolies abolished, fewer positions in government reserved for Peninsulars (as opposed to Criollos), etc. This would not be a fast process and would still be ongoing by the end of the century. But, slowly, the Spanish Empire (now augmented by Brazil) would attempt to diversify its industry in the colonies. Part of this was the lesson learned by Portuguese Brazil and the declining gold fields of Minas Gerais. The loss of such capital on an annual basis had crippled the Portuguese monarchy at an inopportune time. It was more than possible that the temporary improvement in the silver fields of Peru and New Spain would taper off quickly too, without which the Spanish finances would be immediately imperiled.
Attempts to encourage industrialization would prove haphazardly enacted and only intermittently successful in the mother country. Protective barriers remained in place on exterior trade but, even at greater cost due to the tariffs, most Spaniards continued to purchase key goods from abroad. The silk industry stubbornly failed. New universities and military colleges had been inaugurated in recent years and more in the short-term future but these would not have results in the short term.
Spain continued to remain behind France, England (even conquered the English industry was superior), Germany, etc.
Even Naples had a better infrastructure than Spain.
Still, the attempts would continue.
In the meantime, Spain was getting involved in another conflict. During the previous war, the Barbary pirates had returned with a vengeance after years of suppression by the powerful states of Europe. With the Royal Navy out of the way, the pirates even felt confident enough to start raiding assorted Spanish and Italian islands. For centuries, the Arab-Berbers of North Africa had been a plague on Europe, taking perhaps hundreds of thousands of prisoners into slavery. Whole swathes of the southern European coastline would be left barren of people.
No longer focused on Brazil, the King of Spain, Naples, etc would turn his gaze to this pirate cities of the North. He would invite his ally France to partake in an alliance to wipe out the worst of them but poor relations and a financial panic in Paris would prevent this. Oddly, Spain did find allies in the most unlikely places. The recently augmented Papal States would offer funds and ships as would the Danish Empire and, of all peoples, the Americans.
The key to this unlikely alliance was a desire to wipe the pirate states clean from the earth for ALL of the peoples of Europe....and America. Hundreds of ships bearing valuable cargoes were seized every year. Tens of thousands of sailors were sold into slavery or held for ransom.
It was time to put an end to this. Though having little in common with Denmark and America, the Spanish would accept their help in this new coalition.
Good points though I would think that Americans would think as themselves as "PURE" British, more morally superior to those in Britain whom accepted an oligarchy in Parliament and then French domination under their puppet king.
From a legal standpoint, King William is the rightful heir to both Britain and America but the Americans cast him out just like Britain had the House of Stuart a century earlier, thus "preserving English democracy".