Burgundy in the Age of Exploration

If Burdgundy had survived as an independent state, how would they affect the colonization of the new world and asia/africa? Is it possible that it might be they who sponsor Columbus?
 
In my A Different Fate for the Templars, Burgundy is a colonial power, that establishes colonies in the Americas, Africa, and East Asia.
 
Just like for the Dutch, the Baltic trade would be the foundation for Burgundy's wealth. Exploration and colonization outside Europe would probably also follow similar routes. In OTL, Indonesia and because it was halfway South Africa became Dutch because they followed the Portugese and took their trade posts in Africa and Asia.

Potentionally, Burgundy could be a more succesful naval counterpart to England during the 17th and 18th century than Holland and France were.
 
I think that Burgundy would become some kind of super-Dutch with the centre of power located somewhere in the Netherlands. Certainly if they would somehow be able to avoid a religious conflict.
 
I think that Burgundy would become some kind of super-Dutch with the centre of power located somewhere in the Netherlands. Certainly if they would somehow be able to avoid a religious conflict.

Yeah, although for example the leadership, which in the Dutch Republic was in the hands of the Estates General would probably be in the hands of the Dukes of Burgundy (or Kings of Lorraine or however they would call themselves). This might actually for the best, in OTL the Republic had continuous conflicts between the Regent Party and the Orange Party. Unquestioned leadership would help out here.

Considering Burgundian centralisation practices in the 15th century, Burgundy might end up with some kind of monarchy like France or England, although the duchies and counties of the Low Countries would fight tooth and nail to keep their privileges, so an absolute monarchy is unlikely IMO. A monarchy which has to keep in mind the opinions of the Estates General like in England with Parliament, could probably avoid particularly religious conflicts.
 

ninebucks

Banned
Without immediate access to the Atlantic they have to rely on the goodwill of their neighbours to let them through the Channel/Gibraltar, so they are at a disadvantage, just like how every other nation that wasn't Spain, Portugal, France, or Engalnd/Britain was.
 
Without immediate access to the Atlantic they have to rely on the goodwill of their neighbours to let them through the Channel/Gibraltar, so they are at a disadvantage, just like how every other nation that wasn't Spain, Portugal, France, or Engalnd/Britain was.

Ever heard of the Netherlands?

Anyway, the Channel's wide and the North Sea has more than one exit.
 
Without immediate access to the Atlantic they have to rely on the goodwill of their neighbours to let them through the Channel/Gibraltar, so they are at a disadvantage, just like how every other nation that wasn't Spain, Portugal, France, or Engalnd/Britain was.

That was as mentioned never a problem for the Netherlands. And in fact, the location is an advantaguous postition for the Baltic trade, the real source of Dutch wealth in the 17th century.
 
Nonetheless, lacking continuous territory in multiple areas could be an issue.

I agree, coneecting Burgundy to the Netherlands would be essential. Am I correct that they just need to add the county of Lorraine to Burgundy to bridge the gap between them? Also Liege would be useful as well (and Utrecht) and to counter the rise of France some other areas in the neighbourhood.
 
I agree, coneecting Burgundy to the Netherlands would be essential. Am I correct that they just need to add the county of Lorraine to Burgundy to bridge the gap between them? Also Liege would be useful as well (and Utrecht) and to counter the rise of France some other areas in the neighbourhood.

I wonder if the best way to do this would involve some sort of alliance between Burgundy and England that leads to the partitioning/reduction of France in the 1300s or 1400s between the two...
 
Charles the Bold was in control of Lorraine (briefly) in his war against Rene of Lorraine.

Unfortunately, he was a lousy diplomat and became embroiled with Austria and the Swiss simultanuously. A little bit of common sense could have prevented war with the Swiss (a different governor in the Rhine territories would have been enough here) and the Austrians (just let them buy back Alsace: it also means more money!).

Alone versus Lorraine, Charles should have been easily capable of securing Lorraine and uniting the Burgundian territories. However, with only a daughter, Burgundy itself would inevitably revert to the French crown, making these conquests useless.
 
A lack of natrual resources forced the Dutch to be innovate manufacturers and traders, they even had a wind-powered industrial revolution in the 1600s. Does Burgundy have a similar situation, or would trade be the cream instead of the basis of survival?
 
A lack of natrual resources forced the Dutch to be innovate manufacturers and traders, they even had a wind-powered industrial revolution in the 1600s. Does Burgundy have a similar situation, or would trade be the cream instead of the basis of survival?

Lorraine and nearby Rhenish territories have a lot of coal and iron, but Burgundy would have to conquer and hold the area 1st.

France established a colonial empire even though it didn't seriously lack resources.
 
The French empire was a cream enterprise rather than a necessity. The Dutch lacked labour, food and timber, so they had to fish, and trade for grain and wood, and create mechanised value adding industry. All of these things pushed the Dutch to the forefront of the trading empires, and meant that they were overtaken when big colonies were established by bigger powers later on.
 
Alone versus Lorraine, Charles should have been easily capable of securing Lorraine and uniting the Burgundian territories. However, with only a daughter, Burgundy itself would inevitably revert to the French crown, making these conquests useless.
It did not in OTL, so frankly it would depend on who she marries (and if her husband/son identifies more with Burgundy than the paternal inheritance).

If Chuck the Bonehead had a son then it would probably be worse for the long term independence of Burgundy. He would be ahead of the Kings of Navarre once the Valois died out IIRC.

HTG
 
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