Question: Spanish Empire's strength

JJohnson

Banned
Is there any point in the 17th-19th century where the Spanish or Portuguese Empires' colonies in South/Central America could've been conquered by the British or Dutch Empires? Or is there any point where the Spanish/Portuguese Empires could've taken a turn for the worse, allowing the British, Dutch, or another European power to grab land that they (Spain/Portugal) couldn't defend?
 
Some territory was conquered. Keep in mind that in 1600, only Spain and Portugal had colonies in the Americas, whereas a century later, there were substantial English, French and Dutch colonial holdings. But for the most part, those countries respected Spain's right to the colonies it had established, and went after lands that were still uncolonized. There were enough uncolonized territories around the Caribbean to produce the most valuable commodity of all (sugar), so they focused their attention there and left the mainland alone (aside from the regions north of Mexico, where Spanish rule wasn't established). If the mainland possessions had been the big sugar producing areas, we probably would have seen more foreign invasions. (Note that the Dutch did occupy Brazil, a sugar producer, for a time.)
 
Lose all of it? No, the Spanish/Portuguese empires were far too big, and far too populous.

Lose some more of it? Certainly. The various empires chipped away at the Iberians' holdings quite a bit as it was. Look at places like the Guyanas, Haiti, various other Caribbean islands, Belize; all the results of European colonies carved out of the Spanish or Portuguese empires. It's quite easy to imagine more of these regions carved off, or the existing territories being enlarged at Spanish or Portuguese expense.

For specifics: the 17th century (with the Dutch-Portuguese wars) was probably the best point for the Portuguese to lose more New World territory; they lost most of Brazil to the Dutch, and only regained it when the Portuguese colonists revolted against their Dutch occupiers (something that will probably happen regardless).

The Spanish could get dragged into more of France's wars against England/Britain in the 18th century, or do worse in the historical ones, and lose some more territories. Just avoiding the Spanish success in the American Revolution would mean that the Spanish never regain Florida.
 

JJohnson

Banned
I'm looking to have a bit more diverse South America, mostly, which would include Brandenburg choosing a colony there in place of Africa (Uruguay), Dutch Brazil surviving, and see how far up the British can take Patagonia after the US revolution to settle Loyalists. Maybe have Cartagena and Cuba be taken in the War of Jenkin's Ear, if I can figure out how, the 20-40 years prior, to make those colonies weaker for the Spanish. And for kicks, have Klein Venedig work out.
 
The problem with Patagonia is that before shipping improves to the point where wool or cattle ranching is profitable, no-one will make a profit from setting up a colony there. Besides lack of profit, there are also the costs of dealing with the very formidable natives in the area (say hello to the Mapuche). Between the lack of profits and the costs any colony would fail rather quickly.

The overall goal (a more diverse South America) is achievable. The Spanish and Portuguese are quite powerful in their home territory and the mixed european/native populations that the Iberian powers control will resist any conqueror, but with the right sequence of events you could achieve your aim. Certainly I encourage you in your goal! It is so rare to see realistic South American TLs.

fasquardon
 

JJohnson

Banned
If Brandenburg decides to establish Großfriedrichsburg in South America instead of Africa, say, where Montevideo is, in 1682, what would that do for them? Could they get other members of the HRE to join them? Could they reasonably attract settlers?
 
If Brandenburg decides to establish Großfriedrichsburg in South America instead of Africa, say, where Montevideo is, in 1682, what would that do for them? Could they get other members of the HRE to join them? Could they reasonably attract settlers?
This is always going to be the problem. A lot of colonization efforts failed historically. There's not much for a Brandenburger colony to gain in e.g. Uruguay, and it's not like there's a super-abundance of Brandenburgers eager to go colonizing somewhere in the middle of nowhere (nor could they be easily supplied if Spain or Portugal decided to be hostile at any point). It's not like Africa (where you can sell slaves) or a Caribbean sugar island, where there's an obvious source of profit.
 
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