The Medici in South America

Interesting. Potential to be the Tuscan Darien Scheme, but also it could be very successful if handled well.

My main concern, though, is Tuscany's complete inability to defend that colony, though. I reckon it would only be a matter of time until someone the likes of France or Spain confiscated the colony.
 
This is VERY interesting. While I agree with Falastur's assessment, Tuscany was rather close to the Portuguese and Spanish, so I could see them maintaining the colony with their support. This might help the economy of Tuscany, and Italy in general. It drastically decayed in the 17th century and the whole peninsula entered a sort of stagnation. This colony might aid the Tuscan economy, and could also introduce new crops to Italy proper?
 
While I agree with Falastur's assessment, Tuscany was rather close to the Portuguese and Spanish, so I could see them maintaining the colony with their support.

Ferdinand had first tried to obtain some portion in Spanish America; Portugal was part of Spain at that time. The problem will be with the English, French and Dutch.
 
Ferdinand had first tried to obtain some portion in Spanish America; Portugal was part of Spain at that time. The problem will be with the English, French and Dutch.

That's true. The Dutch would soon be heavily involved in Brazil in the 1620s and 1630s, and France first visited the region in the 1630s too. Tuscany often swayed from being Pro-Habsburg to pro-French; Ferdinando himself was married to a French princess, Christina of Lorraine, while his son would marry a Habsburg princess to curry favor with the Empire and Spain. He might be able to balance the Habsburgs and the French, but it still leaves the Dutch and the English, who would have no qualms taking over his defenseless colony. Tuscany barely has the manpower to settle the region (seeing as a portion of the settlers Thornton wanted to recruit would come from Lucca), let alone defend it.
 
That's true. The Dutch would soon be heavily involved in Brazil in the 1620s and 1630s, and France first visited the region in the 1630s too.

The good news is that there is plenty of room for colonization between Pernambuco and the Orinoco, so I expect it would be some time before the Tuscan settlement is given any attention.

Tuscany barely has the manpower to settle the region (seeing as a portion of the settlers Thornton wanted to recruit would come from Lucca), let alone defend it.

They could try attracting European exiles, as with Leghorn, or Italians from other states in the peninsula, with the permission of their governments.
 
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