Vinland-Mesoamerican Trade

Sure, I could see it fulfilling a role similar to silk, actually.
Europe did import both cotton and silk in Middle Ages. And cotton is cheaper to produce than silk.

Given that the Mesoamericans have their choice of cotton and maguey, would they be willing to import wool?
 
Europe did import both cotton and silk in Middle Ages. And cotton is cheaper to produce than silk.

Given that the Mesoamericans have their choice of cotton and maguey, would they be willing to import wool?

I ould see it, but I don't think it'd be a big product; English textile companies had huge problems getting people in tropical areas to buy their clothing, and I suspect Vinlandic dyes will not be as impressive.

Iron tools, horses, and maybe glass will be the big tools. But I think a Norse conquest is the most probable outcome.
 
Iron tools, horses, and maybe glass will be the big tools. But I think a Norse conquest is the most probable outcome.
I can not see much iron being sold by the Norse because they were iron poor. Their main source of iron was bog iron and you don't get that in great quantities.

On conquest, if you look at OTL the Spanish very nearly got defeated by the Aztecs. As the Norse do not have the technological edge that the Spanish had so are mosty lightly to be stuffed if they try invading. Raids for gold and silver would be better propositions.
 
I can not see much iron being sold by the Norse because they were iron poor. Their main source of iron was bog iron and you don't get that in great quantities.

A couple thoughts. First, I'd dispute tha tyou can't get bog iron in great quantities; it was a major source for early America, which was not known as being a metal-poor society. (one of New Jersey's earliest factory towns, Allaire Village, was based on the use of bog iron). Seocnd, if we're buying hte idea of a major Norse settlement, then they'll find more sources of iron.

Were the Spanish nearly defeated? Even after the Noche Triste, they just came back with another army...
 
A couple thoughts. First, I'd dispute tha tyou can't get bog iron in great quantities; it was a major source for early America, which was not known as being a metal-poor society. (one of New Jersey's earliest factory towns, Allaire Village, was based on the use of bog iron). Seocnd, if we're buying hte idea of a major Norse settlement, then they'll find more sources of iron.
The early American colonies were lucky in hitting rich sources such as Lake Massaog. In contrast the Norse in Iceland and Greenland had to scratch around for what they could find as well as import.

Were the Spanish nearly defeated? Even after the Noche Triste, they just came back with another army...
Because they had another army that arrived from the Caribbean. If the nearest Norse settlement to Mexico is Vinland then a Viking invasion can not count on quick reinforcements. fact it can not count on any at all.
 
The early American colonies were lucky in hitting rich sources such as Lake Massaog. In contrast the Norse in Iceland and Greenland had to scratch around for what they could find as well as import.

But we're talking about Norse in America, not in Iceland or Greenland. We know what ore deposits exist here.
 
I can not see much iron being sold by the Norse because they were iron poor. Their main source of iron was bog iron and you don't get that in great quantities.
While the Indians do not get iron in any quantities.
On conquest, if you look at OTL the Spanish very nearly got defeated by the Aztecs. As the Norse do not have the technological edge that the Spanish had so are mosty lightly to be stuffed if they try invading. Raids for gold and silver would be better propositions.

Norse iron is practically usable in ways that Mesoamerican gold and silver are not, and Norse, and their trade partners across Atlantic, value silver and gold in ways that they do not value jade or quetzal feathers. The Indian rulers can trade quite some silver and gold for iron.

Mind you, the Norse CAN invade. There would be no Aztec empire till mid-15th century. Since OTL, Toltec Empire fell in 12th century, the Norse, after sounding out the region by trade, might enter into the fray as raiders, or as allies or mercenaries for Tollan´s foes.

Or how about an ATL where Tollan never falls thanks to Varangian Guard hired by Toltec kings?
Ditto about Yucatan. Would Varangians fight for Hunac Ceel to found Mayapan, or to defend Chichen Itza? Or on both sides?
 

Maur

Banned
Vinnish invasion of Mesoamerica is completely ASB. Sure, there can be a riding party or something like that, that could even succed to topple the equivalent of Triple Alliance, but this is not an invasion of Mesoamerica Spanish style, thats more Rus style Viking state building. The consequences would not be the huge changes in Mesoamerican culture like IOTL Mexico, but small changes with clear continuity and core of the culture and population composition remaining intact.
 
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