Post by diamondstorm on Jan 9, 2024 17:25:23 GMT
In our timeline, the French founded the colony of France Antarctique at OTL's Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (more specifically at Villegaignon Island) in 1555. However, religious infighting between the Catholic ruling class and the Calvinist Protestant majority eventually led to the expulsion of the Calvinists and leaving them with less manpower to defeat the Portuguese in 1560 which driving them to the Brazilian mainland and ultimately expelled from the region in 1567. However, suppose the tension between the Catholics and Protestants is dealt with differently and the Calvinists are allowed to stay, thus giving them more manpower. Assuming they can drive out the Portuguese from the colony, where is the most likely destination for the second settlement for the French in France Antarctique? Were there even any plans for expansion before the French were driven out (I personally can’t find anything about that)? Would it be plausible to expand at all beyond OTL's Rio de Janeiro? Keep in mind the Portuguese were concentrated in three areas of Brazil at the time: Sao Vicente (near Sao Paulo), Salvador (Bahia) and Pernambuco due to the prospering Brazilwood and sugar trades.