1741, Guanabara, commercial capital

Here is that story!
------------------------
Map 43

PREV - FIRST - NEXT

-----------------------

This period of peace saw a sharp increase in manufacturing production and the appearance of a large industrious and commercial bourgeoisie.

Guanabara, a Germanic city, became an important maritime trading center. The local Baron, Conan IV Gall-Marianne (1688-1752), who descended from a bastard of Prince Conan I, would then play an important role in the commercial development of Guanabara.

Having family in Brittany, he managed to associate the bourgeois of Guanabara with the French East India Company (1722). From now on, Guanabara ships (and only these) have access to French trading posts in the Orient. In exchange, French ships can trade in Guanabara and recruit soldiers, sailors and settlers.

Very quickly it was a success and Guanabara became considerably richer, supplying the growing Brazilian wealthy class with luxury goods. Baron Conan IV also becomes greatly enriched and becomes one of the most powerful, undermining the balance between the Barons.
The Guanabara Sailors' Guild (56,000 inhabitants) controlled in 1740, 100% of India/Brazil trade and 50% of Brazilian coastal trade. It also took control of 65% of the African slave trade (10,000 per year in total).
It then has a fleet of 38 large ships and 200 smaller ones, which employs around 12,000 sailors.