1850: Spanish America

Here is that story!
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Map 81

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After the First Austral War, Brazil began to strengthen its hold on Spanish America.

The Principality of Argentina acquires almost total internal autonomy and the Bretons represent almost half of the population. It increased its trade with Brazil through the construction of the Santa-Cruz-Vertmont railway from 1842 to 1846.

Brazilian settlers also settled in Peru. A large naval base was established in Guayaquil in 1836. 20,000 families of soldier settlers were installed as well as 30,000 free settlers. This settlement of Bretons in Spanish territory arouses a certain hostility on the part of the Hispanics. The Galapagos Islands were also colonized in 1841.

But the priority is above all to populate North America: Lower Louisiana, Texas, Oregon and California. This region constitutes the North Marquisate. Soldier settlers are installed, around 100,000 or 600,000 people with families. A line of defense was formed to block access to the west. The California gold rush, which began in 1839, led to the influx of 500,000 additional settlers.

In 1850 the North Marquisate had 2,260,000 inhabitants. including 60% Bretons compared to 23,600,000 in the USA. The gap remains significant.

Black slavery and Indian serfdom still exist in Spanish America. Brazil abolished it in Southern Africa in 1845 and did the same in Argentina, Peru and the North Marquisate. But it persists in New Spain, in Antillas and in New Granada. The Brazilian government fears the large Hispanic landowners who are the pillars of the conservative regime.

Brazil's control over Spanish America is mainly by sea, via the Pacific and the Atlantic. There are no real usable land routes. Mastery of the seas is therefore crucial and a series of naval bases are created or reinforced.