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What if Brittany had still been independent when America was discovered?
Here is that story!
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Map 90
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Dynasties and rulers
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In 1859 France launched La Gloire, the first truly operational battleship. Its 120 mm armor makes it invulnerable to the cannons of the time and its steam engine is sufficient to give it 4000 km of autonomy.
The English responded by launching the Warrior in 1860.
The Brazilians and the USA followed in 1861 with ships copied from La Gloire. These four powers then embarked on a naval arms race which would prove very costly. A battleship is worth 10 times the price of a wooden sailboat of equivalent tonnage.
Excluding iron/steel production is much higher in UK/USA (3,800 KT in 1860) than for France/Brazil (1,300 KT in 1860). France has few mines and Brazil has no coal. It is forced to use wood which is starting to run out and must import it by boat.
The result is that Brazil cannot supply enough iron for its ambitious railway project and for its ships. However, it is making a considerable effort to increase its production.
Coal began to be imported from Southern Africa from 1864. Direct rail connections were established to import wood from the Amazon from 1865. But despite this effort it could not catch up with the Anglo-Saxons. The English and the Yankees are making a considerable effort that Brazil cannot support:
UK/USA: 6,000 KT in 1870, + 58%
France/Brazil: 2,300 KT in 1870, + 77%
The program of 50 large Brazilian battleships planned for 1870 cannot be kept and only 28 are operational at that date compared to 50 for the English.