1910 : Argentina and Brazil

What if Brittany had still been independent when America was discovered?

Here is that story!
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Map 116
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Dynasties and rulers
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At the beginning of the 20th century, South America entered a demographic transition: a drop in mortality while maintaining the birth rate, especially in the Northeast. This was followed by considerable population growth encouraged by both regimes. It went from 162 million inhabitants to 304 million in 30 years while providing 7.8 million settlers to the rest of the world.

Brazil has a population of 169 million, of which 56% are Gallos, 24% are Bretons and 7.5% are Hispanics. The rest, 12.5%, is made up of Indians, Germans, Portuguese and Blacks.

Argentina, with 135 million inhabitants, is more homogeneous with 88% of Gallos and 8.8% of Germans. The remaining 3.2% includes Hispanics, Irish and Indians.

The Andes were largely colonized by the Gallos, especially in New Granada where the coal and oil resources attracted many settlers. Thus, of the 37 million inhabitants of Brazilian Andean America, 51% were Gallos, ahead of the Hispanics (34%). Hence the revolt of 1904.

The Argentina/Buenos Aires conurbation tripled its population in 30 years with 15 million inhabitants. It was then by far the largest city in the world (London had 7.2 million, New York 4.8 million). Peadra/Bellevue was the 2nd largest city in the world with 7.3 million inhabitants but only increased by a third.

Economically, the gap between Argentina and Brazil has widened. Brazil, with its state-run economy focused on heavy industry, has stagnated with a GDP/capita rising from 4,260 in 1870 to 5,200 in 1910. While Argentina reached 7,200, which is comparable to France.

With a global GDP of 972,000, Argentina exceeds Brazil's 868,400 and is the 2nd in the world behind the USA (excluding Mexico) which reaches 1,280,000. The UK is distanced at 518,600.

But Argentina needs Brazil's resources, especially Venezuelan oil and Amazonian rubber.

The Argentine city becomes a world-renowned cultural and scientific center. Cars and airplanes are manufactured there. Brazil remains very dull in comparison, with all the slightly ambitious entrepreneurs, artists, and scientists heading to Argentina.

King Jean X is well aware of this delay but is for the moment blocked by the conservatives.