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Description
I quite liked the "alternate colony" vibe the Alaska map had (at least I felt like that), and decided to continue it.

This time i've revisited an attempt at creating a Tuscan colony in what is roughly today French Guyana, in the early 1600's. The grand duke of Tuscany Ferdinando, sent English explorers Robert and John Thornton in an expedition along the Cayenne river, in a portion of territory not yet claimed by any colonial powers.
After the expedition, the two explorers came back to Florence, ready to found the colony and carry settlers to the new world, only to find out that the grand duke Ferdinando had died a few months before. The new grand duke, Cosimo, wasn't interested in the idea, and plans for the colony were abandoned. Only 20-ish years later the French came and claimed the territory as French Guyana.
This was the only attempt by an Italian state to start a colony in America.

That was the OTL story. But what if, Ferdinando had not died and approved the project?
I've based this backstory on an AH project by Enrica S, from the site Ucronia.

It's 1609. The Thornton brothers come back from the expedition, with reports of a prosperous land, "rich in silver and gold". The grand duke Ferdinando is convinced, and decides to send the first colonists, to found the first settlement, San Giovanni (in honour of Tuscany's patron saint, John), roughly in the area of OTL Cayenne. Thornton guides an expedition in the interior, and establishes the first contact with native tribes, who prove themselves friendly. Fort Medici is founded along the Piccolo Arno river (OTL Oyapock).
The next year the Tuscan West Indies Company is founded, along with the arrival of hundreds of colonists and a new settlement, Fort Vinta (in honour of Belisario Vinta, first governor of the colony). Tensions with France for the control of the region are growing, so the pope Paolo V, in respect of the Tordesillas Treaty (and behind Spanish pression), recognises the right for Tuscany to have a colony in South America. In 1612 New Tuscany is officialy founded. Sugar, pepper, coffee, cocoa and wood are at the base of the economy. In 1667 the Dutch come and found the Suriname colony, and border with New Tuscany is fixed along the Marrone river (OTL Maroni).

Let's jump to the 18th century: it's 1740, the Medici dinasty has ended, and the new grand duke, Francesco Stefano di Lorena, starts sending slaves from Africa to the colony. Sugar plantations start to seriously back up the colonial economy.
Napoleon arrives and invades mainland Italy, and consequently Tuscany. The colony is swiftly occupied by the Portuguese. In 1815 the Congress of Vienna gives back New Tuscany to its rightful owner. In 1849 slavery is abolished, but the african population remains in serious poverty condition. New Tuscany becomes a penal colony (think of it as an Italian Australia), and many revolutionary or progressive people are deported there.

In 1860 Tuscany is annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia and, the next year, to the Kingdom of Italy. Bettino Ricasoli is the first colonial governor on behalf of the united Italian government. Giovanni Giolitti becomes governor of New Tuscany in 1894, after involvement in a corruption scandal forced him to stay away from the mainland government. In 1896 a territorial dispute with Brasil sparks some clashes between the local administrations, the question is solved in favour of the Brazilians.

San Giovanni gets bombarded by a German ship in 1916, during WW1.
In 1925 Benito Mussolini rises to power, the fascist regime is established. The penal colony status of New Tuscany is reinforced, and many opposers of the regime (along with mafia people, communists, homosexuals and other offenders) get deported there.
In 1933 the Duce visits personally the colony and assists to the founding of the city of Mussolinia.

WW2: in 1941 an English fleet forces the local fascist government of the colony to surrender. New Tuscany passes under English occpuation. The British build several military bases during the war.
1949: the war has ended, and the UK is forced by the USA to call a referendum for New Tuscany. The neotuscanians vote to return under Italian rule. Guido Corbellini is the first local governor of the republic of Italy.

In 1951 the "penal colony" status is abolished, and further autonomy is given to it. New Tuscany becomes an overseas territory in 1960, title raised to overseas region in 1970. The European Space Agency is founded in 1975, and the site of Corazza, near New Livorno (OTL Kourou), is chosen as launch site for the space program due to its proximity to the Equator.

In 1996 public uprisings promoting independence are quickly repressed by the government. In 2002 the Euro becomes the legal currency in Italy, and consequently, in New Tuscany.

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

I found this scenario neatly interesting when I read it. I've adapted it to my map and fixed it here and there, but the original idea is from Enrica S on Ucronia: www.fmboschetto.it/Utopiaucron…
Other ispiration is taken from the Nuova Toscana scenario by : frankcesco.deviantart.com/art/…
Hope you like it!

Description
I quite liked the "alternate colony" vibe the Alaska map had (at least I felt like that), and decided to continue it.

This time i've revisited an attempt at creating a Tuscan colony in what is roughly today French Guyana, in the early 1600's. The grand duke of Tuscany Ferdinando, sent English explorers Robert and John Thornton in an expedition along the Cayenne river, in a portion of territory not yet claimed by any colonial powers.
After the expedition, the two explorers came back to Florence, ready to found the colony and carry settlers to the new world, only to find out that the grand duke Ferdinando had died a few months before. The new grand duke, Cosimo, wasn't interested in the idea, and plans for the colony were abandoned. Only 20-ish years later the French came and claimed the territory as French Guyana.
This was the only attempt by an Italian state to start a colony in America.

That was the OTL story. But what if, Ferdinando had not died and approved the project?
I've based this backstory on an AH project by Enrica S, from the site Ucronia.

It's 1609. The Thornton brothers come back from the expedition, with reports of a prosperous land, "rich in silver and gold". The grand duke Ferdinando is convinced, and decides to send the first colonists, to found the first settlement, San Giovanni (in honour of Tuscany's patron saint, John), roughly in the area of OTL Cayenne. Thornton guides an expedition in the interior, and establishes the first contact with native tribes, who prove themselves friendly. Fort Medici is founded along the Piccolo Arno river (OTL Oyapock).
The next year the Tuscan West Indies Company is founded, along with the arrival of hundreds of colonists and a new settlement, Fort Vinta (in honour of Belisario Vinta, first governor of the colony). Tensions with France for the control of the region are growing, so the pope Paolo V, in respect of the Tordesillas Treaty (and behind Spanish pression), recognises the right for Tuscany to have a colony in South America. In 1612 New Tuscany is officialy founded. Sugar, pepper, coffee, cocoa and wood are at the base of the economy. In 1667 the Dutch come and found the Suriname colony, and border with New Tuscany is fixed along the Marrone river (OTL Maroni).

Let's jump to the 18th century: it's 1740, the Medici dinasty has ended, and the new grand duke, Francesco Stefano di Lorena, starts sending slaves from Africa to the colony. Sugar plantations start to seriously back up the colonial economy.
Napoleon arrives and invades mainland Italy, and consequently Tuscany. The colony is swiftly occupied by the Portuguese. In 1815 the Congress of Vienna gives back New Tuscany to its rightful owner. In 1849 slavery is abolished, but the african population remains in serious poverty condition. New Tuscany becomes a penal colony (think of it as an Italian Australia), and many revolutionary or progressive people are deported there.

In 1860 Tuscany is annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia and, the next year, to the Kingdom of Italy. Bettino Ricasoli is the first colonial governor on behalf of the united Italian government. Giovanni Giolitti becomes governor of New Tuscany in 1894, after involvement in a corruption scandal forced him to stay away from the mainland government. In 1896 a territorial dispute with Brasil sparks some clashes between the local administrations, the question is solved in favour of the Brazilians.

San Giovanni gets bombarded by a German ship in 1916, during WW1.
In 1925 Benito Mussolini rises to power, the fascist regime is established. The penal colony status of New Tuscany is reinforced, and many opposers of the regime (along with mafia people, communists, homosexuals and other offenders) get deported there.
In 1933 the Duce visits personally the colony and assists to the founding of the city of Mussolinia.

WW2: in 1941 an English fleet forces the local fascist government of the colony to surrender. New Tuscany passes under English occpuation. The British build several military bases during the war.
1949: the war has ended, and the UK is forced by the USA to call a referendum for New Tuscany. The neotuscanians vote to return under Italian rule. Guido Corbellini is the first local governor of the republic of Italy.

In 1951 the "penal colony" status is abolished, and further autonomy is given to it. New Tuscany becomes an overseas territory in 1960, title raised to overseas region in 1970. The European Space Agency is founded in 1975, and the site of Corazza, near New Livorno (OTL Kourou), is chosen as launch site for the space program due to its proximity to the Equator.

In 1996 public uprisings promoting independence are quickly repressed by the government. In 2002 the Euro becomes the legal currency in Italy, and consequently, in New Tuscany.

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

I found this scenario neatly interesting when I read it. I've adapted it to my map and fixed it here and there, but the original idea is from Enrica S on Ucronia: www.fmboschetto.it/Utopiaucron…
Other ispiration is taken from the Nuova Toscana scenario by : frankcesco.deviantart.com/art/…
Hope you like it!