An Italian colony in America: a forgotten attempt

Jul 27, 2020 764

BY: MICHELE PAOLO

Following the European explorations of sea routes to Africa’s southern coasts (1488) and America (1492), emerging nation-states (in particular Spain, Portugal, France, and England) started expanding throughout the world. By discovery, conquest, and settlement, these countries spread European institutions and culture overseas.

On the other hand, Italian city-states, whose economy focused mainly on sea trades across the Mediterranean, began losing ground. As long as the Mediterranean represented the European economic center, Italian duchies like Tuscany made big bucks by taking advantage of Italy’s geographical location. When Columbus discovered America in 1492, the Atlantic Ocean became the new trade centerpiece. Consequently, the peninsula’s wealth began dwindling. 

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SOURCE: https://italicsmag.com

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