French Indochina, initially a protectorate in southern Cambodia, expanded northwards over time. But here I contemplate a scenario wherein France retains solely over a more expansive Cochinchina region
Cochinchina was the most "developed" among the territories, and was de facto and de jure administered by France, with "representation" in the National Assembly in Paris. The Vietnamese expansion into the Mekong Delta (beyond the Champa territories) was relatively recent, only a few decades prior to French arrival. Hence, weakening this Vietnamese expansion could allow France to maintain control over a larger, albeit less organized, area there.
The implications are complex tho, Firstly, what would restrain French northward expansion? Perhaps a stronger Vietnamese kingdom?(making Viet expasion into the region faster...) Without French Indochina, the history of Vietnam, and indeed all of Indochina, would likely be unrecognizable.
One might expect a more French/European cultural influence, albeit not a Christian one given the strong Buddhist faith of the local population. Perhaps if the Spanish or Portuguese had secured a stronger foothold during the Cambodian-Spanish war, it might have laid the groundwork for a more robust European presence in the region later.
Another possibility involves a more consolidated Champa (Austronesian) kingdom in the area. Instead of engaging predominantly with Khmer regions, the French would then contend with a Champa Muslim region. This, however, would require a significant Champa Wank, considering the historical presence of Champa was primarily in central Vietnam, with only remnants of their 'Kingdom' in southern Vietnam during that period.
"French Guyana" but in Asia idk
tl;dr: French Champa-Cochinchina
this is the real thread, how French Indochina would work with a stronger Champa
Cochinchina was the most "developed" among the territories, and was de facto and de jure administered by France, with "representation" in the National Assembly in Paris. The Vietnamese expansion into the Mekong Delta (beyond the Champa territories) was relatively recent, only a few decades prior to French arrival. Hence, weakening this Vietnamese expansion could allow France to maintain control over a larger, albeit less organized, area there.
The implications are complex tho, Firstly, what would restrain French northward expansion? Perhaps a stronger Vietnamese kingdom?(making Viet expasion into the region faster...) Without French Indochina, the history of Vietnam, and indeed all of Indochina, would likely be unrecognizable.
One might expect a more French/European cultural influence, albeit not a Christian one given the strong Buddhist faith of the local population. Perhaps if the Spanish or Portuguese had secured a stronger foothold during the Cambodian-Spanish war, it might have laid the groundwork for a more robust European presence in the region later.
Another possibility involves a more consolidated Champa (Austronesian) kingdom in the area. Instead of engaging predominantly with Khmer regions, the French would then contend with a Champa Muslim region. This, however, would require a significant Champa Wank, considering the historical presence of Champa was primarily in central Vietnam, with only remnants of their 'Kingdom' in southern Vietnam during that period.
"French Guyana" but in Asia idk
tl;dr: French Champa-Cochinchina
this is the real thread, how French Indochina would work with a stronger Champa
