Spain vassalizes the Maghreb

[Ricardolindo]

In the 16th century, could Spain have vassalized the Maghrebi states, like the Ottomans did Wallachia and Moldavia? Would this require a non-Habsburg Spain that doesn't waste so many resources in Central Europe?

 

[Nyvis]

I think one big issue is the very different relation to religion the Spanish crown and the Ottomans had. Islam is not too fussed about Christian subjects, whether within its borders or as more distant vassals. Spain? It built itself around the reconquista. The church is never going to let it lie if they think there's any way they can use that to proselytize. And the crown is too enmeshed with the church to reign them in.

Also, once Spain start investing in the Americas, this is going to be much more worthwhile to them than the Maghreb so any extra investment is likely to flow that way instead.

 

[Ricardolindo]

I think one big issue is the very different relation to religion the Spanish crown and the Ottomans had. Islam is not too fussed about Christian subjects, whether within its borders or as more distant vassals. Spain? It built itself around the reconquista. The church is never going to let it lie if they think there's any way they can use that to proselytize. And the crown is too enmeshed with the church to reign them in.

Also, once Spain start investing in the Americas, this is going to be much more worthwhile to them than the Maghreb so any extra investment is likely to flow that way instead.

First, Spain did vassalize some Maghrebi states in the 16th century but lost them to the Ottomans. They, actually, once expelled the Ottomans from Tunis and reinstalled the Hafsids. Considering the Maghreb is rough terrain and had virtually no Christians, unlike Al Andalus, vassalizing it would seem an easier alternative to conquering it.
Second, actually, the Americas would provide resources for the invasions.

 

[Nyvis]

First, Spain did vassalize some Maghrebi states in the 16th century but lost them to the Ottomans. They, actually, once expelled the Ottomans from Tunis and reinstalled the Hafsids. Considering the Maghreb is rough terrain and had virtually no Christians, unlike Al Andalus, vassalizing it would seem an easier alternative to conquering it.
Second, actually, the Americas would provide resources for the invasions.

They can mess with it, but the longer they keep having influence there without doing anything about the religion, the more the church will press.

I don't think they would be too interested in wasting the resources of America on it either. Unlike attempts at controlling the HRE, there's little prestige involved and the price isn't big.

If there's coastal states they can control without having to bother about the interior, maybe? Because the latter is the real trouble part.