Why did the HRE never make any attempts to colonize? Was it because of the 30 years war?
Because it was neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire.
Consider their geographical position versus that of other colonizers.
>>981598
Belgium was right next to the "H" "R" "E" and they got along just fine.
>>981607
There's a multi-century difference between Belgium's existence and the HRE. The German Empire had colonies in Africa, just like Belgium.
>>981598
Even Courland managed to attempt a few colonies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couronian_colonization
>>981586
1.) They couldn't afford it
2.) Competition from states that quickly evolved into actual nation-states
I don't think there was any attempt by any HRE member to colonize until decades after the HRE was dissolved. Prussia was the first to attempt to colonize, with colonial towns/villages in Central America (predominantly Guatemala). True colonies didn't come about for any former HRE member states until the 1880's.
>>981586
IIRC, there were a few German-based colonies (mostly trading posts) during this era, but the main problem for the German states was no easy access to the Atlantic- you had to either brave the whole North Sea or contend with the Dutch, English and French through the channel. The only ports the Austrians owned were Mediterranean, so they were also out of the question.
TL;DR- it was mostly just geography
How we don't colonize? Our Empire is the largest of the world under our Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Besides being our Emperor, he expanded our empire by being the ruler of the New World colonies and Spain.
Does it count, right? RIGHT?
>>981586
the HRE colonized it's whole eastern half senpai
>>981586
Because Holy Clusterfuck, anon.
Look at the map. See all these borders and states within the Clusterfuck? Each one of the aristocrat/bishop ruling any and all of those state gave 0 fucks about the Emperor and whatever he said or wanted to.
In fact, their favourite pastime was going to war against the Emperor and/or fight among them, usually induced to and in the best interest of France.
Fucking hilarious.
Also this, desu >>981830
>>981830
>the HRE colonized it's whole eastern half senpai
what
>>982528
Brandenburg and Pommerania were basically just deserts and marshes till Germans came and cleared it all away for cities.
>>982541
oh cool didn't know that
(still not 'whole eastern half' but very intredasting nonetheless)
>>981586
The Holy Roman Emperor certainly had more colonies than anyone else, as he was also King of Spain.
Who else do you think should have made attempts to colonize? Ulm?
>>982541
also genocided the slavic inhabitants
There were a few: The Wittelsbachers hat a Colin in Venezuela which went bancrupt, Brandenburg hat some Tradingposts in Westafrica and at the start of the Durch colonialism the were still part of the HRE.
>>981616
There's a multi decade difference actually.
People seem to forget that the HRE was knocking about until 1806.
>>983004
Slavs stole East Germanic clay
>>983285
... which was mostly deserted since the Hunnic times
>that feel when there will never be and never was a German speaking nation in the New World
