German colonization of the Americas

[2] In 1528, Charles V issued a charter by which the Welsers possessed the rights to explore, rule and colonize the area with the primary motivation of searching for the legendary golden city of El Dorado.

In absence of von Hutten from the capital of the province the crown of Spain claimed the right to appoint the governor.

The Welsers transported German miners to the colony, as well as 4,000 African slaves as labour to work sugar cane plantations.

[5] The counties of Hanau-Lichtenberg and Hanau-Münzenberg, under Frederick Casimir and his adviser Johann Becher, funded – but did not complete – an extravagant program to lease Guiana from the Dutch West India Company.

Calling his new realm the Hanauish-Indies (Hanauisch-Indien), Frederick Casimir ran up huge debts that ultimately forced him into a regency by some of his relatives.