Contest : Earliest win date

[ikki]

i suppose a massive trading strategy might work.. get the indians hooked on tools, glass pearls and such.. buy silver from them. Set up several merchant men that do nothing but service "their" village

All the while the one colony remains somewhat modest.
Then import 3 elder statesmen and a bunch of cannons

 

[Turinturambar]

I tried the dutch and managed to win on turn 33. It's riskier though, because you don't get Bolivar's insane combat bonus, but the merchantman makes up for it.

 

[thehouse1]

I was able to win on the highest level on turn 33 (declared winner on turn 34). I also used the Dutch. It is the only way to get money fast enough. You also need to spot with a native settlement on your right so the king lands there.