The west should be your answer
The companies were more about controlling an area's economy more than grabbing and controlling land. By controlling the economy, they could better profit off the areas, with little to no political impact. However, when needed, they could and would use their political might. The wealth that the companies had gave them great leverage in the political world.
Religion would become corrupted as a result.
Hope I helped.
Probably faster since there’s more international travel, and more contact with others through diligent services and higher population (and population density)
