Inspired by a game of EU3 where the entire east coast of North America was colonized by 1500, yet rebellions led to no changes at all.
Why did it take until the latter half of the 18th century for the idea to firmly take root in the colonies that they could split off from the Mama Nation back in Europe? Was it the Enlightenment that did it? Lack of competition in the Americas from Frenchmen or Indians after the 1760s? Why didn't some power-hungry Spaniard declare some portion of the Spanish holdings in the Americas independent in the 1500s or 1600s? Why did they all stay relatively loyal for centuries, and how can that be changed?
Why did it take until the latter half of the 18th century for the idea to firmly take root in the colonies that they could split off from the Mama Nation back in Europe? Was it the Enlightenment that did it? Lack of competition in the Americas from Frenchmen or Indians after the 1760s? Why didn't some power-hungry Spaniard declare some portion of the Spanish holdings in the Americas independent in the 1500s or 1600s? Why did they all stay relatively loyal for centuries, and how can that be changed?