A couple things to ponder...
1) WI the guys that discovered America were more advanced than in OTL (not necessarily around the same time as in OTL), so that they have already gone through an industrial revolution. They have steamships and more advanced firearms than the Conquistadors did. How do the natives fare?
2) WI the explorers (they don't have to be the same as in #1) had a proper idea of how far away China was. Assume that they still attempt an expedition. How big would it have to be (in terms of carrying supplies and whatnot) for them to think they could make it?
I might have some more in a bit.
1) WI the guys that discovered America were more advanced than in OTL (not necessarily around the same time as in OTL), so that they have already gone through an industrial revolution. They have steamships and more advanced firearms than the Conquistadors did. How do the natives fare?
2) WI the explorers (they don't have to be the same as in #1) had a proper idea of how far away China was. Assume that they still attempt an expedition. How big would it have to be (in terms of carrying supplies and whatnot) for them to think they could make it?
I might have some more in a bit.