A USA not from 'sea to shining sea'?

Would a more accurate account of North America eventually convince the colonies that a territory from the Pacific to the Atlantic wouldn't be a good idea?

If it isn't obvious, I find that North America is so Balkanizable.
 
Probably loosing decisively against the Brits in 1812 would stop the US from trying to reach the Pacific. The other one would be a prolonged Mexican war with British intervention. Mexico can't win but had they not been switching leaders every month and actually coordinated a war plan the war could have dragged long enough to last more than one presidential term, with the war dragging the adding of California might become unpopular only a demand for Texas might be seen as accaptable.
 
Would a more accurate account of North America eventually convince the colonies that a territory from the Pacific to the Atlantic wouldn't be a good idea?

If it isn't obvious, I find that North America is so Balkanizable.

ST

It wasn't obvious what you meant, even when seeing the hidden message. ;) I suspect that without the development of railways it would probably have splintered due to the differences. However, given the richness of some of the west coast, even before gold was discovered, and the view in the US at the time I don't think more details of the geography would actually stop an initial conquest.

As jycee says you really need a check by another power. Most likely Britain in 1812, with possibly later conflicts coming from this but a Mexico that got it's act together could hold onto California at least and possibly with some clash with Britain resulting from a longer Mexican war Oregon could also be lost. If the US was cut off totally from the west coast this would probably significantly delay the expansion westwards and settlement of the great plains.

Steve
 
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