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Though China tended towards unification under a single dynasty, it did have it's periods of disunification. Now, I'm not too worried about the exact details, but image a scenario in which the Ming collapse results not in a Manchu dynasty but rather another period of disunity.

On a macro-scale, how are things going to proceed? I expect that interstate warfare would likely mean that weapons development, particularly in firearms, does not degrade as under the Qing OTL. Foreign ideas, particularly religious and scientific, might make an entry.

How about foreigners? There is some definite opportunity for divide-and-conquer here. Not just the Europeans, but the Japanese might see the disunity as an opportunity to try again in invading the mainland.

As for the big nosed of the West, a lot depends on timing here. A warring states period in the 17th century might lead to more powerful, more advanced and even aggressive Chinese states that can go toe-to-toe with the Europeans. However, if the Ming manage to totter on until the late 18th century and then collapse into Warring States, then European imperialists may end up carving the place up.

Any thoughts?
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