AHC: Canada and Mexico become superpowers

With the POD anytime you want, make both Canada and Mexico engaged in some kind of Cold War with each other and then becoming present-day world's superpowers. (not unlike OTL US-Russia)

(Yes, I'm fully aware that this thread will gonna get very little attentions...)
 
I was interested, but I couldn't think of a way to make it happen. But now, I think I do.

Firstly, have Maximilian retain the throne. By the American Civil War, Mexico should be well on its way to a powerful centralized monarchy. Let's say that it still loses Texas and the rest of the North American territories. Mexico supports the south, because of a lust for revenge over America supporting the various independence movements in northern Mexico. During this war, they take a substantial portion of California and the Confederacy acheives independence. Inspired by the South's success, French revolutionaries in Quebec rise up, inspiring a host of other Canadian independence movements around British North America to rise up; with the support of France, Germany, the U.S. and many other states, the United States of Canada (USC) acheives independence. During the period until WWI, Canada rapidly industrializes and militarizes, becoming, overall, more powerful than its original sponsor, the USA. Canada signs a secret treaty with Germany, along with America. Mexico, on the other hand, signs a treaty with Britain, France, and Russia, followed by the Confederacy. In 1914, Confederate troops strike for Washington, D.C., while Mexican troops cut a wide swath through the Plains states. Alarmed, Canada declares war on the two powers, setting off WWI. The war on North America rages for much longer than the end of the war in Europe, with hostilities officially ended in 1920. The war has ended with nothing more than a bloody stalemate for both powers; the North Americans wait with bated breath for the inevitable rematch. During the interwar period, Mexico begins spreading monarchism to other parts of South America via local reactionary groups. Alert to this, Canada begins countering with republicanist groups. Several proxy wars erupt in South America, most notably in Argentina and Brazil. Canada purchases Alaska from the U.S. Mexico attacks and annexes Cuba in 1932. Canada annexes Maine in 1935 with the reluctant agreement of President Hoover. Finally, the final blow is struck for peace; Mexico attacks the state of Northern California in 1936, claiming that it belongs to them. Canada retaliates by declaring war on Mexico, followed by its proxy state, the USA. Britain and France soon follow Mexico into war, while Canada convinces Republican Germany, Fascist Italy, and Nationalist China to join it against the monarchists. Czarist Russia declares war on Canada and the other Republicans, but is easily defeated by Canadian forces in Kamchatka in 1938. Mexico initially makes great gains, fighting all the way up to the Canadian border. However, a daring Canadian "lightning-war" counteroffensive sweeps through the Confederacy and almost to Mexico City before encountering powerful resistance. The rest of the war in North America mostly consists of bloody trench warfare outside of Mexico City, with the Canadian slowly gaining momentum until the death blow. Nationalist China makes great gains into the center of Czarist Russia, and repels Japan's incursion in Manchuria, also conquering Korea. France, meanwhile, defeats the Weimar Republic rather handily, though Italy proves a tougher egg to crack. Britain is mostly occupied with large-scale pro-Republican revolts in India and Egypt. Finally, in December 1942, the inevitable happens; Mexico, in a last, desperate strike, push the Canadians out of Mexico proper; meanwhile, the atomic bomb race which has been going on throughout the war finally comes to fruitition; Mexico has built the first atomic bomb. Three bombs are dropped; one on New York City, another on Toronto, and the third on Ottawa; Canada, effectively decapitated, quickly surrenders and is forced to give the proxy USA to the Confederacy, which is soon annexed by Mexico. Around the world, however, things have come to a bloody stalemate; Republican forces have won in China, India, and most of Southeast Asia. As well, Canada remains restive, even more so after the nukes. A long cold war would follow between the Monarchists and Republicans, finally ending with the reestablishment of a free United States, encompassing all of the former states, sans Alaska. As well, Mexico agrees to destroy most of its nukes, while Canada signs an official treaty of Mexican-Canadian Friendship at Victoria. The two nations enter the 21st century as two of the world's leading powers, matched only by Czarist Russia and Republican India.

Did I do good?
 
During the period until WWI, Canada rapidly industrializes and militarizes, becoming, overall, more powerful than its original sponsor, the USA.

How does that work?

Less immigration from the Empire means less people, I can't see them doing better.

I'm thinking Canada and Mexico grow much larger, the USA is squished to a buffer state, stretching across North America.

I'm not sure if they'd be super powers, because any attempt from either one of them to get the necessary military might to be a super powers would lead to an arms race.
 
Why not just kill Santa Anna into his first term and have the Reublicans go at it smoothly? Though Canada comprises down to Pennslyvania.

Though don't worry, I am working on something in my Vive le Canada tl. Canada would be Canada even if it was French!
 
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