AHC: South America > North America

King James IX

So here's the challenge: have South America be a greater power than North America by 1950. PoD can be anywhere/whenever you like. Bonus points if North America has the social/political problems of OTL South America and is significantly less developed.
 
South America has tons of gold and silver so it is possible. But to pull it off you would need some very benevolent Spanish rulers who are willing to use that wealth for the good of everyone, not just a few close friends of theirs.
 
It is quite difficult. You could do it (OTL) just before the XIX century, but once industrialization starts... South America lacks coal, iron ore and the climate is harsher for european colonisation.

The only thing I could think is a more successful Mexico and a failed ARW that leads to harsher migration conditions to european settlement in British colonies.
 
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