Balkanized NA - a Century Later

Highlander

Banned
Whatever your PoD, what would North America, and even the world, look like in one hundred years if each of the original 13 colonies were allowed their own independence? How would this affect culture, trade, scientific developments?
 
This scenario gives rise to a whole lot of interesting and intriguing possibilities.

My POD is 1782. The British government - either that of the Marquis of Rockingham or the Earl of Shelburne - gives each of the 13 American colonies their independence as separate states.

According to their founding charters the land grants for aome of the colonies stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. When they became independent they would want to expand into and annex land to their west. There would also be conflicts between the states. So Pennsylvania, Virginia (which then included OTL West Virginia), and Connecticut which nominally extended to the Pacific Ocean, would be in conflict over OTL Ohio; Virginia would expand into OTL Kentucky; North Carolina into OTL Tennessee; and Georgia into Alabama and Mississippi.

The northern states would want access to the Great Lakes which would be another source of conflict.

The smaller states would most likely combine with, or be annexed by, the larger states. I don't see Delaware or Rhode Island still in existence as independent nation states in 1882.

It is possible, perhaps probable, that some time after 1800 settlers west of the Appalachians, and north and west of the Ohio River would declare their own imdependent states.

In this scenario there would be no Louisiana Purchase, unless acquired by one of the states. A feasible possibility woould be by Jefferson as President of an expanding Virginia. If not, then assuming that the Napoleon Wars happen as in OTL, then I would guess that the Louisiana territory would be divided between Britain and Spain at the Congress of Vienna in 1815.

Britain would claim all of the Oregon Territory, which would later become part of Canada. Also possible British purchase of Alaska from Russia, with Hawaii as a British protectorate.
 
The smaller states would most likely combine with, or be annexed by, the larger states. I don't see Delaware or Rhode Island still in existence as independent nation states in 1882.

Nor I ...

It is possible, perhaps probable, that some time after 1800 settlers west of the Appalachians, and north and west of the Ohio River would declare their own imdependent states.

Yeah, the further West settlers go the more apt the region is to declare themselves free from the Yoke of the Atlantic states. Of course ... eventually you're going to have Spain and Britain vying for influence in these regions too.

In this scenario there would be no Louisiana Purchase, unless acquired by one of the states. A feasible possibility woould be by Jefferson as President of an expanding Virginia. If not, ...

You probably would see the state eventually form 'camps' of mutual priorities. Thus, you might see some kind of resource pool to purchase the territory from France and divided up between the Southern states. I can really see Virginia and North Carolina (possibly south too) getting big really fast. Perhaps Pennsylvania too.

Britain would claim all of the Oregon Territory, which would later become part of Canada. Also possible British purchase of Alaska from Russia, with Hawaii as a British protectorate.

Would Russia sell Alaska to the UK? Sandwich islands would definitely fly the Union Jack.
 
Yeah, the further West settlers go the more apt the region is to declare themselves free from the Yoke of the Atlantic states. Of course ... eventually you're going to have Spain and Britain vying for influence in these regions too.

You probably would see the state eventually form 'camps' of mutual priorities. Thus, you might see some kind of resource pool to purchase the territory from France and divided up between the Southern states. I can really see Virginia and North Carolina (possibly south too) getting big really fast. Perhaps Pennsylvania too.

The various states might find themselves pulled into the *Napoleanic Wars on opposite sides. For example, the southern states become allies with France because they want to buy Louisiana, while New England becomes an ally of Britain because of their trading links. other states try and remain neutral in the ensuing conflict.

Cheers,
Nigel.
 
I think it likely that something like the German or Italian unification movements might arise in the latter parts of the 19th century.
 
it'd be harder for the states to push natives off the land too, a divided america would create a few smaller armies instead of one big one, prolly states would ally with tribes against other states, eventually giving them the rights to their lands for their help. I'd say a monroe doctrine would never be enacted, because of inter state fighting, looking across the Atlantic for allies
 
The smaller states would most likely combine with, or be annexed by, the larger states. I don't see Delaware or Rhode Island still in existence as independent nation states in 1882.

Or be under the protectorate of larger states--but some of those states are going to be European. DE and RI are going to want to maintain their independence and they're going to find that in exchange for basing rights or whatever they can quite likely get protection from a larger power, whether it be a North American rival to the local big North American state, or from a European power.
 
My POD is 1782. The British government - either that of the Marquis of Rockingham or the Earl of Shelburne - gives each of the 13 American colonies their independence as separate states.
Except the AoC had been Adopted in 1781. [They had been operating under it since 1777, but Maryland [last state] finally signed in 1781]
Except the AoC had sent the Delegates to Paris, Even if the British tried to Split the states up, It would require the AoC US to Agree.
According to their founding charters the land grants for aome of the colonies stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. When they became independent they would want to expand into and annex land to their west.
In 1781 Virginia became the last state to Assign it's western Claims to the AoC US. Afterwards Maryland Signed the AoC. [Land Claim Problems was the Holdup.]
So you need a POD that would negate these Assignments.
 
Except the AoC had been Adopted in 1781. [They had been operating under it since 1777, but Maryland [last state] finally signed in 1781]
Except the AoC had sent the Delegates to Paris, Even if the British tried to Split the states up, It would require the AoC US to Agree.
In 1781 Virginia became the last state to Assign it's western Claims to the AoC US. Afterwards Maryland Signed the AoC. [Land Claim Problems was the Holdup.]
So you need a POD that would negate these Assignments.

where do you think the best POD would be for this (if there is one that'd work)
 
Another factor that might spur on disunity is if Canada gets its independence as well albeit it in separate pieces. That way, the 13 colonies don't have a larger representative of their former colonial masters directly to their north, and therefore have less incentive to stay unified in the face of an external threat.
 
There would be three or more nations. New England, Mid-Atlantic States, and the South. A fourth nation is also possible in the form of the lower Mid-Atlantic States namely Virginia and North Carolina along with some of their western claims, like OTL Kentucky and Tennessee.

I think it likely that something like the German or Italian unification movements might arise in the latter parts of the 19th century.

Yes, I can see this happening.
 
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