with a POD no earlier then 1830s, have Mexico (instead of the USA) become the dominant industrial/military power in North America. the larger and stronger mexico is, the better
with a POD no earlier then 1830s, have Mexico (instead of the USA) become the dominant industrial/military power in North America. the larger and stronger mexico is, the better![]()
Define "1830s." If 1830 is acceptable, this would be my proposal.
I'd say that the 6 April Law of 1830 is not passed, and American immigration is not banned. Many more Americans enter the country, but they are much friendlier to Mexican rule than those in OTL. Eventually a group of Texans revolt against the reducing of state power which occurs after Santa Ana takes over in 1835, but the lack support of most Texans, including the all-important support of Stephen F. Austin. The rebellion is quickly crushed with the help of the Texas militia. Austin is able to convince Santa Ana to withdraw the Siete Leyes of 1835 and restore the Constitution of 1824, as well as to grant the much more-populated region of Tejas its statehood seperate from Coahuila.
Gold is discovered by American settlers in Alta California (which has also benefitted from the lack of prohibition against American immigration) around 1840, causing a Gold rush and a population boom of both Mexicans and Americans in the north portion of the country. As a result Mexico is incredibly prosperous, and in the aftermath of the Central American Civil War, the states of Los Altos, Guatemala, and Honduras all ask for reanexation with Mexico, feeling that with federalist structures they will be able to maintain a large degree of autonomy but will also better benefit economically from Mexico's prosperity.
As a result of this boom, Mexico begins also to make claims on much of Oregon Territory. Mexico also uses the money to purchase Florida from the United States, which sees the territory as being of little value and also wishes to cease dealing with the Seminole problem. The Seminoles are soon integrated into Mexican society and become the political force in East Florida. In West Florida, Mexico benefits from the port of Mobile and much of the southern American cotton trade which still passes through.
The American Civil War progresses very differently--without Texas or Florida, the loss of votes in the Senate hurts the pro-slavery cause, and results in a much weaker Confederacy and a much earlier war, probably around 1848. In response to the armed struggle in Mexico and Confederate incursions into Mexican territory, the Mexicans enter the war on the Federal side, invading Louisiana from both sides and soon taking New Orleans through the combined efforts of a joint American-Mexican blockade and a land invasion. As the rebellion is crushed, Mexico demands that they receive Louisiana as a prize for their efforts in restoring American soverignty and in recognition of New Spain's historical ownership. Weary from the war and not wanting to attempt to restore Federal rule over a large part of the South, the Union agrees. The Union also cedes their claims to Oregon to Mexico, as Americo-Mexicans and British settlers dominate the territory, and the Americans do not want to risk war with the British. The British and Mexicans partition Oregon/Columbia along the 48th parallel.
At this point, Mexico includes the entire area of Mexico currently, plus Guatemala, Honduras, the entirety of the Gadsden and Guadalupe Hidalgo cessions, Texas, southern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and Florida as well.
I could see Mexico possibly purchasing Alaska as the economic superpower in the region, and also I can definitely see Mexican intervention in Cuba's independence struggle resulting in an Mexican Cuba.