I've been thinking of doing something involving the mesoamerican civilizations of Maya and Aztec, and was wondering what exactly would be required to prevent the west (for as long as possible if such a fall is inevitable) from conquering/colonizing the region.
With the Maya, I'm not exactly sure where to start, and to a certain extent I am of the same opinion with the Aztec. The most obvious in the case of the Aztec would be to do something involving Hernán Cortés.
Any suggestions or comments?
To be honest, I'd throw the Aztecs to the wolves, and concentrate on the Maya and Inca. The Aztecs were too unpopular, they'd probably have fallen on their own in short order.
The Maya were decentralized, and the Incas young and still figuring out solutions to problems, plus had awesomly defensible territory.
There are several things that would have helped the mesoamericans. Something dealing with the diseases is by far the most important.
Prologed contact with the Vinlanders and exposure to European diseases before Colombus would help. Even better would be a Mesoamerican genius who figures out variolation/vaccination early enough that it disseminates through the cultures.
Vinlander contact may also help transfer ship tech. Being able to meet the Europeans at sea, and contend with them for the Caribbean islands would be a massive strategic step up.
Having the mesoamerican civilizations contacted from a slightly different point of origin would help. The Caribbean islands provided a strong base from which the Europeans could go for the throat of the mesoamericans.
Also, anything that lets the plagues burn through the mesoamerican populations before full contact will help. Particularily if there is some butterfly that could groinkick Spain and Portugal just after contact.