Is it possible for there to be an American Civil War without the US gaining the Mexican Cession? Texas okay, but not the Mexican Cession. How? As plausible as possible please.
What are everyone's thoughts on what the breaking point would be? What would the compromises look like? Is there a compromise line and where would it be? Is there a popular sovereignty policy? Which state(s) would end up as the 'Bleeding Kansas' analogue?
How much of the Caribbean could be taken before compromise breaks down? Cuba could be admitted as one or two states, but apart from Hispaniola, what other parts of the Caribbean would justify states (and I'm assuming British possessions are kind of out of the question)?