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I have a rough concept in my head that I'd like to hash out:

Basically, a more successful US is able to gain Canada during the revolution, and follows this up with an earlier invasion of Mexico (I'm thinking during Spanish rule), resulting in the US taking all of Mexico. Possibly the rest of Centeal America, too. I know its the stereotypical uber-US, and its not necessarily the most plausible of scenarios. But lets just accept those are the borders we're dealing with, okay? Just going to repeat that: for the sake of this discussion, we get those borders.

However, the US isn't interested in necessarily including all these former Spanish colonial subjects into the full rights as part of the nation, due to all the expected prejudices (race, religion, cultural experience with self-government, etc.) So, the bulk of the territories are set up as autonomous protectorates of a sort. Basically, think Puerto Rico, at large. They're under US control, but have no representation.

Here's where I'm seeing the wheels coming off the bus. As the slavery debate rages (albeit, with a stronger anti-slavery faction, due to canadian states in the Union), unrest grows in the autonomous territories. This results in all sorts of interesting times.

- Those territories rise up in revolt, seeking independence or full admission into the Union.
- The South, or parts of it, also rises up, upon seeing their opportunity to leave the Union and protect slavery. I see this alt-Confederacy being smaller than ours.
- Perhaps a European power decides to meddle in the whole mess.

With all of this, how migh the Union overcome this cluster of epic proportions? The autonomous territories, I could see being won over by making common cause with the factions that want admission rsther than independence. There's also the possibility of the Union actually letting some of the territories go. However, could this be accomplished while also fighting the South? I have to think the focus would be on taking back the South before these more distant territories. There's also the possibility of the alt-confeds making an alliance with the rebels in the former Spanish territories.

Again, just hashing this out in my mind. Thoughts?
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