I've read various TLs and threads regarding east asian (China, Japan) colonization of the New World. However, most (including myself) think that this is extremely unlikely as these countries are focuses primarily inwards, and then towards the south China seas when thinking of the exterior. There was little to no impetus for exploration, much less towards the barren wastes of the frozen north and endless open waters to the east.
So my question to the forum is: what kind of PoDs might push asians to embark on the kind of exploration that the had Europeans set out to do?
I have a nascent idea involving the Haida. The Haida were a tribe living in the northwest of North America, in the area of coastline between southern Alaska, Columbia, and Washington. They were described as the "Native American equivalent of Vikings". What if the Haida had launched exploratory parties (for raiding or finding new fisheries and whatnot) towards the west, much like the norse from Iceland did OTL when they explored Vinland.
What if these raider/fishermen came into contact with the Yakuts and Ainu, and by extension, Japan and China. What further steps would be necessary in order to have the east asians launch expeditions to the New World, where presumably they would find the fertile lands of Oregon Country and California waiting for them...?
So my question to the forum is: what kind of PoDs might push asians to embark on the kind of exploration that the had Europeans set out to do?
I have a nascent idea involving the Haida. The Haida were a tribe living in the northwest of North America, in the area of coastline between southern Alaska, Columbia, and Washington. They were described as the "Native American equivalent of Vikings". What if the Haida had launched exploratory parties (for raiding or finding new fisheries and whatnot) towards the west, much like the norse from Iceland did OTL when they explored Vinland.
What if these raider/fishermen came into contact with the Yakuts and Ainu, and by extension, Japan and China. What further steps would be necessary in order to have the east asians launch expeditions to the New World, where presumably they would find the fertile lands of Oregon Country and California waiting for them...?