WI: Simultaneous colonization of the Americas.

Redcoat

Banned
As many of us know, one of the reasons that China never discovered the Americas was that they didn't have the innovative drive to expand. They saw themselves as the center of the world and grew complacent. Zheng He, etc. really went on established trade routes, not really exploring. Well let's assume that they switch gears for whatever reason and like Europe, start looking outwards. Europe goes on the same trajectory as OTL and, what do you know it, both China and Europe discover America in 1492.

What happens next?
 
You'll see a rough division between the "European" and "Asian" part of North America at the Continental Divide down into North Mexico. This is because of geography--the Rocky Mountains are a huge barrier, and on the western side of it is mostly desert while the eastern side has rivers that flow to the Gulf of Mexico. It would be easy to evict any Asian colonists from the eastern side, and vice versa.

South of Aridoamerica, Mesoamerica will be a patchwork of indigenous states mixed with some expanding colonies from both groups. Smart rulers will be able to successfully play the Chinese and Europeans off each other for many years.

The Inca will likely survive, although the Chinese and maybe even Europeans will grab chunks off the fringes of their empire and probably grab parts of their coast. Brazil and La Plata will go to Europeans, as will likely the Caribbean, Venezuela, and most of Colombia. Panama will be a major flashpoint I bet.
 
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