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This is derived entirely from this thread on avoiding the War of 1812. This post by Benjamin sums the idea nicely:

Well, minus the War of 1812, I truly believe the United States would have been at war with Spain no later than 1820. There were numerous disputes between the two countries that had led to continuous tension since immediately following the 1783 Treaty of Paris.

--Status of West Florida
--Cost of Trade down the Mississippi
--Spanish support for Native state in both Northwest and Southwest portions of the US.
--Spanish support for secessionists in Kentucky region

After the Louisiana Purchase a number of other conflicts arose.

--Agreeing on a border encompassing the Mississippi Watershed
--Control of New Orleans
--Settlement and control of Florida
--Control of the eastern portion of Texas
--American access to the Pacific Ocean

Furthermore American support for the independence movements occurring throughout Latin America angered Spain.

So -- what if this war happened instead? How much new territory might the US acquire? How does this affect the Western Hemisphere overall? And what else can you see happening?
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