What If Everything Went PERFECT For The United States

Possible History
27 May 202312:10
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis alternate history video explores a world where the United States achieves optimal geopolitical success. Starting from the War of 1812, the US expands its territory through victories and strategic acquisitions, including Canada, parts of Mexico, Alaska, Greenland, and the Dominican Republic. The Civil War unfolds with the North's industrial might triumphing over the South. The US capitalizes on European conflicts, emerging as a global economic powerhouse. By supporting anti-communist movements, particularly in China, the US shapes a Cold War more favorable to its interests, leading to a Pax Americana where it stands as the uncontested superpower.

Takeaways
  • ๐Ÿ˜€ The video explores a hypothetical scenario where the US achieves optimal geopolitical success from 1812 to the 1990s.
  • ๐Ÿฐ In 1812, the US successfully invades Canada, leading to its eventual integration into the United States.
  • ๐ŸŒŠ The British blockade against the US proves ineffective, and Britain eventually accepts the loss of Canada due to economic benefits of cooperation with the US.
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ The Mexican-American War results in the US annexing parts of northern Mexico, setting the stage for internal conflicts over slavery.
  • ๐Ÿ” The US Civil War unfolds with the North's industrial and population advantage leading to the defeat of the Confederacy.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Post-Civil War, the US enters a period of reconstruction and continued expansion, eyeing territories like Alaska and Greenland.
  • โ„๏ธ Alaska is likely to be sold by Russia to the US, either due to economic hardship or the influence of American settlers.
  • ๐Ÿ๏ธ Greenland's acquisition by the US is speculative but could be achieved by bundling it with the purchase of the Danish West Indies.
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ด The Dominican Republic could be annexed by the US, as it was offered and nearly accepted in an alternate timeline.
  • ๐ŸŒŽ By the end of the 19th century, the US has become a global power, rivaling empires like Russia in land area.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฅ The two World Wars and the Cold War provide opportunities for the US to rise as a superpower, especially if China and the Soviet Union are less of a threat.
Q & A

  • In the alternate history presented, what was the outcome of the War of 1812?

    -In this alternate history, the United States successfully invaded Canada, leading to Britain eventually conceding and Canada joining the United States.

  • How did the annexation of Canada impact the United States in this alternate timeline?

    -The annexation of Canada led to the integration of Canadian states into the Union, and Britain eventually coming to terms with the loss due to the economic benefits of cooperation with the United States.

  • What was the outcome of the Mexican-American War in this alternate scenario?

    -In this alternate history, the United States annexed more northern states from Mexico but did not take over the entire country.

  • How did the issue of slavery play out in the alternate Civil War?

    -Despite the South taking the initiative, the North's industrialization, population, and economic importance led to a blockade that forced the South into submission, ending the Civil War.

  • What territories did the United States acquire in the Gilded Age of this alternate timeline?

    -The United States acquired Alaska, Greenland, and the Dominican Republic, expanding its territory and influence.

  • How did the Spanish-American War contribute to the United States' rise to power?

    -The United States gained Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines from Spain, which further expanded its territory and influence in the region.

  • What was the geopolitical situation in Europe during World War I in this alternate history?

    -Europe exhausted itself in a four-year war, allowing the United States to prosper economically and rise as a global power.

  • How did the outcome of the Chinese Civil War impact American hegemony in Asia?

    -In this alternate timeline, the nationalists winning the Chinese Civil War and securing China would strengthen American influence in Asia, preventing the spread of communism.

  • What was the role of the Soviet Union in the geopolitical landscape of this alternate history?

    -The Soviet Union was unable to compete with the West, leading to its collapse and the beginning of Pax Americana, with the United States as the uncontested superpower.

  • How did the United States' territorial acquisitions affect its status as a global power?

    -The acquisitions of Alaska, Greenland, the Dominican Republic, and other territories increased the United States' land area and influence, contributing to its rise as a superpower.

  • What was the final outcome for the United States in this alternate history?

    -In this alternate history, the United States emerged as the uncontested superpower, with American Western liberal hegemony standing supreme in the short term.

Outlines
00:00
๐ŸŒŸ Alternate US Geopolitical Success

This paragraph outlines a hypothetical scenario where the United States achieves optimal geopolitical success. Starting from 1812, it explores an alternate history where the US successfully invades Canada during the War of 1812, leading to Britain's eventual acceptance of the loss due to the distraction of Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The US then consolidates its gains, acquiring Florida and integrating Canada into the Union. The Mexican-American War is also reimagined with the US annexing more of northern Mexico, setting the stage for a conflict between free and slave states. The Civil War unfolds similarly to history, with the North prevailing and leading to a period of reconstruction and continued westward expansion. The US also contemplates territorial acquisitions such as Alaska and Greenland, and even the Dominican Republic, solidifying its position as a major world power by the end of the 19th century.

05:03
๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ US Expansion and Global Influence

The second paragraph delves into the US's continued expansion and growing global influence during the Gilded Age. It discusses the potential acquisition of Alaska and Greenland through various means, including purchase or annexation, as well as the annexation of the Dominican Republic. The US economy booms, becoming the largest in the world, and the nation's influence extends to the Spanish-American War, where it gains territories like Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The paragraph also touches on the rise of Germany as a power and the formation of alliances leading up to World War I, positioning the US to prosper economically during the conflict. The US's rise to power is further cemented during World War II, where it plays a crucial role in the defeat of Germany, setting the stage for a bipolar world with the US and the Soviet Union as global hegemons.

10:03
๐ŸŒ Pax Americana and US Hegemony

The final paragraph envisions a world where the US emerges as the uncontested superpower following the collapse of the Soviet Union. It speculates on the outcome of the Chinese Civil War, suggesting that a victory for the nationalists would strengthen American hegemony in Asia by preventing the rise of communism and conflicts like the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The US's influence extends across Europe and Asia, with the reunification of the Korean Peninsula under South Korea and the absence of a communist China or Soviet Union to challenge its dominance. While acknowledging future challenges and conflicts, the paragraph concludes with the US standing supreme as the leader of Western liberal hegemony in a global framework.

Mindmap
Keywords
๐Ÿ’กGeopolitics
Geopolitics refers to the study of international relations and how geography impacts global politics. In the video's theme, geopolitics is central as it explores how the United States could have potentially expanded its influence and power throughout history. The script discusses various historical events and scenarios, such as the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, to illustrate how geopolitical decisions and outcomes could have shaped a different reality for the US.
๐Ÿ’กAnnexation
Annexation is the process by which a country extends its sovereignty over a territory, making it a part of its own territory. The video script uses the concept of annexation to describe how the US could have expanded its territory, for example, by acquiring Canada, northern Mexican states, and even considering the annexation of all of Mexico. These examples are pivotal to the video's narrative of an alternate US history where territorial expansion plays a significant role.
๐Ÿ’กNapoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of conflicts involving Napoleon's French Empire and various European coalitions. The script mentions these wars as a backdrop to the War of 1812, where Britain's distraction due to fighting against Napoleon was seen as an opportunity for the US to invade Canada. The outcome of the Napoleonic Wars is critical in the video's alternate history, as it influences Britain's ability to respond to American actions.
๐Ÿ’กCivil War
The American Civil War was a conflict fought from 1861 to 1865 over issues of slavery and state rights. In the video, the Civil War is depicted as an inevitable event in the US's history, despite the focus on geopolitics. The script suggests that even in an alternate history, the North's industrial and economic superiority would lead to the defeat of the South, illustrating the war's impact on the US's internal development.
๐Ÿ’กReconstruction
Reconstruction refers to the period after the American Civil War when the US attempted to rebuild its nation and reintegrate the Southern states. The video mentions this period as a time when the US took a deep and serious look inside to fix itself, indicating a moment of introspection and reform that followed the Civil War in the alternate history presented.
๐Ÿ’กExpansionism
Expansionism is the policy or ideology of extending a country's territory or influence. The video's narrative is heavily based on US expansionism, discussing the acquisition of territories like Alaska, Greenland, and the Dominican Republic. These examples highlight the video's exploration of how the US could have potentially grown larger and more powerful through territorial expansion.
๐Ÿ’กSpanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was a conflict in 1898 that resulted in the US gaining territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The video script uses this war as an example of the US's continued expansionist tendencies, showing how the US could have further increased its territories and global influence.
๐Ÿ’กWorld Wars
The World Wars refer to the two major global conflicts of the 20th century: World War I and World War II. The script discusses the impact of these wars on the US's rise to power, with the US benefiting from the exhaustion of European powers in World War I and taking a supportive role in World War II. These wars are crucial to the video's narrative of the US becoming a global hegemon.
๐Ÿ’กCold War
The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies. The video script explores an alternate outcome of the Cold War, where the US, as a global hegemon, would have a significant advantage over the Soviet Union. The script also suggests that an alternate outcome in the Chinese Civil War could have further strengthened the US's position.
๐Ÿ’กPax Americana
Pax Americana refers to a period of relative peace and stability, under the influence of American power and values. The video concludes with the concept of Pax Americana, suggesting that in the alternate history, the US would stand as an uncontested superpower, leading to a period of peace and American hegemony.
๐Ÿ’กIsolationism
Isolationism is the policy of avoiding involvement in international affairs and conflicts. The video script mentions that the US would eventually drop its isolationist stance to become a global hegemon, indicating a shift from non-involvement to a leading role in world affairs.
Highlights

Exploring an alternate world where everything goes perfect for the USA.

Focus on changing American geopolitics rather than internal politics.

1812 War saw the US invade Canada and eventually gain control.

Britain's defeat led to Canada joining the United States.

Florida was acquired by the US, and Canada integrated into the Union.

Mexican-American War resulted in the US gaining more northern states.

The US avoided the issue of slavery by focusing on geopolitics.

US expansion continued with the acquisition of Alaska and Greenland.

Dominican Republic was annexed by the US in this alternate timeline.

US became the largest economy in the world during the Gilded Age.

Spanish-American War led to the US gaining territories like Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

US reached its territorial peak without further expansion.

European powers exhausted themselves in World War I, allowing the US to prosper.

US involvement in World War II was crucial for defeating Germany.

Post-WWII, the US was ready to take on the role of a global hegemon.

Nationalists winning the Chinese Civil War would strengthen American hegemony in Asia.

The Cold War was more in America's favor with a different Soviet Union.

The US emerged as the uncontested superpower in the global framework.

Transcripts

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Alternate HistoryUS ExpansionGeopolitical SuccessWar ScenariosAmerican HegemonyCold War ImpactTerritorial GrowthGlobal InfluenceHistorical FictionStrategic Analysis