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Been wondering for a while now if the United States and Canada didn't have the same amount of immigration from Europe and especially the mass population decline of the Indigenous Americans didn't occur.
For example lets say the plains "Indians", Cherokee, Inuit etc all retained their original healthy populations during a less intense European colonisation which were more fairer to them - What would current day US/Canada resemble?
So the Indigenous people were the majority like 60% and the European (white) population were closer to 10% with the rest made up of ethnic groups from around the world.
Had no chance of happening that way. Diseases Europeans (and their animals--pigs from the Spanish in the Southwest roamed eastward) brought with them wiped out entire villages even before Europeans got to those villages.
They would both be completely different countries. In all likelihood, the continient would be split into more smaller nations rather than just three very large nations.
lots and lots and lots of disease and small wars fought by stone ago people who did not like each other who had a short mortality span.
but the countryside would be gorgeous.
Been wondering for a while now if the United States and Canada didn't have the same amount of immigration from Europe and especially the mass population decline of the Indigenous Americans didn't occur.
For example lets say the plains "Indians", Cherokee, Inuit etc all retained their original healthy populations during a less intense European colonisation which were more fairer to them - What would current day US/Canada resemble?
So the Indigenous people were the majority like 60% and the European (white) population were closer to 10% with the rest made up of ethnic groups from around the world.
It's really hypothetical. Almost impossible to imagine, as it's just inconceivable that only 10% of the Americas would be European, and they'd just stop and respect the boundaries from there.
But if that WERE the case, I'd imagine Guatemala or Bolivia might be an example, as they continue to have a high indigenous population.
Regarding the "Plains" Indians...it's almost completely inconceivable, as that land was quite desirable by Europeans at the time. But, I'd imagine if they were completely left alone, it would continue much to what it is....or perhaps resemble somewhat like Indian Reservations but on a much more massive scale. Hard to say!
Speaking of North America, if the tribes hadn't been decimated by disease, they would've maintained the upper hand militarily (which they did immediately after the war for independence, but as the colonial population grew, it eventually gained a military advantage), so first of all, they probably would have continued their wars among themselves, and colonists might have occasionally got caught in the cross-fire.
And if the Native peoples maintained equal or superior numbers, they might have tried to corral or get rid of the colonists, if the colonists didn't behave themselves. Which they wouldn't have, because their population increased exponentially due to the lack of knowledge of birth control herbs, so they would've needed more and more land, encroaching illegally on Indian territory. Not to mention the gold rush that happened on Cherokee land. So clashes would have happened like they did, historically, but they would've been deadlier for the colonists, because of superior Indian numbers.
Possibly the Long March, the removal of the Cherokees and other Eastern tribes to Oklahoma Territory, wouldn't have happened, again, because of stronger military capabilities on the Cherokee side. They'd have stood their ground (they won 3 times in the Federal Supreme Court anyway) and fought. It would've been messy. The colonial side would have had to strike a truce, some kind of compromise, because it couldn't have won against equal or greater Native numbers.
Meanwhile, in the Spanish/Mexican territories, probably things would have evolved to something similar to how it is now, with the Indian pueblos self-governing, as they were under the Spanish, while the Navajos, Apaches, and Kowa would be marauding periodically. After the US took over, possibly Geronimo would have won, or there would have been a stand-off with federal troops. Anglos wouldn't have been able to settle the Southwest, in that case. They'd have had to give the warrior tribes a wide berth. A few might have settled among the pueblo communities along the Rio Grande in NM, for trading purposes.
California would have been a free-for-all. Due to the Gold Rush, there would have been Indian wars, but there would have been greater casualties on the Anglo side.
Last edited by NewbiePoster; 10-23-2014 at 09:56 PM..
Are you also saying if the Atlantic Slave Trade hadn't occurred as well?
Yes, but on a much smaller scale.
Quote:
Originally Posted by A.J240
They would both be completely different countries. In all likelihood, the continient would be split into more smaller nations rather than just three very large nations.
I agree North America would be split into smaller countries more unique etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiger Beer
It's really hypothetical. Almost impossible to imagine, as it's just inconceivable that only 10% of the Americas would be European, and they'd just stop and respect the boundaries from there.
But if that WERE the case, I'd imagine Guatemala or Bolivia might be an example, as they continue to have a high indigenous population.
Regarding the "Plains" Indians...it's almost completely inconceivable, as that land was quite desirable by Europeans at the time. But, I'd imagine if they were completely left alone, it would continue much to what it is....or perhaps resemble somewhat like Indian Reservations but on a much more massive scale. Hard to say!
What are Indian reservations like?
Imagine large cities the size of Chicago over 50% Indigenous American....
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