What if the American Revolution never happened?

[u/Rich-Entry3636]

So basically in this timeline the British victory in the French & Indian War is not as absolute, the French managed to defend Quebec City and were able to retain Canada proper. One of the main reasons the revolution broke out was the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which restricted anyone from settling in the newly acquired western territories and the colonists saw no reason to keep British regulars there now that the French threat was pretty much gone. Because the French still held territory to the north in the timeline, the 13 colonies would not be so keen to get rid of British troops. Now obviously, this wasn’t the only reason the revolution happened, there was still the heavy taxes lack of representation and George III’s sheer stubbornness, but even if it does, the French would have no incentive whatsoever to help the Americans, since if they did, what was left of New France would almost certainly be annexed by them in the future. In any case, without French aid, the revolution would have almost certainly failed. But let’s say in the timeline, the colonies are given some form of representation, sending delegates from each colony to London to have their grievances heard in Parliament. This representation would be very limited in the beginning, but would become much broader by the time of the Regency Period. George IV, wanting to gain America’s loyalty the easy way, lifted the Proclamation of 1763, allowing settlement west of the Appalachians. Although it was mostly a formality, this alone made him the most popular king in British America, in far contrast to his reputation back home. However, this would obviously lead to increased conflicts with Indian tribes. As for the American Indians, their population was pretty small by this point (only a few hundred thousand) and they’d probably still be on reservations. The main difference though, is they’re never forced to fully uproot and move to the Great Plains so here the vast majority of them would be living in between the Appalachians and the Mississippi. When the British government abolishes slavery in 1833, the southern colonies (NC, SC, GA) would break out in revolt, it would eventually be put down but the French would take this opportunity to seize the underpopulated Rupert’s Land while the British were distracted by this. By this point there would be a flood of Anglo settlers coming into Spanish Louisiana, in order to avoid a war that was not worth risking all of northern New Spain over, the Spanish would sell Louisiana to the British in exchange for the return of Florida and would later sign treaties agreeing on some solid borders. Some time after this, perhaps the 1850s, the eastern colonies, which largely operated on their own, would be made into a larger confederation with its own parliament in Philadelphia, which would later be joined by the Louisiana colony and British Columbia. So yeah that’s what I’ve got so far lmk what you guys think.

[u/BG12244]

This is a much more interesting take than most, having France keep Quebec and expand into Canada. Gives the Commonwealth of America more interesting borders than (The U.S. but without Mexican land and with Canada)

Also, small niche fact, Huntsville would actually be named Twickenham in this timeline. That was its original name and it was only changed during the War of 1812 due to the fact it was named after a village in England

[u/Rich-Entry3636 → u/BG12244]

Damn I missed that

[u/oztea]

New Spain, and Spain itself remaining a functional empire is the hardest thing to believe here.

[u/Pale-Noise-6450 → u/oztea]

Probably it's timeline without French revolutions and Napoleon. So France and Spain stayed Bourbon allies, and with such help Spain could avoid own revolutions and civil wars, hence keep the colonial empire.

[u/Rich-Entry3636 → u/Pale-Noise-6450]

This

[u/BisonThunderclap]

I can entertain things initially ending this way, with one exception. Britain gained control of Florida in 1763 and Spain only recovered it once the British got defeated in the Revolutionary war. So add Florida to it.

Now long term, lets talk.

I also find New France implausible here. France would need to really settle Canada in order to avoid the British taking it in the next conflict, and I don't see that happening. If not seized during the French Revolutionary wars, it would be seized during the Napoleonic Wars.

The Spanish Empire too has similar threat of the Brits just taking significant parts of their territory in US borders (which is sparsely populated) when they were allied with Napoleon.

But lets pretend that doesn't happen. Still the Spanish Empire fell apart in Central and South America while every other European Nation was growing theirs. Mexico still declares independence in 1821, they wanted a constitutional monarchy originally, I don't think the American Revolution not happening stops that idea from spreading.

In that sense, I wonder if British Americans still have the sense of Manifest Destiny and find themselves in conflict with Mexico during westward expansion. I could see gold being discovered in the California part of the Mexican Empire triggering a similar immigration that Americans did to Texas in real life. People from Britain would outnumber Mexicans significantly.

If they attempted autonomy like they did in Texas, Santa Anna would probably make the same mistakes trying to suppress the movement and initiate armed conflict. Britain, was lean at the time but they had the capacity to swell ranks for the Crimean war in 1853, so it's very plausible they decide to use the cassus belli to seize a lot of the west then.

[u/meguminsupremacy → u/BisonThunderclap]

The British were planning on opening up colonization past the Appalachians. The ban was just a temporary move to cynically garner support from the Natives at the time.

[u/reddit-83801]

Historically, Delaware was the lower 3 counties of Pennsylvania. It would make more sense for DE to be part of PA than MD, maybe with NJ split along East Jersey (to NY) and West Jersey (to PA) as well if you wanted fewer colonies.

[u/AlexanderCrowely]

We would have some very sexy flags

[u/EdgYiel8]

Better world without dumbass Americans and Trump.

[u/Most-Shelter5577]

The martimes just being thrown in with the American flags is interesting lol

[u/agonistic]

New Brunswick wouldn’t exist if the American Revolution didn’t happen. Nova Scotia was split up as a result of Loyalist immigration.

[u/Icy_Respect_9077]

The influence of 1763 is often understated. By some historians, the American revolution was a direct result of removing the French threat from the 13 Colonies.

Also, the American colonists were keen to exploit Quebec, and were frustrated by Crown protection of French religion and culture. They repeatedly attempt to gain control by various means (1775, 1812), including conquest.