You know, an interesting "what if" would be if the west coast seceded out of the ACW nightmare, if the Mormons formed the Mormon Free State, and both Maximilian Mexico and Texas tried to expand.
Could Canada conquer Oregon?
"These things must be done delicately-- or you hurt the spell." - The Wicked Witch of the West.
"We've got the torpedo damage temporarily shored up, the fires out and soon will have the ship back on an even keel. But I would suggest, sir, that if you have to take any more torpedoes, you take 'em on the starboard side." Pops Healy, DCA USS Lexington.