In the early 20th century it was believed by some (though not many) that Panama, upon seeing their prosperity soar due to the new Panama Canal, would petition to join the US as a state. Obviously, that never happened.
What countries might petition to join the USA, and would the USA accept it?
Some ideas:
Cuba, 1901-1930: Probably the most obvious one; Even though the Teller Amendment of 1897 ensured that the US wouldn't just take Cuba, it might be possible to keep the US a positive influence in Cuba if the Platt Amendment could be butterflied away and the country not turned into a Banana Republic.
Liberia, 1909-1926: Given that Liberia was founded by American settlers, and European powers were threatening it during the buildup to WWI, different leadership in Liberia could potentially just ask the US to help them govern.
Panama, 1903-1914: Given that the US was heavily involved in Panamanian politics from its independence until the final handover of the PCZ in 1999-2000, it's not unthinkable that one of the US's cronies might have the ambition to try and get them to take Panama as a full US state.
Nicaragua, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, 1900-1934: These are a little bit more far-fetched, given that the various US agricultural companies had a vested interest in keeping these nations as banana republics. Even so, perhaps one country might petition the US as a form of political statement, knowing full well that
Belize, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Guyana, Trinidad, Barbados, etc. 1966-present: If any of the prior countries are accepted as US states or territories in the early 20th century, and if they prosper under those conditions, then it opens the door for many former British colonies to try their own hand at joining. In OTL, there hasn't been any real interest in US annexation except in Guyana. Of course, this all assumes that the general trend of decolonization is not butterflied away.
El Salvador, 1992: By the time the Salvadoran Civil War ended, around 20% of all Salvadorans lived in the USA. With the USA instrumental in brokering a peace deal, perhaps an influential faction in the country would seek full statehood to help in the rebuilding process. This event in particular is probably very sensitive to butterflies.
EDIT: The time frame should be post-1900.
What countries might petition to join the USA, and would the USA accept it?
Some ideas:
Cuba, 1901-1930: Probably the most obvious one; Even though the Teller Amendment of 1897 ensured that the US wouldn't just take Cuba, it might be possible to keep the US a positive influence in Cuba if the Platt Amendment could be butterflied away and the country not turned into a Banana Republic.
Liberia, 1909-1926: Given that Liberia was founded by American settlers, and European powers were threatening it during the buildup to WWI, different leadership in Liberia could potentially just ask the US to help them govern.
Panama, 1903-1914: Given that the US was heavily involved in Panamanian politics from its independence until the final handover of the PCZ in 1999-2000, it's not unthinkable that one of the US's cronies might have the ambition to try and get them to take Panama as a full US state.
Nicaragua, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, 1900-1934: These are a little bit more far-fetched, given that the various US agricultural companies had a vested interest in keeping these nations as banana republics. Even so, perhaps one country might petition the US as a form of political statement, knowing full well that
Belize, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Guyana, Trinidad, Barbados, etc. 1966-present: If any of the prior countries are accepted as US states or territories in the early 20th century, and if they prosper under those conditions, then it opens the door for many former British colonies to try their own hand at joining. In OTL, there hasn't been any real interest in US annexation except in Guyana. Of course, this all assumes that the general trend of decolonization is not butterflied away.
El Salvador, 1992: By the time the Salvadoran Civil War ended, around 20% of all Salvadorans lived in the USA. With the USA instrumental in brokering a peace deal, perhaps an influential faction in the country would seek full statehood to help in the rebuilding process. This event in particular is probably very sensitive to butterflies.
EDIT: The time frame should be post-1900.
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