American Revolution was fought in 1776
America formed ≈1783
Purchased Louisiana in 1803
Failed to add Canada (Québec) in the Revolution and in the War of 1812
But did eventually gain Florida in 1819
≈80 years after the American Revolution:
The expantionistic Mexican American War (1840s)
and reformational American Civil War (1860s)
≈80 years after that the World Wars were fought.
American became a global superpower with territories and military bases around the world.
≈80 years later is Now, the 250th anniversary.
Memories of the horrors of the last "war to end all wars" have faded. The combat veterans of WW2 are gone.
Human fallibility and technology make permanent stability almost impossible. Even if somebody remembers why things are done one way for a good reason, technology has changed the equation. And, nepotism has pushed down those seeking their "justly deserved" mericratic placement in the ranks of society. The "old system" will be reformed.
The Strauss–Howe generational theory (where the terms Boomer, Gen X, and Millennial come from) is the most popularly known example that notices the 80 year cycle of major wars.
John Glubb claimed empires fall after 250 years.
The level of technology available today and what would be available after the R&D of a full war economy is staggering.
It is not inconceivable to track every single human on the planet in real-time. Lockdowns, quarintines,
concentration refugee camps, 15-min cities, "smart borders", mass deportations, climate refugees, and "natural disasters" give an idea of how large populations can be corralled.
At this technology level bloodshed is optional. It depends on if oligarchs can cooperate with each other enough to avoid escalations of heavy force. Or, if the oligarchs are simply bloody minded.
Transportation and communication increase in speed. This makes the world "feel small". All nation-states/empires/factions feel their borders "closing in". The old defensive positions don't feel as safe and stable. Hypersonic missiles, satellites, and drone fleets recalibrate optimal defensive lines in a wider birth. A Continent feels like a more appropriate size than just a "mere country".
The United States economic system needs a remodel after ≈80 years. Securing the literal goldmine of resources of Greenland will help ease the transition. This also secures the "northern border" against rivals (Russia, China, etc). Canada can't be allowed to build a "rear flank" of hostile peoples upon American's largest unguarded border. Annexation of friendly Provences (like Alberta) is a softer path. Being forced to cripple Vancouver's port (to thwart China) would be very painful for everyone involved. Actual military intervention is a waste of resources, and should be avoided, if possible.
The US southern border is non-optimal. A defensible choke-point would be much better. Panama has the Darién Gap, a series of mountains and swamps filled with jungle heat and disease. Panama also has the American constructed "world wonder" Panama Canal, which provides a vital Atlantic-Pacific shipping route. Venezuela's rich oil deposits also serve as a target of nearby plunderous opportunity.
El Salvador has already demonstrated a "crypto-state" blueprint. Remove the violent members of the population and rule via tech-bro and MIC alliance.
Central America could house many tech-bro "city-states" (neo-banana republics). These places are already hubs for offshore banking, and unregulated healthcare treatments. A constellation of Singapore-like "cities of the future" could dot the new "autonomous zone" of America. Huge preserves set aside for "ecotourism" (more frankly "oligarch breathing room") would be likely. The Caribbean would also have to be secured (including Cuba).
I didn't post all that because I agree with it all. It is a meta-level pattern notice that I felt like sharing. I can refer back to it instead of derailing threads. And, maybe somebody will find it useful.
No matter what future comes to pass, I would avoid signing your rights (and your means of enforcing those rights) over to others. I would avoid being subservient to military, governmental, institutional, or corporate demands. This is best done by maintaining an alternative to being reliant on them, and enabling many others you are non-hostile with to also achieve that. Fight for and maintaining Constitutional Rights. And, utilize technologies like the Internet, Linux, Monero, 3D printers, CNC machines, accessible knowledge on all subjects, real social networking, homesteading, parallel economies, "book clubs", etc.
