How might history have been different if the Spanish had not arrived until a few years?

Answer 1

If the Spanish had arrived in the Americas a few years later, the indigenous populations might have had more time to consolidate their power and resources, potentially leading to stronger resistance against colonization. This delay could have allowed for the development of more sophisticated alliances among native tribes or even the emergence of new political entities. Additionally, the European landscape was changing, with other powers like France and England becoming more involved in exploration; a later Spanish arrival might have shifted the balance of colonial influence in the Americas. Ultimately, the course of colonization, cultural exchanges, and conflicts could have been significantly altered.