In 1492 had the natives not welcomed Columbus and instead fought him away
makes one wonder what the world would be like today. Not just here in North
America but across the entire globe.
If 1492 did not work, it would have worked several years down the road. Spears and arrows are no match for canons, large bore muskets, and ships that bring in more people. It was inevitable, it could not be stopped.
North American Indians should give thanks that the French and English primarily colonized this part of the New World. Had the Spanish had full control, it would have been much worse.
Those south of the Rio Grande have never kept up with the rest because of the Spanish/Catholic dominance.