Sorry to pile on to the other comments, but this "example" is so far from valid for the US as to be comical.

Alternate history of the US:

- There were two groups/ then countries with roughly distinct borders in North America since around 1000 called "The Confederate States of America" and "The Union of States of America"

- These two countries were both conquered by England around the 1500.

- These two countries were then taken over by France after WWI, but maintained nearly the same borders. They share some culture, a nearly common language, and a nearly common enthnicity, but having vastly disparate economies. France forces them to try to co-mingle. France calls the joint country, "Confederatedunion" but each country maintains a central seat of power and distinct cultural identity

- In 1991 France ceased to exist

- Post 1991 the two countries, forced to be together for centuries say, "How about we separte along our already existing borders and go back to our old names?"

That alternate history is so far from the actual history of the US as to be farcical to use it as an example. It's like when someone tells you, "I knew a guy who did what you wanted to do, so it is possible that you could" without acknowledging that the virtually the only thing you have in common with the guy who did it is that you both had/have the same goal.