A defeated United States and a new colonial scramble

If the United States lost a war during the era of colonial competition, how might European empires respond?

European powers would probably scramble for territory or influence as they had in Africa and China, with Britain moving quickly to protect Canada and its existing interests.

A hypothetical American defeat during colonial competition could leave its territory exposed to rival empires. The expected result is a scramble resembling European competition in Africa and the division of China into foreign-controlled areas. Britain would be driven by the vulnerability of Canada and its other imperial interests, so it would move quickly to secure territory or influence before rival powers did. Some Americans might regard British intervention as the least damaging available outcome.