Earlier independence could deepen South American naval industry

What would the South American naval arms race look like if the major states became independent as early as the United States?

It could be equally competitive but supported by deeper local infrastructure, including domestic cruiser and destroyer construction even if dreadnoughts remained foreign-built.

Several South American territories already possessed substantial infrastructure compared with the Thirteen Colonies. Earlier independence would give states such as Brazil more time to develop national industry, dockyards, and naval administration before the dreadnought era. They might still import battleships, but domestic construction of cruisers and destroyers could make the regional arms race larger and more self-sustaining.