Alternate history scenarios: What if?

[Stalker]

What I think is that if Aztecs were familiar with Iron working, all the same they could not occupy all the world. I doubt that they could occupy both Americas because once iron had been discovered there, the discovery would have needed only about century to get spread all over the continent. Both Americas of 15th, 16th centuries were not densely populated places, and it goes without staying that brave iron-clad Jaguar warriors were not enough to invade to cramped and heavily armed Europe full of soldiers and mercenaries of all kinds but they would be enough to prevent European invasion in early 16th century, when Europeans had only rudimentary artillery (bombards) and firearms (arquebusas) didn't play quite a great role in the battle. That time ould be enough for American Empires to preserve Status Quo with little territorial loses - such as Cuba, Carribean islands, Coastline from Venezuela to Argentina, maybe, Newfoundland, Bermudas. I think, if the Iroquis tribe of Manhattan had already been in the Union of a Long House, they would not have sold Manhattan to the Datch when the latter arrived in the region.
I am simply amazed with the picture of democratic Iroquis Republican Union rising in the end of 16th century and knowing Iron working.

[Animaiden]

Here's another question.
What if electricty had never been invented/harnessed?
(ie no electricty now)

[Stormflame]

This idea almost inspires me to go write a book. Seriously. If electricity had never been harnessed, imagine the world and how it would look today. Sure, the world would have progressed. However, imagine streets lit by lantern light. Imagine there being no skyscrapers. Nothing that has been built using the science of electrity, nor anything that uses electricity now, would exist.

An industry in oil and fossils and trees would have been inspired by the ever increasing numbers of the worlds population. Hydroplants would not exist. Man's exploration of our little place called earth would never have been as easy. Far off places would only be reachable by slow steampowered locomotion. The plot is endless. The world could have fell into a regression from such a thing.

World wars would not have taken place in such a manner as they had. Science would have evolved down new roads, not realized by us now. A greater power could have been founded, and we could have very easily been pushed into technology that far surpasses our tech of today. We could have already been on Mars and apassed. Space stations could be just another random sight in a world of hovering cars and bigscreens that make plasma screens of today appear meager.

On the other hand, one must consider, that if this 'power' had not been found and tamed, another power would have surely been found and utilized. That very thing could have saved us from high gas prices now and could have put any use of oils and trees and electricity itself to the backburner. It could be a power that we are setting on right now, and not even realize it is there, for reason that we depend happily on our primary resources available to us now.

A tech book. Yes, great idea....

[Stalker]

The world of steam engines, huh?

Still, there is the question how could have not humankind stumbled upon electricity if its effects could be observed even in the dawn of civilisation as the result of friction of certain materials?

[Rahl Windsong]

Originally Posted by Stalker

One of the most interesting Harrison's works in alternate history beside The West of Eden is The Hammer and the Cross series written in colabouration with John Holm that tells breathtaking story of opposition between Christianity and unified pagan North Europe headed by the ex-slave, Shef. Strongly advise that you read it.

Aye I have read West of Eden, and the Hammer and Cross series, excellent!

[Stalker]

Maybe, we should go back to the Big Boom when all physical constants were created in very first nainiseconds of existance of our Universe. What if they allowed magic?

[Quokka]

Has anyone read The years of salt and rice? I enjoyed Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars series but so far havent read this. It's a what if story, where the black plaque wipes out 99% of the european population, meaning no renaissance, industrial revolution etc. Asia and the middle eastern influences begin to dominate in exploration and invention. Just curious if anyone has read it and what they thought of it?

[Stalker]

Nope, judging by your description should be very interesting.
A also can suggest for reading an extremely interesting Belisarius series by Eric Flint and David Drake telling the story of confrontation between Roman Empire (Byzantium) and Malwa dominated India that takes place in 6th century AD.
This series, however, does not belong to purely alternate history genre because there are two entities from future - ecah in the opposing camp - that teach both Romans and Malwa future technologies. The interesting point is that the way both sides can apply the future knowledge with the industrial capacity they have!

[Stalker]

Here is another piece for speculation. Shauvinism aside, what nation, in your opinion, contributed most of all into shaping of modern world as we see it now?
Which nation's influence was crucial onto historical development? Let's say what ould have been if certain nation hadn't existed in our history at all?
Most Anglo-american sci-fi writers opine that England was the most influential of modern nations in shaping our modern world. But for it, our world would look now not only a little bit different but a whole lot different. Generally agreeing with above point of view, I would also like to hear your comments on it!
Once, six or seven years ago, I read Pavane by Keith Roberts written in 1968.
British writer Keith Roberts gives alternative-history an Anglo twist in this fine set of interconnected short stories. This time it is the assassination of Queen Elizabeth I that changes the course of history. And Spanish armade lands its troops on English soil. The 20th-century is dominated by a technophobic Catholic Church and the Inquisition is still up to its old tricks.

[Jaxom_Ruatha]

Originally Posted by Stalker

What would have happened if Aztecs (assumption: they knew Iron) had opened Europe (not otherwise)?

Kate Elliot's Crown of Stars Series is about that, the Aoi are Native Americans that come to Europe and begin to enslave the primitive tribes there. The only twist is that she added magic, still I highly recommend it, it is a great series!

[kyektulu]

What if communism hadn't occured in the Russia?

[dwndrgn]

Originally Posted by Stalker

Here is another piece for speculation. Shauvinism aside, what nation, in your opinion, contributed most of all into shaping of modern world as we see it now?
Which nation's influence was crucial onto historical development? Let's say what ould have been if certain nation hadn't existed in our history at all?
Most Anglo-american sci-fi writers opine that England was the most influential of modern nations in shaping our modern world. But for it, our world would look now not only a little bit different but a whole lot different. Generally agreeing with above point of view, I would also like to hear your comments on it!
Once, six or seven years ago, I read Pavane by Keith Roberts written in 1968.
British writer Keith Roberts gives alternative-history an Anglo twist in this fine set of interconnected short stories. This time it is the assassination of Queen Elizabeth I that changes the course of history. And Spanish armade lands its troops on English soil. The 20th-century is dominated by a technophobic Catholic Church and the Inquisition is still up to its old tricks.

I would love to see an alternate history where England was unable to colonize the East Indies. Tossed out on their snobby buns, the English run back to the home island with no new goods to build trade and an empire. Imagine those countries, realizing the wide world out there awaits and builds a trade empire themselves. Tea, china, silks, cottons, etc. The list is endless. Imagine the power they could have commanded - keep outsiders out, bring riches in...

[Lacedaemonian]

It falls back on raw materials, the sort needed to drive heavy industry. I often ponder ludicrous trade situations in the past. Especially with the current oil issues.

[littlemissattitude]

A couple of things. First, this:

Originally Posted by Stalker

5. When Europeans open America, Homo Neanderthalis dominates the lands discovered. In general, it's a very interesting to speculate on topic of co-existance of two intelligent species on Earth.

That's a really interesting idea, Stalker. But my own favorite idea along these lines is, what would happen if some archaeologist found the remains of Neanderthals somewhere in North America, in a context that made it clear that the bones had not been planted and were not just a pathological modern human. That's a story idea I've been playing around with for some time.

And, way back near the beginning of this thread, someone wondered what would have happened if Martin Luther had tacked up the 95 theses somewhere other than where he did. Specifically, it would be interesting to explore the idea of what might have happened if he had taken them to Rome and tacked them up on the doors to the Pope's apartments.

[Stalker]

Originally Posted by dwndrgn

I would love to see an alternate history where England was unable to colonize the East Indies. Tossed out on their snobby buns, the English run back to the home island with no new goods to build trade and an empire. Imagine those countries, realizing the wide world out there awaits and builds a trade empire themselves. Tea, china, silks, cottons, etc. The list is endless. Imagine the power they could have commanded - keep outsiders out, bring riches in...

India was probably too isolated and self-content to use all trade benefits from all its resources. The ancient stagnating society... The British were not overburdened with superstitions and were too agressive to miss such a lovely piece of cake...