100 Decisions that would have spawned an Alternate History


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288. Vlad Tepesch Dracul dies in Ottoman custody before he can return to Wallachia. The brutal reign of terror that earned him the nickname the impaler never happens and the Ottomans make gains in Eastern Europe.


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This one is rather unlikely, but fun:

Queen Elizabeth of England accepts the marriage proposal of Ivan the Terrible. Cossacks and pirates join forces. General baddassery and much killing of French people ensues.


ewan cummins 325 wrote:

This one is rather unlikely, but fun:

Queen Elizabeth of England accepts the marriage proposal of Ivan the Terrible. Cossacks and pirates join forces. General baddassery and much killing of French people ensues.

I would *so* be reading that alternative history series!


Lincoln fell ill so he did not go to the play were he was killed, or his guard actualy guarded him.


The Mongolian army was planning on attacking (and conquering) Rome... But then, Genghis Khan died and his army returned to Mongolia. Think about it.


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291. Kenichi Sonoda and company do not heed strong public outcry with respect to Priss' fate in Bubblegum Crisis; she is killed and replaced with Vision as originally planned.

292. For whatever reason, fans do not warm up to the idea of resurrecting popular comic book superheroes who die in the line of duty. As a result many popular comic book characters who die remain dead. Most telling is with DC comics, who do not decide to bring back Superman from the dead in the early 90s, and instead poll the fans to see who should become the new Superman. The young clone is chosen by a slight margin, and he becomes the face of a new age of super heroes.


293. Due to a design flaw, the Super Nintendo lacks the two plastic "pegs" in the back of the system that keep japanese games from being played on the system. Since they do not have to purchase an expensive(for the time anyway) converter or have to physically remove the "pegs" importing games from japan becomes a very real possiblity for the average(read: non hardcore) gamer. Japanese and American game companies quietly compete with one another instead of having a parasitic relationship, and console video games become a more serious past time several years ahead of the Sony Playstation years.


294. Square decides that the newfangled graphics technology slated to be used in FFVII is too much of a risk and decides to keep the game 2D. The famed rift between FFVI and FFVII fans never forms.

295. The reinforcements arrive early and as a result the battle of Bull Run does not swing in the South's direction. The Confederacy is crushed as the Union originally thought.


296. Britain purchases California from Mexico while the early US is still dealing with Texas. As a result the US expands into Northern Mexico to get to the Pacific or gives up on getting to the Pacific altogether.


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297. 19th-century Americans decide that Manifest Destiny is racist, jingoist nonsense and, consequently, don't steal half of Mexico.

Ironically, destitute anglos keep illegally crossing the border to work in Mexican agribusiness (mostly weed), leading to the growth of Los Hombres de Minuto vigilantism.


298. Following up on the aid given to the mujahadeen in expelling the Soviets from Afghanistan, the United States government decides to continue providing aid to the country in the form of financial and personnel assistance rebuilding infrastructure, helping the Afghani people rebuild their roads, schools, and governmental system.

This extra aid from the United States prevents the power vacuum that was originally left in the country, allowing the Taliban (and Osama bin Laden) to rise to power. Afghanistan emerges not as a hotbed of terrorist activity, but as a Democratic state that, in large part, recognizes the US not as "The Great Satan" but as the country responsible for helping them regain their freedom as a nation. As a result, the Taliban never rises to prominence and bin Laden's initial rise to power is slowed considerably, if not stopped altogether.


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This thread has an evil and possibly goateed twin

Grand Lodge

Not sure if these are on here yet,

299. Columbus finds South American and not North America.

300. The Viking colony in Canada flourishes and more make the perilious journey across the Atlantic.


301. Captain America's shield is conceptualized with a razor sharp edge. He requires the use of a special pair of gloves to wield the shield in combat, and regular bloodshed becomes the norm in the comic. When use of guns by the character is downplayed in the late 60's and early 70's, the razor sharp edge of his shield is kept, and the use of edged weaponry by such an iconic character is engrained in the fan base, and American comic books see increased bloodshed, if not fatalities, as a result.

The Exchange

Freehold DM wrote:
301. Captain America's shield is conceptualized with a razor sharp edge. He requires the use of a special pair of gloves to wield the shield in combat, and regular bloodshed becomes the norm in the comic. When use of guns by the character is downplayed in the late 60's and early 70's, the razor sharp edge of his shield is kept, and the use of edged weaponry by such an iconic character is engrained in the fan base, and American comic books see increased bloodshed, if not fatalities, as a result.

Captain America Decapitates Baron Blood

You have never seen this??


Aye, but this was the only time the shield was ever used in that fashion and it was a move that was condemned by many because by that time many people genuinely believed captain america never killed ever.

Crimson Jester wrote:
Freehold DM wrote:
301. Captain America's shield is conceptualized with a razor sharp edge. He requires the use of a special pair of gloves to wield the shield in combat, and regular bloodshed becomes the norm in the comic. When use of guns by the character is downplayed in the late 60's and early 70's, the razor sharp edge of his shield is kept, and the use of edged weaponry by such an iconic character is engrained in the fan base, and American comic books see increased bloodshed, if not fatalities, as a result.

Captain America Decapitates Baron Blood

You have never seen this??

The Exchange

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Freehold DM wrote:

Aye, but this was the only time the shield was ever used in that fashion and it was a move that was condemned by many because by that time many people genuinely believed captain america never killed ever.

Crimson Jester wrote:
Freehold DM wrote:
301. Captain America's shield is conceptualized with a razor sharp edge. He requires the use of a special pair of gloves to wield the shield in combat, and regular bloodshed becomes the norm in the comic. When use of guns by the character is downplayed in the late 60's and early 70's, the razor sharp edge of his shield is kept, and the use of edged weaponry by such an iconic character is engrained in the fan base, and American comic books see increased bloodshed, if not fatalities, as a result.

Captain America Decapitates Baron Blood

You have never seen this??

I remember it fondly as one of the best Captain America story lines ever.


Crimson Jester wrote:
Freehold DM wrote:

Aye, but this was the only time the shield was ever used in that fashion and it was a move that was condemned by many because by that time many people genuinely believed captain america never killed ever.

Crimson Jester wrote:
Freehold DM wrote:
301. Captain America's shield is conceptualized with a razor sharp edge. He requires the use of a special pair of gloves to wield the shield in combat, and regular bloodshed becomes the norm in the comic. When use of guns by the character is downplayed in the late 60's and early 70's, the razor sharp edge of his shield is kept, and the use of edged weaponry by such an iconic character is engrained in the fan base, and American comic books see increased bloodshed, if not fatalities, as a result.

Captain America Decapitates Baron Blood

You have never seen this??

I remember it fondly as one of the best Captain America story lines ever.

Fair enough, it was a great story. But there was still outcry. Keep in mind this isn't so much a "What if comics were super realistic in every way" thing, just what if some of the violence was less campy and more believable.


Madclaw wrote:

Not sure if these are on here yet,

299. Columbus finds South American and not North America.

300. The Viking colony in Canada flourishes and more make the perilious journey across the Atlantic.

I already did the Viking one but it was way back in the thread and I think duplicated one of my own at one point anyway.

302. Simon Bolivar defeated at Boyaca in 1819. Gran Colombia not proclaimed but instability and insurrection continues in Spanish territories in South America


303. The British government slightly alters some wording in treaties between them and the then new United States. As a result, the Northwest Angle, Elm Point and Point Roberts all eventually become part of Canada.


304. Queen Elizabeth the First marries and produces an heir. The Tudor dynasty continues and the Stuarts are kept out of the line of succession.


305. The Treaty system and reservation schools are never enacted because Manifest Destiny never gains support. Native Americans continue to hunt freely across the plains to this day while Settlers populate only select resource centres in the Americas.

*Edit* The Indian Wars in the U.S. Never occur due to Manifest Destiny's not being supported. The Treaty System is not imposed because British law in Canada's NWT is never enforced.


306. Emperor Kammu does not run into significant difficulties with Japan's Buddhist priesthood and does not establish a new capital at Heian (present day Kyoto) instead retaining th capital at Nara.


307. Atilla the Hun's battle with Rome in proto-France goes the other way and the Huns are victorious. As a result, they up their yearly bribe amount considerably, and Rome falls into something akin to bankruptcy and soon falls to treachery from within as poverty skyrockets.

The Exchange

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308. George Lucas gets the rights to the Hobbit back in 1990. As such Willow is never made, Years Later we have the Lucas version Of Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson goes on to make many more Zombie movies.


309. The Canadian provinces in the 1760s become much more favourable to the American cause; as a result theyprovinces join in the revolution against Britain and become part of the US.


310. In early 1760 a French ship sails up the St. Lawrence to resupply the French forces fighting to retake Quebec. Reinvigorated by the new supplies the French retake Quebec and hold on to their presence in New France.


Crimson Jester wrote:
308. George Lucas gets the rights to the Hobbit back in 1990. As such Willow is never made, Years Later we have the Lucas version Of Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson goes on to make many more Zombie movies.

Hn. Interesting.


311. King Henry VII decides its really, REALLY good to be the king, and begins openly practicing polygamy. Although he never has more than two wifes at once(who still meet their respective fates), an additional heir or two is created almost by accident, and the line of succession is both continued and muddled. The Anglican church experiences an upswing in popularity as wealthy layfolk begin practicing polygamy, and infighting with Catholics swings in their direction primarily because they have a slightly larger populace.

Shadow Lodge

312. The Ottoman Empire decides that it is more lucrative to keep trade from the Silk Road and Spice Route to filter through to Europe instead of choking it off. As a result, Portugal does not have the impetus to sail around Africa to reestablish trade. Spain remains content to hold onto its European possessions.


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313. Stalin and Budeinney (sp?) decide to follow orders at the Battle of Warsaw and Pilsudski's regime is overthrown. Revolutionary sentiment reactivates the moribund Spartakusbund and they overthrow the SPD government in Germany. Europe is engulfed in communism, with the United Kingdom being the last to go during the miners' strike of 1926.

This makes at least one little goblin very happy.


Freehold DM wrote:
311. King Henry VIII decides its really, REALLY good to be the king, and begins openly practicing polygamy.

I'm not sure how revisionist you're trying to be, but FIFY.

Shadow Lodge

314. Augustus the Strong takes the Polish war with Sweden seriously, and manages to use a gift of newly-invented porcelain to establish peace with Sweden. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth does not require the support of Russia, and instead aligns closely with Saxony. The House of Wettin becomes popular, and Poland and the Baltic states are viewed as more German allies than Russian ones.

As a side effect, Saxony becomes a strong enough political broker to counteract Prussian power. Once Germany is united, its capital becomes Dresden.

Shadow Lodge

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315. Frederick Muhlenberg, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, decides to allow a number of laws to be translated into German for the benefit of German immigrants. This starts a tradition of polyglotism in the United States, and English no longer maintains its status as the de facto national language (although still spoken by the majority). The Freedom of Language is a commonly spoken American right. The Internet looks a LOT different.


Doodlebug Anklebiter wrote:
Freehold DM wrote:
311. King Henry VIII decides its really, REALLY good to be the king, and begins openly practicing polygamy.
I'm not sure how revisionist you're trying to be, but FIFY.

LOL, typos.

Shadow Lodge

3 people marked this as a favorite.

316. Sympathetic to the cause of the Thirteen colonies, the British colonies of Nova Scotia, Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, and Bermuda send representatives to sign the Declaration of Independence. Newfoundland remains loyal, as do East and West Florida. The early days of the United States are referred to as the Nineteen Colonies.

As the early United States is used to having insular possessions, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are admitted as states. The Caribbean is quickly considered American, and New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island follow suit as well. The Manifest Destiny extends through Central America to the Pacific, and Panama is fiercely American. Mexico loses Texas, but California is held long enough for the discovery of gold to reach Mexico City. California becomes heavily fortified by Mexico.


InVinoVeritas wrote:
316. Sympathetic to the cause of the Thirteen colonies, the British colonies of Nova Scotia, Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, and Bermuda send representatives to sign the Declaration of Independence. Newfoundland remains loyal, as do East and West Florida. The early days of the United States are referred to as the Nineteen Colonies.

I really like this one.


Freehold DM wrote:
Doodlebug Anklebiter wrote:
Freehold DM wrote:
311. King Henry VIII decides its really, REALLY good to be the king, and begins openly practicing polygamy.
I'm not sure how revisionist you're trying to be, but FIFY.
LOL, typos.

In all fairness, Henry VII was a bit of a jerk, too.

Richard III got a bad rap.

Scarab Sages

Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

317. Pope John XXIII does not die during Vatican II. Through his influence, nuns are declared to be equal to priests. Priests and nuns are allowed to marry. The scandal of the Catholic church never happens. One hundred years later a Mother Superior is elected Pope.


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The French National Convention decides not to be as big a bunch of hypocrites as their American friends and supports the slave revolt in Haiti in 1791. A young Corsican captain named Nappie sets out for Saint-Dominigue and meets up with a freed house slave and military genius named Toussaint L'Ouverture.

Together, they enlist an army of ex-slaves, cross the Caribbean, sweeping through Florida where they pick up support from maroon communities, and, by 1798, are harrying southern slaveowners.

Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson cries.

Shadow Lodge

Steven Purcell wrote:
yellowdingo wrote:
THe Spanish flu? Didnt they recently decide that the Spanish flu was infact an asian Birdflu epedemic? As I recall the Japanese unleashed som pretty nasty plagues on the chinese from their Biological Weapons research stations. THe Spanish flu may have even been one of theirs.
There has been some controversy about this but the first cases were apparently recorded in the US and a significant amount of the death toll was in the western world. Also the Japanese were just barely making inroads in China in 1919 and wouldn't...

Don't forget the Swine Flu scare. Although the flu may contain Asian Bird Flu DNA, it can still be all-American.

Liberty's Edge

Comrade Anklebiter wrote:

313. Stalin and Budeinney (sp?) decide to follow orders at the Battle of Warsaw and Pilsudski's regime is overthrown. Revolutionary sentiment reactivates the moribund Spartakusbund and they overthrow the SPD government in Germany. Europe is engulfed in communism, with the United Kingdom being the last to go during the miners' strike of 1926.

This makes at least one little goblin very happy.

Makes another little goblin very happy too! Did you create me to back you up? IN THE PAST?


It's possible; my ways are inscrutable!


Doodlebug Anklebiter wrote:
It's possible; my ways are inscrutable!

All hail Doodlebug Anklebiter!

The Exchange

Charles Scholz wrote:

317. Pope John XXIII does not die during Vatican II. Through his influence, nuns are declared to be equal to priests. Priests and nuns are allowed to marry. The scandal of the Catholic church never happens. One hundred years later a Mother Superior is elected Pope.

A Schism occurs when certain Male priests disapproving of the male - female relations between Priest and nun because it promotes a harder line against homosexuality.

The Exchange

Charles Scholz wrote:

317. Pope John XXIII does not die during Vatican II. Through his influence, nuns are declared to be equal to priests. Priests and nuns are allowed to marry. The scandal of the Catholic church never happens. One hundred years later a Mother Superior is elected Pope.

Really? I think Good Pope John just turned over in his glass coffin. ;)


Socrates pleads guilty. Plato never write a book.


CunningMongoose wrote:
Socrates pleads guilty. Plato never write a book.

I wish!


Burgomeister of Troll Town wrote:
CunningMongoose wrote:
Socrates pleads guilty. Plato never write a book.
I wish!

I don't!


CunningMongoose wrote:
Burgomeister of Troll Town wrote:
CunningMongoose wrote:
Socrates pleads guilty. Plato never write a book.
I wish!
I don't!

Hee hee!

Spoiler:
Running joke spillover from the What books... thread and a savage beatdown one Kirth Gersen administered to me re: The Republic. All posts by that pesky Burgomeister are trolls.

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