Questions tagged [alternate-history]
For questions that ask what might have happened if history had taken a different path.
591
questions
-1
votes
0answers
123 views
What if the 300 marines somehow somehow replace the 300 spartans at Thermopylae? [closed]
What if the 300 marines somehow somehow replace the 300 spartans at Thermopylae? Will they defeat millions of Persians?
4
votes
4answers
198 views
How do I preserve the Megafauna in my world?
Over 100,000 years ago giant megafauna roamed the earth such as mammoths, gigantopithecus, and giant sloths. fast forward to today and most megafauna are extinct (with the notable exception being in ...
2
votes
4answers
269 views
How long would it take to kill an army of 100k
The time period is similar to the crusade time instead of asia there is an entirely different island continent. The people on it are not homosapiens but some different earlier branch. they are though ...
0
votes
1answer
82 views
at what point in the ancient world would a world war be feasible? [closed]
According to our history books, there was a massive earthquake in the ancient world which left effects on a global scale. Millions of people were killed in this tragic point in history. However, the ...
24
votes
7answers
3k views
Would an enduring Inca Empire ever need paper?
In this alternate history, Tawantinsuyo resisted all attempts at conquest. The reason is not very important; let's say a fluke storm killed all of Pizarro's men shortly after they started engaging the ...
25
votes
19answers
7k views
Would common people in central Europe in the 15th century notice that the whole Asia disappeared?
We have earth at the beginning of the 15th century, and suddenly the biggest continent disappears. There is nothing left of it, no animals, people, lands, anything.
I don't think the details of the ...
4
votes
3answers
219 views
Would it be possible for neanderthals to not go extinct, and perhaps build their own nation?
Let's say that somehow, enough Neanderthals survived after the last ice age to be able to form a centralized government, economy, etc. Would this even be possible? What events could lead to this?
-1
votes
3answers
228 views
Convince 11th century people that I am from the future [closed]
I am a time traveller. I want to change the result of the Battle of Hastings. To achieve this, I need to learn king Harold Godwinson's (and his baronets') trust. To do this, I decide to reveal that I ...
1
vote
1answer
85 views
What would Alta California look like in 1900, 1950, and today if the Mexican-American War never happened? [closed]
Let’s say that the Mexican-American War never happened. Texas still joins the United States in 1845 and its borders are settled to contain only the undisputed portion of the Republic. What would Alta ...
2
votes
3answers
174 views
Near-future weapons taking designs similar to 17th century weapons
I am doing an alternate-history of Earth going into the science-fiction area. The split came with a portal to a new planet appearing around the 17th century. The portal deposited those brave enough to ...
6
votes
1answer
107 views
What change in China's history after the Korean War is needed to made the Democratic movement in 1989 a success?
Throughout the world, it is generally recognized that the Democratic movement in Beijing started as a public memorial of the former Chairman Hu YaoBang, who past away on April 15th, 1989 after being ...
1
vote
4answers
587 views
What would Europe look like if Chernobyl exploded?
In a scenario where the Soviets didn't manage to stop corium from reaching the water reservoirs underneath the plant, causing a detonation equivalent to a nuclear explosion, what would life in the ...
3
votes
2answers
145 views
200 commoners of varying gender/age from 1750 Europe are marooned in a strange land. What does population growth look like?
200 inadvertent settlers fall through a portal, and the portal closes. These 200 people were possibly the population of a small hamlet, transported against their will. They find themselves in a land ...
2
votes
2answers
103 views
What events caused the formation of the 18th century Dutch-Scandinavian Republic?
I'm in the early stages of an alternate history novel (and at a push a light fantasy) in which I like the idea of a unified Scandinavian Nation/Republic to compete with Britain and France for control ...
0
votes
2answers
145 views
How difficult would it be to invade Mainland China during WWII? [closed]
In an alternate history WWII scenario, the Republic of China became a fascist, one-party state similar to Nazi Germany (who they're closely allied with; Adolf Hitler IRL even considered the Chinese ...
4
votes
6answers
198 views
How could the Avignon papacy replace Rome as the center of power? [closed]
The medieval Popes ruled directly over the Papal States in Central Italy, and was an influential player in the affairs of European states. The Dark Emperor of France set in motion a master plan to ...
-1
votes
2answers
147 views
What would life be if humans had a healing factor? [closed]
The main premise is that since homo sapiens evolved, humanity has possessed a healing factor similar to wolverine, but lesser.
How would modern-day life be different?
3
votes
6answers
469 views
How far could the roman empire expand? [closed]
Assuming Rome never fell and the empire was never divided, how far could it have expanded? What would it take for them to have an empire whose size is similar to that of the british or Spanish empires?...
-2
votes
3answers
156 views
How would a time-traveler maximize their profits with minimal impact on history? [closed]
A time traveler has a time machine that will take him back to any point in the past once, and they may choose to return to the present or stay. They have $100 in your possession, nothing more, and can ...
2
votes
2answers
117 views
How could Mao Zedong have won the Chinese Civil War before 1931?
I'm aware of the history of the Chinese Civil War, from the First and Second United Fronts formed to combat the warlords and Empire of Japan respectively between 1927-1945, but I'm curious if there ...
15
votes
10answers
3k views
How could the Empire of Japan and America be allies in WWII? [closed]
I am slowly building an alternate history story where America and the Empire of Japan are closely allied during the early 1940s instead of at war. They are so close, in fact, that Anchorage is seen as ...
6
votes
7answers
326 views
How would a Stone age society make use of gunpowder?
Given that the main ingredients for gunpowder(Charcoal, Saltpetre, and Sulphur) exist in varying quantities pretty much everywhere, I've been wondering how it wasn't discovered much sooner than the ...
1
vote
1answer
86 views
How to maintain a large empire with pre-industrial revolution technology? [closed]
Putting the corruption of the political system and internal strife aside.
Lets assume a Roman empire, something like Trajan's border, type empire that has a decently strong central government, but ...
2
votes
1answer
119 views
what essential material or ingredients in modern gunpowder that if changed to be expensive or rare, can ruin the evolution of advance/modern gun?
as the title, what materials or ingredients in modern gunpowder that if change to be expensive or rare to get, can ruin the evolution of advance gun or can turn modern gun obsolete or undesirable ?
i ...
3
votes
4answers
196 views
The German Empire refuses to back Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia in 1914. What changes from there on? [closed]
When asked by Austria-Hungary to back their declaration of war on Serbia, the German Empire refuses, stating that with how unstable Europe currently is a war would be disastrous.
How could WWI play ...
3
votes
0answers
87 views
BCS: Chola Empire colonizes Australia? [closed]
So, here's the premise- in the mid 11th century, a Vellalar prince, looking to gain influence and power in the Imperial Chola court, funds and organizes a small colonial expedition to search for new ...
5
votes
4answers
294 views
How Could a Scientist Intentionally Discover Penicillin
In our timeline Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin by accidentally leaving petri dishs out over a long period of time.
If a person from an earlier time, e.g. ancient Rome, woke up ...
6
votes
2answers
189 views
Can agriculture and megafauna coexist?
Some say that one of the reason humans developed agriculture is because megafauna (specifically the Pleistocene megafauna) were hunted for food to extinction and humans were forced to develop ...
6
votes
3answers
181 views
Woodpunk World- 'Super Wood' developed in the mid-late 19th century?
So, here's the premise- in this alternate 'woodpunk' historical timeline, primarily focused upon Japan, someone stumbles across this development far earlier on, in the mid to late 19th century (as ...
4
votes
4answers
175 views
Earliest viable modern battery
I'm building a world where high-density, low cost batteries are discovered far, far in advance of modern times, leading to a decentralised power grid. It has become convention for homes and buildings ...
3
votes
8answers
296 views
What kind of alternatively history events would have the most effect at causing a more advanced multiverse? [closed]
Starting July 16, 1945, our local universe has been fractured into a myriad of multiverses.
In these multiverses (not this one you are reading from right now) a number of events cause things to turn ...
-1
votes
1answer
109 views
Military Strength of an HRE in the 1940's? [closed]
How strong would a reincarnation of the Holy Roman Empire be during the 1940s? This includes all of the former Roman Empire's territory (before its collapse) and the Holy Roman Empire's territory.
1
vote
2answers
193 views
Could a Ancient Rome-like civilization develop with vastly different geology? [closed]
If, for example, they developed in a region known for its foggy forests and open highlands, could an empire similar to the Roman Empire? And would their military style also develop similar or would ...
3
votes
3answers
225 views
Decimating humanity though no daughters gene - when and where to introduce it?
At one point in the past, a man had a mutation on his Y chromosome. Anyone with the mutation would only produce Y sperm, and only have sons. My plan is to have this have a big impact that threatens to ...
-2
votes
3answers
110 views
Could a stone age civilization independently figure out about quantum mechanics [closed]
I was thinking of a stone age civilization that figures out how to use Quantum Mechanics. This civilization figures out some of the equations that describe Quantum Mechanics, and comes up with first ...
11
votes
18answers
4k views
What information could a Time Traveller give to Nazi Germany to make them win WWII?
So, let’s say a certain type of person steals a Time Machine and travels to Berlin August 1st, 1939. He shows his time machine to Adolf Hitler, and tries to give him advice necessary to win WW2 before ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
What drastic changes would occur if an architect went to ancient times [closed]
My character Ray was transported to the most fertile region of Africa about 569 B.C.
He was born in into a small farming family and learned about the history and evolution of farming because his ...
7
votes
2answers
251 views
If humans evolved on Mars instead of Earth, how quickly would we have detected life on Earth?
Suppose that both Earth and Mars was booming with life in a similar way. Except that, on Earth, there was no hominid family, and no humans evolved. Instead, humans evolved on Mars.
Assuming we had ...
1
vote
1answer
159 views
Native American Society in a World Where Beringia Is Still High and Dry [closed]
Multiple times in Earth's geological history, a bridge connected Asia to North America, bringing in an influx of colonists. Without Beringia, North America would never have the iconic Triceratops or ...
9
votes
4answers
195 views
Why would China and UK peacefully agree Hong Kong to be returned to UK?
At mid-night 1 July 1997, UK returned HK to China. Call my imaginary China's handover to UK "Patriation" - it must happen after 1 July 1997.
As we know from real world 2019 protests, some ...
9
votes
4answers
220 views
what could be used for flexible piping in the 1780s
How and out of what could flexible, thin air-tight tubes be made of at around 1780? These tubes need to be around a centimeter wide, with a 7.5 mm tube going through it. It must also be heat resistant ...
6
votes
2answers
267 views
Will the Dinosaur Empire Still Stand Strong If Chicxulub Hit Earth at the End of the Jurassic?
66 million years ago, the dinosaur empire was in its death throes when its final nail in the coffin came hurtling down from the sky. A clump of rock the size of Mount Everest smashed into the Gulf of ...
11
votes
12answers
938 views
What are the most important factors in determining how fast technology progresses?
What are the most important factors in determining how fast technology progresses?
And roughly how fast might that be under optimal circumstances?
Innovations have to be dreamed up, but there must ...
2
votes
0answers
104 views
What if the partition of India were bottom-up [closed]
In 1947 suppose that, instead of attempting to draw a fair line between Muslims and non-Muslims, British India has a referendum asking each village, “With which of your neighbors (including native ...
-1
votes
1answer
237 views
Medieval/renaissance superweapon [closed]
Using the technology available at the time, what kind of superweapon could the medieval or renaissance age produce?
7
votes
5answers
533 views
How NOT to Turn Volkshalle Into a Rain Factory
This is a model of Volkshalle, the People's Dome, part of a vision of "Germania" by Adolf Hitler. But the tides of war had washed Germania away, yet this and other architectural plans by Albert Speer ...
7
votes
3answers
233 views
Maintaining a Moon Suit
The Apollo-era A7L Extravehicular Mobility Units were used for less than eight hours at a time, within a few days, with a maximum of three moonwalks per mission.
Assume a fictional moonbase with ...
3
votes
2answers
342 views
Demon Empire annexs North America. How would the world react in 1972? [closed]
I had an urge to make an alternate history, which is an alien space bats scenario.
Here some worldbuilding that I made.
In another dimension, a planet is divided by 4 space filling empires. Theis ...
1
vote
1answer
141 views
Alternate history where Italy finds oil [closed]
One of the most important resources in the world in the modern era has been oil, but arguably at no time more than during WW2 where many of the Axis' plans revolved around the procurement of a steady ...
-2
votes
8answers
436 views
Aborting Abrahamism [closed]
Let's imagine that some powerful evil eldritch abomination decided to hijack Roman Republic 45 BC, saving Caesar in the last moment and fashion itself as Mercurius (Hermes), who was sent by Olympus as ...
