Xen
May 17th, 2005, 02:21 PM
I am in desperate need of a point of divergence for a timeline I am working. The timeline is set in the year 2000 in a world that’s similar to ours, but also very different. I will give a few details and see if anybody can help me come up a good POD.
Europe is ripped in half by a Cold War with France and her allies (Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal) on one side and Germany and her allies (Poland, Hungary, Bohemia and Yugoslavia) on the other. I am currently debating on which side to place Austria on; it can go either way.
Unlike the Cold War in our timeline, this Cold War isn't as global, nor is it really over political systems, (both France and Germany are constitutional monarchies) but rather over who is the more dominant power of mainland Europe, neither side really trusting the other.
The United Kingdom has a long standing policy of neutrality in regards to the Cold War, and at various times has run afoul of both France and Germany, but both Paris and Berlin prefer a neutral Britain than having it allied with the other side. Instead of concentrating on Europe, Great Britain spends its efforts on the Commonwealth, and nations that once belonged to its Empire, including the United States (although the US is not part of the Commonwealth). The Royal Navy is still considered the greatest navy, second to none.
Russia, still ruled by the Tsar’s, has never fully recovered from its defeat at the hands of Germany and the United Kingdom in the 1930’s, and has retreated into isolationism. Led by competent Tsar’s through most of the twentieth century, Russia has developed it industry and improved the standard of living of its citizens. With Russia making strides in modernization, the thought of Russia coming out of its isolationism has given European politicians nightmares.
The United States never accepted, or really wanted to be a Superpower, although some nationalist politicians are all too aware of America’s capabilities, the people have continuously rejected the expenses that would come with it. By far the wealthiest and most industrial nation in the world the United States is content focusing on domestic issues such as education, health care, crime and improving racial relations. It is rare the United States ventures outside of the America’s, and only then as part of international peace keeping forces.
For a short span of the twentieth century the Empire of Japan tried to fulfill its own manifest destiny in the Pacific. Japan’s rapid expansion led to confrontations with the United States and Japan’s ultimate defeat. Following the loss in the Pacific War, Japan was occupied by the United States military until the mid 1970’s when it was allowed to rearm itself as per the 1958 treaty with the US. Rebuilding Japan’s industrial might has been slow, but decades of progress are paying off with Japan dominating trade with Indonesia, India and Southeast Asia.
The Empire of China is a potent powerhouse, the western world is watching nervously. Following the Pacific War, China’s Imperial Army has become one of the mightiest and largest in the world. European spheres of influence have been overturned by the Emperor. Unlike in the 19th Century, China is very progressive in matters of politics, modernization and religion. Recent demographic polls suggest 53% of China has converted to Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic), including the Imperial Family.
The Middle East is still greatly divided by unnatural borders, and seemingly senseless divisions. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early twentieth century led to the carving up of its former Empire by the victorious powers in the Great War. Despotic tyrants have ruled countries such as Kurdistan since independence, while nations such as Iraq (the Shia portion of OTL) have been ruled by a theocracy for over 20 years.
Europe is ripped in half by a Cold War with France and her allies (Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal) on one side and Germany and her allies (Poland, Hungary, Bohemia and Yugoslavia) on the other. I am currently debating on which side to place Austria on; it can go either way.
Unlike the Cold War in our timeline, this Cold War isn't as global, nor is it really over political systems, (both France and Germany are constitutional monarchies) but rather over who is the more dominant power of mainland Europe, neither side really trusting the other.
The United Kingdom has a long standing policy of neutrality in regards to the Cold War, and at various times has run afoul of both France and Germany, but both Paris and Berlin prefer a neutral Britain than having it allied with the other side. Instead of concentrating on Europe, Great Britain spends its efforts on the Commonwealth, and nations that once belonged to its Empire, including the United States (although the US is not part of the Commonwealth). The Royal Navy is still considered the greatest navy, second to none.
Russia, still ruled by the Tsar’s, has never fully recovered from its defeat at the hands of Germany and the United Kingdom in the 1930’s, and has retreated into isolationism. Led by competent Tsar’s through most of the twentieth century, Russia has developed it industry and improved the standard of living of its citizens. With Russia making strides in modernization, the thought of Russia coming out of its isolationism has given European politicians nightmares.
The United States never accepted, or really wanted to be a Superpower, although some nationalist politicians are all too aware of America’s capabilities, the people have continuously rejected the expenses that would come with it. By far the wealthiest and most industrial nation in the world the United States is content focusing on domestic issues such as education, health care, crime and improving racial relations. It is rare the United States ventures outside of the America’s, and only then as part of international peace keeping forces.
For a short span of the twentieth century the Empire of Japan tried to fulfill its own manifest destiny in the Pacific. Japan’s rapid expansion led to confrontations with the United States and Japan’s ultimate defeat. Following the loss in the Pacific War, Japan was occupied by the United States military until the mid 1970’s when it was allowed to rearm itself as per the 1958 treaty with the US. Rebuilding Japan’s industrial might has been slow, but decades of progress are paying off with Japan dominating trade with Indonesia, India and Southeast Asia.
The Empire of China is a potent powerhouse, the western world is watching nervously. Following the Pacific War, China’s Imperial Army has become one of the mightiest and largest in the world. European spheres of influence have been overturned by the Emperor. Unlike in the 19th Century, China is very progressive in matters of politics, modernization and religion. Recent demographic polls suggest 53% of China has converted to Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic), including the Imperial Family.
The Middle East is still greatly divided by unnatural borders, and seemingly senseless divisions. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early twentieth century led to the carving up of its former Empire by the victorious powers in the Great War. Despotic tyrants have ruled countries such as Kurdistan since independence, while nations such as Iraq (the Shia portion of OTL) have been ruled by a theocracy for over 20 years.