Monarchies may offer a distinct opportunity for certain individuals to have a significant effect on historical events. Since monarchy is usually hereditary in nature, a lot depends on the accidents of genetics.
What if certain historical rulers had the same names, and dates of reigns, but different personalities? This could be because of different genetics, different upbringings, or a combination of the two. Some examples just from European history might be:
- What if Louis XV grew up to be as strong-willed and ambitious as his great-grandfather and predecessor Louis XVI?
- What if Charles I of England had excellent "people skills" and a talent for reaching compromises that were acceptable to almost everyone?
- What if George III of Great Britain was a mild mannered, pleasure loving sort of man, uninterested in politics?
- What if Peter I of Russia was devout and conservative and wanted to keep Russia at a distance from western countries?
- What if Pope Alexander VI was an exceptionally devout man determined to reform the Catholic Church?
- What if Queen Isabella of Castile was religious but had a tolerant attitude toward Jews and Muslims?
- What if Kaiser Wilhelm II was a relative liberal, determined to limit the influence of the military and promote peaceful economic growth in Germany?
- What if Nicholas II of Russia was as tough and determined and ruthless as Alexander III, his predecessor?
- What if Nicholas I of Russia was a reformer instead of an ultraconservative?
- What if Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary was a liberal, reformist ruler?
- What if Selim I of the Ottoman Empire was as ambitious and talented as his predecessor Suleiman "the Magnificent"?
- What if Philip II of Spain was not fanatically Catholic, and was more interested in building up Spain's wealth rather than fighting against Protestants wherever they could be found?
What if certain historical rulers had the same names, and dates of reigns, but different personalities? This could be because of different genetics, different upbringings, or a combination of the two. Some examples just from European history might be:
- What if Louis XV grew up to be as strong-willed and ambitious as his great-grandfather and predecessor Louis XVI?
- What if Charles I of England had excellent "people skills" and a talent for reaching compromises that were acceptable to almost everyone?
- What if George III of Great Britain was a mild mannered, pleasure loving sort of man, uninterested in politics?
- What if Peter I of Russia was devout and conservative and wanted to keep Russia at a distance from western countries?
- What if Pope Alexander VI was an exceptionally devout man determined to reform the Catholic Church?
- What if Queen Isabella of Castile was religious but had a tolerant attitude toward Jews and Muslims?
- What if Kaiser Wilhelm II was a relative liberal, determined to limit the influence of the military and promote peaceful economic growth in Germany?
- What if Nicholas II of Russia was as tough and determined and ruthless as Alexander III, his predecessor?
- What if Nicholas I of Russia was a reformer instead of an ultraconservative?
- What if Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary was a liberal, reformist ruler?
- What if Selim I of the Ottoman Empire was as ambitious and talented as his predecessor Suleiman "the Magnificent"?
- What if Philip II of Spain was not fanatically Catholic, and was more interested in building up Spain's wealth rather than fighting against Protestants wherever they could be found?