Chapter 0: Prologue
Union of The Three Crowns: The History of The Nordic Empire
Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter 0: Prologue
For better or for worse, the world from 1492 to 1945 was dominated by Europe. During this time, the great empires of Europe, whether the British, French, Spanish or Russians were the main players on the global stage, each experiencing their own ups and downs. The Germans and Italians, previously split into numerous smaller states, unified in the 19th Century and each left their own mark on the world (in both good and bad ways). Even smaller countries like Portugal and The Netherlands became globe-spanning empires, conquering areas much larger than their small slices of Europe.
However, one area of the world that didn’t make as big of a worldwide impact was Scandinavia. While often holding the status of regional powers and possessing small overseas empires, The Scandinavian nations never became global powers like their European peers. However, they could have. Between 1397 and 1523 (with a few small periods of separation), the Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden were united under the Kalmar Union, a dynastic union meant to counter the Hanseatic trade league. However, the union fell apart after the Stockholm Bloodbath of 1520, where after a rebellion, King Christian II slaughtered much of the Swedish nobility, provoking another rebellion soon after, after which Denmark and Sweden separated for good. However, what if, rather than massacring the Swedish nobles, Christian instead sought to reconcile and reach a deal. If that were the case, the union might have survived, and if things went right, Scandinavia might not only remain united, but become a world power. That is what this timeline will be about, not only a surviving Kalmar Union, but one that becomes a globe-spanning Nordic Empire. I look forward to beginning this timeline fairly soon, and I hope to see you all there. Take care and have a great day.
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