Make Philadelphia the capital of the British Empire by the year 2000. In this scenario the Empire consists of South Africa, Australia, and North America (not counting Alaska, which is still owned by Russia, or the southwest which is its own nation by 2000 called the Republic of California).
AH Challenge: British Philadelphia
- Thread starter Tynnin
- Start date
You seem to have left out the British Isles themselves. If that was intentional, that makes things very interesting indeed.
American Revolution fails. A revolution of some kind, perhaps a Communist revolt in the late 19th, drives King and Parliament from England; support from another European nature prevents the isles' retaking.
Interesting. Maybe a meteor hit the Isles, just as they were celebrating their victory over the colonies? 
Actually, to be serious, I kinda like the whole Communist uprising bit. Perhaps this is a TL where the Revolution fails (obviously), and their is a Great War that is far more devastating than OTL, perhaps more like WWII, complete with some other nation, perhaps France, Germany, or Russia, conquering the Isles. Although it would be somewhat hard to imagine anyone taking down the British Isles with an empire as large as that. Although, perhaps this TL involves a bloodier, longer Revolution, that the UK wins but the French still have their own troubles. This time, when Napoleon fights the British, he gets the upper hand and takes out the Isles. The Parliament and the crown flee London, as the Redcoats take heavy casualties in a losing battle against the Grand Armee.
Actually, to be serious, I kinda like the whole Communist uprising bit. Perhaps this is a TL where the Revolution fails (obviously), and their is a Great War that is far more devastating than OTL, perhaps more like WWII, complete with some other nation, perhaps France, Germany, or Russia, conquering the Isles. Although it would be somewhat hard to imagine anyone taking down the British Isles with an empire as large as that. Although, perhaps this TL involves a bloodier, longer Revolution, that the UK wins but the French still have their own troubles. This time, when Napoleon fights the British, he gets the upper hand and takes out the Isles. The Parliament and the crown flee London, as the Redcoats take heavy casualties in a losing battle against the Grand Armee.
Actually, what I was thinking was that America is pacified before there's even a question of French involvement, and so the French don't spend themselves deeper with assistance. Many of the rebels flee to amnesty in France, and the assistance of such gentlemen as Adams and Franklin allow the French to greatly ameliorate their financial difficulties. Instead of a French Revolution, we see a series of reforms which bring France towards a constitutional monarchy. From here, we see a swifter rise of capitalism in Europe, which means a swifter rise of Communism as a solution to its problems. Perhaps reactionary Germany, with its Kaiser, is the first to undergo a Communist Revolution, before the Great War; after the victory of the People's Republic of Germany and Austria (won simply by making a swift foray, establishing trenches on French land, and then allowing the French and British to take the offensive until they've ground themselves to a pulp), a war-exhausted England has its Communist Party fed enough arms and funds by the Germans to overthrow its own monarchs.
I'm sure there are a few problems here, such as how Germany beats an England that still has the Americas (perhaps Spain and Italy throw their lots in with it as well), but they can be worked out.
I'm sure there are a few problems here, such as how Germany beats an England that still has the Americas (perhaps Spain and Italy throw their lots in with it as well), but they can be worked out.
Fascinating. Perhaps this earlier Communist revolution could come to Britain because enough reforms aren't being made at the ballot box? No "bloodless revolution" I guess in this TL.
I like what's coming out of this. Without the American and French revolutions, the lack of freedoms and 'liberty' leaves workers grumpy until inevitably Europe revolts big time. Like the 1849 revolution just bigger. Great Britain is affected too. Now there are radicals in all European governments and THIS lays the foundations for communism.
After the Franco-Prussian War, the French revolt (finally) and this is when ANOTHER revolution rocks the continent. Britain is not alone and the royals flee for their lives. Eventually communism rises in Europe (I can't remember when Marx's ideas were put on paper).
So yeah, what Lurker posted just refined and detailed - and heavily influenced by Want of a Nail (which I finally got through).
After the Franco-Prussian War, the French revolt (finally) and this is when ANOTHER revolution rocks the continent. Britain is not alone and the royals flee for their lives. Eventually communism rises in Europe (I can't remember when Marx's ideas were put on paper).
So yeah, what Lurker posted just refined and detailed - and heavily influenced by Want of a Nail (which I finally got through).
Engles and Marx began writing in the 1840’s (the Manifesto was published in 1848). They bounced around for a bit as they weren’t really welcomed in any one place for too long (no one likes a rabble-rouser).
I like this communist idea – The Peoples Republic of Brittan, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales (gives me chills ). However, it makes me wonder what else Engles and Marx would have contributed to the cause if they had been given more of a chance.
I like this communist idea – The Peoples Republic of Brittan, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales (gives me chills
). However, it makes me wonder what else Engles and Marx would have contributed to the cause if they had been given more of a chance.