AHC: Largest empire possible?

[MarshalBraginsky]

A British-Russian Personal Union. (Possibly George III and Catherine [The Act of Settlement doesn't seem to rule out an Orthodox monarch].)

Of course it's still two distinct states, but technically under the rule of one person.

How about an earlier Anglo-Russian alliance that has a PoD around the 1500s. Say Edward VI manages to reign a bit longer and Bloody Mary dies an early death. Meanwhile, Princess Elizabeth could marry Ivan in 1561 after Anastasia Romanova dies.

 

[B_Munro]

Did the 16th century even _have_ the notion of personal union for absolute monarchies, in the sense of "OK, he's your king/queen, but they live in a different country, and the parliament/ local nobles will now run the show?" Presumeably, one would be shacking up with the other: reproduction through correspondence hadn't been perfected yet.

Bruce

 

[Jonathan Edelstein]

Did the 16th century even _have_ the notion of personal union for absolute monarchies, in the sense of "OK, he's your king/queen, but they live in a different country, and the parliament/ local nobles will now run the show?"

That's more or less how Iberia worked under Philip II.

 

[MarshalBraginsky]

Did the 16th century even _have_ the notion of personal union for absolute monarchies, in the sense of "OK, he's your king/queen, but they live in a different country, and the parliament/ local nobles will now run the show?" Presumeably, one would be shacking up with the other: reproduction through correspondence hadn't been perfected yet.

Bruce

Croatia and Hungary were in a personal union since the 1100s, and even the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were in a personal or dynastic union.

 

[Alex1guy]

The Capitalist Empire dominates most of the globe today, man.

HArdly something that is run from one Government and don't say Washington because I'm sure Beijing would have something to say about that. Ithink the best way to do this would either, to have the Mongols expand even further (not that ASB) or wank the British Empire, maybe have it include more of the Americas and Africa?

 

[MarshalBraginsky]

On the other hand, which country would be a very good ally for a larger Russian Empire with a 1500s PoD? England, Sweden, Denmark, France, or is Russia doomed to have enemies encircling him?

 

[Socrates]

The Capitalist Empire dominates most of the globe today, man.

Well that fails the definition given at the beginning of the thread pretty damn quickly.

A British-Russian Personal Union. (Possibly George III and Catherine [The Act of Settlement doesn't seem to rule out an Orthodox monarch].)

Of course it's still two distinct states, but technically under the rule of one person.

Not in practice though. Parliament was the primary mover in British politics by the time George III rolled round. And I'm pretty sure they would pass a new Act of Settlement to prevent an Orthodox monarch, if that looked like it was on the cards.

Britain keeps control of the 13th colonies, goes on to gain control of most of North America as well as India and Africa.

This I think is the best answer that remains close to our timeline. And indeed, an imperialist British North America could pick up more gains in Latin America, to ward off French and Spanish influence in the absence of a Monroe Doctrine.

However, probably the best one you could do is have the Chinese discover America and settle the place, with a strong ideological commitment to the Emperor's Mandate of Heaven. The combined populations of North America and China filled with imperial zeal could conquer a lot.

 

[B_Munro]

That's more or less how Iberia worked under Philip II.

Hmm. Didn't Castilian centralizing tendencies eventually lead to revolt in Aragon and (more successfully) in Portugal later on? What did Phil 2 get from the crown of Aragon, aside from a title and free room and board when he came by to visit?

Bruce

 

[MarshalBraginsky]

Another thing: couldn't there be a North American based Native American 'empire' in the Holy Roman Empire sense? Kinda like a confederation of tribes ruling an assigned territory with whichever chief or in this case, the descendants of Viking settlers in Vinland, become the nominal Head Chief or Warrior King? I've also thought about having an empire in North America with rulers descended from both the Vikings and the Native Americans.

 

[B_Munro]

Croatia and Hungary were in a personal union since the 1100s, and even the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were in a personal or dynastic union.

Well, Poland-Lithuania did have a common nobility, no? And they mostly ran the show.

Dunno much re Hungary-Croatia: all I recall is the Croats being distinctly pissed at the Habsburgs at making them part of the Kingdom of Hungary again after they'd come through for the Crown during the events of '48 and after...

Bruce

 

[B_Munro]

On the other hand, which country would be a very good ally for a larger Russian Empire with a 1500s PoD? England, Sweden, Denmark, France, or is Russia doomed to have enemies encircling him?

Mighty Austria, due to common disagreements with the Ottomans?

Bruce

 

[B_Munro]

Hmm - but Poland might be a point in contest. Catholics in Peril, and all that. Perhaps the eastern branch of the Habsburgs goes Protestant to consolidate their power in Germany (all that yummy church land, nom nom) and is allied with Russia against common enemies in Poland and the Ottomans?

Bruce

 

[MarshalBraginsky]

Mighty Austria, due to common disagreements with the Ottomans?

Bruce

Possible, although Austria might have to dominate the Holy Roman Empire, and the Hapsburgs aren't real fans of Orthodox Russia.

 

[King of Rome]

Well that fails the definition given at the beginning of the thread pretty damn quickly.

Ha I mean it was a joke but touche.

 

[PariahNihil]

Hmm - but Poland might be a point in contest. Catholics in Peril, and all that. Perhaps the eastern branch of the Habsburgs goes Protestant to consolidate their power in Germany (all that yummy church land, nom nom) and is allied with Russia against common enemies in Poland and the Ottomans?

Bruce

I find this idea... interesting, to say the least