Empires of Steam
1. No Belgium
Byron (1788-1854) survived a brush with malaria whilst fighting in Greece in 1824. Returning to Britain in 1828, his efforts in promoting the Greek plight to the British upper class ultimately led to the Greek monarchy falling to a British supported candidate – Leopold Saxe-Coburg (1790-1865), who in OTL became King of Belgium. In TTL, the monarchy of the newly independent state of Belgium – which declared independence in 1830 – eventually fell to a reluctant member of the French Orleanist dynasty: Louis, Duc d’Nemours (1814-96).
Belgium’s declaration of independence was met by a Dutch invasion (1831), which was in turn countered by a mass mobilization of French forces. This signified the start of the Belgian War (1831-37) – a six year war of attrition, which ultimately ended in a partition of Belgium between the French (who annexed Wallonia) and the Dutch (who retained Flanders). The British are not happy that – fifteen years after Waterloo – the French have already started territorial expansion. This leads to a cooling of Anglo-French relations.
The industrial base of the Wallonia region dramatically strengthens the French economy, acting as a catalyst for levels of French industrialization and modernization somewhat higher than OTL.
As a result of the integration of Flanders into the Netherlands, there is a rise in tensions associated with a significantly larger, and more influential, Catholic population. Huge population explosion over the following twenty years.
[1848 sees revolution, with the Catholic majority overturning the dominance of the Protestant elite… Catholic republic – conservative oligarchy?]
The Netherlands end up as a CORPORATIST state, Christian socialism meets capitalism.
2. Modern Greece
Byron survived a brush with malaria whilst fighting in Greece in 1824. Returning to Britain in 1828, his efforts in promoting the Greek plight to the British upper class ultimately led to the Greek monarchy falling to a British supported candidate – Leopold of Saxe-Coburg (1790-1865) – who in OTL became King of Belgium. With a liberal codified constitution, a unicameral parliament, and universal male suffrage, the Greek nation rapidly became a model example of the modern state, and a politically neutral haven for Jews and radicals. With more British investment than in OTL, mainland Greece industrialised quickly, with Athens becoming internationally famous as a centre of finance and trade.
3. Orleanist France
Orleanist France survived the unrest and outbursts of 1848 with the abdication of King Louis-Philippe I in favour of his more liberal son; Ferdinand-Philippe (1810-71), who avoided the 1842 carriage accident which killed him in OTL, by being in Greece, visiting his sister Louise-Marie (1812-50). Under the premiership of King Ferdinand, France gradually slid into a more liberal and constitutional form of monarchy.
[Greater French Colonialism – competition with the British Empire?]
[No French intervention in Mexico; instead, covert economic, political and cultural methods of increasing influence in South and Latin America]
4. Collapse of the Austrian Empire
A muted 1848 in Habsburg lands sees Chancellor Metternich retain control for longer (1773-1858), and martial law declared across much of the Habsburg Empire. Many revolutionary elements called for the abdication of Emperor Ferdinand, but Metternich, unwilling to compromise, ignored their demands – inadvertently plunging Austria-Hungary into civil war. The independence of Lombardy-Venetia was ensured by the Sardinians and Swiss, after Austrian troops tasked with regaining control lost their tactical commander, Josef Radetzky (1766-1848), in an artillery accident. Emperor Ferdinand fell ill shortly after this defeat, further weakening the Austrian efforts. He ultimately died in February 1849. By the summer of 1849, thanks to an organized resistance against Russian and Austrian troops, Bohemia, Hungary, and Galicia had all secured independence from Austria.
[Bohemia, Hungary & Galicia secede]
Bohemia – Republic
Hungary – de facto dictatorship under Kossuth
Galicia – Republic
5. Germany Aborted
In Prussia, less extreme revolutionary activity is ruthlessly crushed by Friedrich Wilhelm IV (1795-1861). The suppression of rebellion in Westphalia, however, is limited by geographical constraints, and it is not long until the broadly pro-French Republic of Westphalia, administered from Munster, is declared by rebels. In the aftermath of revolution, Westphalia enters negotiations with Bavaria and France for control of the Bavarian Palatinate.
In Bavaria, a change of monarch in 1848 – with a scandal-ridden Ludwig I (1786-1868) abdicating in favour of his son, Maximilian II (1811-64) – is the start of a period of decidedly pro-French foreign policy, and a number of strong political reforms.
Frederick Augustus II (1797-1849) of Saxony is assassinated by a revolutionary gunman in the chaos of 1849, and is succeeded by his brother, Johann of Saxony (1801-73), who, in issuing a number of reactionary measures to maintain control, strengthens Saxony’s relationship with Prussia.
In Baden, the German unification movement suffers a fatal setback when a Heidelberg meeting discussing the potential for elections to a German national assembly – to be held in the church of St. Paul’s in Frankfurt – is interrupted by government troops. In the ensuing chaos, a number of prominent unification figures are killed.
Germanic Wars (1849-52)
[Expansionist Hannover conquers Oldenburg, seeks dynastic union with Mecklenburg’s as counterweight to Prussian dominance]
[Schleswig-Holstein remains Danish]
[Thuringian States divided amongst Saxony, Prussia and Bavaria]
[Bismarck as a Newspaper Magnate]
ZOLLVEREIN AS OF 1865:
6. The North Italian Confederation
The liberation of Lombardy-Venetia in the aftermath of Habsburg collapse releases North Italy from Austrian orbit. A more successful war between Piedmont and Austria means that King Charles Albert of Savoy-Sardinia (1798-1864) lives longer than in OTL. He is instrumental in bringing the various nations of the North Italian Confederation (‘Italia’) into alignment. Based in Milan, this confederation – primarily concerned with economic issues and foreign affairs – is relatively well established on the European stage by 1855. The death of the Savoy-Sardinian Prime Minister Cavour (1810-61) triggers a period of instability, which ends with the centre-left party of Urbano Rattazzi (1808-73) winning an overwhelming majority in the Savoy-Sardinian parliament.
In 1862, Savoy-Sardinian troops occupy the Duchy of Parma, while Garibaldi moves from Romagna into the Papal States, quickly overcoming a feeble resistance. The main opposition comes from Orleanist France and the kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Contrary to OTL, Rattazzi feels much more secure in his premiership (also because of the strong support from Milan), and his action is quite decisive. A secret agreement with Spain gives the Pope a joint guarantee for lazio and the town of Rome. Reactionary elements under Pope Pius IX (1792-1878) seem to be becoming more pronounced, and – after the uprisings in Romagna – the Papal States start a major programme of defensive armament.
In 1863, the occupied Duchy of Parma is split in a referendum, with Parma joining Sardinia, but Reggio choosing the republican Lombardy-Venetia. Marche and Umbria join the republican side too, again after plebiscites. Lombardy-Venetia takes the name ‘Republica Cisalpina’ (republic "this side" of the Alps) as a cultural move intended to distance the nation from its Austrian past. Emilia, Romagna, Marche and Umbria take the name of ‘Republica Cispadana’ (republic "this side" of the Po).
[Rapid industrialization for the North Italian Confederation. Haven for European revolutionaries, nihilists and romantic adventurers. Home of a Second Renaissance]
[Papal agents fostering counter-revolution, strong relations with Spain, Austria, Prussia]
Kingdom of Two Sicilies ends up as a vehemently Catholic agricultural backwater under an absolute monarchy.
[Kingdom of Two Sicilies eventually ends up a bizarre blend of Catholicism / anarcho-syndicalist / communist? Think Proudhon’s ‘agricultural-industrial federation’]
7. Financial Worries
[The chaos caused by the revolutions of 1849 trigger a European economic panic. Resurrection of protectionist measures? Resuscitation of Colonial ambitions? Chartism continues in the UK? Socialism in the agricultural Two Scilies? A secondary panic occurs in 1855 as a result of the outbreak of revolution in Russia. Start of European recovery in 1862]
[American financial Panic in 1857 – no tariff reductions in 1857, despite pressure from the South.]
8. Russian Revolution
In 1848-9, revolutions in Prussian Posen and Russian Congress Poland are fostered and supported by Krakow and Galicia. Both sets of revolts are suppressed, but at huge cost. In Prussia, the suppression of activities in Posen meant that the military were active in the East when they should have been concentrating on the secession of Westphalia. The maintenance of Russian control in Congress Poland equates to far less military support for the Austrian government. In Russia, the brutal suppression of Polish rebels by Nicholas I (1796-1855) merely serves to fan the flames of discontent, and drives revolutionary sympathies underground. The effects of economic depression and famine mean that, upon Nicholas’ death in 1855, Russia erupts into revolution.
[OTL Tsar Alexander II and his family are killed in the siege of St. Petersburg in 1857.]
Tsar Constantine II (1827-92) consolidates power in 1858, and agrees to cede territories in the name of a cease fire.
After the revolution, Russia receives reconstruction loans from France, Greece, and Switzerland.
Guaranteed by Hungary:
- An independent Wallonia – authoritarian, under Alexander John Cuza (1820-73)
Guaranteed by Sweden/Norway, Denmark, and the UK:
- An independent Livonia – constitutional monarchy, under Karl of Hesse (1809-77)
- An independent Courland – constitutional monarchy, under Alexander of Hesse (1823-88)
Guaranteed by Galicia, Bohemia:
- An independent Congress Poland – republic
- An independent Moldavia – republic
No formal guarantee:
- A nominally independent Finland – social democratic under Mikhail Bakunin (1814-76)
[Later reclaimed by Russia]
9. The Fall of the Ottoman Empire
[Think Crimean War, but quicker and more decisive]
A small war of attrition in the mid 1850s, in which the Western powers seize territory from European Turkey – Greece and France play the largest roles…
Some troops landed in the French territories of Algeria, whilst others were tasked with driving the Turks out of mainland Europe. The Ottomans invested more into defending the European front and, as such, lost all of their territories from North Africa. In the aftermath, there was pressure from the other European powers to set up many of the European territories liberated from the Ottomans as independent states, but there were no such qualms with the division/conquest of colonial territories.
UK busy with Canadian problems [???]
Treaty of Antwerp (1858), Anglo-Dutch settlement.
[Greece takes Macedonia and various other territories]
[Serbia takes large amount of Ottoman territory]
[OTL Bulgaria becomes TTL Rumalia, more or less]
[Bosnia gains independence]
[France gets Egypt]
[Greece gets a large chunk of North Africa]
10. The Calculating Engines
Augusta Ada King (1815-56) seeks out her father in 1834, mostly out of curiosity. Their relationship, although somewhat limited by her mother, is not without common ground.
With better physicians paid for by her father at the onset on her cancer (who don't bleed her to death, as in OTL), she lives four years longer, albeit in weak health, finally dying in 1856. After the publishing of a major paper in 1854, Ada becomes acquainted with the work of George Boole, which she introduces to an initially reluctant Babbage (1791-1871). She also survives to inherit a significant amount of her father’s wealth, some of which she in turn bequeaths to Babbage. Enough for him to hire a team of engineers and to set about making his designs for a Calculating Engine a practical reality.
With Boole’s influence, the engineering team convinces Babbage to adopt a binary infrastructure rather than using a base of ten. Correspondence with Charles Hutton Gregory introduces Babbage to the concept of mechanical switches, as used on the railways. Compared to the machined cogs and gears that Babbage had been using in his designs, mechanical switches lowered the costs and complexity of the project dramatically.
[Henry Fleeming Jenkin (1833-85), James Clerk Maxwell (1831-79), Arthur Cayley (1821-95), Joseph Henry (1797-1878)]
Problems with funding, the technical aspects, and staff relations set the project back dramatically but – as the threat of war with Prussia/Austria starts to loom on the distant horizon (early 60s) – the British government begins to take Babbage’s ‘Athena’ Project slightly more seriously, and provide enough funding to allow the project to reach final completion in 1863.
Applications: cryptography, administration, military tactics and strategy, currency conversion, engineering, social demographics, railway timetables, databases, communications infrastructure, public health, statistic modeling, censuses, telegraphy,
After the British Engine is finished - Greek, French, Swedish, Swiss, Italian, Prussian, Hanoverian, Dutch, and American (?) analogues follow? A computing cold war?]
11. The USA
[More German immigration in the years following 1848, with lower social status]
With a major economic crisis throughout the 1850s/60s, both slavery and protectionism are far more attractive than in OTL. as means of preserving American economic integrity. The Dredd Scott v. Sandford case remains under the radar. No Freeport Doctrine and, as such, no split in the Democrat Party in 1860, and they only field the one candidate in the 1860 presidential election – Stephen A. Douglas (1813-61) – who takes a moderate position on questions of both slavery and protectionism. No Constitutional Union Party. As such, Stephen A. Douglas narrowly beats Lincoln to become the sixteenth President of the United States. Douglas supports the admission of Kansas as a free state in 1861, provoking a serious threat of the secession of South Carolina. President Douglas responds with threats of military suppression of SC's "independence". The North, Border, and upper South all rally, and a large majority in Congress endorses Douglas' move. Now that secession has been formally declared illegal, South Carolina finally backs down before Federal troops march in, and a precedent has been established.
[NO AMERICAN CIVIL WAR! Demographic changes? “Frontier” pushed westwards – ‘Manifest Destiny’? Stronger class system in the Southern US, with slave-owners, white working class, and slaves. The effects of mechanization on the need for slave labour. North dramatically more populous than the South. South is slow to industrialize, divided on the issue of abolition, developing an analogue to apartheid. As a result of the influence of the South, America is noticeably more conservative and religious than OTL. Recovery from economic downturn in the early 1870s.]
[Douglas narrowly re-elected in 1864?]
12. French Egypt
1. No Belgium
Byron (1788-1854) survived a brush with malaria whilst fighting in Greece in 1824. Returning to Britain in 1828, his efforts in promoting the Greek plight to the British upper class ultimately led to the Greek monarchy falling to a British supported candidate – Leopold Saxe-Coburg (1790-1865), who in OTL became King of Belgium. In TTL, the monarchy of the newly independent state of Belgium – which declared independence in 1830 – eventually fell to a reluctant member of the French Orleanist dynasty: Louis, Duc d’Nemours (1814-96).
Belgium’s declaration of independence was met by a Dutch invasion (1831), which was in turn countered by a mass mobilization of French forces. This signified the start of the Belgian War (1831-37) – a six year war of attrition, which ultimately ended in a partition of Belgium between the French (who annexed Wallonia) and the Dutch (who retained Flanders). The British are not happy that – fifteen years after Waterloo – the French have already started territorial expansion. This leads to a cooling of Anglo-French relations.
The industrial base of the Wallonia region dramatically strengthens the French economy, acting as a catalyst for levels of French industrialization and modernization somewhat higher than OTL.
As a result of the integration of Flanders into the Netherlands, there is a rise in tensions associated with a significantly larger, and more influential, Catholic population. Huge population explosion over the following twenty years.
[1848 sees revolution, with the Catholic majority overturning the dominance of the Protestant elite… Catholic republic – conservative oligarchy?]
The Netherlands end up as a CORPORATIST state, Christian socialism meets capitalism.
2. Modern Greece
Byron survived a brush with malaria whilst fighting in Greece in 1824. Returning to Britain in 1828, his efforts in promoting the Greek plight to the British upper class ultimately led to the Greek monarchy falling to a British supported candidate – Leopold of Saxe-Coburg (1790-1865) – who in OTL became King of Belgium. With a liberal codified constitution, a unicameral parliament, and universal male suffrage, the Greek nation rapidly became a model example of the modern state, and a politically neutral haven for Jews and radicals. With more British investment than in OTL, mainland Greece industrialised quickly, with Athens becoming internationally famous as a centre of finance and trade.
3. Orleanist France
Orleanist France survived the unrest and outbursts of 1848 with the abdication of King Louis-Philippe I in favour of his more liberal son; Ferdinand-Philippe (1810-71), who avoided the 1842 carriage accident which killed him in OTL, by being in Greece, visiting his sister Louise-Marie (1812-50). Under the premiership of King Ferdinand, France gradually slid into a more liberal and constitutional form of monarchy.
[Greater French Colonialism – competition with the British Empire?]
[No French intervention in Mexico; instead, covert economic, political and cultural methods of increasing influence in South and Latin America]
4. Collapse of the Austrian Empire
A muted 1848 in Habsburg lands sees Chancellor Metternich retain control for longer (1773-1858), and martial law declared across much of the Habsburg Empire. Many revolutionary elements called for the abdication of Emperor Ferdinand, but Metternich, unwilling to compromise, ignored their demands – inadvertently plunging Austria-Hungary into civil war. The independence of Lombardy-Venetia was ensured by the Sardinians and Swiss, after Austrian troops tasked with regaining control lost their tactical commander, Josef Radetzky (1766-1848), in an artillery accident. Emperor Ferdinand fell ill shortly after this defeat, further weakening the Austrian efforts. He ultimately died in February 1849. By the summer of 1849, thanks to an organized resistance against Russian and Austrian troops, Bohemia, Hungary, and Galicia had all secured independence from Austria.
[Bohemia, Hungary & Galicia secede]
Bohemia – Republic
Hungary – de facto dictatorship under Kossuth
Galicia – Republic
5. Germany Aborted
In Prussia, less extreme revolutionary activity is ruthlessly crushed by Friedrich Wilhelm IV (1795-1861). The suppression of rebellion in Westphalia, however, is limited by geographical constraints, and it is not long until the broadly pro-French Republic of Westphalia, administered from Munster, is declared by rebels. In the aftermath of revolution, Westphalia enters negotiations with Bavaria and France for control of the Bavarian Palatinate.
In Bavaria, a change of monarch in 1848 – with a scandal-ridden Ludwig I (1786-1868) abdicating in favour of his son, Maximilian II (1811-64) – is the start of a period of decidedly pro-French foreign policy, and a number of strong political reforms.
Frederick Augustus II (1797-1849) of Saxony is assassinated by a revolutionary gunman in the chaos of 1849, and is succeeded by his brother, Johann of Saxony (1801-73), who, in issuing a number of reactionary measures to maintain control, strengthens Saxony’s relationship with Prussia.
In Baden, the German unification movement suffers a fatal setback when a Heidelberg meeting discussing the potential for elections to a German national assembly – to be held in the church of St. Paul’s in Frankfurt – is interrupted by government troops. In the ensuing chaos, a number of prominent unification figures are killed.
Germanic Wars (1849-52)
[Expansionist Hannover conquers Oldenburg, seeks dynastic union with Mecklenburg’s as counterweight to Prussian dominance]
[Schleswig-Holstein remains Danish]
[Thuringian States divided amongst Saxony, Prussia and Bavaria]
[Bismarck as a Newspaper Magnate]
ZOLLVEREIN AS OF 1865:
- Archduchy of Austria, Archduke Franz Josef (1830-1916)
- Republic of Bohemia
- Kingdom of Hesse (Hessen Darmstadt, Hessen-Kassal, Nassau), King Ludwig III (1806-77)
- Kingdom of Prussia, King Wilhelm I (1797-1888)
- Kingdom of Saxony, King Johann I (1801-73)
- Kingdom of Hannover (Hannover, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Oldenburg), King George V (1819-78)
- Republic of Westphalia (formerly Prussian)
- Principality of Lippe, Prince Leopold III (1821-75(
- Grand Duchy of Baden (Baden, Wurttemberg), Grand Duke Friedrich I (1826-1907)
- Kingdom of Bavaria, King Ludwig II (1845-86)
6. The North Italian Confederation
The liberation of Lombardy-Venetia in the aftermath of Habsburg collapse releases North Italy from Austrian orbit. A more successful war between Piedmont and Austria means that King Charles Albert of Savoy-Sardinia (1798-1864) lives longer than in OTL. He is instrumental in bringing the various nations of the North Italian Confederation (‘Italia’) into alignment. Based in Milan, this confederation – primarily concerned with economic issues and foreign affairs – is relatively well established on the European stage by 1855. The death of the Savoy-Sardinian Prime Minister Cavour (1810-61) triggers a period of instability, which ends with the centre-left party of Urbano Rattazzi (1808-73) winning an overwhelming majority in the Savoy-Sardinian parliament.
In 1862, Savoy-Sardinian troops occupy the Duchy of Parma, while Garibaldi moves from Romagna into the Papal States, quickly overcoming a feeble resistance. The main opposition comes from Orleanist France and the kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Contrary to OTL, Rattazzi feels much more secure in his premiership (also because of the strong support from Milan), and his action is quite decisive. A secret agreement with Spain gives the Pope a joint guarantee for lazio and the town of Rome. Reactionary elements under Pope Pius IX (1792-1878) seem to be becoming more pronounced, and – after the uprisings in Romagna – the Papal States start a major programme of defensive armament.
In 1863, the occupied Duchy of Parma is split in a referendum, with Parma joining Sardinia, but Reggio choosing the republican Lombardy-Venetia. Marche and Umbria join the republican side too, again after plebiscites. Lombardy-Venetia takes the name ‘Republica Cisalpina’ (republic "this side" of the Alps) as a cultural move intended to distance the nation from its Austrian past. Emilia, Romagna, Marche and Umbria take the name of ‘Republica Cispadana’ (republic "this side" of the Po).
[Rapid industrialization for the North Italian Confederation. Haven for European revolutionaries, nihilists and romantic adventurers. Home of a Second Renaissance]
[Papal agents fostering counter-revolution, strong relations with Spain, Austria, Prussia]
Kingdom of Two Sicilies ends up as a vehemently Catholic agricultural backwater under an absolute monarchy.
[Kingdom of Two Sicilies eventually ends up a bizarre blend of Catholicism / anarcho-syndicalist / communist? Think Proudhon’s ‘agricultural-industrial federation’]
7. Financial Worries
[The chaos caused by the revolutions of 1849 trigger a European economic panic. Resurrection of protectionist measures? Resuscitation of Colonial ambitions? Chartism continues in the UK? Socialism in the agricultural Two Scilies? A secondary panic occurs in 1855 as a result of the outbreak of revolution in Russia. Start of European recovery in 1862]
[American financial Panic in 1857 – no tariff reductions in 1857, despite pressure from the South.]
8. Russian Revolution
In 1848-9, revolutions in Prussian Posen and Russian Congress Poland are fostered and supported by Krakow and Galicia. Both sets of revolts are suppressed, but at huge cost. In Prussia, the suppression of activities in Posen meant that the military were active in the East when they should have been concentrating on the secession of Westphalia. The maintenance of Russian control in Congress Poland equates to far less military support for the Austrian government. In Russia, the brutal suppression of Polish rebels by Nicholas I (1796-1855) merely serves to fan the flames of discontent, and drives revolutionary sympathies underground. The effects of economic depression and famine mean that, upon Nicholas’ death in 1855, Russia erupts into revolution.
[OTL Tsar Alexander II and his family are killed in the siege of St. Petersburg in 1857.]
Tsar Constantine II (1827-92) consolidates power in 1858, and agrees to cede territories in the name of a cease fire.
After the revolution, Russia receives reconstruction loans from France, Greece, and Switzerland.
Guaranteed by Hungary:
- An independent Wallonia – authoritarian, under Alexander John Cuza (1820-73)
Guaranteed by Sweden/Norway, Denmark, and the UK:
- An independent Livonia – constitutional monarchy, under Karl of Hesse (1809-77)
- An independent Courland – constitutional monarchy, under Alexander of Hesse (1823-88)
Guaranteed by Galicia, Bohemia:
- An independent Congress Poland – republic
- An independent Moldavia – republic
No formal guarantee:
- A nominally independent Finland – social democratic under Mikhail Bakunin (1814-76)
[Later reclaimed by Russia]
9. The Fall of the Ottoman Empire
[Think Crimean War, but quicker and more decisive]
A small war of attrition in the mid 1850s, in which the Western powers seize territory from European Turkey – Greece and France play the largest roles…
Some troops landed in the French territories of Algeria, whilst others were tasked with driving the Turks out of mainland Europe. The Ottomans invested more into defending the European front and, as such, lost all of their territories from North Africa. In the aftermath, there was pressure from the other European powers to set up many of the European territories liberated from the Ottomans as independent states, but there were no such qualms with the division/conquest of colonial territories.
UK busy with Canadian problems [???]
Treaty of Antwerp (1858), Anglo-Dutch settlement.
[Greece takes Macedonia and various other territories]
[Serbia takes large amount of Ottoman territory]
[OTL Bulgaria becomes TTL Rumalia, more or less]
[Bosnia gains independence]
[France gets Egypt]
[Greece gets a large chunk of North Africa]
10. The Calculating Engines
Augusta Ada King (1815-56) seeks out her father in 1834, mostly out of curiosity. Their relationship, although somewhat limited by her mother, is not without common ground.
With better physicians paid for by her father at the onset on her cancer (who don't bleed her to death, as in OTL), she lives four years longer, albeit in weak health, finally dying in 1856. After the publishing of a major paper in 1854, Ada becomes acquainted with the work of George Boole, which she introduces to an initially reluctant Babbage (1791-1871). She also survives to inherit a significant amount of her father’s wealth, some of which she in turn bequeaths to Babbage. Enough for him to hire a team of engineers and to set about making his designs for a Calculating Engine a practical reality.
With Boole’s influence, the engineering team convinces Babbage to adopt a binary infrastructure rather than using a base of ten. Correspondence with Charles Hutton Gregory introduces Babbage to the concept of mechanical switches, as used on the railways. Compared to the machined cogs and gears that Babbage had been using in his designs, mechanical switches lowered the costs and complexity of the project dramatically.
[Henry Fleeming Jenkin (1833-85), James Clerk Maxwell (1831-79), Arthur Cayley (1821-95), Joseph Henry (1797-1878)]
Problems with funding, the technical aspects, and staff relations set the project back dramatically but – as the threat of war with Prussia/Austria starts to loom on the distant horizon (early 60s) – the British government begins to take Babbage’s ‘Athena’ Project slightly more seriously, and provide enough funding to allow the project to reach final completion in 1863.
Applications: cryptography, administration, military tactics and strategy, currency conversion, engineering, social demographics, railway timetables, databases, communications infrastructure, public health, statistic modeling, censuses, telegraphy,
After the British Engine is finished - Greek, French, Swedish, Swiss, Italian, Prussian, Hanoverian, Dutch, and American (?) analogues follow? A computing cold war?]
11. The USA
[More German immigration in the years following 1848, with lower social status]
With a major economic crisis throughout the 1850s/60s, both slavery and protectionism are far more attractive than in OTL. as means of preserving American economic integrity. The Dredd Scott v. Sandford case remains under the radar. No Freeport Doctrine and, as such, no split in the Democrat Party in 1860, and they only field the one candidate in the 1860 presidential election – Stephen A. Douglas (1813-61) – who takes a moderate position on questions of both slavery and protectionism. No Constitutional Union Party. As such, Stephen A. Douglas narrowly beats Lincoln to become the sixteenth President of the United States. Douglas supports the admission of Kansas as a free state in 1861, provoking a serious threat of the secession of South Carolina. President Douglas responds with threats of military suppression of SC's "independence". The North, Border, and upper South all rally, and a large majority in Congress endorses Douglas' move. Now that secession has been formally declared illegal, South Carolina finally backs down before Federal troops march in, and a precedent has been established.
[NO AMERICAN CIVIL WAR! Demographic changes? “Frontier” pushed westwards – ‘Manifest Destiny’? Stronger class system in the Southern US, with slave-owners, white working class, and slaves. The effects of mechanization on the need for slave labour. North dramatically more populous than the South. South is slow to industrialize, divided on the issue of abolition, developing an analogue to apartheid. As a result of the influence of the South, America is noticeably more conservative and religious than OTL. Recovery from economic downturn in the early 1870s.]
[Douglas narrowly re-elected in 1864?]
12. French Egypt
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