Explain the AH Quote

[CountDVB]

"The United Kingdom and Spanish Empire were the World's leading dominant empires by the turn of 1900, despite losing most of their colonies in the Americas, such as the US and Gran Colombia, during the previous century and a half. Edinburgh and Barcelona were on top of the World."

A summary of a textbook detailing how the two big Great Powers were the British and the Spanish, despite having been dealt a painful loss regarding the Americas, mainly the United States with the American Revoluton and the Republic of Bolivia (formerly named Gran Colombia) being the bigger names within the nation among the others. The British maintained a prominent reign with the the British Empire and their crown jewel of the British Raj while the Spanish Empire maintained control through control of the Caribbean and a shortcut through Africa their equivalent of the British Raj in Mesoafrica, born from the Kingdom of the Kongo expanding across the continent like a belt. along with Norte Africa, having exploiting anti-Arab sentiment in the region by promoting Catholicism there as part of an astroturfing nationalist campaign.

Additionally, they had their own various spheres of influences, with the Spanish Empire having a predominant amount of influence in Catholic nations (such as Austria-Hungary and Sardinia-Tuscany) while the British maintained influnece more north, with the Kingdom of Hanover, the Low Countries and so on. Of course, this was a prelude to the Great War. The Great War would be the result of various conflicts, such as courting France and the situation in southern Europe, with the British and her German allies interested in assisting the Serbs and Greeks against Austria-Hungary. Eventually, the Great War would occur. France would initially remain neutral (albeit because of a politically shaky government) and would join the British against the Spanish. Another surprise contender would be the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, who saw their indepndence threatened by Spain and the Papacy's firm siding with them and Sardinia meant the Neapolitans and Sicilians would turn their back on the Catholic Church.

The Great War would see both sides heavily weakened, with Spain losing most of its imperial holdings and the British managing to hold onto some if weakened though with some surprising winners. Austria-Hungary broke and with Serbia too weak, Bulgaria began expanding. After taking some land from Serbia, they made an arrangement with Montenegro, Albania and the Kosovo and Macedonian regions; they become part of a federalized Bulgarian Empire; they would maintain large portions of their autonomy without fear of forced cultural conversion or threat, but still bow to the Bulgarian throne (Bulgaria mainly wanting access to the Adriatic Sea). The deal was accepted. Bulgaria finalized it with recognition from Romania (who in exchange wanted Bulgarian recognition of Transylvania becomng part of Romania). France meanwhile would form a trading bloc with the Two Sicilies, the new Republic of Valencia and the new Holy Republic of Mauretania, a former Spanish colony stretching between Morocco and the Ottomans' Tripolitania. Hanover managed to succesfuly form a union with Brandenbeg while Bavaria annexed Austria.

"Spain becoming the new Papal State was the last straw for a bunch of the Spanish minorities. The Catalan speaking states seceded as the Catalonian Commonwealth and that was the start. The 20th century would see the rise of the term Hispanization."

 

[Victoria]

"Spain becoming the new Papal State was the last straw for a bunch of the Spanish minorities. The Catalan speaking states seceded as the Catalonian Commonwealth and that was the start. The 20th century would see the rise of the term Hispanization."

In 1898, due to a series of revolutions, assassinations and abdications, Pope John XXI (born Infante Felipe of Spain) became the heir to the Spanish throne. This, coupled with the unrest in Italy and the loss of papal territory and influence there, led to him moving the Holy See to Madrid. He also established a new succession: the next Pope would also be the next king of Spain
The move was popular with the Spanish clergy, about half of the conservatives and a small part of the revolutionaries. Everyone else hated it, the new king and most of all the new succession system. Some called for a republic and others rallied around the Infanta María Margarita. The new king John III of Spain managed to defeat the republicans and take custody of his grand-niece. The chaos led to many separatist regions finally being able to secede. Catalonia was the first to go in 1902 and it was followed by Galicia becoming part of Portugal in 1906. By 1925, the elderly Pope John was barely holding Castile, Asturias and Leon; the Basque country and Andalusia had become republics and María Margarita was queen of Aragon and Valencia.

"You are, without a doubt, the worst bishop I have ever heard of."

 

[RedKing]

"You are, without a doubt, the worst bishop I have ever heard of."

King Henry VIII to his close companion Bishop Asherton, after the Bishop accidentally referred to the visiting Pope as, "The King's mortal enemy". The reasons for the Gaffes are unknown but some have suggested that Asherton had gotten his hands on some Tobacco from the New World and had smoked some while drinking very strong wine. This incident known as "The Heavenly Insult", lead to King Henry VIII and Bishop Asherton being excommunicated along with all subjects to King Henry VIII. Henry VIII had Asherton executed immediately after and tried to reconcile with the Pope, but failed.

It lead to the Tenth Crusade which saw England conquered and the Tudor family and all it's associates beheaded. The English monarchy was replaced with a theocracy, with Thomas Wosley being made the first Archbishop of all England. The Theocracy endures to this day and is considered backwards by some.


"Wait, so a Frenchman has become the Japanese Emperor? Please tell me, what is this man's name?"

 

[John Spangler]

"Wait, so a Frenchman has become the Japanese Emperor? Please tell me, what is this man's name?"

Russian Tzar Ivan XI upon hearing of Napoleon Bonaparte's ascent to the Heavenly Throne of Japan. Bonaparte, a former French adventurer turned military officer, had previously married the Japanese emperor's only daughter. When most of the imperial family died in a terrorist attack by the Hand of Temujin, Bonaparte became emperor by rights of marriage.

"I swear, if you interrupt me once again, I'll send you to the Sicilian Hellhole!"

 

[CountDVB]

"I swear, if you interrupt me once again, I'll send you to the Sicilian Hellhole!"

A word from the the slightly tongue-in-cheek documentary regarding Italian politics, this time referring to a semi-member (he was the son out of wedlock, but still considered within the family) of the Medici family being sentenced over to the so-called "Sicilian Hellhole", a rough part located in what was the Kingdom of Trinacina at the time. However, tis was his attention as he wished to carve his own path and indeed he was sent there. However, through charm and wit, he made his way to the court and would manage to help make his way to the heir as a way to avoid Aragon claiming it. As such, Naples and Trinacina would be united to be the United Kingdom of Sicily under him. He would spend the rest of his life expanding his domain over in northern Africa through lucrative trade deals with the Barbary pirates and supporting protestanism.

By the time the Medici family fell, the survivors fled to the new Medici dynasty over in the Kingdom of Sicily, who would come to control, starting with the Barbary coast and later Libya, mainly through political mechaniations and supporting the Amzaigh people against their Turkish occupiers

"The same way Great Britain would have the British Raj as their crown jewel, the Japanese had the Japanese Tlatoani as their crown jewel."

 

[Deleted member 160141]

"The same way Great Britain would have the British Raj as their crown jewel, the Japanese had the Japanese Tlatoani as their crown jewel."

Reference to the Japanese colonization of Mexico, starting in 1525 with the establishment of the Japanese trading station at Xalisco. Over time, the Japanese colony would grow as they meddled in local politics. The first major break for them came in 1602, when the local hegemon -- the Aztec Triple Alliance -- collapsed into civil war when the cities of Huexotzinco and Xilotepec colluded with the Mixtec principalities of Yucu Dzaa and Zaachila to foment a general revolt against Tenochtitlan. With Japanese aid, they overthrew the Tenochca rule and divided up the empire between them, with the Japanese receiving substantial benefits and trading concessions for their decisive role in the fighting. After this, the Japanese would turn the different factions against each other and slowly begin chipping away at the local strongmen. By 1716, 70% of Mexico was either vassalized or under their direct control, and by 1798 all native polities were under Japanese dominion, with only a few Huastec and Yucatec cities on the east coast in the hands of the Spanish West Indies Trading Company.

"Our terms remain as before the war: cease the smuggling of opium completely. No recompense shall be given for lost opium, no mercy shall be given to any foreigner who is caught smuggling opium, no mercy shall be given to anyone caught abetting smuggling, and no toleration shall be given for future infringements against the sovereignty of the Great Qing State."

 

[CountDVB]

"Our terms remain as before the war: cease the smuggling of opium completely. No recompense shall be given for lost opium, no mercy shall be given to any foreigner who is caught smuggling opium, no mercy shall be given to anyone caught abetting smuggling, and no toleration shall be given for future infringements against the sovereignty of the Great Qing State."

The terms put in place over to try and end the opium wars between the Qing and the British. The Qing, decided to try just stalling the efforts and waiting to try and beat the British through guerilla tactics (even rumors revealing asking the Americans for some counseling, a rumor confirmed in 2005 by documents revealed). Ultimately, the Opium Wars would end with the end with the end of the smuggling of opium, mainly with the British having to deal with the potato famine in Ireland. The Qing was busy to try and repair itself, maintaining the ports for itnernational purposes though also realizing that they could not remain isolated and thus needed to make changes.

However, in a surprising move, they offered Hong Kong as a haven to Irish folk provided they surender their loyalty to the British, which they did in droves, along with the Qing giving some aid money. This proved to be both a power move in humiliating the British and looking good in the world (though also it was because out of a sense of compassion). This benefitted them in the long run as the Qing maintained its strength and dignity. Even when the Revolution came, it was to change the monarchy, with it become a federal stwte under a new Han dynasty and with a federalized Manchu state. Hong Kong to this day is the site of prominent Irish influence and helped led to various investment. It also led to the a hybridization of the Catholic Church and Confucianism, leading to the creation of the Confucian Christian Church, a church combining Chrisitain principles influenced by Confucianism.

"The Irish never forgot that it was India who helped them the most during their famine, especially when the British Raj suffered their own problems. Little wonder why the Irish did everything to return the favor to help them."

 

[Alias_The_J]

"The Irish never forgot that it was India who helped them the most during their famine, especially when the British Raj suffered their own problems. Little wonder why the Irish did everything to return the favor to help them."

During the Potato Famine, some of the Indian Princes in both Britain and America helped send real and useful (read: not nearly-unusable cornmeal) to Ireland. This helped reduce the amount of immigration to America, making Ireland more populous; the land reforms also allowed for the Irish to begin significant economic growth. Hence, when India experienced famine in 1871, 1880, and 1943, the Irish- often at the expense of private citizens- were the first to begin sending aid. They were also among the people most favoring the decolonization of India, even as business ties prevented a full "Igress" from the United Kingdom. Even as of 2020, Irish MPs are among India's strongest allies in the Parliament of the UK- and with Ireland being second only to Britain itself in population and economy, this is a strong tie indeed.

"You can sway a thousand gents by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one prole by logic."

 

[CountDVB]

"You can sway a thousand gents by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one prole by logic."

A quote read from the book by Austrian sociologist Adolf Hitler, Volkkampf: Interactions of the People. The book was a critique on socialism or rather, on the disadvantages socialism was facing in winning over the masses and how the intelligentsia often failed in recognizing the importance this. Other instances included the elements of racism played among the upper classes and sowing discord.

The book was viewed as the modern-day The Prince, namely in detailing the usage of reactionary elements in politics (though the book critiqued it as impractical and detrimental in the long term), but also forced much of the leftists to reform themselves and having to deal with long-term planning and was credited as an early influence in neosocialism, a successor to socailism that came about in the 1980s and 1990s.

"The Business Plot succeeded, but the elite soon learned that by killing President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, they martyred him and someone more dangerous executed his policies farther than he dreamed. And their murder of him was fully used to justify the period of martial law that killed them, the KKK and other groups. And that man was none other than President Huey Long. The man who finished racial integration for the US and even united all peoples... if in fear and awe of him."

 

[TheDetailer]

"The Business Plot succeeded, but the elite soon learned that by killing President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, they martyred him and someone more dangerous executed his policies farther than he dreamed. And their murder of him was fully used to justify the period of martial law that killed them, the KKK and other groups. And that man was none other than President Huey Long. The man who finished racial integration for the US and even united all peoples... if in fear and awe of him."

From the begging of famous Youtube personality Alternate History Hub's video on "What if the Business Plot never happened?", where he goes into detail about a World where FDR survived, Huey Long never became President of the USA, and so much more. Among the topics of his video include the impact that such a turn of events would have on US culture and society, with such "near-apocalyptic" retaliation against corporations in the aftermath of the Long Administration coming to power meaning that corpatism and monopolies could possibly survive and continue to be a problem for atleast a little longer. The desegregation of the South would've taken a few more decades compared to the forced and often violent desegregation, known as the Second Reconstruction (1936-1956), that followed when Long took charge, especially when talking about stuff like "Deconfedratiozation", the loss of statehood for much of the Deep South, or the many white southerners (hate groups, civilians, rogue police and soldiers, etc.) who tried to rebel but faced swift retaliation. The Second World War (1939-1945) would most likley have played out like IOTL, although AHH believes that America would've stayed neutral up until the Attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 by the Japanese Army, instead of joining in a few days after the Fall of France in 1940. AHH populist one, also believes that there would possibly been a chance for the Japanese Monarchy to continue in a world where Huey Long wasn't in charge in 1945. AHH ends of his scenario by wondering how exactly the Cold War (1946-1989) would play out without Long's policies of "Every Man a King", imaging a more conservative and laissez-faire United States, instead of a semi-Socialist populist one, going up against the much more Authoritarian and brutal Soviet Union.

"The Republic of China is a country in East Asia, consisting of the islands of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Hainan."

 

[CountDVB]

"The Republic of China is a country in East Asia, consisting of the islands of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Hainan."

The beginning entry on describing The Republic Of China, known as the 3rd China, on Encyclopedia Britannica. Founded by the Chinese Democratic League going to Hainan and Taiwan and latter getting Hong Kong and Macau, it showed a modern and open China, standing against the other 2 Chinas.

The “first” China or the People’s State Of China or North China is a self-proclaimed communist state; in actuality a one-party bureaucratic technocratic state consisting of Manchuria and the land of the Yellow River.

It’s at odds with South China, officially the Kingdom of China, founded by the dynasty of Yuan Shikai. A constitutional monarchy though with the throne having executive power. Has been in a Cold War with North China for decades. Both nations are rather unpopular and politically isolated, with many viewing the small Republic Of China as the true China, especially Mongolia, Tibet and Uyghurstan.

The growing riots and protests against the government have foreigners suspect that North China and South China’s governments will collapse or fail, with leadership falling onto The Republic Of China (who rumor has it has been planning assistance for this).

”The British thought that by banishing Joan Of Arc and her followers to the Hafsid Kingdom, that they would humiliate her further. Instead, they fed her legend as the Maid Of Orleans’ divine legend grew in Northern Africa with each accomplishment”

 

[Plateosaurus]

”The British thought that by banishing Joan Of Arc and her followers to the Hafsid Kingdom, that they would humiliate her further. Instead, they fed her legend as the Maid Of Orleans’ divine legend grew in Northern Africa with each accomplishment”

Narration from the trailer for Joan of Algiers, a historical war film released in 1958, based off the life of revolutionary and adviser to the throne Jeanne d’Arc, who adopted the name Jean al-Muhammad.

"It isn't right, but we just do it anyway."

 

[Kylia]

"It isn't right, but we just do it anyway."

Said by an anonymous Russian soldier regarding the torture committted on many Tibetan captured rebels, resisting the Russian Republic's invasion of Tibet. The prison in Siberia where most of the capture rebels were put became known for brutal torture, on orders of proto-fascist elements in Russia's security apparatus, and the expose in 2012 by a Moscow paper of what was happening there ended up bringing down the Russian president and much of the Duma as fallout from the scandal.

It all started with a badly timed bald joke!

 

[TheDetailer]

(OOC: I know the post was edited, but I thought I might aswell do it anyways.)

"You can get away with anything in China so as long as you say your father wants you to do this."

Quote from the communist gangster, writer, and politician Mao Zedong (1893-1949), about the state of China, which had since the bloody and messy failed revolution of 1912, become an authoritarian, corporatist, and pseudo-legalist police state, which saw parts of the country taken by countries like Japan, the USSR, Britain, and even Mongolia. The regime would finally fall in 1949, but during the final Battle of Beijing, Mao was shot in the head by a sniper. He would go on to become a famous figure within Chinese communist circles.

"Please raise your right hand and repeat after me...I, Martin Luther King Junior do solemnly swear."
"I Martin Luther King Jr. do solemnly swear."
"That I will faithfully execute."
"That I will faithfully execute."
"The office of the President of the Confederate States."
"The office of the President of the Confederate States."
"And will to the best of my ability."
"And will to the best of my ability."
"Preserve, protect, and defend."
"Preserve, protect, and defend."
"The Constitution of the Confederate States."
"The Constitution of the Confederate States."
"So help you god."
"So help me god."
"Congratulations Mr. President."

 

[Deleted member 139407]

It all started with a badly timed bald joke!

Member of the Duma Mikhail Gorbachev on how he got his start in politics and his ensuing political career. The controversial politician of the Social Democrats United was only half kidding with this statement, as he did note that he was bullied as a child and as a teenager due to his birth mark (which became more pronounced due to his hair loss).

"Please raise your right hand and repeat after me...I, Martin Luther King Junior do solemnly swear."
"I Martin Luther King Jr. do solemnly swear."
"That I will faithfully execute."
"That I will faithfully execute."
"The office of the President of the Confederate States."
"The office of the President of the Confederate States."
"And will to the best of my ability."
"And will to the best of my ability."
"Preserve, protect, and defend."
"Preserve, protect, and defend."
"The Constitution of the Confederate States."
"The Constitution of the Confederate States."
"So help you god."
"So help me god."
"Congratulations Mr. President."

A scene from an ultimately-trashed The Boondocks alternate history episode called "I Had A Dream." The plot revolved around Grandad's recurring dreams where not only did the Confederate States survive the American Civil War, but the rump state which became of it saw a revolution similar to that of South Africa. Grandad, in the dream, fought alongside future President MLK Jr, and served with him throughout his presidency, but was consistently sidelined in his quest for power and recognition. However, it was all revealed that these dreams were started after Grandad fell asleep high watching The Butler and Long Walk to Freedom combined with his infamous and unsettled grudge against Rosa Parks.

"Vandaag, vijf jaar geleden, begon de Harlem-revolutie met een knal. Vandaag werd ze beëindigd met een handdruk en de opkomst van een nieuwe republiek; de Volksrepubliek Nieuw Nederland."
Translated
"Five years ago today, the Harlem Revolution started with a bang. Today, it was ended with a handshake and the rise of a new republic; the People's Republic of Nieuw Nederland."

 

[Tairo]

"Vandaag, vijf jaar geleden, begon de Harlem-revolutie met een knal. Vandaag werd ze beëindigd met een handdruk en de opkomst van een nieuwe republiek; de Volksrepubliek Nieuw Nederland."
Translated
"Five years ago today, the Harlem Revolution started with a bang. Today, it was ended with a handshake and the rise of a new republic; the People's Republic of Nieuw Nederland."

Opening lines to the famous 'Liberation Day' speech of 1708, celebrating the expulsion of the English from the lands of the Dutch colonists five years prior. Nieuw Nederland would resist 'reconquest' by the English throughout the 1700s and early 1800s. It's end however would come not at the hands of outside forces but from within.

Europe is reduced to rubble, Asia is in flames and the Americas yet struggle under foreign yoke. There is yet more work to be done.

 

[Plateosaurus]

Europe is reduced to rubble, Asia is in flames and the Americas yet struggle under foreign yoke. There is yet more work to be done.

(Note: Asia refers here to the Middle East, central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. East Asia is more or less fine)

Spoken by Edward Pliny, a leader of a clan in the American Great Lakes region after the Fallensonne Impact, where a 0.5 km asteroid struck Silesia in 1825. It devastated much of the world, both for people and the biosphere.

"My career as county leader was a power move my father. He wanted to show the majority-Negro people of it that even the lowest of white people, crippled and wasting away in a wheelchair, was far intellectually superior and powerful then all of them together."

 

[CountDVB]

"I'm not saying it was aliens. I'm just saying the levels of stupid here cannot have come from humanity."

An exchange from an episode of Family Guy spoofing Ancient Aliens, or rather lampooning both sides of the arguments; the believers for the lack of presentation of evidence and beleif and the disbelievers for the desperate belief and special and trying to coincide the accomplishments with humanity's own absurdities. The dialogue in question was referring in fact to stuff regarding Stonehedge and other monuments.

"In theory, sure, but they mostly just get name-dropped to bolster an appealing but ultimately specious pan-African narrative that probably arose to elide historic sectarian divisions between the various West African and Central African peoples."

 

[Tairo]

"My career as county leader was a power move my father. He wanted to show the majority-Negro people of it that even the lowest of white people, crippled and wasting away in a wheelchair, was far intellectually superior and powerful then all of them together."

Spoken by Abraham Lincoln upon his ascenscion to President of Liberia. Ironically, his rule of the country would prove to be an utter disaster, embroiling the nascent African country in wars with all of its neighbours.


You stand in the presence of perfection, your awe is annoying.

 

[CountDVB]

You stand in the presence of perfection, your awe is annoying.

A line by Doctor Doom in the Marvel Adventures subline of Marvel Comics, a more light-hearted version of the Marvel universe, known for its lightly satirical tone and self-relfective tone. Doctor Doom spoke of this to Spider-Man, who replied that he was in awe on how Doctor Doom could maintain a profound level of projection toward Reed Richard. It would also see Spider-Man triumph over Doctor Doom for the first time, namely by reminding Doom and many others that Spider-Man was very well-versed in the sciences and foiling his scheme.

"In theory, sure, but they mostly just get name-dropped to bolster an appealing but ultimately specious pan-African narrative that probably arose to elide historic sectarian divisions between the various West African and Central African peoples."