What If: An Earlier Discovery of The New World?
The POD for this takes place in the 15th Century in which instead of finding an ocean route to India first Henry the Navigator of Portugal orders explorers to find a westward route to Asia. Instead his men discover the New World. From that point on things would be different...
Through exploration, trade, and conquest Portugal began to grow more in power and influence over time. Then a marriage between the queen of Portugal and the king of Castille helped to create a more powerful union. Now with Castille on the helm it began to spearhead empire growth across the world. From taking over the entire New World to taking control of regions in South and Southeast Asia to establishing a trade empire an a colony in South Africa, Spain was on the top of its game.
Then came along Martin Luther. The Holy Roman Emperor began to ally with him in order to reduce the power of the Vatican, leading to a religious conflict across Europe that lead to nations having greater control of their churches.
Without the wars and reckless spending of OTL Europe entered a golden age of technology, science, and the arts. The Industrial Revolution began to occur around the mid-17th Century and without much wars aside from Europe allying against the Ottomans from time to time Europe began to grow and evolve.
Then a dynastic dispute in France led to a massive war during the early 18th Century. While Spain got to claim control of France it came at a great cost. Forced to tax the colonies Spain began to struggle against its colonies in the Americas who felt that the taxation was unfair. Along with Enlightenment ideals that spread throughout Europe and the New World the colonists wanted to reform. This led to a war with independence with Spain that led to the United States of America, a country that controlled the entire New World (save Greenland).
The bitter defeat in the war would culminate in pent-up anger that was unleashed during the Spanish Revolution in 1783. The revolution established Europe's first modern republic. It wouldn't be long before France revolted under revolution too. As France was now under to rule of a populist semi-absolute monarchy Spain descended into chaos between warring factions. Britain and France picked up Spain's pieces in Asia and Africa as South Africa declared independence and allegiance to Britain while America took Spain's possessions in the Pacific and the Philippines. France would also be at war with Europe until a truce was declared recognizing France's gains Europe and the world.
The First Cold War would develop between France and Britain as both sides attempted to outdo one another. Then from 1846 to 1854 World War I occurred as both sides began to fight for control of Asia and Africa. This didn't lead to a victory from either sides but rather victories and losses in regions across the world. China was divided as two warring factions: the Qing monarchy and a republic allied with Britain and France respectively. India was also divided with France controlling the south and Britain the north. France had claim to North Africa, West Africa saving Nigeria, and the Congo while Britain held East Africa and Central Africa.
Then World War II began rolling from 1879 to 1884 as the world as the French and British blocs continued to fight one another. The war led to a slight French victory with Britain and her allies suffering more than France. But the war led to discontent among the populace. Communism, socialism, syndicalism, and other radical liberal ideas spread across Europe as people demanding reform. The old regimes attempted to crack down on any resistance to their power yet little do they know the Catholic Church, also horrified by the war, began working with far-leftist groups on the promise that they'll at least tolerate religion.
Meanwhile in Russia discontent for the tyrannical government finally boiled over when the Russian Orthodox Patriarch was executed for condemning the tsar. After a bloody civil war from 1886 to 1894 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was born. The country became a pariah state to the world for fear that it would lead to the destruction of their power.
Then came the Great Depression in 1903. In America anger over the government for failing to help the people lead to a civil war from 1906 to 1911. A democratic far-leftist republic was established in America much to the horror of conservative Europe. But meanwhile Britain and France geared up for war for the last time as World War III from 1919-1921 devastated the world. For the first time computers and space technologies were involved as well as biological weapons that would wiped out over a billion people. Japan, meanwhile, began attacking both sides as they were too busy fighting each other. Then, when a confrontation between Japan and America in the South Pacific went horribly wrong America declared war. Then, Britain and its ally Germany invaded the USSR which turned out to be a disastrous decision. As Japan started losing territory and Britain and Germany's fortunes started to reverse America used eight atomic bombs against South Africa, Britain, Germany, Japan, and Australia leading to an unconditional surrender of the British bloc.
Then the Second Cold War started as the USSR and the USA dominated the globe and became rivals in the world stage. The USA had east and southeast Asia, western Europe, and South Africa while the USSR had Eastern Europe, most of Africa, and India. Only Iran and the UAR remained neutral, often playing both sides against the other. Both countries influenced their governments and economies to be like theirs.
Despite the fear of nuclear annihilation, technology and the arts progressed during this time. Environmentalism became widespread as care for the Earth was considered. Then the rise of asteroid mining and moon colonies changed the world as resources from Outer Space alleviated resource extraction at home.
Then came the Springtime of Nations. From 1981 to 1992 nations across the world began to descend into revolution. East Asia, Guinea, South Africa, East Africa, Iran, the UAR, and Southeast Asia had nonviolent popular protests that lead to democratization. Eastern Europe revolted against the USSR leading to a devastating war which led to a popular revolution in the USSR that toppled the communist government. Due to fear of civil war and nuclear weapons going amok the new government and the rebels declared an agreement while the Central Asian republics declared independence and joined Iran. Meanwhile the Caucasus descended into ethnic chaos and various groups battled for control over pieces of territory. The collapse of the USSR led to revolutions across India and Africa from nonviolent revolution to chaotic civil war. By 1992 the dust has settled as the the final shots were called and peace returned to the world.
In 1993, western Europe united to form the European Federation after decades of peace, growth, and cooperation. A massive economic stimulus plan was sent to Russia and Eastern Europe, leading to a massive economic boom that quickly eliminated much of the devastation.
As the 21st Century dawned much of the world was enjoying peace and economic world. For the first time a vast majority of the world's people enjoyed developed world status. No longer did people have to fear about war, famine, plague, corruption, or tyranny as nations began to embrace one another. Although the organization started after WWIII the Internationale of Nations became the most powerful supranational organization in the world, even more powerful than the world's sole superpower America. Alongside the United Nations it helps maintain world peace, prosperity, and democracy worldwide (basically the Internationale is a much better version of the OTL EU). By 2001 Eastern Europe and the western Caucasus joined with the European Federation leaving only Veinakia, Dagestan, and Russia the only independent European nations left.
However in 2006 a wave of popular protests struck Nigeria, Gurland, Mali, Azawad, Cabon, Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Sudan, and Dagestan. Despite hope for progress in most situations things got out of control. Madagascar and Ethiopia made transitions to a true modern democracy while leaders resigned across Gurland, Dagestan, Nigeria, Dagestan, and South Sudan. Congo invaded Cabon to prevent a democratic government from threatening their power of the Congolese people. This military adventure ended disastrously as the international community liberated Cabon from Congo. Meanwhile, discontent lead to a civil war that ended in 2014 with a truce between the government and the rebels.
While Cabon as being rebuilt to become a true developed nation, Azawad and Mali once again fought over Timbuktu. However, the Fula Liberation Army around the city also fought for their independence. Under pressure from the Internationale both countries agreed to a cease fire with the FLA becoming the independent nation of Timbuktu.
It's 2016 and the world is enjoying massive technological advancement (2-3 centuries ahead of OTL), economic stability, human rights, and world peace. Yet as the riots over election disputes in Gurland, South Sudan, and Mali show the world still has a far way to go from being a utopia.
I feel bad reposting it
I might use that in the future!
