OK, Falastur, I think that about wraps it up for this thread. Some final thoughts on your most recent thoughtful reply:
Regarding minor states, I unfortunately have the tendency to envision a nice neat world map consisting of several large nations with very few small nations cluttering up the map. But in reality, geopolitics is not so simplistic. I'll have to modify my map and TL to include minor states at the fringes of, in between, and even within the major powers.
I like the belated united Europe idea. The concept of having enemies forced to set aside their differences and unite in the face of a stronger common enemy is very intriguing to me. The Worldwar series, which makes use of this concept extensively, were the first AH novels I read. So having medieval England and France becoming reluctant allies to combat the Ottomans may make its way into the TL. They won't stop the Turks of course, but it'll be good fun anyway.
While the core of the Ottoman Empire in Anatolia and the Balkans remains stable for centuries, the amount of control they have over the rest of Europe waxes and wanes over time. The European beyliks (thanks for the term -- it's new to me) won't remain peaceful, but their inability to work together against Istanbul will keep them from permanently breaking away without Ottoman permission.
As for the next plausibility thread, I'm thinking of providing a general overview of the whole TL, including the Papal Wars, for the AH public to comment on before I commit to writing the TL. Two major things I'm still concerned about are the ability of the non-European civilizations to become industrialized on their own and the ability of the native American civilizations to remain independent from the Old World powers. In my opinion, both of these accomplishments seem plausible in my TL, but I'm not one to turn down free advice. Feel free to join in the discussion in the new thread once I get it posted. Your input is invaluable and much appreciated, and once again I thank you most kindly for your generous assistance.
Regarding minor states, I unfortunately have the tendency to envision a nice neat world map consisting of several large nations with very few small nations cluttering up the map. But in reality, geopolitics is not so simplistic. I'll have to modify my map and TL to include minor states at the fringes of, in between, and even within the major powers.
I like the belated united Europe idea. The concept of having enemies forced to set aside their differences and unite in the face of a stronger common enemy is very intriguing to me. The Worldwar series, which makes use of this concept extensively, were the first AH novels I read. So having medieval England and France becoming reluctant allies to combat the Ottomans may make its way into the TL. They won't stop the Turks of course, but it'll be good fun anyway.
While the core of the Ottoman Empire in Anatolia and the Balkans remains stable for centuries, the amount of control they have over the rest of Europe waxes and wanes over time. The European beyliks (thanks for the term -- it's new to me) won't remain peaceful, but their inability to work together against Istanbul will keep them from permanently breaking away without Ottoman permission.
As for the next plausibility thread, I'm thinking of providing a general overview of the whole TL, including the Papal Wars, for the AH public to comment on before I commit to writing the TL. Two major things I'm still concerned about are the ability of the non-European civilizations to become industrialized on their own and the ability of the native American civilizations to remain independent from the Old World powers. In my opinion, both of these accomplishments seem plausible in my TL, but I'm not one to turn down free advice. Feel free to join in the discussion in the new thread once I get it posted. Your input is invaluable and much appreciated, and once again I thank you most kindly for your generous assistance.