Title
Zagan
Donor
RomaniaWank
(first edition)
Notes:
1. This is my first TimeLine.
2. It does not conform with the usual expectations of the AH community.
3. It has attracted a lot of flames.
4. The actual TL starts here.
Hi.
I have never written any alternative history before, though I have written a novel which could be described as secret / future history.
I have read a lot of AH stories, books, discussions, the FAQs here and on other sites, but I have still very much to learn.
My knowlegde of history and geography is quite solid, but I have limited knowledge of the military stuff.
I have read a lot of "Wanks" I liked most of them, although I prefer better believability. And because I have never found a "RomaniaWank", I would like to create one (possibly with help, if available).
The main idea is to get a Romanian State as big and as powerful as logically acceptable.
And now, the questions:
1. Is there any RomaniaWank already written?
2. When would be the best POD? I have thought about a few:
a) Antiquity (Dacian Kingdom) - I do not like it for several reasons, so please forget it.
b) Middle Ages (Michael the Brave?); are ASBs needed?
c) WW1 aftermath; are ASBs needed?
d) WW2 with German victory - cliche so please not.
e) WW2 without a German victory; some powerful ASBs are certainly needed.
f) Between the fall of communism and NATO / UE eastern expansion; ASBs probably necessary.
3. How to get it going?
a) Butterflies - probably not going to help
b) Major difference from OTL, but still (barely) concievable
c) ASBs: I do not like them very much (probably because of their large metallic wings ). I would only accept some "minor" interference which will go unnoticed by the general public / other countries.
d) ASBs: Utterly absurd / fantastic stuff - NO.
4) How much the "wank"? I.e. how large / powerful could it get? The problem is that it should also have some setbacks from time to time. Being victorious / growing all the time is not realistic at all. The final (net) result should be the "wank", not the entire AH.
The biggest issue in my opinion is that Romania is not Germany (for example). First of all, there aren't very many Romanians out there. To make things worse, we had neither political independence / freedom, nor political unity until late in our history. Worst of all, for the most part of our history we were controlled by 2-3 different foreign powers / empires.
It looks like a miracle that we got Greater Romania in 1919 after all!
So, even if we get a RomaniaWank of some kind, it still needs something to happen for it to be stable in time.
Solutions:
1. Somehow (greatly) increase the romanian ethnic population:
a) very high birth rate
b) ethnic assimilation of other peoples (by means of propaganda, economic incentives etc)
c) Aromanians / other Romance speaking peoples in the Balkan Peninsula start to "feel" Romanian.
d) bad things happening to other peoples (I do not like this)
2. Wait for or create the right circumstances (wrong for them) e.g. 1600, 1919 or other AH "right" moment.
3. Anyway, do not get waaaay to big / powerful to completely disturb the European balance of power and get all the Western Powers against us! So, keep it in the Balkan peninsula / Central-Eastern European area / Russia and do not mess with the West / Catholics to much.
Sorry for the long post.
I hope to get some tips / advice / criticism / encouragement.
Thank you for reading. (thank you more if you actually post something useful)
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