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Points of Divergence : Different Discovery and Colonization of the Americas
Obviously, the discovery of two whole new continents changed our history immensely. America's discovery changed the whole world, and led Europe out of the Middle Ages, coupled with the Renaissance. After the discovery of the New World, Spain and Portugal dominated the continents for a century and a half before several other European powers joined in. The colonization era ultimately decided which countries would excell and which would be lost to history. AH fans often wonder what history would be like if America was discovered earlier, later, and by somebody other than the Spanish. The following links concern discussion about a Different Discovery and Colonization of the Americas.
"Empty Americas" PODs
Discusson on an empty America - SHWI's Empty America TL is mentioned and discussed, along with the “climatic versus human influence” theory of North American megafauna extinction.
WI: Native Americans never crossed over from Asia
Know of any PODs or POD discussions ? Feel free to add them.
Ancient Pre-Columbian PODs
The outcome of Native Americans not being discovered - Very little discussion, idea of Bronze Age America mentioned.
ASB WI: Proto-Indo-Europeans copied to Yucatan in 5000 BC
Phoenicians in America (POD ideas)
Challenge: Phoenician/Punic/Greek colonization of the Americas
No Classic Mesoamerican Collapse
WI: No Mississippian Culture implosion
Know of any PODs or POD discussions ? Feel free to add them.
Medieval pre-Columbian PODs
Ideas about more developed medieval era Amerindian civilizations
Why didn't urban Native American cultures move particularly far north ?
Challenge: American natives technologically even with Europeans by the 15th century AD
Vikings discover and fully colonize America
Surviving Vinland colony ideas
Plausibility check: How far could a Vinland colony grow ?
The long-term geo-political consequences of Vinland's survival ?
Plausibility check: Vinland not only growing, but eventually becoming a superpower
WI: The Knights Templar colonizing North America (like according to some legends)
WI every wacky "pre-Columbian colonisation" scenario was true ?
Cuisine and foods of a Japanese/Korean/Chinese colonized west coast of North America ?
Discussion of whether colonization styles were based more off the times than the nations
Colonization of the Americas by one European power - Discussion mostly on how to achieve a united Europe for such a goal.
America discovered by an already industrial Europe
Alternate North American colonizers ?
Plausibility check: America not discovered for another 500 years ?
Plausibility check: European colonization of the Americas runs into problems
Germans discover America - Discusses how an expedition might be funded.
Plausibility check: Order states in the Americas ?
Know of any PODs or POD discussions ? Feel free to add them.
Post-Columbian PODs
Columbus does not discover America - Various possible scenarios.
Columbus sinks - The possibility of secret Portuguese colonization of the Americas mentioned.
WI The Columbian Expedition was a complete failure ?
WI the Ottomans made it to America ?
Greater Amerindian immunity to Old World diseases ?
Challenge: The Aztec and Inca empires survive
More colonization of the Americas by Spain
Limited Colonization in the Americas
Dominant Europe with earlier discovery of America ?
Challenge: New Sweden survives
Challenge: Roanoke Colony Survives and Succeeds ?
Challenge: Other European Colonizers in the New World
Challenge: Federal Republic of South America
WI No African Slave trade in the New World
Challenge: Avoid Black slavery
Ramifications of a sudden decline of the sugar cane industry after the 1740s
Plausibility check: British Penal colonies on American mainland (outside Canada) after 1783
WI: Jewish State in the Americas
Most widespread Asian diaspora possible in Latin America
A proper name for the American (US) South ?
Challenge: Scandinavian Patagonia
Challenge: France regains North American colonies
Know of any PODs or POD discussions ? Feel free to add them.
See Also
Colonizing America is Hard - Discussion on plausibility problems with earlier or more easily succesful colonisation efforts in the Americas.