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Editor says, what if Napoleon had won the Battle of Waterloo? muses Jeff Provine on the This Day in Alternate History web site. Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s). This story was published in the August 2012 edition of Changing the Times Magazine.
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In 1815, Napoleon Victorious at Waterloo. Born the second of eight children of a Corsican lawyer, Napoleon Bonaparte rose to become Emperor of France through merit and impeccable timing. As a colonel and then general in Revolutionary France, Napoleon proved himself on battlefields in Italy and the streets of Paris.
Napoleon Victorious at WaterlooHe returned to France from a failed expedition to the Middle East, hurrying just in time to be part of a coup that would eventually set him up to autocratic power as a champion of liberty. He used his military genius to expand French rule over almost all of Europe from Portugal to Russia, where he invaded in 1812 to force his Continental System of economics in hopes of starving out his last enemies, the British. The invasion turned into a fiasco, and Napoleon abdicated in 1814, retiring to the island of Elba in the Mediterranean. After being frustrated with attempts to get his allowance and bring his family from the Austrian court, Napoleon evaded British naval patrols and returned to France. For a time known as the Hundred-Twenty Days in 1815, Napoleon regained his title as emperor and mustered 200,000 soldiers into an army that hoped to secure France's position among Europe.
The other nations, however, already moved in the Seventh Coalition to force his second abdication. Austria, Prussia, Russia, United Kingdom, and Bourbon France had already begun meeting at the Congress of Vienna along with Spain, Sweden, Portugal, and many other delegates from southern and central Europe. One of the first actions was the agreement of each major power to put armies of 150,000 men into the field, creating a staggering opposition that Napoleon determined to defeat with a preemptive campaign. He marched with an army of 126,000 into the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he hoped to break the British under Wellington and the Prussians under Blucher before they could join their forces into an army twice his size.
A new article by Jeff ProvineThe Dutch Campaign began with a French victory over Blucher at Ligny on June 16. The Prussians were driven to retreat northward, and Napoleon sent Marshall Grouchy in pursuit. Wellington, meanwhile, realized his position had become jeopardized and fell back as well. Napoleon and the bulk of his army followed, finally catching him at the village of Waterloo. Torrential rainstorms had moved in, but a westerly wind pushed the majority of the rain fell east to where the Prussians' retreat became mired as they tried to reform corps for a counter-attack. Grouchy redirected his attacks to the western flank when he heard cannon begin the Battle of Waterloo some miles to the southwest and cut off any chance of a Prussian flank.
At Waterloo, there was much less rain, and Napoleon deemed the battlefield dry enough for a fight by midmorning. Wellington's troops withstood repeated attacks from the French before finally breaking under the strength of Napoleon's elite Old Guard. Despite British reserves and cavalry charges, the French pushed the British into retreat by afternoon. On June 19, Napoleon marched his forces to Wavre, where Grouchy had pinned up reinforcements, and the combined French force crushed the Prussians. He turned northward again and drove Wellington into the sea before turning south to deal with the next Coalition force.
A massive Austrian force of 225,000 soldiers were marching through the Rhineland under Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg, the man who had defeated Napoleon at Leipzig in 1813 and taken Paris in 1814. Napoleon had left Marshall Rapp in his path with 23,000 men, but Rapp, despite winning a victory at La Suffel against a force of 40,000 under the Crown Prince of Wurttemberg, could do little to stall the large force. Napoleon marched south back into France, joined with Rapp, and made his final stand at Nancy. Many of his attendants would later recall Napoleon's observation that Charles the Bold had died at Nancy and ended Burgundian Valois. The exhausted French army was overwhelmed by the Austrians, and Napoleon was taken captive July 15, 1815.
Napoleon was imprisoned in the Austrian court, where he lived out his life with his wife and son, whom he had missed dearly in Elba. Klemens von Metternich, who had guided Austria as Foreign Minister and Minister of State during the Napoleonic Wars, met with him often, discussing the liberalization of Europe. Metternich had orchestrated the short-lived alliance between Austria and France and Napoleon's marriage to Princess Marie Louise but switched sides as he predicted Napoleon's eventual defeat. The Congress of Vienna, which decided nearly all of the geographic and political questions in post-Napoleon Europe, had been his brainchild. As witness at the Battle of Nancy and then champion opposing the notion of breaking up France, Metternich was considered the most powerful diplomat in the world. Demands for independence from Austrian rule in Germany after the fall of the Holy Roman Empire and talk of unification in Italy still plagued him, however.
In moves that were believed to have been advised by Napoleon recalling days of the Revolution, Metternich shifted his standings on the questions to public support, emulating what Napoleon had done convincing a liberal France to support an autocratic emperor. Metternich had long served the conservative, royal factions and now campaigned for them to follow the ideals of Italian unification (under Austrian terms, of course). The press was seen as the pulse of the people, and Metternich followed it closely to guide him in maintaining power. He set up reforms throughout the myriad of people-groups in Austria, encouraging a Hungarian diet as well as economic unions through the south of Germany that would counterbalance the growth of Prussian power in the north. His work seemed successful when Austria proved immune to liberal revolts that plagued Spain, where he was quick to act as assert yet more diplomatic authority. Later, his attention turned eastward, encouraging Greek nationalism and intervening in the Egyptian-Ottoman War of 1831, affirming a confederation (under Austrian guidance) for the Balkan nations seeking to throw off the yoke of Ottoman rule.
Through his tenure, Metternich carefully balanced conservative ideals on the growing wave of liberalism throughout Europe. He frustrated the attempts at Tsar Alexander I's "Holy Alliance" to repress democracy and instead stirred favor for the Austrian model. Vienna continued to be the diplomatic capital of the continent, though it drove away Britain, who focused attention on empire worldwide. Britain finally came back into European affairs with the Russian-Ottoman War in 1853, and, in the last years of his life, Metternich recommended action that resulted in Vienna once again hosting an international treaty in 1856. After Metternich's death in 1859, Austria would continue to be a sprawling empire under Franz Joseph, who upheld many of Metternich's ideas on directing liberalization. While much of Europe carried out imperialistic wars in Africa, Central Asia, and the Pacific in the twentieth century, Austria maintained its position as a central power, practically the hinge on which Europe, and the world, swung. Even the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in 1914 by anarchists was smoothed as Serbia, part of the Balkan Confederation headed by Austria, gave its deepest condolences.
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Jeff Provine
© Jeff Provine, 2010-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Jeff Provine Blog Source: Jeff Provine’s Blog Labels: Napoleon, Bonaparte, France, Waterloo, Wellington. Editor says, in reality the rains did not slow the Prussians' march, and Napoleon?s wait until noon for the battlefield to dry has been criticized as one of many possible points where the battle was lost. Blucher's forces swept into the battlefield in a flanking maneuver that defeated the French utterly, leading Napoleon to surrender to the HMS Bellephoron and into British political asylum. Metternich's Congress of Vienna determined a new Europe, satisfying conservatives while ignoring the growing strength of liberalization that had been spread by the short-lived Napoleonic Empire. Although it created decades of external stability, revolutions and nationalistic wars would eventually shatter the ideals of empire.
~ It nearly happened, this has to be realised.
If napoleon's marshals had not botched the two preliminary engagements of Quatre bras and Ligney, napoleon wins at Waterloo and Wellington gets chaesed into the woods.
hsad Ney not forgottrnabout troops out of sight, which he intended to do, and a French column "marched to the sound of the guns" as planned and made it to attack the Prussians instead of turning back, they Blucher would have been decisively defeated.
So no Prussians make it in the nick of time to Waterloo.
So the Old Guard do not waver and retreat.
So Wellington as he has to evacuate the Continent does not become a hero.
~ The title made me wonder would have happened if Napoleon had won the whole war and conquered England. Just to start with, I doubt that there would have been a Regency period, which was a complete reaction to the French Revolution ideals. At the same time, there were some English rebels who were inspired by those same foreign notions of liberty, equality and fraternity, so they might very well have helped Napoleon rule. What do you guys think?
~ Jackie,
if
a) Napoleon had a half-competent admiral and had won at Trafalgar.
b) his admiral had won the race to get back to the English Channel first, and had followed his orders.
(An AH has been published on the net on this).
c) Napoleon had had competent economic advisors, and not made the mistake of alloweing export of grain to Britin in 1811-12, so that the revolution takes place in the industrial districts and had not followed a Moscow campaign.
Then this could have happened.
~ Yes, but I still wonder what Britain would have been like after Napoleon's conquest.
~ Like one of the French-associated Republics, which later became kingdoms, run by Patrios and the British revolutionaries. Keats and Wordsworth would have made their carreers as poets for the revolutionary government.,
~ I doubt that those two would have been alone either...since I have heard that the entire concept of the rebel artist came from the French Revolution. Like so many other things...including, as I have also heard, the decimal system. So I imagine that the effect would have been even greater if Napoleon had won.
~ This could mean that Austria ends up with the Rheinland, which alone would be enough to warp a great deal (not least the degree of interest in the Balkans).
~ You mean...the Fuhrer would have no excuse to invade the Rheinland, when no one tried to stop him, which set off his invasion chain? We wish!
~ A defeated Napoleon would never, ever have been trusted to stay in Europe. There were too many people around who still thought he was The Man, and people remembered how he had turned the armies sent to arrest him at the beginning of the Hundred Days into _his_ armies. He was too dangerous to keep around. What if he'd escaped to the United States, instead? Apparently he'd considered it.
~ Fascinating, Eric! Would he have tried to lead a revolution here...or perhaps even free the slaves.
~ Having Napoleon in hand would be a powerful diplomatic chip; the British certainly made use of him after surrendering and touted him as the savior of Europe (Blucher and Schwarzenberg helped, but they sure didn't have the PR). Wonder where Napoleon would've ended up, whether among the francophile Southern aristocracy or perhaps New Orleans?
~ YI go for Napoleon being taken prisoner and living with his wife and son.
This makes Austria the dominant power in Europe.
However there would be no assassination in 1914 as Serbia and B-H wouldbe part of the Austrian Empire. having libersted them from the Unspeakable Turk.
~ If Napoleon were alive today, he would probably be in Mensa...the international high IQ society. No doubt he would lead the Military Special Interest Group. Judging by the knowledge you guys show, you are probably eligible to enjoy the gatherings as well as the SIG meetings...including the SIG you could unquestionably start to discuss Alternate History. To find out more go to www.mensa.com
~ My one is Napoleon wins, he doesadeal with Austria asheismarriedto an Austrian princess andhasason.
The son, as Napoleaon II unites the French and Austrian empires and rules all Europe. I once sawa n AH on this.
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Editor says, what if the IRA Decommissioning Crisis had been betrayed? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s). This story was published in the July 2012 edition of Changing the Times Magazine.
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In 1999, following the disappearance of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, damning fresh evidence emerged that the location of the IRA arms stores had actually been leaked by a British informer.
Sinn Feiners die in Good Friday SacrificeFor months, the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement (committing both parties to the "total disamament of paramilitary organizations") had been locked in a bitter stalemate with Unionists insisting on "No Guns, No Government" and Sinn Féin insisting "No Government, No Guns". But behind the scenes, Adams and McGuinness were walking a deadly tight rope by committing themselves to peaceful and political pursuits of Republican goals far short of a thirty-two county All-Ireland state. Whereas the IRA Army Council foresaw a full vote from a convention on decommissioning at the very end of the peace process.
But when General de Chastleain's status reports stated that IRA Decommissioning had stalled, David Trimble claimed that the Republican movement had defaulted. He threatened the British Government with a stark choice: suspend the newly devolved institutions and re-impose direct rule from Westminister, or face a mass walk out from ten of the twelve Northern Ireland ministers.
Before this latest in a series of absolute deadlines could be reached, the IRA arm stores were suddenly discovered by the RUC. Seemingly, a betrayal in the Republican movement had resolved the political crisis at the cost of the lives of both Adams and McGuinness. But it later emerged, that the leaking of information had come from an unknown source inside the Army Council itself, paid for by the British Government.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Alternate Historian, 2004-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Politicians Source: Wikipedia Labels: Good Friday, IRA, Northern Ireland, British Govenment, Devolution. ~ I could see this leading to Irish Civil War II...like the first Irish civil war, when the followers of Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins went to war after the rebellion against England, because Collins had agreed to settle for a Free State rather than a Republic. The more things change...
~ NI burns on, for a bit
~ True, Rurri...and those Irish authors like Jack Higgins will go back to writing about Irish rebels, who really matter to them...rather than trying to write about Arab terrorists, about whom they couldn't care less.
~ Jackie -- I couldn't care less about Arab terrorists. In fact, I care nothing for all drooling maniacs. They belong in history's dustbin. On the other hand, as they still exist. So, let's write about them.
~ An all-out civil war would be tricky to continue in the modern EU. Europe would have a lot of economic interest in quieting it, perhaps even enough to offer aid (though any incoming troops might be seen as occupiers). Being the same year as trying to get the euro off the ground, this could be devastating to a united Europe.
~ Stan, my point is that Jack Higgins was raised in Belfast during The Troubles. He therefore had a real feeling for them, and it showed. When The Troubles ended, he started writing about the Middle East, where he had no experience at all, and that showed, too. It goes back to the old saying, "Write about things you know." Or at least about things you really care about.
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Editor says, what if Aeneas had defied the Gods and married Dido? (hint - Carthage is in modern day Libya). Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s). This story was published in the July 2010 edition of Changing the Times Magazine.
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In 813 B.C., on this day at the temple of Juno the wandering Trojan hero Aeneas defied the will of Jupiter by marrying Dido the first Queen of Carthage.
Aeneas marries DidoIronically a great east-west alliance of men developed from a romantic bond created by the meddling of the Goddess Venus. Dido had sworn fidelity to the soul of her late husband, Sychaeus, who had been murdered by her cupidinous brother Pygmalion. But she fell in love with Aeneas who returned her love during a hunting expedition when a storm had driven the lovers into a cave.
Jupiter then sent the winged messenger Mercury to inform Aeneas that his destiny was to found a great city in Italy. But unable to desert Dido, Aeneas defied Jupiter, who would now send the God Mars to more forcibly remind him of his duty.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Alternate Historian, 2004-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: War Source: Wikipedia Labels: Aeneas, Dido, Troy, Carthage, Gods. Editor says, in book four of Virgil's Aeneid Dido curses Aeneas for his betrayal "Shore clash with shore, sea against sea and sword. Against sword - this is my curse - war between all Our peoples, all their children, endless war."
~ Things happening differently that far back would have definitely changed history, but I'm not sure how this would change things. A Carthage/Rome would have been very different...no gladiatorial shows (those were picked up from the Etruscans) but baby sacrifices, just for starters.
~ Mmmm... babies...
~ Major shift! A Carthaginian trade base instead of Roman colonization style would have spread a sailing empire much farther much earlier... provided Mars didn't destroy it.
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Editor says, what if Charles De Gaulle fled Vichy France only to find a similiar bunch of cowards in London? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s).
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In 1940, on this day, ironically the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, Charles de Gaulle was arrested upon his arrival at the BBC Broadcasting House near Oxford Circus. Winston Churchill who was preparing his own "blood, sweat and tears" speech had made the offer to broadcast on the BBC, to declare that "France has lost a battle, but not the war". Neither speech would be given because the Tory Caucus had overruled Winston Churchill, insisting upon peace negotiations with Nazi Germany.
l'Appel du 18 Juin by Ed and Scott PalterThe British Cabinet had met that morning without Churchill who was busy with his speech. The Minister of Information, Duff Cooper, mentioned that de Gaulle was planning to talk on the BBC that evening and gave an outline of what the Frenchman planned to say. The Cabinet decided that the broadcast would be "undesirable". Britain was still hoping to maintain a relationship with the new government set up in Bordeaux under the First World War hero, Marshal Petain, to avoid it siding with the Germans. Churchill was particularly anxious to ensure that the powerful French fleet did not fall into Nazi hands.
Unaware of this, de Gaulle worked on his text before lunching with Duff Cooper, who did not tell him of the Cabinet decision. But Cooper did tip off Edward Spears, a general who had been Churchill's personal envoy to the previous French government and had brought de Gaulle to England in his plane the day before. The war being advocated by both [Churchill and de Gaulle] would most surely have not only bankcrupted the country, but also meant the end for both the British Empire and the Class System.Spears went to see Churchill in the afternoon to argue that the general should go ahead with his broadcast because it would give French resistance a focus and might induce the remnants of France's air force to fly to Britain. The prime minister replied that he would authorise the broadcast if members of the Cabinet would change their minds. Looking 'miserable and hot; according to an eyewitness, Spears set off to speak to the ministers individually.
Consulted one by one, Cabinet members agreed that de Gaulle should be authorised to speak,' according to a note added to the record of the earlier decision. In the early evening, wearing a uniform with leggings and polished boots, the Frenchman took a taxi to BBC Broadcasting House near Oxford Circus. And yet de Gaulle would not after all become the "L'homme du destin" because immense pressure was being exerted by the Tory Caucus, and by the end of the day both de Gaulle and Churchill would be disempowered before they could prevent the commencement of peace negotiations with Nazi Germany. Because the war being advocated by both, would most surely have not only bankcrupted the country, but also meant the end for both the British Empire and the Class System.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Jonathan Fenby's biography, The General: De Gaulle and the France He Saved (June 2010) and his companion article "The man who said 'non': exiled in London in June 1940, with France on the brink of defeat, Charles de Gaulle broadcast a speech that was to create an enduring bond between him and his country" published in the June Edition of History Today.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Politicians Source: Wikipedia Labels: De Gaulle, Churchill, Weygand, Vichy, France. ~ De gaulle ends his life as a footnote. Hitler dies as a legend, if Stalin does not stab him in the back. Dev tries for Derry back at the European peace conference.
~ One of the little publicized facts of UK politics 1939-45 was that Commons had an immense Tory Majority,
~ Britain sues for Peace, and; the British empire lasts a few generations longer but at the cost of turning its back on one of the greatest attrocities of the century (which is pretty much what they and the rest of euorpe did for Stalin and his successors). Hitler turns on Stalin before he double crosses him while instigating the Final Solution against Europe's Jews, Without outside support, the Soviet Union dies while the so calle d'civilised' world for 'diplomatic purposes' turns its back on the Death camps and the Holocaust. Japan tempted by Hitler's successes moves on the Soviets rather than the US but later in the fifties goes to war with America once it has built up its industries and futher developed its weapons but still gets clobbered by the larter nation though at a much bloodier cost.
~ Tory Causus? Fixed - thanks. Ed
Comment from Mike McIlvain on Facebook: Then my next question would probably sound something like, "...und dem von London haben sie klein hertzen."
Comment from Tom Ashwell on Facebook: He looks like Hitler with a wider, lighter mustache...
Comment from Liam Weir on Facebook: bit biased don't you think?
~ Er . . . Britain and the rest of Europe turned its back on the crimes of Stalin and his successors? Dou you mean to say that Britain, right up through Margaret Thatcher, didn't participate in the Cold War? That West Germany didn't?
What "Stalin and his successors" had that Hitler hadn't (not for lack of trying), at least after 1949, was nuclear weaponry. The emergence during the 1950s of a situation in which even a Western "victory" over the Soviets would have left the world in ruins, perhaps forever, changed the situation: a military holy war against godless Communisst tyranny became impractical, which isn't the same as saying that Soviet crimes were ignored.
As for why the West didn't strike before 1949, Britain and continental Europe were flat on their backs economically and the U.S. had all it could handle trying to help rebuild them. Nor could the U.S., at that time, have used nuclear weapons against the Soviet heartland--too few bombs, no way to deliver them.
Comment from Laura Paolucci Facebook: God, you are so Catholic. LOL
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Editor says, what if the plot of Jonah Hex really was as changeable as DC Comics, the chief criticism of the movie? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s).
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In 2010, the box office smash hit movie of the DC Comics Western Outlaw "Jonah Hex" premiered in cinema theatres across North America. Josh Brolin starred as the badass bounty hunter in the post-Civil War Old West who's got a Confederate soldier's gray jacket and a hideously scarred face.
Watch the Trailer on Youtube 
Jonah HexThe remarkable success of the movie was due to a sophicated plot device from the rebooted Hex DC Comic Series of September 1985 in which Jonah is transported to the year 2050 to become a post-apocalyptic warrior.
Jonah surrenders himself to the Union forces, but refuses to betray where his fellow soldiers are camped. However a Union soldier is able to determine the location of that camp by examining the dirt in the hooves of Jonah's horse. The Union soldiers captured all of Jonah's fellow soldiers and then later massacred most of them, framing Jonah as a turncoat. One of those slaughtered is Jeb Turnbull, son of "the man with the eagle-topped cane" General Quentin Turnbul who vows his vengeance upon Jonah.
The Hex Series begins with the introduction - "their nuclear-ravaged worlded needed a hero". But in the movie variant, Jonah discovers that the future of 2050 was created by his surrender to the Union forces. Because this pivotal event motivates the embittered Quentin Turnbull to destroy the city of Washington on the centennial day. And so Jonah uses mystical powers (conferred upon him by native americans) to return to Ford Charlotte in January 1863, this time unaccompanied by his horse.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Alternate Historian, 2006-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Hollywood Source: Wikipedia Labels: Jonah Hex, Josh Brolin, DC Comics, Civil War, America. Comment from Ahmad Desai on Facebook: They took way too many liberties with the Jonah Hex story.
~ Haven't seen the movie and am not familiar with the comics, so I can't really comment intelligently.
~ Me either.
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Editor says, what if Shakespeare's Bible Code got him fired? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s).
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In 1611, on this day forty-six year old William Shakespeare was dismissed from the employment of the Committee known as the First Cambridge Company following the discovery that hidden messages had been introduced into the translation of the Authorized King James Version.
To let future generations know that he had helped with translation, Shakespeare had devised a Secret Bible Code, noting in his diary that "If you count 46 words from the beginning, you will find the word shake. Now count the same 46 words from the end of Psalm 46, there is the word spear". Unfortunately for Shakespeare, his colleague Marlowe betrayed his confidence, immediately alerting the Committee's editors who discovered the following mis-translation:
The Bard gets FiredPsalms 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah". And Psalms 46:9-11 "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah".
Following his dismissal, Shakespeare purchased a gatehouse in the former Blackfriars priory where he resided for five unremarkable years until his death in 1616 aged just fifty-two.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Alternate Historian, 2006-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Religion Source: Wikipedia Labels: Willliam Shakespeare, King James Bible, Translation, Bible Code, England. ~ The people who were working on the KJV were scholars, IIRC...why would they want a playwright and part-time poet? Shakespeare probably knew Latin, at least from school days, but I don't think he'd studied enough Greek to be any use to them, much less Aramaic or Hebrew.
~ He knew some Italian, and some Scots. But still, I doubt that translating the Bible would have interested him. He already knew the ending.
~ I suspect that Eric Oppen is right. Shakespeare's reputation as a titan of literature did not evolve in his lifetime--and the fact that he apparently knew little Latin and less Greek (the language in which much of the New Testament was written)--let alond Hebrew or Aramaic--it's unlikely he'd have been approached for such a task. The KJB was a controversial priject in its day (it was suspected of being a plot to revise the Bible to King James's political and religious liking--and needed all the prestige it cou;ld get from its translators' reputations.
~ In this ATL, he isnt a playwright at all. He has a modified skill set that makes it more (not less likely) that he was involved in the translation project. Result is an uninspiring life story and thus the justification for the Bible Code (an unlikely urban myth) is explained in this story by his lack of self-actualisation (boredom).
~ Many believe the great bard to be a closet Catholic, so I dought he would have had anything to do with any efforts to translate the bible. At the same time, tho men who did the work of translating the scriptures were all scholars interested in proclaiming the truth where the great bard was a the great creator of fiction.
Comment from Margo Barotta on Facebook: well at this era the church power was the dominant and we all know what was the opinion of religion men upon the scientist and writers specially the writers that stick in the business of church and religion .
19 hours ago ·
Comment from Arlena Arteaga Kelly on Facebook: I would not have read Romeo and Juliet in the 9th grade....
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Editor says, what if Wellington & Napoleon joined forces at Waterloo? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s).
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In 1812, on this day the forces of British North America suffered a catastrophic defeat in Beasleyville1, Southern Ontario at the hands of the invading US Army led by turncoat general Arthur Wellesey.
Damned Near Run ThingWellesley noted in his diary that the American victory was "a damn near run thing, the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life. By God! I don't think it would have done if I had not been there". In truth, the finely balanced battle only went in the American favour with the arrival of the French army, led by General Bonaparte, late in the day.
Nevertheless, defeat put an end to British rule over Upper Canada, the territory formerly known as New France, and Ontario itself was later admitted as a state of the Union.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Today in Alternate History, 2004-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Alternate Nations Source: Britain Unlimited Labels: Wellington, Waterloo, Napoleon, New France, America. Editor says, 1) this story is set in the modern twin city of Kitchener-Waterloo; the Town of Waterloo was incorporated in 1816 to celebrate the British victory in Belgium.
Thanks to Mr Eric Oppen for his though Howzabout a TL in the War of 1812---maybe one where the US had a real military genius (like Napoleon) in charge and had been arming up since 1783 for the final showdown with hated Albion?
~ Yeah! That would have been an interesting TL! I wonder how President Wellesley would have done? In OTL he was a conservative's conservative, but the experience of the Revolution and 1812 might have changed him considerably.
~ How did a French army make it to North America considering there's the RN blockading everything?
~ As in William Sanders book "Empire", Napoleon has a continental French Army that does not require him to break the blockade.
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Editor says, what if Oliver Cromwell accepted the crown?
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In 1660, on this day Henry Cromwell was proclaimed the King of England upon the abdication of his elder brother Richard
The Royal House of Cromwell, Part 3 - Henry IX (1660-1688) by David AtwellKnown as Henry "The Wise", Henry IX was everything his father was & more. In doing so, he established the Henris Line of the Royal Family in the process of ruling Britain.
Prior to accepting the Throne, he was Governor-General to Ireland until rumours were heard that Charles Stuart was going to invade Britain. He immediately took over the Crown from his abdicating brother, Richard IV, rushed north with the New Model Army, the Corps of Welsh Guardsmen & his Irish Model Army, defeating Charles "The Pretender" in Scotland near Dunbar.
Charles escaped to France whilst his Scottish allies feared the retribution of Henry. Unlike his father Oliver I, however, Henry IX showed "Christian compassion to his wayward Scottish subjects". General Monck, though, an English turncoat was not as lucky & was executed for High Treason in 1661.
Following on from the "compassion" that Henry showed to the Scots, Henry followed his example of government policy in Ireland & established the policy of "Toleration" for all of Britain. Later in 1680, he defeated further attempts by the Stuarts (James Stuart this time) to retake the Throne of England & Scotland. In his final years, he transferred much power to Parliament in exchange for the Act of Union (1686), which established the United Kingdom of England, Scotland & Wales.
Ireland remained a separate political entity with its own Parliament & Governor-General. This arrangement would be successful & acted as a blueprint for future political arrangements throughout much of the future British Empire. Furthermore, Ireland would be somewhat independent & saw its own Parliament deal reasonably well in domestic matters, with little interference from the British Parliament at Westminster, or indeed by the various Cromwellian Monarchs.
The immediate result of Henry?s policy of "Toleration", however, witnessed two circumstances, which, even though appeared to offer little importance at the time, made in fact a major impact upon Britain & Ireland. The more immediate of the two permitted people to observe whichever religion that they wished to follow. This also included Catholicism, albeit with restrictions. The result was that much of the fuss involved with the English Civil Wars was negated overnight & the Stuarts found it harder to gain support, especially in Ireland.
The second circumstance, as a result of "Toleration", was protection given to the Jews. Although many of the general public still entertained anti-Semitic attitudes, many Jews, nevertheless, arrived in Britain to begin new lives under the protection of the Throne. These Jews soon established various businesses & flourished. They would become the cornerstone of the financial strength of the British economy over the next 25 years & contribute greatly to the development of the British Empire in the next century.
Entry posted by
David Atwell
© David Atwell, 2008-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: House of Cromwell Source: Wikipedia Labels: House of Cromwell, Great Britain, Republic, Puritan, Revolution. Editor says, David Atwell's series can be read in full on the Changing the Times Web Site in Part One and Part Two.
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| Luftwaffe | On this day in 1940, Luftwaffe paratroopers began a desperate 11th-hour offensive in Holland in hopes of salvaging the German armed forces' crumbing fortunes there; the operation proved to be a catastrophe, however, as Allied intelligence agents behind the German lines had tipped British and French commanders off to the impending assault 36 hours earlier, giving Allied ground forces time to set an ambush for the paratroopers. |
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| Paratrooper |
80 percent of the paratroops committed to the offensive were killed or wounded, making one of the worst defeats ever sustained by a German battle force in any war. News of the disaster drove Luftwaffe paratrooper corps commander-in-chief General Kurt Student to shoot himself the next day. |
Entry posted by
Chris Oakley
© Chris Oakley,2008-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Belgium1940 Source: Wikipedia Labels: World War Two, Maginot Line, Belgium, Allies, Adolf Hitler.comments powered by Disqus
On this day in 1983, AWA world tag team champions B. Brian Blair and George "The Animal" Steele lost by countout in a rematch against former champs Jerry "Crusher" Blackwell and Adrian Adonis; the countout resulted from Blair being double-teamed by "Bad News" Allen and Larry Zbyszko after leaving the ring to defend Steele when "The Animal" was sucker-punched by Zbyszko. | The Animal |
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| George Steele |
Entry posted by
Chris Oakley
© Chris Oakley,2008-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: The Tommy Rich Story Source: Wikipedia Labels: Tommy Rich, Wildfire, Wrestling, NWA, Boxing.comments powered by Disqus
| United Nations | In 1961, on this day the United Nations returned to its longtime headquarters in Turtle Bay after nearly ten months on Staten Island. |
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| HQ in New York |
Variant entry posted by
Chris Oakley
original content has been repurposed to celebrate the author's genius © Chris Oakley,2008-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Jamaica Bay Source: Wikipedia Labels: Jamaica Bay, United Nations, Hurricane, America, East Coast.comments powered by Disqus
On this day in 2002, scientists at Harvard University held a press conference to announce their preliminary findings in an investigation of the asteroid strike in Baghdad three days earlier; according to their calculations and to evidence obtained from their Iraqi colleagues, the impact of Asteroid 2002 MN 15 -- now known in most media reports as 'the Baghdad asteroid' --generated an explosive force equivalent to the detonation of a 26-kiloton nuclear warhead. | Asteriod Strike |
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| hits Iraq |
That same day, an Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman confirmed that Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay had been among those people killed in the June 15th asteroid strike. Given the barbaric acts of which the brothers had been accused in the past, few tears were shed over their demise; in fact, U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney was rumored to have said "Good riddance to those b-stards" when told of Uday and Qusay's deaths. |
Entry posted by
Chris Oakley
© Chris Oakley,2008-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: MN15 Iraq Source: Wikipedia Labels: Asteroid 2002 MN 15, Iraq, Saddam Hussein, Asteriod, Strike.comments powered by Disqus
| Detective | On this day in 1945, Xavier March was finally released from Allied military custody and left Scotland for home; his bunkmate and future police partner Max Jaeger would be released two days later. |
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| Xavier March |
Variant entry posted by
Chris Oakley
original content has been repurposed to celebrate the author's genius © Roberrt Harris, Fatherland 1995.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Xavier March Story Source: Wikipedia Labels: Robert Harris, Fatherland, Xavier March, Lyndon Johnson, Konrad Adenaur.comments powered by Disqus
Entry posted by Alternate Historian Robbie Taylor
© Robbie Taylor, 2004-Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Chdo Democracy Labels: Chdo_Democracy, Robbie A. Taylor, China, 4648, Emperor Dao-Ming.comments powered by Disqus
Entry posted by Alternate Historian Robbie Taylor
© Robbie Taylor, 2004-Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Mlosh Source: Robbie Taylors Blog Labels: Mlosh, 1720, Robbie A. Taylor, Warp, Alien.comments powered by Disqus
In 1804, Colonel Aaron Burr called General Alexander Hamilton's attention to a letter published in the Albany Register in which Dr Charles Cooper wrote "I could detail to you a still more despicable opinion which General Hamilton has expressed or Mr. Burr". Trapped by the undeniable evidence of his back-biting, Hamilton issued a prompt and unqualified acknowledgement of the use of expressions which warranted the expressions of Dr. Cooper. Enraged, Burr shot Hamilton dead north of Richmond Hill, near present day Wall Street. | Joseph J. Ellis |
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| History Professor |
Variant entry posted by Todayinah Editor
original content has been repurposed to celebrate the author's genius © Joseph J. Ellis, Founding Brothers - the Revolutionary GenerationStory Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Generals Source: Wikipedia Labels: Duel, Weehawken, Federalists, America, Great Britain.comments powered by Disqus
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Editor says, New York Times article 1/10/72 reported that Neil Diamond considered changing his name to Noah Kaminsky, raising speculation that was his real name.
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On this day in 1944, American and Free French troops eliminated the last pockets of German resistance in Marseilles. | |
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Entry posted by
Chris Oakley
© Chris Oakley,2008-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: France44 Source: Wikipedia Labels: World War 2, D-Day, Pas De Calais, Europe of the Dictators, Axis Powers.comments powered by Disqus
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Today in Alternate History, 2004-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Conspiracy Theories Source: Wikipedia Labels: Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, Assassination, Memphis, Ralph Abernathy.comments powered by Disqus
In 1956, on this day the former President of the United States, Harry Truman, has shrugged off suggestions Moscow may be about to reject its Stalinist past. He was speaking at a news conference in London shortly after arriving at the start of a 10 day visit to Britain, during which he is to receive an honorary doctorate of civil law from Oxford University. More than 200 press, radio and television reporters had gathered for the half-an-hour question and answer session with the man who played such a key role in preventing the expansion of the influence of the Soviet Union during his time in office, 1945-53. | Harry Truman |
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| US President |
The former President was asked what he thought of the Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev's, surprise attack on Joseph Stalin. He replied: 'I have no faith in the Khrushchev disclosures. When they show some action on the lines on which they are talking now, I will begin to believe them.' In a sensational speech to the 20th Congress of the Communist Party in February, Mr Khrushchev denounced Joseph Stalin as an inhuman despot. Also revealed was that Lenin was a shape-shifting Vampire. A number of strokes in the 1920s forced the undead nosferatu to possess the body of Comrade Stalin to permit him to continue his misrule. He had even maintained his corpse in a Kremlin mausoleum just in case a Dracula style exit was necessary. |
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Today in Alternate History, 2004-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Generals Source: BBC News Labels: Harry S. Truman, Stalin, America, Oxford University, Nikita Khrushchev.comments powered by Disqus
| Jimmy Carter | In 1979, United States President Jimmy Carter and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed Salt II, the first arms-reduction treaty between the two super powers. The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty - agreed in Vienna - commits both sides to a limit of 2,400 missile launchers. Negotiations for the deal followed Salt I signed by President Richard Nixon and Mr Brezhnev in 1972. It froze the deployment of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and banned the construction of any new submarine-based missiles. The latest arms talks opened in Vienna, Austria, three days ago with a review of world problems causing severe strains on East-West relations. Nuclear disarmament had to wait for another decade, when Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev signed Salt III agreement in Rejkavic, Iceland. |
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| Leonid Brezhnev |
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
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Entry posted by Alternate Historian Robbie Taylor
© Robbie Taylor, 2004-Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Crises Source: Wikipedia Labels: War of the Worlds, Mars Attacks, Martian Attack, Space, Invasion.comments powered by Disqus
Entry posted by Alternate Historian Robbie Taylor
© Robbie Taylor, 2004-Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Crises Source: Wikipedia Labels: Lunar Phenomena, End of the World, Caliph, Islam, Space.comments powered by Disqus
Entry posted by Alternate Historian Robbie Taylor
© Robbie Taylor, 2004-Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Crises Source: Ephemeris Labels: Lunar Phenomena, End of the World, Xiaozong Shen, China, Space.comments powered by Disqus
Entry posted by Alternate Historian Robbie Taylor
© Robbie Taylor, 2004-Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Personalities Source: Wikipedia Labels: William Conrad, Gunsmoke, Television, America, Cowboy.comments powered by Disqus
Entry posted by Alternate Historian Robbie Taylor
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Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Generals Source: Wikipedia Labels: Napoleon Bonaparte, Duke of Wellington, Prussians, Ligny, Gebhard Leberecht.comments powered by Disqus
Entry posted by Alternate Historian Robbie Taylor
© Robbie Taylor, 2004-Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Earth Source: Wikipedia Labels: Lunar Phenomena, Canterbury Monks, Mass Suicide, End of the World, 1178.comments powered by Disqus
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
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Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Generals Source: Wikipedia Labels: Napoleon Bonaparte, Duke of Wellington, Prussians, Ligny, Gebhard Leberecht.comments powered by Disqus
June 17
Editor says, what if Timothy McVeigh had struck elsewhere? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s).
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In 1943, in an interesting numerical coincidence 43rd President of the United States Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich was born on this day in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Birth of President GingrichIn the 1970s, Gingrich taught history and geography at the University of West Georgia. During this period he ran twice (1974 and 1976)for the United States House of Representatives before winning in November 1978. He served as House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995.
He had only served as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for two months when the fickle finger of fate prodded him into the White House. Because a embittered United States Army veteran called Timothy McVeigh detonated a large truck bomb at a rally in Charleston, South Carolina, killing both President Clinton and Vice President Gore.
Confronted by a wave of media hostility, one of his first acts was to swear in Colin Powell as the 46th and first African American Vice President of the United States of America. Other key members of the Cabinet were soon replaced as Gingrich-Powell moved quickly to implement their own agenda. With only two years of the term remaining, Gingrich began one of the longest campaigns in history, a race against House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Alternate Historian, 2004-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Politicians Source: Wikipedia Labels: Newt Gingrich, President, Speaker of the House, American, Premature Death. Editor says, in this article we re-purpose content from Wikipedia and Althistory Wikia.
~ Gingrich is a Right wing Futurist not a conservative. The Salamander acted like he was America's first Prime Minister. when he was Speaker. What is supremely ironic in the context of this article, the 2 people most responsible for getting Clinton reelected were Gingrich and McVeigh.
~ Considering that his marital history rivals Henry VIII, I doubt if he could win a Presidential election against anyone.
~ This would have made liberals' heads asplode worse than McVeigh's stupid bomb. They convinced themselves that Gingrich was the Antichrist's blacksheep brother when the GOP won the '94 elections, and, uppity peasants that they were, thought that gave them the right to rule over Heaven's own Democrats.
~ And the world hasn't been as happy since...
~ Wouldn't McVeigh's risk of getting busted have grown exponentially if he'd tried to drive his truck bomb to Charleston?
~ Reinvigorating Moon colonization?
~ Can't see it happening, 1) the President and Veep generally don't appear at the same venue (aside from presidential conventions) and 2) the Secret Service would've stopped McVeigh miles before he got that truck close to where the President would have been appearing. As to his marital history, if the Newtster gets in on the assassin's coattails, he still has a leg up as an incumbent, depending on his track record until that point in time. Now with the Democratic Administration decapitated, who do the Democrats have to run, Ted Kennedy, Barney Frank or Dick Gephardt?
~ It's "Gephardt." Fixed, thanks - Ed And I'm confident the D's would have come up with someone. The real issue, as you point out, is that the Secret Service would be unlikely in the post-JFK world to allow the POTUS and VPOTUS to appear together. (Just imagine the upheaval if in 1963 LBJ had been killed along with Kennedy.)
~ Clinton was notorious for defying his SS handlers. The usual excuses were food runs [Hillary had him on a perpetual diet and Bill loves his comfort foods]. The usual rumor was nookie. However post-1994 election, Bill et al were freaked. GOP had never had the House in their lifetime and no one knew how to cope. So ignoring the SS on a venue or adding Clinton to a Gore event at the proverbial last minute are unlikely rather than absurd. Charleston however is absurd., It simply wasn't politically competitive in the 80's/90's. Nashville makes a lot more sense.
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Editor says, what if Newt Gingrich had gone over? This article is part of the "Two Americas" thread. Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s). This story was published in the March 2012 edition of Changing the Times Magazine.
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In 1943, on this day Newton ("Newt") Leroy McPherson was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He later adopted the surname of his step-father Robert Gingrich, a Union serviceman.
Gone OverRaised on the Hummelstown military base, he demonstrated a formidable intellect, excelling in history at the University of Pennsylvania before accepting the draft in 1965. Unsurprisingly, the stark contrast of governance in theory and practice was mindset-changing. In particular his miserable tour of duty on the Federal Zone of Cuba was a transformative experience that profoundly affected his strategic thinking.
Motivated by a grand desire to put the Union back on the path to greatness, he enrolled in the Future Leaders of America programme. Admired for his patriotism and respected for his political genius, he blazed a path to the Presidency. In office, he reached out to Confederate President Rick Santorum, believing that Mexican border control was the convergent "hot button" issue that could bring the Two Americas together. Trouble was, Santorum saw more opportunity in extending the hand of friendship to Mexican President Mitt Romney.
This article is part of the "Two Americas" thread.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Alternate Historian, 2004-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Two Americas Source: Wikipedia Labels: Rick Santorum, Confederacy, Presidency, Newt Gingrich, White House. Editor says, Gingrich chose to obtain deferments granted to college students and fathers, Gingrich did not enlist in the military, and was not drafted during the Vietnam War. He expressed some regret about that decision in 1985, saying, "Given everything I believe in, a large part of me thinks I should have gone over". In a Presidential Debate, Ron Paul called Gingrich a chickenhawk.
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Editor says, what if Francis Drake had settled in Canada? muses Jeff Provine on the This Day in Alternate History web site. Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s). This story was published in the June 2011 edition of Changing the Times Magazine.
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In 1579, after pillaging the once-untouchable Pacific towns and sea lanes of the Spanish, Francis Drake and his fleet led by the Golden Hind continued northward.
Drake Founds New AlbionThey had captured cargoes estimated at some 37,000 ducats (~$57,000,000), but they had also cut off their escape. To return to England, the fleet would have to slip by numerous Spanish colonies and ships either rounding the Cape of Magellan or through the South Seas, and then return via friendly Portuguese ports. Instead, Drake decided to continue northward and explore where even the Spanish had not yet reached. Far into uncharted territory, he came upon a bay that reminded his crews of home.
A new story by Jeff ProvineFrancis Petty, one of Drake's gentlemen-at-arms, wrote, "Our General called this country Nova Albion, and that for two causes; the one in respect of the white banks and cliffs, which lie towards the sea, and the other, because it might have some affinity with our country in name, which sometime was so called. There is no part of earth here to be taken up, wherein there is not some probable show of gold or silver". Petty's prophecy of gold would come true as bad weather forced Drake and his expedition out of their bay and through the Golden Gate into what would become known as Saint George's Bay. Facing mutinous sailors who did not wish to continue north, Drake decided to conquer their foul spirits by taking some of them with him on expeditions up various rivers to chart the area. In early July, they would find gold flakes and even pebble-sized nuggets simply sitting in the riverbed.
Upon their return to the bay, Drake began construction of a fort to guard the area and solidify the English claim. The local natives were very amiable; French lawyer and historian Jules Verne wrote, citing Drake's logs, "They appeared to be greatly astonished, and showed us great respect, thinking we were gods, and they received us with a great deal of reverence". The Indians gave the Englishmen gifts of feathers and tobacco and always set aside their weapons before approaching. Their women stayed at a distance and scratched themselves to the point of bleeding, which Drake eventually learned was a method of sacrifice. With aid from the Indians, Drake completed Fort Elizabeth and staffed it with some of his most trusted advisors, including Petty.
Drake returned to England amid much aplomb in 1580. While the war with Spain had lulled into peace, his feat of circumnavigating the world gained him a knighthood. He became Mayor of Plymouth as well as a Member of Parliament and used his positions to begin the Albion Company, to which Elizabeth would grant a charter for a colony on the western coast of America. A well funded expedition left in 1584, shortly before the national attention would be shifted toward the Spanish Armada. The war would destroy Sir Walter Raleigh's attempts at creating an English colony in North America on the eastern coast, which would later be settled by Puritans and planters as well as French, Dutch, Swedes, and Scottish.
England's real hold on the Americas would turn to west. The West Indies and eastern seaboard remained important economic points for triangular trade in the Atlantic, but thousands of settlers would cross the Pacific for Albion, where gold seemed impossibly plentiful. England (and then Britain in 1707) explored the vast ocean, setting up important trading posts through Oceania and soon colonizing Hawai'i. Albion's population soared as gold-mining served as a base to numerous industries such as logging, fur trading, and agriculture.
In 1776, the culturally diverse Eastern American Colonies rebelled, and a small movement arose in Albion for independence as well, but fears of Spanish incursion determined that the Albionians would remain British. The remoteness of Albion, however, gave the region its own sense, distinguishing their society from Britons, Americans, or Canadians. Albion eventually clarified its frontier into borders stretching from Spanish Baja in the south to Canadian Yukon and Russian Alaska in the north. When the Mexican-American War handed the bulk of Mexico's northern territory to the land-hungry Americans, war to maintain independence from Manifest Destiny became inevitable. The Utah War involving Mormon settlers and the American Federal Government spilled over into Albion, and Albionian troops marched in support of Governor Brigham Young. Fears of going to war with Britain eventually brought the war to a diplomatic end with an independent Deseret dividing much of the border between Albion and the United States.
By maintaining neutrality in the American Civil War, Albion would return to good relations with the United States, who began to expand southward into the Caribbean in war with Spain. Albion, meanwhile, gained dominion status and began its own expansion across the Pacific, soon running afoul of the Japanese Empire, who would serve as their major nemesis in World War II.
Entry posted by
Jeff Provine
© Jeff Provine, 2010-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Jeff Provine Blog Source: Jeff Provine’s Blog Labels: Francis Drake, New Albion, Canada, America, Great Britain. Editor says, in reality Francis Drake explored the Pacific Coast of North America, possibly as far north as Canada, but did not settle. Gold was not discovered there until 1848, when James Marshall spotted it near Sutter's Mill. The resulting gold rush would make California into one of the most important centers of the United States of America.
~ New Albion would have made a pretty isolated English colony in those days of sail and no practical overland route from the Atlantic coast. It would have been highly volnerable to Spanish attacks out of Mexico, and would have been at the end of a frighteningly long supply line even from England's Caribbean possessions.
If it survived, however, it might have partnered with other nations to build a trans-isthmian canal, either in Panama or elsewhere, to overcome that isolation. A canal could have been built decades earlier than it actually was, thouigh at dreadful cost in a pre-dynamite era.
~ It'd have been terribly difficult to keep.
~ The Spanish built colonies in the Pacific - it's not a great stretch to see England building one on the west coast of the Americas.
~ While I can see English colonies on the west coast of North America, I also see this development butterflying away later events, like the American Revolution, the Civil War and WW2.
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Editor says, what if Patrick Buchanan's prediction of a "Day of Reckoning" occurred not during the twenty-first century but at the end of his term of office in the White House? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s).
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In 1995, on this day the enduring image of "Buchanan's America" was unforgettably seared in the public consciousness when millions of viewers watched the incredible slow motion, nationally televised police chase which ended with the arrest of OJ Simpson by border patrol agents at the San Diego-Brownsville separation barrier.
Day of ReckoningDuring the 1988 election, the fortieth President had convinced America that it was necessary to install a hi-tec security fence to curb the flow of illegal immigrants from Mexico. And draconian measures to control illegal aliens had resulted in the largest reverse movement since 1954.
Due to waves of illegal immigration, it was of course a moot point as to whether or not the south-western region was effectively returning to Mexico. Or whether in fact the south-western regional rightfully belonged to Mexico. Contemporary historians were still arguing over the detail of whether Davy Crocket died in the defence of the Alamo, or having surrendered, was brutally executed on Santa Anna's orders.
Ironically, a border designed to prevent northern immigration had trapped a fugitive of justice heading south. And Buchanan's generalisations about brown-skinned individuals now hit a major snag because the alleged criminal was "The Juice" one of American's best-loved celebrities, accused of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman in their Los Angeles condominium.
Buchanan might have been forgiven for wishing that Simpson had escaped across the border into Mexico. Because his double murder charge meant no bail and a possible death penalty verdict if convicted because double homicide is a capital offense in California. With a seemingly overwhelming volume of evidence strongly suggesting his guilt, Simpson hired the best criminal defence team money could buy. The country now faced a perculiarly American soul-searching crisis as the vectors of race, justice, power, religion and money converged on a common point.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Buchanan, Patrick J. "Day of Reckoning" (2007)Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Politicians Source: Wikipedia Labels: Pat Buchanan, America, OJ Simpson, Mexico, Border Control. ~ Yet another reason to want such a thing---that way American criminals can't escape to plague poor helpless Mexicans.
~ This sounds like something Jon Stewart would hatch on a dare. :D
~ If the economy's roarin', then social conscience is snorin'.
~ So...where does the divergence occur ?
~ God help these Americans; a (Pat) Buchanan presidency would be as disasterous a the (James) Buchanan presidency was.
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Editor says, what if Britain won the Battle of Bunker Hill? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s).
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In 1776, the Battle of Breed's Hill, also called the Battle of Bunker Hill, took place, pitting American colonial rebels against British troops commanded by Sir William Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, and John Burgoyne.
Watch the Youtube Clip of the Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill by Eric LippsIt is a disaster for the colonials, who had failed to learn until too late of the British plan to occupy the Dorchester and Charlestown heights. Colonial militia forces under the command of William Prescott were dispatched to attempt to occupy Bunker Hill outside Charlestown, but, finding it already in British hands, Prescott chose to attempt a stand at Breed's Hill - only to find that it, too, had been occupied by the British before he could reach it. Prescott was forced to wage a slaughterhouse of a battle simply to escape. The British victory played a key role in the breaking of the siege of Charlestown, which dealt a hard blow to the rebels' morale. That blow would be followed by others, leading at last to the surrender of the final holdouts under General George Washington outside the sacked and burning city of Philadelphia on July 4.
Entry posted by
Eric Lipps
© Today in Alternate History, 2004-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Alternate Nations Source: Wikipedia Labels: Bunker Hill, American Revolution, United States, America, Great Britain. ~ This would have put a spike into things, but I do think that the Revolution was inevitable in the long run. That said, without it going the way it did, I think we'd probably have a deal more-or-less like what Australia, NZ or Canada got.
~ You may be right--but the specific conflict that we know from "real" history might have ended in defeat, leaving a remnant of fugitive revolutionaries to dream of trying again--perhaps in 1812, when England had its hands full in Europe with Napoleon.
~ I too think the American Revolution, without significant political reforms on behalf of the British, was probably inevitable. But you don't want to go the way of Australia. We still live under the thumb of the English!
~ General Howl had several chances to whip out the rebels after Bunker hill but he didn't. Some say he was trying to be merciful because he expected the rebels to sue for peace others say he was used to fighting European style warfare and was expecting a counter-attack.
I think he was being careful because he nearly got his head handed to him at Bunker Hill. He lost more men then he wanted to and was afraid that he might walk into a trap and loose even more. If he had annihilated them at Bunker Hill he may not show restraint and whip out the rebel army. With Washington's Army gone i think congress would have capitulated and the whole revolution would be lost.
~ With the defeat of the revolution in the east, the natural path that Washington and his band of rebels to take is westward - to build their America out of the wilderness in the center of the continent, far away from British control...
~ Timing is crucial. America was exceptionally lucky in its revolutionary leadership. Had a successful revolution only occurred later, it might have goneas the French Revolution did, or in some other unappealing direction--perhaps toward the establishment of an American monarchy, for instance, or toward the establishment of not one but several nations.
~ At the risk of sounding stupid, what does Bunker Hill have to do with the Attila the Hun ATL mentioned at the top of this page?
~ I second Chris Oakley's motion. I find that confusing as well.
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In 2008, officials of the Nepalese government disclosed that a car given to the late King Tribhuvan by Adolf Hitler had been found to contain a previously hidden treasure of gold bullion worth in excess of 800,000 USD.
Hitler's Car by Chris Oakley
The gold cache, never found during Tribhuvan's lifetime, had been intended as a bribe to convince the Nepalese king to
ally himself with Nazi Germany.
The discovery follows the declaration of a republic in which King Tribhuvan's grandson Gyanendra quit the palace after the Himalayan nation abolished the 239-year-old monarchy.
Officials said a 1939 Mercedes Benz presented by the Nazi leader is now rusting at Nepal's main Narayanhiti palace grounds. It has lain there for more than three years after an engineering college in Kathmandu, which was using it to train mechanics, said it did not have enough money and spare parts to restore the antique car.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, 83, attended the first public function ever organised inside the palace. Former Maoist leaders, who waged a decade-long civil war to overthrow the king, were also present.
Koirala said Nepal should be proud that the king had left the palace without bloodshed after the republic was declared. "This is a historic and unprecedented event," he said, as Nepal's new national flag was hoisted. " The world is watching us with awe and respect at this moment".
A sign reading 'Narayanhiti Palace Museum' was also unveiled, formally turning the palace into a museum. Both the vehicle and the gold bullion are on display paying silent testimony to the corrupt nature of the monarchy.
The Story continues..
Entry posted by
Chris Oakley
© Chris Oakley,2008-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Hitlers Car Source: Reuters, Paris Labels: Hitler, Nepal, Kathmandu, Tribhuvan , Gyanendra.comments powered by Disqus
In 2009, US Senatory Hillary Rodham Clinton issued divorce papers terminating her thirty-four year marriage.Clintons Divorce - repurposed content from Jeff Samuels
During the 2008 primary season, Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton had discovered that her most powerful rival was not her opponent, Senator Barack Obama, but husband Bill who harboured a secret wish that would lose.
"Deep down, Bill can`t stand not being the center of attention himself. If you think Bill Clinton will be content to live in Hillary`s shadow for the rest of his life, then you don`t know him very well". said one Washington insider.
Three particular pieces of evidence were sited in the divorce papers by way of evidence to substantial the claim of irreconciliable differences.
• Just when folks wre beginning to forget about Hillary`s big lie - that she narrowly escaped sniper fire during a visit to Bosnia - Bill brought the subject up again, reminding everyone of his wife`s embarrassing blunder.
• Bill constantly refers to our compaign and my time in office, as if Hillary couldn`t run on her own merits.
• He stirred things up by accusing Obama of playing the race card in South Carolina forcing Hillary to step forward later with an apology.
Hillary Clinton has confirmed her intention to run the 2012 election without her estranged husband`s legendary campaigning skills.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Jeff Samuels, National Examiner - Bill Wants Hillary to Lose!Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Beasts Source: Politico Labels: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, 2008 Campaign, Presidency, Divorce.comments powered by Disqus
Editor says, what if Great Britain had kept the American colonies only to lose Canada? muses Robbie Taylor. Share this Article on: Facebook Twitter
In 1775, American rebels faced off against British troops led by General William Howe (pictured) at Breed's Hill in Massachusetts. After his first charge against the rebel position was met with a volley of repelling fire, Howe organized a second, which met with just as little success.
Breed's HillNot knowing that the Americans were low on ammunition, General Howe ordered a retreat from the position, giving the day to the Americans. His superiors felt that he had given up Breed's Hill too easily, and recalled him to England, where he angrily resigned his commission, saying, "Am I to be a wizard, that I should know the state of the enemy's supplies?"
Howe had been personally opposed to the war against the colonies to begin with, and this reprimand encouraged him to join Parliament and push for reconciliation with the Americans. He was one of the driving forces in British government that accepted the proposals of American President John Jay and led to the end of the war and America's partial autonomy from British rule.
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Entry posted by Alternate Historian Robbie Taylor
© Robbie Taylor, 2004-Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Canadian Rev Source: Wikipedia Labels: William Howe, America, Canada, Revolution, Secession. ~ I'm not sure "partial autonomy" would have been acceptable to the colonists by the mid-1770s.
~ Possibly something similar to the Princely States in India?
The several US states have internal autonomy but foreign affairs remains with the Westminster government? (What would the situation be with inter-state negotiations?)
~ It'd be early enough that there might be ground for reconciliation, though the issue of taxation would be a political nightmare to work out.
~ There were a lot of people on both sides who wanted a compromise, but eventually sheer distance would make rule from London unworkable.
~ Partial autonomy from British rule would have slowly led back to complete British Rule.
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