An example of "honorary alternate history" is the 1980s series The Zone by James Rouch about World War III in Europe. Alternate history or alternative history (Commonwealth English), sometimes abbreviated as AH, is a genre of fiction consisting of stories in which one or more historical events occur differently. At the end of the war, the U.S. side wins again, and takes control of the CSA. Alternative History is what this sub is all about. Lapham suggested that, if the Romans had won, world history would have been remarkably different, with a “Roman empire preserved from ruin, Christ dying… on an unremembered cross, the nonappearance of the English language, neither the need nor the occasion for a Protestant Reformation… and Kaiser Wilhelm seized by an infatuation with stamps… instead of a passion for cavalry boots.”. Lennon’s obscurity, of course, ensures that he is not killed by a fan in 1980. What if we’d been wearing pants that time the cops pulled us over? Looking at different options of an events actual way can help you see what was going… Finally, in our alternate history, the president spent Jan. 6 not urging his supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol to disrupt the lawful certification of … These stories usually contain "what if" scenarios at crucial points in history and present outcomes other than those in the historical record. A story that changes real world history and explores the consequences of that change. I’ve seen a lot of people give the idea of Brazil as a superpower power a try in an alternate history scenario. What if King Henry VIII had been impotent? What if the Russian “October Revolution” had failed? The popular Harry Turtledove, who specializes in alternate history novels, has suggested what might have happened – in 11 volumes (so far). Explanation: Though usually considered a branch of science fiction, alternate history stories have their own awards, the Sidewise Awards for Alternate History, which have been presented to some renowned novels, including Harry Turtledove’s How Few Remain, mentioned above, and in 1999, Brendan DuBois’ Resurrection Day. Effect: Colonization of the moon, Venus, and Mars by 1962. Learning that Britain has broken the Enigma code, however, the Nazis play it safe and make peace with the west. Explanation: In "Road to the Multiverse," a 2009 episode of Family Guy, Stewie and Brian find themselves hopping between universes. Alternate history is arguably one of the best genres in all of popular entertainment, partly because it relies on the complexity of hard decisions and the consequences that come from them. But, to be honest, when foreigners do so, they often fail to make it realistic, mostly because they think of a superpowered Brazil as a tropical version of the US. Explanation: In Robert Harris’ novel Fatherland (the basis for a 1994 TV movie), Nazi Germany successfully invades Russia in 1942. A surprisingly effortless, if complex, read, its labyrinthine narrative weaves plot strands in and out of each other like silk, keeping the pages turning until the coffee goes cold. What if the Nile River had dried up thousands of years ago? In the America of 1962, slavery is legal once again, and the few surviving Jews hide out under assumed names. Even Bush’s vice-president, Dan Quayle, would be propelled to the presidency after winning a debate against Bill Clinton. Effect: She would win an Oscar – and be brainwashed. General discussion about alternate history scenarios in general or those found in media with the point of divergence from real history occurring before 1900 AD. (1999), edited by Robert Cowley, historians pondered what would happen if historical events had turned out differently. Here’s a list of 50 questions to excite your imagination, invalidate your history textbooks, and infuriate your stuffy childhood history teacher. It can be variously seen as a sub-genre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction; different alternate history works may use tropes from any or all of these genres. Alternate History imagines what would happen if history had gone differently. Hot New Top. An entire channel dedicated to the 'What If?". What if there was no oil in the Middle East? What if the edge state policy succeeded and a defensive pact was formed between Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Poland? Save 50% on a BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed subscription Magna Carta remains one of history's most important documents, a charter sealed by King John in 1215 that placed limits on the power of English kings. In the South, post-war measures lead to runaway inflation, poverty, and the victory of the violent Freedom party. Effect: Republicans win every election for the next 30 years. The first novel, How Few Remain (1997), introduced a world where, years after the war, the former USA is divided into two nations: the U.S. and the Confederate States of America. It would end not with the prostitute (Roberts) and her wealthy client (Richard Gere) living happily ever after, but with her dying of a heroin overdose while he drives into the sunset, cackling maniacally. What if Genghis Khan had died in infancy? This book, with its historical commentary, made many critics take sci-fi far more seriously, showing that it was more than just alien invasions and spaceships. Hot New Top Rising. The winning essay, by G. M. Trevelyan, suggested that Napoleon would lose interest in expanding his empire, partly because his health was suffering, and partly because the mood in Paris was for peace. Effect: Ronald Reagan is assassinated in 1985 (obviously). Or get 4 … Alternative history definition is - fiction that is based on history and that explores what might have happened if certain historical events, figures, etc., had been different —called also alternate history. Effect: One of America’s favorite rom-coms of the 1990s would have been a gritty tragedy. (That bit was never explained.). What if Henry VIII had stayed married to Catherine of Aragon? What if Neanderthals had not become extinct? This envisions a world in which the U.S. military sabotages President Kennedy’s attempts to negotiate peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Effect: The Fuhrer is revered in history as a great leader. Need some inspiration for an alternate history scenario? The newly fascist CSA then plans a Final Solution for the “surplus” black population. Explanation: Probably the first book-length alternate history, Napoleon and the Conquest of the World: 1812-1823 (published in 1836) imagined that Napoleon, rather than freezing in Moscow in 1812, sought out and destroyed the Russian army. President Lindbergh, a white supremacist and anti-Semite, declares martial law, throws his opponents in prison, and allies with Nazi Germany in World War II. What if the Vikings successfully colonized the east coast of North America? This leads the Fab Four to disband. Explanation: Any reality envisioned by Philip K. Dick was bound to be fascinating. Lindbergh is remembered as a national villain – in Roth’s opinion, the reputation he deserves. Effect: Robert Kennedy survives his assassination attempt. Great had lived to adulthood history. ) while the word of Christ still spreads throughout the east of. Among the most well-known books that tackle that question I ’ ve seen a lot people. 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