this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2025
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Alternate history is one of my favorite topics, and I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

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[–] Outwit1294@lemmy.today 4 points 1 day ago (11 children)

I think there is a show about this.

I imagine that we would be more scientifically advanced but more radical, less liberal.

However, everything eventually changes over time. The world has managed to steer towards fascist regimes after the win of USA in WW2. It is not impossible that Hitler would have made us more liberal today.

[–] dfyx@lemmy.helios42.de 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I imagine that we would be more scientifically advanced

Much of the scientific advances in the second half of the 20th century were driven either directly or indirectly by the Cold War:

  • rockets were first developed to deploy nuclear warheads, then to deploy spy satellites and eventually to demonstrate technological superiority
  • computers were needed to calculate rocket trajectories
  • the internet was developed to connect defense systems in the event of incoming nuclear missiles, either to launch countermeasures quickly or to stay in contact if the surface gets uninhabitable

Without two super powers of similar strength who have access to both nuclear bombs and rockets, all of this would happen way more slowly and the main reason why the USA and Soviet Union developed rockets at a similar pace was because they both employed German rocket scientists after the war. Without this, there would be no space race, just slow and steady progress of one power who can then keep everyone else from catching up.

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[–] kandoh@reddthat.com 1 points 1 day ago

Nationalism is in full swing by WW2 so any Non-contagious territories would be in constant rebellion. Especially with nazi ideology, I imagine the 2nd half of the 20th century would have considerably more conflict that whay we did get.

[–] Mrkawfee@lemmy.world -1 points 1 day ago (13 children)

The Middle East would be a lot more peaceful I can tell you that.

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[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (3 children)

This particular alternative history is uninteresting because its premises mean you have to invent a whole parallel universe. In plain English: it could not have happened and would not have happened, for essentially economic reasons.

The interesting alternative histories are ones that turn on a single fortuitous event.

PS: I am saying that OP's question is boring because it is unanswerable. It just invites a hundred other questions. If you want to ask THOSE questions, then ask them.

[–] DagwoodIII@piefed.social 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You are contradicting yourself.

Hitler left orders not to be awakened so he slept in on D-Day. Rommel had left his post. Think that wouldn't have changed things?

Stalin had dozens of warnings that Hitler planned to invade. What if he'd taken even one seriously?

What if Hitler had let the Army get the glory at Dunkirk and steamrolled the troops on the beach?

I can think of dozens of times the course of the War changed by the actions of one person.

[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm not contradicting myself. You are not reading the question asked.

[–] DagwoodIII@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

it could not have happened and would not have happened, for essentially economic reasons.

The interesting alternative histories are ones that turn on a single fortuitous event.

You said it couldn't happen, then said that there are ways it could have happened.

Also, if you don't want to be part of the discussion, you are free to stay out. other people are participating and enjoying themselves.

[–] JubilantJaguar@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Also, if you don’t want to be part of the discussion, you are free to stay out. other people are participating and enjoying themselves.

In future then I'll try to remember your handy advice and not say anything that might challenge anyone's views or otherwise spoil your enjoyment. Cheers.

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