In an alternate history where the Mongols continued their expansion into Europe and successfully conquered it all, there would be a unique blend of cultures. Eurasia could have become a single, vast empire. Horse - based warfare and nomadic traditions might have influenced European society deeply, changing everything from art to governance.
One interesting scenario could be if Hitler had been assassinated early in the war. This might have led to a power struggle within the Nazi regime and potentially a quicker end to the war in Europe. Without Hitler's fanatical leadership, the military strategies might have changed drastically.
In certain alternate history civil war fictions, a plotline might involve a different political ideology taking hold in one of the regions. For example, if the South had embraced a more socialist - like ideology, the war would not be just about slavery but also about different economic systems. The battles and strategies would be shaped by this new ideological divide. Or, what if a female general emerged in either the North or the South? Her leadership style and decisions would be a unique aspect of the story, challenging the traditional gender roles of the time and influencing the course of the war.
One interesting plotline could be if the United States entered the war much earlier. This might have led to a quicker end to the stalemate on the Western Front. Another could be if a major technological breakthrough, like a super - effective anti - tank weapon, was developed earlier, changing the nature of trench warfare.
One interesting alternate history short story is 'The Man in the High Castle' by Philip K. Dick. It presents a world where the Axis powers won World War II. Another is 'Bring the Jubilee' by Ward Moore, which imagines a Confederate victory in the American Civil War. And 'For Want of a Nail' by Robert Sobel is also great. It shows how different the world could be if a single event in history, like the loss of a horseshoe nail, had a different outcome.
The unexpected twists are what make them interesting. For example, if the South had a super weapon in an alternate history civil war novel, like in 'The Guns of the South'. It completely changes the power dynamics and the way the war is fought. Also, seeing how different characters might have behaved under different circumstances. If a key general had made a different decision, like in 'Grant Comes East' where different military strategies are explored. It makes you think about how history could have been so different with just a few changes.
Some great alternate history top stories include the idea of 'What if the Mongols had successfully invaded Europe?' The whole continent's development might have been altered, with different cultural and genetic mixes. Also, 'What if Columbus had never reached the Americas?' Native American civilizations might have continued to develop without the massive disruption brought by European colonization. Well, there's also 'What if the Industrial Revolution had started 500 years earlier?' Technology and society would have advanced at a much faster rate, and we might be in a completely different technological era today.
The novelty. They offer a fresh perspective on familiar historical events. For example, seeing how a revolution might have turned out differently if a single event had been changed.
A great one is 'The Man in the High Castle' by Philip K. Dick. It's set in an alternate history where the Axis powers won World War II. It really makes you think about how different the world could be. Another is 'Fatherland' which also explores a world where the Nazis won. It's a gripping look at a very dark possible reality.
One interesting short story could be 'The Guns of the South' by Harry Turtledove. It involves time travel where Confederates are given AK - 47s, which completely changes the course of the American Civil War. Another is 'By His Bootstraps' by Robert A. Heinlein. It's a mind - bending time travel story that plays with the idea of self - causation in an alternate timeline.
One popular one is 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris. It imagines a world where Germany won World War II and the Cold War has a very different dynamic within that alternate reality.