Commander Peary doesn't sail his ships into Tokyo harbour in 1853, and Japan remains a hermit nation, isolating itself from the rest of the world and remaining wrapped in its medieval mindset--what happens to the history of the Pacific and northen Asia in the next 150 years?
Japan remains a technological backwater, closed off to the rest of the world. Once the imperialistic European powers are through with China, they close in on Japan, which is split up between Britain and Germany. The Manchu Empire in China remains strong, backed by Western economic and military strength. The Chinese people continue to tolerate the monarchic system because the Sino-Japanese War is never fought. By the time of the First World War, though, the Chinese have become steadily angrier at their government as the country comes further under the control of foreign European power. A rebellion takes place, succeeding when the European militaries, entangled in their own wars, fail to come to the aid of the weak Manchu dynasty. A republic is set up, the new government gains popular approval, and the country is unified. China is still far behind the Western powers, but establishes friendly ties with America and Britain, and becomes industrialied. No serious Communist threat ever arises due to the fact that there was never any Soviet influence. The Chinese economy grows, and the people enjoy a number of personal and political freedoms. THe Second World War never takes place.
Nah. Japan is left alone. It remains a backwater economically, until the Russians turn their eyes on it. This leads to a drastically new WW2. Russia still has the revolution, and Stalin has his Far East divisions handy to blunt Operation Barbarossa. The US never enters the war, and the UK sits isolated, unable to invade Europe. Stalin's T-34's drive the Panzers into the Atlantic, Italy and the UK continue a battle over colonial Libya, Rommel remains in Africa throughout. Italy brokers a deal with the USSR, and the Russian bear begins sweeping down into the Middle East, annexing as it goes. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
