What If There Was A Scramble For Australia? | Alternate History 

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I always wondered why seemingly-thriving French colonies always seemed to collapse. Thank you for such a clear explanation.

Africa is colonized by one country only and Australia is scrambled instead.

Coming from New Zealand, I can only wonder what effect a divided Australia would have here. Given Britain still controls Australian East Coast, seems like things would unfold the same, but with these extra players in the game who knows, always possible France might have been a bit more proactive in trying to establish a presence here.

What if Brazil remained an Empire?

Idea for video: What if the First World War lasted for 2 more years?

As an Australian, seeing an American flag overlayed a part of our country fills me with both, intrigue, excitement and disgust all at once. It's, its a weird slurry of emotions.

I believe that as France and Sweden are the weakest colonial powers at the time, so all the colonial powers (maybe except Portugal) will eat away their interior territories, especially the British, and likely Spain because although it's a declining power, it's an experienced one, Spain had experience extracting mineral resources from the arid regions of the Americas, and Philippines doesn't have much of those minerals, so the Spaniards wouldn't want to lose this opportunity.

What if Decolonization in Africa never happened?

What if there was a scrambled eggs for Austria-Hungary?

What if the Soviet Union managed to hold itself together in 1991 and became a nuclear hermit state?

The subtle "mine mine mine" at the beginning

What if Japan colonized the American Northwest

I imagine this would lead to british Papua, New Zealand, Fiji, Solomons, Southeast Australia, and Tasmania being far faster industrialised with a substantially heavier emphasis on the formation of European, Germanic style compact towns and cities along with their industry and an overall greater population density in the efforts to ensure permanent domination over the rivals in Oceania. Would be interesting to imagine better relations with the bigger aboriginal, Polynesian and Papuan tribes as an effort to utilise any trade of foods and animal hides among other things to better establish early settlements and assimilate such populations into the colonies for faster rural growth all while having the “support of natives” as a bonus argument of legitimacy over the other powers. This scenario could see by ww1 a British Oceania with over 6 million anglos in total and millions of others thanks to Papua and exponentially growing industry/military relevance. Could result in British Oceania being more unified and becoming a singular federation upon independence within the commonwealth, possibly establishing a long term national aim to unite Oceania, likely having over 15 million anglos by 1950 and a total population of over 20 million with the capacity to exceed 60 million in a matter of generations depending on selectiveness and investment into immigration along with promotion of larger families for greater fertility rates all paired with northwest European societal compressed design. Portugal may use the aboriginal population within the top end as local conscription force for training from a young age to police other colonies, forming one main city with a d sizeable minority of Portuguese while the rest of the colony is more or less kept as tribes forced to trade sons and submit to slight resource extraction at later times. I see Sweden forming a few small towns that maintain a Swedish population along the coast and a few small inland towns, with most of the population being similarly sized but even less developed aboriginal equivalents. Spain would have limited space for cities but could achieve several large port towns for naval bases and a high Spanish population within those towns specifically. The French have plenty of the best land for mining so long term wealth of the colony will be high, the French would form a main city as always and likely exceed half a million Frenchmen by ww2 with the capacity to hold over 5 million by the 2020’s. Dutch would definitely be able to have a good number of major port towns along their coastline. Theyd probably end up with the most developed aboriginal majority towns of the western half by ww2. If the colony can be maintained long enough for the Dutch to find the valuable resources in the ground, it’s very possible the developed coastal towns and emerging inland counterparts get linked up by roads and railways faster and more effectively than other parts of the west as the Dutch lose most other colonies and the profit of this one skyrockets. The aboriginal majority towns outside the port settlements likely become prime employee spots for the mining and fishing operations that would fuel the colonies economy and development. Assuming the Spanish lose their to America it falls into greater poverty and gang crimes before independence likely under dictatorship or gets annexed by the Portuguese/Dutch colonies. The Swedish colony probably loses plenty of inland territory to the others through encroaching mines and consequent settlements, by 2020’s could have over 50k Swedes and over 50k aboriginals. Portuguese territory and Timor likely unite as a single nation upon independence, allied with east Australia’s federation against Indonesia and the independent Spanish colony in any post colonial conflicts. It’s total population could be over 5 million by not if Timor and the top end are held. The Dutch colony can exceed a population of half a million by now assuming they take most of the Spanish one eventually following independence and take more land eastward from the Swedes, being formidable through coastal development and inland settlement. Interesting to imagine where this Oceania wolf go politically, ideologically, in regards to immigration and militarisation, democracy vs monarchy vs new age dictatorships, decline versus peaking post independence between differing areas, ambitions in the greater region and moves to counter each other, plus who stays close to their mother states or not and how things go in ww2 itself for culture and conquest. With all that in mind where would the nations of Oceania sit by the present day and what would they aim for by 2050 on a regional scale. Would a more north European feeling east Australia with far more industry and naval/military capability and justification become an expansionist and hyper militaristic federation following the mass enlistment of its people against Japan and consequently securing a place as the dominant Oceania power for example, and how would this affect their cultural, infrastructural, environmental, military evolution onwards. Probably my favourite concept in a while.

One thing that I think might have happened differently to this would be the colonisation of Tasmania. The island was discovered by the Dutch and extensively surveyed by French explorers before being colonised, which led to many regions of the island having French names even today. The UK only colonised the island out of fear that France would beat them to it and have a strategic position near Victoria. I could see France possibly contesting British rule, or Germany trying to take/purchase the colony purely for the military positioning.

What if the Mongols conquered Japan?

I think France being on the continent with a greater amount of arable land makes a massive difference in its ability to colonize compared to Britain. Britain has very limited amount of land, a lot of it is mountainous, and it's an island. So if younger generations wanted land or wealth, they had to leave the homeland to find it. France still had some of this, but with Algeria right there and then with the fall of the monarchy, it seems that there wasn't as much of a need to go far, if at all.

What if the Hapsburgs never gained the Kingdom of Spain? What if Prince Jaun of the House of Trastamara lives to become King?

When the title is an unintentional left-handed compliment.

I think people fail to realise how huge and how inhospitable Australia is. It's mostly desert or semi desert and has crocodiles patrolling the northern shores. The east coast has a giant reef defending its most hospitable region from ships. A scramble for Australia would end up in an Australian ethnogenesis, just like what happened in real life.

What if Austria-hungary Was made of chocolate. 😢😢😢 Please make.

now the question is, what if turkistan(central asia) managed to modernize and stand firm against russia, iran, britain and china?

There was a scramble for Australia; with France. That's why our cities are strategically places on every coast. It wasn't much of a scramble, but it was there.

This would have reaccelerated the slave trade, imagine Haitians in Australia or atleast a bunch of coolies, there's no way the french are settling that region themselves so late in the game.

the real question is: what if austria-hungary was made of chocalte?

What if Austria-Hungary was made of chocolate?

Nice video,big fan. I have some suggestions about alternate history

Love your content z! Suggestion: What if juan, prince of asturias and girona survived and continued the trastamara dynasty ?

In an alternate history, where a minority plan by the Spanish to launch an attack on Sydney is actioned: Initial Reconnaissance: Spanish spies and naval officers, leveraging their vast South American colonies, begin scouting the Pacific and the defenses of the young British colony in Sydney. Their aim is to counteract British expansion and influence in the region. Assembling the Armada: Using resources from their South American bases, the Spanish assemble an armada, focusing on quick raids and the element of surprise. Their plan includes the use of firebombs to destroy the largely wooden structures of early Sydney. The Invasion: The Spanish fleet, sailing from ports in Peru, arrives off the coast of New South Wales. They launch a surprise attack on Sydney, causing panic and chaos among the settlers and the British garrison. British Response: The British Empire, taken aback by the audacity of the Spanish move, rallies its forces from nearby colonies and the British Isles. Naval battles ensue in the Pacific, with both empires vying for control of the Australian continent. Impact on Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous Australians, already suffering from British colonization, now face another layer of complexity as two European powers battle for dominance. Some might see an opportunity to ally with the Spanish against the British, hoping for better treatment or a chance to reclaim their lands. Long-term Implications: Whether the Spanish are successful or repelled, the attempt drastically alters the trajectory of Australian history. Multiple European influences in Australia could lead to a more multicultural nation earlier in its history, or further divisions and conflicts.

This scenario would have an interesting world war 1 and world war 2

A Basic Australian Opinion on this: Britain wouldn't accept this, they would probably push for the New South Wales Claimed Border When they first landed in Botany Bay in 1788. What about the Aboriginals? With more great powers here the land would be less organised and Sweden, Spain and the Dutch would have to reconcile with them, possibly creating an Autonomous Aboriginal Inland State. If I had to do this, I would do: Sweden gets a small piece on the Arafura, making a small little colony. The rest of the land is "unclaimed" as a buffer state and is basically a United Aboriginal State. France basically has what it has but follows the Original British Claims. Portugal Keeps what it has, following Original British Claims. The Dutch get Tasmania/Van Diemens Land, as they technically discovered it. Dutch take over the Spanish "Claim" but lose land in the South to France, creating a completely straight border. Spain, if they could even handle it, gets the Dampier Peninsula. Edit: If America takes over Spanish Dampier Peninsula (btw Dampier is like completely desert, only having Broome and Derby which are small towns) then they would just sell it to the French, Dutch, British (most likely) or just give it to the Aboriginals. It's *DESERT* However I'd like to think they would give it to Germany and then when Germany loses ww1, Britain/France gets it. :D

What if Portugal managed to hold on to Brazil?

South Australia would likely be French as its coast line was explored and Named by a French explorer Baudin . He named things after Napoleon. Flinders explored the coast at the same time and they met at what is now called Encounter Bay.

Simple answer too many things that can kill you on a comparatively small space and the fact Emus rule Australia, the people are allowed to remain as serfs for their amusement.

What if Richard the Lionheart lived longer as King of England?

The thing about Australia (as an aussie) is the fact that there are no clear boundaries. By the time any of the lands you gave do the Dutch and Spanish had any value, the isolation of these colonies would undoubtedly lead to their collapse. At most, it would be French in the west, but even until recently, about 80% of our land is worthless. Although the Dutch pilfering another continents mineral wealth is certainly not unheard of ;)

1805-1850 was the height of Britain’s relative power.

The First Fleet in 1788 beat the French under Lapérouse to Sydney Harbour by a couple of days Also American whaling ships were also present at this time along the coast of SE Australia, in order to supplement their income with seal pelts and rendered blubber

What if the Norman Anarchy never happened? What if the White Ship Disaster never happened?

I had a feeling that Portugal getting bigger colonies in Oz because of their ownership of Timor would have but never suspected a Swedish colony in Australia

France was actually very close to claiming Australia (though it was not named Australia at that time.) This is one reason why the British rushed in to beat the French.

Great video. Only comment would be pronunciation of Australian areas were a little off. Pilbara, Timor were off and Kimberley should be THE Kimberley. Besides this great interesting video.

I am glad Spain had a part

FYI we tend to pronounce Timor more like how one would say Teemore.

Arguably some of these colonies would be very inhospitable. Sweden looks like got Kakadu nation park. Stunning but hot and tropical with lots of crocodiles and thus a hard place to make a stand alone colony. North Western Australia is mineral rich but a tough place to live.

Hey Monsieur, if you ever wanted to try a Movie Reaction video on your channel, it should definitely be "The Second Civil War" (1997) If you haven't seen it it's really funny & scarily relevant

I've always thought instead of UK having all of Australia they should've had only the Eastern Australia which currently has 3 States. The rest of the land should've been split between France, Germany & Italy.

What if Germany didn't recover from World War 1

Interesting

I have a suggestion: What if The Philippines became a Belgian Colony instead of The Congo

What if Poland conquered Russia during the Time of Troubles?

Imagine the French surrendering to spicy ostriches

Can you do a video if the Caribbean united into a federation ? ( Puerto Rico included )

What if Ivan the sixth wasn't overthrow ? What if Richard III won the battle of bosoworth ? What if Mary I gave birth to A son or girl ? Whqt if Maria Theresa married Frederick the great ? What if Elizabeth of Russia french marriage match went ahead as plan ?

cool video can you do one where the middle east was redrawn to include assyrian christian states and how it will effect out modern geopolitics

What if romans pushed germans to the Scandinavia and they never expanded

This is the average Australia experience in EU4.

The Eureka flag with the Fleur-de-lys... ridiculous!

can you make a more detaild continuation of this scenario ? Please would be really hiped

What if Australia was One to Two thousand kilometres further south, or Tasmania was about the same size as continental Australia?

The Emus would have driven them all away. But seriously. Due to the significant French presence, Australia today would end up a lot like Canada. A bilingual nation.

Excellent video, but it is disputed by... Lex Luthor, governor of Australia! 😂 (Superman 2 reference)

Can you do a what if France diddnt buy corsica, it would be very interesting if there would be a napoleonic Italy or something

What if the Ottoman empire never existed?

Video idea: what if Soviet union emerged in western europe instead of eastrn europe.

I've got an idea for an alternative history thing for you. What it the Earth had rings?

What if the Grand Duke of Oldenburg becomes the king of Sweden?

Europeans discovered the coast of huge flat dry intimidating continent with no major rivers. The natives had nothing of value to trade. And there was no game. It took a very hardy pioneer stock to wrest a living from the land, and most adventures sought their fortune where it was not so difficult.

Here's a fun scenario what if the Ottomans collapsed in the 1830s and what if the Russians never helped the austrians with the Hungarian Rebellion how would that change the balance of power in Europe

There's still a lot of evidence of the explorations done by these nations in the naming of today's places. Cape Naturaliste and Dutch named Cape Leeuwin in the Western "horn". The Dampier region also. La Perouse left his mark in the naming of Botany Bay's northern peninsula and in NZ we still have the town of Akaroa flying the French flag in the main street.

What about Tartaria

Where would this supposed southern German colony make landfall? That coastal area is known as the Great Australian Bight, it’s a 100’ sheer cliff straight into the ocean.

The most important question was not answered. Would the whole country still be playing AFL.

Cool video, fyi timor is pronounced tee mor not tim or

What if the Holy Roman Empire (Germany) was never founded?

As a Victorian I would love for this to have been the case.

great video

it would be more interesting for sure such a big place but only 1 country with 1 language.

Its "T.more"

What if the Qing Dynasty reformed in the 1890's and didn't collapse?

Spanish Australia= Argentina or Chile.

Poor austrailia! Have they not suffered enough at the hands of the emus?

scramble for the world

What if film star Charlie Chaplin was assassinated?

Crocodile Dundee would be a very different movie.

The poor guys in north Western Australia got left with dust and sticks 😂 nice beaches but thats about it

What if the banana empire declared war on the Roman republic?

No scramble for Australia is simple. Firstly, only the east coast & the southwest corner are viable for habitation from a purely 17th, 18th century European perspective. Your thumbnail shows Australia divided on lines that would be entirely improbable from a colonisation point of view.

Part 2

0:16 *PFFFFF*

What if Chocolate was made of Austria-Hungary?

the dutch landed on north west australia the heat and flies and been so dry they could not wait to leave

The scramble did happen but 200 years later

scar Nicholas part 5 when?

What if Quentin Roosevelt survived and became president?

One thing only Australia is an extreme country very dry ,very hot almost unlivable in at least half the country

I think the dutch the germans and the Japanese had the most chance to colonise Australia and I'm curious as to if they would be more brutal or less towards aboriginal people

Maybe because there was no gravel.

What if Kaiser Friedrich III lived?

What if treaty of Tordesillas Portuguese get the spainish part and Spanish get the Portuguese part