Alternate history - What if? United Scandinavians

[Randarkmaan]

1. Is it actually possible for the Kalmar Union to continue to exist as an entity? Perhaps if Olav (son of Queen Margaret) didn't die at young age, he could actually do something? Or was it a union destined to doom since its inception?

Possibly, but the trouble would be that Danes and Swedes would undoubtedly continue arguing over who should be the dominant ones. Norway would not be so important was too weak as it's population was way too small (smaller than both Denmark and Sweden) and far too scattered, not to mention separated by mountains running down the country. If the Swedes and the Danes could somehow reconcile, the Union might be preserved.

2. Supposedly the Union continue to exist and managed to stop internal unrest. Will it actually become a strong entity? Will it able to resist and prevent annexation by its neighbours? How large do you think the military compared to other European kingdoms or states?

I think that they would not be strong enough on land, but strong enough to challenge complete Russian (and other foreign powers') domination of the sea with the combined fleets of Denmark-Norway (counted as one entity I'd say) and Sweden. I don't think the military would be that large, but I think Sweden had quite a competent military in the 17th century, if they came to dominate military matters and also had in their resources the manpower of Denmark and Norway (perhaps not from Norway, due to the long time it would take to recruit even a small army from there)

3. Will they attempt to expand their boundaries? Will there be race with other European kingdoms making colonies in the 'New World'?

Seeing as Denmark and Norway has always had relatively large merchant navies and good sailors, I don't see why not, especially since they could use their colonies on Iceland and Greenland as docking bases and such. Due to the nature of the winds and the location of those countries, I think, if they were successful in colonizing and able to keep up with competition from other European states, they would probable colonize Northern and Eastern parts of Canada. Would probably receive mostly Norwegian and Danish settlers.

4. How do other European states view this (big and strong entity?) Will continental European states (and perhaps England) at one time unite and attempt to destroy it? Or will this 'Scandinavian Union' smartly play the nations of Europe one against another, creating vassals, etc? What if major wars in Europe (Seven Years War, War of Spanish Succession, Thirty Years War) still occurred? Stay neutral? Who is the most likely allies and enemy?

I'll let someone else answer

5. Will it drastically change the political look of Europe at 20th century? A great power with many colonies worldwide? All of northern Europe under Scandinavian domination?

I'll let someone else answer

Are you Scandinavian by the way, Tran?

[Gurkhal]

1.

Is it actually possible for the Kalmar Union to continue to exist as an entity? Perhaps if Olav (son of Queen Margaret) didn't die at young age, he could actually do something? Or was it a union destined to doom since its inception?

Like it was already stated, if the nobles of Sweden and Denmark could somehow manage to keep together it might work. However I think that one of them would have to be the dominant, and thus provoce the other to resist, or they risk squabbeling since none can force the other to obey. But if the kings of the Union somehow manage to walk that fine balance between the many various sides and groups who wanted to be dominant, then I think it might well have a good chance.

2. Supposedly the Union continue to exist and managed to stop internal unrest. Will it actually become a strong entity? Will it able to resist and prevent annexation by its neighbours? How large do you think the military compared to other European kingdoms or states?

If everything would go as it went with a divided Scandinavia, then yes I think that the Kalmar Union could dominate Northern Europe. Seeing as Sweden did so for some time, I do not belive that the Union would manage any less with even greater resources. Both Sweden's great military landstrenght, Denmark-Norways naval power and controll over the sea-connection between the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic I think it COULD be a very powerful creature.

3. Will they attempt to expand their boundaries? Will there be race with other European kingdoms making colonies in the 'New World'?

Of course they would. Both Sweden and Denmark-Norway attempted with various degrees of success to do that, both in Europe and outside. If they worked together than I belive that they could well have manage to gain both lands within the Old and New World. To which degree they would also mange to keep these conquests better than they did in reality is however a different matter.

4. How do other European states view this (big and strong entity?) Will continental European states (and perhaps England) at one time unite and attempt to destroy it? Or will this 'Scandinavian Union' smartly play the nations of Europe one against another, creating vassals, etc? What if major wars in Europe (Seven Years War, War of Spanish Succession, Thirty Years War) still occurred? Stay neutral? Who is the most likely allies and enemy?

I think that many Baltic and Northern states would feel very threatend by a such political ententity. The Dutch, the Hansen, Russia, Poland and the Teutonic Templars to name a few I think might see a united Scandinavia as a great threat, either in time or after having seen a such power's imperialism up-close. So yes, I think that alot of people would dearly want to see the Union destroyed for various resons. If they would manage it is however a different point. Also, I think that it would more likly be about cheaking the advancement of this great state, rather than destroying it. Look at France. Coalition after coalition have fought against her with different outcomes. However, although the French have been stopped at various points, I can't think of a single time when it was actually a matter of France's surivival, with the Hundred Year's War as the big exception. I only that that the Union might face true danger of destruction from within.

5. Will it drastically change the political look of Europe at 20th century? A great power with many colonies worldwide? All of northern Europe under Scandinavian domination?

That would depend entirly upon how the state survived the 19th centuary, and the history before. Would it survive its (probably) many external enemies? Would it mange to avoid being split up like so many other old states in the waves of nationalism? It could be a titan on the political scene, or the broken remaint of a state which once, a long time ago, mattered in the world.

[Lord Winter]

Won't answer one since I don't know enough about that time.

2. Supposedly the Union continue to exist and managed to stop internal unrest. Will it actually become a strong entity? Will it able to resist and prevent annexation by its neighbours? How large do you think the military compared to other European kingdoms or states?

It would proably be faily strong since its only realy threat would be Poland. (Russia was behind the times and occupided in the south with the Ottomans and the HRE, being the indesive mass it was. If it could overcome Poland which I think it could as it did historicly it would be a very decisve power in european history.

3. Will they attempt to expand their boundaries? Will there be race with other European kingdoms making colonies in the 'New World'?

I think it would defently take Swedens historical lands around the gulf of Finland and possiably Prussia. However I think France and England would end up dominanating the colonies. The north just dosn't have enough resources to fight some preaty bloody land wars and a huge naval power at the same time. It may also make enimies of the french, one of their natural allies.

4. How do other European states view this (big and strong entity?) Will continental European states (and perhaps England) at one time unite and attempt to destroy it? Or will this 'Scandinavian Union' smartly play the nations of Europe one against another, creating vassals, etc? What if major wars in Europe (Seven Years War, War of Spanish Succession, Thirty Years War) still occurred? Stay neutral? Who is the most likely allies and enemy

An alliance with France would proably follow historcial patterns as France would still want the obvious enemy of the Hasburgs in it's camp. Victory in the 30's years war would then be certain andboth Scandinavia and France would reside as Supper powers. From their who knows? Does France win the WSS and become the domminant power? Or does the balance of power holds and Scandinavia just becomes another European nation? It's hard to say.

5. Will it drastically change the political look of Europe at 20th century? A great power with many colonies worldwide? All of northern Europe under Scandinavian domination?

Hard to say, have to agree with Gurkhal.

[Innocentius]

It would proably be faily strong since its only realy threat would be Poland. (Russia was behind the times and occupided in the south with the Ottomans and the HRE, being the indesive mass it was. If it could overcome Poland which I think it could as it did historicly it would be a very decisve power in european history.

The Ottomans? Russia had no problem with the Ottomans until the 16th or 17th century. The main issue for the Russians by this time (early 15th century) was the fragmentation of what is modern Russia, and the overlordship of the Golden Horde. They had no business with the HRE except for profitable trade.
Poland on the other hand was busy fighting Turks and the Teutonic Order by this time, and I don't see what interest a Scandinavian union would have in invadin any land at all. Invading and conquering land was something you just didn't do, unless it was unorganized pagans, there was no money to do so nor the motivation: why wage war upon your catholic brethren who you can't defeat anyway?

I think it would defently take Swedens historical lands around the gulf of Finland and possiably Prussia. However I think France and England would end up dominanating the colonies. The north just dosn't have enough resources to fight some preaty bloody land wars and a huge naval power at the same time. It may also make enimies of the french, one of their natural allies.

The lands around the gulf of Finland was in the hands of the Teutonic Order, and it is very possible that they might have remained in power if supported by the Kalmar Union (Queen Margareta was at times at war with the Teutons, but for most part they engaged in very lucrative trading). Had they lost their power, I don't think the lands would have been conquered anyway. The expansionist mentality of the 17th century didn't exist by this time. Possibly if the Union remained stabile until the early modern era, then perhaps their attention would turn to the east, but who knows?

This is what I don't like about "alternate history", it poses too many "what if"s to answer. A minor change in history can change a lot (such as an untimely death).

An alliance with France would proably follow historcial patterns as France would still want the obvious enemy of the Hasburgs in it's camp. Victory in the 30's years war would then be certain andboth Scandinavia and France would reside as Supper powers. From their who knows? Does France win the WSS and become the domminant power? Or does the balance of power holds and Scandinavia just becomes another European nation? It's hard to say.

What gives the Thirty Years' War to even occur if there was a unified north? Suppose Luther comes up with his ideas in any case, what gives they would be adopted by the north? Why would the Kalmar Union, if it remained Catholic, interfere in some distant war in Bohemia were the Catholics were obviously winning?