Time for another alternate history series. Scandinavia (except northern part of present-day Sweden and Finland), Denmark, Iceland, and Greenland once united under the banner of Kalmar Union.
The Kalmar Union was a series of personal unions, from 1397 to 1524, that united the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway (with Iceland and Greenland) and Sweden (including some of Finland) under a single monarch. The countries had given up their sovereignty, but not their independence, and diverging interests (especially Swedish nobility's dissatisfaction over the dominant role played by Denmark and Holstein) gave rise to a conflict that would hamper it from the 1430s until the union's breakup in 1523 when Gustav Vasa became king of Sweden. The union was formally dissolved the following year. Norway and her overseas dependencies, however, continued to remain a part of the realm of Denmark-Norway under the Oldenburg dynasty for several centuries after the dissolution.
What do you think:
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?
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?
3. Will they attempt to expand their boundaries? Will there be race with other European kingdoms making colonies in the 'New World'?
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?
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?
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