|
The following A World Without America page is under construction.
Please do not edit or alter this article in any way while this template is active. All unauthorized edits may be reverted on the admin's discretion. Propose any changes to the talk page. |
This is an Alternative History with only one POD, yet it is huge. Essentially, Christopher Columbus's idea of setting sail across the Atlantic is set aside as preposterous by the Spanish Crown in 1492 and instead must seek sponsor through private investors. This postpones his departure from late summer, 1492, to mid-summer, 1494. Though, with the extra time, he could really hype it up. When he departed from Sicily in 1494 everyone was assured it would work. He was struck by a hurricane mid-voyage and everyone aboard perished. As nobody returned, America was never discovered and thus history was changed forever.
The Voyage of The San Augustus[]
Preparation[]
After a final rejection from Queen Isabella, Columbus leaves Córdoba quickly and quietly in a fit of despair just missing King Ferdinand offering him redemption. Columbus now feeling assured that no European government will support him quickly tries to think up a plan and decides on private investments instead. He ventured back home to Italy and slowly gained support from some Italians willing to help him. He constructed a crew mainly of family members and brave volunteers from the surrounding area. He begins construction on the sole, San Augustus. Meanwhile, the investors wanted to assure the money would not go to waste, began to hype the voyage in the public domain, saying the ship could survive any catastrophe thrown at it.
Departure[]
Columbus left on the San Augustus from Trapani, Sicily on July 3rd, 1494. All went as planned, they departed Sicily with clear skies arriving in Barcelona, Spain on July 5th as expected. They departed after final inspection and sailed west, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar on in the early hours of July 7th.
Voyage[]
After leaving Mainland Europe, his home, behind and entering the vast Atlantic Ocean, Columbus began to become aware of the danger of what he was about to do. The Initial voyage went as expected, sometimes being better than expected as there turned out to be a low pressure system above head at times.
Things Turn South[]
As it seemed that things would actually go for the better, rain began to become prevalent as every night seemed to get wetter and hotter. Then, what is assumed to be September 6th, 1494 wind hit the San Augustus full force in what would later be referred to as hurricane Columbus in his honor, tearing it to shreds leaving no survivors.
Columbus's Legacy[]
When it was finally apparent that the San Augustus Would never return to Italy, many European governments set up bans on any form of "exploration" any further west then was considered reasonable by those same governments. These laws would have a profound effect on the future of Europe and The New World as a whole as no Old World foot would ever touch New World soil for the next almost 500 years.