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Since: 26 January 2005.

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Alternate History imagines what would happen if history had gone differently. We are a community for creating and discussing a wide range of alternate timelines: large and small, ancient and recent, realistic and fanciful. If you'd like to add to our growing multiverse, the following pages will help you get started.

First time here? See the Guide to Newcomers.
Need inspiration? Look over our List of Alternate histories, Points of Divergence, and Ideas.
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Before you start writing, read the Conventions of this wiki. Especially, please note:

Future history is not alt-history, so all our timelines must take place in the past.
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On This Day

15 August 2011 - As part of Operation Eagle Strike, U.S. Navy SEALS conduct a raid in Yemen's Ma'rib Governorate that kills Said Ali al-Shihri, a deputy leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. (Step in a Different Direction) -
On This Day in Alternate History

This Month's Featured Althist

Russian America

Given the disorder and hysteria that was the Cold War, it has become somewhat passé for Americans (let alone the world) to remember that the American state of Alaska was once a colony of their "greatest enemy" — the Russians. While it's easy to chalk the end to Russia's colonial ambitions to the sheer size and isolation that Alaska is notorious for, it was not for a lack of trying. Since the early 19th Century, the Russian Empire had as much ambition for North America as the rest of the European powers. Probably their greatest attempt to solidify their claims was the construction and operation of Fort Ross (a colony located in modern day Northern California). While not successful in regards to the overall goal, the colony lasted for about 30 years, and we can thank the Russians for the earliest exploration of this part of California (it ain't called the "Russian River" for nothing). The colony was eventually sold off and has pretty much been lost to history.

But for the moment, imagine if the Russians were to have been successful in the area as they'd hoped for. The area of the Pacific Northwest was by no means organized at the time and claimed by multiple, bickering powers fighting for control of it all. Had the situation taken a different turn at this crucial time, the Russians could've easily become the victors of the region. What would such a nation look and act like? How would this affect the Cold War? What would the world be like had their still been a Russian America?