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[–] Joe_McCarthy [S] 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago  (edited ago)

You should probably consider how much events after 1492 strengthened Habsburg Spain and how not having the power gained through the acquisition of wealth in the Americas would have compromised it in a time when the Ottomans were at the zenith of their power.

These Atlantic maritime powers were more or less middlin' backwaters before 1492. Columbus heralded one of the great triumphs and expansions of power in Western history. Very possibly the greatest even. I can't think of a better takeoff point. Western rule has been of the last 500 years.

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[–] Oswy 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

So we might have seen France play a greater role, then? She could have played a big part in the Mediterranean too.