What if Scandinavia United? - The Nation That Could’ve Been | Alternate History

In the late middle ages, queen Margaret the first of Denmark, united Scandinavia in what would later be referred to as the Kalmar Union.
In this video we explore what could've happened had this union lasted, and established a unified Scandinavian kingdom.

[@EuGeez]

I think this guy is from Scandanavia

[@123mannen3]

he is form denmark

[@sucidail3939]

​​@@123mannen3So that's why he talks about the Kalmar Union but not the Swedish empire, yuck

[@Ulti47]

@@sucidail3939Or, hear me out, maybe because Kalmar United all of the Nordic and not just Sweden and Finland?

[@melvinherkel]

@@Ulti47Sweden controlled Half of Penmark, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, important parts of Russia and ports in Germany bro

[@sucidail3939]

@@Ulti47 "United", it was a glorified personal union that only catered towards Denmark's economic interests.

[@talonargy54]

Vinland would probably have the most overpowered hockey team ever

[@stoomped3021]

LMFAO Heiskanen and Hintz would litterally be baby Dallas

[@ysteinfjr7529]

Scandinavia too.

[@enderman_of_d00m24]

Scandinavian Canadians. The most overpowered combo in all of history in hockey

[@talonargy54]

@@enderman_of_d00m24 if we could somehow get czechs in there too it’s over

[@enderman_of_d00m24]

@@talonargy54 Beginning of the Scandinavian-Cana-Czech Empire

[@SwearJar1]

New Zealand being scandinavian is such a cool concept

[@dukevonvagabond8123]

As a New Zealander, I support this notion. We have to go back!

[@theicelandicnationalist2.023]

Honestly from the pictures I have seen, it’s not to dissimilar to Northern Europe (especially Iceland, because it’s my frame of reference)

[@razikof]

@@theicelandicnationalist2.023 the only big difference here is that we are a slight bit warmer

[@PrinceWalacra]

Calling New Zealand “New Sjaeland” is a scam, New Zealand has nothing to do with Sjaeland in Denmark, it’s named after the Dutch province of Zeeland.

[@benktlofgren4710]

@@dukevonvagabond8123 If am not wrong there are towns or regions in NZ with Scandinavian names.

[@pep-qew1977]

Neatling trying to not make videa about Kalmar Union/United Scandinavia challenge (impossible)

[@CW-po4bx]

This is the 3rd video you’ve made on if the Kalmar Union survived

[@ferrothorn9022]

4th

[@ladahieno2382]

@@ferrothorn9022 5th actually

[@ryanprosper88]

This is the 6th!

[@Kalleosini]

and they better keep coming

[@Neatling]

I can't help myself

[@Mrhikingbear139]

Love the details. Like how you changed the names on the maps from Danish/Swedish/Norwegian to Scandinavian

[@CallMeThyme]

As a norwegian, I aprove this (Also this video is really quality! Great work!)

[@Vingul]

I'm glad we're a separate country. We're a unique nation after all, it makes sense that we have our own borders and sovereignty.

[@CallMeThyme]

@@VingulEh

[@Vingul]

@@CallMeThyme Ja.

[@CallMeThyme]

@@Vingul 🐟👍

[@eriklagergren7124]

Like the fact that the Vinlandflag is the same as our Småland. As a smålänning this makes me happy

[@MrGnorts]

fun fact: Poland-Lithuania was in a union with Sweden for a bit

[@t-brick]

Neatling you make amazing videos I legit get happy and excited when I see them pop up in my notifications

[@melvinlemay7366]

Agreed. Him and Videntis are the two best channels at pursuing alternate history as I like it. They pick a scenario and run with it. No waffling on how actually a given scenario is impossible for most of the video. Actually giving interesting details on significant events and social changes that occur as result. It's great. The only major point of criticism I have is that there can be a lack of effect on wider social movements resulting in a history that oddly mirrors our own despite massive changes to the political landscape.

[@oskar-zp9rd]

I'd like to suggest a "What if Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth never fell" remaster, if you would like some ideas

[@lukiepookie5140]

i love your videos, they tend to have the best endings. Always fairly realistic, always solid and you never go overboard!

[@jamman7094]

I’d agree but 80million people in Vinland seems a bit excessive. And 6 million in Sjælland. That would make it a city Island like Hongkong😅.

[@MajorQuasar]

@@jamman7094 Nah I think it's a fairly realistic estimate because it expanded further south into the more populated areas than modern day Canada.

[@PrinceNation]

This was a much more realistic take than your last video, good job

[@juanmendez3290]

Neatling this is the seventh week on a row you make a what if scandinavia united, keep it coming and soon we might actually unite them.

[@jehooft8569]

great production quality!

[@stevenvallarsa1765]

That was a well thought out alternative history that kept bound to more realistic possibilities, and didn't fall into the traps of the incredibly unlikely possibilities that most alt histories tend to do.

[@enderallgames8716]

Video suggestion: countries that failed to become superpowers [examples: Argentina, Egypt (through a pan-arab federation), Saudi Arabia (possibly), et cetera]

[@fish5671]

Please a make a burgundy scenario where it survives and also doens't just become bigger netherlands

[@MrGnorts]

colonial Burgundy

[@Cortizelic]

Your alt-hist videos def gotta be one of my favorites from this channel (I too dread that Scandinavia was never an single unified state and its immense potential to be a super power)

[@GuardianKikko]

Yet another banger

[@larsrons7937]

Interesting go at alternative history. Thanks for the video.

[@marcosfarodrigues]

Very interesting! Watching from Norge ❤

[@deluxehipster8714]

I love these videos.

[@carloshenriqueventura9127]

I would love to see a "what if the iberia union survived?". It is similar to the kalmar union, both had great potenicial and could have changed world history

[@Xcyiterr]

more I need more scandanavia videos hell yeah

[@planetarystargazer]

What If Russia 🇷🇺 never colonized Siberia and didn't expand East into Asia

[@NicubinnugyentaiGerz-gz3iu]

Great idea sound interesting

[@KNoxTratZ]

the mongol empire would wipe out most Europeans because they had to go through russians who were used to the cold serbia weather if russians werent there they would have a easier time going through making the mongol conquest more fatal and expand more into europe with out russians slowing them down significantly

[@RsgNoise]

Poor poland

[@svennoren9047]

Or, kept Alaska!

[@WarioSaysSo]

Forget the European Union BS, THIS is what should be, the Scandinavian/Nordic Union with Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland & Iceland (but if not, the other 4 is fine) This would be so much better IMO.

[@DeanMonsieur]

Great job. Thoroughly enjoyed!

[@KiraiKatsuji]

Well i see that the world got like the 5th Kalmar Union survivng Scenrio and i like it. Also in this Timeline there are like fifteen people in Scandinavia and 26 in Canada as well as they are very rich, and it makes sense that such grand megacity would form in the danish strait as it is the prime place for trade in the empire, and i really liked that you also showed a map of how the city changed. also what is in the plan to come out next, as i would be intrested in seeing some south south eastern europe focus instead of constantly being either in north or in the whole

[@solgerWhyIsThereAnAtItLooksBad]

I love America casually expanding east everytime we see it again, and it basically trading new england for more of mexico

[@Eevcee]

I love Scandinavia! From Philippines 🇵🇭😍

[@Scott-if3ce]

As an Ontarian whose hometown is in the countryside outside of Toronto. I approve of this video. Can you do it irl too? xD Two comments: this is what my average ck3 game playing as Denmark looks like, and finally Estonia becomes part of the Nordics lol. Speaking of which, is Vinland part of some type of Nordic council with the Kingdom of Scandinavia along with the other colonies?

[@TatarW01]

Do a video on Serbia or Bulgaria I think it would be interesting.

[@jonlevidalkvistagustsson6134]

I like how in this alternate history Vínland is just Canada but bigger and now has even stronger ties to the Nordics!

[@syphonie]

part 2 please

[@mann_man8556]

I think it would be cool to combine this scenario with your eastern Rome, Albion, Burgundy and Poland-Lithuania scenarios

[@TheDirle]

New Sjælland was a nice touch.

[@KianBlomberg]

Dude I wish this was reality, it would have been so cool. (I’m a Swede btw)

[@CallMeThyme]

3D 1,5K L 194 C 42,7K S 26 969 V THIS IS A TEST! DO NOT INTERACT!

[@Fulminoxk]

Could you do a scenario for "What if feudal fragmentation in Poland never happened"

[@JTL1776]

What if the Imperial Federation was successful? What if United States of Austria was successful? What if America purchased English Carribean and Madagascar? What if Italy was united by Medici? What if Bohemia United Germany? What if Constianiople was Reconqured early?

[@andreasfiltenborg4952]

Why did you narrate my EU4 Scandinavia playthrough?

[@The14thYuleLad]

just a qustion, wouldnt it be more logickel to put lappland insted of norrboten?

[@celdur4635]

In this scenario Novgorod vs Muscovy war would've gone down differently.

[@MagnsATK98]

As a Norwegian I approve

[@odinulveson9101]

Den dagen vi som en kon-føderasjon ( Union men landene er selvstendige bortsett fra utenrikspolitikk, militær, økonomi? osv ). En veldig interesant og begivenhetsrik dag det kunne blitt! // The day we as a con-federation ( Union but the countries are independent apart from foreign policy, military, economy? etc ). A very interesting and eventful day it could have been!

[@k0gle]

This is how history should have went.

[@stargazer-elite]

This is like the 7th vid you’ve done on a united Scandinavia and united Nordic countries

[@kurry3253]

How did Scotland/Uk get the Orkneys i this timeline? Find it strange that they would not Remain in kalmar/scandinavia? Here they gave scottish colors earlier than our actal timeline.

[@DarthJoJoSage47]

Pls do a what if on mexico🙏

[@Brakvash]

Scandinavia: *stretches into Baltikum* Estonia: *happy estonian noises*

[@The-Army-Snake]

Was this inspired by DOD at all?

[@randomguy6152]

What if Crassus and Publius conquered Persia and ruled the east along with Crassus Jrs sphere in north Africa?

[@KyIeMcCIeIIan]

If you just look at a map of Northern Europe it is immediately obvious that there is ALREADY a Baltic/Scandinavian Unification of some sorts. The flags tell the tale.

[@peterdarker3863]

This guy is either from Scandinavia or he is just a REALLY REALLY big Kalmar Union fan cause this is the 13th video on Scandinavia as a whole (including non althist vids)

[@Brakvash]

He's most likely danish judging by his accent, how he pronounces place names - and how most of the cities and names of politicians in this united scandinavia are (as far as I can tell) all Danish first names and surnames.

[@benktlofgren4710]

This is why we play the Europa Universalis games, what a commercial for those games xD

[@Armyvet902]

I’m Canadian living in Nova Scotia. Although remote & difficult to travel to, i strongly recommend visiting the only existing Viking settlement in North America- L’anse aux meadows in Newfoundland - it’s a truly underrated historical site. Side note - there’s no actual concrete evidence the Vikings traveled any further inland North America. Especially as far west as Minnesota/Wisconsin etc. Just more examples of Americans trying to rewrite history. I’m surprised I haven’t heard about Ghengis Khan sailing up the Mississippi River. 😊

[@gustavnilsson7125]

the days when the baltic sea was a swedish lake

[@Kalleosini]

"New Sjælland" was really the icing on the cake

[@nealjroberts4050]

Bit of fun seeing as English used to call Sjælland Zealand 😆

[@PrinceWalacra]

Calling New Zealand “New Sjaeland” is a scam, New Zealand has nothing to do with Sjaeland in Denmark, it’s named after the Dutch province of Zeeland.

[@nealjroberts4050]

@@PrinceWalacra That's the joke. The Dutch province was Zeeland, the Danish one was Zealand. Hence in this timeline the spelling is correct for the reference 😉

[@Kalleosini]

@@PrinceWalacra do you not understand what the video (and by extension channel) is about?

[@Woolymammoth-db1lt]

could you do a senario of "what if the middle east never had oil" this senario has huge ramifications like a different coldwar, usa probably "annexing" venesuela for their big oil reserves and perhaps a greater progress on renewables.

[@fullmetaltheorist]

It would be so awesome. It would be so cool.

[@omegasbt5338]

the håndbold would go insane

[@weetytoaster1835]

What is the size of vinlands military?

[@stalin5267]

naming the litte island under australia for "Christiansland" is pretty ironic considering there's a city most south in Norway called Kristiansand

[@user-cf6ee2ud2y]

The biggest stretch in this video was Vinland: as interesting as that is there is no president. Perhaps if they pressed the issue they could’ve gotten Newfoundland and had a small Provence as a colony but they wouldn’t’ve beat Britain to lower Canada. If they had had an interest they wouldn’t’ve given up after 2 attempts. However them getting some African colonies would’ve happened…provided oto von Bismarck still happened (and thus the scramble for Africa) since Germany and all its constituent countries are radically different. Some Polynesian islands are to be expected but it’s a little odd they wouldn’t compete in the Caribbean or South America, sure Spain was there first but who cares what Spain thinks?

[@aleksandarvil5718]

**Kalmar Union 2.0**

[@TheHatersarebad]

What if the Fourth Crusade never happened?

[@MrPetteri67]

Interesting theory. I think it more likely (or at least very likely) though, that United Scandinavia would have extended itself even further in the east. Instead falling under Muscovy rule, Novogorod could have very well become part of United Scandinavia or at least it's protectorate. It was not until 1470s, when Novgorod was annexed by Muscovy and Russia as we know it was born. Novgorod ruling families - boyars - were divided in their opinion about Moscow until the end and United Scandinavia could have challenged Moscow easily. This would have redrawn the Northeastern European Map completely as Novgorod extended itself all the way to Ural Mountains. There would never have been St. Petersburg and probably never Russian Siberia. Instead Russia would have turned more to the south and possibly Kiev would have re-emerged as the seat of power. Russian empire would have been replaced by Scandinavian Empire that would have expanded to Asia through Novrogod lands during the following centuries (instead of Russia).

[@romeufrancisco7041]

Portuguese here. I couldn't avoid to notice that this scenario would have weakened UK and as a consequence, South Africa would be Dutch and a united Portuguese colony in Africa would have been achieved as was intended IRL, linking Angola to Moçambique, and afterwards giving birth to a big united African country, like Brazil in south america. Good for them. After decolonization, a country like that would certainly be a wealthy nation.

[@twrampage]

Did you make Tasmania into a Scandanavian colony just because the Danish Queen comes from there? :)

[@RannonSi]

I think you'd need to expand on how and why Scandinavia would turn from Catholism without the death of the Kalmar union (at least around that time). Personally I think there'd be more pushbacks from the other European countries if a Scandinavian empire had existed.

[@ankiolebring8388]

Would love a new union 🤩

[@Joni_Tarvainen]

For some reason I think that even under Swedish crown, Finns would maintain the language and culture even if the main official language would be Swedish. It would help tons with the trade and most likely annexation on Estonia since by those times we spoke literally the same language and had shared culture. Same applies to Karelian people as well as Sami in the far North to thge reaches of Kola peninsula. I'm sure Finland would stay under the crown and wouldn't try to declare independence or break the union like with Ruskies, though I'd dare to claim Finland would be antonymous state with own governance under Swedish/Scandivanian rule.

[@TheHatersarebad]

What if the Hundred Years War never happened?

[@TheHatersarebad]

What if the Brazilian Empire survived?

[@memazov6601]

Novogorod would be interesting who would unify russia creating a venitian like trade republic

[@grekofrog]

Alternate Earth. I like this, as a Scandinavian. Not Norwegian, Swedish or Danish. I am Scandinavian.

[@dawidkiller]

So ... divergences of darkness, victoria II mod?

[@Hession0Drasha]

I don't see why the nordic traders would be more sucessfull than the hanseatic ones. The germans had a more diverse range of goods to trade.

[@tobiasfogsgaard755]

Jo mere jeg så din video blev jeg mere og mere sikker på at du er dansker det havde jeg så også ret i. Men fuck en fed video.

[@AppIePineapple]

Yay

[@magnusnilsson9792]

Saw you talking about Elfsborg becoming stronger, well the Danish did have plans to move the capital of Scandinavia to Gothenburg. Scandinavia would probably also forgo colonizing and leave it to England in order to get hold of the baltic coastline, making it an inland sea. In WW1 England would have allied Germany & Scandinavia against Soviet, France & Ottomans.

[@emperoraugustus4047]

I think he is spying on me, i litterly just started recreating swedish empire in hoi4

[@gustavnilsson7125]

Blame the norwegians and the fins, sweden was really giving it a go

[@KyleDent-8933]

New Zealand mentioned, or should I say " New Sjælland"

[@AholeAtheist]

Yeah, but why? It's not named after the island in Denmark, it's named after Zeeland, the province in the Netherlands.

[@KiraiKatsuji]

@@AholeAtheist Yeah and why should that matter it's not named the same and Netherlands are cringe Swamp Germans

[@JrrrGent]

@@AholeAtheist Probably because the Danes colonized it in this scenario, which means they named it after a region of their country, Sjælland or Zealand in English.

[@JrrrGent]

@@AholeAtheist Also you made like 3 comments about this, are you dutch?

[@sepaananen2217]

how many finns and estonians would be there?

[@Narstak]

I'm Canadian and I wished I lived in Vinland

[@7HEMUFFINMAN]

I don't know if you still look at comments, but what would happen with the Sapmi? Would there be any difference in when we stopped the, well, genocide and forced re-education?

[@Neatling]

I always look at the comments! Realistically, probably not. With a big unified Scandinavia that never loses Finland, the Finns are probably also treated pretty badly compared to OTL. I imagine the sami population would look similar to real life. Being recognized today but having struggled for centuries. Only region they may have endured a little better is perhaps the Kola peninsula.

[@7HEMUFFINMAN]

@@Neatling very cool

[@oliverstianhugaas7493]

What could have been ❤

[@matsv201]

I have a problem with this. The main reason neither Denmark or Sweden expanded much after 1600eds was because of wars between Sweden and Denmark. Russia was founded only years before Kalmar union was dissolved. Russa expanded (population vice) mostly into the then Sweden and Poland, and doing so mostly because of wars between Sweden and Denmark. So to say, Denmark was not on Russian side, but they was on the side of who ever was in war with Sweden. If Sweden and Denmark was on the same side, Danish troops that was in effect of support of Russia, would in that case be in support of Sweden in stead. This is also to a degree true for War between Denmark and Sweden involving Poland. Here is a bit more complicated because its not clear cut if a unified Nordic would generally support Poland or be against Poland. I would say the most likely scenario is that Poland mostly would be a enemy of Sweden. Buuut, russa would probobly be the more important enemy becasue Russia trying to take land from already pre existing Nordic. The result of that would be that Russia would never establish a coast and hence never grew to a empire, hence remain a poor backwater. I would also say its unlikely that Nordic would try to take over the whole of Poland or even want to. Basically Baltic would be lake Kalmar Union with Kalmar union all around. Even if this would be a significant super power, it would not be quite as large as UK or France, while fairly close. Also with no great Russia to have war with, the situation in Europe would be very different. Most of the conclict between UK and Sweden or Denmark involved Russia, with no powerful russia i would say that Kamlar Union and UK would. This would probobly result in a higher engagement of colonization while i would assume that the Kalmar union colonies would fowled into the UK colonies in america just as in our timeline. Where it really would matter is in Africa. I would also say that with out a large German coast, Germany would not be close to as power full as in our timeline. With UK and Kalmar Union on the same side there would just not be sufficient power to even challenge the domination of the North. There would also probobly not be a European union today. With the north that much of a power house its unlikely that Neither Nordic countries or UK would join something that would probobly be seen as a way to suppress the more powerful countries.

[@svennoren9047]

I have my doubts about Vinland. Those settlements (not real colonies) were long gone by the time of the Kalmar Union.

[@Neatling]

They are in this world as well. Scandinavia starts its colonization in north america in the 1600s. Like Demmark and Sweden did in real life in Greenland and New Sweden. But the name Vinland is still used. Like Greenland in real life, which also got its name from the old settlements that died out.

[@quikoucat]

🤘🤘

[@CoverCode]

if Scandinavia was stronger and united and ww1 was still a heavy slog, i would not be suprised if germany got forced to give up the german aeras that Scandinavia owned for hundreds of year, i also doubt that Scandinavia would say no, like denmark did to get all of Schleswig-Holstein. ignoring that, this is more or less my only complaint, where ofc everything could be way different, this is a ''what if'' and what would happen no one could know, also i really really like that you dont go over the top, or make Scandinavia a giant power house that could just triumph over everything. med andre ord, en god video.

[@KeastKannegaard]

Biggest problem with "what if scandinavia united" is the control of the baltic sea. Germany, Russia, and Poland simply couldnt live with a united scandinavia and the total control of sea way.

[@Ksescel]

The third time you’ve done this lol

[@baluba006]

I almost view our countries as one. We have free travel, working is no problem, banks that cross the borders, defence was earlier a close collaboration. Even more now with Nato. If I want to move from sweden to one of the other countries it wouldn't be a big problem. And we view each other as brothers and sisters more or less. We are mocking each other as siblings at least : ). We have very little differences in our customs with holidays. Not any bigger difference than any other bigger country with different beliefs. Our kings and queens are related to each other. I think we have more in common then differences .

[@Jesus_136]

I have a small question. What eould happen to Finland. Would they ever get any national identity or would all the nationalist movements be shut down? Im no historian so im not sure if this is a dumb question.

[@svennoren9047]

Interesting What if. Finnish sovereignty is pretty much a result of the Russian conquest, making Finland into a Grand Duchy. When Russia crumbled Finland won its independence. The ruling Swedish upper class would probably shut down any movement among the Finnish populace. Finland would remain a Swedish province and the finnish language would slowly be replaced with swedish since it was the language of the government.

[@revanshan3308]

Watched until 2:30 ,mark where you said that Swedish language would replace Finnish language.... never going to happen, that would have caused Gustavus Adolphus Vasa to rise alongside his Hakkapeliitta and topple the entire Kalmar Union.

[@Neatling]

It did in real life under Swedish rule. Hence the Swedish minority in Finland. Only after the Russian conquest and later independence did the Swedish speaking population drop as far as it has now. It wouldn't entirely replace Finnish though, especially in the interior it would be spoken by a large minority in Scandinavia. And when the language is standardized in the 18- or 1900s, it is likely also adopted by the White Karelians.

[@revanshan3308]

@@Neatling nobody has ever wiped out the Finnish language, while many have certainly tried. The same can be said for Korean and even Estonian. But those are entirely different subjects.

[@Neatling]

And nobody does in my video. I simply meant Swedification of Finland in my scenario is increased. So along the coast there are fewer Finnish speakers and more Scandinavian speakers than in real life.

[@revanshan3308]

@@Neatling Be careful with language names, from what I have learned when I lived in Norway was the Skancinaviska is a curse and not a blessing. But sure, I got your point and it is a valid one.

[@paulinalevina9690]

Oh, Vinland...

[@NicubinnugyentaiGerz-gz3iu]

What if Kaliningrad Oblast Became 51st U.S States? New sub from Vietnam hello

[@NicubinnugyentaiGerz-gz3iu]

My idea I hope (S)he Upload what if Kaliningrad Oblast Became a U.S state My favorite idea

[@NicubinnugyentaiGerz-gz3iu]

Great video

[@KiraiKatsuji]

No it is rightfully Chech clay

[@thebadlander3608]

Include central Indiana I want to be apart of this