[tshiggins]

Answer to Q11:

The sprawling expanse of the British Empire makes London the center of culture for most of the world, as it reflects the wide diversity of the people who live under the suzerainty of His Imperial Highness, Edward VII who, despite great efforts to act discretely, is widely understood to have been a libertine playboy for most of his life.

Women wear attire that closely matches what was seen at the turn of the century in our own history. Frilly blouses over long, narrow, skirts that emphasize slender waistlines, topped by ubiquitous flowered hats for all occasions. For outings, a long jacket and kid gloves are mandatory, as are tinted goggles with frames in a variety of amusing shapes and colors, for motorized escapades.

However, female attire does make a bit of a deeper nod toward practicality, in that it features sturdy belts and boots, and most jackets and skirts actually have practical pockets.

When it comes to evening wear, London's primary rival, Paris, rules the night as it always has. Gowns of flowing cotton and/or silk lace or, alternatively fine pleats, appear at every dinner party, with skirts long enough to drag along polished floors.

The most startling difference appears in the wider variety of bright colors commonly selected. Brazil's ascendance as a world power not only brought the scandalous samba and forró to the clubs of Whitechapel, it also made bright, birdlike colors especially popular in ladies' wear.

This has proven somewhat challenging, as colors that look so gorgeous on the café au lait complexions of Brazil's greatest beauties can prove rather challenging for women of quality who strive to achieve Europe's alabaster ideal. Seek a color consultant of good reputation for help, when selecting that next fabulous frock!

Question 12:

In our history, the United Kingdom sought alliances with Portugal to counter its rival, Spain; alliances with Germany to counter its rival, France; and alliances with Japan to counter its rival, Russia.

For their part, Spain worked with the Dutch, and France (and even Ireland) to some extent, to counter the United Kingdom; France sought help from Russia to counter the rising strength of Germany; and Russia supported the Austria-Hungarian Empire to help it against Germany and the Scandinavian countries.

Germany, once it had coalesced under Otto von Bismarck, reached out Austria's historical existential foe, the Ottoman Empire, to counter Austria which, in turn, did its best to retain control of the Magyars and Italians for much-needed manpower.

However, in this timeline, the alliances are all different, and the most notable missing player is Russia.

So, what caused Russia's collapse as a world power, and does anyone control the vast petrol reefs in Western Siberia and the Caspian Sea?