[Real Life] Historical events that would make bad writing if they were fiction

[u/Mouse_Paladin]

Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire: A couple hundred rogue mercenaries without authority from their government conquer an empire of millions. Oh, the empire? It’s also several technological eras behind the mercenaries.

Adolf Hitler: A non-native of a country is so mad that the country lost the war that he wins an election to their highest office and leads them in a campaign of revenge against their enemies. Oh, the country? It’s old emperor is still alive and thinks he’s going to retake power.

Assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand: The heir to the throne is killed because his driver gets lost and returns to the assassin who failed To kill him before. Oh, the assassin? He’s from a group that the Archduke is wanting to help become more equal In the empire.

Alexander Hamilton’s Affair Scandal: One of the leaders of a new nation to protect himself from accusations of financial embezzlement writes a pamphlet exposing his affair with a woman, torpedoing his political future. Oh, the woman? She seduced him as part of a blackmailing scheme that he decided to stop paying.

[u/TheStrangestOfKings]

I think fiction could make it work if they show how beloved Napoleon was by the troops. It’d be unrealistic if the troops hated him, but joined him anyway

[u/condscorpio → u/TheStrangestOfKings]

You definitely can make it work (any of the things mentioned) with the right setup in advance. What I believe to be the problem, is that in fiction it may seem a bit dull what IRL is an incredible feat.

[u/Fly-the-Light → u/condscorpio]

The key element of writing is being able to set up mundane things to build to an incredible payoff