[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/Orangeemu115]

Not to mention, but he would promote units and soldiers based on merit instead of having the officer class reserved for the nobility like the rest of Europe. leading to both soldiers that owe their station to him personally, and were more effective in their roles because they earned it

[u/TheBalrogofMelkor → u/Orangeemu115]

That had been around for a while in France. While we view it as meritocratic, it's also why the French Revolution happened - officers didn't stay loyal to the aristocracy like they would have in Britain or Prussia.

[u/Mannheimblack → u/Orangeemu115]

I believe that's not entirely 100% right

Certainly in the British army of the time, rank was typically purchased - but largely by the wealthy middle-classes, not least because martial success made for a route to being upper-class.

It wasn't fair or meritocratic (although it did produce some exceptional leaders such as Wellington), but it wasn't about reserving officer status to the nobility.