Historical counterfactuals begin with a baseline of what actually happened. Comparing that history with an alternative draws attention to decisions that could have sent events in another direction. Small choices can accumulate and have lasting effects. Following that sequence helps explain how a course of action gradually restricts the options available later.
Notable Point · 3:03:54-3:04:20
Why historical counterfactuals begin with actual history
Establishing what happened first makes it possible to examine how small decisions accumulated and narrowed later choices.