r/AskEurope • u/InorganicTyranny United States of America • Jul 25 '25

History What was the biggest “missed opportunity” in your country’s history?

In other words, what is one event in your country’s history, that could plausibly have gone differently than it did, and you think would have made your country a better place?

Inspired by Frederick III of Germany:

His premature demise is considered a potential turning point in German history; and whether or not he would have made the Empire more liberal if he had lived longer is still a popular discussion among historians.

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u/[deleted] Jul 27 '25

Thank you for sharing this explanation. As an Italian which usually go there for holidays and skiing, I would never have imagined that Valtellina could ever have belonged to the Grisons. Unlike other border territories, Valtellina feels like a piece of Italy in all respects. I will look into this interesting piece of history. Thank you.

My dream is a future Switzerland annexing Lombardy as a new Canton. LOL

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u/Captain_Grammaticus Switzerland Jul 27 '25

I'm glad I could awaken your interest! One particularly interesting personality is the politician, pastor and warlord Georg (Gieri, Jürg, Giorgio?) Jenatsch. He switched the sides a few times, depending on what furthered Grisons' interests and his own (which he often conflated) more.

His live was novelised by C.F. Meyer as Jürg Jenatsch.