When considering the whatifs, consider those in the background. What if Hitler had never read certain books on eugenics? What if Thomas Jefferson hadn't read folks like Rosseau and Voltaire? What if Genghis Khan had co-reigned with his brother instead of killing him? If Simon Peter had taken to heart the injuction "do not call unclean what I have cleansed" and allowed Mary of Magdala equality in the early Christian church? If Cromwell had said, "Look, Henry, keep your codpiece tied, the Boleyn wench ain't worth it"? Suppose Cardinal Mazarin had...well, you get the idea.

Often times it's those who have influenced the "major players" who caused the history. The others were tools, so to speak.

Then again, when the time is ripe it will happen.