I think I’d be leery of changing anything. All those changes change other things, which change other things, and pretty soon, we’ve destroyed the timeline that leads to our existence.

For example, as much pain as it caused her, I don't think Elizabeth I would be the person she needed to be to rule her country so well if she hadn't had such a horrendous first 25 years. As much as I like to think about Anne serving as regent for Elizabeth, being the Queen Mum for her daughter and guiding her along the way,  I don't think Elizabeth would be the same person. Maybe better, but maybe weaker because she hadn't been tempered by fire.

Mya-Elise. said:

I think I should get this off my chest before I explode….

I don’t think Anne not dying would’ve changed much. Like if Henry kept her alive yet sent her to a nunnery. If Henry sent her somewhere far and had people looking over her 24/7 and had no contact whatsoever w/Elizabeth. Henry was king, right? So he could make sure Anne didn’t have any contact with her daughter. As wrong as that is, it’s a little better than dying innocently. I think she should (have) been able to hear whether her daughter was well or not and Elizabeth wouldn’t be allowed to talk and hear of Anne. Or maybe they just tell Elizabeth that her mother was dead. 

I just think if Anne was kept away and wasn’t allowed to be talked about, ever, then everything would be the same except I don’t think a lot of people would like Anne as much. It’s kind of sick that we call Anne’s fate so tragic and sad yet we say we wouldn’t save her if we had the chance (referring to another post). I’d save her. I couldn’t watch an innocent woman die just over a few changes and like I said maybe no changes. Sorry I just think Anne was worth saving. 

My decision not to save Anne has nothing to do with how much I value her, or whether it was the right thing to do. Of course she deserved to live, of course it was wrong for her to be executed, but I value my own existence more, and changing history, especially so far back, would be a dicey thing. IMO, Anne living would change other things. Maybe minor, maybe major, but we don't know because that isn't how it happened. I also question whether Elizabeth could grow up unaware of her mother, even if Anne was being held somewhere, like Katharine of Aragon was.

You are willing to take the chance that saving her wouldn't lead to a completely different world 500 years later. I'm not. I would be in favor of saving Anne if it didn't affect my existing or not. I'm sorry you consider that sick, but I'm kind of fond of being alive. I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Peace?

My change would be in American History.  There were so many places in our history where things could have been so different for the Native American people if only our policies were a bit more humane. This is one example.

 I recently read a speech given by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perz to Congress.  In it he states that he wished Congress would allow the tribes to live amongst and interact with the Americans and not be sent to reservations.  In the land where he was born, he lived side by side with the pioneers. But of course that was not good enough.

 “If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.  There need be no trouble.  Treat all men alike.  Give them the same law.  Give them all an even chance to live and grow.  I only ask of the government to be treated as well as other men are treated. I know that my race must change.  We cannot hold our own with the white men as we are.  We only ask an even chance to live as other men live.” –Chief Joseph

If I could change things, I would have allowed these people to live among us with all the respect due to fellow human beings.