[quote=@chukklehed]
well, without Gunpowder, most revolutions wouldn't get very far. It was the ability of any common man to pick up a gun and be able to battle effectively that really allowed revolts to be effective. That's not to say there weren't revolts before guns, but typically they were just untrained fighters swinging scythes and pitchforks. So by extension, America would probably be a European country, along with any other major battles that took place after gunpowder based weaponry was invented going completely differently.
[/quote]

Ah, but wouldn't a lack of gunpowder remove Englands ace? You could argue that continental European powers would be better off, because of better resource access. British navy isnt much minus their cannons... interestingly,Japan would be much better off in this world, despite being an age behind the other nations. Ironclad warships might not take off, except as fireproofing, and old roman seige equipment would remain dominant. I wouldn't be surprised If Greek Fire survived up to present because of the lack of gunpowder.