If you went back in time to the year 1800 with only knowledge you have right now...

[Brawndo]

... would you be able to make a serious impact on history?

You are transported to the year 1800 in the same country you live in right now. You don't get to take any books, manuals, modern tools, or anything that could help you build things or remember important events. All you have are the clothes on your back and what is stored in your brain as of this moment.

Personally I don't know much about mechanics, science, or medicine, so I probably wouldn't be able to construct the majority of things we use today. Even if I could draw what an automobile, phone, or computer looks like, the people from that era would probably think I am just a raving lunatic. I do know quite a bit about American history and I could accurately predict major events, but with that runs the risk of being accused of otherworldly powers and getting lynched by a mob.

 

[Antitonic]

Only the clothes on your back, eh? Better make sure I'm prepared [http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=QW-CHEATSHEET&Category_Code=QW].

Spoiler

I might not make an impact, but I'd certainly try.

 

[3 legged goat]

Most likely not. I would be able to predict a few events like you said, but I wouldn't be able to build them anything or give them some sort of great knowledge.

 

[Aidinthel]

*snip*

I read as far as the incorrect explanation of flight and stopped to find this

OT: I'm in the same boat as the OP. I can't help but feel that my extensive historical knowledge would simply fall prey to Cassandra Syndrome.

 

[Vault101]

Id be the best sci fi writer EVA (as soon as I learn how to actually write)

star wars....the matrix...its all mine HAHAHAHAHA

 

[Sleepy Sol]

I don't think I could really make any contributions or change the course of history. In fact, I'd do my best to simply go with the flow and live out the rest of my life as just a normal person, albeit stuck in the 1800s.

 

[triggrhappy94]

Find the nearest stock bro- oh wait....
...I'm going to invent the stock market myself and make infinate money.

 

[Kvaedi]

Hmm, I could help, biggest areas would be aircraft (basic prop planes, not a jet), modern automobiles, ships, zeppelins...Just because of what I know about engines. I could also show them how to make modern bullets and gunpowder-but here's the thing, would all this really be a good idea?

I mean, if I did that...well, that's the butterfly effect a million times. For all the advances I might be able to bring, who knows what could be screwed up? What if I accidentally lead to Einstein and so many other scientists were never born? For the step forward I might bring, I might push us back ten times as much.

 

[FalloutJack]

History will change.

Empires will fall.

Worlds will shatter.

The universe will implode...

Because I can't get a Dr. Pepper.

 

[Esotera]

Evolution, computing machines, basic physics equations that haven't been invented yet, and of course, selectively breeding crops to allow a much greater population. Going back by about 200 years I reckon I could advance things by 100, maybe 150 years.

 

[Zen Toombs]

I would die horribly in a fire. And by fire I mean the food and water would probably kill me, if wild animals/native americans didn't kill me first. My area wasn't even part of the Union yet back 200 years ago!

 

[GundamSentinel]

Find the nearest stock bro- oh wait....
...I'm going to invent the stock market myself and make infinate money.

You'd be about 200 years late with that (the inventing, that is).

Anyway, I suppose I'd have some practically applicable knowledge, but most of the easily demonstrated ones would already have been done. But I think I could keep myself busy by improving combustion engines and trying to build a proper airplane. Maybe I'd get a job as a physics and maths teacher.

 

[Al-Bundy-da-G]

History will change.

Empires will fall.

Worlds will shatter.

The universe will implode...

Because I can't get a Dr. Pepper.

Just wait 76 years you can hold out till then.

I would become thane and steal cabbages. I've had plenty off practice.

 

[Nalgas D. Lemur]

I would die horribly in a fire. And by fire I mean the food and water would probably kill me, if wild animals/native americans didn't kill me first. My area wasn't even part of the Union yet back 200 years ago!

I would die horribly for other reasons. Boston was well established and had been around for nearly a couple hundred years, but considering that I'm epileptic, I'd be in pretty bad shape after a handful of days. This is why I stick to traveling forward in time.

 

[Al-Bundy-da-G]

Stop Napoleon.
Abolish slavery.
Stop WW1.
Stop Hitler.
Stop Stalin.
Introuduce all knowlage I have of vaccines and medicens.
Encourage enviormentalism.
And stop a bunch of other terrible things that have happend in histroy.

Actually to stop WW1, 2, and Stalin all you have to do is pack a lunch for the ones who tried to kill Arch Duke Ferdinand.

 

[dills2]

i would bring about an early civil rights movement or try to not mess with time