My working theory is that Europe is the way it is because, firstly, all the good ones (adventurous, smart, independent, hardworking) left to start lives in the new world. The few of that calibre who remained then died in the two British-led wars.
Discussion
Interesting theorie
There is an Eugenics theory that if you keep sending off all your warlike young men to fight in your wars eventually you will have a population of people who's ancestors never fought in any wars...
Sounds realistic. Than You start flooding Your country with youngmen from the barbarian countries...