OT History "What If" Discussion: Germany Wins WWI in 1914

Have a friend who is convinced the world would be better for it. He makes a compelling argument.

ETA: Idk myself

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What would our world look like today?

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I wonder if the Nazis would've still risen to power in the 30's without a weak and desperate post war German populace. That would've dictated a lot of change.

How about a better question in which more posters will be more knowledgeable:

What happens if the RAF loses the Battle of Britain?

No Hilter or WWII. A lot more Jews survive. No Israel and the middle east is less inflamed. No Cold War. Nuclear weapons developed later (maybe not a good thing). US does not dominate the world after 1945. Depression drags on longer. Completely different dismantling of the British empire though it still happens (but maybe more rationally).

Different world for sure.

quote:

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What would our world look like today?

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The question largely hinges on what terms the war was ended and how the peace was orchestrated. Clearly the conditions for the rise of National Socialism in Germany will not exist as Marxism and leftism will be of no threat to power in Germany. Likewise, it's hard to imagine that either Germany or Britain would not work with extreme determination to establish a stable French government opposed to Marxist forces that might seek a power grab in France's destitution. I can see France, Britain, and Germany remaining traditional powers rivaling each other for influence as was the case in prior European periods. I think relative stability would ensue as the horrific nature of the war generally changed minds about the feasibility of war to achieve minor gains without balooning into catastrophe due to industrialization and the advent of more destructive armaments.

That being said, I think the really interesting areas to watch would be the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Balkans region. Hitler himself railed against Austro-Hungarian Empire and it's untenable political situation given the tremendous variety of ethnic nationalities subjugated under the Hapsburgs. This was an observation he had prior to the outbreak of the war, leading him to make an appeal to serve with a Bavarian outfit instead of his much loathed homeland. And this area having been the powderkeg that set off WWI to begin with.

Obviously the age of empire would have continued on, perhaps much longer than it did in the real life course of history, but that period was destined to come to a head at some point. If it was had to do over again, I think essentially every major belligerent nation's leadership would say the war was a mistake (with the possible exception of Churchill) and should have been averted. There was no great moral crusade to be had nor imminent ideological threat posed by one of those nations against the other.

Obviously there are infintie variables but I certainly don't think the world would be thrown into some terrible course had Germany won WWI. Though the victors do love to fear monger and exaggerrate the importance of their cause to history.

This hypothetical postulates a win similar to what the Germans would achieve in 1940. But just as in 1940, the UK would still have a lot of fight left in them, arguably more. And would a win on the Marne completely knock out France. I don't think France had the bitter political divisions that created Vichy. Could the French Army with its still strong nationalism pulled back to continue fighting?

While you answer that, I'm going to put some thought into what Italy would have done based on your what if.

ETA: I think Italy jumps France and is able to take French North Africa

There was a discussion the other week about a book written that talks about how the British basically caused world war I because they failed to understand the issues. Or at least I seem to recall that.

I thought I ordered the book, but I did not and know I cant find any reference to it. Any help is appreciated.

They wouldn't have bombed Pearl Harbor ... that's for sure