Spain, Sweden in WWI

[Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy]

From my understanding, Spain and Sweden were quite friendly to Germany before WWI. What would it take to get them to fight on Germany's side in the war?

[LowLevelFunctionary]

I guess solid promises for territorial expansion. Sweden was approached by Germany IRL but refused for a number of reasons, one of the largest being that they believed the Russian steamroller idea. So for both nations IMO it would have to be in 1915 for Sweden because they would not have to be afraid of Germany falling and for Spain because the full might of France and Britain had not yet been deployed - allowing an easier entry into the war.

Consequences of Sweden joining the war - perhaps an Allied Norway?

Consequences of Spain joining the war - no allied Italy and or Greece? Also - a much tougher campaign for Britain against the Ottomans...

[Thande]

The Finland situation would be interesting if the Swedes enter the war. If the Central Powers win, Sweden gets Finland? And if they lose, Finland probably still gains independence as OTL but may be a target for later Swedish expansionism once the Swedish claim to Finland has re-entered the public consciousness through WW1 propaganda? This could be interesting...

[Kurt_Steiner]

Internally, Spain was quite divided between Allies and Central Powers simpathizers. The only good thing thath the king and the government could have done was to remain neutral.

[Redbeard]

There was some degree of talks between Sweden and Germany after 1864 over a partition of Denmark, but I think you must say that the Swedes meant their neutrality policy for serious. Otherwise they would have utilised the situation after the Russian collapse for something in Finland.

Had the Entente tried one of their more or less realistic plans in WWI for entering the Baltic, Sweden could very well have been drawn into the war - on German side and along with Denmark. Both countries, but especially Denmark, at that time were very dependent on Germany.

Norway was mainly in the British sphere of influence (read: power projection) and could well have seen British/French landings. The field armies of Sweden and Denmark had 7 and 5 Divisions respectively, the Norwegin had 6 Brigades, and the strategic important places at the Baltic entrances were heavily fortified and mined. Entente attempts to force their way into the Baltic would (have to) focus on Zealand and Copenhagen, but would probably have the Dardanelles look like kindergarten.

Regards

Steffen Redbeard

[mattep74]

Sweden in ww1, with an army using weapons that were old during the ACW. Sweden didnt have a army capable of fighting until 1940:) In 45 we could field an army capable of fighting ww2

Now we have 8 admirals and 7 ships and 6 heavy guns and 7 generals.

[Jared]

Sweden in ww1, with an army using weapons that were old during the ACW. Sweden didnt have a army capable of fighting until 1940:) In 45 we could field an army capable of fighting ww2

Now we have 8 admirals and 7 ships and 6 heavy guns and 7 generals.

Makes perfect sense... 7 Admirals to command the ships, and one Admiral of the Fleet. I presume that you actually have 6 gunnerals to command the guns, and one Gunneral of the Army.

[Tom_B]

Spain's tilt in the Great War is complicated. I have a theory that they tried to get both the CP and the Entente to think they owed Spain a favor.

So King Alphonso promised Poincare that Spain would not attack France and would allow passage of Algerian troops. But the same Spain refuled U-Boats on the way to the Med for a while (the Germans eventually decided it was not necessary) and had coal waiting for Spee in the Canary Islands. Spain's anarchists and socialists were very much opposed to entering the war on either side and lastly Spain had it's own problems in North Africa. Spain's finances were shaky and involvement in a long war could from that reason alone be disastrous.

Neverthess in a war which it is readily apparent the CP are winning a military coup maight well make the King a prisoner of the palace and bring Spain in anyway.

Sweden's King wanted very much to bring Sweden into the War against Russia. The Socialist leadership was strongly opposed to entering the war though even they occupied the Aland Islands eventually. Many in Russia expected Sweden to enter the war against. Admiral Essen the commander of the Baltic Fleet wanted to take his fleet to the main Swedish base and demand that the Swedish Fleet move to a base further from Russia and stay there. He was prepared to attack if they refused. His sortie was recalled at the last minute so a really good Sweden enters the war POD is that he is not ordered home and ...

Tom