Christmas Truce

Okay, so I know this usually comes up every year and I know it's unlikely and borderline ASB, but I'm in a christmas mood and after listening to a song or two that made me think of the Christmas Truce, I feel at least mildly inspired to write up a Christmas Truce TL.

Before I actually write up a true TL though, I wanted to run some ideas by you all.
My basic thinking is that, possibly due to worse losses on both sides before Christmas 1914, that the there are more troops involved in the truce than OTL, and that after the 26th, a large number of troops refuse to reengage. This leads to the creation of the "Christmas Peace Council", consisting of troops from both sides, and they vote to "force our sides to end the war".

Eventually, the "Christmas Army" marches back to Paris and also to Germany (though probably not Berlin), and force France and Germany to the table. Armistice is declared in January.

What I'm thinking is that, beyond this initial peace, a supranational council is set up in Europe and what we get is an earlier integrated Europe with nationalism dying away. Some sort of Pan-European Congress is created.

In this, I'm not sure what would happen in England (I'm not sure how integrated they'd become, but I could see British troops being returned to London by the French, and forcing a "peace government" into power).

Now, just for cool points, I like the idea of the European capital being at Strasbourg, renamed as Noëlberg (in honor of the Christmas Truce). Also, I like the image of having the Christmas Council and Army adopting christmas symbols, with a red flag adorned with a tree or star (or both).

Okay, so I'd like to get peoples input here. Like I already said, I know this is a stretch to say the least, but I'd like to explore the idea, and keep it fairly realistic when at all possible. But it's just for fun and a neat way to celebrate the holiday.
So, what do you all think?
 
Well Christmas Truce forcing a peace is unlikely but not ASB I don't think Europe would make an EU with all their empires still intact and the fact that they will not need to delude themselves that they can become superpowers again. Maybe a free trade area with their empires and something like the UNSC made up of Russia, Britain, Germany, France and AH to keep the peace.
 

Rebel

Banned
I somehow doubt Russia would be included in the truce, so the fighting may be continued on the Eastern Front even if peace is forced in the west.
 
Well, truce was mostly between Germans and Brits, nations that shared no historical animosity. Germans and French, however...... (though there was some truce between those two armies two).
 
Well Christmas Truce forcing a peace is unlikely but not ASB I don't think Europe would make an EU with all their empires still intact and the fact that they will not need to delude themselves that they can become superpowers again. Maybe a free trade area with their empires and something like the UNSC made up of Russia, Britain, Germany, France and AH to keep the peace.
That's a possible idea. I kind of like the idea of the returning soldiers forcing those for the war from power, and then agreeing on an era of peaceful arbitration and coexistence and some sense of Unity.

I somehow doubt Russia would be included in the truce, so the fighting may be continued on the Eastern Front even if peace is forced in the west.
Well, this depends. I'm thinking that the German section of the "Christmas Army" forces total end to the war, including in the peace. It might be a little later on, since fighting didn't stop on the Eastern front during Christmas 1914.

Well, truce was mostly between Germans and Brits, nations that shared no historical animosity. Germans and French, however...... (though there was some truce between those two armies two).
Yes, the French and the Germans had a truce in both 1914 and 1915.

I could see Alsace-Lorraine becoming independent, home of the seat of the Pan-European Congress (although it would be cool if it was named something like the "Christmas Republic", I seriously doubt that would happen.. :p)
 
I could see Alsace-Lorraine becoming independent, home of the seat of the Pan-European Congress (although it would be cool if it was named something like the "Christmas Republic", I seriously doubt that would happen.. :p)

Assuming a clear origin connecting it to the Christmas Truce, you might see the Congressional Republic of Alsace-Lorraine being referred to as the Christmas Republic informally.
 

archaeogeek

Banned
You need a POD in the internationale about 5 to 10 years earlier, and Jaures to survive in 1914 when war breaks out or an internationalist to take his place for the same goals - or something bad to happen. Somebody before had suggested the possibility of it going into a revolution as the fraternizing units were attacked by forces on both sides to resume fighting. At least on the left.
 
I used this in a story I wrote. Big differance is the POD was a new ideology formed in the around the Crimean War called Universalism (ie, that all men are the same).
 
Assuming a clear origin connecting it to the Christmas Truce, you might see the Congressional Republic of Alsace-Lorraine being referred to as the Christmas Republic informally.
Hmm I think I like how that sounds, and seems reasonably realistic. Maybe when an Armistice is secured, the "Christmas Council" relocates from the front lines to Strasbourg and remains there and evolves into the Pan-European Congress (nicknamed "the Christmas Congress"?).

You need a POD in the internationale about 5 to 10 years earlier, and Jaures to survive in 1914 when war breaks out or an internationalist to take his place for the same goals - or something bad to happen. Somebody before had suggested the possibility of it going into a revolution as the fraternizing units were attacked by forces on both sides to resume fighting. At least on the left.
What kind of a POD are we talking about? My knowledge of the internationale is pretty weak.
Jaures needs to survive, I agree.
And I was planning on having a larger number of casualties prior to the breakout of the Truce.

My idea is that at the high point of the Truce, close to 1/3 or possibly more of the frontline troops are under the banner of the Christmas Council, and they march on Paris, and force the French to declare a cease fire, and then the Germans follow suite (possibly after ordering their troops to take advantage of the French cease fire and the troops mutinying). Once Germany declares a cease fire (at least on the west), England declares a cease fire. Peace talks open within the Month. Peace in the East would be offered from Russia, and the war would collapse.
 

archaeogeek

Banned
What kind of a POD are we talking about? My knowledge of the internationale is pretty weak.
Jaures needs to survive, I agree.
And I was planning on having a larger number of casualties prior to the breakout of the Truce.

You need nationalism to remain weak in the socialist internationale, you also need to eliminate the Sacred Union and the impetus for them, which were socialist pacts in the ww1 belligerent countries that basically said "no revolution while we fight" and was basically a huge fuck you to the internationalists.
 
Assuming a clear origin connecting it to the Christmas Truce, you might see the Congressional Republic of Alsace-Lorraine being referred to as the Christmas Republic informally.
I think nicknames like that are more common in cases where the nation fails and needs to be differentiated from its successor (ie Weimar Republic), just a thought.
 
I think nicknames like that are more common in cases where the nation fails and needs to be differentiated from its successor (ie Weimar Republic), just a thought.

I think this is sometimes true, but if you have a longer name that's a bit of a mouthful (ie: The Congressional Republic of Alsace-Lorraine) I could see a nickname sticking in informal discussion.

Here is a rough basic outline that I'm looking at using for this TL:

POD: Jean Jaures is not assassinated on July 31, 1914. At the following SFIO meeting, the group does not adopt a nationalist stance for the impending war. Neither do German socialists.

September 6-14, 1914: Battle of the Marne: Germans reach the very outskirts of Paris on September 10, before being forced back by British and French troops. The French suffer nearly 350,000 casualties (200,000 dead, 150,000 wounded), the British suffer 27,000 casualties (18,000 dead, 9,000 wounded), and the Germans suffer 375,000 casualties (270,000 dead, 105,000 wounded).

September 30- November 18, 1914: Battle of Ypres: Germans launch an assault on the Belgian city of Ypres on September 30th. Germans briefly take the city on October 17th, but the BEF retake the city on October 24th. Fighting ends on November 18th. The Germans have suffered nearly 300,000 casualties (175,000 dead, 125,000 wounded), and the BEF suffered Nearly 95,000 casualties (79,000 dead, 16,000 wounded).

December 24th- as night falls, German troops begin setting up candles and christmas trees, and begin singing christmas carols. Soon British troops begin calling out “merry christmas”. Troops from both sides start lobbing food to the lines of their enemies as “presents”

December 25th: as day breaks, British, German, and even French troops venture out into No Mans Land to collect the dead. All over the lines, the white flag of peace is flying. Troops mingle, and in many instances joint burial services are held. It is reported that in many places, football games broke out between the opposing armies. There were several joint Christmas services held, conducted by military chaplains or local priests, and the message was one of peace.
By the end of the day, there is a sense of merriment between the combatants as they celebrate the holiday. Troops and officers alike are asking one another “Why are we really fighting? Why should we continue?”
All day long, military commanders from all three nations are calling for action, but are for the most part ignored. No artillery is fired at all that day, despite orders to do so.

December 26th: Nearly 30,000 British troops, and 50,000 German troops, refues to reengage in hostilities, and are backed up by their direct superiors. Military commanders in both countries are furious.

December 27th: The Christmas Truce is reported by the American press. Politicians and ministers throughout the United States cheer this development. By the end of the day, close to 40,000 British troops, 60,000 German troops, and 20,000 French troops are refusing to fight.

December 28th: The Truce is reported by the British and German press. Over 50,000 British troops, 70,000 German troops, and 30,000 French troops are refusing to fight.

December 29th: Both French and German military commanders order their loyal troops to “put down the mutinies”. This backfires badly as loyal troops refuste to fight their commrades. Now most of the BEF troops, 120,000 German troops, and 60,000 French troops have hoisted the “truce banner” (an all white banner, sometimes with a Christmas tree in the middle)

December 31st: The French press finally reports the truce. The “Christmas Truce Council” is formed between German, British, and French officers and troops. Just a few hours before midnight and the start of the new year, the Council declares the formation of the “Christmas Peace Republic”, with the goal to make the Christmas peace permanent and end the war. The Christmas Army is officially formed, with officers from all three nations. The Christmas Flag, consisting of a white banner with a green christmas tree in the center and three red stars in the upper left corner (representing France, Great Britain, and Germany), is adopted.

January 1, 1915- Jean Jaures and the SFIO declares a nation-wide general strike in support of the Christmas Republic. The German socialists do so on January 3rd.

January 4th: The Christmas Army marches on Paris, with nearly 80,000 mostly French and British troops going jointly under the new Christmas Banner.

January 7: The Christmas Army arrives in Paris, and the French government, unable to leave the city due to the general strike and more mutinies among loyal troops, capitulates. Jaures and the SFIO declares the formation of a provisional French Government, which then declares a general cease fire in all theaters of war.

January 10th: The German Empire, under pressure from socialists strikes in the major cities and a 90,000 strong Christmas Army crossing into Germany, declares a cease fire on the Western front.

January 13th: Britain declares a cease fire

January 20th: Russia declares a cease fire, and Germany declares a total cease fire the next day. The war has essentially ended.

January 27th: The Christmas Council relocates to Strasbourg, Alsace/Lorraine.

February 1st: The First Christmas Peace Congress is held, with representatives from France, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Italy, Austro-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire.

February 20th: The Strasbourg Treaty is signed. Does the following:
--Declares the Great War over, with no victor or looser, and that, with the exception of Alsace-Lorraine, all territory would, for the next 5 years, remain as it had before the outbreak of hostilities in the summer of 1914.
--Alsace-Lorraine is declared an independent nation to be called the “Congressional Republic of Alsace-Lorraine.”
--The Pan-European Congress is established, as a body to help solve all international disputes, help foster inter-European trade and cooperation, and mutual defense. Initial members are: France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austro-Hungary, Russia, Italy, Alsace-Lorraine, and the United Kingdom.
--The European High Court of Justice is established as the highest court in Europe, and had jurisdiction to settle dispute between European powers that appealed to it. All nations agreed via the treaty to abide by the High Court’s ruling.
--The Christmas Army is disbanded, and all it’s participants are granted a general pardon and are restored to their respective militaries without punishment.
--A non-aggression agreement was established by all parties, promising not to resort to military action in the case of disputes.
--The Pan-European Bank is established, to help regulate European currencies and to help foster European trade relations. Also, all member nations agree to a “no-tariff zone” between members.

Before I make my actual TL/Story, I was wondering if anyone knew of any site that would have military rank for France, Germany, and Great Britain from this era, and the names of some units that were involved.
In general any World War I info sites would be great.

Also, I was wondering if anyone knew of anybody that I could use from the British and or German armies that would be a good leader of the "Christmas Council"?

Any other ideas or critiques are of course also welcome.
 
I don't care if it somehow leads into some sort of dystopia; I want to live in this TL. Even if it somehow leads to NAZIS WIN like altering history often does, there's still something heartwarming about this particular piece of history that would make it worth living through all of the horribleness that might happen later.

It's like a warm ember of hope that can keep someone warm through even the coldest dystopic night, carrying with it the assurance that there will be a new day coming.
 
I don't care if it somehow leads into some sort of dystopia; I want to live in this TL. Even if it somehow leads to NAZIS WIN like altering history often does, there's still something heartwarming about this particular piece of history that would make it worth living through all of the horribleness that might happen later.

It's like a warm ember of hope that can keep someone warm through even the coldest dystopic night, carrying with it the assurance that there will be a new day coming.

Thank you :) and I have to agree.

Though I SERIOUSLY doubt that this TL would have room for the Nazis coming to power.

Speaking of farther off in this TL, I'm thinking that in the decade or so following 1914, there will be great restructuring within the Empires, basically creating Imperial Parliaments and giving greater home rule to their colonies and making many of them dominions. THis will eventually be mirrored in North America first with the establishment of the United North American States (aka Canada+USA+Mexico+[possibly]the Caribbean)[which reminds me, can Canadian provinces legally vote to secede from Canada?], then the Pan-American Congress. Eventually (and we're talking like in the 60s or 70s) there will be a formal international "Congress" (more powerful UN). But the First International Christmas Peace Congress (or Council or Conference) will be held in the 40s......
I see the peace/supranationalism movement affecting most of the nations of the world, save Japan. I see Japan keeping with it's independent, imperialistic-expantionistic tendencies into the 1940s (possibly the 1950s), until they really start bumping up against the interests of the rest of the world, which would bring about some sort of World War.....but it would probably much shorter. If it happened at all. Japan might crumble internally before war could break out if most of the world was sitting opposed to it.

---Just some ideas.
 

archaeogeek

Banned
Thank you :) and I have to agree.

Though I SERIOUSLY doubt that this TL would have room for the Nazis coming to power.

---Just some ideas.

Japan's massive ultra-nationalist, xenophobic fringe only took over after ww1; here you have a world that's more likely to be willing to consider the racial equality clause they themselves tried to bring forward. Another group that lost a lot at Versailles IOTL was Vietnam and the protectorates, which felt they deserved to be considered fully sovereign nations in the new situation.
 
Japan's massive ultra-nationalist, xenophobic fringe only took over after ww1; here you have a world that's more likely to be willing to consider the racial equality clause they themselves tried to bring forward. Another group that lost a lot at Versailles IOTL was Vietnam and the protectorates, which felt they deserved to be considered fully sovereign nations in the new situation.

I did not know that about Japan, thanks! :)

Well my overall idea is that We'd get regional/continental "Peace Congresses" developing throughout the 1930s (during the 1920s, the Empires all adopt a 'federal' model, whereby the colonies all pretty much become self-governing dominions, and have an equal vote in their particular "imperial congress/parliament/duma etc.."). After the regional Congresses are in existence, then comes the one global congress.....

So if Japan didn't go ultra-nationalist until AFTER WWI, is there a good candidate for a beligerent during the 1930s/40s/50s with WWI being curtailed like this?
 

archaeogeek

Banned
I did not know that about Japan, thanks! :)

Well my overall idea is that We'd get regional/continental "Peace Congresses" developing throughout the 1930s (during the 1920s, the Empires all adopt a 'federal' model, whereby the colonies all pretty much become self-governing dominions, and have an equal vote in their particular "imperial congress/parliament/duma etc.."). After the regional Congresses are in existence, then comes the one global congress.....

So if Japan didn't go ultra-nationalist until AFTER WWI, is there a good candidate for a beligerent during the 1930s/40s/50s with WWI being curtailed like this?

Japan, any country taken over by fascists or ultra nationalists really - I expect the right to play revanchism and attempt coups here and there.
Russia, Germany, France, Britain or China even.
 
Japan, any country taken over by fascists or ultra nationalists really - I expect the right to play revanchism and attempt coups here and there.
Russia, Germany, France, Britain or China even.

Hmm..I was actually thinking about China. But you are right that any of those would work.
Anyone else have any ideas?
I'm hoping to have something written up and ready by the 23rd or 24th at the latest.
 
Eventually, the "Christmas Army" marches back to Paris and also to Germany (though probably not Berlin), and force France and Germany to the table. Armistice is declared in January.

I don't think this part would happen.

The Germans won't march on Berlin, and nor will the French march on Paris. And the British won't swim across the channel. Though you knew that last part, I guess.

I think they'd just sit in place (well, they'd move around, talk to each other, and so on, but you get the idea) while their governments are screaming at them, until finally Britain, France, and Germany realize that they'll never get those troops to fight each other again, and trying to force the War to start again would mean sending their own men to fight their own men, which would be absolutely intolerable to the people of each nation, even though this is essentially mutiny en masse. Nor can they try a more passive "cut off their supplies and starve them" thing.

So while the armies camp in place and continue to get along with each other, ambassadors from the three nations meet somewhere neutral (Spain? Switzerland? I dunno) and try and figure out how they're going to deal with this. And with everyone at the table, the three will realize that this whole thing has spiralled out of control from a single event that should have been a local matter concerning Austria-Hungary and Serbia, and that Germany, Britain, and France actually have nothing vested in the outcome other than the French getting revenge on the Germans for something that happened thirty years ago. Is France's honor really worth so much of France's blood? Can't the two nations just work something out?
 
I don't think this part would happen.

The Germans won't march on Berlin, and nor will the French march on Paris. And the British won't swim across the channel. Though you knew that last part, I guess.

I think they'd just sit in place (well, they'd move around, talk to each other, and so on, but you get the idea) while their governments are screaming at them, until finally Britain, France, and Germany realize that they'll never get those troops to fight each other again, and trying to force the War to start again would mean sending their own men to fight their own men, which would be absolutely intolerable to the people of each nation, even though this is essentially mutiny en masse. Nor can they try a more passive "cut off their supplies and starve them" thing.

So while the armies camp in place and continue to get along with each other, ambassadors from the three nations meet somewhere neutral (Spain? Switzerland? I dunno) and try and figure out how they're going to deal with this. And with everyone at the table, the three will realize that this whole thing has spiralled out of control from a single event that should have been a local matter concerning Austria-Hungary and Serbia, and that Germany, Britain, and France actually have nothing vested in the outcome other than the French getting revenge on the Germans for something that happened thirty years ago. Is France's honor really worth so much of France's blood? Can't the two nations just work something out?

Hmm, you make a good point, and I could see this definitely being a possible outcome, one that is, as you point out, more realistic.
I did have the French and Germans ordering their loyal troops to attack those who were refusing to fight, which backfires and greatly increases the ranks of those under the Christmas Truce, which I think is believable.
 
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