What if the Dutch had joined the Central Powers in battle in WW1?
Its been asked before:
1:Adds naval might to the German navy(though perhaps not enough to make a difference)
The best case scenario (for the central powers) is that with the use of Dutch territory the Germans gain enough momentum that they beat the French early in 1914 and force the French to the negotiation table, After which they beat the Russians and the war ends quickly.
Worse case see OTL.
Don't place too much faith in the Dutch navy at that time. It was hopelessly outdated and probably will not shift the balance in favour of Germany (or even towards a more balanced situation)
Indeed. Never mind the fact that the Netherlands is a country of canals, deltas, and rivers. I'm not too sure of the capabilities of warships during WWI, but I can for sure see the RN being able to blockade the Netherlands' coast fairly easily. And if the RN are able to send some types of warships into the Zuider Zee, the Dutch are in trouble. IMOH joining the Central Powers would be too much to risk for the Dutch, especially with their concerns about their overseas territories. Nevertheless, it would make things a little bit more interesting in WWII if the Dutch lose the East Indies.
The CP never thought that the UK would ally against them though, presumably the Dutch though the same.Indeed. Never mind the fact that the Netherlands is a country of canals, deltas, and rivers. I'm not too sure of the capabilities of warships during WWI, but I can for sure see the RN being able to blockade the Netherlands' coast fairly easily. And if the RN are able to send some types of warships into the Zuider Zee, the Dutch are in trouble. IMOH joining the Central Powers would be too much to risk for the Dutch, especially with their concerns about their overseas territories. Nevertheless, it would make things a little bit more interesting in WWII if the Dutch lose the East Indies.
British Indonesia anyone? (Well, Sumatra and Borneo, at any rate)
Australia gets west New Guinea.
Portugal might get the rest of Timor.
Perhaps France (troops from Indochina) and/or the USA (ditto from Philippines) get some bits?
Worse case see OTL.
It may be strange, but I think that a quick loss for the central powers, would have been a better case than the slow loss they experienced during OTL, I think the loss of territories and colonies would be smaller if the British, the French and the Russian would have experienced the years of war they did OTL. Btw I doubt that such a move from the British would have been as succesful as you said.worst case, the Brits use Holland to naval invade, encircle western front, occupy germany.
The Japanese conquer the West Indies. Maybe the Dutch try to sell them to America?
Yeah, I think that is what the Dutch might hope for (and maybe including British Guyana). I think the Dutch might be happy with the colonies (although I don't think they are worth going to war for). But I doubt the Dutch want West (or East) Walloon or French northern France. Why would they want some French speaking territories. They might want Flanders (including French Flanders), but even that I am not sure. It would completely disrupt the strange balance of power that existed in the Netherlands at that time between the Protestant, Catholic, Liberal and Socialist factions (pillarisation). With the addition of an almost completely catholic Flanders the Dutch protestants would lose a lot of political influence. Because of that the Dutch might not want the addition of those territories. Of course because of nationalism and historical reasons and maybe because the catholics, liberals and socialists see a potential growth of their influence it still might happen.Might the Dutch be promised Flanders, West Walloon, parts of North France, Frances American Colonies, North Borneo and perhaps Malay and Singapore?
Not as long as Wilson was President.British Indonesia anyone? (Well, Sumatra and Borneo, at any rate)
Australia gets west New Guinea.
Portugal might get the rest of Timor.
Perhaps France (troops from Indochina) and/or the USA (ditto from Philippines) get some bits?