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?
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?