Spain might shorten the war to the point that far fewer countries would have been in it. The defeat of the first German advance was close and even sending a Spanish cadet troop across the border could critically distract France.Make WWI or WWII include even more countries than they did in OTL.
I don't know if a Hohezollern on the Spanish throne would mean Spain joining the Central Powers, but the thought is interesting.
Is there a way to get a fascist regime in Sweden that joins the Axis to try to regain Norway and Finland?
Ireland is somewhat difficult. The British could strong-arm them any day, but chose not to; they were already getting what they wanted. Maybe if the Luftwaffe launches a big raid against N. Ireland, but flattens much of Dublin because of a navigation mistake, and the British do decide to exploit that to push the Irish down the fence.
A Spanish front in the terrain that borders France with trenches would certainly lead to a huge loss of life. I dont think that it needs a Hohenzollern in a throne just the right political cicumstances. For example authotorian Alphonse XIII. tries to be a Leader in wartime and hopes to gain Something die joining the Centrals. Maybe colonial gains etc. On the other hand French might invaders Spanish colonial holdings. Another Thing could be a mass revolt of Spanish troops with a Civil War breakung out. Maybe Anarchist and Bolshevik elements see their chance. Also the Rif Kabyles might rebel, for the Spanish are distracted. Portugal ist a problem , too. In the Entente camp ist would be an enemy of Spain and another Front ist opened. British troops certainly laand in Spain to assist Portugal.Make WWI or WWII include even more countries than they did in OTL.
I don't know if a Hohezollern on the Spanish throne would mean Spain joining the Central Powers, but the thought is interesting.
I'll leave WWI aside, but WWII is very easy to expand to the few countries that remained neutral to the end.
Portugal is relatively easy. The Axis had a full casus belli against it.
Sweden is difficult, but doable if you accept early butterflies.
Spain - I don't think so. Too clever, that Franco.
Switzerland - never. Too useful as a neutral clearing house
How useful would it be to get Spain on the Allied side in WW2?
Is it viable to use it as the staging ground to invade France?
Maybe a Danish front but it needs a believable Pod. Maybe a German Invasion and Allied troops landing in Juteland assisting the Danish army. Stalemate and trench warfare at the 1864 border.Make WWI or WWII include even more countries than they did in OTL.
I don't know if a Hohezollern on the Spanish throne would mean Spain joining the Central Powers, but the thought is interesting.
If the Spanish-American war was butterflied away it might mean America joins immediately by declaring war on Spain - a bigger boost for the Entente than Spain is for the CP.Spain might shorten the war to the point that far fewer countries would have been in it. The defeat of the first German advance was close and even sending a Spanish cadet troop across the border could critically distract France.
Spain and Portugal are useful for what? closing the Med and tungsten? (with the historical condition of Spain, obviously a quick Nationalist coup in 1936 would change their value as an ally)
and that doesn't count the untold treasures they held for private entities.
my view Switzerland an interesting gamble, they had tangible gold equal to all the loot they captured historically ... from everyone else. and that doesn't count the untold treasures they held for private entities.
Note I introduced the notion of "useful" - as a neutral - to explain why I don't think Switzerland would get involved. And useful to both sides for what it did.
That is different from being useful as a combatant, and presumably for one side only.
And that's why the Nazi leadership, at least, if not other leaderships too, wouldn't want their own bank be assaulted, not even by their own state. A further reason, in addition to those already mentioned, to leave Switzerland in peace.
WW1:
- Admiral Nikolai Von Essen succesfully torpedoes some Swedish ships and Sweden declares war. In other hand it might be possible that Italy and United States remain neutral.
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