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Germany would become a Russian protectorate. It would certainly be better than what happened. A middle ground would be to tell the Austrians to start being realistic in their foreign policy. They just aren't strong enough to fight the Russians, Serbs, Romanians and the Italians. They need to...

Austria had its problems. They weren't necessarily fatal. The system probably would have continued along with constant tinkering. There was a danger that the Germans and Hungarians would fight to preserve their privileges. Only if they united, would they have much hope. The Magyar nobility...

Ok so now the theory is that Austria declares war, stands on the defensive and will stop when they get back to their own borders. Bunk. Austria crafted the note to be rejected so they could invade Serbia. They intended to dismantle Serbia and do so without consulting Italy. The circles being...

Exactly what makes that an extreme reading? The myth of unfaithful Italy is obvious. Austria agreed not to occupy territory without a prior agreement. Even temporary occupation required Italy's ok. Nor can Austria support any territorial change injurious to Italy-which giving Serbian...

And how do you go to war without occupying territory? Even the temporary occupation of territory required prior agreement. So I guess you could argue that Austria could declare war and not cross the border. Note the clause about not supporting any changes injurious to Italy. So giving...

https://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Amended_Version_of_The_Triple_Alliance Article 7 covers the Balkans. Austria and Italy promised to maintain the status quo as far as possible. If that was impossible, they were to use their influence to prevent changes injurious to the other. They also...

Consulted in the manner required by the Triple Alliance. Austria had agreed not to occupy Balkan territory without prior agreement with Italy. The Austrians went to Germany on the 6th of July. The Italians didn't see the note before it was sent to Serbia. They figured things out on their own...

The Italians would tell Franz Joseph. "No way are we supporting this nonsense" In OTL, Italy suggested the Serbs accept the note and drag out negotiations on the details. If Austria tried to impose terms, the Serbs should then appeal to the powers. The Kaiser would be delighted to use it as...

Beck began strengthening the Alpine fortresses in 1897. The Austrians broke the treaty not the Italians. This thread is not a rehash over the merits of Austria's case, it's about replacing Conrad. We have debated this way too much

Been through this many times. The Triple Alliance was not a blank check where Italy had to support Austria no matter what. It was a treaty to preserve the status quo. Austria made commitments to Italy and Austria broke them not Italy It goes further back than that. As soon as Golochowski...

You really need to read the triple alliance treaty. Austria had no right to enter Serbian territory without Italy's consent. This thread is about replacing Conrad and not about the reasons for the war. A competent chief of staff would have stressed the impossibility of fighting this war and...

A competent chief of staff would have told Franz Joseph that the chances of success would be very low if Russia intervened. Basically, give the military appraisal of the situation Conrad is a bad general because he expected more of his Army than it could possibly deliver. Austria is destroyed...

Even if Stalin had no intention of attacking Germany, the Soviets would have plans for the contingency. As to what POD you need, it's all in Stalin's head. If he guesses Hitler is about to strike, he could strike first. The Germans would be screwed of course. Without the appalling casualties...

The Kaiser was a pacifist. Nicholas said it best:. To know him like I do,, how much he hates war . Or his last telegram to the Tsar: something neither of us want will happen The warmonger was Franz Joseph. Everyone else got sucked into it

None of the politicians really gave a damn about Belgium either. Or Germany could have realized that Austria had played them and instead of sending an ultimatum to Russia, told the Austrians to cut a deal. Austria wants war, no one else does. She deceived the Kaiser, sent the note without...

That's the point- the Germans had already begun invading neutral nations. They're on a very tight timetable and the leeway is a matter of hours This is an attempt to distract with irrelevant details. The ultimatum was delivered on July 31 and expired on August 1. The actual instructions to...

Not a complete abandonment just a passive policy. If threaten ed in the West, which Germany increasing her army budget means, Russia would concentrate on Europe. In OTL, the army under Orbuchev and Kuropatkain, already were urging such a course. Why would we do that? The Entente had nothing...

Double tracking the Trans Siberian would be about 7500 kilometers. The Russians planned about 4000 in Poland by 1917. This would increase their capacity from 360 to 560 trains a day. It would also leave enough money to increase the rolling stock by 6000 locomotives and 150,000 cars. That's...

The Franco-Russian alliance was outbuilding the British hard in 1914- with 15 dreadnoughts and 4 Battle cruisers building, so the British will need to open their wallets or firm the Entente. They'll probably make s deal with France and Russia leaving Wilhelm holding the bag. If Germany spends...

There were six dreadnoughts ordered by the South Americans- the two Ottoman originally by Brazil, two Chilean ships one of which was converted to an aircraft carrier in British yards and two Argentine ships in the US. Subsidize their building so Germany could have six more and Britain four...