FillyofDelphi
Banned
As we all no, the years leading up to The Great War saw the Balkans no stranger to conflict: having seen the 1st and 2nd Balkan wars in quick succession which lead to a great deal of resentment between governments, territorial disputes, ethnic terrorism, and a well out of proportion militerization of the region. Given all these tensions, its no surprise that despite their initial neutrality every country in the area ended up being brought/bribed into joining the war on one side or another. However, the alliances we ended up with weren't the only possibilities, and a different arrangement of players could have some rather big knock-on effects to the broader war... or at the very least the division of spoils in the following peace.
Here's a quick run-down of our protagonists, at least as far as I understand them.
Serbia & Montenegro: Well, they're kind of part of the Entente by nessecity. No amount of butterflies can produce a CP Serbia in a Great War that's even vaguely recognizable as our own.
Bulgaria: The most resentful and generally surely of the bunch. Had claims on Serbia, Romania, Greece, and the OE and a huge refugee population pushing for Revachism so they could have their homes back. However, relationships with the OE were mended he quickest and Greece and Romania considered the "Thieving Allies", meaning they're more likely to align alongside the former than against her and more likely to join against the later two if they join the war first. Considered "The Prussia of the Balkans", she has one of the better-quality regional armies.
Romania: Secretly part of the Triple Alliance, the Romanian Monarchy is at least intially pro-CP though the opinion of the government is more nuanced. Has claims on both A-H and Russia, but is more emotionally attached to the former. Army is large, but poorly equip.
Greece: Government and population are deeply split: The Monarchy, General Staff, Orthodox Church, and "Old Greece" in general are more pro-CP or at least pro-neutrality, while more liberal factions favor the Entente. Has large claims on OE and reason to worry about Bulgaria, as well as some issues they want settled in their favor in Albania. Army is also highly politicized, and might not be dependable
Ottoman Empire: Still recovering from a long string of coups and losing wars. The largest of all the Balkan powers, but also the least focused on the Balkans in general in the event of joining the CP. Government is generally Pro-German, but not irreconcilably so depending on what the Entente is willing to offer (Accepting an abolition of Capulations or at least some debt forgiveness? Guarantee of security?). Controls the Bosporus, which is of major strategic importance to keeping commerce flowing between Russia and the Western Entente. Concerned about too much Russian power and has claims on the UK and (viably) in the Balkans.
So, my fellow AH afficinados, what kinds of scenarios/matchups could we see here? How do you believe a shift in the dynamics of the Balkan front will affect the wider war?
Here's a quick run-down of our protagonists, at least as far as I understand them.
Serbia & Montenegro: Well, they're kind of part of the Entente by nessecity. No amount of butterflies can produce a CP Serbia in a Great War that's even vaguely recognizable as our own.
Bulgaria: The most resentful and generally surely of the bunch. Had claims on Serbia, Romania, Greece, and the OE and a huge refugee population pushing for Revachism so they could have their homes back. However, relationships with the OE were mended he quickest and Greece and Romania considered the "Thieving Allies", meaning they're more likely to align alongside the former than against her and more likely to join against the later two if they join the war first. Considered "The Prussia of the Balkans", she has one of the better-quality regional armies.
Romania: Secretly part of the Triple Alliance, the Romanian Monarchy is at least intially pro-CP though the opinion of the government is more nuanced. Has claims on both A-H and Russia, but is more emotionally attached to the former. Army is large, but poorly equip.
Greece: Government and population are deeply split: The Monarchy, General Staff, Orthodox Church, and "Old Greece" in general are more pro-CP or at least pro-neutrality, while more liberal factions favor the Entente. Has large claims on OE and reason to worry about Bulgaria, as well as some issues they want settled in their favor in Albania. Army is also highly politicized, and might not be dependable
Ottoman Empire: Still recovering from a long string of coups and losing wars. The largest of all the Balkan powers, but also the least focused on the Balkans in general in the event of joining the CP. Government is generally Pro-German, but not irreconcilably so depending on what the Entente is willing to offer (Accepting an abolition of Capulations or at least some debt forgiveness? Guarantee of security?). Controls the Bosporus, which is of major strategic importance to keeping commerce flowing between Russia and the Western Entente. Concerned about too much Russian power and has claims on the UK and (viably) in the Balkans.
So, my fellow AH afficinados, what kinds of scenarios/matchups could we see here? How do you believe a shift in the dynamics of the Balkan front will affect the wider war?