A small 'Challenge'

Just something I have always 'wanted' to see if possible:
Keep colonialism on a 1914 scale around today.
Divergence must be from Berlin onwards (so no change in the actual character of colonialism, that would require reform)
Anything plausible allowed. Timeline can be as ghastly and dystopic (I do not see how it could be utopic) as you like within reason.
 
Sounds difficult. You would probably have to either avoid the world wars or at least make them short affairs. Even still, the cost of keeping those colonies was exceptional.
 

Hkelukka

Banned
First thought would be CP or Axis victory, that would guarantee no independence in any real way to any colony, ever.

Short of that, US going apeshit with carthyism and deep fear of commies would probably postpone any real independence movement far into the future.

Other would be more damaged SU that is unable to force the west into a duel where independence is one of the bets. (France and UK able to hold onto their colonies since there is no fear of SU would be a good timeline)
 
CP victory would probably still lead to independence of its colonies; contrary to those of the British and French, the German colonies for the most part cost more money than they brought in, so at some point it's basically guaranteed that a sensible German leadership (which wasn't the case in the early 20th century, admittedly) will get rid of them; to save money, if nothing else.

The "best" bet, I think, would be to keep the UK/Britain out of WWI (and any possible follow-ups) one way or another, which would leave Britain's finances far, far healthier, and it could use the money it spent almost completely on financing WWI and WWII OTL on keeping its empire together instead.

- Kelenas
 
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