AH Challenge: Democracies At War

With a POD after 1900 (obviously), have the United States get involved in a protracted, bloody, and difficult war with a Western European country that is not Germany or Italy. Bonus points for a war with the UK, France, Spain, or other "longterm allies" of the USA. And no Turtledove-esque scenarios!
 
With a POD after 1900 (obviously), have the United States get involved in a protracted, bloody, and difficult war with a Western European country that is not Germany or Italy. Bonus points for a war with the UK, France, Spain, or other "longterm allies" of the USA. And no Turtledove-esque scenarios!

Very difficult if both sides are democracies, which I take it is your intent from the heading. Also for a long war as opposed to a relatively short mainly naval clash.

However possibly a shorter WWI, more successful for the allies, say ending in 1917, shortly after the US formally joins the war. Better allied position politically and economically means they are less willing to accept Wilson's attempts to dictate the peace and a major fall-out occurs. Possibly a partition of Germany as a result to prevent it re-emerging as a threat. Series of clashes over trade and influence and continued ill-feeling. Have a spark in the far east say with a clash between US and Japan with the US seen as in the wrong. If the Anglo-Japanese alliance is still in existence you might get a high handed demand from Washington not to interfere which gets British backs up. When those two start clashing a US attack on Canada, despite its declared neutrality, further raises temperature. Either then or when bombing of Montreal & Quebec occurs France declares war in support of the allies.

After that things are all set for the sort of conflict you suggest. The allies should have the edge in terms of population and military skill but the US will have home advantage for much of the war and its own considerable industrial base. As such could take a lot of time and blood before occupied parts of Canada are liberated and some settlement concluded.

Steve
 
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