AHC: France takes part in a partition of Switzerland or Belgium in the 20th century

raharris1973

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France takes part in a partition of Switzerland or Belgium

A simple request, but the simplest things are often the most difficult.
 
France takes part in a partition of Switzerland or Belgium

A simple request, but the simplest things are often the most difficult.

If the Nazis happen to invade Switzerland, which is highly doubtful, unless they beat the Soviets and stalemate the Western Allies (like in A/ANW), and then invade Switzerland for shits and giggles (or cash, but that's also highly unlikely), then they could possibly give the western cantons to Vichy France, Ticino to Italy, and then annex the rest for themselves.
 
plausible the Rexist Party stronger in Belgium before and during WW2? aiding the German invasion (or passage through?)

post-war the king is exiled to Spain and country split between France and Netherlands.
 
Recent Belgian Government crisis escalates further, popular demand for partition arises in Belgium. Referendum confirms partition desired by plurality of population (particularly in Flanders).

Separate referenda determine Flanders becomes independent whilst Walonia votes to become part of France with exta degrees of autonomy. Brussels remains as independent city state with French and Flemish citizens retaining special welfare and social rights for the first 30 years.

Plausible enough?
 
Recent Belgian Government crisis escalates further, popular demand for partition arises in Belgium. Referendum confirms partition desired by plurality of population (particularly in Flanders).

Separate referenda determine Flanders becomes independent whilst Walonia votes to become part of France with exta degrees of autonomy. Brussels remains as independent city state with French and Flemish citizens retaining special welfare and social rights for the first 30 years.

Plausible enough?

Why would they want to be annexed by neighbors when they can be independent just as easily? I don't think there's much popular support for that at all.

There was a plan to dissolve Belgium altogether after World War 2, wasn't there?

Yes, they called it the Greater Germanic Reich. :p
 
WI the French only invaded the French-speaking cantons in Western Switzerland? That broad valley is only separated from France by the short, steep Jura Mountains. While the Jura provide a strong obstacle to invasion, it would be comparatively easy to bypass the Jura to the South near Lake Geneva, or looping around Basel at the north end of the valley. An assault from the north would probable require German cooperation for access to shipping along the Rhine River.
 
Why would they want to be annexed by neighbors when they can be independent just as easily? I don't think there's much popular support for that at all.
According to this article http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattachisme
During WW2 French officials wanted to annex Wallonia as a compensation for Alsace-Lorraine. Unlikely considering Germany considered annexing large parts of France (French refugees were forbidden to return to the areas bordering the Reich).
After WW2 the Walloon National Congress voted to join France, before changing their mind.
In 2008 49% Walloons were in favor of joining France if Flanders became independant. In 2010 they were 32%.

IMO the easiest way to have Wallonia French is a) to have Flanders leave Belgium b) France agreeable to give Wallonia autonomy

French-speaking Switzerland is I think much harder considering taxes are much lower there!
 
"Lemming! See that cliff. You know what to do."

The Belgian part could be done as part of the France joins the Axis thread.

Vichy France is given Wallonia as compensation for Alsace-Lorriane being taken away by Germany again or depending upon who is writing the history Germany taking it back from France. The Flemming part of Belgium and Luxembourg would be annexed by the Netherlands.
 
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