AHC: IIIrd Republic Franco-English war

Hi all,

France and England had a bitter rivalry that lasted until the last moments of the XIXth century.

What could have caused a war? What would have happened then?

Obviously, the Brits have the best navy and would be able to cut France from a lot of its colonies. But again, all that's needed is three days without the RN in the Channel and London flies a French flag as the saying goes.

Would the French destroy the Suez canal? Instigate revolts in India?

I'm not sure who the Prussians would align with. On one hand, it's a good opportunity to have another go at France but on the other hand, it would be running the risk of re-inforceing British hegemony.

Allying with France is also a good occasion to cement claims on A-L and limit risks of revanchism. On top of that, in case of victory, Prussia could probably grab a few colonies.

Thoughts?
 
We have already had this discussion.

It will never happen because France perfectly knew since the end of the napoleonic wars that it could not won a general war against Britain.

This is why from 1815 to 1940, the cardinal axis of the french diplomacy was never to piss off Britain about the most strategic issues.

And you would never have seen such a war occur in the late 19th century when France's relative power in Europe had become weaker than It had ever been since the early 13th century and that it had on its eastern frontier a militaristic juggernaut called Germany.
 

longsword14

Banned
As Matteo said, in Europe things are multifaceted. Britain is not the only problem that France would face, so ruining relations needlessly over a far-flung pieces of land to hamper the domestic situation is not necessary. The 19th century was a period of great expansion in various fields, France had been left behind compared to how it used to be.
It is true that the army could have taken the British, but why bother with the British island when both sides had nothing to gain ?
 
I don't really believe in a Fashoda war to be honest.

I do believe that the situation could be different than in the post-Napoleonic world, precisely because France is relatively weaker. Germany might want to take the hegemon down a notch.

If they ally against France, they do run a risk of reinforcing British hegemony over the rest of the world.
 
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