AHC WI German deal with Belgium by 1914

Was there anything that German Militarists have offered the Belgian politcal leadership which would haved allowed un opposed passage to the invading army going to France?

If this happened would Germany have done well enough to dictate terms?

Would Britain threaten war with Belgium as well as Germany?
 
Was there anything that German Militarists have offered the Belgian politcal leadership which would haved allowed un opposed passage to the invading army going to France?

If this happened would Germany have done well enough to dictate terms?

Would Britain threaten war with Belgium as well as Germany?

I don't buy it - no country is going to surrender its sovereignty like that especially if it is likely to become a battlefield which it is very likely to.

Also it would be complicit in the act of war against France - its other neighbour

No sorry I don't think that this one would fly
 
The only way for this to happen would be for the Belgians to be in an Alliance with Germany, which still may or may not allow that to happen. To get Belgium to be in an alliance with Germany is very close to ASB. I'm sure that if you had a POD far enough back you could create such a thing, but the issue is that you almost certainty wouldn't have the WW1 that we know, assuming that even one occurs in TTL.
 
Did game this out once. It did let the German armies march through Belgium faster. The 'BUT' was it would lead to a faster French deployment of the 5th & 6th armies to counter the Germans. OTL the French waited a couple days before ordering the 5th army north.
 
I don't buy it - no country is going to surrender its sovereignty like that especially if it is likely to become a battlefield which it is very likely to.

Also it would be complicit in the act of war against France - its other neighbour

No sorry I don't think that this one would fly

We talking about Belgium and there a way...

first, explication about Belgium
it started as revolution of Flemish and Walloons against there Netherlands rule (1815-1830)
in 1840 the British diplomats consoldated the kingdom of Belgium as Buffer state between France, Netherlands and Prussia.
Even sign treat, if one invade Belgium, Britain will send troops to help Belgium, what happen 1914.

But internal Belgium had problems, serious problems
from begin the french speaking Walloons aristocrat and industrials forming the Political elite and government
The dutch speaking Flemish were consider by Walloon bourgeoisie, as dirty farmers, even consider them lower as "Negros" in that Time
French became the only official language in Belgium and all secondary and higher education in the Dutch language was abolished.
The Walloon even used the word " flamande" as insult
it take until 1898 that flemish dutch is declared equal languages in laws and Royal orders.
But still Administration work and higher education are in french including the discrimination of Flemish there.
The first world War was game changer in that because the Flemish cooperate with Germans (also in ww2) in hope to get better living conditions for them.
After the WW1 king Albert consolidated the Belgium's, on edge of flemish uprise against Walloons
but it take until 1930 for first Flemish University is open, even to 1967 until the Belgium constitution is translate into dutch for flemish.


So what has that to do with German Empire demand for passage to the invading army going to France?
Allot What If:

-Emperor Wilhelm II believed just asking king Albert would solve the problem, what let BEF landing in France.
But had Germans High Command be better informed about social and political problems of Belgium
They could have turn to Flemish leaders for Deal for free passage true Belgium in exchange for free Flanders

-Or the Flemish had enough and start uprise against the Walloon suppressor, and German imperial Army march in Belgium to "restore order" in begin of 20 century.

-Another Pod would that flemish extremist killing King Albert and his infant son Leopold inherit the Belgium Throne.
since there are no adult male member of Royal family in that time, the civilian government has take the reign until the King reach age of 21 years.
Here this Government could do also a peaceful deal with German Empire for free passage true Belgium.
 
The only way for this to happen would be for the Belgians to be in an Alliance with Germany, which still may or may not allow that to happen. To get Belgium to be in an alliance with Germany is very close to ASB. I'm sure that if you had a POD far enough back you could create such a thing, but the issue is that you almost certainty wouldn't have the WW1 that we know, assuming that even one occurs in TTL.

Actually it was very likely. King Albert was of German descent and all in favour of letting the Germans pass through. Moreover, the continuous strife between the suppressed Flemings and the elitist Walloons could easily have led to such a thing, if the Germans had played their cards right.
 

NoMommsen

Donor
Actually it was very likely. King Albert was of German descent and all in favour of letting the Germans pass through.
:eek: As far as I remember what I've read about the german ultimatum to Belgium, the King was one of the FIRST to object.
 
Actually it was very likely. King Albert was of German descent and all in favour of letting the Germans pass through.

Yes he was of German origin and he try to have good relation to German Government and Emperor
But he was first to say NO to harsh Ultimatum by Germans for passage of there Army !
After the WW1 Albert I. removed the family name "Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha" and simply refer as "King Albert from Belgium"

in November 1913, Albert I. visit the German Emperor Wilhelm II at Berlin.
the Emperor explain him there will be war between German Empire and France
During a State dinner Generale Staf Helmuth von Moltke tattled about Belgium foolishness if they resist the Passage of Germany Army.
here King Albert I. insist the his Kingdom is Neutral do the treaties of 1839 and 1856 and that any invasion let intervention of Britain.

And on 2 August the German high command send there ultimatum "Free passage or in 24 Hours we invade you nation"
It was clear for Albert I. to refused that.

(source Sophie de Schaepdrijver; De Groote Oorlog: het Koninkrijk België tijdens de Eerste Wereldoorlog 2013)
 
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