AHC: World War...in the late 1800s?

There's a thread like this one from years ago: (https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=296519) but it got stuck about 5 posts in with determining alliances between the powers.

I'd just like to know, broadly, what international incidents could lead to a world war, in the modern sense, from 1865-1900, who would be involved, and what would the war be like?

Brownie points for including the US!

I think the threat of a greater European war was in the air since the 1880es, when all the alliances between different powers were made and the rivaly between the colonial powers intensified. Theoretically, the Balkan Crisis in 1876 could have lead to a greater European War . The 1896 Fashoda crisis could have lead to a conflict between france and England., it is covered from time to time in this forum.

A 19th Century WW1 would lack the enormous industrial potential and technological advancement and production capability (tanks, flamethrowers, chemical warfare, certain mashineguns/riffles) However, the outcome would still be disastrous for sure.

If the US is involved in a war in the 1890es chances are high that Civil War veterans might join as volunteers (as they did in 1898 OTL) and commanding officers and generals of the Civil War are still in command.
 
I think the threat of a greater European war was in the air since the 1880es, when all the alliances between different powers were made and the rivaly between the colonial powers intensified. Theoretically, the Balkan Crisis in 1876 could have lead to a greater European War . The 1896 Fashoda crisis could have lead to a conflict between france and England., it is covered from time to time in this forum.

A 19th Century WW1 would lack the enormous industrial potential and technological advancement and production capability (tanks, flamethrowers, chemical warfare, certain mashineguns/riffles) However, the outcome would still be disastrous for sure.

If the US is involved in a war in the 1890es chances are high that Civil War veterans might join as volunteers (as they did in 1898 OTL) and commanding officers and generals of the Civil War are still in command.

Ok. That's two good PODs. However, how might these become war, and how might the US get involved? After the Civil War (and even during WWI) the country was terribly isolationist.
 
US Involvement

Historically, being seen to mess with American ships has been part of what's got the USA involved in a lot of wars. (Quasi-war, War of 1812, Great War, World War II, Barbary Wars...)

So--one side or the other messes overly much (as perceived by Americans, not necessarily as seen by international law) and then things get messy. Of course, by the 1980's, the USA getting involved would be a BAD THING for the other side, if the war is otherwise close...
 
Feburary 1899

Combine the Fashoda incident with this guy's scandalous death: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A9lix_Faure

Add in Bonapartists, Orleanists, British interests, German interests, and Spanish interests alongside a Republican government that does not want to lose power. Add Russian fear of German hegemony on the continent, a touch of Austrian imperialism, and some Italian irredentalism over Nice and Savoy, flavor to taste, and stand as far back as you can!

You get a five-way civil war (or six, if the Spanish support their own candidate) in France potentially spilling over into the rest of Europe and the Boers, Boxers, and other parties are watching. Poor control or spilling of the contents could cause Europe to go on a killing streak fifteen years early, possibly without American involvement. Or with Teddy Roosevelt at the helm!
 
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