As it says on the can, what if Austria-Hungary had a sudden change of heart after the outbreak of WWI?
Here's the scenario:
Austria-Hungary realised they were being too heavy handed after issuing the ultimatum to Serbia, especially as Serbia accepted most of the terms and extended the olive branch and were reasonable in their response to Austria.
Austria realises that it could reconcile with Serbia and war with Russia isn't worth it.
They also come to the realisation that Germany is a domineering and dangerous ally, as the Kaiser's arrogant and clumsy diplomacy from the 1890s onwards alienated every Great Power in the world against Austria.
By allying with Germany, all of the other major powers became enemies of Austria-Hungary by default. At the time when the Dual Alliance was signed, only Russia was a potential enemy - now France, Britain, Japan and the US were either enemies or hostile, in addition to Russia. Austria-Hungary could engage with the rest of the world, as none of these powers were true enemies with major clashes of interests with Austria, instead of having to side with a diplomatically isolated Germany.
The Allies don't see Austria-Hungary as a major threat, but they still want to destroy Germany. They offer peace with Austria in exchange for Vienna declaring war on Germany. Austria-Hungary are offered slices of German territory should Germany be defeated. For the Allies, this will weaken Germany post war and help maintain a balance of power in Europe.
For the Austrian government, they see the odds in favour of an Allied victory, and acquiring German territory will help balance the empire with a larger German population.
How would the war go with a Franco-Russian-Austrian offensive, and British blockade on Germany? Would Germany surrender quickly?
Or would there be trench warfare, except on German soil instead of France?
If the war dragged on for longer, would Germany be starved into submission by 1917?
Or would a fragile power like Austria-Hungary allow Germany to make even more gains in Central & Eastern Europe than in OTL?
Here's the scenario:
Austria-Hungary realised they were being too heavy handed after issuing the ultimatum to Serbia, especially as Serbia accepted most of the terms and extended the olive branch and were reasonable in their response to Austria.
Austria realises that it could reconcile with Serbia and war with Russia isn't worth it.
They also come to the realisation that Germany is a domineering and dangerous ally, as the Kaiser's arrogant and clumsy diplomacy from the 1890s onwards alienated every Great Power in the world against Austria.
By allying with Germany, all of the other major powers became enemies of Austria-Hungary by default. At the time when the Dual Alliance was signed, only Russia was a potential enemy - now France, Britain, Japan and the US were either enemies or hostile, in addition to Russia. Austria-Hungary could engage with the rest of the world, as none of these powers were true enemies with major clashes of interests with Austria, instead of having to side with a diplomatically isolated Germany.
The Allies don't see Austria-Hungary as a major threat, but they still want to destroy Germany. They offer peace with Austria in exchange for Vienna declaring war on Germany. Austria-Hungary are offered slices of German territory should Germany be defeated. For the Allies, this will weaken Germany post war and help maintain a balance of power in Europe.
For the Austrian government, they see the odds in favour of an Allied victory, and acquiring German territory will help balance the empire with a larger German population.
How would the war go with a Franco-Russian-Austrian offensive, and British blockade on Germany? Would Germany surrender quickly?
Or would there be trench warfare, except on German soil instead of France?
If the war dragged on for longer, would Germany be starved into submission by 1917?
Or would a fragile power like Austria-Hungary allow Germany to make even more gains in Central & Eastern Europe than in OTL?
Last edited: