Bigger German Empire

[Jlinker613]

Let's suppose that by 1914 the German Empire includes Denmark and Norway.

Yes it sounds ASB but in real life:
-in 1864 Denmark tried to join the German Confederation. It was Germany that denied them access.
-Many proponents of Norwegian independence also had Pan-German tendencies. Indeed the idea was somewhat widespread throughout the movement.

This would also leave the Danish VI, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, and Danish India under German control. (Danish India was sold in 1869)

So between 1864 and 1914 what differences would have occurred, and how would they have affected German power? How would this have affected German in WW1?

 

[Anderman]

Well i am obsessed with the idea that Belgium came German or better Prussian

https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=180416&highlight=Prussian+Belgium

and the Netherland could join too

 

[Alex Richards]

OK, lets go with Denmark somehow manages to join the German Confederation in 1864 as an alternate end to the Schleswig issue. Lets also say that this, somehow, doesn't cause a war between Prussia (who were the ones Denmark appealed to) and a combined Austro-Franco-British Alliance.

The most likely situation is that Austria renews efforts to bring the South German States into her sphere of influence. Frankly, the alternate Austro-Prussian War of 1866 could see the first big changes. Which side does Denmark choose, or does she go for watchful neutrality? Do we less support for Prussia with it seeming that she cares more about selfagrrandisment in the form of domination over Denmark than she does German Union? In terms of butterflies, Norway isn't due for independence for a while, though this could happen earlier. However, with the issues in Germany such as there are, it's debatable if there would be a German Empire, as opposed to a North German Confederation, to join.

 

[wietze]

is there a chance that the rest of the north german conferation goes against prussia too? Just to break her power.

 

[Reichenfaust]

Austria is annexed in the 1866 war, and then goes on to accumulate Norway and the Netherlands. Italy allies with Germany as its unification happened in this time and Germany looks favourably on its claims against France. Sweden joins 1870 because of promises of enforcing irredentist claims against Russia, resulting in the French and Russians picking this as a perfect time to declare war. Great war fought in 1871-1873, with the combined might of Germanic Empire and Italy able to break Russia, and France. The Ottomans join in at the last second to conquest the Caucasus and make some headway. Germany ceded the Italian areas of Austria to Italy, and was also bent on enforcing Italian claims against France. Germany gains Elsass-Lothringen, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland joins out of preference, and as well frees Poland, the Ukraine, the Baltic duchy's(incorporated as a separate kingdom in the Germanic Empire just like Sweden) Finland and the Karelian Peninsula. Italy gains all of its claims in France, and as well annexes the West coast of the Balkans, and gains Greece as a kingdom in the reborn Roman EmpireDlol).

There you go. Also Greenland and Iceland come along for the ride, with the dutch colonies. Naval guarantee treaty with the British so as not to disturb their already wrinkled brows.

 

[Kooluk Swordsman]

Austria is annexed in the 1866 war, and then goes on to accumulate Norway and the Netherlands. Italy allies with Germany as its unification happened in this time and Germany looks favourably on its claims against France. Sweden joins 1870 because of promises of enforcing irredentist claims against Russia, resulting in the French and Russians picking this as a perfect time to declare war. Great war fought in 1871-1873, with the combined might of Germanic Empire and Italy able to break Russia, and France. The Ottomans join in at the last second to conquest the Caucasus and make some headway. Germany ceded the Italian areas of Austria to Italy, and was also bent on enforcing Italian claims against France. Germany gains Elsass-Lothringen, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland joins out of preference, and as well frees Poland, the Ukraine, the Baltic duchy's(incorporated as a separate kingdom in the Germanic Empire just like Sweden) Finland and the Karelian Peninsula. Italy gains all of its claims in France, and as well annexes the West coast of the Balkans, and gains Greece as a kingdom in the reborn Roman EmpireDlol).

There you go. Also Greenland and Iceland come along for the ride, with the dutch colonies. Naval guarantee treaty with the British so as not to disturb their already wrinkled brows.

That was a funny jokeReichenfaust.

 

[Reichenfaust]

That was a funny jokeReichenfaust.

I know, I know, not even the slightest bit possible in reality, but fun to go off on a tangent about

 

[Mikestone8]

is there a chance that the rest of the north german conferation goes against prussia too? Just to break her power.

There was no North German Confederation in 1866. It was created by Prussia the following year after her defeat of Austria.

The biggest north German states, Hanover and Saxony, did take the Austrian side. It made no difference.

 

[Monty Burns]

Let's suppose that by 1914 the German Empire includes Denmark and Norway.

[...]

So between 1864 and 1914 what differences would have occurred, and how would they have affected German power? How would this have affected German in WW1?

The main difference is that Germany is a naval power from the start. IOTL, the naval armament followed economic success - the merchant fleet needed protection. ITTL, the navy will be needed before the economic boom sets in.

For any other developments, it would be crucial to determine how unification happened. Did France join the war on the Austrian side? Did victorious Prussia offer a lenient peace to Austria? Is Austria still independent at all?

In any case, I think you could get a more likely scenario if Denmark and Prussia unite due to marriage in the 17th century.