CHALLENGE: Make every Great power happy without massively screwing up another one

[Gancio The Ranter]

Basically what the title says, find a way to make every Great power happy at whatever point in time you prefer. The only rule is that no great power has to be too screwed

 

[Analytical Engine]

This is hard, considering several of them had overlapping territorial claims.

 

[Citycat]

The year is 1914 with an 1871 POD:

• Germany - doesn't annex Alsace-Lorraine from France. Kaiser Frederick William III doesn't die of throat cancer in 1888. Germany liberalises into a constitutional monarchy and pursues Bismarck's foreign policy of not seeking any colonies and focuses on Central and Eastern European affairs, and maintains the Three Emperors League.
• France - without the loss of Alsace-Lorraine, France is content with having the second largest colonial empire in the world.
• United Kingdom - already the dominant world power, without the naval challenge from Germany is very happy. Settles its differences with France and Russia as per OTL.
• Russia - feels more secure due to friendship with Germany. Germany encourages Russia to settle its differences with Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Russia moderates its goals in Central Asia and the Far East, builds better relationships with Britain and Japan which improves its security, and focuses on its internal development.
• Austria-Hungary - feels more secure due to Germany's stabilising influence in its region. Sells its Italian populated areas to Italy, and grants greater autonomy to burdensome parts of the empire.
• Italy - content with it's OTL 1919 borders after buying Italia Irredenta from Austria, plus its colonial empire. Wins at Adowa and annexes Ethiopia. Has enough territory to absorb and maintain with its current resources.
• Japan - controls Korea and Taiwan. Avoids Russo-Japanese War, as Russia recognised its influence in Korea, so is content with its gains.
• United States - content with its "Monroe Doctrine" as per OTL. Similar to the UK's "splendid isolation". With no significant external threat, and regional domination they are happy to stay in their own bubble.

 

[riggerrob]

All of what martymcfly said plus more prosperous airlines during the 1930s. Major nations would start the trend with long-range airlines connecting their colonies. Factories would make larger profits building airliners instead of bombers. Hitler’s corporate backers would “advise” him not to upset the apple cart.
History tells us that whoever controls the high ground .... controls! Just look at: castles, gothic cathedrals, skyscrapers, radio, airplanes, satellites, drones, etc.