Easiest POD to produce a Central Powers victory in WW1?

[James Ricker]

Have the Germans make a deal with Belgium
If they let German troops pass through Belgium, they will be financially compensated and get some territory from northeastern France When The War is over
That would delay British entry and speed up the German advance, Paris would fall before the British could intervene
France with surrender in 1914 and give up some colonial possessions Russia would realize how screwed they were in negotiate from a position of relative strength

 

[Coulsdon Eagle]

France is not an option. :

Instructions to the German ambassador in Paris:

You are to inquire if the French would like to be neutral in the upcoming struggle.

If the answer is yes, then you are to inform them that we require they turn over Toul and Verdun as a guarantee.

Don't see that one happening

Well, we are looking for a POD, so what if Germany took France at their word if they stated they would be neutral?

 

[Bomster]

Germany wins First Battle of The Marne and race to the Sea.
It won't end war by itself, but it will make France quit somewhere in 1915, because most likely Germans will control Channel Ports and Paris.

How does Germany win the race to the sea?

 

[Bomster]

Classics, no US entry.

It would be easy to do with worse Brusilov Offensive for Germany initially, but then is stopped anyway. Say pair of old Prussians fuck up and are sacked and sent into a retirement. On 2nd of January 1917, head of OKW is Falkenhayn and General Quartermaster is Mad Hoffmann. Falkenhayn opposed USW as he believed that there is no need to poke Us with needle.
USW vote on Crown Council fails thanking to Chancellor Betmann Hollweig and 2 aforementioned persons.

From here, Entente has 2 cases.
Best : October Revolution doesnt happen, or fails, PG stays in power Italy collapses after Caporetto, while Kerensky quits in January of 1918. War ends in January 1918 , with Entente having to cede Belgium, and Russia ceding @Kaiserboi version of Brest Litovsk territory. Bulgaria gets Macedonia and Dobruja, and Entente gets Ottoman Empire remnants as consolation prize.
Worst: UK starts to almost literally cannibalize it's own Empire to keep allies afloat. Italy BARELY holds after Caporetto, Russia goes as OTL, and come Spring-Summer 1918, remaining Western Entente members are swept by tidal wave of German offensives.
It all ends then somewhere in 1918, with Germany taking Belgium, probably adding to puppet belgium state Lille and Pas-De-Calais departments, taking from Belgium lands to Meuse, and annexing Nancy depratment from France outright. On the East full 100% Brest Litovsk Treaty would come to life.
Bulgaria gets everything they wanted, and Entente gets Ottoman Empire remnants as consolation prize

Would the US not entering the war really change things?

 

[Aghasverov]

Would the US not entering the war really change things?

There was a great crap-flinging train wreck of a thread on this subject a few months back (think it might've even wound up getting locked ) but it's worth searching for if you want some... ummm... divergent opinions on the subject