Hey Guys,
In 1926 the Weimar Republic and Belgium began secret negotiations over the purchase of the 'East Cantons', also called Eupen-Malmedy. These were predominantly German areas and had only been ceded to Belgium in the Treaty of Versailles. However when the French got wind of the negotiations they were livid and the talks were broken up.
However what if this hadn't happened? The most likely scenario I can conceive of is the secret negotiations remain secret and so, by the time the purchase is finalised, it's too late for the French. What would European reactions be to the annexations? I'm guessing the Germans would be pretty darn happy about getting back some land with Germans in, it'd certainly fuel the irredentists.
How would France react, while they may still be livid would could they really do about it? What would Britain do etc?
In 1926 the Weimar Republic and Belgium began secret negotiations over the purchase of the 'East Cantons', also called Eupen-Malmedy. These were predominantly German areas and had only been ceded to Belgium in the Treaty of Versailles. However when the French got wind of the negotiations they were livid and the talks were broken up.
However what if this hadn't happened? The most likely scenario I can conceive of is the secret negotiations remain secret and so, by the time the purchase is finalised, it's too late for the French. What would European reactions be to the annexations? I'm guessing the Germans would be pretty darn happy about getting back some land with Germans in, it'd certainly fuel the irredentists.
How would France react, while they may still be livid would could they really do about it? What would Britain do etc?