Ethiopia Joined the Central Powers in World War I?

I just read an interesting article here (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-37428682) about Kaiser Wilhelm's effort to entice the Ethiopians to join the Germans and the Ottomans in their fight against the British, the French and the Italians. He believed that the Ethiopians would distract a lot of troops to the Horn of Africa front, would induce a rebellion in Sudan, and would be able to help the Germans and Ottomans in threatening the Suez Canal. If this effort had been succesful, what would have happened? Would it be disastrous for the Ethiopians?
 
I just read an interesting article here (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-37428682) about Kaiser Wilhelm's effort to entice the Ethiopians to join the Germans and the Ottomans in their fight against the British, the French and the Italians. He believed that the Ethiopians would distract a lot of troops to the Horn of Africa front, would induce a rebellion in Sudan, and would be able to help the Germans and Ottomans in threatening the Suez Canal. If this effort had been succesful, what would have happened? Would it be disastrous for the Ethiopians?

Almost certainly, yes. It would distract a number of Entente troops, but the conclusion is almost foregone. Also, civil war IN Ethiopia is extremely likely (it occurred IOTL at that point, partly over WWI allegiance) and would probably destroy the country entirely in this scenario.
Most likely endgame: partition and full-scale colonization.
 
This doesn't sound like it'd work out too well in the long run for Ethiopia, not when the prince was a div and the nobility & church wouldn't be happy - and they'd be fighting a harder war in Sudan after the initial victories. It'd all depend on if Germany was right and this would allow them to take the Suez Canal.

And then they'd have to keep hold of it, because if the British take it back & soon then they don't achieve much. I'd guess the best case scenario for the Central Powers is that they take Suez and are able to cripple the Empire's supply chain, and they won't care what happens to Ethiopia as long as it doesn't impact on them (if they win, they could show up to "help" Iyasu in exchange for concessions).

Sounds like the biggest impact would be that it'd pre-empt the Arab Revolt though. That would give us the Central Powers still losing but the Middle East in a very different place: the Ottoman Empire hasn't totally fallen, the new Arab states aren't, uprisings in British-controlled areas etc.
 
Could pressure on Kenya give more space for Lettow-Vorbeck to do anything handy? How could things have dovetailed with the Islamic revolt in Darfur?
 
Could pressure on Kenya give more space for Lettow-Vorbeck to do anything handy? How could things have dovetailed with the Islamic revolt in Darfur?
I imagine Lettow-Vorbeck would have had much more success in Tanzania. He would have been able to do more damage, since the British don't have as many troops. Depending on when Ethiopia joins the war, Lettow-Vorbeck might have been able to prevent the fall of the colony for much longer.
 
During WW1, the Germans sent a zeppelin (LZ 104/L 59) to attempt aerial resupply of German East Africa. The airship was intended to be dismantled at its destination and consumed for supplies to sustain the Lettow-Vorbeck's command.The airship was sent in November 1917 but turned back because the British captured its prospective landing zone (Mahenge vicinity). The airship aborted earlier flights due to bad weather. Perhaps it is more successful in this scenario?
 

BlondieBC

Banned
Your forget about the Suez since the Ethiopians have no navy. Same for direct action against Egypt. Now the action is very likely to cause extreme concern in the UK. And how it plays out depends on the UK. The UK can really just ignore it besides maybe another division or two in Southern Egypt, Sudan, or Ethiopian coast ports. These don't have to be great divisions, and you probably have just a minor effect on the war. One of those, the war last 3 weeks longer type ATL no one likes to write. Or the UK can try to take Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a big place that can just absorb a divisions, even corps. It is a big logistical strain to get supplies deep into the interior. And then the question becomes "Where did the UK get these 4-12 divisions from. Wherever this is from, it is a big win for the CP. Cancel Gallipoli, and you get wonderful butterflies for the Ottomans. Pull them out of Flanders one division at a time, and German does better in many different ways. For example here, major UK action in Ethiopia probably solves (partially) solves in the west that stopped the 1915 offensive versus the Russians. Here, it will be a longer campaign stopped by winter. If the UK goes big into Ethiopia, there is a good chance the CP get a win.
 

BlondieBC

Banned
During WW1, the Germans sent a zeppelin (LZ 104/L 59) to attempt aerial resupply of German East Africa. The airship was intended to be dismantled at its destination and consumed for supplies to sustain the Lettow-Vorbeck's command.The airship was sent in November 1917 but turned back because the British captured its prospective landing zone (Mahenge vicinity). The airship aborted earlier flights due to bad weather. Perhaps it is more successful in this scenario?

As crazy as it sounds, you would be more likely to get supplies by transporting by rail to Arabia, departing Jeddah, and trying to sneak a ship or two past the British forces. It all depends on if the CP hold any ports by the time Serbia falls and limited supplies can be gotten to Arabia.
 

yourworstnightmare

Banned
Donor
Ethiopia erupts into Civil War faster than OTL, and this time the Entente actively support the rebels.

Not to mention there were treaties between France, UK and Italy to divide the country if it collapses.

But Ras Mikael wouldn't be dumb enough to officially declare war on the Central Powers, while surrounded by the Entente, and well knowing the Amharan nobles were plotting the end of his son's regime.
 
The Kaiser is like that one friend that tries to get you to make self destructive decisions. He's not good with money or decisions, he always has schemes to get ahead, and he tries to drag you into them and it just becomes a burden.

"C'mon, Mexico. You can totally get the Southwest from America. You used to be cool, man. Remember that beef you had with France? I know it was a while ago, but I'm telling you, he's talking shit about you again. Yeah. You and me, Mexico, we should go over to his house and call him out."
 
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