Well, the search function does not seem to be working, so I'm forced to create a new thread and ask the experts about their opinions about the outcome of a Franco-German war in the 1890s.
First, let's assume that the political conditions for this war are met (Boulanger takes over in 1889, Kaiser Bill loses it, random crisis ends in escalation, whatever) and War is declared in say...1896, or 1898...
And let's of course assume two scenarios:
1. France and Germany go one on one, which is interesting although somewhat one-sided and unlikely;
2. Russia and France vs Germany and Austria-Hungary, a conventional war, albeit with an isolationist Britain and neutral Belgium
There is of course no Schlieffen plan, so, how do you think the war develops?
Are the Russians and the French in a better position than in 1914? Or the Germans and Austrians in a worse one, military or politically speaking?