Franco-Prussian War spins out of control into a World War?

[raharris1973]

At the moment I'm fiddling with an idea that sees the Franco-Prussian War turn into a World War in 1870. Frankly I'm having a hard time coming up with a possible action that would create such an event during the war itself. I really don't want to have a secret treaty between the French and someone. The Austrians though wanting revenge for 1866 know the Hungarians wouldn't support such a war. The Italians want stuff the French are guarding or have. The Russians, are not likely taking part in this and I don't know if its possible at first to get the British in on this.

So I'm asking you guys, what is possible to get the F-P War to go into a World War or start it on the path to becoming one?

For some reason, I imagine it would be easier for the Franco-Austrian War, a dozen years before, to turn into a world war. If the Franco-Austrian war in Italy stalemates and is prolonged, I could imagine the Prussians and other German states coming in on the Austrian side. It could be considered a struggle between the Teutonic League (Germany, Austria) and Latin League (France, Piedmont-Italy) and from there other powers like Britain and/or Russia might get involved.

 

[FillyofDelphi]

For some reason, I imagine it would be easier for the Franco-Austrian War, a dozen years before, to turn into a world war. If the Franco-Austrian war in Italy stalemates and is prolonged, I could imagine the Prussians and other German states coming in on the Austrian side. It could be considered a struggle between the Teutonic League (Germany, Austria) and Latin League (France, Piedmont-Italy) and from there other powers like Britain and/or Russia might get involved.

A stalemated war for any length of time in 1859 is a lost war for Austria if it's against a nation as well-capitalized as France. Vienna can't afford an extended conflict at full bore and they know it (Look at any government statements from the 30's onward), and the French will easily, with their banking systems and industrial advantage, easily out produce them and run them through their stocks. Austria would sue for peace before the war could expand

 

[Mort the Reaper]

I think a world war in the 1870s would probably butterfly (or at least delay) the Scramble for Africa. After all, the desire for further adventures would probably be pretty low, even assuming the countries were in good enough shape to pursue colonization.