MagicalRabbit
Banned
What if, in addition to Alsace-Lorraine, Germany decides to acquire Briey and Longwy (possibly as a part of a German acquisition of all of Lorraine) from France in 1871?
(Yes, I know that the importance of these two areas wasn't yet known back then; however, nevertheless, Germany could still decide to acquire somewhat more French territory in 1871 than it did in real life without provoking the other European Great Powers due to Germany coming to the conclusion that since post-1871 Franco-German relations will be extremely strained either way, Germany should not hesitate to take even more territory from France while it still can.)
If the massive iron ore deposits in Briey and Longwy are in German hands since 1871, how much more slowly are France and Russia (which, after 1887 or so, became very dependent on French loans) going to industrialize? In turn, how exactly does this affect the European balance-of-power, the European alliance system, and European politics in the years and especially decades after 1871?
Also, Yes, this is certainly a pre-1900 event; however, many of the consequences of this event would certainly occur after 1900.
(Yes, I know that the importance of these two areas wasn't yet known back then; however, nevertheless, Germany could still decide to acquire somewhat more French territory in 1871 than it did in real life without provoking the other European Great Powers due to Germany coming to the conclusion that since post-1871 Franco-German relations will be extremely strained either way, Germany should not hesitate to take even more territory from France while it still can.)
If the massive iron ore deposits in Briey and Longwy are in German hands since 1871, how much more slowly are France and Russia (which, after 1887 or so, became very dependent on French loans) going to industrialize? In turn, how exactly does this affect the European balance-of-power, the European alliance system, and European politics in the years and especially decades after 1871?
Also, Yes, this is certainly a pre-1900 event; however, many of the consequences of this event would certainly occur after 1900.