Hi, I'm new here, so please forgive me if this topic has been overdone...
As the title says, how would things change if the German Empire allied herself with the Russian Empire instead of Austria-Hungary?
1) When would the PoD have to be for this to take place?
2) Would this prevent WWI? My thought is that the war would be more limited than OTL. Assuming Archduke Ferdinand is still assassinated and AH issues an ultimatum on Serbia, Russia would mobilize. Germany might stay out of this imminent war, but I could see Wilhelm II intervening. A combined Russo-German offense would probably knock AH out quick.
3) What about France? I can see Wilhelm II striking at France, but most likely no Schlieffen Plan. Germany doesn't need to worry about a two-front war, so even if she did attack France, would German leaders risk GB entering the war by invading Belgium? Trench warfare might still happen, but w/o GB (and probably no USA) and w/ AH out, Germany and Russia would have the advantage (could Italy join at this point?). So would France surrender?
4) Russian Revolution? I'm not sure if the Russian Revolution would flare up, but pretty sure no Bolshevik Russia.
5) Would Germany and Russia be able to keep the war to just AH and France and pull out a victory? Or would GB intervene at some point?