How/why? They aren't stupid: if they didn't that would be because they have another plan which they hope to win quickly (or, possibly, just easily, but those go hand in hand) with. They wouldn't just not invade Belgium, they'd want an alternative plan. Now, going east could do that, but, well, that'd have other effects, too, so...So, how do you guys think history would turn out if Belgium was not invaded?
Well, Britain stays out at first. Many would say that they would still look for a casus belli to enter, any casus belli at all... though I suppose Irish Home Rule could screw up things a bit (some politicians wanting to sort out internal problems before even considering entering the European War, etc).Leaving aside the tactical questions, Britain stays out. Other than that, not a clue.
The Cabinet was divided as it was in OTL about the declaration of war. Irish Home Rule dominates the landscape for the next five years in Britain, after which time the war is over. (Remember Home Rule passed in OTL but was never implemented.)Well, Britain stays out at first. Many would say that they would still look for a casus belli to enter, any casus belli at all... though I suppose Irish Home Rule could screw up things a bit (some politicians wanting to sort out internal problems before even considering entering the European War, etc).
There's quite a number of people here insisting that Britain would seek a way to enter the war (sort-off like the USA in the Second World War), regardless of other matters.The Cabinet was divided as it was in OTL about the declaration of war. Irish Home Rule dominates the landscape for the next five years in Britain, after which time the war is over. (Remember Home Rule passed in OTL but was never implemented.)
The only other possible route I can see for British entry to the war is the Ottomans declaring war on the Empire. Why would they do that in ttl though?
I've wondered about this myself. The Germans were afraid of a two-front war as well as potentially massive but slow Russian mobilization. So they decide to go after France first? Wouldn't it have made more sense to go after Russia first, taking advantage of their slow mobilization to smash them fast? All those big forts in A-L probably could have held the French off indefinitely while the German Army marches to St. Petersburg, and their is no need to go through Belgium.
But wasn't capturing French territory a major reason for the War? Russia only got involved because it was allied with France.
WWI wasn't like WWII, about racists taking over the world. It was about how proving that Germany was the strongest country in Europe, and gaining unimpeded control over Alsace-Lorraine.
Russia drew France in by supporting Serbia.
And Germany got drawn in by Austria-Hungary. Doesn't change the fact that Germany wanted to go to war with France. They had plans for mobilization that had been part of their doctrine for a decade. More than anything else, they were ready for war with France.
I've wondered about this myself. The Germans were afraid of a two-front war as well as potentially massive but slow Russian mobilization. So they decide to go after France first? Wouldn't it have made more sense to go after Russia first, taking advantage of their slow mobilization to smash them fast? All those big forts in A-L probably could have held the French off indefinitely while the German Army marches to St. Petersburg, and their is no need to go through Belgium.
So if Germany is still a threat to the Empire, but Belgium isn't in danger, some other casus belli has to be found - that is what you have foreign offices for.
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
Thats just not true.GB did not enter WWI because of Belgium or the Belgians, the British govrenment couldn't care less about an obscure country too small to swing a cat around in.
The Belgian neutrality was the casus belli that was created by events and used - all in order to stop Germany from becomming a threat to the Empire by being the dominant force on the European continent.
So if Germany is still a threat to the Empire, but Belgium isn't in danger, some other casus belli has to be found - that is what you have foreign offices for.
From this also follows, that hadn't Germany expanded her navy, colonial ambitions and anti-British retorics, GB would have been much less worried about what Germany did to who on the continent.
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
The irony of the Schlieffenplan is, that it was made to maybe beat one major power (France) , but would certainly draw another major power (GB) into the war.
If Germany had just stopped at their border to France and let them do the fighting, it would have been in a much stronger position.
a) France would be seen as the agressor, while Germany could send out peace notes all the time
b) No attack on Belgium --> no British entry. In fact. GB might even enter the war on CP side if France decides to attack through Belgium. The British-French alliance, the Entente, had no offensive character.
c) Defense > Offense in WWI ; spared a lot of troops
d) These troops could be used in Russia, an area so big that static trench warfare could be evaded.
e) Germany would win in the east, like in OTL.
f) Since the war in the west would be nothing else as a stalemate, giving its even smaller area of combat than in OTL, the French would probably give in at some point.
GB did not enter WWI because of Belgium or the Belgians, the British govrenment couldn't care less about an obscure country too small to swing a cat around in.
The Belgian neutrality was the casus belli that was created by events and used - all in order to stop Germany from becomming a threat to the Empire by being the dominant force on the European continent.
So if Germany is still a threat to the Empire, but Belgium isn't in danger, some other casus belli has to be found - that is what you have foreign offices for.
Regards
Steffen Redbeard
GB did not enter WWI because of Belgium or the Belgians, the British govrenment couldn't care less about an obscure country too small to swing a cat around in.
The Belgian neutrality was the casus belli that was created by events and used - all in order to stop Germany from becomming a threat to the Empire by being the dominant force on the European continent.
So if Germany is still a threat to the Empire, but Belgium isn't in danger, some other casus belli has to be found - that is what you have foreign offices for.
From this also follows, that hadn't Germany expanded her navy, colonial ambitions and anti-British retorics, GB would have been much less worried about what Germany did to who on the continent.
Regards
Steffen Redbeard