Longer WW1 how?

I wonder if there are ways Germany and Austria could have lasted longer.

I suspect that their leaderships were too incompetent but here are my thoughts of those Empires' best chances of survival from 1917

1) After the February Revolution publicly offere reasonable terms to Russia- no anexation of Russian territory, but a willingness to provide food. Russia to accept Austrian rule in the Balkans

2) Offer Italy generous terms after the Italian defeat at Caporeto?

(Possibly offer Italy Nice, Savoy and Malta if they attack France)

Any other options?
 

BlondieBC

Banned
I wonder if there are ways Germany and Austria could have lasted longer.

I suspect that their leaderships were too incompetent but here are my thoughts of those Empires' best chances of survival from 1917

1) After the February Revolution publicly offere reasonable terms to Russia- no anexation of Russian territory, but a willingness to provide food. Russia to accept Austrian rule in the Balkans

2) Offer Italy generous terms after the Italian defeat at Caporeto?

(Possibly offer Italy Nice, Savoy and Malta if they attack France)

Any other options?

Romania does not enter war. This event gives the CP both several extra armies to use in other theaters, it also supplies 1 million tons of cereal to A-H in 1917 and 1918. This gives about 400 calories per day to each A-H citizen on average. Easily gets you into 1919.

How long do you want the war to last?

The CP leaders in areas was quite good (most German generals) and quite bad (USW warfare, some economic issues related to food). But the same can be said of the Entente. The UK did things very well (great PR, great campaign to get USA into war, good job keep country from revolt) and very bad decisions (too many battleship, not enough escorts, Gallipoli, financial management).
 
An Italy neutral and leaning to the CP mean that the blockade is not very airthigt and supply can get to Berlin and Vienna (plus Romania will probably remaining neutral) at the same time italians can go to France and occupy much space in the worker force meaning more men can be sent on the frontline.
 

BlondieBC

Banned
2) Offer Italy generous terms after the Italian defeat at Caporeto?

(Possibly offer Italy Nice, Savoy and Malta if they attack France)

Any other options?

What do you see as generous terms? Italy could always have Nice, Savoy, and Malta if they were strong enough to win the war. The CP offering these is not really offering much. What is the CP giving to the Italians? Tyrol? Trieste? Or are you thinking prewar borders?

I have trouble seeing any terms the CP would really offer and the Italians would accept. The sides were just too far apart by Caporeto.
 
What do you see as generous terms? Italy could always have Nice, Savoy, and Malta if they were strong enough to win the war. The CP offering these is not really offering much. What is the CP giving to the Italians? Tyrol? Trieste? Or are you thinking prewar borders?

I have trouble seeing any terms the CP would really offer and the Italians would accept. The sides were just too far apart by Caporeto.

I agree...IRC basically after Caporetto Germany offered Italy a white peace with a return to the prewar situation and was refused.
Maybe after a failure at Caporetto (who is the usual bloodbath from both side) the socialist decide that is too much and begin to stir some protest and the CP basically offer what was proposed (plus some hint at some kind of minor colonia compensation) for Italian neutrality if they sign a peace (it's almost ASB i know)
 
1. Keep the US out altogether
2. Keep Italy neutral but trading with both sides
3. Romania stays neutral
4. No Gallipoli
5. Russia settles 3-6 months later
6. No German 1918 offensive - let the French be bled by a defensive war
7. French mutiny in 1917 allows Germans to gain ground but not win
8. Leadership changes favoring defense on both sides
9. More U-boat successes mean less supplies to the UK
10. Mexico and Japan believe the Zimmerman Telegram and bring war to US distracting her from getting involved until later 1918 / 1919
 
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