Major war between Russia and Germany 1880-90s

Is it possible for a Major war between Germany and Russia in the 1880s or 1890s? Adding on other powers is allowed.

The pod can came after 1871.
 
A war between Russia on one side and Austria-Hungary and Germany over the Balkans would not be impossible to engineer in the 1880s-1890s. The problem would be getting the Russians to start such a war, because the odds were overwhelmingly against them: Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire all opposed her goals in the Balkans, and Britain opposed her goals in Asia and so would not be sympathetic to Russian aims in the Balkans.
 
Bismarck occasionally raised the spectre of war against Russia in the 1880s, so it was not considered impossible per se. But it would have to be the outcome of a miscalculation. It's not in Germany's interest to start it, and certainly not in Russia's.
 
Bismarck occasionally raised the spectre of war against Russia in the 1880s, so it was not considered impossible per se. But it would have to be the outcome of a miscalculation. It's not in Germany's interest to start it, and certainly not in Russia's.

Why would you say it's not in Germany's interests (not disagreeing, interested)? As far as I can see, Germany holds the aces: a more modern military than Russia; potential for Austro-Hungarian assistance, maybe Ottoman as well; British neutrality. The main downside, which is always the case with regards Germany, is that there's the potential of a two-front war, if France gets involved. The benefit, though, would be domination of the Baltic + Poland.
 

Maur

Banned
Why would you say it's not in Germany's interests (not disagreeing, interested)? As far as I can see, Germany holds the aces: a more modern military than Russia; potential for Austro-Hungarian assistance, maybe Ottoman as well; British neutrality. The main downside, which is always the case with regards Germany, is that there's the potential of a two-front war, if France gets involved. The benefit, though, would be domination of the Baltic + Poland.
The cornerstone of Bismarck foreign policy was close relations with Russia. And for good reason i would say, after it collapsed the Russo-German enmity didnt bode well for Germany (nor Russia, but thats another point)
 
Why would you say it's not in Germany's interests (not disagreeing, interested)? As far as I can see, Germany holds the aces: a more modern military than Russia; potential for Austro-Hungarian assistance, maybe Ottoman as well; British neutrality. The main downside, which is always the case with regards Germany, is that there's the potential of a two-front war, if France gets involved. The benefit, though, would be domination of the Baltic + Poland.

i dont know I mean, I know the russians learned from the disaster that was the crimean war but i cant see germany having the capabilities to invade deep into russian territory especially given revanchist france on its border and other issues. Austria Hungary, well if the russians had a poor military the austrians had a worse one I think.

The Ottomans, well I dont see how they could defeat the Russians either, I mean yeah the defenses in the Caucasus were nothing to sneeze at but I hardly see the ottomans launching an invasion of russia proper.

I see the war lasting a couple years with german victories in the short term leading to either the czar suing for peace, Germany reaching its logistical limits and the russians go on the offensive once more, or France intervenes to prop up its ally russia.

As for Austria Hungary, I dont see how they could help the german effort muh.
 
Why would you say it's not in Germany's interests (not disagreeing, interested)? As far as I can see, Germany holds the aces: a more modern military than Russia; potential for Austro-Hungarian assistance, maybe Ottoman as well; British neutrality. The main downside, which is always the case with regards Germany, is that there's the potential of a two-front war, if France gets involved. The benefit, though, would be domination of the Baltic + Poland.

Russia has nothing that Germany really wants at this point. Prussia has more Poles than it knows what to do with already, and no interest in dominating the Baltic. A conflict with Russia ensures a hostile power on either flank (detente with France was considered unthinkable at that point). Berlin and St Petersburg have a shared interest in keeping the lid on the nationalities question, and neither is invested in the other's quarrels. The Russians don't care about Alsace-Lorraine or the Place in the Sun, and Germany isn't invested in the Straits or Liaodong. Remember, this is not the time when major powers go to war with the aim of destroying one another. The assumption is that even in victory, the other side will remain a powerful neighbour. In a war, Germany would bleed (and risk defeat with france at her back) for gains to Austria-Hungary and, potentially, Britain, but any lands it took it would become a liability, not an asset.
 
As for Austria Hungary, I dont see how they could help the german effort muh.

Not like they could field millions of soldiers and only did half as badly as they did OTL because they were fighting on two fronts with two different plans and each year the demands only grew...

AH would be roughly on par with Russia at this point possibly better. It and Germany would wipe the floor with the Russians.
 
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