alternatehistory.com

What would have been the most like scenario for a massive European war sometime between 1815 and 1900? That is, a war on at least the same scale as the Napoleonic Wars involving most or all of the major European powers, including the UK? My immediate thoughts center around 1848 and a more protracted quelling of the revolutions, or perhaps a more belligerent Napoleon III could also provide the requisite circumstances, but I'd like to know if anyone has other ideas beyond these. I'm looking ideally for a wholly ATL war, not just a resurgent Napoleon I or an earlier start to World War I. How likely would such a war be? Would it have the effect of aborting or mitigating the 20th century world wars?
Top