It's not going to be less ludicrous just because time passes. You need something to build on and interest in building in it.
OK, now I'm starting to get a Richard Pipes vibe off of you...
Bruce
It's not going to be less ludicrous just because time passes. You need something to build on and interest in building in it.
OK, now I'm starting to get a Richard Pipes vibe off of you...
Bruce
A potential here is for the Germans to come closer to winning in 1918 than they did IOTL, meaning fear of the existent potential of a resurgent Germany is more immediately on the brain than fear of a Soviet threat that 1920 would show at least for the short term doesn't exist. You need the Germans to do some really, really stupid things.
Wouldn't that just cause France to rip out the Rhineland, in all likelihood?
Yes, and in that case the Soviets don't have a Germany that benefits them in much of a notable way to consider bargaining with, either.![]()
And, in that case... well, the Soviet Union may be more focused on because Germany now has no way of threatening anyone, or at least not France. France can just fortify Rhineland, and will give Germany an impossible military situation.
And by comparison the Soviets have every reason to want to be conciliatory to Allies who've already proven willing to drop the hammer on Germany, no? Regardless of their sincerity in this matter.