World War 1 killed three major multi-ethnic empires: Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottomans. Of the three, Russia did the best, and recovered much of its lost non-Russian territory in the next war. Suppose, however, that there is no World War 1. How do these empires fare? Which is best positioned to make it, intact, to, say 1939 (I figure the historical start of WW2 is a nice arbitrary date, and its a quarter century after the start of WW1)?
Each has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, of course. Don't be afraid to take into consideration foreign intervention, as well. Just no World War. Just as one example (with no commentary on its likelihood), perhaps the other powers decide to carve up the Ottomans when they realize how much oil there is in the middle east.
Each has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, of course. Don't be afraid to take into consideration foreign intervention, as well. Just no World War. Just as one example (with no commentary on its likelihood), perhaps the other powers decide to carve up the Ottomans when they realize how much oil there is in the middle east.