PC: No A-L annexation 1870 = earlier Franco-German axis of cooperation

So, Russo-German breakdown equates to a French-Russian rapprochement and encirclement, but the reverse does not hold? As in, it doesn't necessarily mean France would kiss up to Germany if the Germans have Europe's Gendarmes as their allies - since then the Germans would have no need for the French advances, and it would also imply a France - Germany - Russia axis which historically has never really happened.

In order for the French and Germans to become friends or even allies, the equations of power configurations you outline implies that Russia must in some way become hostile to Russia, and be closed off as an alliance option for France, for France and Germany to draw closer? Can anyone think of how that array might come about?
Well, as I see it, the best way is a distraction. THe only possible distraction would be Britain. If the Great Game between Russia and Britain becomes more hostile and active, Russia will reduce its focus on the Balkan, thus reducing tensions with A-H and A-H-friendly Germany. Meanwhile, a Britain willing to be more hostile to Russia may be willing to be hostile to France, too. In such an environment, Russia and France might of course shack up together and incidentally be seen as a threat to Germany - but Russia might also seek a German alliance (given Germany's growing strength at sea) while not wanting to be distracted by France's squabbles with Britain (instead preferring France to distract Britain from the German-Russian alliance).

Of course that does lend itself to a grand alliance of the continent as was nearly seen during the American Revolutionary War - and it will end as soon as Britain has been forced to be less actively hostile and instead goes back to a slightly-lower-than-historical level of tension-seeking and a slightly higher level of tension-avoidance. There might be one more or less punitive peace, losing Ireland or some chunks of Africa. Of course this would be far worse than historical for Britain, so this does require Britain to be given the idiot ball for at least 1 or 2 crises.
 
Pretty much this. Till 1916 BEF was not a game changer in any sense of the word and it showed in its preparation for the war. it was 1915 that did a number on the French army and still they were the ones that shouldered most of it.
I always note how the English speaking world treats Mons,forgets the French at the Somme etc.


That's how it often is.

I heard a lovely story about an attempt to draft a common European history syllabus for the EU. It supposedly foundered over the Battle of Waterloo, because the British members all wrote about how Wellington won it, the Germans all wrote about how Blucher won it, and the French all wrote about how Napoleon came second!
 
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Thought this would be an interesting image to post.

klytKIM.jpg
 
I don't think France would object, given that they held referendums (under Swiss supervision) for the annexion of Nice and Savoy, after getting them from Italy by treaty.

OTOH, getting a result which favor going to Germany in Alsace in 1871 is either ASB or so obvious ballot stuffing noone will recognise it.
Those elections were by no means neutral.

Borders are decided by force of arms and great power politics, not plebescites, unless you think that A-L getting full independence from both countries would have been accepted by France in 1918 or even 1913?
 
Thought this would be an interesting image to post.

If we`re going to bring up the heroism of the French, then this image is more relevant than a Polandball comic.

Jean-Michel%20Nicolier.jpg


This is Jean Michel Nicolier, a French volunteer during the Battle of Vukovar. During the three months he spent in the batle he was wounded twice, and he stayed in the besieged city until it fell, and after it fell he was killed in this massacre. He was posthumously awarded with Croatia`s highest award for valor and heroism, and a bridge in Vukovar was named in his honour in 2014.

There. Is that enough to put an end to this rediculous argument and actually get back to the subject at hand?
 
I am not sure why, but the idea of a Polish minority in Southeast Asia resulting from a German Indochina instead of A-L and following Kulturkampf intrigues me.
 
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