Reversed WWII? Germany and Russia swap roles.

[Lapsed Pacifist]

So what would this German 'Soviet Union' be like? Would it be multi-ethnic like the USSR, or completely German? Would it go through a civil war similar to Russia's? Would they team up with the Hungarian Soviets and/or try to annex Austria too? And how would the allies react to having a Communist power right in the middle of Europe?

Also, just have Italy go red (with or without a socialist Mussolini in charge) and that works fine.

Plus, what part would Poland play in this?

 

[Sternberg]

Well I do not know the history of Russia all that well, I would agree that Drakov would be best set to utilize the Church for backing and a show of legitimacy. As you said, he can secretly scorn and despise the Church and its followers as bugs to step on in the future, but for the beginnings it would be worthwhile to use their base to set in motion his pogroms and rounding up of the "Lesser" folks.

I will look forward to what more you may create.

Subscribing now.

Fair enough, but it might be better to wait until I decide to get a thread up for writing the timeline itself, as I'm using this thread to get a more solid founding for things.

Wellll the fact is that's not an entirely accurate picture of either of them. Hitler and Mussolini were anti-Christian only in two senses:

1) They saw the church, and mysticism in general, as pointless superstition that was useful for manipulating the masses

or

2) As a potential threat to their power

Unlike the Bolsheviks, whose objections to religion were deeply ideological, the situation with Mussolini and Hitler was much more in line with how most rulers with their level of power in any society with a strong organized religion tend to behave when they aren't pious. Heck there were medieval kings who made great shows of piety who engaged in much more direct attacks on religious establishment than anything Hitler or Mussolini did.

There's nothing to say Drakov would be privately contemptuous of Christianity but unless he has a deeper ideological or very personal motivation to his feelings it wouldn't make sense to go much beyond that. Fascist movements, at the end of the day, are basically giant grab-bags of everything far to the right of liberal democracy thrown together in the most opportunistic mish-mash possible. The only real common thread between them being their hyper-authoritarianism, obsession with the power of force and human will, and return to some mythical idealized past. That combination of traits leans much more in the direction of buttressing, subverting, and mobilizing the resources and institutions of the establishment to their support rather than destroying them.

Even with some of the really weird shit the Nazis did like Positive Christianity and the really loopy Himmler nuttiness there never was a concentrated push during the Nazi regime to eradicate Christianity. The only sense where they could be seen as anti-Christian would be theological if you see the virtual apotheosis of the Fuhrer as raising up a false god for worship but that's getting pretty abstract at that point.

Really in my opinion making Drakov a raving religious fascist nutjob would be a good way to make him even more terrifying. Just imagine Hitler who genuinely believes in his heart of hearts he's on a mission from God to save Mother Russia, someone like that could give Stalin nightmares.

Point taken.

Even though I've thought about Drakov being more like Hitler or Mussolini, I could try and make him a full-blown fanatic, maybe even to the point where he thinks he's the next messiah. Of course, I'd need to do more research on Russian Orthodoxy and other things to see if it all fits together, but what would you think of that?

How does his brand of reactionary politics play with the question of nationalism and jingoism vs pan-Eurasianism? Is this seen as some kind of equal union or more like Russia is on top and everyone else is along for the ride or else? The answer of what they're uniting it against (Communism) is pretty clear but how do they justify it internally to the die-hards?

You might also want to think about what's going to happen with France and Britain in this situation. France would very likely go fascist or at least some kind of military dictatorship following a German Revolution. If Italy is involved in the war AT ALL and gets similar or worse treatment to what they had OTL then Mussolini or one of his cronies (Balbo's always a favorite) rising to power on a tide of blackshirts if Italy doesn't also go communist along with Germany.

Now Britain on the sidelines is in a messy situation. On one hand as the birthplace of capitalism seeing Communism arise pretty much in-line with Marxist orthodox theory would push a LOT of Tories and others to rally to a hard-line anti-communist stance. If Italy goes Red (which very nearly happened OTL) that's likely to reach a fever pitch pretty quick. On the other hand the French Republic being replaced by a war-mongering military dictatorship and then Russia sliding under the tyranny of a crazypants egomaniac is going to unnerve a lot of people in Westminster.

In such a situation they would have to be convinced that German defeat means Britain's next to jump in; otherwise Germany is going to be on the ropes at the minimum and at the worst if Russia builds a proper rail network between WWI and WWII giving them all they need to REALLY squeeze the Germans. Otherwise they've got every reason to sit behind their wall of warships and watch Europe burn a second time, good riddance to bad rubbish and all that.

Also I'd expect the Great Depression to move up sooner than the 30s if the war's ending sooner. Just some food for thought on the timing and pacing

What I thought about is that Drakov's pan-Eurasianism would mean equality for his idea of all Eurasian races (Indo-Europeans) in name only, in which in whatever an Axis victory-equivalent in this scenario would be, the Russians (and other Slavs) would be at the top of this so-called Pan-Eurasian Union.

Regarding the 3 other powers, I'm thinking that France would end up becoming a fascist dictatorship in the same vein as OTL's Italy under Mussolini. I'm thinking that Britain would definitely have some anti-communist sentiment, but that they'd join the war against Puchovik Russia and allies (China, France, etc.) rather than against Communist Germany. Italy, I'm leaning towards making it a communist ally of Germany.

I don't think this kind of Russia could be able to project power in Europe.
Russia was multi-etnic Empire, which is Nationalistic ideology is not suitable.
You need to find such ideology that would integrate all those small etnics.
If you not integrate all those ethnicities your primetre will be filled with hostile population that could revolt any time. This means Russia can't attack the hostile power outside of its border.

The only kind that could work would be one that places Slavic Russians at the top of some kind of racist hierarchy a la Madame Blavatsky or something similar. If you have a GENUINELY genocidal Russia then that's going to be a Russia that's going to lose the war pretty quick.

To respond to these two replies, I've decided against Drakov and the Puchoviks considering all the races I mentioned (save Semites and maybe some others) as inferior races. Rather, what I'm thinking now is that the Puchoviks would have considered them needing to be taught Puchovik values, just like the Russians, rather than needing to be eliminated.

So what would this German 'Soviet Union' be like? Would it be multi-ethnic like the USSR, or completely German? Would it go through a civil war similar to Russia's? Would they team up with the Hungarian Soviets and/or try to annex Austria too? And how would the allies react to having a Communist power right in the middle of Europe?

Also, just have Italy go red (with or without a socialist Mussolini in charge) and that works fine.

Plus, what part would Poland play in this?

Here's what I'm thinking for Communist Germany.

There would have been a bit of a civil war in Germany following the communist revolution in 1914, but a bit less bloodier than the Russian Civil War of OTL. It'd be multi-ethnic (Poles, Dutch, Hungarians, Czechs, ethnicities in the territories outside Europe inherited from the German Empire, etc.), but German-dominated. Now that I'm not using a Pre-1900 POD any longer, I'm planning on Austria-Hungary being annexed by Communist Germany between 1914 and 1917 rather than being used as a Poland analogue in 1939.

With that in mind, Poland might be playing the same role it did in OTL's WWII.

 

[Marc Pasquin]

Here's the flag I've been wanting to use, though I'd like to hear your thoughts first.

since Russia is supposed to be germany's expy, you could have the flag use the imperial colours in some fashion.

 

[Sabot Cat]

This seems pretty interesting! If I can offer a suggestion: I believe Puchovik Russia would be benefited by Imperial Japan's Co-Prosperity Sphere concept of being blatantly nationalistic yet rhetorically conciliatory on the basis of race ("Asia for the Asians"). Perhaps Drakov could argue that his Pan-Eurasian nation will counter the influence of Jewish bankers by putting financial affairs in the hands of "true Europeans". Despite having a command economy, it would be not be Marxist, which would be associated with Germany (as Marx was a German and Germany would be communist).

A possible point of divergence is that Paul Hindenburg replaces Helmuth Moltke as the Chief of the German General Staff in 14 September 1914 instead of Erich Falkehayn. Hindenburg focuses on the Eastern Front instead of launching an offensive in Verdun, and marches to St. Petersburg in 1916. In the chaos, the Bolsheviks seize the government and the Tsar abdicates. Germany then takes the city and establishes a puppet regime as it did with the Kingdom of Poland. Centrist groups in the State Duma, such as the Octobrists, are outraged and blame the Bolsheviks for their defeat by the German Empire.

This sentiment grows as the Great War rages on in the Western Front. The German Empire has a greater military advantage than OTL due to units from the East being freed up, but the conditions of the people are still poor due to the blockades. The country erupts into civil war in January of 1919, between the Imperialists and the Socialists. The latter emerges as the victor, garnering widespread support due to the former's commitment to continue the war and the mass starvation in the streets. The Free Socialist Republic of Germany is created, a socialist democracy with an economy controlled by workers' cooperatives (akin to the Yugoslavian system), with a President elected by universal suffrage with recall elections but no term limits, the first of which was Kurt Eisner. The new government negotiates a fairly equitable treaty to end the Great War with the Allied Powers.

Meanwhile, communists and Jews are branded as 'backstabbers' in occupied Russia. The German Civil War disrupted Germany's ability to rule their assets in the East, which allowed a limited degree of negotiation power during the post-Great War peace settlement, although it was still the most disadvantageous to the Eastern European than anyone else. A parliamentary republic thus comes about in Russia without a monarch, who is effectively replaced with a strong executive elected from the legislature (the Premier).

So from there, I think the Free Socialist Republic of Germany can become an oppressive communistic dictatorship, and the Russian Republic can become a genocidal fascist dictatorship under Drakov. Anywho, I hope this helped! =)

 

[Marc Pasquin]

since Russia is supposed to be germany's expy, you could have the flag use the imperial colours in some fashion.

another version

 

[Xgentis]

I see France also aligning with Russia. No matter type of government is in Berlin, France will always feel more threatened by Germany than Russia - a communist Germany results in a fierce nationalistic and anti-communist regime in Paris.

Now what does Great Britain do? Absent a German naval buildup, does Britain see France-Russia as a greater threat to the balance of power than communist Germany?

I really can't see the third republic fall over this sure they'll be anti communist and Britain as well but the far right never got enough popular support. They saw imperial Germany as a existancial threat and yet did not become a nationalist dictatorship, why would it become one whit a communist Germany who is as dangerous? They were already pretty anti-communist otl. And remember France will still not want yet another war so soon after the last one.

 

[Sternberg]

since Russia is supposed to be germany's expy, you could have the flag use the imperial colours in some fashion.

Nice work on the flags! Can I use the top one for my timeline? If it's okay with you, that is.

This seems pretty interesting! If I can offer a suggestion: I believe Puchovik Russia would be benefited by Imperial Japan's Co-Prosperity Sphere concept of being blatantly nationalistic yet rhetorically conciliatory on the basis of race ("Asia for the Asians"). Perhaps Drakov could argue that his Pan-Eurasian nation will counter the influence of Jewish bankers by putting financial affairs in the hands of "true Europeans". Despite having a command economy, it would be not be Marxist, which would be associated with Germany (as Marx was a German and Germany would be communist).

A possible point of divergence is that Paul Hindenburg replaces Helmuth Moltke as the Chief of the German General Staff in 14 September 1914 instead of Erich Falkehayn. Hindenburg focuses on the Eastern Front instead of launching an offensive in Verdun, and marches to St. Petersburg in 1916. In the chaos, the Bolsheviks seize the government and the Tsar abdicates. Germany then takes the city and establishes a puppet regime as it did with the Kingdom of Poland. Centrist groups in the State Duma, such as the Octobrists, are outraged and blame the Bolsheviks for their defeat by the German Empire.

This sentiment grows as the Great War rages on in the Western Front. The German Empire has a greater military advantage than OTL due to units from the East being freed up, but the conditions of the people are still poor due to the blockades. The country erupts into civil war in January of 1919, between the Imperialists and the Socialists. The latter emerges as the victor, garnering widespread support due to the former's commitment to continue the war and the mass starvation in the streets. The Free Socialist Republic of Germany is created, a socialist democracy with an economy controlled by workers' cooperatives (akin to the Yugoslavian system), with a President elected by universal suffrage with recall elections but no term limits, the first of which was Kurt Eisner. The new government negotiates a fairly equitable treaty to end the Great War with the Allied Powers.

Meanwhile, communists and Jews are branded as 'backstabbers' in occupied Russia. The German Civil War disrupted Germany's ability to rule their assets in the East, which allowed a limited degree of negotiation power during the post-Great War peace settlement, although it was still the most disadvantageous to the Eastern European than anyone else. A parliamentary republic thus comes about in Russia without a monarch, who is effectively replaced with a strong executive elected from the legislature (the Premier).

So from there, I think the Free Socialist Republic of Germany can become an oppressive communistic dictatorship, and the Russian Republic can become a genocidal fascist dictatorship under Drakov. Anywho, I hope this helped! =)

Interesting ideas! Though maybe I could have a POD that results in no German invasion of Belgium, thus the United Kingdom doesn't enter the war, which in turn allows for Communist Germany to inherit the colonies from the Kaiserreich. Still, I appreciate all the ideas (and history I'm learning!) coming from everyone here.

Now here are some names I thought up for Communist Germany and Puchovik Russia. Feedback would be appreciated.

German Socialist Union; GSU; DSU
National Socialist State of Russia; Pan-Eurasian National Socialist State under the Guidance of Russia

 

[Sternberg]

Also, here's a mock-up of the flag I'm wanting to use for the German Socialist Union. I basically combined the flag of the USSR with the coat of arms of East Germany.

Lemme know what you think.

 

[zert]

I do understand your wish to collect feedback and suggestions for the time line before you start to write up the story. I am still interested in what is created and how it will play out. Keep up the good work and I will try to offer what suggestions I can. For now good luck.

 

[LHB]

So from there, I think the Free Socialist Republic of Germany can become an oppressive communistic dictatorship, and the Russian Republic can become a genocidal fascist dictatorship under Drakov. Anywho, I hope this helped! =)

One possibility to explore here would be having Communist Germany go the route of Rosa Luxembourg and the Council/Left Communists. Their system is one which is visibly and substantially more democratic than Stalinism (which required unique conditions to develop) and the German Left was as a whole more big on democracy than the Bolsheviks were. Remember that vanguardism OTL didn't really develop until the October Revolution so that approach to Communism would not exist in the German Communist state. If it goes that way it could make Britain, France, et al even MORE edgy in dealing with Germany since the system would be genuinely less visibly oppressive. Stalinism and Leninism are not the sum total of Communist thought; for some great TLs to help get some ideas on the subject I'd recommend Wir Sind Spartakus (which is sadly defunct) and Jello's Red Dawn.

That could also help justify fascist rhetoric in France and Russia. Democratic, council communism could lead to them making the leap that popular rule=socialist revolution=DIE COMMIE DIE!

Of course, I'd need to do more research on Russian Orthodoxy and other things to see if it all fits together, but what would you think of that?

If done right it could be terrifying. Religious fundamentalism can push people to do some pretty horrible things very easily and it would leave all kinds of nasty, uncomfortable feelings in the consciousness of the non-Communist nations to fight an enemy who is visibly, loudly, and proudly draping themselves in the mantle of God, Christ, and the Kingdom of Heaven. Granted it's a foreign (therefore alien, weird, and WRONG) approach and they're crazy Russians but on a deep level that's going to probably come across as more disturbing than an atheistic dictator at least in my opinion. Religious fanatics make great villains because they take something most people see as generally positive and turn it into their worst nightmare and unlike other villainous types they nearly always have a substantial following that believes the same stuff they do.

 

[LHB]

since Russia is supposed to be germany's expy, you could have the flag use the imperial colours in some fashion.

I vote option 2, it really pops more than the others do!

 

[Marc Pasquin]

Nice work on the flags! Can I use the top one for my timeline? If it's okay with you, that is.

go for it mate.

 

[Sabot Cat]

One possibility to explore here would be having Communist Germany go the route of Rosa Luxembourg and the Council/Left Communists. Their system is one which is visibly and substantially more democratic than Stalinism (which required unique conditions to develop) and the German Left was as a whole more big on democracy than the Bolsheviks were.

Indeed, and a socialist democracy in Germany would probably have something more akin to syndicalism than state socialism as attested to by the Free Workers' Union of Germany during the time of the revolution.

 

[Sternberg]

Been meaning to revive this, but I haven't found the time until now. I'm also looking for someone I can collaborate on this with. As much as I do know about Germany, Russia, and the period between 1914 to 1991, it's still quite basic, and as such this feels to me like a situation where more than one person writing the timeline would be better. It would help me learn more as well.

I've decided on Drakov and the Puchoviks being more religiously fanatical than the Nazis were, with their beliefs being an extreme and warped take on Russian Orthodoxy. I also think I'll have China and France in Russia's Axis, while Japan would be allied with the Western Allies and Italy would be a communist ally of the German Socialist Union.

I'm still not ready to start the timeline yet, though. I have some questions.

First of all, I'm going to use the start of WWI as a POD. Would it be better if Germany kept itself from invading Belgium and Britain stayed out of the war, or if the POD had Britain still enter the war on Belgium's behalf, but have the war end in a white peace? Reason why I ask is because I want to see what things would be like if the German Socialist Union inherited the African and Pacific colonies from the Kaiser, including Tsingtao and Samoa, which would all later gain independence in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

Second, if Rosa Luxemburg/Kurt Eisner is Lenin, who would be Stalin? I briefly thought about Ernst Thälmann, but I'd like other's opinions. Also, how do you think the aftermath of WWI and the interbellum period go in this timeline? What German analogues do you think would work for Russia, and what Russian analogues for Germany? I think I've established Drakov and the Puchoviks as coming to power in 1933 just as Hitler did in OTL.

As for the start of WWII in this timeline, I'm uncertain on how I should go about it. Should I make it a joint German-Russian invasion of Poland like OTL, or what could I do? Also, how would the German Socialist Union incorporate the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria-Hungary, Denmark, and other countries into its realm?

Lots of questions to ask before I feel comfortable in starting.

 

[Marc Pasquin]

Been meaning to revive this, but I haven't found the time until now. I'm also looking for someone I can collaborate on this with. As much as I do know about Germany, Russia, and the period between 1914 to 1991, it's still quite basic, and as such this feels to me like a situation where more than one person writing the timeline would be better. It would help me learn more as well.

I've decided on Drakov and the Puchoviks being more religiously fanatical than the Nazis were, with their beliefs being an extreme and warped take on Russian Orthodoxy. I also think I'll have China and France in Russia's Axis, while Japan would be allied with the Western Allies and Italy would be a communist ally of the German Socialist Union.

I'm still not ready to start the timeline yet, though. I have some questions.

First of all, I'm going to use the start of WWI as a POD. Would it be better if Germany kept itself from invading Belgium and Britain stayed out of the war, or if the POD had Britain still enter the war on Belgium's behalf, but have the war end in a white peace? Reason why I ask is because I want to see what things would be like if the German Socialist Union inherited the African and Pacific colonies from the Kaiser, including Tsingtao and Samoa, which would all later gain independence in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

Just an idea, have WW1 last longer due to communist upheaval within both sides' armies and populations that are narrowly (though brutally) put down. Eventually, both sides agree on an armistice recognising that the internal problem is greater then the enemy.

The aftermath are quite different with Germany collapsing under the efforts of the spartakist league who manage to take over and export the revolution to neighbouring countries.

Russia on the other hand manage to keep control of its population by a mixture of religious fundamentalism and promises of access to modern technology.

As for the start of WWII in this timeline, I'm uncertain on how I should go about it. Should I make it a joint German-Russian invasion of Poland like OTL, or what could I do? Also, how would the German Socialist Union incorporate the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria-Hungary, Denmark, and other countries into its realm?

Local communists (backed by germany) who manage to take over their local governments and request annexion to the Union of Spartakist Republics (?) following a "fair an impartial referendum". The USR could have been told in no uncertain terms a union would mean war by their opponents.

 

[zert]

Well good luck with finding a collaborator to assist you with writing the timeline. It would be interesting to see what you both can come up with and elaborate from there.

For what it may be worth, I think having the British Empire stay out of WW! would make it more interesting and allow more of a chance of Germany to keep its oversea colonies and maybe pick up something else if/when France and Russia get a ceasefire/treaty. It would also allow you more wiggle room when you get to WW2 and the fall out from the alliances that may come about after 20 plus years.

 

[Deleted member 14881]

maybe Drakov could be a really strong verison of a Shogun while reducing the Tsar to a mere figurehead.

 

[LHB]

As much as I do know about Germany, Russia, and the period between 1914 to 1991, it's still quite basic, and as such this feels to me like a situation where more than one person writing the timeline would be better. It would help me learn more as well.

If you want I'd be happy to help out with any ideas you need to bounce around.

First of all, I'm going to use the start of WWI as a POD. Would it be better if Germany kept itself from invading Belgium and Britain stayed out of the war, or if the POD had Britain still enter the war on Belgium's behalf, but have the war end in a white peace?

Britain needs to enter the war to create the necessary conditions for the OTL attempted revolution in Germany. A major aggravating factor was the lack of food supplies thanks to the British blockade. If there's no blockade then Germany won't have problems feeding herself. Remember the French and Russian Revolutions both started as bread riots; food can be a very powerful thing in a revolutionary situation.

One possibility for a PoD and flow of events is if, care of butterflies and small lucky breaks, the Germans just win the First Battle of the Marne by a hair. They manage to hold the field and repel the Franco-British counter-attack but when the dust settles are too worn out, low on supplies, and otherwise unfit to pursue the retreating Allied forces. In the chaos following the confrontation the Germans do better in the race to the sea pushing the front lines just short of Calais. Paris holds but it now stands on the front line, more of France is under German occupation, and the Allied line is in a much more precarious position.

From there the situation in the West devolves into a bloody stalemate while in the East it goes more or less as OTL. The Entente, out of desperation, buys Italy's participation with promises of the return of all Italian-claimed land in Austria-Hungary. Owing to their poorer position, more difficult supply situation, and other factors the Allies are eventually beaten by the Germans when their final offensive in the wake of the Russian Revolution in 1917 manages to seize Paris but at great cost. German civilians back home, starving, tired of military dictatorship, and soldiers who have given all they've got for no real gain start going on strike and otherwise airing their grievances loudly and publicly. The Kaiser, fearing revolution at home, agrees to a relatively soft peace which includes the return of all lost colonies overseas so he can get the army home in time.

This proves to be a fatal mistake when returning soldiers, ordered to fire on their friends, family, neighbors, and in some cases former comrades in arms, instead mutiny and turn on their masters. Led by the Spartacists and Rosa Luxemburg Germany falls to revolution while a defeated, exhausted Italy follows suit shortly after. France and Russia just barely hang on by a thread before later going fascist while Britain retreats into splendid isolation and watches Europe burn for a couple of decades.

Reason why I ask is because I want to see what things would be like if the German Socialist Union inherited the African and Pacific colonies from the Kaiser, including Tsingtao and Samoa, which would all later gain independence in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

If they're keeping them it would likely be under some kind of structure that claims the locals are equal members of the socialist state or something along those lines. Otherwise ideologically keeping colonies runs directly afoul of some pretty basic tenets of socialist ideology.

Second, if Rosa Luxemburg/Kurt Eisner is Lenin, who would be Stalin? I briefly thought about Ernst Thälmann, but I'd like other's opinions.

I would highly suggest you read Wir Sind Spartakus for a much better explanation of the situation. Short version: there won't be a Stalin analogue in Germany. The political culture, kind of system they were envisioning, and internal situation wouldn't have allowed for it especially if Rosa Luxemburg is the one leading the revolution. The Left/Council Communism which was favored by the Germans at the time is a very different beast from Leninist/Stalinist State Communism and is, in many key ways, very democratic in some ways moreso than the modern American system is. There won't be a Stalin clone running around because dictatorship would be extremely unlikely to develop.

Odds are also if Italy is inspired by to launch a similar revolution (not hard, they almost did OTL in the Bienno Rosa) it would unfold along similar lines.

Also, how do you think the aftermath of WWI and the interbellum period go in this timeline? What German analogues do you think would work for Russia, and what Russian analogues for Germany?

When Spain blows up (that was a ticking time bomb waiting to happen) in a rather interesting reversal of roles from OTL the Germans and the Italians will be sending supplies and volunteers to assist the revolutionaries in the CNT against the Spanish Army which could lead to a Red Spain. That could be the moment that pushes the Puchoviks and the French into seriously preparing for war against the Reds. Heck maybe the fall of Spain to Communism c/o German and Italian support could be the one last push that leads to a fascist takeover in France.

I think I've established Drakov and the Puchoviks as coming to power in 1933 just as Hitler did in OTL.

Doable assuming the war happens more or less as OTL in terms of time frame.

One possibility to consider would be Stalin ending up in the Puchoviks secret police apparatus. He was enough of a survivor and slimeball that I could see him joining up with the Okhrona when things start getting hairy for the Bolsheviks.

As for the start of WWII in this timeline, I'm uncertain on how I should go about it. Should I make it a joint German-Russian invasion of Poland like OTL, or what could I do?

First you need to figure out who is fighting, what causes it, and what their objectives are. If you have the very likely possibility of Germany and Russia in a mutually antagonistic relationship in the years leading up to the war that's going to lead to a very different beginning than OTL. No matter what geography dictates the first blows will be struck in Poland.

Also, how would the German Socialist Union incorporate the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria-Hungary, Denmark, and other countries into its realm?

Successful socialist revolutions in most cases would work. Belgium could be involuntarily incorporated as fallout from the German Revolution/Civil War seeing as most of the country was occupied by the Germans for the duration of the war. Otherwise Socialist Germany is going to be busy rebuilding from the damage of war and revolution, inciting further revolutions where possible, and trying not to incite any overt response from the rest of Europe so overt conquest is almost definitely right out.

maybe Drakov could be a really strong verison of a Shogun while reducing the Tsar to a mere figurehead.

Which does have precedent in militarist Japan and Fascist Italy where technically the King did have final say but Mussolini mostly ran the show. Considering the fascist movement's love affair with all things traditional, reactionary, and otherwise ultraconservative keeping the Tsar in place or even better restoring the Tsar (whether that restoration is bullshit or genuine is up to you) would gel perfectly especially when they're going for extremist Orthodox Christianity which was always one of the key pillars of support for the Tsar's rule.

 

[zert]

I think the idea of Drakov being a Shogun type authority would add to his prestige and give him more pull with the "commoners" feeling that the Tsar is not the Authority he had before WW!.

 

[Alex1guy]

Nice work on the flags! Can I use the top one for my timeline? If it's okay with you, that is.



Interesting ideas! Though maybe I could have a POD that results in no German invasion of Belgium, thus the United Kingdom doesn't enter the war, which in turn allows for Communist Germany to inherit the colonies from the Kaiserreich. Still, I appreciate all the ideas (and history I'm learning!) coming from everyone here.
]

If the Imperial German Government is overthrown it might flee to create a government in exile in it's colonies, could be an interesting story. I don't think a revolutionary government could hold onto the colonies who would either support a government in exile, be swallowed up by another colonial power, or go independent. Germany's colonies are too far away to follow through with a revolt.

Britain is an interesting one. If we assume they have for whatever reason sat out WWI, Franco-British relations are going to be pretty bad. The Perfidious Albion sentiment would probably prevail in France, especially if the Germans aren't defeated. They are however going to be a stronger from sitting the war out.