Rule Britannia!

[Anaxagoras]

1915:
On March 18, a combined British and French naval attack on the Turkish defenses of the Dardanelles results in three ships being lost of mines. Some within the fleet believe the entire action should be broken off, while others believe a second attempt may have more success. Poor weather the next day delays a second attack, and in a meeting on board the fleet flagship, the decision is made to continue the offensive.

On March 23, the fleet resumes its attack. Immediately, it is noticed that fire from the Turkish forts is much slacker than it had been earlier. The Allied fleet was unaware of it, but the Turks were almost out of ammunition. Soon, the fire virtually comes to an end. Unhindered, the fleet minesweepers are able to clear paths through the minefields, and the battleships blow the Turkish forts to pieces at point blank range.

The next day, the fleet steams easily into the Sea of Marmara. The German battlecrusier Goeben is destroyed by the battleship Queen Elizabeth, which had been brought along for the purpose. On the evening of March 24, the fleet anchors off Constantinople. The cowed Turkish government has no choice but to surrender.

Nationalist Turkish officers refuse to acknowledge the surrender and continue the fight in the Middle East and Anatolia. But being unable to cross the Dardanelles, there is little they can do against the Allies for the time being.

Throughout April, the Balkan nations enter the war on the Allied side. Greece joins the fighting on April 11, Bulgaria two days after that and Romania a week later. Joined by a large British contingent, these nations create a new front against the Central Powers. At the same time, Italy joins the Allies and attack Austria, creating yet another front.

Throughout 1915, the Germans and Austrians find themselves under heavy pressure from all sides, completely without allies and with a tight naval blockade by the Royal Navy gradually strangling its economy. Furthermore, with regular convoys of supplies and ammunition reaching the Russians through the now-open Dardanelles, the Russian war effort gradually becomes more effective.

1916:
The success of the Gallipoli operation and the capture of Constantinople has given added credibility to the faction in the British Cabinet who oppose the dispatch of large British forces to the Western front. As a result, the Western Front is left mostly to the French, while the British concentrate on the naval war. The British army sends contingents to fight in France, Italy and the Balkans, but does not commit a single large army to any particular place. As a result, it largely avoids the massive casualties being suffered by the other major powers.

With its forces stretched along four fronts and its economy being strangled by a persistent blockade, Germany gambles on a single decisive offensive on the Western Front, designed to break the Allied lines and capture Paris. In late February, German forces hurl themselves against the French lines at Verdun. Both sides take heavy losses in a gruesome battle. But the French lines hold.

Revolution breaks out throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire as various nationalistic groups take to the streets, demanding that the war be ended and that their national rights be recognized. The Austro-Hungarian armies at the front dissolve, allowing Russian armies from the east, Allied armies from the south and Italian forces from the west to advance against minimum resistance.

On August 27, Austria-Hungary sues for peace. At once, Allied armies race into the territory to occupy strategic positions, while badly-needed German divisions are dispatched from the Western and Eastern fronts to block any offensive into Germany itself. The net is tightening.

In desperation, the Germans decide to commit their High Seas Fleet to a do-or-die battle against the Royal Navy. On September 23, a massive battle takes place off the Yorkshire coast. When the smoke clears from the Battle of the North Sea, the Royal Navy has suffered heavy losses. But the High Seas Fleet is utterly destroyed.

In the wake of the series of disastrous defeats, demonstrators take to the streets of German cities, demanding an immediate end to the fighting. With no options left, the German Empire sues for peace on October 16. A cease-fire immediately goes into effect. German forces withdraw to their own territory and French and Belgian armies occupy the left bank of the Rhine.

Although the war lasted only slightly more than two years, it was the bloodiest conflict in European history, up to that point. France, Germany and Russia had each lost over a million men. The British, having avoided most of the trench warfare which characterized the fighting on the Western and Eastern fronts, had suffered the least among the major combatants.

In the meantime, chaos is sweeping the Ottoman Empire in the wake of the fall of Constantinople and the collapse of the central government. Armenian nationalists have set up an independent state in eastern Anatolia, with Russian military protection. In the Arab lands, various tribes and local rulers are attempting to gain control, with remnants of the Turkish army caught up in the disorder.

1917:
A peace conference is called in Paris to dictate the terms of peace. Much haggling is done over the terms, while several conscientious diplomats on all sides wish to ensure that no such conflict can ever occur again.

Eventually, the Treaty of Paris is signed on May 2. It major terms were:

• Neither side admits war guilt and no financial reparations are demanded.
• German Cameroon and Togo are ceded to France. The people of Alsace-Lorraine are given the opportunity to vote on whether to be part of Germany or France..
• The German Navy is permanently limited to one-quarter the size of the Royal Navy. German South-West Africa and German East Africa are ceded to Great Britain.
• Tsingtao and German Pacific islands north of the equator are ceded to Japan, while German Pacific islands south of the equator are ceded to Australia and New Zealand.
• Regarding Austria-Hungary, the Hapsburg dynasty remains in power in Vienna, but nearly all larger nationalities in the Austro-Hungarian Empire are given independence. Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia are recognized as independent states.
• Because central government in the Ottoman Empire has collapsed, it is agreed that an arrangement with the Turks will reached when it becomes possible.
• Germany, Russia and France agree to reduce the size of their armies to avoiding future provocations, with specifics to be reached at a later date..

The Germans sign the treaty very reluctantly, but having little choice from a military point of view. It is pointed out in the newspapers that, colonial issues aside, the treaty is less harsh on Germany than the treaty which ended the Franco-Prussian War was on the French, half a century earlier.

At the insistence of the army, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates the throne in favor of his son, who is installed as Kaiser Wilhelm III. Many within the German political establishment, however, are demanding a new constitution which would curtail the powers of the monarchy.

On September 8, elections are held in Alsace-Lorraine and the population heavily favors a return to France. This takes effect on December 1.

 

[fhaessig]

1915:

. It is pointed out in the newspapers that, colonial issues aside, the treaty is less harsh on Germany than the treaty which ended the Franco-Prussian War was on the French, half a century earlier.

snort. That's certainly the case. The frankfuhrt treaty was about on par with OTL Versailles as applied.

The treaty you give concentrate on Germany, but there's little in it for the Russians. I expect they will want Constantinople and the Balkans. What they get will be something else. Especially with Uk largely untouched by the war.

I expect big repercussion in the colonies from that last

 

[Constantinople]

I like it, continue if you please..

 

[G.Bone]

I second that opinion...

 

[Anaxagoras]

1918:
The British Empire emerges from the war as the strongest nation in the world. France, Russia and Germany have each suffered very heavy losses in the Great War and their economies were heavily damages by direct attack, occupation of territory and blockade. Britain, too, suffered grievous losses, but nothing on the scale of its Continental neighbors. And while Britain spent huge amounts of money to finance the war, its industrial strength has never been higher and France and Russia are both heavily in debt to Britain.

Furthermore, the Royal Navy is again the unquestioned supreme power on the world’s ocean. Its reputation has soared during the war and the Treaty of Paris required Germany is dismantle what remained of the High Seas Fleet. Because of this, the British Empire emerged from the war as the world’s only superpower.

Despite her strengths, the postwar world presents serious challenges. The issue of Irish Home Rule, effectively put on hold during the war, emerges again as a serious issue once the war and its immediate aftermath are past. The same is true for India, where the Indian National Congress is agitating for greater autonomy, particularly in light of the Indian contribution to victory during the war.

The immediate problem facing the British, however, is the situation in the Middle East. With the abdication of Mehmet IV, all semblance of central government in the Ottoman Empire has fallen. In Palestine and Mesopotamia, Arab tribes are battling with the remnants of the Turkish Army, as various Turkish generals set themselves up as warlords. In the midst of all this, Jewish settlements in Palestine defend themselves as best they can.

With substantial military forces already in the area and under pressure from domestic and world opinion, Britain orders its troops to advance into the Arab territories and restore order. By the end of 1918, virtually all the former Arab territories of the Ottoman Empire are de facto under British control (the French also send in some forces). Palestine is placed under British military administration, while Syria and Mesopotamia are governed by local Arab sheiks in cooperation with British military forces.

1919:
The situation in the Middle East remains chaotic, but order gradually emerges in certain places. The Turkish Republic is declared in central Anatolia by a group of nationalist officers. An independent Armenian state is already functioning in eastern Anatolia. Arab regions in Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Mesopotamia, however, remain in varying degrees of disorder.

The situation in Arabia is also tense. There is substantial inter-service rivalry among the British. Officials in London favor an alliance with the Rashdi dynasty, which presently controls Mecca and Medina. The Indian Political Service, however, favors the al-Saud family. Eventually, due to the fact that the Rashdi family seems to be in a stronger position and because the al-Saud family seem more inclined to religious fanaticism, the views of the Foreign Office in London prevail. The British ally themselves with the Rashdi dynasty and assist them in stabilizing the peninsula.

The status of Constantinople causes a great deal of controversy. Russia demands that it be handed over to them, while the Turkish republic insists that it be restored to Turkey. The Greeks, who have taken control of the eastern Aegean coast, also want it, citing its long history as a Greek city and its large Greek population.

Nathaniel Curzon, the British foreign secretary, is under heavy pressure on the Constantinople issue. Churchill, having been elevated from the First Lord of the Admiralty to War Secretary, reinforces the garrison of Constantinople and makes plans to oppose any Turkish attempt to seize the city by force, working with the Greeks as he does so. The dispute drags on throughout the year.

In Germany, the pressures of public opinion and continued unrest in the cities results in a new constitution. While retaining the monarchy and the Hohenzollern dynasty, most political power is taken away from the Kaiser and placed in the hands of the Reichstag itself. The Kaiser is only permitted certain reserve powers, similar to the position of the British monarch.

Demands for reform in Russia are met with a harsh government crackdown, supported by reactionary members of the armed forces.

1920:
Attempts by the Turkish Republic to recapture the Aegean coast are defeated by the Greeks, who are supported by the British. In a counteroffensive, the Greeks are able to seize the Asian coastline of the Dardanelles and Bosporus as well. Because of the Turkish attack offensive, which the British consider very ungentlemanly as negotiations over Constantinople are still ongoing, the British decide to take any return of Turkish territory in Europe off the table.

Lord Curzon works out a settlement of the Constantinople question. The city itself, with a substantial amount of surrounding territory, is ceded to Greece, who celebrate joyfully. To assuage the Bulgarians, the remainder of Thrace is ceded to them. And to satisfy Russian sensibilities, Curzon persuaded the Greeks to sign a treaty with the Russians by which the Greeks undertook never to limit of hinder the amount of Russian shipping, commercial or military, which passes through the Dardanelles.

The Russians were irritated, but eventually decided that it was better for the Dardanelles to be in Greek hands than Turkish ones. Although, during the Great War, the British had discussed the possibility of Russia gaining control of the straits when the war was over, they were not keen on seeing the Russians have an easy outlet to the Mediterranean. Indeed, the British had worked for two centuries to prevent just such an occurrence. The Russians, having suffered heavily during the war and facing mounting internal problems, were not keen to become the open enemy of the British.

In what becomes known as the Second Decembrist Revolt, two Russian army regiments mutiny in St. Petersburg when rumors circulate that their pay and rations are to be cut. Revolutionary-inclined officers take control of the mutiny and use it to call for a constitutional monarchy. In response, Czarist troops surround the barracks and blow them to pieces with artillery (destroying much of the surrounding area in the process).

The Grand Duke Alexei, heir to the Russian throne, dies of complications from his hemophilia. His mother, the Czarina Alexandra, is so distraught that she commits suicide. Nicholas II, overcoming his own intense grief, orders the self-proclaimed holy man Rasputin to be executed, as he blames him for his wife’s death. This is done immediately (with great difficulty; the firing squad had to fire three volleys before he died). The Czar’s younger brother, Grand Duke Michael, becomes the heir to the throne.

In the November elections in the United States, Republican Frank Lowden is elected, sweeping nearly every state outside of the South. Previously, he had been the governor of Illinois and had made a name for himself for his efficiently-run administration. The main issues of the campaign were economic and foreign affairs were scarcely mentioned at all.

 

[Wendell]

I'm not clear on why Bulgaria changes sides, or Greece even gets involved without assurances of gains against Turkey.

 

[Anaxagoras]

I'm not clear on why Bulgaria changes sides, or Greece even gets involved without assurances of gains against Turkey.

Bulgaria does not "change sides", as she was never allied to the Central Powers ITTL. IOTL, Bulgaria only joined the CP in October, 1915, when it was obvious that the Gallipoli campaign had failed.

As to why- the Allies promised them both gains from Turkey if they joined the war on their side and they were subsequently rewarded.

 

[David S Poepoe]

1920:

The Russians were irritated, but eventually decided that it was better for the Dardanelles to be in Greek hands than Turkish ones. Although, during the Great War, the British had discussed the possibility of Russia gaining control of the straits when the war was over, they were not keen on seeing the Russians have an easy outlet to the Mediterranean. Indeed, the British had worked for two centuries to prevent just such an occurrence. The Russians, having suffered heavily during the war and facing mounting internal problems, were not keen to become the open enemy of the British.

Actually that mentality is completely out of date by 1914. The British DO NOT care if the Russians have access to the Mediterranean. They are so far behind as being a Great Power the British would still give them Constantinople.

 

[Constantinople]

But hey, we can all be happy the way it is MORE!

 

[fhaessig]

Actually that mentality is completely out of date by 1914. The British DO NOT care if the Russians have access to the Mediterranean. They are so far behind as being a Great Power the British would still give them Constantinople.

ACtually, immediately prior to WWI, Russia was industrialising at a tremendous rate and was overtaking Germany ( which is why the Kaiser gave a blank check to Austria; it was the last possible time for a sucessfull war ). IIRC, USSR didn't match Russia's 1913 industrial output before the late 20s or early 30s. In this TL, Russia will be an insdutrial giant ( more than OTL ) due to avoiding the Soviet revolution and the civil war ( and early 5 years plans ).

 

[David S Poepoe]

ACtually, immediately prior to WWI, Russia was industrialising at a tremendous rate and was overtaking Germany ( which is why the Kaiser gave a blank check to Austria; it was the last possible time for a sucessfull war ). IIRC, USSR didn't match Russia's 1913 industrial output before the late 20s or early 30s. In this TL, Russia will be an insdutrial giant ( more than OTL ) due to avoiding the Soviet revolution and the civil war ( and early 5 years plans ).

That is true, but the Russians still couldn't act together for their maritime industry. This is reflective in the fact that they initially went abroad to get help building and outfitting their first dreadnoughts. Russia was industrializing but it still was doing so from a position far behind either Britain, Germany and France. The war, particularly Russia's dependency on Allied material being shipped thru the Straits, should create a Duma that is more interested in improveing - or at least proving - a better national infrastructure than entering into a serious arms race.

 

[Anaxagoras]

Russian industrial development in the late Czarist period was also largely dependent on French financing. The Russians never have been very good at banking.

 

[Anaxagoras]

1921:
Parliamentary elections in Britain result in a hung Parliament, with the Irish Parliamentary Party holding the balance of power between the Liberals and Tories. David Lloyd George, the leader of the Liberals, agrees to a coalition with the IPP. Together, they have a strong parliamentary majority.

The IPP insists on an implementation of the Home Rule Act of 1914 as its price for participation. The act, which would set up a separate Irish Parliament that would have control over domestic Irish affairs, had received Royal Assent in 1914, but its implementation had been interrupted by the war and its aftermath.

When news of this political development reaches Ulster, there are Unionist riots in the streets. The Ulster Volunteer Force threatens to resist the new law by force. They also point to their devotion to Britain during the Great War, claiming that the Irish Catholics were sympathetic to Germany (which, except for a very few fanatics, is false). Lloyd George attempts to work out a compromise by which the Ulster counties would be excluded from the jurisdiction of the new parliament.

The strong measures the British police and military take against the Ulster Volunteer Force impress many Irish Catholics. The radical group Sinn Fein loses much of its popular appeal as a result.

Palestine officially comes under British military protection and appoints of military governor, who rules with the help of a joint executive made up of Jewish and Arab members. Syria, and Mesopotamia remain in disorder.

Low level clashes take place between Turkey and Armenia, as each side seeks to gain strategic territory along their border. The Turks are unwilling to press the matter too far, however, because of their weakened state and the possibility of Russian intervention.

In India, the Indian National Congress engages in a number of non-violent protests, calling for greater Indian participation in the government of the Raj and a commitment on the part of Parliament that India will eventually be granted Dominion status.

The success of nationalist uprisings in the former Austrian Empire inspires Polish radical groups, who launch a series of non-violent demonstrations in Warsaw, Krakow and other cities. The Russian government responds harshly and exiles many ringleaders to Siberia.

1922:
Elections to the Irish Parliament are held, with Ulster being exempt from the process (temporarily as far as the IPP is concerned, permanently are far as the Unionists are concerned). Unsurprisingly, the IPP wins an overwhelming majority of seats, with only a handful going to the radical Sinn Fein group. As Sinn Fein refuses to take an oath of loyalty to the King and therefore cannot take their seats, the IPP has an effective monopoly on power in the Irish Parliament.

Lord Curzon, the British Foreign Secretary, invites members of the Indian National Congress to come to London for a conference. Many Indians distrust Curzon because of some of his actions during his tenure as Viceroy of India, but others respect him highly. The conference is only to discuss ideas and not intended to initiate any radical new policies. Churchill, now Home Secretary, is disgusted with the very idea of meeting with the Congress Party and considers resigning from Cabinet in protest until Lloyd George talks him out of it.

Despite its unrivaled military position, the British are under heavy pressure economically. American and German industry is outperforming that of Britain and even the French are catching up. In the fall, a panel of British and Dominion economists and ministers is convened in London to discuss the possibility of greater economic cooperation in the fame of foreign competition, with the possibility of resurrecting the old idea of “Imperial Preference” in tariff policies.

Despite its industrial underperformance, Britain retains its lead in the financial sphere. “The City” in London remains the unquestioned center of world finance, with Wall Street in New York a distant second.

British Petroleum continues to develop the oil infrastructure in Persia, although there is substantial opposition to this among the Persian ruling class. Russian oil output in Baku continues to be the main source of supply in the world, although production from parts of the United States is catching up.

In Egypt, the British arrange for a group of liberal political and business figures to write a constitution for the new state (its nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire having obviously ceased with the abdication of the Sultan). Overtly-nationalist men are excluded from the discussions and the British are intent on retaining effective control over the foreign and defense policies of Egypt. Indeed, there are some among the British who hope to find some constitutional means of tying Egypt directly to the British Empire.

In South Africa, many Afrikaners are immigrating into the newly-acquired territory of Southwest Africa, with the idea of eventually setting up a government independent of the Union of South Africa.

With rebellious Arab tribes making difficulties in Morocco, Spain and France organize a joint expedition against them. Although losses are higher than expected, the rebellion is soon crushed.

 

[Gustav Anderman]

ACtually, immediately prior to WWI, Russia was industrialising at a tremendous rate and was overtaking Germany ( which is why the Kaiser gave a blank check to Austria; it was the last possible time for a sucessfull war ). IIRC, USSR didn't match Russia's 1913 industrial output before the late 20s or early 30s. In this TL, Russia will be an insdutrial giant ( more than OTL ) due to avoiding the Soviet revolution and the civil war ( and early 5 years plans ).

Mh so why did the udssr never passed germany economical?
Even today germany is third largest economy on earth.

 

[Anaxagoras]

Mh so why did the udssr never passed germany economical?

Soviet efforts to manage a tightly controlled economy greatly held back Russian economic potential. And as I pointed out, Russian finance was never very good.

Besides which, if you want economic expansion, it's probably not the best idea to kill twenty million of your people. From a dispassionate economic point of view, these people would otherwise have been workers and consumers.

 

[fhaessig]

Mh so why did the udssr never passed germany economical?

Oh, there were years in which USSR had a much greater industrial output than Germany. 1945 for instance

Even today germany is third largest economy on earth.

And USSR is no longer on the board to compare

 

[stevep]

Oh, there were years in which USSR had a much greater industrial output than Germany. 1945 for instance




And USSR is no longer on the board to compare

Is Germany in 3rd place. Surely that places it ahead of either Japan or China?

Steve

 

[stevep]

1921:

In Egypt, the British arrange for a group of liberal political and business figures to write a constitution for the new state (its nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire having obviously ceased with the abdication of the Sultan). Overtly-nationalist men are excluded from the discussions and the British are intent on retaining effective control over the foreign and defense policies of Egypt. Indeed, there are some among the British who hope to find some constitutional means of tying Egypt directly to the British Empire.

Small quibble. Britain had Egypt declare its independence from the Ottomans, under a British protectorate almost immediately after the Ottomans joined the Central Powers in OTL. Unless your pod alters that there is a possible need for a new constitution but the sultan no longer has anything to do with it.

Steve

 

[Anaxagoras]

Small quibble. Britain had Egypt declare its independence from the Ottomans, under a British protectorate almost immediately after the Ottomans joined the Central Powers in OTL. Unless your pod alters that there is a possible need for a new constitution but the sultan no longer has anything to do with it.

Both the Egyptians and the British simply want a clear picture as to what Egypt is. Is it independent or a British colony? Or something else?

 

[fhaessig]

Is Germany in 3rd place. Surely that places it ahead of either Japan or China?

Steve

That depends what you count.

CIA world fact books list it as fifth largest economy based upon purchasing power parity, I suppose. But if you take the official change rate, Germany GNP is indeed greater than China.

But then, I'm not the one who posted that number.