Deleted member 170004

What if some issue in Scramble for africa sparked WW1?

What were the alliances then ?

Was Germany industrialized enough to fight the war ?
 
I think your best bet is the Fashoda Incident going haywire. That will get France and the UK into a war. Now, that alone won't start a general European war. What you need is an unexpected move by another Great Power that broadens the field, and upsets the calculations of everybody that figured that getting into a shooting match was worth it in the first place. Now, if we enter "Impulsive Imperial Ruler That Would Do Something Dumb To Escalate A European Conflict" into our Steampunk Google, we get the following result:
1635129497640.png

All we need is for Willy to impulsively add Germany to the balance. It doesn't have to actually happen right away but just enough of a threat that the other side starts making preparations in case it did happen. Then, response follows response, escalation follows escalation, and-deja vu all over again-Europe is at war!

The fun part is...who will Willy declare for? He has let the alliances with Russia/Austria lapse, there is no way that Germany and France will ally. He may just have a momentary impulse to say, "Hurrah Britain!". Then, France freaks out and Steampunk Googles "Imperial Ally That Will Enter A War Even If His Country Is Not Ready" and gets the following result:
1635130179360.png

...and places a call to St. Petersburg. Now, again, even if nothing concrete happens right away, that doesn't mean that Willy doesn't have a panic attack, and casts about to the only power that might help him out.

THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPIRE HAS ENTERED THE CHAT

...probably to deal with Russia, while Russia is dealing with Germany. Because Germany threatened to deal with France. Because France was dealing with the UK. Because the UK was dealing with...Africa? Whatever. We are at war now, and we will figure it all out later. Italy and the Ottomans are probably left out of the party, and it is anybody's guess to see if they are smart enough to stay that way.
 
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Deleted member 170004

Now, if we enter "Impulsive Imperial Ruler That Would Do Something Dumb To Escalate A European Conflict" into our Steampunk Google, we get the following result:
1635129497640.png
Was Germany industrialized enough to fight the war ?
 
I think your best bet is the Fashoda Incident going haywire. That will get France and the UK into a war. Now, that alone won't start a general European war. What you need is an unexpected move by another Great Power that broadens the field, and upsets the calculations of everybody that figured that getting into a shooting match was worth it in the first place. Now, if we enter "Impulsive Imperial Ruler That Would Do Something Dumb To Escalate A European Conflict" into our Steampunk Google, we get the following result:
Well, the other thought on that is: As we know, France can't get directly at the UK, and their fleet is not up to snuff to take on the RN. So, facing blockade, they need more coastline to make it harder.

Now, Belgium of course can't stop them, and we've already annoyed the Brits, so might as well.

Spain is getting messily beaten into the ground by the US (Probably over by the time this war goes got), but the French learned about pacifying the Spanish once already; Maybe the French offer Spain something for passage through to attack Gibraltar. At the least, an economic alliance could be good for Spain, importing things that France needs, and charging extra.

Courting Italy may be possible as well, but I can't see them offering much at this time.

France and Russia have a current alliance, so getting Russia in is easy to get involved. Given that neither of them can get at the home islands, the best strategy may indeed be to go after India.

Per the UK side, things might look a bit rough. With the RN, the homeland is safe, and there's going to be some snapping up of colonies, and a blockade, and the typical harassment, but they are low on friends. They'll be courting Germany, who, is probably feeling a mite nervous sitting as they are between Marianne and the Bear.

There is no Japanese alliance with the UK at this time, though they may be bribed into attacking Russia...perhaps with a few new ships, and some RN support to stiffen the line.
 

Deleted member 170004

Well, the other thought on that is: As we know, France can't get directly at the UK, and their fleet is not up to snuff to take on the RN. So, facing blockade, they need more coastline to make it harder.

Now, Belgium of course can't stop them, and we've already annoyed the Brits, so might as well.

Spain is getting messily beaten into the ground by the US (Probably over by the time this war goes got), but the French learned about pacifying the Spanish once already; Maybe the French offer Spain something for passage through to attack Gibraltar. At the least, an economic alliance could be good for Spain, importing things that France needs, and charging extra.

Courting Italy may be possible as well, but I can't see them offering much at this time.

France and Russia have a current alliance, so getting Russia in is easy to get involved. Given that neither of them can get at the home islands, the best strategy may indeed be to go after India.

Per the UK side, things might look a bit rough. With the RN, the homeland is safe, and there's going to be some snapping up of colonies, and a blockade, and the typical harassment, but they are low on friends. They'll be courting Germany, who, is probably feeling a mite nervous sitting as they are between Marianne and the Bear.

There is no Japanese alliance with the UK at this time, though they may be bribed into attacking Russia...perhaps with a few new ships, and some RN support to stiffen the line.
how to get germany in ?
 
how to get germany in ?
Easily enough. The UK can offer them French colonies.

Germany is in an uncomfortable position anyhow, with an angry France, unable to get at her current enemy, and Russia on the other side. That France might start something anyway isn't out of the question (We're already mobilized, we can't get at Albion, let's go get Alsace and Lorraine back...)
 

Deleted member 170004

Easily enough. The UK can offer them French colonies.

Germany is in an uncomfortable position anyhow, with an angry France, unable to get at her current enemy, and Russia on the other side. That France might start something anyway isn't out of the question (We're already mobilized, we can't get at Albion, let's go get Alsace and Lorraine back...)
So
UK, Germany, AH vs France, Russia, Italy, Spain ?
former wins defeats the latter totally right ?
 
So
UK, Germany, AH vs France, Russia, Italy, Spain ?
former wins defeats the latter totally right ?
Totally? I cannot see that happening.

It will require a decent strategy for the French, though because the French coalition cannot get at the UK at all.

That being the case, attacking to India from Russia is likely the best bet, if it can happen. Logistics will be fun.

The UK will go colony shopping, and support any allies on the continent
 

Deleted member 170004

Totally? I cannot see that happening.

It will require a decent strategy for the French, though because the French coalition cannot get at the UK at all.

That being the case, attacking to India from Russia is likely the best bet, if it can happen. Logistics will be fun.

The UK will go colony shopping, and support any allies on the continent
No
It seems you didn't understand what i asked
UK, Germany, AH wins easily Because
UK's Best navy with Germany and AH navies will blockade all their enemies
Germany's Best army with UK and AH armies can fight their enemies in to submission
 
I think your best bet is the Fashoda Incident going haywire. That will get France and the UK into a war. Now, that alone won't start a general European war. What you need is an unexpected move by another Great Power that broadens the field, and upsets the calculations of everybody that figured that getting into a shooting match was worth it in the first place. Now, if we enter "Impulsive Imperial Ruler That Would Do Something Dumb To Escalate A European Conflict" into our Steampunk Google, we get the following result:
View attachment 690124
All we need is for Willy to impulsively add Germany to the balance. It doesn't have to actually happen right away but just enough of a threat that the other side starts making preparations in case is did happen. Then, response follows response, escalation follows escalation, and-deja vu all over again-Europe is at war!

The fun part is...who will Willy declare for? He has let the alliances with Russia/Austria lapse, there is no way that Germany and France will ally. He may just have a momentary impulse to say, "Hurrah Britain!". Then, France freaks out and Steampunk Googles "Imperial Ally That Will Enter A War Even If His Country Is Not Ready" and gets the following result:
View attachment 690131
...and places a call to St. Petersburg. Now, again, even if nothing concrete happens right away, that doesn't mean that Willy doesn't have a panic attack, and casts about to the only power that might help him out.

THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPIRE HAS ENTERED THE CHAT

...probably to deal with Russia, while Russia is dealing with Germany. Because Germany threatened to deal with France. Because France was dealing with the UK. Because the UK was dealing with...Africa? Whatever. We are at war now, and we will figure it all out later. Italy and the Ottomans are probably left out of the party, and it is anybody's guess to see if they are smart enough to stay that way.
The Ottomans may consider this a unique opportunity to settle scores with Russia. Italy is technically an Austro-German ally, but has taken quite the humiliation recently and domestic unrest is significant. Taking France down a peg would be welcome, but maybe considered risky (the economy would suffer immensely). Joining France and Russia in this scenario, though, is not happening... not with Britain in the other team.
 
Totally? I cannot see that happening.

It will require a decent strategy for the French, though because the French coalition cannot get at the UK at all.

That being the case, attacking to India from Russia is likely the best bet, if it can happen. Logistics will be fun.

The UK will go colony shopping, and support any allies on the continent
The Russians will definitely NOT enjoy the cross-Afghanistan experience. Maybe they could manage to get some combat-worthy regiments in the general area of Peshawar after all, which would scare the unholy shit out of the Brits, but it'd be a deeply painful thing for everyone involved.
 
The Russians will definitely NOT enjoy the cross-Afghanistan experience. Maybe they could manage to get some combat-worthy regiments in the general area of Peshawar after all, which would scare the unholy shit out of the Brits, but it'd be a deeply painful thing for everyone involved.
Oh absolutely I agree, but I see it as one of the few ways that the French Alliance can actually strike at the UK.
 
I suspect that if you ran the post Bismarck diplomatic situation through a simulator, in situations where you wind up with a general European war at some point (and there would be many cases where there would be no such war), in a majority of those wars Germany and the United Kingdom would be on the same side.
 

Deleted member 170004

The Russians will definitely NOT enjoy the cross-Afghanistan experience. Maybe they could manage to get some combat-worthy regiments in the general area of Peshawar after all, which would scare the unholy shit out of the Brits, but it'd be a deeply painful thing for everyone involved.
But
Indian army of UK can defeat Russian Army in 1880s
1.3 million Indians were mobilized in WWI OTL
 
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At the Afghan border? Most likely they can.

I don't really doubt that, though it's unlikely that the army in question will be waiting for the Russians to wander into their arms, I think it would be a surprise. If there is someone partially competent leading that Russian force, maybe they can raise the locals and make things interesting.
 
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