This is my first attempt at a timeline, so please feel free to flame my n00b ass, for those who may not be interested this is a timeline where British involvement in the Great war is limited, negligible or non-existent (depends on what I feel after I get feedback), which in turn delays or excludes the USA so leading to a victory by the central powers.
If there is not anything seriously wrong with this it is purely by chance and no doubt it will require a great deal of expansion.
Yes I need a better title.
Stomach Pains, Part: 1
On June 27th 1902, his Royal and Imperial Majesty Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the dominions beyond the sea, Emperor of India dies as the result of a burst appendix and is succeeded by his son George V. The sudden passing of Edward VII is a heavy burden for the British, so soon after the demise of Queen Victoria and just a day after the originally scheduled date of his coronation.
Edward VII, often presented as a debauched and ridiculous figure in the French media is further defamed by allegations that his death was brought on by a venereal condition and other sordid suggestions. The British ambassador in Paris demands that these newspapers are brought to heel, the French government is reluctant to do so and a bitter row ensures very much poisoning the relationship between the two countries.
June 1903 shortly after his coronation, King George V makes his first state visit to his cousin Kaiser Wilhelm II. Though the two men are not natural friends and though several points of tension exist between the two countries, the visit is intended very much as a reciprocation for the support the Kaiser gave during the passing of both Queen Victoria and Edward VII as well as to reinforce familial ties.
Despite the Kaiser’s normally heavy handed approach to diplomacy the visit goes surprisingly well, and a period of improved relations is enjoyed between the two countries.
On April 8th 1904 Britain and Germany sign an ‘entente’. Though widely condemned in Paris, and praised in Berlin as an ‘alliance’ the truth is that the entente merely represents a desire to maintain good Anglo-German relations as opposed to any actual solid agreement. The entente contains numerous possibly insecure declarations of amity and friendship as well as a vaguely written ‘understanding’ that Germany is to keep naval expansion commensurate with external threats. London takes this to mean that Germany is to maintain naval parity with France, the Kaiser takes this to mean that Britain fears the future German navy and that he build up as he sees fit. A warm relationship has been established between Britain and Germany, albeit one that is built on a shaky foundation. Anglo-French relations continue to cool.
In 1905 France is ‘caught’ trying to establish a protectorate over Morocco and is challenged by Germany. Finding herself without British support, she quickly concedes the point and at the subsequent Algeciras Conference the Great Powers recognise Moroccan independence. The incident underlines French isolation and vulnerability and causes a serious political fall out in Paris leading to resignations and street riots. In Germany the popularity of the Kaiser and the Chancellor soars, meanwhile Britain convinces herself that she was somehow responsible for diffusing the crisis.
In 1907 a number of officers and opposition MP’s petition King George V to intervene against the controversial Army reforms of Richard Haldane the Secretary of War. Haldane’s plans include the creation of a Territorial Army, to augment the small Regular Army in the event of a major war. The King already a naval man is more than impressed by the recent emergence of the powerful and expensive Dreadnoughts and in any case talk of a major European war seems increasingly far-fetched. After many consultations between the King, Prime Minister Campbell-Bannerman and subsequently Asquith the proposed reforms are shelved and Haldane resigns in protest.
In the wake of the Bosnian crisis, vague doubts regarding relations with Germany and growing relations between Britain and Russia a watered down version of Haldane’s proposals is resurrected and passed in the form of the “Army Reserve Act, 1909”. This act merely allows for a small expansion of militia forces, does not reorganise their leadership and due to the political wranglings and the reticence of the Regular Army does not come into force until 1911.
The Balkan wars pass without provoking a war amongst the great powers but by 1914 small cracks have appeared in the foundation of the European peace. Despite the Anglo-German entente of 1904 it is clear that Germany has a navy far advanced of what it ‘legitimately’ needs for parity with France but the general consensus is that Europe is at peace and will be so for many years to come.