The Age of Nationalism: A Postponed WWI

Delvestius

Banned
If you disagree with something, tell me why so I can make it better.

The PoD

Shortly after Bismarck becomes prime minister, he makes it known that he inclined to have all German speaking lands in his Empire. He makes a deal with the Hungarian nobility that they should have their own country if they rebelled from Austria and convinced the Slavic regions to do so as well. The Germans would provide the muscle and annex "Osterreich", dissolving the Empire of Austria entirely, leaving the newly independent Kingdom of Hungary (Slovenia is retained by the Germans while Galicia is given to Russia). Bavaria chooses to integrate into the German state as a Protected National Entity. Hungary is soon plagued with ethnic tensions and internal strife which the Russians manage to manipulate. The other nation favor Germany, whose language continues to be taught in schools as the language of prestige.

There was hostile response from France, but they were not going to confront Germany after the bloody nose the French received from the Prussians. The situation seemed favorable to the Russians, who no longer had to deal with Austria meddling in the Balkans and could look to gaining pan-Slavic support. Britain was cautious at first, but it was the French who stood in their way of world domination. They stood back, watching carefully.

The Berlin Meeting

In 1879, Bismarck played host at the Berlin Meeting. The meeting was primarily to discuss the independence of ethnic entities within Europe while shifting the focus of imperialism within Europe to imperialism abroad. At the adjourning of the meeting, the following nations created were Romania and Poland (who were given the lands of the Slovaks). Denmark was convinced to become integrated with Sweden to form the Scandinavian Union as a check against Germany in the Baltic. France was given West Africa to colonize (Including Morocco) while Britain got the East. Libya and Kongo were given to Italy, which along with Portuguese Angola, acted as a buffer zone between the French and British. Netherlands was secured the rights of the East Indies. Germany officially declared that they had no intention of colonies at the time, though they had plans for the far east...

1880s and 90s

Over the next two decades, British and German pressure on the Ottomans lead to a Nationalist Arab Revolt based out of Damascus. Saudis, Syrians and Iraqis join under the Arab banner to defeat the Ottomans. With help from the British and French, the Ottoman Empire collapses with the Istanbul Treaty after the War of Arab Independence. The Arab Nations of Syria, Mesopotamia Arabia, Yemen and Oman become protectorates of the British Empire. Together with Egypt, they make the Imperial Arab Federation.

Albania and Bulgaria are formed out of the Turk's Balkan holdings. Serbia joins Croatia and Bosnia to make the National Parliament of Yugoslavia. Turkey retains Rumelia on the Mediterranean coast.

Russia incorporated the Turkman states of central Asia and maintained a strong presence within Manchuria. Britain conquers the Ethiopians, begins to move into Afghanistan and takes Burma. Germany gained the rights to many ports of China, the two most prized being (Hong Kong and Shanghai) and conquered Vietnam and Kambodia, with the Philippines next on the list. Madagascar is taken by France.

Japan continues to grow and grain strength, extending their rule to many islands in the pacific and taking Taiwan in 1898. The United States begins looking to Central America and the Caribbean for their own expansion, "buying" Cuba off of Spain in 1895 (it was really more of a "you're lucky you're getting anything out of this" kind of deal).

The Dawn of the New Century

By 1910, There were six major colonial powers and two minor powers: The British Empire, a giant whose power lied in the vast empire centered around the Indian Ocean. The Russians, the most populous nation who were finally beginning to reap the boons of Industrialization. Germany, whose industrial output dwarfed that of all other nations and held a profitable far eastern trade sphere. The French, sour at the British for their vast empire and ever vitreous against Germany. Japan, who, after conquering Korea in 1907 looked towards China and began making hostile moves against the Russians in Manchuria. And finally the United States, whose annexation of Central America from Nicaragua to Panama (Along with Cuba and Hispaniola) turned them into a true colonial power. The two minor powers are the Netherlands and Italy (who begins constructed of a Trans-Saharan railway).

Over the next five years, Japan warred with Russia and emerged victorious. The Russians were kicked out of Manchuria and the Japanese obtained Sakhalin. It was then the Japanese who began influencing northern China.

The year is 1923. Treaded fighting vehicles and monoplanes are aspects of modern armies. In 1916, the British Navy commissioned the first aircraft carrier, a design soon to be emulated by all powers except Russia. France has two in the Mediterranean and one of the coast of Africa. The USA contains one in the Caribbean and one of the Pacific and is currently building a third. Germany built one, which it stationed in Vietnam. Japan built one stationed in Taiwan. Britain built five - One stationed in Cape Town, Zanzibar, Muscat, Madras and Singapore.

Iran is a point of contention between Russia and Britain. Germany is wary of an expanding Japan, whose sphere of influence borders theirs, while the US watches the island nation closely from a distance. France and Britain are continuously butting heads, bickering over African territories and slowly taking the territory given to Italy away.

Tomorrow: The Spark.
 
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Shortly after Bismarck becomes prime minister, he makes it known that he inclined to have all German speaking lands in his Empire.

I don't feel very well criticizing such an integral part of the timeline, but this is a completely different Bismarck we have here. The OTL Bismarck was not a German nationalist, but rather a Prussian nationalist. In his view the German Empire was not meant to be a pan-German state. He envisioned it as a sort of exo-skeleton for Prussia, enhancing its power while still remaining small enough for Prussia to dominate it. Bismarck didn't want Austria in the empire because he felt it would disrupt this domination. It would do to explain what changed his worldview so profoundly.

And a question: what happens to the Czechs and Galicia after Austria-Hungary falls?
 

yourworstnightmare

Banned
Donor
Too many problems with this. I guess Bohemia- Moravia is united with Germany, but Slovenia would probably be too, since a) it was pretty much considered an integral part of Austria and b) Germany would want access to the Mediterranean (thus annexations of Istria, Gorizia and Trieste are plausible).

What happened to Galizia? Was it given to Russia as a guarantee?

Since Croatia is a part of the Crown of St. Stephen a Personal Union between Hungary and Croatia would have been a likely outcome. Note the Germans don't want a lot of small nations appear in the Balkans, since that could invite Russian influence to grow.

One of the biggest problems with this: Bismark himself was sceptical to the Grossdeutschland idea due to the fact that the number of Catholics within Germany would become uncomfortably big for the Protestant Junker Class.
 

Delvestius

Banned
What? Why.

Roosevelt Corollary to the next level. America feels that they need colonies to become a world power.

I don't feel very well criticizing such an integral part of the timeline, but this is a completely different Bismarck we have here.

Criticize it all man, I want to make it good :p

One of the biggest problems with this: Bismark himself was sceptical to the Grossdeutschland idea due to the fact that the number of Catholics within Germany would become uncomfortably big for the Protestant Junker Class.

The OTL Bismarck was not a German nationalist, but rather a Prussian nationalist. In his view the German Empire was not meant to be a pan-German state. He envisioned it as a sort of exo-skeleton for Prussia, enhancing its power while still remaining small enough for Prussia to dominate it. Bismarck didn't want Austria in the empire because he felt it would disrupt this domination. It would do to explain what changed his worldview so profoundly.

I did not know this was why he thought the way he did, that it was indeed Prussia that was his love and not "Germany".

I am aware of Bismarck's OTL concerns about Grossdeutscheland in general however, namely that of the ethnic baggage and all the other powers ganging up on them. By making independent nations as opposed to annexing them, I feel that the powers can't really get mad at them. Besides, these new nations would be inclined towards the German sphere as well as acting as buffer zones between Russia and Germany.

At this point there are way to rectify the situation: Make Bismarck an ardent German nationalist, or have a new prime minister entirely, inclined to this move. Any thoughts on plausibility?

And a question: what happens to the Czechs and Galicia after Austria-Hungary falls?

Czechs choose to stay with the Germans as a "protected national entity". Galicia is given to Russia.

Too many problems with this. I guess Bohemia- Moravia is united with Germany, but Slovenia would probably be too, since a) it was pretty much considered an integral part of Austria and b) Germany would want access to the Mediterranean (thus annexations of Istria, Gorizia and Trieste are plausible).

Good call, I agree.

What happened to Galizia? Was it given to Russia as a guarantee?

Yes.

Since Croatia is a part of the Crown of St. Stephen a Personal Union between Hungary and Croatia would have been a likely outcome. Note the Germans don't want a lot of small nations appear in the Balkans, since that could invite Russian influence to grow.

Thanks for your input. Perhaps the Kingdom of Hungary will rule over Croatia, Bosnia, Slovakia and Transylvania, which is then dissolved at the Berlin Meeting.
 
Too many problems with this. I guess Bohemia- Moravia is united with Germany, but Slovenia would probably be too, since a) it was pretty much considered an integral part of Austria and b) Germany would want access to the Mediterranean (thus annexations of Istria, Gorizia and Trieste are plausible).

Possible, but this mean butting head with Italy as this are part of the 'irredente land'; better Trieste as a neutral City (how much truly independent depend of German diplomacy, but at least give Italy a mean to save face) and some territorial concession at Italy (Trentino and some border adjustment in the east border, better if included Gorizia) and some guarantee regarding the Italian identity.



One of the biggest problems with this: Bismark himself was sceptical to the Grossdeutschland idea due to the fact that the number of Catholics within Germany would become uncomfortably big for the Protestant Junker Class.

Correct, maybe the problem is a precendent event where the A-H empire is wrecked by some internal problem so Bismarck must implement this plan as the 'lesser evil'.
 
I
At the adjourning of the meeting, the following nations created were Romania and Poland (who were given the lands of the Slovaks).

What? Can you elaborate? From what parts is Poland created and why is Slovakia added to it?

Also the colonial territories you gave to Germany (Vietnam, Hong Kong) were already held by France and Britain respectively.
 
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