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In the aftermath of the Great War, it’s quite understandable that German nationalism and militarism would surge after the humiliation of Versailles. In OTL, Adolph Hitler rode this to power, with catastrophic results.

I’ve been thinking—what would happen if we had a rational German militarist scheming for power and taking it successfully. He’s got the same charisma as Hitler, but he’s also more sane. He doesn’t care about destroying the Jews, or any other specific group. They are Germans, after all—and throwing away the resources of any part of Germany would be stupid. (He’s rational about how he achieves his goals—restoring Germany—I’m not saying that his goal is necessarily rational.)

This man is cold blooded and calculating, willing to take some time, and has assembled a competent bunch of associates. He can give one heck of a speech, and knows how to rally a crowd.

He doesn’t necessarily want a war, but has no hesitation about entering one if the odds are right. His goal is simple: The reestablishment of Germany as a great power in the world, and the reclamation of the 1914 borders. The colonies are of no importance; they were a burden in any event.

The program need not be one big grab; if he can get German Poland back one year, or Elas-Lothringien back another, he’ll cheerfully take a partial victory now, and more later.

He’s not especially interested in non-German lands, but won’t hesitate to unite areas that are culturally German. Austria might be a logical goal for peaceful unification.

It’s more important to insure that the new empire will last than to get it quickly. And, he can see that even a crushing defeat need not be permanent—so he doesn’t want France or Britain humiliated to the point where revenge will become part of the national psyche, ready to strike back when the time is right.
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