Ah, except I remember you spoiled for us earlier that italian armed neutrality survived as policy until the present day. So they dodge this one.
The Silver Knight, a Lithuania Timeline
- Thread starter Augenis
- Start date
Chapter 60: Prelude to Armageddon, Pt. 2
Part 60: Prelude to Armageddon, Pt. 2 (1890-1900)
In many ways, France and Lithuania were complete opposites of one another. The former was an industrial giant, one of the most developed states in Europe with a powerful economy and an urbanized population; the latter was still in the process of industrialized, with many of it's provinces remaining agrarian. The former was a free and stable multi-party democracy and proud of it's Republican traditions; the latter was an oppressive absolute monarchy, with an Emperor who is the head of the nation's church and a secret police cracking down on dissidents, so much that it was only second to Britannia in it's autocratic darkness. The former was a largely monoethnic state; the latter was composed of dozens of competing nationalities. Under any other circumstance, France and Lithuania would have likely been adversaries, maybe even rivals. However, both of them had a common enemy - the two nations of Visegrad and South Germania, who, in their eyes, were threatening the old European order and thus had to be put down.
Of course, each one had it's own objectives, too.
France's primary agenda was to keep Germania divided. In the eyes of the French, who still remembered the Revolutionary Wars, a united Germania would disturb the delicate balance in Central and Western Europe and potentially lead to France playing second fiddle to this likely powerful hypothetical nation. Germania would reclaim territories west of the Rhine, Germania would seek to acquire colonies in Africa, likely pushing the French out in the process, Germania would do this, would do that... It was starting to turn into paranoia, at least among the politicians in the French republic. France had no grievance with Visegrad, but the relations between the two nations soured after the Cairo Affair.
Lithuania saw Visegrad as it's primary rival for domination in Central Europe, and after Mykolas I's ascension, isolating the federal kingdom and dismantling it into minor states rapidly became the empire's top priority. The two nations had been butting heads since the 15th century, and all hope of easing the tensions were lost with the assassination of Žygimantas III. Lithuania didn't have any particular grievance with Germania, but the relations between the two states were never great. The Germans were disgusted with the "prison of nations" that they perceived Lithuania to be, and the Lithuanians weren't interested in letting Visegrad acquire a powerful ally in the West.
"Two Extremes Meet", an 1895 British caricature of Franco-Lithuanian friendship
Not particularly liked by the people, Mykolas I overturned most of the progressive policies of his successor while at the same time reigniting the enmity between Visegrad and Lithuania, and for that, he is considered to be one of the worst rulers of Lithuania - but it should be noted that he did not lack confidence. Nor was he outright malicious in his actions. Rather, he just had an outdated view of what Lithuania should strive towards. One thing he was not very good at, however, was making a child, and for a large portion of his reign, the people feared that Lithuania would see a yet another childless ruler - but that turned out not be the case, and he was succeeded by his 14 year old son, Žygimantas IV.
The new, young, inexperienced and court-controlled Emperor did not stop the brewing alliance with France, however, and in 1898, the heads of state of the two nations signed the foundation of the "Alliance for the Protection of Peace and Stability in Europe", more commonly known by it's informal name - the Entente Cordiale. It was a reactionary alliance, aimed against the Baltic-Adriatic Coalition, and it had one defining purpose - protect the old order at all costs.
With the two blocs set into motion, Europe was spiraling towards a conflict never seen before. The German Revolutionary Wars? The Balkan Wars? The Concert of Africa? They had nothing on what was brewing... Both alliances powered up their propaganda machines and threw out all thoughts of "rational military spending" out the window.
And whichever side will win, Europe will not be the same, forever.
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I have a very interesting (and small) thing coming up tomorrow, so look forward to that!
You think you've seen "interesting", but you'll see
Somewhat. In a similar fashion to OTL France, they provide loans for improving infrastructure and modernizing equipment. It's not as wide and large as the cooperation between Visegrad and South Germania, however.
Depending on where the Great War goes in terms of who joins the frey to make gains, it wouldn't be surprising if Volga Russia decides to join the Baltic Adriatic Alliance if they are beating back the Entente armies along with overtures for gains to be made.
The BAs can also probably count on the Ottomans, who aren't nearly as neutered here as in OTL.
BAC vs Entente!
Here goes...
The popularity of the ideologies is mostly accurate. Grey is Authoritarianism and yellow is Democracy, blue is Unitarianism, purple is Purple Unitarianism and brown is National Lindemanism.
The question I pose to you is this:
Which faction are you rooting for? Entente Cordiale or the Baltic-Adriatic Coalition?
The popularity of the ideologies is mostly accurate. Grey is Authoritarianism and yellow is Democracy, blue is Unitarianism, purple is Purple Unitarianism and brown is National Lindemanism.
The question I pose to you is this:
Which faction are you rooting for? Entente Cordiale or the Baltic-Adriatic Coalition?
What makes you think that?
I'm not saying you're thinking something bad, I'm just interested if you have any TL reasoning for it.
So in one faction you have two democratic governments. In another you have an absolutist monarchy and a Republic that ironically has done more to curtail freedom than any absolutist state. Go, Ferenc! Go, Otto! Down with the inorganic balance of power!
Didn't you hint at really really bad things during the end of the Empire of Lithuania? I can see that as a reason for extreme governments.
I'd personally bet on some kind of extreme government (I'm betting communists in Lithuania, as you seem to dislike the KR-inspired rut of communist Frances following WW1/its equivalent) across Lithuania and Ruthenia, with Russia being "taken back" by the Volgacks in a very extreme monarchical rule.
Then, Augenis will have some kind of humiliating thing involving a von Urach somewhere so he can further work out his hatred of timelines putting them as Kings of Lithuania.
Oh, and Lithuania will cover OTL Lithuania and the other Baltic nations, with a bit of Russia and Poland aswell.
i will support Entente cordial, because i'm french 
, more seriously even if i don't like modern lithuanian ruler i love this Lithuana culture and history and many minorities will suffer if they loose.
Germania placed an Hasburg in their throne and i suspect they became pangemranism again (not a problem for me) but i suspect they are the kind of pan-germans that will surely forced german minorities to join them even if they do not want.
And i love how France elvove
, more seriously even if i don't like modern lithuanian ruler i love this Lithuana culture and history and many minorities will suffer if they loose.Germania placed an Hasburg in their throne and i suspect they became pangemranism again (not a problem for me) but i suspect they are the kind of pan-germans that will surely forced german minorities to join them even if they do not want.
And i love how France elvove
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Süddeutschland, Visegrad, und Freiheit!
Hopefully they liberate Lithuania and put someone like Žygi's predecessor in power.
Basically what AvatarofKhaine said - you've already hinted at shit going down in Lietuva in the future, although I'm still not sure whether it will be *Nazis or *Commies who take control. Plus, the BAC just generally seems like its going to end up stronger than the Entente Cordial - there are more people with reasons to ally against France and Lithuania then there are people with reasons to ally with them.
Just wondering but would Volga Russia have anything to gain from the baltic Adriatic alliance?
True but you also stated in an earlier update that the Russian Speaking areas of the Empire and are home to discontent. So I figured that VR joining during the war would be enough incentive for nationalist revolutions to break out in Lithuania, and crippling the Entente War effort.
Just wondering but have you ever what Vytautas would be like, as a FSN heroic spirit?
Im rooting for Suvabhumi Alliance(Indochina version of co-operation sphere, Alliance of disgrunted indochina against big china and other colonial empires)
To be serious, Im rooting for entente, But i doubt it will win. Visegrad-Suddeutschland armies would crush lithuania and give france a bad time(Buda-Vienna Treaty)
By the way, I have two questions
1)Did you made those portraits?(If you made it, That would be impressive. Consider that you have created a working portrait with your own ideology and backstory)
2)Is indochina(Specifically Siam) free from imperialism and colonialism?
To be serious, Im rooting for entente, But i doubt it will win. Visegrad-Suddeutschland armies would crush lithuania and give france a bad time(Buda-Vienna Treaty)
By the way, I have two questions
1)Did you made those portraits?(If you made it, That would be impressive. Consider that you have created a working portrait with your own ideology and backstory)
2)Is indochina(Specifically Siam) free from imperialism and colonialism?
1) No, they are actually from Kaiserreich for HoI4. I am in that mod's development team (or I at least used to be), but I don't work on the portraits.
2) So far, no. But things might change with the Suez Canal making travel to Asia easier.