WI: CP sue for peace early

This was actually pretty much tried. Here is an online source I found:

https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/peace_initiatives

Its a long article, but pretty comprehensive. The short summary is that the Central Powers did kind of sort of float several peace proposals that the other side rejected.

The basic problem with ending the war early is that the German army was successful in making sure the war was fought almost entirely outside of Germany, and even Austria-Hungary was mostly cleared of enemy troops after 1915. But the Entente/ Allies had a much greater capacity to wage war in terms of finance, industry, and population and everyone knew it. Both sides expected the next great series of Allied offensives on all fronts to do the trick. They were even planning this for 1917 before the Russian revolution and the French mutinies. Russia didn't drop out right away after the Tsar was overthrown and the USA came in, so the expectation was still for an Allied victory. But the CP had an understandable problem with just throwing in the towel if they kept winning operationally.
 
Because it was beginning to run out of foodstuffs, and can begin to occupy the East and re-develop its military for another go at it in a few years.

Food Situation was improving throughout 1918 and with Ukrainian foodstuffs to be expected eventually, there is no reason for the Germans not to launch their prepared arrow which was the Spring Offensive.
 
Belgium was key, Germans tried a few times but they refused to make clear statement on Belgium. More importantly that statement had to be an agreement to a return to status quo ante for Belgium. Nothing else would work.

With Russia out of the war and the deal struck in the east Germany has won a smashing victory. IF they can keep the gains or most of them. Generals knew Germany was at its limit in 1918 and had maybe a year to win the war, winter 1917-18 was a bad shock.

If Germans make statement to Belgian gov in France, London, Paris and DC in spring 1918 that they are willing to make peace based around concept of Staus Quo Ante in West it would spark conversation. British would be most interested with French least. I give it maybe 30% chance allies dont reject it out hand. Any talks are going to involve allied damands for Germany to give up gains in East. If talks start and news leaks French army moral may just collapse. If there is any kind of armistice belligerents may find their armies restive if they try to restart war.

For real chance you need US not in war. Western allies would be in much worse economic shape.
 
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