WI: Frederick III had lived longer?

Paul MacQ

Donor
Thank you Friedrich living has been to me one of the biggest "What if's" of history.

A world where we have Rudolf, A seeming Liberal Crown Prince of Austria and Friedrich come to there thrones at the same time is an interesting idea personally. and good writing so far and subscribed.
 
I read an aAH anthology published in 1931, it had a story about Fredrick survivingz. It meant liberal and peaceful Germany and no WWI. The most memorable story was written by British MP Winston Churchill that had Lee win at Gettysburg and march into Washington and announce that the CSA would abolish slavery. tThe USA and CSA become friendly and from an alliance with Britian . tThe three English speaking nations prevent WWI.
 
I read an aAH anthology published in 1931, it had a story about Fredrick survivingz. It meant liberal and peaceful Germany and no WWI. The most memorable story was written by British MP Winston Churchill that had Lee win at Gettysburg and march into Washington and announce that the CSA would abolish slavery. tThe USA and CSA become friendly and from an alliance with Britian . tThe three English speaking nations prevent WWI.

wow! just that simple huh!:eek::rolleyes:
 
If you can keep relations cordial and avoid Germany expanding their fleet too much when the only realistic target is the Royal Navy that could possibly pave the way for later agreements.

The Imperial German Navy was being expanded at first to deal with the possibility of war against France and Russia. The construction of the Kiel Canal was important for that. The destruction of the Russian fleet at Tsushima certainly eased the signing of the Triple Entente because Britain's fears of a combined Russo-Franco fleet were no more.

The British Admiralty repeated manufactured naval scares during the 19th century to keep its budget funded. They simply swapped out Russia and France from their usual tracts and inserted Germany. Expansion of the German fleet had been supported by Wilhelm I and Frederich, while Kronprinz. It was also extremely popular with heavy industry and the newly formed German middle class.
 
Progress Report.

Sorry about the three-week black hole, got sucked into a very demanding freelance job. I intend to write further this week, even though it seems my schedule will be even worse.

The Imperial German Navy was being expanded at first to deal with the possibility of war against France and Russia. The construction of the Kiel Canal was important for that. The destruction of the Russian fleet at Tsushima certainly eased the signing of the Triple Entente because Britain's fears of a combined Russo-Franco fleet were no more.

The British Admiralty repeated manufactured naval scares during the 19th century to keep its budget funded. They simply swapped out Russia and France from their usual tracts and inserted Germany.
Good point. I was thinking the only way to avoid the fleets to become a friction point was to have some sort of cooperation treaty between the two navies. Besides being good for both countries diplomatically and a very big technical boon for Fritz, it would serve as a stepping stone toward the possibility of a future alliance. I don't see what could he do to sell that deal to the Brits, however. Maybe if he pushed the idea of mutual protection from the French and Russian fleets (Tsushima hadn't happened yet) or offered something the Brits would like. IDK.

And another thing. I'm a bit undecided as to what moves should ol' Fritz go for internally. He has three goals: modernize the governing structure, delegate more power to the Reichstag and (the most pressing one) isolating Bismarck and those who share his ideals. I have no clue as to what would work. If he pushes for too much reform, Bismarck could use his popularity to shift the power back to his hands. If he modernizes to much, he loses control of the Reichstag reforms. I'm working on some possible scenarios, but if anyone has a clever point to make I'd be really grateful.

Anyway - thanks a lot for the input guys!
 

Flubber

Banned
You may want to read Our Fritz by Frank Muller before writing any further.

Here's a link in which the author explains the topic and from that link:

“Our Fritz” thus remained contested. One legend made him the anglophile champion of liberty, reform and progress: the darling of the liberal left and for the reactionary right an object of fearful derision. Another tale turned him into a royal Prussian hero. Another Fritz, another Louise; to be remembered as the general, William II wrote in his memoirs, “who helped to forge Germany’s Imperial crown; as the amiable and popular Crown Prince, and . . . as the man of sorrows, who bore with noble fortitude sufferings that carried him off before his time.” It is easy for the man Frederick to get lost amongst these myths. They contained more than a few grains of truth but also distorted the outlines of a fundamentally decent but weak man who was caught between different traditions and dominated by the strong personalities that surrounded him. In Emperor Frederick some of the most powerful forces of the political culture of his age imprinted themselves at a most prominent, visible and important position. His tragic life richly repays a careful analysis.
 
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