Let's say that in 1943 the German leadership somehow realises they are doomed and decide to offer a ceasefire/peace terms. (Perhaps after a successful anti-Hitler coup following losses on the Eastern front and the death of Mussolini)
However, unlike previous peace offers they threaten a 'Samson option' in case these terms are not agreed upon.
While also offering a 'carrot', such as compensation for the destroyed infrastructure, victims of the occupations and their families, the arrest & persecution of the worst war criminals, return of some of the occupied territories and retreat of its forces, ellimination of the puppet regimes, promise to dedicate themselves to maintaining peace and prosperity in Europe through non-violent means, etc. They put in no uncertain terms that failing to abide will result in them destroying Europe as we know it.
Including the complete annihilation of its cultural heritage, its cities and its people.
These threats would include: flooding of the lowlands, destruction of cities like Paris, Venice, Brussels, Warsaw, etc. (Including the obliteration of their countries respective cultural heritages, including libraries, museum collections, other works of art, etc).
Use of poison/nerve gas against occupied people's. Liquidation of minorities and all currently held POWs. Destruction of farmland and forests. Using biological and chemical weapons against enemy cities and as a way to contaminate large swaths of territory, etc.
Basically the Anglo-American Nazi War on steroids.
They also state that if the terms are not agreed upon within one week they will assume they have been rejected and will start to act on their threats.
So what happens? Do the allies reluctantly accept? Do they split? Does Europe plunge into Vlad Tepes territory? Do we get a ceasefire without a conclusive peace (See modern North and South Korea)? Civil war in the Reich?
Personally I cannot imagine the allies being willing to sacrifice dozens of millions of people and thousands of years of European cultural heritage just so they can have their 'unconditional surrender', I think in the end they will reluctantly accept but that negotions will break down regarding the exact terms and reparations, leading to a sort of cold war in Europe.
However, unlike previous peace offers they threaten a 'Samson option' in case these terms are not agreed upon.
While also offering a 'carrot', such as compensation for the destroyed infrastructure, victims of the occupations and their families, the arrest & persecution of the worst war criminals, return of some of the occupied territories and retreat of its forces, ellimination of the puppet regimes, promise to dedicate themselves to maintaining peace and prosperity in Europe through non-violent means, etc. They put in no uncertain terms that failing to abide will result in them destroying Europe as we know it.
Including the complete annihilation of its cultural heritage, its cities and its people.
These threats would include: flooding of the lowlands, destruction of cities like Paris, Venice, Brussels, Warsaw, etc. (Including the obliteration of their countries respective cultural heritages, including libraries, museum collections, other works of art, etc).
Use of poison/nerve gas against occupied people's. Liquidation of minorities and all currently held POWs. Destruction of farmland and forests. Using biological and chemical weapons against enemy cities and as a way to contaminate large swaths of territory, etc.
Basically the Anglo-American Nazi War on steroids.
They also state that if the terms are not agreed upon within one week they will assume they have been rejected and will start to act on their threats.
So what happens? Do the allies reluctantly accept? Do they split? Does Europe plunge into Vlad Tepes territory? Do we get a ceasefire without a conclusive peace (See modern North and South Korea)? Civil war in the Reich?
Personally I cannot imagine the allies being willing to sacrifice dozens of millions of people and thousands of years of European cultural heritage just so they can have their 'unconditional surrender', I think in the end they will reluctantly accept but that negotions will break down regarding the exact terms and reparations, leading to a sort of cold war in Europe.