WI: Hitler waits until 1941?

Before invading Poland Hitler asked Italy if they would join in the war but Mussolini refused. He said that he needed until at least 1941 to be prepared for war. What if Hitler conceded and waited until 1941 to attack?
 
Depends how the war starts. How much unthinkable diplomatic moves occurred between 1936-39? What if it is a repeat between 39-41? What does the USSR do? Some people consider it a forgone conclusion that the USSR only begins aggression after a pact with the Germans? What if Poland somehow makes some sort of pact with the Germans? WHat if Russia, as a response, seeks to occupy parts of Poland, the Baltic states, and Romania as a response (in order to make a buffer between them and the encroaching Axis?) What if the Wallies then get involved in a warm war against Russia?

Quite frankly, it can turn out hugely in the Axis' favor. It can also turn out hugely in the Wallies' favor. And, who knows, maybe Stalin's wet dream happens and the Axis and Wallies smash heads together, the Wallies are better prepared, and by 1944 Stalin turns on the Germans and expands his border to the Rhine...
 
Depends how the war starts. How much unthinkable diplomatic moves occurred between 1936-39? What if it is a repeat between 39-41? What does the USSR do?

The OP seems to posit it's pretty much the OTL move.

Some people consider it a forgone conclusion that the USSR only begins aggression after a pact with the Germans?

Given Stalin's nature? Yes.

What if Poland somehow makes some sort of pact with the Germans? WHat if Russia, as a response, seeks to occupy parts of Poland, the Baltic states, and Romania as a response (in order to make a buffer between them and the encroaching Axis?) What if the Wallies then get involved in a warm war against Russia?

An interesting idea, but I have my doubts about Stalin making the first move or Poland going for a Pact with Hitler given the shiny guarantee of independence they have from the Anglo-French. Rate it as low-probability. A more likely reaction from Stalin is he fortifies out the hell out of the Stalin line while severing his trade agreement with Germany in retaliation. Given his economic state, Hitler just can't afford to wait any longer: he'll have to throw a hail-mary at either the Soviets or the WAllies and, given what dire economic straights the Germans would be in by 1941 and how much stronger the other two would become, either is liable to fail vastly harder then OTL.

Quite frankly, it can turn out hugely in the Axis' favor.

Improbable. Waiting is not in the Germans interest. Their relative power to the Western Allies and Soviets will decline.

It can also turn out hugely in the Wallies' favor.

Probable.

And, who knows, maybe Stalin's wet dream happens and the Axis and Wallies smash heads together, the Wallies are better prepared, and by 1944 Stalin turns on the Germans and expands his border to the Rhine...

If you change "the Rhine" to "the Oder or Elbe" then it's possible and "1944" to 1942-43", then yes.
 
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IMO, it is also possible that the Wallies have built up enough from 39 to 41 that they curbstomp the Germans while Stalin decides to stay in Poland as he was a cautious dictator.
 
What is Japan doing? If Germany and Italy invade Poland in say, Sept 1941, and then France in May 1942, Japan will have had to either concede to American demands or go to war.
 
What is Japan doing? If Germany and Italy invade Poland in say, Sept 1941, and then France in May 1942, Japan will have had to either concede to American demands or go to war.

Well, without Germany knocking over France in '40 then that means Indochina doesn't get taken over, so the embargo is at least delayed...
 
Time was not something the Axis had on their side, so any delays would have meant stronger and better prepared Allies lining up against them.
 

Deleted member 94680

Depends how the war starts. How much unthinkable diplomatic moves occurred between 1936-39? What if it is a repeat between 39-41? What does the USSR do? Some people consider it a forgone conclusion that the USSR only begins aggression after a pact with the Germans?

Given that Stalin had finished purging the military in '39, when would the Russians consider themselves to be ready for war? The Nazi-Soviet pact was to buy time for rebuilding post-purge, yes? When was that rebuilding planned to be completed?

If the projected "ready date" is after 1941, then German aggression comes first.
 
On Hitler-Stalin Pact
Stalin trusted that Hitler would stay to treaty, hell was he surprised as Wehrmach biltzkrieg into USSR
had Stalin just read translation of "Mein Kampf" things would be quite different...

On economical and financially condition of The Third Reich
They were on edge of bankruptcy and economic collapse in 1939
Why ?
Hitler push rearming the Military to extrem limits in term of Money and production.
His Minister of economics Hjaimar Schacht warned Hitler that on that speed the third reich goes bankrupt
Schacht was remove from Office November 1937 replace by Herman Göring
 

nbcman

Donor
Given that Stalin had finished purging the military in '39, when would the Russians consider themselves to be ready for war? The Nazi-Soviet pact was to buy time for rebuilding post-purge, yes? When was that rebuilding planned to be completed?

If the projected "ready date" is after 1941, then German aggression comes first.

Stalin didn't stop purging in 1939. He paused until late 1940 and continued up to the start of Barbarossa and beyond. Stalin could have kept merrily purging indefinitely without the threat of a German invasion stopping him.
 
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