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...
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.
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.