WI: Ruhr Red Army succeeds

So, IOTL, there was a little revolution in Post-WWI Germany, that actually got pretty far along, at least from what I can tell, and kicked some ass, before petering out for a reason I cannot determine from the wiki page. So, what if, IATL, the Ruhr Red Army succeeds and establishes a Communist German Republic on the border of France and Germany? Now, I do not think it could last long, but even having an initial success that results in a short peace would have HUGE butterflies. If things got big enough, do you think France and the UK would let up on the Versailles restrictions for the sake of saving Europe from Communist overthrow?

The Soviets are probably a non-factor, as they are busy getting their ass kicked by the Poles, and can't do much.
 
Seeing as the Ruhr is pretty important to France for the German industries they're currently exacting reparations from, I can't see a republic lasting there for too long, let alone a communist one that will be perceived as attempting to export its revolution outside its borders.
 

Deleted member 1487

So, IOTL, there was a little revolution in Post-WWI Germany, that actually got pretty far along, at least from what I can tell, and kicked some ass, before petering out for a reason I cannot determine from the wiki page. So, what if, IATL, the Ruhr Red Army succeeds and establishes a Communist German Republic on the border of France and Germany? Now, I do not think it could last long, but even having an initial success that results in a short peace would have HUGE butterflies. If things got big enough, do you think France and the UK would let up on the Versailles restrictions for the sake of saving Europe from Communist overthrow?

The Soviets are probably a non-factor, as they are busy getting their ass kicked by the Poles, and can't do much.

The big problem is that they didn't have widespread support. That and the German army marched in and kicked their ass. Have the war last longer and the Red Army could actually get something done, especially if the Germany army isn't able to march back and get tasked with sorting out matters at home. The war ended as it did BECAUSE of the Spartakist uprisings; the German ruling class was more afraid of revolution at home than the Allies. Have the Allies demand even harsher terms and the army stays at the front while the Reds get a semi-free hand. But the situation is going to be ugly post war.

The French, Americans, and Brits will want to crush them. Just like the Communist Bavarian Republic, it won't have broad appeal outside the marginal working class of communist sympathies, which means it will be starved of manpower, especially of the critical middle class, which hated the communists. Someone is going to run in and crush them, either the Germans themselves or the Allies. Whomever does will have something to say about the status of the Ruhr postwar.
 
Now, I do not think it could last long, but even having an initial success that results in a short peace would have HUGE butterflies.
I can't see a republic lasting there for too long, let alone a communist one that will be perceived as attempting to export its revolution outside its borders.
Someone is going to run in and crush them, either the Germans themselves or the Allies. Whomever does will have something to say about the status of the Ruhr postwar.
Glad we all agree, then. :D;)
 
As for butterflies, I see such a state doing a favour for anti-Communist Rightists throughout Europe, along the lines of, "See, if you don't pass what I say you should pass, we'll end up just like the Ruhr, and then you'll be sorry."
If we see a Franco-German cooperation in the crushing of the Communists, could this perhaps have interesting butterflies on WWII?
 
Bumpity bump

So, is there some sort of pod that could make it any more successful. Or was otl the best they could do?
 
Considering the number of French soldiers who mutinied only a few years prior I'm not so sure France would have an easy time of it simply crushing the Ruhr revolutionaries.

As well there was a strong socialist movement in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, so soldiers from the countries surrounding the Ruhr might be unwilling to fire upon the revolutionaries - indeed they might even join them!

It'll depend on your POD. You'll have to somehow manage to make sure that the Germans, Belgians, Dutch, British, and possibly the Americas aren't able, or willing, to do something about the situation.
 
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