If prime minister Eduardo Dato catapulted Spain into WWI on the side of the Central Powers in 1914, something many of his conservative and Carlist supports wanted him to do, in what way would it have changed the conflict's outcome?
It really depends, because there could be interesting knock on effects. If the French are diverting manpower to the Spanish front and away from the German main effort and things go badly for France Italy could well jump in and try and get their slice out of France like in June 1940. If they come in the war in August or even September they could do some damage, but if France manages properly they could survive it and it wouldn't end up being decisive if Britain and Portugal then turn on them; in the long run that helps Germany as it diverts Entente attention, but it hurts Spain very badly. I guess it comes down to when they join in, how quickly they could mobilize, how quickly they could invade France, and how much strength the French use against them and when. We can see then what units would have been drawn off and what effect it would have on OTL actions up to and including the Marne. If that is enough to cause the Entente to stalemate or lose the Marne then it would alter the war.If prime minister Eduardo Dato catapulted Spain into WWI on the side of the Central Powers in 1914, something many of his conservative and Carlist supports wanted him to do, in what way would it have changed the conflict's outcome?
Ground based coastal artillery that covered the Strait from both sides.I'm just wondering how Spain would manage to close the Strait of Gibraltar; just wondering.![]()
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One micro-dreadnought; seven cruisers of which two dated to before 1900 and four old destroyers...
I doubt the Spanish army in 1914 was in any shape to take Gibraltar, which would be a thorn in their side. Conversely, however - is there a possibility that Britain could use Gibraltar as staging grounds for an attack on southern Spain and try to force Spain into submission? Or even call in Portugal and go from there? I wonder if Portugal would take Galicia in case of a victory against Spain, or if they would not bother because it's too late to break Spanish nationalism in that region anyway...
Given that Spain has no real fleet it would probably lose the supply lines to its colonies pretty fast, so French colonial troops would just likely march into the Spanish Rif. In the Pyrenees, I doubt the Spanish could launch an offensive, and the French would not care to launch one, so they'd just garrison a minimal amount of troops there. Spain would be a pretty useless ally.
How would closing Gibraltar affect Italy's position? I don't see why it's a serious concern - supplies could just be sent through France, right?
Erm...forget simply not being able to take Gibraltar but ask yourselves how Spain with its third class navy and army of unwilling conscripts officered by dilettantes is going to hold on to the Basque country and Catalonia? All the good troops are in Morocco the wrong side of the Straits and likely to be in pretty dire straits themselves. Not to mention the complete collapse of the Spanish economy as she has decided to make war on her major trading partners for some odd reason.
Of course I suppose the Carlists might hope that they can pin this epic defeat on the Alfonsine Monarchy but there is a chance, just a chance mind you that the King himself might have words to offer on such an insane plan.
I'd think Spain's top priority would be Gibraltar (as it had been essentially since the ink dried on the Treaty of Utrecht), followed by some colonial possessions.If the central powers still loose, would Spain loose Galicia to Portugal and Catalonia and the Basque Country to independence (or France), as well as her possessions in Africa? What would happen to the Balearic and Canary Islands? If Spain wins, would she get Perpignan and the French Basque Country?
What does Portugal do? They've been an English ally for 60 year by this point.
I think the CP would win, not because of Spain's great military campaigns but rather tipping the balance toward the CP so things are easier for Germany. As others have said the likes of France would have to cover the threat from the land and Britain would have to cover the sea approaches and blockade Spain. These forces would have to come from somewhere, maybe from the likes of the Dardanelles or colonial campaigns or most likely a bit from everywhere. With enough ships and troops deployed against the Spanish threat the Germans might increase their successes elsewhere.
What does Portugal do? They've been an English ally for 60 year by this point.
Lol what?The British didn't treat Portugal as an ally--just twenty-four years ago,the British issued an ultimatum to the Portuguese ordering them to get out of Zimbabwe,Zambia and Malawi.Not saying the Portuguese won't take realist consideration into account,but claiming the Portuguese will help the British by virtue of being an ally for "60 years" is just wrong.
If the central powers still loose, would Spain loose Galicia to Portugal and Catalonia and the Basque Country to independence (or France), as well as her possessions in Africa? What would happen to the Balearic and Canary Islands? If Spain wins, would she get Perpignan and the French Basque Country?