WI: UK and USA sit out World War 1.

I wonder about what would have happened if the UK had decided to leave well enough alone in the first world war. Certainly, the invasion of Belgium was not cool, but with a smallish army and well aware of their far-flung territorial possessions, the UK might rationally decide that they had far more to lose than to gain from the fighting.

This also means that Ottoman Empire and the USA would be very unlikely to get involved, as they entered the war as a result of actions taken by the UK.

No UK means no BEF in Ypres and perhaps a swift German Victory against France. (or maybe the French are able to build a defensive line alone) It also means that the Central Powers are much more likely to win the war.

How would this have turned out?
 

chronos

Banned
Germany and A-H would swiftly win the war and Germany would dominate the continent politically and especially economically. This would destroy the Balance of Power and the support of the second most powerful power against the most powerful which British policy-makers had laboured to maintain for centuries.

The Triple Entente was thus created by the British to fight a war to restore the Balance of Power in Britain's favour. It was a rational calculation, but the wrong rational calculation, based on a short war of one campaigning season.

Thus there was no possibility of remaining neutral.
 
Hm... well, it'd be hard to keep the UK out, really.
They wanted in on the French side.
The easiest way might be to have Irish Home Rule go in effect before a casus belli to motivate the public is found.
Then, have Ulster explode. With violence, I mean, not literally.
Having to use the army for something already might put a dampener on the willingness to enter (the Balance of Power having slightly less priority then the integrity of the Empire).
Also, the BEF, if still deployed, it would probably be smaller by a not insignificant margin...
Kill of Henry Wilson before he can do too much damage, too.:D
 

CalBear

Moderator
Donor
Monthly Donor
The Kaiser crushed France and Russia. Russia loses fast enough that it is not destabilized, meaning no October Revolution. The AH (and probably the Ottoman) Empire does not break up. The face of Europe is changed beyond all recognition.

The butterflies from the event are the size of 747s.
 
The Kaiser crushed France and Russia. Russia loses fast enough that it is not destabilized, meaning no October Revolution. The AH (and probably the Ottoman) Empire does not break up. The face of Europe is changed beyond all recognition.

The butterflies from the event are the size of 747s.
Reverse order on the Empires, sir.
It should be The Ottoman (and probably the AH) Empire does not break up.
Otherwise, probably quite right.
 
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