WI: World War I in the 1920s

What if World War I never took place between 1914-1918, and instead took place sometime in the 1920s? I imagine that by this time, Franz Ferdinand would have already taken the throne as Kaiser of Austria-Hungary. Would there still be a Russian Empire? How would differently would Woodrow Wilson's presidency have gone without the war and the Paris Peace Conference? Would Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, etc. be the presidents of the 1920s as OTL, or presidents that are less isolationist?
 
Last edited:
Depends on the alliances, but the main difference is that Russia, if it avoids revolution or civil war, would have substantially improved its military equipment and infrastructure (i.e. railroads).
 
Depends on the alliances, but the main difference is that Russia, if it avoids revolution or civil war, would have substantially improved its military equipment and infrastructure (i.e. railroads).
The alliances are mostly the same as OTL, but Italy likely gravitated away from the Triple Alliance over time, instead of a last-minute backstab.
 
Barring Russia reconciling 3 Emperors style with Germany, Britain and Germany are likely to have a rapprochement to stem Russian ambitions. Britain probably doesn’t shift into the Triple Alliance unless it perceives India or Persia to be directly threatened.
 
Barring Russia reconciling 3 Emperors style with Germany, Britain and Germany are likely to have a rapprochement to stem Russian ambitions. Britain probably doesn’t shift into the Triple Alliance unless it perceives India or Persia to be directly threatened.
What about France? Wouldn't it object to an Anglo-German reconciliation? France is Russia's ally after all.
 
They would but France was the longtime enemy of Britain, much longer than Germany.

Britain and France being buddies in the 20th Century really only happened because of ridiculous levels of German jingoistic conduct and especially naval building.
 
One would think britain we be trying to stop aggressive behavior in general if russia is trying to get the straits or north persia, she will be anti russian. Russias fleet will be. Large and powerful by then, with a solid long range air fleet.
 
The Great game was over and spheres of influence were agreed between the UK and Russia in 1907
 
Would Germany even be stupid enough to do it? Russia's big planned rail building was scheduled to be done in 1917 and Germany OTL helped get WWI going due to it being kind of the last chance for it.

This doesn't mean "no conflicts" of course, but would we even see a recognizable 'world war" as a thing?
 
Top