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Well, it says that the AAR will be monarchist, so I imagine the Hohenzollerns survive. Could this mean a Balkanized Germany?
Von der Maas bis an die Memel, von der Etsch bis an den Belt!actually, i meant this -
You kind of hinted that the German parts of Austria would join the greater German Reich. Looks pretty on the map
One particularly troubling aspect of German Empire's newly acquired position in the world was necessity to contain revolution in Russia. Dangerous ideas brewing in such place had to affect rest of the world, in one way or another. And Germany was no exception. Fortunately, as long as rural areas were not in control of revolutionary parties, there was no way for them to take control over the Reichstag, firmly in hands of parties loyal to the monarchy - in case of DNVP without any question and with some reservations from catholics in Zentrum or Gustav Stresseman's moderates in DVP. In fact, both Prussian and imperial authorities were at first more concerned with activities of German Democratic Party, DDP, trying to connect progressive liberal and republican ideas of intellectuals to the masses. It's most prominent members, sociologist Max Weber or economist and banker Hjalmar Schacht were the most vocal critics of authoritarian monarchy. Such people had certainly some influence over other parties, like the Zentrum, where many Reichstag deputies were concerned about continuing 'prussianization' of Germany.
The SPD poster for 1922 German federal election.
This changed only few years later, with ongoing civil war in Russia in it's background. By 1923, Social Democrats in Germany were no longer prewar passionate bunch of social reformers, nor wartime loyalists, frowned upon by conservatives or ultranationalists still. It gradually changed into revolutionary party, when so called 'Spartacus League' took control of USPD and then mostly absorbed what was left of the original party, which was afterwards reduced into fringe party of few last idealists, later absorbed into liberal DDP. Reborn SPD then proved a constant source of anxiety for the federal monarchy, as their main bastions of support were the largest cities in the Reich, including Berlin, where their Communist rivals were considered almost acceptable political opposition, as they were instructed from abroad to not cause too much trouble, as the revolution in Russia was anything, but secured. This major radicalisation of the left was inevitable long-term consequences of refusal for any major social and political reforms, pointed out first by the DDP liberals, dismissed by nationalists as party of 'professors and Jews'.
These paralels in Germany, where right and left forces seemingly insisted on further confrontation, making any compromise in the future impossible, were mirrored in Germany's eastern satellite states, bordering Russia: at first, greater concern of Ober Ost (nickname for German Armed Forces in the East) were not the revolutionary groups, but nationalists and liberals. First major clash between German Empire's ambitions in the Eastern Europe and representatives of local ethnicities happened in the Baltic States. Except newborn Kingdom of Lithuania, the rest was merged into single entity, seriously discussed and planned in the wartime: United Baltic Duchy, an official protectorate of German Empire, in control of Baltic German minority, few Prussian bureacrats and quite a few retired soldiers, enlarging the German population. The Belarus, with it's official name being 'Kingdom of White Ruthenia', was given under rule of Wilhelm II.'s younger brother, Heinrich, extending Hohenzollern rule to another country. Unlike Ukrainian Hetmanate, the source of nationalist or anarchist uprisings, worsened by Skoropadsky's despotism, King Genrikh I. soon realized, that he needs powerful ally among the local population, popular and decisive character. He found that in decorated general Stanislav Bulak-Balakhovich, who already organized illegal militias, crossing the borders and sparking rebellions against the Bolsheviks. The deal they struck was very straightforward: he will use his authority in Ober Ost and spare a good word with his brother the Kaiser, to provide greater support for White Russian resistance. Everything unofficially, as the German forces in the East had only peacekeeping role.
The Crown Prince Wilhelm, late 1920s. Prince Louis Ferdinand in the background.
He was not the first or last member of imperial house, who was willing to cooperate with whatever forces, to keep everything in place. Wilhelm II.'s oldest son and the heir provided verbal, moral and sometimes legal support not only for the DNVP and it's Stahlhelm paramilitary wing, but also for Goring's National Socialists. Their leader was a controversial figure himself: a decorated war hero and famous aerobatics pilot, who left the Luftstreitkrafte under never publicly revealed reasons and on top of that, married a member of Eulenburg noble family, which remained very close to ruling Hohenzollerns, despite the scandal they suffered shortly before the war. This all would be still acceptable, if there wasn't most (in)famous reason: shortly after he left the Air Force, he was deliberately walking nearby the anti-militarist demonstration with his medals visible, where he was assaulted by five men. Hermann Wilhelm Goring then killed all of them, using his bare hands and presumably the gun from one attacker, according to many witnesses. In widely known trial, he was acquitted in the case of self-defense, where he presented himself as honorable German soldier who was only defending his life and his nation from both foreign and domestic criminals. This caught attention of small extremist party in need of someone like him. Goring then proved as the very valuable supporter of the imperial government - policemen in Berlin or Rhineland always knew that no demonstration or strike will cause troubles, as long as Goring's men were nearby. Many deemed them as mere street thugs, led by deranged former soldier, but this didn't stop them from expressing their fanatical loyalty to Kaiser, Kronprinz and the Reichsfuhrer (title invented by one of the Goring's lackies).
By that time, Russian Civil War entered a new phase. Areas with little to no influence of the Lenin's soviets rose up, sometimes with help of weapon stockpiles 'abandoned' by Germans or mysteriously never destroyed warehouses full of weaponry captured from imperial Russian Army, corroding since the signing of Treaty of Alexander Palace. This was deemed the temporary solution, as the anti-bolshevik fronts didn't coordinate their efforts well: many White Russian leaders had cardinally different plans what to do with the mess. Left-wing opposition to the Bolsheviks with the major popular support insisted on re-established Republic, while majority of tsarist generals could accept only monarchy. Although virtually no one missed the Nicholas II., who lived in comfortable Swiss exile with his daughters by that time, this proved the main problem for years to come. One of the few positive results, however, was the serious debate in the Reich about international security. The Europe could be hold together by invincible German military, it was thought still, but it provided short term results and too much collateral damage. And most importantly, German population should be presented with rational efforts to keep the peace. Therefore, German diplomats, jurists, politicians and bankers presented the Kaiser and the Chancellor an idea of international court, which will enforce any and fully legal finding upon complicated cases, in legacy of Congress of Berlin (1878) or Berlin Conference (1884-1885). Only this time, it will be permanent and independent entity creating mandatory and binding decisions, backed with full power of it's members. Aside from Germany and it's satellite states and protectorates, other founding member states were Romania, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Greece and Spain.
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So Aleksej has died already? Poor boy
Seeing that the Netherlands signed the covenant, and the Hague conventions were held there, wouldn't it be a logical place for the Court of Arbitration to have its seat?
All in all Russia is a peace.
I think these travails are making a decent stab at proving the contention that winning the peace is way more difficulty that winning the war.
I think these travails are making a decent stab at proving the contention that winning the peace is way more difficulty that winning the war.
It seems that even in victory, the German Empire is not immune to the machinations of extremists from both the left and right.
Sooner rather than later, Germany is going to have to go back to war if they want to protect the Ukraine against the CCCP - I wonder whether they will have the heart for it, or if they'll make the mistake of letting the Soviets expand.
And his insane wife in proper medical care. He probably thinks all day how hard it is, and nothing worse could have happened to him.
Notice, that I didn't actually wrote which place it will be. Only, that Germany had solid previous experience with major peace negotiations.
Again, there wouldn't be any world war at all, if insanely greedy Englishmen were reasonable and accepted fair German or Austrian demands in the past.
Yup. Deposed king in bitter exile under surveillance and his boys making kingdoms out of Canucks, Aussies and Kivis.
Or would you rather called it 'Manchester Republic', where Labour Party happily accepted fall of monarchy?
Some people just don't know when enough is enough. Silly peasants.
I am sure Goring will do nothing wrong whatsoever and will follow orders from aristocracy to the letter.
It will be up to the new Chancellor what to do with Russia. When civil war will end, it will be Hindenburg, not Helfferich.
Really, Hindenburg? The man was born in 1847, he'll be 80 years old in 1927. A good figurehead but not at all am energetic or even just moderately ambitious leader. Why would a victorious German Empire where the job of figurehead is already taken by the Kaiser, himself a venerable old man at this point (70th birthday in 1929), want an even older and less fit man as chancellor?
Exactly. Boat is on the completely right course, so for such times, there must be no one who will change anything in any way. Who is better than very old people?
The Kronprinz and his boys will do the necessary bonding parties with officers, bankers and CEOs, as they are more than fit for this
The Kronprinz and his boys will do the necessary bonding parties with officers, bankers and CEOs, as they are more than fit for this
What was a now clear path to domination over the Old World and beyond for the German Empire, was an exactly large catastrophe for the fallen British Empire. The undisputed ruler of the Seven Seas shattered in such a spectacular manner, that even the most assertive anglophobes had to admit their concerns. The England and Wales were left in ruins and what wasn't destroyed, was only taken by von Mackensen's soldiers as a war reparations. The Bank of England was emptied, same as warehouses with raw materials and food supplies. With the old stern Prussian hussar and prideful, same as vengeful von Tirpitz in charge of the occupation policy, the Englishmen had to expect only such treatment, indeed. The Royal Navy expected the worst, including open mutiny of it's demoralized sailors and most of it's battleships left were sunk in Scapa Flow. Four newest capital warships and twelve cruisers were formally donated to independent Canada and Australia, before the armistice was signed. It was part of the desperate measures taken by the King and HM's government, strongly encouraged by Sir Winston Churchill. The idea was to preserve the monarchy and British civilization in it's Dominions too far from Germany's direct reach, especially, when it became obvious that 'London Peace Treaty' is no less than complete liquidation of the British power for good. Economic destruction was so efficiently executed by the retreating occupation troops, that American Red Cross called for official support from the U.S. government to save the starved Britain. Humanitarian help directed by appointed federal official Herbert Hoover was soon followed by massive financial injections into the ruined country, as much as with renewed Germanophobia and severed political negotiations with Berlin.
The ANZAC troops assaulting Ottoman coast, 1915.
The most viable surviving remnants of British Empire were deep in their own troubles. In fact, the lost war was thoroughly presented as a confirmation of young nation's right to exist and right to take in place of honor amongst the other of nations of the world. However, this didn't meant uncritical loyalism for the fallen Empire. Many ANZAC veterans, same as Australian politicians and war journalists, were for long time disaffected with British decision to keep them in the Middle East, instead to be send to Italy, Russia or later, to defend Britain itself. Unlike British visiting the dominion, unimpressed by the provincial dullness, Australians considered themselves virtually a new entire type of nation, a unique one. It depended on darwinist assumption, that hardened, reforged and better people are brought to existence through tough colonial life and harsh climate, although contemporary writers presented it as no evolution, rather a return to most glorious days, when Empire was young. An ideal of Australian was an Englishman reborn, as it were once, an Englishman with the stamina and freshness of the 16th or 17th century.
Therefore, it wasn't so far-fetched, in the end, for both Australian (and Canadian) conservatives and liberals to see a necessity to create a new bastion of Empire's civilization, a new realm, an Empire's successor. The main difference between Australian and Canadian approach in 1920s was whether or not old Britain is beyond salvation.
Albert visiting his brother David, with their wives, Canada, 1924
The use of young princes, sons of George V., was perhaps too obvious attempt to create a strong bond between two greatest British dominions, which loyally supported the Empire during the war with manpower and all of their resources, to express their support for King and the Country. Now, they faced socialist demonstrations and strikes and had to sell some portion of their production to Germans or face prospects of state bankruptcy themselves. Particularly bizzare it was in case of Australia (soon accepting name of Oceania, after virtual annexation of New Zealand). It's government was rather willing to sell it's gold and wheat to Germans, than accept cooperation with Japanese, it's official allies. This forced the U.S. government and companies to offer support for Australian trade and industry, with same offers to Japanese, completely overhauling it's foreign policy in East Asia. Reactions within Germany in late 1920s were expectedly assertive. This was called the 'Second Encirclement' of hostile powers, with 'greedy Englishmen' now replaced by 'American gangsters' and Germany's economic partners overseas, such as Brazilian Empire, found it increasingly difficult to remain benevolently neutral to interests of two world coalitions.
Such pondering wasn't far from President Wood's cautious designs, to stabilize the world outside of Germany's direct influence, and to create a strong military, with compulsory military service, which will ultimately survive the President's death in 1927 and subsequent decade of instability of Federal government. This most radical proposition was made into law in turbulent year of 1920, when the U.S. public called for strong response against 'Kaiser's madness'. It was culmination of London Peace Treaty, massive enlargement of Imperial German Navy and continued aggressive diplomacy of the Kaiserreich. Combined with just peaked Red Scare due to assumed bolshevik, socialist and anarchist threats to the United States and with economy damaged by the Entente's defeat, this allowed the President to push such measure through entire pacifist and isolationist opposition. Former soldier then could give not only certain economic, but clear military guarantees to Canadians struggling with internal grudges worsened by starving British refugees or the Australians isolated and feeling threatened by either Germans or Japanese, whoever will came for it's resources first. The second ones were in undoubtedly worse position, as the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, which guaranteed it's safety, was no longer valid. Surrounded by now potentially hostile oceans without single Royal Navy's ship, options were now to bow to cooperate with Germans or Japanese. With the first option impossible, there was only slightly less impossible option. Although Prime Minister Billy Hughes expressed the desire to have 'reliable friend in the Pacific' and Japanese needed the raw materials and surplus of food Australia produced, it would be partnership dominated by the expansionist Asiatic power with much stronger military.
Princess-consort Sheila with her and King of Oceania's sons, 1930s
To reassure Australians of U.S. support, President Wood was during their first King's coronation accompanied by his new Chief of Staff, William Mitchell, which was considered the President's second most controversial decision during his time in office. Mitchell's proposals met vigorous resistance from soldiers and civilians alike, but it gave Wood an option to abandon the another dreadnought race, especially since Germans destroyed most powerful navy in last few centuries with inferior number of ships. Superior tactics and technology clearly surpassed mere numbers. The air force could be the answer to this conundrum and despite his age, Wood was progressive officer and just as same progressive politician. His political enemies were not at all happy to see leniency towards Japanese ambitions too, but amidst the Red Scare and German Asiatic Fleet in China, same as Kaiserreich's refusal to sign Washington Naval Treaty, grand plans for the future were clearly needed.
The last minute plans, such as Canadian and Oceanian monarchies provided with last British assets, were clearly justified by the fate's of the other dominions and colonies: the Malaya and Sarawak had to accept their role as German protectorates, after von Tirpitz sent the battleships and marines to secure East Asian Company's assets. Other alternative was direct rule from Berlin, through military governors. Slightly better situation developed in South Africa, where Jan Smuts decided that whatever will happen, good relations with Germany are matter of young nation's survival. To preserve at least partial independence of South Africa and usefulness to the Kaiserreich in the same time, Afrikaner delegation arrived to Netherlands, prepared to swore oath to the Dutch Queen, essentially becoming their Dominion. This solution was preferred to possibility of annexation to German Africa, with it's gold and diamond mines, not mentioning the farmland and strategic position. Option taken by Lithuania to choose most acceptable German aristocrat was also seen as the same capitulation and the complete loss of independence.
The Troubles, 1919-1921
The ANZAC troops assaulting Ottoman coast, 1915.
The most viable surviving remnants of British Empire were deep in their own troubles. In fact, the lost war was thoroughly presented as a confirmation of young nation's right to exist and right to take in place of honor amongst the other of nations of the world. However, this didn't meant uncritical loyalism for the fallen Empire. Many ANZAC veterans, same as Australian politicians and war journalists, were for long time disaffected with British decision to keep them in the Middle East, instead to be send to Italy, Russia or later, to defend Britain itself. Unlike British visiting the dominion, unimpressed by the provincial dullness, Australians considered themselves virtually a new entire type of nation, a unique one. It depended on darwinist assumption, that hardened, reforged and better people are brought to existence through tough colonial life and harsh climate, although contemporary writers presented it as no evolution, rather a return to most glorious days, when Empire was young. An ideal of Australian was an Englishman reborn, as it were once, an Englishman with the stamina and freshness of the 16th or 17th century.
Therefore, it wasn't so far-fetched, in the end, for both Australian (and Canadian) conservatives and liberals to see a necessity to create a new bastion of Empire's civilization, a new realm, an Empire's successor. The main difference between Australian and Canadian approach in 1920s was whether or not old Britain is beyond salvation.
Albert visiting his brother David, with their wives, Canada, 1924
The use of young princes, sons of George V., was perhaps too obvious attempt to create a strong bond between two greatest British dominions, which loyally supported the Empire during the war with manpower and all of their resources, to express their support for King and the Country. Now, they faced socialist demonstrations and strikes and had to sell some portion of their production to Germans or face prospects of state bankruptcy themselves. Particularly bizzare it was in case of Australia (soon accepting name of Oceania, after virtual annexation of New Zealand). It's government was rather willing to sell it's gold and wheat to Germans, than accept cooperation with Japanese, it's official allies. This forced the U.S. government and companies to offer support for Australian trade and industry, with same offers to Japanese, completely overhauling it's foreign policy in East Asia. Reactions within Germany in late 1920s were expectedly assertive. This was called the 'Second Encirclement' of hostile powers, with 'greedy Englishmen' now replaced by 'American gangsters' and Germany's economic partners overseas, such as Brazilian Empire, found it increasingly difficult to remain benevolently neutral to interests of two world coalitions.
Such pondering wasn't far from President Wood's cautious designs, to stabilize the world outside of Germany's direct influence, and to create a strong military, with compulsory military service, which will ultimately survive the President's death in 1927 and subsequent decade of instability of Federal government. This most radical proposition was made into law in turbulent year of 1920, when the U.S. public called for strong response against 'Kaiser's madness'. It was culmination of London Peace Treaty, massive enlargement of Imperial German Navy and continued aggressive diplomacy of the Kaiserreich. Combined with just peaked Red Scare due to assumed bolshevik, socialist and anarchist threats to the United States and with economy damaged by the Entente's defeat, this allowed the President to push such measure through entire pacifist and isolationist opposition. Former soldier then could give not only certain economic, but clear military guarantees to Canadians struggling with internal grudges worsened by starving British refugees or the Australians isolated and feeling threatened by either Germans or Japanese, whoever will came for it's resources first. The second ones were in undoubtedly worse position, as the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, which guaranteed it's safety, was no longer valid. Surrounded by now potentially hostile oceans without single Royal Navy's ship, options were now to bow to cooperate with Germans or Japanese. With the first option impossible, there was only slightly less impossible option. Although Prime Minister Billy Hughes expressed the desire to have 'reliable friend in the Pacific' and Japanese needed the raw materials and surplus of food Australia produced, it would be partnership dominated by the expansionist Asiatic power with much stronger military.
Princess-consort Sheila with her and King of Oceania's sons, 1930s
To reassure Australians of U.S. support, President Wood was during their first King's coronation accompanied by his new Chief of Staff, William Mitchell, which was considered the President's second most controversial decision during his time in office. Mitchell's proposals met vigorous resistance from soldiers and civilians alike, but it gave Wood an option to abandon the another dreadnought race, especially since Germans destroyed most powerful navy in last few centuries with inferior number of ships. Superior tactics and technology clearly surpassed mere numbers. The air force could be the answer to this conundrum and despite his age, Wood was progressive officer and just as same progressive politician. His political enemies were not at all happy to see leniency towards Japanese ambitions too, but amidst the Red Scare and German Asiatic Fleet in China, same as Kaiserreich's refusal to sign Washington Naval Treaty, grand plans for the future were clearly needed.
The last minute plans, such as Canadian and Oceanian monarchies provided with last British assets, were clearly justified by the fate's of the other dominions and colonies: the Malaya and Sarawak had to accept their role as German protectorates, after von Tirpitz sent the battleships and marines to secure East Asian Company's assets. Other alternative was direct rule from Berlin, through military governors. Slightly better situation developed in South Africa, where Jan Smuts decided that whatever will happen, good relations with Germany are matter of young nation's survival. To preserve at least partial independence of South Africa and usefulness to the Kaiserreich in the same time, Afrikaner delegation arrived to Netherlands, prepared to swore oath to the Dutch Queen, essentially becoming their Dominion. This solution was preferred to possibility of annexation to German Africa, with it's gold and diamond mines, not mentioning the farmland and strategic position. Option taken by Lithuania to choose most acceptable German aristocrat was also seen as the same capitulation and the complete loss of independence.
The Troubles, 1919-1921
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Germany may find life more difficult with the chaos of a collapsed Britain than they might have supposed.
Really? I get the impression that the German Imperial leaders are positively relishing the chaos and the opportunities to force their will on others. They wouldn't have half as much fun if Britain and her empire were still around.
I wasn't really clear enough. My point is they might be enjoying themselves now ... they might find themselves enjoying their time less in the future.
Pretty much seconding the above. Germany's rough handling of the British Isles is going to provoke fear and outrage abroad -- one could argue that we're already seeing that now, as a matter of fact, with the "Second Encirclement" almost being a product of their own making. There's also the fact that, left unchecked, instability and factionalism could allow a hostile extremist power to get their toehold just off the shores of the Dogger Bank...
British State's flag is...ugly.
I actually saw it in another AAR once, I forget which one.
just caught up and I have to say I do like the custom events added to supplement the lackluster Central Powers Victory ones. (will add the rest in after I fix a small problem)