<DB> Britain Enters the Continental War

This idea has been done repeatedly on the board, but I though it was time to polish it off and haul it out again. Essentially, what would have happened if Britain had got itself involved in the Continental War of 1914-1917? Could her intervention have prevented the creation of the Greater German Union and the European Alliance? What about the Russian and Ottoman Commonwealths? Would the British empire have still evolved into the Four Dominions. More importantly, could this POD have prevented the World War?
 

Grey Wolf

Gone Fishin'
Donor
Alasdair Czyrnyj said:
This idea has been done repeatedly on the board, but I though it was time to polish it off and haul it out again. Essentially, what would have happened if Britain had got itself involved in the Continental War of 1914-1917? Could her intervention have prevented the creation of the Greater German Union and the European Alliance? What about the Russian and Ottoman Commonwealths? Would the British empire have still evolved into the Four Dominions. More importantly, could this POD have prevented the World War?

Hmm, two dominions failed ?

Grey Wolf
 
HSF Rules

If GB had entered the War whe wouldn't have the battle of Biscay Bay between the German HSF and the French Fleet. It was this defeat for the French, That left the Coast of France open for bombardment. And it was this Naval Corrider that let the Germans Flank the French.
 
Info Request

I've always thought a World War would become even more likely if the Central Powers had lost. Germany had the population and industrial resources to rebound rather well, given the chance.
 
It's all a matter of when Britain would have intervened and in what strength. For instance, I once read that in the summer of 1914 there were only 12 British divisions available. That would have accomplished nothing but a quick defeat while arousing German anger.
 
And then the Americans weigh in

British intervention could have brought the war to a swift end, and not to the liking of France or Britain. The Americans are not known for taking interferance with their ships lightly, and their trade with both sides was very profitable--and kept the civilians on both sides from starving. (of course, the ongoing supplies of military equipment may have made the military carnage far worse, but I doubt it--if people wnat to kill each other, they'll find a way.)
Given the Royal Navy's track record with neutral ships, they would try to prevent shipments of war materials to Germany or the neutral powers bordering it. Britain would probably only back down under the threat of dire consequences. The first American military escort of American merchants might do the trick--or might lead to an accidental exhange of gunfire at sea. At that point, the best outcome for Britain is a complete acknowlegement of American rights, a large indemnity for already seized ships, and quite possibly a partial embargo, with the US inclined to be neutral in Germany's favor.
Worst case for Britain--they think the US is not willing to go to war until the Declaration of War is delivered. Everything in the western hemishpere is over run by American troops, American industry revs into high gear.
The Royal Navy will be able to dominate either the American Navy or the HighSeas Fleet, but not both.
The bad part for Germnay is the end of American supplies--the Royal Navy's light forces will be able to maintain an effective blockade, given the recently revealed documents on Royal Navy planning.
It is also interesting to see if Britain would have released the Ottoman Empire's newest ships had it entered the war. As it is, the month long hold on them after completion brought serious tension between the two nations, and explains why the Empire's next battleships were of American build, and American companies built the naval facilities and factories that allow the Ottoman Comonwealth to dominate the eastern Med.
Most likely, the Danish Copenhagen class would also have been built inthe USA as well, since Britain at war wouldn't have built foreigh ships at all.
Had Britian survived the war, and a major battle broken out, it is likely that the instability of their cordite would have been discovered then, rather than in the World War.
As far as a World War, if America did enter the war, I don't think a world war later on could happen, the industry of Germany and America (with Canada) would preclude any challenges by anyone. I think that America and Germany could manage to stay on good terms for some time, and the rest of the world would have to accept Pax Americana-Germania.
 
I think that America and Germany could manage to stay on good terms for some time, and the rest of the world would have to accept Pax Americana-Germania.

that would make for an interesting timeline
 
Well, one effect right off the bat would be that a Britain distracted by events in Europe would not have been able to give much attention to the Xin Restoration in China, therby leaving the new dynasty to flounder to deal with the Japanese alone. Call me crazy, but given Japanese strength of that period, it is unlikely Shikai could hold out for long.
 
This should really be in the ASB section, there's no chance that Britain would ever join the contintenal war! That's just too implausible!
 
Top