Sweden and the Great War

[jimmy olsen]

What would the results have been if the Russian fleet under Admiral von Essen had not been recalled in time to prevent his attack on Gotland, and Sweden had been drawn into the war on the  sides of the Central Powers?

[Zanza]

Very little would have changed I imagine. Sweden could not have offered anything that would have tipped the scales for the Central Powers (like food or manpower), so the Allies still win. Once the USA decided to get involved, the conclusion was clear and it was only a question of time.

[Habbaku]

I suspect that Sweden would've found the first excuse to bow out of the war if the British got involved in the Russian debacle and they almost-certainly would do so when the USA entered the war.  Now, they may very well have fought a co-belligerent style war against Russia alongside Germany, but as they were under no real compulsion to stay in the war after Russia's collapse they would likely have taken some territory, aided Finland in gaining its independence and then exited the war.

[Razgovory]

Lots of Swedes go hungry.

[jimmy olsen]

I suppose it would all depend on how much men and material the Swedes could distract from the main Russian theater in the East. If it was enough to precipitate an earlier Russian collapse than things could have proceeded quite differently.

And of course perceptions of progress, positive or negative, during the first few years by the various parties may have been different and caused different decisions to be made by the principal combatants that could have serious consequences.

[Eddie Teach]

This might actually have changed a lot. Winning a few victories could have kept the tsar in power long enough to outlast the war.   

[HisMajestyBOB]

Like all other alternate histories, this one naturally results in a reborn Byzantine Empire and an independent CSA.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Paradox' Great War simulator begins with Sweden conquering most of Russia and Scotland.

[Caliga]

Tim taught me something today, as I'd never heard about this incident before.

Tim: good teacher. 

[jimmy olsen]

Tim taught me something today, as I'd never heard about this incident before.

Tim: good teacher. 

Also, propaganda wise it allows the CP to paint the British as hypocrites coming to the defense of neutral Belgium while their ally attacks neutral Sweden.

[Josquius]

Tim taught me something today, as I'd never heard about this incident before.

Tim: good teacher. 

I still haven't heard about this incident.
What was it called?

[jimmy olsen]

Tim taught me something today, as I'd never heard about this incident before.

Tim: good teacher. 

I still haven't heard about this incident.
What was it called?

The Admiral was on his way to attack Gotland and was recalled at the last minute.

http://books.google.com/books?id=sx3JAH0LiMEC&pg=PA124&lpg=PA124&dq=Admiral+von+Essen+Sweden+neutrality&source=bl&ots=ldMae-8Nte&sig=JKTBxnpzs94AbE27xmBBQ-g2zrQ&hl=en&ei=UX-8S4WYBIfmswOP2qTnBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CBMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Admiral%20von%20Essen%20Sweden%20neutrality&f=false

[Habbaku]

Also, propaganda wise it allows the CP to paint the British as hypocrites coming to the defense of neutral Belgium while their ally attacks neutral Sweden.

Unnecessary, as the situation in Greece allowed them to do that just fine.

[Alcibiades]

Good information, had never heard of this, thanks.

[jimmy olsen]

Also, propaganda wise it allows the CP to paint the British as hypocrites coming to the defense of neutral Belgium while their ally attacks neutral Sweden.

Unnecessary, as the situation in Greece allowed them to do that just fine.

The situation in Greece happened much latter in the war and does not seem nearly as clear cut as a preemptive naval strike.

Though I must admit I don't know much about the Balkan theater in WWI and the resources on the web for it are distressingly thin, so I could be wrong.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWgreece.htm

http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/minorpowers_greece.htm