The Russian Empire vs. the Soviet Union - a geographic/territorial comparison

[barneystinson69]

Leadified said:

barneystinson69 said:

That too. Seriously though, Germany and Austria-Hungary were not to be fucked with. If the German's were actually competant, and the Ottomans not stuck in the 16th century, it is likely WW1 would have been a central power victory.

Germany had some street cred, they beat France (and Austria-Hungary) which at the time was considered to be strongest continental power and had a powerful economic backbone.

The main problem I have with AH and the earlier Austrian Empire is it's poor record, Austria was crushed by Prussia during the Brothers War and the country almost collapsed in 1848. Ironically I think you should give the Ottomans more credit for opening up another front against the Russians and winning some major victories against the British.

The problem in WW1 was the lack of resources for the Central Powers (similar problem with the later Axis). Britain, France and Russia controlled a large part of the world at the time while the Central Powers had colonies only on paper and by the time they managed to force Russia out of the war, it was already too late.

The reason Russia collapsed was because of Lenin was smuggled into St. Petersburg by the German's and starting the october revolution (oh the irony in that). Until then, the Ottomans where being pushed back by the Russians. Even after that, the Ottomans where still struggling against the British, and eventually lost arabia and surrendered. If the German offences in 1914 or 1918 where able to achieve a successful capture of Paris, or if the ship that was sunk by the German's (don't know the name) wasn't, its likely the American's wouldn't have an excuse to join the way, and I would guess WW1 ends in stalemate even with a failure of the spring offences in 1918. 

Either way, the Ottoman's really didn't do much to allow for a Russian, that was all on Germany.