Would WW1 have been lost by the Germans if Britain hadn't colonized and controlled North America?

Question

Just a thought here. Yes, there were tons of conflicts which happened in between to be considered in American History (War of 1812, US-Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, Mexican Revolution), but to keep this simple, did Germany have a shot at becoming an Imperial Superpower if the US never came into being as it did?

Answer 1

Although WWI happened about 300 years after the English began colonizing the Americas (Jamestown was founded in 1607), it seems a little far-fetched to think that the colonization of the Americas was the straw that broke Germany's back in WWI. While the entry of the United States was a major reason for the defeat of Germany, there were several avenues that Germany could have taken to eliminate the entry of the US in WWI:

1. Unrestricted submarine warfare. This, more than anything, pushed the United States toward the allied side in WWI. Although neutrality was official doctrine for most of the early 20th century, the sinking of American ships and ships with Americans on board severely damaged Germany's standing in American eyes.

2. The Zimmerman Telegram. A major blunder of epic proportions, Germany sends a coded telegram to Mexico THROUGH BRITISH TELEGRAPH LINES in a code that had already been broken by the British. The essence of the telegram was a promise that if Mexico was to declare war on the United States, Germany would make sure that Mexico would receive the territories of New Mexico, Arizona, and part of Texas. The political ramifications were huge, and any sympathy for Germany quickly evaporated.

Answer 2

In terms of the question asked, did the US coming into being deter Germany from becoming an Imperial power, no. Its actually quite simple, by the time Germany finally organized itself in the 1800s most of the world had already been colonized by France, Spain and England. Being a newcomer to the power game Germany also wanted an Empire like Britain did. The USA had nothing to do with the beginning of WW1.

To answer the second part of your question if Britain hadn't colonized North America, France would probably have colonized North America, or Spain before Germany had a chance to. This all comes down to have the power to become an Imperial power. Germany didn't have this power until the late 1800s, 300-400 years after the discovery of the Americas.

Now if Germany had managed to unite back in the 1500 or 1600s things might be different as they would have been a player in gaining an empire.

Answer 3

I think that WWI was already on the downside for Germany when the U.S. finally entered the conflict. It might have lasted a year or two longer but I think the fate of Germany was already sealed.

Now, if you were to ask if the outcome of the European theater of WW ll would have been different without U.S. involvement, then you'll have a serious debate. The political agenda before Pearl Harbor was to remain out of the war. Even though we were supplying England with arms, it would have been only a matter of time before Germany would have brought them to their knees. In terms of the Axis (Germany, Italy, and Japan) strategy, I think the attack on Pearl Harbor spelled doom for their cause. Until then, nobody knew of the industrial might of America and our ability to produce. As Admiral Yamamoto was quoted after the attack, "I'm afraid that all we have accomplished was to awaken a sleeping giant".

Answer 4

A few notes. First of all Germany lost WWI sure it was a "treaty" and not a surrender but it was a tactical loss for Germany. Second of all, the vast majority of Europeans really do not like each other very much and even if Germany had managed to dominate the entire continent it would have been able to do so for less than ten years. So yalla lala adios muchachos

Answer 5

Nope because of the fact even the countries in Britain choose Independence i'm one. I see myself As welsh and not and in no way would be British. Independence brake up the union Annibyniaeth i Gymru i ffwrdd o'r Undeb Independence for Wales faraway from the Union

Answer 6

Have you ever heard the quote that if went back in time and disturbed a grain of sand that we would change the future. The bottom line who knows what would happen. Answer no one

Answer 7

Yes. The US played a very minor role in WW1 and only helped it finish a little earlier.

Answer 8

If Annie Oakley "Little Sure Shot" was not that sure of a shot on that particular day and killed Kaiser Wilhelm, who knows what may have happened?

Answer 9

I think they still would have lost the first world war.

Answer 10

There wouldn't BE a WWI if the US wasn't populated.