If in the years 1870 to 1900 Britain had come to war with France over colony disputes?

Question

Would Germany have helped Britain?

Answer 1

it wouldn't have

Answer 2

To be a little pedantic there was no such thing as Germany in 1870, only a series of non-unified states in central Europe one of which was Prussia.
Prussia had on many occasions allied itself with Britain in the wars against Napoleon and some of it's soldiers had joined with Hanoverian troops to fight against America in 1776 and 1812; so it is likely that this state would have joined with Britain again.

Even after the unification of Germany, which was predominately caused by a war with France, it is more than possible that Germany would have allied itself to Britain as a defeat for the French would leave it the strongest nation in continental Europe. It is really only until Germany manufactures machine guns and sells them to the Boers who were fighting Britain during the Boer War at the turn of the 20th century does the relationship between the two countries become quite frosty. Then with Germany and it's own Empire building and it's construction of the Dreadnoughts that compare with the Royal Navy there is a rapid downward spiral that leads us to WWI.

Answer 3

Seeing that Germany (as Prussia) and France had not had a stellar relationship with each other for a while, including going to war, I would think that Germany would be more likely to help Britain.

Also, seeing that in a colony war transportation is huge, Britain would have had a fairly severe advantage. They did have a massive and powerful navy. Germany would likely have seen France's weakness in an overseas war and taken advantage to take colonies.

Answer 4

good question
'Would Germany have helped Britain?' No

But I suspect Germany would have tried to expand their colonial influence in the Pacific and Africa., Germany after all had invaded and defeated France before.

I think Germany would have gone about expansion solely for themselves and not as a result of an alliance with Britain, i suspect Britain would be against German expansion.

Its also worth noting that Germany may have tried to take advantage of both France and Britain being at war.