An Impossible Alliance? What if the US Joined the Central Powers in 1914 for World War 1.

What if the United States had made a shocking decision and allied with Imperial Germany in World War 1? This alternate history video explores the plausible scenario of America joining the Central Powers instead of the Allied Powers in the Great War.

In our timeline, the arrival of over 1 million US troops on the Western Front in 1918 helped Britain, France and the Allies ultimately defeat Germany and the Central Powers. But what if those American "Doughboys" had reinforced the German military instead?

This WW1 alternate history imagines how a US alliance with the German Empire, Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire could have turned the tide of the war. With American economic might, naval forces and fresh troops supporting the Central Powers' offensives in France and Russia, a very different outcome may have unfolded.

What factors could have driven America away from Britain and towards Imperial Germany before 1914? German-American ethnic ties? A crisis with the British Empire? This alternate WW1 scenario examines how domestic politics and foreign policy shifts may have altered allegiances.

If the Central Powers emerged triumphant thanks to US intervention, the 20th century geopolitical map could have looked drastically different under German-American ascendancy and imperialism. The British Empire likely would have collapsed, France subjugated, and a new Teutonic order dominated Europe and its colonies.

Explore this compelling World War 1 "what-if" theory on the channel that specializes in analyzing how alternate histories and pivotal decisions could have changed everything. Make sure to subscribe for more fascinating alternate timeline videos!

[regalmammoth]

It can also be said that on top of the German-American population there was a very sizeable Irish-American population who were...just a bit more inclined towards Germany for reasons that can perhaps be guessed

[richardboggsjr]

The problem here is the assumption that the US would have sent troops overseas, it is unlikely that the US would have sent troops to Europe as the Entente would still have had an edge in naval power, however, the US would have had enough ability to take Canada and other North and South American territories held by colonial powers. On top of taking them and thus reducing the food available to UK specifically from a now lost Canada, the US would no longer be providing any manufacturing or loans to the entente. So in reality they dont NEED to land troops in Europe to help win the war for Central Powers.

Also, there would not be a scenario during this period with an actual alliance, it would be like originally happened, they would join as a co-belligerent except this time to CP side.

[EthanDornton]

One person already mentioned the Irish population that was against the British, but there’s also American desires for Canada and the US could’ve been bitter from Britains interference in the Civil War.

[normsti]

Just as the ocean protected the USA from Europe, it protects Europe from the USA. True, the US had a sizeable navy, but only when not compared to Great Britain's.

Thus, while Canada would be invaded by and lost to the USA, the US would have no real way to do anything against the navy of GB. At the same time, the Phillipines and perhaps Hawaii (I'm not convinced of this) might well have been lost to the British ally, Japan. The loss of Canada would slightly reduce supplies to GB, but not significantly. The loss of the Phillipines wouldn't impact the US too much, while the loss of Hawaii would seriously hurt anything but mostly be pa pride thing.

So, in terms of military strategy and aid, the US would be confined to the indirect, perhaps extensive commerce raiding of British interests and incitement and supplying Irish insurgencies. Although relatively minor, either or both of these could draw British troops away from the main front, which, when combined with no US loans, might be enough to force an armistice.

So, at the end of the war, the Eastern Europe would reflect German ambition, while Western Europe would have few, if any, changes.

The big changes might be in Asia and the Americas. I think Canada and the Phillipines would remain in possession of the USA and Japan respectively. It is possible that Irish Independence would result, probably along line similar to today.

Better world? Who knows, perhaps Britain would adjust, perhaps not.

[Frosty_Doge]

How would those troops arrive in the german front? And american-german navy couldnt dream to stand up the british-franco blockade.