What if the German Empire Survived?

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

...and they STILL demonetized it.

[@Wendeta-hq2cp]

Btw where did the dehydrations thing come from? It's funny, but it feels out of left field.

[@Lukdnuke_Narson]

Hope it gets resolved

[@TheHouseAIwaysWins]

rip

[@Maurice599]

Sorry man YT hates monarchies

[@bonesyjonesy716]

Talked about history man, what do you expect? Lol

[@msmith1890]

What if the German, Russian and Habsburg Empires all survived WWI? Great video.

[@Pragmaticlearner98]

One possible way would be the Holy Alliance would be restored in a new alliance plus and the empires would be democratic, since Italy was on the winning side and the March in Rome will lead the rise of the fascism in Italy, it would be part of the Allies nowadays, the Spanish Civil would be won by the Carlists and communism would rise in United States by the assassination of Franklin D. Roosvelt and a communist uprising would make the federalist movement and the Silver Legion would work together but eventally the counter uprising would fail, Alaska and Hawaii would be independent and the federalists and fascists would escape to Puerto Rico

[@JohnSmith-rk7zy]

Based second Reich appreciator .

[@commandergreetv753]

👍

[@CoconutMall-uv8lc]

I hate how people accociate the 2nd Reich with the 3rd Reich, the Germans of ww1 did what other people were doing but got all the blame

[@commandergreetv753]

@CoconutMall-uv8lc I 100% agree. I always try telling people that but they mostly just ignore it (even here in Germany)

[@EmpressofIrelandship]

I usually call it the Kaiserreich as the name the second reich was given by the 3rd Reich (I think correct me if I’m wrong)

[@Kolholainen3685e]

👍

[@georgeadamsii7777]

A couple of points: 1) Wilson didn't just want to get rid of the Kaiser but monarchy itself. He wasn't willing to negotiate with any form of Germany (or Austria, or Hungary) that still had a monarch. 2) The other German Kings, Grand Dukes, Dukes and Sovereign Princes didn't owe fealty to the German Emperor. If that had been a condition of German Unification then it wouldn't have happened. The office of President of the North German Confederation was linked to the King of Prussia, so when the southern German states basically joined the NGC it was decided to rename the NGC to the German Empire and rename the NGC President to German Emperor (not Empire of Germany or Emperor of Germany). There's a lot of great political wrangling by Bismarck and Crown Prince Friedrich to even pull off this name as King Wilhelm hated it and wanted nothing to do with it. Like the NGC President before it, the German Emperor was a first among equals situation. 3) Assuming Wilson can be brought down a notch from his "All Monarchies Must Die" stance (and he wasn't excluding Great Britain from that either), I doubt the Allies would have accepted Prince Eitel Friedrich as Regent. He fought in the war and he didn't have the best reputation. Max of Baden's plan was to have either Empress Victoria Augusta (who would naturally refuse and gone into Exile with her husband) or Crown Princess Cecilie serve as Regent for her underage son Prince Wilhelm. 4) Technically, the German Empire was more democratic than Great Britain, as a higher percentage of the population had the right to vote. The issue was the three tiered voting system in the largest state of Prussia (2/3rds of the German Empire's land area). The individual German states retained day-to-day control of their Armies (which only came under the Emperor's direct control in times of war) and other such powers. Only the German Navy was a Federal level armed force in peace time, which is why it had to go on a PR campaign for it's expansion (see: German Navy League).

[@rocketpigu]

Drrr

[@karlfranzemperorofmandefil5547]

2) isn’t exactly true. They didn’t have direct feudal fielty to him yes, but they in 1871 official gave up all rights of sovereignty to him.

[@carinaslima]

Well now I hate Wilson even more.

[@carinaslima]

Screw Wilson

[@Legend21for]

​​@@carinaslima Yeah after Wilson has done long term disasters all over the world

[@ryamsosohbajjaikoasknd]

What if the Spring Offensive succeeded and Germany was able to, in the closing months, make a more favourable treaty to end the war?

[@ekralj4316]

Finally my favorite what if came back.Idea what if France helped rebels in Habsurg monarchy in 1664.

[@ovince7987]

I still don't understand This hatred for Wilhelm II, I thought Lavader had already made It clear in his nearly 2 hour long essay that Wilhelm was innocent during his entire reign. It's heartbreaking 😞 In case that you are curious the video in question is "The Peace Kaiser: The Innocence of Kaiser Wilhelm II"

[@zawwin1846]

Except he was responsible for all the deaths and destruction due to his incompetence. He wanted to be free of Bismarck and become his own man so he got it. Just happened he got poor leadership skill and couldn’t hold his military in check.

[@ovince7987]

@@zawwin1846 here we go... Watch the video first, then you try again here later...

[@amxelcbis4464]

​​@@ovince7987 he's right. wilhelm was too in over his head. he only realized how srong he was when he was already living in exile in the netherlands. when bismarck was dismissed, he famously predicted the fall of wilhelm nearly to the month

[@Memelord1117]

​@@zawwin1846Bismark was getting too old by then.

[@CamTheMan1309]

@@amxelcbis4464not really, the war wasn’t his fault, just Germany honoring its pact, and everything the Kaiser did, Bismarck disagreed. EVEN WHEN, Wilhelm tried to actually tried to do something that was good for the German people and non-Germans, Bismarck disagreed and would even send out a few squads to kill innocent bystanders. I am not sure if this is all that happen, I’m going off of standard memory

[@Elliot-q4m]

Hey Josh. I had a crappy day and this makes it a little easier. Keep doing what your doing man.

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

Thanks mate, it’s wonderful to know that my stuff can help people like yall, a little bit goes a long way

[@DocThenotable]

I watch a few history videos with nazi flag in the gray footage yet not demonitized

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Very happy to see you again josh! Suggestion: What if Queen anne' s son william survived? No union with hanover.

[@Huesmann49]

Fantastic idea

[@domenstrmsek5625]

What if Türkiye become communist becouse Soviets "help" Türkiye gets independence

[@lordprimus2410]

The German Empire was a federal absolute/constitutional monarchy, it had a parliamentary system called the Reichstag. If the German Empire survived, I don't believe that the Allies would have left it alone if the Great War still had happened. I would instead argue that if Germany not entered on the side of the Austrians, the Empire would have survived. Also I read in the comments section referring to the German Empire as the Second Reich, that is not true. the Nazis made that up to legitimise their power over Germany and to claim territory in Europe.

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

If you watch the video, you’ll see that I’m exploring if the monarchy had survived under a liberal democratic regime, as was attempted before the German revolution in order to appease Western demands for a democratized Germany.

[@lordprimus2410]

@@JoshSullivanHistory I know and understand that, I was merely making a statement, not trying to criticise. Your video is fantastic, and Yes I did watch it.

[@lordprimus2410]

@@JoshSullivanHistory now tthat I'm thinking about it, I think the excuse that "President Wilson will only negotiate with democratic nations" to be total bull, the British Empire was also a monarchy with a parliamentary system and the United States only entered the war on the side of the Allies until late into the war. President Wilson could have asked that the power of the Kaiser in government and made into a proper constitutional monarchy, that makes sense to me because that would mean that the monarchy would survive but the crown would hold no power or authority. influencing a government from outside to change from a monarchy into a democracy sometimes leads to anarchy and some amount of chaos is guaranteed considering that Prussia was a strong military power in Europe and Prussia used that power to maintain a strong centralized government and to form the German Empire which is a successor of Prussia. but I digress. I apologise if this seems like I'm ranting or trying to argue.

[@nl396]

Woodrow Wilson was one of the most evil men in history.

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

I wouldn’t call him evil, but this was one of the things that I hate that he did

[@nl396]

@@JoshSullivanHistory He showed 'The Birth of a Nation' at the white house and supported a certain group who's name I can't say here.

[@sasi5841]

​@JoshSullivanHistory he's one of the few president's that's universally hated regardless of political vews.

[@Pioneer_DE]

Why? I keep hearing this but as a german I never understood why.

[@brandonmikhailov3569]

@@Pioneer_DE He helped destroy the German Empire and paved the way for the rise of Bolshevism and National Socialism

[@SunilDachmann-mg7mm]

I like your historical analysis of things that happened before the scenario

[@DarthKieduss]

Suggestion: What if France stayed neutral in the American Revolutionary War?

[@InfernosReaper]

The US Revolution loses and France doesn't bankrupt itself, so no French Revolution and likely no Haitian Revolution either

[@mohamedamaan6157]

Great video Can you make one where the kingdom of prussia survives as a monarchy after ww1

[@paulinalevina9690]

0:21 Dehydrations

[@finn-fv9ju]

thanks for this ive been waiting so long for this video

[@texastacoss]

What useful content you provide, Josh Sullivan. We truly did need the 205th German Empire alternate history scenario

[@brothers_of_nod]

The Kaiser should have kept his throne.

[@ChancellorJimmy]

The legend is back 🎉🎉

[@PrussiaAustriaConfederal]

Mein Kaiser! Amazing vid Josh!

[@savageace2983]

What if Bavaria won against Austria in the Spanish war of Secession

[@3chmidt]

German monarchy never was absolute tho, it was always constitutional and federal, with Wilhelm II giving the parliament full reign before ww1, not even doing something against the SPD, which Wilhelm didn't like. Russia was an absolute monarchy.

[@darthrevan5200]

Why not just taking a step back and make Wilhelm II listen to Bismarck. And the German Empire never leaves a triparty alliance with Either Uk or Russia. That would keep the Empire intact and the emperor in position, maybe keeping the German Empire's Superpower state.

[@the_styler1]

You people really love glazing Bismarck huh. He wasn’t perfect… first of all by annexing Alsace-Lorraine he created what was called revanchism, meaning that he made sure to drag Germany into a future war with France no matter what. Second it wasn’t Wilhelms fault that the alliances failed, the league of three emperors failed due to clashes between then austrian and russian for influence in the Balkans. The triple alliance failed because Italy wanted land from Austria Hungary which had ethnic Italians. And the Anglo german alliance failed because the British felt threatened by german dominance over Europe. Bismarck was already very old when he resigned.

[@oooshafiqooo]

3:40 wait isnt Germany already a Constitutional Monarchy before the war? (It was semi constitutional monarchy anyway soo 🤔😄😅)

[@3chmidt]

Yes

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Welcome back Josh ❤❤❤❤❤

[@rudolfkraffzick642]

More realistic: What would have happened after WW1, if self-determination of all German speaking inhabitants of central Europe was granted under condition of becoming a republic or a mere 😅representative parlamentarian monarchy?

[@youthoughtaboutit6946]

You know, I’ve always wondered what the function of the sub-monarchies within the German empire was, but could never seem to find a satisfactory explaination, at least not in English.

[@Mikachu000]

Superb video!

[@morsecode980]

One question: why Prince Eitel and not the crown Prince Wilhelm? Was there a reason Baden skipped over him?

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

If I were to guess, it would be that, since Crown Prince Wilhelm was Wilhelm II’s heir, he was more closely tied to Wilhelm II, engaging more in the old regime, which they wanted to avoid

[@derkurier2710]

Because he was Hated by EVERYONE

[@BubbaJ18]

Great video!! My only question is why Kaiser Friedrich IV and not Wilhelm III?

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

If I were to guess, Crown Prince Wilhelm was more closely tied to his father, being his heir, so the liberals would want to find someone that wasn’t as closely tied. And plus, Crown Prince Wilhelm renounced his succession rights along with Wilhelm II.

[@UploadingNoLonger2021]

@@JoshSullivanHistory though i may not be relevant or a part of this conversation, i would personally say that there were other candidates in this scenario, and Eitel Friedrich would not be one of them, as Eitel Friedrich had no children as a result of a divorce or so iirc, so he would have no heir presumptive. Crown Prince Wilhelm could not be crowned, yes, though he did have children by 1918, so they could also appoint Crown Prince Wilhelm's eldest son, Prince Wilhelm (as an alternative Wilhelm III), who was born in 1906, meaning that he was 12 as of 1918, but under a regency until he is 18. another choice would also be Wilhelm II's younger brother, Prince Henry (as Kaiser Heinrich I), who despite not having a much longer lifespan after 1918, had more in common with Friedrich III iirc, so he would likely work as a candidate.

[@UploadingNoLonger2021]

actually, Eitel Friedrich had no children as a result of a divorce or so iirc, so he would have no heir presumptive. it would make more sense for Crown Prince Wilhelm to be crowned, as he was the Crown Prince and was the eldest son of Wilhelm II, and he also had children by 1918, so they could also appoint Crown Prince Wilhelm's eldest son, Prince Wilhelm (who was born in 1906, meaning that he was 12 as of 1918), but under a regency until he is 18. another choice would also be Wilhelm II's younger brother, Prince Henry (as Kaiser Heinrich I), who despite not having a much longer lifespan after 1918, had more in common with Friedrich III iirc, so he would likely work as a candidate.

[@soanyway6746]

“… oh and Europe was on fire too” - Josh Sullivan

[@youthoughtaboutit6946]

If I could make a small correction, Germany wasn’t really absolutist, it was a semi-constitutional monarchy. In some ways think of it as a cross between the theoretical state of the British monarchy’s powers and somewhat of the status of the presidency in the US in a way if you want a rough “power level” equivalent (though admittedly, it’s not the best comparison in actual details). Basically the emperor was more powerful than in a fully constitutional monarchy, but definitely not as powerful as an absolutist monarchy. They even had an elected lower house like in the UK.

[@Kaiser_Wilhelm_IV.]

Sorry, but why would they crown the Kaiser's second son, Prinz Eitel Friedrich, instead of my mate, the crownprince's eldest son, Prinz Wilhelm? I understand that they'd want to rule out the crownprince because of his involvement in the Great War, but Eitel Friedrich had no children at all and was involved in the war himself. The crownprince, on the other hand, had 4 sons at the time already. And a regency for the young (12 years old by the end of the war) princeling would be exactly what the democratic-liberal fractions would love to achieve.

[@UploadingNoLonger2021]

lol, we literally thought of the same thing, almost the exact same comments, just a bit different in few ways a coincidence, am i right? also decided to subscribe to your channel since why not

[@mattthesilent777RED]

Why not Crown Prince Wilhelm?

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

Crown Prince Wilhelm renounced his rights to the throne alongside his father

[@DarthDread-oh2ne]

Great job with the video.

[@dylantriantis6005]

Here’s another one for this time period: What If the Treaty of Versailles wasn’t so harsh?

[@Romanball5677]

Suggestion: what if Martians invade during the napoleonic wars

[@trainlover74]

I would like to make a request if it's possible could you do a video if the British empire did not collapse

[@fedefox7418]

Can you do what if the spartachist uprising succeded?

[@derkurier2710]

There are some things I don't quite agree with. The push for the Kaiseres "full power" would come during the great depression as "popular" as the Monarchie was many did still blame it for the living conditions during and after the war and with the Boom of the Golden 20's many would be content with the Kaiser just being there as fore Austira there is still a strong possibility that Austria joins Germany to be Greater Germany and the war with Poland would at worst lead to war with France because depending on when and how Germany demands the return of Prussia from Poland England may still the policy of Appeasement and with no Suddenten Crises and Czech Annexiaon and Poland having the USSR on its border they may just hand it over if the Germans agree to secure there independence from Russia! but over all good Video

[@bionicleanime]

Next/future video "what if the Brazilian Empire survived aka Emperor Pedro II was never overthrown?"

[@TheRavenLord1]

I say restore German Greatness once again. The treaty had stripped the greatness that Germany and its military once had, so let them regain their lost greatness.

[@Ipolitelyaskyoutodie]

Josh, make an what if the carlists took over Spain or I’ll take away your wolfram buying license

[@nord_anon4406]

Howdy, Josh.

[@Radishindependent]

what if wilson just accepted to negotiate with germany as it was

[@orirotem2298]

Good content

[@fakedutch_]

I guess the funny mustache man actually becomes a painter in this timeline

[@worldfacts5298]

should really make a video on if Belisarius had reforged the western Roman Empire

[@aldmeripatriot7703]

What if Austria united the Holy Roman Empire?

[@masscreationbroadcasts]

Damned Wilson...

[@TGCB_]

Great video!

[@cwaldrip]

“…dehydration.” LOL

[@joshuayang0331]

dehydrations!

[@fannarh]

Germany in WW2 with all the Jewish scientist working for them and be able to incorporate and get help from nation freed from Soviet Russia, they would probably win the war in the east and never involve USA with the European theater.

[@thorpeaaron1110]

A truly goated timeline.

[@akramgimmini8165]

Unser platz unter der Sonne

[@NoelSamGeorge]

What if Indian National Army successful capture North East India in 1944 can you in future

[@SolidAvenger1290]

I guess Josh & everyone hasn't heard of the Hearts of Iron 4 Kasierreich timeline?

[@RacerA8]

Hi man, could I try and turn this into a hoi4 mod (try)

[@gamergumilyov8579]

I like to think that the 50's could've had a cold war between germany and france

[@youthoughtaboutit6946]

“Dehydrations” Considering the picture of people at those “camps” was that meant to be a dark joke?

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

It’s a long running joke that I use, and I just had to use it to, unsuccessfully, get around demonetization

[@JSC_66]

"paved the way for DEHYDRATIONS" darn the people are thirsty

[@The-Army-Snake]

Where’s the what if part? You just gave history for 8 minutes and spent the rest of the time explaining how it’d happen with next to no time being devoted to discussing the results.

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

cause it wouldn’t be very fun to have to say that the war would likely end up going similarly to our own timeline as Germany is defeated and ends up having the monarchy abolished regardless

[@The-Army-Snake]

@@JoshSullivanHistory then it was a bad scenario to make a whole video on.

[@familygash7500]

*"D E H Y D R A T I O N S."* *ALSO, VIDEO SUGGESTION:* What if The German Monarchy was restored after World War II?

[@derkurier2710]

Fun Fact: West Germany considered bringing back the Monarchy under Wilhelms II Grandson Louis Ferdinand (Victor Eduard Adalbert Michael Hubertus Prinz von Preußen yes this his full name) in a manner similar to what the UK had at the time but by this time Monarchy was to closely associated with the Nazis (a Myth that holds till today)

[@familygash7500]

@@derkurier2710 Kaiser Wilhelm II even denounced H*tler in his later years, but everyone sees German Monarchism as Neo-n*zism anyway. B.S.!

[@The_suprem_Dipper]

I have a question why did you make Eitel Friedrich the Kaiser because he wasn't the firstborn so it's unlikly that he would have become the Kaiser. In know that this is a finctional scenario but i wanna know why you made him the Kaiser.

[@mathieuleader8601]

never heard of the name Eitel till now

[@Luke-mo3qo]

The only plus side I could see of the German monarchy actually surviving and coming back to power in this scenario is that there would be no Holocaust

[@supercoolandawesomefr]

it would be so epic

[@randombelugaman]

idea: what if the Second Mexican Empire (The Habsburg one) Survived?

[@Portuguesedude7]

What of the country the republic of rif survived?

[@Swagwagon-py9yw]

Somebody remonotize this man

[@Classical4Piano]

Nah he's a garbage human. His 'possible history is garbage video' just shows how hypocritical this guy is

[@tanarur4707]

What if the Sixtus Affair succeded?

[@rezaganjizadeh4263]

heil mein Kaiser

[@Carpediem357]

Honestly I think we ahould use their other names: 3rd Reich, Greater German Reich, or use it's party name

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

lol they’d probably still demonetize me even just for that

[@Carpediem357]

@@JoshSullivanHistory if they somehow get mad at those names the less used ones KZbin are snowflake idiots

[@justinhammer3196]

What a chubby little kaiser!

[@MrShaneVicious]

Did we just forget about Crown Prince Wilhelm?? Eitel Frederick is the 2nd son

[@sourpusstv7984]

Source?

[@jayfreechavez0000]

Prayers for the restoration of all German Monarchs

[@swallowxx]

why

[@randomguy6152]

What if Crassus and Publius conquered Persia making a third sphere in the civil war This could have been done like Trajan by going through Armenia and then blitzing the capital before Parthiaan forces unite due to the Persia Satrapy military system. Crassus had support of the Greeks within Persia who were still a massive minority at this time. Greek cities joined him for slight victorys, if he were to actually do a competent campaign he could have started uprisings of anti-Persis cultures or at least have gained the support of the Greeks

[@madisonhasson8981]

The sailors weren't the first communist revolutionaries that started a socialist/communist revolution inside of WW1 Germany.

[@GamerBob123]

"Erm we must demonetize history 🤓" -KZbin

[@alvinhuynh3666]

What if the Nguyen dynasty survived?

[@lrl2394]

What if Sablin succeeded

[@donsena2013]

Do you possibly mean : “What if the German Empire Had Survived?”

[@LaQuack306]

If the German royal family was reinstated to day I can see it being more like the British royal family more of a public figure than a ruling party. quack quack I’m A duck quack quack quack

[@frankmurillo33st69]

Wat if the Mexican empire survived Emperor Maximilian nd president Juarez worked together?

[@akuljbaba5914]

nice

[@alfrancisbuada2591]

Kaiserreich Timeline

[@dogancanozgokceler3234]

But What hallen orther German Monarc Familys

[@Ussonan-Foderation2016]

Why'd you put Weimar Reichsadler?😭😭😭

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

cause democratic regime

[@im_theodore]

What if Germany had a succesful communist revolution?

[@kommandantgalileo]

Gott Mit Uns!

[@megareavermickeybot7985]

You know Hitler's worst enemy was his own Nephew who would go on to even change his last name. If Hitler never came to power could this mean we'd get more of the Hitler family? Maybe The Hitler name coems to mean something entirely differant in this alterante timeline? then again If Adolf is still a butt his Nephew may still change his last name. but his grand nephews all swore off ever having kids. perhaps in an altert ate timeline they do end up having kids. Now if only something could be done about Musalini, Stalin, fidel Castro and all those others.

[@nikostsiantas4060]

I have seen a big issues with the wau you organise your video the way you explain our timelines event takes too long when you can easily shorten with losing much substance .

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

Believe me, I tried to shorten the background. This was the shortest and most concise I could make it.

[@Dabkiller59]

germany wilding frfrfr

[@Catitect]

Based video

[@hansulrichboning8551]

A survival of the Monarchy as a parlamentary Monarchy like in UK,Netherlands,Scandinavia would have been the much better option than a week republik.The old aristocratic and bourgeoise elites could have been much better integrated in such a state.It would have been much more difficult for Hitler and the Nazis to come to power. Even in the worst case , to establish a total dictatorship would have been ways more difficult for them. After Hindenburgs death, it was easy for Hitler to abbandon Presidency and to become "The Führer" and supreme commander of the armed forces. In a monarchy a dead Monarch is followed by the crown prince. I think Hitler could not afford to murder the royal/imperial family like the russian bolsheviks, this would have lead into military coup and civil war. I read somewhere that even Winston Churchill had similiar thaughts.

[@Wendeta-hq2cp]

Howdy Josh! What if the Russian Republic survived after WW1?

[@theManAgainstTime]

Time east video I don’t recommend anyone watching it