THE NO WAR SCENARIO
In this case, the historical events between Serbia and Austria-Hungary carried out in the same way. However, in this scenario, Great Britain makes it adamantly clear early on that they will not tolerate any invasion of Belgium and will intervene against any German attacks on neutral countries in the west. This forces Germany to be somewhat more flexible in demanding French neutrality. The Kaiser is able to deal directly with King George V and gain his assurance that Britain will ensure France does not attack Germany in support of Russia. The war on the western front is therefore avoided and the Kaiser is able to send all German forces to the east. Seeing that his French ally will be of no help, the Tsar of Russia quickly realizes he is outmatched and begins asking for peace terms. The Austrians are able to overrun Serbia with the whole of their forces and incorporate them into the Dual Empire. Russia obtains a peace with Germany and Austria based on the independence of a newly created Kingdom of Poland under the German royal house of Saxony. Without the strain of the war, Russia is spared the Bolshevik Revolution, the Tsar institutes some reforms in the Duma and so World War II in Europe and the Cold War never happen.
THE NEGOTIATED PEACE SCENARIO
In this case, the war proceeds according to historical events until the Emperor Charles of Austria tried to make peace with the Allies through his brother-in-law Prince Sixtus de Bourbon-Parma. Seeing how committed Charles is to ending the war, the Allies agree to formal negotiations to be held in Switzerland. France demands the return of Alsace-Lorraine, which Germany ultimately parts with in return for recognition of their client kingdoms in Poland and the Baltic. The main war is then all but over. Austria agrees to most, but not all of the territorial demands for Italy but does agree to cede territory in the south for the creation of Yugoslavia. Italy storms out of the negotiations, but seeing how unreasonable her demands are, the Allies drop their Italian partner. After moving troops in from their other fronts, the Austrians make short work of Italy, capturing Rome within a year at which point the Emperor Charles again extends the hand of peace. The Savoys retain control of what becomes known as the Kingdom of Northern Italy, the Papal States are restored to Pope Benedict XV and the House of Bourbon Two Sicilies are restored to their lands in the south.
THE GERMAN VICTORY SCENARIO
In this case, the "Kaiser's Offensive" of 1918 is a complete success. Paris is occupied, the BEF is forced to retreat to the Channel ports to prevent being cut off from Britain and American troops are not arriving rapidly enough to make any considerable difference. The Germans are able to sue for peace on their own terms. Only the continued survival of the United States forces and the British blockade are able to keep Germany from becoming too unreasonable. Most of the land which changes hands does so far from Europe. Britain and Belgium are forced to cede large territories in Africa, allowing Germany to create their colony of "German Central Africa". France especially, but the other powers to a lesser extent, are forced to pay for the war damages of the Central Powers and for the rebuilding of Belgium. Poland, Finland, the Ukraine and Baltic states become independent monarchies with German and Austrian rulers to act as a buffer zone before Russia. The Italian principalities are restored with the Pope acting as president of an Italian princely federation. Serbia is absorbed by Austria-Hungary as part of a new, represented, Slavic bloc. The former enemies then join forces to aid the White Russians in defeating the Communists and restoring the Romanovs to power, averting WW2 and the Cold War.
ALTERNATE GERMAN DEFEAT SCENARIO
This time, the war progresses and ends in defeat for Germany as happened. However, in this case Wilhelm II abdicates as German Kaiser, but remains King of Prussia. The Allies show a little more wisdom and there is no calls to treat him as a war criminal. The state royals remain, but the united Germany begins to break up. An emergency conference is called, under close supervision, which creates a very loose confederation of all the German states, including Austria, under the reign of the Hapsburg Emperor Charles who is also restored to his throne fully at this time.
