What If WW2 Was a Three Way War?

Possible History

23 Feb 202431:10

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThis alternate history scenario explores the implications of a prolonged World War II where Britain and the Soviet Union go to war early on, leading to a complex three-way conflict among the major European powers. The script delves into the potential outcomes of such a war, including the division of territories, the reshaping of Europe and Asia, and the absence of communism as a global threat. It speculates on the post-war world, where the United States and Britain emerge as the dominant powers, and discusses the possible political and territorial shifts, including the unification of certain regions and the fragmentation of others. The video concludes by pondering the uncertain future of countries like China and Russia, and the potential for a world without communism.

Takeaways

😐 The script explores an alternate history scenario where the Soviet Union and Germany initially appear as allies during World War II, cooperating in dividing Eastern Europe and providing resources for war.
🔍 The alternate history suggests that the Soviets and Germans could have escalated their partnership, with the Soviets potentially assisting in overrunning Europe before launching an invasion of the Middle East.
🌐 The script mentions Operation Pike, an Allied plan to bomb the Baku oil fields, which would have affected both the Soviets and the Germans, indicating early Allied suspicion of the Soviet Union.
💥 The video posits a significant change during the Winter War, with the Allies intervening and launching Operation Pike, leading to a war between the Allies and the Soviets.
🇫🇮 The Finns are depicted as being fully occupied and integrated into the Soviet Union, with interesting internal border changes that would affect later events.
🇩🇪 The script describes a complex situation where Germany still invades the Soviet Union, despite the latter being at war with Britain, leading to a three-way conflict among the major European powers.
🛑 The video outlines how the war unfolds with the Soviets and Germans fighting the British, the occupation of Finland by the Soviets, and the failure of a Soviet invasion into Iran.
🇺🇸 American involvement in the war is highlighted as a turning point, with the U.S. joining the conflict and shifting the balance, particularly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
💣 The use of atomic bombs in the alternate history is discussed, with the potential targets being Nuremberg and Munich, sending a strong political message and hastening the end of the war.
🏰 Post-war Europe is envisioned with significant territorial changes, the restoration of certain nations, and the potential for a unified Italy and a democratized Germany.
🌍 The script concludes with a broader outlook on the post-war world, suggesting a power vacuum with America and Britain as the main global powers, and the potential for a prolonged decolonization process in Asia and the Middle East.

Q & A

What was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and how did it affect the early stages of World War II?
-The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was a non-aggression treaty signed between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in 1939. It included secret protocols to divide Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. This pact allowed both countries to cooperate in dividing up Poland and Eastern Europe, creating an illusion of alliance and contributing to the complexity of the early war dynamics.
Why did the Allies consider launching Operation Pike against the Soviet Union?
-Operation Pike was an Allied plan to bomb the Baku oil fields in the Soviet Union. The intention was to disrupt both the Soviet and German oil supplies, as the Soviets were providing resources to the Germans, which would weaken their ability to wage war against the Allies.
How did the Soviet Union's invasion of Finland impact the Allies' perception of the USSR?
-The Soviet invasion of Finland showed the Allies that the USSR was expansionist and willing to use force, even while other European countries were already at war. This invasion reinforced the view that the Soviets were a de facto enemy and led to increased tensions between the Allies and the Soviet Union.
What was the significance of the British Empire's refusal to surrender, even when on the brink of defeat?
-The British Empire's refusal to surrender, no matter how dire the situation, was significant because it prolonged the war and prevented a quick German victory. This stubborn resistance also complicated German strategic planning and contributed to the eventual shift in alliances.
How did the alternate history scenario presented in the script differ from the actual timeline of World War II?
-In the alternate history scenario, Britain and the Soviets go to war early on, but when Germany invades the Soviets, both Churchill and Stalin refuse to sign peace, leading to a three-way war between the three great European powers. This significantly changes the dynamics of the war, affecting military strategies, territorial gains, and political alliances.
What was the impact of the Allied intervention during the Winter War on the Soviet Union?
-The Allied intervention during the Winter War forced the Soviet Union into a war with the West. This led to the execution of Operation Pike, which destroyed Soviet oil fields, causing a significant drop in oil production and committing the Soviets further to the war against the West.
How did the alternate history scenario affect the outcome of the Battle of Britain and the Soviet invasion of Iran?
-In the alternate scenario, the Battle of Britain continued as in the actual timeline, with the Soviet Union's involvement in the war having little impact on its outcome. The Soviet invasion of Iran turned into a disaster for the Soviets, as they were ill-prepared for a campaign against the mountainous terrain and British-supported Iranian forces.
What was the strategic significance of the Baku oil fields in the alternate history scenario?
-The Baku oil fields were of strategic importance because they were a crucial source of oil for both the Soviet Union and Germany. The initial Allied bombing campaign and later British operation to secure the oil fields for themselves were aimed at denying this vital resource to both the Germans and Soviets, thereby weakening their war efforts.
How did the alternate history scenario change the geopolitical landscape after World War II?
-In the alternate scenario, the post-war world saw a significant redrawing of borders and the establishment of new states. The absence of communism as a major threat led to a different dynamic in international relations, with the United States and Britain emerging as the primary global powers. The decolonization process was also affected, with European empires potentially holding onto their colonies for a longer period.
What were the implications of the alternate history scenario for the future of China and its role in Asia?
-In the alternate scenario, China's future was uncertain due to the continued influence of warlords and the ongoing civil war between the Nationalists and Communists. Without the Soviet Union's support, China might not have achieved the same level of economic growth or political stability as it did in the actual timeline, potentially impacting its role in Asia.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 World War II Alternate History Scenario

This paragraph sets the stage for an alternate history of World War II, where the Soviet Union and Germany initially appear as allies, having signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and divided Eastern Europe between them. It discusses the Allies' overconfidence and their failed operation Pike against the Soviets, which would impact both Soviet and German oil supplies. The paragraph also explores the possibility of a prolonged war where Britain and the Soviets fight each other early on, but neither signs a peace treaty when Germany invades the Soviets, leading to a complex three-way conflict among the major European powers.

05:01

🇮🇳 Soviet Invasion of Iran and Allied Strategy Shift

The second paragraph delves into the disastrous Soviet invasion of Iran, which is supported by the British and results in a failure for the Soviets, similar to their defeat in Finland in our timeline. It discusses how the British use this opportunity to defeat the Italians and how the Soviets, despite being at war with Britain, suffer less from the alternate Operation Barbarossa due to fewer soldiers being at the German border. The paragraph also highlights the strategic shift in the Allies' approach, prioritizing the defeat of Germany and Japan before the Soviets, due to geographical and strategic reasons, and the impact of British interference on German success in the war.

10:03

🇮🇹 Italian Civil War and Allied Advancements in Europe

This paragraph focuses on the Italian Civil War triggered by the collapse of Germany's only great European ally. It details the Allies' growing confidence in their ability to win the war and their strategic planning for two invasions of France, which eventually leads to the liberation of Western Europe. The paragraph also discusses the weakened Soviet Union's slow progress and the redirection of German forces to the West, which only serves to slow the Allies' advance. The narrative culminates in the use of atomic bombs on European targets, leading to a pseudo military coup in Germany and its surrender.

15:05

🏳️ Post-War European Reconfiguration and Soviet Union's Fate

The fourth paragraph outlines the complex task of reshaping post-war Europe, starting with Italy's restoration as a democracy and the redistribution of territories in the Balkans. It discusses the potential for a unified Germany to be split, with Southern German states possibly seceding, and the restoration of Poland and the creation of new states from the former Soviet territories. The paragraph also explores the fate of the Soviet Union's republics, with some being restored as independent democracies and others potentially unifying with Iran, influenced by ethnic and oil interests.

20:05

🌏 Post-War Global Restructuring and the Absence of Communism

This paragraph envisions a post-war world without communism, where the United States and Britain emerge as the dominant powers. It discusses the potential for a weaker Marshall Plan and the challenges faced by newly liberated nations in Eastern Europe, which may fall under semi-dictatorships or corrupt oligarchies. The paragraph also considers the impact on Asia, with China potentially unifying under Chiang Kai-shek and the future of Asian colonialism being uncertain. It concludes with the potential for a delay in decolonization in Asia and the Middle East due to the absence of external pressures from the Soviet Union and the United States.

25:06

🏹 The Future of China and the Global Impact of Alternate History

The final paragraph ponders the future of China under Chiang Kai-shek's rule, which is predicted to be bleak due to his regime's corruption and unpopularity. It suggests that without the Soviet Union's support, China may not experience an economic miracle and could face ongoing civil war. The paragraph also considers the potential for China to position itself as a fighter for Asian independence and the implications for colonial holdings in Asia. It concludes by acknowledging the uncertainty of Russia's future due to the unknowns of its occupation and invites viewer engagement with the presented alternate history scenario.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡World War II

World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's nations, including the major powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. In the video's theme, World War II serves as the backdrop for an alternate history scenario, exploring how different alliances and events could have reshaped the world order.

💡Soviet Union

The Soviet Union, or USSR, was a socialist state on the Eurasian continent that existed from 1922 to 1991. In the context of the video, the Soviet Union is portrayed as a key player in the alternate history of World War II, with its actions and alliances significantly influencing the course of the war and post-war world.

💡Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, also known as the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, was a neutrality agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed in 1939. In the video, the pact is mentioned as a symbol of the initial cooperation between Germany and the Soviet Union, which is a critical point in the alternate history presented.

💡Operation Pike

Operation Pike is an example of an alternate historical event mentioned in the script, referring to a hypothetical Allied plan to bomb the Baku oil fields in the Soviet Union. This concept illustrates the video's exploration of how different strategic decisions could have impacted the war effort and the balance of power.

💡Churchill

Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the majority of World War II. In the video, Churchill's stubborn refusal to surrender is highlighted as a key characteristic that influences the alternate history, suggesting that his leadership could have significantly altered the outcomes of the war.

💡Stalin

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union during World War II. The script discusses how Stalin's decisions and the Soviet Union's actions under his leadership would have affected the alternate history scenario, including the possibility of the Soviet Union being at war with both Germany and the Allies.

💡Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in 1941, leading to the U.S. entry into World War II. The video mentions Pearl Harbor as an event that would have brought the United States into the conflict, changing the dynamics of the war.

💡Atomic Bomb

The atomic bomb represents the nuclear weapons used by the United States against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, leading to Japan's surrender. In the video's alternate history, the use of atomic bombs is considered as a tool to pressure Germany and potentially the Soviet Union into surrendering.

💡Decolonization

Decolonization refers to the process by which colonial powers granted independence to their colonies. The script discusses how, in the alternate history, the absence of a communist threat might have led to a slower process of decolonization, affecting the global balance of power and the development of newly independent nations.

💡European Union (EU)

The European Union is a political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. In the video, the formation of an EU-like organization is considered in the context of an alternate post-war Europe, suggesting that without the common threat of communism, the dynamics of European cooperation and integration might have been significantly different.

💡Communism

Communism is a philosophical, social, political, and economic ideology and movement whose ultimate goal is the establishment of a communist society, which is a socioeconomic order structured upon the ideas of common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money and the state. The video explores a world without communism and how this absence would have impacted global politics and the development of various nations.

Highlights

At the outbreak of World War II, the Soviet Union appeared to be an ally of Germany due to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and cooperation in dividing Poland and Eastern Europe.

The Soviets provided resources to Germany, indicating a shared front against the West from a Western perspective.

The Soviet invasion of Finland and the Allies' consideration of sending reinforcements indicated initial Allied confidence.

Operation Pike, an Allied plan to bomb Soviet oil fields, would have impacted both Soviet and German oil supplies.

Alternate histories often explore the escalation of the German-Soviet partnership and the potential for a Soviet invasion of the Middle East.

The infrastructure for a mass invasion of India by the Soviets was lacking, and a push towards the Suez would have been difficult to sustain.

Despite initial successes, the British Empire's refusal to surrender would eventually lead to Germany betraying the Soviets.

An alternate scenario is presented where Britain and the Soviets go to war early in WWII, but neither signs a peace treaty when Germany invades the Soviets.

The Allies' intervention in the Finnish conflict and Operation Pike's execution would shock Stalin and commit the Soviets to war with the West.

The German invasion of Norway and the subsequent British and French evacuation operation would lead to a weakened Soviet position.

The Soviet occupation and integration of Finland would have interesting internal border implications.

The Soviet invasion of Iran would be a disaster, providing Britain the opportunity to defeat the Italians.

The alternate Barbarosa operation would see fewer Soviet soldiers at the German border, leading to a different dynamic in Soviet-German warfare.

The Soviet Union would suffer heavily from logistical issues and a weakened Air Force in the face of the German invasion.

American involvement in WWII, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, would shift the Allies' strategy and potentially delay D-Day.

The British would secure Iranian oil fields, denying them to both the Germans and Soviets, impacting the war effort.

The German conquest of Stalingrad would be overshadowed by British interference, limiting its impact on the war.

The Allies' operations against Italy and planning for invasions of France would open new fronts against Germany.

The use of atomic bombs in Europe would send a strong political message and potentially lead to a quicker end to the war.

The post-war world would involve significant reshaping, with the restoration of various European nations and the potential for a unified China.

The absence of communism would lead to a world where America and Britain are the primary great powers, impacting global politics.

Decolonization in Asia and the Middle East might be delayed without the Soviet Union and America pushing for it.

The future of China under Chiang Kai-shek is uncertain, with ongoing civil war and potential for a bleak economic outlook.

Transcripts

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