pbl1998

Hi,

I was just wondering what you thought of the question:

Would WW1 have happened if Queen Victoria was still Queen?

The reason behind me asking this question is because of Albert. Would she felt differently than George V about the German nation because the Kaiser was her grandson and Albert was German and her loved husband.

Thanks,
pbl1998

Kevinmeath

Her husband had been dead sometime and anyway by 1914 I don't think the Monarch had much say, especially as she would have been a very old lady.

Mischef_Managed

A big problem with your idea is that World War I was based purely on German imperialism. That's not so, a big precursor to the war was the Balkan Wars with Serbia and Bulgaria. Franz Ferdinand's murder is what began the war.

Montcalm

Hello,

I voted "other". We simply can't know, but yes, probably. One of the main reasons for war was the continued Franco-German rivalry about Alsace, Anglo-German trade and naval competition and the Prussian's strategists will to disable Russia before it's rise. Would Queen Victoria have changed this ? No. But then again I am no expert of her personality.

DreamWeaver

I fail to see how Queen Vic could have had a determined effect upon British and European Policy to avert the outcome of 1914. Sometimes events and the forces of society are greater than any one individual.

glenberro

I get the impression that the royal families of everywhere in Europe have always been related and it's never stopped them being enemies.
I shall probably get shot down for suggesting that some major European wars were family arguments.

Corbulo

I suppose Granny might have had a quiet word in her grandsons ears but I doubt it would have had much influence on subsequent events. I dont think the war was inevitable but I have to agree with Niall Ferguson surmation that had Britain stayed out then we may have seen an ealier version of the EEC in the wake of a German victory. His arguments seem pretty convincing. I will let you judge for yourselves.

SirOrmondeWinter

Yes, George the Fifth did everything he could to stop the war and I doubt Queen Victoria would have fared any better

shivfan

Monarchs had little power to influence policy, which was more and more in the hands of prime ministers....

That's been the case since the Hanoverians sat on the throne, IMHO.

Ancientgeezer

There were several attempts to forge an Anglo-German alliance in the late 19th Century which were always rebuffed by the Kaiser. The alternative, an entente, (but not an alliance) with France was only approached after several provocative German acts and statements in the 1900-1910 period.