Mu: Question cannot be answered because “win” is not defined. Does winning require
a) Dictating terms, in the style of Versailles?
b) As above, but also not burning to cinders the social technology that allowed you to fight such a war in the first place? (As happened to the OTL victors.)
c) As above, but also getting some kind of actual net benefit either in geopolitical-power terms or in goods for your citizens? (As very noticeably did not occur for the OTL “victors”.)
d) A negotiated peace in which it’s generally recognised that you had the upper hand and got most of the surplus? (Surplus relative to continuing the war, that is.) Same variants as above.
e) Any peace that avoids the total collapse of OTL Germany and resulting even-more-disastrous war?
f) Any peace in which the prewar decision makers emerge with their personal power and prestige enhanced, whatever happens in Germany at large?
g) Avoiding the conflict entirely? (Best option! Investing in productive assets will get you a lot more benefit than trying to win a massively negative-sum game!)
Mu: Question cannot be answered because “win” is not defined. Does winning require
a) Dictating terms, in the style of Versailles?
b) As above, but also not burning to cinders the social technology that allowed you to fight such a war in the first place? (As happened to the OTL victors.)
c) As above, but also getting some kind of actual net benefit either in geopolitical-power terms or in goods for your citizens? (As very noticeably did not occur for the OTL “victors”.)
d) A negotiated peace in which it’s generally recognised that you had the upper hand and got most of the surplus? (Surplus relative to continuing the war, that is.) Same variants as above.
e) Any peace that avoids the total collapse of OTL Germany and resulting even-more-disastrous war?
f) Any peace in which the prewar decision makers emerge with their personal power and prestige enhanced, whatever happens in Germany at large?
g) Avoiding the conflict entirely? (Best option! Investing in productive assets will get you a lot more benefit than trying to win a massively negative-sum game!)
That’s a good point. I will clarify. I mean [a] - you win, the enemy surrenders.
Do outcomes “Russia/France surrenders, France/Russia stays neutral or whitepeaces” count?
sure.