[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by headquarters

Call it self serving to do so or just plain logical .The French will have the opportunity to support limited goverments in Germany,possibly Britain and certainly BeNeLux countries by 2000.

Benelux is under French control and it is at war with the Netherlands (that rules it out). I agree for Britain and that's why I see the French helping Wales, Scotland and may be Cornwall. Germany is more likely and France has every interest in building ties with Bavaria. I think it would do it at the Landers level. Having a stabilized but divided germany would be in its best interest (equally true for Britain)

Originally Posted by headquarters

To argue that the French would do so as part of an evil scheme to gain supremacy ( that they already have in T2K) would be overlooking the fact that the economic development based on French support of material and arms would grow to ensure this on its own .No need for a nefarious plan , the neighbouring countries will grow to love the French and do their bidding like Western Europe after the Marshall plan.

I like that idea but you forgot one thing. US was the victor and was seen as a liberator. France is not yet ready to do so but it could think of launching a military action to liberate at least Austria, Germany, Poland and the Czech. No real reason to intervene in Italy and it might be met with distrust in Spain. That should be wise.

Originally Posted by headquarters

I would think that the French would have programs to create "Govs" loyal to ( and supported by ) Paris as far as possible as a rule , but in cases like Britain where such moves might create tensions it would more a case of applying the political pressure needed to ensure that all sail the same course.

Agree

Originally Posted by headquarters

After all , France would not gain much from having violent and unstable neighbouring countries -even if the price was expansion of its borders to include French speaking areas abroad etc.

Agree

Originally Posted by headquarters

In the long run it would be much more efficient to develop and groom the now devestated countries around it to become viable markets for products and sources of raw materials.

Not without securing them first. Otherwise, it would be a waste. When US is gone, France might fill-in the vacuum (after going home)

Originally Posted by headquarters

In short- "the Great Game " theories seem a tad outdated to me , I see France as making a bigger place for it self by developing other countries as far as it has the resources to (albeit -not to a level where they could challenge the defacto power of course ).

Agree but it would have to bring them security first. A treaty with the Soviet would help greatly.

Originally Posted by headquarters

Much of the French populace will need employment in secondary or even tertiary sectors of the economy if France itself expects to remain stable without severe repression or revolts.This entails commerce -and war is bad for business.

No, they will be shipped back to the countryside to work in the fields.

Originally Posted by headquarters

In this respect I see more of a post WWII -American approach to Europe and the US after T2k and less of a divide and conquer style approach .

Agree