1914 Alternate RP

[Russo-Austria]

The date is the twenty-eighth of June in the year off our Lord one thousand, nine hundred, and fourteen. The Archduke Ferdinand and heir to the throne of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, was shot merely hours ago by the Serbian terrorist group "The Black Hand". His body still warm. The Balkans have been a powder keg for years, as imperialist tensions arise and ethnic groups fight each other. Though this shit was supposed to be the last, it has only become the first. What will become of the world - when Europe is eager to declare war a trade every turn, and now they have a reason?

Fill out this form and send it to Russo-Austria:

Nation of Choice:
Leader's Name:
Alliance picked (Allied, central, or non-aligned):
A brief paragraph or two explaining your nation's alternative history. May Ben bullet points or story form:
Technology level (Industrialized, semi-industrialized, beginning to industrialize, or not industrialized):
Land Conteolled on map in alternate world (can't stray to far from reality here. No mega super powers yet):

RULES:
No God-modding
Use realistic stats based on your country of choice
Be detailed in RP posts

Once approved, write an opening statement post. This must be at least two paragraphs that go into deltail your nation's aims and goals in this world.

Map: U.K., US, Russia, Poland, Spain, Ottoman Empire, Italy, and possible Germany

[Russo-Austria]

The Empire of Russia - spanning from the Black Sea in the south, to the North Sea - spirometer the colony of Alaska in the east, to Germany in the west - which borders Imperial Japan to The Balkans - is most greviously sorry for the international community. She wishes to send the Imperial Family's of the Austrian Empire her condolences, but warns that she wishes to avoid conflicts that would harm those inside an drew outside her borders. Since the death of Our Little Mother Russia - Ekaterina the Great, we have striven to join the western world. Now, we fear that the West Russia admired so, will become the monster we have feared.

Bust be warned! All you who do not fear Imperial Russia. Should she be pulled into the drama and turmoil of the world - Russia shall do more than Nash her fangs. She shall unleash a fire storm this world has not seen since the fall of the greatest empire in history! Rome!!!! As Empress of all Russias, I - Catherine the Third, will lead my nation through blood and song and tears and steel - if needed.

(This is the official statement of the Empress of Russia)

[I t a l y]

"Men and women of all Italy, Italians all over the world, beyond the mountains, beyond the seas, listen. A solemn hour is about to strike in the history of the country. Today a letter has been sent to the Prime Minister of Austria-Hungary, and that letter is what will lead Italy to glory. That letter is a DECLARATION OF WAR! We have been given a chance by the almighty god a chance to strike down the demons that have enslaved our Italian brothers and sister in there retched land poisoned by greed and sins and free them! We have also been given a chance to restore our image in this world! We shall rebuild the great empire we once were...the ROMAN EMPIRE! So my fellow Italian brothers and sister, arm yourselves and together! LET US FIGHT FOR ITALY! AVANTI ITALIA!'
- King Victor Emmanuel III

[Deltanium]

Brothers, today is the day that our revenge can be achieved for the Partitions and the Napleonic Wars. Austria is in turmoil, so we announce that we follow Italy in declaring war. they will afinally know how it is like to feel the pain that is dismemberment. I invite all surrounding nations to join Polska and Italia in subduing the foul beast that is the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen (Austria-Hungary) and restoring peace and stability in Europe. We have hundreds of thousands of men, artillery and calvary marching towards the Slovak lands.

Today, we avenge all the Poles and other races oppressed and killed by the Austrians. Today is the day! Indeed! Man the trenches! We will show the world not to anger Poland! Niech żyje Polska!

-Josef Pildudski

[Frisbeeteria]

Do NOT posts links to this thread in other threads. Your RP can sink or swim on its own. We do not permit cross-thread advertising here.

[Russo-Austria]

The Empress Ekaterina Tatiana Dimitrievna Romanov looks in horror at each chaos placed before her by her allies and enemies alike. Today is a sorrowful time in the world, as thousands of innocents are marching off to war. With a heavy heart, the Empress of All Imperial Russias declares war on Poland. Today marks the end of nearly a century of Russian neutrality. As this statement is issued, hundreds of thousands of Russian troops are being mobilized. While Mother Russia wishes this could have been avoided, there is no going back. Only forward to glory. Russia condemns her once close ally Poland for going out on its own and going against Russian wishes. As they nations are now at odds it isn't unlikely that Poland wil, remain.

[Deltanium]

Poland condemns Russia for such an interference in Polish affairs and the Polish Army is mowing down the Rooskies with machine guns, killing hundreds. The new artillery weapon the PA-14 500m is shooting at Russian cities such as Kiev and Minsk. The Poles charge into the Ukraine and Belorussia. “Destroy those mad brutes! No mercy to those traitorous Russians! Onwards, to Smolensk!” says an enraged Pildudski. The casualties are mounting on both sides as the Poles defend on the Curzon Line. This is going to be a long war. The Poles are using colonial soldiers to garrison the cities like Plock,Łódź and Warsaw.

[Russo-Austria]

Poland condemns Russia for such an interference in Polish affairs and the Polish Army is mowing down the Rooskies with machine guns, killing hundreds. The new artillery weapon the PA-14 500m is shooting at Russian cities such as Kiev and Minsk. The Poles charge into the Ukraine and Belorussia. “Destroy those mad brutes! No mercy to those traitorous Russians! Onwards, to Smolensk!” says an enraged Pildudski. The casualties are mounting on both sides as the Poles defend on the Curzon Line. This is going to be a long war. The Poles are using colonial soldiers to garrison the cities like Plock,Łódź and Warsaw.

Horrified and emboldened Russians are drafted by the thousands all across Russia. As men an arms are loaded and shipped across the country, the Imperial Navy bombards the port cities of Gdansk and Kalingrad. Currently, the Russian armored division of the Calvary is marching through the Carpathian Mountains, and the Imperial Guard is holding the border in White Russia.

[Deltanium]

OOC: You attacked a German city so you have two enemies now instead of one. Great Idea. *slow clap*.

[Russo-Austria]

The Empress of Russia mourns the failure of her generals. After discovering that her navy has shot down and sunk countless German ships, she has publicly stripped the noble Lord Admiral of his titles and lands. Now, the Empress herself has appointed a new Lord Admiral - her son Nicholas.

It isn't a sorrowful day for Russia and Germany alike - as the souls of hundreds of innocent and brave men were lost on the day. May God have mercy on Our Souls.

[Russo-Austria]

OOC: You attacked a German city so you have two enemies now instead of one. Great Idea. *slow clap*.

OOC: Lets not make to many posts yet. Let's let this war slowly start just a reminder. But thanks for letting me know

[New Castillan Empire]

The effect of the war upon the United States will depend upon what American citizens say and do. Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness and friendliness to all concerned. The spirit of the nation in this critical matter will be determined largely by what individuals and society and those gathered in public meetings do and say, upon what newspapers and magazines contain, upon what ministers utter in their pulpits, and men proclaim as their opinions upon the street.

The people of the United States are drawn from many nations, and chiefly from the nations now at war. It is natural and inevitable that there should be the utmost variety of sympathy and desire among them with regard to the issues and circumstances of the conflict. Some will wish one nation, others another, to succeed in the momentous struggle. It will be easy to excite passion and difficult to allay it. Those responsible for exciting it will assume a heavy responsibility, responsibility for no less a thing than that the people of the United States, whose love of their country and whose loyalty to its government should unite them as Americans all, bound in honor and affection to think first of her and her interests, may be divided in camps of hostile opinion, hot against each other, involved in the war itself in impulse and opinion if not in action.

Such divisions amongst us would be fatal to our peace of mind and might seriously stand in the way of the proper performance of our duty as the one great nation at peace, the one people holding itself ready to play a part of impartial mediation and speak the counsels of peace and accommodation, not as a partisan, but as a friend.

I venture, therefore, my fellow countrymen, to speak a solemn word of warning to you against that deepest, most subtle, most essential breach of neutrality which may spring out of partisanship, out of passionately taking sides. The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought, as well as action, must put a curb upon our sentiments, as well as upon every transaction that might be construed as a preference of one party to the struggle before another.
~President Woodrow Wilson, declaring neutrality in the Russo-Polish conflict, 29th of June, 1914.

[5th American Empire]

I immediately declare war on serbia

[Russo-Austria]

I immediately declare war on serbia

OOC: Um . . . More info pleas. No one knows what country you are and you need to be a little mor in depth. But great start!

[5th American Empire]

i am the ottoman empire

[New Bradenia Ghost]

I want British Empire

[La Paz de Los Ricos]

Nations of Europe

With heavy heart, we must announce the death of one of our most prominent men. Glorious King Alfonso XIII has been assassinated by a currently unknown group. We fear this will bring destabilization to the spirit of Spain. As a result, we have recently instated a young Catalan man, Nicolau Provenca has taken the throne. This marks the start of the House of Marasto, which will guide Spain to glory.

Fearing this, we will begin militarizing the Pyrenees, Moroccan and Portuguese border. We warn Portugal specifically that if a conflict occurs, we will not hesitate to invade and capture Portugal.

Although the assassins are have reason to believe that they obey to King Victor III of Italy. They stated themselves that they wished to rebuild the Roman Empire and reunited Italian peoples. Spain had no conflict with any of the major powers of Europe, so Italy, being close to the Spanish coast, and its statement about the Italian reunification could be interpreted as an attack on Romantic nations, such as our glorious Spanish name, are the most likely to have assassinated the glorious blessed King Alfonso XIII. If the assassins are loyal to Italy, then we are now forced to declare war upon Italy. We will take up arms and defend our glorious national identity. We repeat, Spain is using this address to declare war against Victor III and the Italian nation. We wish Europe a pleasant day.

-King Nicolau I and the nation of Spain and her peoples

[Russo-Austria]

I want British Empire

1) fill out a request
2) so one has reserved that, if they don't post in the next 12 hours England is yours. If you don't want to wait, we need an Austria badly

[Evil Lord Bane]

George was besides himself.

Only four years ago, his father died. He inherited the largest empire in the history of the world. The empire, in truth, that once belong to his older brother, Albert Victor, who has been dead now these past 17 years. He pined for his older brother, and remembered the fun times they had together while serving aboard the HMS Britannia as cadets, himself at the tender age of 12, his brother a mere year and half his elder. After three years, the two siblings then joined the crew of HMS Bacchante, and the real adventure began. Those where good times, making port in Norfolk, Virginia, and listening to the Yanks butcher the king's language. Off to Egypt, where he got to ride a camel for the first time in his life. Australia, with it's abundant, and diverse wildlife. From South America, to South Africa. He could still feel the pain in his arm as a local artist in Japan gave him a blue and red dragon tattoo, just before he and his beloved older brother met Emperor Meiji of Japan, and presented his wife, Empress Haruko, with a pair of wallabies. They where good times, and it was times like now that George longed for them. It was in the Navy, that George met his first love, Marie. Her mother considered him "Too German" and he watched as she was drawn into the arms of another, the future king of Romania.

But it wasn't too long until tragedy struck. First, he was laid up with typhoid, they same illness that had killed his grandfather. But the real tragedy was yet to come. As George was recovering, his bother announced his engagement to their second cousin, May. Only six weeks later, his bother died of pneumonia. He and May mourned the lose together, and found strength in each other. This had turned to love, as she became his wife, and mother of his daughter and five sons.

Now, events where unfolding quickly, as he learned the tragic news of how the crown prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and his wife, where assassinated. Now, his upstart, tyrannical cousin, the Tsar of Russia, was invading Poland. It was the cousin he always got along with, even was a part of an alliance with, of all places, France, all thanks to his father signing the Entente Cordiale, a few years before his death. It ended decades of territorial disputes in North Africa, and ended centuries of war between the two nations, only 20 miles apart. The cousin that he liked. Unlike the black sheep of the family, that German pig, with his baby arm and feeble mind and body. Like the rest of his family, he wanted nothing to do with Wilhelm, and was even thinking about changing the name of his family to something more British, and less German. But as his cousin had eyes for the center of Europe, George had eyes for the middle east, ruled by the hated Ottomans. It held a commodity that was quickly surpassing cotton as king. A black, sticky, disguising, foul smelling fluid, that held power. George wanted that power, and knew the locals in the area hated their Ottoman overlords. If he could use them to further his own ends, if he could only find the right person to lead them. The Young Turks, who ruled the Ottoman empire, had their sights set on the same thing he did. They could smell the wealth and power those otherwise worthless tracks of sand held. If George and his armies could get ahold of that, he would not only rule the world's largest empire, but the world's richest.

[Russo-Austria]

*this incripted telegram is sent privately*

By the Grace of God, We, EKaterina III, Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias, Moscow, Kiev, Vladimir, Novgorod; Empress of Kazan, Empress of Astrakhan, Empress of Poland, Empress of Siberia, Empress of Chersonese Taurian, Empress of Georgia; Lord of Pskov and Grand Princess of Smolensk, Lithuania, Volhynia, Podolia, Finland; Prince of Estland, Livland, Courland, Semigalia, Samogitia, Belostok, Karelia, Tver, Yugorsky land, Perm, Vyatka, Bolgar and others; Lord and Grand Princess of Nizhny Nogorod, Chernigov, Ryazan, Polotsk, Rostov, Yaroslavl, Belozersk, Udorsky land, Obdorsk, Kondia, Vitebsk, Mstislav, and all of the northern countries Master; and Lord of Iberia, Kartli, and Kabardia lands and Armenian provinces; hereditary Sovereign and ruler of the Circassian and Mountainous Princes and of others; Lord of Turkestan; Heir of Norway; Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein, Stormarn, Dithmarschen, and Oldenburg, and others, and others, and others.

To George, King of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and Emperor of India - and Nicolas, King of the Spainish Empire

In light of current and unfortunate events, it has been brought to my attention that war is inevitable in European like never before. It has only been a century since the collapse of the French Empire of Napolean Bonaparte. In the ashes of his empire, your Empire, George, became the master of Western Europe. Now, your empire is threatened. It is now that we must reaffirm our alliance. For while your power in the west could falter, as could mine in the east. Both rely on each other's support.

As for you, mi amigo, your majesty Nicolau Provenca - I offer you a chance to reclaim the glory of Castile and Aragon. We share a common enemy - The Kingdom of Italy. Should Italy with its ally, Poland, overpower the faltering empire of Austria-Hungary, they may set their sights on your kingdom - the Kingdom of Spain.

Now. Regarding the Republic of France. They are the only Western European power that rivals the British Empire. I recommend the rejection of your alliances with them. Remember the humiliation they have placed upon your kingdoms - both Britain and Spain.

I offer you both the chance to strengthen your empires, and rule the world. Forget the past - and look to OUR futures.



Signed - Empress of All Russia, Ekaterina Tatiana Dimitrievna

[Evil Lord Bane]

*this incripted telegram is sent privately*

King George the Fifth, By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas. King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.

To: Nicolas, King of the Spainish Empire, and to my beloved cousin, Ekaterina Tatiana Dimitrievna, Empress of All Russia.

We have learned well the history of our nations, as a hundrend years ago, we all fought off the tyrant empiror of France. Of how we sent out troops into Spain, risking thier lives to free the Spanish of this madman, and how we watched, this same lunitic take the city of Moscow, only to be defeated by the one force he could not fight, the Russian winter. And of how, we and the armies of Prussia together, defeated this upstart Emperor within his own nation, at Waterloo, 99 years ago.

But that was then, and this is now. My dear cousin Ekaterina, it was my father's, your uncle's, fondest wish, was that peace be achieved between us and France. I have no choise but to stand with his treaty, The Triple Entente, which has brought us all together as one. But if the French where to break this pack, and it is something we do not expect, we will be glad to end any alliance with them. We belieave the real threat to the peace lay farther east, with the German's, and the Ottomans.

My dear King Nicolas. Just as my forfthers stood against the army of Napolean on Spainsh soil, arm in arm with the defenders of your nation, we would gladly do the same, if the Itailans become a threat to you. From what we have seen of them however, they can barly hold off the "dieing old man of Europe" the empire of Austria-Hungary. As a matter of fact, we expect the Italians, locked in warfare with Austria-Hungary, to eventually loose to them.

Be it known, that no matter what the future holds, the United Kingdom will always stand by, and with, our beloved cousin Ekaterina Tatiana Dimitrievna, Empress of All Russia, and our friend, Nicolas, King of the Spainish Empire.

Yours in truth,
King George the Fifth, By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

[La Paz de Los Ricos]

Location: Madrid, Spain, El Palacio de la Zarzuela

There was a certain... permanence in the room. He sat at his desk, simply contemplating. The chirps of the birds were what kept him from simply standing up and going mental. He had done it! Finally, Nicolau secured his place in history, as the leader of the country he new so very well.

He had almost never left Spain in his life. He had traveled to Venice once, when he was very young, with his mother. He adored the city, and he almost drowned in one of the waterways, had a merchant not pulled him out. He missed those days. When he lived without the stress and fear he had to endure, having been made king a couple of weeks earlier.

Worry not, Mother, he choked slightly, not daring utter the words aloud, as he feared the mere mention of his mother's name would result in him being smitten to the very depths of Hell. I promise, Venice will be ours soon, and then you may rest in the city once again.

His mother had died of pneumonia when he was a teenager, and he had vague, scatter memories of her. She was, however, a traitor to the very name he held dear. She was of Italian-Catalan descent, born in Florence, so when tensions began rising in Europe, she pledged allegiance to the Italian flag. Nicolau was devastated, knowing his very family was turning away from Catalonia and Aragon, the land he promised to die for. She died not several months later, without a word being uttered between the two since the disagreement. He knew, in his heart of hearts, that he should not love her, for she soiled his name. However, something just kept him tied to her.

He stood from the desk, admiring his prized Aragonese flag, with a Spanish flag below it. He'd purposefully hung them that way. His homeland was not Spain. He wanted to bring glory to Aragon and Catalonia. Securing his spot on the throne was the first step. He already had control of Iberia. Well, most. He would deal with Portugal at a later date. Some sacrifices had to be made, but it was a what he wanted. He knew that his homeland would see a new era. A new... Renaissance.

"Su Majestad, telegram for you, sir," a voice rang out.

"Oh? Please show it."

A man in a suit entered the room, and handed a telegram to Nicolau. Upon laying his eyes on it, he knew he had a golden opportunity.

*this incripted telegram is sent privately*

To George, King of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and Emperor of India - and Nicolas, King of the Spainish Empire

In light of current and unfortunate events, it has been brought to my attention that war is inevitable in European like never before. It has only been a century since the collapse of the French Empire of Napolean Bonaparte. In the ashes of his empire, your Empire, George, became the master of Western Europe. Now, your empire is threatened. It is now that we must reaffirm our alliance. For while your power in the west could falter, as could mine in the east. Both rely on each other's support.

As for you, mi amigo, your majesty Nicolau Provenca - I offer you a chance to reclaim the glory of Castile and Aragon. We share a common enemy - The Kingdom of Italy. Should Italy with its ally, Poland, overpower the faltering empire of Austria-Hungary, they may set their sights on your kingdom - the Kingdom of Spain.

Now. Regarding the Republic of France. They are the only Western European power that rivals the British Empire. I recommend the rejection of your alliances with them. Remember the humiliation they have placed upon your kingdoms - both Britain and Spain.

I offer you both the chance to strengthen your empires, and rule the world. Forget the past - and look to OUR futures.

Signed - Empress of All Russia, Ekaterina Tatiana Dimitrievna

"Deu meu...," he uttered in his native Catalan, "this is exactly what we need..."

With Russian and British support, the rest of Europe would be fighting a war on West and East, squeezing the French, Austrians, Germans, and Italians out of Europe. It would be the biggest opportunity in Spain's history. In... Aragonese and Catalan history... Controlling the Americas led to eventual Spanish humiliation, and the French took over his land under Napoleon's hand. Controlling Europe would lead to Spain's eventual riches. Well, he knew he didn't speak as much for spain as for his Catalan brothers. Fighting alongside Europe's greatest powers would lead to a victory unlike any other.

Grabbing his pen, he drafted a response. After completing his reply, he handed it to his advisor to transcript it into a telegram for his new allies.

Nicolau had struck gold.

[La Paz de Los Ricos]

[Privately encrypted telegram]

To our esteemed allies Ekaterina Tatiana Dimitrievna, Empress of All Russia, as well as King George the Fifth, By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

We have received your telegrams, and we absolutely will accept your proposal. With such an alliance, we have one of the most strategic positions in Europe. Russia in the east, the United Kingdom in the northwest, and Spain in the southwest. We can easily crush the European powers. Austria-Hungary will fall. Italy will fall. Europe will be ours.

We have plans to enact "special maneuvers" in the Mediterranean, which will severely detriment the Italian economy. We cannot specify what our plans are, since there is a chance that this message could be intercepted and decoded. As of now, we can reveal that we are enforcing militarization of the Portuguese border and in the Pyrenees. If necessary, we will invade Portugal and control Atlantic ports.

We are concerned the United States will react negatively if we begin an invasion immediately, so we must first prove beyond a doubt that Austria-Hungary and Italy are in the wrong, and we have reason to invade them. That can wait until a conference, if you wish however.

We wish you, your nations, and your peoples victory and prosperity.

Sincerely,

-King Nicolau Provenca I

[Russo-Austria]

*this incripted telegram is sent privately*

By the Grace of God, We, EKaterina III, Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias, Moscow, Kiev, Vladimir, Novgorod; Empress of Kazan, Empress of Astrakhan, Empress of Poland, Empress of Siberia, Empress of Chersonese Taurian, Empress of Georgia; Lord of Pskov and Grand Princess of Smolensk, Lithuania, Volhynia, Podolia, Finland; Prince of Estland, Livland, Courland, Semigalia, Samogitia, Belostok, Karelia, Tver, Yugorsky land, Perm, Vyatka, Bolgar and others; Lord and Grand Princess of Nizhny Nogorod, Chernigov, Ryazan, Polotsk, Rostov, Yaroslavl, Belozersk, Udorsky land, Obdorsk, Kondia, Vitebsk, Mstislav, and all of the northern countries Master; and Lord of Iberia, Kartli, and Kabardia lands and Armenian provinces; hereditary Sovereign and ruler of the Circassian and Mountainous Princes and of others; Lord of Turkestan; Heir of Norway; Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein, Stormarn, Dithmarschen, and Oldenburg, and others, and others, and others.

To George, King of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and Emperor of India - and Nicolas, King of the Spainish Empire

We are most pleased with your duel acceptiance of an alliance. We most graciously hope that together we shall usher in a new age of stability and empire.

Now, my most dear and beloved cousin, George V. While we understand your weariness to cut France loose, I hope you can understand that it would be safer to attack them before they double cross us wuth an alliance of their own. We hate to betray an ally - and dishonour our elders' will - but we feel threatened by such an empire allying with either or both the Kingdom of Italy, of the Grand Duchy of Poland. Or worse - and the unthinkabloe. The old and dying man himself - Austria-Hungary.

As for you, Nicolua - we are most relived that you have agreed to work with Mother Russia and the British Empire. We know as a smart and skilled leader - you have the abilities to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt Austria and Italy's intentions. But do not act fast. Remember! Your Empire was crippled by the Amerians less than a decade earlier. Please continue building up your armies and more importatly - navies first. Then bring honour and disapline to the ranks before any rash action.

We most direly request and implore both our allies to begin sancioning and blockaiding mesures in the Medeterainian Seas - and we must keep the Ottomans from closing their straits. If they do, the Southern Imperial Navy could become trapped in the Black Seas.

Signed,
Empress and Autocrat of All Russias - Ekaterina Tatiana Dimitrievna Romanov

[I t a l y]

Days after the speech, Italy finally made its move.Not on Austria but on France. Italy's plan of invading Austria was scrapped off the table after hearing the threat of war of spain and begged to return to the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary.After trying several times begging the two Empire to accept italy back to alliance, it knew actions speak louder then words and decided to prove that it truly wishes to join the triple alliance by attacking France.After crossing the Alps,Italian Alpinis march down towards the city of Grenoble, Monaco, and Nice without facing any resistance. Hour later Italian Marines navaly invaded the small island of Corsica and North of French Afrika. It was already a sign to the Italian people that Italy might win this war, but deep down most Italian generals knew that this was just the beginning of a long bloody conflict that will last for a century.