A postwar map without Poland or the Baltic states

The empire would resist surrendering its western territories, making the historical map of Poland and the Baltic republics unlikely. Russia and France share an interest in dismantling unified Germany because it is too powerful at the center of Europe and too close to Russian territory. Britain had previously valued Germany as a counterweight to both powers and had indirectly protected German access to global logistics through Royal Navy command of trade routes. Germany's decision to challenge Britain at sea destroyed that useful relationship and helped bring the maritime power into the coalition that defeated it.