Venezuelan Intervention

This timeline follows a different course of actions during the Venezuelan Crisis of 1902-03. Long story short: Venezuela owed Great Britain, Germany and Italy money. These countries decided to blockade Venezuela to force them to repay the money. Theodore Roosevelt didn't invoke the Monroe Doctrine as he felt it didn't apply with the circumstances. Eventually, Venezuela repaid most of the debt, causing the European fleets to withdraw. But, on the table for the Europeans during the planning of the blockade was landing troops and occupying Venezuelan cities. If this was chosen, Roosevelt would have most likely invoked the Monroe Doctrine. Would the US be able to stop them, or would Europeans get control of the defenseless South American country?

Build up (1898-1902)
The United States of America emerge victorious after a brief war with Spain. The conflict demonstrates that the US is capable of crossing oceans and fighting on foreign soil. America is now a real world power. Meanwhile, Venezuela falls into deep debt with Great Britain, Germany and Italy. Investors in those countries press their governments to do something about it. Leaders begin drafting plans to force Venezuela to repay them. Some propose a small invasion, occupying some territory. Cooler heads would prefer only conducting a naval blockade, citing the American Monroe Doctrine and that a blockade may draw less attention. But most appear to be leaning towards the former of the two. President Theodore Roosevelt, well aware of Venezuelas finical situation, contacts their governments. He tells them that if they plan on landing European troops on South American soil, he will stop them. Great Britain, the historically master of the high seas, shrugs it off as an empty threat. Germany, however, is more concern, and many heads are becoming cooler. In June 1902, Venezuela seizes a British vessel suspected of aiding rebels. This action is the tipping point and Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil approves the invasion plan. Germany agrees reluctantly, and Italy backs out altogether. The invasion itself will be conducted by troops of the German army, famous for its victory over France in the last century. The British will provide naval support, as they have the more powerful navy.

Sailing to war
President Roosevelt hears that the British and Germans have set sail for Venezuela. Within an hour, he announces that he will invoke the Monroe Doctrine. He says that in Venezuelas weakened state, they won't be able to resist, and opening the door to another round of colonization. He orders the Navy to mobilize all available ships and sail to intercept the European fleet. Upon hearing this, the british and german fleets continue the invasion plan. Britain still believes that Roosevelt is bluffing and continues, besides his war against trusts are far different than a war against the British and German Empires. The troop ships sail a few hours behind the British ships, giving them time to establish naval dominance. The Royal Navy sails far around to the east of America's new possession, Puerto Rico. This move buys the American navy time to catch up by cutting in between Hispanola and Puerto Rico. The navies are set to engage in the Caribbean Sea.

The Battle
The US Navy group comprises of nine vessels: Battleships Iowa, Kearsarge, Oregon and Indiana. Protected cruisers Olympia, Columbia and Minneapolis. And armored cruisers New York and Brooklyn. They faced a British fleet of fourteen ships: battleships Renown, Jupiter, Magnificent, Mars, Barfleur and Prince George. Protected cruisers Andromeda, Argonaut, Powerful, Terrible and Vindictive. And armored cruisers Cressy, Hogue and Leviathan. At 1023 hours local time, lookouts for both navies almost simultaneously spot the smoke from the opposing ships. At 1024 American Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, from the bridge of Iowa, ordered his ships into battle formation, mirrored by the British. At 1031, he crossed the point of not return. With the British still closing, he gave the now-famous order, "Pick out the biggest one and fire." As expected, neither side scored a hit in the opening salvo as each tried to find the range. At 1040, a shell from HMS Vindictive hit USS Brooklyn, the Brooklyn veered to starboard, showing its broadside. Several more hits left it disabled. Around 1059, Schley was told that the USS Kearsarge had fallen put of formation due to damage, this was followed by said ship exploding from the fires reaching the powder magazine. Schley panicked and irrationally ordered a general attack, having the ships in no formation shooting at targets of opportunity. This confused the British, who still was in their battle lines. By 1137 the Kearsarge, Columbia and New York were sunk, with Olympia, Oregon, and Minneapolis, in addition to the Brooklyn, heavily damaged. The British have taken significantly less; Hogue sunk, Leviathan and Jupiter moderately damaged. The larger British fleet beared down on the Americans, intent on finishing their mission. The amount of munitions coming down destroyed the already crippled Oregon. Around 1200, somehow the tide began to turn against the British. Well aimed shots detonated the powder magazines of three cruisers. The battleship HMS Mars took an impact to the stern, locking its rudder into its last position, hard to port, leaving it in a perpetual circlular course. Soon after, Olympia and Minneapolis, however weakened, returned to the fray. HMS Andromeda and Prince George fell to the emboldened Americans. Seeing his losses mount, the admiral of the British fleet decided that they have officially lost more than they'll gain. The surviving ships turn and head home. HMS Mars is scuttled due to its locked rudder. Admiral Schley does not order a pursuit. Around 1340, President Roosevelt is told that the British have turned and abandoned the invasion.

Aftermath
Following the battle, the American navy was decimated, only three ships remained seaworthy. But the British Atlantic Fleet was not only equally hurt, it was embarrassed, the premier navy of the world was stood up to and defeated. Parliament immediately scolded the United States for starting an unnecessary battle. The Anglo-German alliance falls apart shortly after. With this falling out, and seeing hostilities between the US and Great Britain rising Kaiser Wilheim II extended an offer to President Roosevelt, join Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary's military alliance, the Triple Alliance. He accepted, this caused a furious response from the British government. Trade relations were cut, and most diplomats were ready to go home. It was too late, however. The alliances were now the Quaduple Alliance of The US, Italy, Austria-Hungary and Germany versus the Triple Entente of Great Britain, France and Russia. Tensions will continue to escalate until 1914, when an assassins bullet cuts it.