Bohemia 2004
- Thread starter tom
- Start date
Bohemia stays independent :: same as Lithuania etc, Bohemia would have to escape the fate of getting amalgamated with some other nation by the chances of marriage and birth and death and inheritance among royal and noble families (see http://www.slider.nl/enc/27000/Jadwiga.htm (Jagiello is Jagailas in Lithuanian)).
If Bohemia either a) did not fall to the Habsburg family after the end of the native dynasty or b) successfully defends its independence as a Protestant nation in the White Mountain campaign of 1618-20, the country could have remained a (minor, but not negligible) East European kingdom governed by a powerful oligarchically structured aristocracy, the 'Estates General of Bohemia'. Taking it from there, I would assume the country to stay a minor player in big politics (between Austria, Saxony, Prussia, Sweden, Poland and Russia at the respective times, and possibly the Ottomans as well). Bohemia without a violen counterreformation would probably be vehemently Protestant, enamored of its Hussite tradition, and rather paranoid about Austria. A natural ally for Prussia (provided there is a Prussia) and Sweden (provided there is a Vasa empire). Also, with its own residence and strong cultural ties to central Germanmy (unless the THirty Years' War happens anyway), the country will likely be a full part of the WEstern intellectual and technological civilisation. Add into that a wealth of natural resources, waterpower, and skilled labour and Bohemia could emerge as an industrial powerhouse in the 19th century. But when the world wars start you're on your own...
Well the Wikipedia article on Bohemia saystom said:
Wikipedia said:
So in a way, it is…
Any thoughts on how Bohemia would develop if it was not a part of the Hapsburg lands? Would Bohemia actually end up being more Germanised if they had remained independent but a part of the Holy Roman Empire? Also, as I recall the King of Bohemia is one of the HRE electors, so that could certainly change a few of the elections, perhaps the Hapsburgs do not manage to maintain their firm grip on the Imperial throne with another protestant elector voting. Maybe that even shifts the balance enough to result in a protestant Emperor at some point, which could certainly be interesting. Maybe we even end up seeing Bohemia become the leading protestant power in Germany in place of OTLs Prussia?
Bohemia could certainly develop to be a major industrial power, especially if it manages to hold onto Silesia. At the least they certainly have quite large deposits of coal and iron, which could give them a strong steel industry.
Bohemia could certainly develop to be a major industrial power, especially if it manages to hold onto Silesia. At the least they certainly have quite large deposits of coal and iron, which could give them a strong steel industry.