A wave of change came during the 1750's in Europe. Hatred and power which had been growing exponentially since the conclusion of the war of Austrian Succession finally was dissipated. Turbulence, war, and revolution ensued. Countries that had been enemies for centuries would finally burn.
Opportunity
Introduction and POD
Introduction and POD
“It is generally accepted that by failing to press an invasion of Bohemia in 1756 with all his forces Frederick lost the opportunity to win the war against Austria before it could mobilise its forces fully and before France and Russia committed themselves to the war against Prussia.”
- British Military Historian Christopher Duffy
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The actions that took place during 1756 transpired faster than everybody, including its creator, thought possible. Frederick II of Prussia had conquered Saxony and had defeated an army of a premier European power, Austria. Prussia accomplished this in less than two months.
Frederick II of Prussia was a bold man, but he required intense preparation. However he had an opportunity he did not foresee. He did not expect the Austro-Saxon forces to collapse in its entirety in the time that it did. Frederick II of Prussia had to hesitate. He could attempt to invade Bohemia and Austria proper before 1757. He determined that it would certainly be a risky maneuver. The remaining strength of the Austrian military was largely unknown. However there was also risk in waiting to invade Austria. Austria was a larger country and had more resources to call upon. With a heavy heart Frederick decided to go ahead with the bolder move to invade Austria immediately [1].
The Austro-Prussian War (1756-1757) shocked the world. Shortly after the defeat of Saxony an army numbering no more than one hundred and fifty thousand invaded. Austria was doomed. Austria lost the vast majority of its armed forces during the attempted defense of Saxony. All Austria needed was time to rebuild its military, but Prussia refused to yield. Prussia was always able to destroy an Austrian army before it was fully mobilized. The collapse of Austrian defenses was swift. After a short battle Prussian troops entered the city of Prague on the 4th of December. By the 18th of January 1757 the Prussian advance had reached the outskirts of Vienna. Archduchess Maria Theresa, seeing the inevitable, sent a delegation to discuss peace terms. The result was the Treaty of Dresden (1757.)
Main Terms of the Treaty of Dresden (1757):
- The cessation of hostilities between the Kingdom of Prussia and the Hapsburg Domains
- Austrian recognition of the previous Prussian annexation of Silesia.
- Austrian recognition of the Prussian annexation of Saxony.
- The destruction of existing forts on the Prussian-Bohemian border, and limits on the construction on future forts.
- Prussian Occupation of a few select strategic locations until January 1st 1758.
-Minor reparations.
The impacts of the Austro-Prussian War (1756-1757) were massive. By ending the war as quickly as it did a massive war was prevented. France, Russia, and Sweden were forced to cancel their mobilizations before they could even field armies. Another significant impact was simply the rise of Prussian power. Prussia nearly doubled its population by annexing Saxony. It had showed its superior military tactics. After the end of the war there was no doubt that Prussia had joined the ranks of the most powerful European countries. While Prussia was rising, Austrian was in distress. Archduchess Maria had lost Austrian two important wars. She failed to reclaim Silesia and prevented the rise of another German power. There were calls for her abdication. While the Archduchess was able to keep her throne the future of Austria was seriously questioned.
While the treaty did bring peace to some of Europe, a war was still raging. Two old enemies continued to play their endless game. There had been a formal declaration of war between France and England since the spring of 1756. Blood would continue to rain.
[1] Point of Depature
This is my new TL, Opportunity. I am coming back after a five month hiatus to continue what I love. This TL will be quite long; if I can I will bring it out to the early 2000's. I hope you it enjoy it. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think about it.
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