The War of the British Succession

[Thande]

In OTL France made several fairly lukewarm attempts at restoring the Stuarts to the throne(s) of Britain via the Jacobite rebellions. However these were always employed as a sideshow to weaken Britain during an existing major Anglo-French war, and not as the avowed purpsoe of such a war.

The last attempt to be considered was by Choiseul in 1759, who tried to get Bonnie Prince Charlie to agree to lead another French-supported army landed in Scotland into a rebellion, as in 1745. However, Charles Edward refused this and another suggestion for an Irish landing, stating that he would be King of all three Kingdoms, not merely Ireland or Scotland, and the way to do this was to land in England. France was always unwilling to commit a fleet to a cross-channel crossing for obvious reasons.

However, one suggestion made by Choiseul was to bring Sweden into the war and have the Swedes make an alternative, diversionary landing in Scotland at the same time as the French-supported Stuart invasion of England. This failed at the time because, among other reasons, Sweden was uncomfortable about helping a Catholic nation attack fellow Protestants and place a Catholic (Charles Edward) on the British thrones, and also because Choiseul wanted to bring Russia in at the same time and of course Sweden and Russia were bitter foes. What France did end up with as a Baltic ally in the Seven Years' War was the rather less helpful Denmark.

Now, what would it take for the French to make the restoration of the Stuarts to the British thrones the avowed purpose of an Anglo-French war, and not merely a sideshow?

A less intransigent Charles Edward, who'd be more amenable to French orders, would be useful. Perhaps a reasonable POD would be George II dying very early and without leaving heirs. The Hanoverian dynasty was still young. So we would have Parliament and the senior nobility searching desperately for another Protestant dynasty they can sponge a king off, while France will be manoeuvring to place (alt?-)Charles Edward on the throne - possibly by landing troops. A second, inverted Glorious Revolution.

Thoughts?

[Andrei]

Originally Posted by Thande

In OTL France made several fairly lukewarm attempts at restoring the Stuarts to the throne(s) of Britain via the Jacobite rebellions. However these were always employed as a sideshow to weaken Britain during an existing major Anglo-French war, and not as the avowed purpsoe of such a war.

The last attempt to be considered was by Choiseul in 1759, who tried to get Bonnie Prince Charlie to agree to lead another French-supported army landed in Scotland into a rebellion, as in 1745. However, Charles Edward refused this and another suggestion for an Irish landing, stating that he would be King of all three Kingdoms, not merely Ireland or Scotland, and the way to do this was to land in England. France was always unwilling to commit a fleet to a cross-channel crossing for obvious reasons.

However, one suggestion made by Choiseul was to bring Sweden into the war and have the Swedes make an alternative, diversionary landing in Scotland at the same time as the French-supported Stuart invasion of England. This failed at the time because, among other reasons, Sweden was uncomfortable about helping a Catholic nation attack fellow Protestants and place a Catholic (Charles Edward) on the British thrones, and also because Choiseul wanted to bring Russia in at the same time and of course Sweden and Russia were bitter foes. What France did end up with as a Baltic ally in the Seven Years' War was the rather less helpful Denmark.

Now, what would it take for the French to make the restoration of the Stuarts to the British thrones the avowed purpose of an Anglo-French war, and not merely a sideshow?

A less intransigent Charles Edward, who'd be more amenable to French orders, would be useful. Perhaps a reasonable POD would be George II dying very early and without leaving heirs. The Hanoverian dynasty was still young. So we would have Parliament and the senior nobility searching desperately for another Protestant dynasty they can sponge a king off, while France will be manoeuvring to place (alt?-)Charles Edward on the throne - possibly by landing troops. A second, inverted Glorious Revolution.

Thoughts?

AFAIK Sweden was allied with Russia and France and fought against Prussia in the 7 years war. Denmark remained neutral.

Maybe it might work if the British declare war on Sweden in order to support Prussia.

[Anaxagoras]

In 1745, success for the Jacobites was doubtful- the wonder is that they did as well as they did. By 1759, the possibility of another Jacobite landing is a complete pipe dream. They would have had no support from the population. British political institutions were too strong and well-established by that point.

[Thande]

Originally Posted by Anaxagoras

In 1745, success for the Jacobites was doubtful- the wonder is that they did as well as they did. By 1759, the possibility of another Jacobite landing is a complete pipe dream. They would have had no support from the population. British political institutions were too strong and well-established by that point.

Agreed, but that wasn't the WI I was positing. I was just laying some background.

My question is, is it possible that France would at any time in the 18th century be involved in a war where the main war aim was the restoration of the Stuarts to the British thrones, i.e. a "War of the British Succession".

And, as I said above, I think the best POD for this would be an early death of George II and him not leaving any heirs, thus throwing the succession open.