Hi all. First time posting on here. I thought of an idea for a scenario where Austria Hungary signs an early peace deal with the Entente and manages to survive, albeit weakened into the 30's, as well as some possible events. It's fairly bare, but what are your thoughts and suggestions?
Early 1918 – Following an Italian breakthrough into Austria, Austria Hungary signs separate peace with Entente. Istria, Zadar and South Tyrol go to Italy. Bosnia becomes part of the new nation of Yugoslavia. Transylvania remains in Austria Hungary as an Armistice had been signed with Romania just months before. However, the occupation of Romania ends. Following the peace treaty, Austria Hungary can keep an army of 175,000 with no air force and only the most basic of navies.
1919 – Austrian forces and paramilitaries prevent Soviet regime in Hungary, cementing their position within Austria Hungary
1921 – Galicia is annexed by Poland. Weakened, Austria Hungary is powerless to stop this.
1920 – 1930. Austria Hungary is reformed into a loose federation, based on the united states of Greater Austria concept.
1935 – A Yugofascist government comes to power in Yugoslavia, with the goal of uniting all Slavic people within Yugoslavia. Austria Hungary begins rearming in secret, assisted by Czech aviation exports.
1937 – Recognising the increasingly aggressive and pro German Yugoslavian regime, a “Bled agreement” is signed between France, a reluctant Romania and Austria Hungary to amend the original treaty and allow Austria Hungary to rearm.
September 29th 1938 – Munich Agreement takes place. Hitler demands the Sudetenlands. Despite Austria Hungary’s protests, the Sudetenlands are ceded. Britain and France are unwilling to start a new European war for the sake of the country that started the last one.
Hitler has a particular ire with Austria Hungary, blaming the separate armistice for the German loss in the last war and also states annexing Austria and other majority German areas within the empire as an eventual goal.
December 1938 – Fearing being dragged into a war with Germany and with much of the population sympathetic to the Yugoslavian regime, Croatia votes in a referendum to leave Austria Hungary.
February 1938 – Slovene Parliament narrowly votes to remain in Austria Hungary. Bohemia remains by vast margin, fearing further German aggression.
10th March 1939 – Yugoslavia annexes Croatia to no resistance.
16th March 1939 – Calling the Parliamentary vote undemocratic and encouraged by the weakness of Austria Hungary during the Sudetenland crisis (And lack of reaction to the Croatian annex), Yugoslavian troops enter Slovenia, believing Austria Hungary to still be mostly disarmed. Austria Hungary promptly declares war on Yugoslavia despite the possibility of German or Italian intervention.
8th April 1939 – In a surprisingly swift war, Slovenia and Croatia are retaken and Belgrade is captured following an intensive bombing campaign. An armistice is signed the next day. Yugoslavia is to be reformed into Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. Bosnia and Croatia are reincorporated into Austria Hungary with promises for self-determination at a later date. Surprised by the extent of Austria Hungary’s rearmament and their military accomplishment in the Yugoslav war, Hitler cancels plans for an Anschluss of Austria.
1st September 1939 – Germany attacks Poland. WW2 begins. Austria Hungary remains neutral for now.
Early 1918 – Following an Italian breakthrough into Austria, Austria Hungary signs separate peace with Entente. Istria, Zadar and South Tyrol go to Italy. Bosnia becomes part of the new nation of Yugoslavia. Transylvania remains in Austria Hungary as an Armistice had been signed with Romania just months before. However, the occupation of Romania ends. Following the peace treaty, Austria Hungary can keep an army of 175,000 with no air force and only the most basic of navies.
1919 – Austrian forces and paramilitaries prevent Soviet regime in Hungary, cementing their position within Austria Hungary
1921 – Galicia is annexed by Poland. Weakened, Austria Hungary is powerless to stop this.
1920 – 1930. Austria Hungary is reformed into a loose federation, based on the united states of Greater Austria concept.
1935 – A Yugofascist government comes to power in Yugoslavia, with the goal of uniting all Slavic people within Yugoslavia. Austria Hungary begins rearming in secret, assisted by Czech aviation exports.
1937 – Recognising the increasingly aggressive and pro German Yugoslavian regime, a “Bled agreement” is signed between France, a reluctant Romania and Austria Hungary to amend the original treaty and allow Austria Hungary to rearm.
September 29th 1938 – Munich Agreement takes place. Hitler demands the Sudetenlands. Despite Austria Hungary’s protests, the Sudetenlands are ceded. Britain and France are unwilling to start a new European war for the sake of the country that started the last one.
Hitler has a particular ire with Austria Hungary, blaming the separate armistice for the German loss in the last war and also states annexing Austria and other majority German areas within the empire as an eventual goal.
December 1938 – Fearing being dragged into a war with Germany and with much of the population sympathetic to the Yugoslavian regime, Croatia votes in a referendum to leave Austria Hungary.
February 1938 – Slovene Parliament narrowly votes to remain in Austria Hungary. Bohemia remains by vast margin, fearing further German aggression.
10th March 1939 – Yugoslavia annexes Croatia to no resistance.
16th March 1939 – Calling the Parliamentary vote undemocratic and encouraged by the weakness of Austria Hungary during the Sudetenland crisis (And lack of reaction to the Croatian annex), Yugoslavian troops enter Slovenia, believing Austria Hungary to still be mostly disarmed. Austria Hungary promptly declares war on Yugoslavia despite the possibility of German or Italian intervention.
8th April 1939 – In a surprisingly swift war, Slovenia and Croatia are retaken and Belgrade is captured following an intensive bombing campaign. An armistice is signed the next day. Yugoslavia is to be reformed into Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. Bosnia and Croatia are reincorporated into Austria Hungary with promises for self-determination at a later date. Surprised by the extent of Austria Hungary’s rearmament and their military accomplishment in the Yugoslav war, Hitler cancels plans for an Anschluss of Austria.
1st September 1939 – Germany attacks Poland. WW2 begins. Austria Hungary remains neutral for now.