1744: No protestant wind

Matteo.

I had considered that the Hapsburg-French Strategic situation on the continent would largely be similar to OTl once MT and Frederick conclude a definitive peace over Silesia. Essentially Savoyard and Hapsburg control of north Italy including the territories of all of France/Spain's allies there neutralise the French gains in the low countries. However, there is some room to expect a demand from
Spain for return of Gibralter and the islands of the med.
its only Hapsburg influence at the actual peace negotiations at the expense of Britain that has changed.

So modify things a bit differently...

let France annex Hainault and historic Royal Flanders directly with imperial Flanders, Hapsburg Brabant, Namur and Dutch and Austrian Guelders going to a GD of Brabant under infante Philip. Brabant replaces the Netherlands as co-ruler with the AB of Liége in Maastricht. Give Spain Gibralter and Minorca.

Modena/Reggio and Massa/Carrera are restored along with Genoa ( minus Finale ). Hapsburgs then retain Luxembourg/Limbourg only

This going fwd will change the course of the ensuing Carnatic wars in favour of the French to some extent as they will be better positioned to support their candidates there. It also could restore favour on the Marine Royale as an instrument to further French interests. Something that only occurred after the 7 years war OTL.

This all assumes Frederick makes peace at the time he did OTL. If he doesn't The Hapsburg position in North Italy is substantially weakened, but he risks the re-entry in force of Russia against him, which could very well undo his gain of Silesia.
 
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