German borders have always confused me before 1866, which I think was by design. But could there have been a different arrangement of German sovereignty in the Congress of Vienna?
Suppose that Prussia is dismantled or dismembered by Napoleon, leaving Prussian officers and nobility to flee to Russia, and Prussia itself disorganized and unable to greatly contribute later on. Napoleon rewards his clients in Saxony and sets up his Confederation of the Rhine more or less as OTL, but Saxony gains from Prussia's dismantling.
As Napoleon begins losing, Bavaria sees the writing on the wall and switches sides sufficiently early to secure gratitude and agreement from the relevant powers. Saxony is not so quick. Eventually, Napoleon is defeated through British power and money leading the way, though at heavier cost without Prussian support.
At the Vienna Congress, the containment of France and the balance of power is on everyone's mind, right behind gaining the most for themselves and their clients. A proposal emerges for a Germany led by several Kingdoms in place of the electors, with a degree of mediatisation.
The Kingdoms will incorporate the minor German states and Free Cities, with minor German soverigns retaining (most of) their lands and titles, and a large degree of autonomy, based on their rank. Grand Duchies retaining the most. The Free Cities that remain will be permitted to retain their autonomy in the Kingdoms, and be governed under a charter by their Sovereign; in effect making the Kings in question constitutional monarchs in the Free Cities they lead. The Kingdoms themselves will retain control over navies, navigable rivers, and all external relations--including peace, war, and the raising of armies. Formerly independent Duchies and above that remain are entitled to keep their own armies, but subject to Kingdom organization and overall command, in a manner similar to the relationship between the German Empire and Bavaria OTL. The Kingdoms shall also inherit the lands of any sovereign line within them that fails.
A Council of Kings is established in Frankfurt to coordinate the German Confederation, and enforce the agreements at Vienna, as well as ease the collection of customs, duties, and tolls within the Confederation. The Hapsburg "Emperor" is keeps that title as President of the Confederation, as "first among equals".
The Kingdoms are established as Prussia, Austria(With Bohemia in the Confederation as well), Bavaria, and Hanover. By virtue of possessions inside the Confederation, Denmark and the Netherlands(through Luxembourg) are also entitled to the rank.
Prussian weakness and attachment to Russia limits its gains, particularly as Vienna and London are unwilling to entertain a very close Russian client on the Rhine, but it does gain Saxony with Russian support. That support and Prussian dependency costs it Posen, which goes to Russia.
Some distrust of Bavaria means that Austria gains some of the Rhinelands, which is also supported by the British as it provides a tripwire for Austrian defense of Germany against France. Bavaria does gain much of the South, and parts of Thuringia. Hanover takes Oldenburg and Westphalia. (See map below)
Can this work at all? I presume that the German minors would not be able to resist this proposal if it was accepted by the Great Powers, much as they could not resist mediatisation. Is this even moderately stable, or will this confederation of royal federation fall apart under the strain of the first crisis?
I believe this map originally came from someone on the forum. Not everything has been edited for consistency, though the colors are about what I was suggesting.
Thoughts?
