In late 1918 the government of Wilhelm II collapsed and led to the Weimar Republic; in addition to the fall of the House of Hohenzollern, the Kingdoms, Grand Duchies, Duchies, and Principalities which constituted the Empire of Germany were overthrown as well.
BUT. I was wondering recently: what if the south German states (for one reason or another, right now we will say - HANDWAVIUM, because I haven't researched it yet) did not overthrow their rulers? What if the will of the people in the south was to remain under their royal heads of state?
Perhaps Bavaria, Baden and Wurtemburg conspire to leave and possibly even DO declare the "marriage" between Germany and their states over. Is a "Catholic League" possible? Membership might include the south German states and Austria, possibly Hungary which sees itself surrounded by the Little Entente.
I think France would favor such a development because it further weakens Germany. Italy might also favor such a development because of the possibility to influence these states - pull them into their sphere of influence.
Could Hitler still come to power in such a scenario? Or, perhaps, a conservative take over, military coup, restored monarchy, or even surviving Weimar?
Thoughts? Discussion?