AH Challange: Liechtenstein a leading nation.

In what plausable way could we get Liechtenstein a leading Great Power.

Bonus Points: Have Liechtenstein a Superpower.
 
Not very hard. They just need to inherit sizable portions of territory, while keeping the capital in Liechtenstein.
 

Valdemar II

Banned
Not very hard. They just need to inherit sizable portions of territory, while keeping the capital in Liechtenstein.

That would be incredible hard, until 1719 the Liechtenstein family was a knightly family (even if the had the title of Prince already before being raised to a princely family) with vast possesions in the Habsburg domains and served the Habsburgs, they bought up the barony of Schellenberg (1699)and county of Vaduz (1712) which was united and raised to a principality in 1719. As a knightly family they wasn't potential marriage partner for the greater houses, like the Habsburg, Hohenzollern, Wittelsbachs, Wettins, etc.
In themself these new domain was borderline worthless, and nowhere near as good as their other possesions, what made them valueble was that it raised them the family to a princely family and gave them a vote in the diet. They also had another purpose the two small lordship raised the Liechtenstein to imperial knight (answering directly to the emperor rather than to a prince*). The imperial knights was often given positions as Prince-Bishops. The Liechtenstein could hit the jackpot if they posses a big Bishopric in one of the secularisation waves, with a little intelligent politic they could end up Duke of medium size state, the problem are that such a state are unlikely to take the name Liechtenstein, through it may be possible if several states merges.
A alternative are the fact that the Liechtenstein was also (knightly) dukes of Troppau und Jägerndorf in Silesia, which could end up a independent Duchy if the 30YW turn out a little different, maybe they unite two duchies as the Duchy of Liechtenstein. From there they are in a good position to end up expanding their possesion in the neighbourhood, with a lot of luck they could end up with most of Silesia, which while no major power, could be a easten Belgium (rich, prosperous and industrial).


*even if that prince also happen to be emperor
 
I agree that the 30YW is probably the best bet. Karl von Liechtenstein was rather important in Matthias' court, which led to his elevation to Prince of Liechtenstein and Duke of Troppau & Jaegerndorf. Also agree that Silesia is the best place for a power base for him.

If you really want to wank the princely house, you could have Karl's son or grandson make an advantageous marriage into one of the greater families and inherit the whole thing. You'd likely end up with a large, scattered spray of territories collectively called "the Liechtenstein domains", which could later be consolidated.

The Hohenzollerns were certainly not Great Powers yet at this point - could the Liechtensteins fill that role and become Habsburg rivals (instead of loyal subjects)? Given time, it could happen, I think. I really like the idea of a power base in Silesia. What prominent German houses came close to extinction in the mid- to late-1600s? That could be a place to start.
 

Valdemar II

Banned
I agree that the 30YW is probably the best bet. Karl von Liechtenstein was rather important in Matthias' court, which led to his elevation to Prince of Liechtenstein and Duke of Troppau & Jaegerndorf. Also agree that Silesia is the best place for a power base for him.

If you really want to wank the princely house, you could have Karl's son or grandson make an advantageous marriage into one of the greater families and inherit the whole thing. You'd likely end up with a large, scattered spray of territories collectively called "the Liechtenstein domains", which could later be consolidated.

The Hohenzollerns were certainly not Great Powers yet at this point - could the Liechtensteins fill that role and become Habsburg rivals (instead of loyal subjects)? Given time, it could happen, I think. I really like the idea of a power base in Silesia. What prominent German houses came close to extinction in the mid- to late-1600s? That could be a place to start.

They may not have been a major player (in fact they was the least of the secular electors*), but they was still a major family quite out of the Liechtensteins league. But if the Duchies of Troppau and Jaegerndorf become independent they may pick up a few smaller states, and in any timeline where the Silesian duchies become independent Bohemia also need to leave the Habsburgs, so they could be elected Kings of Bohemia as compromise.

To give people a idea of how the Troppau and Jaegerndorf, it's the red and blue area on this map as people can see it's not impressive, but the area are rich and heavy populated plus the yellow territorium belong to the Catholic church so they would be in a good position to take it over.

*Which still made them one of the 5 most important german principalities, it would be incredible hard to replace them with a knightly house.
 
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