AHC: A better 1750s-1760s for Frederick and Prussia

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
Donor
Monthly Donor
This is inspired by the far more frequently broached topic of Frederick and Prussia facing disastrous defeat in the 7 Years War.

This challenge seeks to obtain a result that is 180 degrees or 90 degrees the opposite.

In OTL, Frederick seized and kept Silesia in the war of Austrian succession.

Although he still held on to Silesia by the end of the 7 Years War, his territories were ravaged and he was attacked by neighbors and in great peril much of the time. The 7 Years War was in many ways one big long hangover that Frederick earned for his 1740 binge on Silesia.

How can we make things better than OTL for him and Prussia?

I would categorize most versions of doing "better" than OTL in two possible ways:

1) Prussia staying at peace for most of these decades (using whatever diplomatic configuration you think most plausible) and getting by without a lengthy war of Austrian revanche.

...or

2) Prussia becoming involved in war (in whatever alliances you choose) and coming out of it at less cost to itself and/or having gained additional territories as spoils of victory.

PoD has to be after the Treaty of Aix-La-Chappelle. But after that, everything is on the table including internal political changes in other European powers, the diplomatic revolution, battlefield results in an alt-7 Years War.
 

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
Donor
Monthly Donor
It seems to me that if Russia simply chooses to stay out of the fray (Elizabeth does not feel offended by Fred, or Brits outbid the French in bribing the Russian chancellor) that Fred is in a much better position. If you want to wank up Prussia it could plausibly gain Saxony, Bohemia and maybe the Polish corridor from the Habsburgs and Wettins, and the French and Austrians might not be able to stop these Prussian gains. Prussia would have a massively expanded tax and industrial base under its thumb in Central Europe.


Or the same absence of Russia from the opposing coalition could allow Fred to sit on his Silesian laurels and peaceably develop his kingdom, deterring Austrian revanchism.
 

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
Donor
Monthly Donor
Early coronation of Peter, if Peter is just as unpopular, could lead to an earlier coup in favor of Catherine, ultimately a worse situation for Prussia?

If the "Diplomatic Revolution" had *not* occurred and Britain and Austria remained allies against Prussia and the Bourbons, which coalition would have done better? And would Prussia in particular have done better facing fewer enemies on land, but with Britain providing subsidies to Austria and Russia that France probably wouldn't match?
 
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