An itchy trigger finger...

robertp6165

There was a well-known episode during Napoleon's escape from Elba during the period leading up to the Battle of Waterloo. Marshall Michel Ney had been sent, by King Louis XVIII, with a force of soldiers to arrest Napoleon, who was accompanied by a small force of loyal troops. There was a tense confrontation, as Ney demanded Napoleon's surrender. Napoleon stepped forward, and Ney ordered his men to take aim at the former Emperor.

Napoleon stopped, put his hands behind him, and calmly said, "If any of you wish to shoot your Emperor, here I am."

Of course, no one did, and the troops sent to arrest Napoleon instead joined him in his march on Paris.

But what if, after Napoleon's bold challenge, one soldier's itchy trigger finger changed the course of history?

BANG! The Emperor is dead!

What effects would this have on future history?
 

Fearless Leader

Donor
Napoleon dies.

Without the 100 days to galvanize them, the Congress of Vienna soon becomes bogged down and eventually dissolves. Prussia and Russia decide to enforce their Polish/Saxon compromise on Europe leading to Austria declaring war on them. The Polish Saxon war sees Austria and Saxony take on Prussia and Russia and get worked. Britain and France don't honor their secret treaty with Austria and stay out. The Netherlands joins and tries to take Belgium from the Prussians and get's pwned, causing it (Neth) to become more of a constitutional monarchy.

Without the Congress of Vienna and the Concert of Europe, Europe in the 19th century becomes a much rougher place. Russia intervenes in Greece earlier (perhaps from the get go) and the Austro-Hungarian Empire succumbs to the pressures of nationalism much earlier.

The German confederation is founded and led by Prussia not Austria leading to an earlier Kleindeutschland that eventually becomes Grossdeutschland once A-H disintegrates and the Austrians join Germany along with the czechs and the Slovenes....

A similiar thing happened in my TL "A 19th Century Clinton"
 

stevep

Fearless Leader said:
Napoleon dies.

Without the 100 days to galvanize them, the Congress of Vienna soon becomes bogged down and eventually dissolves. Prussia and Russia decide to enforce their Polish/Saxon compromise on Europe leading to Austria declaring war on them. The Polish Saxon war sees Austria and Saxony take on Prussia and Russia and get worked. Britain and France don't honor their secret treaty with Austria and stay out. The Netherlands joins and tries to take Belgium from the Prussians and get's pwned, causing it (Neth) to become more of a constitutional monarchy.

Without the Congress of Vienna and the Concert of Europe, Europe in the 19th century becomes a much rougher place. Russia intervenes in Greece earlier (perhaps from the get go) and the Austro-Hungarian Empire succumbs to the pressures of nationalism much earlier.

The German confederation is founded and led by Prussia not Austria leading to an earlier Kleindeutschland that eventually becomes Grossdeutschland once A-H disintegrates and the Austrians join Germany along with the czechs and the Slovenes....

A similiar thing happened in my TL "A 19th Century Clinton"
Click to expand...

FL

I don't know about your idea that Britain and France not supporting Austria. Would have thought its especially in France's interests to. Gives it an ally and confirms its place in the family of nations rather than allowing the two continental powers who hate it the most to become dominant. Also a way to find employment for all those disgruntled former soldiers missing the old 'glorie', not to mention a marshall or three. Britain might also be worried about the strain of another war but it still have huge strength, especially economically compared to the rest. Doubt if the eastern powers can long maintain a big conflict without British subsidies.

Steve
 

AuroraBorealis

stevep said:
FL

I don't know about your idea that Britain and France not supporting Austria. Would have thought its especially in France's interests to. Gives it an ally and confirms its place in the family of nations rather than allowing the two continental powers who hate it the most to become dominant. Also a way to find employment for all those disgruntled former soldiers missing the old 'glorie', not to mention a marshall or three. Britain might also be worried about the strain of another war but it still have huge strength, especially economically compared to the rest. Doubt if the eastern powers can long maintain a big conflict without British subsidies.

Steve
Click to expand...
I have to agree here...

I don't think that the French or Brits would renege on the alliance with Austria.

It was France's way to get back in on an even footing with the rest of the continental powers and Britain not acting would give a tacit approval for Russia to replace France as the Continental hegemon. Not in their interests at all. I suspect the Austrian and French armies backed by the English would handsomely defeat the aspirations of Prussia and Russia quite handily. This would translate of course in to another Congress to settle matters and Prussia will probably lose its influence and Russia much of its. However the Russians are not likely to lose out all that much. Austria probably comes out better on the continent or with a greater degree of influence initially in the German Confederation. France might get its natural frontier back. Independent Poland tied to Saxony
 
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