I am developing my setting background for a steampunk novel I will be writing. There are two particular elements of this setting that will have a significant impact on the novel.
First, the sudden (mysterious) injection of early 20th century (basically pre-WW2) science and technology (with a deviation in that it will largely be influenced by Nikola Tesla) into the early to mid-19th Century. The 'steampunkish' nature of this technology will allow things like dirigible aircraft carriers (and the aircraft it carries), 'electrolev' trains that can reach high speeds, weapons that shoot lightning, and the like. Additionally, 'hints' of other concepts get developed by early-mid 19th Century countries...basically like getting boostrapped (with the theory that once someone gets an idea that something _is_ possible, it's much easier to develop that thing). Examples might be antibiotics and mass production.
Second is that I want Austria to come to dominate central Europe by the 1860s, rather than Prussia. In fact, this will be a central part of the novel. I've done some research, including reading topics on this board regarding this, and it does appear difficult to achieve. However, the new advantage Austria will have is that it is, somehow, the source of this new science and technology. Although other countires do eventually get a hold of the secrets, Austria always manages to be just a bit ahead of everyone else, especially with regards to the Tesla-type technology. I realize that this is something of a wank, but I want the main antagonist to be Austrian, just to avoid the stereotypical "PRUSSIA BAD" element.
These technologies will slowly be spreading throughout the world, with the POD being roughly in the 1820s, starting as I said above, in Austria. I'm basically looking for the following:
1. Suggestions on how early acquisition of this technology would affect Europe. Eventually this tech does get to SE Asia (where the novel will begin) but the "outer edges" of the world will see very little of this technology by then.
2. (related to #1) How would this technology alter the development of the Americas, specifically with immigration (which would then tie into 1 since most immigration would be coming from Europe).
3. Even if you have the 'idea' of things like anti-biotics or mass production is there something that would prevent development of those technologies? I know from watching shows like Connections that often technology develops because it solves a particular problem that only shows up at a certain point, but I have to think that mass production and antibiotics as examples would be obviously 'good ideas'...but only if they could be implemented.
4. What is the most reasonable way for Austria to basically become the 'ruler' of a unified Germany, given that it would have an advantage after the 1820s of more advanced Tesla tech? I understand this might require Hungary splitting off in 1848, but that seems to then skewer the power of Austria to dominate Germany? So something _else_ would have to happen to Prussia for this to occur, yes?
Thank you in advance.
First, the sudden (mysterious) injection of early 20th century (basically pre-WW2) science and technology (with a deviation in that it will largely be influenced by Nikola Tesla) into the early to mid-19th Century. The 'steampunkish' nature of this technology will allow things like dirigible aircraft carriers (and the aircraft it carries), 'electrolev' trains that can reach high speeds, weapons that shoot lightning, and the like. Additionally, 'hints' of other concepts get developed by early-mid 19th Century countries...basically like getting boostrapped (with the theory that once someone gets an idea that something _is_ possible, it's much easier to develop that thing). Examples might be antibiotics and mass production.
Second is that I want Austria to come to dominate central Europe by the 1860s, rather than Prussia. In fact, this will be a central part of the novel. I've done some research, including reading topics on this board regarding this, and it does appear difficult to achieve. However, the new advantage Austria will have is that it is, somehow, the source of this new science and technology. Although other countires do eventually get a hold of the secrets, Austria always manages to be just a bit ahead of everyone else, especially with regards to the Tesla-type technology. I realize that this is something of a wank, but I want the main antagonist to be Austrian, just to avoid the stereotypical "PRUSSIA BAD" element.
These technologies will slowly be spreading throughout the world, with the POD being roughly in the 1820s, starting as I said above, in Austria. I'm basically looking for the following:
1. Suggestions on how early acquisition of this technology would affect Europe. Eventually this tech does get to SE Asia (where the novel will begin) but the "outer edges" of the world will see very little of this technology by then.
2. (related to #1) How would this technology alter the development of the Americas, specifically with immigration (which would then tie into 1 since most immigration would be coming from Europe).
3. Even if you have the 'idea' of things like anti-biotics or mass production is there something that would prevent development of those technologies? I know from watching shows like Connections that often technology develops because it solves a particular problem that only shows up at a certain point, but I have to think that mass production and antibiotics as examples would be obviously 'good ideas'...but only if they could be implemented.
4. What is the most reasonable way for Austria to basically become the 'ruler' of a unified Germany, given that it would have an advantage after the 1820s of more advanced Tesla tech? I understand this might require Hungary splitting off in 1848, but that seems to then skewer the power of Austria to dominate Germany? So something _else_ would have to happen to Prussia for this to occur, yes?
Thank you in advance.