Austria-Hungary-Germany: WI Austria wins 7 Week War

While learning about this in history, our teacher told us that Bismark wanted to make the Seven Week War short and limited(not conquering Austria) because he just wanted more influence in Germany, and he feared that in a prolonged war Austria might win. Also, Italy, a Prussian ally, did poorly against Austria. So what if the Battle of Königgrätz wasn't such a decisive victory for Prussia, and Austria went on to defeat Prussia?

Since most of the German states were allied with Austria, there could be a more centralized German Confedaration headed by Austria. This would majorly ass-fuck the balance of powers in Europe, since Austria-Hungary would become Austria-Hungary-Germany. Depending on what happens in Italy, Austria will either just keep Venitia or annex some of Northern Italy. While were are already assuming Austria wins the war, it may be too much to assume that Austria can defeat Prussia to the extent of annexing Prussia outright; however, perhaps some provinces such as Silesia could be annexed to Austria, who is desperate for industry.

So, how could this happen? What would the affects be?
 
In battle anything is possible. I'm not too familiar with Austrian verses Prussian armies of that era. I know that Austria needed to reform its army, but avoiding a crushing defeat could be possible.

If Austria wins, one thing that you'll see is a French-Prussian alliance. I know that in OTL they were mortal enemies. However, Napoleon III's main policy in Germany was to keep a powerful German state from forming out of the German Confederacy that could rival France. Keeping Germany divided between Austria and Prussia via propping up Prussia would be vital in the French forgien policy.
 
First off, Austria-Hungary does not exist prior to the Seven Weeks War, it was only after that Franz Joseph capitulated in the demands of the Hungarian Nobility, (who were even more reactionary then he was). Something else that has been ignored is the fact that, Napoleon III actually promised to aid Austria against Prussia, in exchange for Austria ceding Venetia to Italy. Obviously this would not happen if Austria wins key victories in the early stages of the war, however I don't believe a Franco-Prussian Alliance would be created, and even if it was that only opens the door for one of my personal favorite Alliances, an Anglo-Austrian alliance that would probably include the US eventually while France and Prussia would get Russia.

As for the actual country, Germany would still be formed, just with Austria, Bohemia, and places like Saxony and Bavaria as the core. German politics and culture would likely be different, but not a whole lot else really.
 

Susano

Banned
Irrelevant. The German War was actually the German Confederation (led by Austria) against Prussia and allies (GC defectors, basically). Austria fought for an independant Schleswig-Holstein and for retaining the GC. The war was not about who would lead an united Germany. If Austria wins, the GC will be restored (yet again, after it already was disbanded once 1848-50), and thats it.

As for Nappy-3, he would be a major factor. He had gambled on Austria winning, in which case hed appear as saviour of Prussia in return for the Rhine Border. Hence "Revenge for Sadova (Königgrätz)" - that didnt happen and France didnt gain the Rhine Border. This is also the reason Bismarck made such quick and lenient a peace with Austria, to not give Nappy-3 the opportunity to still intervene. Now, if things happen as Nappy-3 had bet on...
 
Irrelevant. The German War was actually the German Confederation (led by Austria) against Prussia and allies (GC defectors, basically). Austria fought for an independant Schleswig-Holstein and for retaining the GC. The war was not about who would lead an united Germany. If Austria wins, the GC will be restored (yet again, after it already was disbanded once 1848-50), and thats it.

Without a strong Prussia Austria might be able to strengthen the GC.
After all, Prussia was one, if not he main reason why the reform plans of Austria and the middle states failed.
 
Prussia was way to strong. It practicly lived with militarism.
If you manage to somehow butterfly that, there should be consider greater German plan (in original time line was realized lesser German plan, Germany without Austria).
Basicly, you have Germany, todays Austria, Czech and Slovenia in it (and some today Italian lands), Hungary is then left for itself.
To many butterflies to continue...
 

67th Tigers

Banned
Prussia was way to strong. It practicly lived with militarism.
If you manage to somehow butterfly that, there should be consider greater German plan (in original time line was realized lesser German plan, Germany without Austria).
Basicly, you have Germany, todays Austria, Czech and Slovenia in it (and some today Italian lands), Hungary is then left for itself.
To many butterflies to continue...

Prussia wasn't that strong, although it had become a lot stronger in recent years. Prussia had tripled her effective force from 100,000 to 300,000, whilst Austria had an effective force of 400,000.

Austrias' main allies were Bavaria (40,000 effectives), Saxony (25,000 effectives), Hanover (10,000 effectives) and Baden and Wurttemburg (about 30,000 between them).

Those German states "siding with Prussia" essentially stayed neutral, defying the German Confederations order for war on Prussia. However, the Italian Army could put 220,000 into the field.

If Italy can be persueded to stay out, and Frankfurt allows the German Confederation to pre-emptively mobilise, Prussia is in a very bad situation.
 

Susano

Banned
Thats not quite true, 67th - all Prussian allies (as opposed to neutrals, which while often counted among the Prussian allies also existed) did declare war on the other side, and some also did contribute troops, though some delayed mobilisation intentionally so long as to de facto stay neutral. Overall, of course, allied contributions to Prussia were neglectable.

And basically, its enough for King William to not be able to push through the military reform through the Prussian parliament. Eliminating Bismarck from the timeline would probably do that, but in that case thered probably be no German War in the first place, and probably the GC as a whole wouldve declared war on Denmark 1864 and Schleswig-Holstein wouldve become an independant Duchy... but, if somehow theres no military reform and yet still a Prussian confrontation course with Austria, Austria most likely will win the ensuing war.

Without a strong Prussia Austria might be able to strengthen the GC.
After all, Prussia was one, if not he main reason why the reform plans of Austria and the middle states failed.
OTOH, Prussian pressure was why Austria wanted those reforms in the first place, to use Germany as a bulwark against Prussia.
 
The kind of like Germany and Russia at the time of Bararossa.Theres little chance Austria could defeat Prussia and in a long war remember how superior the Prussian economy was to the Austrian.
 

Susano

Banned
The kind of like Germany and Russia at the time of Bararossa.Theres little chance Austria could defeat Prussia and in a long war remember how superior the Prussian economy was to the Austrian.

Arghl! Did you even bother to read 67th comments or mine?
TZhe funny thing is EVERYBODY from Napoleon III to the Pope expected Austria to win. PRUSSIA was the pluggy underdog there, winning by having had a more efficient army. This means it could well have gone the other way, especially if said Army is not reformed to become more efficient!
 
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