Austro-Hungarian colonial empire
- Thread starter oshron
- Start date
Corfu would be good to guard the entrance to the Adriatic. But AH would still have only Trieste as a major harbour. Granted, Montenegro and Albania have no major harbours themselves, but they have natural harbours that could be expanded and linked by railways to the Empire.
Well, how could any country start colonial adventures without alienating others? And if the initial situation is as bad as with Austria you should count in some major changes.
And thinking of it, it's rather surprising that there were this few wars between Austria and Russia in the 19th century - although they made up quite a bit in 1914...
David S Poepoe
Banned
Of course it would need Trieste and Pola, but the importance of Corfu is that its possession would warrant the need of a navy that would (hopefully) get Austria to think beyond its usual continental bound policies.
Yes, because they can be blocked like in WWI, so as previously noted you must get at least even Montenegro or Albania; plus Trieste is near enough of the italian border to not be 100% safe and naturally it must be expanded if she must take additional traffic.
No, I'm pretty sure that would end badly, and not even Franky J would be so dumb he actually believe Mexico can be unified with Austria.
Kosta
Banned
I was surprised that OTL, the Austrians had all of this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_former_Austrian_colonies
And I do believe that OTL, the Austrians tried to acquire the Maldives. Unfortunately, though, I can't find any sources online to back up that claim. And personally, I would say that Austria's best bet for colonies would be to retain part of the Netherlands. They'll have great access to the seas and the Dutch are excellent merchants.
And I do believe that OTL, the Austrians tried to acquire the Maldives. Unfortunately, though, I can't find any sources online to back up that claim. And personally, I would say that Austria's best bet for colonies would be to retain part of the Netherlands. They'll have great access to the seas and the Dutch are excellent merchants.
Austria-Hungary-Mexico is positioned to be teamed up against by nearly everybody.
The problem of Trieste is not the harbour or the position (both pretty good), but simply the fact that A-H basically put everything is capacity in one single place (Pola and Fiume mean the same) who can be easily blocked (see WWI).
Now if you really want a A-H colonial empire, the first thing is getting rid of Franz Joseph and second be in really good term with Italy or the Ottoman Empire so to have their support both logistical and military; maybe an Italy unified by Francis IV duke of Modena allied with A-H
Interesting, and I didn't know that until today. However, here's what Wikipedia says:
As Maximilian and Carlota had no children, they adopted Agustín de Iturbide y Green and his cousin Salvador de Iturbide y de Marzán, both grandsons of Agustín de Iturbide, who had briefly reigned as Emperor of Mexico in the 1820s. They gave young Agustín the title of "His Highness, the Prince of Iturbide" and intended to groom him as heir to the throne. However, he never intended to give the crown to the Iturbides because he considered that were not of royal blood.[24] it was all a charade directed to his brother Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria, as he explained himself: either Karl gave him one of his sons as an heir, or he would give everything to the Iturbide children.[24]
So, it looks like the Iturbide claim can disappear, and then Karl Ludwig's line's claims can end up in Franz Josef's hands eventually, either by cession or by fortuitously-timed deaths of heirs.
I expected there would be other objections based on other country's attitudes. True enough, but the situation isn't completely hopeless. Briefly, France was already an ally, and pre-Bismarck Prussia would not be an immediate threat. Later, in fact, Bismarck was perfectly happy for Austria to expand anywhere but Germany. Spain and GB might have objected, also, but each also had an incentive to support any country willing to challenge the Monroe Doctrine.
That leaves the US, and there's no question it would be hostile. All the other independent countries in the Western hemisphere would be, too. However, you have to wonder whether the US would be ready engage in a war with Austria and its allies immediately after the Civil War.
Nobody seems to know that Austria held the island of Socotra (now Yemen) for ONE WHOLE YEAR in the 19th century.
This was during the highpoint of the colonial craze when even the Pope was adviced to take some colonies...
This was during the highpoint of the colonial craze when even the Pope was adviced to take some colonies...
Brazil not hostile
The Empire of Brazil was not hostile to the Mexican adventure.
As well as most European states which were suspicious of the United States with Britain and non-republican France taking the lead..
The Empire of Brazil was not hostile to the Mexican adventure.
As well as most European states which were suspicious of the United States with Britain and non-republican France taking the lead..
Are you guys aware that as early as the 18th century Austria's aim was to reach the city of Thessaloniki?
This was at the time that Austria held Nothern Serbia with Belgrad and Lesser Walachia.
Also there are rumors that in the late 18th century most of the European powers wanted the Ottoman Empire to give up the Balkans , Greece etc. but they were divided to which states the spoils would go. This was fuelled by the Somali-like attacks of pirates in the Mediterranean. Most of the pirates came from Algeria, Tunesia and Libya, all nominal vassals of Turkey. But then the French Revolution occurred...
The only evidence I have been able to find is that several powers (Austria?) supported Venice's hold on Corfu, an excellent stepping stone..
This was at the time that Austria held Nothern Serbia with Belgrad and Lesser Walachia.
Also there are rumors that in the late 18th century most of the European powers wanted the Ottoman Empire to give up the Balkans , Greece etc. but they were divided to which states the spoils would go. This was fuelled by the Somali-like attacks of pirates in the Mediterranean. Most of the pirates came from Algeria, Tunesia and Libya, all nominal vassals of Turkey. But then the French Revolution occurred...
The only evidence I have been able to find is that several powers (Austria?) supported Venice's hold on Corfu, an excellent stepping stone..