Bismarck was the architect of the war with Austria (and many smaller
German states) in 1866. He pulled a reluctant monarch into the war.
Once the victory of Sadowa occurred he reversed positions, urging
restraint, while the monarch and military wanted to march on to Vienna.
What if he is removed by a fatal stroke, heart attack, cannon-ball or
horse accident once the war of 1866 is in progress.
So, if Bismarck isn't there to restrain the "March on Vienna" what type
of terms is Prussia likely to impose of Austria? Who's ruling the
various territories of the Habsburg domain by 1868? Would the Prussian
terms later be regretted by Prussia, or later be manageable? Would
there be time or inclination for other powers to get involved?
Background note: Bismarck himself, while ultimately urging a
non-Carthaginian peace with Austria, had developed ties to Hungarian
and south Slav nationalists, to be used as a card if the war didn't go
well. In OTL he never had a need to use them
German states) in 1866. He pulled a reluctant monarch into the war.
Once the victory of Sadowa occurred he reversed positions, urging
restraint, while the monarch and military wanted to march on to Vienna.
What if he is removed by a fatal stroke, heart attack, cannon-ball or
horse accident once the war of 1866 is in progress.
So, if Bismarck isn't there to restrain the "March on Vienna" what type
of terms is Prussia likely to impose of Austria? Who's ruling the
various territories of the Habsburg domain by 1868? Would the Prussian
terms later be regretted by Prussia, or later be manageable? Would
there be time or inclination for other powers to get involved?
Background note: Bismarck himself, while ultimately urging a
non-Carthaginian peace with Austria, had developed ties to Hungarian
and south Slav nationalists, to be used as a card if the war didn't go
well. In OTL he never had a need to use them