Chances for a Teutonic rival of the HRE

Is it possible that the territories held by the Teutonic Order would have developed in the 14th century into a kind of organized 'empire-like' entity that could have become a rival of neighbouring HRE (even crushing/succeeding them years later)?

Implying that the union between Poland and Lithuania failed and so the Order would not be successfully challenged by them.
 
That would entirely depend on how much of Poland and Lithuania the Teutonic Order can incorporate.

Assuming none, even a Teutonic Order stretching along the Baltic coast from the Gulf of Finland and into Pomerania would not be able to match the HRE in sheer manpower or wealth.

Assuming bringing Lithuania and/or Poland into the mix, they might not have as many people, but before the 18th century or so it would not be so readily apparent. Of course this assumes that the Teutons can somehow keep all those minorities in check... which I for one doubt they could. The Poles and Lithuanians HATED the Knights and not for any lack of reasons.
 
That would entirely depend on how much of Poland and Lithuania the Teutonic Order can incorporate.

Assuming none, even a Teutonic Order stretching along the Baltic coast from the Gulf of Finland and into Pomerania would not be able to match the HRE in sheer manpower or wealth.

Assuming bringing Lithuania and/or Poland into the mix, they might not have as many people, but before the 18th century or so it would not be so readily apparent. Of course this assumes that the Teutons can somehow keep all those minorities in check... which I for one doubt they could. The Poles and Lithuanians HATED the Knights and not for any lack of reasons.

Obviously, the premise of making the Teutonic 'state' a possible rival of HRE implies the expansion to, at least, most of Lithuanian and Polish lands, even pushing their native population far eastwards than in OTL. And it would also imply the acquisition of more lands in the West.

The demographic factor could be probably decisive, so some kind of resettlement of their lands with Germanic settlers coming from HRE would be needed.
 
I'd like to add that, since the Knights had increasing problems with the Papacy at the end of the 14th century, a raise of their power could lead to a major confrontation with Rome if they challenged the HRE.
Maybe a religious schism would be possible, in some alternative way to Luther's one in OTL...
 
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