Definitely an underplayed POD in alt-history is the Elector Max III of Bavaria producing children. IDK how far back a POD would be required to make this happen, since Max never made a try for an annulment of his marriage (which to me either indicates that he knew that she wasn't the problem [likely since if you look at her siblings, they managed a slew of grandchildren for her parents; while his only sibling to produce issue was his sister/sister-in-law, Maria Antonia], or that they were both the problem).
Another underplayed POD is the Elector Karl Theodor's son, Franz Ludwig Josef (28.6.1761-29.6.1761) surviving. Both Karl Theodor and Max III have a reputation for being good monarchs in their respective countries (Bavaria and the Palatinate). Also, Max having a surviving son would butterfly away the war of the Bavarian Succession (assuming of course that said son lives long enough to produce an heir(s) of his own.).
What might the results of the two Wittelsbach heirs surviving and keeping the Palatinate and Bavaria separate, be? Would Karl Theodor still try and swap/annex the Netherlands, or is he content with ruling only the Palatinate as OTL (he tried to swap them for Bavaria). And is it possible that the Wittelsbachs (as two branches ruling independent states) provide a counterweight to Prussia and Austria in the years to come?
Thoughts appreciated.
Another underplayed POD is the Elector Karl Theodor's son, Franz Ludwig Josef (28.6.1761-29.6.1761) surviving. Both Karl Theodor and Max III have a reputation for being good monarchs in their respective countries (Bavaria and the Palatinate). Also, Max having a surviving son would butterfly away the war of the Bavarian Succession (assuming of course that said son lives long enough to produce an heir(s) of his own.).
What might the results of the two Wittelsbach heirs surviving and keeping the Palatinate and Bavaria separate, be? Would Karl Theodor still try and swap/annex the Netherlands, or is he content with ruling only the Palatinate as OTL (he tried to swap them for Bavaria). And is it possible that the Wittelsbachs (as two branches ruling independent states) provide a counterweight to Prussia and Austria in the years to come?
Thoughts appreciated.