During the Congress of Vienna, the "Saxon question" almost caused a war and was solved by Prussia getting th Rhineland, the Sarre region and Westphalia. IMHO, this is a greatly underestimated decision, as it resulted in Prussia "growing into Germany", whereas Austria "grew out of Germany".
What if Austria noticed this and the redistribution of lands was changed? Let's assume Prussia gets what it got IOTL. But Austria gets the Austrian Netherlands back. The effect o this is Prussia "encircling" northern Germany and Austria "encircling" Prussia.
Although this would be an interesting POD by itself, I already know the next arguments: "What happens elsewhere?". So:
I'd propose Austria giving up all Italian possesions, thus Venice is restored - albeit in the frontiers of the chunk of land Austria lossed to Ialy 1871 IOTL. Dalmatia and Istria stays with Austria as does Trentino. Mailand becomes independent - I assume some ruling family could easily be found. Furthermore, an Italian Confederation is founded, with Britain as "Protector" or something.
And to make thingseven more interesting: let's punish France a bit more: Alsace-Lorraine becomes an indeenent princedom within the German confederation - again there should be no problem in finding a ruling family. Belfort and Metz become federal fortresses. Additionally, France looses Lille, the northeastern frontiers of the Spanish Netherlands 1648 are reestablished for the Austrian Netherlands.
Consequences I could think of so far:
-France is weaker
-easy Italian unification possible
-Austria is more involved in German affairs, especially considering economic union to link Austria proper to the Netherlands
-Austria will industrialize sooner/more due to the early indstrialized Austrian Netherlands
-France will industrialize later
What do you think?
What if Austria noticed this and the redistribution of lands was changed? Let's assume Prussia gets what it got IOTL. But Austria gets the Austrian Netherlands back. The effect o this is Prussia "encircling" northern Germany and Austria "encircling" Prussia.
Although this would be an interesting POD by itself, I already know the next arguments: "What happens elsewhere?". So:
I'd propose Austria giving up all Italian possesions, thus Venice is restored - albeit in the frontiers of the chunk of land Austria lossed to Ialy 1871 IOTL. Dalmatia and Istria stays with Austria as does Trentino. Mailand becomes independent - I assume some ruling family could easily be found. Furthermore, an Italian Confederation is founded, with Britain as "Protector" or something.
And to make thingseven more interesting: let's punish France a bit more: Alsace-Lorraine becomes an indeenent princedom within the German confederation - again there should be no problem in finding a ruling family. Belfort and Metz become federal fortresses. Additionally, France looses Lille, the northeastern frontiers of the Spanish Netherlands 1648 are reestablished for the Austrian Netherlands.
Consequences I could think of so far:
-France is weaker
-easy Italian unification possible
-Austria is more involved in German affairs, especially considering economic union to link Austria proper to the Netherlands
-Austria will industrialize sooner/more due to the early indstrialized Austrian Netherlands
-France will industrialize later
What do you think?