Counter-reformation wildly successful in Holy Roman Empire

raharris1973

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If the sectarian warfare of this era ends with Protestant rule existing only north of the green line map in the north, and Catholic rule is restored over the rest of the HRE south of the green line, will the "Protestant coast" get crowded with refugees from the interior?

Map_of_the_Holy_Roman_Empire_1618_littoral-north.gif


If this were to occur, might it lead to significant German Protestant emigration above OTL levels (kind of like the Huguenots) to Netherlands, Scandinavia, England, the English and Scottish "plantations" in Ireland, British and Dutch North America, the Dutch Cape Colony and Russia?
 
The Schmalkaldic is a nice, early PoD. What about one after the start of OTL's 30 years war, like a Wallenstein-on-steroids? If the Emperor remains loyal to him and Wallenstein avoids assassination, could he win over most or all of the HRE lands back to Catholicism?

AFAIK, Wallenstein was much more about the imperial power than Catholicism but if the schema "Wallenstein-on-steroids" works, then the results could fit your purpose because imperial power backed by the overwhelming military force can push counter-reformation through or at least squeeze the existing Lutheran states and perhaps even eliminate the Calvinist ones. For example, while not completely eliminating the Protestants in the Protestant states, restore at least some of the Catholic institutions (and properties) and guarantee a freedom of Catholicism on these lands. Something like Edict of Restitution (1629) on steroids.

"Wallenstein-on-steroids" should include a successful occupation of the Baltic coast. In OTL Meklenburg duchies had been taken (and given to Wallenstein who was probably the 1st ruler establishing some kind of an administrative order there :cool:) but siege of Stralsund failed. Make it successful in your AH and expand occupation to the whole Pomerania (specifically, take and garrisson Stettin) and occupy Lubeck while starting creation of the imperial navy. Hansa and the PLC are unhappy but ignore them. The PLC can be promised a carrot: further help against the Swedes. They got some in 1629 but failed to pay these troops with the predictable results. Promise more in the future to help reconquest of Livonia. Hanseatic cities may have a choice between cooperating and being attacked. After all, the only thing asked from them is cooperation of their naval forces with the new imperial navy. A big carrot could come at Danish expense: promise to help them to get exemption from the Sund taxes. After all, the promises are cheap. :cool:

By the Treaty of Lübeck Denmark holds Sleswick and Holstein on condition that it is not going to be supporting the Protestant cause in Germany and, anyway, Denmark is not Swedish friend.

With Pomerania effectively garrisoned by the imperial troops Gustav Adolph is deprived of his OTL landing point (Stettin). The options for him would be:
1. March all the way from Livonia with the PLC, and especially Danzig, being on the way.
2. Fight one more war against the PLC concentrating on taking Danzig (which he failed to do earlier) and only then go to Germany.
3. Land in some obscure place on Pomeranian coast and continue operations without having a single major German port as a base. Probably possible but hardly good.

As a result, Swedish involvement either does not happen or happens with a much more difficult start. While Swedish army is better trained and probably GA is a better tactician, Wallenstein is a better strategist and has an advantage of the greater numbers and a better prepared base.
 

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
Donor
Monthly Donor
AFAIK, Wallenstein was much more about the imperial power than Catholicism but if the schema "Wallenstein-on-steroids" works, then the results could fit your purpose because imperial power backed by the overwhelming military force can push counter-reformation through or at least squeeze the existing Lutheran states and perhaps even eliminate the Calvinist ones. For example, while not completely eliminating the Protestants in the Protestant states, restore at least some of the Catholic institutions (and properties) and guarantee a freedom of Catholicism on these lands. Something like Edict of Restitution (1629) on steroids.

"Wallenstein-on-steroids" should include a successful occupation of the Baltic coast. In OTL Meklenburg duchies had been taken (and given to Wallenstein who was probably the 1st ruler establishing some kind of an administrative order there :cool:) but siege of Stralsund failed. Make it successful in your AH and expand occupation to the whole Pomerania (specifically, take and garrisson Stettin) and occupy Lubeck while starting creation of the imperial navy. Hansa and the PLC are unhappy but ignore them. The PLC can be promised a carrot: further help against the Swedes. They got some in 1629 but failed to pay these troops with the predictable results. Promise more in the future to help reconquest of Livonia. Hanseatic cities may have a choice between cooperating and being attacked. After all, the only thing asked from them is cooperation of their naval forces with the new imperial navy. A big carrot could come at Danish expense: promise to help them to get exemption from the Sund taxes. After all, the promises are cheap. :cool:

By the Treaty of Lübeck Denmark holds Sleswick and Holstein on condition that it is not going to be supporting the Protestant cause in Germany and, anyway, Denmark is not Swedish friend.

With Pomerania effectively garrisoned by the imperial troops Gustav Adolph is deprived of his OTL landing point (Stettin). The options for him would be:
1. March all the way from Livonia with the PLC, and especially Danzig, being on the way.
2. Fight one more war against the PLC concentrating on taking Danzig (which he failed to do earlier) and only then go to Germany.
3. Land in some obscure place on Pomeranian coast and continue operations without having a single major German port as a base. Probably possible but hardly good.

As a result, Swedish involvement either does not happen or happens with a much more difficult start. While Swedish army is better trained and probably GA is a better tactician, Wallenstein is a better strategist and has an advantage of the greater numbers and a better prepared base.

If this involves getting the HRE’s Baltic coast, what about the North Sea coast?
 
If this involves getting the HRE’s Baltic coast, what about the North Sea coast?

Chances of the Swedish landing there would be minimal (if not zero) so this is not a priority. But with the prohibitively strong Hapsburg army a lot of things could eventually happen.

Higher priority would be assuring Hapsburg succession without the OTL compromise (sacking Wallenstein and losing the Baltic coast).
 
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