Differences between OTL Prussian Germany and ATL Austrian Germany?

What would be some crucial differences between a Germany united under Austria and a Germany united under Prussia in their government, domestic and foreign policies, military, etc? The POD is that Austria defeats Prussia in the Austro-Prussian War. Unlike in OTL, however, Austria allows Prussia to join a future German state, but Otto Von Bismarck chooses to resign and fade into obscurity, eliminating him from further involvement in German political affairs.

If that POD is too implausible, then you may choose your own.
 
What would be some crucial differences between a Germany united under Austria and a Germany united under Prussia in their government, domestic and foreign policies, military, etc? The POD is that Austria defeats Prussia in the Austro-Prussian War. Unlike in OTL, however, Austria allows Prussia to join a future German state, but Otto Von Bismarck chooses to resign and fade into obscurity, eliminating him from further involvement in German political affairs.

If that POD is too implausible, then you may choose your own.
Austro-Prussian War is too late for the establishment of an Austrian-led united Germany.
A more successful 1848 rebellion in Hungary who then is able to get independence from Vienna (but under the rule of Archduke Maximilian so remaining under an Habsburg) because Austria is either unable or unwilling to reestablish his rule over Hungary (as that will cost them too much men and money than its worth) and then either a not-yet-abdicated (or not-abdicated) Ferdinand I or his successor Franz Joseph accept the rule/leadership of Germany from the Frankfurt Parliament who will become, sooner or later, the Imperial Crown of Germany...
 
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Austro-Prussian War is too late for the establishment of an Austrian-led united Germany.
A more successful 1848 rebellion in Hungary who then is able to get independence from Vienna (but under the rule of Archduke Maximilian so remaining under an Habsburg) because Austria is either unable or unwilling to reestablish his rule over Hungary (as that will cost them too much men and money than its worth) and then either a not-yet-abdicated (or not-abdicated) Ferdinand I or his successor Franz Joseph accept the rule/leadership of Germany from the Frankfurt Parliament...

Alright, I can work with that. I did think my POD would be a bit implausible anyway.

So, how does this Germany differ from OTL Germany?
 
Alright, I can work with that. I did think my POD would be a bit implausible anyway.

So, how does this Germany differ from OTL Germany?

Well we would have a less centralized, less militarized version of the OTL Germany who would be more alike to a modernized centralized and formally hereditary HRE (with the parliament of Frankfurt or another analogue replacing the Imperial Diet). As the Habsburg had already the Imperial title and were the rulers of Germany (at least in name) for centuries neither Prussia, Bavaria or any other state will be able or think to impose restrictions on the use of the Imperial title from the Habsburg (so the Austrian title will be most likely absorbed in the new Imperial title of Germany with the members of the Imperial House most likely know with the double title Princes/Princesses of Germany and Archdukes/Archduchesses of Austria). Maybe the German title can be restricted only to Franz Joseph’s direct descendants but nothing more...
Neither Metternich or Bismarck will have any power in this Germany so I do not know if the ATL Empire of Germany will have a great statesman (and who can be).

Hungary will be independent under King Maximilian, while Bohemia, Trieste, Istria and Dalmatia and most likely Galicia will be part of the German Empire. I do not know what will happen to Lombardy and Venetia (included in the Empire of Germany or another independent kingdom under either FJ’s next brother Archduke Karl Ludwig or the GrandDuke of Tuscany?)

I would also let Franz Joseph marry his first choice bride aka https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Anna_of_Prussia (she was already engaged when he met her OTL but here - unlike OTL were was practically impossible because the tensions between Catholic Austria and Protestant Prussia - breaking her engagement because the Emperor of Germany wanted her would be quite simple as he would have the precedence over a minor German lord, who can be compensated with some kinswoman of FJ like his first cousin Helene of Bavaria).
As Archduchess Sophie was close to her sister Ludovica, the latter second daughter Elisabeth of Bavaria instead will be directly selected as bride for Maximilian, King of Hungary (as Helene was sent in Hesse in place of Anna) and will live happily there free from the Hofburg, Archduchess Sophie’s control and Vienna’s oppressive etiquette.
 
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Bohemia, Trieste, Istria and Dalmatia and most likely Galicia will be part of the German Empire

So, Germany now has ports on the North Sea, the Baltic and now the Adriatic. How powerful will this Germany be on the world stage? Also, would the Croats and Italians tolerate being included in a German superstate for long?


Well we would have a less centralized, less militarized version of the OTL Germany

When you say less centralized, do you mean the German states have the same autonomy as, say, a state in the US might have?
 
Hungary will be independent under King Maximilian, while Bohemia, Trieste, Istria and Dalmatia and most likely Galicia will be part of the German Empire.
I know i've seen this claim thrown around by wiser people here before, but why would Germany want to retain Polish Galicia? It not only looks ugly on a map, but also feels like a burden to defend against a possible Russian or Hungarian incursion into the Carpathians, which could easily cut off communications with Germany proper.
I'm aware that the status of Galicia in the aftermath of a more thorough Austro-Hungarian divorce would be complicated, so, could the territory be partitioned somehow?
 
I'm aware that the status of Galicia in the aftermath of a more thorough Austro-Hungarian divorce would be complicated, so, could the territory be partitioned somehow?
Perhaps an independent Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, which is a puppet to the German Empire? I could see the same going for, say, Istria and Carniola (Hungary inheriting Croatia-Slavonia, and maybe even Bosnia and Dalmatia).
 
Croatia was historically ruled by the kingdom of Hungary, so if Austria and Hungary are split off I'd expect Croatia to go with the latter. Though I'm not sure that the Austrian Emperors would be so keep to split their lands like this -- if they could, I'd expect them to try and keep Hungary as part of the new German empire, either incorporating it outright or keeping it as a separate kingdom in personal union with the emperor.
 
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