Somewhere I have a book that list some of the other German Royals that served in Germany's military during the war. Rupprecht however, would probably make a pretty good alternative to the House of Hollenzollern. His family had connectitions to the the British Royal Family dating back to the English Civil War. He was also quite popular with veterans of the First World War. He was strongly antiCommunist leading to the crushing of Reds in Bavaria and he was also anti-Nazi,
Dollfus Restores the Monarchy
- Thread starter chris N
- Start date
In 1918 Bavaria was a Kingdom within the German Empire. , It as well as the entire German High Command was trying to deliver a Knockout blow to the British and Americans before the flood of fresh American troops crush the Germans.
Thus the prospects of a coup in the early 1930's could possibly see eith a Hollenzollern or Rupprecht mount the Imperial throne.Actually it might mean either a very young Louis Fredrich or Rupprecht. Backing the Bavarian would mean that Germany would be ruled by someone who would not start a war, crush the Nazis and prevent the Communist from coing to power. He was unlikely to start a war with his neighbors but migh check any move by Stalin into the Baltic or Balkans.
But that moves us away from Austria. King Otto's primary responsibility would be to shore up support for the Austrian state amonst the foreign powers. With the threat from the North the Czechoslovkian government might warm to the Hapsburg ruled Austrian enity so as to neutralize the Nazi threat in the border lands amoung the German people and to make common cause against the maniac Hitler. United to face the common foe they stood an excellent chance of triggering a Military coup against Hitler.
Thus the prospects of a coup in the early 1930's could possibly see eith a Hollenzollern or Rupprecht mount the Imperial throne.Actually it might mean either a very young Louis Fredrich or Rupprecht. Backing the Bavarian would mean that Germany would be ruled by someone who would not start a war, crush the Nazis and prevent the Communist from coing to power. He was unlikely to start a war with his neighbors but migh check any move by Stalin into the Baltic or Balkans.
But that moves us away from Austria. King Otto's primary responsibility would be to shore up support for the Austrian state amonst the foreign powers. With the threat from the North the Czechoslovkian government might warm to the Hapsburg ruled Austrian enity so as to neutralize the Nazi threat in the border lands amoung the German people and to make common cause against the maniac Hitler. United to face the common foe they stood an excellent chance of triggering a Military coup against Hitler.
Yeah, sorry didn't want to distract your timeline with a tangent. I just think Otto's rise could be the start of a "monarchist spring" of returning kings.
I have little doubt that the return of the Monarchy in Austria could very well lead to a desire to see Germany return to a Monarchy especially with Hitler being the Chancellor, An interesting question would be if Hindenburg made a move to restore the Monarchy prior to his death. It would block Hitler from assuming the powers of the Presidency ( which would be transferred to the Monarch).
The Hohenzollern crown prince was a notorious antisemite and actually hoped, that the Nazis restore the monarchy.
Isn't the Crown Prince and the Kaiser rather unpopular personally?I'm given the impression from theg*ddam*hoi2fan's timeline that the Crown Prince's son is the one that actually has the best chances of becoming emperor out of the three.
Yes , the best chance for a Hollenzollern restoration would be Louis.
Louis;s brothers were disqualified as they married woman that were not from nobility. Crown Prince Wilhelm was very much a non starter because of his early relationship with the Nazis. His father became very angry about that as he couldn't stand the Nazis.
Hindenburg courld have also gone with the Royal House of Bavaria. Rupprecht was regarded as far more intelligent than Crown Prince Wilhelm and had far more supporters in and outside of the military.
Louis;s brothers were disqualified as they married woman that were not from nobility. Crown Prince Wilhelm was very much a non starter because of his early relationship with the Nazis. His father became very angry about that as he couldn't stand the Nazis.
Hindenburg courld have also gone with the Royal House of Bavaria. Rupprecht was regarded as far more intelligent than Crown Prince Wilhelm and had far more supporters in and outside of the military.
Otto Had learned a lot of what it took to be a monarch from his late father. He would travel throughout Austria and meet the people and spend time with the troops in the field. In sharing their hardships he made them feel that he was one of them and cared for their welfare..Thus he unified the nation as Austria not just a German speaking nation.
The Royal Austrian Army moved closer to the professional ability of other European powers. It had trained hard to be able to smash any opponent. Co-operation between the Czech s and the Austrians had resulted in improvements for both countries. The Austrians had proved their friendship by helping to undermine the Nazi's in the ethnic German Community in Czechoslovakia. Hitler was finding that he was facing increased opposition to his actions from his neighbors. Otto had helped to convince the Czechs and Poles that Hitler's Germany was a bigger threat and that they must put aside whatever is dividing them to survive the test. By 1934 the Austrian Military was showing great improvement. In addition defensive works had been built along the Austro-German Border. The Austrian Government signed an agrrement with Italy that obligated Italy to come to its aid in the event of an attack by a foreign power.
What about the South Tyrol question ? I think this could be a major soft spot between fascist Italy (butterflying away the OTL South Tyrol agreement between Hitler and Mossulini) and the clerical fascist Austrian Kingdom. Another question: How do you think does the situation in pre-civil war Spain evolve, what would Salazar do ? (Otto met with both "Iberian Caudillos", Franco and Salazar in OTL).
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Otto meeting with the Italian Royal was a precursor to his meeting with Mussolini. Among the issues creating problems between the two nations was the South Tyrol. Both Otto and Dollfus were looking for a compromise that might see the issue peacefully resolved. In the Austrian's opinion the agreement had but too many ethic Germans in Italy, Mussolini was not willing to give all of the land back but in view of better relations between Austria and Italy he was willing to make some border changes. Any changes might be considered a victory for Austria. The result was the establishment of a border commision that would look at possible changes.
Otto had had found memories of his time in Spain. His family had connections to the Spanish Monarchy and he had met with many of the players on the Nationalist side. While his sympathy was with the Nationalist there was little that Austria could do as the threat from the north would prevent Austria from sending troops.
Otto had had found memories of his time in Spain. His family had connections to the Spanish Monarchy and he had met with many of the players on the Nationalist side. While his sympathy was with the Nationalist there was little that Austria could do as the threat from the north would prevent Austria from sending troops.
In 1934 the government of the Kingdom of Austria and the Kingdom of Italy signed an agreement which set new borders between the two nations in the South Tyrol. Otto was cheered bby the Austrian people as the man who made it happen. Italy reaffirmed it commitment to come to the aid of Austria if any foreign power would dare to attack it. The Italian Ambassador to Germany provided Hitler with a letter warning him to leave Austria alone.
The problems in Spain were of concern to Otto. The Spanish Republic seemed to be very unstable. So far there had been some incidents but no actual fighting had broken out. But tensions continued to mount He had met some of the future leaders of the Nationalist movement over the years and he was concern at what he was told was an attack on religion and the Catholic Church in Spain.
Otto's Popularity in Austria had risen to great heights and the Austrian Nazi Party was in steady decline. Otto had solved the Tyrol problem. There had to be some resettlement but things were much better than before.. The Austrian Army was now better armed and equipped than it had been. It had purchased tanks from Czechoslovakia and had adopted the Swiss made antitank rifle.
Otto's Popularity in Austria had risen to great heights and the Austrian Nazi Party was in steady decline. Otto had solved the Tyrol problem. There had to be some resettlement but things were much better than before.. The Austrian Army was now better armed and equipped than it had been. It had purchased tanks from Czechoslovakia and had adopted the Swiss made antitank rifle.
The Austrian did have intelligence as to what Hitler was planning on doing from sources in Germany that were opposed to Hitler. When Hitler order German troops into the Rhineland, thus violating several treated Otto urged the French to act. Any show of force would force Hitler to back down. That would be the beginning of the end of Hitler.Rupprecht had being living in exile in Italy but after making sure that his family was safe he returned to Austria to be an adviser to Otto and the Austrian Army during the Rhineland Crisis.
The Austrian Army had strengthen its border defenses. The Army with reserves was larger than at any time since the First World War.
France began to move its troops toward its border with Germany. The British urged restaint as they were unprepared for war. But both Austria and the Czech urged strength and they were joined by the Poles.
More French forces moved toward the border and it appeared that the assurances that Austria, Czechoslovkia and Poland were with them was enough to give the French the backbone to act. French forces crossed the border into the Rhineland and the German Army immediately began to pull out.
The Austrian Army had strengthen its border defenses. The Army with reserves was larger than at any time since the First World War.
France began to move its troops toward its border with Germany. The British urged restaint as they were unprepared for war. But both Austria and the Czech urged strength and they were joined by the Poles.
More French forces moved toward the border and it appeared that the assurances that Austria, Czechoslovkia and Poland were with them was enough to give the French the backbone to act. French forces crossed the border into the Rhineland and the German Army immediately began to pull out.
The winners of course as a result of French Action against German reoccupation of the Rhineland were France, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland. The Biggest loser was Adolph Hitler. He had guessed wrong and now there was a real possibility that his time might be rapidly drawing to a close.
Another loser was Great Britain. It failure to support France's action had really soured relations between the two nations.
As for Personal winners Otto von Hapsburg's advice had worked and French support for the Austrian Monarch increased. Mussolini also no longer had to worry about Hitler Upstaging him.
In Hungary a certain Admiral now realized that Otto was the power in the region. Chancellor Dollfus also found that the threats to his life had disappeared.
Another loser was Great Britain. It failure to support France's action had really soured relations between the two nations.
As for Personal winners Otto von Hapsburg's advice had worked and French support for the Austrian Monarch increased. Mussolini also no longer had to worry about Hitler Upstaging him.
In Hungary a certain Admiral now realized that Otto was the power in the region. Chancellor Dollfus also found that the threats to his life had disappeared.
France sent a clear signal that Hitler must go. There was a belief that a return of the Monarchy in Germany might be the best thing. But France also made clear that neither Kaiser Wilhelm nor his son Crown Prince Wilhelm would be acceptable. That meant one of the Grand children or turning to another Royal House. Rupprecht, the Crown Prince of Bavaria ( in actual fact he was Bavaria's King) was another choice. He was conservative but could not stand the Nazi's and had crushed the Communist in Bavaria during the post war years. He had to flee Germany when Hitler came to power but was critical of Hitler and the Nazi's.
fall 1935 The sound of Gunfire could be heard in Berlin as well as several other German cities. It appeared that the Plotters had finally convinced enough members of the German Military that Hitler and the Nazi Party must go. The Chancellery was assaulted by so well trained German forces. They crushed Hitlers SS guard detachment. Heinrich Himmler was also killed when he resisted arrest by the Military authorities. The Deputy Furher Roldolph Hess surrendered whenIt took five days but finally the shooting came to an end. The Coup forces approached Herman Goring and placed him under arrest.
Crown Prince Rupprecht received a mesage in Vienna from the military Government asking him to come to Germany and take a place in the transitional government.
Crown Prince Rupprecht received a mesage in Vienna from the military Government asking him to come to Germany and take a place in the transitional government.
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I'm really enjoying this, Chris. Let's have some more...
That map that you provided of the South Tyrol...does that represent the language areas from the 1930s or the present?
That map that you provided of the South Tyrol...does that represent the language areas from the 1930s or the present?
Actually its from the present but I felt that it would be as close as I could get. While there are two spots that have German speaking people I felt that there was only so far that Mussolini could go. But In recovering the territory Otto Von Hapsburg became even more of a hero to the Austrian people.
Otto's friend Crown Prince Rupprecht has now gone to Germany and his family had come from Italy to stay with Otto until things are secure in Germany.
Otto has already passed on communications from the French stating that neither the late Kaiser nor his oldest son would be acceptable in a restoration. That would mean that Louis Frederich is the only acceptable Hollenzollern but the French would not object to a Bavarian becoming Kaiser. The Military Government expected that it would not be until the Summer of 1936 until a new election could be held. A lot of officals that were Nazi's were removed from office. Talk was that some of the Nazi members of the Reichstag would be replaced by special elections in the fall.
Otto's friend Crown Prince Rupprecht has now gone to Germany and his family had come from Italy to stay with Otto until things are secure in Germany.
Otto has already passed on communications from the French stating that neither the late Kaiser nor his oldest son would be acceptable in a restoration. That would mean that Louis Frederich is the only acceptable Hollenzollern but the French would not object to a Bavarian becoming Kaiser. The Military Government expected that it would not be until the Summer of 1936 until a new election could be held. A lot of officals that were Nazi's were removed from office. Talk was that some of the Nazi members of the Reichstag would be replaced by special elections in the fall.