European diplomacy without the French Revolution

OS fan

Banned
Leaving aside the question how the developments brought by the FR might come in a different disguise, how would things turn out?

After the Seven-Year War, new alliances had formed. Britain (with Hanover), Prussia and Russia stood against the French-Austrian alliance (confirmed with the marriage of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and supported by Bourbon Spain and the various sidelines in Italy). The first clashes had already happened, when Frederick the Great protested the emperor Joseph trying to add Bavaria to his empire.

Interesting questions:
- How much influence and power could Prussia gain in Germany until Britain will decide that Prussia has to be put in check?
- Would Britain try to break up the Spanish colonial empire, or even take parts of it? Maybe even Argentine as a new settler colony?
- What would the young USA do?
 
Wouldn't any French/Austrian alliance run into trouble pretty fast what with the French monarchy being broke and all?
 

Vitruvius

Donor
The other interesting thing would be Italy, specifically how Savoy would play off the Austro-French bloc. They sat out the Seven Years War but how long will they stay neutral and how successful can they be when almost every other Italian state save Venice and the Papacy are ruled by a Bourbon or a Habsburg? If they side with them there's nothing to gain but that's a formidable circle of enemies to go up against. I imagine Britain would press them strongly to open another front against France and or Austria with promises of Milan or Sicily.
 

OS fan

Banned
1. Indeed, before a greater new war, something would have to be done about the French debt. Of course, I didn't state that France has to be the party starting the next war. Also, with a better financial policy (under Turgot or Necker), France's finances might be saved without declaring bankruptcy. And we want a Europe without the French revolution, after all.
2. A tricky situation for Savoy indeed. As long as the coalition of Britain, Prussia and Russia isn't on the verge of winning, Savoy would risk its very existence by declaring war on France and Austria.
 
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