FF isn't assassinated, but doesn't become emperor

[T-Mag 3004]

So I thought up a possible scenario regarding Austria-Hungary.

An infamous AH cliche is that had FF lived to become emperor, he would've "saved" the country by doing a short-lived "civil war" against Hungary, and prevented/delayed WWI.

What I came up with after reading several threads about him and Austria-Hungary is that since he was autocratic, deeply against Hungarians and conservative, he might not be a good way to save the empire.

Therefore my POD is that, upon marrying his future wife Sophie, the rest of the Habsburgs declare that not only are their children considered illegitimate to the throne as OTL, but FF himself becomes.. not exactly "illegitimate" but his marriage in this POD equals he is bypassed in favour of Karl (the same Karl that succeded FJ OTL)

So after that, you just need FJ to die in 1916 as OTL or you can kill him off earlier as in 1908 of pneumonia or in 1914 of a stroke. (both of which nearly killed him OTL)

And finally, the reason why I'd want Karl to take the throne even with FF still around is because he's been referred to as FF "lite". In that, he was everything FF is said to have been, but not to the same extent. and seen as a more "sane" individual to deal with the Ausgleich once that becomes a thing in 1917.

Also, how does Karl's reign go now that he's not succeeding the throne to a country at war?

And of course, the million dollar question, Can Austria-Hungary survive in this scenario with him as emperor?

 

[Mikestone8]

Didn't FF nearly die of TB c1900?

 

[Magyarország]

So I thought up a possible scenario regarding Austria-Hungary.

An infamous AH cliche is that had FF lived to become emperor, he would've "saved" the country by doing a short-lived "civil war" against Hungary, and prevented/delayed WWI.

What I came up with after reading several threads about him and Austria-Hungary is that since he was autocratic, deeply against Hungarians and conservative, he might not be a good way to save the empire.

Therefore my POD is that, upon marrying his future wife Sophie, the rest of the Habsburgs declare that not only are their children considered illegitimate to the throne as OTL, but FF himself becomes.. not exactly "illegitimate" but his marriage in this POD equals he is bypassed in favour of Karl (the same Karl that succeded FJ OTL)

So after that, you just need FJ to die in 1916 as OTL or you can kill him off earlier as in 1908 of pneumonia or in 1914 of a stroke. (both of which nearly killed him OTL)

And finally, the reason why I'd want Karl to take the throne even with FF still around is because he's been referred to as FF "lite". In that, he was everything FF is said to have been, but not to the same extent. and seen as a more "sane" individual to deal with the Ausgleich once that becomes a thing in 1917.

Also, how does Karl's reign go now that he's not succeeding the throne to a country at war?

And of course, the million dollar question, Can Austria-Hungary survive in this scenario with him as emperor?

The Ausgleich in 1917? What are you talking about? The only things that get discussed every ten years are the financial burdens of the two halves to the Common Ministries and the Customs union.

Of course Austria-Hungary can survive. Will it stay properly as "Austria-Hungary" as we know it with the same post-1867 structure? Probably not, since Hungary is going to have to deal with severely deep-rooted issues and if war is completely avoided (unlikely), there won't be any distractions.

 

[T-Mag 3004]

I was referring to the economic and financial discussions the two sides would have when I said "Ausgleich".
I forgot that term also has a negative meaning to it.

 

[Magyarország]

I was referring to the economic and financial discussions the two sides would have when I said "Ausgleich".
I forgot that term also has a negative meaning to it.

It's not that it's negative, but constantly misused and misunderstood by people that know little-to-nothing about Austria-Hungary. I'm sorry if I seemed rude, it's a pet peeve of mine.

Regardless, it'll have little effect on the Monarchy. It was a pretty boring affair.

 

[T-Mag 3004]

One thing I'm wondering is what's gonna happen to Bosnia in the long run? would the negotiations mention the situation with Bosnia?
Like, would they make it it's own thing so noone fights over which side gets it, or do they disagree on what to do and leaves it as is?

 

[Spelf]

Karl is the man - given some time to implement some socio-economic reforms and try to commit his empire to peaceful coexistence, you could dramatically extend the Empire's existence

 

[Magyarország]

One thing I'm wondering is what's gonna happen to Bosnia in the long run? would the negotiations mention the situation with Bosnia?
Like, would they make it it's own thing so noone fights over which side gets it, or do they disagree on what to do and leaves it as is?

I think it would eventually be absorbed by Croatia or become an actual crownland depending on how/if the imperial structure changes and if reforms can be implemented. IIRC land reform was desperately needed.