For Want of a Sturdy Collar, an Irishman, and a Butcher

[Desmond Hume]

I posted this in the "Underused PODs" thread, and I'd like to see it get discussed. On Feb. 18, 1853 Hungarian nationalist Janos Libenyi attempted to assassinate Emperor Franz Joseph by stabbing him. The sturdy collar on the Emperor's uniform deflected the full force of the blow, and Libenyi was then subdued by the Emperor's walking companion Count Maximilian O'Donnell (a descendent of the Wild Geese) and a nearby butcher. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Joseph#Assassination_attempt_in_1853)

WI any or all of these ingredients had been wanting, and Libenyi had succeeded in assassinating Franz Joseph? The obvious first question is, who succeeds him as Emperor? Depending on this answer, next we can consider butterflies affecting Italian unification, German unification, the fate of the Hapsburg empire as it confronts nationalism, and even Mexico. This POD has pretty much limitless possibility, IMO.

 

[Sachyriel]

Stab him in the face this time. Not in the collar, maybe through the eye, with a bit of an upward tilt. If he survives he'll only have one eye, and probably won't see the next guy coming to kill him.

 

[imperialaquila]

Just have the Emperor wear a different uniform with a smaller/less sturdy collar. The assassin might not survive, but the Emperor would be dead. As for his successor, I am not that familiar with the line of succession, but since he had no male heir at this time, wouldn't his next-oldest brother take the throne? Which in this case would be Ferdinand Maximilian, the OTL Emperor of Mexico. If he is already Austrian Emperor, then the Mexican throne would be given to a different person, which could have all sorts of interesting butterflies in the Americas. And Ferdinand had a reputation as a liberal, which could have all sorts of interesting effects on Austria during the 1860s.

 

[Desmond Hume]

Just have the Emperor wear a different uniform with a smaller/less sturdy collar. The assassin might not survive, but the Emperor would be dead. As for his successor, I am not that familiar with the line of succession, but since he had no male heir at this time, wouldn't his next-oldest brother take the throne? Which in this case would be Ferdinand Maximilian, the OTL Emperor of Mexico. If he is already Austrian Emperor, then the Mexican throne would be given to a different person, which could have all sorts of interesting butterflies in the Americas. And Ferdinand had a reputation as a liberal, which could have all sorts of interesting effects on Austria during the 1860s.

Interesting. So what might some effects of Ferdinand Maximilian (what would he go by? Ferdinand II? Maximilian I?) as Emperor be? Earlier Ausgleich? Lombardy & Venetia don't join unified Italy?

Wikipedia says he was a naval officer; so maybe a bigger Austrian navy?