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Lately, I've been reading a history of the Austrian Habsburgs, and in the process, I've come upon an interesting idea for a TL:
Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I was known to be sickly most of his life; in 1670, he fell gravely ill and nearly died of fever, though he miraculously recovered. So, what if things had gone differently, and the Emperor had died in 1670?

Obviously, this would have massive consequences for Europe. His only surviving child at the time was Maria Antonia, born the year before; further, the only other remaining Habsburgs would be the wife of Leopold, Margarita Teresa (b. 1651) and the mentally handicapped King Carlos II of Spain (b. 1661). And, as there is no precedent in Austria for female succession, well, the possibilities are endless...

I doubt the ambitious King Louis XIV would be able to resist the opportunities now present for him. There'd be a war of course, for Austrian succession, but I'm sure that the infant Maria Antonia would end up with most of her father's possessions: Hungary, Bohemia and Austria, with her mother as regent. However, as King Carlos II of Spain is both mentally ill and a minor at this time, I sincerely doubt the electors would jump at the chance of giving him the imperial crown. Elector Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria, a French ally, would probably be elected emperor, much to the pleasure of Louis XIV, I would imagine. Queen Maria Antonia will most likely marry his son, Maximilian, as she does in OTL.

This means that France could end up profitting quite handsomely, especially with the pro-French Charles II on the British throne. Louis XIV would probably be able to seize the Spanish Netherlands somewhat easily in the Franco-Dutch War (which is bound to happen still, and all the more so).

And then, of course, there'd be the War of Spanish Succession, which I am quite sure would not be butterflied away...

France could become very powerful indeed, much more so than in OTL.

What does everyone think? Any suggestions? I'm curious to start a discussion on this...
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