Hohenzollern Hungary

I know I sound like a certain member who enjoys matching dynasties and countries, but hear me out. In Christopher Clark's book Iron Kingdom (The Rise and Downfall of Prussia 1600-1947), he says that during the Austro-Turkish War of 1787, Prussia was concerned that the Austrians would make significant gains in the Balkans which would upset the balance of power in the Holy Roman Empire. In 1789 revolts broke out in Austria because of the unpopular war. Apparently Frederick William II encouraged this, and there was talk of trying to re-establish an independent Hungary with a Prussian on the throne.
Is that at all feasible? I suspect that it would require a war against Austria by Prussia. That seems very improbable because of the existing Austro-Russian alliance. Without Russian intervention I suspect Prussia could win such a war with the Austrian army far south being ravaged by disease.
So just for a moment let's say Russia does not intervene and Prussia wins the war, establishing a kingdom of Hungary under a relative of Frederick William II. Presumably concurrent revolts in Lombardia and the Austrian Netherlands have also been successful. I believe Prussia was sympathetic to liberals in Liege at the time, so perhaps a republic would have formed. Bohemia may or may not be gone.
How will this new Hungary fair? Nobles and peasants both will have to be answered to by the new king. The Habsburgs will have been thoroughly humiliated and German dualism greatly changed, not to mention the definite effects on the French Revolution.
 
The problem I see with this is that it is heavily dependent on foreign response. You're planning to dismantle one of the Great powers, that will result in a major all-European war IMHO.

But that doesn't necessarily imply that it wouldn't work. The Hungarians may revolt - in particular if the new Hohenzollern king gives certain promises. Other German or Italian princes might join in as well, France can be bought with the Austrian Netherlands or Lombardy, Russia can be bought with (parts of) Poland, Saxon-Poland can be bought with those regions lost in the first partition...

The all-European war, however, has many possible implications. Will the revolution in France start earlier to the war? Is the king more willing to reform due to wartime needs? Does a success, maybe gaining the Austrian Netherlands, save him? Will Prussia go for Hannover? Will the smaller German princes (especially the catholics) be willing to exchange dualism between Prussia and the Hapsburgs against clear Prussian hegemony?

It would be an interesting timeline to read!
 
The problem I see with this is that it is heavily dependent on foreign response. You're planning to dismantle one of the Great powers, that will result in a major all-European war IMHO.

But that doesn't necessarily imply that it wouldn't work. The Hungarians may revolt - in particular if the new Hohenzollern king gives certain promises. Other German or Italian princes might join in as well, France can be bought with the Austrian Netherlands or Lombardy, Russia can be bought with (parts of) Poland, Saxon-Poland can be bought with those regions lost in the first partition...

The all-European war, however, has many possible implications. Will the revolution in France start earlier to the war? Is the king more willing to reform due to wartime needs? Does a success, maybe gaining the Austrian Netherlands, save him? Will Prussia go for Hannover? Will the smaller German princes (especially the catholics) be willing to exchange dualism between Prussia and the Hapsburgs against clear Prussian hegemony?

It would be an interesting timeline to read!

After checking, the revolts in the Habsburg domains apparently started in the late summer. By then the Bastille had been stormed, so I actually would suspect France would be unwilling to involve itself in a war over the balance of power rather than its historical preemptive strike. The French Revolution had begun even if it hadn't escalated.
Saxony-Poland ceased to exist in the 60s, so it would ultimately be a matter of buying off the Russians with more of Poland or even Galicia.
I don't think Hanover will be in Prussia's sights though, because that would bring the UK into the mix for certain. Prior to the Seven Years' War the UK had offered Russia subsidies for invading Prussia.
 
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