How to Break the HRE

Is it possible, with a POD around the age of discovery to have the HRE dissolve into the Kingdom of Germany and the Kingdom of Italy?

If earlier when?
 
No, because both areas were filled with minor principalities governed by leaders who guarded their power quite jealously and would not be willing to give it up to a greater nation without a fight. In addition, both Germany and Italy were the scene of major imperialist fights for territory-if the HRE breaks down, then it successor states in Austria and Spain as well as France, Sweden, and Poland go for the German territories. Austria, Spain, France, the Pope, and even the Ottomans will all go for the Italian territories.

In addition, any kind of German unification at this time is highly unlikely due to the religious wars caused by the Reformation and Counter-Reformation.

As an aside, I'm not sure if the Italian territories were considered part of the HRE. Yes, the Holy Roman EmperOR had holdings in Italy, but I believe these holdings were legally and politically distinct from the German states.
 

PhilippeO

Banned
During one of frequent fight between emperor and pope, the pope annoint anti-emperor who with help from Guelph cities managed to expel emperor army out of Italy and have his son annointed by pope as heir, the two dynasties and two papacy then managed to establish their own "Holy Roman Empire".
 
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