It's 1670 and a Habsburg line goes extinct - not the Spanish one

Maria Antonia of Austria, the daughter of Leopold I, was alive, having been born in 1669.

But she was an one-year-old girl, and until then Austria had no tradition of female inheritance. Who would be elected Emperor? Could Charles II of Spain, the last male Habsburg, receive the HRE? And as the Habsburgs got the Hungarian territories by marriage, would them be granted to Maria Antonia or any of her aunts?
 
But she was an one-year-old girl, and until then Austria had no tradition of female inheritance. Who would be elected Emperor? Could Charles II of Spain, the last male Habsburg, receive the HRE? And as the Habsburgs got the Hungarian territories by marriage, would them be granted to Maria Antonia or any of her aunts?

Charles II would appear to be the male heir if Maria Antonia is ignored. What a quandry to be in though, the choice between an infant girl and a mentally handicapped (and future impotent) child (Charles II was only 9). Maria Antonia was next in line to the Spanish throne after her mother (explained below).

Maria Antonia's mother, Margaret Theresa, survived childbirth, and could probably claim the regency, being the mother of the last Austrian Hapsburg, the wife of the latest Hapsburg Emperor, and grand-daughter of the one previous. She also maintained her position in the line of succession to the Spanish throne, creating the line that almost allowed a peaceful end to the Spanish Succession question (Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria). iOTL Margaret Theresa died three years later, in 1673, following repeated miscarriages and several children. With Leopold dead I think she may be able to live longer, since she won't be having anymore miscarriages or children.

So Maria Antonia is second in line to the Spanish throne and the last Austrian Hapsburg. I think her blood would maintain her as Queen of Hungary, Queen of Bohemia, and Archduchess of Austria. However, she cannot be the Holy Roman Emperor, for obvious reasons. So, then, what happens?

I would propose that Margaret Theresa marry the most powerful of the German princes, and he become the new HRE, but that might be too simple, and I think the Hapsburg would work to maintain power. The problem of course is that "the Hapsburgs" refers to a mentally handicapped boy-king in Spain and an 18 year old widow. And Louis XIV is lurking about.

I think Louis XIV backs Ferdinand Maria, the Elector of Bavaria, in making a play for the office of HRE. And it just might work. So here we are then, Louis XIV has just backed a successful play for the office of Holy Roman Emperor by his ally Ferdinand Maria, making him Emperor Ferdinand IV Wittelsbach. The Hapsburgs appear to be sinking into decline, the English are allied to the French (or at least pro-French neutrals). The decline seems to about to become terminal when word arrives that the Ottoman Sultan is thinking about paying Vienna a visit.

Wow, this just turned into Louis XIV gets his cake and eats it too.
 
Seems Louis finds that all of his dreams have been realized and more. This is a French-wank of the first degree. What happens when Charles II kicks the bucket and the Duc D'Anjou comes into his inheritance?
 
Seems Louis finds that all of his dreams have been realized and more. This is a French-wank of the first degree. What happens when Charles II kicks the bucket and the Duc D'Anjou comes into his inheritance?

I think that it might not proceed to that point. Margaret Theresa of Spain (Maria Antonia's mother) is Charles II's heir. She may well survive (no longer being subject to marital health issues), in which case she would become Margaret I of Spain?

If Margaret expires before 1700 (I don't see why Charles II won't live the same amount of time), then Maria Antonia becomes Charles II's heir. I don't know how these ripples will affect English history, specifically William of Orange and the Glorious Revolution. This will be a major part of how easy Louis XIV's life is, because William was the main organizer and driving force behind the anti-French leagues of the last part of the 17th century.

So who does Maria Antonia end up marrying? I think that we could see the same match made as OTL, with Maximilian Emanuel, who in OTL was the Elector of Bavaria, but in this TL would be the heir apparent to Emperor Ferdinand IV. This move would probably be opposed by Louis XIV, since it would make his Bavarian allies the other claimant to the Spanish throne once Charles II dies.
 
I would propose that Margaret Theresa marry the most powerful of the German princes, and he become the new HRE, but that might be too simple, and I think the Hapsburg would work to maintain power. The problem of course is that "the Hapsburgs" refers to a mentally handicapped boy-king in Spain and an 18 year old widow. And Louis XIV is lurking about.

What about this: Margaret Theresa married Philip, Duke of Orleans. It would make Spain conected to France, as Louis wanted, but there would not be a personal union. If they have a male son the Bourbons would have two kingdoms, but not under Louis XIV's issue.
 
What about this: Margaret Theresa married Philip, Duke of Orleans. It would make Spain conected to France, as Louis wanted, but there would not be a personal union. If they have a male son the Bourbons would have two kingdoms, but not under Louis XIV's issue.

That sounds like a sound plan.
 
That sounds like a sound plan.

The Duke of Orleans was also quite a good military commander, something that will come in exceptionally handy as the young Maria Antonia will face multiple military threats to her rule. He was also available, as his wife died of apparently natural causes in 1670.

I doubt that Orleans is going to become HRE, I'm in support of the Elector of Bavaria getting that particular role.

This marriage, though it makes sense, will be opposed by whomever is the anti-French coalition. With Philip in Vienna, and the Bavarian on the Imperial throne, Louis XIV is truly going to have a wonderful 17th century.

His effect on Vienna is going to be very interesting. He'll be bringing Versailles culture with him, as well as his fee-spending habits.

I think this POD is setting up the 18th century to be a truly French century.
 
The Duke of Orleans was also quite a good military commander, something that will come in exceptionally handy as the young Maria Antonia will face multiple military threats to her rule. He was also available, as his wife died of apparently natural causes in 1670.

I doubt that Orleans is going to become HRE, I'm in support of the Elector of Bavaria getting that particular role.

This marriage, though it makes sense, will be opposed by whomever is the anti-French coalition. With Philip in Vienna, and the Bavarian on the Imperial throne, Louis XIV is truly going to have a wonderful 17th century.

His effect on Vienna is going to be very interesting. He'll be bringing Versailles culture with him, as well as his fee-spending habits.

I think this POD is setting up the 18th century to be a truly French century.

If her mother marry the Duke of Orleans and give him one or two male son, who came before her in the Spanish succession line then Maria Antonia, heiress of only his father (Austria, Hungary and Bohemia) can likely marry her OTL husband (who in this TL is the new Emperor heir) without much French opposition... after all is better for the new Imperial line becoming heirs of the precedent and with two younger half-brother half French and heirs of Spain Louis XiV will not have much to worry for Maria Antonia marriage
 
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