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So I'm planning a new project set in the 19th century (a sort of revival of the Miracle King) and while doing some research I came up with this idea: what if Fernando VII had a son to succeed him? Obviously this would mean two things: a regency and no civil war between his widow and brother. But what else would this mean? From what I've read, in order to gain support, the Queen Regent Maria Christina allowed many of the exiled liberals to return to Spain, gaining her cause supporters. With these liberals remaining in prison and exile, would Spain be a more conservative country or would it end up having a repeat of the revolution of the 1820s? Would Spain be a stronger country with no civil war or would it continue to decline as a Great power? What about the Liberal Wars in Portugal? Would active help from Spain allow King Miguel to win the war against his brother? Or would Spanish support have no real affect on the situation? Basically what long-term repercussions would come from Fernando VII having a son?
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