Need help with a Cold War between Napoleonic France & Hapsburg Austria

Well, I'm currently interested in the Franco-Austrian rivalry in a post-Napoleonic Wars context. Assume that a more pragmatic Napoleon felt that he already reached the zenith after the third coalition (with some milder treaties thanks to his modified personality), France sought peace with Britain, Prussia, Austria and Russia. I would like to see an early Cold War version between 3 blocks led by Britain, France and Austria respectively. It's inspired somewhat by Toixstory's below map though in TTL Austria was a French ally:

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My question is how Austria could reach an equal great power status with Britain and France later while Russia and the USA remained wild cards (bonus point if Prussia and Russia were junior to Austria in their block). Also, what would be the effects on:
- Balkan
- Egypt
- India
- North America
- East Asia, especially Japan
- Dutch East Indies
- Australia

I'm pretty clueless about this period so would be glad to hear your ideas on this.
 
We are a little beyond the age where Austria is able to oppose France on her own. For Austria to oppose France she needs some friendly buffers called "Germany" and "Italy."

Start with the borders given with the Frankfurt proposals and make Austria the Leader of an Italian and German Confederation. Throw in an alliance with Spain as well. That is a Cold War.
 
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I’m sure Russia would be the perfect countenance to France rather than Austria.

I know that, but still wish to see Austria stood up to France. Consider it an AHC then.

We are a little beyond the age where Austria is able to oppose France on her own. For Austria to oppose France she needs some friendly buffers called "Germany" and "Italy."

Start with the borders given with the Frankfurt proposals and make Austria the Leader of an Italian and German Confederation. Throw in an alliance with Spain as well. That is a Cold War.

A little bit off topic but does retaining Silesia give Austria enough push to be equal to France?
 
I know that, but still wish to see Austria stood up to France. Consider it an AHC then.



A little bit off topic but does retaining Silesia give Austria enough push to be equal to France?
Silesia is was a pretty rich province and might be enough to make Austria the undisputed leader of the Germans again but equal to France? How could Silesia ever equal Belgium or the Rhineland? I think you are underestimating how ludicrously powerful France was at this time period. Austria needs Germany and Italy. Otherwise just go to Russia as France's Rival.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_France

France had a significant percentage of the total European population. Greater France has still more. Napoleon understood this and abused it. That is the whole point of conscription. Overwhelming an enemy with numbers.
 
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The Austrians may have appeared weak at points, but, even after 1805, they were able to muster good armies. They even defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Aspern-Essling, in the 1809 campaign.
Perhaps, if the Austrians had managed a victory at the Battle of Wagram that same year, we could see them marching all across Germany, in a stronger position.
 
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One possible PoD could be an early death of Napoléon, set after the birth of his son. The Regent and Franz set out a peaceful settlement which effectively preserve an Austrian sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. But the Habsburg is disappointed by his grandson coming of age and the cold war starts...
 
One possible PoD could be an early death of Napoléon, set after the birth of his son. The Regent and Franz set out a peaceful settlement which effectively preserve an Austrian sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. But the Habsburg is disappointed by his grandson coming of age and the cold war starts...
How much of Eastern Europe can Austria get? At this point in history Austria directly borders both Russia and the Ottomans. Are they losing territory? And if so, how will Napoleon manage it?

I'm starting to wonder how well a completely mercenary army would work against Germany. Like instead of dissolving the HRE, Francis forcibly centralizes his territories. And if some of them don't like it, the armies that go in will be paid in land and titles from the duchy, electorate, Prussian kingdom they can conquer.
 
How much of Eastern Europe can Austria get? At this point in history Austria directly borders both Russia and the Ottomans. Are they losing territory? And if so, how will Napoleon manage it?

I'm starting to wonder how well a completely mercenary army would work against Germany. Like instead of dissolving the HRE, Francis forcibly centralizes his territories. And if some of them don't like it, the armies that go in will be paid in land and titles from the duchy, electorate, Prussian kingdom they can conquer.

Note Cornelis used "preserve" rather than "gain" as the operative word in his sentance, which makes all the difference. I imagine this would include Hapsburg-favored rather than Russian-favored princes being installed as the Ottoman vassals in the Danubian Principalities, the entirety of Venice's former domains rather than just giving Austria the mainland, and a partition of the old HRE with an Austrian-dominated rump which would include pieces carved out of a prostrate Prussia. Sweden could also gravitate into the Austrian alliance, and possibly the Ottomans if the British don't decide to sufficently support them against the Ruskies, though especially in the later case it would make Austria more the head of a "Non-Aligned League" among which she is merely the first among equals/mediator and appointed spokes-nation for those lesser powers trying to avoid Russian pressure from one side and French from the other from squeezing away their autonomy of action in a world where Britain has essentially decided her SOI isen't on the Continent.

It would fail spectacularly as said minor German states call on Moscow or Paris to become their protector in order to maintain some measure of sovereignty. Though not ideal, its better from their perspective to surrender half their authority to a forgien patron than lose all of it to a tyrant in Vienna.
 
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