alternatehistory.com

I had first come across the idea when doing this thread --Napoleon III became Emperor of the French in December 1852.

With a PoD no earlier than 1853, how does the French Empire continue and grow to world hyperpower within 75 years, by 1928?

Here's what I've got:

1853 -- after asserting Russia's role as protector of Ottoman Christians, and initiating aggressive moves in the Danubian Principalities, Tsar Nicholas I dies (18 months earlier than OTL), leaving the throne and a tense situation to his more pragmatic son, Alexander (II). Napoleon III sees an opportunity, and sends his foreign minister, ED de Lhuys, to negotiate a treaty with Russia (and perhaps Austria as well).

1854 -- These powers sign a treaty carving up the Ottoman Empire into zones, where their respective nations have the "prerogative" to "protect Christian subjects" -- essentially giving France and Russia (and maybe Austria) "zones of influence" in the Ottoman Empire.

1850's -- [France sees heavier industrialization than OTL]

1857 -- Indian Rebellion succeeds in many parts of the subcontinent; the Muhghals maintain their rule in the northwest, etc

1861 -- following his 1861 Emancipation Manifesto, Alexander II is killed by a Polish nationalist. His 17 year old son, Nicholas Alexandrovich, assumes the throne and becomes Nicholas II. [This moves the January Uprising of OTL ahead of schedule]; Britain and France also send forces to intervene in civil wars in China (the Taiping Rebellion) and Japan (the Chosu wars), siding with the established powers

1862 -- France and Britain recognize the CSA, as well as the Polish rebels; French troops arrive in Mexico [as OTL]; British ships seek to break the Union blockade of the south; Prussia moves unilaterally on the Schleswig-Holstein, prompting a war with Austria

1863 -- the Italians try to retake the Papal states; Austria and France invade from the north

By 1866 -- The CSA is recognized by the US, but is essentially a British client state; Russia recognizes a Polish nation extending from Latvia to the Crimean; Prussia and Italy are stomped before it could rise; the Qing and the Shogun have been restored, under the influence of the British and the French; the Republican resistance in Mexico is all but defeated

Thus, do Britain and France solidify themselves as the pre-eminent global powers.

1873 -- Napoleon's son marries the Austrian Emperor's daughter, Griselda

1879 -- Napoleon III dies, is succeeded by his son, Napoleon IV

1880-1910 -- Britain and France divide up unclaimed Africa between themselves; [Archduke Rudolf does not commit suicide

1911 -- Emperor Franz Josef dies around the same time that Archduke Rudolf is shot; Napoleon IV claims the dual throne through his wife, which the Archduke Ferdinand objects to; Britain backs Ferdinand; this leads to...

1912-15 -- the War of Austrian Succession, which France wins; Britain is so badly beaten that France is able to extract most of her colonies as "compensation"

1921 -- Napoleon IV dies, succeeded by his son, Napoleon V

1927 -- 75th Anniversary of the French Empire
Top