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Howdy folks! Long time lurker on the board who has finally come up with a captivating idea for a timeline: a Kingdom of Bavaria that lasts, as well as two PODs to start it off.

1) Bavaria gains Baden. While some people might say this is unlikely, as it was Wurttemberg that Bavaria was more aligned with, it's not a stretch. In fact, Bavaria nearly inherited it OTL, under semi-salic law, where in 1817 the Grand Duke of Baden's son died, other than his uncle, his sister was the closest member of the family! With Baden, Bavaria gains a land bridge to the Palatinate, therefore having an easier time defending it if they can get Baden under their control.

2) Austria wins the Austro-Prussian war. If Bavaria-Baden, their ally, is stronger, they can afford a little more power with their push. Prussia's dream of unification of Germany is shattered, Austria gains the allegiance of Germany but is unable to unify it fully due to issues in the rest of the Empire. A victorious Bavaria means southern smaller states start cozying up to it, and the Hohenzollern principalities are given to it for it's war effort. Wurttemberg eventually joins it (which isn't too far of a stretch, if they get more autonomy), and voila! Kingdom of Bavaria, ruler of southern Germany!

This won't butterfly WW1, but it'll make it look hell of a different, with Bavaria being Austria-Hungary's ally, Russia being Serbia's, Prussia being Russia's, France joining Bavaria and Austria and then UK joining in whichever side is winning? Still working out the kinks with that. With those two, I think it could work. The north is tricky to deal with, but i'd say when Austria collapses eventually, Denmark can seize their wants and Prussia is able to quietly get their consolation prize of north Germany!

... but is this possible/plausible?
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