Ripples from San Ildefonso
The term “Republican Age” has always been a contentious and ill-defined term. Whether it began in 1776, 1783, 1789, or 1819 few historians can form a solid consensus on. Even the term itself has come under scrutiny in recent years. For all the radical changes that happened in Western Europe and America, most of the world saw little social or political advancement – if not regression – after the Republican Age dawned. Reaction[1] has its name for a reason.
-From History of the Republican Age (1971)
POD: 1796. The Second Treaty of San Ildefonso between Spain and Revolutionary France is a nonaggression pact rather than an alliance.
The lack of Spanish troops and ships forced the French (and Napoleon Bonaparte in particular) to act more cautiously. Napoleon never embarked on his romantic but ultimately counterproductive expedition to Egypt, instead focusing on Europe. Though he spent 26 years with the title of First Consul, Napoleon, seemingly humbled by his different experiences, never made any grandiose attempt to crown himself emperor. The Continental System remained nothing but a theoretical possibility. From conquered lands, republics were formed rather than monarchies ruled by foreign kings. The peace created with Spain was lasting. By the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1819, Britain had been left sick of war, Prussia battered, Austria bled dry, and Russia left permanently altered.
Britain
Britain was the most powerful and consistent opponent of France during the Revolutionary Wars[2], but eventually even they realized no conclusive victory could be achieved. The strength of the British blockade varied from partially effective to completely useless. British merchants were sick of the war and just wanted peace so trade could resume properly. The British were the last to consent to peace talks in 1819.
Austria
Austria was ravaged by the Wars. Though their territorial losses were relatively minor (Illyria[3] and part of Poland), their repeated losses in battle and the permanent abolishment of the Holy Roman Empire left the Empire utterly humiliated. Worse, by 1818, resentment over the numerous deaths caused by war, especially among the non-German peoples of the empire, led to some of the largest peasant rebellions the world had ever seen. Desire to keep the empire together led Emperor Francis to all but beg First Consul Napoleon for terms.
Prussia
Prussia fought hard and effectively against the armies of the French Republic, but failed to do anything to effect a lasting, permanent stop to French aggression. It had no desire to be penned in on all sides from expansion, but as Russia and Austria negotiated long-term peace and Britain was coming close, it was finally forced to capitulate. After the Treaty of Paris, Prussia chafed under the borders that had been established. Ideas of a unified Empire of the Germans that floated around at the time were little more than fantasy.
Russia
Russia was the first major nation to establish a lasting peace with France. They had lost many battles as well as Poland, but nonetheless were confident that little could be done to harm them in a lasting way as late as 1814. They had even managed to expand during the Wars, having a brief war with Sweden in 1807 and conquering Finland. In 1814, however, they were faced with war with France and Sweden at the same time. France advanced cautiously into Livonia as Sweden marched through Finland. Russian overconfidence as well as the need to divide troops led to their downfall. When Swedish troops sacked Petrograd (then St. Petersburg) and burned much of the city to the ground, the tsar signed peace with both nations.
Kingdom of Sweden
Sweden’s participation in the Revolutionary Wars began on a low note as Swedish Pomerania was seized and Finland was conquered by Russia. A coup attempt against King Gustav IV Adolph was only narrowly defeated. Historians debate whether the king’s joint attack with France against Russia was a sound tactical decision or merely lucky, but regardless, it was hugely effective. Sweden ended with more of Finland than it had started with and Russia was effectively removed as a threat for some time. Gustav Adolph used this newfound prestige and power to leverage Denmark-Norway into the creation of a Swedish-dominated triple monarchy. The Nordic Union was formally created in 1820.
United States
Though the USA was never formally involved in the Revolutionary Wars, the Second Quasi-War took place during them. Under President Madison, American ships and sailors allied with the French fought with the British to protect American trade. A French alliance was never fully recreated, but American-French relations became much stronger. Plans for a formal war with Britain and the attempted annexation of Canada were created, but never realized. During this time, the USA was almost dragged into war after an overconfident filibustering force was crushed in Luisiana, but managed to stay at peace.
France
France emerged gloriously from the Revolutionary Wars as continental Europe's, and possibly the world's, greatest power. First Consul Napoleon drafted the French Codes[4] that would modernize western Europe and the Decree of Division that formally established the borders of the Republican Alliance. The French, Batavian, Helvetic, Italian, Rhenish, Bavarian, Polish, and Livonian Republics were joined in a pact of “friendship and defense”. In 1825, Napoleon stepped down as First Consul and passed on power to a restored republican government. He was viewed, rightfully so, as a modern Cinncinatus on a scale that dwarfed Washington.
[1]i.e. reactionary politics
[2]ITTL, both the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars are lumped together.
[3]the Illyrian Provinces from the OTL First French Empire
[4]Napoleonic Codes
This is the basics of the world up to about 1820. I sort of glossed over the Napoleonic Wars because a) they weren't really this TL's focus and b) I don't have the confidence or historical knowledge to create a totally changed Napoleonic Wars. Future updates will have more weight to them.
Here is a map of the world c. 1821:
Any comments/questions/requests for clarification or more information are welcome!
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