From 1815-1846 Krakow was a Free City under the tripartite protection of Prussia, Russia, and Austria. In 1846 Austria annexed the statelet.
What if Russia had annexed the city instead?
What if Russia had annexed the city instead?
From 1815-1846 Krakow was a Free City under the tripartite protection of Prussia, Russia, and Austria. In 1846 Austria annexed the statelet.
What if Russia had annexed the city instead?
Almost anything. Cultural influence of Cracow would affect southern part of Congress Poland, which would still speak Cracow dialect instead of switching into Warsaw one ( so people around Kielce would still go 'na pole' instead 'na dwór'). Cracow would not be post-Austro-Hungarian town with flavour of Vienna and cult of Franz Josef.Doesn't really change anything.
So, some minor differences in Polish culture and education which, in the greater order of things, are meaningless.Almost anything. Cultural influence of Cracow would affect southern part of Congress Poland, which would still speak Cracow dialect instead of switching into Warsaw one ( so people around Kielce would still go 'na pole' instead 'na dwór'). Cracow would not be post-Austro-Hungarian town with flavour of Vienna and cult of Franz Josef.
probably a bit, how much would this affect Poland in WW1 and the Interwar period (assuming there's no huge butterfly affect). Austrians would probably take it early on in the war and there would be more poles, from krakow, flocking to the banners of the central powers.It could possibly effect Polish nationalism through the nineteenth century up until WWI but I couldn’t say how. Does Austria become any more stable with a few less Poles?
Poles from Russian Poland were not enthusiastic about Central Powers invasion, generally stayed loyal to Russia. Poles from Galizia were the main supporters of CP.probably a bit, how much would this affect Poland in WW1 and the Interwar period (assuming there's no huge butterfly affect). Austrians would probably take it early on in the war and there would be more poles, from krakow, flocking to the banners of the central powers.
oh sorry I didn't knowPoles from Russian Poland were not enthusiastic about Central Powers invasion, generally stayed loyal to Russia. Poles from Galizia were the main supporters of CP.
This is not widely known fact, it is common view, that Poles in Russian Poland waited for liberation by CP forces, while in fact under Partitions, Russians were considered 'lesser evil' when compared to Germans. Only Galizia was pro-CP, due to Galizian Autonomy.oh sorry I didn't know
Yes.Russians were considered 'lesser evil' when compared to Germans.
In 1914 uprisings in Russian Poland were fading memories, but it was well known fact in all parts of partitioned Poland what is going on in Posen 'Hakata', or school children beaten for speaking Polish, or Poles denied permission to build houses on their own land due to their nationality, something like this was unthinkable in Russian Poland.Yes.
Somewhere in the early XXth century Prussia/Germany took the "worst opressor" title away from Russia.
Germany was turned down the screw while Russia was becoming benevolent.
Germany was much more culturally homogeneous with the only real minority being the poles while Russia was very diverse in comparison, in that way it makes sense that the Germans would be the ones more likely to try and oppress polish culture.In 1914 uprisings in Russian Poland were fading memories, but it was well known fact in all parts of partitioned Poland what is going on in Posen 'Hakata', or school children beaten for speaking Polish, or Poles denied permission to build houses on their own land due to their nationality, something like this was unthinkable in Russian Poland.
When Polish Unit-First Cadre Company entered Russian Poland, trying to inflict anti-Russian uprising, they failed miserably.
From 1815-1846 Krakow was a Free City under the tripartite protection of Prussia, Russia, and Austria. In 1846 Austria annexed the statelet.
What if Russia had annexed the city instead?
Something Russia could use less of in the coming Crimean war of 1853-1855.This will lead to an earlier and greater emnity
I agree. The WHY would have far greater repercussions than Krakow itself.I'm thinking the main effect would be the WHY of it and its repurcussions.
I wouldn't get your hopes too high for some kind of Austrian republic, anything too crazy will just see Prussian boots on the ground in Vienna. They could get a republic but any attempts to export it is going to see intervention from Prussia and russiaSomething Russia could use less of in the coming Crimean war of 1853-1855.
OTL Austrians have forsaken the union of three eagles and maintained hostile neutrality against Russia.
And that's after Nicholas I has saved their bacon from Hungarians in 1849 - out of misguided principled notions that filled his obsolete head.
Now imagine Austrian reaction if there is a feeling Russia stole some rightful Austrian clay from under their noses.
I agree. The WHY would have far greater repercussions than Krakow itself.
Is there a leadership change in Russia?
Are anti-Austrian elements gaining traction in imperial government?
If so, will Austria gain crucial Russian support against Hungarians in 1849?
If not, the map of central Europe changes dramatically. Collapse of one of the Great Powers of its time would send shockwaves across Germanic Union and beyond.
Austria was in the middle of its own revolution in 1848-49, so Austrian rump isn't going to remain a monarchy either. This is a huge win for the historical progress in Europe.
The remaining monarchist governments will be terrified by such blow. "Reaction era" would be much, much harsher than in OTL. With collapse of Austria, remaining Princes/Kings of Germanic Union would rally around Prussia; this could accelerate small German solution and creation of German state by decades.
Expect much clampdown on nationalist movements in Europe and beyond.
Imagine the terror in Britain when 1857 Indian rebellion hits after Hungarians overthrow Austrian empire.
Prussian troops in Vienna in 1848/1849?see Prussian boots on the ground in Vienna.
This.Prussian troops in Vienna in 1848/1849?
I don't think so. Prussia has enough problems of its own to embark on adventures abroad.