Significant players in the unification of Germany besides Prussia, Austria, and Bavaria?

Who else were important? And Bavaria I'm just adding here because they had a distinct sense of style and were highlighted as an ahistorical ASB power in Castle Falkenstein thanks to fae magic.

But yeah what other Germanic state would be cool to feature as a major player in the creation of Germany, either pro- or anti- unification?
 
Both France and Russia played a large role in Germany.
From very early in German history France an later Russia were guarantors of treaties and boundaries.
Great Britain also stired the pot as did Sweden to a lesser degree
 
The other Kingdoms come to mind Hanover, Saxony and Württemberg - most likely as anti-Empire which would see them trade a loose hegemonic Austria for a strong imperial Prussia. I also think the Hanseatic cities of Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck would be interesting additional players especially for a more popular driven creation of the empire.
 
We could see the following states take a bigger role if their colonization schemes in the New World had panned out more successfully (perhaps this would take ASB manipulation, perhaps not)- Courland's colonization of Tobago and later Trinidad and then Hanau-Lichtenberg and Hanau-Münzenberg attempt at colonizing land in the Guianas (S. America). Both were in the mid-1600s and these successful colonies could translate into more colonization and stronger home economies and armies, better marriages, and possible unifications that could alter Germany.
 
While colonization is always cool, isn't it too exotic to be a reliable idea for those German states? They all seem really small compared to the likes of Prussia or Austria. Even if they did better economically and played their cards right through the dynastic marriage game, I can't see how they could really expand unless they had their Lucky Nations modifier on.
 
Who else were important? And Bavaria I'm just adding here because they had a distinct sense of style and were highlighted as an ahistorical ASB power in Castle Falkenstein thanks to fae magic.

But yeah what other Germanic state would be cool to feature as a major player in the creation of Germany, either pro- or anti- unification?
How far back do you want to go?

If you are willing to go back to Westphalia you can draw out some major changes. Whoever gets the Rheinland (doesn't have to be Prussia) or a much stronger Saxony could emerge to Bavaria levels.
 
With an early enough POD, maybe the Netherlands pulls off some sort of German unification?

I second the Netherlands. Just give them Belgium and the Rhineland and they have so much industrial potential and so many ties to the continent that it would be hard for them not to unify (at least most of) Germany. That is, if they don't care about religious issues.
 
I second the Netherlands. Just give them Belgium and the Rhineland and they have so much industrial potential and so many ties to the continent that it would be hard for them not to unify (at least most of) Germany. That is, if they don't care about religious issues.

It'd be interesting if they pulled off a united Germany without Austria or Brandenburg/Prussia within it.
 
Maybe if the Stuarts stay on in Britain the House of Orange and House of Hannover work together in Germany?
 
Definitely Saxony - with a few different breaks you could have a King in Saxony (like Prussia) - and if they acquire Magdeburg after the 30 Years War instead of Prussia even more so.
 
Who else were important? And Bavaria I'm just adding here because they had a distinct sense of style and were highlighted as an ahistorical ASB power in Castle Falkenstein thanks to fae magic.

But yeah what other Germanic state would be cool to feature as a major player in the creation of Germany, either pro- or anti- unification?
And of course, as the second largest state in the German Confederation, Bismarck went to them to ask about the King proposing the King of Prussia be made Emperor. As others say here, Saxony could be important, but I believe that would also partially depend upon how much land they lost after the Napoleonic Wars and later ones. Keeping Prussian Saxony, and maybe getting the Thuringia states under their protection, would be a good step, but that would all get in the way of the Prussians moving Westwood. No one likes a big bump in their territory. Especially when it is such a valuable area.
 
If the Julich Kleves duchy survives, they could very well become the nucleus of a powerful westphalian state, especially if they can inherit or conquer part if the Low Countries, Hannover or Lorraine.

How early a PoD do you want? Because Swabia could well be the seed of a strong German realm (with perhaps influence in upper Provence or Lorraine) if the Hohenstaufen survive. Saxony likewise could have been much more influential than they were- if the Welfs win against Frederick I, for instance (which would also mean no Austria and a much bigger Bavaria) or if the Wettins or whomever get lucky later in the early modern era.
 
As others have said, it really depends on how far back you're willing to go. The Palatinate in 1618 was prominent enough that the Bohemian rebels chose their Elector as their anti-king (and a successful Bohemian Revolt in 1618 would have all sorts of interesting ramifications), but by the end of the century was nothing more than an excuse for the latest round of Habsburg-Bourbon conflicts. Post-Congress of Vienna, you're basically left with Prussia, Austria and Hanover as potential major players within Germany (and Hanover only because the personal union with Great Britain could potentially throw a monkey wrench in Austro-Prussian plans); even Saxony and Bavaria have been reduced to second-string as part of the broader agenda of keeping France contained.
 

Perkeo

Banned
Both France and Russia played a large role in Germany.
From very early in German history France an later Russia were guarantors of treaties and boundaries.
Great Britain also stired the pot as did Sweden to a lesser degree
Unfortunately they are the antagonists. So is Denmark, by the way.
Especially France never ever showed any interest in respecting let alone preserving the German boundaries.
Baden was important ideologically but without power.
 
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