Hi again,
some of you may remember my first try to write a TL: "United we stand." The TL died a rather swift dead by lack of updates.
I wasn't sure were to take the TL after the first few updates and my "liberal Wilhelm" premise started to feel odd, after deeper research.
So, with new information and hopefully better prepared ideas i start all over again.
Yay....?
OTL the Coburg Plan was more an idea than an actual plan. Its supporters hoped to be able to unite Germany under a liberal prussia (as parlamanterian Monarchy). While Wilhelm was exiled in London Prince-Regent Albert tried to convince him of this idea, but Wilhelm proved to be unresponsive. The closest moment to accomplish a "Coburg-Germany" was during the Rule of Friedrich III. Both he and Victoria were prepared for this scenario since they met (Victoria by her parents and Friedrich by his mother Augusta). But due to his cancer this plan was spoiled by his early dead and Wilhelm II. took a completely different direction. Supporters of this plan included the three important Coburg's of that time (hence the name): Albert of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha (Prince-Regent of Great Britain, Ernst of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha (his older brother and Duke of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha) and Leopold of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha (first King of Belgium). The supporters futhermore included by Queen Victoria, (later) Empress Augusta and Friedrich of Stockmar.
So, what i am trying to do in this TL is to unite Germany under influence of this Plan during 1848 and make Friedrich early Emporer (yes my PoD is again killing people).
The evening of the 12. April 1848 laid particularly foggy, wet and cold over the streets of London, when the Prince of Prussia left the building. Once again had Wilhelm visited King Albert and once again had they talked about Prussias and Germanys future. The Prince couldn't deny that the vision of a united germany was appealling. Especially if this Germany would have a prussian emporer. But Alberts notions of a liberal and parlamentarian Prussia were just nonsens.
Were would the realm go, if the last farmer, the simplest silesian weaver could influence the governments decision. This wouldn't be a bright future, Wilhelm was sure. How often had he had this conversation with Augusta ? And now here with Oelrich and Albert. He had to admit they had some points but.... Wilhelm shrugged.
Back at home his brother tried to keep the rebels happy. With some luck he could return to Berlin in some months.
Prince Wilhelm
On the other end of the street a figure were appraoching. Stanislaw Zajac, the man was called. He originated in Posen, but fled after the uprising failed. He had lost several dear friends in the fire of the Prussian troops and his fiance died when a rebound hit her. Stanislaw escaped with his life and his freedom to Britain, but his life was miserable. And all thanks to the Prussian royality.
The young Pole walked down the street estimating how to afford his rent, when suddenly a man behind the curtain of fogg catched his eye. Could this be....?
August Oelrichs didn't see the attacker coming. The major had talked to one of the Princes other companions, when suddenly the Prince lied on the ground. August pulled the attacker off Wilhelm. The man cursed in polish. While the others hold him down, August looked after the prince. He started to feel sick. Wilhelm was covered in blood and was barely able to talk, thanks to a massiv wound at his throath. The Prince died within half an hour.
According to Oelrichs his last words were: "I told him."
The word reached Germany very quickly. It caused an uproar in conservative Prussia leading to several attacks towards polish citizens.
On the liberal side the news were faced with more pleased reactions. Specially in Berlin were the Prince was hated as "Kartätschen-Prince" for (seemingly) suggesting to use the military against the rebels some started to cheer.
For some time there had been rumors. Rumors about deposing Friedrich-Wilhelm and stopping Wilhelm von taking the throne, which would lead to the crownoration of Wilhelms son Friedrich with his liberal mother as regent.
With Wilhelms dead these rumors were fueled even more. Debates were going on, plans were made. Until in May 1848 a new rumor spreaded across the streets of the prussian capital.
According to a secretaire of Friedrich-Wilhelm the King were only pretending to work with the liberals and planned to crush them when the time came.
Some said there were even letters, reading lines like this:
„Die Reichsfarben musste ich gestern freiwillig aufstecken, um Alles zu retten. Ist der Wurf gelungen […], so lege ich sie wieder ab!“
Its unknown to this day if these were only rumors or if the really was a secretaire talking. The rumors however proved to be true, like modern historical research showed.
In 1848 the rumors started a feeling of betrayal among the citizens, which resulted in range especially among the radical liberals and the republican.
When the King tried to give a speech to calm the masses the situation escalated. Its not proven were the shot came from, wether from the few guards left in the city or from the spectators. But once its was heard the crowd exploded.
After overpowering the few soldier the people stormed the Stadtschloss and occupied it.
There once again fighting in the streets of Berlin. 32 people lost their life.
On May 19th Friedrich-Wilhelm abdicated in favor of his nephew.
The former royal couple spend the rest of their lifes in exil in sweden.
Friedrich arrived in Berlin on May 24th. His mother Augusta and his uncle Carl are announced as regents.
Carl of Prussia and Augusta of Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach
Uncle and Mother of King Friedrich
While his liberal mother managed the domestic and foreign affairs of Prussia, his Uncle were responsible for taking control of the military decisions. Especially concering the war with Denmark.
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So much for the introduction. I am not sure if i have overdone it with the PoD but you will see were this leads.
A proper chapter will follow soon.
Thanks.
I overworked the introduction. Simply killing three monarch semmed a bit boring and uncreative. Therefore the newer PoD is Wilhelms assasination.
I hope for responses and criticisim, since i am not sure about some of these (and the following) ideas.