The Stillborn Empire: What if the Austrians lost the War of Austrian Succession?

Part One: The Drums of War
Part One: The Drums of War
Wilhelm_Camphausen-Die_Huldigung.jpg

King Frederick II, seen here venerated by the Silesian estates, by Wilhelm Camphausen, 1882
The first drums of war were heard all over Europe when the hooves of the Prussian cavalry horses began to step into Silesia. Prussia, under Frederick II was a fledgling nation hoping to become an empire. Their army was beginning to grow strong, and the Prussian ruling class had great hope for the future.

The War of German Succession, names so because of the region of Germany, whose leaders gained more prominence after this war [1], began with a death- that death being the death of Charles VI of the Habsburgs, who had no sons and three daughters, one of whom, Maria Theresa, was to become Empress, as the tiny principalities of Prussia, Bavaria, and Saxony began to grow, challenging the dominance of the Habsburgs and their lands.

So the war began. On the sixteenth of December, 1740, Prussian troops arrived in Silesia. Though Prussia may have been a small state, their army was undoubtedly the greatest in all Europe [2], and they were much feared, even by their overlords in the Holy Roman Empire. Their advance could, and would change Europe. The Habsburgs would be cut down in their prime. They were, as some would say, a stillborn Empire.

[1] “ Why German?”, Niemann, Josef Albrecht, from Das Bote, 1921
[2] To learn more about the Prussian military of the period, see Aloïs Goldstein’s “A Military History of Europe, part 4. (1680-1800)”
 
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I really shouldn't naysay, but...
I would say it was hardly stillborn. Austria was an empire at its peak when Charles VI took over. stillborn would imply a never was. Prussia would have been stillborn had they lost.

Prussia was considered a top army for it's size, but not overall, due to the ability of Prussia to sustain a war. Frederick's actions were considered folly at the time. IMO, Prussia would have lost rather quickly if France had not jumped into the fray. It can be argued that Frederick calculated correctly in that regard, but the first major battle was close. a slight tweak would have put Frederick's ambition to bed. As it was, they had to leave the war mid-stream to take a breather.

The loss of Silesia by Austria, and the gain of it by Prussia was a game changer. It allowed further ambition by Frederick, and fueled massive revanchist desires in Austria, both of which were the prime contributing factors in starting the 7 yrs war.

Finally, I find it quite irksome that spoilers are tossed out there in answer to people who don't have the patience to let a TL play out. At least put a spoiler alert warning, so those of us who don't want to know can look away. (this isn't confined to this thread, as it happens all the time)

Other than that, let's see where this baby goes.
 
Cool! I gave some thought to doing a Hansburggeddon timeline but this is interesting.
Bavaria will probably annex part of Austria (Tirol for a certainty and probably parts of upper Austria) and may even claim Bohemia for the electorate and royal crown, leaving Maria Teresa with basically Hungaey.

What happens to Milan is an interesting question- the Spanish will want it, but I suspect the Savoy could get more of it since Britain is going to want a non bourbon aligned state there.

In the long term Bavaria probably grows too strong for France to control- but then Bavaria and Prussia are both strong. France could feasibly play one against the other and keep Germany divided.

The Ottomans probably suffer earlier Habsburg attention since they are basically locked out of Germany and Italy. Venice could benefit if they decide they want Crete and Cyprus back.
 
Cool! I gave some thought to doing a Hansburggeddon timeline but this is interesting.
Bavaria will probably annex part of Austria (Tirol for a certainty and probably parts of upper Austria) and may even claim Bohemia for the electorate and royal crown, leaving Maria Teresa with basically Hungaey.

What happens to Milan is an interesting question- the Spanish will want it, but I suspect the Savoy could get more of it since Britain is going to want a non bourbon aligned state there.

In the long term Bavaria probably grows too strong for France to control- but then Bavaria and Prussia are both strong. France could feasibly play one against the other and keep Germany divided.

The Ottomans probably suffer earlier Habsburg attention since they are basically locked out of Germany and Italy. Venice could benefit if they decide they want Crete and Cyprus back.
Britain here is a French ally under the Jacobites, so I doubt there would be any problems between the two.
 
Cool! I gave some thought to doing a Hansburggeddon timeline but this is interesting.
Bavaria will probably annex part of Austria (Tirol for a certainty and probably parts of upper Austria) and may even claim Bohemia for the electorate and royal crown, leaving Maria Teresa with basically Hungaey.

What happens to Milan is an interesting question- the Spanish will want it, but I suspect the Savoy could get more of it since Britain is going to want a non bourbon aligned state there.

In the long term Bavaria probably grows too strong for France to control- but then Bavaria and Prussia are both strong. France could feasibly play one against the other and keep Germany divided.

The Ottomans probably suffer earlier Habsburg attention since they are basically locked out of Germany and Italy. Venice could benefit if they decide they want Crete and Cyprus back.

The Habsburgs failed two wars (1737-1739/1788-1791) against the Ottomans. Not sure how they would perform better if they lose territory and resources. Or Prince Eugene is resurrected... Venice is in position to try to grab anything.
 
The Habsburgs failed two wars (1737-1739/1788-1791) against the Ottomans. Not sure how they would perform better if they lose territory and resources. Or Prince Eugene is resurrected... Venice is in position to try to grab anything.
Definitely interested in involving Ottoman Turkey in this timeline- your knowledge might help me with this, wanna collaborate? You could do Ottoman guest posts.
 
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