Was a Hapsburg restoration plausible at any point?

While documenting myself on Paradox's games and particularly Hearts of Iron IV, I noticed that if you play as Hungary, you get the possibility of restoring the Hapsburgs on their throne should you wish to do so.

This got me wondering if this was really actually plausible at any point and under what conditions. From what I know of Hungary's history, it doesn't seem that plausible for the Hapsburgs to be able to recover their thrones as Horthy had already prevented it in 1920. And given that he stayed in power until the World War II and that Hungary then became Communist, I doubt a monarchical restoration was a serious possibility.

Still, out of curiosity and because I'm not a master on Hungarian history, I wanted to ask this here. Was a Hapsburg restoration possible at any point in Hungary? And if so, under what conditions?

Also, would this have been possible in Austria?
 
I bit doubt that it was possible in Hungary altough it might had happen. Had Hórthy ever any plans for future of Hungary after he has gone? Perhaps there not be WW2 and Hórthy decide on 1940's or early 1950's that Otto von Habsburg is his successor. I think that this is only way restore Habsburgs in Hungary with post-WW1 POD.

In Austria it is quiet possible. Dollfuss survives from coup attempt or Allies decide after WW2 that they restore Habsburgs to Austrian throne. But even this probably needs POD before surrending of Germany.
 
For Hungary, I'd argue that unless WW2 goes differently, it was unlikely to happen after 1922. It almost happened, but (I would argue) Horthy recognised the country's situation and its neighbours made restoration impossible. Had he accepted, it easily would've happened. Would it had survived? Would the Little Entente intervene? Who knows, it's all arguable. Fact is, Legitimists were quite powerful at that time, and they still has a significant presence until the war.

It's more likely to happen in 1919 or so, with either Karl staying or the Hungarian branch (led by Palatine Joseph August) being elected as a compromise.

For Austria, Lalli nails it. Dolfuss very much wanted a restoration; his Imperial revivalism is testament to that.
 
Friend to Archduke Otto von Habsburg: "I'm going to see the Austria-Hungary soccer game."

Otto: "Have a good time. Who are we playing?"

:)
 
I'd say not plausible as it would mean intervention of the Little Entente. However, I could see a possibility after WW2, provided it goes differently. Hungary wasn't actually a republic, it was a kingdom without a king, lead by a governor/regent. However, if they end up on the western side of the Iron Curtain after the war, I could see the Habsburgs - Otto, in particular - restored, to provide a uniting factor after the war. Otto was also extremely acceptable to the west as well. This idea actually came up in 1990 as well IOTL.

And while we're at it: the Hungarian decisions in the recent HoI4 expansion are pretty dumb. If they elect a "fascist king", then the choice should be Joseph August. He was a "Hungarian Habsburg" of the Palatine branch, popular, and actually did associate himself with the Arrow Cross party, albeit only in its early years.
 
If Horthy dies or changes his mind in 1939 or so and Otto or Joseph August, the Little Entente would not intervene.

A Hungary divided by the Iron Curtain along the Danube, where the western half decided to install a Habsburg, would be interesting as well.
 
If Horthy dies or changes his mind in 1939 or so and Otto or Joseph August, the Little Entente would not intervene.

A Hungary divided by the Iron Curtain along the Danube, where the western half decided to install a Habsburg, would be interesting as well.

Nazi Germany would intervene, though. Hitler hated Otto in particular since he was the only one that could've possibly contested his legitimacy in Austria. He would never let the Habsburgs return in any way if they could stop it.
 

CaliGuy

Banned
Nazi Germany would intervene, though. Hitler hated Otto in particular since he was the only one that could've possibly contested his legitimacy in Austria. He would never let the Habsburgs return in any way if they could stop it.
Then have France avoid falling in 1940 and then have Horthy do this after the end of World War II. Indeed, a victorious Britain and France probably aren't going to stop Horthy--the leader of a neutral country--from doing this.
 
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