What if Prussia joined the Second Italian War of Independence?

During the Second Italian War of Independence, the Kingdom of Prussia mobilized against the French, however, peace was achieved before the Prussians could join. So, let's assume that the Second War of Italian Independence either lasts a bit longer or Prussia declares war on the French for some other reason. What would the effects be? Would Napoleon III negotiate a quick peace like what he did with the Austrian Empire in OTL? Or would the Second Italian War of Independence escalate into a larger conflict involving many of Europe's largest nations.

Something interesting to note about the Kingdom of Prussia in this time period is that it was much less militaristically prepared for a war than it was in 1870, so perhaps this could work as a good POD for Napoleon III defeating Prussia, which raises questions about what happens to Germany ITTL.
 
Easy to justify, from a purely legalistic standpoint; all Prussia would need to say is they're honoring their mutual defense obligations to a fellow member of the German Confederation. However,militarily it would be varying degrees of boneheaded depending on just what point in the war they jump in. Any pre-Bismark war is, by definition, pre the military reforms desired by Von Roon and guranteed army budget that Bismark's appointment was meant to get around, so Prussia has no decisive edge in either arms or mobalization/concentration to allow for a quick war... and in an extended war the French advantage in numbers and robust financing capacity gives them the decisive edge. Once Austria bows out, Prussia is going to have to throw themselves on the mercy of international mediation from a position of weakness... which while British and Russian interests will keep the settlement relatively modest is still not going to look well for the political power and prestige of the military faction in Brandenburg. If nothing else, this early in the Slesvig-Holstein debate Nappy III will easily be able to enforce a settlement in their interests (Slesvig integrated into Denmark, with Holstein either adjusted out of Saelic Law to allow for continued personal union or perhaps handed to a Romanov scion of the family as a way to smooth over cold relations with Russia post-Crimea)
 
Easy to justify, from a purely legalistic standpoint; all Prussia would need to say is they're honoring their mutual defense obligations to a fellow member of the German Confederation. However,militarily it would be varying degrees of boneheaded depending on just what point in the war they jump in. Any pre-Bismark war is, by definition, pre the military reforms desired by Von Roon and guranteed army budget that Bismark's appointment was meant to get around, so Prussia has no decisive edge in either arms or mobalization/concentration to allow for a quick war... and in an extended war the French advantage in numbers and robust financing capacity gives them the decisive edge. Once Austria bows out, Prussia is going to have to throw themselves on the mercy of international mediation from a position of weakness... which while British and Russian interests will keep the settlement relatively modest is still not going to look well for the political power and prestige of the military faction in Brandenburg. If nothing else, this early in the Slesvig-Holstein debate Nappy III will easily be able to enforce a settlement in their interests (Slesvig integrated into Denmark, with Holstein either adjusted out of Saelic Law to allow for continued personal union or perhaps handed to a Romanov scion of the family as a way to smooth over cold relations with Russia post-Crimea)
Do you think the Second War of Italian Independence would last longer ITTL? Part of the reason it ended so early in OTL was because Napoleon III feared the entry of other German states, and once Prussia joins that fear would become obsolete. If things continue to escalate, do you think it would be possible for other European powers to enter the war.
 
If things continue to escalate, do you think it would be possible for other European powers to enter the war.
Russia is still angry at France for the Crimean war and Austrians actions during said war. Ottomans are too weak and indifferent. Britain won't care unless someone takes too much.
 
Do you think the Second War of Italian Independence would last longer ITTL? Part of the reason it ended so early in OTL was because Napoleon III feared the entry of other German states, and once Prussia joins that fear would become obsolete. If things continue to escalate, do you think it would be possible for other European powers to enter the war.

No, because Austria and Prussia will have chewed through their war chests long before the war could strech out and, unless Nappy is making demands he know will never be tolerated by Russia and Britain (thus throwing his entire diplomatic and economic policy in the toliet, which he's not so stupid to do) they'll realize the situation for them will only get worse and the post war hole they have to dig themselves out of will only get deeper the longer they stubbornly cling on. Especially since if Nappy is the one calling for negotiated peace and they're the intrasigent ones the Germanies will start losing international sympathy. Nobody's vital interests are at stake,nor parinioa built up, nor the balance of power at risk enough at this point for this to have more than a remote chance of Greater European War
 
No, because Austria and Prussia will have chewed through their war chests long before the war could strech out and, unless Nappy is making demands he know will never be tolerated by Russia and Britain (thus throwing his entire diplomatic and economic policy in the toliet, which he's not so stupid to do) they'll realize the situation for them will only get worse and the post war hole they have to dig themselves out of will only get deeper the longer they stubbornly cling on. Especially since if Nappy is the one calling for negotiated peace and they're the intrasigent ones the Germanies will start losing international sympathy. Nobody's vital interests are at stake,nor parinioa built up, nor the balance of power at risk enough at this point for this to have more than a remote chance of Greater European War
Good point. How do you think the aftermath of a French victory would effect future French expansion, or for that matter, the survival of the Second French Empire? With Prussia not rising up anytime soon, Napoleon III would have a lot of threats (at least in foreign affairs), so I can see his empire surviving far longer than in OTL.
 
Good point. How do you think the aftermath of a French victory would effect future French expansion, or for that matter, the survival of the Second French Empire? With Prussia not rising up anytime soon, Napoleon III would have a lot of threats (at least in foreign affairs), so I can see his empire surviving far longer than in OTL.

Well, France can't really expand too far without itself looking like its going to disrupt the balance of power on the contient (Thus alienating Britain: Nappy III's nightmare scenario), so he's going to have to still play a delicate dance. Likely Denmark is pulled into the French sphere, though, and you could seen so Rhineland gains. However, I'm not sure that's a net gain for France: if anything, it keeps the Germanic Great Powers out of rivalry with one another and forced into a tense truce as they try to deflect French influence from once again becoming dominant in Centeral Europe (As Italy is already an ally and in their debt, both politically and fiscally).
 
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