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Here's a map showing the linguistic dispersion of this region as of 1880:


Assume that Austria is able to keep it after WWI. I think it would be interesting to see how it evolves for a few reasons:

a) Even in 1880, it had a substantial Romance-language minority that could lead to irredentism.

b) It's on the "wrong side of the Alps" for Austria. I count eleven major roads connecting it to Italian-speaking areas compared with only two, one of which is the very strategic Brenner Pass, to mainland Austria. The parts that border Italy are fairly flat and permeable by Alpine standards.

c) Relations between the two fascist powers (Germany and Italy) would be interesting, especially if an Anschluss occurs. Southern South Tyrol is close to some very populous Italian-speaking areas (Trentino and the Veneto) and the idea of Nazi troops so close to the Italian heartland could terrify Italian fascists. There could even be a Korea-type situation in which the Italian-leaning Fatherland Front flees to South Tyrol and is backed by Italians where mainland Austria remains under Nazi control because Hitler struggles to send troops through the two narrow passes.
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