You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
alternatehistory.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrian_Netherlands
After the War of Spanish Succession the Austrians picked up the Spanish Netherlands at the behest of the British, but it was something they really didn't want and the tried to trade it for Bavaria repeatedly at any European summit thereafter until France took it during the French Revolution. What if somewhere between 1714 and 1795 the Austrians managed to get their dream trade of Bavaria for the Austrian Netherlands? Perhaps this happens after the Wittelsbachs die out in 1777? Or they win the War of Bavarian Succession? Maybe Russia supports Austria or trades Prussia the Netherlands for Bavaria at the end of that war? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electorate_of_Bavaria#Absolutism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_the_Bavarian_Succession
What would then become of the Austrian Empire with Bavaria merged into its holdings?