WI:A Bourbon Germany

What would be the consequence of Maria Theresia marrying with Charles, Infante of Spain, how does a Bourbon Germany would effect the balance of Powers and would the French Royal family escape to a Bourbon Germany?

@Rheinbund
 
Was there already a Germany at that time? From what I recall, Austria was an empire, but 'Germany' was more of a concept like 'the Free West': A bunch of larger and smaller kingdoms, electorates, palatinates and even some prince-bishopricks, united only by the fact that they all speak some form of German and loosely have a similar culture.

I think the main What If would be if one of the bigger players like Prussia or Saxony would get a Bourbon dynasty, could it go ahead and unite itself and its surrounding kingdoms into a German superstars much like the French kings did 300 years earlier.

However if the idea is what would happen if the Greater Austrian empire would become a Bourbon dynasty, all bets are off the table.
 
I don't see a huge difference, but some German prince would be worry of the Bourbons influence and if the revolution still happen a split of territories seem likely.
I also see a a lot of conflits between the Spanish territories and the Habsburg lands if he lets as OTL his wife directed the political life of his realm. in the long term the Bourbons-Habsburg will try to centralise their realm and avoid a federalization.
 
Was there already a Germany at that time? From what I recall, Austria was an empire

Austria was not an empire during that time. It only became that in 1804. It was simply an archduchy within the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.

So there was a Germany. After all, what does German Nation mean if not Germany? So there was a Germany. Sure, it was extremely decentralized, but it was no more decentralized than the Kingdom of France under Robert II, Henry I, Philip I, Louis VI, and Louis VII.
 
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