WI: A Brainwashed Napoleon II Survives

I'm sitting through yet another 18th Century European History Course and it got me thinking, how could the Austrian Monarchy/Metternich brainwash the young Napoleon II once he arrived in Vienna so he wasn't so French as he grew up and what would the effects if he survived thereafter be?
 
I'm sitting through yet another 18th Century European History Course and it got me thinking, how could the Austrian Monarchy/Metternich brainwash the young Napoleon II once he arrived in Vienna so he wasn't so French as he grew up and what would the effects if he survived thereafter be?

What do you mean by "brainwash"? He was sent to Austria bein 04 years old (hardly an age when someone would have any nationalistic feeling), was raised as an Austrian, called "Franz" instead of Napoleon, the Emperor forbade anyone to talk to him about his father, he didn't even lived with his mother (who could talk about Napoleon to him). I think they did anything possible to make him not feeling French. The problem is that no matter what they did, he was the son of the man who astonished Europe and eventually he would be conscious about it.
 
What do you mean by "brainwash"? He was sent to Austria bein 04 years old (hardly an age when someone would have any nationalistic feeling), was raised as an Austrian, called "Franz" instead of Napoleon, the Emperor forbade anyone to talk to him about his father, he didn't even lived with his mother (who could talk about Napoleon to him). I think they did anything possible to make him not feeling French. The problem is that no matter what they did, he was the son of the man who astonished Europe and eventually he would be conscious about it.

From all reports, he was quite conscious about the figure of his father, helped by the stories of a friend that taught the napoleonic battles at the University.
 
What do you mean by "brainwash"? He was sent to Austria bein 04 years old (hardly an age when someone would have any nationalistic feeling), was raised as an Austrian, called "Franz" instead of Napoleon, the Emperor forbade anyone to talk to him about his father, he didn't even lived with his mother (who could talk about Napoleon to him). I think they did anything possible to make him not feeling French. The problem is that no matter what they did, he was the son of the man who astonished Europe and eventually he would be conscious about it.
This I realize, basically what I want is for the Duke of Reichstadt to feel loyalty to his mother's family rather then his father, and have his identity based in his Habsburgness rather then his Bonaparteness.
 

Susano

Banned
This I realize, basically what I want is for the Duke of Reichstadt to feel loyalty to his mother's family rather then his father, and have his identity based in his Habsburgness rather then his Bonaparteness.

Well, in that case he would probably strongly dissociate from the Bonaaprtist succession... maybe hell even be skipped by the Bonapartists in return. Hm, I wonder if the Bourbon-Parmas can be cheated out of the deal reached with them at Vienna, and wether Napoleon can suceed his mother in Parma...
 
Well, in that case he would probably strongly dissociate from the Bonaaprtist succession... maybe hell even be skipped by the Bonapartists in return. Hm, I wonder if the Bourbon-Parmas can be cheated out of the deal reached with them at Vienna, and wether Napoleon can suceed his mother in Parma...
I was kind of thinking he might succeed his mother to the throne in Parma. I'm sure if he is close to Franz I, the Emperor will want him to have some legitimate throne and power base.
 
Parma was initially supposed to be hereditary for Marie-Louise, to pass to Napoleon II upon her death until Napoleon's return from Elba and the One-Hundred Days. The Congress of Vienna then decided she would only hold it for life. Prevent the One-Hundred days and Napoleon II will succeed his mother in Parma.

IIRC the Duke of Reichstadt was fairly close to his grandfather, who often doted upon him. It was the Emperor who granted him a colonelcy in the Austrian army or something similar.
 
I was kind of thinking he might succeed his mother to the throne in Parma. I'm sure if he is close to Franz I, the Emperor will want him to have some legitimate throne and power base.

The problem is, even if Franz I wanted to give him a throne, how would it be received by the Bourbons in France and by Britain (and everybody else)? He can argue that the boy is more Habsburg than Bonaparte, but everybody else will see him as the soon of the Corsican ogre.

Also, if he is installed in some minor throne, how can you convince any crazy revolutionaries (from France, Poland, Italy, wherever) not to go there and invite the "son of Napoleon" to be their ruler? IOTL even Brazilians wanted to help Napoleon to escape from Santa Helena in order to have him as their ruler. Imagine how many people would try to convince Napoleon's free son. You would need him to be a very humble and weak man in order to refuse so many invitations and not care for people saying his name on the streets.
 

Susano

Banned
Parma was initially supposed to be hereditary for Marie-Louise, to pass to Napoleon II upon her death until Napoleon's return from Elba and the One-Hundred Days. The Congress of Vienna then decided she would only hold it for life. Prevent the One-Hundred days and Napoleon II will succeed his mother in Parma.
Of course, if thats the only PoD, Nappy-2 predeceases his mother ;)
And I think his heir would be Nappy-3 as well, and that one surely will not simply stay in Parma. I guess we could have a double PoD, or if we assume a (n even more) Habsburg Nappy-2, a triple PoD.

The problem is, even if Franz I wanted to give him a throne, how would it be received by the Bourbons in France and by Britain (and everybody else)? He can argue that the boy is more Habsburg than Bonaparte, but everybody else will see him as the soon of the Corsican ogre.
Well, if its just a return to the pre-100 days solution, then there oughta be some wiggling room. Especially since the Habsburgs clearly will not accept that Nappy-2 is just regarded as the Corsican Orge Mk2. The real problem I see is that after 1815 it would indee dbe cheating the Bourbon-Parmas and that has potential for an international crisis - again, unless we take the double/triple PoD solution.

Also, if he is installed in some minor throne, how can you convince any crazy revolutionaries (from France, Poland, Italy, wherever) not to go there and invite the "son of Napoleon" to be their ruler? IOTL even Brazilians wanted to help Napoleon to escape from Santa Helena in order to have him as their ruler. Imagine how many people would try to convince Napoleon's free son. You would need him to be a very humble and weak man in order to refuse so many invitations and not care for people saying his name on the streets.
Hm. Of course, Bonaaprtism wasnt just a dynastcial issue - it was also ideological. So, lets see Nappy-2 does win the French throne, only to disappoint anybody to govern in a, well, a Habsburg style. I think hed be toppled again, and that was that then for him...
 
Hm. Of course, Bonaaprtism wasnt just a dynastcial issue - it was also ideological. So, lets see Nappy-2 does win the French throne, only to disappoint anybody to govern in a, well, a Habsburg style. I think hed be toppled again, and that was that then for him...

Hmm, this is actually a very interesting idea, that could have a lot of effects on the development of Republicanism feelings in France.
 
IIRC at the Congress of Vienna, Francis I did propose that Napoleon II be made ruler of France; Now we know that in the end Louis XVIII was made ruler but just suppose Francis got his way?
 
More war!

IIRC at the Congress of Vienna, Francis I did propose that Napoleon II be made ruler of France; Now we know that in the end Louis XVIII was made ruler but just suppose Francis got his way?

I would imagine that would be opposed by the other powers as being seen as giving AH too great an influence in Europe. Upsetting the "balance of power". It would probably lead to a very early Austro Prussian war, or even AH and France V Prussia and Russia, with Britain sniping at the Hapsburgs from the sea.
 
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