WI Austria Hungary intervenes in the Franco-Prussian War

The way ive read it the french and the Austrians had a plan for this but Austria stayed out of it after the first defeats. If they had intervened during the first month of the war what would be the outcome
 
The way ive read it the french and the Austrians had a plan for this but Austria stayed out of it after the first defeats. If they had intervened during the first month of the war what would be the outcome

Well it wasn't just Austria-Hungary. It was all of the southern German States ,ie Bavaria, Wurttemberg, and Saxony. If the war go's better for France in the first month, then Austria and the South German States would be much more likely to intervene. However, if Austria gets involved with the war and the war still gos bad then both France and Austria would be screwed over. After all, this would be the 3rd war in a row that Austria lost in 10-11 years. A revolt/revolution might brake out in Vienna as well as Paris.
 
Well it wasn't just Austria-Hungary. It was all of the southern German States ,ie Bavaria, Wurttemberg, and Saxony. If the war go's better for France in the first month, then Austria and the South German States would be much more likely to intervene. However, if Austria gets involved with the war and the war still gos bad then both France and Austria would be screwed over. After all, this would be the 3rd war in a row that Austria lost in 10-11 years. A revolt/revolution might brake out in Vienna as well as Paris.

The Austrians won in 1964 against Denmark ;)

AFAIK the French tried to bring the Austrians in, but failed as Austria wanted that Italy also joined (?) declared neutrality (?) (seems they wanted to avoid a two front war).

Not sure if the Southern states would switch sides if Austria joined...

IMHO France should have joined in 1866 - then it would have been possible to defeat Prussia - but they waited too long it seems (BTW I think that France actually supported the Prussian war against Austria to weaken the "GErman" empire - Austria got defeated too quickly for this to happen)
 
The problem isn't so much getting Austria in as getting her in fast enough - so that she marches simultaneously with France. If she waits even a short time, she will witness the early French defeats, and then you can forget it. After 1859 and 1866, Franz Josef will take no chances. It is especially risky for him since Bavaria is now a Prussian ally. The Bavarians would just love to acquire Tyrol and other Austrian provinces.
 
IIRC Moltke held reserves at the A-H border until the Austrians lost (whatever small amount) of interest they had to partake in this endeavor. And they lost it as the French began to lose the war and lost battles of Mars-Le-Tour and Gravelotte. The French need to start winning before the Austrians join the fray.
 
Top