WI: Denmark, Austria and France ally themselves against Prussia in 1864?

poirot

Banned
Does German unification fail? Would Denmark have been a more important player in European politics? Does Napoleon III's regime survive? Would the two World Wars have been avoided?
 
It creates an interesting scenario.

Russia would probably side with Prussia - they are smarting from the lack of Austrian support during the Crimean War, with them having helped put down the Galizian and Hungarian revolts in 1848 - besides, Russia does not want to see either Austria nor France grow too powerful.

Italy was a Prussian ally against Austria 1866, but they will hardly go against France, which holds substantial land and troops inside Italy at this time. Neutrality is probably their best option.

The Ottomans are reforming after the Crimean War and are probably not after another conflict at this time. They most likely stay out.

The big wildcard is Britain, which controls about 50% of the total industrial production of the WORLD at this time. If Prussia fights alone, they might side with Prussia to ensure the balance of power. But a Prussian-Russian alliance might have them side with Austria-France-Denmark, as they have cordial relations with France and still view Russia with suspicion since the Crimean War.
 
EDIT: Wait, I misread the title - 1864? Why would Austria turn against Prussia in the Second Schleswig War???
 
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Does German unification fail? Would Denmark have been a more important player in European politics? Does Napoleon III's regime survive? Would the two World Wars have been avoided?
Napoleon III regime was evolving toward a form of constitutional monarchy so it might survive to the present day he was also a suporter of the french industrialisation. Too bad the second empire anthem is so ugly. As for Danmark and Austria I don't know.
 
Too bad the second empire anthem is so ugly.

Huh. I'd have said that Partant Pour La Syrie was if anything prettier than the Marseillaise. The words are certainly nicer.

As for Danmark and Austria I don't know.

Nappy III wouln't be eager to fight in defense of the 1815 borders. Also, an Austrian alliance probably requires Austria to give up Venice (an obsession with him) which FJ ain't yet ready to do.
 
OK, I admit that I do not know a word of French (except for "Non, non, Monsieur, je ne suis pas un putain"), but the Marseillaises whatchamacallit wins hands down. It makes me want to put the guillotine to some bourgeois pigs, or whatever. Maybe they are singing about surrendering to Nazis, but it still wins.
 
OK, I admit that I do not know a word of French (except for "Non, non, Monsieur, je ne suis pas un putain"), but the Marseillaises whatchamacallit wins hands down. It makes me want to put the guillotine to some bourgeois pigs, or whatever. Maybe they are singing about surrendering to Nazis, but it still wins.

Chacun a son gout, as they say over on the wrong side of the Channel.

Personally though I mistrust those who bang on about days of glory and using other people's blood (impure or not) as a fertiliser. I think my favourite patriotic air is the one set to Elgar's fourth Pomp and Circumstance March. I just love those lines

"Brutes and braggarts may
Have their little day.
We shall never bow the knee".

I think it word "little" strikes just the right note, with a lovely air of "put down" about it
 
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