WI:Franz Josef Ferdinand dies in 1910

Here's an interesting what if. Suppose that sometime in 1910, Emperor Franz Josef Ferdinand dies. What happens next? Does Archduke Franz Ferdinand take the throne, or will there be a succession crisis? Would this cancel out World War I? What sort of relations would (should he take the throne) Franz Ferdinand have with the other monarchs of Europe, and what sort of path may Austria-Hungary take under his guidance?
 
Here's an interesting what if. Suppose that sometime in 1910, Emperor Franz Josef Ferdinand dies. What happens next? Does Archduke Franz Ferdinand take the throne, or will there be a succession crisis?

Just as an opening statement, the Kaiser personally visited Bosnia between the May 30 and June 5 (that was the plan, although he returned to Vienna on June 3). The tour included several stops to meet the people on train stations and Serb anarchists (according to a police informant) planning an assassination attempt in Mostar (which Franz Josef dismissed as unlikely, reasoning that any attempt would be made in Sarajevo, not Mostar; he was also rather dismissive of the risks and security measures, claiming that it's a risk that comes with the job). IIRC, there was an actual assassin, but he failed to take action ... but don't take my word for it, I'm fuzzy on the details. So, if you're looking for a plausible way to off the old guy, that's the primary option.

Now, moving on. Franz Ferdinand didn't have any real competition to the throne, so he'd get it by default. The issue comes from FF's little ideas on how to deal with Hungary, which, IIRC, included not accepting the Hungarian crown, plans for centralization and abolishment of the dual monarchy system, as well as a desire for a 'dictatorship from the centre' in order to stabilize the Empire. His wife wasn't popular among the court, but that had little effect otherwise, especially after the old Kaiser stood up for her.

I should note that, in regards to his reform plans, Franz Ferdinand did, at one point, remark that it was likely he wouldn't be Emperor long. Hopefully, long enough to ensure the survival of the monarchy.

His words, not mine (though I may have paraphrased a bit).

Would this cancel out World War I?

Hardly, if anything, it might trigger it. Albeit in a different manner. Keep in mind that the network of alliances was already in place by that point, which means a single spark could set all of Europe ablaze.

And say what you will, Franz Ferdinand didn't have plans to be subtle or restrained.

What sort of relations would (should he take the throne) Franz Ferdinand have with the other monarchs of Europe, and what sort of path may Austria-Hungary take under his guidance?

Pro-German, anti-Italian, well received in Britain. His relations with Wilhelm II were friendly, to the point where Wilhelm was considering passing Elsass-Lothringen to Franz Ferdinand so his children could have an inheritance (thereby making it a federal state), since FF's children were banned from the throne as a result of his marriage. I'll not that that's unlikely to affect things much, as both Karl and, later on, his son Otto were available and there was no shortage of other Habsburgs.

Anti-Italian, well, FF really didn't care for Italy, viewing it with contempt as an ancestral enemy of Vienna. If he ascends to the throne, expect a major cooling in the relations between the two countries, especially as FF was even more averse to compromise than Franz Jozef.
 
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Anti-Italian, well, FF really didn't care for Italy, viewing it with contempt as an ancestral enemy of Vienna. If he ascends to the throne, expect a major cooling in the relations between the two countries, especially as FF was even more averse to compromise than Franz Jozef.

The Italian-Ottoman war can spark an austrian invasion of Italy as Conrad proposed this and there were menace regarding any italian move against Ottoman position in Albania. Even if this not happening Italy in CP is history as the already problems due to the annexation crisis will be greatly exacerbated by the well know position of FF regarding Italy
 
Now, moving on. Franz Ferdinand didn't have any real competition to the throne, so he'd get it by default.

Franz Ferdinand was the recognized heir apparent. Period. There was no contention against that.

His wife wasn't popular among the court, but that had little effect otherwise, especially after the old Kaiser stood up for her.
Franz Josef forbade FF from marrying her for years. He finally consented, but only under humiliating conditions. FF was required to make a solemn public declaration that Sophie could never be Empress and that their children and descendants would have no claim whatever to the Imperial succession.

Sophie was not "Archduchess"; instead she was created "Duchess of Hohenberg". As such she was outranked by 44 Archduchesses and other ladies. The Court master of protocol enforced every detail of the rules at her expense, and Franz Josef never objected.
 
Sophie was not "Archduchess"; instead she was created "Duchess of Hohenberg". As such she was outranked by 44 Archduchesses and other ladies. The Court master of protocol enforced every detail of the rules at her expense, and Franz Josef never objected.

Yeah, my apologies. I've just looked it up, it was regarding the funeral. Prince Montenuovo wanted to leave Sophie's coffin (which was to remain both closed and unmarked) behind and only display the Archduke's.

It was actually Karl who put his foot down on the matter and pulled rank to override Montenuovo, demanding a joint service. By all accounts, Franz Jozef remained unfazed by the entire event, FF's secretary remarking that all he saw from the Kaiser was 'the same unmoving expression he used to display to his subjects on any occasion'. I guess the old guy was pretty jaded by this point, this being the fourth time he had to bury someone close to him (due to a violent death).
 
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