I'm thinking of writing a timeline starting with the death of Napoleon at the height of the Empire (1807-1812), anytime before he crosses the Nieman for the invasion of Russia. Still, this vast period of time gives me several options for possible PODs. Below are the ones I have picked out as most likely and agreeable to me:
1. 1808 Spain - Napoleon spent much of 1808 in Spain saving his brother's new realm from the national insurrection that had begun in May. At one point in the autumn, although I cant find any sources, I remember that there was a scare in Paris that Napoleon had died. If he had died, at this time he was still married to Josephine and without issue, so Joseph would have immediately become Emperor.
Joseph I's first act, I think, would be to evacuate Spain and return it to the Spanish Bourbons in exchange for a renewed alliance against Britain and Portugal. He had already begged his brother earlier in the year to let him abdicate and return to Naples, now with the power in his hands, Joseph would definitely have no qualms about "cutting and running" from the Iberian war.
But how would the rest of Europe react to Joseph's rise. Britain was still committed to the restoration of the Bourbons, but would their erstwile continental allies agree with a more amiable Bonaparte on the throne?
2. 1809 Austria - Napoleon dies during the war on the Danube (he had many close calls during this campaign OTL). Again Joseph ascends to the Imperial Crown, but come to it at war with a great power, along with the threat of German insurrection, Prussian intervention, and a rumored British descent on the North Sea coasts.
3. 1811 to April 1812 - Napoleon (either by old wounds, disease, or assassination) dies before or soon after the birth of the King of Rome, but before he can launch the invasion of Russia. This time Napoleon has a son and the regency passes to Marie Louise (as it did OTL in 1814). This is a very interesting option to me because it binds Austrian interest to Napoleonic France for the long haul, imho. The daughter and grandson of Emperor Francis rule the hegemonic power of Europe now; why would Austria ever again join the Allies to unseat their blood for the sake of the Bourbons. OTL Francis was almost for this opinion and it was only the specter of a livling Napoleon prevented Russia and Austria supporting the option of Napoleon II reigning.
What do yall think?
1. 1808 Spain - Napoleon spent much of 1808 in Spain saving his brother's new realm from the national insurrection that had begun in May. At one point in the autumn, although I cant find any sources, I remember that there was a scare in Paris that Napoleon had died. If he had died, at this time he was still married to Josephine and without issue, so Joseph would have immediately become Emperor.
Joseph I's first act, I think, would be to evacuate Spain and return it to the Spanish Bourbons in exchange for a renewed alliance against Britain and Portugal. He had already begged his brother earlier in the year to let him abdicate and return to Naples, now with the power in his hands, Joseph would definitely have no qualms about "cutting and running" from the Iberian war.
But how would the rest of Europe react to Joseph's rise. Britain was still committed to the restoration of the Bourbons, but would their erstwile continental allies agree with a more amiable Bonaparte on the throne?
2. 1809 Austria - Napoleon dies during the war on the Danube (he had many close calls during this campaign OTL). Again Joseph ascends to the Imperial Crown, but come to it at war with a great power, along with the threat of German insurrection, Prussian intervention, and a rumored British descent on the North Sea coasts.
3. 1811 to April 1812 - Napoleon (either by old wounds, disease, or assassination) dies before or soon after the birth of the King of Rome, but before he can launch the invasion of Russia. This time Napoleon has a son and the regency passes to Marie Louise (as it did OTL in 1814). This is a very interesting option to me because it binds Austrian interest to Napoleonic France for the long haul, imho. The daughter and grandson of Emperor Francis rule the hegemonic power of Europe now; why would Austria ever again join the Allies to unseat their blood for the sake of the Bourbons. OTL Francis was almost for this opinion and it was only the specter of a livling Napoleon prevented Russia and Austria supporting the option of Napoleon II reigning.
What do yall think?
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