WI: Murat wins the Neapolitan War

King Murat of Naples through his lot in with Napoelon in 1815 and was defeated by the Austrians at the Battle of Tolentino. What if he was isntead victorious in the battle and the war? Could he keep his thrown? Would he try to occupy Sicily from Ferdinand?
 
How? The Neopoliton army was probably the worst in Europe? Perhapss even worse than the Spanish at their worst :D The Austrians on the other hand, even if somewhat lacklustre and underfunded were competent and battle experienced.
 
How? The Neopoliton army was probably the worst in Europe? Perhapss even worse than the Spanish at their worst :D The Austrians on the other hand, even if somewhat lacklustre and underfunded were competent and battle experienced.

At Tolentino he outnumbered the Austrians 2/1 and captured their general during the opening phase of the battle. If things went a little better he may have won, this battle at least. As far as the whole war goes im not as sure. Also remember he is a pretty good general, though not a Napoelon, he is still competant

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tolentino
 
I don't see how he wins the war. As soon as the Allies are finished with Napoleon, they're going to turn to Italy to finish the job. He's not going to beat an enormous Austrian-Russian army under Schwarzenberg, which is probably what confronts him after Waterloo.
 
I don't see how he wins the war. As soon as the Allies are finished with Napoleon, they're going to turn to Italy to finish the job. He's not going to beat an enormous Austrian-Russian army under Schwarzenberg, which is probably what confronts him after Waterloo.

really? you don't think if Murat is able to destroy both Bianchi's and Neipperg armies the Austrians won't say alright already and sue for peace.
 
He's an outlaw. They'll bring their full effort to bear to get rid of him. Murat can probably use his victory to negotiate a peaceful transition that will save his life and get him a nice pension to live out the rest of his life somewhere not in Italy or France, but he's not going to win.
 
Murat's problem was that he was never viewed as a savior for the Italians, but rather as a guy who was put in charge, and was now trying to preserve his throne. Hence, he didn't get the grass roots upswing he needed to win, even when the outcome was in doubt. He had early success, but not enough to create the feeling of power. Ultimately, the neopolitans were correct: they had seen Joseph bonaparte installed and taken away, and they saw Murat installed and taken away, and then they saw the return of Ferdinand, and throughout it all the only thing that really changed was the ruler and the number of people getting killed. The lustre of "I am King, kiss the ring" was starting to dim throughout the world and people weren't just blind sheep who worshipped any old prince who happened to have the right connections to get installed.

Murat's goose was cooked when the Brits decided he wasn't going to keep his crown, which is why he went to war in the first place.

The best he could hope for is to have his kingdom and hang on for a while. He's not taking Sicily, or expanding much in any direction.
 
If the 100 Days never happens, or possibly if tthey do, but Murat doesnt jump the gun, and start fighting for Boney before he wanted him to, ie never does jump in, then he might well survive as removing him wont be part of the 'removing Napoleon' as it was otl.

All the great powers were tired of fighting, and while none were HAPPY with Murat in Naples, they accepted Bernadotte in Sweden, for instance. Personally, I dont think the Great Powers would, ultimately, have bothered.
 
If the 100 Days never happens, or possibly if tthey do, but Murat doesnt jump the gun, and start fighting for Boney before he wanted him to, ie never does jump in, then he might well survive as removing him wont be part of the 'removing Napoleon' as it was otl.

All the great powers were tired of fighting, and while none were HAPPY with Murat in Naples, they accepted Bernadotte in Sweden, for instance. Personally, I dont think the Great Powers would, ultimately, have bothered.

well Murat should have learned that in the event of a hard decision its best to do nothing. ;)
 
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